"What are you doing here?!" Instructor Minazuki's voice, usually a calm and measured tone of authority, now ripped through the oppressive atmosphere like a jagged blade. The air itself felt thick, heavy with the scent of rain-soaked earth, the metallic tang of blood from a training exercise gone wrong, and the cloying sweetness of mounting, primal terror. The sudden, unheralded appearance of the jūma was more than just an intrusion; it was a blatant violation, a horrifying and unimaginable deviation from the expected training exercise. This was not part of any plan, any carefully constructed scenario they had painstakingly prepared for. The raw, animalistic presence of the jūma radiated outwards in palpable waves, a tangible force that slammed into the assembled students, threatening to drown their courage and shatter their already frayed nerves. The very air seemed to crackle with malevolent energy, a symphony of dread conducted by the jūma's mere presence.

  "I was merely passing by," the jūma responded, his voice a low, guttural rumble that seemed to vibrate not just in their ears, but deep within their chests, resonating with their bones and stirring a primal fear that lay dormant within their souls. It was a sound that spoke of ancient power, of untamed savagery, of malevolent intent that stretched back through the ages. "I sensed a rather... potent surge of Shin'en in this vicinity. A rather... curious anomaly, wouldn't you agree? I must confess," he continued, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students with undisguised contempt, a slow, deliberate appraisal that made their skin crawl, "it appears I was... mistaken. Or perhaps... disappointed. Such... flea-bitten creatures could scarcely possess such a tantalizing power." His eyes, like chips of polished obsidian, glinted with cruel amusement as he savored their fear, reveling in their palpable vulnerability. He was a predator toying with his prey, savoring the moment before the kill.

  Minazuki's grip tightened on the hilt of his katana, the worn leather conforming to the shape of his hand as if molded by years of countless battles and unwavering resolve. His knuckles, already pale from the relentless rain, turned bone-white as he exerted every ounce of his will to maintain a facade of composure, to project an image of unwavering strength and control. He knew, with a chilling certainty that settled deep in his gut, that any sign of weakness, any flicker of fear in his eyes, would be instantly exploited by the jūma, emboldening it and shattering the fragile morale of his students. He was their shield, their protector, and he could not afford to falter, even for a moment. Damn it... he thought, his mind racing, a whirlwind of desperate calculations, analyzing the jūma's stance, its energy, searching for any weakness, any exploitable vulnerability. He knew they were hopelessly outmatched, but he refused to surrender to despair. Everyone! Weapons ready! Maintain formation! I can't show them I'm afraid. If I do, they'll lose all hope. They'll be slaughtered. I have to protect them, even if it costs me my life. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders, a familiar burden he had carried for years, but never had it felt so crushing, so suffocating.

  "Oh? Are you intending to actually fight me?" the jūma chuckled, a dry, rasping sound that echoed through the training grounds, carried on the wind like the whispers of death, sending shivers of dread down the spines of the students. It was the sound of inevitability, of a preordained doom, a chilling reminder of their own insignificance in the face of such overwhelming power. "How... endearing. A truly valiant, albeit utterly misguided, sentiment. But also, how utterly... pointless. This charade, this pathetic display of defiance, will be concluded in mere seconds. Because..." He moved with a speed that defied human perception, a blur of motion that seemed to momentarily distort the very fabric of reality, leaving the students gasping for breath, their minds struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed. One moment he was across the clearing, the next he was at Minazuki's side, close enough for the instructor to feel the heat radiating from his monstrous body, to smell the acrid scent of ozone and decay that clung to him like a shroud. But his target, surprisingly, was not the instructor himself. "...you pathetic weaklings are simply too slow, too insignificant, to even comprehend your own demise. Your deaths will be swift, unremarkable, a footnote in the grand tapestry of existence."

  With sickening swiftness, the jūma seized one of Minazuki's students, a young man named Hiroki, who had always been eager to prove himself, to demonstrate his worth, to earn the respect of his instructor and his peers. Hiroki, known for his sharp intellect and analytical mind, often struggled to keep up with the more physically gifted students, but he compensated with his keen observation skills and his ability to quickly assess and adapt to any situation. He had hoped to one day use his intelligence to develop new strategies and tactics for the Yomu Executioner, to give them an edge against the forces of darkness. Now, all those hopes, all that potential, all that quiet determination, were about to be extinguished in a single, brutal act of senseless violence. The jūma's grip was impossibly strong, his hand, unnaturally large and grotesquely distorted, clamping around Hiroki's head like a vise, his fingers, tipped with razor-sharp claws, digging cruelly into the boy's skull. Hiroki's eyes widened in abject terror as he finally grasped the horrifying reality of his situation, as the weight of his impending death crashed down upon him with the force of a tidal wave. Before anyone could react, before Minazuki could even begin to raise his katana in a futile attempt to intervene, the jūma slammed Hiroki's head into the rain-soaked earth with bone-jarring, sickening force. The sound of cracking bone echoed through the training grounds, a sickening, unforgettable sound that would forever haunt their nightmares, a testament to the jūma's raw power and utter disregard for human life, followed by a muffled scream, a desperate cry for help that was abruptly cut short, silenced forever. Hiroki's body went limp, his limbs twitching spasmodically before falling still, his life force draining away into the mud. His head was buried deep in the earth, his face contorted in a mask of unimaginable agony, the crimson stain of his blood spreading rapidly through the water, a macabre flower blooming in the oppressive downpour, a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence.

