The dirt road south of Castle Town stretched far and empty, cutting through green hills and patches of forest like a scar across the land. The early morning sun climbed higher, casting long shadows behind Juichi and Sakata as they walked in silence.
Juichi's thoughts burned.
"Why did she push me away? Why did she act like I meant nothing?"
Sakata, unusually quiet, chewed dried fruit. The once-smirking monk now walked with a calm, focused air.
Then, Sakata suddenly stopped and crouched. "Hold up."
Juichi halted. "What is it?"
"Tracks. Five, maybe six people. Light-footed. Trained. Harasen retrieval squad."
Juichi's heartbeat spiked. "Then they've got her."
Sakata nodded, scanning the trail. "And they've taken care of the Crimson Syndicate. Look."
He tossed Juichi a bloodstained armband with the Crimson symbol — slashed through.
"They're not just retrieving her. They're claiming her. And they already cleared the bounty mess."
Juichi's eyes narrowed.
He sprinted.
Sakata sighed and followed at a lazy pace. "Hot-blooded brat. Just like him…"
---
Forest Clearing – Flames and Fury
The clearing was narrow and jagged, framed by twisted pine trunks and thick fog. At the center stood Sakura Harasen, crimson hair matted with sweat. Her katana shimmered with dying flame.
Four elite warriors encircled her, wearing black-and-red Harasen cloaks — each bearing the burning crescent.
Opposite her stood Renji Harasen, her elder brother. Crimson-eyed, his blade hummed with suppressed heat.
"You've run long enough, Sakura," he said. "Come home."
She spat at the ground. "I'd rather die."
"You were born for the Flame. You are a weapon."
"I was. Not anymore."
Suddenly — rustling. Leaves exploded outward.
Juichi crashed into the clearing, eyes ablaze. "SAKURA!"
Renji's eyes narrowed. "Another insect."
"I'm not leaving without her!"
Two Harasen soldiers moved in, blades drawn.
CLANG!
A broken blade intercepted, throwing sparks.
Sakata stepped forward, eyes half-lidded. "You guys call this a welcoming party?"
Juichi blinked. "You followed me?"
"Obviously. You stomp like a wounded ogre."
The four Harasen elites shifted into Formation 3, a pincer-style trap infused with flame sigils.
Renji gave the command. "Suppress and capture."
Juichi grit his teeth. "Sakata—!"
"Take the girl and run."
"What?!"
"Now!"
Sakata lunged, blade flashing. His movements were like ripples in air — graceful, lethal.
He danced between warriors, deflecting strikes, dodging flame bursts, and landing blows that shattered ribs.
Juichi hesitated—then turned toward Sakura.
But one Harasen warrior cut him off. Younger, agile, wielding twin daggers glowing with runes.
"You won't touch her."
Juichi's fists clenched.
FLARE BOOST—ENGAGE.
He dashed in, weaving low. The dagger slashed across his shoulder — but he didn't stop.
A flaming uppercut launched the man off his feet.
CRACK.
The soldier hit the ground hard, unconscious.
DING!
---
LEVEL UP!
Name: Juichi Nakamura
Level: 12 → 13
HP: 142/180
MP: 76/110
Strength: 31
Speed: 37
New Skill Gained: Blazing Palm (Rank F+)
— Coats the user's palm in flame, adding burn damage on impact.
---
Juichi stood over the defeated warrior, panting.
He turned toward Renji. "Next."
But before he could take another step—
"S-STOP!"
Sakura's voice cut through the battle.
She staggered between them, her katana dropped, arms out.
"Please… that's enough. Juichi… Sakata… just leave."
Juichi's eyes widened. "What are you saying?!"
"They'll kill you! Please… if you ever cared, just go."
Sakata appeared beside him. Blood on his robes. Calm as ever.
"She's serious, kid."
Renji grabbed Sakura's wrist.
Juichi surged forward—but Sakura shook her head.
"Please."
Juichi's fists trembled. He lowered them.
Renji's cold voice rang out. "You made the right choice, sister."
He guided her into the woods.
Juichi dropped to his knees.
Sakata looked down at him, eyes unusually serious.
"She gave herself up to save you. Don't waste it."
A groan echoed from the ground — the soldier Juichi defeated stirred.
Juichi grabbed his cloak, growling. "Where are they taking her?!"
The man coughed. "Northern Fortress… through the Shimmering Vale…"
Sakata cracked his neck. "That's a trail."
Juichi stood, fists clenched, fire dancing around them.
"Then let's go."
The monk smirked. "Now you're thinking like a dragon."
As they vanished into the shadows of the forest, the sun reached its peak, casting light across the bloodstained clearing.
The true battle had just begun.
To be continued...