Ryu's eyes burned with determination. "I'll need to know more about Kaito's past, his motivations, and his weaknesses. Everything you can gather, Hanzo."
Hanzo nodded, producing a small folder from his sleeve. "I've already compiled a dossier on Kaito. His real name is Kaito Yamato, once a skilled hematologist who became obsessed with the power of blood. His research led him down a dark path, and he died in a experiment to grant him control over blood." Ryu's grip on the folder tightened. "What's his ultimate goal?" "Kaito seeks to create a world where he controls the life force of every living being," Hanzo replied, his expression grim. "He believes that by manipulating blood, he can dictate the very fabric of existence." Ryu's mind raced with the implications. "I need to stop him before it's too late." Hanzo placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder. "You'll need to be cautious, Ryu. Kaito has already demonstrated his power by infiltrating a local hospital and manipulating the patients' blood. The authorities are baffled, and the people are terrified." Ryu's jaw clenched. "I'll put an end to his twisted plans. Count on me, Hanzo." ... Ryu stood atop a mist-shrouded rooftop, gazing out over the cityscape. His eyes locked onto a figure in the distance - Ketsueki no Kaito. As Kaito approached, Ryu could sense the air thickening with tension. The very presence of the blood manipulator seemed to draw the life force out of the atmosphere. "You're Kaito," Ryu stated, his voice firm but measured. Kaito's gaze narrowed, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "And you're the KoKuryūkai ninja. I've heard a lot about you, Ryu." Ryu took a step forward, his hands visible and empty. "I want to talk to you, Kaito. I want to know why you're doing this." Kaito's expression twisted into a cruel smile. "You want to know my motivations? Very well, I'll tell you. I seek to reshape the world in my image, where the strong thrive and the weak perish." Ryu's eyes flashed with determination. "That's not a world I want to live in. And I won't let you create it." Kaito chuckled, the sound sending shivers down Ryu's spine. "You're no match for me, human. My powers will crush you." Ryu took another step forward, his voice unwavering. " You made a mistake there but i won't fight you yet, Kaito. I want to reach the person behind the bloodlust. Is there anything left of Kaito Yamato, the hematologist?" Kaito's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "That person is dead. And only Ketsueki no Kaito remains." Ryu's gaze locked onto Kaito's, searching for any glimmer of humanity. But the darkness in those eyes seemed bottomless. " This power is making me more human than I thought" usually he didn't care about engaging in dialogue with his target but now? With a heavy heart, Ryu realized that words might not be enough to reach Kaito. The battle ahead would be fierce, and Ryu steeled himself for the fight. The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Ryu and Kaito faced off. Ryu's eyes never left Kaito's, searching for any sign of weakness or hesitation. But Kaito's gaze remained unwavering, his eyes burning with an unnatural intensity. Without warning, Kaito's body began to shift and contort, his limbs elongating like rubber. Ryu's instincts screamed at him to attack, but he held back, fascinated by the display. "You see, Ryu," Kaito said, his voice dripping with malice, "I've transcended humanity. My powers are beyond your comprehension." Ryu steeled himself, focusing on his own abilities. He could feel the shadow energy coursing through his veins, urging him to strike. But he refused to give in to his instincts. Not yet. With a swift motion, Ryu drew his ninja blade, the steel glinting in the moonlight. Kaito's eyes flashed with excitement, and he retaliated with a wave of blood-red energy. The battle had begun. Ryu leapt into the air, his ninja blade flashing in the moonlight as he sliced through the wave of blood-red energy. The two forces clashed in a shower of sparks, the sound echoing through the night air. Kaito's eyes gleamed with excitement as he summoned another wave, this one even more powerful than the last. Ryu countered with a burst of shadow energy, the two forces meeting in a spectacular display of light and sound. The battle raged on, the two combatants exchanging blows and neither gaining the upper hand. Ryu's ninja training allowed him to keep pace