Departure

In the heart of the dense forest, a hidden jet lay concealed among the trees. The first light of dawn began to filter through the branches, casting soft patterns on the ground. Inside the jet, Kaze Jūryoku took a moment to go to the washroom and change his clothing. 

It was 5 a.m and the early morning air was cool and still.

He glanced at his reflection in a small mirror, dark circles under his eyes. 

As he yawned, Kaze muttered, "Man, I'm tired. I just want to get some damn shut-eye."

His eyes closed, he focuses on steadying his breathing, mentally preparing himself for the trials ahead.

_____

Meanwhile, Usagi Sagai and Dr. Keito Shinsei were busy trying to activate the jet. Usagi found a wheelchair inside the aircraft and helped Keito into it.

"Thanks, Usagi," Keito said as he settled into the wheelchair.

"No problem," Usagi replied, giving him a reassuring smile. "Let's get this jet up and running."

Usagi began clicking various buttons on the control panel, his frustration growing as nothing seemed to work. "Come on, you piece of junk!" he muttered angrily, slamming his fist on the console.

Keito, watching from behind, couldn't help but laugh. "Having some trouble there, Usagi?" he teased.

Usagi shot him a glare. "Oh, you think this is funny, huh?"

Just then, one of the buttons Usagi pressed caused the jet to hum to life. Usagi turned to Keito with a cocky grin. "Told you I know what I'm doing."

Keito chuckled and placed a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Alright, not bad."

Usagi laughed, feeling a sense of accomplishment. 

Keito stopped for a moment, watching Usagi laugh. It struck him suddenly how much Usagi looked like his own son had at that age.

"Usagi," Keito said softly, almost to himself, "you look just like him... like my boy."

Usagi glanced back, his smile fading a bit as he saw the look on Keito's face. "Uncle Keito, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Keito said, shaking off the memory. "Just thinking about the past. Let's keep moving."

***

Keito's mind drifted to a memory of them after a tough fight, both shoveling dirt in the quiet night. They had picked a peaceful spot to lay Keito's family to rest. As they worked side by side, Keito felt a sense of peace settle over him. 

When the graves were ready, they stood together, heads bowed, in a silent prayer.

Walking back through the quiet woods, Keito watched Usagi and felt a deep sense of thankfulness. 

"I'm lucky to have a nephew as kind as him," he thought. 

Usagi wasn't just family; he was a reminder that there was still good in the world.

***

Glancing at Usagi's wrist, Keito notices his bracelet blinking red, a warning that its power is nearly depleted.

"Your bracelet needs replacing soon. We'll have to move quickly to get you a new one," Keito says. He ponders for a moment before adding, "I may have an idea. If we could find Sora's bracelet, it could buy us some time."

Usagi agrees, and they step out of the jet in search of the bracelet. Scouring the forest floor, Usagi spots a glint of silver half buried in the dirt. He retrieves the bracelet and shows it to Keito just as a voice rings out behind them.

"Looking for something?"

They whirl around to find Sora Yamamoto emerging from the trees, a smile plastered on his face. With incredible speed, he summons the bracelet from Usagi's hand, enveloping it in an inky shadow.

"The bracelet was broken to begin with, kid. No use hanging onto it now." he mutters, crushing the delicate machinery with his anolity. 

Usagi screamed, "NOO!"

Sora fixes his gaze on them. "What are you still doing here Dr ?"

Sensing an opportunity, Usagi steps forward while feeling a sense of dread from being in front of Sora. 

"Since you said your bracelet was already broken We could use your help getting into the Eclipse Agency compound to get me one. 

Usagi continued, "With your skills, we can access Dr. Shinsei's lab and build a new bracelet for me, so that I am able to control my anolity."

Keito's eyes widen, but he stays silent. Sora raises an eyebrow, intrigued but suspicious.

"And why should I help you?" he asked.

"Because if I get an upgraded bracelet, I will convince Kaze to challenge you again. And Dr. Shinsei can provide you an advanced version of S-23, without any side effects," Usagi sad with a smirk on his face.

Keito leans down to whisper fiercely in Usagi's ear. "What are you doing promising him that i will do that!"

But Usagi just shakes his head. "Kaze will make sure he stays in line, and you could support him by giving him a better version of S-23, right? right?"

Keito hesitates, seeing the potential benefits but uneasy about trusting Sora.

Keito whispers, "Sure, I guess…"

Just then, Sora's phone vibrates, and he answers. As he listens, his expression darkens further. 

"You're telling me Kurosawa has eliminated Hiroto? And Daichi is involved somehow? Wait, what about Mei and Rin? They've been taken captive?" He continues to listen intently, nodding slightly, then finally responds with a grim, "Okay, got it," before hanging up, his face shadowed by the weight of the news.

Usagi's eyes widened in alarm. "I don't understand. What does this mean?"

Keito sighs. "Kurosawa was my mentor. We have...history."

Their hushed conversation carries to Kaze, who emerges from the jet, his gaze fixed on Sora.

"Get inside, now. You've piqued my interest with what you just said," Kaze grinned.

Sora's demeanor stiffens, yet he trails behind them into the jet. Settling inside, he shares the additional information he's received. "There's more to it. Kurosawa isn't just making moves for the sake of it. He's planning to kickstart Project K and control this entity."

Keito goes pale, the implications hitting him instantly. "Actually, Kurosawa's true aim is to integrate himself into Project K..."

A shocked silence settles over them as the threat looms large.