A few days ago, in the vast wastelands surrounded by towering mountains...
Diablo and Ukina soared through the sky, both moving at the speed of light. Their battle was relentless—Ukina hurled light-speed attacks, each one strong enough to obliterate entire mountains. Diablo, unfazed, weaved through her strikes with minimal effort, his body flickering across the battlefield like a ghost made of dark light.
As another barrage surged towards him, Ukina narrowed her eyes.
"You're pretty strong," she admitted with a small smirk. "I haven't fought anyone like you before."
In response, she summoned intricate glowing magic circles mid-air. From them, massive spears made of radiant light launched toward Diablo with deadly precision. Still flying at light speed, Diablo effortlessly dodged them all, then let out a mocking chuckle.
"If you're going to keep attacking like that," he said, eyes gleaming red, "you should at least try a little harder."
Without hesitation, Diablo raised a hand, unleashing a storm of red energy beams at rapid-fire speed. Ukina twisted and spun through the onslaught, countering with more of her radiant spears. Then, with a surge of energy, she conjured over a thousand massive shuriken, each one glowing with concentrated energy, and hurled them at him.
Diablo, still weaving through the air with unmatched speed, copied her light spear technique in an instant. As Ukina's massive shuriken closed in, she released a copied light spear of his own. The collision triggered a devastating explosion, consuming large sections of the wasteland and triggering shockwaves that shattered mountain ranges and ignited thunderous storms.
The two clashed midair, exchanging blow for blow with inhuman agility. Every strike leveled the terrain below, the sky above cracking under the weight of their power.
When the smoke finally cleared, Ukina prepared her next move.
"Lightning Bolt of Death," she declared, launching a condensed surge of destructive power toward him.
Diablo simply sighed, then raised a hand and deflected the attack with a casual flick of his finger. It veered off course and struck a distant mountain, obliterating it in a blinding blast.
Ukina hovered in the air, smiling. "You're fun. I need people like you in my group."
She paused, then added, "It's crazy how you're only at twenty percent of your power and still this strong."
Diablo folded his arms. "I have no reason to join your group of villains and criminals."
Ukina smirked, undeterred. "Suit yourself."
She opened a swirling portal behind her, casting one last look at him.
"We'll meet again. But in the meantime… stay away from the Dark Sign."
And with that, she disappeared into the portal, leaving only silence behind.
Present Day – Cliffside View
Diablo stood on a cliff overlooking the city. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue across the horizon. He sighed.
"A lot is going to happen after these next three years... i can feel some sort of slow shift in balance. I don't know what it is, but i know somethings about to change."
A voice interrupted him.
"You're thinking too much again."
Diablo turned slightly to see Kazuki walking toward him.
Kazuki looked up at the sky. "We've only got three years before we start our C-Rank missions."
"I know," Diablo replied with a faint smile.
"That's why I want to train with you," Kazuki continued. "Before everything starts."
Diablo chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd say that."
"Try activating your spirit mark," he added.
Kazuki did so, and instantly, Diablo noticed something new—three dots on the triangle instead of two.
"It's evolved," Diablo said, impressed.
"I figured," Kazuki said. "I noticed that my energy levels, speed, and even new abilities like a force field, lightning, and fire attacks have started appearing abd increasing in power"
He then drew two daggers—one burning with purple flames, the other crackling with purple lightning.
Diablo grinned. "Wow, those things look insane.Once we begin training, I'll teach you how to fully master those."
Kazuki nodded. "Also, Alex… he awakened some kind of demon form. Wings, black markings, sharp claws—and an insane amount of energy.". Kazuki started to reminisce on the fight himself and Alex had with Shinki "Alex was almost like a different person. No! He was like a beast, one with almost no consciousness."
Diablo's eyes sharpened. "So even Alex is getting stronger... If you both keep it up, it's only a matter of time before you surpass everyone. Im not joking. But you and Alex have insane potential, everyone else as well. I'd like to see the kind of soldiers you kids would be later on."
