The Blue Scarf crew walked through the entrance of Moa Village.
Silence greeted them.
No children playing.
No merchants calling out.
No smoke rising from
The Blue Scarf crew walked through the entrance of Moa Village.
Silence greeted them.
No children playing.
No merchants calling out.
No smoke rising from the houses.
Only the wind drifted through the empty streets.
Saito looked around.
"...This place is deserted."
Kaito scanned the surroundings.
"Maybe..."
"His Majesty evacuated everyone."
Saito nodded.
"That makes things easier."
"Now we can do whatever we want."
As the others continued walking—
Rin stopped in front of a small wooden house.
He peeked through the doorway.
"...Oh."
"A safe."
Without another word, he walked inside.
Bomb immediately followed.
"Move aside."
"I've got this."
He knelt in front of the safe and began examining the lock.
Click...
Click...
Rin crossed his arms.
"You're taking too long."
Bomb didn't even look up.
"Patience..."
"...is the key."
Saito slowly turned around.
He stared at the two of them with a completely dry expression.
"...What are you two doing?"
Rin looked at him as if the answer were obvious.
"Being gangsters."
Bomb nodded in agreement.
"Exactly."
Saito pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...We have things to do."
"So leave it."
"...Gosh."
He turned and continued walking down the street.
Bomb sighed.
"...Fine."
Rin shrugged.
"There goes our payday."
The two reluctantly left the safe behind and hurried after the rest of the crew, while Alya and Fanny quietly laughed at the absurd exchange.
The Blue Scarf crew continued through the empty streets.
Alya suddenly stopped.
She looked down at the device on her wrist.
"...Wait."
Everyone immediately halted.
Saito turned.
"What's wrong?"
Alya's eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
"My device..."
"It's detecting a strong aura."
"...Very close."
Before anyone could react—
A shadow appeared behind her.
A tall man carrying a massive, thick sword.
"...You die."
He swung the blade toward Alya's neck.
Whoosh!
Before it could connect—
Clang!
Fanny stepped in and kicked the flat of the sword, knocking it off course.
The heavy blade slammed into the ground instead.
Saito's eyes sharpened.
"Everyone!"
"Positions!"
The crew immediately moved into formation.
They formed a circle, each watching a different direction.
The swordsman rested his weapon on his shoulder.
His eyes settled on Kaito.
"...Long time no see..."
"...Silent Killer."
Kaito's expression remained calm.
"...Leather."
Saito glanced at Kaito.
"You know him?"
Kaito nodded.
"He was one of Void's officers."
"Like Jori and Ling were under me."
Saito nodded.
"Understood."
Leather smiled.
"Sir Void wants to see you."
Kaito folded his arms.
"Then tell him..."
"...to come himself."
Leather laughed.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity."
"The Eighth seat..."
"...will be mine."
Kaito met his gaze without fear.
"Then..."
"You'll have to kill me to take it."
Leather gripped the handle of his sword.
"...With pleasure."
Saito stepped forward.
"It's no use."
He quickly gave out orders.
"Rin."
"Take Fanny and Alya."
"Search the area."
Rin nodded.
"Got it."
"Bomb."
"Stay alert."
"If anyone tries to flank us..."
"Stop them."
Bomb cracked his knuckles.
"Leave it to me."
Saito finally looked at Kaito.
"You."
"You're with me."
Kaito drew one of his knives.
"...Right."
Leather smiled as the Blue Scarf crew split into their assigned roles, and the empty streets of Moa Village became the stage for the first clash against one of Void's elite officers.
Saito charged first.
With a burst of speed, he lunged straight at Leather.
Clang!
Leather raised his massive sword and blocked the strike.
The impact echoed through the empty village.
Leather smirked.
"So..."
"You're Blue Scarf."
"You've carved your name into the underworld."
Saito smiled.
"Glad to hear that."
He suddenly drove his foot forward.
Thud!
His kick struck Leather in the side, forcing the larger man back several steps.
Before Leather could regain his footing—
A shadow dropped from above.
Kaito.
He descended from a rooftop with two knives drawn.
Clang!
His blades collided against Leather's sword.
Leather grinned.
"Nice move."
With a powerful swing, he swept his massive blade sideways.
Whoosh!
Kaito leaned away just in time.
The enormous sword crashed into the ground.
Boom!
Stone cracked beneath the impact.
The instant Leather's blade struck the earth—
Saito rushed back in.
"Now!"
He swung his sword toward Leather's side.
Clang!
Leather twisted his body and intercepted the attack once again.
The three fighters locked together for a brief moment, each testing the others' strength as dust drifted through the silent streets of Moa Village.
Kaito dashed forward.
With a flick of both wrists—
Thwip! Thwip!
Two knives flew toward Leather.
Then two more.
Leather narrowed his eyes.
Clang!
Clang!
He shifted his body, avoiding each blade as they buried themselves into a nearby wall and the ground.
