"Don't make me use force," Akizame said, locking eyes with him.
"Sorry to disappoint you… but I'm not part of the Mugentamashii," Kaito replied, his voice steady.
Akizame glanced around, assessing the scene.
"And yet you knew this place existed. Only we in the Reikeitai knew about it—and about what happened here. We were investigating… but it seems you've just saved us some time."
"I have nothing to do with this," Kaito said calmly. "I came here only to speak with the boss."
Inside, though, he could feel the gulf between their strengths. It was like standing before an immovable wall.
Akizame's eyes narrowed.
"Then you won't mind coming with me."
Kaito hesitated.
(I can't go with him… If he finds out my intentions, he'll stand in my way.)
"No. I'm not going with you."
Akizame's expression didn't change.
"Do you understand the situation you're in, boy?"
"All too well.
And the only way out is…"
He raised his blades.
Ash began to coil around Akizame's body, like a silent fire consuming him without burning.
"Last chance—will you come with me?" his voice rumbled.
Kaito closed his eyes for a heartbeat.
"Sorry… but no."
He sprang forward in a flash, one blade slicing through the air toward its mark.
Akizame didn't flinch.
A block of ash formed in front of him, stopping the weapon with surgical precision.
Behind him, another figure appeared—Enzo.
(I have to pull this off… I can't fail now.)
Kaito gripped his second blade tightly.
Akizame's hand moved slowly, deliberately.
Clusters of ash took shape and shot toward Kaito like a storm of jagged shards.
Kaito dropped low, sliding under one by a breath, then vaulted back up, slashing another apart—
—but it wasn't enough.
"That won't be enough," Akizame murmured.
He clenched his fist, and the severed ash exploded.
The shockwave slammed into Kaito.
The boy crashed into the wall with bone-jarring force before hitting the ground hard.
Another strike of ash hurtled toward him.
He pushed off with his arms, rolling aside just in time.
He sprang to his feet—only to find Akizame already in front of him, fist wreathed in ash and aimed at his face.
"Is that all you've got?! What are you waiting for—use your spirit!" Akizame growled.
Kaito gritted his teeth, channeling spiritual energy into the tip of his blade and raising it to guard.
The weapon caught the punch, and the impact sent a shockwave blasting through the room, scattering the lifeless bodies around them.
"You really want to fight here?! You haven't even moved the bodies…"
"I didn't start this fight," Akizame replied, his tone like ice.
The words stole Kaito's focus—just for a second.
A second too long.
The next punch smashed into his face.
The force behind it was crushing.
Kaito's body was sent flying, bouncing off the ground and shattering floor tiles before skidding onto the disused subway tracks.
He stayed down for only a moment before forcing himself up.
His breathing was ragged. Legs shaky, but holding.
Blood ran slowly from shallow wounds on his face and left arm.
With a sudden leap, Akizame landed on the tracks.
Once again, he stood before Kaito.
"Still want to continue? Why don't you use your spirit? Earlier… I clearly sensed spiritual energy from you."
Kaito gave a faint shrug and a small, crooked smile.
"I don't have one."
Akizame's eyes widened.
"No spirit…? Then how can you fight like a possessor?!"
"That's not your concern."
He lifted his left arm slightly. "In fact, thanks for that punch earlier… you helped me get it back."
A second blade appeared in his hand.
Akizame's eyes lingered on it.
"You wield them like daggers… pathetic."
Kaito frowned.
"Even if they're shorter than normal, those are wakizashi," Akizame said sharply.
"Wakizashi?" Kaito repeated.
"Yes… but forget it. You're not the first fool I've seen misuse blades like that."
Then Akizame fell silent.
His expression shifted.
He stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the wakizashi as if seeing a ghost.
"Where did you get them?" he asked quietly, though his voice carried a restrained anger.
Kaito glanced down at the weapons, then back at him.
"What's with you now?"
"I'll ask you one last time… where did you get those blades?"
Behind him, more masses of ash materialized, ready to strike.
"Why do you want to know?" Kaito shot back.
"Because those blades… were never meant to be yours."
Kaito's grip tightened.
"I don't owe you an explanation."
Akizame's teeth clenched.
"Then I'll take them from you myself."
Ash bolts launched toward Kaito like a hail of arrows.
He dodged some, others burying themselves into the wall with a heavy thud.
(Perfect… this might work.)
He dashed forward.
"What is he planning…?" Akizame muttered, watching.
Kaito used the embedded ash bolts as footholds, bounding upward as if climbing a staircase.
His wakizashi flared, glowing with pulsing blue spiritual energy.
(If this doesn't work… I'm out of options.)
He launched into the air.
"Spirit Slayer!!" he roared.
A wave of spiritual energy tore from his blades, hurtling toward Akizame.
"Layer the ash—multiple shields!" Enzo shouted.
Akizame obeyed instantly. Sheets of ash rose and packed together into a wall before him.
The attack slammed into the barrier.
The two forces clashed, straining against each other.
"Come on…!" Kaito roared, pouring in every ounce of strength.
For a moment, they were locked in perfect balance—
—until they detonated in a massive explosion.
The blast shook the subway. The ceiling cracked apart.
Dust and debris rained down.
From the rubble, both fighters emerged—injured, but still standing.
Sunlight streamed through a gaping hole above, casting light over the ruined scene.
Akizame clutched his abdomen tightly.
(Damn… those wounds from the fight with Zo…)
Kaito's legs buckled. He dropped to his knees, gasping.
Akizame closed the distance step by step.
"Now you owe me some answers."
Silence.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" he pressed.
(I can't lose…) Kaito thought.
"I told Yume not to worry…" he murmured.
"What are you babbling about?" Akizame snapped, confused.
Kaito lifted his head slightly.
His eyes were shadowed—except for a sudden, burning glow.
Red.
Vivid.
Menacing.
"I won't let you… win."
And in that instant, only one thought crossed Akizame's mind:
(He looks… like a demon.)