A yellow-haired, handsome young boy stood alone in the courtyard, practicing a strange and elegant footwork technique. Each step he took landed with complete silence—no rustle, no echo. It was as if he were gliding across the ground. A faint black aura shimmered around his feet, wrapping tightly like shadows answering his call.
"I'm getting the hang of this Shadow Warp technique…" Kuvin muttered to himself, eyes narrowed in focus. "Still blows my mind how I can slam my feet into the ground using Kenai strength, and yet—no sound at all."
He took another silent step, his expression calm yet focused. "This should be enough. Combined with the invisibility function in the Noir nanotech suit, it'll be more than enough to reach Kenji. I just need to slip in and get him out—if the situation allows it…"
"Heyyy, Kuvin! We're all set and ready to move out!" a voice rang out from across the courtyard. It was a man in a sleek, armored jumpsuit bearing the blood-red symbol of a skull. On his back, a grotesque greatsword forged from some kind of monstrous beast glistened menacingly.
"I'll be right there. Just grabbing the Beezle grenade," Kuvin called back without turning.
Suddenly, a blur of blue light zipped toward him—too fast for normal eyes to track.
"Hurry up, slowpoke! You're slower than a turtle on crutches!" Zack grinned, the speedster in his signature blue nanotech suit, arms crossed with smug confidence.
Kuvin didn't look amused. His body flared with a burst of yellow energy, rippling with intense killing intent. "Get off my back, Speedster."
Zack narrowed his eyes. "Listen here, kid—"
Before things escalated, a firm hand landed on Zack's shoulder.
"Zack, chill," Anthon said coolly, stepping in between them. His calm eyes glinted as he leaned in to whisper into Zack's ear. "Careful, man. That kid's the son of the Red Skull Cartel. Remember what the boss said…"
Zack scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Hmph. Yeah, yeah. No unnecessary conflicts. Keep it clean. I got it."
Anthon gave a slight nod, still watching Kuvin with quiet awe. This kid's no joke. I've heard rumors… They say he could go toe to toe with Dante. Maybe even Jin would struggle against him. So much power... and still so young…
"Ha... So what if he's strong?" Zack scoffed, cracking his knuckles as his body began to emit streaks of vibrant blue energy. His eyes locked onto Kuvin, who was walking away like he owned the world. "He can't beat me in combat. He's a Kenai? Big deal. I'd mop the floor with him before he even blinks."
The raw surge of energy around Zack intensified, flickering like a lightning storm barely contained within his skin. He gritted his teeth, rage simmering beneath the surface.
"Tch… I'll deal with that punk later." Zack muttered under his breath. "After I finish this stupid Kenji mission."
…
Meanwhile, Kuvin moved with urgency, his mind focused and eyes sharp. He approached a sleek, high-tech vehicle parked beside the compound—a futuristic beast of a transport that looked like a Sienna on steroids. Its glossy black surface shimmered in the sun, and it was capable of carrying up to sixteen people comfortably with enough storage for weapons and tactical gear.
As Kuvin stepped inside, he exhaled, his expression softening for a moment.
"Kenji… It's been a long time, old friend. I just hope I'm not too late."
...
Back at the orphanage.
Inside a modest but clean room, two boys sat wide-eyed, staring at the third like he'd just dropped down from a spaceship. The tension in the room was thick, their expressions a mixture of awe, disbelief, and confusion.
"So you're saying… you just found out you have two powers," Dame said slowly, his voice laced with disbelief. "And those thugs from earlier—they were sent to retrieve you because you're on the run? You escaped from some secret facility or something? They were trying to use you as a weapon?"
His yes widened. "And there are others… people like you… who have been turned into weapons. Super-powered minions controlled by whoever's behind this?"
Kenji shifted uncomfortably, nodding. "Y-Yeah… that's just about everything."
A heavy silence followed.
"Mehnn, this is crazy," Van muttered, raking a hand through his hair. But even as he said it, something clicked in his mind.
That voice… the one he'd heard in his head yesterday..
['You are unlocked the Ultimate Ninja System.']
His eyes narrowed. A chill ran down his spine.
"I better take my leave tomorrow," Kenji muttered, his voice low, almost regretful. "This is too dangerous for you guys to even begin to handle."
Dame folded his arms, his gaze firm. "Try us. You saw Van out there—he stalled those thugs like it was nothing. Even I was shocked."
"Yeah," Kenji admitted, "Van does have a good sense for combat… but he's no match for the real deal."
His expression darkened.
"Next time, they'll send someone else. Someone stronger. An Aetherbrid."
Dame blinked. "A what now?"
Kenji turned toward him, his eyes heavy with the weight of truth. "An Aetherbrid… is a person born with—or forced into—supernatural powers. Enhanced strength, speed, abilities beyond your wildest imagination. And they're not all friendly."
The air grew still.
Van clenched his fists, the memory of the voice in his head echoing louder than ever.
"[You are have been granted the Ultimate Ninja System."]
Maybe… he wasn't as outmatched as Kenji thought.
Van clenched his fists, feeling a strange surge of power coursing through his veins. The air around him felt lighter, his footsteps quicker—sharper.
Without a second thought, he burst out of the room, his eyes locked forward with unwavering focus.
As he moved, a voice echoed in his mind—calm, mechanical, yet strangely empowering.
[Ninja System Online.]
"Ninja System, huh?" he muttered under his breath, his pace quickening.
He could feel it now—every instinct, every movement, enhanced beyond what he thought possible.
""They're going to come for me anyway…" Van muttered, his eyes narrowing. A flicker of defiance lit up in his gaze. "I might as well use this system… and figure things out later." one thing's for sure , I'm never going to let gang members attack my home again...
[You have been granted the Ultimate Ninja System.]
[Do you accept?]
[ Yes / No ]
Maybe… maybe I am cut out for this after all, Van thought, the corner of his lips twitching upward.
With a single thought, he made his choice.
[System acknowledged.]
[Congratulations, Host. You have unlocked the Ninja System.]
[Combat capabilities enhanced.]
[Recalibrating host's body...]
A sharp jolt lanced through Van's spine.
"Agh—!" he gasped, stumbling backward.
His bones twisted and snapped, reshaping with brutal precision. Muscles tore and reformed, leaner, denser, stronger. His skin itched as countless microscopic changes rippled across every inch. His senses flared—every sound, every flicker of light, every subtle shift in the air became painfully vivid.
"What's... happening...?" Van rasped, clutching his chest as agony surged like wildfire.
The pain was unbearable.
His vision blurred. Darkness crept in from the edges. And then—
He collapsed