Alfie's footsteps echoed softly as he ventured deeper into the forest.
"I... I finally understand what Papa was trying to tell me," he muttered, slowly clenching his fists.
---
Far Away
Lucy, Rebekah, and Sasaki continued making their way through the dense forest, desperately searching for Alfie.
Then, without warning, the atmosphere changed.
The bright sky darkened as thick clouds rolled in, swallowing the sunlight. The trees began swaying violently, their branches creaking beneath an overwhelming pressure.
A terrifying wave of Renshi spread across the forest. Its sheer intensity made the surrounding air feel suffocating.
Such an immense presence could hardly go unnoticed.
Across the borders of Sunflower and Eminence, the Special Darkside Knights stationed in both kingdoms immediately sensed the disturbance.
The overwhelming Renshi pulsed through the land like a warning bell, shaking the air and sending tremors through the ground.
---
Kingdom of Eminence
Inside a grand obsidian castle, the Special Darkside Knight of Eminence sat motionless upon his towering stone throne, his eyes closed.
He had already sensed the overwhelming pressure coming from the forest near his kingdom's border.
Moments later, Ricardo, his messenger, rushed into the chamber. His face was pale with concern.
"My lord, forgive me for disturbing you, but I'm certain you've already sensed it. The Renshi pressure coming from the forest is far stronger than anything we've felt from that area before."
He paused to catch his breath before continuing.
"Both enemies and allies appear to be gathering there. If a battle breaks out, the entire forest could be destroyed. What should we do if the Shinras involved cross our borders?"
The Special Darkside Knight slowly opened his eyes before rising from his throne.
His towering figure cast a long shadow across the chamber.
"Ricardo, you've done your duty. Leave the rest to me."
He turned toward the entrance.
"Now, go and bring me Metro."
Ricardo bowed immediately.
"Understood, my lord."
Without another word, he hurried out of the chamber.
The Special Darkside Knight turned his gaze toward the distant border.
Whatever is happening out there, I need to know how far this trouble will spread.
---
Kingdom of Sunflower
Meanwhile, tension filled the grand castle of Sunflower.
Rhino, the kingdom's Special Darkside Knight, sat upon his golden throne. Standing eight feet tall with a heavily muscled physique, he was an intimidating figure even while seated.
Several Shinras stood before him, discussing the strange pressure coming from the border.
One of them, wearing a cape decorated with red patterns, yawned before speaking.
"So, Rhino, what's the plan? Are we really going to sit here while something this powerful happens right outside our doorstep?"
Rhino shot him an annoyed look.
"Don't ask questions if you don't want to hear the answer, fool. You're always half-asleep, yet you expect me to solve every problem the moment you open your mouth."
The Shinra clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Not everything needs a response, Rhino."
Another man, wearing a dark red cape, folded his arms.
"Enough arguing. The situation is serious, and we're wasting time. Tell us what you've decided."
Rhino chuckled.
"Calm down, Fladigo. There's no need to get worked up."
He leaned forward, his expression gradually becoming more serious.
"That pressure isn't ordinary. The Shinras involved in this situation are far stronger than the ones we usually deal with. After investigating, we discovered that both children and adults were fighting inside the forest."
He paused briefly.
"The children weren't particularly impressive, with one exception. That boy has disappeared, and the Renshi bug I sent to follow him was destroyed."
Rhino's eyes narrowed.
"Whatever destroyed it was powerful enough to detect it and take it down before it could return."
The Shinra wearing the dark red cape, Zanagi, finally spoke.
"If even your Renshi bug couldn't survive, then we're dealing with something serious."
"Exactly," Rhino replied.
He waved his massive hand dismissively.
"Zanagi, Fladigo, I'll leave this matter to you two. Investigate the forest and eliminate any threats that attempt to cross our borders."
"As you command," they answered.
Both men activated Switch Mode and vanished from the chamber, reappearing near the doors.
Fladigo glanced at Zanagi with a confident smirk.
"I can handle this myself, so don't get in my way."
Zanagi scoffed.
"You take everything too seriously, idiot. Fine, handle it yourself. I couldn't care less."
He pushed the door open and walked out without looking back.
Fladigo shook his head.
"Suit yourself. I'll enjoy the fight without you."
He followed Zanagi out of the chamber, though neither seemed particularly pleased about working together.
Rhino watched them leave before letting out a heavy sigh.
"Those two never get along. Why did I even send them together?"
The remaining Shinra, dressed in a white cape decorated with intricate patterns, smiled faintly.
"You already know how they are, Rhino. What did you expect?"
Rhino shook his head.
"I don't know. But one thing is certain. Neither of them will fail."
His expression suddenly hardened as he turned toward the man in white.
"Now, let's talk about you, Pascal."
The man's smile faded slightly.
"It's time for you to return to your own squad. I know you've been impersonating Towondo. Don't think we haven't noticed that he was murdered in his own home two days ago."
Rhino rose from his throne.
"So tell me, Pascal of the Reinforcement, what business do you have in my kingdom?"
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
"And why would Miyamoto allow the Reinforcement to kill one of his own?"
Pascal stared at him for a moment before breaking into a cold laugh.
"Well, well. You Special Darkside Knights never disappoint. You've actually figured me out."
His smile widened.
"Unfortunately, Rhino, I'm afraid your other Pro Darkside Knights are as good as dead."
Rhino's eyes narrowed.
"What did you say?"
"The Reinforcement are already moving through the eastern country," Pascal replied calmly. "We take what we want and leave without a trace. You know what that means."
His expression turned cold.
"No survivors. No witnesses. Nobody to report to Golden Katana."
As he spoke, his appearance began to change.
His black hair gradually turned white, while his face shifted from that of a middle-aged man into that of a young man with long, flowing white hair.
Rhino's expression darkened.
"So you never intended to leave peacefully."
He turned toward a massive steel safe built into the wall behind his throne.
"I was going to deal with you eventually, but you've just made my decision easier."
Before Rhino could reach the safe, Pascal disappeared.
Switch Mode.
He reappeared directly in front of Rhino, twisting his body as he launched a sudden attack.
But Rhino reacted faster.
His enormous hand shot forward and caught Pascal before he could land his strike.
CRASH!
Rhino slammed him into the stone floor with tremendous force.
The ground cracked beneath Pascal's body, sending dust and broken fragments flying across the chamber.
Rhino stood over the crater, staring down at his opponent.
"Did you really think you could surprise me with a move that simple?"
Pascal lay motionless among the broken stones.