  A collective gasp of horror erupted from the remaining students, a wave of collective grief and terror that washed over the training grounds, threatening to drown them in despair. Several of them vomited, their stomachs convulsing, the contents of their stomachs churning as they were utterly unable to stomach the sheer brutality of the jūma's attack, the casual cruelty with which he had ended Hiroki's life. The vibrant green of the training grounds, once a symbol of hope and potential, seemed to darken, to wither and decay, stained by the indelible shadow of death. Ayaka, normally so composed and strong, a pillar of resilience in the face of adversity, a beacon of hope for her fellow students, collapsed to her knees, her face ashen, her body trembling uncontrollably. Her eyes, wide with terror, stared blankly at Hiroki's lifeless body, her mind struggling to process the horrifying events that had just unfolded. The light of hope, the fire of determination that had burned so brightly within her, the unwavering belief in the power of the Yomu Executioner to protect humanity, seemed to have been extinguished in that moment, leaving behind only a hollow emptiness, a gaping void where her spirit had once resided. She was broken, shattered, reduced to a trembling shell of her former self, the weight of her helplessness crushing her beneath its immense burden. The world around her seemed to spin, the sounds of the rain and the jūma's mocking laughter fading into a distant, meaningless hum. She felt as though she were drowning, sinking deeper and deeper into a sea of despair, with no hope of rescue.

  "Don't give in to fear!" Minazuki roared, his voice a desperate attempt to rally his students, to drag them back from the brink of despair, to rekindle the flames of hope that had been so brutally extinguished. "Don't let him see your despair! Don't let him break you! He feeds on it! He grows stronger with every ounce of fear you emit! He wants you to give up! He wants you to surrender! Don't give him the satisfaction!" He knew that his words were a fragile shield against the overwhelming tide of terror that threatened to consume them, but he had to try. He had to give them something to cling to, something to fight for, something to believe in, even in the face of such unimaginable horror. He had to remind them of who they were, of what they stood for, of the oath they had sworn to protect humanity, no matter the cost. He had to remind them that they were Yomu Executioner, warriors trained to face the darkness, and that they would not falter, even in the face of death. He knew that he was asking a lot of them, that they were terrified and traumatized, but he had no other choice. Their survival, and the survival of countless others, depended on their ability to overcome their fear and fight back.

  The jūma turned back to face them, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure, his lips curled into a predatory grin that revealed rows of razor-sharp teeth. "Oh, so you understand my little... quirks perfectly," he purred, his voice laced with mocking amusement, savoring their fear like a fine wine, letting the taste of their terror linger on his tongue. "How... enlightening. It makes this so much more... entertaining. To see the hope drain from your eyes, to watch your spirits shatter, to witness your pathetic attempts at defiance... it is truly a delightful spectacle." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the terrified students once more, lingering on Ayaka's broken form, his eyes filled with cruel satisfaction. "But enough with the pleasantries. It is time to move on to the main event. It is time for you to die."

  The two other Yomu Executioner who had been assisting Minazuki in the training exercise, Kenta Hoshigaki and Jin Amakawa, stepped forward, placing themselves between the jūma and the remaining students, their bodies tense with apprehension, their faces grim with determination. They were both experienced warriors, veterans of countless battles against the forces of darkness, but they had never faced anything quite like this before. They had fought Yomurei, monstrous creatures born from the depths of despair, they had battled rogue Yomu Executioner, corrupted by their own power, they had even faced other jūma, lesser demons who reveled in chaos and destruction. But this jūma, this Kaien, possessed a presence that was different, something ancient and powerful, something that radiated pure, unadulterated evil. They knew that they were outmatched, that their chances of survival were slim, but they stood their ground, unwavering in their commitment to protect their comrades, to buy them time, to give them a chance to escape.

  "Toshima-san," Kenta Hoshigaki, a Mei-rank Yomu Executioner and a master of close-quarters combat, said, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes fixed on the jūma's every move, searching for any weakness, any opening. "What do we do? We're not strong enough to fight a jūma. We barely managed to scratch him earlier. He's playing with us. He is enjoying our suffering" Kenta, a man of action, a warrior who thrived in the heat of battle, felt a surge of helplessness he rarely experienced, a chilling realization of his own limitations. He had seen death countless times, he had witnessed the horrors of the dark side firsthand, but he had always believed that he could make a difference, that he could protect the innocent. Now, he was faced with an enemy that seemed unstoppable, an enemy that threatened to shatter his beliefs and plunge him into despair. The death of Hiroki, a promising young student, a friend, hit him hard, a painful reminder of the price they paid for their dedication.

  Minazuki clenched his fists, his knuckles white, his body trembling with a mixture of grief and rage. He knew that Kenta was right. They were outmatched, outgunned, and facing an enemy far beyond their capabilities. But he couldn't afford to show any doubt, to succumb to despair. He was their instructor, their leader, their only hope. He had to inspire them, to give them the strength to fight on, even in the face of certain death. He had to remind them of their training, of their principles, of the oath they had sworn. "That doesn't matter," he said, his voice firm despite the tremor in his heart, his eyes blazing with unwavering resolve. "We fight. We fight until our last breath. We are Yomu Executioner. We are sworn to protect humanity from the forces of darkness, and we will not falter, even in the face of death."

