A/N: Hey everyone! Once again, a week after updating one of my other stories, I am here with the update for this story! At least now (and HOPEFULLY!) I will have some more time to publish more stories often. Already I had to deal with my two jobs and the long hours I have been given constantly. You have no idea how much of a pain it is. At least now, I am here to present this chapter. As to an explanation about the pairing for this story, the reason for the pairing is the similarities the two will share later in the story. It will be a long development between the protagonist and Ayane which you will see later in the story. Now, let us start!

'Thought'

"Orphnoch"

The night goes by in the city as it remained quiet. However, one person was observing the streets, searching for someone. It was a young woman with violet hair wearing a dark purple strapless dress that hugs her petite body nicely. A pink butterfly is printed on the skirt complete with matching pull-on sleeves, stockings, heeled boots, and a giant red obi bow tied around her slender hips.

Over the past year, she has been searching for her target around the world only for the latter to escape her grasp. Even though she has helped the clan against DOATEC, her target was still a traitor to take down.

The kunoichi recently discovered rumors after her arrival in New York just a few days ago. While those rumors are vital to finding her location, there are other rumors regarding monsters lurking around the area.

She could assume it was the tengu or demons from her previous experience but this is different. The monsters held grey-colored hide and each one represented an animal or a plant. And it doesn't look like it follows the instincts of a regular monster. They were coordinated and remain hidden.

She knew she had to do her main objective here, but she can't afford any of these monsters to target her clan if they knew about them.

"I will find you, Kasumi…" She vowed. She will track the traitor down and kill her for the Mugen Tenshin clan.

Dead or Alive in Paradise

Chapter 3: A Ninja's Reveal

Defeating one monster was one thing but having to fight another monster and encountering another ninja was another story. Everything has changed somewhat ever since he found the belt. Did that man know Kasumi? Or was he part of something else entirely? It was getting too complicated for him to think about. The young woman was full of mysteries, but he can tell she didn't mean anything bad.

Currently, she was still staying in the apartment. The two have gotten along well with the young woman during her stay.

As of today, he didn't have any work to do since it was his day off. While he usually uses the day off to sleep, he figured it was best to hang out with the both of them. His sister was the one who suggested it. Perhaps it was a nice change for once in his normal life. Ever since that day, he never interacted with other people other than Mila and Marie (aside from his coworkers from his two jobs). Currently, Kasumi was getting ready to hang out with them for a bit as well as looking for her friend.

"So this friend of yours...is it a boy or a girl?" Marie asked in curiosity.

"He's a man several years older than me." Kasumi tried to explain albeit awkwardly.

"So a caretaker?"

"No, not exactly." She shook her head at Marie's innocent assumption. "He's a friend that I met a couple of years ago."

"So he's your boyfriend?" Marie asked curiously.

If Kasumi had to admit, the young brunette sometimes had the weirdest assumptions on her mind. "N-No...we're just friends. He is good friends with my brother."

"Oh, my bad." She apologized but paused at the statement. "Wait, you never told me or Enrique about you having a brother."

"You never asked me." Kasumi pointed out.

The young brunette paused. "Good point…" Marie replied in understanding. "I am guessing your brother is older as well?"

"Actually… yes." The girl was sharp than she gave credit for. The nukenin was reminded of the journal the girl kept; Marie hid a mature personality with a bubbly and cheerful facade.

"Why isn't he able to meet you here? Is he busy with something?"

Kasumi held her tongue at the question. They still don't know why she is here in New York. The real reason. "Something like that."

The brunette stared at Kasumi with a gaze before she finally shrugged. "Figures. My brother is often busy with work and errands and was often seen as that."

Kasumi mentally felt relief. The girl's curiosity was sated for the time being. It may be troublesome if the young brunette pressed on any further with her life.

However, it didn't stop the girl to ask one more question. "Do you have a phone? We can contact you more easily if we have to separate." Marie asked.

"Uh...actually, I don't have one."

At first, the American stared with a blank stare before she finally said with disbelief, "Seriously?"

Most of her friends in school have cell phones. Heck, her upperclassmen and freshmen students own cell phones! Yet this girl doesn't own one?

