In an unknown place, the leader of the Black Blood group was present.
"Lord Gerard!" a girl entered the room.
"What is it, Yarita?"
"Tomar has taken control of the entire Kingdom of Kasegi and seized a fragment of the Kinotro crystal for himself. On top of that, he's trying to persuade Ray to join his side."
"Hmm, I see."
Yarita was surprised by her leader's calm attitude. "You're not going to do anything about it?"
"Why should I? He only has one of the four fragments in that state it's barely useful. Besides, we don't need to dirty our hands. Someone else will do the work for us."
"What? Who do you mean?"
"Have you heard of that kid, Derivan?" Gerard asked, and Yarita nodded. "You see, he's not an ordinary child. He has a demonic nature within him," he added, surprising the girl.
"A demonic nature? But how is that possible? He looks like an ordinary human."
"I have my suspicions. That's why I want to see how he develops to be sure I'm right. If my assumptions turn out to be true, his power could be useful to us."
"I understand."
"Keep me informed about what's happening in Kasegi and the other kingdoms. You may leave."
Yarita nodded and left the room. At the same time, Nohara arrived at a vast, empty field where there was only a small cottage.
"I finally made it."
Nohara approached the cottage and knocked. When the door opened, an elderly man stood in the doorway.
"Are you Mr. Barkut?"
Barkut looked the girl over, examining her closely. "Sorry, but I'm not into young girls. Come back when you turn eighteen."
Hearing this, a vein popped on Nohara's forehead. She was about to hit the man, but she restrained herself.
"My name is Nohara Hokane, and my grandfather sent me."
Hearing that surname, Barkut's eyes widened slightly. "Wait you're Majok's granddaughter?" the man asked. When Nohara nodded in confirmation, Barkut let her inside.
"So, how can I help you?"
"My grandfather said you could help train me and unlock my potential."
"If Majok sent you here, that means the situation has become serious. Am I right?"
Nohara nodded and explained what had happened in the Kingdom of Kasegi. Barkut did not hide his surprise as he listened.
"Alright. I'll help you become stronger, but I warn you my training is hellishly difficult for someone so young, especially for a girl."
"Even so, I won't give up and I'll give it my all," Nohara declared. Barkut noticed great determination in her eyes.
"Good. We'll start training tomorrow. For today, get some proper rest."
Meanwhile, at Morez's base, all the children were terrified at the sight of a boy tied to the wall, his arms and legs severed.
"See what awaits those who try to escape," Morez said.
Derivan was furious when he saw this. Despite the wounds and scars, he recognized the boy perfectly it was the same boy he had shared food with a few days earlier.
"You fucking bastards, you'll pay for this soon," Derivan said silently to himself, staring at Morez.
After training ended, some of the children sat down for dinner.
"You see, Derivan, there's no chance of escaping this place. If you get caught, you'll end up like that boy," Marta admitted.
Derivan paid no attention and continued to think about a way to escape. "Don't worry. Alone, the chances of escaping are slim, but if we involve others"
"What do you mean?" the blonde girl wondered.
"I'm thinking of a way to escape, but it will require more people."
"Give it up," said a boy sitting next to them.
"What?"
"It's pointless. If you value your life, go ahead and try to escape."
Derivan looked at the boy strangely. "Either way, most of us will die if we stay here whether from hunger or from our injuries. Sometimes it's better to take a risk than to regret later that you did nothing."
"So what do you think needs to be done?"
Derivan thought for a moment. "Hmm… I think we need to distract Morez and the other guards, while the rest head for the exit."
"That makes sense, but someone will have to sacrifice themselves by distracting the guards," the boy pointed out.
"I know. That's why it'll be me," Derivan announced, surprising everyone.
"What? You can't be serious!" Marta didn't like Derivan's idea.
"Unfortunately, I don't see anyone else for the job. Don't worry I'm strong and I'll manage. Today I'll prepare a map that will guide you to the exit."
"You're an idiot," the boy commented.
"I've heard that before."
After dinner, Derivan handed the other children a map leading out of the hideout.
"Alright, let's get to work."
At midnight, Derivan left his room and started making noise to lure out the guards and it worked. The guards began to come out.
"Hey, kid! How did you get out of your room? Get back immediately!"
In response, Derivan stuck his tongue out at the guards. "Make me," he said, running away.
The guards immediately gave chase. At the same time, Marta and the other children, hearing Derivan's signal, left their room and began following his map.
"Derivan, I hope you'll be okay," Marta said silently.
Derivan ran down the corridor, knocking various things to the ground.
"Get back here, you little shit!"
"Hahahaha, not a chance!"
Suddenly, Derivan ran into someone and that someone was Morez.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Derivan tossed several pellets from his pocket, creating a smokescreen and blocking the others' view. Then he slid between Morez's legs and kept running.
"Boss, the rest of the kids have escaped too."
"What? Damn it. Alright you set off immediately and find them. I'll deal with that brat."
"Yes, sir."
Derivan kept running, but soon reached a dead end.
"Damn it, there's no way forward."
"This is where your escape ends," Morez said, standing behind Derivan.
Derivan charged at Morez, trying to land any blow at all, but the man effortlessly blocked every attack. Then he grabbed the teenager by the arm and slammed him into the wall.
"Do you really think attacks like that will do anything?" Morez mocked.
"I won't know if I don't try. Shindo!" Derivan fired a stream of lightning from his hand.
Morez merely smiled, neutralizing the teenager's attack. Derivan leapt into the air, trying to attack again.
"You haven't learned anything," Morez commented, grabbing Derivan by the leg and throwing him to the ground.
Then the man planted his foot on Derivan's stomach, making the boy spit up blood.
"Do you finally understand your position?"
"Hehehe… I'll never acknowledge someone like you."
"You've got guts, boy or you're very stupid."
Morez grabbed Derivan by the throat and lifted him up, surrounding his other hand with chakra. He released the teenager and immediately struck him in the stomach. The blow was so powerful that his fist sank deep into the boy's body. Derivan spat out a large amount of blood and was hurled into the wall.
"What strength…"
Derivan tried to stand, but he could no longer keep his balance, especially after the last blow. Morez rushed over and kicked him in the face, sending him several meters away. After taking a few more hits, Derivan finally lost consciousness.