[The Black Ghost's Chamber – Where Ken and Ann Are]
Ann sat beside Ken's body, which was still breathing heavily, his fever not yet subsiding.
Ann:
"He's sweating so much… His clothes are completely soaked."
She looked at Akio hesitantly, then slowly began to unbutton Ken's shirt to check on him. But the moment she removed it, her eyes widened in shock. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
Ann (whispering in awe):
"Oh my god… his body…"
Ken's torso was covered in old and new scars. Some were still raw, others lightly bleeding. Cuts, sword marks… his body looked like a map of suffering.
Ann (in disbelief):
"How… how did he stand with all this? How did he fight like this?!"
Akio leaned over beside her and was stunned as well.
Akio:
"Ken will be fine… He's a Vakin user. We have more endurance than normal people."
A heavy silence fell between them. Then Ann looked up at Akio and said:
Ann:
"That's true… I want to leave this place now, but I still haven't found the manuscript!"
Akio (standing up, clenching his fist):
"Ken's too strong to be killed by a fever. Now we need to finish what we started."
He looked at Vico, who had been watching quietly, and motioned to him.
Akio:
"Vico, stay with Ken and take care of him. We're going to find the manuscript."
Vico (worried):
"Are you sure? Just the two of you?"
Akio:
"We don't have time to hesitate."
Ann (firmly):
"We'll find the manuscript and return quickly. Trust us!"
She took a deep breath, then looked one last time at Ken lying unconscious.
Ann (softly):
"Wait for me, Ken-san… I'll be back soon, with the manuscript."
Vico nodded and sat next to Ken, opening a fresh water flask. Akio and Ann headed back into the dark corridor, leaving their injured friend behind… and walking toward an unsolved mystery.
Akio:
"You and Vico are a lot alike, Ann."
Ann (with a light laugh):
"Well, we're siblings after all. So, where do we go now? Do you know where the manuscript is?"
Akio (rubbing his head awkwardly):
"Actually… I was about to steal it, but I fell into some stupid trap hole. Now we have to find a way back up."
Ann:
"By the way, you never told me your name, Ken-san's friend!"
Akio:
"My name is Akio… Sakamoto Akio. And I'm going to be the future Shogun!"
Ann (surprised):
"Whoa… That's a huge dream!"
Akio (nervously):
"You won't laugh at me…?"
Ann (with a confident smile):
"Of course not. I've got an impossible dream too… but I'm going to make it happen. I'll become the strongest ninja in the world!"
Akio (excited):
"That's amazing! Is that why you want the manuscript?"
Ann:
"Yeah. The forbidden manuscript has been hidden in this cave for centuries. Our ancestors placed harsh trials to protect it. But I came here… to prove I'm a ninja worthy of claiming it."
Just then, Akio spotted a long staircase leading upward and pointed.
Akio (eagerly):
"Look! Stairs! I bet the manuscript's up there! Let's go!"
They ran toward the stairs and started climbing with enthusiasm. But soon, Ann felt something strange in the air.
Ann (cautiously):
"Something feels… off. Like the ground is hiding something."
Suddenly, when Akio stepped on a specific stair, the ceiling began to collapse on them! Boulders rolled down with deadly speed.
Akio (frozen):
"What?!"
Without thinking, Ann grabbed Akio and leapt upward with incredible speed, clinging one-handed to the upper floor's edge—just before the debris fell on them. The broken ceiling then magically rebuilt itself as if nothing had happened. Ann jumped down gracefully, still holding onto Akio.
Akio (amazed):
"That was incredible! How did you do that?!"
Ann (smirking):
"Simple trap. A real ninja doesn't fall for those."
Akio (mumbling):
"Oh man, now I have to prove I'm not the weak link…"
They continued walking, but Akio stepped on another suspicious tile. A soft clicking sound echoed beneath them.
Ann (sharply):
"Akio, don't move!"
Too late. A barrage of sharp arrows shot from the walls. Akio tried blocking some with his sword, but lost his balance. Ann jumped into the air, spinning rapidly and deflecting the arrows with her small knives in a dazzling display. One arrow nearly hit Akio, but he ducked just in time.
After the assault ended, Akio collapsed to the floor, panting, his clothes slightly torn.
Akio (breathing heavily):
"What is this place?!"
Ann (smiling in triumph):
"My focus is pretty good, right?"
Akio (looking at her in awe):
"You're amazing… Ann, how about joining our adventure? Ken and I have big dreams, and we could really use each other."
