Scene 1:
The drainpipe slammed against the man's neck with full force, sending him crashing to the ground, completely unconscious.
Everyone stood there, stunned.
Renzaki(lying on the ground, excitedly): Sensei!!
Puppy: What happened to you, my student? After all that training, and you're here licking the dirt like a loser?
Haruto & Reina (shocked): A… talking puppy??
Suddenly, the unconscious man lashed out, sending a flurry of water slashes toward the puppy.
That Man: Water Slashes!
The deadly blades of water sliced through the air, closing in.
But the puppy casually raised a tiny paw, touched the water… and sparked it with electricity.
The man's body convulsed violently as he was electrocuted.
That Man (X-ray style effect, choking painfully): Ghh… Ghhhrrkk… Aaarrghhh…!
Puppy: Oh, right… you haven't told me yet, who exactly is this guy? And what the heck happened here?
Renzaki: Basically… this guy's your cheap copy. He's been abusing your powers, dealing illegal weapons, and even wiped out other mafia and their guards. Heck, he even killed one of his own bodyguards just to flex his magic.
Puppy: Wow… a real villain, huh.
Haruto: Will someone please explain what's going on here??
Puppy: By the way, who are you all? Renzaki, are these guys with him?
Renzaki: No, no!! They're good people! My new friends in this new life of mine.
Puppy: Ohhh… I see how it is.
Renzaki: Sensei… actually, I have one question.
Puppy: Ok, ask away.
Renzaki: How was this guy using your powers? He even had your eyes… like a discount version of you.
Puppy: Well, after my so-called death, they removed my eyes and locked them away somewhere safe to avoid misuse. Years passed, people built a museum, and those eyes were put on display.
Puppy: You probably heard the news about that 'major' museum theft? Yeah… media kept it quiet, but what got stolen were my eyes. This guy's been using them ever since.
Reina (confused): Hold on… you said "after your death"? So you're…?
Haruto (confused, excited): You were reborn too, Sensei??
Haruto and Reina immediately hugged the puppy tightly.
Haruto & Reina (chibi style, exaggerated teary art): Sensei!! We missed you so much! We thought you were this bad guy!
Puppy: Ugh… why are these two clinging to me?? Get off!!
Puppy: Renzaki, make them stop…
Renzaki (with a small smile): Einzuro Sensei… these two are Haruto and Reina, your former students. And that— (points to the Water Bubble) —is Naoki.
Haruto: Wait… you knew all along??
Renzaki: Yep! I'm not an idiot like you. The moment you mentioned Shinkami Style, and I saw your fighting… plus your ridiculous behavior, I knew.
Reina: You couldn't have told us sooner?! We've been searching for Sensei this whole time!!
Einzuro (Puppy): Anyway, forget all that—let's get Naoki out of that bubble.
The four of them gathered around the Water Bubble, staring inside.
Einzuro (trying to hold back laughter): Pffftt…
Einzuro (barely containing himself): Ahem… yeah… he's completely unconscious in there.
Renzaki: Looks like this bubble's made of water on the outside… but jelly on the inside?
Einzuro: Pfft… the idiot made a reverse Water Bubble. Easy to pop.
Haruto: But how do we pop it?
Einzuro: We need something sharp. The thinner the object, the easier it'll pierce the bubble.
Haruto: But we don't have anything… oh, wait! My dummy katana's over there, I'll grab it.
Einzuro: Relax… no need for that.
Reina: Sensei, just spark it with electricity.
Renzaki: But Naoki's inside, he'll get zapped too.
Einzuro: Reina, how long are your nails?
Haruto: Like a witch's claws, honestly.
Reina confidently brought her sharp nails near Haruto's eyes, making him flinch.
Reina: This long.
Einzuro: Perfect. Tear it open.
Reina slashed the bubble with her nails. Naoki collapsed out, water splashing over him as he slowly woke up.
Haruto caught him.
Naoki (weakly, barely opening his eyes): Did… did we win?
Reina: Enough drama. Get up.
Haruto: Yeah, we won.
Naoki: Where's Sensei…? I could hear you all talking to Sensei…
Einzuro: Up you go, champ! Your acting won't help now!
Naoki jolted upright, eyes wide with shock.
Naoki (screaming): Aaaaaahhh!! A talking puppy??
Einzuro (laughing loudly): Hahahaha! Scared you, didn't I? Yeah, I'm your Sensei! Now move!
Naoki: But how… you…?
Einzuro (cutting him off): Read "Reborn as a Shopkeeper" to find out, let's go!
The five of them walked away, laughing.
[Is This The End..?]
Reina (suddenly popping in): Na na na! Not yet! What are you doing? Forget that bracket! We still need to talk to you(Yes You!).
Haruto Shinkami: Hey guys! How are you? Thanks for reading this one-shot all the way through, we appreciate you!
Renzaki Kazekami: So? How'd you like it? Actually… this isn't a one-shot anymore. Thanks to your support, our writer, Zaid Rehmani, turned it into a Mini-Series.
Naoki: And trust me, just wait a little longer… our writer's bringing a full-blown Series—200+ chapters, maybe even more, all based on our past! The hook in Chapter 1… more than enough to grab your attention!
Einzuro Shinkami: Hah! And obviously… I'm the strongest in that Series.
Reina(interrupting): Guys!! Please comment! Give us your feedback! Our writer, Haruto, Naoki, Renzaki, Sensei, and even I will reply to you personally!
Naoki(sadly): Just one comment… positive or negative… we'll be waiting for your words…
Haruto Shinkami(looking at the reader, grinning): Oh, and guys… our writer needs your support too. You can find them on 'Thatgram'—search for them!
Renzaki Kazekami(smirking, crossing arms): And if you don't know the name… check the Author's Note. It's all there.
Einzuro Shinkami: So stay tuned! You'll meet… well, our past selves.
All Together: So, see you! And thanks for reading this novel!
Naoki(wiping his nose, dramatically): Comments…
Reina: Ugh, Stop Crying! Now… it's really The End.
[The End…]