  "Understood," Kenta and the other Yomu Executioner, Jin Amakawa, replied in unison, their voices barely audible, their faces grim, their bodies trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. They drew their weapons, their hands shaking slightly, their knuckles white as they gripped the hilts of their katanas, the cold steel a stark reminder of the deadly task that lay ahead. They prepared to face the jūma, knowing that they were likely facing their own demise, but unwavering in their commitment to protect their comrades, to defend humanity, to uphold the oath they had sworn. They were Yomu Executioner, and they would not falter, even in the face of death.

  The jūma surveyed them with detached amusement, his eyes lingering on the terrified faces of the students huddled behind Minazuki and his two remaining Yomu Executioner. "I will leave the children for now," he said, his voice dripping with false generosity, a thin veneer of civility masking the utter depravity that lurked beneath. "Though I fully intend to return and slaughter them later. After I have had my fun with you." He paused, his smile widening into a predatory grin that sent shivers down their spines, a glimpse into the abyss of his monstrous soul. "For now..." He paused again, drawing out the suspense, relishing their fear. "I will savor the slow, agonizing deaths of the three of you... but... if any of the children attempt to interfere or flee, I will kill them all without hesitation. Consider it a... incentive to make this more interesting."

  "Let's go!" Minazuki shouted, his voice filled with desperate courage, a defiant roar against the encroaching darkness. He charged towards the jūma, his katana raised high, the blade gleaming in the rain like a beacon of defiance. He moved with incredible speed, his movements a blur of motion, his body a vessel of pure, unadulterated Shin'en. He knew that this could be his last stand, that he was likely facing his own death, but he refused to back down. He would fight with everything he had, he would protect his students, he would uphold his oath, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

  Kenta and Jin followed closely behind, their katanas drawn, their faces set with grim determination. They knew the risks, they understood the odds, but they would not falter. They were Yomu Executioner, and they would fight to their last breath.

  Kenta Hoshigaki, a Mei-rank, was a master of close-quarters combat. He channeled his Shin'en, the energy swirling around him like a visible aura, shimmering like heat haze, a tangible manifestation of his inner strength. He prepared to unleash a flurry of attacks, a whirlwind of steel and fury designed to overwhelm the jūma's defenses. He thought of his family, his wife and young daughter, their faces etched in his memory, their love a powerful source of strength. He would not let them down. He would fight for their future, he would protect them from the darkness, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

  Jin Amakawa, a Sen-rank and a master of ranged combat, specialized in delivering swift and decisive strikes from a distance. He was more comfortable with a sniper rifle in his hands than a katana, relying on his precision and tactical awareness to eliminate threats before they could get close. But circumstances had forced him to adapt. He gripped his transformed sniper rifle, now a sleek, Shin'en-infused blade, knowing it was a poor substitute for his favored weapon. He was more comfortable at a distance, calculating trajectories and wind speeds, eliminating threats from afar. This close-quarters combat felt alien, terrifying. A knot of dread tightened in his stomach, a feeling he usually suppressed with disciplined focus, threatening to unravel his composure. He focused on Minazuki's words, clinging to them like a lifeline. We fight until our last breath.

  Minazuki Toshima, also a Mei-rank, was renowned for his incredible speed and exceptional combat skills. He was a legend among the Yomu Executioner, a veteran of countless battles against the forces of darkness. He had once defeated an S-rank Yomurei single-handedly, though he had been severely wounded in the process, a testament to his unwavering resolve and his exceptional skill. Many within the Yomu Executioner organization believed him to be the strongest Mei-Rank in all of Japan, a title he bore with both pride and a heavy sense of responsibility. He had dedicated his life to protecting humanity from the forces of darkness, and he would not let this jūma break his resolve, he would not allow him to harm his students.

  "Oh... before we begin this... delightful little exercise..." the jūma interrupted, raising a hand to halt their advance, his voice a low, mocking drawl that echoed through the training grounds. "I propose a... challenge. A game, if you will. A test of your courage, your skill, and your... desperation." His eyes danced with wicked anticipation, relishing the moment, savoring their unease.

  "What do you mean?" Minazuki demanded, his eyes narrowed with suspicion, his mind racing, trying to anticipate the jūma's next move. He knew that this was a trap, that the jūma was playing with them, that this "game" was just another way to torment them, to break their spirits, to make their deaths even more painful. But he had no choice but to play along, to try to understand the rules, to find a way to exploit any weakness, any vulnerability.

  "I will restrain myself," the jūma declared, his voice dripping with false modesty, a blatant lie that hung heavy in the air. "I will hold back on my attacks. I wouldn't want to make this too easy. After all, I wouldn't want to attract unwanted attention, to alert the higher-ups of the Yomu Executioner organization. A larger audience would ruin this little... performance. I want it just to be the two of us." And if you pathetic humans somehow manage to sever one of my arms... I will allow you all to live and escape this place. A truly generous offer, wouldn't you say?" He paused, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement, relishing their disbelief. "A chance to survive. A chance to escape. A chance to live another day. All you have to do is... win."

  This creature is toying with us, Minazuki thought grimly, his mind racing, trying to decipher the jūma's true intentions. He claims he will hold back, and all we have to do is cut off his arm? It sounds too good to be true. It is too good to be true. This is a jūma we are talking about, a creature of immense power and unimaginable cruelty. He is undoubtedly playing some twisted game, and we are walking right into his trap. But what choice do we have? We can't just stand here and let him kill us all. He glanced at his students, their faces etched with fear and desperation, their eyes pleading for hope. He knew that they were clinging to this sliver of hope, desperate for any chance of survival, willing to believe anything, even the lies of a jūma.

