**Paras City – Sai's Dojo Courtyard, Early Morning**
The dawn light was soft—almost gentle—spilling over the patched walls and scarred garden like an apology. The city beyond still smoked in places, but reconstruction crews moved with quiet determination under Blu's orders. Hammers rang. Concrete poured. Life tried to stitch itself back together.
Inside the dojo, the air smelled of cedar, faint incense, and the lingering trace of yesterday's battle—sweat, ash, and something raw.
Yuki lay on the low futon—dark hair fanned across the pillow, blindfold back in place, breathing slow and even. Exhaustion had finally claimed her after the night's fury. Her face was peaceful in sleep, but faint bruises lingered under her eyes, and her hands still twitched occasionally—as if reaching for the scythe that wasn't there.
Astra bounced on the edge of the bed—small, determined, silver eyes bright despite the shadows under them.
"Wake up, wake up!" he chanted, jumping lightly, mattress creaking with each bounce.
Yuki didn't stir.
Astra tried rubbing her belly—gentle circles with his small hands. Nothing.
He rubbed her cheeks—squishing them softly. Still nothing.
He sighed—dramatic, childlike—then flopped down beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist, hugging tight. His head rested on her shoulder. A small string of drool escaped as he drifted off too—exhausted from worry, from running, from everything.
Sai sat nearby—cross-legged, polishing his sword with slow, rhythmic strokes. The blade caught the morning light—gleaming, perfect. His expression was soft as he watched the two sleeping figures. A rare, gentle smile touched his lips.
*They're safe… for now.*
The sliding door opened quietly.
Blu stepped in—boots soft on tatami, gi still torn from battle, but posture unyielding. His glowing blue eyes flicked to the sleeping pair—then back to Sai.
Sai stood—sword sheathed in one fluid motion.
"President?" His tone was wary but polite. "Why are you here?"
Blu's gaze settled on Yuki.
"I wanted to see someone."
Sai stepped aside—silent permission.
Blu entered—stopping near the futon.
"I want to ask that girl about who that creature was."
Sai glanced at her—peaceful, snoring lightly.
"But she's sleeping currently."
Blu sat—cross-legged, deadpan.
"Okay. I will wait."
Sai raised an eyebrow.
"Wait… for how long?"
Blu didn't blink.
"Until she wakes up."
Sai stared.
"Don't you have any job?"
"I have done my job already."
Sai leaned closer—half-amused, half-irritated.
"So do it again. You're the President."
Blu's eyes narrowed—dangerously calm.
"Don't teach me my work, young man."
Sai smirked—leaning even closer.
"And why not? You entered my dojo."
Blu's voice dropped—low, edged.
"You are currently in my city."
Both men leaned forward—foreheads almost touching.
Mini war.
Sai reached up—pulling a sword from a hidden rack above.
"Can you do this!?"
He twirled it once—perfect, fluid.
Blu stretched his nose impossibly long—sucking all the dust from the room in one exaggerated inhale.
"Can you do this!?"
Dust vanished. The air cleared.
They glared—cruel visions in their eyes.
Sai: "I will slash you away."
Blu: "I will kick you away."
Headbutt.
A small gust of wind burst outward—papers fluttering, lantern swaying.
Blu growled.
"Wake her up right now!"
Sai smirked.
"I can explain about Hono by myself."
Blu headbutted harder.
Sai stumbled—fell back.
"No way!" Blu snapped. "I only want to hear from her—she can explain better than you!"
Sai stood—brushing himself off.
"I said I can explain. You old blue man can't even process simple English!?"
Blu's eyes flared.
"What did you just say!?"
Sai leaned in.
"That's what you heard. That's what I said."
Blu's aura crackled—golden sparks.
"Now you're making me angry!"
The dojo began to shake—subtle at first, then stronger. Lanterns swayed. Dust fell from beams.
Yuki stirred.
She sat up slowly—rubbing her eyes beneath the blindfold.
Astra—still hugging her waist—slid off the bed with a soft thump, landing face-first on the tatami. He stayed asleep—drooling, snoring lightly.
Yuki blinked—half-asleep.
"What's happening…?"
Blu appeared in front of her—teleport flash.
"I want to hear something from you!"
Yuki—still groggy—saw the blue blur through her blindfold.
She screamed—pure reflex.
**SLAP!**
Her palm connected.
Blu crashed backward—through the hall, through the wall, tumbling across the courtyard.
Sai crouched low—Blu sailed over his head.
"Phew… I'm safe."
Astra lay on the floor—helpless, still snoring.
Blu rose from the mud outside—bruised, furious.
"How dare you slap a President!?"
Yuki folded her arms—pouting, angry.
"Don't you have any common sense? Shouting while someone was sleeping."
She sat back on the bed—cross-legged, grumpy.
Blu teleported in front of her again—fuming.
"So now… I want to ask about who is your 'Hono-kun'."
Yuki sighed—long, tired.
"I don't want to say anything about him."
Blu narrowed his eyes.
"And why not?"
Sai stepped forward.
"I can say about him."
Yuki—without looking—threw a shadow kunai.
Sai dodged—barely.
The kunai struck the shelf behind him—shattering his collection of romantic anime movies.
Sai froze—eyes wide.
"No… no! You were my best student and you are… just please don't hurt my movies!"
Blu deadpanned.
"And that's your sensei's weakness?"
Sai glared.
"That's called emotions, not weakness… I don't have any weakness. I am the strongest and hottest."
Yuki snorted—half-asleep, half-annoyed.
"You're that hot, sensei, that you never got married. Never went on a date. And that's why you're stuck on romantic movies—never got a girlfriend by yourself."
Sai's fist clenched—veins popping, teeth gritting.
"Um… Yuki… you should mind your own business… that's my matter."
Astra—on the floor—snored louder.
Blu slammed his hand on the table—cracking wood.
"Alright—that's enough! Now explain who Hono is."
He glared at Yuki—angry, expectant.
Yuki sighed—long, tired.
"Well… his full name is Honokage."
She paused—eyes distant beneath the blindfold.
"To be continued…"