Shinra sat quietly, arms crossed as he replayed the fight in his head. The win felt uneasy. If his opponent had just been a little stronger, a little more seasoned, the outcome could've been different. He wasn't blind to it—his victory wasn't absolute. It was Raizo's planning that tipped the scales. Without that, who knows how things would've played out? He exhaled sharply. If he wanted to dominate, he couldn't afford to let battles come down to inexperience, not his or his opponent's.
Meanwhile, within his own processing, Raizo ran through thousands of battle simulations, dissecting every move, every decision. And the conclusion was clear—he had been relying too much on Shinra to execute. That was a mistake.
Shinra was strong, but he was also inexperienced. His instincts weren't fully developed yet, and that unpredictability could be a liability. In a real battle, where failure meant death, hesitation, miscalculations, or misreads could cost everything. Raizo had designed strategies with the assumption that Shinra would make the right calls—but the truth was, Shinra wasn't there yet.
"I can't afford to just act as support," Raizo concluded within his own thoughts. "I have to take full control of the battlefield. Shinra's strength isn't enough if his judgment is still flawed."
If they wanted to win, Raizo had to be the one ensuring victory. He couldn't rely on Shinra to always do what needed to be done—not yet. Until Shinra reached the level where his instincts were razor-sharp, Raizo had to operate with that flaw in mind. No assumptions. No blind trust. Just cold, calculated execution.
From now on, every battle had to be structured with contingencies for Shinra's inexperience. The margin for error had to be eliminated. Because in the end, it wouldn't matter how strong Shinra was if he made the wrong move at the wrong time. Victory wasn't just about power—it was about control. And Raizo would make sure they never lost it.
Shinra stared at the AI conduit screen, his eyes narrowing as he noticed a sudden increase in his credits. His balance had jumped significantly since the last time he checked. Confused, he furrowed his brows and muttered,
"Raizo, where did this money come from?"
Raizo's response was immediate, his voice calm and matter-of-fact. "After a battle is completed, funds are deducted from the losing person's account and transferred to the winner's account. It's an automated system."
Shinra raised an eyebrow. "So I just take their money? What if they don't have enough?"
"If their balance is too low, it goes negative until they reach a point where collections come," Raizo explained. "At that stage, they'll be forced to pay it back—one way or another."
Shinra clicked his tongue. It was a ruthless system, but it made sense. Winning meant gaining, and losing meant suffering. There was no safety net here.
Raizo continued without hesitation. "For now, you should head to the data chip store to the right. See if they have anything useful."
Shinra glanced in the direction Raizo mentioned, spotting a sleek storefront lined with glowing displays. Data chips. He wasn't sure what he'd find, but if Raizo was pointing him there, it was worth checking out.
"Alright," he muttered, rolling his shoulders as he started walking. "Let's see what they've got."
Shinra stepped into the data chip store, the soft hum of electronic displays filling the air. Rows of gleaming chips lined the walls, each promising new abilities and enhancements. As he scanned the selection, one in particular caught his eye: a unique data chip labeled "Ninjutsu: Shinobi Fireball." The description promised the ability to unleash a powerful fireball attack, a technique reminiscent of ancient shinobi legends.
He picked up the chip, noting its intricate design and the aura of potential it exuded. Flipping it over, he checked the price and felt a pang of hesitation—it was expensive. The recent influx of credits from his victory barely covered the cost.
"Raizo," Shinra murmured, "what do you think of this? Should I buy it?"
Raizo processed the inquiry, analyzing the chip's specifications and potential benefits. "This 'Ninjutsu: Shinobi Fireball' chip is indeed a rare find. Its availability is likely due to this store's recent opening, making it an opportune moment for acquisition. Integrating this chip would grant you a unique offensive capability, enhancing your combat versatility."
Shinra weighed the decision. The chip was costly, but the advantage it offered could be pivotal in future battles. After a moment's contemplation, he made up his mind.
"Alright," he said, determination in his voice. "Let's get it."
He approached the counter, ready to invest in his newfound power.
Shinra completed his purchase and carefully inserted the "Ninjutsu: Shinobi Fireball" data chip into his AI conduit. As the download initiated, both he and Raizo watched the progress bar with mounting anticipation. The moment it reached 100%, they simultaneously declared, "Time to test it out."
Turning to survey the room, Shinra noted the sparse crowd—a consequence of the store's recent opening. Amidst the few patrons, a woman in a sundress standing at a podium caught his attention. Intrigued, he approached her and offered a friendly introduction. "Hi, I'm Shinra."
She looked up, meeting his gaze with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Shinra. I'm Hinata."
After exchanging pleasantries, Shinra learned that Hinata was also new to AI combat. "I'm looking for someone to train with," he admitted.
Hinata nodded in understanding. "I just purchased a new data chip and am trying to figure out the best way to utilize it."
Reflecting on his own recent acquisition, Shinra offered, "I recently got a new chip myself. I'd be happy to help you test your strategies and the new chip."
Hinata's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds great! Let's see what we can learn from each other."
With a shared sense of purpose, they prepared to embark on a training session, eager to explore their new capabilities together.
Shinra and Hinata stepped up to the podium, each pulling out their AI Conduits. With a swift motion, they connected their devices to the interface, the screens flickering as the system synchronized. The hum of data processing filled the air as they locked eyes, a silent but intense understanding passing between them.
This wasn't just a test—it was the beginning of something new.
As the battlefield loaded, Raizo materialized in the digital space, dropping into an open field dotted with tall trees spread across the terrain. The wind rustled through the leaves, the environment feeling almost too real. This was the perfect testing ground—an open yet strategic space where movement, cover, and awareness would play crucial roles.
Shinra tightened his grip on the interface. "Alright, let's see what we can do."
Hinata nodded, a determined look in her eyes. "Let's begin."
The battle was set. Now, it was time to see what their new data chips were truly capable of.