The Cyber Ascension Arc 2 — The Recovery After Storm | Volume 2 | Chapter 17: Nashino and Youchina
( My Readers I'm Adding Last Previous Chapter Recap here )
The night air in the garden was calm, the faint glow of lanterns illuminating the wooden practice area. Shinoki was moving with focused precision, performing her martial arts routines with grace, her movements fluid and controlled. Emily stood nearby, wooden katana in hand, swinging with soft elegance. On the other side, Musukoni stretched his legs methodically, maintaining balance and poise, while Jin Yuan practiced measured swings with his own wooden katana.
Of course, one familiar presence was still missing.
Shioinkin's eyes swept over the group, a mischievous glint in them.
Shioinkin: "Alright, students! Today we have two new students joining us!"
At those words, Yuzurei's senses shot up like blades. His eyes snapped open, and without hesitation, he burst from the sliding doors of his room, almost skidding across the garden floor in his excitement.
Yuzurei: "Who is it?! WHO'S JOINING?!"
Musukoni facepalmed, already expecting the chaos.
Musukoni: "He's always like this…"
Emily smiled warmly, while Shinoki's cheeks tinged with pink as she stole nervous glances at Yuzurei.
Shinoki: "G…Good morning… Yuzu-Kun~"
Her voice trembled slightly, soft and sweet like honey, and Yuzurei froze mid-step, his face turning chibi deadpan.
Yuzurei: "Why are you blushing? I didn't do anything!"
Shinoki could barely respond, her body almost melting on the spot from his reaction.
Shioinkin: "Enough, enough! Listen here, everyone."
Yuzurei: "Tell us, Old Man!"
Musukoni tugged at Yuzurei's cap, trying to restrain him.
Musukoni: "Hey! Say Sensei!"
Shioinkin: "We have two new students joining today. They'll arrive any moment now."
Moments later, a young man walked into the garden, exuding casual confidence. He was around twenty, with messy black hair brushing his neck, big blue eyes sparkling with mischief, and a loose black suit jacket over a tucked-in white shirt. His tie hung lazily, and he carried an arm-length suitcase on his back.
Shioinkin: "This is Nashino Ichinin! Once an S-Rank assassin, now he's joining us."
Musukoni's eyes widened slightly at the mention, and even Jin Yuan's composed gaze lingered on him.
Nashino threw his arms behind his head with a playful grin.
Nashino: "Yo~ Hi! I'm Nashino Ichinin. You can call me Nashino."
Beside him appeared a stunning young woman, also around twenty, with long black-blue hair cascading down her back. Her expression was calm and almost untouchable, her deep black eyes observing everything with quiet intelligence. She wore a long black dress with full sleeves, reaching her ankles, paired with simple black shoes.
Shioinkin: "And this is Youchina Inonki. Her intellect and calmness allow her to instantly learn any fighting style she observes."
Emily stepped forward with a warm smile.
Emily: "Hi~ I'm Aria Emily! Nice to meet you!"
Nashino: "Hey, nice to meet all of you!"
Yuzurei's face immediately lit up with excitement—and challenge.
Yuzurei: "HEY! Fight me!!!"
He lunged at Nashino as if it were a normal morning routine. Everyone froze for a split second, expecting Yuzurei to actually throw a punch. But Nashino, with a playful smirk, vanished in an instant, appearing behind Yuzurei with a small dagger drawn—but before anyone panicked, it was revealed as a rubber prop.
Nashino: "Relax, just kidding!"
Youchina placed a calm hand on Nashino's shoulder.
Youchina: "Stop picking fights, Nashino."
Nashino: "Huh? Boring."
Yuzurei's jaw dropped.
Yuzurei: "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!?"
Musukoni: "Yuzurei! Stop being rude!"
Shinoki's blush deepened, watching the playful chaos unfold.
Shioinkin: "Alright, enough teasing! I'll introduce everyone properly!"
He gestured to Nashino.
Shioinkin: "Once an S-Rank assassin, Nashino now trains with us, bringing unmatched skill."
Musukoni: "An S-Rank assassin?!"
Nashino waved casually.
Nashino: "Yeah yeah, don't overthink it. Just here to have fun."
Shioinkin then introduced Youchina.
Shioinkin: "And Youchina, calm, intelligent, and adaptable—she can replicate any fighting style she observes."
Emily: "Nice to meet you, Youchina!"
Youchina: "Likewise."
Nashino leaned back, hands behind his head.
Nashino: "So, what's the name of our organization?"
Musukoni: "We haven't decided yet."
Yuzurei: "Huh?! I'll choose it!"
Nashino: "How about… The Cyber Hunters?"
The room buzzed with energy, everyone laughing, teasing, and curious about these new additions.
---
Later that night, Youchina, Emily, and Shinoki trained together in the garden under the gentle glow of lanterns.
Emily: "Youchina, what's your power? I use a katana, and Shinoki uses martial arts."
Shinoki: "Yes… I'm really excited to know, too."
Youchina: "I can copy any opponent's fighting style instantly."
Her calm voice had a soft, almost hypnotic quality, enough to make anyone listen attentively.
Shinoki: "Umm… so mine too?"
Youchina: "Yes, you too."
Shinoki's face lit up.
Shinoki: "Please show me! I'm so excited!"
They began a friendly sparring session. With almost supernatural precision, Youchina mirrored Shinoki's attacks perfectly, matching every move. Emily watched, impressed.
Emily: "Your senses are incredibly sharp, Youchina…"
After some time, they all collapsed onto the grass, smiling and laughing at their playful sparring.
---
The next morning, the garden was alive again with training. Yuzurei was running late, as usual.
Yuzurei: "Hey!! Where's that prankster?!"
Musukoni: "He's Nashino, remember?"
