Team Kazuta took a broader path to the right, deliberately keeping their aura visible. The Dark Wolves' ears twitched as faint energy ripples brushed past them. Soon, the forest floor erupted with movement—hundreds of mid-sized wolves, their eyes gleaming with pure bloodlust.
Meanwhile, Team Tetsu took the path to the right. Their target was not far from sight any longer. The Alpha's den lay beyond a hill, a shadowy hollow encircled by jagged trees. Tetsu and his crew advanced, though they had begun to feel the ominous aura— a sign that the Alpha was nearby.
Ahead, the Alpha prowled near a twisted hollow, speaking in deep, guttural tones to a subordinate of Akira Kage.
"…the energies from the Demon Realm are strengthening us," the Alpha rumbled.
"Good to know. You best take care of the students. Hebi is on another mission and won't be available for now". said the mysterious man.
"Don't worry my lord. We the Darkwolves will do as you commanded. After all, it is Akira Kage's influence that accelerates our evolution. Soon, the Dark Beasts will surpass all natural limitations. And the humans will not see it coming."
Tetsu's jaw tightened. "They are working with Akira Kage," he muttered, barely moving his lips. "That… explains the spike in dark energy."
Haru's eyes narrowed, his face contorted with pain for a slight second. "They're adapting… evolving faster than expected. We can't underestimate them."
Denki tightened his hands around his warhammer, ready to dive head first into battle but Tetsu held him down. "Wait, Denki. We can't just rush into battle. We have a plan remember"
Denki freed himself from Tetsu's grip forcefully "Don't tell me what to do you idiot".
Mr Shisui then called the attention of the class and gathered them behind the Alpha's hideout. "You'll have to handle this yourselves," he said. "I have report back to the city.... it's an emergency"
"Let me follow you. I can assist in whatever the issue is" said Ella suggested. Mr Shisui then gave a casual wave and walked off "Don't worry. No matter what it is, I can handle it. Help your teammates with the mission.
"Hm. Weird" said Star.
Tetsu then asked, "What's wrong?
I could swear he didn't make any calls, said Star. "What if it was some kind of other technology we didn't know he had" Tetsu asked.
Then the Alpha of the Darkwolves would have sensed us. They're good at tracking energy" Star replied.
"Well no use worrying about it. Let's face what's in front of us." Blaze said
True" Tetsu said. "Let's complete our mission and get out of here"
The team then reviewed their roles and started the mission.
*************************
At the other end of the forest, Team Kazuta clashed with the main army.They had managed to successfully lead the wolves main force to their direction in order to present Tetsu's team with the opportunity to fight the Alpha alone. Then as if on cue, the attack begun. Wolves surged from every direction, a massive wall of teeth, claws, and dark energy. The team split in other to counter the attack. They then went into action.
Mr. Kiyoshi led the way, releasing a hybrid mix of fire and water. With a deep inhale, he unleashed his "Molten Tempest Chains", where streams of boiling water twisted into whip-like chains, encircling a cluster of Dark Wolves. They yelped as the chains tightened, dragging them into a massive "Wrecking Inferno"—huge molten fire balls that melted anything in their path flung at their ranks, crushing any stragglers.
"Wow, Mr Kiyoshi really is strong" said Kazuta.
"Yeah. As a child he already established himself a reliable warrior, making him one of the few hybrids the government recognize. Heard that's why he chose to teach at our school".
Kazuta struck beside him with "Twin Steel Cyclone", a move that employed his speed to deliver attacks while spinning his katanas in overlapping arcs that cut through enemy formations. Mikido followed with "Aerial Crescent Slash", a single-arc katana strike that cut through numerous enemies, driing the others backward.
Kyu continously shot beams of concentrated light from his sword in "Radiant Piercer", temporarily blinding enemies and creating openings for his teammates to attack. "I won'tall myself to be outshined by the rest just because they're considered prodigies, he thought".
Teo thrust his water spear, hitting a "Torrent Spike Barrage", water twisting like serpents around targets, decapitaing them with extreme precision.
The Hinomoto twins, Kira and Mira ran simultaneously towards their target, a group of Darkwolves on their left flank. Mira jumps high while Kira creates a ball of hot flames on her palm, constantly increasing the heat. Mira then turns her flame into a net, trapping the wolves from above and Kira then releases the ball, killing the wolves in a swoop.
Just then, more wolves begun to encircle them. The full pack had gathered, with a bigger Darkwolf resembling somewhat of a leader amongst them.
Kazuta's grip tightened on his twin katanas."Sensei… they're surrounding us."
Mr. Kiyoshi didn't answer immediately.
He stepped forward, removed his tie and loosened his shoulders like someone preparing for light exercise. He then rolled up his sleeves and packed his hair with a hair tie.
The wolves lunged.
