Ch.5-Entry of Darkness

Victory and Recognition

The battlefield still carried the remnants of the previous fights—broken stone, scorched earth, and the lingering energy of battle. The tournament had been halted after the intrusion of the cloaked figures, but those who had proven themselves in combat remained standing, worn yet victorious.

Blade Taizuka stood among them, his breath still heavy from his fight. His grip on Kamikaze had yet to loosen, his body still on high alert. But despite the exhaustion burning in his limbs, one fact remained:

He had passed the test.

Beside him, Kibito, Suntaro, and Kagami stood with the same worn but victorious energy, each carrying the weight of their hard-earned success.

Above them, from the captains' platform, Yutako Koichi and Kinattsu Yuri stood side by side, observing the recruits.

Blade noticed their silent exchange of glances, the way Yutako's smirk widened slightly, while Kinattsu's golden eyes carried a glimmer of intrigue.

"I never expected such skill from Suntaro…" Yutako murmured. His gaze shifted toward Blade, his expression filled with amusement. "And that ego from Blade… not surprising at all."

Kinattsu exhaled, his usual composed demeanor unshaken. "They are full of surprises."

The two captains finally turned toward the warriors below, their presence commanding instant silence.

Kinattsu stepped forward first. His voice, though soft, carried an undeniable weight.

"Your real training begins soon," he announced, his eyes sweeping over them. "At Mount Akatsuki."

The mere mention of the name sent a ripple of energy through the recruits.

Blade exchanged glances with Kibito, then Kagami. Even Suntaro, who rarely looked serious, straightened slightly at the name.

"Mount Akatsuki?" Blade echoed.

Kinattsu gave the slightest nod. "It is the center of the Mountain Emperors, a sacred land where warriors push beyond their limits. Those who enter do not leave the same."

Suntaro smirked, gripping the hilt of his sword, Raitaro, the Thunder Blade. "Sounds intense. I like it."

Blade rolled his shoulders, ignoring the soreness in his muscles. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way."

Yutako crossed his arms. "Rest while you can. You'll need it."

With that, the captains departed, leaving the recruits standing at the edge of something far greater than any of them could have imagined.

---

The Journey to Mount Akatsuki

The next morning, the squad set off toward Mount Akatsuki.

The journey took them deep into the dense forests surrounding the mountain range. Towering trees loomed over them, their thick canopies blocking out most of the morning sunlight. The air was damp and thick, filled with the distant sounds of unseen creatures.

Blade's fingers instinctively rested on the hilt of Kamikaze.

Something about this place felt… off.

A strange tension sat in his chest, a warning from his instincts.

"Stay sharp," he muttered, eyes scanning the shadows between the trees. "I don't like how quiet it is."

Kibito, walking a few steps ahead, grinned. "Getting paranoid already?"

Kagami, however, was less amused. Her posture remained tense, her grip firm on Kakori, the Ice Blade.

She wasn't the only one who sensed it.

Suntaro's electric aura flickered faintly around him, his fingers tapping against the hilt of his sword.

Something was wrong.

Then—Kagami suddenly stopped.

Her body went rigid.

Blade immediately noticed. "Kagami?"

Her golden-brown eyes scanned the surroundings, her senses heightened.

Then—

A shadow flickered between the trees.

"Something's coming," she whispered.

And before anyone could react—

The ambush exploded around them.

---

The Attack Begins

The moment Kagami's warning left her lips, a dark figure lunged from the treetops.

Blade barely had time to react before Kagami thrust her blade into the ground, summoning a massive wall of ice in a blink.

A maniacal laugh echoed through the forest.

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

A figure burst through the ice like it was paper.

A familiar face.

Croitoshi.

Blade's stomach dropped. Him again?

The same twisted grin, the same dangerous aura. But there was something different this time. His power felt heavier, darker.

Croitoshi stepped forward, dragging his crackling blade across the ground, leaving behind a trail of burning embers.

"You guys miss me?" he sneered.

Blade's grip on Kamikaze tightened. "Tch… I should've finished you when I had the chance."

Croitoshi chuckled. "Oh, Blade… I've gotten stronger since last time."

A second figure emerged from the shadows.

Hanami.

A massive warrior, built like a fortress, carrying a battle axe the size of a house. His aura radiated pure destruction.

Suntaro took a step forward, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? You brought a friend this time?"

Hanami lifted his massive weapon, resting it on his shoulder. "We're just here to have fun."

Then—they attacked.

---

The First Clash

Croitoshi moved first, his blade crackling with unstable energy.

Kagami swung Kakori, forming a second ice wall—but Croitoshi smashed through it instantly, swinging his sword at inhuman speed.

Blade intercepted him mid-strike.

CLANG!

Sparks exploded as their swords clashed, the force of the impact shaking the trees.

Hanami, meanwhile, targeted Suntaro.

With a roar, the brute swung his massive axe, Yeziro, straight toward him.

Suntaro barely dodged in time, flipping backward before countering with a lightning-charged slash.

But Hanami didn't even flinch.

Instead, he smirked—then swung again.

BOOM!

The sheer force of the attack sent Suntaro flying, crashing through several trees before finally stopping.

Kibito's face darkened. "You bastard—!"

Without hesitation, he charged at Hanami, Makashi ablaze with fire.

But before his attack could connect—

Croitoshi intercepted him.

"Ah-ah-ah," Croitoshi taunted. "One fight at a time, hothead."

Kibito growled, swinging at him. Flames erupted, but Croitoshi dodged with inhuman reflexes.

Then—he struck back.

A punch straight to Kibito's gut.

Kibito's breath vanished as the impact sent him sprawling backward, coughing blood.

Blade's eyes widened. They're stronger than before…

---

The Turning Point

Kagami rushed to Blade's side, her expression grim.

"We can't win if we fight separately," she hissed. "We need to work together."

Blade exhaled, his grip tightening on Kamikaze and Kazeshin.

"No choice… I have to use them both."

His aura exploded.

Croitoshi's smirk finally faded. "Oh? Now that's more like it."

Blade charged forward, his swords glowing with a mixture of wind and balance energy.

The battle ignited once more.

To Be Continued....

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