Chapter:105
Title : The Aftermath
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The air was heavy with the scent of ash and smoke, the once vibrant landscape of India now a desolate wasteland. Sakamoto walked up to Rajesh, his movements slow but deliberate. He reached out, supporting Rajesh as he struggled to stand. Blood still trickled from Rajesh's nose and mouth, his body battered and broken from the fight. Nearby, Jayesh lay on the ground, his eyes fixed on the sky. The loss of his brother, Dinesh, weighed heavily on him, though he tried to hide the pain behind a stoic expression.
After a moment, Jayesh pushed himself up, his movements sluggish. He sat on the ground, his eyes scanning the destruction around him. The once bustling city was now a graveyard, its buildings reduced to rubble and its streets littered with debris. He stood, his legs trembling slightly, and walked over to Sakamoto and Rajesh. Together, they helped Rajesh to his feet, their movements slow but steady.
The explosion and the fight had carved a massive hole into the ground, and the trio began their ascent. As they climbed, the full extent of the destruction became clear. When they finally emerged, the view of India was nothing short of horrifying. The country was in ruins, its landscape scarred by the battle. Sakamoto's eyes widened in shock, his face pale as he took in the devastation.
"What… what happened here?" Sakamoto asked, his voice trembling.
Rajesh glanced at him, his expression grim. "You don't remember anything?"
Sakamoto shook his head. "The last thing I remember is Headless slamming me into the ground. I lost consciousness after that."
Rajesh and Jayesh exchanged a glance, their silence speaking volumes. In Rajesh's mind, he muttered, *So he doesn't remember the Cursed Sun Lord form he took on.*
Jayesh broke the silence. "Rajesh fought the warlord after you were knocked out," he said, his voice low.
Rajesh interrupted, his tone firm. "There's no point hiding anything from you, Sakamoto. After Headless slammed you into the ground, you… transformed. You became something inhuman. The Cursed Sun Lord. It's a rare transformation from the Berserker Clan bloodline. I thought they had been wiped out, but somehow, it remains in you."
Sakamoto's eyes widened in disbelief. "I… I don't remember any of that."
Rajesh nodded. "The power is probably locked and blocked inside you. It's not something you can access willingly."
Sakamoto's face fell, his gaze shifting to the destruction around them. His eyes landed on a woman kneeling in the rubble, clutching the lifeless body of a child. His heart ached as he watched her sob, her cries echoing through the desolate landscape. He slid down the hill, his movements slow but determined, and approached the woman.
"I'm sorry," Sakamoto said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We couldn't protect your son."
The woman didn't respond, her tears falling onto the child's lifeless face. Sakamoto stood there for a moment, his hands clenched into fists, before turning and walking back to Rajesh and Jayesh.
Up on the hill, Rajesh and Jayesh watched Sakamoto, their expressions somber. "He blames himself for this," Jayesh said, his voice heavy with regret. "But without him, we would have lost completely."
Rajesh nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Did you see the Cursed Sun Lord mode?"
Jayesh shuddered. "Yes. It was… terrifying."
Rajesh sighed. "I know."
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**Meanwhile, at Central Park Station**
The five-man team—Chiro, Madagascar, Tito, Mori, and Zuko—stood at the station, their mission complete. They had delivered the letter to the officer, who immediately began distributing it. Chiro crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "Why did we have to go in five if it was such a simple quest?"
Madagascar shrugged. "I don't know. We just do what the president asks of us. Security reasons, maybe?"
The group boarded the train, the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks filling the silence. They were heading back to Seoul, the weight of their mission still heavy on their minds.
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**News Broadcast – India**
Reporters flew over the devastated landscape of India, their helicopters capturing the destruction from above. The footage was broadcast live, the reporter's voice trembling as she described the scene. "The scale of the destruction is unprecedented. Entire cities have been leveled, and the death toll is estimated to be in the millions. The cause of this catastrophe remains unknown, but experts are calling it a world-class explosion."
In his office, Mujin watched the news, his expression grim. Akebi stood beside him, her arms crossed. "Don't worry," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Sakamoto is with Rajesh. He's more than capable of keeping him safe."
Mujin nodded, but his worry was evident. "I hope so."
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**Charles the Fat's Mansion**
The sound of popcorn crunching filled the room as Charles the Fat sat in front of the television, his eyes glued to the news. He frowned, his expression darkening as he watched the footage of India's destruction. With a sudden burst of anger, he threw a glass of wine at the TV, the screen shattering on impact.
"So, Headless failed?" he muttered, his voice dripping with disdain. "A warrior of that class… failed."
He waved his hand, and a man stepped forward, his head bowed. "Call the Black Pope," Charles said, his tone cold and commanding. "I need that boy. No matter what, it cost me"
The man nodded and left the room, leaving Charles alone with his thoughts. One thing was certain: the world didn't know what Sakamoto and Rajesh had fought. They knew nothing about the reappearance of the warlord.
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End Chapter.