Haru lay motionless in the infirmary bed, his mind adrift as his body attempted to recover from the intense battle against Daigo and Ichiro. His spirit felt battered, both from the toll of the battle and the unimaginable loss of his closest friend, Kenji. Days slipped by in a haze as he remained unconscious, his body healing while his heart was weighed down by sorrow.
Riku and Aiko, mourning alongside him, felt the gaping emptiness left by Kenji's absence. They wandered through the quiet, heavy-laden village, clinging to the faint memories of his laughter and the warmth of his loyalty. Finally, after a few days, they made their way to Haru's bedside, hoping that somehow, being near him would ease their grief.
In the quiet of the infirmary, Aiko knelt down beside Haru's bed, reaching for his hand, her voice a soft murmur.
Aiko: "Kenji would want you to wake up. He'd be here in a second if he could, probably telling you to stop lying around and get back to training."
Riku, standing quietly by the door, nodded, his voice subdued.
Riku: "Yeah… we need you, Haru. Kenji knew you'd come back to us. He believed in you, always."
They stayed for a moment in silence, hoping that their words would somehow reach him, would somehow bring him back from the depths of his unconsciousness. And finally, as the morning sun filtered in the following day, Haru's eyes fluttered open. He looked around, feeling the heavy ache of reality sinking in as memories of the battle and Kenji's final words came rushing back. The pain was overwhelming.
Throughout the day, villagers and friends visited him, offering words of support and encouragement. But Haru felt numb, unable to shake the hollow ache of losing Kenji. When people spoke, their words barely registered. Their presence felt like a weight pressing on his grief.
Haru: "Please… leave me alone."
One by one, those who visited him respected his wishes and left him in solitude. As night fell, the silence in his room grew heavier, broken only by the faint rustle of the trees outside. Staring into the darkness, Haru felt the weight of his failure pressing in on him. He had survived, but he felt like he'd lost everything.
And then, a familiar voice echoed in his mind, soft but steady.
Enkotsu: "Haru…"
Haru's eyes widened, feeling Enkotsu's presence within him like a warm, calming glow.
Haru: "Enkotsu…why didn't I save him? Kenji should be here."
There was a pause before Enkotsu's voice returned, a deep sadness within it.
Enkotsu: "Kenji fought bravely, Haru. He died because he was protecting all of you in his own way. While everyone was held within the cells, their Shinkai energy was being drained, little by little. But Kenji…he wasn't in the main cell. He tried to escape to come to your aid. Because of that, his Shinkai energy drained at a rapid rate, leaving him weakened when Ichiro arrived. Kenji knew what he was risking…and he still chose to try to reach you."
Haru's fists clenched, a fresh wave of grief tightening his throat as he understood the depth of Kenji's sacrifice. His friend had given everything, just to try to be there for him, even if it meant certain death.
Haru: "I should have been the one to protect him, Enkotsu. I should have…"
Enkotsu: "Loss is a burden we carry as warriors. But Kenji's last words to you were not to bear this weight too heavily. He entrusted you with the village's protection. That trust, that faith—if you give up now, his sacrifice will lose its meaning."
Haru's gaze softened, Kenji's final smile playing in his mind. In that moment, he felt the beginnings of a rekindled resolve. He could almost hear Kenji's voice, urging him to keep going.
Enkotsu: "Daigo and Ichiro are not defeated yet. When the crystal was taken, they vanished. They're out there somewhere, and as long as they live, Kagehana is still in danger. Your journey isn't over."
Haru looked down, the weight of Enkotsu's words resonating within him.
Enkotsu: "You're not alone, Haru. I am with you, as I always have been. My strength, my Shinkai energy—it's all at your side. You've already learned to wield some of my powers—Seishin Rakka, Hisanami, and Umibari—all drawn from my kage tsume. My main power source
Haru listened intently, feeling a surge of curiosity about Enkotsu's past. He sensed a deep sorrow beneath his spirit's words, an unspoken pain that bound them together.
Haru: "Enkotsu…who were you? Why do you carry this weight with me?"
Enkotsu's voice grew somber, carrying the weight of memories and regrets from a life long past.
Enkotsu: "I was once a warrior, like you. My Shinkai manifested as Kage Tsume, a power that brought both great strength and tragedy. In my ambition, I lost everything. In my final moments, I chose to lend my spirit to one worthy, to redeem my mistakes by guiding someone who would use my strength not for themselves, but to protect others."
Haru felt a pang of empathy for Enkotsu, understanding the burden of loss that he, too, carried. He realized why Enkotsu had chosen him, why their bond felt so strong.
Enkotsu: "You and I, we are bound by duty and haunted by the past. But there are lives depending on us, and for them, we must move forward."
A faint spark of determination began to ignite within Haru's heart, mingling with his grief.
Enkotsu: "Haru, I entrust you with another gift. When you're ready, you'll feel it, as a light within you, born of my Shinkai energy and of the strength we both share."
The next day, with a quiet resolve, Haru rose and left the infirmary, his steps taking him to the hill where Kenji's grave was. The fresh earth marked the final resting place of his dearest friend, and Haru knelt before it, his hand resting gently on the ground.
Haru: "Kenji… I swear to you, I'll protect our village. I won't let your sacrifice be in vain."
A silent moment passed as Haru bowed his head, paying his respects. He could almost feel Kenji's familiar grin in his mind, that reassuring presence that had always been by his side.
Over the days that followed, Haru trained rigorously, pushing himself to master the new abilities that Enkotsu had entrusted him with. The powers were unlike anything he had felt before, drawn from the depths of his Shinkai energy and refined through the bond he shared with Enkotsu. He practiced Kage Tsume, feeling the weight of Enkotsu's spirit in every strike, every movement.
In every strike, he felt Kenji's spirit driving him forward. The sorrow was still there, but it no longer threatened to overwhelm him. It became a part of his resolve, a constant reminder of the duty he carried—not just for himself, but for all those who believed in him.
With each day, he grew stronger, his heart and spirit aligning with the power Enkotsu had granted him. As dawn broke over the village, Haru stood ready, a quiet determination radiating from him. His journey was far from over, but he had found a new purpose, a renewed strength that would carry him through whatever laid ahead. The memory of his friend, and the strength of his bond with Enkotsu, would guide him.