Sarah, her voice filled with anger and frustration, yelled at both Kaguya and Jokedone. "Why the hell were you testing us? And what was all that about Kenta using the dark blade?"
Jokedone, his expression still calm and composed, replied to Sarah's furious question. "It was a necessary test," he stated matter-of-factly. "We needed to see the extent of your abilities and how you would react when pushed beyond your limits."
Kaguya, joining the conversation, chimed in with a sly smile. "Yes, you both are important pieces in the grand scheme of things," she said smoothly. "Your abilities and potential make you valuable assets in the future."
Sarah, still seething with anger, shot back at Kaguya, "And that gives you the right to toy with us like pawns on a chessboard?"
Jokedone, his voice firm yet calm, responded to Sarah's accusation. "It's for the sake of the world and humanity," he stated. "We have a duty to assess and test individuals like you and Kenta to ensure that you are prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead."
Kenta, groggily waking up from his unconscious state, slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to adjust to his surroundings and remember what had happened before he passed out.
Kenta's eyes widened in recognition and awe as he looked at Jokedone. He knew of Jokedone's reputation as a legendary warrior, the disciple of Buddha, and the first and last person trained by Hikari. Kenta had heard tales of Jokedone's unparalleled skills in combat, and now he saw him standing right before him.
Kenta, still dazed and disoriented, tried to speak up. "Why are you... here?" he managed to utter, his voice hoarse from the recent battle and the aftermath of using the dark blade's power.
Jokedone looked at Kenta's confused expression and replied calmly, "I came to check on you and assess your abilities. Your power and potential are remarkable, especially with the dark blade in your possession."
Kenta's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing Jokedone's words. He couldn't believe that the legendary warrior was actually here, assessing his abilities. He tried to gather his thoughts and asked, "You... know about the dark blade?"
Jokedone nodded, his gaze never leaving Kenta. "Yes, I am aware of the dark blade's power and its significance," he confirmed. "It's a dangerous and volatile weapon, but in the right hands, it can be a force to be reckoned with."
Sarah, still frustrated and impatient, yelled out, frustrated at being left in the dark. "What the hell are you guys talking about?" she demanded, her voice filled with annoyance.
Jokedone turned his attention to Sarah, his expression composed. "We're discussing the dark blade that Kenta wields and its implications," he explained calmly. "It's a powerful weapon, but it comes with great risks and consequences."
Jokedone, turning his attention to Sarah, spoke calmly. "You're important too," he stated. "Your combat abilities are impressive and have the potential to match those of Kanji's in the future."
Sarah, caught off guard by Jokedone's compliment, couldn't help but feel a pang of pride mixed with suspicion.
Kaguya, chiming in, warned Sarah with a sly smile. "Don't get too cocky," she said. "Kanji is a whole other level, a monster in the parallel league. You've got potential, but you're not quite there yet."
Sarah, feeling a mix of annoyance and determination, narrowed her eyes at Kaguya's words. She clenched her fists, silently vowing to push herself further and prove them wrong.
Kenta, still a bit disoriented, mustered up the question that had been on his mind. "How do you guys know about the dark blade?" he asked, his voice still hoarse from the recent battle.
Jokedone's expression remained calm as he replied, "I have my informants and sources" he stated simply. "I know a lot about the dark blade and its history."
Jokedone's expression softened as he spoke about Yami Matsumoto. "Yes, the previous owner of the dark blade, master Yami Matsumoto, was a close friend of mine," he revealed. "I knew her well, and her abilities with the blade were unparalleled."
Kenta listened intently, his eyes widening in surprise. He never expected that Jokedone had a personal connection to the previous owner of the dark blade.
Kenta, intrigued by the mention of Yami's abilities, couldn't help but wonder how she had controlled the dark blade and reached the peak rank of LR. He spoke up, his curiosity getting the better of him, "How did Yami manage to control the dark blade and reach such a high rank?"
Jokedone's expression grew pensive as he recalled his experiences with Yami. "Yami's control over the dark blade was exceptional," he began. "She had a unique connection with the blade, allowing her to harness its power unlike anyone else. She trained relentlessly to master its dark energies, constantly pushing her limits until she achieved the LR rank."