  "BUT!" The jūma's voice boomed, shattering the momentary silence, jolting them back to reality. "There is, of course, a... catch. A small price to pay for such a generous offer. If I manage to kill you..." The jūma's gaze swept over the terrified students huddled behind Minazuki, his eyes promising unspeakable horrors, lingering on each of their faces, savoring their fear. "I will slaughter them all, slowly and painfully, before your very eyes. I will make them beg for death, and I will deny them even that small mercy. Their screams will be music to my ears. Their suffering will be my reward."

  "Stop it!" Minazuki roared, his voice filled with righteous fury, his control finally snapping. "They are not combatants! They are innocent! They do not deserve to be involved in this! Leave them alone! Fight me, if you want to fight! But leave them out of it!" He knew that his outburst was irrational, that it was exactly what the jūma wanted, but he couldn't help himself. He couldn't stand to see his students threatened, to watch them suffer, to know that their lives were hanging in the balance.

  "Hm..." the jūma mused, feigning thoughtfulness, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee. "Perhaps... perhaps there is a way to avoid such... unpleasantness. A way to ensure their safety. If you kneel before me, Toshima Minazuki, and beg for their lives... I might consider sparing them. A display of humility. A testament to your devotion. A small price to pay for the lives of so many."

  "Kneel and beg before a creature like you?!" Minazuki spat, his voice laced with contempt, his eyes blazing with defiance. "I would rather die! I would rather see the world burn than surrender to you! I will never kneel before evil! I will never betray my principles! I will never give you the satisfaction!" He knew that his refusal sealed their fate, that it condemned his students to death, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He couldn't surrender his dignity, his honor, his very soul, to a monster like Kaien.

  "Very well," the jūma shrugged, his eyes gleaming with malicious glee, his smile widening into a predatory grin. "I suppose I will simply have to kill you all, and then have my fun with the children. Such a shame. It could have been so much simpler. But then again... simplicity is so terribly... boring."

  "You bastard!" Minazuki exploded, his control finally snapping, his years of training and discipline cast aside in a moment of pure, unadulterated rage. He channeled all of his Shin'en into his katana, the blade glowing with an intense, white-hot light, a beacon of defiance against the encroaching darkness. He launched himself forward with incredible speed, his movements a blur of motion, his body a weapon of pure, unadulterated fury. He swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming to cleave the jūma in two, to end this nightmare once and for all.

  But instead of slicing through flesh and bone, his blade slammed against an unyielding surface, an invisible barrier that seemed to defy the very laws of physics. A shockwave of energy rippled outwards, throwing Kenta and Jin off their feet, the force of the impact sending them sprawling across the muddy ground.

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  "What...?!" Minazuki gasped in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock, his body trembling with exertion. The jūma's forearm had effortlessly blocked the full force of his attack, his blade failing to even scratch his skin. The jūma hadn't even flinched, his expression unchanged, his smile still playing on his lips. It was as if he had struck a wall of solid steel, an impenetrable fortress that could withstand any assault.

  "Such disrespect..." the jūma chided, his voice dripping with sarcasm, his eyes gleaming with mocking amusement. "I was still in the middle of explaining the rules. You really must learn some manners, Toshima Minazuki. Patience, after all, is a virtue."

  No way... Kenta whispered, his voice trembling with fear, his eyes wide with disbelief. Toshima-san's attack couldn't even break through his defenses? How is that possible? I've seen him cut through steel like butter! What kind of monster are we facing? He struggled to his feet, his body aching from the impact, his mind reeling from the sheer hopelessness of their situation.

  I put all my strength into that strike... Minazuki thought desperately, his mind racing, searching for answers, trying to understand what he was up against. But when my sword struck his forearm, it felt like I was hitting solid metal. There was no give, no resistance, just an unyielding force that stopped my blade dead in its tracks. What is going on? Was he deliberately leading us on, making us believe that all we had to do was cut off his arm? What kind of monster is this? No... he is already a monster. But this is something else. Something beyond anything I have ever encountered.

  "What is wrong, little Yomu Executioner?" the jūma taunted, his voice laced with amusement, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Have you already lost hope, now that you realize you cannot even scratch me? Perhaps you should just give up now and save yourselves the pain. It would be so much easier, wouldn't it? Just surrender, and I promise to make your deaths quick and painless. Relatively speaking, of course." He chuckled, a dry, rasping sound that sent shivers down their spines, a chilling reminder of the power he held over them.

  "Jin, Kenta..." Minazuki said, his voice low and urgent, his eyes darting between his two remaining comrades, his mind racing, formulating a desperate plan. "I have a plan. It is a long shot, a desperate gamble, but it is the only chance we have. We need to buy time. We need to find a way to exploit his arrogance, to lure him into a trap. And we need to trust each other. We are a team, and we will fight together, until the very end."

  "Understood," Kenta replied, his face grim, his body tense, his eyes fixed on the jūma. He was ready to follow Minazuki's lead, to trust his judgment, to do whatever it took to survive. He knew that their chances were slim, but he refused to give up. He would fight until his last breath, he would protect his comrades, he would uphold his oath.

  "We are listening," Jin added, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. He was still shaken by the jūma's power, but he would not falter. He would do his duty, he would support his comrades, he would fight for humanity.

