The tension in the room was heavy as the surrounding Yakuza members, along with Jake and Luna, stood in silent observation, their eyes fixated on the standoff between Yoko and Kaito. A heavy circle of space had formed between them, the atmosphere burdened by the weight of their fractured friendship. Yoko’s eyes were still red from crying, and in her heart, she silently hoped that Kaito would forfeit, valuing the bond they had shared. On the other side, Kaito’s resolve was firm, believing that the best way to protect her was to defeat her so she wouldn’t be further drawn into the conflict.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9c/Intellectual_Intuition.png]
Neither of them made the first move. Yet, beneath the surface, Kaito’s Intellectual Intuition was already at work, analyzing Yoko’s fighting style, anticipating her movements, and adapting his defense accordingly. He had already deduced her strengths and weaknesses.
Yoko’s commitment to the Bushido code gave her a strong moral foundation that dictated her every action in battle. Her positive thinking and kindness were her emotional pillars, allowing her to endure hardship with resilience. But Kaito also saw how these strengths could be turned against her—her adherence to the principle of compassion would prevent her from delivering a truly decisive or lethal strike. Despite her discipline and resolve, her compassionate nature left her vulnerable, and Kaito knew this fight was skewed heavily in his favor.
Kaito’s heart ached, knowing how the battle would likely unfold, but his eyes remained cold and calculating. He was prepared to do what he believed was necessary, even if it meant hurting the person he cared for. Meanwhile, Yoko, torn between her hope and the harsh reality, stood resolute, but her hesitation was evident. This wasn’t just a physical fight for her—it was the painful confrontation of a broken trust, and that weighed heavily on her mind.
"Why are you not attacking? After everything you’ve done, are you just toying with me?" Yoko shouted in despair, her voice breaking as she struggled with the betrayal and the lack of response from Kaito. Her emotions were laid bare, every word heavy with sadness. Kaito, however, remained silent, his expression unreadable, deep in thought, as if something was holding him back.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/63/Yoko_performs_Silent_Willow_Strike%2C_a_swift_and_silent_strike_aimed_at_non-lethal_points_of_her_opponent%27s_body%2C_intended_to_incapacitate_without_causing_serious_harm.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f5/Mindful_Defense.png]
Frustrated by his lack of reaction, Yoko’s resolve hardened. "If you won’t react, then I will!" she declared, charging forward with her Silent Willow Strike. Her tanto moved with precision, aimed at non-lethal points on Kaito’s body, but Kaito, ever calm, effortlessly defended with his Mindful Defense, calculated and efficient. His shinai blocked her attack in a way that conserved energy, a defensive move that reflected his goal—to outlast her.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/46/Autumn_Leaf_Cut.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/89/Cerebral_Counter.png]
Yoko’s frustration grew with each passing moment. "Are you looking down on me? Why won’t you fight back?" Tears welled up in her eyes as she pressed on with Autumn Leaf Cut, her strikes mirroring the delicate yet sharp fall of an autumn leaf. Quick and precise, but Kaito still refused to attack. Instead, he employed Cerebral Counter, a methodical, minimal effort defense. He saw an opening and tapped Yoko’s back gently with his shinai, as if reminding her that he was still in control.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Flowing_River_Sheath.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b0/Tactical_Retreat.png]
"Stop toying with me! Speak to me, Kaito!" Yoko’s voice trembled as she swirled her tanto in frustration, transitioning into Flowing River Streams, her movements fluid, creating openings for either defense or counterattack. Yet Kaito continued to deflect her aggression with ease, using Tactical Retreat to withdraw just enough to give himself space, his every move calculated.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c7/Yoko_performs_Waning_Moon_Disarm%2C_focusing_on_disarming_her_opponent_without_causing_unnecessary_harm.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/8c/Feint_and_Parry.png]
Desperate to end the fight, Yoko rushed at Kaito, determined to disarm him with her Waning Moon Disarm, a technique focused on removing his shinai without harming him. But Kaito was always one step ahead. He used Feint and Parry, misleading her with a subtle feint, making her think she was about to succeed, only to follow with quick parries, showing his strategic thinking over raw strength.