Jokedone nodded, his tone thoughtful. "Yes, Yami had a unique ability to harmonize both sides within her," he explained. "She managed to keep her mind and emotions in balance even when wielding the dark blade. Her control and discipline over her inner struggles allowed her to harness the full potential of the weapon without succumbing to its darker influence."
Kenta listened intently, marveling at the description of Yami's abilities. He began to understand why the previous owner had reached such a high rank, despite wielding a dangerous and unpredictable weapon like the dark blade.
Jokedone, glancing at both Sarah and Kenta, spoke with a commanding yet friendly tone. "Come with me ," he instructed. "We shall go to my home, the temple of Buddha, where I will teach you both."
Sarah, surprised by the sudden invitation but equally intrigued, nodded in agreement. Kenta, despite his surprise, also nodded, silently accepting Jokedone's offer to train and learn under his guidance.
Kenta looked at the dark blade in his possession, a mix of determination and trepidation in his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded, agreeing to follow Jokedone to the temple.
Together, Sarah and Kenta walked with Jokedone, following him as they made their way to the temple of Buddha, where their training would begin.
Kenta and Sarah arrived at the temple of Buddha, taking in the grandeur of the enormous structure. To their surprise, they discovered that Jokedone and Kaguya were the only two individuals present within the temple, devoid of the presence of monks.
Intrigued and somewhat confused by the absence of monks, Kenta exchanged a glance with Sarah, silently wondering what Jokedone's plans for them might be.
As they entered the room, they noticed that Kaguya had left to prepare dinner, leaving them momentarily alone. Kenta and Sarah stood quietly, waiting for Jokedone to address their presence.
Jokedone, noticing their confused expressions, broke the silence and asked, "You both seem confused. Is there something on your mind?"
Sarah, finding her voice, spoke up, her tone cautious. "Yes, we're wondering why there are no monks here. We expected a temple of Buddha to be occupied by priests or disciples."
Jokedone's expression grew solemn as he explained the absence of monks. "Years ago, tragedy struck," he said, his voice laced with melancholy. "Due to our absence, demons infiltrated and attacked the temple. All the monks and priests were brutally killed."
Sarah and Kenta's eyes widened in shock as they absorbed Jokedone's words. They were stunned by the tragic fate that had befallen the temple and its inhabitants.
Jokedone shifted the conversation, his focus now on Sarah. He inquired, "Sarah, may I ask how many skills do you currently possess?"
Sarah, caught off guard by the question, took a moment to consider her skills. "Well," she began, a hint of contemplation in her voice, "I have mastered several combat skills, including martial arts, weapon mastery, and strategic thinking. I also possess a few elemental manipulation skills."
Jokedone listened to Sarah's response, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I see," he replied, his tone revealing a mix of amusement and interest. "You have quite an impressive range of skills. It seems both you and Kenta possess an abundance of abilities that are indeed fascinating."
Kenta, curious about the fate of both his masters, asked, "Jokedone, how did both of my masters meet their end?"
Jokedone's expression grew solemn once more, and he spoke with a hint of sadness in his voice, "Your masters, both Master Yami and Master Hikari, were exceptional warriors, renowned for their skills and abilities."
Jokedone continued his explanation, his tone heavy with sadness. "Master Yami, on the other hand, was overwhelmed by the darkness within her when she fought 'Dark Shadow,' an aspect of Buddha. In her battle, she was forcibly driven to commit suicide. It was a tragic end for someone who had such a bright future ahead of her."
Jokedone paused, his expression growing bit of saddens, before he continued. "And Master Hikari, despite her incredible skills, was cursed by the dark blade. It was not her fate to wield a weapon of darkness, for she was the original owner of the light blade. She chose you as her successor, but her journey ended in tragedy too."
Kenta listened quietly, his heart heavy with the revelation of his masters' fates. The knowledge that both had suffered such tragic deaths weighed heavily on him.
Sarah, feeling the weight of the conversation, silently observed Kenta's reaction, her own thoughts darkened by the tragic fate of Kenta's masters.
~Next chapter "Adapting to new life"