"Hey, Yugo."
"Oh, Jinba-san?! What brings you here?"
"I was just in the area, so I thought I'd stop by and thank you all properly. You really helped me out the other day. Much appreciated."
While celebrating Ryuga's discharge with his friends, Yugo welcomed the unexpected guest with a bright smile.
Jinba looked from Yugo's cheerful face to the rowdy group of youngsters before nodding slightly.
"Regen and his goons are all behind bars. The Birdcage has been destroyed... This finally puts an end to our history with them."
"That's great news. You finally got justice for your partner."
"Yeah. It's all thanks to the help you and the others gave me. You really saved my skin."
"Don't worry about it! Helping my friends and protecting the city—that's just what a hero does!"
Jinba looked away with a faint smile as Yugo puffed out his chest with pride.
After a brief silence, he turned back to Yugo and pulled something from inside his coat.
"I have one more bit of business with you... Here, take this."
"Wait, Jinba-san, is this...?!"
Yugo caught the object Jinba tossed his way, his eyes widening as he realized what it was. It was the crossbow—Thomas's memento of his late partner.
"It's yours. If you take it to Anhel, she can probably modify it into a solid weapon for you. Use it however you like."
"I can't take this! It's too important to you, Jinba-san!"
"It's fine. Now that Regen is under arrest, the case we were chasing is closed. I don't need that thing anymore."
"But—!"
"Just take it. A hotheaded fireball fellow like you who charges in without thinking needs an overseer."
Jinba brushed off Yugo's attempt to return the weapon, firmly pressing his partner's memento into the boy's hands.
Yugo stared at Jinba's face for a long moment before his expression softened into one of serious gratitude.
"...Understood. I'll take good care of it. Thank you, Jinba-san."
"Hmph."
Yugo bowed deeply, and Jinba gave a casual wave of his hand.
Jinba stood a short distance away, watching as Yugo ran off to show the crossbow to Anhel. As the group of friends began to chatter once more, he whispered under his breath.
"So it doesn't end with me, and another will just take his place, huh... You were right about that much, Regen. But the same goes for us. Just as the darkness that plagues this city will never truly vanish, the light that rises to protect others will never be extinguished."
It won't end even if you arrest me. Crime will never disappear... Those were the words Regen had spat at Jinba just before he was led away.
There was no denying the truth in them. Even with Regen behind bars, a new evil would eventually rise to fill the void. Yet, it was equally true that the light fighting to dispel that darkness would never go out.
Just as Thomas had once risked his life to save those children, just as Jinba had continued the fight while carrying his partner's legacy, and just as a new generation of heroes now stood before him... that righteous spirit would always be passed down.
As long as this light existed, evil would never truly conquer the world. At this moment, Jinba believed that from the bottom of his heart.
"Thomas, I'm going to be fine. I won't let the life you gave me go to waste. I'll keep an eye on these kids and the new light that's starting to shine. That will be my reason for living."
In that moment when he had been prepared to fire his final arrow even at the cost of his own life, Jinba was certain he had heard Thomas's voice. He felt a surge of gratitude toward his partner, who had worried about him until the very end and cautioned him with the same old familiar tone.
"I'll be okay now. But there's a fool even more reckless than I was... so I need you to watch over him. You're the only one I can ask."
Jinba watched Yugo, who had shielded those children without a single thought for his own safety, acting exactly as Jinba had all those years ago.
This fireball newcomer was still just a kid, a hot-blooded brat who didn't know the meaning of the word 'caution.' He needed an overseer. Jinba intended to keep watch himself, but he knew the boy would be better off with a stopper close by his side.
Exhaling slowly, Jinba watched the boy he had entrusted with the crossbow—the weapon that held both his partner's legacy and his own hopes—knowing that only Thomas could truly fulfill that role.
"Adieu, partner."
The time for their final parting had come, but they would never truly be separated. Their most precious memories would always be together.
The days they had spent running together, fighting together, and laughing even after their worst arguments—those bonds were an eternal flame that would never fade. Watching Yugo and his friends celebrate, Jinba saw his own past reflected in their bright faces. He closed his eyes and let a peaceful smile spread across his lips.