"...Too slow."
Leather looked back toward Kaito—
Only to realize...
Kaito was gone.
"...What?"
In the next instant—
Kaito appeared beside one of the knives lodged in the wall.
Slash!
His blade sliced across Leather's arm.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Leather winced.
"Tch."
Before he could counter—
Kaito vanished again.
He reappeared beside another knife embedded in the ground behind Leather.
Leather turned.
Too late.
Kaito slashed once more.
Leather stumbled forward with a groan.
"...Fast."
Frustrated, Leather tightened his grip on his massive sword.
He began swinging it wildly around his body.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The blade carved circles through the air.
Kaito disappeared from sight again, avoiding every swing.
Leather took a step forward.
His red aura burst from his body.
The energy wrapped itself around the enormous sword.
"...Death Circle."
The crimson aura spun with the blade.
His swings became even faster.
The air howled around him.
Saito's eyes widened.
"...Oh, crap."
He immediately jumped aside.
The spinning sword tore through the space where he had been standing only a moment before as Leather advanced relentlessly, turning the center of the street into a deadly whirlwind of steel and red aura.
Kaito circled around Leather, his eyes tracking every movement of the spinning blade.
His gaze shifted from one opening to another.
"..."
Nothing.
Every angle was covered.
He stepped back.
"I can't find an opening."
Saito kept his sword raised.
"Then we wait."
"No need to rush."
Leather continued advancing.
The crimson aura around his sword roared as the Death Circle pushed everything away.
At the east side of the village...
More assassins rushed through the streets.
Bomb crouched behind a collapsed stone wall.
He watched them run straight into the area he had prepared.
"...Perfect."
He clapped his hands together.
"Boom."
BOOM!
A chain of explosions erupted across the road.
Dust and debris shot into the air.
The advancing assassins were thrown backward as the traps detonated one after another.
Bomb grinned.
"...I like this."
At the back of the village...
Several assassins charged toward Fanny.
She planted her feet firmly.
One attacker swung a sword.
Fanny caught his wrist with her Beastwoman strength and hurled him into another assassin.
Crash!
Rin rushed past her.
His scythe flashed through the air.
Slash!
Another assassin's weapon was knocked aside before Rin swept his legs from under him.
More enemies hesitated.
Rin rested the scythe on his shoulder and smirked.
"You guys..."
"...are just weak pawns."
The remaining assassins exchanged uneasy glances before tightening their formation, realizing the Blue Scarf crew had split up—and every group was proving just as dangerous as the others.
houses.
Only the wind drifted through the empty streets.
Saito looked around.
"...This place is deserted."
Kaito scanned the surroundings.
"Maybe..."
"His Majesty evacuated everyone."
Saito nodded.
"That makes things easier."
"Now we can do whatever we want."
As the others continued walking—
Rin stopped in front of a small wooden house.
He peeked through the doorway.
"...Oh."
"A safe."
Without another word, he walked inside.
Bomb immediately followed.
"Move aside."
"I've got this."
He knelt in front of the safe and began examining the lock.
Click...
Click...
Rin crossed his arms.
"You're taking too long."
Bomb didn't even look up.
"Patience..."
"...is the key."
Saito slowly turned around.
He stared at the two of them with a completely dry expression.
"...What are you two doing?"
Rin looked at him as if the answer were obvious.
"Being gangsters."
Bomb nodded in agreement.
"Exactly."
Saito pinched the bridge of his nose.
"...We have things to do."
"So leave it."
"...Gosh."
He turned and continued walking down the street.
Bomb sighed.
"...Fine."
Rin shrugged.
"There goes our payday."
The two reluctantly left the safe behind and hurried after the rest of the crew, while Alya and Fanny quietly laughed at the absurd exchange.
The Blue Scarf crew continued through the empty streets.
Alya suddenly stopped.
She looked down at the device on her wrist.
"...Wait."
Everyone immediately halted.
Saito turned.
"What's wrong?"
Alya's eyes stayed fixed on the screen.
"My device..."
"It's detecting a strong aura."
"...Very close."
Before anyone could react—
A shadow appeared behind her.
A tall man carrying a massive, thick sword.
"...You die."
He swung the blade toward Alya's neck.
Whoosh!
Before it could connect—
Clang!
Fanny stepped in and kicked the flat of the sword, knocking it off course.
The heavy blade slammed into the ground instead.
Saito's eyes sharpened.
"Everyone!"
"Positions!"
The crew immediately moved into formation.
They formed a circle, each watching a different direction.
The swordsman rested his weapon on his shoulder.
His eyes settled on Kaito.
"...Long time no see..."
"...Silent Killer."
Kaito's expression remained calm.
"...Leather."
Saito glanced at Kaito.
"You know him?"
Kaito nodded.
"He was one of Void's officers."
"Like Jori and Ling were under me."
Saito nodded.
