At exactly four o'clock, atop the towering mountain overlooking the city like a silent giant, the air bit their faces with its coldness, and clouds gathered above as if the sky itself were watching.
Ryato stood waiting for them, waving his hand lightly, as if welcoming guests to a party rather than confronting a fate that could change their lives.
Ryato: Welcome back… to the contest of "Who shakes hands with Ryato first?"
Falan: Step aside, fool… where are the results?
Ryato smiled coldly, clasping his hands behind his back.
Ryato: I'll tell you the outcome of your acceptance. The top ranks… they said you are not qualified to join the organization.
But… there was one person who insisted on taking you in.
Curiosity ignited in Raizen and Rento's eyes.
Raizen & Rento: Who is it?
Ryato: Shingai.
The name echoed through the air like a thunderclap.
Falan: Who is Shingai?
Ryato: He holds the highest rank in the Nervous Organization… Shingai himself.
Rento: Doesn't he have a real name?
Ryato chuckled lightly, as if revealing a riddle.
Ryato: Good question… it seems my theory is correct: anyone who wields a sword… is a genius.
Raizen: Except you. A fool with a sword.
Ryato's smile darkened for a moment. Raizen felt a chill, as if Ryato could kill him in an instant.
Ryato (gravely): Don't mock me, fool.
He continued steadily:
Ryato: Yes, he has a name… but everything else about him is unknown. No one knows his face or his real voice. Even when he speaks over the radio, his voice is distorted. No one knows why he hides… and if he revealed himself to the world, he would be one of the wealthiest and most famous people alive.
He paused, then added:
Ryato: Let me tell you what Shingai said about you:
"Let's take them in… we'll use them as bait."
Falan froze, clenching his fist in anger.
Falan: Damn him… I'll become stronger… and I'll defeat him myself.
Rento: Me too… I'll become the greatest swordsman… and crush that fool.
Raizen: And I'll… oh… never mind.
Ryato fixed them with a steady gaze, then spoke confidently:
Ryato: I have an idea for you.
Rento: What is it?
Ryato: How about… you duel me now?
They were all taken aback.
Falan: Here? This place isn't suitable for a fight!
Ryato: The enemy won't let you choose the battlefield.
He pointed his finger:
Ryato: We'll add conditions. One for you… and one for me.
Raizen: Fine. Our condition: you won't use your sword.
Rento (arrogantly): Very clever…
Ryato: Okay… my condition: you won't use your forms.
Raizen: What?! That's not fair!
Falan: Don't worry… there are three of us… and only one of him.
Ryato let out a short, mocking laugh.
Ryato: The same thing happened with your previous enemy… and he almost killed you.
Rento: Stop talking… let's begin!
Ryato sat on the ground as if mocking them.
Ryato: I'm ready.
Raizen: Stand! Take a fighting stance! Don't underestimate us!
Rento: Are we allowed to kill you?
Ryato: You won't even be able to scratch me.
Raizen vanished suddenly, reappearing behind Ryato, attempting to kick him.
Raizen: Take this, fool!
Ryato didn't even flinch.
Falan (whispering): Behind you…
Ryato (mocking): You brutes…
Suddenly, Rento shouted:
Rento: Haaah! Why am I in the air?!
His body flew like a puppet after Ryato struck him faster than the eye could see.
Falan focused his water aura at his feet and leapt to attack Ryato… but Ryato blocked the kick with a single finger.
Ryato: Weak.
Rento appeared from the right, attempting to slice him in half… but Ryato formed a full sword from his wind aura, blocking the attack.
Falan (internally): We need to trap him from three sides…
Falan: Listen… Rento from the right, Raizen from the left, and I'll attack from the front.
The three gathered their powers:
Rento enveloped his sword with a sharp aura.
Raizen concentrated lightning in his hands and feet.
Falan focused water in his palms.
Falan: Let's goooo!
They moved simultaneously.
The air trembled… the ground shook… Ryato was surrounded.
Ryato: Good plan… I just want to see the impact of your auras.
He leapt into the air.
The three collided.
A massive explosion shook the mountain.
— Silence —
The dust settled… Ryato stood unharmed.
But the three… had deep wounds across their chests.
Ryato lifted them onto his shoulders and carried them to the hospital.
Thirty minutes passed…
Falan woke, groaning:
Falan: Ah… I can't move…
Ryato: Because you overused the Stone Power. You all did…
Rento: But I don't have any Stone… why am I paralyzed?
Ryato: Because you overused your Pico. Your inner strength is like the power of stones… if you overdo it… you'll die. Not from the enemy… but from your own power.
Ryato stopped, looking at them with unusual calm:
Ryato: The reason I dueled you… is that I didn't want you to see my true power and then be frightened into fleeing.
Rento: And why wouldn't you want us to flee?
A silence fell. Then Ryato spoke in a low, almost confessional tone:
Ryato: You don't know… what it feels like to see someone you care about… die before your eyes… when you could have saved them.
I won't watch young people like you… die in the prime of life.
He raised his head to them and asked:
Ryato: Are you ready to sacrifice… no matter the cost?
Ryato: In this organization… the strongest rules. The weak… are merely robots that follow orders.
Are you ready for that fate?
Falan: Fine… as long as I become the strongest.
Raizen: I'll become the strongest… and I'll change this stupid system.
Rento: Hmmm… this is exciting.