---
The Night Battle Begins
The farmland was no longer farmland — it was a swirling nightmare of black fog and razor winds. Blade tightened his grip on Kamikaze, the ancient sword humming with the faint pulse of the sealed dragons within.
Zester stood across the battered field, head cocked, spinning his blades in his fingers like toys.
"Oh, I can smell your fear, little phoenix," Zester cooed, voice like a snake's hiss. "Come on — show me the dragons they all whisper about."
Blade's eyes flared. "Fine."
He lunged. Their blades clashed — once, twice — sparks exploding as Kamikaze's edge caught Zester's twin short swords. Zester moved like liquid shadow, his feet never seemed to touch the ground.
Blade dropped low, Kamikaze carving a wide arc.
"Water Dragon — Swirling Tornado!"
He swung the blade in a circle, channeling water myou. A twisting spiral of water burst from the blade's edge, ripping up the ground and shredding the fog around Zester.
But the rogue shinobi grinned, twisted midair, and spun his body impossibly, slicing through the tornado with a hook of his arm.
He landed behind Blade — upside down — crouched on a single hand like a spider. His laughter dripped with cruelty.
"Pretty trick. But so slow."
Zester kicked off the ground, body whipping like a whip chain. Blade barely blocked, stumbling backward.
---
Kamikaze Awakens — But Blade Loses Control
Blade roared, aura flaring dangerously bright. Kamikaze's ancient seals rattled inside his mind.
"Sky Dragon — Roaring Gust!"
He swung upward — a massive burst of wind myou shrieked from his blade, a blinding cyclone that cracked the air like thunder. The blast shredded trees, tore up soil — even Zester's grin twitched, impressed.
But Blade's eyes glowed too bright — uncontrolled. The myou bled out around him, wild, the swirling winds smashing debris everywhere, even striking near his own feet.
Zester vanished into the fog, then reappeared above Blade, blades reversed.
"You're sloppy, little phoenix."
He raked his swords across Blade's side, sending him sprawling into the mud.
---
The Humiliation
Blade coughed, blood mixing with the dirt. He tried to stand, but his aura crackled, fizzing in and out — Kamikaze's seals half-broken, dragons fighting him instead of obeying.
Zester stalked forward, steps slow and mocking. He tapped his blades together.
"You can't even tame your own power. You're just a baby bird."
Blade lunged again, desperate — but his swing was wide, his footing sloppy. Zester dodged, grabbed Blade's wrist, twisted, and flung him face-first into the dirt.
"Pathetic."
Zester raised his blade to finish him off.
---
The Arrival — Tensho Ranmaru, Division 4 Captain
A gust of wind stronger than any dragon blast ripped through the clearing. A single slash of steel cut Zester's blade in half like it was paper.
Tensho Ranmaru stood there — calm, eyes half-lidded, his massive stone-forged sword Marekuno resting on his shoulder.
"Annoying rat," Tensho murmured.
Zester's eyes widened — for the first time, fear. He jumped back, twisting like smoke.
"You—! Division 4's new captain—"
Tensho vanished. In a heartbeat, he was behind Zester. A single backhand swing of Keizoki shattered Zester's guard, sending him crashing through three trees.
Zester staggered up, blood dripping from his cracked mask. He hissed, eyes darting.
"Cute save. But next time, phoenixes — you're all dead."
He melted into the fog, his voice echoing like a ghost.
---
Blade's Crushing Realization
Tensho didn't even look back at Blade, who knelt gasping in the mud.
"Train harder," Tensho said simply, his voice like a hammer striking iron. "Next time — no one will be here to babysit you."
And he was gone.
Blade's mind spun as he stared at the ruined ground, his sword trembling in his grip.
He didn't even break a sweat… I was nothing. Just a joke.
He clenched his fists until his knuckles bled.
This is the gap. This is why I'm ranked last. Because I'm still so weak. The dragons inside Kamikaze… they obey no fool.
His vision faded as he collapsed into the mud.
---
Phoenix Order Medical Wing — A Bitter Recovery
The next day, Blade lay in a white futon in the Phoenix Order's medical wing. Bandages wrapped his torso, his hair still matted with dried blood.
The door slammed open. Suntaro, Kagami, and Kibito barged in.
Suntaro grinned, arms folded. "Oi, fearless leader! Got your face kicked in, huh?"
Kagami swatted Suntaro on the head. "Don't tease him! He almost died, idiot."
Kibito held up a bowl of soup, sloshing half of it onto the floor. "Here, eat this. I made it myself. Might taste like swamp water, but it's full of protein."
Blade cracked a tired smile for a moment. "Thanks… idiots."
They laughed. For a moment, the crushing fear lifted.
---
Blade's Silent Vow
When they left, Blade stared up at the moonlight spilling through the paper windows.
I was humiliated. I was sloppy. But next time…
He closed his eyes, hand resting on Kamikaze at his bedside.
Next time — these dragons will listen. I will stand beside Tensho, not behind him. I will tame this power.
I will be stronger than ever.
---
To Be Continued…