In a sky filled with nothing but endless white, a voice echoed softly. Gentle. Almost like a fading breeze.
"Nee-san... I promise... I'll find you."
The words hung in the air, swallowed by the stillness of that empty world.
As Hoshi's world slipped into unconsciousness, Back at the nearby café, everything had changed in an instant.
Ryujin was gone.
His chair sat pushed aside, still spinning slightly from how quickly he stood. The table wobbled unevenly, one corner stained with spilled coffee. On the floor, his cracked mug lay where it had fallen — the drink still steaming faintly.
He had vanished the moment the distant blast echoed through the port.
The first hunter was already moving.
Outside, sirens wailed across the city as the atmosphere shifted rapidly. The sharp blare echoed through the streets, pulling attention toward the source of the commotion.
Bystanders began piling near intersections and sidewalks, craning their necks, eyes drawn toward the rising smoke by the port.
"What happened?"
"An explosion? Over at the docks?"
"Is it the Seele's again?"
People whispered anxiously, their voices blending into a rising sea of unease. Some clutched their phones, already streaming shaky footage. Others stared wide-eyed at the black smoke curling into the morning sky.
The sense of urgency was palpable — but none of them yet knew how close the real threat was.
~~~Mount Iimori, Fukuoka~~~
The SUV screeched to a hard stop as the brakes slammed, the front tires screaming against the hot asphalt.
Before the vehicle even fully settled, Kirashi was already out, stepping into the open road. The SUV quickly spun around, circling to find a safe spot where The Crow could make his entrance.
For now, Kirashi stood alone. His katana gleamed faintly under the rising sun.
"Easy work,"
He muttered under his breath.
Miss Gigi's voice crackled through the earpiece.
"They're coming your way, Kirashi. Stay on your ground. Your ride is nearby, no need to rush. The beasts are approaching from your west."
"Got it,"
Kirashi answered confidently.
But in his head, his expression soured slightly.
"West... which way is west again?"
He glanced around awkwardly, trying to mask his internal confusion, pretending like he was simply scouting the area.
As Kirashi stood waiting, the distant ground trembled — faint at first, then heavier with each passing second.
The civilians in the nearby streets had already begun panicking from the distant explosion, but now their attention shifted toward the towering silhouette of the mountains west of the city.
"L-Look! Up there!"
From the tree line of Mount Iimori, massive shapes emerged — crawling, lurching forward with unnatural speed.
The Seeles.
Their grotesque bodies clung to the mountain slopes as they descended, their monstrous claws digging into dirt and rock, snapping trees as they advanced toward the city.
"The mountains— they're coming from the mountains!!"
Panic exploded through the crowd. People scrambled even faster, pushing past one another. Cars crashed into each other in the narrow streets as civilians tried desperately to flee.
Kirashi kept his eyes locked on the incoming horde.
"Tch..."
"Here we go."
Miss Gigi's voice rang in his earpiece once again.
"Steady, Kirashi. Squad's almost in position. Hold your ground."
Kirashi cracked his neck slightly and took a deep breath.
"Yeah, yeah..."
"Let's play."
As the panic grew, the terrified civilians stumbled through the streets. But even amidst the chaos, some eyes were drawn to the lone figure calmly standing his ground.
Kirashi.
Dressed in the squad's sharp black uniform, his sword gleaming faintly, he stood between the city and the crawling horrors beyond the mountains.
A few civilians slowed in their escape, stealing quick glances back at him.
"W-Who's that guy?"
"That's one of them, right? Squad Segment 663!"
"Look... he's not even flinching."
"Is he strong enough to stop those things...?"
A faint wave of awe flickered through the crowd, even amidst their fear. The contrast of his stillness against the monstrous advancing Seele made his presence feel larger than life.
Kirashi took another breath as he softly muttered to himself,
"Come on... keep looking. You'll have something better to talk about soon."
The beasts were spread out, awkwardly inefficient — not the best formation for Kirashi to take them down one by one.
"Anytime now..."
Kirashi muttered, standing his ground firmly.
Then, his eyes suddenly widened.
A smile slowly crept across his face as he whispered,
"Come for us... come for Itoshi!"
Below the bridge, The Crow — Itoshi — moved silently, his rhythm steady and calm. His eyes behind the mask were closed as the Seele began closing in on his position.
Miss Gigi's voice crackled through the comms,
"Not yet, Itoshi."
Then her tone shifted, directed to Kirashi.
"Kirashi, move the beasts further away. Your ride is returning. For now, evacuate the civilians so Itoshi can make his entrance."
Kirashi's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
"EVERYONE! MOVE AWAY FROM HERE! IT'S DANGEROUS!"
