Taro's body lay still, head severed, his blue aura gone like breath in winter. Outside, cherry blossoms drifted into the mud, as if mourning with the slums. Ryu stood trembling, Taro's katana gripped tight in his hands. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but his voice came out low, a growl.
"I'll kill you."
The Ox smirked, looming in his black-and-gold kimono. His katana gleamed in the brothel's light, his red aura simmering faintly—coiled, waiting. But he didn't summon it fully. He stepped forward, blade raised with casual arrogance.
"You, boy?" he said, voice like cold steel. "You're nothing."
Ryu charged, screaming, katana slashing wide. The Ox parried with ease—his blade a blur—and knocked Ryu's strike aside. The blow jarred Ryu's arms, sending him stumbling. The Ox followed with a lazy swing that slashed across Ryu's chest, tearing his kimono. Blood welled hot and sharp.
Gritting his teeth, Ryu swung again, but the Ox sidestepped with a cruel grin.
"Pathetic," the Ox sneered. He kicked Ryu in the ribs, sending him sprawling across the floor. The katana clattered from his grip.
"Your mentor died for this? A slum rat with a stolen blade?"
Ryu gasped, dragging himself upright. His chest burned. Behind him, Hana screamed, "Ryu, run!" Yumi sobbed into her shoulder. Lila and Suki stood frozen, pale and silent. But Ryu didn't hear them.
Become that samurai.
Taro's words burned through the haze. Ryu snatched the katana from the floor and charged again, reckless with grief.
The Ox raised his blade for the killing blow.
But before it fell, wind howled through the brothel.
A silver flash cut the air.
Steel screamed.
Kaze stood between them, katana drawn, his dented armor bloodied, his gray-streaked hair wild in the gust. His blade held the Ox's, the pressure of their clash warping the air.
"Kaze!" Ryu gasped, staggering back.
The ronin's eyes were flint. "You're done here," he said.
The Ox's smirk vanished. His red aura flared, jagged and searing. "The ronin," he growled. "Come to die with them?"
Kaze's katana shimmered with silver aura, raw and untamed like the wind itself—freedom, defiance made manifest.
"Try me."
He lunged.
Their blades met like storm and fire. Kaze struck first with Gale's Fang—a piercing thrust that blurred through the air. The Ox met it with Crimson Fang, his downward slash shaking the floor. Sparks flew. Tables shattered. The brothel groaned under their fury.
Ryu watched, frozen, katana trembling in his grip.
Kaze moved like wind incarnate—fast, unpredictable. His silver aura danced around the Ox's brutal red, which carved deep scars into the wood. Kaze ducked a brutal swing and answered with Storm's Arc, forcing the Ox back. But the yakuza boss roared and lashed out with Blood Talon, slicing deep into Kaze's arm. Blood sprayed.
Outside, shouts erupted.
A dozen of the Ox's men gathered at the entrance, blades and clubs in hand. They blocked every alley, closing in.
"We have to go! Now!" Hana yelled, grabbing Yumi's arm.
"I'm not leaving! Ryu's still in there!" Yumi sobbed.
Lila grabbed Suki. "He's a fool! He'll die!"
Hana turned, eyes locked on Ryu. "Ryu! Come with us! You can't win this!"
Ryu's jaw clenched. "I'm not running. Not after Taro."
Hana cursed. "You're going to die, you idiot!" She yanked Yumi toward the storeroom, Lila and Suki following. "Don't you dare die, Ryu!" she shouted, tears breaking her voice as she disappeared behind the curtain.
Ryu turned back to the fight. Kaze ducked another slash, silver aura flaring. He struck with Wind's Claw, nicking the Ox's shoulder. The Ox snarled, unleashing Iron Pyre, a twin-strike that knocked Kaze back, boots skidding through blood.
Kaze's eyes flicked toward Ryu, fierce with urgency. "Kid! You're in the way!"
He moved like a blur.
A fist slammed into Ryu's temple.
Everything went dark.
⸻
Ryu came to, his head pounding. The world shifted—he was slung over Kaze's shoulder, blood dripping from the ronin's mouth and arm. The slums blurred past as Kaze ran, boots pounding through mud.
Shouts rang out behind them. The Ox's men gave chase, their weapons flashing in the light. The glow of the Ox's red aura flickered like a distant wildfire.
"Stay down," Kaze muttered, breath ragged.
He veered into a narrow alley, cherry blossoms scattering underfoot. Ahead, more enforcers appeared, knives gleaming.
Kaze stopped. He lowered Ryu to the wall and drew his katana again, his wounds dripping.
Silver aura flared brighter—hotter.
"Enough."
With one deep breath, he swung—Tempest's Crescent. A silver arc howled down the alley, a blade of light ripping through crates and stone.
The Ox stepped forward, red aura roaring. He raised his blade and met the attack with Crimson Wall, a blazing barrier of blood-red light. The alley shook.
The silver arc shattered
Dust rained down.
The Ox stood unharmed, his men behind him wide-eyed, but unflinching.
Kaze staggered, coughing blood. His aura flickered, dimming.
The Ox lowered his blade. Calm, cold.
"Stop," he ordered. "The boy will come back. He's got Taro's fire."
He turned from the alley, aura fading.
"Let them go. We'll wait."
The enforcers hesitated, then stepped back.
Kaze narrowed his eyes, sheathed his katana, and hoisted Ryu again.
"You're lucky, kid," he muttered, limping down a side street as the Ox's gaze followed them, silent and burning.
⸻
Ryu's head throbbed, his body weak, but his soul screamed. Taro was gone. The katana lost. The brothel in ruin. Hana, Yumi, Lila, and Suki had escaped—but he'd stayed. And Kaze had saved him again.
Taro's voice echoed: Protect Hana and Yumi.
That path was set now.
Clear.
Bloody.
He would follow it.
The cherry blossoms fell behind them, soft and slow, marking the way.