Lucy exhales, her voice calm but edged with worry.
"How do we take Amanda's mind off all this?" she asked softly.
Miyamoto turned, his tone steady yet heavy.
"Here's the thing. When she wakes up, don't blame her. Show her love. If she brings up the revenge conversation, just tell her we should grow stronger first—focus on training, not chasing what's impossible right now. That'll do the trick."
He vanished in a flash of Switch Mode, reappearing at the door in an instant. "I'll be counting on you." With that, he pushed the door open and stepped out into the cold night.
Lucy frowned.
"It's easier said than done… I know Amanda more than anyone. Tricks like that won't hold her back," she muttered, heading upstairs toward Amanda's room.
Meanwhile, Miyamoto blurred through the streets, Switch Mode igniting his path like afterimages in the night. His pace quickened as the looming walls of the Kingdom of Eminence faded behind him.
"Since I killed Alaska, the Avengers will come for me. That much is certain… What a pain in the ass," he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing.
But suddenly—
His steps halted. A cold, suffocating aura pressed against his skin like chains.
"Tch… this is bad. The Special Darkside Knight is patrolling?" His jaw tightened as he veered sharply, changing direction mid-step, vanishing into another streak of motion. He carved through the terrain with continuous Switch Mode, darting past hills and trees until the border's scent hit him.
Finally, he skidded to a stop at the edge of the border. His breathing was steady.
"This should be far enough… Damn it. Why did I take Alaska's sword? Carrying this puts the girls at risk…"
He pulled the weapon from his chain—the steel reflecting faint moonlight—when the shadows of nearby trees suddenly twisted.
Step. Step. Step.
Five figures emerged, masks concealing their faces, each wrapped in identical black garments. Their Renshi aura seeped into the air like venom, thick and violent.
Miyamoto turned slowly, eyes narrowing, teeth grinding.
"This aura… I haven't felt something this heavy in years. One of them… stronger than Alaska. No doubt… they're from the Avengers."
The man at the center spoke, voice cold but mocking.
"Musashi Miyamoto. First disciple of the Unknown Man. An honor to finally meet you."
Miyamoto chuckled darkly, sliding Alaska's sword back into his chain.
"So it is the upper five of the Avengers. If this is about Alaska, I won't be blamed—it was self-defense."
He stood tall, his gaze unwavering, but his thoughts betrayed him: Five at once? I can't win this head-on. Not a chance. I need composure…
The leader smirked, his aura trembling the earth beneath them.
"Don't get the wrong idea. Your master's name being 'Unknown' doesn't mean I can't erase you right here. If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't bring them. Killing is easier than capturing. We're here to take you alive."
"Capture?" Miyamoto scoffed, tightening his fist. "You think you're capable of that?"
The leader raised his hand lazily.
"Both of you—take him. The rest, stand guard. If he tries to flee, cripple him."
Two masked Shinras stepped forward, unsheathing their swords. The air cracked around them.
Miyamoto's jaw clenched. What's their goal? Replacing Alaska with me? Damn bastards…
He raised his voice. "Oi, leader. Before we begin, answer me. Why attack me?"
"Attack?" the leader sneered. "No. This is retrieval. You destroyed a valuable asset of ours. Now you'll take his place."
"Tch. As I thought…" Miyamoto muttered in his head, sliding into stance. "Replacing Alaska with me. That won't be easy."
He flared his aura, blades flashing into his hands.
"Come. Give me your best shot."
The two Avengers lunged.
Their speed was monstrous. No Switch Mode—yet their steps cut across the ground like thunder. In less than a blink, one blade swung from Miyamoto's left, the other from his right.
CLANG!
Miyamoto crossed his swords just in time. The impact tore the air apart, blasting a shockwave so violent the surrounding trees exploded into splinters.
The other three stood unmoving, the leader watching like a hawk, eyes glinting.
"Impressive… even while pressured."
Miyamoto gritted his teeth, sparks flying from the clash. He burst into Switch Mode, blurring into offense. His twin blades slashed in arcs of speed, yet every swing was met with crushing counterblows. Their strikes carried twice the force of his.
Each exchange roared like thunder, shaking the borderlands. His feet dug trenches into the soil as he defended again and again, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Damn it… each of their swings… heavier than mine!"
The Avengers pressed harder, their rhythm unbreakable, their blades howling through the night.
But Miyamoto roared back, aura erupting like a storm.
"I won't fall here!"
His blades danced faster, Switch Mode igniting like fire, his strikes chaining into a furious barrage—yet the enemy pressed him still, their dark Renshi swallowing his momentum.
And in the shadows, the leader whispered to himself—
"Show me, disciple of the Unknown Man. Show me if you're truly worthy to replace Alaska."