Yuzurei: "Huh?! Yesterday he almost killed me! That's not a prank!"
Nashino strolled in lazily, hands in his hoodie pockets, yawning.
Nashino: "Ah… early morning, huh? You guys really move fast."
Yuzurei: "HEY! You're late!!!"
Musukoni: "Yuzurei! It's rude—you're always late too!"
Nashino: "Don't act disappointed, that's rude!"
Youchina: "Stop being childish, Nashino."
Nashino: "Okay, okay… I get it."
Then, true to form, Yuzurei lunged at Nashino again. Nashino caught his punch, a finger hovering an inch from Yuzurei's throat. Everyone froze in shock—even Jin Yuan—but Youchina remained calm, as if she had expected it.
Shioinkin: "Yuzurei! Be careful, he's an S-Rank assassin!"
Youchina: "Nashino, stop teasing!"
Nashino: "Relax… I'm just having fun."
Yuzurei stepped back, conceding.
Yuzurei: "Fine… okay, you've got some skills."
Then, for the first time, Jin Yuan stepped forward, calm yet resolute.
Jin Yuan: "I'll spar with you."
Everyone froze—the usually composed Jin Yuan had challenged someone. Nashino smirked.
Nashino: "Challenge accepted."
He caught Jin Yuan's wooden katana effortlessly between two fingers, but before chaos could escalate, Shioinkin stepped in.
Shioinkin: "Enough! Today isn't a sparring session!"
Nashino pouted playfully.
Nashino: "What a bore, Sensei…"
---
That night, Nashino sat atop the rooftop, munching chips under the moonlight.
Nashino: "Hm… this place isn't bad."
Youchina joined silently beside him.
Youchina: "What are you doing here?"
Nashino: "Just enjoying the view."
Back in the house, Jin Yuan quietly asked Emily if he could rest his head on her lap again.
Emily: "Of course, Yuan…"
Meanwhile, Shinoki, trembling but determined, asked Yuzurei if she could sleep beside him, still recovering from nightmares.
Yuzurei: "Yeah! Just don't snore."
And so, the night ended peacefully, with new bonds forming, laughter echoing softly, and everyone slowly drifting into dreams.
---
The next morning, everyone gathered in the garden as usual. Shioinkin stood in front of them with his arms crossed seriously—well, as seriously as he ever got.
Jin Yuan, Musukoni, Emily, Shinoki, Youchina, and Nashino lined up.
Nashino stood with his usual relaxed posture—black suit with the coat open, white shirt tucked into black pants, loose tie hanging around his neck, and that long, narrow suitcase strapped to his back. His hands were casually intertwined behind his head.
Nashino: "Ya~ so? Tell us what's up, Sensei?"
His teasing tone echoed across the garden.
Beside him, Youchina stood silently in her long black dress, her expression calm and unreadable as always.
Youchina: "…"
She waited patiently for Shioinkin to explain.
Shinoki, standing next to her, was already stealing shy glances at Yuzurei. Her cheeks were bright red.
Shinoki: "I–If Yuzurei-kun is coming… I'm also coming…"
She whispered, flustered.
Yuzurei: "HEY!!! Old man! Tell it already!"
He barked energetically.
Jin Yuan watched quietly, hands behind his back.
Musukoni sighed and asked calmly:
Musukoni: "Sensei, what's the announcement?"
Emily stood beside them with her usual warm smile.
Shioinkin clapped his hands once.
Shioinkin: "Okay, students—listen up! Today, you all have a mission. Destination: New York."
Nashino raised a brow, his tone playful.
Nashino: "Eh? What's the mission, Sensei?"
Shioinkin stroked his chin.
Shioinkin: "We received reports that the Blue Realm Arc is opening again. At least… that's my guess."
Jin Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
Jin Yuan: "If that's true, we need to be prepared."
Shioinkin: "Exactly. Pack your things—you depart tonight."
Nashino stretched lazily.
Nashino: "Heeeh… I'm excited. I hope it's not boring."
Before he finished, Yuzurei suddenly lunged at him from behind.
But Nashino caught Yuzurei's fist without even turning around.
Nashino: "Oi oi, Yuzurei… you're really impatient today, huh?"
He teased.
Youchina sighed softly and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Youchina: "Nashino. Stop teasing."
Her calm voice instantly tamed him.
After that—
Night fell.
---
New York City — The Dark Streets
Under the dim streetlights, the group walked through the silent, empty streets of New York. Shadows stretched along the concrete, and a cold wind blew past them.
Beneath this world…
Far below the city…
---
The Blue Realm
The Blue Realm spread out like a futuristic nightmare—endless high-tech towers glowing with dim blue light. Mist drifted through the air, illuminated by the eerie half-blue moon hanging in the sky.
At the very center, towering above everything, stood a massive high-tech castle.
Inside the castle throne room, Shinjukuna sat on a dark throne. Pale, ghostly skin. Long black hair. Black eyes that glimmered with malice.
Shinjukuna: "So… they are coming here on their own.
Heh… invited straight to their deaths."
On the floor below, one of the Blue Knights—Eisuke Ichiro—stood silently. White suit. Four twin blades. Silver hair brushing his shoulders.
Eisuke: "Let's see who dies in my hands."
His calm, deep voice echoed through the chamber.
On the second floor stood Tetsuya, another Blue Knight—two golden eyes, white-brown mixed hair, and a massive high-tech axe hanging on his back.
On the third floor waited Kaizen—one blue eye, one red eye. High-tech gauntlets. Black shirt. White track pants. Expression unreadable.
---
Meanwhile, Back on Earth…
Our group continued walking through the quiet New York night, unaware of the enemies waiting beneath the surface.
The Blue Realm was awake again.
And this time…
it was waiting for them.
---