Chapter 53 - Clash Between Ash and Shinjiro

The next morning, the village was already awake with people moving through the marketplace, trying to get on with their lives despite the constant presence of General Gao's soldiers.

Raiden and his crew walked through the streets, keeping an eye out for any trouble. After yesterday's incident, they knew they had made an impression. They didn't want to cause a scene, but if trouble came their way, they wouldn't ignore it.

Ash, still annoyed from his encounter with Shinjiro, muttered under his breath. "I swear, if I see that guy again—"

Before he could finish, a figure dropped from above, landing right in front of them.

"Miss me?"

Shinjiro grinned, standing with his arms crossed.

Ash's fists clenched instantly. "You—!"

Raiden sighed. "I had a feeling you'd show up again."

Astrid looked unimpressed. "You really have nothing better to do?"

Shinjiro shrugged. "What can I say? You guys are interesting. Especially you." He winked at Astrid.

Ash took a step forward. "Alright, enough of this. You think you're funny, huh?"

Shinjiro smirked. "Not just funny—fast too."

"That so?" Ash rolled his shoulders. "Then let's see if you can dodge this."

Before Raiden or Astrid could stop him, Ash lunged at Shinjiro, throwing a fast punch aimed straight at his face.

But Shinjiro barely moved. Instead, he leaned back just enough for the punch to miss by a hair, then spun to the side, dodging the next attack with ease.

Ash kept throwing punches, but Shinjiro dodged every single one, moving like a shadow, his body twisting in ways that didn't seem human.

"You call that fast?" Shinjiro teased, yawning mid-dodge.

Ash growled and kicked at him, but Shinjiro flipped over it, landing effortlessly on a wooden post.

Raiden shook his head. "Ash, you're not thinking."

Ash gritted his teeth. "He's just messing with me!"

Shinjiro hopped down, cracking his knuckles. "Alright, I'll play along."

This time, he was the one who moved first.

In an instant, he was behind Ash.

Ash's eyes widened. "What—?!"

Before he could react, Shinjiro tapped his shoulder and jumped back. "Too slow."

Ash spun and swung, but again, Shinjiro ducked and weaved around him, his movements unpredictable.

Raiden watched carefully. "His fighting style is… strange."

Astrid nodded. "It's not just speed. He moves like he has no bones, twisting and dodging in ways that shouldn't be possible."

Ash growled. "Alright, enough dodging. Fight me for real!"

Shinjiro smirked. "Fine."

Then, in the blink of an eye, he disappeared.

Ash barely had time to react before he felt a sudden impact against his stomach. Shinjiro had appeared in front of him, landing a palm strike that sent Ash skidding back.

Ash coughed. "Damn… that actually hurt."

Shinjiro stood with his hands on his hips. "Told you I'm fast."

Ash smirked, wiping his mouth. "Yeah? Well, I'm not done yet."

He charged again, this time more focused. He threw a feint punch, forcing Shinjiro to dodge, and then followed up with a powerful kick aimed at his ribs.

For the first time, Shinjiro didn't dodge completely.

The kick grazed him, forcing him to take a step back.

Raiden raised an eyebrow. "Ash's learning."

Shinjiro rolled his shoulder. "Not bad, not bad. Guess I should take you a little more seriously."

Before the fight could continue, a loud horn echoed through the village.

Villagers froze.

Soldiers stormed into the streets.

A man wearing dark armor stepped forward, his gaze scanning the crowd before locking onto Raiden's crew.

"You."

Raiden's eyes narrowed.

The soldiers drew their weapons.

"By order of General Gao, you are all under arrest."