In the Last Episode...
The Floating Mountains were suddenly attacked by countless evil entities. During the battle, a mysterious swordsman named Ren appeared from the darkness and effortlessly defeated the Demon Captain. After learning about the legendary Gate of Kasagito, Ren, Ekai, and Akaio formed an uneasy alliance and began their journey across the endless ocean in search of the legendary treasure.
---
Present Time
The endless ocean stretched farther than the eye could see.
Gentle waves rocked the wooden ship as it peacefully sailed through the shining blue sea. Above them, the sky was completely clear, without a single cloud interrupting the beautiful sunlight. A cool breeze passed through the deck, making the journey surprisingly relaxing after all the battles they had fought.
Akaio leaned against the railing of the ship with a wide smile.
"Whoa... look at this!" he laughed happily. "The water is shining like crystal! The sky is completely blue... I'm seriously enjoying this journey."
Ekai smiled as he looked around the peaceful ocean.
"This is actually nice," he replied. "No enemies... no fighting... just peace."
Ren stood silently near the front of the ship.
His eyes never left the ocean.
Unlike the other two, he wasn't relaxing.
He was watching.
Listening.
Feeling.
Suddenly...
His expression slightly changed.
At the very same moment, Ekai looked over the edge of the ship.
His eyes widened.
"Beneath the ship..."
A gigantic shadow slowly moved underneath the ocean.
It was so enormous that it completely covered the sunlight beneath the water.
"Ren!" Ekai shouted.
"There's a monster beneath us!"
The peaceful atmosphere disappeared instantly.
The massive shadow circled around the ship.
The water began shaking.
Large waves crashed against the sides of the ship.
Ren calmly unsheathed his katana.
"I can defeat it," he said.
"But underwater my movements are limited."
He looked at Ekai.
"I'll attack it."
"You help me."
Ekai nodded immediately.
"Understood."
Without another word...
Ren jumped off the ship.
Splash!
Instead of sinking...
He landed on the surface of the water.
Then...
He began running.
Every step created small ripples as if the ocean itself accepted his footsteps.
Akaio's jaw dropped.
"No way..."
"How is he running on water?"
"We can use our strength to move across water..."
"But this sea doesn't even allow normal gravity!"
"How is he doing that?!"
Ren ignored everything.
He sprinted across the ocean before diving beneath the waves.
The cold seawater surrounded him.
Deep below...
The enormous sea creature finally revealed itself.
Its body was covered with thick blue scales.
Its giant eyes glowed with a terrifying crimson light.
Its enormous jaws opened as it charged directly toward Ren.
Ren swung his katana.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
Several deep cuts appeared across the monster's body.
Dark blood spread throughout the ocean.
But the creature barely slowed down.
Its enormous tail slammed toward Ren.
Boom!
The impact sent Ren flying underwater.
He quickly regained his balance.
"...As expected."
"I can't finish it here."
"I need help."
At that exact moment...
Ekai leaped from the ship.
While falling through the air, he stretched out his hand.
"Guardian..."
"I summon you!"
A gigantic guardian appeared behind him.
Without hesitation, the guardian dove deep into the ocean.
The sea itself exploded upward.
The guardian grabbed the enormous creature with unbelievable strength.
Then...
With one powerful motion...
It threw the sea monster high into the sky.
The gigantic creature roared as its body flew above the ocean.
Ren burst out of the water.
He landed lightly on the surface.
His eyes became completely calm.
He held his katana with both hands.
Only one swing.
Nothing more.
"One Strike."
The blade flashed.
A silver line crossed the sky.
The sea monster stopped moving.
For one silent second...
Its enormous body split perfectly into two pieces before crashing back into the ocean.
Boom!!
Huge waves spread across the sea.
Silence returned.
Akaio stared with his mouth wide open.
"He..."
"He defeated it with one swing..."
Ren quietly cleaned the blood from his katana before placing it back into its sheath.
"Let's eat."
...
Several hours later...
The three of them sat on the deck.
