Chapter 4: Chapter 4: The Encounter with Kenjaku
The sun hung high in the sky as Benimaru set out on his daily run. His body had reached a level of physical perfection that no normal human could hope to match. Every step he took was faster than the last, the ground trembling beneath him with each strike of his foot. His flames burned brightly as he moved, the heat from his fire wings barely contained as he pushed himself to his limits. Every run was an opportunity to test his strength, sharpen his instincts, and push his body to the extreme.
Benimaru's eyes were focused ahead, his mind clear as he ran through the city streets, navigating through the urban maze with ease. He was no longer just a man; he had become something far greater, a force of nature—a being whose power could obliterate anything in his path. His abilities had only grown stronger, but he knew there was always more to learn, more to conquer.
As he passed a large hospital, something caught his attention—a figure standing outside. A young woman, dressed in a simple white coat, stood at the entrance, her head slightly tilted as she watched him run by. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something about her that made Benimaru pause. The scar that ran across her forehead was a striking detail, a testament to something she had endured—a mark of resilience, perhaps. But it wasn't just her appearance that caught his attention; it was the strange aura she emanated, an invisible pressure in the air that felt... off.
She stepped forward, moving with a grace that belied the strength in her presence. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped. She opened her mouth to speak, her voice calm and measured, yet carrying a strange weight.
"Join my group," she said, her tone almost commandingly gentle.
Benimaru slowed his pace, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't used to people—especially strangers—speaking to him like this. His instincts told him something wasn't right. "I'm not interested," he replied, his voice firm but not dismissive. His path was his own, and he had no intention of getting involved with any group. He had a mission, a goal to surpass his limits, and nothing was going to distract him from that.
But just as he turned to continue his run, something unexpected happened. A force, invisible and powerful, pressed down on him from all directions. It wasn't physical, yet it felt as though the air itself had become dense, suffocating him. Benimaru stumbled, his feet buckling beneath him as the weight of the invisible force bore down on him. His knees hit the ground, and he could feel his body struggle against the pressure, a feeling he had not experienced in years.
The woman stepped closer, her eyes glinting with something far more calculating now. "Join me," she repeated, her voice still calm but now laced with an unspoken command. "You have no choice. It's the best decision for you."
Benimaru, though surprised by the strength of her cursed technique, was far from helpless. His Blazing Courage flared within him, and the flames that made up his body began to writhe and pulse with heat. The pressure on him intensified, but instead of succumbing to it, he fought back, pushing against the invisible force. Yet, it was like trying to break free from a tightening vice, something far beyond his current abilities.
His mind raced, his Demon Brain calculating every possible option, but in the end, it was simple. His body was strong, yes, but this invisible force was something he hadn't anticipated. His flames couldn't easily break it, and so, he had no choice but to yield—if only temporarily.
He lowered his head, accepting her will for the moment. "Fine," he said, his voice still firm but strained. "I'll join. But only because I have no choice right now."
The woman's lips curled into a faint smile, her eyes flashing with satisfaction. She had known Benimaru would eventually give in. There was a purpose behind her actions, and Benimaru, whether he realized it or not, would be an asset to her plans.
"I'll contact you when I need you," she said coolly, turning away as if the conversation had already ended. Her scarred face seemed almost unreadable, as though she had expected his response all along.
Benimaru watched her walk away, feeling the pressure lift as the invisible force faded. He stood up slowly, his body aching from the forced exertion. The encounter had left him with more questions than answers. Who was she? What did she want with him? And what was her connection to the strange power she wielded?
But Benimaru knew better than to dwell on it for too long. He wasn't someone to be easily controlled. If this woman truly had a plan for him, he would find out what it was on his own terms. For now, he would return to his training, continue his daily runs, and focus on pushing his body to even greater extremes.
The world was vast, and Benimaru would face whatever challenges came his way—whether they came in the form of cursed techniques or strange, mysterious women. But for now, one thing was clear: Benimaru had been marked. And whatever this woman's intentions were, he would be ready when the time came.