Kiyoshi moved first.
His foot slammed into the ground—THUD—and he launched forward in a sudden burst of speed, steam igniting off his skin like sparks from boiling metal.
He caught the first wolf mid-air with a palm strike to the jaw.
CRACK—!
The beast flew back, crashing through a fallen trunk.
Kazuta blinked."Woah. Sensei's Tenjutsu is insane—His speed when using steam is wild."
Steam began to coil around him, taking shape but retaining it's immense heat.The steam was forming clean, controlled layers that clung to his body like armor.
He spoke softly:
"Steam Shroud."
The mist snapped into place—solid-looking plates of vapor wrapping his forearms and legs, glowing faintly from internal heat.
A Dark Wolf charged low.
Kiyoshi sidestepped—in a fast,flash-like motion yet extremely precise—then drove his knee into its ribs.
The steam armor detonated on impact.
BOOM—!
The wolf skidded across the dirt, leaving a smoking trail.
Teo's jaw dropped."That wasn't just steam—that was like getting hit by a cannon."
More wolves attacked at once.
He doesn't dodge.
His blade drops—flat edge hitting the ground with a dull THUNK.
The earth cracks and from the crack, white-hot steam blasts upward like a geyser—
"WRECKING MANIFEST: HEAT-FORGED ORB."
From the flat bottom of his blade—a massive single-edged greatblade with a perfectly flat, reinforced bottom, the steam condenses— shaping into a massive molten wrecking ball tethered by vapor-chains.
The Darkwolves freeze.
Even the forest goes silent.
Kiyoshi swings once.
BOOOOOM.
The wrecking ball annihilates trees, sending splinters flying.The wolves closest aren't hit— they're rag-dolled by pressure alone.
Even the students, who had taken shelter behind him were scalded slightly.
"Woah, Mikido says. So that's what earned him the name "The Steam Reaper".
Three of the wolves were knocked unconscious before they even hit the ground.
The remaining pack howls, charging all at once.
This time, Kiyoshi- sensei doesn't lift his blade.
He just stands there— steam spiraling upward like a throne of white fire.
The pressure crushes the clearing.
Leaves lift.
Branches snap.
Steam Clutch Art: Release, says Kiyoshi-sensei
The Darkwolves collapse mid-charge, pinned by an invisible force that fries them.
Their bodies shake in extreme pain, done solely by the overwhelming pressure of his attack.
Kiyoshi then snaps his fingers, concentrating the steam pressure and ending all the wolves instantly.
He the sheathes his blade. "We're done here. Let's go".
"So that's one of the famous hybrids; the Hydropyre, Kiyoshi the "Steam Reaper" Kuzuryu. Fighting him will be so much fun", Shisui said to himself as he watched from afar.
Meanwhile, Tetsu's team was about to begin their operation.
Tetsuo whispered, "We go now. Keep quiet until the first strike."
The team split strategically. Blaze and Star took front positions, ready to spring into battle positions, while Ella subtly reinforced the rear, staff in hand. Denki shifted impatiently, itching for action. Raika and Juno flanked the sides, ready to react. Haru's axes gleamed faintly in the filtered sunlight, poised for a decisive strike.
Suddenly, a branch snapped under Raika's boot. The Alpha's head swiveled sharply, eyes narrowing. "Finally… you came. I was beginning to think you had run. Why are there so little of you? Do you weaklings really hope to defeat me with such a force" it growled.
"Less talking, more fighting. We're gonna kick you ass, Tetsu said with a big smirk on his face".
The forest erupted. Blaze charged first, axe swinging in a massive arc. "Inferno Slash!, he shouted.
The Alpha countered quite easily, striking with its clawed paw, sending shockwaves through the undergrowth.
Star followed with a precise strike from his staff, aiming for the Alpha's flank. Tetsuo moved fluidly, using his Whiplash Vines to trap the alpha temporarily, creating an opening for Denki who rushed forward, swinging his warhammer, but the Alpha swatted the blow aside.
Ella quickly put up a shield for Denki; saving him from the Alpha's attack, using her staff to send subtle waves that shielded the others.
Raika and Juno maneuvered around, pressing the Alpha from multiple directions.
Haru activated Temporal Pause, using it to build a stairway made of the stones and branches around in the air for Star, who ascended up and launched Shine Burst! effectively landing the first actual hit on the Alpha.
The Alpha then freed himself from Tetsu's hold and backed up.
"I see you came prepared. But your teamwork alone won't do the trick. It then healed the wound and charged his dark Tenki and charged Ella, going for the kill. Surprisingly, Tetsu ran and blocked him before he could hit her.
"Ooh. You're a fast one" it said. This'll be so much fun. Much more than I originally thought".
