Not knowing what the conversation was about among the teenagers, Takeshi assumed he was going to face them all at once. He tightened his grip on his Kanabō, showing his readiness for battle. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pinch of salt, preparing for a sumo ritual. But just as he was about to throw it, Carter shouted, "Now, guys!"
In a coordinated move, Jake, Yoko, Luna, and Akane sprinted towards the spiral stairs behind Takeshi, trying to outmaneuver him. Realizing what was happening, Takeshi’s eyes flashed with fury, angered by the underhanded tactic.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/47/Mace_Thunder.png]
"Where do you think you're going?" he bellowed in Japanese, swinging his Kanabō in a wide, powerful arc, unleashing his Mace Thunder. The shockwave rippled across the floor, causing the ground to tremble as it barreled toward the fleeing teenagers, threatening to halt their escape.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/94/Brotherhood_Guard.png]
Carter reacted instinctively, drawing on his deep sense of loyalty. With his Brotherhood Guard, he positioned himself defensively, using his hockey stick to absorb and deflect the shockwave, his stance firm as he protected his friends. The shockwave dissipated, allowing the group to successfully run past Takeshi and up the stairs.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/da/Takashi_Ono_angry_look.png]
"Hey big man, focus on me!" Carter taunted, his voice brimming with defiance and bravado. However, Takeshi didn’t respond to the taunt verbally, instead embodying his quiet authority. His gaze, though silent, burned with fury, the intensity in his eyes signaling that Carter would pay for the underhanded tactic. As a sumo wrestler, Takeshi loathed trickery, and now his focus was singular.
With a calm yet deliberate motion, Takeshi once again reached into his pocket, retrieving the sprinkle of salt he hadn’t managed to throw earlier due to Carter’s interruption. This time, he completed the ritual, tossing the salt in front of him as a clear sign that he was about to unleash his full strength on Carter. His movements were a declaration: this fight would not be one easily forgotten.
As the group disappeared from view, leaving Carter to face Takeshi alone, they reached level four, each step weighted with worry about Carter’s ability to hold off Takeshi. However, they knew they had to press on, their minds focused on finding Kaito, Kenjiro, and retrieving the Sword of Flame. They hoped that once their mission was complete, they would be able to return and assist Carter in the fight.
Level four was eerily quiet. As they tactfully approached, they realized it was an empty administrative office space, filled with desks, chairs, and computers. "Seems like no one's working today?" Jake remarked, finding the stillness unusual.
"Maybe they knew we were coming," Luna mused. "They cleared the place before our arrival, and Takeshi was already prepared, waiting for us," she concluded, basing her assumption on their previous encounter with Takeshi.
"We should be ready for anything," Jake cautioned. "We haven’t seen the cybernetic ninja who faced Uncle Kenjiro yet, and who knows if there are others waiting to confront us." The uncertainty of what lay ahead kept them on edge.
They moved to level five, finding it similarly quiet. This time, only four Yakuza members were present. They were gambling and drinking, laughing obnoxiously, completely unaware of Jake and his friends approaching. Their confidence in Takeshi’s ability to stop the group had left them complacent.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/ac/Jake_performing_Stealing_Bases%2C_his_agility_allows_him_to_move_quickly_and_stealthily%2C_evading_capture_or_sneaking_up_on_foes.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/17/Quantum_Leap.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d4/Shadow_Step.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Bamboo_Whisper_Ambush.png/]
The group quickly dealt with them. Jake executed Stealing Bases, moving swiftly and stealthily to knock one out with his bat. Luna used Quantum Leap, teleporting behind another and striking him with her light saber. Akane, utilizing her small frame and agility, performed Shadow Step, hitting her target with her sai in a surprise attack. Yoko, ever silent and graceful, used Bamboo Whisper Ambush, moving as quietly as growing bamboo. She took down one of the men from behind, leaving him unconscious without a sound.
