Chapter 29-The Unconventional Plan

Enma's plan is a brilliant one, and it will surely have a dramatic and powerful impact on the city. It pits Ren and Kiyoshi against one another in a final battle with high stakes. The winner will decide the fate of the war, and the loser will forfeit their life. But what the world doesn't know is that one of the leaders will fake their death and live out the rest of their life in secret. This will give the other leader the victory and allow the rogues to disband, ending the war and restoring peace to the city. Enma has devised a plan that has both profound and far-reaching consequences. The conflict between Ren and Kiyoshi will be resolved once and for all, with a decisive outcome that will decide the fate of the war. Enma's plan also offers a path forward for the future, with the prospect of peace and harmony in the newfound world. The plan of the rogues is a delicate one, as it must be kept a secret from the heroes renaissance. So, a secret meeting between Ren and Kiyoshi is indeed necessary to discuss the details of the plan. Now, the two leaders will need to schedule the "final battle" for a time and place where it can be believable and realistic, without raising any suspicions from the heroes. After the battle, one of the leaders will fake their death and become a martyr, being hailed as the hero of the new world who sacrificed their life for a better future. The rogues may have a solution to this problem. They could create a secret meeting between Ren and Kiyoshi to discuss the plan, where the citizens and heroes would not be able to find out. The rogues could arrange this meeting at a place where there are few witnesses to prevent anyone from overhearing their conversation. They could also use disguise and deception to make sure that the two leaders are able to meet in secret without anyone noticing.

The Rogues can secretly communicate with Kiyoshi and arrange a place and time for the meeting. He could be directed to a quiet location, away from the city and somewhere discreet. The Rogues could also provide him with the necessary disguise, such as disguising him as a civilian or someone completely unfamiliar to the Rogues. Kiyoshi could then change his appearance and head to the meeting without drawing any suspicions. The rogues decide to delegate the task of disguise to Kira. Kira has plenty of experience in living his normal life amongst the common people, so he is well suited for the job. He is given the responsibility of creating a disguise for Kiyoshi that will allow them to blend in and go unnoticed. Kira is not a master of disguise, but he is familiar with the city's population and their behaviors, which will make his job a little easier, he also likes to disguise himself and go out into the city to enjoy himself which certainly helps in this situation. Ren will take on the task of communicating with Kiyoshi. He writes down a secret coded message on a piece of paper and then gives it to a bird. With his awakened powers, he has gained the ability to communicate with animals, so this will work perfectly. He will order the bird to find Kiyoshi and deliver the note, which will contain the meeting time and place. Ren decides that Yumiko and her squad of reconnaissance experts will be responsible for finding the actual location for the secret meeting. They will search for a clandestine location that is hidden away from the heroes and citizens and has enough privacy for Ren to talk to Kiyoshi without any suspicion or interference. Enma will decide the location of the final battle between Ren and Kiyoshi. He will consider what would minimize the damage caused to the city due to the destructive nature of their powers. The location will be chosen carefully, and cameras will be set up to cover the whole area so the duel can be broadcasted to the world.

The plan has been decided, and the roles have been allocated. Everyone knows what they have to do. It's time to share the plan with Kiyoshi, who will be the one to receive the note. He must follow the instructions carefully and meet with Ren at the secret location. There is no room for errors or mishaps. The plan must be executed flawlessly so that Ren and Kiyoshi can complete their roles successfully. If anything should go wrong, the plan may be doomed, and the war will likely continue. The two leaders are facing each other in the secret location. Kiyoshi has no idea what this is all about, as he hasn't been told the full plan. He has simply been asked to attend the meeting and follow Ren's guidance. Ren and Kiyoshi are facing each other, their emotions mixed and complex. Ren's expression is somewhat somber and reserved, while Kiyoshi's is softer and tinged with sadness. They both remember a time when they were friends and shared a close relationship. While they now stand divided and on opposite sides, a palpable tension and awkwardness between them, a deep care and sympathy also pervades the scene. The two of them have grown up and changed a lot since that time, yet that fondness between them remains. "I'm glad you could come," Ren says after a long moment of silence, their eyes locked on each other. He seems slightly unsure of how to proceed, remembering the good times they once shared, but knowing that the circumstances have now placed them on opposite sides. "It's... been a long time since we met," he adds, his voice somewhat tense and strained, but with a hint of warmth under it all. "Yeah," Kiyoshi replies quietly, his gaze shifting away for a moment, as if searching for the right words. There is a lingering awkwardness between them, but still there is a deep and profound sense of familiarity and brotherhood between them. "It has been a long time." Kiyoshi adds, his voice slightly choked with emotion, but with a hint of regret that things have come to this.

