Taizen vs. Captain Frank! Soul Energy Combat and the Dreams of Ren!

The cold air of Rocas Frías carried a chilling tension as Taizen Kaizoharu stood face-to-face with Officer Frank. Around them, Frank’s subordinates looked on nervously, unwilling to lift their weapons due to the pacifying aura Taizen had cast on them while their desire to fight was weakened.

“You’re a brave little brat,” Frank sneered, tossing his gun aside. A sudden flare of energy burst from his body, a crackling red aura engulfing him. “But bravery alone doesn't win fights. Let me show you what real power looks like!”

Ren and Miwa stared in awe from the sidelines, completely unaware of the unbelievable event unfolding in front of their eyes. The crimson glow around Frank felt otherworldly.

“What’s going on!?” Miwa muttered, gripping Ren’s arm, who himself couldn't say a single word.

Taizen’s silver eyes glimmered as a faint blue aura enveloped him. “That’s Soul Energy,” he muttered. “But I’ll try to explain it to you later, Miwa. Right now, I’ve got some ass to whoop!” He smirked confidently.

Frank laughed, charging forward with a pair of nightsticks now vibrating with Soul Energy. Now he could perform police brutality with style! “Your little pacifist tricks won’t save you this time! Soul Energy isn’t about mercy—it’s about domination!”

Frank swung his nightsticks with ferocious strength, aiming for Taizen’s head. But Taizen’s titanium skeleton made him stronger, faster, and tougher than any normal human. He sidestepped effortlessly, the glowing blue of his Soul Aura accentuating how superior he was to Frank.

Taizen blocked Frank’s next strike with his head, the titanium skull tanking the attack. The impact reverberated through the air, but Taizen didn’t budge.

“What the hell!?” Frank roared, red energy surging as he attacked relentlessly with speed faster than the human eye could see. Each swing of his nightstick left massive damage on the pavement below, as if each time he struck, a blue whale crashed into the pavement, but Taizen remained a step ahead. We could say that Taizen's opponent was frankly too slow.

The way Taizen was protecting them made Miwa feel a burning sensation in her chest, something she never felt before.

“(Why? Why is he doing all of this for us? We don't even know him, we met him today, yet he's protecting us like we're… friends. Taizen… How are you so strong? It doesn't even make sense… Why do you care to go through this hassle for us?)” She thought as Taizen was hitting Frank with sequences of punches and kicks.

In the heat of the battle, Frank, like the scumbag he is, suddenly lunged for Ren, grabbing the boy by the collar and pressing the nightstick to his temple.

“Move, and the kid gets it!” Frank growled, his red aura flaring dangerously but flickering.

Ren struggled but froze as the nightstick hummed with raw power. His eyes burned with anger, yet he didn’t cry this time. “You’re nothing but a coward,” Ren spat, his voice trembling.

“What did you say!?” Frank uttered, tightening his grip.

“I said, you’re a coward!” Ren shouted. “I may be just a kid, but one day, I’m going to grow up and arrest terrible people like you! People who use their power to hurt others! That’s my dream—to make sure cowards like you are in jail and that no one has to suffer like me ever again!”

Taizen’s fists clenched, and his aura surged brighter, yet he smiled as Ren said those words. “Ren! That's awesome! I'll make sure you'll be able to follow your dream!”

Frank sneered. “You think you can stop me? You really expect me to fight fair!? Against a group of criminals!?”

“I’m actually offended,” Taizen said, raising his right fist. “I’m surprised, actually.” He muttered with his eyes closed.

“What? Are you surrendering?” Frank muttered.

“No, I'm offended by the fact you ever thought you could beat me if that's all your power.” Taizen opened his eyes, their silver glows now running cold with blue Soul Energy.

Taizen’s titanium-enhanced arm began to glow, blue flames erupting around his fist. “This one’s for you, Ren!”

“CHITAN-KEN!”

Taizen shouted. With a sudden burst of speed, he punched the air, unleashing his Chitanken—a blazing airwave that shot forward at the speed of light.

The blue wave slammed into Frank, sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, his red aura flickering and fading as he groaned in pain.

As Frank struggled to get up, Ren seized the moment. He ran forward and, with all his might, kicked Frank square in the groin.

Frank’s eyes bulged as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Taizen burst into laughter, clutching his sides as he wheezed. Taizen couldn't resist laughing out loud right after.

IV. Aftermath at the Police Station

With Frank defeated, the other officers cautiously approached, their weapons lowered. One of them, an older man named Manuel, stepped forward.

“Frank’s career ends here,” Manuel said firmly. “We’ll take him into custody and ensure he faces justice for his actions. We were too weak and afraid of his power to do anything before and we're so ashamed to call ourselves Police Officers.”

Taizen nodded, his aura fading. “Good. And make sure you guys don't hire any more Police Officers like him, because if this is what the Police is like, who needs any bandits?”

The officers hesitated for a moment, glancing at one another. Then, they saluted Taizen, a sign of respect for his bravery and strength.

