© 2025 AKSHAT TRIPATHI

“What?!” exclaimed Tomen, his voice echoing with disbelief. “Are you sure you weren’t mistaken?”The unranked officer nodded, his face pale. “The way he took down my two men in mere seconds... and most importantly, he used small, sharp knives.”Tomen froze, his expression darkening as he spoke in a hushed tone, almost to himself. “Small, sharp knives... That can only be him. What’s he doing here?” Luke, now smiling slightly, said, “So what? Our plan is near its end; we will succeed.”

Tomen turned his sharp gaze toward him and said with a grim tone, “You’re new, Luke. You don’t understand. We were there during his time, right, Kuzaku?”

Kuzaku, who had been silent all this time, sat with his head lowered. A shadow seemed to pass over him, and in a voice laced with anger and pain, he whispered a single name: “Tenchi!”

Luke, still smiling, said, “He was just an unranked officer, and in the end, he was only regarded as a second-grade threat.”

He paused, and as he continued, a faint glow began to emanate from his arms, casting soft, pulsating light across the dim room. His smile widened, confidence radiating from him. “I am a second-grade officer myself,” he declared, his voice firm and unwavering. “We’ll deal with him when the time comes.”

Tomen’s eyes widened as he instinctively took a small step back, his gaze fixated on the glowing arms. Surprise flickered in his expression, quickly giving way to a tinge of unease. He had seen many powers before, but something about Luke’s calm certainty unsettled him.

Kuzaku, meanwhile, remained still, his head bowed, seemingly lost in his own storm of thoughts. His lips barely moved as he repeated the name under his breath: “Tenchi...”

A few hours later, at the soldier base near the seaport, the dimly lit room was filled with the murmurs of soldiers discussing the recent incident.

Takashi sat quietly on a wooden chair, his posture stiff, his torso wrapped in fresh bandages. His eyes carried a mix of pain and determination as he stared at the floor, lost in thought.

The creak of the door broke the silence, and an old officer stepped inside. His uniform was immaculate, his presence commanding yet calm. “Takashi,” the officer said in a measured tone, “how are you feeling now?” Startled, Takashi quickly rose to his feet, his expression shifting to one of respect. “Fine, Sir,” he replied, his voice steady but tinged with weariness. The officer studied him for a moment, his sharp gaze softening. “Good,” he said before adding, “A special doctor from the castle has arrived and is reviewing everyone. You’re next.” He paused, allowing a small smile to cross his lips. “Don’t worry—she’s the one in charge of the King’s health himself. You’ll be in good hands.” The old officer stepped aside, and from behind him entered a lady draped in an elegant robe of soft ivory, embroidered with delicate golden patterns. Her presence was both commanding and serene, like a figure from an old tale.

Her fair skin seemed to glow faintly in the dim light, her cheeks touched with a natural reddish hue that added warmth to her striking features. Her deep, almond-shaped eyes held an air of calm confidence, though they quickly changed as they fell upon Takashi.

Takashi’s heart froze the moment he saw her. His breathing slowed, his body stiffened, and an inexplicable pain surged through him. His hand shot to his chest, clutching the locket beneath his uniform as though it could shield him from the storm of emotions threatening to consume him.

The lady, just as composed moments ago, stopped in her tracks. Her serene expression faltered, her eyes widened slightly in shock, and a glistening wetness began to form at the corners of her eyes.

As soon as the lady opened her mouth to speak, Takashi couldn’t hold back any longer. In a burst of anger, he stormed out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

The officer quickly followed Takashi, reaching him just before he could exit the hall. He stepped in front of him, blocking his path with a concerned expression.

“What’s the matter, Takashi?” the officer asked, his voice edged with confusion. “Do you know this lady? And I need you to get your check-up; the fight isn’t over!”

Takashi, still reeling from the shock of the encounter, slowly came back to himself. His chest tightened, but he forced his emotions down and looked the officer in the eye. “I’m fine, sir,” he replied, his voice firm despite the turmoil inside him. “Trust me, I don’t need any check-up. It’s my request.”

