The flames reflected in the dark sky.
Far away…
Inside an abandoned warehouse…
The same mysterious man who had once fought Kakashi stood with his head lowered.
In front of him…
A tall shadow figure sat silently.
His face couldn’t be seen.
Only his cold voice echoed through the room.
“Have you found the girl?” “Yes, Sir.” The man smiled confidently.
“I’m certain the vessel is somewhere in this city.” “I’ll bring her to you soon.” The shadow figure remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
“You have one chance.” “If you fail…” “You won’t lose your mission.” A long silence followed.
“You’ll lose your life.” The man swallowed but forced a smile.
“I won’t disappoint you.” The shadow slowly disappeared into darkness.
The room became silent again.
The man chuckled to himself.
“So…” “The vessel is hiding among ordinary humans.” He looked toward the city through a broken window.
“If I want her to reveal herself…” “I’ll need to create a little chaos.” His smile slowly widened.
“And chaos…” “…has always been my specialty.” — That evening…
I was walking home after buying a few things from a nearby shop.
As expected…
Kakashi suddenly appeared beside me.
“You really like surprising people.” “I wasn’t trying to.” “You never are.” He ignored the comment.
We continued walking quietly.
The streets were peaceful.
Children were playing nearby.
A cool breeze passed between the buildings.
Then…
A loud explosion echoed in the distance.
BOOM!
People immediately stopped walking.
“What was that?” I looked toward the sky.
A thick cloud of black smoke was rising above the nearby market.
Moments later…
Bright orange flames became visible.
“Oh my God…” “A fire!” People began running toward the scene.
Some were shouting.
Others quickly called the fire department.
I stared at the smoke.
“What happened over there?” Beside me…
Kakashi’s expression suddenly changed.
His calm eyes became sharp.
“…” Something wasn’t right.
He could feel it.
That fire…
Carried traces of magic.
Very weak.
Hidden carefully.
But it was there.
He immediately looked at me.
“Niku.” His voice was calm but serious.
“Stay here.” I frowned.
“What?” “I’m going to check.” “Wait—” “Don’t move from this place.” Before I could ask another question…
He disappeared into the crowd.
I stood there watching him leave.
“…That was strange.” A few seconds later…
My eyes widened.
“…Wait.” My younger brother and sister…
They had gone to buy snacks from a shop near that market.
Mom and Dad weren’t home.
A wave of panic rushed through me.
“No…” “They’re still there.” Without thinking any further…
I began running toward the smoke.
— Meanwhile…
Kakashi reached the burning street.
People were screaming.
Some tried to pour water onto nearby shops.
Others were helping injured people move away from the flames.
Kakashi quietly observed the fire.
His eyes narrowed.
“…Magic.” There was no doubt now.
Someone had created this.
Not to destroy the market…
But to draw attention.
His first instinct was to return to Niku immediately.
Then— “Please!” “My child is still inside!” A desperate cry echoed through the street.
Kakashi turned.
An elderly man had fallen to his knees.
Nearby…
Another building was beginning to catch fire.
Kakashi closed his eyes for only a second.
“…” He had a choice.
Go back and protect Niku.
Or save the people standing in front of him.
Without another thought…
He rushed into the flames.
One after another…
He pulled frightened people to safety, using small amounts of carefully hidden magic whenever no one was looking.
The smoke grew thicker.
The fire spread farther.
And somewhere beyond the crowd…
Niku was running straight toward the burning market…
Completely unaware…
That the danger waiting there had only just begun.
End of Chapter 14