A few weeks had passed since half the city was obliterated during the clash between Baraka and Garou, as well as the deadly fight against Bara's killer robots. The damage had been extensive, but reconstruction was already underway under Kojin's supervision. The skyline was lined with cranes, scaffolding, and workers pouring their efforts into restoring the city. Citizens and other soldiers were helping, they were using their powers to reconstruct their demolished houses.
As Kojin watched over the site, he fell into silent reflection.
"I didn't expect that fight to be so destructive," he thought, his eyes scanning the damaged cityscape. "Why does the Dark Sign keep targeting this city? And why have they suspended their pursuit of Alex?"
He sighed deeply.
"I don't have time to overthink this now," he told himself. "Once Ranpo returns, the two of us will need to sit down and talk about all of this."
Meanwhile, at the training field…
Son and Tomoa were in the middle of a heated sparring session. Son soared through the air with blazing flames beneath him, moving at blistering speeds. On the ground, Tomoa launched a series of destructive orbs, each one glowing with condensed energy.
"Keep your stamina in check!" Tomoa shouted. "Concentrate your flames better if you want to last longer!"
Son nodded mid-air, weaving through the orbs. Suddenly, Tomoa raised the pressure, hurling multiple destructive orbs at hyperspeeds. A violent explosion erupted on impact.
Through the smoke, a flaming barrier emerged—Son had reacted just in time, using his fire to shield himself. He slowly descended, exhausted but intact.
Tomoa tossed him a bottle of water. "Good job. Your flight speed and reactions have gotten way better."
Son took a long sip, sitting on the ground. "You didn't have to go that hard…"
Tomoa laughed. "If I didn't go all out, you wouldn't learn a thing."
Son chuckled weakly. "To dodge those orbs… someone would have to be insanely fast."
"Well concerning the fact that im C-rank, they should be able to move at hypersonic or lightning levels of speed. It all depends on my level of energy at the moment " Tomoa confirmed. "Not many can keep up. In battle, your speed, durability, stamina, strength—and especially your IQ—matter."
Son nodded. "I've got a massive energy pool, which fuels my flames… but I still need to build up my physical strength. If my flames can't solve the problem, them combat should do the trick."
"That's good. Although you're a trained solidier and assassin, you should have good combat skills even without using your flames." Tomoa said. "And keep in mind—some opponents will be way faster than you. You'll need to sense them before they strike."
Son raised an eyebrow. "I can detect body heat with my flames. That should help with reaction time, right?"
"Exactly," Tomoa smiled. "But if you want to be strong enough to take on Sorata, you've still got a long way to go."
Son hesitated, then asked, "Tomoa… I've been wondering. Why is Sorata's destructive energy purple, but Dad's is black?"
Tomoa leaned back. "Good question. Destructive energy is the heating of energy within the body, fired off with immense power. The color depends on intensity. Sorata's energy is purple because of how much heat and power he's condensed into it. He's perfected it."
He continued, "Destructive energy functions a lot like flames. It boosts speed and strength too. That's why Sorata is ranked as one of the most dangerous criminals alive. Those flame like powers of his... WOULD BURN EVERYTHING IT TOUCHES INTO NOTHINGNESS."
Son looked down, thinking of Sorata's younger days—back when he was Saito, always telling him to grow stronger.
A small smile touched Son's lips. "I'll catch up to him... no matter what."
Tomoa smiled as well. "I believe you will."
Elsewhere…
Alex slowly opened his eyes to the white lights above him. He realized he was in a hospital bed, bandaged and drained. At his side sat Diablo, silent and composed.
Alex blinked. "What… happened?"
"You lost control again," Diablo said. "You used your demonic powers… and blacked out."
Alex frowned. "Seriously?"
Diablo stood up. "In a few days, I'm heading out on a mission. Before that, I want to teach you a new technique. You can use the blade of death....right?"
Alex raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? I already perfected the Blade of Death. I even made a light-speed version and one that changes color depending on how much energy I pump into it."
Diablo smiled faintly. "I know. And I'm impressed. But... the Blade of Death you've been using? It's incomplete. It's only a glimpse of what it can become." Alex paused for a moment "Huh?"
Diablo continued to explain. "I'll teach you how to harness every ounce of power and potential you have. All you need is the right environment and motivation."
Alex smirked. "Then I'm in."
At the city council chambers…
Ranpo stood before the higher-ups of the city in a tense meeting.
One of them spoke coldly. "We believe Alex is a threat. He should be placed in confinement."
Ranpo narrowed his eyes with irritation. "Well you sure went straight to the point. You're saying that about my own grandson?"
Lady Rimeta stepped forward. "Alex is perhaps the strongest young assassin in the city—and he holds demonic energy. If he ever masters that power, he could ascend to a completely different level."
Ranpo clenched his fists. "What's your point?"
"If he ever loses control… or turns evil… he could become a planetary threat," she said. "Possibly even the next great calamity after that Diablo."
Another elder chimed in. "We're not suggesting execution… yet. But he should be confined before things escalate."
Suddenly, energy surged from Ranpo's body, shaking the entire chamber. The lights flickered as the floor cracked beneath him.
"If your goal is to hurt Alex," Ranpo growled, "then I'll reduce this entire city to ash—and every one of you with it. Don't you dare lay a finger on Alex with your shady means."
Without another word, he stormed out of the hall.
Later that evening, as Ranpo stood by a quiet stream, Kojin approached him.
"Did the meeting go well?" Kojin asked softly.
Ranpo didn't turn. "They want Alex confined. Some of them are even considering worse."
Kojin sighed. "Don't worry. I'll make sure nothing happens to him. It was the same thing the old bastards wanted to do to Diablo back when he was a teen. The geezers wanted him dead. Talking about he's a divine threat."
"You've already got your hands full," Ranpo said. "International meetings, dealing with the Dark Sign… you can't handle everything alone."
Kojin smiled. "I'll manage. I can't leave my best friend to handle this mess by himself."
Ranpo turned and gave a rare smile. "You're a good friend, Kojin."
The two of them bumped fists, a silent bond holding them together in a time of uncertainty.
END OF CHAPTER.