Later that evening, Taizen, Ren, and Miwa found themselves at Aurelio’s restaurant—the very place Miwa had stolen from. As they ate, Aurelio listened intently to their story.

“So, it was you all along!” Aurelio said, narrowing his eyes at Miwa.

Miwa squirmed in her seat, but Taizen chuckled. “Don’t be too hard on her. She had her reasons. And besides, we’ve all done things we’re not proud of. Besides, everyone needs to eat to survive, can you really blame her?”

Aurelio sighed. “Fair enough. But you’re paying for your meals from now on, young lady.”

As the conversation shifted, Aurelio began explaining the world beyond Rocas Frías. “The Crimson Star is the heart of everything, but it’s surrounded by five other countries, each with its own secrets and their own unique culture. And then there’s Area 65, right at the center...”

Taizen leaned forward, his interest piqued. “Area 65?”

Aurelio nodded. “It’s heavily restricted. No one goes in or out without permission from the highest authorities. Why do you ask?”

Taizen grinned. “Let’s just say I’ve got a personal interest in that place.”

Ren and Miwa exchanged glances. Miwa then stared at Taizen as if a million thoughts rushed through her head at once. She stared at him for about five seconds.

“You’re crazy!” Miwa muttered.

Taizen laughed, his charisma shining through. “Maybe! But life isn't interesting if it's not at least a little crazy! Am I right?”

As they prepared to leave, Manuel approached them. “Ren,” he said, kneeling to the boy’s level. “You’ve got heart. If you work hard and stay true to your dreams, I’ll make sure you get the chance to join the police when you’re old enough.”

Ren’s eyes filled with tears as he let out the purest smile in the world. “Thank you,” he whispered, clutching Taizen’s hand. “Thank you for everything!”

Taizen ruffled the boy’s hair. “Go change the world, kid!” He then laughed again.

The next morning, Taizen prepared to leave Rocas Frías. As he walked down the road, Miwa ran after him.

“Wait!” she called.

Taizen stopped, turning to face her. “What is it?”

“I’m coming with you,” Miwa said, crossing her arms.

“Why?”

“Because you’re cool,” she said quickly, avoiding his gaze.

Taizen raised an eyebrow. “That’s not the real reason.”

“Alright, fine! I want to be protected, ok!? You're pretty damn tough.” She muttered quickly, switching between avoiding his stare and looking straight into his eyes.

“Tell me how you really feel.” He said bluntly.

Miwa hesitated, her lips quivering. “I'm… telling you the truth! You just m-make me feel safe, that's all!” She still avoided eye contact.

Taizen frowned, his eyebrows turning his gaze from nonchalant to serious. “I don't have the patience for this! Either tell me how you truly feel or skedaddle!”

Miwa hesitated once more. “I-...”

He sighed, looking unamused, then turned his back on Miwa. “I'm leaving, bye.”

She hesitated for one last time, a tear running down her cheek, and then she burst into tears, still not looking directly at Taizen.

“I don’t want to be alone anymore! Please! Let me go with you! Taizen… you... you made me feel like someone actually cares about me! I never had any other goal in my life besides surviving!

She paused, and Taizen stopped walking away.

“I never met my mom, or my dad, or had any friends! Everyone that passed on the streets seemed like they were… they w-were… ashamed to look at me! And that… t-that…”

“It hurts, right?” He turned his gaze to her and she started looking at him again.

“To be surrounded by people passing by you every single day yet still feeling alone… that's a special type of hell. If you felt like that, I know how it is. There's nothing worse in the world than feeling alone, especially in a world full of so many bad people that want to hurt you.”

Taizen stopped and then took a deep breath.

“Ren, you, and people who have no shelter out there don't deserve any of that. And the guys at the top of the world are willing to secretly take people like us and other types of citizens as disposable test subjects for their own goals? Area 65. That's the place with the stuff they wanna hide so badly from everyone, the place that hides the reason why so many innocent people they consider ‘unimportant’ have died painfully because of their sick failed experiments. I might be their biggest success, having survived and becoming this strong, I'm gonna raid that damn place.”

Miwa looks at him in awe.

“I’ll find out if I'm their magnum opus or not, and if I am… they'll find out that sometimes, your biggest success can lead into an even bigger failure.” He smirked at Miwa.

“T-Taizen… I…”

Taizen’s expression softened. He didn’t say anything, just smiled, started walking away, and motioned for her to follow him. Her eyes were filled with joy as she followed him, joining Taizen.

As they walked, they passed a shop with a television in the window. The screen displayed an announcement for a martial arts tournament in Cielo Rojo.

“The prize money is 815,000 yen!” the announcer said. “And among the participants is the renowned Mei Akamura!”

Taizen’s eyes lit up. “Looks like we’ve got our next destination.”

Miwa frowned. “She gives me bad vibes.”

Taizen smirked. “We’ll see who she really is once we meet her, and if she’s good, I’m gonna befriend that girl! She looks strong!”

Miwa didn’t respond but was a bit apprehensive.

And so, with their next adventure set, the two walked off into the horizon, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them. Though, unbeknownst to them, someone was watching them from the shadows.

To Be Continued…