Days passed quietly in Neo-Metropolis, but shadows never rested.
In the dark alleys beneath the neon lights, a group of men in white tactical suits, their helmets marked with a crimson "V", stood in silence.
One of them watched the school from a distance through a digital scope.
"There he is… the kid with the Inferno Ring."
Another whispered, "Why don't we just take him now? Before he unlocks the Undying Flame."
The leader's voice was calm but sharp. "Don't rush. If he awakens that power, we'll all be ashes. We wait for the boss's signal."
Through the scope, they saw Johnrey laughing nervously beside Hanah near the school gate. When she waved goodbye and he stepped into the floating black car, one of the men smirked.
"I have an idea… what if we use that girl?"
Another's eyes gleamed behind his visor. "You mean… as bait?"
"Exactly."
"...I like the way you think."
As Johnrey's hover car lifted into the clouds, a sudden chill crept through him. He didn't know why—but something inside whispered that danger was close.
The guard beside him asked, "Mr. Johnrey, are you alright?"
Johnrey shook his head. "Y-Yeah, just… a weird feeling."
---
When the car entered the waterfall base, Sarah Ryouko stood waiting with her arms crossed, her black hair glimmering like glass.
"Johnrey," she said. "Tomorrow, you'll begin combat training. I've already chosen your opponent."
Johnrey's eyes widened as a massive guard in heavy armor stepped forward, his shadow towering.
"Y-You mean… him?"
Sarah smiled faintly. "Yes. Him."
Johnrey gulped, whispering, "I'm so dead…"
---
The next morning, Johnrey woke to the sound of drones flying outside his window.
He groaned, "Ugh… morning already…" and splashed water on his face.
After breakfast with the guards, one of them approached.
"Mr. Johnrey, it's 9:00 a.m. Please follow me to the training ground."
Johnrey nodded nervously.
The underground facility glowed with white lights and floating holograms. A metallic machine stood at the center—a glowing cube that measured strength.
"This device," the guard explained, "reads your power output. Red is weak, yellow is fair, green is strong. Please, strike it once."
Johnrey cracked his knuckles, muttering, "Here goes nothing…"
He swung with all his might.
CLANG!
The cube flashed red.
Johnrey stared blankly, then dropped to his knees.
"I'm such a weakling…"
The guard placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry, Mr. Johnrey. Strength takes time."
And so began two weeks of relentless training.
From dawn to dusk, Johnrey sparred, lifted, and practiced strikes until his arms felt like lead. Sweat drenched his shirt every day, but his punches barely improved.
The guards whispered among themselves.
"It's been two weeks… yet there's no sign of his Undying Flame."
Still, Johnrey never gave up. He clenched his fists, throwing another punch. "Come on… just one spark!"
---
A week later came the day of the Louse International Hoverboard Race, one of the school's biggest annual events.
"Finally, no classes today!" Johnrey shouted, running through the bustling crowd.
The stands were filled with cheering students.
"Go, Katekyo!"
"Go, Sui!"
"Let's go, Shizu!"
Hoverboards glided across magnetic tracks above the field, trailing blue light. The atmosphere buzzed with energy.
Johnrey sat quietly in the stands, watching the crowd. "Man, everyone's so full of energy today… I wish I could be like them."
Bored, he stood up and walked into the hallway—then froze.
---
Around the corner, Kaito Susuge, the feared leader of the Disciplinary Committee, lay unconscious on the floor, his digital Bō staff shattered beside him.
Towering over him stood men in white armor, the "V" crest glowing on their shoulders.
One stomped on Kaito's chest. "Pathetic worm. Stay out of our way."
Another knelt and pressed a device against the wall. It blinked red.
"Charges are set," he said.
"Then this school burns," another whispered darkly.
Johnrey's eyes widened.
"A bomb!?"
Panic shot through him. His first instinct screamed run—but then he remembered Hanah.
His heart pounded.
If I run now… she'll die.
He clenched his trembling fists.
"Damn it…"
Ignoring every ounce of fear, he turned back toward the building and ran straight inside.
---
Then it happened.
BOOOOOM!
The entire school shook violently. Windows shattered, smoke filled the halls, and screams echoed through the corridors.
Students panicked, running toward the exits as fire alarms blared.
Johnrey stumbled, holding onto a wall as debris rained down.
"Hanah! Sui!" he shouted, coughing through the smoke.
Outside, teachers tried to guide students out, but the explosions continued—each louder than the last.
Hanah, pushed by the crowd, fell hard onto the floor near the main gate—only to find herself face-to-face with one of the men in white.
"Well, there you are," he sneered.
She screamed, but her voice was drowned by the chaos.
Meanwhile, Johnrey ran down another hall and spotted Sui.
"Sui! Have you seen Hanah!?"
Sui coughed, pointing upstairs. "Second floor! Some guy in white took her!"
Johnrey's eyes widened. "No way…"
Half the staircase had already collapsed, flames licking the edges. Johnrey backed up, his heart racing.
His Inferno Ring flickered faintly—red light pulsing between his fingers.
He didn't notice.
He sprinted forward and jumped, crossing the shattered stairs in one leap. Flames roared below as he landed hard on the second floor.
"HANAH!" he shouted.
"I'm here!" her faint voice called back.
He followed it, pushing through smoke and rubble until he reached the door to the rooftop.
He burst through—only to face five men in white, all armed with laser rifles.
"Target acquired," one said.
Johnrey's body froze. He dove for cover as lasers ripped through the air, scorching the concrete.
"What the hell am I doing!? I can't save her! I'm too weak!"
The men advanced, weapons raised. One aimed directly at his head.
Then—BZZZT!
A blue laser shot from behind, taking the man down instantly.
A voice echoed through the smoke.
"Mr. Johnrey! Don't worry—we're here to protect you!"
Johnrey looked up. It was the Ryouko Clan's guards, descending with drones and armored vehicles. Relief washed over him—until he heard the sound of rotors overhead.
A helicopter hovered above the burning school.
Johnrey's heart sank as he saw Hanah inside, struggling against one of the white-armored men.
"If you want to save her," the man shouted from the chopper, "we'll send you the coordinates. Come alone… hahaha!"
The helicopter vanished into the clouds.
Johnrey clenched his fists, his ring glowing bright crimson. His teeth gritted in rage, eyes burning with fury.
"Hanah…"
The guards surrounded him. "Mr. Johnrey, we must go now!"
Johnrey screamed, his voice shaking the air—
"DAMN IT!!!"
As the smoke and flames rose behind him, he turned away from the burning school… and swore silently