The village was quiet, bathed in the soft light of early morning. Kijotsu walked the ruined streets, his hands clenched tightly at his sides. Even after the kiss with Kinata, a gnawing fear lingered in his chest—a memory of Maksuki Kirima’s merciless power.  

And then… he saw her.

Maksuki Kirima appeared from the shadows, alone this time. Her pink sword glimmered under the sunlight, dripping with an aura of lethal energy. The wind seemed to bend around her, carrying a faint, cruel laugh that echoed in Kijotsu’s ears.  

*Kijotsu… no… not her…* he whispered to himself, voice trembling.  

He froze in place as her eyes locked onto his, cold and merciless. Fear erupted in his chest like wildfire, and for the first time, Kijotsu allowed himself to cry—small, shaky tears rolling down his pale cheeks. His body trembled violently, unable to move.  

- “So… you’ve grown weak while thinking you could survive alone,” Maksuki purred, taking a step closer. “Pathetic.”  

The first slash of her pink sword struck with terrifying speed. Kijotsu tried to dodge, but her precision was flawless. Blood spattered across his white hair and gray eyes as he fell to the ground, shivering and broken.  

*I… I can’t…* he gasped, choking back sobs. Pain burned through every fiber of his body, and the taste of blood filled his mouth.  

Then… a shadow moved in front of him.

A figure appeared seemingly out of nowhere. A man with piercing eyes and a massive white sword, unlike anything Kijotsu had seen before.  

- “Back off,” the man said, voice calm but deadly. “She won’t touch him while I’m here.”  

It was **Leenka**.

Leenka charged at Maksuki with incredible speed, his white sword slicing through the air with a blinding trail of light. Maksuki met him head-on, sparks flying as pink and white energy clashed. The sheer force of their blows made the ground quake, dust rising around them.  

Kijotsu crawled backward, his body shaking violently. He could hardly breathe as he watched the two titans clash.  

But Maksuki was… terrifying. Every strike she landed forced Leenka to retreat, her strength far beyond what Kijotsu had ever seen. Even Leenka’s massive sword could barely counter her speed and precision.  

- “He’s strong,” Maksuki hissed with a smile. “But two aren’t enough.”  

Within moments, Notsu arrived, his red sword blazing with fury. The battle turned into a brutal **2v1**, the combined power of Notsu and Leenka barely holding Maksuki at bay. Dust, blood, and sparks filled the battlefield, shaking Kijotsu to his core.  

Kijotsu’s chest heaved as he struggled to stay conscious, watching his mentors and protectors being damaged relentlessly.  

And then… Maksuki stopped.  

She stepped back, her pink sword dripping with energy, her chest rising and falling with effortless grace. Her eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.  

- “Today isn’t over… but I leave you alive,” she said softly. “Next time… only one will walk away.”  

In an instant, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Notsu and Leenka bleeding, bruised, and exhausted.  

Kijotsu crawled toward them, tears still staining his face.  

- “Are… you okay?” he whispered, voice barely audible.  

Leenka gave a faint, tired nod, his sword resting heavily against the ground.  

- “We survived… thanks to each other,” he said, voice hoarse. “But she’s… something else. Be ready, Kijotsu.”  

Notsu’s gaze softened as he looked at Kijotsu, blood and sweat streaked across his face.  

- “You have a long way to go… and so do we. But fear… fear can be turned into strength. Remember that.”  

Kijotsu clenched his fists, feeling the pain and terror transform into something else—a spark of determination.  

*I… I will get stronger. No one will make me helpless again. Not her. Not anyone.*