with Kaito's unpredictable attacks, but he knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. Kaito's powers were growing stronger by the minute, and Ryu's own energy was beginning to wane. He needed to end this fight quickly, before Kaito's powers overwhelmed him completely. As Ryu clashed with Kaito, he began to feel the strain of their prolonged battle. His breathing grew heavier, his movements slowing ever so slightly. Kaito, sensing his advantage, pressed his attack, unleashing a flurry of blood-red strikes. Ryu parried each blow with his ninja blade, but he knew he couldn't keep this up for much longer. That's when a voice seemed to resonate in his head"In the darkest moments, seek the power within." Focusing his mind, Ryu reached deep within himself, tapping into the shadow energy coursing through his veins. Suddenly, his blade began to glow with a dark, ethereal light. The shadows seemed to coat it in a deadly, shadowy film. Kaito's eyes widened in surprise as Ryu struck, the shadow-coated blade slicing through his defenses with ease. The blood-red energy dissipated, and Kaito stumbled back, his eyes fixed on the blade in awe. "What sorcery is this?" Kaito whispered. Ryu smiled grimly. "It's not sorcery, Kaito. It's the power of the shadow." With his newfound ability, Ryu pressed his attack, the shadow-coated blade slicing through Kaito's defenses with deadly precision. The battle had turned in his favor, but Kaito's powers were far from defeated...Ryu charged forward, his shadow-coated blade flashing in the moonlight. Kaito, still reeling from the sudden turn of events, stumbled backward as Ryu unleashed a flurry of strikes.But Kaito refused to fall, his blood-red energy surging as he countered with a wave of attacks. Ryu parried each blow, but Kaito's sheer power forced him to stumble backward.Kaito's eyes gleamed with triumph as he landed a solid kick, sending Ryu crashing to the ground. As Ryu struggled to rise, Kaito unleashed a devastating blast of energy, striking Ryu with a wave of crimson force.Ryu's vision blurred, his body screaming in agony. But he refused to yield. Focusing his remaining strength, Ryu summoned the shadow energy within him.With a mighty cry, Ryu unleashed an unknown technique: "Kage no Shūen" (Shadow's End). The air around him seemed to distort, as if reality itself was bending to his will. A colossal wave of shadow energy erupted from his blade, striking Kaito with the force of a thunderbolt.Ka
Hanzo's eyes widened as he stared at his phone, his face pale. "Guys, we have a problem."Kenshi and Ryu turned to him, concern etched on their faces. "What is it?" Kenshi asked.Hanzo's voice trembled. "Reports of a villain attacking the city square. Witnesses describe him as a scientist... with fire abilities."Ryu's eyes narrowed. "That sounds like—No, it can't be," Ryu said, shaking his head. "Hikari's dead. We were in the explosion together"Hanzo's expression was grim. "I'm telling you, Ryu, the description matches. And there's something else... the witnesses say he's calling out for you."Ryu's face set in determination. "I'll go stop him."Kenshi nodded. "We'll follow close behind. Be careful, Ryu!"Ryu sprinted out of the headquarters, racing toward the city square on his motorcycle. As he arrived, he saw chaos: people running, buildings damaged, and a figure shrouded in flames.Ryu leapt off his motorcycle, his eyes scanning the destruction. And then, he saw him. Hikari.Ryu
At the KoKuryūkai base, Ryu was sedated in intensive care at their medical department oblivious to the conversation going on about him. " Apparently one of his list of unknown loop holes in his powers is Fire" Hayato started, shaking his head in pity and rage." Fire?" Kenshi frowned. " Light based attacks" Hanzo elaborated with a terse shrug. " He is susceptible to mental fatigue and light based attacks to which fire belongs... Hikari exploited both well"Kenshi glanced over to Ryu's unconscious form." How long will it take for him to wake?". " According to our medic, it will take a couple days in a normal person, but for him... It's hard to say -he could wake up anytime now" Kasumi replied shaking her head in anger." If I get ahold of Hikari, he'll regret he ever got Reborn!" Hayato fumed, his anger was shared by all of them but Kenshi knew it would be unwise to seek him out in his current form. " Hayato, place a lid on that anger" he commanded and walked stiffly out of the room.
