As Haru stood amidst the endless void, he could feel the immense Shinkai energy swirling around him. This wasn't just another fight—it was his last chance to bring back Kagehana, to save his friends and everyone who had vanished. The world around him shifted, a dark sky above stretching on endlessly, with shadows twisting along the ground. In the center, Daigo and Ichiro stood, their forms wrapped in a sinister energy, eyes gleaming with the confidence of victory.
Haru: "Daigo. Ichiro. You're not going to win. I'll make sure of it."
Ichiro chuckled darkly, his fingers grazing the crystal in his hand, the same one he had used to pull Kagehana into this void.
Ichiro: "You? A single boy? Against us? Do you even realize the power we wield?"
Without another word, Haru extended his hand, summoning the energy from within, feeling it wrap around his arm. Kage Tsume manifested, claws of dark energy laced with red flaring out from his fingers. Haru steeled himself as he locked eyes with his enemies, aware of the weight on his shoulders yet confident in his newfound abilities.
Daigo: "Let's see how long you last, Haru."
With a single gesture, Daigo and Ichiro raised their hands, and the void trembled. A dark portal opened beside them, and slowly, twisted beast-like creatures crawled out, each one pulsing with raw Shinkai energy. They moved in unnatural, jittery motions, their bodies flickering as if they were barely held together by the energy that birthed them.
Daigo: "Meet your demise."
Haru didn't flinch. Kage Tsume shifted around his hands as he prepared himself.
Haru: "Let's end this."
Haru lunged forward, closing the distance between him and the first creature. With a swift slash of his claws, he sent a dark arc of energy toward it. The creature staggered, its form briefly disrupted, but it quickly stabilized and charged back at him.
He dodged, sidestepping as he activated Seishin Rakka. A burst of speed surged through him, allowing him to evade the creature's swipe and counter with a rapid strike across its back. The beast howled, dissipating into the air.
But Daigo and Ichiro were not idle spectators. Daigo clapped his hands, causing more creatures to pour out of the shadows, each one more relentless than the last. They circled Haru, closing in from every direction.
Haru took a deep breath, focusing on his inner energy. He remembered his training, how he had learned to control his power. With a steady hand, he summoned Umibari—thin threads of Shinkai energy shot out from his fingers, tangling around two of the approaching creatures. With a sharp pull, he twisted them together, watching as they disintegrated in a crackling burst of energy.
Ichiro narrowed his eyes, clearly impressed.
Ichiro: "Seems the boy has learned a few tricks."
Haru locked eyes with him, his face determined.
Haru: "I'm not the same Haru you remember."
Haru charged forward, using Hisanami to send slashing arcs of energy toward Daigo and Ichiro, forcing them to block. The energy waves disrupted the ground, sending fissures rippling out beneath their feet. Haru lunged, and for a moment, his blade locked with Ichiro's, their faces only inches apart.
Ichiro: "Do you even understand why we did this?" he snarled, pushing back with surprising strength. "This world needs to be reformed. It's beyond saving."
Haru gritted his teeth, pushing back with all his might.
Haru: "You don't get to decide that."
Their energy clashed in an explosion of light and shadow. Haru leaped back, catching his breath, but Daigo had already moved to attack, unleashing a torrent of dark energy that roared toward Haru like a wave. Haru countered, calling forth his Kage Tsume claws to slice through the energy, parting it before it could reach him.
But he knew this was only the beginning. Daigo and Ichiro, with their twisted Shinkai energy, were a force he could not afford to underestimate.
Haru's breathing grew heavier. The beasts, the relentless attacks—it was beginning to take its toll on him. But he couldn't falter. Not now. Not when everyone's fate rested on his shoulders.
With a powerful strike, Haru summoned Seishin Rakka once more, channeling speed and agility to dodge around the creatures, cutting through them one by one. His movements blurred, his form a flurry of motion as he weaved in and out of the creatures' reach.
