Elements vs Shifter

The Fight Begins

Teshii was gone.

Shifter stood in his place, twirling his knife casually, his smirk unwavering.

Hikaru's fists clenched. He turned to Mei, his voice firm. "Mei, go. Keep helping the others."

Mei hesitated but nodded, running toward the remaining injured tribe members.

That left Hikaru, Haruto, and Moriya standing against Shifter.

The mutant chuckled, shaking his head. "Three against one? That hardly seems fair."

Hikaru scowled. "You're the one who started this."

Shifter's grin widened. "You're right. And I'm going to finish it."

Then—he vanished.

Marking the Opponents

Shifter reappeared in flashes, darting around the battlefield, his hands brushing against Hikaru and Haruto's shoulders, arms, even their backs.

He's marking us.

Hikaru and Haruto tried to block or counter, but Shifter was too fast.

One second, he was behind Hikaru—

The next, he was slashing at Haruto's ribs.

Haruto blocked just in time, but Shifter had already disappeared again.

"Damn it!" Hikaru growled, watching as more and more marks appeared across the battlefield.

Shifter's voice echoed from all directions. "You can't stop what you can't hit."

Then—he appeared behind Moriya, moving to mark him—

But Moriya didn't move.

Instead—

A branch shot out from the ground, striking Shifter in the stomach.

BAM!

Shifter staggered backward, eyes widening.

"What the—?!"

Moriya's Counterattack

Moriya's hazel eyes glowed faintly, his connection to the Element of Wood fully activated.

"You think I can't see your movements?" Moriya said calmly.

Shifter teleported again—

But this time, a branch intercepted him mid-air, slamming into his back.

CRACK!

Shifter tumbled onto the ground, coughing.

He tried teleporting again—

But another root shot out, blocking his exit.

Every time he moved—

The forest moved faster.

Moriya wasn't just fighting him—he was predicting him.

"You rely too much on your blood markers," Moriya said. "But they're physical. That means I can see them."

Shifter gritted his teeth.

"Damn plant guy…"

Shifter Retreats

Branches and roots surged from all directions, forcing Shifter to teleport again and again, barely keeping ahead of Moriya's attacks.

Hikaru and Haruto used this opening to go on the offensive, forcing Shifter into a tight space.

Shifter hissed in frustration.

"Tch. This isn't worth it."

Then—he vanished completely.

Silence.

Hikaru and Haruto remained tense, but Moriya straightened. "He's gone."

Haruto exhaled. "Coward."

Hikaru, however, didn't feel relieved. He turned, scanning the area.

"We need to find Teshii."

Finding Teshii

It didn't take long.

Hikaru pushed through the trees, his heart racing—

And then, in a small clearing, he saw him.

Teshii stood there, completely fine.

Not injured. Not bleeding.

And most confusing of all—his hand was still attached.

Hikaru froze. "Wait… what?"

Teshii grinned, flexing his fingers. "Man, that was a wild trip."

Haruto stared. "I saw your hand get cut off."

Teshii wiggled his fingers. "Nope. Still here."

Hikaru's mind reeled.

Shifter definitely cut his hand off. I saw it.

So…

Why was it still there?

Something wasn't right.

But Teshii, as always, brushed it off.

"Well," Teshii said, rolling his shoulders, "since I'm perfectly fine, let's get back to business."

Moriya's Decision

Back at the tribe's village, the forest was quiet again.

Moriya stood before the group, his expression unreadable.

Teshii, as usual, took the lead.

"So, Woody," Teshii said, stretching. "Time to stop stalling. Join the Order of the Elements."

Moriya exhaled slowly. "I have obligations here."

He turned toward the forest, his hazel eyes filled with quiet responsibility. "This land… these people… they need me."

For a moment, it seemed like he would refuse.

Then—Mei stepped forward.

"The Tomita Family will protect the forest," she said firmly.

Moriya glanced at her. "And how do I know that?"

Mei lifted her chin. "Because we've been doing it for generations. We won't stop now."

Moriya studied her for a long moment.

Then—he closed his eyes, inhaling the scent of the earth, the trees, the wind.

When he opened them again, his decision was clear.

"…Very well."

Teshii grinned. "That's what I like to hear."

Hikaru sighed in relief.

Haruto crossed his arms. "Welcome to the team."

Moriya simply nodded.

And with that, the Element of Wood had joined the Order.

But Hikaru couldn't shake the feeling that something was still wrong.

Because Teshii's hand…

It shouldn't have been there.