The sacred flames flickered within the Mitsuki shrine, casting long shadows across the stone walls. The glow of the Light Relic pulsed faintly, surrounding Ametrasu's dormant body in a cocoon of divine warmth.
"The seal cannot be broken until he awakens," murmured the high priest of the Mitsuki. "Only when Chernobog rises fully within his vessel… only then can the Light Goddess be reborn to counter him."
The room fell silent.
The prophecy's price was steep—wait for darkness to rise before light could be restored.
Meanwhile, deep within the Yami compound…
Nozomi burst through the doorway, her breathing ragged, eyes wide with worry. Inside, she found Katakuichi and Kimikage, seated across from none other than Sensei Shidou.
Her heart surged with emotion.
"Katakuichi! Kimikage!" she cried, wrapping both of them into a tight hug.
"Too tight…" Katakuichi winced.
"Oh—sorry! I was just so worried!" Nozomi said, pulling back and wiping her eyes. Then her gaze drifted toward the man standing behind them—eyes cool, posture firm.
"…Sensei Shidou?" she gasped. "You're alive? How is this possible?"
Shidou smiled faintly, giving nothing away. "It's a long story," he said, then turned to his students. "You two—get ready. Training begins now."
He stepped toward the doorway but paused, glancing back.
"It was nice seeing you again, Nozomi."
"…You too, Sensei," she replied softly. But as he walked away, her eyes narrowed. Something feels off… she thought, the weight of suspicion settling in her chest.
Training Ground – Outer Yami Forest
The wind whispered through the dark trees as Shidou stood before Katakuichi and Kimikage.
"Today, we'll be learning to harness multiple shadow clones. This will push your chakra control and tactical awareness. Summoning one clone is easy. Summoning ten without collapsing? That's where true strength begins."
The two students nodded in unison, ready.
Meanwhile… Deep in the Northern Caves
Koumei Kurosaki knelt beside an ancient stone slab carved with eerie markings—symbols that pulsed with old shadow energy.
"So this is it," he muttered. "The origin of the—" (cut off suddenly by an explosion)
A sudden rumble echoed through the cave. The ground trembled, and before he could finish, a blast of shadow energy erupted from the carvings, consuming the space in thick, suffocating smoke.
Everything went dark.
Moments passed in eerie silence. Then—
the smoke began to clear.
Suddenly—
CLICK.
Stone shifted. Walls dropped. Massive slabs of obsidian slammed down around them—a trap.
"Dammit!" one of the scouts yelled. "It's a box jutsu!"
Box Jutsu (Kage-Hako no Jutsu - 影箱の術)
Type: Advanced Shadow Sealing Technique
Style: Shadow Style
Users: Elite members of the Shadow Organization
Description:
Box Jutsu is a powerful shadow-based sealing technique used to trap enemies in a cubic prison made from compressed shadow matter and reinforced with cursed seals. Once activated, the walls form instantly, cutting off light, sound, and chakra sensing from the outside.
Inside the box, time flows slightly slower, causing disorientation. The only way out is to overpower the shadow seals from within—or be released by the caster.
Kaji uses it in Chapter 20 to trap Koumei and his squad, signifying how prepared and deadly the Shadow Organization truly is.
Dark laughter echoed through the chamber.
From the shadows stepped a masked figure, clapping slowly.
"Well, well… look what the shadows dragged in," said Kaji, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You son of a bitch!" Koumei snarled. "You stole my brother's shadow style! Let me out of here!"
Kaji tilted his head, amused. "Let you go? Oh no no no. We're just getting started."
He snapped his fingers, and shadowed figures emerged behind him—an entire faction, cloaked in darkness.
"And to think…" Kaji continued with a crazed grin, "you're Gaki's brother. Imagine how devastated he'll be when he finds out… you never made it back."
He leaned in slightly, voice cold and cruel.
"Now… let's take you to the boss."
His laughter echoed—unhinged, manic—as the shadow soldiers surrounded Koumei and his team.
"If you're lucky, he might even spare your life."
As the shadows dragged Koumei through the cavern tunnels, Kaji walked beside him, arms casually crossed.
"You know," Kaji began, his tone almost conversational, "you act like we're the villains. But our boss... he values life more than any of your so-called leaders ever did."
Koumei scoffed. "You call this valuing life? Kidnapping, stealing shadow styles, unleashing demons?"
Kaji didn't flinch. "Suffering. That's what we're trying to end. You just don't see it yet."
He leaned in closer. "You're too wrapped in tradition, in broken systems. Our boss—he sees the world for what it really is... and what it could become."
Koumei remained silent, eyes cold but wary.
He knew he was walking deeper into enemy hands—but part of him needed to understand why.
Why someone would go so far... to end pain.
Meanwhile, back at Yami Village...
Without hesitation, he raised his right hand. Shadows surged from beneath him, forming three perfect replicas. They stood silently beside him for a beat before vanishing into mist.
"Now," he said, eyes narrowing slightly, "you two try."
Katakuichi was the first to attempt. He knelt slightly, focusing his chakra deep into the earth. Shadows gathered under his feet and stretched upward—forming a crude figure that briefly resembled him before collapsing.
"Tch... not enough balance," he muttered, shaking his head.
"You're close," Shidou said calmly. "Try adjusting your breathing. You're forcing it."
Next was Kimikage. He shut his eyes, breathing evenly. The shadows around him pulsed. With a sharp exhale, a flickering form appeared next to him—it held for a few seconds, then burst into a shadowy puff.
He gritted his teeth. "Almost..."
Shidou stepped between them. "Good effort from both of you. This technique takes time. But once mastered, it'll let you fight on multiple fronts—and confuse your enemies. Again."
The two nodded. Determined. Driven.
And as they resumed their practice, neither of them noticed the faint smile that curled on Shidou's face—one that didn't quite reach his eyes.