As Watari raises his hand at Ryuko, a surge of golden-red energy crackles around him. His voice echoes, steady and determined—

  “Take fo—”

  Before he can finish, a sharp breeze cuts through the battlefield.

  Ren steps forward, standing directly in front of Watari, his silhouette calm and unwavering against the chaotic backdrop.

  “Kid, don’t you have another job?”

  Watari blinks in confusion, then gnces toward the underground battlefield where Yumi is still holding off the endless shadow horde. His aura flickers, then stabilizes. He exhales, lowering his hand. “…You’re right.”

  With a burst of speed, he vanishes—leaving behind only the ghost of his heat. Ren watches him go, then lets out a small chuckle, shaking his head. If the kid hadn’t showed up, he’d probably be dead.

  “Crazy how it’s always the young ones that snap us back to our senses.”

  A few feet away, Ryuko flips his hair back with a smirk. His daggers gleam under the faint morning light.

  “Oh? It seems you have some newfound confidence, senpai.”

  Ren rolls his shoulders, then tilts his head slightly, his sharp gaze locking onto Ryuko. “You were right, Ryuko. I didn’t know you could enhance your darkness.” His fingers flex, his posture loosening as if warming up. “Good job keeping that a secret.”

  Then, he raised his bracelet, extending his hand forward as his aura shifts into the cube dangling from it. The dull embers of his previous energy ignite into a silent silver glow, its presence vast and untouchable.

  His voice is calm, absolute.

  “But the moon is also known for bringing about darkness.”

  The world seems to still.

  “Take form… Tsukuyomi.”

  The moment the name is spoken, the battlefield changes. A bde materializes in his grip—a katana of pure moonlight, silver and white, its edge glowing faintly like the reflection of the full moon on still water. The air grows heavier. A cold breeze rolls through the darkness, carrying with it an eerie, absolute silence—as if even sound itself is being swallowed by the light of the moon.

  Ryuko’s smirk once again falters. He grips his daggers tighter, eyes narrowing. His heartbeat pounds in his ears, drowning out rational thought. He can feel it. This isn’t normal energy. This isn’t just another technique. This is something else entirely. “…Shit.”

  For a split second, an unfamiliar thought crosses his mind.

  Am I out of my league?

  His grip trembles. His instincts scream at him to run. And then, just as quickly as the thought enters his mind—rage repces it.

  What the hell am I thinking?

  His expression twists in frustration. He forces himself to breathe, to refocus. He’s fought too many battles to let fear decide this one. Doesn’t matter if his opponent is stronger. Doesn’t matter who he’s up against. He always takes them down.

  Ren senses Ryuko’s tamashkii waver but then it fills back up intensity! With a sharp exhale, Ryuko forms his twin daggers again.

  His lips curl into a wicked grin. “Let’s do this thing, senpai.”

  The screen cuts to bck.