"Understood."
Leather smiled.
"Sir Void wants to see you."
Kaito folded his arms.
"Then tell him..."
"...to come himself."
Leather laughed.
"I've been waiting for this opportunity."
"The Eighth seat..."
"...will be mine."
Kaito met his gaze without fear.
"Then..."
"You'll have to kill me to take it."
Leather gripped the handle of his sword.
"...With pleasure."
Saito stepped forward.
"It's no use."
He quickly gave out orders.
"Rin."
"Take Fanny and Alya."
"Search the area."
Rin nodded.
"Got it."
"Bomb."
"Stay alert."
"If anyone tries to flank us..."
"Stop them."
Bomb cracked his knuckles.
"Leave it to me."
Saito finally looked at Kaito.
"You."
"You're with me."
Kaito drew one of his knives.
"...Right."
Leather smiled as the Blue Scarf crew split into their assigned roles, and the empty streets of Moa Village became the stage for the first clash against one of Void's elite officers.
Saito charged first.
With a burst of speed, he lunged straight at Leather.
Clang!
Leather raised his massive sword and blocked the strike.
The impact echoed through the empty village.
Leather smirked.
"So..."
"You're Blue Scarf."
"You've carved your name into the underworld."
Saito smiled.
"Glad to hear that."
He suddenly drove his foot forward.
Thud!
His kick struck Leather in the side, forcing the larger man back several steps.
Before Leather could regain his footing—
A shadow dropped from above.
Kaito.
He descended from a rooftop with two knives drawn.
Clang!
His blades collided against Leather's sword.
Leather grinned.
"Nice move."
With a powerful swing, he swept his massive blade sideways.
Whoosh!
Kaito leaned away just in time.
The enormous sword crashed into the ground.
Boom!
Stone cracked beneath the impact.
The instant Leather's blade struck the earth—
Saito rushed back in.
"Now!"
He swung his sword toward Leather's side.
Clang!
Leather twisted his body and intercepted the attack once again.
The three fighters locked together for a brief moment, each testing the others' strength as dust drifted through the silent streets of Moa Village.
Kaito dashed forward.
With a flick of both wrists—
Thwip! Thwip!
Two knives flew toward Leather.
Then two more.
Leather narrowed his eyes.
Clang!
Clang!
He shifted his body, avoiding each blade as they buried themselves into a nearby wall and the ground.
"...Too slow."
Leather looked back toward Kaito—
Only to realize...
Kaito was gone.
"...What?"
In the next instant—
Kaito appeared beside one of the knives lodged in the wall.
Slash!
His blade sliced across Leather's arm.
A thin line of blood appeared.
Leather winced.
"Tch."
Before he could counter—
Kaito vanished again.
He reappeared beside another knife embedded in the ground behind Leather.
Leather turned.
Too late.
Kaito slashed once more.
Leather stumbled forward with a groan.
"...Fast."
Frustrated, Leather tightened his grip on his massive sword.
He began swinging it wildly around his body.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The blade carved circles through the air.
Kaito disappeared from sight again, avoiding every swing.
Leather took a step forward.
His red aura burst from his body.
The energy wrapped itself around the enormous sword.
"...Death Circle."
The crimson aura spun with the blade.
His swings became even faster.
The air howled around him.
Saito's eyes widened.
"...Oh, crap."
He immediately jumped aside.
The spinning sword tore through the space where he had been standing only a moment before as Leather advanced relentlessly, turning the center of the street into a deadly whirlwind of steel and red aura.
Kaito circled around Leather, his eyes tracking every movement of the spinning blade.
His gaze shifted from one opening to another.
"..."
Nothing.
Every angle was covered.
He stepped back.
"I can't find an opening."
Saito kept his sword raised.
"Then we wait."
"No need to rush."
Leather continued advancing.
The crimson aura around his sword roared as the Death Circle pushed everything away.
At the east side of the village...
More assassins rushed through the streets.
Bomb crouched behind a collapsed stone wall.
He watched them run straight into the area he had prepared.
"...Perfect."
He clapped his hands together.
"Boom."
BOOM!
A chain of explosions erupted across the road.
Dust and debris shot into the air.
The advancing assassins were thrown backward as the traps detonated one after another.
Bomb grinned.
"...I like this."
At the back of the village...
Several assassins charged toward Fanny.
She planted her feet firmly.
One attacker swung a sword.
Fanny caught his wrist with her Beastwoman strength and hurled him into another assassin.
Crash!
Rin rushed past her.
His scythe flashed through the air.
Slash!
Another assassin's weapon was knocked aside before Rin swept his legs from under him.
More enemies hesitated.
Rin rested the scythe on his shoulder and smirked.
"You guys..."
"...are just weak pawns."
The remaining assassins exchanged uneasy glances before tightening their formation, realizing the Blue Scarf crew had split up—and every group was proving just as dangerous as the others.