Kiyoshi nods his head in agreement. "Yeah," he whispers softly, his eyes growing distant and nostalgic. The two of them seem lost for a moment, as if going back in time for a brief moment, a moment before their paths diverged and put them on different sides. But they also can't help but feel the tension and awkwardness between them, the divide that now exists between them, which makes it hard to enjoy this moment of nostalgia for too long. Ren looks back at Kiyoshi, and his expression softens and warms as he sees the soft look on his old friend's face. "I miss the way things were," he adds quietly, his voice tinged with sadness and longing for a time long gone. "I wish we could still just be friends, like we used to be," he adds, his voice breaking slightly, his emotions growing too strong for him to keep them under control anymore. Kiyoshi's eyes grow watery at Ren's words. "I miss it too, Ren," he murmurs softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I really do," he adds, a tear rolling down his cheek. This moment between them is one of bittersweetness, reliving old memories together, but also being painfully reminded of the division and difficulties between them. Ren notices the tear rolling down Kiyoshi's cheek, and his emotions grow even stronger. "I wish things could be different," he whispers quietly, his voice choked with emotion, the tears starting to come from his eyes too. "I wish we could just go back," he adds, his voice breaking as his feelings become too much for him to keep contained. They begin to cry, both of them bawling their eyes out. Then, they begin laughing, remembering their old friendship and laughing at each other's jokes like they used to. "You're as ugly as ever when you cry, my old friend," Ren teases, chuckling lightly. Kiyoshi chuckles too, their laughter filling the air in place of their tears.

Kiyoshi teases back, "and you're still a stubborn and immature as ever," laughing at the old memories of their friendship. "But I've missed you," he adds softly, his tone growing more sincere and genuine. "Me too, you dumbass," Ren replies with a chuckle, his voice growing more genuine and heartfelt as he speaks. They both chuckle some more, smiling softly and fondly as they revel in this brief moment of reunion between them. "I've missed you too, idiot. I really have," Ren adds, his voice growing even more sincere. "Hey Ren, so, how is little Kazuto doing, he should be 15 now right? has he...you know...awoken from his coma", Ren looks down and looks deep in thought for a moment, a saddened expression slowly takes over his face as he thinks about Kazuto who has been in a coma for the past 7 years, "No he uh...has yet to wake up." Ren looks down as Kiyoshi gives him a reassuring expression, "I'm sure he will wake up soon alright, there is no need to worry about it, he is a strong kid alright, after all, he is a Kuzure." Ren slightly smiles at his gesture but still can't help worrying if he will ever wake up...his dear younger brother. "You know, i was a terrible brother to him to...I was never even bothered to spend time with him, i was always just at the institute...the only time I could spend with him was in the holidays, even then, it was short..." Ren pauses before continuing, "i only wish i could have been a better brother to him...i was so excited to help him grow into a hero like he always wanted...you know...he awakened his powers a few months before..." he goes quiet. "Ren, don't beat yourself up about it, what has happened has happened, you can't change it, no matter how much you want to, what's done is done, now... all you can do is hope for him to get better, and when he does, you can be the brother you always wanted to be, alright?" Ren takes a deep breath, he wipes his watery eyes, and he composes himself, "thank you Kiyoshi, i mean it, thank you..."

The two of them have broken the ice, the grief and awkwardness that had been lingering between them finally giving way after all this time. Now, it was time for Ren to share the plan that Enma has come up with, and they both sense the gravity of this moment. "So," Ren begins, his voice soft and heartfelt, "there's something I need to tell you." He takes a breath and looks straight at Kiyoshi, their eyes meeting and holding an emotion of both sadness and hope. "It's about the plan to end the war." Kiyoshi listens attentively as Ren begins to tell the plan; a mix of emotions present in his eyes. There is a hint of worry and concern, a bit of hope and sadness, but also a sense of understanding and empathy. He looks at Ren, his old friend who he has missed so much, wanting nothing more than to be able to talk to him like they used out to back when things were simpler and there was no war. "When Enma came up with this plan", Ren continues, focusing on Kiyoshi's eyes and trying to maintain eye contact as he speaks, "He saw a way to end the war without having to sacrifice either of us." He takes a breath, not wanting to get ahead of himself or reveal too much too soon. "It would involve me and you facing each other in a final duel." 

