The morning sun crept over the horizon, casting golden light across the scorched ground. Shichiro rubbed his eyes, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Hey, let's get going," he said quietly.
Rokuro groaned from his sleeping bag. "Yeah, hold on… give me five more minutes… hours…"
"Whatever," Shichiro muttered, starting down the path. "Let's move."
After a long trek, the group stumbled upon two Grade 1 Heartless, towering and faster than anything they had faced before, even stronger than Gasmin and Pevola.
Shichiro tightened his grip on his sword. "Alright… let's do this."
Kentarō grinned, pulling out a vial. "Time to see what this baby does!" He hurled it at the nearest Heartless. The potion burst into a glowing mist, wrapping around its limbs and sending sparks of energy through its body. Paralysis.
Rokuro smirked behind him. "Layer two, coming up." He stomped, sending a wave of frost across the ground. Ice snaked around the Heartless, locking them further. "Try moving now."
Shichiro's blade ignited with his Heart of Dawn. "Final layer." Flames danced across the frozen forms, forcing the Heartless to stagger.
Katsu flipped through his notebook frantically. "Shichiro, left! Rokuro, extend ice! Kentarō, don't let them counter!"
They moved in perfect synchronization.
Kentarō darted around, golden needles from his Heart of Venom locking the creatures' movements.
Rokuro reinforced the ice, creating a cage.
Shichiro's flames burned across the prisoned Heartless, weakening their defenses.
Katsu coordinated every move, sharpening their timing.
With one combined strike, the Heartless collapsed in sparks and dust.
Exhausted but victorious, the group set up camp nearby. "We… actually did it," Katsu muttered.
Rokuro yawned. "Not too bad for a warm-up."
Kentarō leaned back, grinning. "Who knew we'd actually pull it off, together?"
Shichiro smiled faintly. "This is just the beginning. We've all grown, and now we can fight as one."
After resting, the group approached an ancient temple, its massive doors open to the sunlight. Intricate carvings glimmered across the walls.
"Whoa," Katsu whispered. "This place… it's huge."
Kentarō smirked. "Maybe there's a vending machine in there, or ghosts. Either works."
Ignoring warnings, Kentarō wandered inside, curiosity dragging him forward. The others followed cautiously.
Inside, sunlight poured through windows. Kentarō froze at the sound of laughter, warmth and familiarity filling the temple.
"Ryosen?!" he whispered.
In the center, surrounded by lanterns and floating incense, stood their old friend, celebrating his birthday.
Ryosen turned, eyes widening as he spotted Kentarō. "Kentarō! Is that really you?"
Kentarō ran forward, grinning. "It's been too long, man! You've… grown stronger, huh?"
Ryosen chuckled. "I was born with this strength. My Heart, the Heart of Buddha, it's always been mine. Fate brought you here today."
Golden Buddha Hands rose from the floor and ceiling, glowing faintly. Ryosen's calm smile never wavered. "Watch closely."
Before more could happen, Mikoto's shadow appeared at the temple doors, blades gleaming.
"Shichiro," Mikoto called coldly. "You think you can bring company here without consequences?"
Ryosen didn't flinch. "Then let's see whose Heart is stronger, Mikoto."
The temple shook as Mikoto and Ryosen clashed. Sparks, ice, and golden hands collided in a dance of raw power.
Shichiro shouted, "Team combo, now!"
The five moved in perfect synchronization:
Ryosen extended a massive golden Buddha Hand from the ground, grabbing Mikoto and holding him suspended midair.
Shichiro swung his flaming blade, burning Mikoto while trapped in the Buddha Hand.
The Buddha Hand retracted, and Kentarō unleashed a paralyzing strike, locking Mikoto's body completely.
Rokuro froze Mikoto further, encasing him in ice.
Katsu stepped forward, punching the ice one, two, three times, cracking it with precision.
Finally, a second golden Buddha Hand descended from the sky, crushing the ice completely, erasing Mikoto in a flash of divine energy.
The temple fell silent. Dust settled. Sparks, flames, and frost faded, leaving only the glow of their Legendary Hearts.
Ryosen lowered his hands, smiling proudly. "Damn, you guys got good. I didn't think you'd pull a combo like that on your first try against an Elite-grade enemy."
Kentarō grinned sheepishly. "We… yeah, we've been practicing a little."
Shichiro stepped forward, chest heaving from the fight. "Ryosen… you're amazing. But we can't do this alone. We could use someone like you with us."
Ryosen tilted his head, golden eyes shining. "Me?"
"Yes," Shichiro said firmly. "Come with us. Help us stop Bellerophon. Together, we can actually make a difference."
Ryosen chuckled softly. "You guys… you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you. Alright, fine. Let's see how far this goes."
Kentarō whooped, punching the air. "Yes! Finally, the team's complete!"
Rokuro smirked, leaning against a pillar. "Figures we'd recruit the big guns now."
Katsu adjusted his notebook, scribbling notes furiously. "Perfect. Now the synergy will be unstoppable."
Shichiro looked around at his friends, the bonds forged through battle, laughter, and hardship, and nodded. "Then… let's move. Bellerophon isn't waiting for us."
And together, the five of them stepped out of the temple, hearts aligned, ready to face the storm ahead.