EPISODE 7: "Shadow Unleashed: Zetsuya’s Path"

  Opening Scene:

  A flashback of young Zetsuya training with his grandfather in secret.

  His grandfather tells him, “Your shadows are not meant for destruction… they’re meant to protect.”

  Quick flashes of his grandfather’s death and Zetsuya’s grief, fueling his desire to get stronger.

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  Present Day:

  The group enters a dark forest during a monster scouting mission (a pre-competition test).

  Strange whispers and illusions separate Zetsuya from Tenzai, Midori, and Eva.

  A B-rank Phantom Beast appears – it feeds off negative emotions and multiplies itself.

  Zetsuya vs. Phantom Beast:

  The beast taunts Zetsuya, using illusions of his parents and grandfather.

  Zetsuya gets overwhelmed and loses control for a moment. His eyes glow dark purple as his hidden "Shadow Surge" ability activates.

  The area becomes pitch-black – Zetsuya uses “Silent Execution”, a silent but deadly close-range shadow strike.

  He then unlocks a new move: “Grave Eclipse”, which temporarily freezes the enemy’s aura and shadow in time.

  Despite the victory, Zetsuya collapses from overuse of power.

  Group Reunites:

  Tenzai and Midori find him unconscious. Midori says, “He’s getting stronger… but at what cost?”

  Tenzai looks at Zetsuya, thinking, "I’ve never seen him like this before..."

  Ending Scene:

  Zetsuya wakes up later and quietly walks outside under the moonlight.

  He clenches his fist, thinking, “This power… if I don’t control it, I’ll become what I hate.”

  A mysterious masked figure watches him from the trees, whispering, “He’s almost ready.”

  End.