Kenjiro’s offer hung in the air, the words echoing in Ryuji's mind. "Join the Kurei-Kage," Kenjiro had said. Ryuji's astonishment turned to disbelief. "What?" he managed to utter.
"You heard me right," Kenjiro continued. "Join the Kurei-Kage. We are always in need of capable warriors."
Ryuji's face hardened. "Well, my answer is no!"
Kenjiro sighed. "Don't you understand the situation, Ryuji? You know what the demon army and their Lord do. They massacre people, enslave them, and abduct daughters, wives, and sisters from their homes. You know everything!" He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Also, remember Ryuji, our lives are like a chess game. All the pieces are used up except for the king. Then, when all the pieces are placed back on the board, a new game begins. It's the same board, but the pieces are different. The king remains the same. You are the king; the pieces are your friends. Once you lose them, others will replace them, but you will remain the same!"
Ryuji's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "So what? That is not my concern! I just want my revenge! That's all that matters to me."
Kenjiro maintained his calm demeanor. "And then? What will you do after taking that revenge of yours?"
"I... I don't know," Ryuji admitted, tears welling up in his eyes. "I've never liked fighting. I just wanted a peaceful life. I wanted to spend my life with Shion!" His voice broke, and he continued, "I don't know why my life has become such hell. Whenever I think things are going well, something happens that breaks my heart."
Kenjiro placed a comforting hand on Ryuji's shoulder. "Don't think you are the only one who has lost everything, Ryuji. The Kurei-Kage is filled with people like you, including me and our commander. Think carefully about what you want to do. Go for now! And remember, if you ever feel lonely or alone, Kenjiro Ishikawa and the Kurei-Kage are there for you!"
Ryuji nodded slowly. "Yeah, I will talk about this with my friends." They parted ways with a mutual farewell.
The scene shifted to the cave where Haruto and the others were resting and tending to their wounds. Sora sighed, "I'm happy to be alive."
Akira replied, "Willpower!"
Takeshi grumbled, "Well, whatever, I'm hungry!" Everybody laughed.
Ryuji entered the cave, his eyes filling with tears at the sight of his bandaged friends. Yumi noticed and said, "Don't worry, Ryuji, we're fine! Thanks for saving us!"
Hana interjected, "Sorry for ruining the moment, but what are you guys going to do next?"
Haruto stepped forward. "That reminds me! Ryuji! I want a clear answer from you! Tell us what you’re going to do next!"
Ryuji looked at Haruto and everyone else. "I'm... sorry, guys, but I think this is where we part ways."
Everyone was shocked. Haruto, though half-expected, still asked, "Then did you give up on your revenge?"
"That's something I will never give up," Ryuji replied. "But I'm parting ways because I finally got a lead on my father's murderer! So I'm not going to miss this opportunity! In short, I'm joining the Kurei-Kage!"
Haruto grabbed Ryuji's shirt. "Did you forget, huh? What they did to Mei! They killed her! They are the same animals as the demons."
Ryuji grabbed Haruto's hand and replied, "Do you have any proof that the Kurei-Kage did this? That they killed Mei."
"Proof you ask?" Haruto punched Ryuji in the face. "You know what! You are the same as them! Just get out of here before I kill you, Ryuji!"
Everyone else grabbed Haruto, trying to calm him down. Takeshi and Akira approached Ryuji. "You okay, Ryuji? Sorry about what Haruto did. He's just not in his right mind!"
Ryuji smiled weakly. "He's right, Takeshi, Akira, and everyone. I'm sorry!" He started to walk out of the cave.
Haruto shouted, "Ryuji! Don't you ever show me your face again!"
Ryuji smiled painfully. "If I'm alive, I won't, but if I die, then just slap me on my face!" He walked away, hiding his tears and reciting Kenjiro's words to himself, "Our lives are like a chess game... All the pieces are used up except for the king... Then, when all the pieces are placed back on the board... a new game begins... It's the same board... but the pieces are different... The king remains the same... You are the king; the pieces are your friends... Once you lose them, others will replace them, but you will remain the same."
The scene shifted to a jungle where Ryuji met Kenjiro. "Farewells are always hard, y'know!" Kenjiro said.
"Yeah!" Ryuji replied.
"Wanna rest?" Kenjiro asked.
"No! Let's head to the camp!" Ryuji insisted.
Kenjiro shook his head. "No! The camp is empty! War has broken out, as you know! Our armies are marching towards Akumagahara. We are told to join them there! So let's prepare and rest some before departing!"
"Sure," Ryuji agreed.
Kenjiro led Ryuji to a nearby stream where he bathed, then provided him with Kurei-Kage samurai armor and an enhanced katana. They rested until evening. Kenjiro woke Ryuji as it was time for their departure.
While traveling to Akumagahara, Kenjiro broke the silence. "Wanna know something?"
"Is it about them?" Ryuji asked.
"Yup! Your old friends."
"What is it?" Ryuji pressed.
"They joined the dwarfs! Apparently, we wanted to join hands with the dwarfs too but...""But?" Ryuji echoed.
Kenjiro smiled. "Well, I'll tell you that some other time!"
"Yeah, okay," Ryuji sighed, and they continued their journey through the night.
At Akumagahara, the four demon sectors arrived. Each was led by formidable leaders: Commander Kaze and Vice-Commander Nobu of Sector 1, Commander Rai and Vice-Commander Kel of Sector 2, Commander Ryo and Vice-Commander Katsu of Sector 3, and Commander Melori and Vice-Commander Denki of Sector 4. They were joined by the elder Rayas, the left hand of the Demon Lord, and a massive demon army.
Facing them was Oniroshi, the commander of Kurei-Kage, leading the six divisions: 1st Division Leader Zephara, 2nd Division Leader Mio, 3rd Division Leader Raiden, 4th Division Leader Jiro, 5th Division Leader Yurei, and 6th Division Leader Nerina, along with their army of warriors. Kenjiro and Ryuji had not yet arrived.
Rayas's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Today! We will mark the end of this organization, Kurei-Kage!" The demons roared in agreement. "Let's kill them!" Rayas commanded, and the demon army marched forward.
Oniroshi addressed his warriors. "My warriors! Today is the day we battle for humanity! Our people! Our children! Everyone! Lend me your strength!" The Kurei-Kage warriors shouted in unison and marched forward.
The two forces clashed, and the air filled with the sounds of battle. Swords clanged, powers unleashed, and the ground shook under the force of their attacks. The battlefield was about to encounter a great battle that will be remembered in history! This is the beginning of the war of serenity or The Serenity Strife.
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