After the encounter with the shadow puppets, Alex, Kinto, and Baraka strolled down the quiet streets, chatting casually.
"You know," Kinto began, hands behind his head, "these past three years have been a real pain. Ever since we got bumped up to C-rank…"
Baraka gave a frustrated sigh. "You're telling me. My mom's been putting me through hellish training nonstop. Every day, it's 'You have to get stronger' this, or 'You're too soft' that. Casually making me lift 500 tons every day."
Alex laughed lightly. "Honestly? I thought it was kinda cool. Training every single day without rest—I really got to push myself. You won't believe the thing I did and went through during my training."
Kinto rolled his eyes. "Your love for training never ceases to surprise me. I'm surprised how your whole right now."
Alex smirked. "Can't help it."
His expression softened a little. "Hey, it's been a while since I last saw Kojin. Might be a good idea to drop by."
Meanwhile, inside his office, Kojin sat hunched over a stack of paperwork. His fingers moved rhythmically, flipping and signing as he worked, but his mind wandered. He let out a quiet sigh and glanced out the window.
"…Three years already, huh? Cant believe its three years already" he murmured to himself.
As he was lost in thought, the door opened.
"Sorry for barging in," Kinto said, stepping inside with Baraka.
Kojin looked up and smiled. "It's fine. What brings you two here?"
"We just finished dealing with the shadow puppets you sent us too kill." Kinto said. "Honestly, it was probably the easiest mission you could've given us."
At that moment, the door creaked again.
Alex stepped in.
"Yo,It's been a while, Kojin. Three years, huh?"
Kojin blinked, then smiled with pleasant surprise. "Alex… I didn't expect to see you here. You looked like you've grown a few inches. How've you been?"
"Doing well," Alex replied. "You haven't changed a bit, Kojin. Always in your office doing some paper work. Well, it is your job tho."
Kojin chuckled and leaned back in his seat. "And you… you've definitely grown for sure. You look more like a solider now. I'm guessing you kept yourself in all sorts of training."
Alex gave a humble grin. "Been training hard. That's all."
Kojin nodded. "Good to see you again. How's Ranpo doing? Haven't seen him in a while."
"Grandpa's off taking care of some small issue before coming back to the city," Alex said.
"Well, when you see him, send him my regards.", Kojin said to Alex.
Later, as Alex and Kinto walked through the city streets, Alex looked around, a bit surprised.
"Things have changed a lot," he muttered.
Kinto nodded, his tone a little somber. "Yeah… I wish it could stay this peaceful. But let's be honest—it's only a matter of time before something big happens again. Its been three years of peace, that peace would soon come crashing down"
Alex smiled, looking forward. "Doesn't matter what happens. We'll pull through, like we always do. If we don't, then we'll die."
Kinto gave a small smile in return. "I've got to head home and run some errands. See you later?"
"Yeah," Alex nodded. "Catch you soon."
Elsewhere, Diablo stood in a vast training field, sparring with Serena. Sparks of raw electricity surged around her body as she moved at lightning speeds, her fists packed with destructive power. Each punch caused massive explosions of electrical energy, tearing into the ground and shaking the air. She was running around with great speed as she was blasting powerful punches of electricity at Diablo. Diablo on the other hand was just dodging and avoiding everyone of her powerful blows that could fry city blocks in seconds.
From a distance, Alex saw the spectacle—booming electric blasts lighting up the skies.
"Heh," Alex said with a goofy grin. "Yup. That's gotta be Serena."
As the smoke from one of the massive blasts cleared, Diablo stood tall—completely unharmed.
"You've really gotten stronger. And your combat ability is top notch. Veronica really put you through it huh?" Diablo said to Serena. "Your output as well, it's more dangerous than ever."
Serena, lying on the ground and catching her breath, smiled. "Glad to hear that." She stood up slowly. "Alright, one more round!"
"You look like you're having fun," Alex called out, walking into the field.
Serena looked up, startled. "Huh? Is that Alex? It's been a while! When did you get here?"
Alex replied while sliding down a wall "I just got here today."
Diablo smiled as well. "Hey kid, i ses you've grown taller."How are you doing?"
"Good," Alex said. "Just wrapped up a mission not long ago.". Serena replied abit stunned "You just got back and finished a mission huh? Boy I wish to be you."
Diablo scanned Alex, noting the refined energy radiating from him. "Look who's packing lots of power than usual. You've sure gotten stronger."
"I had three years," Alex said, stretching his arms. "Of course I got stronger. And plus i put myself through a few hells, grandpa made my training worse tho."
Serena narrowed her eyes playfully. "So why'd you come all the way here?"
Alex smirked. "Why else? To fight Diablo."
Diablo chuckled. "I figured."
Alex pointed at him. "It's been too long since we sparred. And I still feel salty for our first sparing match I just wanna flex my strength on you."
Serena grinned. "In that case, I'm joining in too!"
Diablo nodded confidently. "Alright. Go all out. No holding back."
"I'm the last person to hold back," Serena said, her fists crackling with electricity.
Alex's grin widened. "This is gonna be fun."
Diablo raised his hand. "You may—"
Before he could finish, Alex leapt into the air and summoned over a thousand Blade of Deaths, firing them at Diablo in rapid succession. Each blade blasted through the air like missiles, detonating on impact and shaking the training grounds. A chain of explosions engulfed the field, flattening hills and sending debris flying.
As the smoke settled, Diablo stood there—unharmed.
"Impressive. But i didn't say start tho.," he said. "Your power output is crazier than before. Not just that, but top summon that many blade's of death, your energy levels have sky rocketed."
But just then, he sensed something behind him.
Alex was already there, dagger in hand, surrounded by Flash Fists aimed directly at Diablo's back.
"Your ability to corner opponents has really evolved," Diablo admitted, turning his head slightly. "So has your attack speed."
Alex grinned while rushing towards Diablo. "Thanks for the compliment—but you won't shake me off that easily."
Diablo's smile deepened. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. But you've still got a long way to go."
Suddenly, Diablo vanished—and Alex had realized Diablo was behind him all this time.
"Lesson one," Diablo said calmly, "Don't get manipulated in the middle of battle."
Before Alex could respond, Serena charged in, lightning sparking violently around her.
She threw a barrage of electrified punches with explosive force, but Diablo intercepted her effortlessly and started to weaved through them with his hands still in his pockets. Serena's punches were causing massive explosions of electricity all over the place.
As the assault continued, Serena shouted, "Voltage Burst!"
A bullet-shaped surge of electricity blasted toward Diablo at blinding speed—but he leaned to the side, dodging it like a breeze. This bullet of electricity that flew towards him blew up a couple of hills behind him.
"Your speed and strength have both improved," he told her. "But if you want to beat me… you'll need more."
Gritting her teeth, Serena gathered every volt of electricity in her body, which now surged wildly and crackled out of control "Alright! I'll take you up on that offer.", she exclaimed. She fired the massive surge of electricity at Diablo.
Boom!
The entire training field exploded in blinding white light and electric chaos, shaking the area like a small quake.
End of Episode
(To be continued…)