The alley was silent now, the echoes of the earlier explosion still vibrating faintly through Teriyaki's bones. He stared at Kuro, still unsure if this was some bizarre dream—or a nightmare made real.
"You expect me to believe that… that I'm some kind of… samurai?" Teriyaki asked, voice trembling.
Kuro's mask tilted slightly, the corners of his mouth invisible but implied in the firm set of his jaw. "Not a samurai, Teriyaki. The Purple Samurai. The one whose bloodline has protected this world for generations. And now, that blood flows in you."
Teriyaki's mind refused to accept it. Purple Samurai? He had read history books, learned myths of heroes in distant lands, but never did he imagine… that he was connected to such legends.
"Why… why me?" he asked quietly, almost to himself.
"Because the line must continue," Kuro said, stepping closer. The shadows around him seemed to shift with each step, tendrils of darkness licking the edges of the alley. "Because someone will rise to face what is coming. And if you do not awaken your power, others will exploit it. You cannot hide any longer."
A shiver ran down Teriyaki's spine. The violet glow that had sparked from his hands earlier flared faintly again, as if in agreement with Kuro's words.
"I don't know how to control it… I don't even know what it is," Teriyaki admitted, panic creeping in.
Kuro's tone softened, almost paternal. "That is why I am here. To teach you. To guide you. You must learn to control the energy within you—your aura, your spirit, your will. Every Purple Samurai before you has done the same. You are not alone, but you are the last hope in this generation."
Teriyaki swallowed hard, fear and excitement warring in his chest. "Teach me… but… what will happen if I fail?"
Kuro's gaze hardened. "Fail, and the world will pay the price. But I have seen your spirit, Teriyaki. The spark in you is rare. With training… you can surpass even your ancestors."
A distant sound caught Teriyaki's attention—the faint hum of engines. Shadows moved along the street beyond the alley. Agents. They had recovered from his earlier attack. And judging by the speed of their approach, they were coming for him again.
Kuro's hand rested briefly on Teriyaki's shoulder. "No more running. We leave now. If we stay, they will overwhelm you before you understand what is at stake. You must awaken your power—and fast."
Teriyaki's fear transformed into resolve. His life as an ordinary boy was over. Whatever waited ahead, whatever battles he would face… he would not falter.
The two of them moved into the deeper shadows of the city. The sun dipped below the horizon, and a violet light seemed to pulse in rhythm with Teriyaki's heartbeat.
Somewhere deep inside him, a voice whispered—a voice that belonged not to him alone, but to the line of warriors who had lived and died for centuries.
"Rise, Purple Samurai. Your time has come."