Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter3
Chapter Three - A Battle with the Past
1
Kazuma stood alone within the darkness.
Deep in the night, a dead silence shrouded the park. The usual wanderers who occupy the park were nowhere to be found, perhaps chased away by something unknown.
Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen(港見丘公園) , 法蘭西山(French Hill? From the previous translator)--- This place may sound nice, but due to the dense vegetation, it was a frightening place that one would consider a park. This place seemed gloomy even by daylight, at night one would be likely to meet with mishap.
At the top of the hill, Kazuma leaned lightly against a tree trunk, resting motionlessly.
Due to his black jacket, one would not be likely to notice his existence, even if he were standing right in front of them.
Just like an experienced hunter, Kazuma had become one with nature.
”---------------!“
His eyes opened without warning, his body began to shiver, due to his unconstrained happiness and fear.
”Here already----“
He mumbled. An unusual heat came through the park entrance, coming straight towards him.
Even someone whose senses were not as sharp as Kazuma’s would not fail to notice this sign. Because the shining energy waves in the dark were so scary, it gave one the impression of daybreak.
If one were to consider Ayano that evening to be the sun, this could only be described as a supernova’s explosion.
The other party did not show any intention of hiding his existence. Instead, as though he were boasting it, he walked with the same ease a king would.
As ”he” stepped into the plaza, his line of vision shifted to Kazuma without hesitation, who was standing in the shade of the tress.
”……Am I late?”
”No----- the timing is just right.”
Kazuma answered as he emerged from the shade. He walked out without a care. There was a statue symbolizing a loving mother and her child(”慈愛母子像”) between them, it was unsure whether that was just a coincidence or Kazuma was using it to mock the situation.
”Let us begin then.”
Kazuma declared the beginning of the battle calmly.
”So you…… are unwilling to sit and talk this over……?”
”He” questioned hesitantly.
Perhaps “he” already knew the answer, the tone slightly resembles one who had already given up.
As expected, Kazuma answered tauntingly
”Let me answer with my power------- “father”!! ”
Kazuma released blades of wind as he said this, and Genma let out flames in retaliation.
Both sides had things they could not lose, the wind and flames fought against each other furiously, this may have been the only way for the father and son to communicate upon meeting after four years.
A silence shrouded the residence. As Genma walked down the corridor alone, it felt like an abandoned house with no one in it.
At this point, most of the members of the family had gathered at the Kannagi residence. Every single one of them, as though afraid to be found, breathed quietly; yet they were too scared to stay alone, so they gathered in the main hall, shivering.
There was a basis for their fears, for the strongest of the branch families, Masato, and the two that were rumored to rival even the main branch when together, Shingo and Takeya, were murdered one by one, so everyone was scared, afraid that they would be next.
Though Genma called them cowards for that, not everyone was as powerful as he.
“I am late”
Genma kneeled before Jugo’s room, and upon receiving permission to enter, slid the paper door open, and came in, moving in his kneeling position, and stopped, kneeling, before Jugo, who showed deep hatred in his eyes.
”…… you are here really late.”
(You old sly fox, running away on your own.)
Jugo said, without even bothering to keep his unpleasant thoughts to himself.
”By the way, where is Ayano?”
Genma asked, as though nothing had happened, pretending not to hear his words.
”She was too noisy, so I sent her out.”
Jugo’s voice sounded even more displeased as, several minutes ago, he had just pacified Ayano, who might possibly have gone to the hotel where Kazuma was staying and set it aflame in her rage.
”This is something that cannot be helped. She had been in such close terms with Masato after all.”
Genma made his comments looking as though he has nothing to do with it, making Jugo furious at his actions.
”Oh, I can’t tell that you were so lenient. Since you were so concerned about Ayano, wouldn’t it have been better to calm her down earlier?”
As Ayano was making a big scene shouting and screaming, Genma turned to one side as though nothing were happening and left his seat mid-way. And to be so thick-skinned as to come back only once she had finally calmed down, anyone would grumble about it, even Jugo.
”That was because I had to give instructions to everyone in the clan. At the same time I wanted to hear the reports from the Fuga clan.”
Genma did not want to mention these things, as they were of no relevance; it was fine to just ignore them, Jugo also knew this very well. So he stopped questioning about it, as there were other matters requiring discussion.
”So what do you think? Most of the people in the clan believe Kazuma did it----“ [or, if you prefer, "Most of the people in the clan pinned the crimes on Kazuma"]
”To kill Masato and Takeshi without Ayano noticing, then to show himself purposely before making his escape. And, while making his escape, he spots Shingo and Takeya and continues to kill the both of them at the same time. Even though it is possible considering the timing……… it is still too difficult to be done.”
”Hearing you say that makes me feel much better. I almost thought I was the only normal one.”
Hearing such words from Judo, who didn’t usually mock others, Genma showed a smirk on his face.
”It is because everyone feels insecure. Compared to some unknown enemy, they find it easier to think that Kazuma is back in Japan for revenge.”
“… Does Ayano feel insecure as well?”
”She just lost her rationality, due to Masato’s death, that’s all.”
Genma brought the issue across faintly, it was a critical period now, there was no time to bother with that stubborn girl.
(Once we know the true identity of our enemy, feel free to be angry as much as you want!)
His thoughts were blunt, even though it would be difficult to say such things to Jugo.
”Compared to this the problem still lies with Kazuma. No matter what, his actions are too suspicious. Maybe he is in cahoots with the enemy!”
“That could be true. If he really didn’t do it, he should have come and explained everything. It couldn’t be that he is afraid we might kill him without hearing him first right? Leaving you aside, he should still trust me a lot.”
”Indeed.”
Genma could only give a bitter smile in response to Jugo’s mocking remarks. He had done nothing to deserve Kazuma’s trust so he had no way of rebutting his words at that time.
”However, I am the only one who can capture Kazuma.”
”…… Shingo and Takeya were really killed by Kazuma?”
”Even though this is just a speculation, I believe the murderer was someone else…… perhaps it is the person whom Ayano saw. But Kazuma did defeat the two of them beforehand. From the marks the wind blades made as they grazed the ground and the position of the bodies, they were definitely lying on the ground when they were attacked.”
Genma spoke faintly, but it sounded like boasting in Jugo’s ears. If Genma’s assumptions was true, Kazuma had already attained strength that rivaled the main branch.
”You seem really happy, Genma. If that is so, why did you abandon Kazuma back then?”
Jugo finally asked the question that he had never asked in four years. He had always wondered about it.
