Back In Black #5

From part I, “Neo-Saitama In Flames”: “Back In Black” #5

“I’m glad we could come here this year, as well”, Fuyuko smiles gently. Right next to her, “I’m a ninja! A ninja!” – little Tochinoki loudly plays with his toy nunchaku. “My, my, Tochinoki sure loves ninjas”, Fujikido Kenji gives a strained laugh. “Why in the world would he bring up ninjas?”
And, behind them, another Fujikido stares at this happy conversation, as if having an out-of-body experience. Where was this place? Fujikido looks at the surrounding white fog. Everything but his family is hard to see. Where was this place? When did this happen? He tries to remember, but the fog only grows thicker. Soon, even the smiles of his wife and son can no longer be seen in the fog.

“Tochinoki. You know, the ninjas are…” as Fujikido says that, he looks at his own hand. At the eerie glove. As he stares, the white cracks run all over it, and it crumbles akin to sand. He is puzzled. “Ninjas are…” He blinks. The silhouettes of his family members are gone. A flickering bonbori lantern casts a dim light across the dirty garage.
“Ninjas…” Fujikido leaves the agura sitting posture and stands up. He fell asleep. Careless. He looks at the clock. About 30 minutes have passed. He feels relieved. Right now, he is in an abandoned garage of the industrial district. There’s no way to know who it belongs to. As the mega-corps spread their influence, small companies go out of business and abandon such buildings.
Near the entrance, a trench coat and a hunting cap hang on a nail in the wall, and under it, his spare clothes are folded. Fujikido stands up. There are no bracers. There are no shin pads. There is no menpo. All of it was lost. He goes to the nearby half-rotten bench.
A steel plate. Iron sand. Hammer… Anvil… Grinder… Lathe… He didn’t have much time to get all these things. Because of that, their quality leaves a lot to be desired, and most importantly, Fujikido is no blacksmith. He turns on the battery, and in the middle of all the noise, silently gets back to his work. Many pieces of paper of various sizes are stuck to the wall behind him. All of them are covered in fine handwriting.
Written on these notes, are memories. “Paraponera. Struck with right hand. Avoided the bullets. Provoked an attack. As he closed in for a biting attack, kicked him with a somersault. Somersault Kick.” “Helldealer. A roundhouse kick after a series of blows, sent him flying into explosives, finishing him off.” “Wielder. Observed, dodged the chop, dived to the left.”
“Rounders. Toteki Jitsu. Read the throwing angle of Multiple Kunai by the strained shoulder muscles and the line of sight, dodging them all.” “Agony. Pain Ninja Clan. Turns pain into force. Immobilized his limbs and burned him to death.” “Sharptooth. Dodged with Meia Lua de Compasso.” …Here and there, a few body diagrams and building plans are recorded, as well.
While the evil Naraku Ninja was unleashing his karate to his heart’s content, Fujikido’s consciousness was trapped in a vortex of endless anguish. However, every slaughter that Naraku Ninja saw through his eyes has been burned into his neurons. He stored those memories well. And as they float out in agura meditation, he writes them down.
By sealing Naraku Ninja’s soul, Dragon Gendoso saved Fujikido’s life. After he has left, first and foremost, Fujikido had to face his own helplessness. Naraku is sealed and shall no longer harm Fujikido. But at the same time, he also lost the demonic karate arts and ninja sixth sense.
All his combat so far might as well be called a rampage. Through the agura meditation, he can barely salvage the fragments of memories of these fights. If he does not write them down, because of the self-defense-like mechanism of the neurons, he might lose them for good. Some parts of his body that have been converted into ninja body parts still remain. That is all that remains.
“Stay out of combat and live an honest life. That is your best choice.” The words of leaving Dragon Gendoso don’t leave Fujikido’s mind as his vain struggle at the anvil goes on. Indeed, that is a sound argument. He cannot refute it. Run to some faraway place that Soukaya won’t reach, live one’s life as a hermit…
There is absolutely no choice on this matter. “Sumimasen.” A word of apology escapes his lips against his will. Does he resent Dragon Gendoso’s treatment? Nay. Gendoso has enforced his own justice. He realized that through their exchange of karate. However, Fujikido’s will and Gendoso’s justice are different.
Fujikido’s feelings are akin to gratitude. At least he has his life, his body. He can still go on. The grinder sends the sparks flying. The light of the bonbori shines on the red-black cloth. He takes up the synthetic diamond chisel and the hammer. He engraves on his menpo. The writing that instills fear. More terryfying than ever. So all ninjas shall fear it.
After that, he returns to his home that remains intact and disposes of all personal assets. Although it’s not much, he also gets hold of some money. For now, that’s more than enough. There is a small shelf on the wall. The only thing on it is a picture. A family photo. That is the greatest treasure of the Fujikido household. He keeps striking the chisel.
Bracers. Shin pads. Countless failed attempts are piled up. Before long, he finishes his work on the menpo. The two kanji characters. “Nin”. “Satsu”. Ninjas. Shall perish.

