The checkmate begins

They reached the gate of the society.

Two muscular guards stationed at the entrance glanced at them suspiciously.

"What do you want?" one of them asked.

Kenzo lifted the cap of his cloak, revealing part of his face.

Kenji replied calmly, "Mango topping stuffed in a refrigerator."

The guard nodded and handed him a key labeled #0720. "You may enter. You’re permitted to stay for five days."

As they took the key, the second guard stopped them. "Before entering, you will be checked."

Kenzo nodded. "No problem. Go ahead."

The guard began checking their pockets and clothing. Upon finding Kenzo’s sword, he paused.

"Blades are not allowed here," he said.

Kenzo handed over the black and cyan gas-emitting sword.

The guard’s eyes narrowed. (This sword...) "Mind if I ask where you got this sword?"

"It was given to me," Kenzo replied.

(Given to him? But this sword... It belongs to that legendary swordsman, Shogun Kenzo-sama. How does he have it?)

"Is something bothering you?" Kenzo asked, eyes narrowing.

"What’s your name, sir?"

"I am Kenzo."

The guard froze, sweat breaking down his temple. "Not possible... You were killed by Kuroshin a century ago."

Kenzo’s gaze sharpened. "Do you really think he could kill me back then?"

The guard immediately straightened and saluted. "No! I don’t doubt you, sir! I’ve heard all the tales of your heroism—saving the nation several times. If you’re Kenzo-sama, then... Kenji-sama must be—"

Kenji interrupted. "Kenzo, let’s go."

"Let them pass," the first guard said hastily.

But the second guard wasn’t done. "Wait! Are you... Kenji-sama?"

Kenji turned slightly, lifting the cap of his cloak. "What do you want?"

Both guards gasped.

"T-That scar... It’s you after all!" the second guard exclaimed. "Take your swords. We don’t have the right to even touch your belongings. If your blade had cut me, it would’ve been an honor."

He returned their swords and swapped the key for one marked #0003.

"And take this key instead. A more fitting accommodation."

Kenzo nodded. "Kenji, let’s go. We don’t have enough time."

Kenji silently followed.

As they disappeared into the distance, the second guard whispered, "What did we just encounter...? The two strongest swordsmen in the world."

The first guard added, "Kenji-sama... the one who defeated the Supreme Judge twenty times. He’s one of the five strongest beings in the nation right now."

They entered their house. It looked modest from the outside, but was luxurious within.

Kenzo flopped down onto a velvet-lined sofa. "Finally, after more than a hundred years, I’m resting somewhere that isn’t falling apart. But I won’t relax for long."

Kenji nodded. "Yeah. We came here for a reason. Our country’s still suffering. We meet Chandra tomorrow."

They rested for the night.

A purple eye emerged from darkness, cold and unblinking.

Kaminari woke up in a sweat. "That eye again... it’s been haunting me. What should I do?" He looked toward the window and sighed. "Guess I’ll train for now."

He joined Sumire, who created her Kyokai. Nearby, Raizen was punching into thick tree trunks.

"Oye! Raizen! Come here!" Kaminari called. "Sumire, keep an opening. I’m coming."

Sumire blushed. "Yes... but stop looking at me like that."

Raizen turned. "Oh, it’s Kaminari. Good morning."

"Training alone? Come train with us."

They all entered the Kyokai together.

"Hone my skills, will you?" Kaminari asked.

Raizen remembered Hiroshi’s smile when he once asked the same. He returned the smile. "Yes. Let’s start with a duel."

"Sure," Kaminari grinned, grabbing Bakura. "Let this friendly duel begin."

Kaminari’s aura exploded as he charged forward. Raizen grinned, bursting his own aura in return. They clashed violently, sword against forearm, aura against aura.

In Sinhal Village, Kenzo and Kenji changed into simple samurai clothing and headed toward House No. 0001.

Kenzo rang the bell. "Hello? Anyone home?"

A voice called out from within. "Identify yourselves."

"Chandra? I am Kenzo, ex-Shogun. Kenji, the Shadow Shogun, is with me."

The door creaked open, flanked by horns on both sides.

Chandra appeared, arms crossed. "So it’s true. You two really are alive. Now state your business."

"We’re here to talk about a warrior," Kenji said.

Chandra scoffed. "One warrior? Get lost." He slammed the door shut.

"A warrior who can defeat Kuroshin," Kenji added.

The door opened immediately. "Who is this person?"

"He’s an outsider," Kenzo answered. "He belongs to a species called 'humans.'"

Chandra’s expression changed. "A human... stronger than the three of us? Interesting. Come in."

They entered a mansion of dazzling gold and ivory. A graceful maiden bowed and served them tea as they sat on velvet-trimmed sofas.

Chandra sipped. "Tell me, what kind of aura does he possess?"

"Blood aura," Kenzo replied.

Chandra’s eyes widened. "Just like Hiroshi? What is he like? Is he as strong as Hiroshi?"

Kenzo explained, "He’s good with a sword—maybe not as creative with aura as Hiroshi—but physically? He’s above a devil’s level."

In Sumire’s Kyokai—

Kaminari panted. "You’ve definitely gotten stronger since our first fight."

"My powers were sealed," Raizen said calmly. "And so were my memories."

Kaminari chuckled. "That’s one heck of a level-up." He looked to Sumire. "What’s my score?"

Sumire activated Ryogan. "You punched three times, kicked zero. Raizen punched you twenty-three times and kicked twenty-four."

Kaminari groaned. "I still suck at this."

He looked at his palm. "My strength still isn’t enough."

Suddenly, Raizen leapt into the air.

"Wrong!" he shouted.

Raijin Strike landed. Kaminari flew through the Kyokai wall. It repaired itself instantly.

Sumire updated the count. "Punched twenty-four times. Kicked twenty-four times."

Raizen approached. "You’re strong enough for Kuroshin. What you need is to use your aura properly."

"What do you mean?"

"Every aura has advantages. You can create anything with blood. The size depends on your aura and blood supply. A technique called Blood Reforge increases blood production. That necklace—your aquamarine crystal—it helps break limits. It'll awaken when you need it most."

"It’s still dormant," Kaminari muttered.

"When mastered, your blood aura can even control others’ blood. You can create weapons, platforms—anything."

"And how does that help me in battle?"

Raizen shrugged. "You flew from my punch. You could’ve created a spring to rebound or a soft surface to absorb impact."

"Damn! I never thought of that! Sumire, reset the score!"

"Sure."

Back in Chandra’s hall—

Chandra dabbed his face with a cloth. The maiden beside him stood silently.

"So that’s the case," Chandra said. "If you need my army to attack the Central, count me in. We have spies inside the government. But war doesn’t only bring peace. It brings death and misery."

Kenzo nodded. "I know... but it’s necessary."

"I’ll provide sixty thousand troops. But if we lose—how will you repay the loss? Do you really believe that warrior can win?"

Silence filled the air.

The maiden smiled faintly, tucking hair behind her ear as she looked between the Shoguns.

Kenzo frowned, deep in thought.

Kenji exhaled. "..."

Chandra leaned forward. "The fate of this country rests on your answer. Choose wisely."

Kenzo looked up. "I believe in him. He can defeat Kuroshin."

"The real challenge is strategy and command," Kenji added.

"I’ll handle that," Chandra said. "But if we fail, I’ll be captured. No one outside this society knows I’m alive. What’s your plan then?"

Kenzo stayed quiet. "Let us think."

"Take your time," Chandra said. "But answer carefully."

Minutes passed. Kenji finally looked up.

"I have something to cover the loss," he said. "It’s a difficult choice... but we’ll gamble it."

—To be continued