Warmth.
That was the first sensation Sakura felt as she drifted back into consciousness. Not pain—not the sharp, burning agony she remembered—but a gentle warmth spreading across her cheeks.
She blinked slowly.
A simple wooden ceiling came into view, and with it the faint scent of incense. Sakura tried to sit up. Her body protested, muscles aching from the intense battle.
"Whoa—easy there."
A calm voice spoke from beside her bed.
Sakura turned her head.
The boy who had saved her—now in his human form—sat in a wooden chair. Lavender-tinted hair, sharp golden eyes, and a relaxed posture that still radiated quiet strength.
"You were out for almost a full day," he said with a small smile. "You're tougher than you look."
Sakura swallowed.
"…Where am I?"
"My hideout," he replied. "Safe, for now. Name's Kaito. Since Riv trusts you, I guess I can too."
Sakura let out a breath. "I'm Sakura. And thank you… for helping me."
Kaito chuckled. "Well, if I didn't intervene, you'd be a smear on the dirt. That Zoro-card user didn't hold back."
Sakura stiffened.
"…What happened to them? The two card users?"
Kaito's expression shifted.
"I got the Zoro card."
He pointed to a small sealed container sitting on the table nearby. "He didn't get up after that."
"And the Naruto user…?" Sakura asked hesitantly.
Kaito's jaw tightened slightly—a hint of annoyance.
"He ran. Managed to escape right before I could land the finishing blow."
He clicked his tongue. "Fast little brat."
Sakura felt a chill.
So the Naruto user survived. A strange feeling twisted in her chest.
"Don't worry," Kaito added calmly. "Someone like him won't stay alive long if he keeps using that card recklessly."
Sakura nodded silently.
She already knew his fate.
Kaito stood and stretched. "If you can walk, come outside. I want to show you something."
Her legs trembled as she stood, but she managed. Kaito steadied her briefly with a hand behind her shoulder.
"Take it slow. You nearly broke your own body forcing Sakuyamon's power."
Sakura nodded, embarrassed.
He led her outside into the crisp mountain air.
The Battle-Scarred Training Ground
Sakura's eyes widened.
Beside the cabin was a wide stone courtyard, marked with cracks, shattered boulders, and deep trenches carved through rock like someone had dragged a massive weapon across it.
"Kaito… did you do all this?"
"Hmm?" Kaito scratched his cheek. "More or less. Training. Sparring. Maybe a few accidents."
"A few…?" Sakura murmured suspiciously.
He grinned. "Anyway. Since you're collecting cards, you're going to need proper control. Otherwise every transformation will chew through your life force."
Sakura lowered her gaze.
"I know."
Kaito stepped closer. "You don't. Not yet."
He placed one finger on her forehead.
A cold pulse of energy surged through her, steadying her spirit.
Sakura gasped softly.
"That's energy alignment," he explained. "Your body and soul were out of sync after you forced the Sakuyamon transformation."
He tapped her chest lightly.
"You're still not stable."
Sakura clenched her fists. "…I have to get stronger."
"And you will," Kaito replied simply. "But not by rushing."
He walked to the center of the courtyard.
"Lesson one: feel your core."
Sakura closed her eyes.
A warm golden spark glowed deep within her chest—her own spiritual center.
Kaito nodded. "Good. Don't lose that feeling."
He moved around her, adjusting her stance.
"Lesson two: breathing. Sakuyamon uses holy energy, and holy energy collapses if the user panics."
Sakura followed his instructions carefully.
Adjust posture.
Stabilize breathing.
Lower her center of gravity.
Her arms trembled.
Her legs shook like jelly.
"You're pushing too hard again," Kaito said with a sigh.
"I-I have to improve quickly," Sakura panted. "There are so many dangerous card users—"
"And that's exactly why you can't rush."
His voice sharpened slightly.
She flinched.
Kaito's expression softened just a little. "I've seen strong, kind people die because they tried to grow too fast. Cards amplify your nature—but they also amplify your flaws."
Sakura froze.
He was right.
If she kept forcing herself, she would break.
"…Then what should I do?" she whispered.
"Start small," Kaito said. "Build the foundation. Once you have control, then we focus on power."
A small smile tugged at Sakura's lips. "Will you… train me?"
Kaito smirked. "Sure. But only when you stop wobbling like a baby deer."
"H-Hey!"
He laughed.
"Alright, break time. After that, we'll practice reinforcement techniques. You'll need them if you want to transform without collapsing afterward."
Sakura nodded firmly.
She would become stronger—slowly, steadily, properly.
Not for the mission.
Not because Riv pushed her.
But because she wanted to protect others.
And somewhere out there, dangerous card users were growing stronger every day.
Sakura tightened her fists.
She wouldn't fall behind.
Not anymore.