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 skyscraper, Ryu confronted Hikari, who sneered from atop the building."You're no match for me, Ryu," Hikari said, flames dancing around him.The air erupted with the sound of clashing powers. Ryu's shadows wrestled Hikari's flames in a spectacular display. The battle raged on, with neither warrior yielding. Ryu landed a swift kick, but Hikari countered with a wave of fire. Just as Ryu gained the upper hand, Hikari vanished, reappearing beside Kasumi, who hung upside down from a burning rope over the skyscraper's edge."Choose, Ryu," Hikari taunted. "Save Kasumi or the civilians trapped in the burning building across the street." Ryu's gaze tore between Kasumi's desperate face and the screaming civilians, Then a statement his subconscious had told him earlier sank in: "You are an army". With in a swift motion, Ryu dropped his sword and closed his eyes in deep meditation. " Shadow-clone" he yelled and summoned shadows to grab Kasumi and swing her to safety. He then sprinted toward the burning building. Hikari's laughter echoed through the night. "You'll always choose the ones you care about. That's your weakness." As Ryu disappeared into the inferno, Hikari vanished into the night, leaving behind a trail of flames and destruction. Ryu's heart pounded in his chest as he rushed into the burning building. The heat was intense, and the smoke choked his lungs. Civilians cried out for help, and Ryu responded, his powers shielding them from the inferno. He led them outside, where paramedics and firefighters waited. As the flames were extinguished, Ryu's gaze returned to the skyscraper, his thoughts burning with determination. Hikari would pay for his cruelty. Kenshi and Hanzo approached, concern etched on their faces. "Ryu, are you alright?" Kenshi asked. Ryu nodded, his expression resolute. "I won't let Hikari harm anyone else." Hanzo's eyes narrowed. "We need to uncover Hikari's true intentions. This attack was just a diversion." Ryu's eyes locked onto the skyscraper, his mind racing with strategies.The battle was far from over. Kenshi's gaze followed Ryu's to the skyscraper. "We'll regroup and strategize. Hikari's next move won't catch us off guard." Ryu nodded, his thoughts burning with determination. As they departed the scene, Kasumi approached Ryu, her eyes red-rimmed."Ryu, thank you," she said, her voice trembling. Ryu's reserved resolve softened for an instant. "I'll always protect you," he said. Kasumi's hand brushed against his, a fleeting touch.The group returned to their hideout, a secure location hidden from Hikari's prying eyes. Hanzo began analyzing data from the battle, seeking clues to Hikari's plans. Kenshi turned to Ryu. "Your shadow clones were effective, but we need to refine your technique." Ryu nodded, his mind replaying the battle."I'll work on it," he said. As night fell, Ryu trained tirelessly, honing his skills.Hanzo approached, a concerned expression on his face. "Ryu, we've received intel on Hikari's plans," Hanzo said, his voice low.Ryu's gaze snapped to Hanzo."What is it?" Ryu asked. "Hikari's seeking an ancient artifact," Hanzo said. "One that amplifies supernatural abilities. Ryu's eyes narrowed. "We can't let him have it," Ryu said.Kenshi appeared beside them. "We'll assemble a team to retrieve the artifact," Kenshi said. "Ryu, you'll lead the mission." Ryu's determination hardened. "I won't fail."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
Thirty minutes later five guards stood over Ryu's exhausted form and aimed their guns at him ready to pull the trigger when his shadow materialized and fed on their shadow, thereby nature tried to make up for a breach in the law and promptly disintegrated them out of existence...The Apparition faced Ryu as he stood " who are you?" Ryu asked and took a step forward followed simultaneously by the shadow, he took another and extended a hand, again the shadow did the same and when their hands touched Ryu felt a strange pull towards it. " Hanzo are you seeing this?". " What are you doing Ryu? The others have been captured" Hanzo replied. Ryu frowned." I have an idea". " Don't let your feet run ahead of your legs Ryu!" Kenshi's familiar voice boomed over the line but too late. Ryu merged with the shadow and let the darkness flow into him, moving like liquid fire in his veins until he screamed in pain, the shadow coated his physical features as he slowly morphed into a different being
" No! Ryu Don't kill him" Kasumi pleaded and the entity paused long enough to give a glance in her direction before slamming a surprisingly solid fist to the side of Black Fox neck and watched him collapse like a felled tree." Ryu! Are you still there?" Hayato said holding up his sword in a defensive stance. The entity took a few shaky steps towards them and soon collapsed, the darkness receded and left behind it's unconscious vessel.Ryu's eyes slowly opened, his vision blurry. He was met with the sight of Hanzo's concerned face, his eyes scanning Ryu's body."Ryu, can you hear me?" Hanzo asked, his voice firm but laced with worry. Ryu tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse. He nodded instead.Hanzo nodded back. "Good. We need to assess your condition. You've undergone a significant transformation."Ryu's gaze drifted down to his hands, He flexed his fingers, and they seemed to shift like smoke.Hanzo began to list off Ryu's new abilities to the others in the room. "Enhanced stre
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' bloo
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