  The jūma chuckled, clearly enjoying their desperation, savoring their fear, reveling in their helplessness. "Having a secret meeting, are we? How... charming. Well, I am feeling generous today. I will grant you a few moments to strategize, to whisper your pathetic little plans, to cling to your dwindling hope. After all, everyone deserves a fair chance... before they die." He glanced pointedly at the huddled students, his eyes promising unspeakable horrors, his smile widening into a predatory grin. "If you take too long, however, I might grow impatient and decide to expedite the proceedings. And trust me... you do not want to see me impatient."

  Minazuki quickly outlined his plan, his voice barely audible above the pounding rain, his words precise and urgent. He explained their roles, their responsibilities, the risks involved, the importance of timing, the need for unwavering trust. He emphasized that their survival depended on their ability to work together, to anticipate the jūma's moves, to exploit any weakness, any vulnerability.

  Kenta and Jin listened intently, their faces etched with a mixture of hope and apprehension, their bodies tense, their minds racing. They understood the plan, they knew the risks, and they were ready to do their part.

  Meanwhile, the students could only watch helplessly, paralyzed by fear and despair, their bodies trembling, their minds reeling. They were powerless to intervene, the battle unfolding before them far beyond their capabilities. They were trapped, helpless, at the mercy of a monster they could not defeat. The rain continued to fall, a light, mournful drizzle that seemed to amplify the oppressive darkness that surrounded them, a constant reminder of their vulnerability. Though it was the middle of the day, the thick clouds blotted out the sun, casting the training grounds in an eerie, twilight gloom, a fitting backdrop for the tragedy that was about to unfold.

  "If you keep us waiting much longer, I might just decide to kill those little brats," the jūma purred, his voice laced with false concern, his smile widening, revealing his sharp teeth. He hoped they would prolong their discussion, giving him an excuse to unleash his wrath upon the helpless students, to savor their fear and suffering.

  "Sorry to keep you waiting... jūma," Minazuki said, his voice regaining a measure of its former confidence, his eyes blazing with defiance. He was ready to face Kaien, to fight for his students, to protect humanity, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

  "Ah, the spirit returns!" the jūma exclaimed, his voice booming with mock enthusiasm, his eyes dancing with cruel delight. "Very well, then! Show me this brilliant plan you have concocted! Show me what you pathetic humans are capable of! Show me your despair!" The jūma cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously through the air, a chilling prelude to the violence that was about to unfold.

  "Let's go!" Minazuki shouted, signaling the start of their desperate gambit, launching himself forward with renewed vigor, his katana a blur of motion. Jin immediately broke away from the group, sprinting in the opposite direction, disappearing into the rain-swept shadows, his movements swift and silent. Simultaneously, Kenta and Minazuki charged towards the jūma, their katanas drawn, their faces set with grim determination. They struck in unison, aiming for the jūma's right and left arms, hoping to overwhelm his defenses, to create an opening, to land a decisive blow.

  But, as expected, their attacks were easily deflected, the jūma swatting them aside with contemptuous ease, his movements lightning fast, his power seemingly limitless. He was toying with them, relishing their efforts, enjoying their desperation.

  "Didn't I tell you that your pathetic efforts were futile?" the jūma sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. He spread his arms wide, unleashing a wave of force, a surge of pure, unadulterated Shin'en that sent Kenta and Minazuki flying backwards, their bodies tumbling through the air like rag dolls. The force of the attack was immense, their bodies slamming into the muddy ground with bone-jarring force.

  But Minazuki, with his years of training and unwavering resolve, managed to regain his footing mid-air, twisting his body, using the force of the jūma's attack to propel himself forward, increasing his speed as he hurtled back towards the monstrous creature. He aimed for the jūma's eyes, hoping to blind him, to disorient him, to create a moment of vulnerability.

  The jūma, however, easily dodged the attack, tilting his head slightly, avoiding Minazuki's blade with effortless grace. But behind Minazuki, Kenta followed up, his katana glowing with an intense orange light, the blade humming with power. He had poured a significant portion of his Shin'en into the blade, hoping to amplify its cutting power, to overcome the jūma's defenses. He slashed at the jūma's arm, managing to score a shallow scratch, a thin line of blood appearing on the jūma's otherwise flawless skin.

  The jūma recoiled slightly, momentarily surprised, his eyes widening with a flicker of annoyance. He grabbed Kenta's katana, intending to shatter it, to crush the blade into dust with his bare hands, and hurled the weapon, along with Kenta himself, away with contemptuous ease, dismissing them both as insignificant annoyances.

  But as the jūma's hand closed around the blade, a thin line of blood trickled down his fingers, a small but significant victory for the Yomu Executioner. Kenta crashed to the ground, his body wracked with pain, but managed to roll with the impact and stand up, albeit shakily, his face grim, his body bruised, but his spirit unbroken.

  I knew it, he thought grimly, his mind racing, adrenaline coursing through his veins. Though I failed to cut off his arm, I managed to draw blood. Pouring my Shin'en into the sword was the right choice. It may not be enough, but it's a start. It proves that he can be hurt.

  While he was thinking, processing the events that had just transpired, the jūma appeared in front of him, his movements impossibly fast, a blur of motion that defied human perception. Kenta was shocked by his speed, his eyes widening in disbelief as he realized he had no time to react. The jūma punched Kenta in the stomach, a brutal blow that sent searing pain through his body, causing him to convulse, his lungs struggling for air. He puked some blood, the crimson liquid staining the muddy ground, his body teetering on the brink of collapse. The punch didn't send him flying, the jūma's strength focused and controlled.