The officer stared at him for a moment, his brows furrowing in doubt. He had seen the blood Takashi had lost just hours ago, the deep cuts and bruises that should’ve left him incapacitated. Yet here Takashi was, standing tall and determined as if nothing had happened.

After a brief pause, the officer sighed, a mixture of concern and disbelief crossing his face. “Alright, Takashi. If you insist…” He stepped aside, allowing Takashi to pass. His mind was clearly troubled, but he couldn’t argue with the soldier’s resolve.

The next day, Luke and his group gathered in their dimly lit hideout, a map of the kingdom spread out on the table before them.

Luke’s gaze was sharp as he addressed the others. “This will be our final distraction in the southern area. After this attack, more than half of the army will be here, and capturing the castle—and the king—will be a simple task.”

Kuzaku interrupted, his voice firm and unyielding. “This time, I will go with him. I have an old score to settle.”

Luke and Tomen exchanged glances. For a brief moment, it seemed as though they might object, but after considering Kuzaku’s determination, they decided it would be a waste of effort to stop him. Luke gave a slight nod, silently granting his approval.

Meanwhile, at the base, Takashi stood silently by a window, gazing into a room where John lay resting peacefully after the injuries he had suffered. His expression was calm, yet the weight of concern lingered in his eyes.

A senior officer approached, stopping beside him. “He’s perfectly fine,” the officer said with reassurance. “A strong kid.”

Takashi allowed a small smile to break through. “He is,” he replied softly, his gaze never leaving John.

In the medical room nearby, the doctor sat alone, tears streaming down her face. Her trembling hands gripped the edge of the table as she whispered to herself, “He… is alive… I can’t believe it…”

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice from behind. “Ma’am, these soldiers need your attention,” another woman said, her tone urgent yet respectful.

The doctor quickly wiped her tears, composed herself, and turned to face the waiting soldiers, her professionalism taking over despite the turmoil in her heart. Takashi stood quietly outside the room, his thoughts swirling with unease as he pieced together the events of the day. The faint hum of activity within the base was a distant backdrop to his own focused silence.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, sharp and urgent, breaking the stillness. “An attack! An attack at the Great Temple!” An officer came running down the corridor, his expression one of panic. Takashi immediately turned, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of his sword., the senior officer said, “Takashi, you are coming with me.” Takashi silently followed. At the Great Temple, a crowd of frightened townsfolk had gathered, their murmurs filled with fear and speculation. Mothers held their children close, and elders whispered prayers, their eyes fixed on the temple’s shattered door. The once-imposing gateway now hung ajar, splintered and broken, a grim testament to the violence that had occurred.

Takashi and the senior officer arrived at a sprint, weaving their way through the uneasy crowd. Their expressions were a stark contrast to the panic around them—focused and resolute.

“Stand back!” the senior officer commanded, his voice firm, sending a ripple of compliance through the crowd.

Reaching the temple’s threshold, Takashi paused briefly, his sharp eyes scanning the damage. The eerie silence within sent a chill down his spine, but he steadied himself, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. “Ready?” the officer asked, his tone low but determined. Takashi nodded. Together, they stepped inside, bracing themselves for whatever awaited in the shadows of the temple’s depths.

As they ran through the Great Temple’s grand hallway, their footsteps echoed ominously against the high stone walls. The dim light from flickering torches cast long, wavering shadows.

Suddenly, Takashi and the senior officer came to an abrupt halt.

A lone figure stood in their path, silhouetted against the faint glow of the temple’s inner sanctum. The man held a sword loosely in his hand, its blade glinting faintly. His stance was relaxed, yet exuded an air of confidence.

The officer's face darkened with recognition. The man smiled, his voice smooth but laced with menace. “Same as in the wanted posters. At last, I get to meet you.”