With minimal effort and seamless teamwork, the group swiftly cleared the path to level six and continued their careful approach to the next room. As they stepped inside, they found themselves in a washitsu—a traditional Japanese-style room with soft, pink tatami mats covering the floor, evoking the beauty of sakura blossoms. The pink interior design gave the room a peaceful, cultural ambiance, yet the atmosphere was heavy with tension.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/99/Hana_Amaya_Profile.png]
In the center of the room stood Hana Amaya, her familiar presence commanding and calm, as she awaited their arrival. Her opened umbrella, held high even indoors, signaled her readiness to face the group—now their next obstacle in the path ahead.
"Hana-san..." Yoko whispered, realization dawning on her as she recalled Hana’s parting words during their last meeting: "I believe we’ll meet again sooner than you expect." Yoko now understood exactly what Hana had meant.
Hana's sly grin spread across her face as she glanced at them with amusement. "Like I promised, we meet again," she laughed, her tone almost playful. "I am one of the Horsemen of Kurokaze-kai. It’s my duty to stop you all from going any further," Hana explained in Japanese, her calm demeanor belying the seriousness of her role.
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Yoko, not entirely surprised by the revelation, took a step forward, hoping to appeal to Hana’s softer side after their meeting at the Midnight Mirage cabaret. "Hana-san... please, let us pass," Yoko pleaded earnestly, her voice filled with both desperation and hope that Hana might remember their earlier connection and show mercy.
Hana’s youthful, innocent appearance contrasted sharply with the unreadable expression on her face, making it difficult for the group to gauge her true motives. She opened her mouth, her tone smooth but laced with a cryptic undertone. "You all can go ahead," she began, her eyes locking onto Yoko, "especially you, Yoko. I’d love to see how you react when you reach the next level."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c1/Akane_Miyazaki_showcasing_her_martial_art_prowess.png]
Hana’s expression shifted to one of false pity as she gazed over Jake, Luna, and Akane with unsettling calm. "However," she continued, "one of you must stay behind and entertain me." Her voice was smooth but carried a hidden menace. "Which of the three of you will be the unlucky one?" she asked, forcing them to make a difficult choice. If no one stayed, Hana would deny them all passage.
The trio exchanged uncertain glances, trying to strategize quickly. Before a decision could be made, Akane silently stepped forward, her pair of sais in hand, her face resolute. She turned to her friends, her expression one of quiet assurance, silently telling them it was alright for her to stay behind and face Hana.
"Very well, you’ll be my opponent," Hana laughed with a cunning edge, her umbrella twirling in her hand. "I hope you put up a good fight and don’t disappoint," she added, her eyes briefly flickering toward Yoko. "The rest of you may proceed... though I do look forward to seeing your reaction to your next opponent," she said cryptically, her smirk widening.
Though reluctant to leave Akane behind, the group knew it was the only way forward. True to her word, Hana allowed them to pass without interference, granting them access to the stairs leading to the seventh floor.
Once they disappeared, Hana turned her full attention to Akane. "Shall we?" she said confidently, her voice a playful challenge as she readied her umbrella, the Sakura Tempest prepared to meet Crimson Sai. The battle between them was about to begin.
The group's journey through the Kurokaze-kai headquarters had been relatively smooth, but as they reached the seventh floor, the situation abruptly changed. Exiting the spiral staircase, they came to an unsettling halt. In front of them stood more than 50 men, each holding a katana, their stances ready for battle. The sheer number of opponents was daunting, especially with their group now reduced to just three—Jake, Yoko, and Luna. The odds were overwhelming, but retreat was not an option.
"This is going to be a tough fight," Jake murmured, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. The trio instinctively formed a tight circle, backs to each other, ready for the inevitable clash.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5a/Kaito_Fujiimori_with_an_enigmatic_aura%2C_his_expression_and_the_surrounding_shadows_reflecting_his_involvement_with_the_darker_activities_of_the_Kurokaze-kai.png]
But the Yakuza men did not immediately attack. Instead, the crowd parted, as though making way for someone of importance. From behind the sea of katana-wielding men, a shadowy figure slowly emerged. The respectful way the Yakuza made space for him spoke volumes about his authority. As the figure stepped closer, his identity became clear—it was Kaito Fujimori.
