Chapter 5 – The Return of Shadows
Lord Umbra's voice boomed, shaking windows, Shut up! You idiots - "Twenty years ago, you children dared to defeat us. But today… the age of Kasukabe's peace ends. This city will kneel."
Glacira's icy breath swirled through the clouds."Your streets will freeze."
Voltazo sparked with rage."Your towers will burn."
Thornfang's vines rattled."Your homes will crumble."
Jokerbane flicked a glowing card, grinning."And your laughter… will turn to screams."
Shinchan stepped forward, fists clenched. "Hey! Nobody makes Kasukabe cry except me when I forget to wear pants!"
"Shinchan, this isn't the time!" Kazama snapped.
But before anyone could act, Umbra raised his hand. "Enjoy your last night of peace. Tomorrow… we claim everything."
With a crack of shadow, the villains vanished into the night.
The warehouse fell silent, only their heavy breathing remaining.
Masao's fists shook. "…Why didn't we fight them? We could've—"
Kazama cut in. "No. Didn't you feel it? Our powers… they're gone."
Everyone froze.
Bo-chan finally spoke. "…The heroes' warning."
And the memory returned.
🌌 Flashback — Twenty Years Ago
After the villains were defeated, the five glowing heroes who had given them power appeared again, towering like guardians.
The leader spoke with a firm voice."Children, your bravery saved Kasukabe. But this power is not forever."
Shinchan had pouted. "What?! No fair, I wanted to keep flying and kicking butts forever!"
One of the heroes knelt down."These powers live only when the world truly needs them. One day, darkness may rise again. When that happens, your courage will call the power back."
Little Kazama had crossed his arms. "So… until then, we live normal lives?"
The hero smiled."Yes. Grow strong. Grow together. When the time comes, Kasukabe will need its Defense Team once more."
🌌 Back to Present
The memory faded. Everyone sat in silence.
Nene muttered, "…So they were right. We can't fight now."
Kazama adjusted his glasses, frowning deeply. "Not until the power chooses us again."
Masao slammed his fist on the table. "Then what do we do? Just sit here?!"
Shinchan leaned back, munching the last of his chips. "We sit here tonight. Tomorrow, same place. Maybe powers will come back. If not, we can always fight with… butt attacks."
"Shinchan!!" everyone yelled.
Still, the tension softened a little, and they reluctantly agreed. None of their families — not Ai-chan, not Himawari, not even the parents — knew the truth about what happened twenty years ago. To the world, those heroes were just a mystery. And they decided… it would stay that way.
"Go home," Kazama finally said. "Tomorrow… we'll know."
☀️ The Next Morning
The television buzzed in every Kasukabe household. Newscasters shouted in panic.
"Breaking News! Kasukabe is under attack! The five unknown villains have returned after twenty years!"
Helicopter footage showed Voltazo's lightning tearing through power lines, Glacira freezing entire roads, Thornfang's vines wrapping around army tanks, Jokerbane's explosions scattering police cars, and Umbra's shadow covering the city like night.
The anchor's voice trembled."The police… the army… none can stop them. Twenty years ago, Kasukabe was saved by five mysterious little superheroes. But where are they now? Will they return to save us again?"
In living rooms across the city, people whispered desperately."Where are they? The children who saved us?""Have they disappeared?""Will Kasukabe fall this time?"
And in the Nohara household, Shinchan chewed on a rice ball, staring at the TV.
He muttered quietly to himself, so only he could hear:"…We're still here. And we'll be back."
✨ End of Chapter 5 ✨