Yoko’s despair deepened, realizing that Kaito was not only refusing to fight back with full force but also holding back his true feelings, leaving her in a battle of emotions just as much as a battle of skill.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Psychological_Warfare.png]
Seeing Yoko's refusal to give up, Kaito knew this couldn’t continue. He needed to end it, not through force, but by making her stop herself. He decided to employ Psychological Warfare, a move not physically taxing but mentally devastating. "You’re fighting for something that doesn’t exist anymore, Yoko. Stop this before you destroy yourself," he said coldly, though his heart ached with the words. He didn’t mean them, but he knew they would hurt.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/6/61/Harmony_of_the_Blade.png]
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Yoko froze, her eyes widening, tears brimming as the weight of Kaito's words crashed down on her. Stunned and heartbroken, she felt the pain pierce deeper than any physical wound. Still, driven by her principles, she launched her ultimate move, Harmony of the Blade. This technique was the embodiment of her philosophy—blending attack and defense, seeking to minimize harm while staying true to the samurai code. She lunged toward Kaito with everything she had, her movements graceful but fierce.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/00/Deceptive_Agility.png]
But Kaito was prepared. With his Deceptive Agility, he moved with such fluidity and speed that it seemed like there were multiple versions of him, confusing Yoko. Her best attack struck nothing but air, leaving her vulnerable.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/e6/Disarming_Maneuver.png]
Seizing the moment, Kaito executed a precise Disarming Maneuver with his shinai, striking Yoko’s hand and causing her to drop her tanto. He stepped back, lowering his weapon as a sign of peace, hoping to de-escalate the situation. "Yoko, it’s over. Without your weapon, there’s no point in continuing," he said softly, hoping to reach her.
But Yoko refused to give in. Fueled by heartbreak and anger, she reached down to pick up her tanto and attacked again. Each time, Kaito disarmed her with ease, repeating the maneuver again and again. It was clear now—Kaito was the superior fighter, and his goal was not to hurt Yoko, but to end this senseless fight.
"Yoko, that's enough! You've proven your point!" Jake called out, his voice filled with concern for his cousin, who kept picking up her weapon, only to be disarmed each time. "Yoko, stop!" Luna pleaded, unable to bear watching Yoko's emotional torment.
Despite their cries, Yoko couldn’t stop. Her focus was locked on Kaito, her desperation to understand his betrayal driving her to keep trying, only to fail repeatedly. Both Jake and Luna refrained from intervening, understanding that this was Yoko’s battle—her struggle for answers. They also trusted that Kaito, despite everything, would never harm her, choosing only to disarm and neutralize her attacks.
"Stop this, Yoko! I don't want to hurt you!" Kaito shouted, tears brimming in his eyes. His heart ached seeing Yoko like this, but she refused to stop. Each time she fell, she would rise again, determined to continue despite her body's exhaustion. Finally, after one particularly draining exchange, her strength gave out, and she collapsed, her spirit still willing but her body unable to keep up.
Before Yoko could hit the ground, Kaito dropped his shinai and rushed to her side, gently cradling her unconscious form as he lowered her slowly to the floor. His usually composed and unreadable face was now filled with concern and regret. "I never wanted it to come to this. I'm sorry, Yoko," he whispered, hugging her unconscious body as tears began to spill from his eyes, reflecting his inner turmoil and sadness.
Jake and Luna hurried to Yoko and Kaito's side, sensing the somber atmosphere around him. Though they were wary of Kaito after everything that had happened, they knew they needed answers. Jake spoke up, his voice heavy with both hope and anxiety, "Kaito, where is Uncle Kenjiro? And what about my Sword of Flame?" His tone was laced with uncertainty, unsure whether Kaito was still a friend or had fully betrayed them.
Without looking directly at them, Kaito gently laid Yoko's unconscious body down and spoke in a soft, measured voice, evading Jake’s question for the moment. "Both of you can move forward. I’ll have my men clear the way up to level eight for you. But at level nine... you’ll be on your own." His tone was somber, hinting at the complexity of the situation.
Kaito then continued, revealing more of the dangerous path ahead. "I will go and save Kenjiro," he promised. "But on level nine, you’ll face the cybernetic ninja, Hiroshi Saito. And if you make it past him, Kazuo Mori, the head of Kurokaze-kai, will be waiting for you on level ten." Kaito’s words left Jake and Luna with the daunting reality of the tough opponents still standing in their way, a turbulent journey that lay ahead.
