The full moon hung high in the sky over Tenryu Village.


    Inside Raizo’s house, a single candle flickered, casting shadows along the wooden walls. Izuki and Kenzo stood before their master, their faces filled with confusion.


    Raizo’s expression was serious. His voice calm but firm.


    "We’re leaving."


    Izuki’s eyes widened. "What? Where?"


    Raizo looked at both of them. "We will be gone for three years. We will train in the mountains, far from this village. When we return… we must be stronger."


    Kenzo clenched his fists. "Is it because of Shinsei?"


    Raizo nodded. "They will attack again. And next time… they won’t fail."


    Izuki hesitated. "Master… do you really think we can become strong enough to stop them?"


    Raizo stared at him for a long moment. Then he spoke.


    "There is something you must know, Izuki. Something about yourself."


    Izuki frowned. "What do you mean?"


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    Raizo took a deep breath. Then, with a voice that carried the weight of truth, he said—


    "The most powerful clan in history is the Raiken Clan."


    Izuki froze.


    "The Hadara Eyes—the most feared power in existence—belong to the Raiken Clan."


    Kenzo’s breath caught in his throat.


    Raizo continued. "And do you know who else belongs to the Raiken Clan?"


    A long silence filled the room.


    Then Raizo spoke the words that shook Izuki to his core.


    "Shinsei."


    Izuki’s entire body tensed.


    "No… that’s not possible…" he muttered.


    Raizo’s eyes didn’t waver.


    "It is. The members of Shinsei… they all come from the Raiken Clan."


    Kenzo took a step forward. "But… but then… why would they do this? Why would they betray everyone?"


    Raizo exhaled. "That is something only they can answer."


    Then—he looked directly at Izuki.


    "Izuki, you are also from the Raiken Clan."


    The words hit Izuki like lightning. His heart pounded in his chest.


    "I… I’m…?"


    Raizo nodded.


    "You carry the blood of the Raiken. The power inside you is beyond anything you can imagine. But right now… you are not ready to wield it."


    Izuki clenched his fists. His mind was spinning.


    Everything he knew about himself—about his past—was changing.


    Kenzo placed a hand on his shoulder.


    "Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."


    Izuki took a deep breath. His eyes burned with determination.


    "Then let’s train. Let’s get stronger. And when we return…"


    He looked up, his gaze filled with fire.


    "We’ll stop Shinsei. No matter what."


    Raizo gave a rare smile. "Then let’s not waste time."


    That night—


    Raizo, Kenzo, and Izuki left Tenryu Village.


    For the next three years, they would train in isolation.


    And when they returned…


    The world would never be the same again.