No matter how bad Genma was at expressing himself, even if no one could understand what he was thinking, Jugo had to come to realize that Genma actually loved Kazuma a lot.
”I was born as a Kannagi, and lived as a Kannagi. I was not allowed to choose any other way of living…… it is the same for my son as well.”
”So that is why you threw him somewhere you couldn’t reach? For him to choose a path he desired? Even so, there was no need to leave him all alone! What if he had starved to death by the roadside?”
“Hmph…… What are you talking about? He is my son.”
”Sigh---- So that’s it.”
He had no strength to continue asking after this boastful statement; after Jugo finished talking about some unimportant matters, he returned to the main topic once more.
”So, can you defeat Kazuma?”
Genma did not reply, instead he fixed his eyes upon Jugo, those eyes which were more convincing than any words could be, as though saying “there is no way I can lose.”.
”I understand. I shall leave this matter to you then! When will there be results?”
”It should be settled today. If we give our enemies an inch, by spending too much time on Kazuma, they will take a mile.” [actual text was more of “to put so much time on that guy will only let our enemy 得寸進尺”, literal translation: “give him an inch, he takes a metre.” I cant think of a proper phrase to rephrase that.]
“-----I am looking forward to your performance.”
Genma, without reply, showed his respects[or bowed, not sure which to use], and quietly left the room, intending to nab his son with his very own hands.
2
On the sixty-seventh storey of Yokohama LANDMARK TOWER, in the hotel “ROYAL STREET” closest to the skies, Kazuma was leisurely enjoying his dessert.
Be it a threat or a coax, Kazuma intends to squander off all the cash he obtained by any means possible, no matter how evil or horrendous the methods it may be.
However, as though to mock this sadistic decision, his hand phone rang, Kazuma shows an irritated expression, looking at the hand phone on the table.
“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“ [feel free to put in some other expression for a phone ringing ~.~ or input your favorite or some funny ringtone here, actual text sounds something like dulululululu~]
Staring at constantly ringing hand phone, he curses himself, why did I forget to set it to voice mailbox. Even with that said, he cannot just switch his phone off now.
“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“
The monotone ringing continues, Kazuma did not pick up the phone, instead he begins to think of the people who knows his number one by one, trying to avoid reality.
“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“
”Ahhh! It’s so noisy!”
He finally gives up, and presses the receive call button.
”Who is it?”
Kazuma does not bother to hide his unhappiness, he uses a very rude tone, sent to the ears of the person at the other end through electronic waves.
”Watashi(It is me in japanese)” [no idea how the exact way he answer this.]
The other party sounds even more rude, Kazuma regrets his decision to pick up the phone from the bottom of his heart, as this is the voice he least want to hear in this world.
“Oh, Mr. Watashi? What a weird name. Did we meet somewhere before?”
”Quit joking around with me”
Even though Kazuma tried to joke his way around this, the voice in the phone sounded just as arrogant as before. Kazuma takes a deep breathe, and prepares himself to duel with the man who abandoned him in the past.
”It has been a long time. I wonder if I can still call you “Father”?”
Genma’s voice caused memories of the past to automatically reawaken. I was still Kazuma Kannagi back then, who was pathetically weak.
Back then, I could never defy my father, only mindlessly listening to father’s orders to continue training, even though he knew I had no talent.
“You lost?”
It was not a question, nor a verification. It was an unbelievably calm sentence that surpasses anger and disappointment, one that would deal a great blow upon the pitiful loser.
“You lost to some twelve year old girl?”
The voice repeated. As though it was said purposely.
”……I am……Really sorry……”
The boy placed his forehead on the tatami, squeezing out a very weak voice. The man did not answer, and just looked at the shivering boy with ice cold eyes.
”……So be it. It was a mistake to even want to train you to be a En-Jutsushi .”
The man gave up on the boy without mercy. But somehow, the boy seemed happy despite the man giving up on him.
“You don’t need to practice En-Jutsu anymore from now on.”
The boy was about to faint at first, but his face shined up suddenly. The man, upon verification, said the most crucial sentence.
”Someone who is not an En-Jutsushi, has no need to stay in the Kannagi family.”
”……Huh?”
The smile on the boy’s face hardened. The man continued talking as though it was a natural thing to do..
”From today on, you are no longer my son. Now scram off to some other place!” [or you can use get lost instead]
”……What……Fath……Father!”
”I am no longer your “Father”.”
The man said coldly.
“Get out of my face immediately.”
After saying that bluntly,the man walked out of the room without even looking at the boy.
“Fath….Father! Please wait!”
The man looked down on the boy who hugged his arm emotionlessly, and then anyhow tossed him away. The force of the toss is unknown, the boy almost hit the wall, and was tossed out very roughly.
”Fath….Father! Father!”
The boy was unable to stand up, and can only cry out in pain and misery. He reached out his hand, but was unable to touch anything---- even so, the boy refuse to give up, and continues to extend his arm.
“Father-----!”
The man walked without even turning his head.
There was no one who can reply to this boy who lost everything by now------
"Call me whatever you want”
“How about calling you Gen-chan then?”
“Why did you come back to Japan?”
Ignoring Kazuma’s cheeky words, Genma brought out the main topic.
”I believe the youngest child of the Yuuki family should have mentioned that I came back because “I felt like it”, didn’t you hear him?” [in chapter one the translation was “Must have been for something, I guess.” But I find “I felt like it” a better answer, since the original text was more of “a moment of jolly” or something like “I just felt like it”]
“…… Surrender! It is not too late now.”
“You guys seem to be treating me as the criminal. I have no intention of going down to find trouble with the Kannagi family, but if you guys come knocking on the door, I won’t be merciful.”
The chat seemed like two people talking on their own, or perhaps it should not even be considered a chat! A chat requires people to understand each other----- or at least try to understand----- and then give something like a reaction, but, the phrase “understanding each other” don’t seem to apply to these two.
“Did you think you can win against the Kannagi family?”
”No one will know unless I tried, right?”
Kazuma realizes that he is no longer afraid of Genma like in the past, not only that, from within that stubborn arrogance, a certain sense of warmth could be felt from it.
(This stubborn old man didn’t change a bit…)
He didn’t pay attention to what Genma said at the other end of the phone, indulging himself in his own emotions.
“Kazuma, are you listening!”
Genma raised his voice. If it was four years ago, I might be kneeling next to the phone to beg for forgiveness. Absolute orders and absolute obedience, that was their relationship.
