Ryuji stood quietly at the edge of a moonlit waterfall, holding his father's cloak and sword. The cascading water shimmered under the night sky, but his eyes, filled with sorrow, were fixed on the horizon. A heavy silence surrounded him—until he sensed a presence behind him.
"Who are you?" Ryuji asked sharply, not turning. "What do you want?"
A calm voice responded, "I was your father's master."
Ryuji spun around, eyes wide. "You... you're my father's master?"
"Yes," the man replied with a nod. "My name is Ryuji Shiratori. And more importantly... I know where your mother is."
Ryuji's face twisted with disbelief. "What are you talking about? My mother is... she's dead."
"Did you confirm that with your own eyes?" Shiratori asked, his gaze piercing.
Ryuji looked down. "She lost so much blood… and her manacore was destroyed that day. I don't know what happened after that. I was unconscious for two days. I couldn't even attend their funerals."
Shiratori nodded thoughtfully. "I'm impressed you even know about manacores—and that you can see them. You're right; your mother's manacore was nearly destroyed. But I repaired it… during the time you were out of control, possessed by a great power."
Ryuji stared at him, stunned. "Wait... you fixed her manacore? Is that even possible? And what do you mean by 'possessed by great power'?"
"You have no idea what you're capable of, kid."
Before Shiratori could continue, a sudden flash of lightning split the air. A figure moved with blinding speed and slashed at Shiratori with a sword. But Shiratori blocked the attack effortlessly—it was as if he hadn't moved at all.
The spark of thunder revealed Shiratori's face clearly now.
Ryuji gasped. "Denji?!"
Shiratori smirked. "Not bad, kid," and with a gentle shove, pushed Denji backward.
Denji landed but immediately shouted, "What do you think you're doing to my friend?!"
He leapt into the sky, sword glowing with thunder energy, ready to strike again. Ryuji tried to stop him. "Denji, wait! He's not our enemy!"
But Denji didn't listen.
Shiratori sighed and leapt into the air himself, intercepting the attack mid-flight. With one swift kick, he sent Denji crashing to the ground.
Ryuji ran to his friend. "Don't worry, Denji. He's not here to hurt us."
Shiratori glanced down. "I need to leave now."
"No—wait!" Ryuji shouted. "You haven't answered my questions! Where is my mother?!"
Shiratori paused, his tone colder now. "What will you even do if you find her? You can't protect her. You're too weak."
Those words cut deep. Ryuji froze, his heart heavy.
Denji, wincing from the pain, muttered, "You bastard..."
Shiratori added, "There's an evil organization called the Black Order. They're after your little sister. Protect her if you can. And as for your mother... first become a son capable of protecting her."
And with that, Shiratori vanished—dissolving into the night air like mist.
At that moment, Captain Obito arrived on the scene. He saw Denji lying on the ground in pain, and Ryuji, frozen in silence.
"What happened here?" he asked.
Ryuji, his voice cold and distant, replied, "Nothing happened."
To be continued…
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