Everything felt heavy.
My head was spinning.
Slowly…
I opened my eyes.
“…Ugh…” My vision was blurry.
The room around me was dark and cold.
Water dripped from the ceiling.
I blinked several times, trying to clear my sight.
A voice echoed through the chamber.
“Oh?” “So…
you’re finally awake.” I slowly lifted my head.
As my vision became clearer…
I realized my wrists and ankles were tightly bound by glowing black magical chains.
No matter how hard I tried…
I couldn’t move.
I looked at the young man standing a few steps away.
“Who are you?” “And…” “Why am I here?” The young man smiled teasingly.
“You ask too many questions.” He folded his arms.
“Don’t worry.” “You’ll get your answers…” “…very soon.” His smile made me uncomfortable.
I had never seen him before.
But something about him felt dangerous.
— Outside the ruined temple…
A blue streak flashed across the forest.
Kakashi had arrived.
He looked at the broken entrance.
His eyes became sharp.
“…So this is where they brought her.” Without hesitation…
He walked inside.
— The sound of calm footsteps echoed through the underground chamber.
The young man slowly turned around.
A wide smile appeared on his face.
“…There you are.” “I was starting to think you wouldn’t come.” Kakashi stopped a few meters away.
His expression remained completely calm.
“Move.” The young man laughed softly.
“Straight to the point.” “I like that.” Kakashi didn’t answer.
His eyes briefly looked toward me.
Seeing that I was alive…
He quietly let out a small breath.
The young man noticed it.
“So…” “You really came alone.” Kakashi finally spoke.
“I came to take her home.” The young man chuckled.
“You haven’t changed.” He slowly stepped out of the shadows.
The dim light revealed messy black hair and a calm, handsome face.
A playful smile rested on his lips.
He looked directly at Kakashi.
“It’s been a long time…” Ghost of Aetheris.
The chamber became silent.
I looked at Kakashi in confusion.
“…Ghost of…
Aetheris?” The young man smiled.
“You never told her?” “What a shame.” He gave a small bow with exaggerated politeness.
“My apologies.” “It is an honor to meet you…” “…Ghost of Aetheris.” Kakashi’s expression didn’t change.
“Finished?” The young man laughed.
“Still cold.” “Still boring.” Kakashi calmly replied, “And you’re still alive.” “Barely.” “Let’s see if that changes today.” The playful smile on the young man’s face slowly widened.
“Now that’s the Kakashi I remember.” — Without another word…
He disappeared.
BOOM!!
Dark magic exploded through the chamber.
Kakashi blocked the attack with a blue magic barrier.
The ground beneath them cracked.
The battle had begun.
The young man attacked relentlessly.
Dark blades.
Magic chains.
Explosions.
Every attack came one after another.
Kakashi avoided each one with perfect precision.
“You’ve gotten slower,” the young man teased.
Kakashi answered calmly, “No.” “I’ve simply learned not to waste movement.” The young man laughed.
“I love your attitude.” Kakashi looked at him quietly.
“I didn’t love your voice.” “Tch…” “That hurts.” “I wasn’t trying to be gentle.” The fight became faster.
Neither side gave the other an opening.
Suddenly…
The young man smiled confidently.
“I’ve got you.” He rushed toward Kakashi with a massive burst of dark magic.
The attack landed perfectly.
Or so he thought.
The Kakashi standing before him suddenly disappeared…
Into blue smoke.
“…A clone?” Before he could react— The real Kakashi appeared beside me.
A single slash of blue magic cut through the chains.
CRACK!
The restraints shattered.
He helped me stand.
“Can you walk?” “I…” “I think so.” He looked straight into my eyes.
“Niku.” “Run.” “What about you?” “I’ll catch up.” “…Okay.” I trusted him.
Without another question…
I ran toward the exit.
The young man watched me leave.
His teasing smile disappeared.
“So…” “That’s your plan.” He slowly raised one hand.
Dark magic spread across the floor.
Several glowing magic circles appeared.
One after another…
Armored samurai made entirely of black magic stepped out.
Each held a long katana.
The chamber instantly became colder.
The young man pointed his finger toward me.
“Bring the Vessel back.” The magical samurai immediately charged after me.
Kakashi stepped forward.
Silently placing himself between them…
And me.
His calm black eyes met the young man’s.
“You’ll have to get through me first.” The young man smiled again.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Blue magic…
And dark magic…
Filled the underground ruins.
The real battle…
Had only just begun.
End of Chapter 19