Hataki paced back and forth in his room, his mind racing. His thoughts were consumed with worry about his squad. Were they performing well? Was Razor planning something sinister? Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his nervous energy was palpable. Just then, his phone buzzed, jolting him.
"Hataki, you're advised to go to Sir Ken's office immediately. He wants to meet you," came the call from the mission desk.
"Yes, I'll head there right away," Hataki replied, though his mind swirled with questions. Why did Ken suddenly want to meet me? Did something happen on the mission? With urgency tightening his chest, he left for Ken's office.
Reaching the door, Hataki knocked politely.
"Come in, Hataki," Ken's warm voice called out. "There's no need for formalities. We're like brothers, remember?"
Hataki smiled faintly. "I know, but keeping up appearances is important, especially with so many eyes watching us."
Ken chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Fair enough. It's been a while since we talked. How's Yoto doing?"
Hataki's face turned serious. "He's fine for now, but he's in a complicated situation. He doesn't have powers like the others but insists on helping his team. He's stubborn and refuses to listen to me. For the past week, he's been training alone at the grounds I set up to awaken their abilities."
Ken nodded thoughtfully. "You've done an incredible job raising them, Hataki. Without your guidance, they wouldn't stand a chance against what's coming. But I've heard rumors that you're planning to leave the organization."
Hataki hesitated. "Yes, I considered it, but I asked for ten days. They need to be prepared. If they can fully harness their powers, they'll survive what's coming. Genta wants Yoto, but I need to make sure he's ready to face any threat."
Ken sighed. "You're right. But that's not the only reason I called you here."
Hataki tilted his head. "What is it, then?"
"There's been a strange occurrence near our base," Ken explained, his tone shifting to one of concern. "Reports of tremors, sounds of wood breaking, and massive destruction have been coming in for four days. I want to show you something."
Ken activated the projector, displaying images of the area. The once-verdant mountain was now barren, the trees snapped like twigs, and massive boulders reduced to rubble.
Hataki froze, his face pale. Sweat trickled down his temple as his eyes remained locked on the images.
"Hataki, do you know anything about this?" Ken asked, sensing his unease.
"That… that's the training ground I mentioned earlier," Hataki stammered. "The place where Yoto's been training alone."
Ken's eyes widened. "What are you saying? Yoto's been training there? But the reports say he hasn't awakened any powers!"
"I don't understand either," Hataki admitted. "I've seen him struggle with my own eyes. But this… this destruction… it doesn't make sense."
"We need to find him immediately," Ken declared, his voice firm.
Before they could leave, the door burst open. A squad of organization members, armed and ready, stood in their path, guns aimed.
Meanwhile, at the theater, chaos erupted. A powerful force sent Kashin flying through the wall and into a nearby building with a deafening crash. Smoke filled the room, clouding the air as Yoto collapsed to the ground, trembling from exhaustion.
"I hope I'm not too late," came a calm voice.
Yoto looked up weakly, a faint smile on his lips. "No… you're right on time, Nishi."
The smoke cleared, revealing a figure kneeling beside Yoto. Razor, watching from the shadows, froze in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"What… what is this?" Razor muttered. "There are two Yotos? Who is that other one? I didn't know there was anyone else like him…"
Even Yushin, still bound, stared in astonishment. Her thoughts raced. What's happening? Why are there two Yotos? What is he hiding from us?
Hayato and Eiji arrived at the scene, skidding to a halt.
Eiji's voice shook. "Am I dreaming, Hayato? Why am I seeing two Yotos?"
Hayato didn't respond immediately, his gaze locking onto Yushin and Akemi, bound and helpless. Without hesitation, he ran to them, Eiji following close behind.
Hayato freed Yushin and Akemi quickly, asking with concern, "Yushin, Akemi, are you both alright?"
Yushin didn't reply, her shock rendering her silent.
Akemi blinked groggily and muttered, "Ha… Hayato? What happened to me? Where… where are we?"
Hayato sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you're both okay."
Eiji, with tears in his eyes, stammered, "Akemi… I'm so glad you're alright."
Akemi, now slightly more alert, muttered, "Hayato… why is that idiot crying?"
Hayato sighed. "Don't worry about him. We've got other things to focus on."
Yushin, her voice shaking, finally spoke. "Guys… are you all seeing this? There are two Yotos, right?"
As Yoto and Nishi approached the rubble, Kashin stirred, groaning. Blood dripped from his forehead as he struggled to rise.
"What… just happened?" he muttered. "One moment, I was choking that brat, and now…"
"Hey, Mr. Absolute Defense," Nishi taunted with a grin. "Still alive, huh?"
Kashin's gaze snapped toward them. "Two of you? Fine. I'll just kill both of you!"
Nishi smirked. "Big words from a man who's already dead."
With a roar, Kashin leaped into the air. But in an instant, Nishi merged into Yoto, black lines appearing on Yoto's face, stretching from his eyes to his chin. With ease, Yoto caught Kashin's kick, the impact shaking the ground.
Nishi's voice, dark and menacing, sneered through Yoto's lips. "You've got some nerve, trying to attack my brother. Do you even realize how pathetic you are?"
Grabbing Kashin by the head, Nishi slammed him into the ground with incredible force, shattering the earth beneath them.
As Kashin groaned in pain, Nishi's voice became a growl. "If you come after Yoto or his squad again, I'll bite your head off. Do you hear me?"
Nishi raised a hand, his intent clear, and his voice dripped with menace. "Maybe I should do it now. Then you'll never be able to threaten him again."
Before he could act, Nishi sighed, his tone changing to annoyance. "Ugh, yeah, yeah—I remember. No killing. What a pain. Yoto, why are you so nice to someone who just tried to kill you?"
The black lines faded as Yoto's voice returned. "Nishi, there's no point in killing him. Let's regroup with the squad and leave."
Nishi grumbled. "Fine, fine. You're too soft, idiot."
Elsewhere, Razor made a call. "Sir Genta, your assumption was correct. Yoto defeated Kashin in a single blow. He truly has power."
Genta's menacing laughter echoed through the line. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear.