1 The attack

It was a dark and quiet evening in Kyoto. A group of shadowy figures lay hidden behind bushes and trees, waiting patiently as the sun began to set. Nearby, a modest house stood in the center of a small clearing, its windows glowing with the warm light of lanterns.

As the last rays of light disappeared, the people inside the house retreated to their rooms, preparing for the night ahead. Unbeknownst to them, danger lurked just beyond their walls.

Suddenly, the leader of the shadowy group signaled his comrades to attack. The group sprang into action, rushing towards the house with their weapons drawn. They were assassins, skilled in the art of killing, and they had come for a specific target.

As the assassins reached the entrance to the house, they were met by a group of guards who emerged to defend their charge. The two sides clashed, their weapons ringing out in the night as they fought with deadly determination.

Meanwhile, the leader of the assassins snuck around the back of the house, looking for an opening. He knew that his target was inside, but he also knew that he was well-protected. He had to be careful if he was going to succeed.

As he made his way to the back door, the leader paused for a moment, listening carefully. He could hear the sounds of fighting coming from the front of the house, but he also heard something else - footsteps, coming towards him from inside.

The door creaked open, and a figure appeared in the doorway, holding a katana. The figure had long hair that covered their face, and a deep scar ran down one cheek. It was Haruka Ito, Kazuo's younger sister.

The assassin leader's eyes widened in recognition. "Finally, I found you," he said, a hint of triumph in his voice. "Your brother won't be able to protect you now."

Haruka's grip tightened on her sword. She knew that she was facing a formidable foe, but she was determined to protect her family and avenge her brother's death. The fight had only just begun.