In front of the cave, a man in black was continuously unleashing streams of water, bolts of lightning, and other attacks into the empty air, looking for all the world like he had lost his mind.
In reality, in a place unseen by ordinary people, Tetsuren the ghost was panting in distress, battered and bruised by his series of attacks.
"Stop, stop! I can't take it anymore! If you keep this up, I'm really going to die," Tetsuren cried out, unable to withstand Kaito's relentless flogging any longer, and finally begged for mercy.
"It's fine. You've already died once. You'll get used to it after a few more times."
Kaito ignored her pleas, only stopping with an air of dissatisfaction after he had tested all of his abilities.
So, besides Normal and Fighting-type moves, all other types can cause damage to Tetsuren. It seems she's basically become a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Though he desperately wanted to shout, "I've caught a Pokémon!", given the lack of a Poké Ball and anyone to get the reference, Kaito managed to suppress his excitement.
Now, regardless of whether she's the real Tetsuren or something else, I have a way to keep her in check. I don't need to worry about her being a threat anymore.
Tetsuren, looking utterly exhausted, stared daggers at Kaito, her face full of resentment. "You bastard, Kaito! Are you really trying to kill me? Have you no feelings for our past?"
"If I had no feelings for our past, you would have been reduced to ashes by now," Kaito said, his eyes narrowed. "Especially since you know quite a few of my secrets that can't see the light of day."
"If other people could hear me, I'd love to share your secrets with them! Especially someone's... special taste for older women. Like a certain 'Sister Ruri,' 'Sister Shiori,' 'Sister Tsunade'... you're always staring at them. Ptooey! You pervert!"
"What does a little kid like you know? Older, sophisticated women are eternal goddesses!" Kaito declared with an air of righteous indignation. "They're gentle and considerate and don't throw unreasonable tantrums. They're much better than immature little girls!" His actual age wasn't sixteen, so of course, he had no interest in little lolis.
"Hmph! In any case, you're just a lying, heartless, cruel pervert who has no regard for old times."
"Since you put it that way, I'll grant your wish and play the part you've imagined for me. And it just so happens I have one more move I haven't used."
Kaito approached Tetsuren with a cold smile, causing her to panic and fly away in retreat. Unfortunately, as she had said, she couldn't move more than ten meters away from him. Kaito quickly trapped her in a Fire Spin, leaving her too afraid to move.
Watching Kaito get closer and closer, Tetsuren couldn't help but scream, "Don't come over here!"
"Scream. No one will hear you even if you scream your throat out. So, just be a good girl and let me do as I please."
"In your dreams!" Tetsuren, "preferring death to dishonor," popped her eyeballs out again, transforming back into the horrifying ghoul.
"You think this little trick can stop me again and again? How naive. It was impressive that it even worked once." Kaito ignored her appearance. His hand flashed with golden light, and he grabbed her hand directly.
"Hm?" He raised an eyebrow, feeling a sliver of energy drain from his hand, as if it had been absorbed by Tetsuren.
"Huh? Why can you grab me?" In no mood to savor the long-lost sensation of touch, Tetsuren tried to swing at Kaito with her other hand, but it passed right through him.
"???" She grew even more confused.
"Heh heh, you little fool. Accept my ultimate finishing move!"
Before Tetsuren's despairing eyes, Kaito stuck out his tongue and licked her fingers.
A paralyzing sensation she had never experienced before spread through her entire body. With a strange expression on her face, Tetsuren went rigid and fell over. "...???"
"Oh? A thirty percent chance, and it worked on the first try? I don't know if you're too unlucky or I'm too lucky," Kaito said, shaking his head. He looked down at the stiff-as-a-board Tetsuren on the ground and waited quietly for her to recover.
After about a minute, she returned to normal and immediately began to wipe her fingers in disgust.
Paralyzed for one minute? The effect isn't bad.
Kaito nodded to himself, then looked at Tetsuren. "How did that feel?"
"Disgusting!" Tetsuren pouted, thoroughly unconvinced. "Why can you touch me, but I can't touch you? It's not fair!"
"Who told you not to work harder? You wasted three whole years and all you learned was how to pop your eyeballs out?"
"How do you know I haven't been working hard? I don't even remember how many times I've tried! If I can't do it, I can't do it!" Without any special cheats, making a breakthrough was indeed difficult for her.
Seeing the agitated Tetsuren, Kaito shrugged. "Alright, what's past is past. Let's turn the page and move on."
"So now, are you willing to try again? I'll help you become stronger, help you become visible to others, help you be able to touch others. How about it?"
"Of course I'm willing," Tetsuren nodded without hesitation.
"Then let's begin our long-overdue special training."
The two looked at each other and smiled, both simultaneously recalling the times they had strived together. After their little squabble, the barrier between them had vanished.
"But it's too late today. We'll talk about it tomorrow. I also need to think carefully about how to help you."
"Oh."
"Good night." Kaito yawned and, ignoring Tetsuren's disappointed look, went straight back into the cave, lay down, and was soon fast asleep.
Tetsuren followed him into the cave and stared at Kaito's sleeping face, a smile suddenly blooming on her own.
Spark Sanctuary.
Due to "Kaito's" return, everyone gathered for a long-overdue feast. The ice clone personally took charge of the kitchen, raising the expectations of Shiori and the others, who hadn't had a delicious meal in months.
However, the only ones who had the chance to taste this fine cuisine were Shiori, Konan, Yamabiko Yuto, and Jiraiya. After a short rest, Nono had been sent by Shiori to the orphanage and was no longer staying in the tower.
Of all of them, Konan was the most excited to see the ice clone. She threw herself into his arms and happily presented him with a beautiful paper flower.
"Thank you, Konan. I love it." The ice clone picked her up and, smiling, looked at Jiraiya behind her. "Long time no see. How does it feel to have been a teacher for so long?"
"Not bad. I feel like I've gotten much younger." Jiraiya didn't seem to be in high spirits, a worried look on his face.
"What about you, Yuto? Are the kids driving you so crazy you're losing your hair?"
"You jest, my lord. My hair has always been thick," Yamabiko Yuto said with a smile, removing his mask. "The school has hired several new teachers, so my workload has eased up quite a bit."
"Is that so? That's good."
Chatting as they went, the ice clone led them to the dining table. Looking at the dazzling array of delicious food, Jiraiya's worries seemed to lessen. He broke into a hearty smile, took a jug of sake from a scroll, placed it on the table, and announced loudly, "Come, come! It's a rare reunion! Tonight, let's drink until we drop!"
"Does the sanctuary have sake now?"
"I bought it with my own money!"
"Oh. Then it's fine."