Hikari's flames engulfed the team, forcing them to stumble backward. Hayato charged forward, sword flashing in the dim light. "Take this, Hikari!" he shouted, but Hikari was unfazed. "Foolish KoKuryūkai," Hikari sneered, his eyes gleaming with contempt. "You think a little sword like that can hurt me?" With a swift gesture, Hikari sent a wave of flames crashing down on Hayato. He leapt aside, avoiding the inferno, but Hikari was relentless. He summoned blast after blast of fire, driving the team back. "Kasumi, get behind me!" Hayato yelled, but Kasumi stood her ground. "I won't let him win!" she shouted, her eyes blazing with determination. Hikari's smile grew wider. "Brave words, Kasumi. But bravery won't save you today." He summoned a vortex of flames, lifting Kasumi off the ground. She struggled and kicked, but Hikari's hold was unyielding. "Let her go, Hikari!" Hayato shouted, charging forward, but Hikari was too powerful. With a swift kick, he sent Hayato crashi
Kenshi stood by the door leading to KoKuryūkai gym center to get an unobtrusive view of the trainer, although his eyes were struggling to keep up with Ryu's movement, he noted his precise thrusts with a deep feeling of satisfaction.After Ryu's sudden awakening, he had gone straight to training. Hanzo was still working on getting Hikari, but if anything happens to Kasumi, He will never be able to forgive himself.Suddenly as soon as Ryu training had concluded, and he was reviewing his techniques when Hanzo burst into the room."Hanzo, what's wrong?" Kenshi asked, sensing urgency."I've pinpointed Hikari's location," Hanzo said, his voice tight. "He's at the abandoned skyscraper on 5th and Main."Kenshi's expression turned grave. "Ryu, be cautious. Hikari's powers are growing stronger."Ryu's resolve hardened. "I'll stop him."Kenshi placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder. "Remember, Ryu, your safety is paramount. Don't underestimate Hikari." Ryu nodded, his determination clear.At the skyscra
Ryu's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the faint glow of dawn seeping through the nearly closed windows. He lay still, his slender frame pressed against the cold ground, as the familiar ache in his chest stirred.He had just had a nightmare which acted as a constant reminder of his childhood past, ten years ago as a child he had been a victim of maltreatment and on that particular day he was hiding furtively in their closet. His father's wrath still lingered, a constant companion in the darkness.His father had arrived at their rambling cottage ten years ago, drunk as usual and called for Ryu who was so immersed in his own little realm and didn't hear. " Ayy donkey head! I, your father, called for you and you dared to ignore me! " His father fumed when he spotted him standing in the confines of their open cupboard. " No... I..." Ryu stuttered in sudden immense fear and his father promptly pounced on him, battering him with fists and kicks in a seemingly random manner until he bled fr
shadow passed behind Kenshi's eyes when he heard the news but his voice remained calm. " Contact the police and bring me his body at all costs" " yes master " Hanzo said with a bow, although he and the rest of the team didn't exactly have a close knit relationship with Ryu but they emphasized with their master who was his uncle.All of the staff felt the pain of his loss, he would have preferred solitude to their carousing but he had been their colleague...Ryu's soul drifted through the void, torn from his body by the facility's self-destruct sequence. He found himself in a realm beyond mortal comprehension, a rift between heaven and hell and he a lone ember in an endless expanse. The supreme being's presence manifested as a shimmering aura, like the surface of a still pond reflecting the stars. "Wasted youth" it thought before an idea popped in his head.A supreme being, shrouded in ethereal light, gazed upon Ryu's soul. "You have been chosen," the being declared, its voice like
Kenshi's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through Ryu's defenses. "What more are you hiding from me?" he repeated, his voice low and menacing.Ryu hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Kenshi's expression told him that he had no choice. "I...I don't know what happened," he stammered. "I just woke up, and...and things were different."Kenshi's eyes flashed with anger. "Different?" he spat. "You're telling me you survived an explosion that should have killed you, and now you're...changed? What did they do to you, Ryu?"Ryu shook his head, feeling a wave of fear wash over him. "I don't know, Kenshi. I swear, I don't remember anything."Kenshi's expression twisted in disgust. "You're lying to me, Ryu. I can see it in your eyes. You're hiding something." Ryu had forgotten that there was still one person who could read him like a book.Suddenly, Hanzo appeared at Kenshi's side, his eyes calm and soothing. "Master, perhaps we should give Ryu some time to recover. He's bee