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The Man from Ishin's Past
Ishin's body felt frozen.
The man standing before him—he knew that face.
The same piercing gaze. The same cruel smirk.
The same man who stole everything from him.
His parents' killer.
Ishin's breathing became ragged, his vision blurring.
His mind screamed. It's him. It's really him.
For years, the memory had been buried deep within him. But now—
There was no denying it.
The girl beside him—the one he had rushed to save—gripped his arm, shaking.
"I-I don't know who he is, but we need to run!" she whispered.
But Ishin wasn't listening.
His fingers curled into fists.
His blood boiled.
This man needed to die.
---
A Name Best Forgotten
The man's gaze drifted downward, locking onto the pendant around Ishin's neck.
His smirk widened.
"So, I finally found you."
Ishin's entire body tensed.
"What…?"
The man took a slow step forward.
"I was beginning to think you died that night."
Ishin gritted his teeth.
"Why? Why did you do it?!"
The man chuckled.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
His tone was almost mocking.
"Your parents… were part of my mission."
Something inside Ishin snapped.
A deep, furious growl rumbled in his throat.
His red eyes flashed.
"YOU BASTARD!"
And then—
He charged.
---
The Battle Begins
Ishin moved faster than ever before.
His fist shot forward, aiming straight for the man's jaw—
But he dodged.
Effortlessly.
A sharp kick to Ishin's stomach sent him flying back.
Pain erupted in his ribs, but he barely felt it.
Because right now—
Nothing else mattered except killing this man.
Ishin pushed off the ground, launching himself forward again.
Fist. Kick. Strike.
Each attack came faster, stronger—
But the man countered them all.
The girl screamed, covering her ears as the battle raged before her.
Ishin's vision burned red.
His breath came out in low, animalistic growls.
And then—
He landed a punch.
A solid hit across the man's face, sending him staggering back.
Ishin didn't stop. He couldn't.
Another hit.
And another.
And another.
Until—
The man finally collapsed.
---
A Victory Stolen
Ishin stood over him, chest heaving.
His hands were coated in blood—he didn't even know whose it was anymore.
His rage was the only thing keeping him standing.
The man groaned, struggling to move.
Ishin grabbed his weapon—the very blade that had killed his parents.
He raised it high.
This was it.
He would finally end it.
He would finally—
SHHKK!!
A sharp, piercing pain tore through his side.
His body stiffened.
The blade in his hand clattered to the ground.
His own blood dripped onto the pavement.
The man had stabbed him.
---
The Mastermind Revealed
Ishin staggered back, gasping for air.
His vision spun. His knees buckled.
He collapsed.
The girl—the one he had saved—rushed to his side.
"Ishin! Stay awake!"
Her hands gently cradled his face.
His vision blurred, but he managed to whisper—
"Y-You're… safe…"
And then—
She laughed.
A soft, amused laugh.
Ishin's heart dropped.
And before his fading vision, the girl began to change.
Her hair darkened to pure black.
Her soft brown eyes turned icy blue.
Ishin's breath hitched.
"R-Rin…?"
She smirked down at him, her expression twisted with satisfaction.
"Our plan worked."
Her fingers traced the blood on his chest, her voice soft, almost affectionate.
"This is only the beginning, Ishin."
---