Que rushed in with a sharp kick.
But Karo was quick. He dodged and backflipped away, boots skidding across the dirt.
"They're both dead... Lara and Judo... Damn it," Karo thought, teeth clenched. "How could they die like this? The plan was simple: eliminate the four generals with ease, have Judo, Sara, and Lara take on Jinko, and I'd evacuate the citizens from the kingdom. We expected them to be C-rank—not on the same level as Jinko."
But reality hit harder than expected. The four generals—and Jinko himself—were all mid B-ranks.
Que: 60,000 spiritual force.
Saye: 60,000.
Garreth: 65,000.
Hiro: 70,000.
Jinko: 73,000.
In contrast, Lara, Judo, and Sara were at 55,000, 50,000, and 52,000 respectively—all low B-rank. Karo? He was sitting at 47,000. A high C-rank, nearly B—but not quite.
"They're all stronger than us... This is bad. We don't stand a chance. But I can't give up. I have to find a way," Karo thought.
Que cracked his knuckles.
"Are you stupid?"
Karo blinked. "Huh?"
"You just gonna sit there and think? I could've killed you already."
"I know, I know… I'm trying to think."
"You didn't hear me. I said—you can die!"
"I know! Just… be quiet for a minute."
Que paused. "Okay."
Karo squatted and clutched his head, muttering to himself.
"I can't win this. We're different ranks. He's faster, stronger, more powerful... Even his ability is probably better. The greater your mastery over the ability, the more spiritual force you can draw out. The only thing I've got over him is brains—but what good does that do in a fight like this? I'm so dead."
Que tilted his head, watching curiously.
What's this guy doing? he thought. He's twisting his own hair now?
"How long do I have to stay quiet?" Que asked.
"Three more minutes."
"Okay."
And then Que started whistling.
"Man… this is bad," Karo muttered. "I could run. But he's probably faster. Still… If I can just get to Sara—"
But even if I do… he'll just alert Jinko. That guy moves at light speed. We're so dead… Karo thought, rolling across the ground in defeat.
Que frowned. What the hell is he doing now?
I should try running, Karo thought.
Suddenly, Karo got up and bolted.
"Huh? Where's he going?" Que said.
Karo sprinted, lungs burning.
Keep running. Don't stop. Don't stop…
But in a flash—
Que appeared in front of him.
Karo skidded to a halt, nearly crashing.
"Damn it! He still caught up… I'm so dead."
Que smirked. "Sorry. Your three minutes are up."
I'm so done…
"Oh, and I have orders to kill you."
No way… I made it this far… and now I die?
Wait—maybe I should die like a hero? Like…
"Even if I die, I'll never give up!"
"If I fall, my will lives on!"
"I'll take myself out before you do!" —Nah, too dramatic.
"You can't kill me, you villain! I'm a hero who will defeat you!"
Yeah… that's the one, Karo thought, standing tall.
Que raised a brow. What's with the weird faces? Is he mocking me?
"Okay, I'm done playing with you," Que said. "Get ready to explode."
Karo pointed dramatically. "You can't kill me, villain! I'm a hero who will defeat you!"
Que blinked. "Wh—what the hell was that?!"
Ah man… That sounded way cooler in my head, Karo thought.
Que cracked his neck. "You deserve to die just for saying that."
"Yeah, fair. I deserve it."
"I'm done!"
In an instant, Que vanished.
Karo's instincts screamed a warning.
—Behind me!—
Que reappeared like a shadow, hand outstretched to grab him. Karo reacted just in time, kicking off the ground and leaping out of the way, barely dodging the surprise touch.
Que clicked his tongue as Karo narrowly escaped, a twisted smile crawling across his lips.
"I like that you're shifty…" he said, voice low and amused, "but I have to kill you now. You know how it is — orders are orders."
Que vanished again — and reappeared behind Karo, sending him crashing straight through a building.
Damn… that hurt… Karo groaned.
He got up, covered in dust.
How can I use my flexible ability on someone like this? He's way faster. More powerful. My ability's great—but only against someone my level. Not someone like him.
Karo stepped from the smoke.
Que turned and walked away.
"Hey! Where are you going, you bastard?!" Karo shouted.
Que ignored him.
Wait… he's walking away? This is good. I can escape, get to Sara, and call for backup, Karo thought.
He started running again.
This must be divine luck from the heavens, he smiled.
Meanwhile, Que smirked without looking back.
Karo ran faster, locking onto Sara's spiritual energy.
"Almost there…"
Sara and Garreth were mid-fight. She threw a kick—he dodged easily, grabbed her face, and slammed her into the ground. Then he kicked her across the dirt.
Sara groaned. "This guy… he's way stronger than me."
Then she heard a voice.
"SARA! SARA!"
She turned.
"Karo?!"
He was sprinting toward her like a madman.
"Sara! Thank God you're alive! Lara and Judo are dead!"
Sara froze.
That's right… I didn't even notice. I can't sense their spiritual force…
Karo kept running.
"We need to retreat!"
Yeah… we do, Sara thought.
Karo grit his teeth, the frustrated thought flashing across his face for all to see —Why are we the only ones fighting? Shouldn't the Great Village ninjas be out here helping us?
Sara squinted. "Karo! Stop!"
He skidded to a halt.
"What happened?!"
Garreth narrowed his eyes. Isn't Que supposed to be handling him? Never mind. I need to see my sister.
Sara gasped. "Karo… why is your face glowing orange?"
Karo blinked. "I—I don't know!"
He started slapping himself.
"It's not coming off!"
That's the spot where Que slapped me, he thought, panicked.
Meanwhile, Que walked calmly into the area where Team One, the civilians, and Jinko waited.
Jinko didn't even look up. "Mission complete?"
Que grinned. "Boom."
Back with Karo—
"What's happening?! The orange is getting brighter—"
BOOM!
An explosion burst from his face, engulfing the area.
Sara's eyes widened in horror.
No… Karo… everyone's dead…
Back with Que—
He smiled. "Yep. Mission complete."
Team One felt the tremor.
A deafening boom split through the sky.
Shun's eyes widened. "What was that explosion?"
Rei scanned the distant smoke, unease settling in her chest. "Did… did somebody else just die?"
Kaji scoffed under his breath, anger flickering in his gaze. "If Jinkawa Village knew we'd be here, why would they send ninjas just to die? Lloyd better go and speak to that damn Spiritual King or Queen."
Kenshiro exhaled sharply, fists clenched at his sides. "Another casualty… this is getting out of control."
Goro adjusted his stance and growled, "After this is over, let's finish this mission quickly."
Ryju gave a curt nod, determination burning in his eyes. "Yeah, you bet."
And Jinko… you'll be my first kill, Ryju thought. I'll take you off this planet myself.