◆Intermission◆

◆Resumption◆

Fujikido puts on the freshly sewn suit and tightens the straps. He puts on the bracers and the shin pads, puts on the hood, and finally, reaches for the menpo. He has become Ninja Slayer once again. He stands in front of his karate records. One by one, he ponders over each of his combats so far, and before long, begins a Mai-like dance. The karate moves on repeat.
“YEEART!” From the right-hand palm pierce, “YEEART!” a left short kick, “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” middle kick, low kick, high kick, “YEEART!” roundhouse kick, “YEEART!”, double roundhouse kick, “YEEART!”, jumping roundhouse kick, “YEEART!”, double jumping roundhouse kick, “YEEART!” a roll, a cartwheel!
“YEEART!” A zigzag approach, “YEEART!” a palm thrust to the chin, “YEEART!”, a kick to the shin, “YEEART!”, a devastating kick in the crotch, “YEEART!” an elbow drop to the chest, “YEEART!” a stomp on the back that pierces the opponent. This is where the enemy ninja Tubular explodes, scattering his ashes to the winds.
“YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” Through the traces of karate movements, one by one, by understanding the meaning behind the movements of joints and muscles, Ninja Slayer can once again realize things he can do. How he moves, how he kills. He shall never miss any opportunity to learn this. All because the combat is going to continue very soon. Whether he likes it or not.
This premonition comes from his assessment of the situation that tells him that the Soukaiya are going to strike back sooner or later, as well as from his ninja sixth sense that has been honed by his karate practice. “YEEART!” He bends backwards and performs a backflip. In that instant, the ceiling caves in.
KRAAASH! As Ninja Slayer lands from the backflip, he instantly assumes the karate stance. The sweat trickles down his forehead. Right under the torn ceiling is a ninja wrapped in a jet-black suit. His terrifying tile break quadrupled his falling momentum, making him break the floor tiles and sending the dust and splinters fly across the garage.
Gou… Ninja Slayer’s personal perception of time slows down like mud. He can hear the reverberations in the air. As his heart beats, ninja adrenaline courses through his entire body. The jet-black ninja lands on his right arm, right knee and left foot on the cracking floor, raises his face and looks at Ninja Slayer. Blue eyes…
If it wasn’t for his hunch, that tile break would’ve surely broken Ninja Slayer’s chest in one hit, scattering his ashes to the winds. “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer throws a side-kick. The jet-black ninja bounces in the air. “YEEART!” In return, a midair kick strikes Ninja Slayer.
(((Strong))) Ninja Slayer knows enough about the enemy karate through the speed of his neurons. He is stronger than all the ninjas he has killed so far. Ninja Slayer barely manages to block the kick with his glove, turn it aside and backflip to safe distance. The two land at the same time, bowing before each other.
“Doomo. Pleasure to meet you, Ninja Slayer=san. I am Dominant.” “Doomo. Pleasure to meet you, Dominant=san. I am Ninja Slayer.” 0.2 seconds pass after the bows. The two leap forward simultaneously. “YEEART!” “YEEART!” The two chops collide, followed by colliding reverse chops!
…Outside the garage, it starts snowing over the industrial district. “Our company wants to live in morality. Feel free to take money from us! Fluffy-Fluffy Loan” “Able-bodied blood, up for offer!” The advertisements of a maguro zeppelin echo in the sky… KRAASH! The wall of the garage splits open. “YEEART!” “YEEART!” “YEEART!” “YEEART!”
As the two throw surikens at each other, they leap to the roof of another nearby garage. “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer throws a chop. Dominant blocks it. With bizarre weapons resembling very short metal rods attached to iron rings. That is the favorite assassination tool of ancient ninjas, the emeishi!
As the chop and the emeishi collide akin to locked swords, Ninja Slayer growls. “A Soukaiya ninja, correct?” “Indeed,” Dominant replies. The weapons on his fingers reflect the unnerving blue light of his eyes. “What are you after, Ninja Slayer=san?” “I shall kill you all.” “With such karate?”
“Nuu!” Ninja Slayer frowns. The emeishi produce heat as they dive deeper in his hand! “YEEART!” Something is wrong! Ninja Slayer pushes in for a moment, then flips away from the recoil. “YEEART!” Dominant quickly follows it up by throwing a suriken. Ninja Slayer deflects it and starts running.
“YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART! YEEART!” The two ninjas run on the roofs of parallel abandoned factories while facing each other. As the surikens clash, the sparks fall between them to the alley. “Gasp. Actually cheap.” “Take part in the New Year countdown! Win two hundred million Yen!” The maguro zeppelin above keeps its advertisement bombardment.
“YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” As they keep throwing surikens at each other, the two soon jump higher, finding themselves on a highway. Amidst the intensifying snow polluted by heavy metals, they start jumping across the road lights! “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!”