Fresh meat from the defeated sea monster was roasting over a fire.
The delicious smell filled the entire ship.
Akaio happily took another bite.
"This is amazing!"
"It tastes so good!"
Ekai laughed.
"I didn't think sea monsters could actually taste this delicious."
Even Ren quietly continued eating without saying much.
The peaceful journey continued once again.
---
The next morning...
Ekai stood at the front of the ship.
His eyes suddenly noticed land.
"There!"
"I can see an island!"
The ship slowly approached the shore.
Soon...
A beautiful village appeared before them.
Traditional wooden houses stood beside the beach.
People walked peacefully through the streets.
Colorful banners danced in the wind.
A large stone gate welcomed every traveler.
Ekai smiled.
"We finally arrived."
"Yagami Village."
The three stepped off the ship.
Warm sand covered the beach beneath their feet.
Before they could explore...
A strange creature suddenly rushed across the beach.
Behind it...
Several hunters chased after it while shouting loudly.
"Don't let it escape!"
"Catch it!"
The frightened creature desperately ran for its life.
Ekai immediately stepped forward.
"We have to help it."
Ren simply yawned.
"I'm bored."
"I'm going to explore the village."
He began walking away.
"Ren!"
Ekai called after him.
But Ren didn't even turn around.
Akaio stretched his arms.
"Actually..."
"I'll search somewhere else too."
"We're looking for the keys."
"If we split up..."
"We'll cover more ground."
He smiled.
"See you later, Ekai."
Before Ekai could answer...
Both of them had already disappeared.
Ekai sighed.
"...Fine."
"I'll help the creature first."
He dashed across the beach.
The hunters quickly surrounded the frightened creature.
Before they could attack...
Ekai appeared.
Within two seconds...
Every hunter fell to the ground.
The creature slowly approached him.
Its eyes were filled with gratitude.
"Thank you..."
it whispered softly before disappearing into the nearby forest.
Ekai smiled.
"I'm just glad you're safe."
He then continued walking toward the village.
---
Meanwhile...
Ren calmly wandered through the streets of Yagami Village.
People quietly watched the mysterious traveler carrying a katana.
Suddenly...
A group of village soldiers surrounded him.
Their leader stepped forward.
He wore heavy armor decorated with golden symbols.
"I am the War Commander of Yagami Village."
He pointed toward Ren.
"Who are you?"
"And why are you stealing?"
Ren looked confused.
"I'm not a thief."
"I'm simply a traveler."
The commander slowly approached him.
The moment he stood in front of Ren...
His instincts screamed.
The terrifying aura surrounding Ren immediately revealed the truth.
Without warning...
The commander drew his weapon.
Ren moved first.
Slash!
One clean strike.
The commander's body collapsed onto the ground.
Everyone nearby froze in complete shock.
No one even saw Ren draw his blade.
As silence filled the street...
Ren noticed another sword beside the commander's body.
Its black blade emitted a strange, terrifying aura.
Ancient symbols covered its surface.
A nearby soldier screamed in fear.
"Don't touch it!"
"That's..."
"Hasikat!"
"The cursed katana!"
"Anyone who touches it dies!"
Ren ignored the warning.
He calmly reached down.
His hand wrapped around the handle.
Nothing happened.
The soldiers stared in disbelief.
"...Impossible..."
"He..."
"He survived."
Ren slowly lifted the blade.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"I like this one."
"This will be my permanent katana."
Without hesitation...
He placed his old katana on the ground.
Then he walked away carrying Hasikat.
The terrified soldiers didn't dare follow him.
---
Elsewhere...
Akaio continued exploring the village.
As he turned a corner...
He noticed a large crowd gathered around a stone wall.
"What's everyone looking at?"
He walked closer.
People whispered nervously.
Akaio pushed through the crowd.
The moment he reached the front...
His smile disappeared.
His eyes widened in complete shock.
Pinned to the wall...
Was a giant WANTED poster.
The picture printed on it showed only one person.
REN.
To Be Continued...