“Huh? Oh, of course I am listening. What is it?”
The sound of deep breathing could be heard from the phone. It must have been Genma sighing!
”I must meet with you. I am going over to you now, is that okay?”
(Good chance)
Kazuma thought, he wanted to clarify one thing. Ever since he heard his father’s voice again after four years.
(I want to know whether I have surpassed that man, have I become stronger than the man who ordered me around in the past. No matter how, I must verify this myself.)
“No, now is not a convenient time.”
Kazuma’s expanding emotions were kept within his heart, without changing his cheeky way of speech, he said..
”Tonight at twelve, let’s meet in Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen, 法蘭西山(French Hill? From the previous translator)”
”What kind of time is that? The park should have closed long ago!”
“Then no one will come to interrupt, right?”
Upon those words, Kazuma changed his tone.
“So you really want to kill me---- I will accept your challenge then.”
To Genma, I was nothing but a failed product, he won’t go easy even when executing punishment on me, Kazuma truly believes.
“I deeply realized what you took me as since four years ago, but, I am no longer like how I was four years ago, I will not let you order me around anymore.”
”Foolish kid. Fine, I shall let you understand the limitations of your own strength.”
Genma replied arrogantly, even though he knew clearly that his son has misunderstood him, he was unable to choose any other way of replying.
“I shall look forward to it then, “Father”.”
After bidding farewell excitedly, Kazuma ended the call. He switched his phone off immediately and threw the phone at the desk beside him.
However, the phone missed the intented target and rolled onto the floor.
Looking at his trembling left hand, Kazuma gave a bitter smile. His left hand was trembling so much hat he cannot control its strength, but he was not ashamed of that.
(Yeah, of course I am scared, because I am challenging the strongest Jutsushi of the Kannagi Clan.)
He clenches his left fist tightly, as though he intends to trap his fear within. No matter how afraid I am, I must not run away, to truly sever all ties with the Kannagi clan, and to surpass the old me, I must perform the “ritual” of defeating my father, who symbolizes my past.
He does not hate Genma, in fact, now he finds the stubbornness in Genma rather pleasant.
But this and that are two different matters, this is something he cannot give in to, no matter what.
The trembling stopped. With a determination beyond the fear he felt in his tight fist, Kazuma muttered to himself..
”I will not run or hide anymore. Nor will I go easy on you…… Old man.” [A more rude way of calling father was used in this case, so I chose the term “Old man”]
3
The flames that Genma summoned swallowed and melted the wind blades away easily.
“…… What are you doing?”
With his whole body wrapped in golden flames, Genma has shown his possession of absolute power.[actual text: With his whole body wrapped in golden flames, Genma has descended(like a god) with the identity of a man with absolute power, cant think of any way to phrase this…] In the face of magnificent power, any resistance is meaningless.
This man, Kannagi Genma, his mere existance is enough to let the opponent feel that way, and with such power, he definitely has this “right”.
“--- Its not over yet!”
Kazuma retreated several steps sub-consciously, shouting as if it is to enhearten himself and formed new wind blades once more.
“The fun only starts now!”
About a hundred wind blades came towards Genma from all directions, but this is not a simultaneous attack, all the wind blades skillfully changed their paths and speed, flying in the sky.
“Hmmm……”
Genma observed calmly, no matter how he move, there is no way to fully avoid an attack like this. But he has already noticed the fact that each individual blade is no stronger those earlier.
Genma did not take any action, and simply stood there as the blades came to him. As the wind blades came into the flames around his body----- they vanished without a trace.
(This cannot be…)
Realizing the huge gap between their strength, Kazuma was so shocked he is at a loss for words, and Genma leisurely watched Kazuma’s expression.
“I believe this is not your full strength? But I have no time to play with you, let me end this now!”
As he announced this, the flames increased at an explosive rate.
Several fire pillars shot out like beams, sounding like a fierce roar, with their tips aimed at Kazuma. It looks like a big snake or a dragon with an arced body, it is the materialized form of a great power.
To be stared upon by a poisonous snake, that must be the impression one would get from this! Controlling his body, which was trembling from fear, Kazuma jumped up with all his might.
In the blink of an eye, the place where Kazuma had been was swallowed up by the dragon’s mouth. Even though he escaped in the nick of time, but the flames that hit the floor became tiny pieces continue to rampage violently.
Even though it is called tiny pieces of flame, but it is actually flames that Genma control. The density of the flames is unusually high, and a direct hit would definitely turn one into ashes.
Kazuma focuses all his attention in order to avoid them. He used the flow of the air to understand the situation, and by synchronizing with the wind spirits, Kazuma “saw” every single direction at the same time.
He accurately grasped the motion of all the flames that fell from the sky like rain, dodging at times, deflecting them with his wind at times.
To forcefully take down all of the flames was not an option. The power of the branch family cannot be compared with that of the main family, he has no confidence to survive for even one second with his wind barrier.
(Well, it is not like I really cannot do it. But now is not the time.)
Having escaped from the firestorm, Kazuma waits calmly for an opportunity to strike. According to Genma’s strength, that was nothing at all, even if he had blocked that attack, there is nothing to be proud of.
“Oh, you dodged it?”
Genma waved his hand, and all the flames extinguished instantly. As though it was just an illusion, there was no trace of what just happened, not even a leaf was burnt.
“To burn nothing but the intended target? That’s not a simple trick.” [This line is something I edited from the original text. The original text said “to burn anything besides the target? That’s not a simple trick”… didn’t make sense to me, maybe it’s a printing error, or if anyone can understand this line, please tell me.]
The higher the level of En-Jutsushi, the easier it is to fully control the spirits and the flames materialized from them. It can even defy physics laws, like burning in water without making the water boil, or forming flames that affect only the intended target.
“I would say the same for you. I originally intended to kill you…… But it seems I went too easy on you. You should be proud, I admit that you are someone worthy for a fight with me.”
A gallant smile appeared on that strict face as Genma praised his own son. But this son simply scratched his nose tip with a bitter smile in return.
“Ah---- Ermm… Actually, you don’t need to be so serious……. I am, after all, just a failed product. So why don’t you relax a bit?”
Genma ignores his ridiculous words, and begins to concentrate. He gathers his power attentively, creating an even stronger power.
(I can see it clearly…)
Unlike the flippant expression earlier, Kazuma mobilizes all his energy to try to see through the instant of the attack, there will only be one chance, so there is no room for failure.
“Don’t die, Kazuma.”
