As Shinki lay on the ground, laughing through the pain, he looked up at Kazuki standing before him.
"Haha... It's about time you realized, Kazuki... I'm your elder brother."
His expression softened despite the blood trailing from his mouth. "Damn, you've gotten strong—really strong."
Kazuki stood frozen, the rain soaking through his clothes. A pained look spread across his face.
"Why?" he asked, voice trembling. "I don't get it. Why did you leave me alone when I was just a kid? Why join some terrorist group? Why almost kill my friend? Why... why did you do all that?"
Shinki smiled faintly, the rain mixing with the blood on his face.
"I did all of it... for you. I knew that if I left you on your own, you'd figure things out. You'd grow. Become independent." He coughed, voice cracking. "I wanted the best for you, Kazuki."
"But I still don't understand!" Kazuki cried. "You became a criminal! Why go to such extremes?"
Shinki's smile remained, but his voice grew faint.
"Like I said… it was for you. I even wiped your memories so you wouldn't remember me. That way, you'd grow without attachments. As for why I became a criminal… it was because of that fucked up city. I despise it. But that's a story for another day."
Suddenly, Shinki coughed violently, blood spilling from his mouth. He tugged at his shirt, revealing a gaping hole in his chest.
Kazuki's eyes widened in shock.
"S-Shinki...!"
"Yeah," Shinki said, laughing hoarsely. "Diablo didn't hold back. That was just a glimpse of his insane power... and it still tore a hole through me."
He looked directly at Kazuki, his eyes no longer wild with pain, but filled with brotherly warmth.
"It's my time, Kazuki. Honestly, I didn't think that I'd die like this. But still, I have no regrets. I got to see you strong, and i also grew stronger myself. Please, Kazuki—don't die. This world is full of people willing to hurt others for no reason at all, it creats villians out of once kind hearted people and forces them to go inane with no emotions. Ive seen it...", he started to picture the dark sign in his head "I know how it is. No matter what happens, live on. Be the strongest. And always remember…"
His voice faltered.
"I, your elder brother.... would always love you."
Silence. The rain fell heavier, but Kazuki felt none of it. Shinki's body had gone still. Cold.
"…Shinki?" Kazuki whispered, kneeling. But there was no response. The realization hit hard.
Shinki was dead.
Kazuki clenched his fists, tears rolling down his cheeks as grief overtook him. He couldn't cry outwardly at all. All Kazuki could do at the moment was just bottle up the pain.
From afar, two figures watched silently beneath the darkened sky.
"…I wasn't expecting Shinki to go out like that," Sorata muttered with a small look of discontent, "Out of everyone in the Dark Sign, we understood each other best. I won't forget you… not until the day I die."
Kenji gave a solemn nod. "There's nothing we can do now. I'll miss him too tho, he was a person we both could relate with."
Back at the clearing, Kazuki wiped his tears away
"Why did it have to be when i finally reunited with him that this had to happen?…I'll get stronger," he whispered. "Just like you said. But not just strong… I'll become the strongest person around."
A few hours later…
The rain had stopped. The golden rays of the sun shone through the clouds. Sorata and Kenji approached Shinki's motionless body.
Suddenly, Shinki stirred weakly.
"…Sorata… is that you? I can sense your presence."
Sorata froze.
"You're still alive…? Even with that hole in your chest?"
Shinki chuckled weakly. "I'm stubborn. And besides… you were the closest friend I had in the Dark Sign. You showing up now… it means a lot."
Sorata scratched his head awkwardly, a small smile forming.
"Even for criminals like us, we still care about some people, huh? The love you had for your brother… it's probably stronger than mine."
Shinki smiled faintly. "My only regret… is not being there for him. I wish I had more time with Kazuki…"
His breathing slowed, and blood trickled from the corner of his lips.
"This is it. My time's up. The pain im feeling from the hole in my heart wont even allow me to talk without feeling excruciating pain." He looked toward the light above, eyes dimming. "I'll see you on the other side… just don't join me too soon."
With a final breath, Shinki went still again—this time, for good.
Sorata closed his eyes, offering a silent prayer.
"…See you on the other side."
The sun shone brighter as Sorata looked up at the sky. "The other side, huh? How generic."
Meanwhile…
Across the wastelands, the Black Fire group returned from a mission.
"That mission Veronica gave us was tough," Kazui muttered. "Kinda weird how things are lately—mission after mission."
Luck rolled her eyes and smirked. "You don't have to act like a chad about it. You didn't even do much. Tobi and I handled most of the terrorist group. Right, Tobi?"
But Tobi wasn't listening. He stared off into the distance, lost in thought. A vague memory surfaced—someone he passed recently. A face… that looked like his sister.
Luck picked up a small pebble and tossed it at his back.
"Hey, Tobi! You've been acting weird. You okay?"
Tobi blinked and nodded slowly.
"Yeah… just lost in thought. That's all."
Kazui raised a brow. "If something's bothering you? You can talk to us. We're a team, remember?"
Tobi managed a smile. "Thanks. I appreciate you guys."
In the city…
The training grounds echoed with explosions. Serena and Sukuna sparred fiercely against Raquel, who defended with her crystallized arm.
Electric bullets zipped through the air as Sukuna fired plasma beams, causing shockwaves across the area. Raquel, calm and composed, activated her Crystal Eye and deflected every attack with precision.
Serena concentrated energy at her feet and dashed at a blinding speed. She launched a flurry of electrified punches and kicks, but Raquel blocked them all with terrifying calm.
Watching from the sidelines, Veronica finally called out:
"That's enough! You've been at it for two hours. Training's over—you can rest now."
"Aww, come on!" Sukuna groaned. "We were just getting started!"
Serena, catching her breath, replied, "I don't know about you, but I'm beat. Raquel's crystals are too strong—even my electric bullets can't crack them."
Raquel gave a weird, almost apologetic smile. "I hope I didn't give you too much trouble. Are your arms okay? You were throwing some wild punches."
Serena waved it off. "Nah, I'm fine. I actually go easier when I coat them in electricity."
Veronica's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'go easier'? You obliterated six city blocks with a regular punch once!"
Sukuna laughed. "Wow, Serena, you're stronger than you look."
Veronica nodded. "Same goes for you, Sukuna. Your plasma beams are just as deadly. You both need to learn to be less destructive."
She turned toward Raquel.
"And you—your stamina and durability are incredible. But you need to work on offense. You hold back too much. You can be destructive. Don't be afraid to use it."
Raquel smiled quietly, the wind started to blow her hair majestically.
End of Chapter.