The sun hung low over Tenryu Village, casting long shadows across the training grounds. Izuki Raiken and Kenzo Tenzir stood before their master, sweat clinging to their skin after another exhausting session.
But today was different.
Raizo Hazan’s expression was distant. His sharp gaze was fixed on the horizon, as if staring at ghosts from his past.
"Master," Izuki spoke, breaking the silence. "What’s wrong?"
Raizo exhaled, then turned to face them.
"There is something you must know… about the Shinsei group."
Kenzo tensed. "You know them?"
Raizo nodded. His voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable weight in his words.
"I trained them."
Izuki and Kenzo’s eyes widened.
"What?!" Izuki took a step forward. "What do you mean you trained them?!"
Raizo’s gaze darkened. He folded his arms.
"Years ago, during one of my missions, I found six children drowning in the sea. They were barely alive. I saved them, brought them to land, and trained them to fight—only so they could protect themselves."
His fists clenched.
"But I never taught them to kill. I never wanted them to become monsters."
Kenzo’s voice was sharp. "Then how did they turn into this?"
Raizo hesitated. "I do not know."
But then, his expression became grim.
"There is one thing that troubles me the most."
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He looked up, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"Shidou possesses the Eyes of Hadara."
Silence.
The name sent a chill down Izuki’s spine.
The Eyes of Hadara—a legendary power belonging to the most fearsome villain in history. A man who had mastered every technique known to magicians. A man who was said to be unstoppable.
And now, Shidou had those same eyes.
"How?" Kenzo muttered. "How could he have them?"
Raizo shook his head.
"That is what I do not understand."
Izuki’s fists tightened. "It doesn’t matter."
Raizo and Kenzo looked at him.
"Leave it. Stop thinking about Shidou''s eyes." His expression was fierce. "Instead of worrying about that, let’s focus on training. Train me and Kenzo so we can defeat them."
Kenzo grinned. "He’s got a point, Master."
Raizo’s lips curved into a small smirk.
"Then let’s begin."
<hr>
An Uninvited Guest
Before their training could start—
A sudden pressure filled the air.
The ground trembled. The wind grew heavy, thick with an unseen force.
Raizo''s eyes narrowed. "This presence…"
Then—
"RAIZO HAZAN!!"
A voice boomed through the village, loud enough to shake the sky.
Izuki and Kenzo spun around, their bodies instinctively tensing.
At the entrance of Tenryu Village, standing alone, was a tall figure draped in black robes. His long silver hair flowed in the wind, and his crimson eyes burned with a sinister glow.
A deep scar ran across his cheek—a mark of past battles.
It was him.
Zadara.
One of the six members of Shinsei.
A slow, wicked grin spread across his face as he cracked his knuckles.
"It’s been a long time, Raizo."
Izuki’s stomach tightened. The air around Zadara was suffocating—his power was overwhelming.
Raizo stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"Zadara."
The man tilted his head. "You don’t seem surprised."
Raizo exhaled. "I knew one of you would come eventually."
Zadara smirked.
"Oh, I didn’t come to talk, Master."
His hand rose, and in an instant—
The entire village shook.
A massive shockwave burst from his palm, obliterating the houses near the entrance.
Izuki and Kenzo barely had time to react before the force sent them flying back.
"Tch—damn it!" Kenzo gritted his teeth as he skidded to a stop.
Izuki coughed, pushing himself up. "What the hell was that?!"
Zadara stepped forward, his crimson eyes locked onto Raizo.
"I came for one reason." His voice dropped. "To kill you."
A cold silence filled the air.
Raizo closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then, when he reopened them—
The battle began.