"Kasumi...I kept wondering how you are living everyday…" The young brunette mumbled to herself. This is one of the many weird things about her new friend.

"I-It's alright, Marie-san," Kasumi assured her. "I can still contact you from time to time."

"Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow. "Your family must be very old-fashioned."

"You can say that," Kasumi answered, knowing about the fact and something else entirely. "But don't worry, we still get by."

"I see…" She nodded but noticed the time. "Well, I have to get to school now. Hope you will find your friend soon, Kasumi."

"Thank you, Marie-san." Kasumi thanked as the younger brunette left the house for school after telling her brother about her departure.

The nukenin glanced at the window, seeing the young girl approaching a group of other girls and walked.

The normal life.

Kasumi took a deep breath and reminisce the days as a labeled nukenin. Yes, she left her clan to go after Donovan. She chose what was the right call.

To stop him from exploiting her clan for his own gain...

"Kasumi? You alright?" Enrique asked as he noticed her in deep thought.

"I'm okay, Enrique-san." The nukenin replied. "Are you going somewhere for today?"

"Yeah, I need to pick up the paycheck from my job." He explained. "It won't take too long. You can go look for your friend if you want to."

"Of course. I'll do that soon." She nodded in understanding. "Go ahead with your errands, I'll keep an eye in the meantime."

"I will. You be careful, alright?" The young man hefted his bag and left the apartment to do his errands. Hopefully, nothing else happens for the day and he can help Kasumi for a bit after his errand.

"Enrique-san sure is busy…" The nukenin looked at the time on the clock. She knew she can't stay here for too long, knowing that sooner or later, the ones who chased her down will catch up to her. The two siblings could have gotten hurt when that happens.

It was best to go outside and look for her contact now. After she wrote a note that she will be back in the house if she couldn't find him today, the young woman leaves the apartment where the siblings are staying to begin her search.

She still had questions about her new friend, recalling the younger brunette's journal entry and the old photo of the siblings with their parents. Why are they living alone in the apartment and not their parents? Did something terrible happen to the family that led to the two living this way? From Enrique's change of tone when she first asked the question, it seemed to be the case.

Either their parents disowned them or they have passed away a long time ago. From the looks of it and judging from the tone of Marie's journal entry, the latter seems to be more possible.

Why was he blaming himself for what happened to his parents? Could he be related to the incident that caused their separation in the past? There's no way to tell for sure unless she had to ask him directly.

Perhaps it couldn't hurt to investigate more-

A kunai suddenly hit the ground, making her jump back and turn around to see who threw the weapon targeted at her. Her eyes widen upon seeing who was behind the attack.

"Staying in a civilian's house...how unlike you, Kasumi," Ayane remarked with a frown.

"Ayane…" The brunette recognized. She was now cautious of the predicament. She knew where she is now.

"I'm gonna finish you off, traitor. You won't escape this time."

This isn't good. While she has fought her a couple of times before, over the past year, the fact that their location was close to her new friend's home is the real problem. The siblings cannot find out her actual identity.

"Looks like I have no choice…" Kasumi grimaced at the situation, preparing her fighting stance. She has to fight or be killed by her. Her only hope is to survive this fight and quickly meet with her contact.

She doesn't want her new friends to find out about this. The last thing she wanted was for them to get involved.

Enrique sighed heavily after having to pick up his paycheck from his late-night job. He already made its needed deposit and finally was able to return home. Looking at his watch, he noticed the time. "Marie should be getting off school in thirty minutes…"

Maybe he could check for Kasumi later after he picks up Marie? He hopes that she finds her friend soon. He still wondered why Kasumi didn't have a phone to talk to her friend. How will they contact each other if they don't have any kind of communication method? Could they have used letters to communicate?

That was one of the many questions surrounding his new friend. He wanted to ask her directly but he couldn't based on the young woman's behavior. She was a very kind person that helped him in return of him providing a place to stay despite he once told her there is no need for that.

Seeing that Kasumi is currently looking for her friend, maybe he will know more about Kasumi's life if he could ask about it.

