The night shattered the moment Beru attacked the Hokori Clan.

  He did not come alone.

  His entire gang surged forward with him, blades drawn, hearts burning. This was not a fight for pride or territory. It was not about dominance.

  It was for his family.

  For blood.

  For everything the Hokori Clan had taken from him.

  And with that—

  The war began.

  Steel clashed against steel as gangs collided with clan warriors. Screams ripped through the darkness. Bodies crashed together, weapons shattered, and blood soaked into the earth. There was no formation, no mercy—only survival.

  At the center of the chaos stood Beru.

  Four elite Hokori Clan members surrounded him.

  They were monsters—men forged through countless battles. Their presence alone was suffocating, heavy enough to crush weaker fighters. Any one of them could have slaughtered an ordinary man within seconds.

  But Beru did not retreat.

  He couldn’t.

  He fought for his family.

  At first, he tried to take them one by one—controlled movements, sharp strikes, disciplined footwork. But the elites didn’t allow it. They moved together, attacking as a single unit.

  A fist slammed into his ribs.

  A blade tore across his shoulder.

  A knee crashed into his stomach.

  Beru staggered.

  Again and again they struck him, denying him even a moment to breathe. Pain flooded his body. His vision blurred. His legs trembled beneath him.

  He was losing.

  So this is it…?

  His strength drained rapidly, his consciousness slipping away. His body begged him to stop, to surrender. As he collapsed to one knee, the world began to fade—

  Then something exploded inside him.

  A violent surge tore through his veins.

  Beru gasped.

  Power flooded every shattered part of his body. His heartbeat thundered. His lungs burned as fresh air rushed in. Muscles tightened, overflowing with strength and stamina that should not have been possible.

  The four elites froze.

  They felt it too.

  The pressure.

  Beru rose slowly, his eyes burning with something different—something terrifying.

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  “He’s… still standing?” one of them whispered.

  Beru moved.

  Faster.

  Stronger.

  He grabbed one elite by the face and slammed him into the ground with overwhelming force. The earth cracked. The body went limp instantly.

  Dead.

  The remaining three stared in disbelief.

  An elite… defeated?

  Beru didn’t wait.

  He vanished.

  A powerful punch flew toward where he had been—but Beru reappeared behind the attacker.

  A clean slash.

  The blade cut through the elite’s neck.

  Kashi’s move.

  Blood sprayed as the body collapsed.

  Two remained.

  Desperation replaced confidence as they attacked together. Blades swung toward him from both sides.

  Beru could not afford to lose.

  He spun, unleashing a devastating kick that smashed into both of their faces at once. Bones cracked. Before they could recover, Beru’s sword moved again.

  One elite was cut in half.

  The last barely had time to scream before Beru closed the distance and ended him.

  Silence.

  Four elite Hokori members lay dead at his feet.

  Beru stood there, chest heaving, his body screaming in exhaustion. Every breath burned. His strength was nearly gone.

  But the war wasn’t over.

  He turned—and saw his gang.

  Bloodied. Cornered. Losing ground.

  Beru forced himself forward—

  A punch smashed into his face.

  The impact sent him flying into a wall. Stone shattered behind him.

  His gang froze.

  That punch…

  Only one man possessed that kind of power.

  The Hokori Clan Leader had entered the battlefield.

  Tall. Calm. Terrifying.

  Because his elites had fallen, he had decided to act himself.

  Beru tried to stand, but his body was already broken.

  Still… this was the last enemy.

  He couldn’t lose.

  He looked again—and realized something shocking.

  His gang was winning.

  Confidence flared.

  Beru charged and struck the clan leader with everything he had.

  The leader didn’t move.

  It was as if Beru’s attack didn’t exist.

  “Pathetic,” the leader said coldly.

  Another punch followed.

  Beru was sent flying. Before he could land, the leader grabbed his face and smashed him into the ground—just as Beru had done to the elites.

  The irony burned.

  Beru’s body was destroyed.

  Still, he raised his sword and attacked again.

  The leader caught the blade with one hand.

  Then drove it straight into Beru’s stomach.

  Blood poured out as Beru collapsed.

  His gang screamed.

  Beru tried to stand—but his legs failed him.

  Then he saw them.

  Other clans.

  The Misaki Clan.

  High-ranking leaders arriving at the battlefield.

  So… this is the end…

  Darkness crept in.

  As his consciousness slipped—

  A massive shadow covered the ground.

  Beru looked up.

  A giant figure descended from the sky.

  And the world went black.

  The giant was Baku.

  The moment his feet hit the ground, the battlefield trembled. Stone shattered. Bodies were crushed. Several Hokori members died instantly, their screams silenced beneath the impact.

  Fear spread like wildfire.

  Another figure entered.

  Nobu.

  Kagemaru flashed through the air, slicing cleanly through enemy necks. Heads rolled. Blood sprayed. His movements were sharp, precise—merciless.

  Beru saw none of it.

  He had already fallen unconscious.

  The war continued.

  Baku charged like a beast, attacking Nobu’s father with overwhelming force. At the same time, Nobu faced the Hokori Clan Leader.

  Nobu moved.

  Too fast.

  His cursed power twisted reality around him. In a single breath, he slashed across the leader’s chest.

  Blood spilled.

  The leader staggered, eyes wide.

  How is he this strong?

  Even Nobu was shocked by the power surging through him.

  But the leader roared and smashed Nobu into the ground.

  Dust rose.

  Then—

  Nobu stood.

  Blood ran down his face, but his eyes were steady.

  He struck back—kick after kick, his speed blurring. The leader grew furious, losing control, crushing everyone nearby—even his own clan.

  Nearby, Baku hurled Nobu’s father into a wall, attacking relentlessly.

  But Nobu’s father endured, landing a powerful punch that sent Baku crashing backward—onto Nobu.

  Nobu pushed himself free.

  “We end this,” he said. “Help me.”

  Baku didn’t hesitate.

  He restrained the clan leader.

  That was enough.

  Nobu appeared behind him.

  Kagemaru flashed.

  The head fell.

  Silence followed.

  The war ended.

  The remaining clan leaders retreated. Chains were released. Beru’s family was freed.

  Beru later awoke in tears, holding his wife and children.

  Once again—

  Nobu had saved them.

  Elsewhere, Nobu sat with Baku, drinking tea.

  “I killed him,” Nobu said.

  “If you kill to protect family,” Baku replied, “there is nothing wrong.”

  His father placed a hand on his head.

  “You’ve grown well.”

  Nobu smiled.

  But Baku whispered—

  “Now you’re powerful. That’s why they want you back.”

  Something inside Nobu shifted.

  The warmth faded.

  And the seed was planted.