Daigo watched with irritation, his calm demeanor cracking.
Daigo: "Enough!" he shouted, slamming his hands together. From the ground, four more beasts emerged, larger and more menacing than before. They charged at Haru, moving as one, each step shaking the ground.
Haru knew he needed something stronger. Clenching his fist, he focused on the deepest reserves of his Shinkai energy, feeling Enkotsu's presence within him, encouraging him forward. He raised his hands, forming the energy into a concentrated mass above him. This would be his last shot.
Haru: "Shinkai Bomb!"
The powerful orb of energy shot toward the creatures, exploding on impact with a blinding light. When the dust settled, the beasts had vanished. But Daigo and Ichiro stood unfazed, having shielded themselves with their own energy.
Daigo: "Nice try, but you'll need more than that."
Haru's vision blurred as exhaustion set in. Just as he braced himself for another attack, Enkotsu's voice echoed in his mind. Remember, Haru—your strength lies not in force, but in resilience.
Those words grounded him, reigniting his spirit. Haru steadied himself, his resolve hardening. He would protect everyone, no matter the cost.
With newfound determination, Haru faced Daigo and Ichiro, his energy flaring around him.
Haru: "This is for my family. For Kagehana. For everyone you tried to destroy."
Daigo raised his weapon, eyes blazing with fury.
Daigo: "Then die with them!"
Their swords clashed with a resounding shockwave, each strike sparking with raw energy. Haru, despite his fatigue, matched Daigo's intensity, parrying each attack with precision. Ichiro joined in, the three of them locked in a whirlwind of energy and steel.
At that moment, Ichiro attempted one final, desperate move, channeling the crystal's energy into a dark orb that crackled with dangerous power. But Haru, quicker than ever, activated Seishin Rakka one last time, darting forward to intercept him.
With a single, swift motion, Haru struck the crystal from Ichiro's grasp, and the energy surged wildly, dissipating into the void. The power sustaining the creatures, the shadows, the very fabric of this twisted realm began to waver.
Ichiro: "No…" His voice cracked, his face pale with disbelief.
Daigo fell to his knees as the energy faded, his strength drained, his face contorted in defeat. In the wake of their downfall, the void around them trembled, and light began to seep through the cracks.
The void shattered, and Haru found himself back in Kagehana, the village restored, the sky clearing. But his victory felt hollow as he glanced around, searching for his friends.
Haru saw his friends emerging, regaining consciousness, relief washing over him. But then his eyes landed on Kenji, lying on the ground, motionless. His best friend, his partner in every fight.
Haru: "Kenji!" he shouted, rushing to his side, dread settling heavily in his chest.
Kenji's eyes fluttered open, and he offered a faint, reassuring smile, blood staining his lips.
Kenji: "H-Haru…you did it. You saved…everyone."
Haru's voice shook.
Haru: "Don't talk like that. You're going to be fine, Kenji. I'll get help."
But Kenji shook his head weakly, reaching out to place a hand on Haru's shoulder.
Kenji: "It's…too late. I can feel it. I'm fading."
Haru gripped his friend's hand tightly, tears slipping down his face.
Haru: "No, Kenji. You…you can't leave. Not like this."
Kenji's expression softened, a glimmer of his old spirit shining through as he gave Haru one last, mischievous grin.
Kenji: "Hey…don't look so down. We…we knew what we were getting into. Just…promise me one thing."
Haru: "Anything."
Kenji's gaze turned serious, his voice barely a whisper.
Kenji: "Protect…the village, Haru. No matter what. And don't carry this…too heavy."
With that final smile, his eyes closed, his hand slipping from Haru's grasp.
Haru's heart ached as he knelt there, unable to hold back the wave of grief that crashed over him. The village stood, saved—but it had cost him his best friend, the one who had always been by his side.
He lowered his head, his voice barely audible in the silence that followed.
Haru: "Goodbye, Kenji…I'll protect them. I swear."