The tension in the hallway thickened, the air growing heavy with the promise of an imminent clash. The senior officer frowned, his confusion evident. He glanced at Takashi, then back at the man. “What are you talking about? Who are you, and why do you act like you know him?” Here's the continuation with your scene included:

Takashi stood silent, his face unreadable as the unranked officer’s words hung in the air. The senior officer, still puzzled, turned toward Takashi and spoke with a firm tone.

“I’ll handle this one. You go on ahead,” he ordered, drawing his sword in one swift motion.

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Before Takashi could respond, the senior officer charged forward, his boots pounding against the stone floor. The unranked officer grinned, raising his sword to meet the attack.

The sound of metal meeting metal rang out sharply as their swords clashed, the force of the impact reverberating through the hallway. Sparks flew in the dimly lit space as the two combatants locked eyes, their blades grinding against each other. At first, their swords danced in equal measure, the clang of steel reverberating through the grand hallway. The senior officer moved with precision and skill, his years of experience evident in each strike. The unranked officer, however, matched him blow for blow, his movements deceptively fluid and controlled.

But soon, the senior officer began to notice something unsettling. Each clash of their blades left his arm tingling from the sheer force behind the unranked officer’s strikes. Despite his lean frame, the man’s blows were unnaturally heavy, as though they carried a weight far beyond what his build should allow.

Sweat began to bead on the senior officer’s brow as he tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. He’s stronger than he looks. If this drags on, I might lose my edge.

The unranked officer, sensing the shift, started pressing harder. His strikes came faster, more precise, the smirk on his face fading as he got serious with each blow. His eyes gleamed with an unsettling focus, his movements now calculated and relentless.

I have to end this quickly, the senior officer thought, steeling himself as he prepared to shift his strategy.

The senior officer, drawing on his years of experience, began to turn the tide. He anticipated the unranked officer’s moves with precision, exploiting openings with quick and calculated strikes. The rhythm of the fight shifted, and for the first time, the unranked officer was forced onto the defensive.

With a powerful swing, the senior officer landed a crushing blow to the man’s gut. The unranked officer staggered back, his breath ragged as he clutched his abdomen.

Seeing his opponent faltering, the senior officer straightened, his sword held ready. “It’s over.” he declared, his voice steady but commanding.

To his surprise, the unranked officer straightened up slowly, a grin spreading across his face. The smile was unnerving, far from the expression of a man who had just been dealt a decisive blow.

“Good work,” the unranked officer said, his tone disturbingly casual. “Let’s see how you’ll keep up now.”

He raised his hand, revealing a small band around his wrist. The band began to glow with a faint pinkish light, the radiance pulsating rhythmically as if responding to his energy. The air around him seemed to shift, growing heavier with an unexplainable force.

The senior officer’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his sword. “What is that...?” he muttered under his breath, his instincts screaming that the fight had just taken a dangerous turn.

The unranked officer lunged forward, closing the distance with alarming speed. To the senior officer, his movements didn’t appear significantly different at first—his stance was the same, his approach methodical.

He doesn’t seem faster or stronger, the senior officer thought, his focus sharpening as he prepared to counter.

But as the unranked officer swung his sword in a powerful arc, the senior officer’s instincts screamed danger. Trusting his reflexes, he leapt backward just in time to avoid the strike.

The blade missed him by inches and slammed into the stone wall behind him.

CRACK!

The sound echoed through the hallway as a massive fracture spidered across the wall, the force of the blow reverberating through the air. Dust and small chunks of stone crumbled to the ground, leaving the senior officer momentarily stunned.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the damage. The unranked officer, with a single swing, had struck with enough power to nearly shatter the solid stone wall.

What kind of strength is this...? the senior officer thought, his heart pounding. He quickly regained his composure, tightening his grip on his sword.

The unranked officer turned his gaze back to him, a smug grin on his face. “What’s wrong, officer? Losing your nerve already?”

