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Chapter 4 - That Man

[A Little Recap]

At the end of the previous chapter, Haruto finds his sensei. This cool and handsome man didn't have ordinary eyes, he had magical eyes.

Scene 1:

Haruto (eyes wide, excited):Sensei!!

Haruto pushed his way through the crowd, forcing his path toward that man.

Haruto (with joy and relief): Sensei! You're here? We were just about to come look for you!

That man turned with a sharp, irritated tone.

That Man (angrily): Hey! What nonsense are you spouting? Get out of here!

He gestured to his guards.

That Man: Take him away!

That guards shoved Haruto back.

Disappointed and confused, Haruto stepped out of the crowd. Reina and Naoki followed.

Haruto (thinking sadly): What happened to Sensei?

Haruto: Looks like he doesn't recognize us anymore…

Reina (serious): Yeah, you're right. We'll have to make him remember.

Suddenly, Renzaki appeared.

Renzaki: What happened? Who was that guy?

Naoki (covering up, laughing nervously): Eheheheh… Just a celebrity. Nothing serious. Anyway, where did you disappear to?

Renzaki: The crowd was huge. I couldn't find space, so I waited here for you guys.

Haruto: Renzaki… we need to talk. Can we have a word in private?

Renzaki: Sure! I'll go search for my dog in the meantime. You guys talk.

Renzaki walked off.

Haruto leaned in close with Reina and Naoki, whispering.

Haruto (whispering): Listen, I have an idea.

Naoki: What kind of idea?

Haruto: Sensei doesn't recognize us right now, right? So what if… we kidnap him? Then we can explain everything to him privately!

Reina (shocked whisper): What?! Kidnap!? Why?!

Haruto: Look, if we try talking to him again, his guards will block us. This way, we can speak to him alone.

Haruto: But we'll need Renzaki's help.

Naoki: Renzaki??? What's he going to do?

Haruto: Actually, I think he knows the Kazekami fighting style. He could help us handle the guards.

Naoki: Bro, that's not our Renzaki Kazekami. He's just Renzaki Kaitsu — a normal guy.

Haruto: I know, but remember when we were throwing rocks at that devil? Renzaki's throws… the way he launched them from different angles, one after the other, with speed — that was Kazekami Style!

Haruto: He hit the devil with so much precision that it injured him from different directions.

Reina (curious): Could he be… our Renzaki?

Haruto: Let's find out. Though honestly, if he were really ours, he would've recognized us by now. Still, for now, just play along with me.

Renzaki returned.

Renzaki (grinning): You guys done whispering?

Haruto: You're back? Did you find your dog?

Renzaki: Nah. He's probably out enjoying himself while I'm running around for nothing. He'll come back when he gets bored.

Haruto: By the way, Renzaki… we need your help.

Renzaki: Help? With what?

Haruto: That celebrity we saw earlier? He's a terrible person. People were saying he treats others really badly.

Renzaki: Yeah... while I was standing outside, I heard people say he's cruel and always mistreating others. We should probably inform the police.

Haruto: No, the police won't help us. He's too powerful. They'll never arrest him.

Renzaki: So what do we do?

Haruto: We plan to kidnap him and teach him a lesson. And we need your help.

Renzaki: Me? Why would I be of any help?

Naoki (interrupting): Haruto saw you throwing those rocks at the devil like someone trained in Kazekami Fighting Style! That's why he wants you in this mission!

Naoki: Wait… do you really know Kazekami Style?

Renzaki (slightly nervous but calm): Well… my parents were huge fans of the Kazekami Clan. That's why they named me Renzaki. They taught me the clan's style.

Renzaki (smiling): Anyway, I'm ready to help you guys. What's the plan?

Scene 2:

Haruto brought all three to his shop.

Haruto: Listen carefully! I'll give each of you a weapon. Use it to fight and push back the guards. But remember.. don't hurt anyone too badly. Our goal is to kidnap the target, nothing more.

Naoki (excited): Forget all that! give me my weapon first! Finally! I'll find out if the old me still has some fire left!

Haruto: Alright, alright, calm down. Here you go.

Haruto gives everyone weapons, Renzaki a "Slingshot", Naoki a "Paper Spray", Reina "Nothing" and himself a "Dummy Sword".

Naoki (angry): What kind of unfairness is this?! You gave yourself a katana and us this random stuff!

Reina (annoyed): And I got nothing at all! This isn't fair!

Haruto: Relax! At least hear the plan! Like Renzaki, I also know the Shinkami Clan's fighting style. That's why I'm using the dummy katana.

Suddenly, a stranger walked into the shop mid-conversation.

The Reader: Yo! What's up with all this Kazekami and Shinkami Clan talk? Someone explain this!

Everyone turned in shock.

Haruto (startled): W-who are you?!

The Reader: Doesn't matter! Just tell me what's going on! What are these clans? That devil? And who even are you people?!

Haruto: To understand everything, you'll need to read the upcoming novel: Hunter vs Demon! It's not just comedy it's a mix of action, dark fantasy, and mystery. It shows the past of our world, our forgotten history. You'll find answers to all your questions there.

Reina: And guess what, it's written by a young writer!

The Reader: Where can I read it?!

Haruto: Didn't I say it's upcoming? For now… you'll just have to wait.

The Reader (sadly): How long do I have to wait…?

Naoki: Just a little while longer!

The Reader (mumbling as he leaves): Man, I really wanted to learn the history... I guess I'll have to wait for that novel.

He walked out.

The group resumed their conversation.

Renzaki: Let's move out. This slingshot is more than enough for me. I'll take care of the guards. You guys handle the target.

Reina: And my hands are enough for me. I'll take care of any backup.

Naoki (grumbling): Of course! You all get the cool stuff and I get pepper spray?!

Haruto: You idiot that's the most important one! Didn't you realize that guy has Magical Eyes? We might not be able to beat him directly. The moment you get a chance, spray this directly into his eyes. We'll handle the rest.

Haruto: Now let's go. Help me out, alright?

Scene 3:

The group arrived at the mansion after planning. The house was massive, luxurious, and built on a green mountain.

Reina, Naoki, and Haruto were hidden in the bushes on the mansion's mountain, while Renzaki had taken cover on the other side.

Reina (in a low voice): By the way, Haruto… how do you even know this is Sensei's house?

Haruto: I saw the same cars parked outside that Sensei had used. I also asked some locals and confirmed it.

Reina (teasing): You're still as reckless as ever.

Suddenly, the rooftop door opened. That same man stepped out with guards and sat on a lounge sofa near a helipad.

Naoki (excited): Look! That's Sensei!

The man appeared to be a mafia boss, waiting for someone. He was involved in illegal arms trading and watching the sky, awaiting a helicopter.

Reina: Who is he waiting for?

Suddenly, a helicopter landed. Another mafia boss stepped out and shook hands with him.

Haruto (clenching his fists): Looks like... it's time to bring back our prime versions.

Suddenly, the man pulled out a gun and shot the visiting mafia boss straight in the head.

The guards began firing and wiped out the remaining visitors.

One of his guards accidentally shot a man and splattered blood onto the boss.

Guard 1 (shaking, apologizing): P-p-please forgive me! I-it was a mistake! I'll clean it right awa—

Suddenly, the weather shifted.

SFX: "(Long Powerful Lightning Strike)"

That man summoned lightning and struck the guard down. He was completely incinerated.

Only ashes remained.

Haruto (shocked, staring seriously): ...

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