  While the jūma punched Kenta, Minazuki saw an opening, a momentary lapse in the jūma's defenses. He seized the opportunity, aiming to cut off the jūma's legs, hoping to cripple him, to slow him down, to give his comrades a chance. He also poured some of his Shin'en into his sword, hoping to increase its cutting power, to overcome the jūma's seemingly impenetrable defenses.

  Though the jūma noticed Minazuki's attack, he reacted quickly, dodging the blade with surprising agility, his movements fluid and graceful. However, Minazuki managed to land a glancing blow, a thin cut appearing on the jūma's right foot.

  Then the jūma jumped in the air, soaring above them, landing on the opposite side of Minazuki and Kenta, creating some distance, allowing himself to assess the situation. He stood there, his posture relaxed, his eyes scanning their faces, his smile still playing on his lips. Kenta went into Minazuki's side, supporting each other.

  "Not bad...your attacks are fast, your team cooperation is good, but where is the other guy that has a gun? Did he run and cry to his mother? Hehehe, I should go and give his mother something to cry about even more." Jūma said.

  "Why should we tell you?" Minazuki said. His head was pounding, and the blood was rushing in his ears. He knew that they were in deep trouble, but he refused to give the jūma the satisfaction of seeing their fear.

  "Oh is him being not in our fight part of your plan?" Jūma said. "I'm a genius, after all, you know, and you are stupid as hell"

  "Shut up!" Minazuki said "oh don't be mad, I'm just messing with you. Besides, I'm sure he's just finding a way to snipe me right? After all he's a range guy judging from what weapon he has" jūma said. "This guy, just a quick look and he already knew what kind of person he's fighting" Minazuki said in his mind. "but unfortunately for him I'm not the easy type of person to read!" He added in his mind while launching an attack on the jūma.

  He slashes his sword mid air, the jūma blocked it again. They continued, the sound of the blade cutting through the jūma's arm. The attacks and blocking were so fast that only the swing of the swords can only be seen.

  Kenta joined as well, he tried to aim for the jūma's feet where it has been cut slightly by Minazuki. But he uses his leg to block it.

  The two of them kept attacking the jūma nonstop with an incredible speed. While the jūma also blocked their attack and having cuts in his arms and legs.

  "What incredible speed, my eyes can't catch up..." Daichi said.

  "They're so fast, I can see their movement slightly, but as I watch, I get more dizzy " ren said in his mind.

  "What's wrong?! Can't switch to offense? You've had more than a hundred cut in your body" kenta said. The jūma smiled. He jumped slightly in the air, uses his feet to kick kenta and uses his hand to punch Minazuki. They both blocked his attack using their swords. But they were pushed and created a little distance to the jūma and both of them.

  "Even though he was in defense, he still managed to attack us?!" Minazuki said in his mind. "Already tired? This is boring" jūma said while his blood is spilling on the floor.

  "Despite many cuts in your body, you can still talk with that runny mouth of yours huh?" Kenta said while panting.

  Jūma laughed slightly "does me having cuts in my body means I'm already defeated? Don't make me laugh, I also said that just cut my arm and you win but it looks like you two want to kill me so badly..."

  "You...I will cut off your mouth so you will never speak again!" Kenta said and he slashed his sword on the ground creating a huge cracks and when it finally reached the jūma, the cracks stopped and the ground where the jūma was standing rises and has a sharp at the top. But the jūma jumped dodged it, but them Minazuki saw this chance to cut the jūma's arm. He went beside him and swing his sword. The jūma quickly blocked it with fist forearm, Minazuki pushed his sword and the jūma flew into the ground. Kenta rushed towards the jūma who was on the ground and slashed him. Jūma easily dodged it and was about to punch kenta. But Minazuki came just in time and blocked it's attack. Then Kenta jumped in the air and poured more of his Shin'en in his sword. Jūma caught it with his hands, it bleed.

  The jūma can't move, if he remove his hand on Kenta's sword he will be sliced, because kenta poured more Shin'en in it. And if he remove his arm on Minazuki's blocking, he might turn on offense and stab him.

  "What's wrong? Can't move?" Kenta said.

  Jūma smiled "this is nothing" he used his hands to put on more grip on Kenta's sword. "What?!" Kenta was shocked. "Kenta! Pull out your sword now!" Minazuki said.

  "I can't! His grip is strong! His hands won't let go!" Kenta said.

  "Then remove your hand on your sword! I hate to say this but you have to abandon it!" Minazuki said. Kenta hesitated but let go of his sword and Minazuki removed his sword on the jūma's arm. Jūma destroyed the Kenta's sword.

  We students saw this. "Did he just... destroyed his sword...?!" Daichi said. "Impossible! He bleed earlier when he held his sword right? His hands should be sliced!" Kira said.

  "He...broke my sword...?" Kenta said. "Good grief, I was not expecting some humans to make me bleed. But..." He disappeared from where he were "he disappeared?!" Kenta said but jūma reappeared on Kenta's back. It almost looked like he teleported. "KENTA!" Minazuki shouted. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, the students were not prepared for what was about to happen. The jūma raised his hands, his fingers splayed like claws. Kenta was not fast enough to react, but he saw it coming. The jūma's hand pierced into Kenta's body, unerringly striking his heart.

