Plans never keep up with change.
The Dragon Man had never considered that Arakawa Zenkichi would have already marked him, leaving behind a hidden trace to track his every move. And now, against all expectations, Zenkichi had found him—and was drawing near.
The Dragon Man wasn't stupid. He quickly understood what this meant. Zenkichi was hunting him, and the game of waiting was over. His plans would have to change immediately.
The Wolf God, standing beside him, sensed it too. He wasn't a fool either. The oppressive presence pressing in from the distance was unmistakable. Even without being told, he could feel it—the aura of someone familiar, rapidly approaching from across the stars.
"Why does he know where we are?" the Wolf God demanded, his voice heavy with unease. His eyes locked sharply onto the Dragon Man.
The Dragon Man's face darkened, but he spoke truthfully. "He left a trace on me, a scent I didn't detect until now. With it, he can track my position."
He knew their alliance depended on trust. If he hid the truth, suspicion would unravel their cooperation instantly. That was something neither of them could afford.
The Wolf God frowned deeply, but his instincts told him the Dragon Man wasn't lying. He had tested the flow of power himself and found no deception. The explanation fit.
"In that case… then we fight!"
A fierce light burned in the Wolf God's eyes, his fighting spirit erupting like fire. Retreat was unthinkable. To rise to this level of strength, one required an unshakable will—an invincible heart. Even with Zenkichi closing in, hesitation had no place here.
Besides, they were not alone. Together, he and the Dragon Man stood as two formidable warriors. What reason did they have to cower?
Still, the Wolf God couldn't ignore the truth. His own strength had recovered fully, but the Dragon Man's body was still weakened by lingering wounds. His gaze lingered on his ally, doubt flickering in his mind.
The Dragon Man noticed. "It's no problem," he said coolly. Reaching into his sleeve, he revealed a shimmering pill of golden light. "I have the Jade Dew Golden Pill."
Without hesitation, he swallowed it. At once, the wounds across his body began knitting together, his energy surging back at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The Wolf God's jaw tightened. "So extravagant…"
The Jade Dew Golden Pill was a priceless treasure, rare even for warriors of their caliber. It was the kind of medicine that could restore one's life in desperate moments—something no one would waste lightly. Yet the Dragon Man consumed it without blinking, a display of both wealth and determination.
The Wolf God said nothing more. Now wasn't the time to complain.
But before either could speak again, the atmosphere around them shifted.
A presence descended, sudden and overwhelming.
And then, he appeared.
Arakawa Zenkichi stood before them, his gaze calm, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He regarded them not as enemies, but almost like acquaintances he hadn't seen in years.
The Wolf God and the Dragon Man stiffened, their faces grave. They knew the truth: this man was no ordinary foe. Their battles with him had taught them well—Zenkichi was strong, far beyond ordinary comprehension.
And though little time had passed since their last encounter, the possibility that he had grown even stronger filled them with dread.
The contrast was chilling.
They braced themselves with solemn expressions, while Arakawa Zenkichi looked upon them with effortless ease, as though the outcome had already been decided.
The hunter had arrived.
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