Hoshin Maru – "Everyone, we'll shift this meeting for later. We'll talk about the other plans in a few days."
Everyone nodded, the sound of chairs moving and boots echoing across the stone floor. Papers rustled as figures in mage cloaks stood up, the tension of war still heavy in the air.
Hoshin Maru (looking at Ryden, his tone low but firm): "Ryden, you stay."
Ryden (turning to Veon with a slight nod): "Veon, you should go home."
The hall slowly emptied, leaving only two shadows seated beneath the dim golden chandeliers. The silence between them wasn't awkward — it was weighty. Two veterans, carrying the burden of strategy and blood.
Hoshin Maru – (his voice lowered, eyes narrowing) "Ryden, we can't trust even our allies. Two decades ago… someone leaked our secret hideout. I don't want to make that mistake again."
Ryden – (leaning forward, voice thoughtful) "That's exactly what I was thinking, Hoshin. After we finalize the five plans, we'll prepare one just for us. Quiet. Untraceable. That way, we can dodge deeper harm."
Hoshin Maru – (nods, slow and serious) "Good. Prepare for it. Reach out in a few days."
Ryden – "Got it. I'll go now."
Hoshin Maru nodded quietly, but his eyes stayed sharp, locked on the empty hall as Ryden turned and left.
—
Outside the dojo, the wind carried dust, black clouds roaming ominously. The sun was setting behind the mountains, casting its effect on the tone road.
Aster stepped out, his steps silent… but then—
A woman came running.
Tears streamed down her dirt-smudged cheeks. Her hair was messy, her breath ragged, eyes were full of raw pain. She fell at his feet, grabbing his leg with trembling fingers.
Woman (crying, voice cracking) – "Mister Guardian! Please… please avenge my husband! He died at Scholar Plateau! We were just married… and they took him from me… please…"
She screamed, only the weight in her heart.
Aster froze for a second. Her cries pierced through his composure, straight into his chest. His heart clenched.
He bent down, eyes serious, placing a steady hand on her trembling shoulder.
Aster – (his voice calm, but burning with emotion) "We will avenge your husband. Believe in Ryuki. Believe in us. Whoever did this will be punished."
His voice echoed like thunder across the street. Even a passing citizen turned their heads.
Ryden was going home, the weight of that woman's voice heavy in his heart. Her words kept echoing in his mind like thunder:
"Please... avenge my husband..."
Ryden clenched his fists. "I won't let their lives go in vain," he whispered to himself, eyes burning.
He looked at the darkening sky above the rooftops."If I ever get the chance… I'll finish Yuzen City myself."
His steps grew heavier as he walked, the streets empty, but his mind crowded.
"There are so many cities around us…Why does Yuzen have a problem with us every time…?"
He gritted his teeth."It's all the doing of that damn Siroka clan…"
While walking, Ryden stayed lost in thought, his boots tapping quietly on the stone road, the aura of his anger trailing behind him.
—
Elsewhere…
In a cafe. Okabaru and Toji sat under a wooden canopy, sipping slowly from steaming cups, their backs resting on carved chairs.
A faint ding echoed — Orb Call: Incoming...
Okabaru picked up with a smirk. "Hello?"
Sakura (from the orb, slightly annoyed): "It's me. Why are you calling?"
Okabaru (grinning): "Were you in the meeting? Can you tell me what's going on?"
Sakura – "Why should I give you that info?"
Okabaru (laughing, playful): "Come on, little sis. What do you want? A cake? Hmm? Cupcake with extra frosting?"
Sakura (sighing) – "Fine. But it's top secret. You can't tell anyone."
Okabaru – (leaning back, sipping) "Of course not! Don't you trust your big bro? You know I'm strong — I can be a good hand in battle."
Sakura – (lowering her voice) "We're planning a counterattack. We'll strike first, then pull back and send a peace treaty. After three months, we will execute the real plan. I can't say more now. I'll explain when we meet."
Okabaru – (nodding) "Thanks, Sakura."
He ended the call, the orb dimming, the fire in his eyes now burning brighter.
"Did you hear, Toji?" Okabaru leaned in, a half-smile forming. "She said… after 3 months, they'll counterattack Yuzen."
Toji snorted, his chair creaking as he leaned back. "Hahaha… three months? We already know what's gonna happen in three months."
Okabaru chuckled, folding his arms behind his head, eyes gazing at the sky. "After three months…
He will reawaken. You think he's gonna dance in this war? You think… he will come?"
Toji adjusted his goggles with a soft click, his expression sharp now. "I don't think it's a coincidence, Okabaru sensei. The date they set… and the date we know... they're the same."
His voice dropped low, serious. "I think Ryuki will fail in its plan. And they'll have no choice. He will have to come."
Or something else can happen, who knows ??
A strange chill passed through the wind.
Suddenly, from the nearby streets, the Mage March began. Drums thundered. A saxophone's sharp melody rose through the air. Troops stepped in rhythm, flags swaying, the ground lightly trembling under their feet.
Inside, a startled chef dropped his hot pan—Fwoosh! The oil splashed, starting a small fire on the desk. Everyone shouted in panic, rushing to stop the flames.
Okabaru didn't flinch.
Okabaru smirked widely, the sunlight catching the edge of his teeth.
A dark storm cloud rumbles ominously, crackling with flashes of lightning that dance across the sky...
The myth of the grand era —a mere legend that can challenge the whole heavens itself, the one who carries the hopes of the forgotten. Toji, I am getting goosebumps just thinking. The time has come; we should prepare ourselves.
Will he win this time?
Will the world shake again?
Will the ocean respond?
But if he came, then it means they will come too, and also the Red book.
Is God of M*****a. Also???
Yuzen and Ri**** also??
Su*****..
Both erupted into laughter, a sound that was bold, untamed, and utterly fearless.
And so, the world turns silently, unaware… that a name buried in whispers is about to return.
"Hahahahahaha…
Ash Phantom will come…
Okabaru and Toji whispered the name of the legend between laughs, their voices low and mocking.
Okabaru leaned back, resting one leg on the table, a sly grin on his face."Can you imagine it, Toji? That man returning? Ash Phantom himself?"
Both erupted into laughter — bold, untamed, fearless.
But then…
A new laugh joined in.
Not from them.
A low, heavy, bone-chilling laugh.
"Hahahahaha…"
Toji blinked, freezing mid-laugh. His face turned pale as he looked to the side.At a nearby table — which was empty seconds ago — sat a man.
His face was burned, beneath the shadow of a long, pointed purple hat. A thick black cloak masked the rest of his figure. His presence was unnatural… wrong.
Toji trembled, his voice breaking. "S-Sensei…"
Okabaru opened his eyes slowly, still smirking — until he turned his head.He saw him. The laughter stopped instantly.
The table shook slightly.The air thickened.The cafe grew colder.
Okabaru's voice dropped to a whisper. "Toji… don't react. Only we can see him."
Toji was sweating. His jaw clenched. "I'm… having a bad feeling…"
Okabaru narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man looked up, revealing only the glint of a twisted smile beneath his hat.
"Ash Phantom," he growled."You fools…"
Suddenly, their table shook violently, the cups rattling, the glass window beside them cracking.
Toji gripped the edge of the table, wide-eyed."Sensei… what is this…? This isn't real… right?!"
Okabaru didn't answer.
He couldn't.