Jigoku Arrives

Back to the present day.

Amidst the tense atmosphere of the village, Akira's voice sliced through the silence like a blade.

"What if our plan doesn't work?" he asked, his words splintered with uncertainty.

Daisuke's gaze hardened, his resolve unwavering. "Then we have no choice but to fight," he declared.

"I don't know exactly how strong he is," Akira admitted, his brow furrowed in concern. "But if we have a two-versus-one advantage, surely it would be in our favor."

Daisuke's expression darkened as he considered the implications. "That all depends on his Summon, if he has one," he cautioned, a hint of trepidation creeping into his voice. "I've seen a Dragon Summon before. If this person has anything near that scale, it'll be a big problem."

"How would you even kill a Dragon?" Akira asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"I can't. At least... not yet," Daisuke conceded, his words laced with grim determination. "I'd have to kill the warrior before his Summon can do anything."

As the weight of their conversation hung in the air, Akira pressed on, his curiosity piqued.

"Daisuke... what motivates you?" he inquired, his gaze searching.

Daisuke's eyes blackened with the memories of his past loss and pain. "Recently, an old friend and his son were murdered," he began, his voice heavy with emotion. "I tried to kill the person who did it, but... he beat me with ease. I need to make sure something like that never happens again."

"Are you trying to get stronger for revenge?" Akira probed, his voice gentle yet probing.

"Yes," Daisuke admitted, his voice a solemn whisper.

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the urgent arrival of a local villager.

"Akira! Akira! He's back!" the villager exclaimed, breathless with urgency.

Akira turned to Daisuke, a silent question in his eyes.

"Do you want to go now?" Daisuke asked, his voice steady.

"I have to. Otherwise, he will start killing the people here," Akira replied.

With a nod of understanding, Daisuke watched as Akira swiftly made his way to confront their adversary, his heart heavy with the weight of what was to come.

As Akira approached the foreigner, the tension crackled in the air like lightning. With a sense of foreboding, he called out to the figure before him.

"You're looking for me?!" Akira shouted, his voice echoing through the village.

The foreigner turned, his smile sending shivers down Akira's spine.

"And what's your name, Samurai?" the foreigner inquired, his voice dripping with malice.

"Akira," came the firm reply.

"Well, Akira. Your executioner for today is named Jigoku," the foreigner declared, his words like a death knell.

With a sense of panic, Akira turned and fled, his heart pounding in his chest. But Jigoku's laughter followed him, a chilling reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows.

"There's no point in running, Akira!" Jigoku's voice taunted, chills rippling down Akira's spine.

As Jigoku released his Tokihanatsu Summon, a sense of dread washed over the village like a tidal wave. The Titanaboa emerged, its massive form casting a dark shadow over the land, trapping the villagers within its deadly embrace.

As its head circled back to its body, it overlapped, circling higher and higher until the entire village was trapped within the Titanaboa's cocoon.

As darkness blanketed the village, villagers rushed to light lanterns to provide some form of visibility.

As Jigoku kept running, he was met by another Samurai as he cut round a corner.

"Ahhhhh. Another Samurai? I've been sent to handle two in one go? Surely not," Jigoku remarked sarcastically as he approached.

Daisuke's gaze bore into Jigoku's, his voice steady despite the rising tension.

"Sent by who?" he demanded, his tone firm.

"My leader," Jigoku replied casually, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.

"Who's your leader?" Daisuke pressed, his voice unwavering.

"Hmmmm, you're a demanding one aren't you," Jigoku chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "I'm afraid your period for questioning has ended. It's my turn. Who are you?"

"I'm Daisuke," came the firm reply.

"Daisuke?!" Jigoku's laughter spreading like wildfire. "How were you able to escape Raidon and Fuka?"

The mention of Raidon's name pinched a nerve within Daisuke's body. "Raidon?" he muttered, his mind racing with the memories of his altercation with Raidon.

"He too works for the same organization as I," Jigoku revealed with a smirk.

"You're one of the Deadly Seven?" Akira interjected with disbelief in his voice.

"I am," Jigoku confirmed, his tone dripping with pride.

"Who's recreated the Deadly Seven?" Daisuke demanded, his voice betraying a hint of anger.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Jigoku replied cryptically, a smirk still playing at his lips.

"Try me," Daisuke challenged, his eyes narrowing with determination.

"Mishiira Kayoshide," Jigoku revealed, his words sending shockwaves through Daisuke and Akira.

"That's impossible..." Daisuke declared, his mind reeling with disbelief.

"He's dead!" Akira exclaimed, shock evident in his voice.

"I did say you wouldn't believe me," Jigoku remarked, licking his lips.

"How is it that he's still alive?" Daisuke demanded, his voice erupting with frustration.

"I'm not going to tell you that," Jigoku replied coyly. "Besides, I'm going to be the one to make sure he's dead for the final time."

"You're going to kill him?" Daisuke asked, his confusion evident.

"Yes. He has mastered magical power from the Ryūdendō Cave and has the ability to bring back the dead. I aim to obtain it from him and bring back my mother," Jigoku revealed.

"She's dead. Leave her to rest," Daisuke urged, his voice filled with empathy.

"It wasn't her time," Jigoku retorted, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"I've lost my mother and my friend. I know how you feel," Daisuke pleaded, his words filled with genuine compassion.

"If you're going to kill your leader, why are you following his orders and trying to kill me?" Akira interjected, trying to make sense of the situation.

"Because... I love it," Jigoku confessed, a sadistic smile stretching across his face.

Daisuke's heart sank as he realised the depth of Jigoku's depravity. But even in the face of such darkness, he refused to back down.

"Listen, I can help you. We can try to bring down the leader together," Daisuke offered, his voice filled with sincerity.

But Jigoku only laughed, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Why would I team up with you? The fact that you're still alive means Raidon must have spared your life. Neither of you are strong enough to kill him, or me," Jigoku taunted, his words cutting through their ears like a blade. "Our leader is tenfold above us. You'd be nothing but a liability."

With a silent exchange, Daisuke and Akira shared a moment of understanding.

"Go now." Daisuke whispered.

As Akira disappeared into the darkness, Daisuke turned back to face Jigoku, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana.

"Got a plan do we?" Jokingly asked Jigoku.

"Now, the Deadly Seven will become the Deadly Six."