(((Is he really different from the rest of the ninjas so far?))) Ninja Slayer mobilizes all his neurons and shots down Dominant’s suriken with his own. Ninja Slayer does not know if the enemy’s karate is superior to his. Even in the middle of combat, he thinks back to his previous suriken throws and polishes them. Otherwise, his defeat is imminent!
Dominant’s eyes glint! “YEEART!” He throws. It’s not a suriken. He threw an emeishi! Ninja Slayer’s eyes open wide. There’s no way a suriken will be enough to strike down an emeishi. The small glowing blue metal rod flies in a straight line, crushing the suriken and hitting Ninja Slayer right in the forehead! “GWAAH!”
Namusan! Did it kill him? Ninja Slayer crashes down, his forehead bleeding. Right below him, an ukiyoe trailer runs across the highway akin to a bullet! The red-black ninja bounces off the container with an oiran painted on it. He rolls as he lands, withstanding the damage from the fall! He does not die in an instant! However, Dominant jumps after him! “YEEART!”
Dominant spins in mid-air at high speed! The emeishi that struck Ninja Slayer jumps back akin to the hammer of the Nordic god Thor, fixing itself on his finger. Most probably it has something to do with that blue light. What a powerful and resourceful jitsu! The next moment, Dominant lands, as if to trample over Ninja Slayer!
Pwaaaaan! “SUZZO ORAA!” As the two ninjas clash in a mortal combat, the ukiyoe trailer tries to shake them off while sounding the yakuza horn. That is to avoid any collisions with burning vehicles up ahead. At the end of the year, such accidents are Chameshi Incident-common! However, Dominant does not waver! Such ninja balance!
Dominant rapidly spins the emeishi affixed on his rings and swings them down with tremendous speed. “YEEART!” “NUUU!” Ninja Slayer dodges by rolling to the left! “YEEART!” The emeishi on the other hand go after him! “NUUU!” Ninja Slayer dodges by rolling to the right!
“YEEART! YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” Dominant mercilessly maintains his assault on Ninja Slayer. Ninja Slayer concentrates on dodging it. His stabbed forehead keeps bleeding, making his face a horrible sight. The heavy-metal snow dances around, as the rainbow-colored neon signs of Neo-Saitama shine down on the highway.
“The ferry rice”, “At Touma’s”, “Boy”, “Oi matte”, Secondhand cars forbidden”, “Sweet”, “Exciting bronchial tube”… Mincho font, round font, gothic font, red, pink, orange… Neon signs of all kinds of fonts and colors are mixed with the manekineko light-ups that beckon the New Year. But these two sorts of lights do not reach the two combatants.
Ninja Slayer is unable to dodge the emeishi completely, and the villainous iron wound him a few more times. However, that’s not enough to kill him. Dominant’s blue eyes gradually start reflecting his irritation. If he prolongs this fight, he might win thanks to the blood loss from the scratches, but such idea does not cross the mind of this mighty ninja warrior. “Miserable… Recite your death haiku!”
Ninja Slayer stares at his opponent. With his ninja insight greatly boosted at death’s door, he can see great pride, loyalty, ambition, as well as the aforementioned seeds of impatience in his blue eyes. He realizes once again. Both the enemy and Ninja Slayer must be on top of their game. The fatal mistake will surely come!
Ninja Slayer feels the wind… The air flow of the highway up ahead. “There is no need for me to recite my haiku”, says Ninja Slayer. He supresses any emotions. “The one who’s going to die in this combat is you, Dominant=san. I am the one who kills ninjas.” “YEEART!” Dominant brings down the emeishi on both hands!
That instant, the highway curves to the right! Because of the overwhelming G of the attack, Dominant’s movements blur! “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer throws a spinning kick, akin to breakdance! “GWAAH!” Dominant loses his footing and is launched in the air! “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer goes after him while rising up!
As Ninja Slayer keeps spinning, he throws a roundhouse kick, striking the airborne Dominant. Ninja Slayer feels the impact of the attack at the tip of his leg. He’s going to drop him to the road behind and finish him off! “YEEART!” Dominant’s eyes sparkle! The next moment, the two start dancing in midair! ALAS! What in the world!
Ninja Slayer does not retract the leg he kicked with. He is pulled by it with great force. As he is being kicked, Dominant wraps his hands around Ninja Slayer’s leg, kicks the container as he is blown away, and jumps, taking Ninja Slayer with him. “YEEART!” “GWAAH!?” The two spin rapidly, falling down to the highway!
“It’s so amusing to hear that from a weakling begging for his life,” Dominant whispers to Ninja Slayer as they keep spinning in midair. “Your suspicious karate won’t work on me… Lament your inferiority in Jigoku. This Hellwheel Kuruma will be more than enough to kill you for good!” The asphalt under them approaches quickly… Smashed to pieces!

