Kanji found himself on an uncharted island, settling down on a solitary pillar. He called out into the air, his voice calm. "Kagiroi"
As Kanji called out, the surroundings were a vast expanse of sea, and the island they occupied was isolated. The presence of the seven colossal celestial beasts only added to the surreal and majestic atmosphere.
Kagiroi slowly materialized, his appearance striking. His long, white hair cascaded down his shoulders, and his golden light eyes gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance. He looked at Kanji, his expression curious.
A small smirk tugged at Kagiroi's lips as he met Kanji's gaze. "You've been looking for me, I presume," he said, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.
Kanji smirks at his presence with mockery "So The dog is hiding here."
Kagiroi chuckled at Kanji's remark, his smirk widening. "And you're the ever-nosy rat," he retorted, his tone playful yet laced with a hint of competitiveness.
Kenta and Sarah continued their journey, traversing through the dense forest of Jeimei, a part of the Kingdom of Jura. The towering trees and lush foliage created a picturesque landscape, but the adventurers knew to be on their guard.
Kaguya, a 5'9 woman with fox-like hair and a tail, rolled her eyes at the sound of the man's, Jokedone's name. "Yes, Jokedone?" she replied as she turned towards him, her annoyance evident.
Jokedone, with his emerald eyes gleaming, stood nearby with an height of 6'1. He was a man of strength, his muscular arms betraying his prowess despite fighting without a weapon.
The two of them watched the fight between Kenta and Sarah, their expressions betraying no signs of their thoughts. Kaguya turned her attention back to the pair, studying their movements and techniques, while Jokedone observed silently, a hint of curiosity in his gaze.
Jokedone had a laid-back demeanor, with a carefree attitude and a touch of goofiness, unlike Kaguya who was more serious and reserved. He often found amusement in the simplest things, but beneath his carefree exterior lay a powerful fighting spirit.
Jokedone, being his usual annoying self, continued to tease Kaguya. "Hey, Kaguya, why do you always look so serious?" he asked, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Kaguya shot him a sharp glare, clearly annoyed by his antics. "And why do you always have to be so insufferable?" she retorted, her voice filled with irritation.
Kaguya explained that they had come to the Altaria Kingdom after hearing rumors about Kanji's presence there. She mentioned how he had saved the Kingdom, but there was no way he would do so willingly. She then brought up the topic of Sarah's battle with Kanji, a one-on-one fight that had become the subject of many rumors.
Jokedone nodded but remained skeptical. "Interesting," he said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "I've heard about that fight. It's hard to believe that Sarah went up against Kanji alone. The guy's a powerhouse."
Jokedone acknowledged that Sarah didn't come out victorious in the fight, but he was still impressed by her determination. "Even if she didn't win, it still takes guts to go up against someone like Kanji," he noted, a hint of admiration in his tone.
Kaguya interjected, reminding Jokedone of their purpose there. "Yes, we're here to test them, remember?" she said firmly. "We need to assess their skills and abilities."
Jokedone urged Kaguya to take a closer look at Kenta. "Kaguya, take a good look at him too. We can't overlook anyone," he said, his tone serious.
Jokedone and Kaguya observed Kenta, taking note of his companionship with Sarah and the legendary katana, the Yami and Hikari, that he possessed. They knew that those katana were crafted by their former master, and their power was not to be underestimated.
Jokedone and Kaguya stepped out of the bushes, approaching Kenta and Sarah with purposeful strides. They were now within speaking distance of the two adventurers.
Kaguya's eyes flicked over to the legendary katana, a flicker of recognition in her gaze. "Intriguing choices," she commented, her voice carrying a hint of grudging respect.
Jokedone, on the other hand, eyed the swords with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Those katana...they're not just any ordinary blades, are they?" he asked, his tone both skeptical and intrigued.
Kaguya nodded in agreement. "No, they're not," she said. "Those are the Yami and Hikari, legendary blades crafted by a master swordsmith. They carry great power."
When Sarah and Kenta noticed the two newcomers, they paused in their tracks and regarded them with wary expressions. They were aware of the potential threat presented by strangers, and they guarded themselves accordingly.
Kaguya and Jokedone stopped as well, their bodies tensed in anticipation. They were not unaware of Sarah and Kenta's cautious demeanor, and they were prepared to react if the situation called for it.
A moment of silence passed as the two groups observed each other warily, the tension in the air palpable. It was clear that neither party was willing to lower their guard, at least not yet.
Jokedone, with his cheerful demeanor intact, spoke up, his tone friendly yet assertive. "No need to worry, we don't mean any harm," he assured, his hands held up in a gesture of peace. "We're here to test you guys, that's all."
Sarah regarded Jokedone skeptically, her eyes narrowing. "Test us? What kind of test?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.
In a swift and unexpected move, Jokedone lunged at Sarah with a single punch, the force behind it enough to shatter the ground beneath them. Sarah managed to dodge just in time, her eyes widening in astonishment at the sheer power contained within that seemingly mundane punch.
Kaguya, watching the scene unfold, couldn't help but silently commend Jokedone's display of strength. "No wonder he was once a rival of Kanji," she thought to herself, her respect for his combat prowess slightly rising.
Kaguya's gaze then shifted towards Kenta, her eyes studying him keenly. She took in his stance, his weapons, and his overall demeanor, assessing his potential as a sword master.
Kaguya then spoke up, her tone serious, "So, Kenta, are you truly worthy to be the successor of your predecessor?" she asked, her eyes fixed on him, searching for a response.
Kenta tensed at Kaguya's question, knowing that his answer would determine how the situation would unfold. He met her gaze, his own expression firm and resolute. "I am," he replied, his voice steady. "I will carry on the legacy and honor my predecessor's teachings."
Kaguya then inquired, "Why haven't you mastered the Yami no Hikari yet?"
Hikari no ha was the light blade, while the Yami no Hikari was its dark counterpart. It was the difference between the two blades that eluded Kenta. Whenever he wielded the dark blade, it seemed to consume him, filling his mind with darkness.
Kenta furrowed his brow, his grip on his swords tightening. "The dark blade...it brings out a side of me that I struggle to control," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "When I use it, I feel consumed by darkness, and it clouds my judgment."
~Next chapter: The Chosen One's