Ann's eyes sparkled with joy the moment she heard "Ken," turning into literal shining hearts.
Ann (ecstatic):
"Adventure… with Ken-san?! Of course I want to! Please let me come along!"
Akio (laughing):
"Welcome aboard! From now on… you're our official ninja!"
After navigating through more elaborate traps, Akio and Ann reached a vast chamber lit by faint blue light from crystals embedded in the ceiling. In the center, the forbidden manuscript rested on an elevated stone pedestal like a treasure waiting to be claimed.
But they weren't alone.
Standing before it was the glowing, translucent form of the Black Ghost—as if he'd been waiting for them all along.
Ann (nervously):
"Oh no… do we have to fight again?"
The ghost simply raised his hand calmly, showing no intent to attack.
Black Ghost (deeply):
"You've proven your strength and intelligence… but strength alone doesn't grant you the right to possess this manuscript."
Akio glanced at Ann with concern, then asked sharply:
Akio:
"Then what do you want now? Another trial?!"
Black Ghost:
"I want to hear your hearts before I hand over this ancient secret. Stand before me, and answer my questions."
They stepped forward carefully, hearts pounding.
Black Ghost (to Ann):
"Tell me, girl… why do you seek this manuscript?"
Ann lifted her head, eyes filled with resolve.
Ann:
"I want to master the forbidden ninja techniques to become the strongest ninja in the world. I want to prove that girls aren't weaker… that we can surpass and stand at the top alone."
The ghost smiled faintly, then turned to Akio.
Black Ghost:
"And you… someone not even from the ninja world—why risk your life for a girl you don't even know?"
Akio (smiling with confidence):
"I don't need a reason to save someone. A person without compassion… doesn't deserve to lead. How could I become a Shogun if I don't care for those around me?"
A brief silence followed, then the ghost slowly nodded.
Black Ghost:
"Your words are sincere… I've met stronger warriors than you, but they failed at the first test of intention. You two… are different."
He gestured toward the corners of the chamber… where burnt skulls, broken swords, and the remains of past challengers emerged.
Ann (whispering in shock):
"So this cave… was a grave for everyone who entered."
Black Ghost (solemnly):
"As the guardian of this place… I declare you have succeeded."
He raised his hand. The manuscript floated into the air, then gently landed in Ann's hands.
Black Ghost:
"Remember… power doesn't come from paper, but from the heart that understands it."
Ann smiled as she held the manuscript, her eyes shining.
Akio (jumping joyfully):
"Wooohoooo! Finallyyyyy!!"
Ann (teasing):
"You're awfully excited for something that isn't yours."
Akio:
"Doesn't matter! My new friend achieved her dream!"
Ann laughed gently and looked at him warmly.
Ann:
"Thank you, Akio. I wouldn't have made it here without you."
As Ann admired the manuscript, it emitted a soft glow, as if responding to her. But suddenly… a loud grumbling sound came from Akio's stomach. His face twisted comically as he clutched his belly.
Akio:
"Ugh! I'm starving! When are we getting out of this cave?!"
Ann (laughing):
"Come on, we're leaving now… I might even buy you something to eat as a reward."
[Next Morning – Small Town Hospital]
Sunlight streamed through the hospital windows. In one room, Ken lay unconscious on a white bed, bandaged from shoulders to waist, his face pale with fatigue.
By the door, Akio and Vico sat quietly on small chairs, chatting softly. Ann sat beside Ken, staring at him silently. But not from afar. Her face was just centimeters from his.
She stared with wide eyes, as if waiting for him to breathe… or open his eyes and fall in love with her instantly.
Suddenly, Ken opened his eyes very slowly…
The first thing he saw was Ann's face—terrifyingly close, like a cat stalking its prey.
Ken (weakly):
"Ugh… am I in a nightmare?"
Ann (excited, like she found a treasure): "You're finally awake!!"
Ken (pulling back in alarm): "Why is your face this close?! Were you trying to kill me?!"
Vico burst out laughing while Akio smacked his forehead at the scene.
Akio (laughing): "Oh Ken, so you're still alive. I knew that thick skull of yours wouldn't let you down!"
Vico (winking): "I think Ann was trying out some kind of visual healing… a recovery powered by love!"
Before Ken could respond, the door suddenly slammed open, and a tall woman walked in wearing a sharp white coat, long black hair cascading down to her waist, and sharp blue eyes that sparkled with intensity. She was holding a medical file, reading it intently as she walked confidently toward the bed. Her name was Doctor Koto.
