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The Training Begins
The sun rose over the sprawling compound of the Phoenix Order, the mountain winds carrying the clang of blades, the deep hum of chants, and the soft crackle of flames.
Each division was alive with purpose — like a nest of warriors sharpening their talons for the storm to come.
In the northern yard, Tensho Ranmaru, Captain of Division 4, stood under a waterfall, unmoving, his breath hidden behind the roar. The water smashed over his head and shoulders like an unending boulder — but his aura only grew calmer, sharper.
On the eastern terrace, Sekiro Tachibana, Captain of Division 9, sat hunched over stacks of yellowed scrolls and half-burned maps. The scent of ink and candle wax clung to him. He muttered, "Probability is a farce. To predict chaos, one must become the chaos…" His quill scratched endless patterns onto a parchment that looked more like madness than a plan.
Below the cherry blossom grove, Yutako Koichi, the gentle giant of Division 6, reclined under a vast tree. His hat tipped low, a single butterfly landed on his nose. But inside, his mind was a spiral. Why do we fight? Will this cycle ever break? His fingers brushed the hilt of Kikai, roots creeping up his arms like living veins.
Near the training hall, Neiki Sumiko, Captain of Division 3, and Aori Fumiya, Captain of Division 8, walked barefoot through the herb garden, their conversation soft and profound.
"People crave salvation… yet fear it when it arrives," Aori murmured, plucking a blossom and letting it drift into the koi pond.
Neiki chuckled. "Humans destroy what they want most. If life is suffering, then is death kindness? Or just another cruelty?"
Aori's eyes glimmered in the morning sun. "Maybe the world is neither cruel nor kind. It simply is — and so are we."
Far to the south, inside the thunder yard, Iea Daibotsu of Division 11 threw roundhouse kicks into a slab of reinforced iron while Suigatsu Okata, Captain of Division 5, danced circles of fire around him. Sparks flew every time her flaming fists struck his stone guard.
Nearby, the lab of Jeitsu Meguruma, Captain of Division 2, glowed like a mad alchemist's den. Old scrolls, metal shards, dragon scale samples — all scattered across the wooden floor. His glasses reflected dozens of scribbled diagrams.
"Platinum Croison," he muttered, tapping his quill. "Space-time fracture… nature dragons… if they gather all fragments…"
He looked up, a glint of madness and glee in his eyes. "Perfect. Let them come."
---
Blade's Restless Heart
Amid all this, Blade Taizuka stood alone in the courtyard of the 7th Division — his hand on Kamikaze's hilt. He watched the others train. Kinnatsu Yuri was on the highest ledge, casually tossing pebbles into the sky, slicing them mid-air — each rock splitting into dust.
"Everything's moving too fast," Blade thought. "Akuma Chi… Platinum Fragments… Kamikaze… If I can't control my Myou, what am I even worth?"
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Why am I even here?
His spiral broke as footsteps echoed across the marble. A tall, striking young man — red and white hair that danced in the wind, eyes sharp as polished steel — strode through the gate.
The chatter among the 7th Division went electric.
"Is that…?"
"Yeah! Akashi Peigon — the strongest Assistant Captain!"
"Back from the North Mission? We're in for a show."
Kinnatsu dropped down from his ledge, beaming. "Akashi! About time you returned, pretty boy. We missed you."
Akashi slung his gleaming blade, Chronox, over one shoulder. "Tch. The mission dragged. Who's the new stray?"
Kinnatsu clapped Blade's back so hard he nearly stumbled. "Blade Taizuka. Our new rookie. Rough around the edges but worth betting on."
Blade bowed stiffly. "H-Hello."
Akashi's eyes glinted with mischief — and something colder. "Betting on, huh?" He tilted his head, a wolf's grin on his face. "New guy. How about a little duel? Or are you scared?"
Blade's heart clenched — memories of Zester's mocking grin, Tensho's effortless swing. He clenched his fists.
"…Fine. I accept."
---
Blade vs. Akashi — The Crumbling Will
The training yard cleared instantly. Division 7 gathered in hushed excitement. Kinnatsu crossed his arms, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Akashi cracked his neck, drawing Chronox. "Don't blink, rookie."
