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Three years passed like a blink inside the hell known as Kara.
Time scraped away the innocence that remained in Code… and tempered him like steel.
His days were training, missions, pain, analysis, constant surveillance, and silence.
From age 13 to 16, he had become taller, stronger, colder… and more lethal.
But he had also learned to hide his true potential.
To lie with his body.
To deceive even the Karma that burned on his skin.
And now, once again, he stood before Jigen.
The place was a technological cavern: reinforced walls, containment columns, sensors everywhere.
Towers of light illuminated the circular combat field where Code and Jigen faced each other.
Jigen moved first.
His movement was a flash.
Code barely managed to cross his forearms before the explosive blow launched him against the floor, embedding him into the concrete. The impact echoed through the entire chamber.
Code spat blood and stood up. There was no time to breathe.
Jigen appeared at his right.
"Get up, Code."
Code activated a portion of the Karma the white lines crawled up his right arm.
The air vibrated.
The pressure of chakra increased.
"Ahh!" he exhaled as he blocked another punch, this time sliding his body backward to absorb the force.
But Jigen didn't stop.
He never stopped.
The leader of Kara was a monster in taijutsu—instant speed, precision bordering on the divine, strength calibrated to the exact level needed to break bones… without killing him.
Every punch felt like a stampede.
Every kick, a hammer.
Code tried to read his rhythm, something nearly impossible when Jigen changed patterns every three seconds.
A sweep.
An elbow.
A knee to the stomach.
A punch straight to the chin.
"You're slow," Jigen stated as Code spun through the air.
Code hit the ground rolling, arms trembling, lungs burning.
The Karma pulsed like a foreign heart, demanding more power, more activation.
I can't show too much…
If I unleash everything, he'll know I'm holding back and… the limiters will come.
He gritted his teeth and attacked again.
For the first time in years, Code managed to land a hit.
A knee strike to Jigen's shoulder.
The sound was sharp.
Jigen barely stepped back.
But he noticed it.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Code didn't celebrate. Instead, he charged with greater fury, moving at an almost invisible speed.
His white claw marks stretched across the floor, letting him teleport between them in brief bursts.
"That's it," Jigen said, deflecting each appearance with controlled spins. "You're finally becoming… acceptable."
The word "acceptable" hurt more than the blows.
After nearly an hour, Jigen stepped back.
"Enough."
Code collapsed to his knees.
Bruised arms.
Split lip.
A torso covered in dark bruises that throbbed like fire.
But he was alive.
And that was a victory.
Jigen looked down at him.
"You've improved," he admitted. "Your taijutsu can keep up… occasionally."
For Code, that was the greatest compliment Jigen was capable of giving.
"Thank you," he replied, voice hoarse.
Jigen turned away.
"Don't thank me. If you fail tomorrow, you'll go back to being trash."
And he disappeared from the room.
Code took a deep breath.
Everything hurt.
But his mind was calm.
Three years training under him… and I still haven't shown even half.
As he left the training field, Code saw something that made his breath catch.
In the main hallway, Amado walked surrounded by several guards.
Behind them, a line of children, all between 9 and 12 years old—some trembling, others confused, others resigned.
Code frowned.
"What is this?"
Amado didn't even look at him at first.
He kept walking with a tired smile.
"New candidates," he finally answered. "It's time to begin an important selection."
Code scanned them one by one.
In the middle of the group, a boy walked with an empty stare, arms covered in scars, expression blank.
Dark hair.
Cold eyes.
Rigid posture.
Kawaki.
Code's stomach tightened.
So this moment has finally come…
He stepped closer.
"Amado," he said bluntly, "what are you going to do with the kids?"
The scientist let out a soft, almost mocking laugh.
"What do you think, Code? We're searching for something very important.
A stable vessel.
Someone 'compatible'.
Someone worthy of Jigen's Karma."
A chill ran down Code's spine.
His chest twisted with an ugly mix of jealousy, anxiety, and… frustration.
Amado glanced sideways at him.
"Come on, Code. Don't get jealous," he teased. "Hahaha."
Code clenched his fists.
He said nothing.
But inside…
Jealous? No… that's not it.
I know perfectly well what's coming. I saw it in the anime.
And if I want to change this story… I have to act carefully.
He looked at Kawaki one last time.
The boy didn't even lift his head.
The wheel of destiny had just turned.
And Code, three years stronger and more dangerous, was ready to push it whenever necessary.