Meanwhile, back at the fields of Prontera, Ray, Lee, and Raien were commencing their training regimen…
"Hmm…!"
Raien was focusing his inner spirit as he attempted to summon a large dragon made of his own chakra. However, the technique was quite advanced, and he would soon be drained…
Raien, panting: Damn… I messed up… Even for me, this technique ain't easy to master, for sure!
Lee: It's all right, Raien. Take it one step at a time.
Ray: I've never seen Ninja perform Ninjutsu like that before. Then again, I rarely see Ninja at all around here… Who taught you that?
Raien: The master I serve known as the Lightning Shadow, or Raikage. He promised me that if we defeated the competition back at the Emperium Jungle, he would teach me how to perform it. All that remains now is to master it…
Lee: It must be awesome being a Ninja. Though I think I'll keep my distance just in case you do master it, because it might be WILD!
Thiji would then arrive, making his way out of the city to meet up with his companions.
Thiji: You can say that again… My robes were nearly totaled after that stunt he pulled back in Payon.
Raien: Yeah, sorry about that, brother.
Thiji: It's fine. It was a necessity.
Lee: No kidding. Oh, by the way, guys. I've been thinking: what do you all think will happen after this?
Ray: What do you mean, Lee?
Lee: You know, after the next facility reveals itself?
Raien: One thing's for sure: it won't get any easier from here on. That much goes without saying. And we've been fighting the Battle Vixens for a while now.
Thiji: And now there is the arrival of the Holy Saviors…
Ray: A three-way struggle.
Thiji: But no matter what happens, we will be prepared to face and overcome it. I guarantee you all that.
Ray: Wait a minute… did you guys hear something just now?
Raien: No, I didn't hear anything.
Ray: Hold on; listen closely…
In a collective effort, White Trinity closes their eyes to focus their senses… After a moment, the sound of humming would be made apparent to their ears…
Lee: Who do you think that might be? Sounds like it's coming from the river that runs through these plains.
Raien: I don't know, but I think I should go and check it out.
Thiji, sarcastically: Oh, that is an amazing idea, brother…
Raien immediately volunteers and sneaks into some nearby bushes. Rustling through the foliage, he finds a clearing where a girl is seen bathing herself within the riverbank. Raien notices her clothes on the edge of the river…
Raien, guffawing: NICE! This is totally my lucky day! But those clothes… Hm…
Ray: Do you see anything, Raien?!
Raien: Uh, no… No, not really. (Thinking) Now's my chance…!
The girl was minding her own business until she thought she heard some noises coming from behind her.
"Did I hear something just now?" she asked herself as she turned around, but to no avail. "Hm. It must have been my imagination…"
After closing her eyes, she reopened them almost instantly and jerked her head around once more.
"Wait a second…!"
Her clothes had vanished! All that remained was her sword and her shield.
"What the -?! Who could have done such a despicable thing? Whomever did this will pay dearly!"
Meanwhile, back at the fields, the Lightning Ninja had returned to the group carrying some strange garments…
"Raien? What took you?" Thiji asked. "You took an awful long time to—"
"Shit…" said Raien under his breath. A sweatdrop came down Thiji's, Lee's, and Ray's brows.
"What the hell?! Are those clothes?!" the Wizard scolded. "There was someone in the river?!"
"Maybe…" the Ninja simply replied.
"You just… took the person's clothes?" Lee followed, his eyes narrowing.
"Maybe…" reiterated Raien. Ray walked over and inspected the clothes…
"Well, whoever these clothes belong to, they're a Crusader," Ray deducted. "Mostly female. Crusaders are devoted servants of the Church of Odin, and they have been sworn to uphold and protect the people and those who worship Odinism. They are also more focused around defense as they carry a huge shield and can use Holy magic to protect themselves and others."
"That's well and good, but it's the single fact that that particular garb belongs to a woman that I am worried about," spoke Thiji with a shake of his head.
A few moments later the Gun-Knight gasped upon a second inspection of the clothing.
"Oh, shit, guys…" Ray quivered. "Those symbols on the cape… They're –"
The Wizard and the Monk rushed over and parted Raien's hands to get a good look of the Crusader's clothing. But before any of them could utter a single word, a shout came from within the bushes…
"You lecherous thief! How dare you!" spoke the naked woman, using her tower shield to maintain her decency. She stared daggers at Raien, approaching White Trinity all the while.
"Ma'am, I promise you I didn't steal this!" defended Lee, taking his hands off of the clothes.
"I know you are innocent, fair Monk," said the woman. "As well as the Wizard and the… Knight…"
Her anger would soon give way for surprise as she acquired a closer look of the four young men. White Trinity gasped in unison at the closer sight of the woman as well. She had auburn hair and hazel eyes, and delicate facial features.
"You're…!" gasped Ray. "No way…! We… we saw you fall!"
"The Swordsman that Lupi killed…" Lee said with astonishment. "And yet you still live!"
"White Trinity…" whispered the woman. She then darted her eyes back at Raien and snatched her clothes back from his clutches. "Lecherous Ninja... You have some nerve!"
"That's Raien for you…" Thiji sighed.
"I am not sorry," Raien said in a cool tone. Thiji, Ray, and Lee turned around to give the woman the privacy to don her gear, save for Raien who was still looking until Thiji turned his body around for him. After a minute of waiting the woman would be restored to her former glory.
"White Trinity…" she said again, but this time more audible. "The very guild that saved me and my brothers and sisters twice now since the Emperium Frontier's opening. I owe you greatly, however, it pains me to say that I am now your foe, as are my sisters."
"Whoa, what?!" shouted Ray, jumping up a little. "But it wasn't our fault! It was Raien's!"
"I don't think that is what she means, Ray…" Thiji interjected.
"Sir Thiji is correct. I am of the Holy Saviors, and I have assumed command of them as of last month."
The Crusader unsheathed her blade and held it to her face. It gave off a silvery gleam in the sun, slightly blinding the four.
"Formidable you four may be, I will give my all in this next battle, and exact vengeance for the savage harlots that have felled many of my comrades, for I, Youmei, will be the shield that protects the people. For now, I bid you farewell, White Trinity…"
After her monologue, Youmei sheathed her sword and set off back towards Prontera.