To Genma, he has no intention of killing Kazuma, at the same time he did not forget that his main objective is to capture Kazuma. So he released a tremendous amount of power, while keeping it at a level that will leave the target barely alive.
(-----Now!!)
Kaboom![explosion]
The flames that appeared in front of Genma suddenly expanded and exploded. The shockwave hit the vegetation in the area, the chairs and dustbins flew, the streetlights broke in all directions.
”I succeeded----?”
Genma was still engulfed in flames, even though the results were still unclear, but the surroundings look as though a bomb just exploded there, the plants fell away from Genma, and all moveable objects are nowhere in sight.
(Even though it is not a fatal hit, but he should have at least taken some damage!)
As the flame subsides, the scene inside becomes clear. What Kazuma saw inside was---
“So that is your killer shot?”
Completely unharmed----Even his coat was as tidy as before, Genma looked at Kazuma calmly.
“And I thought you grew up after these four years… So you only improved to the stage of playing such cheap tricks? What a disappointment.”
His words were as humiliating as four years ago. On that day, Genma looked down upon Kazuma, and then said “I have no use for trash”.
“Stop joking……”
Kazuma gnashed his teeth, squeezing out his voice, his fist held tight, trembling, and the dreadful scenes of the past appeared in his mind one by one, and he lost his sense of reasoning.
“What a joke!! Disappointment!? You never expected anything from me!! Do you think you have any right to expect anything now? You who has abandoned me back----“
”Shut up!”
Genma’s insults were too painful for Kazuma, the scars from the wound four years ago still caused pain in his chest.
But Genma coldly interrupted the screams of the boy who was reminded of the past.
“If you want to make a fuss, I will give you time to do so later. Now you have only two options, go back yourself, or I shall drag you back. You decide!”
”I choose neither.”
Kazuma replied without thinking. He has calmed down by now, and is no longer the kid who cried because his father abandoned him.
“Only you! I would rather die than lose to you! I will definitely defeat you!”
He answered sharply, while showing a middle finger--- maybe he is still a kid after all!
“So you think you can defeat me? Without such cheap tricks, you can’t even win against Shingo and Takeya!”
“Oh, so you noticed?”
Kazuma shrugs his shoulders lightly, as if implying “I don’t care about such a thing”.
“By inspecting the corpse, one can notice it easily, it was just a simple manipulation of oxygen to cause combustion. If it went unnoticed, it might be effective against second rate En-jutsushis and below.”
Genma saw through Kazuma’s trick completely. Kazuma simply transfered the oxygen around Shingo to Takeya’s surroundings as they were about to release their flames.
The sudden increase in oxygen concentration caused Takeya’s flames to go out of control. On the other hand, Shingo suffered from lack of oxygen as his flames burned the remaining oxygen out.
This is the killer move that Kazuma designed against En-Jutsushis. If there were two opponents, it works even better, as in it kills two birds with one stone.
But as Genma has pointed out, this trick only works if the opponent is caught off guard.
As mentioned, En-Jutsushi can defy physics laws. It is one of the basics of an En-Jutsushi to learn how to how to light a flame without oxygen.
“So be it. Since you intend to fight no matter what, I shall show you what irresistible power means!”
Genma raises his “ki”[氣, energy? Spiritual energy? Something like that] to the maximum, a shade of azure spiritual energy bursts out from his body, and the fire spirits were dyed blue one by one.
The spirits that were soaked in the azure “ki” similarly materialized in the form of azure flames, replacing the originally glaring golden flames, and giving off a clear and transparent blue glow.
Kazuma watched the azure flames in amazement. After swallowing a few times, he mumbled in a hoarse voice...
“This is the first time I have seen it…… So this is the azure flames of Kannagi Genma…”
The flames of the Kannagi clan are flames of purification---- and the strongest among that would be “golden”.
That is absolutely true. However, the most outstanding ones in the main family may sometimes even surpass this limit.
The “Divine Flame” ---- This is the invincible power that only the true chosen ones can attain. To be able to add the color of their “ki” to their flames, there has only been eleven who were able to attain such a level in the past thousand years, and the only ones who were able to attain this level after a period of two centuries were Genma with his “azure flame”, and Jugo with his “purple flame”.
“Watch this closely! This is the true power that your cheap tricks are completely useless against.”
”Oh---- This does indeed seem like something those tricks won’t work against.”
Hearing what sounds like a loss declaration, Genma seems to be slightly affected. But, Kazuma was not finished with his words.
“So, let me get a little serious too then!”
Having said that, Kazuma raised his right hand up pointing to the sky.
“Stop sounding so……”
Genma held his words back, as wind spirits were gathering as Kazuma commanded at an unbelievable speed, and Genma was attracted by this phenomenon.
“How…. How can that be….”
His shock came out as words from his mouth. At this moment, Genma realized for the first time that he has underestimated his son’s powrs.
Kazuma is not someone worthy of a fight, as he has matured to a stage where he might not win even if he went all out.
Genma was stunned for just a few seconds, however, these few seconds is what Kazuma wanted.
Genma quickly started his summoning, but Kazuma informed him calmly..
“Its useless, my summoning speed is faster.”
To tell the truth, he has no confidence of beating Genma in terms of strength, in terms of attack power, fire spirits are the strongest among the four elemental spirits. That means, if an En-Jutsushi fights an equally powerful Fu-Jutsushi, and both attacks full strength, the En-Jutsushi will definitely win.
In that case, all the Fu-Jutsushi need to do is to not let the En-Jutsushi use full strength.
In terms of speed, wind spirits are the fastest, and to start summoning first means that he can attack before his opponent has gathered enough strength, so if one can aim for such a time difference, there is no way to lose.
To act weak first, and then when the enemy is unable to attain his full strength, reveal his true capabilities for the first time.
Some people may consider him despicable, but “righteousness” does not exist in Kazuma’s dictionary. “A winner is a winner, no matter how it is won” is his philosophy.
Kazuma knows he is sure to win, he has already gathered more power than Genma in his hand, all that is left is to release it.
“I will spare your life---- Be grateful for that!”
As if reducing the size of a big typhoon by ten thousand times, a very scary energy rampaged violently, the frantic winds turned into countless blades dashing across, cutting the azure flames into tiny bits.
“Argh…… Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!”
Even so, the frenetic winds does not seem to be weakening, and reaches the flesh of Genma, and without stopping at all---- went through.
The blades were so fast and sharp, there wasn’t even time for the victim to feel pain, instead, an eternal piercing chill was felt----- That was the last feeling Genma felt, and he succumbed to the darkness.[or simply, lost consciousness]
“...........................”
