The pre-dawn silence shattered as Raidon's voice cut through the stillness, alerting his comrades to the imminent threat.
"They're getting ready to fire!" Raidon shouted.
Shadows flitted among the trees, their movements betraying the presence of hidden assailants—ninjas poised with crossbows aimed at the unsuspecting horses.
With a quick exchange of glances, Daisuke, Makoto, and Raidon sprang into action.
Makoto's command was swift, "Make the horses flee! Now!" His Serpent summon responded with a primal hiss that echoed through the forest, sending the horses into a panicked frenzy; making them run from the area.
"Inject venom into as many of the intruders as possible. As soon as you're in danger, return to my katana." Makoto ordered his Serpent.
Meanwhile, Daisuke cursed his oversight, his sword lying useless at home. Raidon, an elite strategist, relayed vital information to Daisuke and Makoto as his Eagle scanned the surrounding area.
"Fifteen ninjas incoming," Raidon reported, his tone grave. "Two of them are Tokihanatsu level."
As Makoto's Serpent slithered through the underbrush and into the cave, Daisuke's gaze darted nervously between his Makoto and Raidon. Without his sword, despite not feeling vulnerable, a sense of unease crept over him like a shadow.
Suddenly, a deadly projectile hurtled towards Makoto, aimed with deadly precision. With a cry of alarm, Raidon's Eagle swooped in, intercepting the arrow with pinpoint accuracy before dissipating into a cascade of shimmering particles.
With a sense of urgency, Raidon drew his sword, his movements fluid and precise. Turning to Daisuke, he requested the spare sword Makoto had given him, his confidence unwavering. "I'm a better dual-sword user," Raidon declared, his eyes alight with determination.
As the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the cave, Raidon's body tensed, ready to meet the enemy head-on. With a graceful flourish, he leaped into action, his swords a blur of motion as he engaged the ninjas with a deadly combination of acrobatics and power.
Each movement was a symphony of precision and grace—a whirlwind of flashing steel and calculated strikes. Raidon moved with the elegance of a dancer, his every motion fluid and purposeful.
With a flick of his wrist, Raidon deflected a ninja's blade, countering with a lightning-fast strike that sent his opponent staggering backward. In a seamless display of agility, he somersaulted over a barrage of incoming attacks, landing with cat-like grace as he dispatched his foes with effortless efficiency.
As the last of the ninjas fell beneath Raidon's blade, he returned to the cave, his form bathed in the crimson hue of victory.
Makoto's voice trembled with awe as he questioned him, "Who taught you how to fight?"
Ignoring his question, Raidon turned to Daisuke, a glimmer of challenge in his eyes as he tossed him the spare sword. "We should train sometime," he suggested, his tone inviting as he made his way towards the exit of the cave.
With a nod of agreement, Daisuke watched Raidon's retreating figure, a newfound determination burning within him. As the first rays of dawn illuminated the forest, Daisuke knew that he had witnessed not only a display of unmatched skill but also the beginning of a journey that would lead him to new heights of mastery.
"What the hell did we just witness?" Daisuke asked Makoto.
"I don't know. But... I'm glad he's on our side." Makoto responded with a chuckle. "It looks like you've found yourself a friendly rival, Daisuke."
"How did those ninjas know we would be here?"
"That's a good question. I don't know."
"Maybe we are being watched a lot more than we think. Somethings not right." Shaking his head, Daisuke made his way out the cave.
As Makoto followed, they both saw the scatter of bodies across the ground. As they scanned the bodies, they heard groaning. They looked towards the sound, and noticed one of the ninja's attempting to turn themselves over.
Daisuke marched over, turning them onto their back, and stamping on the ninja's stomach. He then bent down, grabbing him by the throat.
"Who sent you?!" Daisuke snarled. The ninja continued to cough in pain after the kick he took.
"Who... sent you?" Daisuke repeated.
The ninja uncovered his mouth and spat in Daisuke's face.
"The end is coming... for you... Samurai scum." Laughing with pain behind his voice, the ninja suddenly became quiet as he died within Daisuke's grasp.
"It's the government. They're becoming a lot more direct and aggressive in their approach." Daisuke stated.
"We need to come up with a plan." Said Makoto.
"I think it's time I start training with Kodai again."
"You'll need a sparring partner? Raidon doesn't seem like he will be available whenever you need him. As for me --"
"I don't want to fight with you, Makoto. With your summon, I'm still stronger than you."
"Then who?"
"Tōsō."