【NINJASLAYER】

【 NINJASLAYER 】

Ninja Slayer does not retract the leg he kicked with. He is pulled by it with great force. As he is being kicked, Dominant wraps his hands around Ninja Slayer’s leg, kicks the container as he is blown away, and jumps, taking Ninja Slayer with him. “YEEART!” “GWAAH!?” The two spin rapidly, falling down to the highway!
“It’s so amusing to hear that from a weakling begging for his life,” Dominant whispers to Ninja Slayer as they keep spinning in midair. “Your suspicious karate won’t work on me… Lament your inferiority in Jigoku. This Hellwheel Kuruma will be more than enough to kill you for good!” The asphalt under them approaches quickly… Smashed to pieces!
KRAAAAASH! The asphalt parts like petals of a flower, the ground under it bursts, and the dust rises in the air, floating like a cloud! Gouranga! The dark karate throw, Hellwheel Kuruma! This is the aftermath of two ninjas falling down while spinning at high speed combined with Dominant’s own formidable karate!
“YEEART!” The jet-black ninja jumps with a spin out of the ruins, landing on the edge of the broken asphalt road. As there is a chance that Ninja Slayer would try to ambush him with a counterattack as he tries to finish him off, he retains his zanshin. He does not see Ninja Slayer. That is because the ground obstructs his vision.
But what about Ninja Slayer? He is still alive. He keeps telling himself. It’s too soon for him to die. He always assumed that such able ninja would appear sooner or later. It’s just that it happened a little earlier than he expected. If he can realize that, he can endure it. If he dies, everything he has done up until now would be for naught.
In the darkness, Ninja Slayer grips both his hands. The warmth of blood tricking through the crack in his forehead. Is it the feeling of life leaving his body? Up there in the darkness is overwhelming hostility. The enemy ninja, the Dominant ninja. He’s waiting for Ninja Slayer to climb up to deal his finishing blow.
Ninja Slayer musters his strength and does not move a muscle. The asphalt and the ground cover his body lying in the cracks. With his sharp ninja senses, he feels the subtle details in the soil 360 degrees around him, akin to an echo. He cannot go above. Above him is only death. The path lies deeper. A cavity? Nay… “YEEART!”
ZGGGBOOOOM! The ground gives in, and Ninja Slayer feels his body slipping down. There is air under the ground. He falls in a shallow puddle along with the rubble. He can’t even land properly at this point. He spreads his limbs, looking at the hole above and his surroundings. A tunnel of worn-out concrete… One of the underground waterways, perhaps?
As the dark mega-corps promote relaxation of restrictions, the urban planning of Neo-Saitama collapsed into chaos, and the disparity of lifelines between the different regions grew wide. The haphazard plans of expansion and disposal of various waterways are brought up again and again, making this just one of many examples of such chaos.
Although it seemed that there is nothing else that Ninja Slayer can do, he managed to perceive this space under the ground and escape through the cracks that Dominant made with his throw. He tries to stand up. Heavy. He tries to lift his upper body. It won’t listen. The blood still drips from his forehead, painting the puddle red around him.
On the other hand, his mind is clear. There are a few seconds left until Dominant comes down. He is anxious. He can clearly see every bit of dust dancing in the dim light. Their movements grow softer, slowing down, with most of them already floating down. His ears hear the vibrations in the air. On the verge of death, his neurons look for a way to survive as fast as they can.
The pieces of rubble that still fall through the hole in the ceiling stop on the way down. Naturally, his body won’t move, either. This is a scientifically explained phenomenon… The so-called “Somato Recall”. When one dies, they look back to their memories, bidding farewell to this world…
Unfortunately, this break-like slow time perception did not last for long. (((If you die, everything will be for naught))) He dives deep within himself. (((I did not come back to life to die here…))) Fujikido Kenji sees it. His disturbingly wounded self. Behind it floats an enigmatic substance, akin to cold lava.