Blade drew Kamikaze. No fear. This is my chance.
He dashed forward, blade flashing like silver lightning. Akashi didn't move. Their swords clashed — steel howling — but Blade felt it at once. Why is he so heavy?!
Akashi's voice was quiet. "Gleem Chronox — Shift."
Suddenly, Akashi blurred. Blade's next strike hit empty air. A kick slammed into his ribs — the air left his lungs in a broken gasp.
Akashi was behind him. "Too slow."
Another kick. Blade slammed back-first into the stone wall, crumbling it.
He staggered up, coughing blood. No… come on!
Akashi flicked his blade lazily. "Chronox manipulates time. Your Kamikaze is… stuck in the present."
Blade roared, rage blinding his senses.
"CALAMITY OF NATURE! THUNDEROUS BLAZING RAZOR BLADES!"
Dragons of lightning and swirling wind erupted — a beautiful, terrifying swirl of nature's fury. The training yard exploded — pillars toppled, the sky split in a spiral.
Akashi stood calmly, a faint smirk on his lips. He flipped Chronox and murmured, "Pre-Paradox: Rewind."
Blade's attack dissipated in the blink of an eye — like it never existed.
Akashi shot forward — a flicker of red and white — his knee smashed Blade's stomach. Blade crumpled, eyes wide, his head echoing with defeat.
---
The Wall of Reality
Blade found himself drifting — inside his soul. A void. The five sleeping dragons of Kamikaze curled around him. He screamed into the darkness. "WAKE UP! HELP ME!"
No answer. No warmth.
---
The World Comes Crashing Back
Blade's eyes snapped open. He was on the ground, tears burning his vision.
Akashi looked down, expression bored. "You're nothing special, rookie."
Blade howled, lunging again — but Kinnatsu's blade slid between them, halting Kamikaze effortlessly.
"That's enough," Kinnatsu said, tone like cold steel. "Lesson's over."
Blade dropped to his knees, chest heaving. So weak. So worthless.
Hours later, he sat atop the giant walls of the Phoenix Order, knees drawn to his chest. Why am I here? Why can't I do it? His hands trembled.
Kagami Hanera climbed up beside him, a tiny bento in her hands. She pressed a rice ball into his palm. "Eat. You look like you'll fall apart if the wind blows too hard."
Blade bit into it, silent tears rolling down his cheeks. Kagami rested her head on his shoulder.
"Don't worry. We're all stressed. We're training our hearts out for this fight — together. You're not alone."
---
Quiet Resolutions
Beneath the same sunset, in the forest, Yutako Koichi leaned back against a tree, half-lidded eyes lost in thought. Why do wars keep happening? Will my roots ever reach deep enough to stop it?
In his study, Sekiro's quill scratched the final piece of a new map. "A single wrong move, and the whole board falls. This time… I won't fail."
In the garden, Neiki and Aori walked side by side among blooming white lilies.
Aori murmured, "When we die, do our sins die too?"
Neiki laughed softly. "No. They live on. That's why we keep fighting — to bury them with each swing of our blade."
On the Division 11 grounds, Iea's fists slammed into stone while Suigatsu's fire trailed around him like dancing dragons. They laughed between each strike — a quiet promise to stand unbroken.
In a candlelit lab, Jeitsu scribbled furiously. "Fragments… dragons… time. If I can't find the missing piece, we're all dead."
Near the moonlit pond, Sukasa leaned her head on Kinnatsu's shoulder. He chuckled, flicking her forehead.
"Don't worry so much. If this world burns, I'll protect you first."
Sukasa just hugged him tighter. "Idiot. You'd better."
---
The Warmth of Friends
Back on the wall, Blade finished his rice ball, still sniffling. Kagami smiled, ruffling his hair.
"You've got me — and the entire Phoenix Order behind you."
A sudden weight slammed into Blade's back. Kibito and Suntaro flopped down beside him, arms draped around his shoulders.
"Don't forget us, genius!" Kibito grinned.
Suntaro nudged him. "You're not fighting alone. Never have. Never will."
Blade's lips quivered — then he let out a ragged laugh, tears mixing with the mountain wind. The wall felt less cold now. For a moment, the future didn't terrify him.
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To Be Continued