Ishikawa stood frozen, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he stared at Sakamoto. The adrenaline from their fight still coursed through his veins, but something within him wavered. His grip on the hilt of his weapon slackened. He couldn't do it. He couldn't kill his friend. The bond they shared, forged through countless battles and moments of camaraderie, held him back. With a final, conflicted glance at Sakamoto, Ishikawa made a split-second decision. He turned on his heel and ran, disappearing into the desolate wasteland left in the wake of the collision.
Sakamoto watched Ishikawa's retreating form, his own body aching from their fierce encounter. Blood trickled from a cut above his eyebrow, and his ribs screamed in protest with every breath. Yet, a part of him felt relief that Ishikawa had not delivered the final blow. He pushed himself up, wincing at the pain, and made his way back to the squad, who were already tending to the unconscious Seiji.
Back at the organization, the atmosphere was tense. Sakamoto's squad stood around, discussing in hushed tones the events that had transpired. Seiji lay on a stretcher, his face pale but unmarked by the fight. Medics hovered over him, their instruments beeping softly as they checked his vitals.
"What's the status of the kid?" Sakamoto asked, his voice hoarse from exertion.
One of the medics, Dr. Nakamura, looked up from his readings. "Physically, he's fine. No visible injuries, no internal damage. It's as if the collision never touched him."
Sakamoto frowned. "That doesn't make sense. He was right in the thick of it."
Dr. Nakamura nodded. "We did find something odd, though. There's a trace of Peak Slide energy within him. It's faint, but it's there."
The squad exchanged puzzled glances. Sakamoto's mind raced, trying to piece together the mystery. But before he could dwell on it further, he was summoned to a private meeting with Captain Hoshino and General Sato.
In the dimly lit room, the air was thick with tension. General Sato sat behind a large mahogany desk, his fingers steeped in front of him. Captain Hoshino stood off to the side, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Sakamoto," General Sato began, his voice low and authoritative. "Explain what happened."
Sakamoto recounted the events, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. "Ishikawa had the upper hand, but he hesitated. He... he couldn't kill me. Then he just ran."
Captain Hoshino raised an eyebrow. "And you let him go?"
Sakamoto bristled at the accusation. "I didn't 'let' him go. He escaped before I could stop him."
General Sato leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "There's something you're not telling us, Sakamoto."
Sakamoto took a deep breath. "Ishikawa couldn't use his Peak Slide. It was as if... something was holding him back."
The room fell silent as General Sato and Captain Hoshino exchanged glances. The revelation was unexpected and troubling.
"Very well," General Sato said finally. "Your new mission is to capture Ishikawa. Dead or alive. Use whatever means necessary."
Sakamoto's heart sank. He knew the implications of such an order, but he nodded in compliance. "Understood."
Returning to the medical area, Sakamoto found his squad gathered around Seiji's bed. The young boy's fingers twitched slightly, but he remained unconscious. Dr. Nakamura and the other medics continued their examination, puzzled by the presence of Peak Slide energy in Seiji.
"It's almost like he absorbed it somehow," Dr. Nakamura mused, adjusting his glasses.
Sakamoto frowned, deep in thought. There was more to this than met the eye, but he kept his suspicions to himself for now. He needed more information before drawing any conclusions.
Meanwhile, Ishikawa limped through the wasteland, his body battered and bruised. The burn mark on his face and shoulder glowed faintly, a constant reminder of the anomaly energy that coursed through him. Each step was a struggle, but he pressed on, driven by a mixture of fear and determination.
His mind replayed the vision he had seen earlier, of him and Seiji sharing the same goal. But he didn't know Seiji. How could they be connected? The questions gnawed at him, adding to the turmoil within.
The glow from the burn mark began to fade, signaling the depletion of the anomaly energy. Ishikawa's steps faltered as exhaustion set in. He didn't know where to go, but staying still wasn't an option. He had to keep moving, even if it meant wandering aimlessly through the wasteland.
In a bleak, desolate realm, Shinra seethed with anger. The void-like landscape stretched endlessly, a stark contrast to the fury boiling within him. He paced back and forth, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge.
"A mere human," he growled, "bearing that much negative Slide energy... I can't just allow it to happen."
Shinra's eyes glowed with a malevolent light as he contemplated his next move. The collision had not gone as planned, and Ishikawa's resilience was an unexpected variable. He needed a new strategy, one that would ensure his dominance.
Back at Slide Corp, General Sato and Captain Hoshino watched as Sakamoto left. The weight of his new mission hung heavy on his shoulders, but he maintained a stoic facade.
General Sato turned to Captain Hoshino. "Keep an eye on him. Sakamoto is loyal. We can't afford any mistakes."
Captain Hoshino nodded. "Understood, sir."
As Sakamoto walked in the medical area, his mind was a whirlwind of emotions. The order to capture Ishikawa, dead or alive, gnawed at his conscience. But he had no choice but to comply. His loyalty to the organization demanded it.
In the medical area, the staff continued their examination of Seiji. Nurse Takahashi, a seasoned veteran in the field, frowned as she studied the readings. "This doesn't add up. There's no physical trauma, yet he's unresponsive."
Dr. Nakamura glanced at her, equally puzzled. "And that trace of Peak Slide energy... it doesn't make sense."
Sakamoto watched from the doorway, his mind racing. Seiji's condition was a mystery, one that needed solving. But first, he had to deal with the more immediate threat: Ishikawa.
Out in the wasteland, Ishikawa's steps grew heavier. The landscape was barren, with twisted remnants of what once was. His breath came in ragged gasps as he pushed forward, each step a testament to his will to survive.
The glow from his burn mark had faded completely, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed. But he couldn't stop. He had to find a way to survive, to understand what was happening to him.
Back in Shinra's Realm, Shinra's eyes gleamed with dark determination. He had a plan, one that would ensure his victory. The details were shrouded in secrecy, known only to him. But the outcome would be devastating.
With a flick of his wrist, Shinra summoned a portal, stepping through it with a malevolent grin. The time for retribution was near.
Back at Slide Corp, the tension in the medical area was palpable. The staff and Sakamoto's squad watched anxiously as Seiji lay motionless. But then, a flicker of movement caught their attention. Seiji's fingers twitched again, this time more noticeably.
Dr. Nakamura's eyes widened. "He's responding!"
The room buzzed with activity as the medics sprang into action. Monitors beeped, and voices filled the air as they worked to stabilize Seiji.
Sakamoto watched with a mix of relief and apprehension. Seiji's awakening could provide answers, but it could also raise more questions. For now, all he could do was wait and hope that the truth would come to light.