Elsewhere – Alex's Room
Alex sat in his room playing video games, but his mind drifted elsewhere.
"That creature I saw in my head....What the hell was that?"
He remembered the demon form he had awakened during his fight with Shinki. That overwhelming power...
Alex smirked. "I don't know what that power was... but I felt like I was on top of the world. I barely have my thoughts together, it was like my thoughts were a blur each time I try go remember what happened to me in that fight."
Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door. Curious, he opened it and found a note:
"Meet me at the bridge near the river."
Intrigued, Alex made his way to the location. There, waiting under the moonlight, was his grandfather—Ranpo
"Grandpa!" Alex shouted, rushing over. "Where've you been?!"
Ranpo smiled. "Good to see you again."
Alex grinned. "I've been working on the Blade of Death since you left! I've gotten really crazy with it. You wanna see?"
"We'll talk about that later," Ranpo said. "Right now, I want to hear what happened to you."
After Alex explained everything, Ranpo looked at him seriously.
"In these next three years," he said, "I'm going to train you harder than ever before."
Alex's eyes lit up. "Really?I can't wait!". Ranpo said to him while slightly annoyed "You stupid kid, atleast try to act a little scared."
Kojin's Office – Veranda
Kojin sat quietly, sorting paperwork. Tomoa entered.
"It's good to see you," Kojin said. "How's Levi?"
"He's recovered," Tomoa replied. "Discharged this morning."
Kojin exhaled in relief. "Thank God no one died."
Just then, Sōn burst in.
"Big bro Tomoa!" he called out. "Ive gotta ask you something. Can I train with you for a few years? Just you and me."
Kojin frowned. "How many times have I told you to knock?"
"Sorry, Dad," Sōn said sheepishly. "Can we talk?" Kojin just sighed "Damnit Sōn. This better be good."
Outside on the veranda, Sōn got serious.
"What happened to Saito?" he asked. "Is it true he joined some criminal organisation... The Dark Sign?"
Kojin's expression darkened.
"It's my fault," he admitted. "I failed to see how much he was struggling. I failed as a father, i kept giving him doubts and made his entire life a living mess. And now, Saito is lost."
Sōn looked down, troubled. "Then I'll work hard to bring him back. I saw a few videos of the fight Sughi sensei and Tomoa had with Saito. It was like... he was a complete power house. A self destructive one at that."
Kojin hesitated. "You're right. Saito... isn't the same person anymore. The kid who once used to be so kind hearted and hard working is now a self boiling psychopath."
"I don't care," Son said, wind brushing past him. "Even if you hate him for what he's become, I'll fix it.". Kojin paused for a moment before smiling "I see."
Suddenly, a pink beam of energy blasted through the ceiling, obliterating the office. Kojin and Sōn were shocked "WHAT JUST HAPPENED?" Kojin thought to himself with a wild look on his eyes like he was a beast.
Kojin rushed inside—everything was reduced to ash. As the smoke cleared, a figure stood among the ruins.
A woman with revealing vigilante attire removed her mask and beamed.
"Hello, Kojin~ It's been a while!"
Kojin sighed. "Veronica…", he had a look of defeat on his face.
Son blinked. "Uhh dad, who... is she?"
"She's Veronica," Kojin said, "the strongest female soldier on the planet. The only woman to ever reach S-rank.". Veronica waved to Sōn "Hello there, you must be Kojin kid. I'm Veronica, nice to meet you." Sōn said to himself "Atleast she's nice."
Later That Evening – Diablo's House
Diablo walked down the road with groceries in hand, his thoughts drifting.
"In the meantime, stay away from the Dark Sign."
Ukina's words echoed in his head.
He scoffed. "Whether she likes it or not, her stupid group won't win. She's just a villian taking out her anger on the world that mistreated her."
As he entered his house, he immediately sensed something.
"...Sharp presence. No... it can't be..!"
