**Paras City – Reconstruction Zone, Dawn**
The first pale light of dawn crept over the shattered skyline, turning smoke to gold and rubble to shadow. Paras City was breathing again—slowly, painfully. Workers in orange vests moved like ants across the devastation, hauling debris, pouring fresh concrete, welding steel. Orders echoed from megaphones. Trucks rumbled. Hammers rang.
Blu stood on a cracked overpass, arms folded, cape gone, gi still torn but posture unyielding. His glowing blue eyes surveyed the work—cold, precise, unsatisfied.
"Work well!!" he barked, voice carrying over the noise. "Don't let the city be destroyed again! Use more concrete to make buildings stronger. Don't take tension of money—spend what you need. I want this place rebuilt better than before!"
The workers paused—then bowed deeply, almost in unison.
"Yes, President! We will follow your orders!"
Blu exhaled—small, tired. He turned away, cape-less shoulders slumping just a fraction as he walked toward the familiar path that led to Sai's dojo.
---
**Sai's Dojo – Morning Light**
The courtyard was quiet—scarred but standing. Fresh wood patched the walls Blu had once demolished. String lights still hung, some broken, some glowing softly.
Inside the main room, Yuki lay on a low futon—dark hair splayed across the pillow, blindfold back in place, breathing slow and even. Exhaustion had claimed her completely after the night's battle. Her face was peaceful in sleep, but faint bruises lingered under her eyes, and her hands still twitched occasionally—as if reaching for the scythe that wasn't there.
Astra bounced on the edge of the bed—small, determined, silver eyes bright despite the shadows under them.
"Wake up, wake up!" he chanted, jumping lightly, mattress creaking.
Yuki didn't stir.
Astra tried rubbing her belly—gentle circles with his small hands. Nothing.
He rubbed her cheeks—squishing them softly. Still nothing.
He sighed—dramatic, childlike—then flopped down beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist, hugging tight. His head rested on her shoulder. A small string of drool escaped as he drifted off too—exhausted from worry, from running, from everything.
Sai sat nearby—cross-legged, polishing his sword with slow, rhythmic strokes. The blade caught the morning light—gleaming, perfect. His expression was soft as he watched the two sleeping figures. A rare, gentle smile touched his lips.
*They're safe… for now.*
The sliding door opened quietly.
Blu stepped in—boots soft on tatami.
Sai stood—sword sheathed in one fluid motion.
"President?" His tone was wary but polite. "Why are you here?"
Blu's glowing eyes flicked to the sleeping pair—then back to Sai.
"I wanted to see someone."
Sai stepped aside—silent permission.
Blu entered.
He stopped near the futon—looking down at Yuki.
"I want to ask that girl about who that creature was."
Sai glanced at her—peaceful, snoring lightly.
"But she's sleeping currently."
Blu sat—cross-legged, deadpan.
"Okay. I will wait."
Sai raised an eyebrow.
"Wait… for how long?"
Blu didn't blink.
"Until she wakes up."
Sai stared.
"Don't you have any job?"
"I have done my job already."
Sai leaned closer—half-amused, half-irritated.
"So do it again. You're the President."
Blu's eyes narrowed.
"Don't teach me my work, young man."
Sai smirked—leaning even closer.
"And why not? You entered my dojo."
Blu's voice dropped—dangerously calm.
"You are currently in my city."
Both men leaned forward—foreheads almost touching.
Mini war.
Sai reached up—pulling a sword from a hidden rack above.
"Can you do this!?"
He twirled it once—perfect, fluid.
Blu stretched his nose impossibly long—sucking all the dust from the room in one exaggerated inhale.
"Can you do this!?"
Dust vanished. The air cleared.
They glared—cruel visions in their eyes.
Sai: "I will slash you away."
Blu: "I will kick you away."
Headbutt.
A small gust of wind burst outward—papers fluttering, lantern swaying.
Blu growled.
"Wake her up right now!"
Sai smirked.
"I can explain about Hono by myself."
Blu headbutted harder.
Sai stumbled—fell back.
"No way!" Blu snapped. "I only want to hear from her—she can explain better than you!"
Sai stood—brushing himself off.
"I said I can explain. You old blue man can't even process simple English!?"
Blu's eyes flared.
"What did you just say!?"
Sai leaned in.
"That's what you heard. That's what I said."
Blu's aura crackled—golden sparks.
"Now you're making me angry!"
The dojo began to shake—subtle at first, then stronger. Lanterns swayed. Dust fell from beams.
Yuki stirred.
She sat up slowly—rubbing her eyes beneath the blindfold.
Astra—still hugging her waist—slid off the bed with a soft thump, landing face-first on the tatami. He stayed asleep—drooling, snoring lightly.
Yuki blinked—half-asleep.
"What's happening…?"
Blu appeared in front of her—teleport flash.
"I want to hear something from you!"
Yuki—still groggy—saw the blue blur through her blindfold.
She screamed—pure reflex.
**SLAP!**
Her palm connected.
Blu crashed backward—through the hall, through the wall, tumbling across the courtyard.
Sai crouched low—Blu sailed over his head.
"Phew… I'm safe."
Astra lay on the floor—helpless, still snoring.
Blu rose from the mud outside—bruised, furious.
"How dare you slap a President!?"
Yuki folded her arms—pouting, angry.
"Don't you have any common sense? Shouting while someone was sleeping."
She sat back on the bed—cross-legged, grumpy.
Blu teleported in front of her again—fuming.
"So now… I want to ask about who is your 'Hono-kun'."
Yuki sighed—flat, tired.
"I don't want to say anything about him."
Blu narrowed his eyes.
"And why not?"
Sai stepped forward.
"I can say about him."
Yuki—without looking—threw a shadow kunai.
Sai dodged—barely.
The kunai struck the shelf behind him—shattering his collection of romantic anime movies.
Sai froze—eyes wide.
"No… no! You were my best student and you are… just please don't hurt my movies!"
Blu deadpanned.
"And that's your sensei's weakness?"
Sai glared.
"That's called emotions, not weakness… I don't have any weakness. I am the strongest and hottest."
Yuki snorted—half-asleep, half-annoyed.
"You're that hot, sensei, that you never got married. Never went on a date. And that's why you're stuck on romantic movies—never got a girlfriend by yourself."
Sai's fist clenched—veins popping, teeth gritting.
"Um… Yuki… you should mind your own business… that's my matter."
Astra—on the floor—snored louder.
Blu slammed his hand on the table—cracking wood.
"Alright—that's enough! Now explain who Hono is."
He glared at Yuki—angry, expectant.
Yuki sighed—long, tired.
"Well… his full name is Honokage."
She paused—eyes distant beneath the blindfold.
"To be continued…"