  Then, silence descended, broken only by the relentless drumming of the rain. The jūma slowly withdrew his hand from Kenta's body. His body slumped to the ground, Minazuki didn't expect this. "What's wrong...? Didn't I tell you from the Start? I will kill all of you" jūma lowered his guard and Minazuki saw this opening. He quickly went in front of him and stabbed the jūma with his sword poured with Shin'en.

  "JIN! SHOOT HIM AS STRONG AS YOU CAN!" Minazuki

  called to Jin. "On it!"

  "Me and Kenta will distract the jūma, Jin you go find a

  higher place and prepare your sniper." Minazuki had said earlier. "I

  see, so using a sword may not work but a gun might." Jin said "yes,

  but I also thought of another plan. While we distract him, Kenta and I will

  pour some of our Shin'en in our sword, it may cut him. I need you to do that as

  well Jin. But this time, you will pour all of your Shin'en in your sniper and

  shoot him when I said the signal." Minazuki said. "That's a great

  plan but I will need some time." Jin said. "How much?" Kenta

  asked. "Probably more than 5 minutes" Jin said. "I see, that's

  enough time to distract him" Kenta said.

  That was their plan, and now Jin pulled the trigger in his

  sniper and the bullet came out. It was so fast, jūma can't move because

  Minazuki stabbed him. When the bullet was about 1 meters distance from them,

  Minazuki quickly removed his sword and got out. While jūma remained standing

  there. He got shot by the bullet and sent him flying on the ground. There's

  some everywhere where he was dragged.

  "Jin...good job." Minazuki said.

  "Is it over...?" Ayaka asked.

  The smoke that covered the jūma's body started to fade away.

  There's a silhouette inside those smoke, it was standing perfectly. We were

  shocked, the jūma was not scratched. What's worse is that his cuts from earlier

  was gone. He was healed. "What...are you...? What the hell are you?! You

  have no cuts and injuries despite Taking that attack head on and didn't even

  dodge and those cuts that we made?!" Minazuki raising his voice.

  "That attack was just weak, didn't I tell you earlier?

  When you swung your sword to me and I blocked it, I was not holding back on my

  defense" jūma said. Minazuki stand there. "I said I was holding back

  right? When I was cut by your sword, I didn't have much defense. And I didn't

  heal myself. So in the beginning, this fight was already finished. The moment

  you challenged me into a fight" jūma said.

  "This is hopeless... there's no one to rescue us, if we

  call for help we will be killed, Instructor Minazuki's out of plan, and we will

  just have to wait for our death. Wait for me Miyu...I will soon join you"

  Kira said.

  "Shut up! Shut up..." I said.

  "You... you're the one that the Almighty Akihiro

  Saiten-sama recruited right?! Then you must have hidden power! Do something! Do

  you want me to get killed?! Do you want us to get killed?!" Kira held my

  uniform up and shouted to me.

  I didn't reply, I also wished that my mysterious powers

  control my body again and kill the jūma. "Where are you...? I don't want

  to be useless, please lend me your powers..." I said in my mind begging to

  him, but I didn't hear any response.

  "Hey! It's not his fault!" Ayaka grabbed Kira's

  hand and she let go of me. "Ren! Don't blame yourself!" Ayaka hold my

  back. "Kira was it? It doesn't mean that Saiten-san recruited Ren, he will

  be stronger in just a day by his first mission!" Ayaka shouted at Kira.

  Kira looked back clenching her fist.

  I ignored all of them and thought "Why did he even came

  here? He mentioned that he felt a strong Shin'en...did he meant that it was me?

  That time I swing my sword and killed the Yomurei that was about to kill me, my

  arms moved back there by their own. I think that someone controlled me, If the

  jūma meant that then he probably came after me" I thought of it in my

  mind. "Then this is my fault, for letting my guard down and resulting for

  someone to die...damn it!" I said in my mind and knelt down in the ground.

  "Ren..." Ayaka said. "Come out...please...i promise I won't rely

  on you anymore so please..." I said in my mind but No one answered.

  "Already out of plans? Then...I will now go on

  offense" the jūma said. He looked at the building where Jin is "but

  first...I will take care of the sniper boy" he jumped into the air.

  "JIN GET OUT OF THERE QUICK!" Minazuki said through the coms.

  "Toshima-san? What's wrong?" Before he could say any words, he felt

  something behind him. His aura was scary, dark, and it felt that Jin was about

  to die. The jūma arrived at the rooftop of the building where Jin is "So

  this is where you've been hiding all the time, Jin...." Jūma said. Jin was

  not a close combat Yomu Executioner, he is known as for his long range type. But now

  the jūma is in front of him, he is powerless. He grabbed his sniper and it

  turned into a sword. Despite being a long range man, he learns how to use a

  sword as well but not as good as others. His legs were shaking, his hands are

  shaking.

  "Oops, did you already piss your pants knowing that

  you're about to die?" Jūma said

  Minazuki rushed towards them at full speed.

  Jin shouted and ran towards the jūma and swung his sword.

  The jūma smiled, he dodged his attack, and grabbed his head. Minazuki got there

  but it was too late, he watched Jin died. Jūma crushed Jin's face, the blood

  spilled over the floor and in the jūma's head.

