Morizuki: "Run!"
The three of them were nowhere near strong enough to fight a Yajūni.
Nekryon: "I'll kill all of you. First, I'll torture you… then I'll kill you."
The Yajūni tore the chains from its body with a harsh metallic screech and slowly rose to its feet. The ground seemed to tense with it.
Morizuki and Hyōgetsu froze where they stood.
Engetsu, meanwhile, had already fallen asleep.
From deep within the forest, a voice echoed—a deep, heavy voice that made the air itself tremble. A man burst through the trees, his orange hair catching the light as he almost seemed to leap through the air itself. He landed in the garden with a solid thud and shouted.
Man: "Hey! Red pig! Over here!"
The Yajūni turned.
In the man's hand was a large fish, which he waved mockingly above his head.
Man: "Look what I've got here!"
The Yajūni's eyes widened. It took several heavy steps forward—then suddenly lunged.
With incredible agility, the man leapt high into the air, narrowly avoiding the Yajūni's claws. He landed smoothly and sprinted away, deliberately drawing the creature after him. Moments later, both disappeared into the forest.
Hyōgetsu: "Morizuki."
Morizuki: "Did you see it? The same thing I did?"
Hyōgetsu: "Yes. That man was using Reikyō."
Morizuki: "He was flying—wait. What did you just say?"
Morizuki's mouth fell open.
Morizuki: "There's another Reikyō user?! We have to tell Master Yōtsuki!"
Suddenly, Nekryon appeared directly in front of him.
Morizuki flinched and turned.
Nekryon: "I'll deal with you myself."
Morizuki: "Uh—"
Hyōgetsu dashed forward, attacking at full speed. Nekryon attempted to block with his chain—but it shattered instantly. Again and again, he formed new chains, each one breaking under Hyōgetsu's relentless assault.
Nekryon: "You're weak. Inexperienced. I'll kill all of you."
Nekryon raised his arm and swung his chain toward Hyōgetsu—
—but it shattered in midair.
???: "But can you kill someone strong and experienced, Varnok?"
Yōtsuki stepped out from behind the trees.
The moment he appeared, the air changed. His presence alone was overwhelming.
Morizuki: "Mr. Yōtsuki! Wait—who is Varnok?"
Nekryon: "How do you know my real name, Reigetsu man?"
Morizuki: "Reigetsu?"
Yōtsuki: "Shouldn't I know the land where I train my students? Judging by your reaction, it seems you know a few things yourself."
Varnok: "Hmph. If you had hidden the mark on your neck, I might not have noticed."
Varnok formed a chain from his arm and lashed it toward Yōtsuki.
Before it could reach him, it shattered into fragments.
Varnok: "Black Reikyō… One day, I'll learn Reikyō too."
Yōtsuki calmly drew his sword from its sheath.
Varnok closed his eyes.
Hyōgetsu's inner voice: "This feeling… it's terrifying. It's like something massive is pressing down on me."
Morizuki: "Hey! Hyōgetsu—do you feel that too?"
(Reikyō sound)
Varnok's right arm was severed and sent spinning through the air.
Yōtsuki: "That will be enough."
Varnok collapsed to his knees, then fell face-first onto the ground.
Morizuki: "What… what was that just now?"
Yōtsuki: "There are things you don't yet understand. For now—eat. You must be hungry."
(Hyōgetsu's stomach growls.)
Morizuki: "Hahaha! I knew it!"
As the sun dipped below the horizon and darkness settled in, the four gathered around a small campfire.
Yōtsuki: "Engetsu, you look injured—and exhausted."
Engetsu: "Yeah… I used too much Reikyō. The wound was worse before, but I managed to suppress it."
Yōtsuki: "And you, Morizuki?"
Morizuki: "Huh? Me?"
Yōtsuki: "Why didn't you heal him?"
Morizuki: "I don't know how."
Yōtsuki: "Then it's time you learned."
Morizuki moved closer and sat beside Engetsu.
(Reikyō sound)
Engetsu: "When I did it, I just focused on the need to heal."
Morizuki: "Alright… I'll try."
Morizuki placed his hand on Engetsu's shoulder. Engetsu relaxed—and moments later, the wound closed completely.
Engetsu: "Finally. Thanks."
Yōtsuki smiled faintly.
Morizuki: "Then why didn't we kill Nekryon? Who is Varnok? And what is Reigetsu?"
Yōtsuki: "You have many questions. I'll be brief. Nekryon's real name is Varnok. He changed his identity to escape. As for why I didn't kill him—he had not yet crossed my path. He lived on his own, even if he was evil. Reigetsu is the name of my clan. The Reigetsu bear a mark on their necks. He must have recognized it."
Engetsu: "We should have killed him. He kidnapped my friends, wounded me, and killed countless people for no reason."
Yōtsuki: "Then he has crossed your path. You are free to find him—and kill him."
Engetsu: "Right now, I just want to rest."
Morizuki: "Where's Hyōgetsu?"
Engetsu pointed toward the tent. Hyōgetsu lay asleep on the ground.
With faint smiles, everyone drifted into sleep.
(Eyes close.)
A woman's tears—each drop a symbol of her suffering.
(Crying sounds.)
At night, on a road still under construction, a woman knelt on the ground.
Before her stood a man, his orange hair barely visible in the darkness. A katana rested in his hand; his face was hidden in shadow.
Man: "You have no choice, Akari."
Akari: "No! That's not what you told me!"
Akari grabbed the tonfa at her side.
(Reikyō sound)
Blue Reikyō flared along the weapon.
Man: "Don't force me, Akari. You wouldn't want unnecessary damage, would you?"
Akari: "Bastard!"
She charged, striking again and again—but it was useless. The man was far stronger. He drew his katana and struck.
Akari's tonfa shattered in two. She collapsed to her knees.
Man: "Be grateful I used the back of my blade. Now do as I say."
Akari rose slowly, trembling.
(Coughing.)
Akari: "You'll regret this. I'll make you pay for everything you've done."
The man laughed softly.
Man: "That is—if you survive."
(Sunlight shines.)
Hyōgetsu sat on the ground, carefully placing two pieces of bread and two boiled eggs on a flat, clean stone.
Morizuki woke up yawning and stepped out of the tent. The sunlight stung his eyes.
Hyōgetsu: "Morizuki. Food."
Morizuki: "Good morning! I'm coming. Where's Engetsu?"
Hyōgetsu: "He went with Master Yōtsuki."
Morizuki: "Where to?"
Hyōgetsu: "The river."
Morizuki: "The river?! I want to go too. Let's eat quickly."
Hyōgetsu handed him the bread and eggs.
Hyōgetsu: "Here."
Morizuki: "Thanks."
Morizuki ate quickly.
Morizuki: "I'm thirsty."
Hyōgetsu: "That's why they went to the river."
Morizuki: "How do I get there?"
Hyōgetsu pointed toward a narrow path through the trees.
Morizuki stood and hurried off.
Hyōgetsu's eyes widened.
Hyōgetsu's inner voice: "I made a cliché mistake… and he didn't even take his katana."
Morizuki: "Dude… I think I'm lost."