As Enrique continued to walk, he heard the sounds of fighting around the area. Unlike the sound of something breaking as he heard before, he could hear two people fighting due to the voices. He should know given his previous conflicts against two other monsters. He runs to the sound as he grabs the Faiz belt in his hands just in case, hoping to stop the feud if he can. Hearing the sounds are getting louder, he arrived at an empty spot where he noticed Kasumi currently fighting against a young woman with purple hair wearing a black ninja outfit.

'What is going on…?' Enrique observed the fight between Kasumi and the unknown ninja. Could that woman be hunting her? Whatever's going on, it can't be good.

This proves there's something more to Kasumi than he knows of. He wanted to ask immediately, but with her fighting, he just couldn't stand by and do nothing. It didn't feel right. Acting quickly, he wraps the Faiz belt around his waist before running towards them.

"Hey!" Enrique shouted at the two, the two turned around to see the young man.

While Kasumi was shocked upon seeing him, the purple-haired girl narrowed her eyes at him. "Who are you?"

"Here is my question: why are you fighting Kasumi?!"

"You don't know anything, so don't interfere."

He growled before he reaches in his pocket, bringing out an odd phone. Flipping it open, she noticed its shape was meant for the belt he was wearing.

Pressing '555', he pressed the activation sequence.

STANDING BY!

He crossed his left arm, closing the phone. "Henshin!" He placed it into the belt, connecting itself into the said buckle.

COMPLETE!

Red lines surge across his body before it created the Faiz armor.

"What in the world...?" Ayane replied in a slight surprise, seeing the young man wearing an armored suit. She never seen a device capable of initiating a transformation "Just who are you to use that odd belt?"

The armored teen brushed his hands before slamming them as fists.

"Just a guy helping a friend," Faiz stated. "Now stop this or I will fight back."

"Then I have no choice but to fight you." Getting into a fighting stance, the woman saw the armored teen run towards her. The moment he whirled his arm, she blocked his wrist before spinning around with a double kick across his helmet.

The impact spun Faiz around, disorienting him as he tumbled left and right. "Crap…" He shook his head to regain his senses. 'Okay, let's try that again!' He attempted to punch her again with an uppercut but she dodged the fist before planting her hand against his chest plate and away from her with a kick that nearly got him in midair.

"Looks like other than your strange armor, you're nothing." The purple-haired woman mocked the young man.

The armored teen's hands clenched before reaching for his Faiz Phone and convert it to its gun mode. He was about to aim but Ayane immediately knew what it was for. Acting quick, before he can pull the trigger, she threw a kunai as the phone flies off his hand and across the concrete. Quickly looking at it, his lenses look at Ayane but saw the foot aimed for him. "Oh c-"

*WHAM!*

The kick this time was harsher as he skidded across the pavement, his back sliding until he stopped next to his phone.

"Ow…" Faiz wheezed, trying to grab his phone. Seeing the unknown woman charge at him once more, he grabbed the Faiz Phone and aims down below at the pavement. He fired repeatedly as the bolts of energy created clouds of dust. He stands up, albeit with slight imbalance for a moment. He places the Faiz Phone back onto his belt and focuses on the dust. He needed to be careful. He could feel the bruising already forming under the armor.

He needed to find a quick way to catch her off guard. Faiz grabbed the device on his waist and quickly clipped it to his ankle. He wasn't sure if this would work but it's worth a try to knock her out. Opening his buckle, he pressed the button ENTER.

EXCEED CHARGE!

Jumping high in the air, he does a front flip when he saw Ayane in the center of the cloud aiming the pointer at her. 'Here's my chance!' Seeing the armored man, Ayane saw a crimson cone forming on her. Looking up, she could see he was aiming for a fatal kick. Looking at Faiz, her crimson gaze shifts to his kick. He was trying to power through her with a powerful attack. With quick thinking and training, she quickly grabbed his ankle the moment he drew near and slid underneath him, bringing the armored teen face-first onto the ground.

"I thought that would work…" He muffled through his helmet before he was pulled by his leg and kicked again. The Faiz Rider stood up abruptly and angered. "Okay… that's it!" Faiz attempted to punch her but her experience was displayed. When he tried to punch, she would block it with ease. Even a kick to his chest was strong enough to push him back.

