Knowing everything from his mother and father, Kenzo now fully makes a must to kill Lei Sasaki as he, Danzai, and Yoshida are heading to the closing stage of their journey. Between all three men, it was a mix of excitement and fear.

  It took them three hours until Yoshida realised, “This is it; we’re nearly there to kill that bastard!” he said energetically.

  “Yeah” also commented.

  “I will complete this for my bloodline!” Kenzo said in his head

  As they were closing in, shadows seemed to spread at a tremendous rate.

  “Wait guys, something feels very odd. Draw your weapons,” Yoshida whispered to his allies, warning them.

  Kenzo and Danzai gripped their prestigious blades to strike anything worth an enemy. “I can feel the power,” Kenzo said.

  The group continued their movements while watching their surroundings, so they wouldn’t be the ones being struck down. "Remember, people stay focused,” Kenzo said.

  Just as they thought they had eluded detection, they found themselves surrounded by a group of Sasaki soldiers, led by a formidable woman with piercing eyes and an aura of authority. It was Alina Sasaki, Lei's right hand.

  The heroic trio was stunned and frightened as she appeared out of nowhere. “WHAT THE HECK!” said Danzai.

  “IT’S HER INNIT,” Danzai said.

  Alina didn’t take her eyes off them. “Let’s look at what we have here. I’m assuming you’re the Ogushi, Yoshida the messenger, and a Musenge here, all right in front of me.”

  “Is this the right hand you’ve been talking about, Yoshida?” Kenzo asked

  "Yes, it is that moron.”

  “That's not nice. Yoshida, perhaps I should cut off that little face of yours. I will just get to the point where you and the Musenge user don’t matter to me; I just need the Ogushi one,” she said.

  “AND HOW DO YOU KNOW AN OGUSHI IS ALIVE?" Said Danzai and Yoshida

  "Simple, one of our soldiers reported back to Lei and explained the situation of what happened in the district because you three failed to kill all of the men there. That's all.” She explained

  Danzai immediately felt guilty, as he thought he took care of everyone in the district.

  “Well, what are we waiting for? I guess I have no option but to fight. My men, stay down and hold your position. I will take off this.” She said it with confidence.

  In her fighting position, she stared them down.

  Kenzo, Yoshida, and Danzai stood ready for their confrontation with Alina. As the battle commenced, Yoshida unholstered his bow and notched an arrow, his eyes locked on their formidable adversary.

  With the twang of the bowstring, the arrow whizzed through the air, seeking its target. Alina moved with uncanny grace, deflecting the arrow effortlessly with her blade. She advanced on them with speed and precision, her movements like a deadly dance.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Kenzo's eyes narrowed, and he lunged forward, wielding the Ogushi blade with a newfound determination. His strikes were fierce, but Alina deftly parried each one, her skill proving her worth as Lei's right-hand warrior.

  Danzai, ever the agile and adaptable fighter, moved in and out of the fray, attempting to find an opening in Alina's defences. But she seemed to anticipate his every move, countering with a fluidity that left him momentarily disoriented.

  "We can't let her overpower us," Yoshida called out, his voice steady even amid the battle. "Work together; find your openings."

  The three regrouped, their eyes locked on Alina. They moved in unison, attacking from different angles and testing her defences. Despite their efforts, Alina's skillset remained unmatched, her movements a symphony of lethal strikes.

  Kenzo gritted his teeth, channelling the power of the Ogushi bloodline. His strikes grew stronger, fueled by his determination to protect his allies and honour Yoshida's sacrifice.

  Yoshida continued to fire arrows with incredible precision, but Alina seemed to predict each shot, effortlessly avoiding them. His brows furrowed in concentration as he adjusted his aim, refusing to give up.

  Danzai, always the strategist, sought to exploit Alina's patterns, but she was an elusive target, slipping out of reach with ease. He fought with unwavering determination, not willing to back down.

  As the battle intensified, Kenzo's mind flashed back to his training with Yoshida and Danzai, to the countless hours of practice and the lessons learned. He realised that the true strength of their bond lay in their ability to trust each other and fight as a team.

  Yoshida, Danzai, trust me," Kenzo called out, a glint of determination in his eyes.

  With a shared understanding, the trio synchronised their movements, attacking in a coordinated assault. Yoshida's arrows pinned Alina in place, Danzai created distractions, and Kenzo seized the opportunity to strike.

  Their combined effort pushed Alina back, momentarily breaking through her defences. The Sasaki warrior's eyes flashed with surprise; her superiority was finally being challenged.

  In that brief opening, Kenzo's blade connected with Alina's, causing a resounding clang. The force of the impact sent Alina stumbling back, and the trio took a moment to catch their breath.

  "You fight well," Alina conceded, her breath heavy. "But this isn't over."

  She called out:

  SASKI TECHNIQUE; THOUSAND PIERCING BLADES!

  Her techniques pierced through their skin, making the pupils in their eyes completely blank. All three men fell to the ground, leaking out their blood in battle.

  “Struggling to speak Danzai said, “This is a pain.”

  “She’s too strong; even with my newfound strength, it’s not enough,” Kenzo said.

  “You see, all three can’t go against me,” she said in the distance, chuckling.

  As Kenzo, Yoshida, and Danzai lay on the ground, their bodies battered and bloodied, Alina approached them with an air of triumph. She towered over them, a cruel smile on her lips.

  "You fought valiantly; I'll give you that," Alina taunted, her voice dripping with arrogance. "But the difference in power between us is too great. Lei's vision will prevail, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

  “I don’t recall caring; I won’t stop,” he said.

  Yoshida was shivering from holding his bow and arrow, hanging on to his last breath.

  Alina scoffed, “You think that brat can stop Sasaki's existence?”

  Danzai struggled to sit up, a grimace of pain crossing his face. "You may have the power now, but we'll find a way to stop you and bring justice to those you've oppressed.

  “Oh, shut up!”

  Alina’s blade slashed Yoshida, making him fall to his knees.

  “YOSHIDA!” Kenzo and Danzai cried out.

  Nearly fading away, he tells them, "Guys, it’s the end of the road for me. Danzai, take care of Kenzo for me as I have now failed his father, and Kenzo, remember, fulfil your legacy.” Yoshida said, giving them a thumbs up.

  Alina finishes Yoshida. Give him another blow.

  Yoshida was now lifeless and no longer in the world of the living.

  At first, Kenzo felt so much pain that he passed out, not getting any chance to mourn Yoshida, who had guided him through his journey so far.

  ***

  As Kenzo's eyes fluttered open with the remaining tears left in his eyes, he found himself in a dimly lit chamber, his surroundings unfamiliar. As his vision cleared, he realised that he was lying on a cold stone floor, bound by heavy chains that restricted his movements, with Danzai beside him.

  “DAMN, DAMN, DAMMIT! YOSHIDA DIDN’T DESERVE THAT!” Kenzo said

  A figure stepped out from the shadows, revealing the imposing presence of Lei Sasaki, the Sasaki Emperor. His cold, calculating eyes locked onto Kenzo's, and a sinister smile curled on his lips.

  “So, you’re the thing that’s been bothering me for nearly two decades. Nice to meet you. I am Lei Sasaki,” he said, staring into Kenzo’s heart and eyes.