About a week later, In the City of Raijin, Kojin sat across from lady shinra, the city's lord, in a tense conference room meeting.
Kojin leaned forward. "Why can't our cities share the border like we agreed before?"
Lady shinra replied, calm and composed with a slight smirk, "Because we need to convert 60% of that border into a science facility. The remaining 40% will serve as a weapons development site."
Kojin frowned. "That goes against our agreement. The border was supposed to be used for trading—transporting goods between both cities."
Shinra smiled. "I know, but since we can't come to a proper agreement, I have another idea. Would you like to hear it?" Kojin had an slightly annoyed look on his face "I already know where this is going.", he thought to himself.
A few days later — City, Kojin's Office
Kojin stood before his team with a firm expression. The team concisted of Alex, kazuki, serena, kinto and Baraka and sukuna.
"There will be a Battle of Domain," he announced. "It will take place in the forest border between our city and the City of Raijin."
Kinto blinked. "Wait… you mean that forest between the two cities?"
"Yes. There's a huge border that looks like a wasteland. About a kilometre away resides the forest that leads to the city." Kojin confirmed. "Since the lord of the country of raijin and I couldn't reach an agreement, we decided this would be the fairest solution. The battle of domains"
Alex had a slightly bumped out look on his face "Ahhh. I know where this is going." Kazuki turned to him and asked "Huh. You looked bumped out." Alex replied "What kojin just said about a Domain battle reminded me of the manga I just finished reading. Had a bad ending." Kazuki asked "Oh. You mean jump sorcerer? Yeah I read the last chapter. Rushed as hell.", kinto said to them "Nows not the time guys."
"What's the Battle of Domain?" Serena asked curiously.
"It's a battle between two nations over a disputed territory," Kojin explained. "The winning side claims the region."
"Then why not send older and more experienced soldiers? We have tons of talented adults assassins and soliders who are C-Rank assassins." Serena asked.
Kojin shook his head. "Lady shinra wants the fight to be fair. She's sending in her D-Rank soliders assassins. And plus, we both decided to send our young and most skilled fighters"
Kinto sighed, "Let me get this straight. There are other kids in this city who are the same age as us. But because we are *So skilled for our age* you decided to send us instead. I hate where this is going."
Alex teased him "This ain't a time to be lazy buddy." "Shut up." Kinto replied slightly annoyed and pouting in a lazy manner."
"This won't be a hard battle to handle," Kojin assured them. "That's the biggest lie I've ever heard in my 12 years of living" Alex said. "Yep, I'm lying coz I can." Kojin assured them. "See?" Alex exclaimed.
Baraka muttered, "I better go train with my mom…"
Kojin turned to Kinto and Sukuna. "Let the other teams know what's going on."
City Streets – Later
As Kinto and Serena walked down the street, Serena turned to him.
"Hey, what's Alex been up to?"
Kinto replied, "His grandfather came back from his eight-year mission."
Serena replied while being slightly shocked "You're serious?"
Kinto chuckled, "Yeah. As much as Alex likes his space, he gets lonely sometimes."
Serena looked thoughtful. "He must've felt pretty down without anyone around."
Kinto smirked. "Alex doesn't need people around to feel okay. But that doesn't mean he never needs company."
1:00 PM — City Park
The quiet park echoed with bursts of movement. Alex was sparring with his grandfather, Rampo.
With his energy fists active, Alex flash-stepped around Rampo, launching attacks from different angles. But Rambo dodged effortlessly "Don't wreck the ground. This is a park, not a training ground."
Alex leapt into the air, gathering power in his fist and aimed a powerful strike downward. Rampo vanished from the spot, letting Alex's punch crater the ground beneath with explosive force that could shake a city block
As the smoke cleared, Alex lay on the ground, exhausted and panting.
Rampo burst into laughter. "That all you got?"
Alex groaned, "Did I at least do well? Don't laugh at me and say a one liner."
3:00 PM — Riverside
Alex and Rampo sat beside the gentle river.
"You've gotten way stronger than I expected, youre almost C-rank" Rambo said proudly. "When I left, you were just a kid, although I came checking on you time to time and let kojin supervise you."
Alex nodded. "I've been training. I want to be strong enough to become a Lord someday."
Rampo smiled. "I can see that. Although, youre gonna have to do a whole lot of training to become as strong as i am. Not just that, you'll see yourself in deadly situations.". Alex and ranpo go quiet for a few moments.
"Oh—and I've been working on my cooking skills too," Alex added.
Rampo laughed. "HUH? Cook? I wonder if you haven't been poisoning yourself." Alex replied while being slightly annoyed "Oi!". Ranpo replied while chuckling "Kidding. I'm just kidding."
Later — Neighborhood Rooftop
Alex while walking by himself noticed Raquel sitting alone on a rooftop, lost in thought. He jumped up beside her and flicked his fingers near her ear.
Startled, Raquel looked at him and sighed. "Don't scare me like that."
"You okay?" Alex asked.
"I'm fine," she replied.
But Alex saw through it. "If something's bothering you, don't keep it in."
Raquel hesitated, then admitted, "You ever heard of Mori katakuri?" Alex replied "Oh you mean that blue haired dick that thinks he's better than everyone? Yeah i saw em." Raquel giggled abit "Your choice of words are wild. He always bullied me and got to me. Back when we were kids, he'd call me a disgrace and say that he wondered how he was related to a weakling like myself. It hurt me, but I trained harder to prove him wrong."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Don't let someone like that mess with you. Just because he's strong doesn't mean he gets to bring you down. If he tried that with me, I'd beat him to a pulp. I hate people who look down on others. Pisses me off."
He stood up. "Wanna take a walk?"
Raquel smiled. "Yeah, I'd love to."
Meanwhile — Tower Overlooking the City
Rampo and Diablo stood atop a tower, looking over the landscape.
"I didn't expect you to be Alex's team leader, although it only seemed natural because due to the relationship you had with his parents" Rampo said.
"Wasn't really expecting it myself, although i was glad i became his instructor " Diablo replied.
"You know about Alex's situation, right?" Rampo asked.
"You mean the demonic energy? Yeah. And that the Dark Sign Organization is after him."
Rampo nodded. "Then… I want to ask you something."
"What is it?" Diablo asked.
"Protect Alex. Please."
Diablo sighed. "What kind of question is that? Im his team leader, I'll gladly do that."
Rampo smiled. "Thank you."
8:00 PM — Local Restaurant
Alex leaned back, patting his stomach. "I'm stuffed."
Raquel laughed. "Why do you eat so much?"
"I just love food." Alex replied.
She smiled. "I heard there's a Battle of Domain coming up between our city and Raijin."
Alex blinked. "Yeah, kojin spoke about it in the morning."
He sighed. "Why can't things ever be simple…"
Raquel stood. "Well, I better head home. I had fun."
"Yeah, me too." Alex said to her.
She waved. "See you later."
Alex smiled and waved back, then walked home under the dim city lights. "Yeah,see you." He thought to himself with a smile.
END OF EPISODE.