«Among the people present that day, one of our men was there too.»

Kaito clenched his fists.

«Just as I suspected...»

«You’re no different from those willing to buy human beings.» He looked at her with disgust.

«You’re wrong...» she replied calmly. «We have no interest in buying people at all.»

A grimace of revulsion appeared on her face.

«The auction was also a social event, if we can call it that.»

She spread her arms, resting her hands behind the back of the bench.

«We were only there to meet the other members of the underworld...» she explained.

«That doesn’t change the fact that you’re still criminals,» he shot back.

Rika huffed.

«You’re stubborn. All this hatred, and for what reason?»

The boy ignored the provocation.

«I’ve told you everything. Now it’s up to you to choose...»

«Do you want to save your companion or not?»

she asked one last time.

«I...»

Something interrupted him.

A shadow behind Rika stopped him before he could continue.

The silhouette became clear under the light of a nearby streetlamp.

Rika shot to her feet.

«Oh no...» she said through gritted teeth.

«I found two wanted fugitives on a single patrol.»

The man’s voice was calm.

«Rika... who is that?» Kaito asked.

The girl remained motionless for a moment, then spoke.

«He’s the director who runs the entire prison...» She stared at him.

She paused briefly.

«And the strongest possessor in all of Yorigakure.»

Her expression tightened.

«Kuroya Enma,» she said again through clenched teeth.

«Thank you for the introduction.» He continued approaching at an easy pace.

«So that man is the director...» Kaito whispered.

Enma stopped a few meters away from them.

The streetlamp finally illuminated his face.

«Kaito... we thought you were dead,» he said calmly, looking him up and down.

«But I’m pleased to see you’re in good shape.»

No answer.

The silence between the three of them grew heavy.

«You came here for Yume...» Enma continued, a satisfied grin curling at his lips.

Then he raised his hand.

«Or for this?»

Between his fingers appeared another blade.

Kaito’s wakizashi.

The boy’s eyes widened.

«So you have it!» He took a step forward, his body ready to spring.

Enma twirled the weapon lazily between his fingers.

«It was entrusted to me by dear Akizame,» he said in an almost amused tone.

—If he found me... no... that’s impossible...—

Kaito’s mind began to race.

He moved slightly closer to Rika without taking his eyes off the man in front of him.

«Rika... are you a possessor?» he whispered.

«What...? No...» she answered, confused.

«Then get out of here,» Kaito said quietly.

«Now.»

«What are you planning to do?» She looked at him worriedly.

Kaito’s gaze changed.

It became cold... almost identical to Enma’s.

«I intend to eliminate him,» he said, slowly drawing his blade.

«Take what I need to get into the prison...»

The wakizashi gleamed under the streetlamp.

«...and then bring Yume home.»

He took his stance.

Rika could not help but hesitate.

«Are you sure about this?» she asked.

She gestured toward the man in front of them.

«He’s a member of the Reikeitai. He’s certainly not an ordinary person,» she reminded him.

«It doesn’t matter,» Kaito replied without looking away from Enma. «You leave.»

He took a small step forward.

«If things go wrong... I’ll give you my answer at the bar.»

Rika clenched her teeth.

«You know we need you alive, Kaito,» she said.

Then she jumped over the fence and disappeared into the darkness.

The sound of her footsteps faded quickly.

Only the two of them remained.

Enma... and Kaito.

A gust of wind rose between them.

«Do you really want to fight?» Enma asked calmly.

Kaito narrowed his eyes.

«Then answer one question...» he said, tightening his grip on the blade.

«What did you do... to Yume?»

For a moment, silence fell.

Enma slowly raised his arms, as though preparing to receive the blow.

«I did what is done to criminals.»

He paused briefly.

«I tortured her.»

The air around Kaito trembled.

His heartbeat quickened.

An instant later, he lunged.

The blade came crashing down on Enma with violence.

The shockwave kicked up dust and sent the bench behind them flying.

—What is that?!— Kaito’s eyes widened.

The strike had been stopped.

Enma had blocked the attack.

The boy quickly retreated, putting distance between them again.

—It’s not just spiritual energy...—

He tried to understand.

Before his eyes, Enma’s arm was wrapped in a violet substance.

«I won’t go easy on you, Kaito...»

The shadow behind Enma stretched across the ground.

«Appear... Orochi.»

The ground trembled.

A gigantic body emerged from the darkness.

A serpent with violet scales rose toward the sky, stretching dozens of meters long.

Kaito stood frozen.

—Damn it...—

Long, curved horns protruded from the creature’s head.

«Enma...» its voice was deep. «I’m ready.»

The possessor raised a hand.

«Go.»

Orochi launched itself forward.

The trees around them bent with a sharp crackling sound.

The serpent’s enormous body slammed down on Kaito like an avalanche.

«Argh!»

The impact blasted him into the air.

The breath was driven from his chest along with a spray of blood.

His body rolled down the hill.

Kaito tightened his grip on the wakizashi.

He drove it into the ground.

«AHHH!»

The blade carved through the earth as he was dragged for meters.

At last, his body came to a stop.

He was gasping for breath.

—How am I supposed to beat that thing!?...

Kaito clutched his aching side.

At the top of the hill, Enma approached the edge and watched him from the steep slope below.

—This is my only chance...—

The grass bent under the boy’s sudden movement.

Enma narrowed his eyes.

«Orochi... take care of it.»

The giant serpent lifted its body and hurled itself upward, ready to crash into its target.

Kaito... smiled.

«What the...?» Enma murmured.

Then he understood.

«Wait!»

It was too late.

«Spirit Slayer!»

Kaito’s blade struck the ground in front of him.

The impact sent dirt and rocks flying, launching him upward.

Orochi crashed into empty air.

Kaito landed on the serpent’s body and began to run.

—Just as I thought... I can’t cut through it...

He could feel the hardness of the scales beneath his feet.

He made one last leap.

«But I can hit him!»

He aimed straight for Enma.

The distance between them vanished in an instant.

«Spiritual Block!»