Chapter: Mist of Conflict
At dawn, Levi and the rest of the squad were on their way to Wind City. As the early light crept across the sky, Levi looked around and told the group that since it was still dawn, they should camp out for a while. But when he turned back to face them, everyone was already sprawled out on the ground, tired and half-asleep.
Later that night, after the campfire was set and the tents were being made, most of the group had already dozed off. Alex stirred awake, rubbing his eyes, and mumbled to himself, "Man, I need to pee so bad..." He stepped out of his tent quietly, heading off into the bushes. But just as he was about to relieve himself, he spotted Kazuki at the other end of the same bush.
Kazuki glared at him. "Tch. Go pee somewhere else, idiot. Your presence is annoying."
Alex frowned. "The only thing annoying is you and that stupid face of yours."
There was a brief moment of silence—just enough for tension to build—before the two lunged at each other. A heated hand-to-hand fight broke out. Kazuki threw a punch, but Alex dodged swiftly. Alex retaliated with a sharp kick, but Kazuki blocked it cleanly. Back and forth they went, trading blows, ducking and weaving between the trees, neither willing to back down.
Meanwhile, Levi sat in his tent, quietly smoking while lost in thought. "Something's off..." he murmured. "There's no way those criminals escaped without outside help." As he continued to brainstorm, he suddenly heard a voice in his head.
"Can you hear me?" the voice echoed.
Levi narrowed his eyes. "Is that... Diablo?"
"Yeah, it's me," Diablo's voice spoke telepathically from a far-off distance. "I did some digging. Jugo and Kirihai didn't escape on their own... they had help."
"I figured as much," Levi replied, growing serious.
"It's bigger than we thought. There's a secret organization behind all of this," Diablo explained.
Levi's eyes widened slightly. "It's too early for something like that to surface... What's their goal?"
Diablo gave him the rundown. A few moments passed before he sighed. "Honestly, none of this feels worth the damn time."
"Then stop talking in my head," Levi muttered.
"Fine," Diablo said dryly, cutting off the telepathic link.
Levi was just about to rest when he sensed something—two distinct energies clashing nearby. He immediately got up.
Back outside, Alex and Kazuki were still going at it, fighting fiercely, their movements agile as they jumped through the trees, landing punches and kicks. Kazuki growled, "I'm tired of you!"
Alex snapped back, "I hate your guts, too! Being on the same team as you sucks!"
As they were about to exchange a final blow, Levi suddenly appeared between them and caught their fists effortlessly.
"That's enough," he said sternly. "Both of you, back to your tents. Get some damn sleep. We've got a mission tomorrow."
By morning, the squad continued their journey. Baraka stretched and grinned. "Man, I had a great sleep last night."
"Same here," Kinto chimed in, and a few others nodded in agreement.
Serena glanced at Alex and Kazuki, noticing the bruises and their quiet mood. She mumbled, "I'm 100% sure those two fought last night..."
Kinto asked, "How long till we get to Wind City?"
Levi pointed to the distance. "We're already here."
As they neared the city, a strong gust of wind blew past them. People filled the streets, the air rich with motion and energy.
Sukuna looked around in awe. "The Wind City really is beautiful."
Kazuki nodded. "No wonder it's called that..."
Levi turned serious. "Alright, everyone. Split up and scout the city. Look for anything suspicious."
"Yes, sir," they all responded, and in a flash, they dispersed.
Alex, Kinto, and Baraka walked through the streets, scanning their surroundings.
"See anything?" Alex asked.
Kinto shook his head. "Nope. Nothing."
Suddenly, Baraka's eyes lit up. "Hey! Look at that restaurant!"
Alex's stomach rumbled loudly.
"I guess... it can't be helped," he said with a tired smile.
Kinto laughed. "I'm hungry too."
The three of them entered the restaurant.
Meanwhile, Kazuki was patrolling when he spotted a shed with two hooded figures—Jugo and Kirihai. Inside, Jugo muttered, "Assassins from Kagahara City are looking for us... We need to destroy Wind City to earn a spot in the organization."
But when Kazuki entered the shed, it was empty.
"Weird... I could've sworn I saw someone..." he muttered before walking away.
Levi wandered elsewhere in the city, lighting another cigarette. "Things are moving too fast... A secret organization with goals like this? It doesn't add up."
At exactly 3 PM, Kirihai stood atop a tall building, wearing a cat mask.
"I'm ready," she said coldly.
"Hurry it up," Jugo called from below.
Kirihai raised her hand to the sky, chanting strange incantations. A snake symbol appeared on her palm, and thick mist began to pour over the entire city. The technique—Dead Man's Wonderland—quickly blanketed the area in silence and fog.
Levi looked around in alarm. "Dead Man's Wonderland...? No way..."
Jugo stepped out from the mist. "You're right, Levi."
Alex, Kinto, and Baraka rushed out of the restaurant, stunned by the quiet, fog-filled streets.
"What the hell is going on?" Alex asked.
Kinto shook his head. "I don't know..."
Elsewhere, Kazuki turned around, concerned. "Whatever's happening... it's bad."
Serena and Sukuna were already lost in the mist.
Jugo drew his blade. "Get ready to face death."
Levi stayed calm, pulling out his pistols. "I don't really give a damn."
Kirihai approached from behind. "Unfortunate. I'm in the mood to kill."
Levi smirked. "Bring it on."
As they charged at him, shurikens and explosives suddenly flew in from opposite directions. Both enemies jumped away to dodge.
Kinto stepped out, grinning. "There's no way she survived that!"
But as the smoke cleared, a dark wall had shielded Kirihai. She smiled wickedly. "That's all?"
She dashed toward Kinto with blades drawn. Kinto called out, "Alex! Baraka! Now!"
Baraka appeared from behind and swung his rock hammer, but she blocked it with her hand.
"What...?" Baraka said, surprised.
Alex tried to kick her, but she slapped him away. As he hit the ground, he reappeared behind her with a flash step, aiming a punch—she dodged again.
Jugo turned to her. "Can you handle them?"
Kirihai laughed. "They're just children. I'll kill them quickly."
Jugo and Levi clashed swords while the others dealt with Kirihai.
Alex activated his Energy Fist (+20). "Kinto! Got a plan?"
Baraka grunted, "We focus her down—take her out fast!"
They attacked together. Alex flashed around, launching energy punches, while Baraka swung with power. Kirihai dodged effortlessly, smiling. "I could play with you boys all day."
Alex created an opening. Baraka took it—slamming her into the ground with a heavy blow. An explosion followed.
As the smoke cleared, her arm was shielded by blades. Baraka blinked. "That's just not fair..."
She grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the ground.
"You brats should know your place," she growled.
Just as she raised her blade, Alex punched her away, shouting, "Monsters like you need to know theirs!"
She smiled and hit him so hard he crashed into the earth, leaving a crater.
"Alex!" Kinto yelled, running to help, but Baraka held him back.
"Don't!" Baraka warned.
Kirihai appeared behind Kinto. "Where do you think you're going?"
Kinto spun with a dagger, but it shattered on impact. She kicked him hard and prepared to strike.
But Alex jumped in the way—taking the stab himself.
"I won't let you hurt my friends..." he gasped.
Suddenly, Kazuki arrived, unleashing a spiritual explosion. Kirihai barely dodged, and Kazuki flashed behind her, dagger ready.
She blocked him just in time.
"You're skilled," she smirked.
Kazuki stood firm. "You're facing me now."
End of Episode.