In the hole above him, the night sky can be seen. The night sky, hazy from the smog and the city lights, expands and fills his entire vision. In the depths of Fujikido’s neurons, he and the foreign substance connect. That is as much of a taboo as cutting the sacred shimenawa ropes. (((Naraku!))) The foreign substance’s outline blurs with a buzz. It responds. Fujikido is filled with terror.
He thinks. This may be considered a betrayal against Dragon Gendoso. Gendoso did not kill him back then. For what purpose? What would Gendoso do if he knew about this endeavor of Fujikido’s? (((Make it count.))) Fujikido repeats over and over again. (((Make it count.)))
Why didn’t Gendoso kill Fujikido? As he would probably do it sooner or later, he should’ve done it when he had the chance. If he killed him, he would simply mourn him for a while. And then it would’ve been over. However, the old ninja did not do so…! The shape of the foreign substance stirs, turns into a dark stream, and swallows Fujikido whole. The vision of the dark sky goes out. And then he stands up!
Ooh, look! At the red-black ninja’s feet! The blood that got mixed with the sewer water climbs his feet, his body, and goes back into his forehead! The boiling blood effortlessly seals the wound, merging with the ninja hood! What an unnerving sight! (((Impossible!))) What finally reaches Ninja Slayer’s neurons is the cry of dismay and anger!
(((Gave y… How dare you! Who gave you… the righ… t! Fuji… Bas, tard Fujikido… You’ll regret this… This, Fujikido! Kido won’t forgive you, you, won’t forgive…))) “Wasshoi!” Ninja Slayer cries and jumps straight up!
Dominant’s eyes glint. Even after Ninja Slayer fell underground, he still kept check of his position with his ninja hearing. If he carelessly went after him, he could’ve lost his footing from an unexpected trick. Instead, he expected this moment, waited for it! The emeishi on his two middle fingers spin with great speed!
“YEEART!” The rubble is destroyed with a karate shout! With geyser-like momentum, the red-black ninja emerges from the ground, and Dominant immediately goes on the offensive! “YEEART!” As the emeishi draws shining blue circles in the darkness, it goes straight towards Ninja Slayer!
“YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” Dodging the attacks of both emeishi, Ninja Slayer lands right before Dominant! He descends right within the one-inch distance! “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART! YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!”
“AIEEEE!” An unfortunate taxi that decided to use this back alley as a shortcut abrubtly steers at the sight of this combat, drifts, collides with the pillars that support the highway above, and goes up in flames. With the fire roaring behind them, the two ninjas begin running while trading hits!
(((Fujikido! Bastard… How dare you bite the hand that feeds you…! Unforgivable! Surrender!))) While Ninja Slayer runs and attacks Dominant with vicious palm thrusts, Naraku Ninja’s angry voice still sounds within his neurons. (((Surrender right this instant! This is my body!))) (Silence, Naraku!)
“YEEART YEEART! YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” “YEEART YEEART! YEEART! YEEART! YEEART!” Dominant’s hands and emeishi do not rest. Reinforced with Enhance Jitsu, the light-blue emeishi are powerful weapons. Be it in strength or in reach, Dominant is superior to Ninja Slayer.
However… The unknown awe lingers within Dominant… However, what is this pressure? How can his body still move so quickly? The blow that he landed on his forehead, how could the bleeding stop? He can’t let his guard down against such opponent! “YEEART!” Dominant cartwheels! “YEEART!” Backflips! “YEEART!” Throws both emeishi at once!
For a moment, one of Ninja Slayer’s eyes that tracks Dominant shines red-black. He reads the strain of Dominant’s shoulder muscles and his line of sight. And throws two surikens at once! “YEEART!” The emeishi bore through both surikens! But their speed drops, if ever so slightly! Ninja Slayer moves between the two with a cartwheel!