He was struggling to win the fight no matter what he tried to do.

Using the Knuckle, he slammed his fist at the purple-haired ninja. (Keyword: attempt) and again, she dodged it. And when she did, the young woman slammed her foot against his chest before using the momentum to use the said limb to deliver a swift kick to his chin, the impact lifting him in the air before he fell back on the ground when her heel sends him to the left, his armor canceled from taking enough damage.

He groaned from the beating he took. Even in his armor, he took a beating.

"You're still too early to fight with me." He slowly sat up, preventing the onset of pain from occurring. He needed to protect his friend. "Still getting up?" Ayane noticed. "This isn't your business to interfere."

"I don't… quit… when I have to protect… grh… a friend." He said firmly through his teeth.

The member of the Hajinmon Sect. frowned and lunged. Enrique clenched his fist and finally threw his fist against her, catching her off guard. However, what he didn't expect was the strength he suddenly released. The young woman was flung to the wall, nearly cracking it. Enrique quickly looked at his fist then at Ayane. That… he didn't expect at all. Kasumi held the same reaction. The young man's strength was practically inhuman. For someone her age, he had the strength he was unaware of based on his reaction.

Ayane quickly regained her bearings and looks at the raven-haired 'fighter' who was staring at his hand. Was he not aware of what he just did? She mentally winced at the pain. If more pressure was applied to that, it would have broken her spine.

"Who exactly are you?"

"Just... a friend doing the right thing," Enrique answered with a grimace in discomfort. Inwardly, he was astonished to the performance he did.

"Either you are human, or something else, from that punch. Are you some kind of experiment?"

"Experiment? I don't even know how the hell I did that!" He was bewildered. Not once he thought to do this. He just reacted to sudden instincts.

"From what I saw earlier, I thought you were just some normal person who recklessly sticks into someone else's business." Ayane frowned. "But now, I can't let you leave until I get some answers."

"Ayane, just leave him alone!"

"I can't do that. Not after what he just did. He interfered with our fight." Ayane denied, sending a glare to Kasumi. "It isn't your problem, traitor."

"He's just a civilian!" Kasumi tried to defend her friend. "Just leave him be!"

The lavender haired kunoichi simply dismissed Kasumi's plea as she immediately charged at the young man, prompting him to dodge as fast as he can despite his injuries. One kick immediately hit his stomach, making Enrique stumble back but maintained his ground.

Seeing him still standing, Ayane launched herself and spun, both of her feet aimed at the unarmored American. The kick hit Enrique dead center as he gasped for air and landed on his back. His breathing was heavy, his torso heavily bruised. He tried to move but it was painful to do so. His muscles were on fire to the pain. His ribs were probably broken from that harsh hit. His hands curl and release constantly, trying to ignore it but it was too painful for him.

"Give it up. Don't make it harder for you to stand."

Enrique could only look at her in pain, unable to speak. He wanted to say something but it was nothing, only the agony coursing through him. His eyes weakly drift to his Faiz Phone on his waist. He tried to reach for it but just moving his arm made him cringe.

"Trying to reach that phone again?" Ayane noticed, a kunai slipping into her fingers. She was about to throw it but a voice cried out to them.

"STOP IT!" Ayane paused before she noticed a young girl running to the older teen before the girl brought her injured brother close, tightly embracing him with extreme concern. The brunette looked at her with anger, her eyes brimming with tears. "Stop hurting my brother!"

"He was inter-"

"I don't care! Just go away!" The young girl snapped with a vicious, enraged look. "Leave us alone!"

Ayane looks at the situation with a frown. Why would this civilian even protect the traitor of the clan? All for what? Considering her as a friend? She felt angry but seeing the young one extremely worried about her relative, Ayane held back her emotions. She can't let her own emotions interfere with her duty as a ninja. With a hint of frustration seen, she turns away and leaves them.

Kasumi watched her half-sister leave before her attention turns to the two Americans. She runs over to her and kneels. "I'm sorry." She deeply apologized.

