Chapter 64: The Warning in the Rain

The sky darkened as heavy clouds rolled in over Shinzai.

On the balcony overlooking the city's stone streets, Reika Mizuno, Ayato Kurai, and Maiya Kurai stood close together, their conversation low and cautious.

Raindrops began to fall, gentle at first, then stronger, pounding rhythmically on the stone floor.

Suddenly, Ayato's sharp eyes caught a flicker of movement above the rooftop line.

There—perched like a shadow on top of a narrow pole near the balcony edge—was the boy with dark red hair, the same figure from the earlier encounter.

His coat flapped with the rising wind; the rain slicked his messy hair across his face.

Ayato narrowed his eyes, whispering, "Is that… him?"

Maiya slowly turned around, the rain tracing paths down her face. Her voice was steady but wary: "Who are you?"

Reika, Ayato, and Maiya immediately dropped into their fighting stances, muscles tensed and ready.

The boy stood motionless for a moment on the narrow pole, rain cascading over him as if challenging the storm itself.

Then, with a sudden flash of movement, Renzo Tsukami appeared beside them.

He breathed out, steady but firm, "If he's that strong… you three need to leave. This isn't a fight you want."

Maiya shot him a sharp glance, "Big bro, we're not interfering. Just here in case."

Renzo nodded slowly, then without hesitation, surged forward—launching himself at the boy on the pole.

But the boy moved with lightning reflexes, stepping just out of reach.

A deep voice cut through the rain—calm, commanding:

"Stop."

All froze.

The boy's voice held a weight that belied his youthful frame.

"I can't tell you who I am… not yet. But a group of evil men are coming. Their leader is the man who killed the Ryūun."

Renzo's eyes widened.

"How do you know so much?"

Before anyone could answer, the boy vanished—disappearing like a wisp of smoke carried by the storm.

Later, inside the council chambers, Ayato, Maiya, Reika, and Renzo relayed everything to Kaede Mizuno.

Kaede listened intently, his usual calm shadowed by concern.

"That boy… he's strange. Not just in power, but in the way he knows things he shouldn't."

He paused, tapping his fingers on the wooden table.

"We have to be cautious. This warning… it may be the key to what's coming."

His eyes flickered with a mix of unease and determination.

"The man who killed the Ryūun… if he's truly returning, then everything we've worked for is at risk."

Outside, the rain continued to fall.

And somewhere beyond the city walls, a shadow waited.

The storm was just beginning.