Kazuma emotionlessly looked upon his father’s body, lying flat on the ground with blood flowing out from all over. Genma lies on the red-stained floor, motionless, as if he is dead.
“......!”
Kazuma, with his head lowered, his shoulders began shivering, and it spread across his entire body, and finally burst out in excitement.
“……Ho……Ha……Haha……Ha……Hahahahahahahaha!! This is great! I won! Now you know how strong I really am! Damn dad! You shall lie down on the sickbed in regret! Ahahahahahahaha……Hahahaha……Haha……Ha……”
Kazuma, who was laughing loudly in the empty park, calmed down all of a sudden, and collapsed onto the floor in lassitude, he looked up into the night sky with a troubled expression.
---But the moon did not answer any of his questions.
“I won….. What to do…… Tsoi Rin…… What…… should I do from now on……?”
No one could answer him, the moon just stayed in the unreachable night sky, shining down silently.
4
It was after two in the morning by the time Kazuma reached the hotel, his steps seemed heavy, due to three continuous days of fighting.
But he still cannot rest yet. The wind brought a strong scent of fire.
(Kannagi again? When will they ever learn……)
Even though it is troublesome, he has no intention to run away, the enemy is waiting at the main entrance of the hotel. Kazuma walked there directly.
Perhaps he sensed Kazuma approaching, the thin little shadow sitting beside the flowerbed turned his head.
Due to the darkness of the night, Kazuma was unable to see the person’s face clearly, but he is very small all in all. The powers he possessed within were abnormal, but is still weaker than Ayano, but on a different level compared to Shingo and Takeya.
(……? Was there such a person in the Kannagi family……?)
The shadow approached the doubtful Kazuma without warning. The face of the shadow was revealed by the streetlights, he seemed younger than expected----No, he is young. Around ten or eleven years old.
He was wearing light yellow shorts with a duffle that includes a hat, he was wearing a pair of bluchers, his dressing seems simply yet deliberate.
Inclusive of that cute face that one may mistake for a girl, he was giving off a gentle yet mature aura, the youth looks just like a well brought up little master.
The youth seemed tense, and nervously looked at Kazuma, who was looking at him with susicipious eyes, and after staring at each other for a few seconds, he opened his mouth slowly..
“Frankly speaking, I don’t really believe it…… But since you are here now, that means that father has lost?”
(Father----?)
Even though later on, whenever Kazuma recalls this scene he felt really stupid, but right now Kazuma could not understand what this youth meant, and so he asked directly..
“----- Who are you?”
The youth’s eyes seemed very strict all of a sudden, he seems to be angry, but as he looks too cute, he does not seem taunting in any way.
“Are you saying this for real----- Brother.”
“Brother-----? Ah, so it is Ren!”
Kazuma clapped his hands, and called out his brother’s name, who should be twelve by now.
(That reminds me, I did have a brother.)
If he was to say this out, his brother would most probably look down on him? Kazuma forcefully kept these words back in his mouth.
“You grew up, it has been ten years since we last met, right?”
”…..I don’t think it has been that long!”
Ren answered strictly.
“Is that so? But it should have been about four years since we last met, right? After all I don’t recall seeing you when I left.”
“Yes, you left home without saying a word.”
“Oh…… Ahh…… Sorry about that……”
Ren’s voice seemed even more seriously, Kazuma can only return with an embarrassed smile.
The reason why Kazuma forgot about Ren is not because he is heartless---- Or should I say, not just because he is heartless?
Unlike his elder brother, Ren was born with exceptional flame powers, and thus Genma had high expectations of him. Perhaps Genma was worried that Kazuma’s uselessness might be passed onto Ren, he tried to stop them from interacting as far as possible.
The frequency of the two brothers meeting were perhaps not even once every half a year---- But even so, the pure [term used is純真: virtuous, pure, innocent, chaste, guiltless] Ren puts his father’s intentions aside, and looks up to Kazuma wholeheartedly.
Even though Kazuma has complex feelings towards his talented brother, but that cute smile of the boy who loves to stay with him made him unable to raise any hatred against Ren.
Even though this is not the outcome Genma wanted, but Kazuma and Ren is a pair of close brothers.
.-----So in the end I guess you can only call that heartless!
“Ah----- so what are you doing here?”
Kazuma perked up and asked Ren.
Ren put on a serious expression suddenly, looking straight into Kazuma’s eyes.
“I…… I am here to persuade you.”
“-----Oh~”
Kazuma grumbles, and walks off, leaving Ren behind.
“Brother!?”
“No matter what, lets go into the room! It has been a really busy day, I am drained.”
After guessing the reason for his fatigue, Ren’s expression grew dull. But nothing can be done just standing there. He must bring Kazuma back somehow.
Ren ran slowly following Kazuma, who has already reached the room.
Ren sat on the edge sofa lightly. He was being wary, but because the sofa was way too soft. If he sat down completely, he might be buried within.
There was a teacup in front of Kazuma, and a mug filled with honey and hot milk for Ren. But neither of them touched their cups, they were looking at each other as though trying to find out what the other party is thinking.
“Back to the topic, so why did you think of coming here?”
“…..Huh? That is because……”
Kazuma raised his hand to stop Ren, who was about to repeat the same question.
“I heard the reason. But why? Kannagi Genma has made his move, so why did you still come here? Normally one won’t expect him to lose against me!”
Genma will never lose, that is common knowledge in the clan, because ever since Jugo lost a leg in a traffic accident, Genma was undoubtedly the strongest jutsushi in the Kannagi clan.
They might still believing in that now! Thinking that Genma will bring a badly wounded Kazuma back very soon.
But Ren does not seem to feel that way, the Ren who believes in the strength of his father more than anyone else. And this means---------
”What do you know?”
Ren tries his best to fight back against those eyes that seem to see right through him.
“I know some rumors, on some mysticism website in Europe.”
The users of the “magic”, a technique of the past, uses the convenient internet very earnestly.
The website Ren found was one of those that Jutsushis use to exchange information.
“I heard them saying…… The “Contractor” is Japanese……”
Kazuma widened his eyes slowly, witnessing this reaction, Ren gathered up his courage and told Kazuma his assumptions.
“I have no proof. But…… I am very certain. That is you, right? The only Contractor verified to exist in history…… That is you isn’t it, Brother?”
“You are wrong.”
Kazuma answered in a dull manner. He stopped Ren, who was about to say something, and continued talking..
