Chapter 54 – The Celestial Rival

The moment Shisui stepped foot inside the inner sanctum of Jūryokugakure, he felt it—that familiar pull in his chest, not from gravity, but from fate.

The air was dense, as if time had slowed. The floating academy towers of Arch Energy science spun in slow, deliberate circles, casting long shadows over courtyards suspended midair.

A group of trainees floated gently through a vertical corridor, feet attached to magnetic channels on the walls. And among them stood a boy with raven-black hair tied back with silver thread, his cloak trailing behind him like a comet's tail.

Shisui stopped walking.

The boy turned.

Raiken Kōetsu.

His eyes were unmistakable—Seijigan, the Celestial Eyes. Their irises shimmered like stars locked in orbit, perceiving gravitational currents invisible to normal sight.

"Kōetsu…" Shisui muttered.

Yua and Makoto both paused, sensing the tension that hung like a blade.

Kaien didn't interfere.

The Raiken prodigy floated down toward them, eyes fixed on Shisui. His voice, when he spoke, was calm and poised, yet icy.

"So the Hanakage sent you, of all people."

Shisui smirked. "You look heavier. Must be all that pride you've been carrying."

Kōetsu's lip twitched, a hint of amusement—or disdain. "Still a blade with no scabbard, I see."

The two stood only a few feet apart now, the energy between them palpable. They hadn't seen each other since the All-Alliance Genin Trials two years ago. Back then, their match ended in a draw—a flash of violet flame versus spiraling gravity orbs, both unconscious by the end.

"You've improved," Shisui admitted. "But I'm not the same shinobi you remember."

Kōetsu tilted his head. "Neither am I."

Without warning, a sphere of gravity shimmered behind Kōetsu's hand, drawing loose pebbles upward. Shisui's Aetherion Eye pulsed.

Kaien finally spoke.

"Enough. If you two fight here, we'll fall straight through the isles."

Kōetsu sighed, letting the orb dissipate.

"I'll see you at the Spiral Ring Arena," he said. "There's a training exchange scheduled for tomorrow. I've already signed up."

Then, without another word, he turned and floated upward, vanishing into the vortex tower.

Yua blinked. "What was that?"

Makoto crossed her arms. "A comet. And Shisui is its gravity."