Tenchi who was silent all this moment, stepped forward taking out his sword, a serious look on his face, as he moved towards the unranked officer, he told his senior, “I will take it from here, you should go on ahead.” Before the senior officer could say something, the serious look of takashi’s eyes left him silent. The unranked officer preparing his sword and said smiling, “Finally, I get to fight you.” Tenchi, who had been silent all this time, finally stepped forward. The sound of his boots against the stone floor echoed faintly as he drew his sword, the blade glinting in the dim light. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with a focused intensity that immediately commanded attention.

He moved past the senior officer, his grip on the sword firm, and spoke with quiet authority. “I will take it from here. You should go on ahead.”

The senior officer opened his mouth to protest but stopped short when he caught sight of Tenchi’s eyes. The seriousness in his gaze, a quiet but undeniable resolve, left him momentarily speechless. Without another word, the senior officer stepped back, trusting Takashi’s judgment.

The unranked officer chuckled, his smirk widening as he prepared his stance. “Finally,” he said, his voice laced with anticipation, “I get to fight you.”

The glow from the band on his wrist pulsed faintly, reflecting his growing excitement. The tension in the hallway became almost palpable as the two warriors stood face-to-face, their swords ready.

The senior officer hesitated as he stepped back, doubt creeping into his mind. He wasn’t sure if Takashi could handle this opponent. The unranked officer’s earlier display of power had been nothing short of terrifying.

Before he could voice his concern, the unranked officer moved, wasting no time. He swung his sword in a wide, powerful arc, aiming directly at Takashi.

CLASH!

The sound of metal colliding with metal echoed through the grand hallway, reverberating like a thunderclap. Sparks flew as the blades met with incredible force.

Much to the senior officer’s shock, Takashi stood firm. His sword held steady against the unranked officer’s blow, his posture unwavering.

What was even more astonishing was Takashi’s expression. His face remained calm, his grip unshaken. There was no sign of struggle, no hint of strain in his stance.

The unranked officer’s grin faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he pushed harder, testing Takashi’s resolve. But Takashi didn’t budge, his blade holding strong against the unranked officer’s enhanced strength.

The senior officer watched in stunned silence, a mixture of relief and disbelief washing over him. He blocked it... and it doesn’t even look like he’s struggling.

The clash of blades rang out as Takashi and the unranked officer engaged in a fierce duel. Each movement was calculated, each strike met with a perfect counter. Seizing the opportunity Takashi created, the senior officer slipped past them, running ahead to continue the mission. He cast a fleeting glance back, silently hoping Takashi could hold his own.

As the senior officer disappeared from sight, the tide of the battle began to shift. Takashi’s movements, once fluid and confident, became slower, less precise. The unranked officer pressed his advantage, his strikes growing faster and heavier.

“You’re struggling now, aren’t you?” the unranked officer sneered, his smirk returning. “I don’t think this is your true power, assassin. Where’s your band? Every unranked officer gets one. Don’t think you can beat me without it.”

With a roar, the unranked officer went for a decisive blow, his sword swinging down with devastating force.

In a split second, Takashi sidestepped the attack, the blade missing him by a hair’s breadth. Before the unranked officer could recover, Takashi grabbed his wrist, pulling him forward with startling strength.

As the unranked officer stumbled closer, Takashi struck. His knee shot upward, connecting with the man’s chin in a brutal blow. The unranked officer’s head snapped back, his grip on his sword faltering as he staggered from the force of the hit.

Before he could fully recover, Takashi leaped into the air with impressive agility. In one fluid motion, he delivered a powerful punch straight to the unranked officer’s face.

