As Raiden's figure vanished into the distant sky, his departure marked the end of an intense training session that had pushed Kaito to his limits and beyond. With the adrenaline still coursing through his veins, Kaito turned to Aria, eager to share the news of his impending induction into the prestigious Shadow Legion.
"I'm getting drafted into the Shadow Legion," Kaito announced, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement as he relayed the momentous news to his companion. Aria's response was measured, her silence betraying the complex emotions swirling within her.
"That's good, I guess," Aria finally replied, her words carrying a note of cautious optimism as she struggled to mask her own reservations about Kaito's newfound commitment. Despite her apprehension, she recognized the significance of his achievement and offered him a small nod of encouragement.
"It is. Ryouichi and Yuki are in that division," Kaito added, his voice betraying a hint of pride as he reflected on the esteemed company he would soon be joining. Aria nodded in acknowledgment, her thoughts drifting to the challenges that lay ahead for her friend as he embarked on this new chapter of his journey.
As the conversation shifted to Aria's own progress, Kaito realized with a pang of guilt that he had neglected to inquire about her experiences during their week of training. With a sheepish smile, he acknowledged his oversight and urged Aria to share her own achievements and insights.
"Aren't you going to ask me about my progress? I was training for a week, too," Aria gently reminded him, her tone laced with playful reproach as she teased him for his forgetfulness. Kaito's expression softened as he realized his mistake, and he offered her an apologetic smile.
"Oh, you're right... I guess I got carried away, haha," Kaito chuckled, his laughter carrying a note of self-deprecation as he acknowledged his tendency to become absorbed in his own thoughts and experiences. Taking a moment to compose himself, he turned his full attention to Aria, eager to hear about her own growth and accomplishments.
"Well, please, go ahead and inform me about your progress," Kaito said, his tone gentle and sincere as he invited Aria to share her story. Aria's smile widened at his gesture of kindness, and she launched into a detailed account of her week-long training regimen, highlighting the challenges she had overcome and the strides she had made in mastering her Enes abilities.
As Kaito and Aria strolled together, their conversation flowed effortlessly, each word strengthening the bond between them. With genuine curiosity, Kaito prompted Aria to delve deeper into her training regimen, eager to learn more about the strides she had made in honing her skills.
"I focused primarily on training my hand-to-hand combat, martial arts, and Life Enes," Aria explained, her voice tinged with a sense of quiet determination as she recounted her rigorous training routine. Kaito nodded in understanding, impressed by the breadth of Aria's commitment to self-improvement.
"Well... That's a lot," Kaito remarked, his admiration for Aria's dedication evident in his tone. Aria smiled in response, her eyes sparkling with a hint of pride as she reflected on the progress she had made.
"That's what makes it even better," Aria replied, her words carrying a note of quiet confidence as she affirmed her belief in the transformative power of hard work and perseverance. Kaito nodded in agreement, acknowledging the truth in her words.
"I suppose," Kaito conceded, his mind buzzing with thoughts of his own training regimen and the areas in which he hoped to improve. Sensing his uncertainty, Aria offered him a reassuring smile, her unwavering support serving as a beacon of encouragement in the face of uncertainty.
"Well, please get into more detail," Kaito urged, his curiosity piqued by Aria's earlier revelations. Aria nodded, grateful for the opportunity to share her experiences with someone who genuinely cared about her progress.
"My hand-to-hand combat has improved by a lot," Aria began, her voice filled with quiet confidence as she recounted the countless hours she had spent honing her skills in the training grounds. Kaito listened intently, captivated by the passion and determination in her voice.
"I consider myself an expert now," Aria continued, her words resonating with a sense of pride as she reflected on the journey that had brought her to this moment. Kaito's eyes widened in astonishment, impressed by the extent of Aria's progress in such a short span of time.
"That means you can beat me in hand-to-hand combat, and martial arts, I assume," Kaito remarked, his tone laced with a hint of playful banter as he acknowledged Aria's newfound prowess. Aria nodded, a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she accepted the unspoken challenge.
"Correct. I'm an expert at hand-to-hand combat, and I've become a master at taekwondo, an intermediate at Capoeira, and a little above intermediate at boxing," Aria confirmed, her voice brimming with confidence as she listed her accomplishments. Kaito grinned in response, impressed by the breadth of Aria's skill set.
"Well, I should train my martial arts... But... Never mind, forget it,".
As Kaito and Aria walked side by side, the weight of their conversation hung heavy in the air, each word laden with the gravity of their shared mission. Kaito's mind churned with thoughts of Enishi, the elusive figure whose very existence posed a threat to everything they held dear. With a furrowed brow, he turned to Aria, his voice tinged with determination as he broached the topic that had been weighing on his mind.
"Aria, Enishi does not possess a vessel, right?" Kaito's voice was low, his words carrying a sense of urgency as he sought clarity on a matter of grave importance. Aria paused, her brow furrowing in thought as she considered Kaito's question.
"I think so... I don't know," Aria replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she grappled with the complexities of their enemy's nature. Kaito nodded in understanding, his mind racing with the implications of what they were facing.
"I'm going to kill Enishi myself," Kaito declared, his voice filled with a steely resolve as he voiced his intent to confront their most formidable adversary head-on. Aria's eyes widened in alarm, her heart skipping a beat at the audacity of Kaito's proclamation.
"You're getting way too cocky now," Aria cautioned, her voice laced with concern as she urged Kaito to temper his bravado with caution. "You don't stand a chance against Enishi, not Haruka either. Also, we've learned that they've got a new companion, a female. You cannot beat either of them."
Kaito's expression darkened at Aria's words, his resolve wavering in the face of her stark assessment of their situation. He knew the odds were stacked against them, the prospect of facing Enishi and his allies alone seeming increasingly daunting with each passing moment.