Dr. Koto (muttering coldly): "Yukaji Ken… age 16… unconscious for 16 hours… mild internal bleeding, multiple wounds, surface burns, and… fever."
As she stepped toward the bed without looking up, Ken instinctively reached into his bag, pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one with a small spark from his finger, and took a deep drag.
Akio (whispering nervously): "Ken… now's really not the time to be smoking…"
Ken didn't respond. Koto finally looked up—and her eyes widened in disbelief.
Koto (sharply): "Are you kidding me?! You're smoking in a hospital?!"
Ken (coolly, exhaling smoke): "Oh… sorry. I didn't see any signs."
Koto (clenching her file like she might break it over his head): "You don't need a sign to understand this is a place for healing, not burning lungs! Put it out—now!"
Akio and Vico exchanged horrified glances.
Akio (nervous chuckle): "Well… the honeymoon's over. The doctor has arrived."
Meanwhile, Ann was staring at everything with dreamy eyes.
Ann (whispering, gazing at Ken): "Even while getting scolded… he's still so handsome."
Ken (flatly): "Stop staring, I don't want to pass out again because of you."
Akio seemed to enjoy watching someone finally able to put Ken in his place.
Ken (sarcastically, to Koto): "Huh… you're the first doctor I've seen care this aggressively."
Koto (crossing her arms, exhaling): "And you're the first patient I've seen trying to kill himself inside a hospital."
She clenched the file again and gave Ken a side glance as she reread his chart.
Koto (raising an eyebrow in shock): "Wait. You're only sixteen?!"
Akio and Ann laughed in the background, while Ken turned away and took another drag from his cigarette.
Koto (approaching angrily): "Don't you realize you're way too young to be smoking?! Who gave you permission to ruin your lungs like this?!"
Ken (coolly): "I'm mature enough to make my own decisions."
She stared at him for a second, then snatched the cigarette from his fingers and crushed it mercilessly.
Koto: "Mature?! You barely left childhood. Planning to die before you even hit your twenties?!"
Ann suddenly interrupted with a loud voice:
Ann (defensively): "Stop bothering Ken-san! He can do whatever he wants!"
Koto (staring at her in disbelief): "Huh?! And who are you to decide that?!"
Vico (seriously to Ken): "I told you smoking was bad, but you're stubborn as ever."
Ken sighed and raised his hand in defeat.
Ken: "Alright, alright… no need for a full health lecture."
Koto pulled out a pen and began scribbling something in his medical file.
Koto (calmly threatening, without looking up): "If I see you smoking again, I'll prescribe something that'll make you regret every puff you ever took."
Akio laughed and leaned toward Vico, whispering sarcastically:
Akio: "I think Ken's finally met someone who can keep him under control."
After Koto finished her warning, she paused for a moment and gave everyone a long, scrutinizing look… as if she'd just realized the room was filled with strange-looking teens.
Koto (raising an eyebrow): "Wait. Who exactly are you people? Did this room turn into some teenage gang meeting?"
Ann and Vico burst into laughter while Akio stood confidently, placing his hands on his hips and declared with pride:
Akio: "I'm Akio! The one who'll become the great Shogun one day!"
Koto stared at him for a long second… then raised her other eyebrow without any expression.
Koto (deadpan): "Great. I'm surrounded by a bunch of crazy teenagers."
Ann laughed loudly while Akio crossed his arms in childish annoyance.
Akio (muttering): "Why does no one ever believe me…"
Koto finally began to calm down. She exhaled slowly and turned back to Ken.
Koto (steadily): "Your condition is stable… but you need full rest for at least two days."
Before anyone could respond, Akio jumped up with over-the-top enthusiasm, throwing his fist in the air.
Akio: "Yessssss! It's time to celebrate with soufflé!! Let's go, everyone!!"
Koto blinked in disbelief, her eyebrows shooting up involuntarily.
Koto (murmuring): "Okay… not gonna lie. You guys are the weirdest group I've ever dealt with."
Vico covered his mouth trying to stifle his laugh, but it didn't work.
Vico: "Oh… you haven't seen anything yet."
In the corner of the room, Ann held the forbidden manuscript in her hands, gazing at it deeply, her eyes gleaming with thought.
Ann (softly): "It seems our journey hasn't ended… it's only just begun. There are still secrets waiting to be uncovered."
Akio (suddenly serious, looking out the window):
"And I feel like this peace… is just a short break before the next storm."
To be continued…