It then engulfed it's claws in dark energy and launched a cross slash; Shadow Claw Sweep – sweeping arcs infused with concentrated dark energy, hacking off a huge chunk of the vegetation and burning it after.
"Don't let that hit you", Star shouted.
"Easy said than done smarty-pants" Denki retorted
"We'll counter it. It can't keep doing that on defense, Tetsu said. Verdant Vines!" he shouted, sending nature-infused vines snaking toward the Alpha, tripping it mid-leap.
Haru leapt to its side, axes glowing faintly, carving arcs in the air. "Cosmic Crescent!" His strikes forced the Alpha back, comic energy mingling with Tetsu's vines.
Denki roared, hammer smashing the ground. "Earthquake Slam!" Shockwaves jarred the Alpha but it dodged the attack, striking back with claws darkened by corrupt Tenki.
"Titan Slam!" Naeva's club hammered the earth, each strike sending tremors through the creature's legs. She managed to hit it pushing it towards the center.
Raika struck from the trees, twin lances piercing downward at the Alpha's back. She connected, dealing damage to the creature." It can't heal everything. Think there's a limit or something.
Blaze smirked widely "Music to my ears" he said, lunging towards the creature.
Denki grabbed his hammer and ran towards the Alpha. "I won't let you bastards beat me today. I'll show you all who's boss"
Ella swept in, releasing a wave of water Tenki with her staff to reinforce the team's movements and defend from counterattacks.
The Alpha hissed, claws engulfed in dark energy. It spun violently, releasing it's Nightmare Lash – tendrils of corrupt dark Tenki flailing toward the students. Denki then used the earth's rumble to stop the attack. The Alpha continued with the offense, hitting the floor and raising his Obsidian Spike – summoning spiked dark projections from the forest floor.
Denki then slammed his hammer on the ground, raising a block of earth to defend the attack. Then, the began to fight escalate, with each student landing hits, retreating, and striking again– their persistence serving as a weapon.
Tetsuo's twin sai slashed cleanly across the Alpha's armored hide. Blaze's axe came down with bone-crushing force.
Star's staff whirled like a meteor, and he struck with powerful energy. Denki's warhammer smashed repeatedly, and although he was hostile, he blended in the attack.
Haru's axes cut precise arcs, holding the Alpha's attention. Ella's rear support allowed the front line to press forward without risk.
Naeva continuously used Titan Skin to launch devastating blows while Raika gashed open fresh wounds with her lances. The group was beginning to gain advantage over the Alpha wolf and he grew impatient.
He then tried an Eclipse Release, a high risk skill that consumes almost all his energy in order to take them down with him. However, Haru employed Temporal Pause, which allows him to stop time for inanimate things and Blaze used his Eternal Flame to burn out the energy.
"Your suicide attempt didn't work. This is the end for you". said Tetsu as he drew his blade for a last blow.
Then out of nowhere, a dark portal opened on the ground where the Alpha was an he retreated into it. "You all are strong. I promise you a better fight next time he said as he retreated. Tetsu blitz towards him as fast as he could but couldn't catch him.
"F**k. You let him get away dumbass" Denki shouted.
Tetsu rubbed the back of his head "I'm sorry guys. I promise I'll find him".
"You better" said Denki
"Give him a break. You've done worse" Let's go and find him quickly. He might still be around.
****************
Meanwhile, the Alpha had retreated to the other side of the forest.
"Those damn kids. I'll get them next time I swear"
"Unfortunately for you, there won't be a next time" said the voice.
"Who is that?" the Alpha asked. He then looked up to see a man who seemed to absorb all the light around him into pure darkness.
He looked like he had just stepped out of the darkest parts of hell itself and on his attire you could see his Killing Intent. The charcoal layers beneath the robe were a sheath of pure, uncompromising efficiency—a silhouette engineered for zero resistance.
But what stood out was his mantle: a Void-Black Cloak, woven from compressed shadow, that billowed out with its own impossible gravity. It looked like the wind avoided it as the man advanced toward him. The man's dark mask seemed to strip away every trace of his humanity and identity, making him a total abyss.
"Is that you, Lord Hebi?. the Alpha asked
"I see you still have good eyes even in the state you're in. I'm afraid I'm the last thing those eyes will see".
"P-Please Lord Hebi, This won't happen again. You know I wouldn't let you down on purpose".
"Oh I know it won't happen again, I'll make sure of it. And it's Shisui Tsumetai for now, I'm undercover".
"Please Lord. I-I-I'll do anything. I'll work extra"
"You served well, Kageo. And for that, My master Lord Akira would not forget your clan. Or at least, what remains of it.
And then, with a swift, brutal strike, Hebi ended the Alpha's life. Shadows swallowed the creature as it fell. The students, unaware, walked towards his direction, catching their breath. Hebi disappeared into the forest, leaving only silence.