The Silverstar finally descended onto the massive docking bays of the Shinobi Trade Expanse, its landing thrusters releasing a controlled burst of compressed air as it gently touched down.
The Trade Station was a sprawling industrial marvel, filled with a constant stream of people, cargo, and machines.
As the hatch hissed open, a wave of warm, slightly humid air rushed inside, carrying the scent of metal, oil, and faint spices from the market sectors.
The spaceport was alive with activity—
Gigantic mechanical loaders were lifting crates filled with rare metals and exotic weapons.
Heavy-duty exosuits clanked as merchants in reinforced armor oversaw their shipments.
Various species—humans, cyborgs, and alien traders—bustled about, exchanging currency and negotiating deals.
Holographic display boards projected shipment schedules, bounty postings, and trade alerts.
Towering security droids monitored the main loading zones, their red scanner eyes sweeping the crowd for potential threats.
Serena's grip tightened slightly around Jasper's arm.
Jasper, still sluggish, squinted at the crowd. "Too many… people. Too bright. I wanna die."
Serena ignored him.
Sienna stepped forward, leading them toward the main security checkpoint.
At the checkpoint, a group of guards in black-and-red uniforms scanned arriving visitors.
But when they noticed Sienna's HD badge, they immediately let them through without issue.
Many of the people walking through the station wore shinobi-style outfits—lightweight combat robes, tactical utility belts, and headbands marked with clan insignias.
A few young warriors passed by, their katanas secured on their backs, while others carried advanced energy kunai attached to their belts.
The symbolism was clear:
This was a shinobi civilization that had evolved with interstellar advancements—combining ancient traditions with futuristic warfare.
Jasper, finally regaining some balance, glanced around.
"Man, it's like someone merged a ninja village with a high-tech black market."
Serena smirked. "Looks like the kind of place you'd get your ass kicked in."
Jasper sighed. "Probably."
As they passed through security, one of the guards turned to Sienna.
"Your guests are waiting for you in the VIP Lounge."
Sienna gave a slight nod. "Understood."
They made their way through the crowded hallways, passing bustling market stalls selling everything from custom-forged blades to rare intergalactic herbs.
Then—
They stepped into a quiet, private waiting room.
Inside, a small group of warriors stood waiting.
The first to step forward was a tall, silver-haired man with a tilted headband covering one eye and a black mask covering half his face.
He crossed his arms, observing them with a sharp but relaxed gaze.
"Finally," he said, his voice smooth yet mildly amused.
"You're late, HD Hero."
Sienna remained calm.
"I am Sienna," she said evenly. "And you are?"
The man smirked slightly.
"Kenshiro Arataka," he said. "Jonin-ranked shinobi. We were told an HD agent was coming, but they didn't tell us we'd be waiting for 30 hours."
Serena snorted. "Yeah. That's on her."
Sienna glanced at her briefly, then looked back at Kenshiro.
"I will complete my mission efficiently," she stated.
Kenshiro smirked slightly. "Good. Try not to slow us down again."
Behind him, three younger figures stepped forward.
The first, a young boy with spiky white hair, grinned confidently.
"I'm Ryuji Inazuma, but you can just call me Ryu!" he declared.
The second, a calm-looking boy with dark blue hair and piercing purple eyes, spoke next.
"Kaizen Kurogami," he said. "Call me Kai."
And finally, the smallest of the group, a cute girl with short auburn hair and bright green eyes, smiled.
"I'm Aiko Himura, but you can just call me Ai!"
Jasper and Serena introduced themselves, but Serena's focus was elsewhere.
Her fingers gripped tighter around Jasper's sleeve.
Because she knew.
She could feel it.
Blaze had been here.
And now, she was one step closer.
Kenshiro exhaled, turning toward the large viewing window.
"Alright, no more waiting. We need to move."
He gestured toward the hangar.
"My spacecraft is ready. We leave in five minutes."
Sienna nodded. "Understood."
Serena took a deep breath.
Jasper adjusted his sword, his blue eyes glancing at her.
"Ready?" he asked.
Serena exhaled slowly.
"Yeah."
Because now?
She was finally getting closer to him.
And Blaze wasn't escaping this time.
The group moved swiftly through the hangar bay, where Kenshiro's spacecraft was docked—a sleek black and silver vessel, built for speed and stealth.
Technicians worked nearby, running pre-flight checks, while cargo droids loaded supplies into the side compartments of the ship.
Serena's heart pounded in her chest, an unshakable tension settling in her ribs as they walked.
Blaze had been here.
She could feel it in her bones.
Her grip on her sword tightened, her crimson eyes scanning the hangar, searching for him.
"Where are you?"
Jasper, walking beside her, glanced at her face.
She was trying to stay calm, but he could see it—
The way her breathing hitched.
The way her fingers twitched slightly.
The way her eyes flickered with both hope and fear.
And then—
Sienna stopped walking.
Her silver eyes widened slightly as she looked down at her holo-interface, rapidly typing.
"Found him," she murmured.
Serena froze.
Jasper and Kenshiro stopped as well, looking at her.
"What do you mean, 'found him'?" Kenshiro asked.
Sienna's fingers moved with practiced speed, decrypting the station's internal tracking logs.
"Blaze's spacecraft landed here—"
Her brows furrowed.
"—but there's no record of him leaving through any official departure logs."
Serena's heart skipped.
"Then he's still here?!"
Sienna's silver eyes flicked across the data.
"No. His energy signature disappeared."
Serena's stomach dropped.
Jasper frowned. "Disappeared? What does that mean?"
Sienna exhaled, analyzing the logs.
"It means he either left using a cloaked transport—or someone erased his trail."
Serena's body felt light, as if the ground beneath her had vanished.
The hope that had surged in her chest—
The feeling that she was finally close to him—
It was ripped away in an instant.
Her fingers trembled.
Her breathing became uneven.
Jasper saw it.
And for the first time in a long time—
He didn't tease.
He didn't make a joke.
Because Serena wasn't just frustrated.
She was breaking.
Serena's vision blurred slightly.
"No. Not again."
Her fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palm.
She had been so sure.
So sure that she would finally reach him.
That she would finally get answers.
And now?
She had nothing.
She turned away slightly, swallowing hard, trying to control the storm inside her chest.
She wouldn't cry.
Not here.
Not now.
She was stronger than that.
But then—
Jasper, standing just beside her, spoke.
"...We'll find him," he said.
His voice was quiet.
Not teasing.
Not mocking.
Just honest.
Serena exhaled sharply.
She looked at him—
His usually careless blue eyes were serious.
She swallowed, looking away.
"Yeah," she whispered. "We will."
And then—
She turned back to Sienna, her voice steady again.
"If there's even a chance he went to the Shinobi Verse… I'm going with you."
Sienna met her gaze, analyzing her expression.
Then, after a moment—
She nodded.
"Understood."
Jasper sighed dramatically. "Guess that means I'm coming too, huh?"
Serena glanced at him.
Her lips twitched slightly.
"Like I'd let you wander off alone."
Jasper smirked. "Tch. You'd miss me too much."
Serena rolled her eyes.
But her chest felt lighter.
Because even if Blaze was gone again—
Even if she didn't know where he was—
She wasn't alone.
To Be Continued…