Inside the Horse Carriage – En Route to Laybirth Kingdom
The carriage rumbled steadily along the dirt path, deep within the heart of the forest. Shafts of filtered sunlight broke through the thick canopy above, dappling the interior with flickering patterns of green and gold. The air smelled faintly of damp wood and summer moss. Inside, Team One sat in varying states of energy, nerves, and anticipation.
Shun leaned forward, his eyes wide with childlike wonder as he peered through the small window. "This is my first time in a horse carriage."
Ryju sat across from him, elbow resting on the windowsill, chin in hand. His gaze was distant. "So… Laybirth Kingdom."
"Yep," Kaji said with a sharp nod. "That's where we're headed. So you'd all better be ready."
Kenshiro yawned, stretching his arms. "Man, I just want to go to sleep."
"Too bad," Rei snapped, arms folded. "You're not getting any rest."
"Well, technically," Kaji added with a grin, "you kind of are. We're attacking on the third day."
Rei raised a brow, sharp. "Isn't that when Mr. Taka arrives?"
Kaji waved the concern away with a cocky smirk. "Forget that old geezer. I'll handle him."
Rei narrowed his eyes. "Didn't he flick you with the top of his katana and send you flying to the ground?"
Kaji winced. "Tch… shut up."
Still trying to salvage his pride, Kaji straightened his posture and crossed his arms. "Look. If I went alone, I could finish this mission in ten minutes. But with you guys, we need intel. Study them, learn their abilities. I figure two days will be enough."
Kenshiro grinned. "Wow. Didn't expect strategic thinking from you, Sensei."
"C'mon now. I'm a great sensei," Kaji boasted, puffing out his chest.
Goro grinned, his energy unshaken. "Man, we're lucky. We get all the good missions."
"Be grateful to me," Kaji replied smugly.
Shun sighed, looking out the window again. "Honestly, I thought our missions would be more like… rescuing a cat or chasing down a chicken."
Ryju leaned back, voice low. "To think we'd be sent out again the day after we just got back."
"For real," Kenshiro added. "Do we get breaks or something?"
Kaji shrugged. "When you're a ninja, breaks are earned, not given."
Kenshiro stared out the window, eyes dull.
I'm not fit for this. I just want to go home.
Kaji caught the look on his face. "What's with that face, Kenshiro?"
Rei, ignoring Kenshiro's muttered groan, turned to Kaji. "Sensei… is Mr. Taka really that strong?"
Kaji's playful demeanor faded. His tone turned low, almost respectful. "To be honest? He's too strong. That man's a walking calamity."
Back at the Spiritual King's Office
High above the village in his quiet chamber, Mr. Taka stood by the tall window, arms crossed, his gaze steady as he looked out over the rooftops of the Great Village.
"You're placing a lot of trust in those kids," he said.
The Spiritual King stood nearby, hands clasped behind his back. "Yep."
Mr. Taka's voice was unreadable. "They have special abilities?"
"Yep. They're a special bunch."
From the corner, Okata interjected. "And they're very strong."
The King gave a half-shrug. "Not yet. But I'm sure. I mean—I'm not sure, but I am sure."
Okata blinked slowly.
That doesn't even make sense.
The King stepped beside Mr. Taka, following his gaze.
"They're special. And if I'm right, they'll be a great help to the village."
Mr. Taka didn't turn. "How?"
"If they unlock their full potential," the King said, eyes glimmering, "they'll be a hundred million times stronger than you."
Mr. Taka raised a single eyebrow. "That's… quite the leap."
"Okay, maybe a bit exaggerated," the King admitted. "But even your prime wouldn't be able to stop them."
A slow smile pulled at the corner of Mr. Taka's lips. "Heh. I'd like to see that."
Back Inside the Carriage
The carriage creaked as it continued down the winding forest path, leaves brushing softly against the windows. Birdsong filled the pauses in conversation, the quiet rhythm of travel creating a strange peace between the team members.
Kaji clapped his hands once. "Alright, listen up. You all need power goals."
"Power goals?" Ryju echoed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rei asked, eyes narrowing.
Sounds like extra homework, Kenshiro thought bitterly.
"It's the next level of your abilities," Kaji explained. "How you evolve. I'll assign one to each of you based on your potential—the way the Spiritual King sees it."
Kaji pointed at Ryju. "You're up first."
"Me?"
"You can absorb energy and spiritual matter, right? So now you need to return it. Absorb it, analyze it, then use it against your enemy."
Ryju nodded slowly. "Understood."
"Kenshiro—you already know yours."
"Yeah?"
"Upgrade your black hole. Give it gravity—pull, mass, destruction."
Kenshiro cracked a small grin. "I like that."
"Rei—stop relying on just two hands. Summon more. Dozens. Maybe hundreds."
Rei smiled faintly. "Already working on it."
"Shun…" Kaji paused, scratching his head. "You're a tough one. We don't know exactly what your power is. But Lloyd thinks it's earth-based."
Shun lit up. "If I have earth power… I could be the Earth Guardian! Protector of all lands!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Guardian," Kaji chuckled.
Kaji turned toward Goro
"Goro, your power… it's heat-based, right?" he asked
Goro smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yep. I generate and control heat."
Kaji gazed closer, his tone thoughtful. "Then upgrade it. Push it further. With enough control, you could evolve it—turn that heat into fire, lightning... maybe even magma."
Goro blinked, eyes narrowing. "Magma? And lightning? Isn't that kind of a stretch?"
Kaji shrugged with a grin. "Not for someone like you. You've got the raw energy—now you just need the creativity to wield it."
Goro looked at his hands, heat flickering faintly between his fingers. "Fire, lightning, magma… huh. That doesn't sound so bad."
Kaji leaned back with a satisfied grin. "Now that your goals are set—go complete them."
The carriage rolled onward beneath the forest canopy as the mission loomed ahead.
TO BE CONTINUED...