"Kaito, you’re safe!" Yoko exclaimed, her voice filled with relief as she saw her friend. The joy on her face was noticeable, and for a moment, she seemed to forget about the situation they were in, wanting to rush to him, to confirm he was unharmed.
"Careful, Yoko," Jake said, holding out a hand to stop her. His tone was cautious, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. The Yakuza weren’t restraining Kaito at all. In fact, the respect they showed him was unnerving. "Something’s not right here," Jake muttered under his breath, suspicion clear in his voice.
Kaito stood confidently before them, adjusting his black-rimmed glasses, his expression unreadable. "Don’t make this harder than it has to be," he said, his voice cold and unfamiliar, a stark contrast to the friend they once knew. "Surrender your weapons, and everyone stays safe." His words hung in the air, chilling and detached, as though he didn’t know them at all.
The group’s grip tightened on their weapons, none of them willing to comply. The pieces began to fall into place—the moment Kaito had asked Jake to pass him the Sword of Flame for safekeeping had been nothing more than a façade. He had used their trust to betray them, delivering the sword to the Yakuza. The realization hit hard, especially for Yoko, who had shown legitimate concern for Kaito, only to find him aligned with their enemies.
Yoko's face shifted dramatically, her concern melting into a storm of emotions—worry, confusion, and deep heartbreak. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Kaito... how could you?" Her words were heavy with disappointment, the sting of betrayal cutting through her like a blade.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f3/Yoko_crying_after_knowing_about_the_betrayal.png]
"Yoko..." Kaito’s voice softened, and for a brief moment, the cold exterior cracked. He saw the distress in her eyes, and it hurt him. "I did what I thought was necessary. There are bigger things at play than you realize," he explained, hoping to ease the emotional distance his actions had created. But his words fell flat, unable to soothe the sharp pain of betrayal that coursed through Yoko, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Overcome by grief and anger, Yoko couldn’t listen to Kaito’s plea. With unrestrained emotion, she charged forward, brandishing her tanto, lashing out at the Yakuza who surrounded them. Each strike carried the weight of her heartbreak, her tears mingling with the sweat of battle as Jake and Luna rushed to protect her. Despite the chaos, her actions were irrational and reckless, driven by pure anguish. Jake and Luna knew it too—they followed her lead not because it was the smart thing to do, but because they couldn’t let her face the Yakuza alone.
"Stop! You don’t stand a chance!" Kaito shouted, desperation creeping into his voice as he tried to regain control of the spiraling situation. But Yoko, consumed by her emotions, was deaf to his words. The clash between the Yakuza and the teenagers grew fiercer, the air thick with tension and confusion.
In an act of pure frustration, Kaito slammed his shinai hard against the concrete floor, the loud crack echoing through the room. "Everyone, stop!" His voice boomed with authority, silencing the room as both the Yakuza and the teenagers halted in their tracks, their weapons frozen mid-motion.
Kaito stood in front of Yoko, his face a mask of composure, but beneath it, sadness and frustration churned. He stayed calm, concealing the storm of emotions within. "If you really want to fight, then fight me!" he declared, stepping forward with his shinai ready, his voice steady. His true intention, however, was to protect Yoko from further harm and take responsibility for the chaos he had caused.
"Yoko, you don’t have to do this. I can take him on," Jake offered, knowing that Yoko might not be in the right state of mind to face Kaito. He also had his own reasons—Kaito had betrayed them all, playing on their trust and stealing the Sword of Flames.
"No, Jake. This is between me and him," Yoko said, her voice firm despite the tremor of pain behind it. Her eyes, red and swollen from tears, locked onto Kaito, filled with hurt and confusion. "Kaito, I really trusted you," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of betrayal. Her hands tightened around her tanto, signaling that she was ready to confront the turmoil she had endured.
Kaito, equally prepared, squared his shoulders, his shinai raised not just for the physical confrontation, but bracing himself for the emotional battle that would come with it. His heart ached seeing Yoko like this, knowing he had caused her pain, but he held his ground, determined to see it through.
As the two stood across from each other, the air between them thick with tension, it became clear that this fight was more than just a clash of weapons—it was a confrontation of broken trust and unresolved emotions.