Ryo Gaiden

Kinjo Kohei, Yahiro Ryuko, and Kida Saya were assigned to establish contact with the western tribes, and they named their team "Team Kohei" since Kinjo took on the leadership. They proceeded calmly and quickly along their path without encountering any issues.

After some time, they realized they were circling the same area. "Hold on!" Kinjo's command made Kida and Yahiro stop abruptly. "What's wrong, Kinjo?" Yahiro asked calmly and quietly.

"Didn't you notice? We've been going in circles. Something strange is going on." Yahiro and Kida were briefly taken aback. "But I never felt like we stopped making progress," Kida replied. "I agree," Yahiro nodded.

"I think we're in an illusion. It's been a while since I encountered something like this," Kinjo remarked.

Yahiro took a few steps forward and looked up at the sky, noticing that the clouds weren't moving. "Yes, I haven't seen anything like this either. The clouds are completely still; we're definitely trapped in an illusion. The last time I heard of such a skill was during the war by someone named Asari Rui. People who couldn't escape it would starve and die after days without food or water."

Kinjo knelt down and marked the ground. "So, did you hear anything about how to get out?"

Yahiro crouched beside him. "Unfortunately, no. But if we had a Naizen with us, they might be able to break it. I don't know if my eyes alone can manage, and even if they could, it would drain me significantly." Kida put her hand on his shoulder. "If I share my energy with you, we can do it, and still have enough strength to keep going. We don't have any other options. What do you think, Kinjo?"

Kinjo thought silently for a while. "If we're weakened, we'll become easy targets for enemies outside. But if we stay here, we'll weaken from hunger and thirst anyway… hmm… I suppose it won't hurt to try. Either way, the outcome would be the same." With these thoughts, he stood up. "Let's do it; we'll be weakened either way, so we must be careful."

After focusing briefly, Kida directed her energy toward Yahiro. Yahiro possessed a rare bloodline trait in the Ryuko clan—a diseased eye that drained the user's life force each time it was used. Known as the "Blood Eyes," this ability consumed the user's strength and, with regular use, eventually led to blindness. If mastered, it also allowed for blood manipulation.

When his eyes glowed a deep red, he noticed that a mist surrounded them, and blood began to drip from his eyes as the illusion gradually started to dissolve along with the mist.

"It's working—great," Kinjo said, relieved that they were able to break free of the illusion. "So your eyes work for this kind of thing. You might even be able to create illusions yourself someday." Yahiro smiled. "Maybe there's more to it. Honestly, this is only my second time using them, and I've only heard rumors about their abilities. My family forbade me from using them, but in this situation, we didn't have a choice." Kinjo was puzzled. Why would they forbid such a powerful eye? Perhaps it could even surpass the Naizen clan's eyes with how much energy it consumed. "Why would they forbid you from using such a strong eye?" Yahiro, having finished his task, lay down on his back, visibly exhausted. The effort had also taken a toll on Kida. "Because, with regular use, it eventually causes blindness. It's more like a disease; if I don't open and close it occasionally, it starts consuming my energy even without activation." Now Kinjo understood. "Let's rest a bit and then continue," he suggested, only to hear a booming voice accompanied by an aura so terrifying that it made their skin crawl. "Rest? We're just getting started."

Everyone quickly got up and took defensive stances, standing back-to-back. "Who are you, and what do you want? We can settle this peacefully," Kinjo called out. A figure emerged from between the trees, dressed in a long black robe with golden patterns. He wore a black leather glove, and a mask covered his snow-white face, with the number "3" inscribed on it. "I don't believe we've met before. Or perhaps we have, Kinjo Kohei… hmm, I see some familiar faces beside you. I guess peace has been made with the Naizen clan." Kinjo remained cautious, observing Number Three closely. "Yes, we've put the war behind us and are building a village. If you wish, you could join us," he offered. Number Three laughed loudly. "Peace, huh? Ah… right, the long-standing war ends just like that. Your offer is tempting, but I have other goals—one of which is to prevent the growth of your village." Kinjo gave a bittersweet smile. "Ah, so you're our enemy no matter what. I thought we could be allies." Number Three took a few steps closer. "Once you learn who I am, you'll realize that was never possible. But it doesn't really matter, because I won't let you leave here alive."

Yahiro took a few steps back, moving closer to Kinjo and whispered, "You know we can't win this fight. Our main goal should be to escape somehow."

Kinjo nodded. "Look, we don't need to fight. I have three questions—if your answers make sense, we'll go back and save everyone the trouble. Who are you, why don't you want us to get stronger, and what is your real name?"

Number Three lowered his head, placed his hand behind him, and continued walking forward, closing the distance between them. "Because there's something we need from you. Hmm, I suppose I can tell you our organization's name: Kaguyaku-chi… As for my name, if you manage to lay a finger on me, I'll tell you. But don't think I'll let you go just because I told you that. At best, you'll die knowing my name."

He suddenly lunged forward, delivering a powerful kick to Yahiro and then spinning mid-air to punch Kida. Although Yahiro tried to block the kick with both arms, he immediately felt sharp pain in his wrists, and he was thrown hard into a nearby tree. Kida couldn't even react before being slammed to the ground.

Kinjo was face-to-face with Number Three, his hands shaking and his body drenched in sweat as he struggled to think of a plan. If only Sato were here, perhaps he'd know what to do… "Are you thinking of Sato Ryo, Kinjo Kohei? That man had immense potential; I would've loved to face him one-on-one. But from what we've observed, he's sealed himself away with his wife. A pity! Perhaps I should free him to fight him myself." Kinjo was certain he couldn't read minds, but the mention of Sato felt strange. "Water Element: Flood!" Kinjo shouted, and a torrent of water surged around him. Number Three jumped into the air and hovered above. Seeing the opportunity, Kinjo turned to flee, but an intense force suddenly crushed him to the ground. "Gravitational Push," a deep voice echoed, leaving Kinjo's ears ringing and his mouth filled with blood. Though the pressure vanished as quickly as it had come, it left a lingering, heavy toll. Yahiro got back on his feet and looked at Kinjo. "Quick, grab Kida and run…"

Kinjo sprang to Kida's side, lifted her onto his back, and started to flee. Number Three was still hovering above them, raised his hand, and said, "Gravitational Pu—ah…" Blood streamed from Yahiro's eyes as he locked his gaze onto Number Three with his crimson eyes. "Blood Manipulation: Crisis," he said, his eyes bleeding profusely as blood filled his mouth. "If you don't back off, I'll kill you in the name of my eyes." After a moment, Number Three faltered, falling to his knees but quickly steadied himself. "I've killed someone who used this technique before. It wasn't easy… they were dear to me." Yahiro's consciousness began to fade; using his eyes so intensely had drained him more than he'd anticipated, even with most of Kida's energy. Number Three decided to retreat, realizing the blow to his heart could be fatal if he pushed on. As he disappeared into the forest, he shouted, "My name is Uchiya…"

Yahiro lost consciousness completely, and Number Three was nowhere to be found. After Kinjo carried Kida to a safer distance, he returned to help Yahiro. When he arrived, Yahiro was lying at the base of a tree, his face covered in blood. Kinjo carried him back to where he'd left Kida, took a moment to rest, and heard Kida groan as she came to. "What happened?" she asked, disoriented from a likely skull fracture. "Are you okay, Kida? It looks like Yahiro saved us by using his eyes. We should return; you're both badly injured." He ignored his own injuries—broken ribs and a torn lung, something that could worsen over time. "Help me lift Yahiro. Let's hurry back." Kida stood up, took Yahiro's arm, and they set off determined to return to the village.