Well, the man Itsuki was looking for happened to be wandering quite aimlessly along the seaside---which, of course, had been Eichirou's most beloved place since his mother's death. He needed to stay there, to think of things that he needed to do. He had to come up with a decision before a Triske Monster decided to ruin his day once more.
But seriously, he couldn't get his mind quite straight at this point. Not when he was worried about a certain woman's safety more than anything else.
'Mom, please tell me how you would want me to do things like protecting Kanako.' It was a request that made Eichirou quite distressed. His worry for Kanako was something he knew wouldn't easily be washed away by the sound of the seawater. Nor could it be blown by the sea breeze.
But in a way, he trusted the sea to at least help him. That way, he would know that his mother was listening to him, at the very least.
"You're connected to the waters, huh? No wonder you were chosen to become SeitenBlue."
Eichirou stiffened as soon as he heard that, but only for a few moments. He faced the speaker as he turned sharply, only to see Itsuki standing a few feet away from where he was sitting. "Itsu-chan..." How in the world...?
"You're still standing on sand so that has made it easy for me to know where you are even without your Shifter." Itsuki started approaching Eichirou and sat on the sand just a few feet beside him.
"I'm the worst, aren't I?" Eichirou mumbled as he looked at the sea once more. "Becoming a Seitenger... I never realized that by accepting that, I would put everyone in danger."
No words came from Itsuki but the photographer could tell that the boy was looking at him. Weird enough, just allowing Itsuki to do so had calmed Eichirou somehow. It was like he could confide his worries to the boy, especially at the moment that he was thinking of ways to protect Kanako without actually involving her in his duties as a Seitenger. And yet he knew, it was somewhat impossible given the fact that Kanako already knew some information about the Vessels.
"So in other words, you're scared... that everyone close to you will get hurt because of the duty you've accepted," Itsuki stated placidly before sighing. "But you know what, Eichirou-san, you chose to accept that duty for us to keep everyone safe from the danger that the Tareans could bring to them. The reason you're like this right now is that it didn't come to you that our enemies would be hurting someone close to us. And Kanako-san, at that..."
Though Eichirou hated to admit it, Itsuki was right on that point. He couldn't help feeling useless because Kanako got hurt while he was fighting Cyone. And now that she knew his duty as the current Vessel of the Heavenly Water Spirit Guardian's Power, preventing Kanako from getting hurt because of what she knew would be a little bit hard. Not to mention that Kanako was a hard-headed and determined woman if one would ask Eichirou. They were childhood friends, after all. At least he knew that.
"It's like you're saying that I can't do anything about Kanako getting involved with our activities as Seitengers other than accepting her decisions. And knowing her... She could be stubborn as I am," Eichirou said with a sigh.
"Just like Erika..." Itsuki muttered, catching Eichirou's attention.
"Itsu-chan... Could it be that---?"
The composer smiled but with hints of sadness. "That's how I figured it out, Eichirou-san. That's how I realized your fears for Kanako-san. But girls can seriously be stubborn. I don't want my sister to get involved with anything related to the Vessels. But to be more precise, I just don't want her to be involved in anything that would endanger her. And yet she insisted that she would never realize her true capabilities if I continue shielding her from what we're meant to do. At that point, I can't do anything for her other than to watch over her and protect her as she does her best."
At that point, Itsuki faced Eichirou who had been watching him intently as he told his reasons.
"The more we fear for the safety of the people we care about, the more we gain the strength and courage to protect them so that they wouldn't get hurt. Or worse, killed. Use that fear that you have for Kanako-san's safety and turn it into something that will give you the strength to protect her. That, for one thing, was something I learned when I decided to accept my sister's decision to become a Seitenger despite the danger we're going to face."
Eichirou couldn't help but smile at Itsuki's statement. It wasn't rare for him and Itsuki to have conversations like the one they were having at the moment. But this was one of the few times that Itsuki had openly admitted his fears---one that was directed to Hoshiyama Erika. He doesn't have a sister so he couldn't relate to Itsuki that much. But he and the composer had one thing in common.