Civilians nearby scattered immediately, pushing back in a chaotic but necessary retreat.
Kirashi glanced back and saw it clearly — all the Seele were converging toward one point: them.
Miss Gigi's voice came through sharp and clear.
"They're heading straight for you. Keep creating a safe working area for yourself and Itoshi."
Her tone shifted into briefing mode.
"Three Wind types, Titav class. Four Earth types, Megalo class."
Kirashi's eyes narrowed as he assessed the incoming threat.
"Titav and Megalo... this just got interesting."
He gripped his katana tighter, ready to face the full force of the assault.
The SUV rolled up smoothly, expertly guiding the civilians farther away from the danger zone—but close enough so they could witness the squad's battle unfolding.
The Driver's voice came through clearly,
"All clear out here. Cue the time, Gigi."
Miss Gigi replied promptly,
"Copy that."
Kirashi took a deep breath as he sprinted toward the wide open field, centering himself.
"Ahh... so much food wasted,"
He muttered with a wry grin.
Then his eyes locked onto an incoming target—a lone Earth-type Megalo-class Seele barreling straight at him.
With a swift, precise stroke of his katana, Kirashi sliced through the beast in a single, fluid motion.
"Three left..."
He said, readying himself.
Miss Gigi's voice blared urgently in Kirashi's ear:
"You're surrounded!"
Kirashi's eyes snapped wide. Just in time, he blocked a snapping claw swinging at his right side, teeth clenched tight as he held the beast at bay.
"Behind!"
he shouted.
He spun around and ducked low just as one Seele lunged at him from behind—only to be smacked away by another beast charging in its path.
The crowd watching from a safe distance gasped and murmured in awe.
Some were genuinely impressed by his lightning-fast reflexes.
Others chuckled, shaking their heads at how ridiculous and almost comical his fighting style looked.
Kirashi stepped back, holding his ear and grimacing.
"Sorry, didn't notice that one coming so quick."
Miss Gigi's voice came through firmly,
"Continue the battle. The Wind types are already en route. Itoshi, stand by."
Itoshi's calm reply:
"Got it."
Kirashi took a deep breath and drew his katana in a flash.
With precise, swift strikes, he cut down the two Earth-type Seele charging at him.
"Okay, Itoshi, it's your time to shine."
Miss Gigi interrupted.
"Hold on, Kirashi. Just slow them down for now."
"Got it"
Kirashi answered.
Then, voice booming, he shouted out loud.
"WHERE ARE YOU WIND BASTARDS?! COME FOR ME!"
The civilians nearby exchanged baffled looks.
"He's a Wind Gifted!... is he gonna use wind to fight them?"
"Nah, that can't work... not possible."
"He needs flame... the Crow!!"
"The Crow's from Nagasaki, you idiot!"
"They're here!"
Kirashi muttered in his head.
Suddenly, a Wind-type Seele, twice his size, lunged forward. Its massive claws swatted toward him, jaws wide open, a black tongue flicking out.
Kirashi barely had time to react but managed to block the attack just in time.
"Too fast!" He muttered.
Then, another one came from behind.
Kirashi looked back, eyes wide open but fearless.
His green eyes with red irises suddenly reflected a sharp blue hue as the sound of angry flames surged through the field.
It was The Crow.
Some civilians covered their eyes, unable to watch someone fall.
Others stayed frozen, eyes glued to the unfolding battle — and they were glad they did.
"IT'S THE CROW!"
"HOW DID HE GET HERE?!"
"AIN'T HE FROM NAGASAKI?!"
"GO BLUE FLAME!! WOOSH!!"
"Pff. Showoff!"
Kirashi muttered with a smile behind The Crow.
"Heh. That's my job."
The Crow replied calmly.
Meanwhile, back in Nagasaki, Ryo sat alone in a dim bar. The entire room was tense — everyone around him frozen in fear of his mere presence. His power was undeniable, and his reputation even more so.
He had just received word — the man he was seeking had moved.
The Crow was now in Fukuoka.
"Ehh?.. He moved further away?.. What the hell?.."
Ryo muttered to himself.
He slowly turned his gaze toward the barista, who stood trembling behind the counter.
Ryo's eyes widened slightly, cold and curious.
"Tell me... why did he leave Nagasaki?.."
He paused for a moment.
"Tell me."
"I... I don't know! I-I'm sorry, Ryo-sama!"
The barista replied as he whimpered.
"Ehh?.. Why don't you know?.. D-Don't you think he got scared of me?.. That weakling."
Ryo sighed, glancing away, voice lowering as he muttered,
"That blue-haired guy... was he part of Squad Segment 663?"
A streak of blue flame slashed clean through a Titav-class Seele, cutting it in half with ease. One down. Three to go.
