Near the main gate, Lightning ninjas took the defensive. They were down ten more members while the Shadows were down to sixteen.
When the enemy attack became unbearable, Hideo's group retreated on his command and took cover in the surrounding buildings. At that point, he had run out of shuriken, bombs and throwing knives–resorting to defending himself with taijutsu.
Shin and Natsumi wielded katanas, the latter having used all of her arrows. All three elites and their battalions appeared battered and bruised. Even though that was their worst battle yet, they did not falter. Under Hideo's leadership, they kept fighting.
[
"H–He's fucking suicidal!" Kagero muttered, crawling away as the blue inferno approached from every direction. Shit! I can't go out like this. Fuck!
"There is no escape..." Kazutaka stabbed Kagero's arm. "This is whereyou die, uncle."
"Kagemaru!" Kagero shouted, petrified as death flashed before his eyes. "Kuroku suru (Blacken)!"
Suddenly, the ring of fire engulfed the two leaders, reducing everything within its radius to ashes until the flames died out. Moments later, a shadowy figure bearing Kagero's terrified expression lay frozen on the ground like a statue.
As the Shadow King's armour dissolved into a black staff, he appeared reddened with severe burns all over his body. Although scarred almost beyond recognition, Kagero would live to see another day, unlike his nephew. He coughed and let out a hysterical laugh–strained by the immense pain. That Taka-kun... to think I almost died. He stared upward at the sky–grey with smoke. "Thank you, son."
The sword Kajin, however, lay on the scorched earth next to Kazutaka's ashes.
[
Minutes later, the Shadows overpowered and rounded up the Lightning group. Upon surrender, they brought Hideo, Shin, Natsumi and the remaining Battalion Corps back to the ninja school.
Utter despair filled them when they saw the region's strongest two defeated.
With the help of two assassins, Kagero got on his feet and declared himself the new Sage. The first part of their mission accomplished, his Shadows cried out in victory.
"Your Majesty!" a foot ninja cackled, rubbing his hands. "What should we do with these kunoichi?"
Kagero glanced at Kagemaru. "Nothing."
The foot ninjas grumbled in disappointed, daring not to question the King's word. Kagero, however, noticed his son's face beam a little at his response.
"No more fighting..." Kagero gestured for the captives to be untied. "We cannot rule over a land without any people in it. We are all one Shadow now," he said before being escorted away by his ninjas.
Silence filled the air as the surviving Lightning ninjas mourned their late Sage. Natsumi and others present sobbed at Kazutaka's passing. They had lost a leader, protector, teacher and father. For as long as they live, his flame would burn within them.
As the Shadow ninjas left, Hideo and Shin rushed over to Asuka.
"She's comatose," said Hideo, placing two fingers on her neck. "We have to get her to the Medical Corps immediately." He turned to Shin and saw his eyes become teary.
Shin grabbed his mask and removed it. "I'm so sorry, Asuka..." he said, crying as he used it to wipe his face. "I should've stayed behind and helped." Unmasked, he had a diagonal scar across his elongated nose and a short, white stubble beard.
"I can imagine how hard this must be for you, Shin-san..." Hideo broke the silence. "But we need to go."
Shin carried Asuka and ran with Hideo to a building next to the main school block. Upon arrival, a few medics took her to the intensive care unit.
Other injured ninjas also visited the Medical Corps. Those with severe injuries were to retire after recovery. Doctors requested Kohaku, though still an undergraduate, to help nurse the injured to health.
[
"Shin-san," said Hideo as they strolled to a cluster of buildings. "Back there, you gave me an idea…"
Shin led the way to an inn. "I'm listening," he said, shutting the door once Hideo entered.
"By now, the enemy has already stationed themselves at every entry point. However, we have one advantage over them..."
"And that is?"
"You. They don't know your face. Which means you can go warn Kazuo-kun and the others in Kaen."