Baku's story left both Nobu and Beru silent for a long moment.
The betrayal… the pain… the loneliness he endured—
It ignited a fire in Nobu's heart.
Nobu clenched the hilt of Kagemaru, the blade once stolen from Baku.
"Train me," Nobu said firmly.
"I'll master this sword… and become someone worthy of it."
Baku smirked slightly, though his eyes held sadness.
"Good. Because the enemies waiting ahead… are far stronger than you imagine."
Six Months of Hell
The basement training ended.
Baku took them to the mountains—
his old training grounds—
where his legacy was born.
There were many disciples there.
Strong warriors who once trained under the Baku of the past.
Baku challenged them:
"Test Nobu and Beru."
The first match was Beru's.
Beru moved like a beast. His blade sliced through the air—
and in one strike, he nearly severed his opponent's arm.
If Baku hadn't intervened at the last second, the fight would've ended in blood.
Beru was declared the winner.
The second match…
Nobu stepped forward.
His opponent attacked fast, faster than Nobu expected—
Slice!
A sharp pain tore across Nobu's chest, leaving behind a burning scar.
Nobu's eyes changed.
He inhaled deeply…
and his body moved by itself.
His counterattack was silent—
but devastating.
One strike.
His opponent was thrown to the ground, defeated.
Baku folded his arms.
"Not bad… but still far from my prime."
Still, a rare smile touched his lips.
He was proud.
Nobu and Beru had finally become warriors.
Return to the Mafia
After completing their brutal training, they returned to the only man who had helped them in the beginning—the Mafia Boss.
He welcomed them with a grand feast.
"You two… you've changed."
The next morning, Nobu and Beru stood before him.
"Give us a mission. A dangerous one."
The Mafia Boss hesitated.
"Are you sure?"
Nobu nodded.
"We'll finish it in one night."
The boss sighed, then handed them the file.
A Japanese gang.
A thousand members.
Located near the ocean.
A mission of death.
The Mafia Boss arranged a ship for them.
And so—Nobu and Beru set sail under the dark night sky.
The Fall into Darkness
But danger found them first.
Two Japanese gang members spotted the ship.
"Fire!"
BOOM!
An RPG smashed into the vessel.
Wood splintered.
Flames erupted.
The ocean roared.
The ship sank instantly.
Nobu and Beru were swallowed by the waves—
pulling them into the cold depths.
Their vision blurred…
But a massive wave suddenly surged—
throwing their unconscious bodies toward a distant coastline…
Somewhere unknown.
Footsteps rushed toward them.
"Hey! Someone's here!"
A group of strangers picked them up,
dragging their injured bodies to safety…
Critical condition.
Barely alive.
But alive.
And with that…
The mission had failed.