The sun was barely rising past the mountain peaks, but the village was already alive with excitement and unease. Students raced through the cobbled streets, forming last-minute teams. The aroma of fresh dumplings from nearby food stalls lingered in the air, though most vendors had closed early to watch the start of the First Challenge from their home windows.

 Horses trotted uneasily in their pens.

I stopped mid-step, a chill running down my spine.

Ryju narrowed his eyes, his body tensing.

That feeling again...Bloodlust.

It wasn't just fear. It was hatred. Rage. Pure killing intent.

I turned sharply. "Rei, do you feel that? All that bloodlust... it's thick in the air."

Rei's expression darkened. "I feel it too. But I can't pinpoint where it's coming from."

Elsewhere — A Forgotten Cave Beneath the Village

At the edge of the Ninja Academy training grounds, a small cave sat tucked beside the village wall—hidden from most eyes and easy to overlook.

 an old cave with Cracked lanterns flickered weakly along the cave's narrow walls. Deep inside, surrounded by jagged stone and darkness, a confrontation had begun.

A trembling voice echoed off the walls.

"P-Please… don't hurt me…"

It was the blue-haired girl from earlier. Her knees shook as she backed against the cold wall.

A shadow stepped forward, sword drawn.

"Why should I spare your life?" the attacker sneered, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. "If you're weak, you die."

"I—I can get strong. I know I can!" she cried.

A cold laugh answered her.

"That's what they all say. But in the end, they all fall. Weaklings don't belong in this world. We only need the strong."

Back at the Challenge Grounds

Suddenly, I spun around. My senses sharpened.

"That bloodlust… It's over there!" I pointed past the edge of the village training grounds, toward a rocky hill lined with dark pine trees.

"Let's go!" Rei shouted, already sprinting.

"Can I… just stay here?" Kenshiro muttered, already halfway into another bag of chips.

Everyone shouted at once."NO!"

Our team charged together, racing toward the source.

In the Cave

The attacker raised his blade. "Alright. Let's make this quick. Just die."

"No! Somebody—someone help me!"

"One Sword Style: 50 Consecutive Slashes."

The wind screamed with the speed of the attack.

Then—

"STOP RIGHT THERE!"I crashed into the cave just in time."Don't you dare hurt her!"

The girl blinked in recognition."It's you... Redhead."

The attacker turned, sword still raised. "So… you brought friends. But why protect the weak?"

I clenched my fists."Because I hate seeing the strong bully the helpless. That's why I became a ninja."

Rei stepped forward. "Enough talking. Let's beat him."

Goro cracked his knuckles. "Yeah. This guy talks too much."

Kuroyami's tone was cold. "We can stop him together."

Kenshiro shrugged. "Still too much work... Can I go?"

Everyone shouted at once."NO!"

The attacker grinned.

"Six of you, huh? Guess I'll just take you down one by one."

He vanished.

"Starting with you."

"Wait—me?!" Kuroyami flinched.

Rei's eyes widened. "Where did he go?!"

A whisper from behind:"Behind you."

"50 Consecutive Slashes!"

Kuroyami was struck."AHHH!"

"Kuroyami!" I ran toward him, but—

"You bastard!" Rei snarled. "I'll kill you!"

He charged forward.

The attacker smirked. "75 Consecutive Slashes."

Rei was launched across the cave, slamming into the stone wall with a sickening thud.

"Rei!" I shouted.

"One by one…" the attacker muttered. "Next—green hair."

"Shun, move!!" I warned.

"Huh?"

Too late.

"75 Consecutive Slashes."

Shun crumpled to the floor, groaning in agony."This pain… I'm gonna die…"

"Three down. Three more to go."

Kenshiro tossed aside his snack bag.

"Alright. Fine. I'm done holding back."

"Oh?" the attacker smiled. "You finally stop being lazy?"

Kenshiro vanished—then reappeared, delivering a clean punch to the attacker's face.

"Urgh—can't dodge…!" the attacker growled.

Kenshiro smirked. "How's that punch?"

"Not bad."

"Round two."

They clashed—fast, brutal.

"100 Consecutive Slashes!"

"Kenshiro!" Goro yelled, leaping into the air.

"I've got you from above!"

"A two-on-one fight? Unfair… but pointless."

"WATCH OUT!" Kenshiro shouted.

"TOO FAST—I CAN'T DODGE!" Goro gasped.

I kicked Goro aside just in time.

"Thanks," he wheezed.

"Three on one," the attacker sneered. "Let's raise the stakes."

Kuroyami winced. "Let's try a team attack."

Rei coughed. "We haven't unlocked our powers yet."

"We don't need powers," Kenshiro said. "We've got Spiritual Force Coating."

Narrator:

Spiritual Force—the life energy flowing through every living being.It enhances strength, speed, and durability, and is essential for survival.

Though nearly impossible, there are rare cases where a human is born without Spiritual Force.Such individuals, despite being alive, are dangerously fragile.If they come too close to someone with Spiritual Force, the overwhelming energy will overwhelm their bodies...And they will die instantly.

"NOW!"

"Spiritual Punch!""Spiritual Kick!""Spiritual Punch!"

They connected—barely.

Then the attacker smiled.

"Heh. You fools."

He stabbed his blade into the ground.

"250 Consecutive Slashes — Upward Spiral!"

Kenshiro's eyes widened as he realized what was coming.

He shouted at the top of his lungs—"MOVE!!"

Too late.

"One Sword Style: DEATH SLASH!"

"ALL-AROUND SPIRITUAL SHIELD!" Goro shouted, blocking just enough to survive—but the hit sent him flying.

"Who is this guy…?"

Kenshiro was panting. "Too much… work…"

Goro groaned. "I thought we had him…"

"Teamwork, huh?" the attacker scoffed."Try this. 500 Consecutive Slashes!"

"Kenshiro!" I cried.

He shoved me out of the way—then coughed blood.

"GRUH!"

"I could've stayed home playing video games… Thanks, Mom. I hate this."

"Why…?" I asked.

Goro roared. "I'LL KILL YOU!"

"Emotion clouds judgment. 200 Consecutive Slashes."

Goro slashed mid-charge—And froze.

"When… when did he hit me?!"

"Five down," the attacker whispered."One to go."

Me.

I shook. I couldn't move.

"You killed all my friends…"

I dropped to my knees.

"I know I'm weak… I want to fight… but I can't. I'm going to die."

"Let me end your misery. 1000 Consecutive Slashes."

He raised his sword—

"TIME'S UP!" a powerful voice declared.

The Spiritual King's voice echoed from the heavens.

"Everyone return to the academy."

The boy snarled. "Tch. You're lucky. I'll finish this next time."

And then… he vanished into the shadows.

Later — Academy Hospital

I ran into the emergency ward, panting."My friends… I need help! They're still alive!"

The nurse rushed out. "Five critical injuries from your team?! We need surgery—NOW!"

Hours Later

The Spiritual King stood solemnly beside the hospital door.

"Bad injuries. What happened?"

I told him everything.

He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Then you must grow stronger. You must protect your team."

"I will," I said, trembling."I swear… I'll get strong. I'll get revenge."

The nurse peeked out.

"Surgeries complete. They survived. Somehow… maybe it was divine."

I fell to my knees.

"They're alive…? That's great… That's amazing…"

I looked up toward the sky.

"Thank you."