Jake and Luna stood uncertain, their trust in Kaito deeply shaken after his earlier betrayal. Jake, still hoping for clarity, pressed, "How can I trust you, Kaito? And where is the Sword of Flames that you took from me?"
Kaito, avoiding a direct answer, responded cryptically, "You’ll get your answers when you reach the top level." His words implied that the sword was now with Kazuo Mori, the head of Kurokaze-kai, and hinted at the immense challenge awaiting them against Hiroshi Saito.
His gaze shifted to Yoko, full of remorse and regret for his choices. Seeing her in such a state, Kaito appeared torn between his loyalty to Kurokaze-kai and his friendship with them, particularly Yoko. Offering advice to Jake and Luna, he hoped to help them succeed . "Against Hiroshi Saito, my advice is for Luna to take him on alone while Jake proceeds to level 10," Kaito explained. "Even together, your chances of defeating him are close to zero. But Luna, I believe you could hack into his cybernetic system, creating a temporary advantage that would allow Jake to pass through without issue."
Jake and Luna exchanged a glance, their distrust of Kaito still lingering, but there was a sense of sincerity in his tone. His remorse seemed genuine. "Luna, are you sure? We could take him on together," Jake offered, unsure if splitting up was the right choice.
Luna, thinking through Kaito's advice, nodded. "Let’s stick to Kaito’s plan. It makes sense. I’ll deal with Hiroshi, and you go after Kazuo Mori." She trusted Kaito’s tactical advice, realizing that this was their best shot at getting through.
Jake then turned back to Kaito, seeking more guidance. "What about Kazuo Mori? Do you have any advice on how to face him?"
Kaito’s face darkened. "You’ll know when you meet him. I have no advice for you... only that you’ll need all the luck you can get." His words carried a sense of foreboding, hinting at how dangerous Mori was. "Now go! You have little time left."
With a signal from Kaito, his underlings stepped aside, creating a clear path to the next level. Their obedience to Kaito showed the respect and power he commanded, and without him, Jake and Luna would have been forced into a hopeless fight.
Jake nodded, understanding the weight of Kaito’s warning. Kazuo Mori was not just any opponent—he was the head of the entire Yakuza organization, a man with a reputation that inspired fear even in his subordinates. Kaito’s lack of advice only heightened Jake’s concern. "Take care of Yoko and save Uncle Kenjiro, as you promised," he urged, his voice carrying the heavy concern he had for his cousin and uncle. He glanced back at Yoko, still recovering from the emotional toll of her fight with Kaito.
"I will," Kaito reassured, though his voice was laced with a solemn determination. Jake and Luna exchanged one last look with him before hurrying up the stairs, leaving Yoko in Kaito’s care.
As Jake and Luna stepped into level 8, they found themselves in a traditional Japanese-style room. The tatami flooring, ornate samurai swords hanging on the walls, and serene Japanese paintings all indicated the importance of the room’s occupant. However, it was eerily empty, with no sign of anyone present.
"It feels like there should be someone dangerous here, but it looks like we’re alone for now," Jake remarked, a wave of relief washing over him at the thought of not having to face another opponent just yet. Luna nodded in agreement, her eyes scanning the room, noting the significance of the décor but feeling the same absence Jake did.
"Are you ready, Luna?" Jake asked, his concern still lingering as they prepared to face Hiroshi Saito, the cybernetic ninja waiting on the next floor. The upcoming battle weighed heavily on him, knowing it would test them both.
Luna placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, her voice steady. "Trust me, Jake. My skills from the future equip me for this challenge. I can handle Hiroshi Saito." Her confidence was evident, though deep down, she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of uncertainty. But she didn’t let it show. Jake needed to focus on the final fight ahead with Kazuo Mori, and she wouldn’t let her doubts weigh him down. "Once I hack into his system, you need to move quickly to level 10. We can’t afford any mistakes."
Jake nodded, appreciating her calm resolve. "I trust you, Luna. We’ll get through this." With one final glance at the samurai room, they turned toward the spiral staircase leading to level 9.
The weight of the challenge ahead was clear, but their determination was stronger. Together, they ascended, ready to face the cybernetic ninja and whatever else the Kurokaze-kai had in store for them.