"Woah! Swords really do work well."
The Crow muttered.
Kirashi leaped beside him.
"Of course you fool!.. Now get this done already, we gotta help Ryujin and Ayro."
"Bet."
The two charged forward, moving together in perfect rhythm as they battled the remaining beasts.
Meanwhile, the people of Fukuoka watched, mesmerized by the sight of the blue flame streaking across the battlefield.
"That's him... that's the Crow!"
"Amazing... he sliced it like butter!"
But not everyone shared the same awe. Farther back in the crowd, murmurs of skepticism spread.
"Tch... so this is the so-called 'hero that will change the world?'"
"Look at that cursed flame... burning up our fields..."
"We don't need any of their kind here."
Though many were captivated, others stared with narrowed eyes, disgusted by the very power that was protecting them.
"OK, THAT WAS THE LAST!"
Kirashi shouted.
The Crow landed hard on his knees, gasping for breath.
"Let's go!"
Kirashi called out.
Itoshi tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't respond.
"W-What the hell!? I-I can't move?! W-What's happening?!"
He screamed in his head, panic swelling.
His body collapsed to the ground.
Time seemed to slow for the entire squad.
The civilians watched in stunned silence as the legendary Crow — the symbol of hope — fell helplessly to the grass.
And then... his mask slipped.
The whole world watched as a part of the Crow's identity was revealed. His long streaking blue hair spilled across his shoulders. His sharp, war-hardened red eyes reflected the vibrant green of the field — but behind them was terror.
Far away in Nagasaki, inside the dim bar, Ryo stood up, his wide eyes glued to the television screen.
A twisted, sinister grin stretched across his face.
"Hehehe... there you are!~"
"The Crow!"
"B-Blue hair?!"
"Is that what he really looks like?!"
"He's so young... and already this violent?!"
The crowd's murmurs filled the air as The Crow's identity was fully exposed before them. Whispers turned into gasps, and gasps into heated gossip as more people flooded the scene, drawn by the growing commotion.
The image of the once-mysterious hero, now vulnerable and human, spread rapidly — not just through the city, but across the news feeds.
Meanwhile, not far from the chaos, on the balcony of a nearby house overlooking the field, a lone figure stood silently.
The cyborg.
A small, pleased smile crept across his metallic face as he watched everything unfold below.
"We... got... caught."
Itoshi muttered to himself, his voice barely audible.
The squad's SUV skidded to a halt. Without hesitation, Jayu burst out of the vehicle, sprinting toward her fallen hero.
Her breath was sharp and rapid, her small body not built for long bursts of speed. She was weak — fragile — but determined.
"Who is that?!"
"A child?!"
"It's not safe out there! He's cursed with Flame!"
The voices around her echoed in growing panic and confusion, but Jayu ignored them all. She kept running, straight to Itoshi, who lay helpless on the grass.
Kirashi rushed alongside her, his expression hardening as he protected Jayu's path.
Jayu finally reached Itoshi, falling to her knees beside him.
"HERO! STAND UP!"
She cried out, voice trembling as her small palm began to glow a soft green.
Itoshi's eyes locked onto hers — filled with desperation. She wasn't just trying to heal him. She was trying to protect him — to hide him from the world.
But the crowd's attention shifted rapidly.
"Wait... isn't that the child who made the plane crash in Hedo?"
"You're right!"
"That's the demon child!"
The murmurs spread like wildfire, laced with disgust and fear.
Jayu heard every word. But she kept her head down, focusing all her strength on healing Itoshi, blocking out the rising tide of hatred surrounding her.
Jayu's small body trembled as the glowing light from her palm intensified.
"HERO... YOU PROMISED ME YOU'D PROTECT US!"
Her voice cracked, but she held firm.
Jayu tried to touch Itoshi, but the moment her fingers touched his cheeks.
"AH!"
She pulled her hand back as worry started to grow on her face.
"Itoshi-nii... Y-You're... Burning hot.."
Itoshi's breathing began to steady. The faint warmth of her healing slowly worked through his collapsing body.
But around them, the crowd's whispers grew louder, more venomous.
"A cursed child healing a flame user..."
"Disgusting..."
"They're all the same... monsters."
Kirashi stood close, fists clenched, silently shielding them both from the swelling hatred.
The whole world was watching — but for Jayu, only one thing mattered Saving her hero.
Far above, the cyborg continued to observe with a twisted smile.
And far away in Nagasaki, Ryo leaned back, eyes glued to the screen.
"Now... this is getting interesting."
As the sirens wailed in the distance and helicopters circled overhead, Fukuoka would never see this moment the same again.
~~~To be Continued~~~