The atmosphere was thick.
Not just with mist—but with something deeper. A presence. A weight.
Somewhere, hidden within the depths of the Chūkan’s unseen corridors, a dark chamber flickered to life.
Six figures.
Three figures sat in silence.
The st of the Death Phantoms.
Kenzo stood at the center, arms crossed, golden eyes gleaming in the dim light. YuYu leaned zily against a wall, lips curled in amusement. Daisuke sat near the back, his gaze unreadable.
And then—
A fourth presence entered.
The Shingan.
The air shifted.
The mere presence of the figure warped reality itself.
His face remained unseen, hidden beneath the folds of his robes, but his voice—his voice was absolute.
“The time for waiting is over.”
Kenzo straightened slightly. “You’re giving the order, then?”
The Shingan tilted his head slightly. “Yes. But not just yet.”
A pause.
“We need bance.”
His voice was smooth. Measured.
Kenzo’s smirk deepened. “Bance?”
The Shingan stepped forward.
“Your enemies are growing stronger.”
His gaze flickered across the room.
Kenzo. Daisuke. YuYu.
Then—toward the three still seated in the shadows.
It was time.
“The three of you will now step forward.”
Slowly, deliberately, they rose.
Three figures, their forms barely visible against the thick mist.
The final Death Phantoms.
Their presence twisted the air, warping the very space around them.
YuYu’s smirk widened. “Ahh, finally. I was getting bored of being the only fun one.”
Kenzo scoffed. “You say that, but you couldn’t even enjoy the st fight.”
YuYu shrugged. “Wasn’t my fault. The Kyumōnban didn’t st long enough.”
Daisuke exhaled sharply, eyes flicking toward the Shingan. “So what’s the pn?”
The Shingan’s voice was calm.
“We sharpen our bdes.”
A pause.
“The other warriors are receiving their training.”
His voice dropped slightly, carrying an eerie weight.
“…So will you.”
A flicker of something sharp passed through Kenzo’s expression. “Training?”
The Shingan nodded.
“The Hayashi boy is finding his foundation.”
“The Kiyohime wielder is unlocking her wings.”
“The Shadow Walker is stepping into his true role.”
His voice darkened.
“We cannot fall behind.”
The mist thickened.
Shadows twisted.
Then—the Shingan raised his hand.
A sudden pulse.
The air shifted.
And then—
A doorway appeared.
A deep, bck rift, opening to a space unseen.
“The three of you.” The Shingan’s voice was absolute. “Step inside.”
The three final Death Phantoms said nothing.
One by one—they entered the void.
Kenzo exhaled, cracking his knuckles. “So, what’s waiting for them in there?”
The Shingan chuckled softly.
Something cold. Unsettling.
“…A necessary lesson.”
YuYu’s grin widened. “Oho? Sounds fun.”
Daisuke remained quiet.
Kenzo simply smirked.
The Shingan stepped forward, his presence towering.
Then—his voice echoed once more.
“The war has only just begun.”