“YEEART!” Following the cartwheel with a flip jump, Ninja Slayer goes straight for Dominant! “YEEART!” Right midair chop! “YEEART!” Left midair straight! “YEEART!” Right midair side-kick! Dominant handles it all, landing along with Ninja Slayer! And so, the two go back to the one-inch distance!
“YEART! YEART! YEART!” YEART! YEART! YEART!” “”YYYEEEAAART!”” They fiercely trade blows, like in a training with a mannequin! “AIEEE!” An unfortunate taxi that decided to use this alley as a shortcut sees this supernatural combat, lets go of the handle and collides with the store shutters while drifting! Up in flames!
Dominant is a formidable opponent! However, facing this formidable enemy and his karate, Ninja Slayer quickly remembers the familiar feeling of combat deeply engraved within his neurons and body. His blood, filled to the brims with karate and ninja adrenaline, courses through his body with explosive speed!
(((Nuuu… Fujikido… Such foolishness… Do you expect to kill a ninja with your immature karate… Unforgivable… Perhaps I should rather roast you from the inside!))) Naraku’s resentment that’s contained in the ninja adrenaline torments his flesh! However, Fujikido endures, and suppresses it! (((Impossible!)))
(There will be no more freedom for you.) Fujikido firmly declares this to the storm within that is about to devastate him. And he thinks back to the words that Dragon Gendoso left to him. (The soul within me… Shall be controlled.) “YEEART!” Dominant’s roundhouse kick! “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer dodges it with a bridge!
Right after the bridge, the emeishi that flew behind Ninja Slayer are pulled back to Dominant’s middle fingers as he finishes his roundhouse kick. ALAS… If Ninja Slayer were to block the roundhouse kick with his arms, the emeishi would’ve pierced his skull from behind while he was blocking, killing him on the spot!
Dominant spins the emeishi on his middle fingers as he lifts them up, then swings down. “YEEART!” The blue lines tear through the darkness of the night. His blue eyes are wide open from arrogance and impatience. He asks himself. (My karate is faultless. Why, then, did this chance escape?) Ninja Slayer’s left eye flashes red-black once again. He lifts up his lower body.
Ninja Slayer kicks Dominant like a whip, nay, like a great scythe of Hell. The kick is complete before the emeishi would strike Ninja Slayer. Ninja Slayer puts both his hands on the ground, turning upside down and striking Dominant with a spinning kick.
“GWAAH!” Every rib in Dominant’s side is shattered, bending his entire body sideways. Right after the kick, Ninja Slayer kneels in before Dominant. This is the first step of the legendary karate move. Dominant attempts to defend himself. Ninja Slayer jumps. “YEEART!” “GWAAH!”
The menpo flies off Dominant’s face. As he is thrown up in the air, he struggles against the inevitable defeat. The momentum from Ninja Slayer’s somersault hitting the target throws him away, making him land some distance away. Dominant starts falling down. “YEEART!” The heart of his is pierced by Ninja Slayer’s finishing suriken.
“SAYONARA!” Dominant explodes, scattering his ashes to the winds. “AIEEEE!” An unfortunate taxi that decided to use this back alley as a shortcut sees this decisive moment, lets go of the handle and drifts towards Ninja Slayer in his zanshin. Ninja Slayer looks behind. “YEEART!”
SMAASH! “Aie… AIEEE!” The taxi driver screams at the sight of the red-black ninja gripping his car’s front grille, foaming at the mouth while wetting himself. “YEEART!” Ninja Slayer runs up the bonnet and jumps off it. He then kicks the “Phone Prince” neon sign, jumping even higher.
As Ninja Slayer stands on the tiled roof of a building, the electronic display of the nearby maguro zeppelin changes from “23:59” to “00:00”. Countless fireballs are launched into the sky and explode into the shapes of a weeping willow. With a slight delay, DOON… DOOON… Arives the roar that resounds within the stomach.
“Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” “Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” The ohayashi chant of the egenizer dance comes from the main street’s direction. There is something empty in this excitement. As well as in Ninja Slayer that looks at it from above. As the heavy-metal snow and gunpowder from the fireworks fall, he starts running.

