The Electric Idol of Kuroshima

They hid in a narrow space between two buildings.

Raizen exhaled sharply. “Phew! They call themselves fans, but honestly, I don’t get it.”

Kaminari’s eyes sparkled. “This man is suffering through success!”

Sumire added with a smirk, “Everyone’s after him… what a life.”

Raizen shifted his gaze to the rooftops. “Once Kenji and Kenzo arrive, we can head to the castle and start our investigation.”

As the crowd noise faded, they slowly stepped out.

Kaminari glanced sideways. “Damn… I didn’t know I was traveling with such a famous person.”

Raizen grinned. “Yup, I think I really am. Come on. Let’s find a room. At exactly 11 PM, we’ll go out and locate the ex-shoguns.”

Inside a hotel hall—

Receptionist: “Hell—OH MY GOD!? It’s you, Raizen-sama!! How can I help you!?”

Raizen stepped forward calmly. “One room. VIP.”

Receptionist hesitated. “Uh, sir, it’ll be 2.5 million each person. Are you sure you can affo—”

Raizen slammed his card on the counter. “Don’t waste time. Do it quick.”

Receptionist swiped it instantly, nodding nervously. “Yes, sir! Room No. 10. Here’s your key.”

Kaminari gawked. “So much money… being famous sure pays off.”

Inside Room No. 10

Raizen looked around. “This room is nice. But it could be better.”

Kaminari fell back onto the plush sofa. “This isn’t a sofa—it’s a device from heaven!”

Raizen clapped twice. The lights turned off.

Sumire jumped, startled. “What?”

Raizen clapped again. The lights turned on. “Now this is what I call a VIP room.”

They freshened up and dozed off until 11 PM.

Raizen was the first to wake. He checked the time. “11 PM. Time to find the shoguns.”

He exited the hotel quietly, then soared up to the rooftop of the ten-story building. From there, he gazed over Kuroshima, its beauty glowing in the moonlight. People strolled peacefully. Life here looked strong, disciplined… yet free.

He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply. “Now, the technique big brother taught me while hunting.”

A gust of wind rushed past. Raizen summoned a barrier across a wide radius, his aura flickering.

He opened his eyes. “Found them.”

Downstairs, he swung open the door. “I found them—the ex-shoguns. Let’s go. Quickly.”

Kaminari blinked. “That fast? You already found them?!”

Raizen led them directly to the spot where Kenzo and Kenji had landed.

Kenzo whispered, “Ra-Raizen! He’s walking straight toward us.”

Kenji sighed. “I hope he’s found somewhere to hide.”

Raizen grinned. “Found you.”

Kenzo thought to himself, (Just as Chandra said. Not someone to be underestimated.)

Kenji groaned, collapsing slightly. “I want to rest. Used too much aura.”

Raizen nodded. “I’ve booked a room. We’ll rest there till 10 AM.”

By morning—9 AM

Raizen stood. “We’ll investigate the castle. Get ready.”

Kenzo raised an issue. “Everyone’s heard of us. That huge scar on Kenji’s forehead… people will recognize him.”

Sumire perked up. “What about a mask?”

“Good idea,” Raizen agreed. “I’ll fetch one.”

He returned quickly with a beast-themed mask.

Kenji, holding his sword, groaned. “You fool! This massive sword is a dead giveaway. Hide it somewhere!”

In a dramatically tragic tone, he added, “I’m really in a bad context… I’m holding a sword. But if you insist, I’ll adjust.”

Sumire offered, “I can hide it using my robe.”

Kenzo shook his head. “This man… nothing can fix him.”

Outside the hotel, on the road to Kuroshin’s fortress—

They approached the blood-colored brick walls of the royal city.

Kenzo murmured, “So this is where Kuroshin lives. The scale is massive.”

Sumire observed the people nearby. “Everyone here has power. They’re demons. What about me and Raizen?”

Raizen explained, “This is the Delta Army—along with twelve others. All at full strength. Royal-grade forces. Now, for a final piece of information before entering I should tell you."

Raizen warned, "Kuroshin has 4 more people as his highest authority. The great saint of the central church, General of the warlords, the Supreme Judge of the Supreme Court Kuroshima and the Shogun of Kuroshima. Beware of them, they all are formidable opponents.”

Sumire asked, “How are we supposed to fight them?”

Raizen looked ahead. “They haven’t awakened their auras yet.”

Kenzo nodded. “Fine. Let’s enter the castle.”

With that, they advanced toward the fortress’s main gate.

—To be continued