The impact was thunderous, sending the unranked officer reeling backward. He crashed into the ground with a heavy thud, momentarily dazed. Takashi picked up the unranked officer’s sword and finished him with a final strike. Before he could rest easy, the senior officer came hurtling toward him. They collided with a bone-shaking force, both crashing to the ground. Blood spurted from the senior officer's mouth, his body convulsing from the brutal impact, a sign that he had been struck with far greater force. Takashi felt the subtle shift in the air, a presence approaching from front. The sound of footsteps grew louder, and then there was a distinct glow—violet, pulsing with an unnatural energy. The boots, emitting a faint violet hue, left an eerie trail with each step. It was Kuzaku. Takashi's gaze remained focused ahead, but his posture shifted—preparing for whatever came next, a subtle tension in his stance.

He knew what this meant. Kuzaku’s gaze fixed on Takashi, and a dark laugh erupted from him, cold and mocking. “Look at you," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "What have you become? Is this what you’ve settled for? What are you even doing with these weaklings?” His eyes glinted with malicious amusement, the violet glow from his boots casting an ominous light on his face.

Takashi didn’t flinch. His jaw tightened, and his posture remained steadfast, but Kuzaku’s words cut deeper than any blade.

Kuzaku’s laugh grew louder, echoing in the empty space between them. “You thought you could hide, huh? Thought this kingdom would protect you?” He took a step closer, his grin widening with arrogance. “Bad for you. I’m here now. And I’ll be the one remembered, the one they’ll call the one who killed the Assassin of Vaeloria.”

“This will be over soon,” Kuzaku sneered, his voice cold and full of certainty. Without another word, he lunged forward, his violet boots pounding the ground as he closed the distance between them.

Takashi was ready. He met Kuzaku head-on, their movements synchronized in a deadly dance. Fists collided with fists, their strikes matching in speed and force. The sound of punches cutting through the air echoed around them, and for a moment, it seemed as if they were locked in a brutal stalemate—equal in strength, neither gaining an advantage.

But Kuzaku’s grin never faded. His eyes gleamed with the thrill of the fight.

In an instant, he blocked one of Takashi’s punches with ease, his arm moving like a steel wall. Without warning, Kuzaku’s leg swept up, and in a swift motion, he delivered a light but precise kick to Takashi’s chest. The force sent Takashi flying, his body crashing into the back wall with a sickening thud.

The wall cracked beneath his weight, the sound of stone splintering filling the air. Takashi slid down the wall, a few bloodied smudges left in his wake. He grimaced, barely able to stay upright as he shook off the shock from the blow.

Kuzaku’s boots pulsed brighter, glowing with an almost blinding intensity. The air around him seemed to tremble with the raw power building within him. He took a deep breath, preparing to end this once and for all.

With a speed that blurred the lines between reality and movement, Kuzaku surged toward Takashi. His boots tore through the air with an almost audible hum as the final blow loomed, one that would crush Takashi without mercy. This time, his kick wasn’t just a light strike—it was a crushing, brutal force, determined to end everything in a single strike.

Takashi could barely react. His body was slow to respond, battered from the earlier clash, his movements sluggish. He stood frozen, unable to defend himself in time.

Just as Kuzaku’s foot came hurtling toward Takashi’s chest, a figure lunged in between them.

The senior officer, one of Takashi’s trusted comrades, threw himself into the path of the blow. He took the full force of Kuzaku’s kick to his torso, his body launching backward with the impact. The officer let out a gasp of pain as he was sent hurtling toward Takashi, who could only watch in horror.

The two men crashed together, breaking through the back wall in a shower of debris. The force of the impact was so immense that it left a wide hole in the stone, sending both Takashi and the officer tumbling through the broken structure. Dust and fragments of stone filled the air as they came to a brutal halt, bodies slamming against the cold ground.

Kuzaku’s boots dimmed as he walked out of the hole, leaving behind the destruction. Before disappearing into the chaos, he turned one last time to look at Takashi, who was still lying in pain.

“The debt is paid, Tenchi,” he said coldly, his voice carrying a finality that echoed in the silence.

Then, without another word, Kuzaku vanished into the shadows, leaving Takashi to ponder the weight of his words. And soon he was unconscious.

TO BE CONTINUED.