The wind howled, carrying with it an air of anticipation as Shingo’s full team approached the imposing gates of Inazuma Airport.

Fortunately, the gates of the airport building were open, so they could search for Hannya inside the building.

However, all along the way the fighters didn’t find Hannya yet. Either that fiendish fellow just bluffed to trick his enemies, or he hid in an unknown place until there was a good time to strike.

Done searching the building, the group tried the runway next. It was a long journey, fraught with battles against hordes of foxmen, mutant chimps, gorillas, and other grotesque creatures that roamed the airport’s grounds. Yet, they pressed forward, their determination unwavering.

The clash of steel and the crackle of magic filled the air as the team engaged in relentless combat. Shingo’s katana sliced through the air with precision, finding its mark on the twisted forms of their adversaries. His every movement was a dance, a symphony of fluidity and lethal intent.

Gale, a force of nature in his own right, relied on his kung-fu prowess to subdue his foes. With lightning-fast strikes and agile maneuvers, he incapacitated the oxen and mutant chimps with a flurry of well-placed blows. His bare hands were his weapons, and his body was a conduit of power.

Ryonoken, the silent ninja, moved with an ethereal grace, his twin kodachis flashing in the dim light. Shadows clung to him like loyal companions as he dispatched the mutant gorillas with deadly precision. Each strike was swift and calculated, leaving no room for retaliation.

Keiji, armed with a gun and a naginata, proved himself a formidable warrior. His bullets found their mark with unerring precision, while his naginata swung through the air, creating a whirlwind of death. With each strike, he cleaved through the ranks of their monstrous foes, his movements a testament to his training and unwavering resolve.

Chiyo, the master of lightning magic, unleashed bolts of raw energy upon their adversaries. Her hands crackled with power as she summoned Lightning Bolts, arcing them through the air with deadly accuracy. The mutant creatures howled in pain as they fell under the wrath of her electrifying attacks.

As the team pressed forward, the cacophony of battle echoed through the airport grounds. The clash of weapons, the cries of the vanquished, and the resolute determination of their voices mingled into a symphony of chaos and purpose.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached the runway. The battlefield lay strewn with the remnants of their adversaries, defeated and broken. Fatigue settled upon the team, their bodies weary but their spirits unbroken.

Shingo surveyed the scene before him, the residue of battle etched upon his face. “We’ve made it to this point,” he declared, his voice a mix of exhaustion and triumph. “But our journey is far from over. There is much more to face ahead.”

His team nodded, their eyes reflecting a shared determination. The trials they had overcome had only fortified their resolve. With a renewed sense of purpose, they continued their path, leaving the battlefield behind, and stepping into the unknown, their steps resolute and their hearts aflame with the anticipation of what awaited them beyond.

At the end of the runway, Shingo, Shiori, Hayato, Keiji, Chiyo, Gale, Mariko, Nishi, and Ryonoken looked around, trying to make sense of their surroundings.

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They had already explored every corner of the airport and were now standing at a dead end. It was as if they had reached the end of the world, with nothing but the long and narrow landing strip stretching out before them.

Shiori turned to Shingo, puzzled. “This is strange,” she said. “We have explored the entire airport, even ran on this runway.”

“And now we’re at the dead end of the runway. Is Hannya doing pranks on us?” Shingo looked around, trying to find any clues as to where they should go next.

“It’s not in his nature to play pranks on people,” Ryonoken interjected. “So, I’m sure Hannya will show up sooner or later, in the moment of his choice.”

But before they could speculate further, Chiyo pointed out that they were not alone. “Speak of the devil, look who shows up to meet us,” she said, as she pointed to a group of various mutants surrounding them. Almost all of the Yakuzas and agents that had accompanied them didn’t make it to the runway edge, due to injuries or exhaustion. So, the odds were ten to one against Shingo’s group.

However, the odds became greater just as two distinct fighters jumped into the fray. Shingo recognized them at once. “Raijin and… Fuujin! So you two chose to remain with the devil,” he said, his tone cold.

Raijin and Fuujin, two of Hannya’s loyal followers, had transformed into their espers, Sempati and Jatayu the garudas, respectively, and stood before them. “Yeah, he’s our teacher and we owe our lives to him. What can we say?” Raijin replied, his eyes glinting.

“It’s within our code of honor that we dedicate our lives to our teacher and master,” Fuujin added, her voice firm. “And I think you all do the same thing as we do too.”

Hayato shrugged. “They do have a point. I’m dedicated to the Yakuza,” he said, flexing his muscles with Gale and Nishi.

“And I’m with the GI. We stand on opposite sides of the law. So naturally, we will always be enemies,” Keiji chimed in.

“However, there are some bonds that are tighter than master-and-pupil relation,” Chiyo said, her voice calm yet resolute.

Gale nodded in agreement. “The bonds of brotherhood and friendship over master-and-pupil and boss-and-employee relations,” he said, his eyes gleaming.

Mariko smiled softly. “The bond of love between lovers over professional dedication,” she added, her voice filled with warmth.

Nishi clenched her fists. “The drive to fight a common enemy over organizational affiliation,” she said, her eyes shining with determination.

Shiori spoke up, her voice clear and strong. “And the bond of love within a family over everything else,” she said, her eyes meeting Shingo’s.

Ryonoken nodded, his expression serious. “True honor lies in what’s righteous and true. There’s no honor in falsehood and deceit,” he said, his voice resonating with conviction.

Raijin and Fuujin remained unmoved, their eyes fixed on Shingo. “Well, for us, Hannya is the most righteous and true,” Raijin said, his voice hard. “So, we’ll still place our honor on Master Hannya, no matter what.”

Shingo extended a hand. “Look, I won’t say you’re wrong or right. Let’s fight first, let the righteous truth show itself afterward as the judge. Is that a deal?”

Raijin and Fuujin replied altogether, “Deal!” After that, they started to transform into their espers, Sempati and Jatayu garudas.

Flexing his muscles with Gale and Nishi, Hayato bellowed, “Here we go again! Ouryaa!”