Into the Fire

Chapter 39: Into the Fire

The Kisaragi stronghold was in ruins. Smoke curled from shattered walls, and the scent of blood and gunpowder tainted the air. The battle had ended, but the echoes of war still lingered.

Daijin pressed a hand against his wounded side, his fingers coming away slick with blood. He exhaled sharply but forced himself to remain upright. There was no time to falter.

Yeon knelt beside a fallen Kisaragi warrior, her expression unreadable as she closed his lifeless eyes. Around them, the remaining survivors moved with grim determination, dragging bodies, tending to the wounded, and preparing for the next inevitable battle.

Raizo stood at the center of the chaos, his face unreadable. "We lost half our numbers," he muttered. "This wasn't a battle. It was a warning."

Daijin wiped the blood from his blade. "Then we need to answer it."

Raizo gave him a sharp look. "Tenshi isn't done. This was only the beginning. You should leave while you can."

Haru scoffed, rolling his injured shoulder. "After all this? Not a chance."

Akane tightened her grip on her sword. "We finish what we started."

Yeon, reloading her gun with steady hands, spoke calmly. "Tenshi won't stop until we're all dead. We either strike first, or we die waiting."

Raizo studied them, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he smirked.

"Alright," he said. "We go to war."

---

The Assassin Returns

Miles away, deep within the ruins of the old city, Renji knelt in front of Tenshi. His mask was cracked from the bullet that had nearly ended him. Blood seeped from the wound Daijin had inflicted, staining his black attire. But none of that mattered.

Tenshi sat in a dimly lit room, swirling a cup of sake with a slow, deliberate motion. His golden eyes flickered toward Renji, unreadable as always.

"You let him live," Tenshi said, his voice calm.

Renji's grip tightened on his blade. "He got lucky."

"Lucky?" Tenshi chuckled softly. "That's not like you, Renji."

Renji remained silent, his jaw clenched.

Tenshi took a slow sip of his sake. "No matter. It changes nothing. We are done playing games."

He set the cup down with a soft clink and turned toward the window, gazing at the distant horizon.

"Tell the others," Tenshi ordered. "We march at dawn."

Renji bowed his head slightly before vanishing into the shadows.

This time, there would be no survivors.

---

A Dangerous Alliance

Back at the Kisaragi stronghold, preparations for war had already begun.

Raizo gathered his remaining warriors, each one battered but unbroken. The Kisaragi Clan was built on survival, and even now, with their numbers diminished, they would not bow.

Daijin and his group stood among them, sharpening weapons, tending to wounds, and mentally preparing for what was to come.

"We need more information," Yeon said, her gaze locked on Daijin. "We don't know where Tenshi will strike next."

Daijin nodded. "Then we find someone who does."

Akane crossed her arms. "And how do you propose we do that? Walk up to his men and ask nicely?"

Raizo smirked. "Not exactly."

From the shadows, a figure emerged—a man clad in a dark, tattered cloak, his face partially hidden beneath a hood. His piercing eyes flickered with amusement as he stepped into the firelight.

"Ryou," Raizo said, addressing the newcomer. "You have information for us?"

Ryou nodded, his voice smooth yet deadly. "I know where Tenshi is hiding. And I know when he will strike next."

Haru raised an eyebrow. "That's convenient. Why help us?"

Ryou chuckled. "Because I enjoy watching powerful men fall. And Tenshi is next."

Daijin studied the man carefully. He didn't trust him—but right now, they needed every advantage they could get.

"Where is he?" Daijin asked.

Ryou grinned. "Not far. But you won't like what you find."

Yeon frowned. "What do you mean?"

Ryou's grin widened.

"Tenshi isn't just coming for you," he said. "He's bringing an army."

Silence fell over the group.

The real battle was about to begin.

And this time, it would be all or nothing.

---

The War Begins

As dawn approached, Daijin stood at the highest point of the ruins, gazing toward the horizon.

In the distance, dark figures moved like shadows against the rising sun. Tenshi's forces. More than they had expected.

Haru cursed. "We're outnumbered."

Akane tightened her grip on her blade. "It doesn't matter."

Raizo exhaled slowly. "Then we fight."

Daijin's gaze hardened.

Tenshi wanted war?

Then war it would be.

And only one side would be left standing.

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