"Blood and Steel"

Episode Title: "Blood and Steel"

Opening Scene: Shirukaru's Dark Training

The episode opens in a dimly lit underground training facility, where Shirukaru and his new team are hard at work preparing for their next mission. The air is thick with tension, and the sound of sharp blades slicing through the air echoes in the cavernous room.

Shirukaru, his Sage Mode Stage 2 still radiating ominous power, stands at the center, watching his team with a cold, calculating gaze. His once arrogant demeanor has been replaced with intense focus. The mission ahead is more dangerous than anything they've faced before.

Shion, the Energy Giver, is in the corner, meditating. She has mastered the art of absorbing her own blood to replenish chakra, but today, her focus is on something else. She is pushing herself to new limits, feeling the weight of the upcoming battle on her shoulders. But she knows there's more to her power than she has yet unlocked.

Taizen, the swordsman, stands off to the side, practicing his fluid sword forms. His cursed katana crackles with dark energy, its blade constantly shifting and reshaping as if alive. The sword has tasted the blood of countless opponents, and Taizen is refining his technique to make it even more deadly.

Shirukaru watches them silently, deep in thought. He walks up to Shion, who looks up at him, her usual calm demeanor now tinged with unease. Without a word, he reaches out, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close. His grip tightens.

“You’ve been slacking,” he says, his voice low and harsh. “We need to be stronger. Your chakra has potential, but it’s still untapped.”

Shion’s breath catches in her throat. She’s used to Shirukaru's harsh training, but this time feels different. She knows what he’s asking. Without hesitation, Shirukaru leans in and bites into her neck, his sharp fangs sinking into her flesh. The blood flows into his mouth as Shion winces, her face flushing with both pain and something else. She can’t tell if it's fear or something darker that stirs within her.

As Shirukaru drinks, her chakra begins to surge, feeding into him, empowering him further. But she can't help the blush that spreads across her face, her heartbeat quickening from the strange intimacy of the moment. Despite herself, she finds herself feeling strangely... connected to him.

After a few moments, Shirukaru pulls back, licking his lips. “That’s better,” he says coldly, though there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—satisfaction, or maybe even something more. Shion says nothing, still processing the feelings that have surfaced. She quickly turns away, trying to focus on her training again.

Team 7’s Encounter with a New Threat

Meanwhile, Team 7 is sent on a routine mission outside the village. They have been working together for some time now, each member honing their skills and strengthening their bonds. Riko, now wielding a new weapon—a sword infused with his curse mark energy—walks ahead, his thoughts focused on the battle he just endured.

As the team approaches a dense forest, they encounter a figure standing in their path. The man is tall, muscular, and exudes an air of raw power. His dark hair and red eyes gleam with malicious intent. It’s clear from his posture that he is not an ally.

“I am Kurozaki,” the man says with a smirk. “I hear you’ve faced Kurokan, but I’m stronger.”

Riko’s hand instinctively goes to his sword. The mention of Kurokan triggers something deep within him—memories of the battles, the losses, the constant struggle. Kurozaki stands as a reminder of all the pain that still lingers.

Without warning, Kurozaki draws his sword, the air crackling with tension. He moves swiftly, a blur of motion as he strikes at Riko with incredible speed.

Riko’s Blue Susanoo

As the battle intensifies, Riko realizes that his enemy is much stronger than he anticipated. His regular techniques aren’t enough to keep up. His mind races, seeking an answer.

Suddenly, his eyes glow with the familiar red hue of his Mangekyo Sharingan. He feels the surge of chakra welling up within him.

“I have no choice,” he mutters under his breath. He closes his eyes, focusing on the surge of power, and then opens them, revealing his new form.

Riko’s Susanoo—but this time, it is not the usual purple, fiery construct. This Susanoo is blue, its form sleek and sharp, like a warrior crafted from pure chakra. Its eyes burn with the intensity of Riko’s resolve. He lifts his sword, now infused with his Mangekyo energy, and charges at Kurozaki.

The clash is brutal, with each strike from Riko’s Susanoo shaking the earth beneath them. Kurozaki retaliates with his own attacks, each one faster and more precise than the last. But Riko’s blue Susanoo is relentless, its movements perfect and fluid, as if guided by the very will of its user.

Kurozaki, realizing that he is being overwhelmed, summons a dark aura around himself. He charges a deadly technique, but Riko’s Susanoo blocks it effortlessly, the battle seeming to shift in Riko’s favor.

The Final Blow and Escape

Just as it seems Kurozaki will be defeated, he grins darkly, calling on a hidden power. His sword begins to glow with dark chakra, and he prepares to strike the final blow. But in the last moment, Shirukaru’s team arrives—Shion, Taizen, and Shirukaru himself—intervening and forcing a retreat.

Shirukaru calls to Kurozaki, “Enough. We’re not here to fight them yet. We have other plans.”

Riko, still breathing heavily, lowers his sword. “We’ll meet again,” he says, his voice steely.

As Team 7 watches, Shirukaru’s team disappears into the shadows. The battle is over for now, but the danger is far from over.

Closing Scene: Shirukaru’s Growing Power

Back in his hideout, Shirukaru stares at Riko’s Mangekyo Sharingan, now in his possession. “I will have what is mine,” he mutters, his eyes darkening with malice.

Meanwhile, Riko, still feeling the weight of the battle, looks up at the stars, wondering what it will take to protect those he cares about.

The episode closes with a sense of foreboding, as both sides prepare for the next inevitable clash.

End of Episode: "Blood and Steel"

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