Chapter 4: The Way of an Assassin

The next chapter of Senjuro's journey began as he arrived at the Shadow Initiate Hub, a

hidden training ground for aspiring assassins. The moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere

was thick with tension and focus. Trainers handed out specialised gear to the recruits,

instructing them to suit up before training commenced. As Senjuro donned his equipment, he

spoke softly in his mind, "Thanks a lot, Valan."

Valan's voice echoed back in his thoughts, "Senjuro, do you know what the way of an

assassin is?"

Senjuro pondered before replying, "The one who protects everyone, risking his life?"

Valan chuckled faintly. "Everyone does that, Senjuro. But as assassins, we protect because we

see everyone as our loved ones."

Senjuro mulled over Valan's words, wondering if that was truly the essence of an assassin.

The thought lingered in his mind as the recruits were called to the Hologram Room for their

first lesson.

Their instructor, Okiname Tarake, an A-Rank assassin renowned for his ruthless efficiency

and sharp intellect, stood before the group. His reputation preceded him—most recruits

wouldn't dare speak out of turn around him.

Okiname's gaze swept over the room as he posed a simple but profound question:

"What is the way of an assassin?"

One by one, the recruits answered variations of what Senjuro had thought earlier: protecting

others, living in the shadows, risking their lives. But none of their answers satisfied Okiname.

Senjuro, lost in thought, suddenly spoke up, his voice clear and confident:

"An assassin's way is the way of the destroyer."

The room fell silent. All eyes darted to Senjuro, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief. No

one ever challenged Okiname like that.

Okiname's eyes narrowed, his voice cold and controlled:

"Quite bold, but not the correct answer."

Senjuro met his gaze, unflinching. "I thought you'd understand my answer, sir."

The entire room froze. No one ever talked back to Okiname—fear of his wrath kept even the

bravest recruits in line. But Senjuro stood firm.

Okiname's jaw tightened as he struggled to suppress his anger. "What do you mean? A

destroyer" His voice grew sharper, slicing through the tension. " assassin is a shadow that

gives light to others. A beast that protects. The one who dares to confront the darkest fears.

An assassin isn't a destroyer. He remains in the shadows as the guardian of peace and

harmony."

Senjuro's lips curled into a faint smile. "There you go. We have the answer."

The room erupted in whispers. Senjuro had baited Okiname into revealing the true answer by

provoking him—a move no one expected. Okiname, though taken aback, let out a short

laugh, his anger giving way to reluctant admiration.

"You used my anger to draw out the truth," Okiname muttered, impressed.

One of Okiname's co-assassins leaned in and whispered, "He reminds you of him, doesn't

he"

Okiname nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah... he might be the next prodigy after him."

The co-assassin's eyes widened. It was rare for Okiname to acknowledge anyone as a

prodigy, especially after losing a former student who had once been hailed as the best.

Okiname spent the next few months teaching the recruits the fundamental assassin

skills—stealth, infiltration, and close-quarter combat. Each day, the recruits faced gruelling

missions and relentless training, but Senjuro's progress was unmatched. His quick thinking

and natural instincts set him apart, and soon, he was assigned to the elite unit known as

the Phantom Operative.

When asked about his rapid growth, Senjuro humbly credited his time as a Shade Recruit at

the Hub. "Those experiences shaped me into a Veil Runner," he said.

But it didn't stop there. Within weeks, Senjuro became the strongest Veil Runner in the

Phantom Operative. His skills surpassed even the most seasoned operatives, and his

reputation spread quickly through the assassin ranks. The Director of Specter Specialists, the

overseer of advanced assassin divisions, personally invited Senjuro to ascend to the next tier

of training.

However, to everyone's surprise, Senjuro declined.

"Why do you want to stay here?" the Director asked, clearly puzzled. "Your skills and talent

deserve a place in our hub."

Senjuro's response was calm, yet profound. "Sir, I still have much to learn here. It's not about

the rank—it's about the responsibility I carry as an assassin."

The Director was stunned. The words struck a chord deep within him, as if he'd heard them

before. Troubled by the familiarity, he sought out Okiname to discuss his suspicions.

When the Director arrived at Okiname's quarters, he wasted no time. "Does Senjuro remind

you of him?" he asked urgently.

Okiname's expression darkened. After a long pause, he finally admitted, "He might be his

successor… but the evidence is thin. There's a lot I don't know, and the investigation has led

to more questions than answers."

The Director's curiosity deepened. "What investigation?"

Okiname's eyes narrowed. "You'll find out soon enough. But one thing is certain—Senjuro

may become an even greater prodigy than him."

As the Director left, Okiname fell into thought that the mystery surrounding Senjuro's origins

and his uncanny resemblance to a legendary assassin from the past grew ever deeper. But one

thing was clear: Senjuro Kaine's journey was just beginning, and his destiny was intertwined

with secrets that could reshape the future of Neo-Kyoto's assassin world.