The reason for their fears to exist happened to be the people they treasured more than anyone in the world. But they were also the same reason why they were fighting this hard. Yes, the battle had only begun for them as Seitengers. But they also needed to have reasons to continue fighting. Right now, maybe it was just Erika or Kanako. Maybe they could include their teammates and their mentors. And as they go on, they would surely meet other people---find other ideas and reasons---that would propel them to continue their duties.
"I guess I'd be dealing with Kana-chan's stubbornness more often if I allowed her to become a part of our duties," the photographer later commented and soon chuckled at his words. He faced Itsuki with a smile that showed relief. "Thank you, Itsu-chan."
"We are friends... We have been like that for the past ten years. And right now, we're also a team. A sentai. But that idea was something that Shuichi-san would usually think of." Itsuki chuckled at that.
Eichirou couldn't help but agree. The moment they'd accepted their duties as Seitengers, they'd already become a part of a sentai.
'Reiyouki Sentai, huh?' Yup, that was seriously what Shuichi would think about their new formal team. They were called Vessels, after all.
And right now, the five of them who were the current Vessels of the Heavenly Spirit Guardians' Powers formed the Reiyouki Sentai... just as their predecessors had done before.
Eichirou could only hope that he and his friends could do their jobs properly if they wanted to succeed.
xxxxxx
Simultaneous explosions destroyed the buildings that disrupted the city's peace that very same day. People could be seen running for their lives as they screamed. It wasn't only because of the ongoing chaos that delivered immense fear to the humans. But also because of the mastermind behind the chaos.
This time, Cyone destroyed the nearby establishments and buildings as the Gargonema scoured around the area to round up the humans trying to escape. Once a group was formed, the Triske Monster immediately sucked their energies as he fired elastic fish scales right to their faces one after another.
"More! More! More humans!" Cyone continued shouting as he cackled while watching the captured humans scream in pain and struggled to escape but to no avail.
The scenario went on pretty fast, the damage and the number of victims had escalated compared to the previous attack. Cyone continued to gather energies even from the humans that the Gargonema rounded up.
"Siriso-sama will be pleased," the Triske Monster mumbled as he felt the gathered energy build up steadily. "Come out, Seitengers!"
That growl resonated throughout the city followed by another evil laugh that stood out even from the escaping humans' screams and the explosions.
xxxxxx
The continuous beeping of the Celestial Shifters that were in Itsuki's pocket alerted both Eichirou and Itsuki. The echoing evil laugh soon heightened their worries and made them realize what was going on.
"Cyone!"
Both of them turned on their Celestial Shifters after Itsuki handed over Eichirou's that projected holographic screens. The screen from Itsuki's Shifter projected images from where the Triske Monster was attacking. While the one from Eichirou's Shifter revealed a map revealing the exact location of the ongoing attack.
"That monster's fast. We have to stop him before the damage escalates to the worst point," Itsuki suggested as he closed the device.
Eichirou nodded once with full determination. But before they began leaving the place, he recalled something. "Itsu-chan, I have an idea. But I'm going to need your help."
"If it will help us return the stolen energies to the victims, then I'm with you on that."
With that, Eichirou laid out his plan to Itsuki as he told the composer his observations during their last encounter with Cyone.
Despite being the brainy one, Itsuki let Eichirou take the lead in strategizing this time. Well, calculating the probability of their victory, he knew the laid-out plan would work.
They had to make it work.
xxxxxx
The discussion at the Mizuhashi mansion was still ongoing as the rest of the Vessels still listened to Kanako's explanation and studied the notes written on the notebook that Itsuki gave to them. They were surprised, without a doubt, that the composer managed to list down information with regards to their Hyakureider and its possible functions.
They were immensely engrossed in reading the contents when it was rudely interrupted upon hearing their Celestial Shifters beeped. The sound startled them but it wasn't for long. They immediately turned on their Shifters. Soon after, each of the Vessels' Shifters projected holographic screens which enabled them to see the situation.
Shuichi clenched his fist at the sight of the people trying to flee from Cyone and the Gargonema which was played on the projected screen. Misae's worries escalated upon seeing the unconscious humans on her screen. Erika's Shifter projected a holographic map for her to locate the exact point of the scene of the attack. After that, they dematerialized the screens and faced each other.
"Let's go."
Determined nods were all that Shuichi needed for him to realize that Misae and Erika were in the same league as he is.
