The days after Kazu's disappearance passed slowly, each one heavier than the last. The air in the Yankai headquarters was thick with a mixture of grief, anger, and determination. Every corner of the compound was alive with activity, the members tirelessly searching for any lead they could find. No one had the heart to rest, not with Kazu still missing and the threat of the yokai growing ever closer.
Atama Kaku sat in her office, her eyes glued to multiple screens displaying news, maps, and security footage. She worked at an impossible pace, but the exhaustion in her face was undeniable. Every glance at the screens brought her thoughts back to Kazu. His absence left a void in her heart, one she was trying desperately to ignore.
But no amount of work could erase the gnawing guilt in her chest. Had she been too harsh on him? Could she have prevented this? The questions tormented her, making her more restless than ever before.
Unmei, Hanzo, and the others were doing everything they could. They scoured the city, looking for any sign of Kazu. Unmei, despite his usual calm demeanour, was visibly struggling. He kept his distance from the others, hiding the pain that was slowly eating away at him. He wasn't used to being the one left behind, helpless.
He found himself back at the park, the place where he had first met Kazu. It had always been a place of solace, but now it felt empty, devoid of life. Every memory of Kazu—their conversations, their training, their shared moments—rushed back in waves, leaving Unmei fighting back tears.
"Why can't we find him?" he whispered to himself. "Where are you, Kazu?"
Meanwhile, Daichi tirelessly checked hospitals and care facilities, hoping to find any trace of Kazu. But the search yielded nothing. It felt as though Kazu had simply vanished into thin air.
Back at headquarters, Kaku called a team meeting, her face hardened with resolve. She couldn't let herself break down—not yet. Not when the organization was depending on her.
The members gathered in the main room, their faces grim. Shiro, who had barely spoken since Kazu's disappearance, stood next to Minoru, his eyes fixed on the ground. It was clear to everyone that he, like the others, was struggling with Kazu's absence.
"We're not stopping the search," Kaku began, her voice sharp and unwavering. "We will find Kazu, no matter what it takes. I know we're all hurting, but we need to focus. We cannot let the Yokai think they've won. We need to be ready for whatever they throw at us next."
Hanzo stepped forward, his usual charm replaced by a rare seriousness. "We'll find him, Kaku. He's too important to us. We won't stop until we bring him back."
There was a collective nod from everyone in the room. They all understood the gravity of the situation. They weren't just searching for a comrade—they were searching for a part of their family.
Unmei, who had been quiet throughout the meeting, suddenly spoke up, his voice steady but filled with quiet anger. "We can't just wait for the yokai to make their next move. We need to act now. Kazu wouldn't want us to sit around and wait."
Kaku's eyes narrowed a sharp edge to her gaze. "We will act, Unmei. But we need to be smart. Rushing in blindly won't bring him back. We'll follow every lead. Every piece of information."
Unmei nodded, though his frustration was still evident. He wanted to do more. He had to do more.
As the meeting concluded, everyone scattered, each with their task in mind. But Kaku lingered, staring out the window, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
It had been days, and still no sign of Kazu. The only lead they had was a bloodied piece of cloth they found. But the yokai had been quick, covering their tracks well. It was almost as if Kazu had never existed in their world at all.
But Kaku wasn't going to give up. Not after everything they had been through together.
"I'll find you, Kazu," she whispered to herself. "We will bring you home."
Meanwhile, in the streets of the city, an ominous figure watched from the shadows. Hidden beneath a cloak, the figure observed the hustle and bustle of the search, a cold smile curling across his lips.
He had seen the desperation in their eyes. He had watched them scramble, helpless and afraid. What they didn't know was that Kazu was closer than they thought. And soon, they would realize the true cost of underestimating the yokai.
Kazu's fate was far from decided, but the real battle had just begun. The coming days would test everyone in the Yankai organization, and the shadows of the past were about to collide with the present in ways they could never have imagined.
And the yokai… they were waiting, watching, ready to strike again.
Outside the headquarters, someone else was far from at ease. Camron, a man who had once been part of the yokai ranks, now found himself haunted by memories of Kazu—memories he couldn't escape.
Since their first meeting at Kami's grave, Camron had found something in Kazu he hadn't experienced in a long time: hope. Kazu's kindness, loyalty, and determination had made a profound impact on him. For the first time, Camron saw a world beyond hatred and revenge.
But now Kazu was missing, and Camron couldn't stand by. He had to help.
With a heavy heart, Camron decided to go to the Yankai headquarters. He had information about the mission the yokai had planned—information that could provide the leads they desperately needed.
Upon arriving, Camron was met with a cold reception. His past as a yokai didn't make him an easy ally to trust, despite his change of heart. But Camron didn't care. All he wanted was to help find Kazu.
After being escorted into the main room, Camron faced the sombre expressions of the Yankai members. Kaku, Daichi, Unmei, and the others stood in silence, their expressions a mixture of suspicion and desperation. Kaku's sharp gaze lingered on Camron.
"What are you doing here?" Kaku's voice was cold.
"I'm here to help," Camron said, his voice steady. "I have information that might help you find Kazu."
Unmei looked at him suspiciously. "Why should we trust you? You were one of them."
Camron's face hardened. "I know what you think of me. But I'm not that person anymore. Kazu changed me. I won't sit here and do nothing while he's out there, alone."
Kaku's eyes narrowed but remained silent. The room was still. Finally, she spoke.
"Speak. What do you know?"
Camron took a deep breath. "The yokai planned this a long time ago. The entire ambush was a setup to lure Kazu. The portals weren't just for battle; they were meant to trap him. They want to use him. And I can tell you where they took him."
"Where is he?" Daichi asked, his voice strained.
Camron hesitated. "The place is called The Hollow Citadel. It's heavily guarded, hidden, and surrounded by traps. I've been there before. I can guide you."
Unmei's eyes flickered with scepticism. "How do we trust you?"
"You don't have to trust me completely," Camron replied. "But if you want Kazu back, you'll need every bit of information I have."
Kaku's eyes softened slightly. Turning to her team, she said, "We don't have a choice. If we want Kazu back, we'll take the risk."
The room held its breath as her words sank in. Finally, Kaku nodded.
"Alright. We'll go after Kazu. Together."
The members of Yankai stood tall, ready for the treacherous mission ahead. The Hollow Citadel awaited, and with it, the fate of their missing comrade.