The dust still hung in the air.
Kana's breaths were shallow.
I pulled her into my arms.
"Kana, hold on.
Don't leave your sister behind.
That monster is gone... we'll save you.
Please don't die."
Hayato's voice trembled.
He leaned his forehead gently against hers and whispered:
"Come on… your freak is right here.
He's going to... save you.
Please... just a little more."
I tried to close her wound.
My hands pressed down, but the blood was warm—
and slipping through my fingers like time.
Renji was walking.
Each step crunched against the gravel,
but time itself seemed to slow.
He didn't reach for his katana.
He didn't lower his gaze.
"How dare you touch my children?"
His voice wasn't loud—
but every word felt like it could break bone.
There was no rage in it.
Only a coldness sharp enough to kill.
Uzumi stopped.
He dipped his head slightly.
"Smiling Flame.
It's been a long time… Renji."
Renji smiled.
But it didn't reach his lips.
Only his eyes—
and there, it twisted into something darker.
"Uzumi.
The traitor."
For a moment...
nothing happened.
Then—
They both vanished.
Dust burst into the air.
It was impossible to follow them with the naked eye.
Am I losing my sight too?
Only the sound of steel echoed through the silence—
fast, sharp, searing.
Renji struck first.
His blade didn't swing—
it snapped forward.
Not like a curve—
but a line.
Clean. Deadly.
Straight for the kill.
Uzumi reacted instantly.
He turned his blade and parried.
Not with brute force—
with perfect timing.
I looked into Uzumi's eyes.
Level 5, Tier 4.
His crimson glow—
a shade darker than Renji's.
"Renji, you need to be careful," I thought.
Dust rose again.
Neither of them had moved from their spot.
Then came the second strike.
Renji shifted to the side,
his katana swept upward from below—
too fast to see.
Uzumi didn't back away.
He brought his sword parallel to the ground
and blocked the attack once more.
Sparks flew.
But even the clash sounded muffled—
as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Only their breathing remained.
Short. Measured.
Tired.
Renji's third strike was different.
He moved closer.
His motions grew tighter—more lethal.
And then—
his left hand trembled.
Just slightly.
I saw it.
Uzumi saw it too.
"Too much power," he muttered.
"Reckless as always."
But he didn't lower his sword.
He didn't look away.
Renji stepped forward.
He wasn't going to wait anymore.
Their blades collided one final time.
But this time—
I didn't see it.
Only a sound.
And this time, it wasn't steel clashing.
Just a single, hollow note—
followed by dust.
When I opened my eyes...
Renji's katana was resting on Uzumi's shoulder.
Uzumi had dropped to his knees.
Renji spoke first.
"I told you… I've grown, Uzumi."
Uzumi's voice was ragged—
but steady.
"Looks like you have.
You've started to use your mind.
But you're still reckless.
Look at that boy.
He's holding her body like it's all he has left.
I could've killed the girl.
Could've broken his spirit too.
But I didn't.
Because even after everything...
I still remember the last time I saw you.
You were standing at the edge of a cliff.
Your eyes… bloodshot with exhaustion.
And you asked me—
'Uzumi, tell me. What do I do now?'
Are you really going to relive that pain?
Even if this rebellion succeeds…
Your brother doesn't care about you.
Reisou doesn't remember.
Himeno. Takeda. Shino…
They're all gone.
They all left you behind."
Renji tilted his head slightly.
His blue eyes were faintly misted.
He whispered:
"This time… it'll be different, Uzumi."
Uzumi let out a soft laugh.
But it wasn't just a laugh.
It was a goodbye.
"Kazuma said the same thing.
It wasn't.
And you're not Kazuma.
You can't fix your past like this.
Looks like these kids have more hope than we ever did.
Don't waste them in your war.
Kazuma always said it:
'A strong mind forges strong blades.'
But these children…
They've never been tested like we were.
These children...
were my last warning to you."
Then he lowered his head.
Uzumi… took his final breath.
His sword was still in his hand—
but his war… had already ended.
------------------------------------------------------------
This is where Arc One ends.
If you've read this far, thank you. I mean that more than you know.
Now that the first arc is over, I want to ask you something:
– Who's your favorite character so far?
– Which scene or moment stayed with you the most?
– Was there a line — just one sentence — that lingered in your head after you read it?
I'd love to hear what struck you.
Even a few words, a single comment… they help more than you think.
If you enjoyed the story, please consider adding it to your favorites — it helps others find it.
Arc Two begins tomorrow.
And this time.
there will be no clean endings.