"The duel would be broadcast to the entire world, so everyone would see it," Ren continues. "And the loser would fake their death and disappear for a while." He pauses for a moment, his tone becoming more serious and solemn. "This will help end the war and restore peace to the city, without requiring either of us to sacrifice ourselves." "But in order for it to work," Ren adds, his voice softening again, "we both have to agree to this plan. And it's only going to work if we both take this seriously and follow the plan..." He trails off for a moment, his eyes searching Kiyoshi's face, hoping that his old friend will understand the importance of this plan. "This plan is complex, and it involves me losing the duel and faking my death," Ren explains. "But I know you can do it, and I know you'll do it right," he asserts, his voice growing steadier and more determined as he speaks. "I trust you, Kiyoshi. I always have, and I always will." "But this plan won't work unless we both follow it precisely and keep it a secret. The heroes and citizens must not find out about the plan or else it will all fall apart. So this has to be between us only." "We are the only ones who can pull it off," Ren adds. "We are the only ones who can save the city after all this time. We have to do this. It's our responsibility." "So I'm counting on you, my old friend," Ren concludes passionately. "I'm counting on us. I always have and I always will." He looks straight at Kiyoshi, his eyes filled with both determination and hope.

Kiyoshi looks in thought for what seems like an eternity, he finally responds, "but, why does it have to be you?", Ren remains silently for a moment, considering Kiyoshi's question. He seems taken off guard by it, almost as if he hadn't considered it himself. "Why is it me that has to fake their death?" he murmurs, his voice growing more solemn as he contemplates the question. "I guess it's because I've already been branded as a villain. I've already built up such a reputation within the heroes. Faking my death would be much easier for me than for you." Ren continues speaking, "I've also made a lot of mistakes. I've caused so much damage to the city and hurt so many people. To some, my death is nothing but retribution for my actions. If anyone should be punished, it should be me." Ren agrees. "Even if I got the chance to go back and do it all again, I would still do everything I did before," he adds, his voice growing slightly sad. "I was a necessary evil. People may hate me and despise me, but I'm the one who took all those hits. I'm the one who took the punishment for others." His tone becomes solemn, and he speaks softly, "So in a way, my fake death is a chance to redeem myself." Kiyoshi reluctantly nods with a saddened expression and then asks what he will do after his "death", where will he go, perhaps who with. "I don't know yet," Ren replies quietly, his tone growing soft and wistful. "I guess I'll go somewhere far away from this city. Where no one will know who I am or what I did. And I'll try to live a quiet and peaceful life, far away from the conflict and the chaos." He stares into space and seems lost in thought. "And Lisa," Ren adds, his voice growing sweeter as he thinks about their past, their growing love and their connection. "She'll be with me too, of course," he adds, his expression becoming slightly amused as if realizing that his voice was softening. "I can't imagine going anywhere without her, she's become such a big part of me and has always helped keep me grounded."

"So, if all goes well, I'll be with Lisa, far away from this world. And we'll live peacefully and happily." Ren's voice grows softer and sweeter at the thought, his expression slightly wistful. Kiyoshi starts laughing, "wait LISA? as in 'midnight blade'? like the one we met all those years ago? "Midnight Blade", what were we like 16? i remember the day we three met, yea I got my add handed to me by some giant guy... what was his name, zeref? I think, at least that's what my research squad tells me, I can't believe you actually got with Lisa ha-ha." "Yeah Lisa," Ren replies, laughing along with Kiyoshi. "The same one we met years ago. She still goes by Midnight Blade; you would never guess that is actually her under the mask." He chuckles slightly as they both remember their past. "I guess I won her heart over in end, huh." Ren goes on a rant about how beautiful, smart and perfect in every way Lisa is just as Kiyoshi bursts out laughing out how madly in love his friend has fallen for her. "Yeah, I'll admit it, I fell hard," Ren chuckles, smiling softly at the thought of Lisa. "You know all these years together have only made me fall for her even more. She's just so incredibly smart and funny, and she's just so beautiful." He can feel his face flushing ever so slightly as his emotions take over. "She's just so... perfect." "I guess I'm just a madman for loving Lisa so much," Ren adds, still chuckling softly. "And maybe I haven't told her this enough, but I'm really looking forward to our life together. It's a scary thought, especially after having to go through all this," he says, waving his hand to gesture towards the war and the entire situation between him and Kiyoshi. They both say their goodbyes, and the two leaders return to their respective organizations to finalize the plan. They each prepare for the final battle, the one that will decide the fate of the city once and for all, as the final part of the plan falls into place. They both anticipate the peace and harmony that will follow after the final battle has been fought and their respective sides have come out victorious. The two leaders each prepare their respective sides, the final battle approaching and the plan coming closer to fruition. They both work tirelessly and fervently to ensure that everything goes according to plan and that this last duel will be successful, and everything would end well.