As soon as he dropped that bombshell, the air seemed to vibrate with tension.
Akeno's eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open in shock.
"What do you mean you caused this blizzard Shiro?" she demanded, Kinuko's thoughts however took a different turn, 'A rare planetary-type Longinius ability....no wonder,' she mused silently.
'I've never seen anyone with a Nexus aura this intense, it's like he's radiating energy that's suffocating, it's hard to even breath around him.' 'How did Akeno even find someone like him.'
Boros cut in, his voice snapping Kinuko back to reality, "This is actually where I got my ability….where it all started," he said with a smirk playing on his lips.
"This village used to be thriving, full of life...but it was too perfect…..too bright." His eyes gleamed with a manic intensity.
"So I decided to give it a makeover. I eradicated all the villagers and froze everything in place."
"Now it's more to my liking." Boros's expression turned cold,
"Besides the previous wielder of the Ice Longinius didn't deserve it's power."
Kinuko's eyes widened in horror, "You killed everyone...just to suit your taste?"
Boros's grin was unnerving, "Let's just say I redecorated."
Akeno burst out laughing, hitting Boros on the back, "Whoa, that must've been one intense battle!"
Kinuko's mind reeled in shock, 'Akeno how can you be so casual about this?! Doesn't she realize how twisted he is?! Akeno's too carefree; she needs someone to watch her back before she gets herself killed.'
Akeno's laughter died down, replaced by an urgent whisper. "Please….. ermm.." Kinuko's voice trailed off, her eyes locked on Boros.
Akeno leaned in, her voice barely audible, "Shiro," she whispered back.
Kinuko's gaze never wavered, "Please Shiro….. let me come with you." She bowed her head, her words laced with desperation."I owe you one for keeping Akeno safe all this time," she added, her voice sincere. "Let me repay you by joining you on your journey…..if you'll let me."
In her mind, Kinuko's thoughts were already racing ahead. "If he says yes, I'll use his strength to my advantage, I'll find the Nexus Overlord, no matter what it takes."
Akeno chimed in, her voice playful. "Ooh, Kinuko, I was just about to ask him too!" she batted her eyelashes at Boros."Pretty please, Shiro?"
Boros raised an eyebrow, his expression unimpressed, "Stop getting too close Akeno, personal space."
Akeno pouted, but didn't back down, Boros sighed, rubbing his temples."Fine, you can join us on our journey. But I need to brief you on some things" He said to Kinuko
"Thanks so much, I owe you one," Kinuko said, relief written across her face.
"Yaaas, thank you Shiro!" Akeno said as she hugged him tightly.
Boros nodded, his expression serious, "No problem, since you're joining us tomorrow, I should fill you in on our plan."
"We're headed to the western nation, to track down the fire Longinius user."
Kinuko's eyes narrowed, "How do you know he's there?"
"Ooh well Akeno said he'd be there" Boros replied.
Akeno piped up, "I told him he might be!"
Boros shot her a dry look, "Nope you said he'd definitely be there."
Akeno playfully pulled Boros' ear, "You need to listen more carefully, Shiro, or you'll get in trouble."
"Anyways, we think the fire longinius user will be at a tournament we're attending, there's only one way to find out for sure though- we'll have to show up and see for ourselves."
Boros ginned, wrapping up the briefing "That's our plan in a nutshell."
"A tournament in the Western nation huh, I'd heard the rumors, but I never thought to connect the dots," Kinuko said, impressed. "Your plan sounds soild, but….."
Akeno beamed, but Kinuko cut her off."Hold up, let's do the math, we're at least half a month away from the Western nation, and the tournament is in just five days."
"How do you plan to close that gap, Shiro?" Kinuko's eyes narrowed, her gaze demanding answers.
Boros rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "You're right Kinuko, I didn't remember we were on a tight deadline, guess we've been taking it to easy."
He shifted his gaze to the two women, "By the way, you're both ninjas from the Eraba clan right?" His tone was casual, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Akeno's face scrunched up in a pout, "We've been travelling for weeks Shiro! How can you even ask that?"
Kinuko chimed in, a hint of amusement in her voice, "Yeah, Shiro, we're both ninjas from the Eraba clan."
Boros's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing, "I know that, What I'm asking is...do you two know the Yami no Kakehashi?" He paused, his gaze intense.
"The Darkness Sprint Bridge?"Akeno and Kinuko exchanged a stunned glance, their minds racing with the same question.
"How do you know about the Yami no Kakehashi, Shiro?" Kinuko's voice was low and cautious, her eyes narrowing slightly.
The Darkness Sprint Bridge was a closely guarded secret, exclusive to the Eraba clan. Shiro's casual mention of it sent a spark of unease through Kinuko and Akeno.
Akeno's eyes narrowed, her gaze pinning Shiro with a 'you're in trouble' look. "Seriously, Shiro, how do you know about it."
Boros's expression remained calm, but his mind was racing. He'd forgotten about the Eraba clan's ironclad secrecy rules…..He forced a casual smile. "Let's just say I had a….connection to the Eraba clan, an old friend you might say."
Akeno and Kinuko let out a relieved breath. "Guess you're in the clear, Shiro, if you knew someone from the clan, that explains a lot."
Akeno said as she playfully thumped him on the back a hint of smile on her face.
Boros raised an eyebrow, "You're dodging the question."
"Can you two actually, pull off the Yami no Kakehashi?"