  "Too bad, they were all weak...so, Minazuki... you're

  next"

  "You bastard!" Minazuki shouted. He unleashed all

  of his Shin'en into his body. "This will be my trump card. Powerful to

  kill a Yomu Executioner, but I have no choice. This Shin'en power destroys limbs,

  intestines, and other organs after use. I don't care anymore, I will kill this

  jūma here and protect this kids." Minazuki said while shouting.

  "Finally starting to get serious? Maybe the Shin'en I

  felt earlier belonged to you...that doesn't matter right now, all I can think

  of is killing you." Jūma said

  "Jūma...I wished that Saiten-san was here. He could

  kill you without breaking a sweat but I can't rely on him all the time. Despite

  being the strongest Yomu Executioner in the world, he is also a busy person. That's

  why I will kill you right here right now!" Minazuki's appearance changed,

  his sword became sharper, his hands had some tattoo like connecting in his

  face. His eyes became black and his pupils became white, and he got armor

  around his body.

  "Amazing! So powerful! What power!" The jūma was

  happy and excited. "I don't usually give my name to someone who is not a

  worthy opponent. My name is Kaien, the 10th jūma of the Kurayami no Enjin. Nice

  to meet you. Toshima Minazuki."

  The rain intensified, mirroring the storm raging within Ren.

  He knelt on the muddy ground, the weight of Kenta's death pressing down on him.

  It's my fault, he thought, the words echoing in his mind like a death knell. If

  I hadn't been so weak, if I had been able to control this power, Kenta would

  still be alive.

  He closed his eyes, focusing inward, desperately searching

  for the power that had manifested itself before. Come out... please... he pleaded

  silently. I promise I won't rely on you anymore. Just help me protect them.

  Please... But there was only silence. The power remained dormant, unresponsive to

  his desperate pleas.

  Meanwhile, the jūma, now identified as Kaien, turned his

  attention to the rooftop where Jin had been positioned. With a burst of

  incredible speed, he launched himself into the air, soaring towards the

  building.

  "JIN! GET OUT OF THERE QUICK!" Minazuki shouted

  through the comms, his voice laced with urgency.

  "Toshima-san? What's wrong?" Jin replied, his

  voice filled with confusion. Before he could say another word, he felt a

  presence behind him, a palpable aura of menace that sent a shiver down his

  spine. He knew, instinctively, that he was about to die.

  Kaien landed silently on the rooftop, his eyes fixed on Jin.

  "So, this is where you've been hiding all this time, Jin..." he said,

  his voice dripping with malice.

  Jin, a Sen-rank Yomu Executioner, was a master of long-range

  combat, but he was woefully unprepared for a close-quarters confrontation with

  a jūma. He gripped his sniper rifle, his hands trembling, and with a desperate

  move, transformed it into a Shin'en-infused sword. He had trained with a blade,

  but his skills were nowhere near the level of Minazuki or Kenta. His legs were

  shaking, his heart pounding in his chest.

  "Oops, did you already piss your pants knowing that

  you're about to die?" Kaien taunted, his smile widening into a predatory

  grin.

  Minazuki, realizing the danger Jin was in, rushed towards

  the building at full speed, his body a blur of motion. But he knew, deep down,

  that he was too late.

  Jin, fueled by adrenaline and desperation, let out a defiant

  shout and charged towards Kaien, swinging his sword with all his might. Kaien

  simply smiled, sidestepping the clumsy attack with ease. He reached out and

  grabbed Jin's head, his fingers digging into his skull. Minazuki arrived just

  as Kaien twisted Jin's head with sickening force. The sound of cracking bone

  echoed through the air, and Jin's body went limp, falling to the ground like a

  discarded puppet. Kaien crushed Jin's face, the blood splattering across the

  rooftop.

  "Too bad, they were all weak..." Kaien said, his

  voice laced with boredom. "So, Minazuki... you're next."

  "You bastard!" Minazuki roared, his voice filled

  with grief and rage. He unleashed all of his Shin'en, pushing his body to its

  absolute limit. "This will be my trump card," he muttered, his voice

  barely audible. "This Shin'en power can kill a Yomu Executioner, but I have no

  choice. This Shin'en power destroys limbs, intestines, and other organs after

  use. I don't care anymore, I will kill this jūma here and protect these

  kids."

  As Minazuki channeled his Shin'en, his appearance began to

  change. His sword became sharper, its blade glowing with an eerie blue light.

  Tattoos, intricate and glowing with power, appeared on his hands and spread up

  his arms, connecting in a complex pattern on his face. His eyes turned black,

  his pupils glowing with an unnatural white light. Armor, seemingly formed from

  pure energy, materialized around his body, protecting him from head to toe.

  "Finally starting to get serious? Maybe the Shin'en I

  felt earlier belonged to you... that doesn't matter right now, all I can think of

  is killing you." Kaien said

  "Jūma... I wished that Saiten-san was here. He could kill

  you without breaking a sweat but I can't rely on him all the time. Despite

  being the strongest Yomu Executioner in the world, he is also a busy person. That's

  why I will kill you right here right now!"

  "Amazing! So powerful! What power!" Kaien

  exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement. "I don't usually give my name

  to someone who is not a worthy opponent. My name is Kaien, the 10th jūma of the

  Kurayami no Enjin. Nice to meet you. Toshima Minazuki."

  The stage was set. The final act was about to begin. The

  rain continued to fall, washing away the blood of the fallen, as Toshima

  Minazuki prepared to face Kaien, the 10th jūma of the Kurayami no Enjin, in a

  desperate battle for survival.