Jaden had known for a long time that the Kengan Ashura: Demon Lance movie was in production.
What he hadn't known was the exact premiere date.
Now that he did, he immediately rushed back to East Asia from the Northern Country. The first person he thought of was Ohma, and he sent the invitation without hesitation.
When Ohma received it, his first reaction was confusion.
He thought something serious had happened.
But after opening it and realizing it was just an invitation to watch a movie, he was visibly stunned.
Still, Jaden had mentioned that others would be invited as well.
After thinking about it for a moment, Ohma decided to go.
After all-
"It's been a while since I've seen those guys," he muttered. "There's no way I'm the only one who's gotten stronger, right?"
As he said this, anticipation quietly surfaced in his eyes.
His own growth had been substantial. Which naturally made him curious about everyone else.
Because just like he said-
He definitely wasn't the only one who had grown stronger.
-
Kure Clan.
Kure Village.
Raian Kure looked at the invitation and snorted.
"Tch. Calling me over for something this boring..."
He sounded impatient.
But the expression on his face betrayed him completely.
He was looking forward to it.
If Ohma now gave off the feeling of his master, Tokita Niko, then Raian's presence had grown even more oppressive than before. Their paths were different, but there was no doubt about one thing.
Both of them had become stronger.
-
Elsewhere.
Kuroki Gensai, training alone.
Kano Agito, active in the western regions of the Empire.
Takeshi Wakatsuki, freshly returned from Dinosaur Island.
Even Mikazuchi Rei, whose hair still hadn't grown back.
Sekibayashi Jun.
Imai Cosmo.
Gaolang Wongsawat.
And Muteba Gizenga, known as the world's number one mercenary.
All of them received the same message.
If this invitation had come from anyone else-even Erina Nakiri, the Chairman of the Kengan Association-most of them wouldn't have bothered.
But this message came from Jaden.
The Strongest Creature on Earth.
The World's Strongest.
So they laughed off the excuse of watching a movie and chose to attend anyway.
Because the movie itself wasn't the point.
What they really wanted-
Was to see how much stronger everyone else had become.
And above all-
That monster, Jaden.
-
While they made their preparations, Jaden went to Koyo to visit his nominal disciple.
Sakura Ogami.
"It's been a while," Jaden said calmly. "Your progress during this time has been significant."
Strictly speaking, Jaden hadn't taught Sakura that much.
But what he had taught her was enough to last an ordinary martial artist an entire lifetime.
Rokushiki: Kami-e.
The development of her Muso.
And Kaisoku-output reduction.
Originally, Jaden had taught her Kami-e and believed that alone would keep her busy for a long time. He hadn't planned to intervene further.
But when he actually faced her now-
Even he had to acknowledge it.
At this moment, Sakura was attacking him with everything she had.
Her fists came like a storm.
Relentless.
Yet Jaden deflected every strike with a single hand.
He didn't take a single step back.
Even so, he could clearly feel her growth.
First-her Muso was more mature.
It incorporated more styles, and its adaptability and reaction speed were far superior to before.
Second-she had begun to integrate Kaisoku into Kami-e, blending them naturally into her Muso.
And finally-
"It looks like you've even grasped attacking through loss of tension using Kaisoku," Jaden said calmly. "But your offense only reaches this level for now."
As he spoke, he seized an opening and pushed Sakura's shoulder with one hand.
She flipped backward in midair.
When she landed, the force he used had already been completely dispersed.
Sakura smiled.
"Teacher Yuki is as strong as ever," she said honestly. "Even though I know I've grown stronger, I can't feel it at all when sparring with you."
Jaden raised a finger and flicked her forehead.
Despite her progress, the familiar pain still made her cry out as she clutched her forehead, looking at him pitifully.
"I'm getting stronger too," Jaden said flatly. "So if you want to surprise me, what I taught you alone won't be enough."
"Sakura."
"My techniques are mine in the end."
"And your Muso is still just a mixture."
"If you want to truly surprise me, then next time-bring something that belongs entirely to you."
With that, Jaden handed her the movie ticket, told her about watching it together, and turned to leave.
Behind him, Sakura held the ticket and rubbed her forehead.
Her eyes gradually brightened.
"He wants me to find my own path..."
"I understand, Teacher Yuki."
Jaden didn't respond.
After greeting the Soryuin sisters and his other nominal disciple, he left Koyo.
-
"All the invitations are sent."
"All the tickets are delivered."
Jaden stretched lazily.
"So now comes the best part."
He didn't know exactly how the Kengan Ashura: Demon Lance movie would turn out.
But he knew some of the iconic scenes.
The meaning of the Niko Style.
Why Removal was the Kure Clan's nemesis.
And of course-
The most classic moment of all.
I am your father.
Just imagining their reactions made him look forward to it.
"Hm... I'll just reserve the entire theater."
"That way we won't bother anyone else."
"And once that's done..."
"Ohma's reaction is definitely going to be interesting~"
He chuckled softly.
Compared to when he first met Erina, he had undoubtedly become a true powerhouse.
A complete fighter.
But some things about him-
Had never changed.
For example-
He was still just as mischievously wicked as ever.