Arou lay sprawled on the ground, grunting in pain, while Kayomi lay nearby, utterly exhausted. Kato staggered to his feet and walked toward Kayomi. The strain of maintaining the God Eye and copying techniques had taken its toll. The shadow-hardening on Kato's arms dissolved, and the glow in his right eye dimmed, returning it to its usual yellow hue.
Kayomi: Are you alright, Kato?
Kato: I'm fine, Mr. Kayomi. Just a little weak.
Kayomi: That's expected…
Kato: I can't believe you came up with that plan so quickly. You're really dependable, Mr Kayomi.
Kayomi: So I wasn't dependable before?
Kato: Uh…
Kayomi then ignored the response and rose to his feet.
Kayomi: We should get moving. I'm surprised the others didn't show up before we finished the fight.
Kato: Others?
Kayomi: Yeah, I called—
Before Kayomi could finish, someone dropped from the ceiling of the abandoned house. In an instant, Kayomi was attacked and restrained by writhing tree vines. The source of the vines stood before them, Korra Hawks, who had appeared without warning.
Kato barely had time to react before he too, was ensnared by Korra's vines. Just then, two more figures descended from the ceiling: Zero and Jokita.
Zero: Careful, Korra. Don't kill them.
Lorra: Yeah I won't.
Arou lifted up his head weakly when he saw his comrades enter the building.
Arou: You.. guys? What are you doing here? I said I'd bring Kato in myself.
Zero sighed.
Zero: Well I was kinda worried when you started taking too long, so I decided to check up on you.
Arou: (smirks) Aren't you the kind one?
Zero: But man, you look like hell. Was Kato Hamura really that tough?
Arou: He'll be even tougher if we don't take the God Eye from him now.
Zero: (grinning) Oh, he's that strong already? Now it's getting interesting. Let's not waste time, we'll take the eye here and now.
Zero strode toward Kato, who was struggling against Lorra's vines. Sensing Zero's presence in front of him, Kato ceased his struggle and looked up at the menacing face in front of him.
Kato: Who are you?!
Zero smirked.
Zero: I'm Zero, leader of the Kaimi Daja. The one behind what happened to your mother.
Kato's thoughts raced back to the image of his mother in a coma at the hospital. Anger flared within him, and his scarlet-red eyes ignited with fury. With a surge of rage, Kato broke free from Korra's tree restraint and charged at Zero.
Zero effortlessly blocked each of Kato's strikes. Kato, undeterred, continued his assault, his anger fueling him as he faced the man he blamed for all his suffering.
Zero: You're not very cool-headed, are you? You can't fight that way, you know…
Kato: SHUT UP!!
Kato threw another punch, but Zero caught his fist mid-air, holding it firmly.
Kato: (struggling) His grip is too tight! I can't free my hand!
Kato attempted another punch with his left hand, but Zero swiftly kicked his leg, throwing him off balance. As Kato fell, Zero delivered a powerful kick to his head, sending him rolling backward. Struggling to regain his footing, Kato saw Zero ready his next attack.
Zero: [WATER MANIPULATION: PISTOL]
Zero fired a water bullet and Kato reacted quickly and blocked it with his arms but he was left with severe injuries.
Zero: He reacted to that really quickly. I'm impressed, Kato Hamura.
Kayomi watched the whole thing in shock.
Kayomi: What the hell was that!? He used a technique without chanting BLACK or WHITE! What exactly is he?
Kato: (to himself) Damn it. He's good. If I keep going like this, I'll lose. What should I do? Mr. Kayomi's still trapped in that tree, so I'm on my own.
Zero: It seems you've gotten a hang of the God Eye's ability already. This is almost too perfect. It's as if the world is guiding me toward my goals.
Kato immediately snapped at him.
Kato: YOUR GOALS!? YOUR GOALS HAVE TRAMPLED ON THE LIVES OF INNOCENT PEOPLE AND THAT DOESN'T AFFECT YOU!!? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO HARM OTHERS TO GET WHAT YOU WANT!?
Zero: I don't want to harm people, truly. If there was another way, I'd take it. But that choice doesn't exist anymore. I'm sorry about your mom, but she was a wall we had to tear down to get to you.
Kato: DON'T EVER MENTION MY MOTHER AGAIN!
Zero: Oh? Did I offend you? You expect an apology from me?
Kato: I'M GONNA STOP YOU AND THE KAIMI DAJA FROM KILLING THE HEIRS AND TAKING MORE LIVES!!!! I'LL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO STOP YOU AND AFTER THAT I'LL…
Kato suddenly stopped himself from saying the next words he was going to say and Zero immediately hammered on this.
Zero: And then what? Go on. SAY IT! I NEED TO HEAR YOU SAY IT!
However, Kato remained silent and Zero sighed heavily.
Zero: I see…. I get it.
Kato: Get what?
Zero: You know, we're not so different.
Kato: HUH!?
Zero: You heard me. We're the same.
Kato was immediately irritated by this statement.
Kato: THERE'S NO WAY I'M…
Zero suddenly closed the distance, placing a finger on Kato's lips.
Zero: SHHHH. I'm still talking.