“Not the only one, there is at least another one. I think we both know this very well.”
”So…. You are indeed the……”
Ren looks respectfully at Kazuma, who admitted to his enquiries tactfully.
“No matter, this kind of thing is not important. Lets get to the main topic!”
Kazuma placed one leg over the other comfortably, and took up his cup, whereas Ren sat upright, and used his youth-like straightforward mouth to speak openly..
”So let me ask you, are you the Fu-Jutsushi who has been killing the Kannagi Jutsushis these couple of days?”
“That is not done by me.”
Kazuma answered in a very straightforward manner as well.
“I told every one that I met, but no one believed me, why is that so?”
Even though he believes Ren knows the reason, but he decides to keep this to himself. This could be a very wise decision!
“If that is the case, why won’t you come back to explain yourself!? At this rate, you will have the whole Kannagi clan as your enemy soon!”
“……Do you still not get it?”
Ren looks at Kazuma, who replied so calmly, with strict eyes----- but still not taunting.
“No matter how strong you are, against the Kannagi clan……”
“Our old man seems to have said the same thing! Even though he is in pretty bad shape now no thanks to me. Ayano cannot be even considered a worthy opponent. Those in the branch family are nothing, I should not lose as long as I don’t fight against the clan chief.”
There is no way Ren can rebut the confident Kazuma. Perhaps it is for the sake of his brother, who seems ready to cry, Kazuma tuned down his tone.
“…… I understand that what I am doing is very silly. To fight just because I can win is just like proving I am an idiot. As long as I head back and say hello, the clan chief is likely to forgive me. But…… I have no intention of giving in to the Kannagi clan in any way anymore.”
Kazuma stopped half way, and flushed some red tea down his throat, and the sound of the cup being put back onto the coaster was abnormally clear.
“After so long, I no longer hate the Kannagi family. Even though I have obtained much more power than all the power of those who bullied me in the past put together, I don’t intend to take revenge for that, and put myself at their level.
However, that does not mean I have forgotten all the things that they did to me, and the painful scars in my heart.
In order to overcome the weakness in myself, I gave up on the Kannagi name, so, I shall not give in to the Kannagi clan in any way, I vow upon my name of Yagami never to give in.”
It didn’t sound emotional, more of a calm tone, but, the unwavering determination was clearly portraited.
Ren can only choose to remain silent, as his words cannot touch Kazuma at all, this is a very obvious fact.
“Even though it is a very dumb determination! After all I can only say this now.”
“…… What do you mean?”
Ren looks surprised. Kazuma replied as though it is only natural..
“Kannagi clan will be exterminated soon. I saw one of the enemies today, and that is way beyond Ayano’s level. And our old man doesn’t seem like he can recover in time!”
Even though he is the one who gravely wounded Genma, but Kazuma doesn’t seem like he cared.
“You…… How come you even say such a thing!? Brother, aren’t you part of the Kannagi family too? Is it fine to you even if your family members die!?”
“None of my business. I am no longer a Kannagi, nor do I have any family members.”
Kazuma answered all the questions very clearly in front of Ren, who was shouting out in shock.
“Don’t get the sequence wrong, Ren. I did not abandon the Kannagi family, the Kannagi family abandoned me.”
”That is…… But……”
”Can you still say then, that I am obliged to do anything for the Kannagi clan?”
Ren was unable to say anything, Kazuma’s words were very true, and he has no right to ask for help either.
But, if he is to give up just like this, then it defeats the whole purpose of coming to find Kazuma.
Kazuma must be persuaded somehow, but there is no suitable word. Kazuma was emotionlessly looking upon Ren, who lifted his head, revealing pitiful eyes seeking help from him.
“……Wu……Wuwu……. Wahh…… Wuwu……”
Under the consistent stare between the two, Ren finally started to sob.
”Hey hey…… Why are you crying over such a trivial matter? Now it seems as though I am the bad guy.”
Perhaps he lacks the self-awareness of a bad guy, Kazuma spit out such a brainless line.
Ren just continues to weep, unable to reply. And in the speechless period, only his sad weeping echoed.
“……Damn it……”
Kazuma is the first to give in. He grabbed a towel by the side and tossed it to Ren.
Kazuma sighed in reply to the humanoid covered by the towel..
“Stay here for tonight! Use that to wipe your face clean and go to sleep quickly. Tomorrow…… I will send you back.”
“……Brother!!”
Ren pulled the towel away, and let out a cheerful cry. He jumped over the table, and leaped into Kazuma’s chest directly, hugging him.
(I knew this was going to happen…)
Kazuma caresses Ren’s head gently, looking at the ceiling.
Ever since the past, Kazuma has never been able to refuse Ren’s “requests”. No matter how unreasonable, as long as he uses his angelic smile to ask and beg, eventually resulting begging in tears, Kazuma will still listen to him in the end.
This time, it is no exception. But------
Kazuma grabs Ren by the back of his neck, and picked him up easily. Ren, who was picked up like a little cat, looked at Kazuma dazed at first, but eventually let out a smile across his face.
This is not adulation, just merely overly happy. Upon realizing this, Kazuma finds it even harder to hide his suspicions.
(Is this kid really twelve? Is it okay to be this cute?)
Kazuma cannot help but fear for his brother’s future, but he stops his thoughts instantly. If he continued, some weird thoughts may arise.
He tossed Ren, who was in his hand. Ren span once and buried into the sofa accurately.
”Go to sleep!”
”Ehh~~ But……”
After hearing Kazuma’s cold words, Ren’s reaction seemed displeased.
”What is it?”
”I want to chat more. It has been a long time since we last met after all……”
Kazuma stared at Ren in refusal, but the result was the same as always, Kazuma added the defeat to the tens of loss in the past, so much so that he had already lost count, keeping the record at one corner of his head.
“------ I get it. What do you want to ask about?”
With Kazuma raising the white flag in surrender, Ren asked timidly..
”Erm… Err… What do I have to do, to be as strong as you, brother?
“How would I know the training methods of a En-Jutsushi?”
Ren pouted from the straightforward answer.
“Besides, you already were born with enough talent, so I guess there is no need to undergo some weird training for that!”
“That is not true! I am probably the least talented in the main family.”
”……Then what can you say about me, who was abandoned by the family due to my lack of talent?”
Kazuma replied as if he had no other choice, and Ren shows an agitated reaction.
”You are very talented too! To practice Fu-Jutsu to its limits! Compared to brother, I am still only a newbie. My flames are incomparable to sister Ayano or father.”
