CHAPTER 11
James leaves the shelter and heads to the police station, going to Eva's side and acting as if he knows nothing.
"Hey Eva, what's the latest news? What happened, how are you?"
Eva, with tears streaming down her face:
"James, how could I be okay? They killed him. But it must have been that masked one, Blueshade or whatever, James. I just don't understand why; the last time I cornered him, he only said he killed criminals, and he did. Up until now, everyone he killed was a criminal, but Alan wasn't. James, Alan was only trying to help people, to do good."
"Look, hey Eva, look at me; we'll figure out what happened, alright? Whoever is responsible, we'll find them, no matter what."
Eva hugs James while crying.
"I know James, I'm glad you're here."
"Yes Eva, I'm here; don't worry, I'll solve everything. Look, you sit here for now; try to get yourself together, alright? I'll go check whatever evidence, clues, or anything they've found. Even if it's not today, we'll take a step closer soon."
James leaves Eva's side and goes to those inspecting the scene. When he asks what they've found, they say the body is at the autopsy and that they found nothing in the house except broken glass; other than entry through the broken window, they have no other information, and the camera recordings are missing as the cameras were broken.
"So you're saying whoever did this must be very skilled. Still, it doesn't matter who they are, what they can do, or how skilled—they must have left tangible evidence behind. What was that masked one's name?"
One of the people in the room says:
"Blueshade."
"Whatever it is, we'll catch him. Now I'm going to the other teams to search around the crime scene. You all be as careful as possible, and let me know when the autopsy results come in," James says.
9 Years Ago
"No, no, no; insufficient and wrong. Did you really come here to train, or are you here to prove just how inadequate you are?"
"I'm sorry, Sensei Kagemura, forgive me; next time I'll do better."
"Is that so? Then take your sword and start a 25-kilometer run; then come back and do 500 push-ups; then try the same thing again. Are you still that child from three years ago who cried 'I can't endure this,' or have you changed?"
"No, Sensei."
"Then run."
"Yes, sir."
James completes the 25-kilometer run and comes before his sensei.
"Sensei, the 25 kilometers are done."
"Then get into push-ups."
James gets into push-up position.
"1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9…" he counts; he finishes the 500th push-up.
"Sensei, push-ups complete."
"Then show me the move; are you the same baby James from before, or not?"
"Yes, Sensei."
James draws his sword from its sheath; first pulls it back, then brings it forward into guard. He takes a deep breath, chest filling with air, wrists and arms in perfect harmony. Slowly, he raises the sword to shoulder height, scanning the target board with his eyes, calculating every line and shadow. Then, with a sudden pivot, his hips synchronize with his torso; the sword starts tracing a crescent in the air.
The sword suddenly accelerates; James' wrists and shoulders move in near-invisible harmony. Every step, every turn is as sharp and precise as mathematics. When the sword strikes the board, the tink breaks the courtyard's silence, announcing that James has completed this complex move in one fluid motion.
But it doesn't stop there. James immediately spins the sword in the air for a second move; he thrusts his foot forward, completing the turn as the sword draws a stripe parallel to an imaginary opponent. Wrists remain relaxed, body and hips perfectly synchronized, breath controlled and sharp. The move merges in an almost impossible flow, finishing with a successful final strike.
With the tink sound, James stops. Feet planted, sword in guard; breathing steady and eyes shining. The "Shadow Spin" is now James' signature; finally performed flawlessly and impressively.
"Well done, you've shown you're not the baby from three years ago. Now go and clean up, child."
"Yes, Sensei, as you command."
James walks into the castle, moving away from the training area.
Sensei Moriyama approaches Kagemura:
"Hey Kagemura, this child is very talented; in three years, I don't know anyone else who has reached this level besides you."
"Yes Moriyama, you're right; that's why I push him so hard. I want him to never forget who he is. He still doesn't know that I was part of the reason his father died, and it will stay that way," he says, smirking with the right side of his lips curling up in a sly expression.