Akeno grinned. "Of course we can! It's Ninja 101. We may not be the top dogs from our clan, but we've got the skills to make it happen."
"Good, then we'll kick off the Yami no Kakehashi tomorrow, with that speed we'll get to the Western Nation in no time," Boros said, a hint of determination in his voice.
Kinuko nodded thoughtfully.
"That's actually a solid plan." Boros glanced at the two women.
"You both should get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a grind, we won't be stopping until we reach the Western Nation, so recharge while you can."Akeno groaned.
"Sounds like a real pain, anyways good night Shiro." Kinuko nodded.
"Good night, Shiro." Kinuko turned to Boros, "You're not sleeping, Shiro?"
Boros shook his head, "I don't sleep, besides someone has to keep watch."
"So sleep, I'll wake you guys up at dawn."
...…
Boros' voice cut through the morning silence. "Rise and Shine!"
Akeno and Kinuko stirred, groggy from sleep.
Shiro chuckled, shaking his head.
"You two sleep like rocks."He teased Akeno with a light tap on the head.
"Wake up, sleepyhead!"
Akeno's eyes snapped open, her face scrunched in annoyance, "Ow! What's wrong with you, Shiro?"
"Huh?, what's wrong with me? You're the one who didn't wake up!" Boros yelled at Akeno.
Kinuko sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Good morning, Shiro."
Akeno echoed the greeting, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Yeah good morning, Shiro."
Boros stood, his expression serious. "Alright, let's move. We're already behind schedule."
Akeno groaned, "Ugh, do we have to leave this early?"Boros nodded. "We need to make up for lost time, let's gear up and get moving."
They launched into the Yami no Kakehashi, their movements a blur as they devoured the distance.
For five relentless days, they pushed forward.
Under the cover of darkness, they moved with silent precision of ninjas, their footsteps ghosts on the wind.
Even in the daylight, they maintained their stealth, blending into the landscape like specters. Finally, after an eternity of movement they halted, their eyes fixed on the outskirts of a bustling town.
A weathered sign creaked in the breeze, bearing the name 'Calonia' – they had reached the Western Nation.
Boros gazed out at the town, a hint of satisfaction on his face.
"We're finally here...Calonia, Akeno check the flyer to see if we are at the right town."Akeno rummaged through her bag, producing a crumpled flyer.
"Alright I'm on it, Shiro" she said, her eyes scanning the paper.
Kinuko leaned in, her eyes scanning the flyer. "We're in the right place, Shiro. And perfect timing – the tournament's today."
Boros nodded his eyes locked on the flyer. "Says here it's at the colosseum."Akeno's gaze flicked to the relevant section of the flyer, "Yeah that's the place, Shiro."
Boros's face set in a determined expression. "Alright, let's find that colosseum."
After canvassing the townspeople for directions, they finally tracked down the colosseum.
But as they approached the entrance, their excitement was met with a disappointing sight: the massive gates were barred, and a sign hung from the ticket booth – 'Sold out.'
Boros's face fell as he stared at the 'Sold out' sign.
"Seriously? Now what?" frustration edged his voice.
Kinuko placed a calming hand on his arm. "You're right we already made it this far, we've come too far to turn back now."
Just then, Boros's gaze swept the area, his eyes narrowing.
"Where's Akeno?"
Kinuko spun around, her brow furrowed,"She was just with us."
In unison, Boros and Kinuko called out, "Akeno!"
Akeno popped up from a nearby pillar, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Hey, guys."
Boros's eyes snapped back to her. "Where did you–"
Akeno cut him off with a sly smile, "Shiro's fighting in the tournament."
"Boros's eyes widened in shock, "What? How?"
Akeno jerked her chin toward a nearby staff member. "I signed up, but then I 'got injured' and gave my spot to you."
Boros's eyes narrowed. "Liar. What's going on, Akeno?"
Akeno's grin widened, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm injured, can't fight"
Boros scowled. "No way I'm fighting together with a bunch of hoodlums."
Akeno rolled her eyes, "Ughh I'm putting you in my place because you're strong enough to win."
"The longinius they are planning to give out might be the fire longinius, if I fight in the tournament, I'll be eliminated quickly and we won't find out whether that's true or not."
"So please fight in my place, Shiro."Boros hesitated, then nodded.
"Fine, let's do this."Boros approached the staff member at the gate. "Hey, I'm the one taking her place."
The staff member raised an eyebrow. "You're a little late sir, but come in."
Boros jerked his thumb at Akeno and Kinuko, "They're with me."
The staff member nodded. "Guests of competitors are welcome, please come in."
As they stepped through the gate, the staff member directed them.
"Competitors and guests spilt up here. You two head that way."
Akeno and Kinuko obliged, leaving Boros looking uneasy. Akeno slipped back to his side, her palm brushing against his cheek.
"We'll be fine, Shiro. Go crush it. We'll cheer you on from the stands." Boros's expression softened.
"Later, then." With a nod he followed the staff member toward the waiting competitors.
The staff member halted beside Boros.
"We're here." Without a word, Boros strode into the room, his eyes scanning the space.
"Sir!" the staff member called after him.
Boros stopped, his back still turned.
"What?"
"What name should I register you under?" the staff member asked, her voice hesitant.
Boros's response was curt.
"Nobody."
The staff member's eyes widened.
"Nobody?"
Boros nodded, already walking away.
He claimed a chair in the corner, his head bowed, his hands clasped in his lap.
"This place reeks," he muttered, his voice low, "Hurry up and start, let's get this over with."