[Demonic Human Arc]

[The next day, a team of Saiya from the 3rd Gate discovers an empty house in a Spacial rift connected to the Border of Yami City on the outskirts of Yami.]

Takeo: Alright, we're here to clear out the lurking curses.

[Takeo, a 21-year-old Saiya, bears a scar beneath his right eye. He has dark hair and eyes, with an average build and height.]

Team: Yes, sir.

Takeo: Stay focused and complete this mission without casualties, understood?

Saiya 1: This place feels strange. Why is it so hot?

Takeo: That's why we need to be extra cautious. Everyone, let's move out.

[Meanwhile, at the 10th Gate base]

Karma: What's this board for?

Yuri: It's where we post requests no one wants to take.

Karma: Is there a difference between requests and missions?

Yuri: Indeed. Missions are assigned by the 1st Gate and are mandatory. Requests, on the other hand, come from individuals who are willing to pay us for certain tasks. But sometimes, they can be a hassle, so we ignore them.

Nova: Yo, I have a mission for you.

Tera: For us?

Nova: Yes, you're the only ones available at the moment. It's a backup mission, so you need to leave immediately. It's a Grade 8 mission, so it should be manageable.

Karma: ....

Yuri: Sora isn't here, so we're going on foot, right?

Nova: Yep, it's near the border of Yami City. Off you go.

Karma: (He's just being lazy and avoiding using teleportation.)

Yuri: Try to keep up.

(Yuri vanishes, leaving only a trail of dust behind, Karma and Tera leave immediately after.)

(On Takeo's mission, the battlefield had transformed into a volcanic region, with the ground emitting intense heat and molten lava visible below the surface. Amidst this hostile environment, Takeo stands face-to-face with a powerful demon.)

Takeo: (This opponent is stronger than I anticipated. I need backup. He's already wiped out the entire team.)

Demon: Got you.

Takeo: Damn it. (How did this happen? We never expected a demon to be here, let alone a portal to the Underworld. This mission is far more dangerous than Grade 8. If we're unlucky, it's Grade 5.)

[A few minutes earlier, after Takeo gave the order to commence their search.]

(The Saiya team grows restless as they find nothing in the old house.)

Saiya 1: We can't find anything here.

Takeo: Stay vigilant. The energy fluctuations here are abnormal, so it must be here. Some of the Saiya were even killed by it, so be careful. (I keep emphasizing that, but where is this thing hiding?.)

Saiya 2: Don't worry, Takeo. We can handle it.

Saiya 3: Isn't it strange, though? They assembled a team of 20 for this mission?

Takeo: Yes, something about this mission feels off. But orders are absolute.

(Suddenly, they hear loud footsteps approaching.)

Takeo: (What's that sound? Footsteps? Why are they so loud?.)

Saiya 1: Takeo!

Takeo: What's...

(Takeo turns around to see two of his teammates suspended in the air. Their heads had been crushed and blood profusely poured from their injuries, dripping onto the ground. The sound of dripping blood echoed in the Saiya's head adding a more dramatic effect to the already gruesome scene.)

Saiya 4: Help me! I don't want to die!

Takeo: I'm coming to...

(Their necks are suddenly crushed, and their decapitated heads roll to Takeo's feet.)

Voice: What? You still can't see me? How low-level are you? Dispel.

(The entire scenery changes to a volcanic landscape.)

Takeo: (What? It was all an illusion? I couldn't sense through it at all.)

(The demon materializes before him—a towering figure with massive bones protruding from its back. Its red eyes fixate on Takeo, who struggles to comprehend the situation.)

Demon: You shouldn't lose focus in times like these. You do seem somewhat useful though.

(He swats takeo away with the back of his hand, sending Takeo flying.)

Demon: The other 16 were useless. They died with a single blow. I hope the rest of you are different. They better not be a wasting my time here.

(One of the Saiya attacks the demon from behind with a sword.)

Demon: Your battle sense is impressive, but you lack raw power.

(She strikes the demon, but her sword shatters, and he effortlessly slaps her to pieces. Her blood and guts scatter everywhere and he looks disappointed.)

Demon: Kill the scum, they said. Even if they hadn't, I would have done so.

Saiya 1: Takeo, what are your orders?

Takeo: Orders? What?

Saiya 2: Snap out of it! This bastard has wiped out the entire team singlehandedly. We need you.

Saiya 1: Come on, snap out of it already.

Takeo: Huh? (Why am I so scared?)

Saiya 1: Takeo, snap out of it!

Saiya 2: We need you here. Pull yourself together!

(Images flash through Takeo's mind, reminding him of a painful past.)

[Not too distant past]

(A younger version of Takeo flees from a burning village while panting heavily.)

Ninja: Run! We'll cover you.

Takeo: But...

Ninja: Just go, Takeo. You have to protect the kids.

Takeo: Alright.

Nina: Let's go, Takeo.

(Takeo and Nina run with a few kids away from a flaming battlefield. A rogue ninja with black aura radiating out of his body crashes down on their location, killing a few kids.)

Nina: Shadow Bind. Go, all of you.

Takeo: Nina...

Nina: I'm right behind you. I'll hold him here for a bit, go! The kids need you.

Takeo: Alright. Make sure to follow right after us.

(Takeo leads the children away but suddenly a person crashes in front of them, covered in blood.)

Takeo: N...Ninaaaaaaa!

Ninjas: (They got Nina.) Yorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, you'll pay for this.

(Most of the ninjas in the trees charge into a dark abyss while another ninja comes to Takeo.)

Ninja: Takeo, we're shorthanded, you need to stay composed.

(Takeo couldn't understand anything anymore. He was breaking down in everyway possible while staring at Nina's corpse.)

Takeo: But, but Nina...

(The Ninja slaps him and grabs him by the shirt before screaming at him.)

Ninja: Pull yourself together. You're a shinobi. This is a normal occurrence in our life. People die while others live, so don't wimp out now when they need you. So now, tell me, can you do it?

(Takeo takes a look at young Yuri and the others. He gradually calms down and regains his senses.)

Takeo: Yes, I'll do my best.

Ninja: Good. At least, the shinobi of the Ninja Core won't die out. We'll stay here and drag them all to hell with us. All of you here, try your best to listen to Takeo and survive at all costs. You're the future, never forget that. To those of you who'll survive this incident, you'll be able to grow stronger and go further than us or the masters could ever imagine. Now to all you Ninjas of the Ninja Core, this is an order. Survive at all costs.

Ninjas: Yes.

Ninja: Disperse.

(She charges into the opposing ninja without looking back.)

Takeo: (I won't let that happen again... or so I thought.)

(The demon stands, strangling one of the two Saiya, with the other dead on the ground, and Takeo wounded and helpless.)