Before setting foot on Raijū, Ash had to prepare. The journey itself would be a trial—more than just a test of endurance, but a measure of his worth. No world in the known systems harbored a harsher warrior culture, and arriving unprepared would be suicide. The Raijū did not suffer the weak. They broke them.


    Inside the war room of Shirogiri Manor, Ash stood before Kenshiko-AI, the flickering blue light of the holomap casting deep shadows against the ancient chamber walls. The projection of Raijū''s storm-wracked surface loomed between them, its jagged mountains and ceaseless tempests painting a vision of chaos and destruction.


    Raijū was more than a battlefield—it was a crucible. Those who survived its fury became legends. Those who failed became dust.


    Kenshiko-AI''s voice, calm yet weighted with wisdom, broke the silence. "You understand the gravity of this decision?"


    Ash nodded. "I have to do this alone."


    "Then you will need a vessel worthy of the storm," Kenshiko-AI replied. "Your current ship will not survive entry. You require reinforced shielding, adaptive thrusters, and an energy-dispersing hull. There is only one ship that fits such demands."


    A secondary projection materialized beside the holomap—a sleek, dark craft with a predatory design. The Kusanagi.


    "This is the ship?" Ash studied the specifications, the details illuminating before him.


    Kenshiko-AI''s newest sub-AI, Rin, materialized beside him, a refined presence crafted as an extension of her will. Rin folded her arms, her expression unreadable. "The Kusanagi is not just any ship," she stated. "It is a relic from a war long past. A vessel forged for both infiltration and survival. If any craft can get you through Raijū''s atmosphere in one piece, it is this one."


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    Ash traced a hand over the glowing outline of the ship, already committing its design to memory. "Then I''ll take it."


    The Vessel: Kusanagi


    The Kusanagi was more than just a ship—it was a weapon. Sleek, built for survival, its obsidian-black hull was reinforced with energy-resistant plating, designed to weather the most brutal conditions. It had been engineered for infiltration, built to slip through enemy defenses unnoticed or strike with sudden precision. Perfect for Raijū.


    Its engines, a hybrid of gravitic and ion propulsion, could shift between silent running and burst acceleration, allowing for both stealth and raw speed. More importantly, the ship''s shielding was designed to adapt dynamically, dispersing kinetic and energy impacts alike. That would be crucial for breaking through Raijū''s chaotic atmosphere without being vaporized mid-entry.


    But the Kusanagi was not just built for battle. It was prepared for rescue.


    Ash had ensured the ship had a medical bay, fully equipped with stasis pods and regenerative systems—should he find his father alive, weakened after years of captivity, he would have the means to stabilize him. The ship''s interior had been modified to include a secured chamber, a space designed for both protection and rehabilitation. If his father still lived, Ash would not let him die in a Raijū prison.


    Now, standing before the Kusanagi in the hangar, Ash felt the weight of what lay ahead. The ship''s dark form gleamed under dim lighting, its presence both reassuring and ominous. Rin''s presence flickered beside him as he approached the craft, its systems coming to life at his touch. The soft hum of active power filled the air, and the cockpit glowed in response to his presence.


    Stepping inside, Ash settled into the pilot''s seat. The consoles recognized him instantly, lighting up with intricate displays. He took a steady breath, fingers hovering over the controls.


    A familiar presence stirred in the back of his mind.


    This journey would test more than just his strength. It would test his soul.


    And on Raijū, only the strongest survived.