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. Hayato's face twisted in frustration, but he nodded curtly, knowing Kenshi was right. "Fine, but this isn't over." Kasumi placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes blazing with determination. "We'll get Hikari, Hayato. But first, we need to focus on Ryu's recovery." Hanzo nodded in agreement. "Kenshi's right. We can't take on Hikari in our current state. We need a plan, and we need Ryu's strength." The group fell silent, their eyes fixed on Ryu's unconscious form. They knew the road to recovery wouldn't be easy, but they were determined to stand by their friend and ally. Meanwhile, Kenshi walked out of the medical department, his mind racing with strategies and countermeasures. He knew Hikari would be working on growing stronger by the day, and they needed to act fast. As he entered the base's strategy room, he found Kasumi already there, pouring over maps and data. " Master I've been analyzing Hikari's movements," Kasumi said, looking up. "I think I've found a pattern." Kenshi's eyes narrowed. "Tell me." And with that, the planning began. The KoKuryūkai members knew they had a long and difficult road ahead, but they were ready to face whatever challenges lay in store. Kasumi pointed to a series of markings on the map, indicating Hikari's recent attacks. "He's targeting specific locations, all of which have a connection to his past research." Kenshi's eyes widened as he grasped the implications. "He's searching for something. Something he needs to complete his plan." Kasumi nodded. "I think you're right. And I think I know what it might be." Kenshi leaned in, his voice low and urgent. "Tell me." Kasumi hesitated, glancing around the room before responding. "I think Hikari's either searching for a way to stabilize his powers or continue in his plan to merge humans with animals. " Kenshi's face set in determination. "Then we need to find it first. Assemble a team, Kasumi. We'll track down Hikari's next target, we need to gather Intel on him" As Kasumi nodded and began making calls, Kenshi's mind turned to Ryu, still recovering in the medical department. He knew his nephew would want to be part of this mission, but Kenshi also knew he couldn't risk Ryu's safety. Not yet. With a heavy heart, Kenshi made a decision. "Kasumi, keep Ryu's status quiet for now. I don't want him knowing about the mission until he's ready." Kasumi's eyes flickered with understanding before he nodded. "Got it, Kenshi. We'll keep it under wraps." And with that, the plan was set in motion. The KoKuryūkai members would face Hikari once again, determined to stop him and save Ryu from his clutches. But little did they know, Hikari had a surprise waiting for them... Meanwhile, in a hidden underground lab, Hikari stood before a large, cylindrical device, its surface etched with intricate circuits and symbols. He gazed at it with an unnerving intensity, his eyes burning with an inner fire. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows - a woman with long, flowing hair and piercing green eyes. "Hikari, the KoKuryūkai is closing in," she warned, her voice husky and confident. " Who are you and how did you find this place?" Hikari asked. " I'm just a guide " she dismissed Hikari's smile grew wider. "Let them come. I'll crush them all, just like I crushed Ryu." The woman's eyes narrowed. "You're not invincible, Hikari. You have weaknesses." Hikari's gaze snapped to hers, his eyes flashing with anger. "I have no weaknesses. I am En no Kiba, the master of flames!" The woman's smile was enigmatic. "We'll see about that." And with that, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Hikari to his plans. But what did she mean? Was she friend or foe? Only time would tell. *** Kenshi sat at a swivel chair before a bank of monitors displaying the team he had deployed while Hanzo took coverage with the aerial drone, Kenshi was provided with various images at different angles at a time to properly view the scene playing out. " Remember, the mission is to gather Intel and get back here, on no occasion -unless in the case of defense, should you attempt to take on Hikari as he is powerful and highly dangerous" Kenshi said through the mouthpiece *** Hayato led the five men team into a closed science facility and scaled the walls, they got into the facility and soon spotted Hikari whose back was to them and the anger rushed back into him. He attempted to throw a shuriken at him but was stopped by Kasumi. " We have to follow master's orders" she reminded him, and relayed the latest inform through their radio connection. " Target spotted, it seems he's found what he's looking for, it's a tube of some kind" Kasumi relayed and waited for some response before looking up at the others. " This facility is working on a project including the generation of massive amount of electricity through a powercell, in other words it means Hikari is still at it" Kasumi announced. Meanwhile Hikari studying the cell, became aware that he was being watched, " welcome KoKuryūkai, I've been expecting you guys" he said loud enough for them to hear and some of them shivered in shock. He turned at faced them now. " Actually you came at a time, I would have rather preferred to work but anyhow, we could catch up on" he said, his tone dripping with malice. Hayato growled in anger while Kasumi tried to talk him out of going up against him, it was a losing battle and she shrugged " fine but we came as a team and we shall leave as one" The stage was set for a showdown between Hikari and the KoKuryūkai. Who would emerge victorious?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
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