Cataclysmic Clash

Ryuji and his teammates, still reeling from their battle, were tending to their wounds and resting at the outpost of Sector 2. Master Kenshin, accompanied by higher-ranked samurais from the Samurai Academy, arrived to check on them. Kenshin approached Ryuji and asked, "How did it go? What happened here?"

Ryuji, sitting with a bandage on his arm, replied, "We managed to fend off the Kurei-Kage's raiders, but Zera is dead. We fought hard and defeated their leader, Soraichi."

Kenshin nodded solemnly, "You've done well. Zera's loss is significant, but your success against the Kurei-Kage is commendable."

As they were discussing the battle, two mysterious figures suddenly appeared within the outpost. One of them, a young woman with cat-like ears and a tail, remarked, "Well! Who would have thought a raided area would be this lively, right? Nova!"

The other figure, similarly adorned, replied, "Yes, indeed, Aria!"

Both of them revealed their cloaks, showing they were both girls with cat ears, tails, and sharp canine teeth. The samurai were shocked. One of them exclaimed, "Did they teleport here or something?"

Ryuji squinted and said, "No! They moved here incredibly fast. I almost missed their movement."

Kenshin, impressed by Ryuji's keen perception, turned towards Nova and Aria and asked, "Who are you?"

Nova, with a mischievous grin, responded, "You haven’t heard of us? Too bad! Nobody ever sees us, haha!"

Aria added, "We are Traiders!"

Ryuji, puzzled, asked, "Trai—what?"

Nova laughed, "Traiders, you airhead! Or you can call us the Thieves of Raids."Aria continued, "Basically, we loot the raided places. Now, if you let us do our job, we can guarantee your lives. What do you say, good deal?"

Kenshin chuckled, "Brats these days! Do you know who you’re standing before?" He then said, "Now, let's see what you brats—"

Ryuji interrupted, "No, Master Kenshin, please let me handle this!" He faced the intruders, "Now, come and show this airhead what you've got!"

Nova and Aria, not backing down, replied, "Don't underestimate us!"

The fight began. The Traiders were swift and accurate, giving Ryuji a hard time. Nova darted in with lightning speed, her claws extended, aiming for Ryuji's torso. He parried her attack with his katana, but Aria was already flanking him from the other side. She slashed at him with her sharp claws, forcing Ryuji to pivot and block her strike just in time.Nova smirked, "Not bad, airhead!"

Ryuji, feeling the pressure, transformed into his samurai armor, wielding his crimson flame katana. Nova admired his transformation, "Wow, darling! That's beautiful!"

Ryuji charged at Nova, swinging his katana in a wide arc, flames trailing behind. Nova backflipped gracefully, avoiding the fiery blade by inches. She landed lightly on her feet and retaliated with a barrage of claw strikes. Ryuji blocked and dodged, his movements becoming more fluid as the fight continued.

Aria, meanwhile, circled around, waiting for an opening. She leaped into the air, spinning and launching a series of kunai at Ryuji. He deflected them with his katana, but the distraction gave Nova the chance to close the distance. She lunged at him, claws aiming for his neck. Ryuji ducked and countered with an upward slash, forcing her to retreat.

Ryuji, initially struggling, began to match their speed and skill as the fight continued. Nova and Aria, impressed, pushed harder. Nova unleashed a flurry of claw strikes, each one faster and more precise than the last. Ryuji met her attack head-on, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks.

Aria, seeing an opportunity, used her agility to get behind Ryuji. She aimed a powerful kick at his back, but Ryuji anticipated her move and spun around, catching her leg with his free hand. He threw her to the ground, but she rolled away and sprang back to her feet, ready to attack again.

Just as Ryuji started to gain the upper hand, a sound rang out.

Nova called out, "Aria! Time’s up! We need to head back."

Aria, disappointed, replied, "Oh no! Sad. Bye, darling!" She struck Ryuji's legs, making him kneel, "I hope we meet again, handsome!" And with that, they vanished as quickly as they had appeared.

Kenshin and the others couldn't pursue them. Haruto and the rest of Ryuji's teammates rushed to him.

Haruto asked, "Are you okay, Ryuji?"

Ryuji nodded, "I'm good. For now." He looked puzzled, "What were they?"

Kenshin, concerned, said, "I'm not sure, but we can’t ignore them. They could be a bigger threat in the future."

Suddenly, a demon messenger arrived and said, "Master! You and the students have been summoned to the Kulova Fortress."

Ryuji and his teammates quickly prepared to leave.

Meanwhile, in a dark forest, Kenjiro and his team were making their way back to the Kurei-Kage stronghold. As they walked through the forest, they overheard whispers from the soldiers around them."Is that Kenjiro? Finally, he arrived!"

"Wow, he's amazing!"

Using his curse, Kenjiro activated a hidden passage, and they were sucked inside a rock, reappearing in the stronghold’s main hall. Commanders and soldiers of various divisions stood in attendance, and above them, on a raised platform, sat a powerful figure.Kenjiro approached, knelt, and said, "We have arrived, Oniroshi-sama!"The chapter ends with the ominous presence of Oniroshi, hinting at greater challenges ahead.