“--- The way you compare yourself with the owner of Enhaira or the Divine Flames is a problem in itself?”
”But……”
Ren’s expression is filled with anxiousness, it seems that he feels inferior having such elite family members around him.
But in the eyes of Kazuma, the power Ren possesses has not much difference compared with Ayano four years ago, it is just that Ayano has the Enhaira to make the difference greater.
As for Jugo and Genma, that is out of the question. Only those with the Divine Flames can be compared to another Divine Flame wielder, Ren is at least ten years too early to want to feel inferior because of that.
In other words, that was a meaningless comparison, but even if he said that, Ren is unlikely to accept it. This is because he is lost at the great power difference now, and fails to see the hope that lies in the future.
“In other words, if you sincerely wish to become stronger, even the lack of talent is not a big deal!”
In the end, Kazuma decided to tell him his thoughts frankly, even though he knows clearly that it is not much different to usual things, but he couldn’t find any other way to comfort Ren.
“You mean “Diligence is better than Talent” ?”
He waves at Ren, who pouted in unhappiness.
“These are not words of etiquette. If one only knows to work hard, there will still be barriers that cannot be overcome. And those without talent will never be able to attain some levels.
But if they put their heart into it, they will be too busy to notice that kind of thing. So no matter how ridiculous or impossible it seems, one can only work hard at it. If you still cannot do it despite working hard after ignoring all common knowledge and limits, you can always just give up then.”
Perhaps the words used to put his point across were too strong, Ren can’t help but feel afraid.
”Is…… Is this how you got stronger, brother?”
”Yup, I would be on the brink of death almost once weekly!”
“To work hard until such a state, do you really want to take reven……get back at father?”
Maybe he was afraid that the word “revenge” would be too harsh, he began stuttering all of a sudden. No matter, Kazuma can only give a bitter smile to a speculation that defers so much from the truth.
“I am really happy you look up to me so much. But I am not that powerful a person. The reason I left Japan was to run away. To run away wholeheartedly, from Dad-------- and that woman, to somewhere far far away. I didn’t want to have anything to do with the Kannagi family. I didn’t even think about taking revenge on our Old Man until he called me.”
”So then, why?”
”About this…… All I can say is that I had a lot of difficulties!”
Faced with such innocent questioning, Kazuma tried to get his way out of it. As the content is not suitable for innocent kids like Ren.
“A lot of difficulties?”
”Anyway it is just a lot…… Speaking of which, the last time I was in China Mainland, I met the Dragon King-----“
”A lot of difficulties-----“
”Listen to me properly! That happened in Sichuan Province…”
Ren forgot his original question eventually, without even realizing it, indulging in the stories. Kazuma let out a sigh of relief deep in his heart, while continuing to exaggerate his adventures overseas.
5
After coaxing the excited Ren to sleep, Kazuma finally get to lie on his end. He fell asleep as soon as he rested his head on the pillow, but his resting period ended in the blink of an eye.
“------------------------“
Kazuma was awakened by an evil presence, and jumps off the bed quickly. Right at this instant, he sensed that there was some black object passing by slowly below his feet.
(This is-------!)
Kazuma steps onto the trembling floor, and heads into Ren’s room.
“Ren! Are you awake!?”
”Yes!”
Ren woke up long ago, and is wearing his shoes. Despite his young age, he is still a Kannagi Jitsushi, there is no way he fail to notice such a strong ominous presence of youki(妖氣).
“What is happening!?”
”Some idiot sliced the whole hotel! We must escape now!”
Kazuma grabbed Ren up without explaining, and ran towards the window.
”Wait…… Wait a second, brother…… Don’t tell me…”
Kazuma answered Ren’s question with action. A gust of wind broke the glass of the window, Kazuma jumped out of the exit he made without hesitation.
Needless to say, he was hugging Ren throughout the whole process.
Naturally, there is nothing at the other end of the exit. The light of dawn shines upon Earth’s surface, which seemed so hopelessly far away.
The fear in Ren was transformed into sound from his mouth.
“Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”
His cry was left far behind, as the two descended at such a speed. Ren shut his eyes tightly.
But just before they violently smashed into the ground, a gentle wind caught them. Kazuma has skillfully changed his posture, with his legs landing perfectly.
“Hey, we reached our destination.”
Kazuma lightly knocked Ren who held on tightly on him, and informed him that they have already reached the ground. Ren opened his fearful eyes, and looked at the surroundings.
“Bro……Brother…… Am I still alive……?”
“The real trouble only starts now.”
Ren stood on his own two feet, lifting his head to look up, and what he saw was unbelievable.
(The hotel falling from the sky……?)
The hotel was cut about one-third its height from the top and it is sliding down from the place it was cut. A building of about a hundred meters in height and falling down from a height of two hundred meters. This is just like a giant meteor dropping into Earth, a catastrophe beyond human comprehension.
.----- Some idiot sliced the whole hotel------
What Kazuma said flashed into Ren’s mind once more.
(This…… was done by a human……?)
Those unlucky people who were at where the building broke off were like abandoned puppets, dropping down one by one. The only fortunate thing, is probably that they had no time to even be afraid, as their bodies were sliced, leaving the upper part indicating that it is a piece of flesh that no longer has any life in it.
“Don’t move recklessly.”
In order to defend against the fall of the building, Kazuma released a kekkai of wind. Ren held on tightly to the lower end of Kazuma’s jacket in reflex.
The next moment----
Kadoong……Bam……
The remains of the gigantic building slam onto the ground violently.
The nightmarishly smooth cutting point brought about a disaster. The upper portion of the hotel that fell, until it reached the ground, remained its original upright position. The people who spent their night in that portion of the hotel must have fully enjoyed the ecstasy of free-fall of two hundred meters? Ren saw countless shadows at the windows, their faces distorted from the fear and despair, or was he hallucinating it?
“……Argh……”
The hotel that fell at a horrifying speed, it was totally smashed out of shape. And with that, the kinetic energy obtained during the freefall was released in all directions.
Countless pieces ------ objects of about ten meters ----- flew towards the two, were at close range located right in the centre of the impact. These pieces were equivalent to bombs flying at high speed, and all of them were forcefully blocked by Kazuma’s kekkai of wind.
Kazuma did not continue to stay where he was, but instead used the force of the explosion to fly up into the sky. The spherical kekkai skillfully dissolved the impact, and they floated back to a safe distance.
“……Ah……Ah……”
Looking at where the hotel was, Ren moaned.
