The Man She Forgot I Was

The warlord narrowed his eyes, loading and aiming his crossbow with practiced ease.

Raizen observed him carefully. (Shiori's child, hunting a 5-star criminal so casually.)

Kaminari crossed his arms, expression flat. “Dude seriously? You’re putting a torch in front of a sun? You’ll die like this.”

“Like hell I’m afraid of death,” the warlord shot back.

Raizen stepped forward, his face settling into a solemn expression. “Wait. Let me handle the situation.”

From above, Kenji allowed himself a subtle smile. (Oh! It’s getting interesting. Now he’ll fight a guy who was supposed to be his son. What will you do, Raizen?)

“You want a fair duel?” Raizen said as he and the warlord descended. “You’ll get it.”

The warlord studied him warily. “A five-star criminal... Raizen. Your name rings a bell. Do I know you?”

(Probably from his mother… hmm.) Raizen kept his voice steady. “No, you don’t.” They both landed on a rooftop.

“I want to propose a contract,” Raizen continued.

“I’m not your friend or anything,” the warlord said curtly.

(He’s a bit immature.) “Listen first,” Raizen said. “I’m proposing a contract: if I win this duel, I get to ask you any question, and you answer it truthfully—even if it’s about your family.”

“My family?” the warlord narrowed his eyes. “Why are you interested in them? And what if I win?”

“If you win,” Raizen replied, “then all these people here—you can collect their bounties without a fight.”

“I reject. I want to fight them all.”

(He’s a bit clever too... but at the same time, stupid.) Raizen smirked. “Got it. You’re a warlord by luck. You don’t respect duels because you’re a musclehead and a coward. Just holding a warlord’s title.”

“I’m not a coward.”

“Every coward says that.” Raizen laughed. “Just look at yourself. That curvy bow. The mentality of rejecting a duel contract. Chasing a five- and seven-star criminal? You’re ridiculous. Just a burden on the country.”

“I am not a burden!” the warlord snapped.

“Only cowards reject contracts. I gave you an exclusive deal—take 24 starred criminals without a fight—and you still ran from it. You knew you’d lose.”

“Damn it! I have no other option, I-I accept the contract!”

Raizen dropped into his fighting stance. “Express your words through action, not mouth!”

The warlord locked his bow.

From above, Kenzo’s voice rang out. “The duel starts... NOW!”

Raizen vanished with Thunderstep, reappearing behind the warlord. The younger fighter ducked at the last instant, narrowly avoiding the blow.

(He’s fast... so this is a five-star criminal?) the warlord thought, eyes wide.

(He dodged that... his senses are sharp.) Raizen acknowledged inwardly.

The warlord retaliated, launching arrows that exploded mid-air.

Raizen dodged effortlessly, grinning. “Exploding arrows?”

(Let's end this before it even begins.)

Grabbing his right elbow, Raizen raised his hand toward the sky, closing one eye as he smirked.

(It’s not his fault he's unrelated to me. I’ll just injure him. I need to know what happened to Shiori.) “If you dodge this, I’ll surrender. NOW SEE THE REAL POWER OF A FIVE-STAR CRIMINAL!!”

His voice dropped to a whisper. “Ultimate attack—Divine Thunderstorm, Third Magnitude.”

The clear sky darkened as thick, pitch-black clouds gathered. His right hand glowed with brilliant blue light.

The warlord stared up in awe. “What is this...? The whole sky... It’s like a god is descending. Is he really a five-star criminal?”

“You’re a special person to me—and that makes you... MY VICTIM!”

Raizen unleashed a massive surge of blue aura into the clouds. Lightning roared and spiraled as if to tear open the sky itself.

The warlord responded with a barrage of arrows, firing three at once, over and over. Each one exploded mid-air.

Kaminari’s eyes sparkled. “Wow... What’s happening?”

“Raizen is strong,” Sumire murmured. “Stronger than anyone here.”

Kenzo watched quietly. (Just as Chandra said... he’s not someone to be underestimated.)

The smoke slowly cleared.

The warlord stood tall. “Duel is over. The five-star criminal Raizen is dead. You all better surrender.”

“Hawkfire!!”

The warlord spun around to see Raizen, standing within a radiant electric barrier. Thunder split the sky as it struck Raizen’s right hand, forming a massive electric hawk with glowing red, pupil-less eyes.

Raizen extended his hand. The hawk soared toward the warlord. He dodged—only for the hawk to loop around and charge again.

(I underestimated him...)

Raizen’s voice cut through the air. “That was just third magnitude.”

With a deafening roar, lightning struck the warlord directly. Every nerve in his body spasmed as electricity surged through him. He collapsed, paralyzed.

“You’re paralyzed,” Raizen said calmly. “You can’t move.”

Kenzo stepped forward, his voice ringing with finality. "The duel is over—and the victor is Raizen!"

The warlord coughed, forcing his words out. “You’re strong... I underestimated you. I think... I’ve seen you before. That outfit... it seems familiar.”

“I was Kuroshin’s butler once. I regret it. I’m also the brother of the man this nation worships... the one even Kuroshin admires.”

“I see... I lost the contract.” The warlord sighed, sitting down. “Ask your question.”

“How did you become a warlord so young?” Raizen asked. “You’ve got talent... But wait, that wasn’t my question.” He blinked. “What was my question?”

The warlord gave a tired laugh. “Thanks. Compliments from an enemy don’t feel so bad. My dad trained me.”

Raizen stared blankly. “I forgot my question.”

Kenzo frowned. “How can this happen?”

Kaminari threw his arms up. “How can someone be so stupid?!”

Sumire gave him a side glance. “You’re stupid yourself.”

“Eh?” Kaminari blinked.

The warlord laid back, eyes on the dissappearing clouds. “I’m Shiori’s son. The younger one. We’re two brothers. My older brother left the nation... wanted to grow stronger.”

Raizen’s eyes widened. “Oh? How did you know what I was going to ask?”

“My mom always said she knew Butler-sama personally. Now she just respects you with honor—as a man who serves the king.”

Raizen’s shoulders relaxed, a small smile forming. (She still thought about me.)

His tone darkened. “Who is your father?”

“Why do you care?” The warlord’s voice turned cold. “I refuse to tell you everything. I fulfilled the contract.”

(He’s clever... hmmm.) Raizen let it go. “Okay, fine. You may go.”

As the group took to the skies and began to fly away, the warlord watched them.

(Just what does he want with my family? How is he connected to my mom?)

Raizen, flying confidently, grinned. “Let’s go! To the Ninth Town!”

—To be continued