Before he could act, Veronica leapt onto him from behind, wrapping her arms around his head, her chest squishing against him.
"I missed you so much, Diablo!"
Unfazed, Diablo sighed. "No wonder I sensed something sharp…"
Minutes later, he served her drinks and snacks.
"So," he asked, "what brings you here? You've been gone for almost 6 years now. I was starting to think you had left this planet or something."
"Oh please dont be funny. I'm training a group of young assassins and soliders for a while now. Ive also been travelling round the world for all those years," she said. "By the way, i need one more promising student."
"Promising students huh? Well i know two candidates," Diablo replied. "But one of them definitely fits your type more. The other is Kazuma-sensei's son."
Her eyes sparkled. "Huh? Really? I can't wait to meet them!", she said to Diablo with a mild smile.
Later the next day– Alex and Kazuki Meet Veronica
Veronica playfully pinched their cheeks.
"You two are so cute! I wanna hug you both!"
Alex whispered to Kazuki, "Why is a hot woman with huge boobs calling us cute?"
Kazuki replied, deadpan, "I have no idea."
Diablo introduced them formally.
"Alight boys, this is Veronica. She was my teammate back in the day."
Veronica clapped. "Nice to meet you kids. Now then—who wants to be my student?"
The two looked at each other in confusion. "What?" They asked.
Alex scratched his head. "I would, but I already have a mentor."
She turned to Kazuki. "How about you?"
Kazuki shook his head. "I'm already training with Diablo."
Diablo chimed in, "You might get stronger faster with her, though. And plus, your skills would in combat as a soldier would be more formal and over the ruff with her as your teacher."
Kazuki gave a wary glance. "I've heard... things about her training methods."
Diablo flashbacked to the horrors of her teasing from his teenage years, shuddering. He remembered as how Veronica would chase him and his other teammate with giant snakes and beasts, as well as taunting them.
"Yeah… you might want to think twice about her Kazuki."
Veronica pouted. "Come on! I already have a group of promising students—and with someone like you, Kazuki, we'd be unstoppable!"
Kazuki finally gave in. "Fine. If it'll make me stronger, I'll join. And plus i need help in getting used to my new powers. So i guess i can go with you miss Veronica."
Alex smirked. "Looks like you're gonna have fun."
Kazuki glanced at him. "Wait… don't leave me alone with her—!"
Alex turned around while waving to Kazuki "Well, I'll see you some other time. I've gotta go train." Kazuki rushed after Alex and grabbed his shoulder "Wait Alex.", Alex turned back "Huh? What's the matter?". Kazuki replied to Alex "Before we go, let's have a sparring match. You know, too see who's stronger." Alex replied with a smirk "Oh? That would be cool, but not now. If I ever wanted to fight you." Alex smiled at him "It would be when we both are at the peak of our power." Alex turns around and walks away "See ya later buddy.", Kazuki just smirked "Yeah, see ya." Diablo and Veronica were just standing with smiling while watching Alex and Kazuki. While Alex was walking home, he pounded his fist with his palm "I'll make sure I train hard to become the strongest I can be. You'll see.", Raquel on the other hand was just watching alex before jumping on him. With a smile, she says "And I'll help you become stronger." Few hours later, Kazuki had all his stuffs packed up, he turned to Diablo "Well, I guess I'll be leaving now.", Diablo replied with a smirk and his arms folded while resting on the city gates "Be good now. Okay? I'll come to check on you from time to time", Kazuki nodded "Yeah. That would be good." Veronica asks him "Alright Kazuki, you ready?" Kazuki replied with a confident smirk as he steps outside the gate "Yeah! I am." Both Alex and Kazuki had smirks on their faces "I'll train hard. And I'll become the strongest who surpass everyone!" Serena on the other hand was just watching Kazuki leave the city, she had a proud smile on her face "I'll wish you luck." And with that, the three years of training has started.
END OF VOLUME.