———-

The innumerable lights of fireworks explosions come through the tempered glass, highlighting the contours of the ninja standing in a hallway with many kadomatsus lined up on the red carpet. The facial expression of the ninja clad in obsidian ninja armor is hidden under the dreadful full menpo. He slightly casts his eyes down, then raises his head and looks at the hallway.
“Doomo. Darkninja=san.” The ninja in a mirror-like ninja suit solemnly greets him. “…Well, well,” Darkninja returns the bow. “Doomo. Gatekeeper=san.” “Long time no see.” “Long time no see.” The two ninja warriors let their guards down and look in each other’s eyes.
“It’s not often that I get a chance to see you,” Darkninja mutters. Gatekeeper replies. “I am here to give Laomoto=san the New Year aisatsu.” “He is currently resting.” Darkninja looks at the darkness behind him. Gatekeeper nods. “Hmm. In that case, I shall wait a bit.” “My condolences on Dominant=san’s matter.” The news have reached him a few minutes ago.
“Aah. That?” Gatekeeper says indifferently. “I was partial to him because he had a good streak, but… He was nothing compared to you.” “You are too kind,” Darkninja says gracefully. Gatekeeper gazes at the distant fireworks. “What about your next mission?” “I am leaving in 2 hours.”
“My… Always a workaholic. Darkninja=san.” “As long as I am needed,” he replies without a care. There is a moment of silence. Eventually, Gatekeeper asks. “That Ninja Slayer. What do you think?” “As long as I am needed.” “It’s not the time yet.” Gatekeeper closes his eyes. “However…”

————

“Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” “Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” The sounds of ohayashi and fireworks wake the woman up from her shallow sleep, and she rises up. Unconsciously rubbing the bracelet-like cybernetics attached to her wrists, the woman opens the sasshi door and goes to the veranda.
“Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” “Egenizer! Egenizer! Egenizer!” The people putting up the mobile phone bonboris have slowly reached the street outside the apartment. The woman adjusts her casual clothes and gazes at the fireworks above. “…Aah. Damn.” From inside the room, a man’s voice.
The woman turns back. The man with bandages all over his body crawls up to the veranda. “I overslept the date change.” “Don’t worry,” the woman smiles wryly. “I couldn’t even sleep because of the noise.” “So merry,” the man says. In the light of the fireworks, one could see many scars on the woman, as well. They are fresh. On both of them.
“It would be nice if this year was good,” the man says quietly. “At least better than the last one.” “Yeah,” the woman nods. The ohayashi of the egenizer dance, as well as the stream of bonbori lights, soon go away. “…Yeah,” the woman gives a smile. The man smiles, showing his missing teeth. The two smile, not thinking of the hardships that await them from now on.

————–

Amidst the sprinkling rain polluted by heavy metals, on top of the tail of a shachihoko gargoyle, is a sitting silhouette, Ninja Slayer. While watching the dazzling night view of Neo-Saitama from above, he is lost deep in thought. The next combat. The combat after that. After the one after that, the combat after that. What kinds of ninjas will he have to face? Whoever stands in his way, he shall kill them without fail.
The evil shadow within him is silent. Is it provoked by murderous intent? Ninja Slayer closes his eyes. The soul within shall be controlled. He repeats Dragon Gendoso’s words. As if ridiculing his insight, Naraku Ninja’s shadow motionlessly sinks to the bottom, stirring the neurons.

(From part I, “Neo-Saitama In Flames”: “Back In Black”, The End)