Dusts were everywhere, thus the actual scene could not be seen. But------
In those eyes that were looking up, one can see the despair in them. The dusts flew no higher than fifty meters, but there is nothing left above that. The lower portion of the hotel which was originally safe from harm is no longer there.
The high rise building famed to be the tallest in Japan, Yokohama LANDMARK TOWER is totally destroyed.
(This…… This cannot be…… This kind of thing……)
Unable to look at the scene directly, Ren shifted his line of vision, and looked down, just to notice the floor around him.
Perhaps it was done by the flying pieces, countless holes were made in the blacktop. The number of people lying down in the area is uncountable.
Even though it is dawn, at an area so near to the government organization, it is impossible that there was no one moving about. White collars who left home early in the morning, teenagers going for their morning jog, newspaper distributors and such, they were all hit directly by concrete pieces, and are lying on the floor moaning.
The blood pile that soaked the road continued to spread out further, they were too weak to escape from the jaws of death, but they were still not dead yet------ or rather, they are unable to die yet.
Those who stayed in the hotel may have been more fortunate, at least, they can go without pain.
Ren buried his face on Kazuma’s back, and held on tight with his trembling hands. He feels as though all these people who were moaning in pain were looking at him, blaming him, and he cannot bear to watch it any further.
“What a big mess he made.”
After landing on the floor, Kazuma mumbled as though this has nothing to do with him.
“This…… is the enemies’ Fu-Jutsushi……?”
”Maybe?”
”Can’t…… Can’t this be stopped? If it was you, brother……”
”Ah------ Nope, I can’t interfere with the wind that guy controls.”
Hearing Kazuma say it so simply, Ren seemed shocked and doubtful.
”That cannot be? Because brother, you are……”
”Yeah, that is the reason I am guessing, perhaps there is someone like me.”
Ren is unable to say anything, his pale expression shivers slightly. This cannot be blamed, to have to fight against this kind of enemy, even the Kannagi family-----
“Don’t look so pitiful. Don’t worry, it is not like that in reality.”
Being caressed on the head by Kazuma, Ren gave a relieved smile, but it changed into one of doubt in a moment.
“So then, why is that? You should know already don’t you?
“Yea, after what just happened, I think I am beginning to understand what is going on.”
Kazuma grabs his fist tightly, and hit one of the pieces of concrete with its steel reinforcing bars stabbed into the floor at the side with great force.
The seemingly durable piece of the building was smashed into bits, together with its steel foundation, and the piece of rubble flew out like a bullet, chopping down the only remaining streetlight.
“How dare you joke with me like this…… I shall let you know that there are some things in the world that must never be done……”
Looking at his enraged brother, Ren began to shiver in fear. He is glad from the bottom of his heart that Kazuma’s fury is not directed towards himself.
”Hmph…… So he’s here? Get further away from me.”
Sensing the approaching of the enemy, Kazuma gave his orders to Ren.
“Bro……Brother……”
”Don’t worry. There is only one enemy, and there is no room for you in this battle. Just wait in that corner over there, I will come and get you once this is over.”
“You…… You are sure to win, right? Brother
“Leave it to me. Your brother is invincible!”
Kazuma raised his fist with the thumb sticking out without even turning his head, and wind surrounded his body, taking up to the sky. Ren watched that the back view of his confident brother with total belief.
Seeing the batch of youki right before his eyes, Kazuma felt endless fear. A youma(妖魔) of this level should be locked in the deepest depths of Hell, even if it is not, it should not be released onto the surface.
But Kazuma does not reveal this kind of thought. He spoke in a very natural manner..
”Hi, thanks for your kind hospitality a while ago------ I believe this is the first time I met you in person?”
“That thing” remained silent, no matter whether it can talk, its attitude cannot be more obvious, to place such a cold desire to kill in front of him, so cold it would make one feel as though he is trapped in a ice cavern, even an untrained personal cannot mistake it.
(Strike it before it does!!)
Kazuma fired a gust of powerful wind without warning. He did not go easy on him, in fact, he cannot go easy on him. He intends to maintain this until the enemy is destroyed, and so he continuously released gusts of wind.
But, the reaction of his opponent changed suddenly. An ominous premonition made him shift to one side at top speed---- a black wind went through the place where he just was.
Even though he was bounced off by the shockwave, Kazuma knew the true identity of the black wind clearly.
The strength to be able to push Kazuma’s wind back, and the ominous aura. There is no doubt.
“Such unorthodoxy…”
The enemy is clearly stronger than Kazuma, but even so, he cannot give in, as a Jutsushi, there is no room for such unorthodoxy to exist.
(Should I reveal my true strength? After all Ren already knows…)
Just as he set his mind to it, Ren’s screams reached the Kazuma’s ears.
“Wahhh! Bro…… Brother! Bro------“
”Ren----!? Damn it!”
The broke off scream disrupted Kazuma’s concentration, and the opponent did not let this chance slip off, a black wind graced past Kazuma’s throat, and if he did not notice in time, his head would have undoubtedly separated from his body.
Pressing on the wound on his throat, Kazuma was shocked.
(How can there be another person-----? This should not be possible-----Ah!)
Kazuma has completely forgotten, the black wind not only does not obey Kazuma’s will, it can even hide its own presence.
This was a careless mistake that cannot be forgiven, as the ambusher is now retreating, taking Ren with him.
But Kazuma cannot give chase, as if he does not keep his mind on the monster just in front of him, he is sure to die. Understanding that, all the more Kazuma cannot take any action.
“Damn! Ren! Stay alive!”
Kazuma removes Ren from his mind, and concentrates on how to eliminate the foe before him.
The wind begins to shine with an azure glow. The black wind retreats as though it is fearful of that glow.
(I am so gonna kill you-----!)
As Kazuma gathers the azure wind into a power to be fired out-----
”That thing” lifted the edges of its lips slightly[smile?], and then in front of Kazuma’s stunned eyes, disappears slowly.
“----------!!”
Kazuma raises his head to look into the sky, even though he knows that the enemy is flying upwards at a high speed----- but that is all. He has no way of catching up, or to use his wind to follow, and he can no longer sense the presence of Ren by now.
“I was being played with completely-------“
Kazuma mumbled faintly, and then walked out from the battlefield-like ruins of the hotel.
(Wait for me, Ren! I will definitely save you-----)
Kazuma put on a completely clueless expression and walked past the police and fire-fighters who have gathered, mixing into the crowds.
| Return to Chapter 2 | Forward to Chapter 4 |
