"Yugo-dono... Raiha..."
"To think things would turn out like this..."
At that same moment, in the hospital.
His friends were gathered together, their hearts heavy with worry for Yugo's safety.
Although Yugo had narrowly managed to repel Zaraki, the cost had been immense. He had been rushed to the hospital with deep, life-threatening wounds.
The doctors had confirmed that his life was no longer in danger, but they had no idea when he might finally regain consciousness.
Ryuga and the others were far from fully recovered themselves, but they had stabilized enough to move. Still, given the gravity of the situation, none of them could muster a cheerful expression.
"The Security Force is out hunting for Koumaru's group as we speak," Marcos said. "Zaraki was badly hurt; he won't be able to move fast. It's only a matter of time before they're caught."
"Yugo put his life on the line for this," Melt added. "We have to get Raiha back. We will."
While they were terrified for Yugo, Raiha’s situation was more critical.
She had been sealed inside an orb and spirited away; this was their only window to save her. If Koumaru’s trail went cold now, they might never see her again. Setsuna and Sakura shuddered at the thought, but Anhel and Melt did their best to keep their spirits up.
"We’ll find them," Marcos declared. "We’re going after Koumaru. We have to save Raiha—for Yugo’s sake, if nothing else."
Yugo had spent his final moments of consciousness entrusting Raiha’s safety to them. For the sake of the man who had collapsed after leaving the rest to them, they would definitely save her. Melt and the others nodded, their expressions hardening with resolve.
Only Ryuga remained apart from the group, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He didn't move, and the others, sensing his inner turmoil, chose not to disturb him.
They were united in one goal: for Yugo and for Raiha, they would crush Koumaru’s ambitions.
As they stood together in silence, a flustered Jinba hurried into the hospital.
"So this is where you were. How is Yugo’s condition?"
"Miraculously, his life is not in danger. However..."
Jinba nodded gravely, understanding the unspoken half of Marcos's sentence. He looked away, cleared his throat loudly, and spoke again.
"Ahem! Hmmm...! Disregard me, I’m just talking to myself. I’m certainly not addressing anyone here. I’m merely thinking out loud about the intel the Security Force just pulled in."
"...!!"
Recognizing the obvious ruse, Marcos and the others fell silent, listening intently. Under their collective gaze, Jinba proceeded to provide information under the guise of a monologue.
"According to our reports, Koumaru and Zaraki have split up to evade capture. I have a memo here detailing their Predicted Escape Route... Oops! How clumsy of me. I seem to have dropped it."
As he said that, Jinba let a slip of paper fall from his pocket. Setsuna snatched it up, and the group crowded around her, committing every detail of the map to memory.
"But there's a problem," Jinba continued, his voice low. "That bastard Zaraki... he's not just healed; he's stronger than ever. He’s tearing through everything in his path. The Security Force and the Magic Knights are throwing everything they have at him, but they can’t even slow him down."
"That’s impossible!" Ann cried. "Yugo left him in pieces! How could he be doing that!?"
"The orb," Melt realized, her face paling. "He’s using the power of the orb Raiha is trapped in!"
"Then Raiha is with Zaraki, is she not!?" Setsuna said, her eyes narrowing.
Though it was grim news, they now knew exactly where Raiha was. Jinba gave them a long, measuring look and let out a small sigh.
"...I know better than to try and stop you lot. But if you’re really going after her, you’d better be ready. Zaraki isn't human anymore. His strength is on another level."
With that final warning, Jinba turned and headed back to the front lines to fulfill his duties as a member of the Security Force.
Marcos turned toward Fee, who had been listening in silence, and met the boy's eyes.
"Fee, you hold onto this," Marcos said, handing him the map. "You’re going to give it to Yugo the second he opens his eyes."
"...Yes!"
Despite the grim reality, not a single person in the room doubted it. Yugo would wake up. And when he did, he would need to know exactly where they—and Raiha—were. Marcos stood up straight, his gaze shifting across the room.
"Ryuga! What are you doing? We have to go save Raiha!"
Ryuga finally stirred from the wall. He spared a cold, fleeting glance at the memo in Fee's hand before answering in a voice like ice.
"If you want to go, then go by yourselves. I’m going after Koumaru."
"What...!?"
"What are you saying, Brother!?" Yui cried, stepping toward him. "Why would you go after Koumaru now!?"
Ryuga’s eyes snapped open, a raw, jagged emotion finally breaking through his mask as he shouted his answer.
"Yui, think for a second! That girl... Raiha Utusemi... she’s the one who murdered our father!"