For six whole years,
We were in each other's heads
But for totally different reasons
Roshi had used Harmonic Mantle Essence to neutralize the impact of the Shadow Rush Kato had landed on him. As Kato's confidence began to rise, he noticed something disturbing — he was bleeding from his knuckles again.
Kato: (grunts in pain)
Kenji: (finally understanding) Is that it?
Ervin: Yeah. That's the problem I was telling you about.
As Kato winced in pain, Roshi suddenly knocked him on the head, causing everyone — including Kato — to freeze in shock.
Roshi: (shouting at Kato) I've told you a thousand times to reduce the amount of shadow energy you gather in your hand before compressing it! Gathering too much for the Shadow Rush will damage your body! How many times have I told you this, young blood!?
Kato: (cartoonish face) You could've told me all that without hitting me on the head!
Roshi: (grinning, teeth gleaming) Well, since you don't seem to get it when I tell you nicely, maybe you'll get it when I knock it into your head! That's how I taught everyone else!
Kato: (thinking to himself) Why does he look so proud of that?
Mira walked over to Kato, wrapping fresh bandages around his hands.
Mira: (gently) Be careful next time, Kato. If you want, I can show you how to use the Shadow Rush more effectively.
Kato: (smiling nervously) Oh… thanks, Mira.
Roshi: (with a mischievous grin) Are you two dating?
Kato & Mira: (both shocked, cartoonish faces) Huh?!
Kenji and the others burst into laughter, but Isaiah remained stoic, not amused.
Kato and Mira: (blushing furiously) NO, WE'RE NOT!!
Roshi: For real?
Arou: (teasing) But they'd look good together, don't you think, Ervin?
Ervin: (smiling knowingly) Who knows?
Kato: By the way, where's Yamato, Cookie and Uta?
Roshi: Surprised my little brother isn't here to gloat?
Mira: Yamato and Cookie went out on a date.
Isaiah: And Uta said something about going shopping.
Kenji: Shopping?
Isaiah: Surprised me too.
Kato: (thinking to himself) It kinda stings that everyone else gets to go out, and I'm stuck here because I'm a wanted fugitive.
Just then, Kenji's phone vibrated. He looked at it, then turned to the others. It was a text from Uta, urging them to check the news. Roshi received a similar call from Yamato.
They all rushed inside, turned on the nearest TV, and saw the breaking news.
JOSHUA EGOSHIN, THE LEVEL 1+ HUNTER, HAS BEEN KILLED BY THE TERRORIST GROUP KNOWN AS THE KAIMI DAJA.
THE HUNTER FORCE ACADEMY WAS ALSO ATTACKED BY THE KAIMI DAJA TODAY. TWO OF THEM HAVE BEEN CAPTURED AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.
The news hit everyone like a ton of bricks. No one expected the Kaimi Daja to make such a bold move and bring themselves into the public spotlight.
Kato: (thinking to himself, troubled) The Academy was attacked?? Is Takimo okay?
Suddenly, Isaiah stormed out of the room. Kato caught a brief glimpse of his face — it was full of anger and frustration. The rest of the group understood, but Kato had no idea why Isaiah was so upset.
Ervin: (sighs deeply)
Kato: (to Mira) Why did Isaiah look mad just now?
Kenji: Wait, you guys haven't told him yet?
Kato: Huh? Tell me what?
Mira: (softly) Oh, that's right. I didn't tell you. Isaiah's angry because Joshua Egoshin was the one who killed his family. And from the looks of it, he's not happy that he wasn't the one to kill him first.
Meanwhile Isaiah walked back to the training ground and stayed there. He was so frustrated and angry and then the memory of that fateful day began to replay in his mind.
Chapter 39: That Little Boy
Year: 2015, six years ago
My life was once simple. I lived with my dad, mom, and my older sister, Kana. Our family, the Gushman Clan, was an important part of the shadow society, known for their ability to craft weapons used in the long-standing war between shadows and lighters. But as the years went on, the clan began to shrink in numbers due to the ongoing war. Most of us left the shadow society, trying to live more peaceful lives.
My parents and sister always taught me that violence wasn't the answer — it wasn't the way to end the hatred. But the world didn't see it that way. To them, shadows were all the same, and they kept fighting.
I couldn't help but respect my father's way of thinking. And Kana, too, followed his beliefs. There was one time when I got into a fight at school with a kid who kept bullying me, and I ended up getting suspended. My parents couldn't pick me up, so Kana came instead.
Kana: (angry) Damn it, Isaiah! Why did you have to fight him?
Isaiah: (defiant) He had it coming. He was always picking on me.
Kana: You could have just reported him to a teacher you know?
Isaiah: Why would I let another person deal with my problems? It'll make me look weak. So I had to deal with it myself. Now he won't mess with me anymore.
Kana: Then I guess you feel really good about yourself huh? Was it worth getting suspended from school?
Isaiah: (silent)
Kana: You know, asking for help isn't a bad thing. It just shows how much you rely on people. It is never okay to attack people.
Isaiah: (sharply) Save the sermon for the lighters who keep attacking us.
Kana: (sadly) Sometimes I wonder if you're really only twelve.
Then, June 14th came. I spent the whole day with Mira and her mom. We had so much fun, I lost track of time. Normally, my sister or mom would pick me up, but they didn't show. So, I walked home alone.
The door was wide open — something wasn't right. I stepped inside, and the sight that greeted me shattered everything.
My dad, my mom, my sister, Kana — they were all lying on the floor, dead. And there was a hunter standing over them, covered in their blood.
They'd always called shadows "monsters," but here was a man who walked into a family's home, slaughtered them, and justified it by calling us monsters who need to be cut down.
The hunter started to walk toward me, probably to finish me off, but before he could, I screamed.
Isaiah: (with tears in his eyes) They were different! They wanted to change! Why won't you give us a chance to change? Why kill us?
For some reason, the hunter stopped. He didn't kill me. I took that opportunity to run, not daring to look back.
Mr Ervin, Mira and her mother took me in after they heard what happened to my family. Later, I found out that the hunter's name was Joshua Egoshin, a Level 1+ hunter and the heir to the All Mother.
Every time I saw his face in the news, my hatred for him grew, reminding me of what he'd done to my family. And so, I trained. Every day. Pushed myself further than I thought I could go.
I PUSHED MYSELF FURTHER!!
I HAD LIMITS SO I SURPASSED THEM!!
BECOME STRONGER!
BECOME STRONGER!!
BECOME STRONGER!!!
PUSH MYSELF!
PUSH MYSELF!!
PUSH MYSELF!!!
I had to get stronger, to—
Ervin: (interrupting Isaiah's thoughts) Didn't I tell you not to carry hate and the desire for revenge in your heart?