Berserk Awakening [1] — Saku vs Takeru

[Sakura-mach ward - Mizuno Dojo - Two Years Ago]

The air in the dojo hung with thick humidity. A front kick landed against Saku's guarded wrists, forcing him to one knee. His breathing remained stable, but slightly unnatural.

Shintaro, who looked at Saku with a blank expression, walked right past him as he said, his voice calm and collected.

“Saku.”

“Yes?” Saku replied as he stood up and turned to face his brother, who took a wet towel and tossed it towards him.

Saku caught it as Shintaro advised. “Always keep your temper under control. If you approach all your bouts with anger then you will lose.”

Shintaro took a slightly frozen water bottle that was placed in the sun outside the dojo. It was as if the bottle was sweating; the scorching sun burning in the sky like a star.

He strode towards Saku and placed the bottle on his head. Saku took it and wiped his face as Shintaro continued.

“You can never win while you're still blinded by rage. Do not give in to recklessness; even if anger is your strength, it can also be your weakness. Also, you could end up hurting someone unintentionally, and that is something you could never take back. Keep that in mind, stupid little brother.”

“Alright.”

“Meet me here tomorrow as well. Same time.”

Shintaro ordered as he headed towards the open maira-do (Japanese sliding door). As he was exiting, Saku bowed towards him and shouted:

“Thank you for the advice! I'll do my best, I promise!”

Shintaro glanced at Saku over his shoulder, his nod commanding respect as he continued on his way. Saku opened the bottle and drank the water that cooled him down while he mused.

“I'll keep my anger in check, I promise you older brother, I won't disappoint you.”

*****

[Sakura-machi ward - The Alleyway - Present]

The maroon aura seemed to change the atmosphere as it made the air heavy around them. Saku's crimson eyes locked onto Takeru’s horror-struck visage.

He took a step forward and immediately the ground rippled under his sneakers while his overwhelming energy caused the ground to tremble.

Takeru shrugged off his fear and gave way to irritation. He activated his energy, and immediately his entire body crackled with electricity intensely.

"I'm not gonna be in your goddamn shadow any longer, do you hear me... SAKUUUUU!!!"

With a flash of blue crackling light, Takeru bolted towards Saku. His crackling knot of energy was already a blur.

Saku raised his arm and outstretched it towards Takeru, a protective barrier appearing in front of him. Takeru's attack impacted the barrier; no damage seemed to be done to it as he groaned angrily.

He has a shield?! That's just great!

*****

[Shinmei ward - S.S.U. Headquarters]

Meanwhile, a few moments prior, Shintaro and Riyoka were in the Rehabilitation Infirmary, drinking an energy restoring beverage called the Synapse Elixir.

Suddenly their hearts throbbed once and their bodies shook, their nerves spiking as Saku's energy output graced their profiles; they saw an image of Saku's berserk face right in front of them for a few seconds.

“W… What… was that?” Riyoka sputtered, her weary eyes shaking.

“No… What have you done… Saku…” Shintaro exclaimed, abandoning his usual composure. He rushed out of the infirmary as Riyoka followed closely behind.

“Isn’t Saku your younger brother? What does he have to do with this?!”

“He just did something he shouldn't have. He lost control,” Shintaro answered as they entered the Control Room, specifically the Monitoring Station.

“Shintaro-San, we have a major problem on our hands—” Kai spoke but was interrupted before he could finish his sentence.

“I'm aware. Check the location of the energy output.”

“Right,”

Kai operated the control panel and immediately a map of Evernight City appeared showing the two districts, which then zoomed in on the Eien district, showcasing its wards.

Two auras were detected in Sakura-machi ward by the Union’s satellite, while only a single aura appeared in Kokoro-no ward.

“There are three auras in the very district we're in, but they're separated into two different wards. Two are in Sakura-machi, and one is in Kokoro-no. One of the auras in Sakura-machi is emitting energy at an alarming rate! If this keeps up, they could destroy the entire ward!”

“I won't let that happen. Riyoka, will you be able to open two portals?” Shintaro questioned hastily.

“Yeah, I'm feeling energized thanks to the elixir; opening two portals will be a piece of cake.”

“Alright then,” Shintaro walked swiftly toward the door, which hissed open as he pressed his communicator. Riyoka was close behind him. “Yanami, Tokiwa, Yagami, report to the lobby as soon as you can!”

"No can do, boss man, I'm on patrol right now," Tokiwa said casually, his hand placed on his own communicator.

“What's with the urgency? Let me guess, it's because of the murderous pulse I just felt.” Yanami queried, her tone flat.

“That's right. I need you to report to the front desk quickly, and as for you Tokiwa, you can continue with your patrol.”

“I'm already in the lobby as we speak,” Yanami stated simply as she leaned against the wall, watching her fellow officers chatting while some were entering and exiting the HQ.

Satoshi boarded the elevator along with Riyoka. She pressed the ‘L’ button on the operating panel as the center opening doors closed shut right in front of them.

“Right on,” Tokiwa replied as he cut his line of communication. He stared at the Union’s Tower all the way from Kume-dōri district, a slight smirk shaping his face.

“Kaneki, where are you currently?”

“I'm heading towards the HQ right now. Unluckily I lost track of Tsuchiyama. Scratch that, did you feel that surge of energy? I swear it was like—”

“Listen, I need you to head to Kokoro-no; there's a supernatural there. Your new task is to bring them in as soon as you can. If you can't sense their aura then use your tracker.”

“Are you for real? But that's like—”

“Quiet. Do as I have instructed.”

“Alright, alright, no need to be so demanding, I'm on it,” Kaneki said playfully as he cut off his communication as well. His thrusters hummed. He spun twice and blasted forward with tremendous speed toward Kokoro-no ward.

The elevator descended as Shintaro questioned. “Yanami, why is Yagami not answering?”

"I'm not sure; I haven't seen him all day."

Just then the elevator reached the lobby. The doors opened revealing both of their profiles as they sauntered out of the car, heading towards Yanami who waited for them nonchalantly.

Her mouth and nose was hidden under a black mask made from nano technology that glowed with a low maroon light.

“Yanami, there is no time to waste. I need your assistance.”

“Acknowledged, what may I assist you with?”

“I need your ability. It's best suited for this type of mission, but we should retrieve the dampeners just in case things don't go as planned,” Shintaro ordered, his expression a bridge between concern and urgency.