"I can't believe we're doing this again," he couldn't help murmuring as he faced the two girls.
Misae smiled as she tapped Shuichi's shoulder. "We've already chosen to do this, Shuichi. Indeed, there are still things we needed to clear about our choice with regards to becoming a Seitenger. But we can learn them as we go on. We'll be fine."
"Besides, it's not as if we're going to let those Tareans destroy the world that even our parents had protected for our sake. That's why they saved us that night, right? They knew we're meant to do this," Erika added.
"Now it's just a matter of choice whether or not we're going to fulfill this task that lies on the path that we're meant to take."
Misae and Erika nodded in a response to Shuichi's statement.
"But that didn't stop you, right? If that's the case, we need to head out. Itsuki and Eichirou will be needing our help." With that, the three Vessels immediately headed out.
Yet before they could even get out of the gate, they heard Kanako calling out to them. They turned to see the said young woman approaching them.
"Kanako, you should stay inside. You still need to rest," Shuichi said with concern.
Kanako heaved a sigh and shook her head. "Not this time. Besides, until now, I've been trained to be prepared for this day. I've been trained to help the Vessels with their battles. That's what I'm trying to do now."
The 3 youths frowned at the girl's statement. Kanako spoke again before they could even ask her about it. "I'll guide you during your battle with Cyone. You just have to remember one thing that will surely help you win this battle or even those that are about to come."
With that statement, they listened to Kanako as she stated her point behind her words.
xxxxxx
Itsuki and Eichirou arrived at the scene of the attack first. They were horrified at the sight of the unconscious victims and a few others trying to flee. The number of casualties was even greater than the last time. As one of the Gargonema tried to hit a little girl and his brother, the two Vessels rushed to their aid and fought the creatures out of the way.
"You go ahead. We'll handle it from here, okay?" Itsuki said reassuringly to the young boy. He smiled at the sight of the little girl looking worried and frightened at him. Then he faced the young boy once more. "Protect her, okay? Even if you're scared, I know you'll be able to protect her."
Though confused at the young man's reason for saying that to him, the young boy somehow understood what it meant. He nodded with determination evident in his eyes. But soon after, his eyes widened at the sight of the skeleton creature that was about to strike his savior from behind.
"Watch out! Behind you!"
Itsuki didn't have to turn around to deal with the Gargonema. All he did was to extract the blade of his Hyakureider to stab it in its stomach. He soon noticed four more Gargonema coming at him and the two frightened kids. The composer only dealt with it by firing energy beams toward the enemies from the bladeless end of his cylindrical weapon. After taking them all down, he faced the kids. "Go! We'll make sure they won't chase after you."
The two kids heeded Itsuki's words and fled the place. After that, Itsuki saw Eichirou easily dealing with the Gargonema with just the older Vessel's strength. The composer wasn't surprised at the sight, though. He knew even before that Eichirou's strength was something that the man was proud of. He soon focused on dealing with the other Gargonema using his Hyakureider.
But the two Vessels didn't anticipate the attack that Cyone sent to them. Two scales almost covered their faces which they managed to evade. However, those scales soon exploded as soon as they hit the ground in which the resulting blast threw them away.
Eichirou raised his head only to see Cyone laughing at the sight of them already hurt because of the explosion.
"I'm starting to hate this fish head whenever he laughs like that," Eichirou muttered as he braced himself to rise. Itsuki grunted in agreement and followed suit.
"What's wrong, puny Vessels? Can't take a hit on me?" Cyone mockingly laughed once more. "You're nothing like Siriso-sama had said. I'm even wondering how those puny skills of yours managed to defeat Juman."
"Well, I guess I can understand why you were created as a fish. Even your words stink," Itsuki retorted icily.
Of course, it was expected to send Cyone into a fit of rage almost easily. "What did you say?!"
"And I think your stinkiness made you deaf, as well," Itsuki added rather calmly. Soon after, he smirked. "Hey, Eichirou-san... Why don't we show this stinky fish head how our puny skills work on cleaning his dirty mouth?"
Eichirou wasn't surprised at the suggestion. He sighed and helped Itsuki stand up despite the pain from the injuries they received from the explosion. "I'll be glad to be of assistance to you on that."
"Well, don't leave us behind if you're serious about doing that."
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