The wind was calm as Team 1 and Team 17 walked together through the village.
"It's time," Ryju said quietly, eyes focused.
"Yep," Kenshiro replied.
"We got this though," Azar added, walking with confidence.
Zanden cracked his knuckles. "All of us vs. them. I like the odds."
"Yeah," Taro agreed.
Rei clenched her fists. "We have to save Misa... and destroy that place for good."
"Oh, don't worry," Azar smirked. "We're going to do exactly that."
Meanwhile – Kuroyami's Room
At his quiet home, Kuroyami sat by the window, eyes distant.
"I wonder if they're okay," he muttered. "They have the power to make peace… while I'm just… useless."
A knock broke the silence.
"What?"
"It's me," Kurosaki called from outside.
"Come in."
Kurosaki entered, arms crossed. "You really planning to stay locked up in here?"
"I am," Kuroyami replied bluntly.
"You used to dream about bringing peace to the world. What happened to that?"
"Would you look at that," Kuroyami said with a bitter smile. "Maybe I'd have a chance if I had an ability."
"You do."
"I don't. Even the Spiritual King tried to unlock it. There's nothing."
Kurosaki stepped closer. "Maybe it's just not the right time yet."
"Well, it looks like it's not my time to be a ninja... or to bring peace," Kuroyami muttered, turning away.
"Your team's been asking for you."
"That's nice."
"…They're leaving on their first mission," Kurosaki said at last.
Kuroyami turned slightly. "What mission?"
"They're going to retrieve Misa. She was kidnapped."
That made Kuroyami freeze.
"…Actually…"
He stood up suddenly and grabbed his sword.
"I need to go with them. I have to—!"
But then, doubt returned to his eyes.
"…What am I even doing?" he whispered, setting the sword down. "I don't even have an ability."
He collapsed back onto his bed, the will fading.
Kurosaki quietly shut the door behind him, walking into the cool night air.
"He used to smile so much," Kurosaki whispered to himself. "He believed in peace more than anyone."
"Ready to go?" Renji appeared beside him.
Kurosaki nodded. "Yeah."
With that, they vanished.
Back With the Teams
As they reached the clearing, Zanden yawned. "Let's just rest for now."
Shun nodded. "Yeah. We need to be at full strength."
"I'm tired anyway," Kenshiro muttered.
Taro agreed. "Same here."
Ryju smirked. "Then let's go home and rest. We'll be ready."
"Okay," Azar said.
One by one, they leapt into the air, vanishing from the scene.
At the Spiritual King's Office
The Spiritual King leaned back in his chair, releasing a deep sigh.
"I wonder," Okata said.
"Hm?" Kaji looked over.
"If we could ever go back to being kids."
The Spiritual King chuckled. "Today's the day."
"They're probably nervous," Okata said.
Kaji shook his head. "Nah. They've got guts—especially Kenshiro."
The King nodded. "That one's special."
"He came from a family of assassins, right?" Okata asked.
"Trained to kill," the King confirmed. "They're in good hands."
Kaji turned serious. "And Azar… He's hiding something."
"In a bad way?" Okata asked.
"No. More like… something powerful."
The Spiritual King nodded slowly. "He's ready to kill that auction leader."
"Vel Draven, right?" Okata asked.
"That's the one."
"I remember his eyes," the King said. "He only ever wanted power and money. Nothing else."
"Now he's weak. D-rank level. We could one-shot him."
"Which makes him the perfect challenge—for them."
"What happened to his father?" Okata asked.
"…Mr. Ryuu killed him."
At that moment, Renji and Kurosaki returned.
"We checked on the kids," Renji reported. "They're all asleep."
"Perfect," the King said.
"Except Azar," Kurosaki added. "He's still training."
"Let him," the King replied. "Stopping him wouldn't work. He'd just find another way."
Kurosaki stepped forward. "Spiritual King, can I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Why can't Kuroyami unlock his ability?"
The King's expression darkened. "I don't know. When I tried, something blocked me. As if… I wasn't supposed to reach it."
Kurosaki lowered his gaze. "I see…"
"Let them rest… for now. In two hours, wake them," the King said, eyes narrowing.
The Auction
"Mr. Draven, the preparations are almost ready," the butler reported.
Vel Draven took a sip of wine and turned.
"How's my suit?"
"Perfect, sir. And your black hair is flawless."
"Excellent. Let's begin the celebration."
Inside a Dark Room
Misa sat in a cage.
"Father... Spiritual King... Friends... please save me."
2 Hours Later
Wake-Up Call
Renji and Kurosaki split up, dashing through the village.
At Ryju's house:
"Hey, Mom!" Renji called.
Rika stepped out. "Big day today?"
"Yep."
Renji ran to Ryju's room. "Get up!"
Ryju bolted upright. "Okay!"
He shot out the room. "Love you, Mom!"
"Be safe!" Rika called.
Renji nodded. "I'll get the rest."
He vanished.
At Azar's house, Kurosaki met him at the door.
"Azar! Spiritual King's office. Now."
"Got it."
Renji banged on Kenshiro's door.
"Still sleeping…" Kenshiro groaned.
"Get up!"
"…Okay!"
At Taro's, Kurosaki tapped the window.
Taro groggily opened it. "Who is it?"
"Time to go."
"Got it."
At Rei's house, Ari opened the door.
"Oh, hi, Renji!"
"Hey. I need Rei."
"I'm here," Rei said, already dressed. "We're heading to the office, right?"
"Yep."
And so on. One by one, the teams were awakened, ready to fulfill their mission.
Back at the Spiritual King's Office
"Everyone's here," Renji reported.
"Team 1," the King said, "get dressed."
They suited up and returned, sharp and ready.
"You ready?" the King asked.
Azar nodded. "You bet."
"We're bringing Misa home," Zanden added.
Taro smiled. "We promised."
"Azar," the King said, "the leader of the auction is Vel Draven."
"…That's his name?"
Azar's fists clenched.
"He's about twenty," the King continued. "Three-horned dragon tattoo on each hand. You'll know him. When you see him—you decide what to do. Just save Misa."
"I got it," Azar said coldly.
Team 1 entered, suits and dresses gleaming.
The King smiled. "Perfect timing. The plane's here. Let's go."
At an open Field
"Where is the plane? It should be here by now," the Spiritual King said, scanning the horizon.
A silver plane descended into the clearing.
"There," Ryju pointed. "It's here."
The plane landed and the pilot lowered the ramp. "Hop on board!"
The Spiritual King stepped aside. "Get in."
Gio gripped his fists. "Please save my daughter."
Taro gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry—we will."
"Azar!"
Yuna ran across the field, breathless.
"Sensei?" Azar turned.
"I just wanted to say—be safe. And Azar—kick that leader's ass."
Azar smirked. "You got it."
"Just come back home," Okata added.
The team boarded the plane. The Spiritual King stood at the door.
"Your mission is simple," he said, voice firm. "Save Misa. Don't fail."
"Yes, sir!" they all shouted in unison.
The door closed. The plane rumbled forward, then rose into the sky.
Below, the King whispered, "Be safe…"
Gio looked up. "Please… save my daughter."
Yuna clenched her fists. "Save Misa."
Inside the Plane
Everyone sat quietly, the moment sinking in.
Azar stared ahead, eyes burning.
Misa… We're coming.
To Be Continued