"Don't." Marie hissed, clinging her brother close. "He wouldn't have gotten hurt because of you! That ninja harmed my brother because he was defending you!"

"Marie… stop…" The young teen noticed her brother albeit in pain looking at her. "It isn't her fault. I made the decision… to help.."

"You got hurt!"

"A small… price…" he winced, slowly sitting up with Marie supporting him. "Don't blame Kasumi when it is me. She is our friend, Marie. You know as much as I do, I couldn't turn away from this."

"But…" Marie lowered her head. The older teen hugs his little sister in comfort.

He understands she worries given what happened to them. He was all that is left for their family. He looks at Kasumi. "Kasumi, I do apologize for what my sister said. And it isn't your fault."

"Still, I'm sorry for what happened. She was after me from the start." She lowered her head in guilt. She never wanted to have anyone else, especially a civilian get hurt in her affairs.

"It's okay…" Enrique assured, grimacing from the pain. "Just what happened back there? Who was she and why was she after you?"

Kasumi slants her head slightly. With his interference and the trust he has towards her, he deserves answers. There was no point in hiding it anymore. She took a deep breath before looking at the two. "I think I should tell you back at your place."

"Woah… an actual ninja! And I thought they were in old history books and anime!" Marie commented in awe.

After returning, and for the teen to tend to his bruises with ice packs, Kasumi began to explain to them about who she was. A ninja from the Mugen Tenshin clan who was originally to be the next leader but she denied and chased after someone. By then, she was labeled as a traitor and a coward in her return. With that, she has been on the run for nearly a year.

"So that was why she was fighting you…" Enrique realized, placing an ice pack on his chin. "Who was she anyway?"

"That was Ayane… my half-sister…"

"Huh?!/Eh?!" The two exclaimed in disbelief. That was the answer they never expected to hear.

"Your half-sister… wants you dead?!" Enrique held anger, his tone nearly dripping with venom.

"She was ordered to kill me by my clan…" She admitted. "It has been a year since then…"

"Why would they order her to kill you!?" He demanded in anger at her situation.

"For leaving without permission when I went after someone…"

"What happened?"

"It's a long story…" She held her arm, reminiscing the memories.

"Oh…" He muttered. He recalled the masked man who was a ninja yet never aimed to go after Kasumi. Could he have been an ally to her? He needed to find out and asking her was the best option. "Um, Kasumi, I have a question."

"What is it?"

"A few days earlier, I met another ninja but he was wearing a mask. Do you know him?"

"Can you describe him?"

"He wore an all-black ninja outfit but it concealed his face. Some metal crest on the upper part and carrying a sword." He gave her the description of the ninja he encountered.

Kasumi immediately knew who he met. "So you met Ryu."

"Ryu?" The young man repeated. "I take it you know him?"

"He's a friend of mine." She replied. "I'm glad he made it here."

"So you've been waiting for him to arrive?" Enrique realized.

"Yes. He promised to help me stay hidden until it's safe."

"Oh...then you will find him?"

"I have to. Otherwise, more assassins will come after me just like Ayane did…"

"Are you gonna be okay?" He asked. "She's gonna try to find you again. You two are family, it's not right for her to do that."

"For a shinobi, their duty comes first...same goes for her." She replied. "I can't let you get involved in this."

"Even so...I don't think it's right." He refuted. "Your clan cannot do that for you were just doing the right thing."

"Thank you for the concern, Enrique-san...but I'm sorry." She declined his help. She cannot let the young man get involved any further into her situation "This is something that I must handle alone."

He wanted to refute but he couldn't. She was right; he was a complete outsider and had no right to interfere. He had no choice but to let Kasumi handle this situation on her own. "Alright…" he relented.

With the decision set for Kasumi, she stood in front of the entrance of the room the siblings live in. "Thank you so much for your hospitality." She bowed in gratitude. The young woman was grateful for their hospitality; that alone made her trust and believe in them should she ever see them again in the future.

"It's no problem, Kasumi." Enrique waved off. "It's the least we can do to help."

"Yeah!" Marie beamed. "It was awesome meeting a ninja!"

The female shinobi looked at the brunette. "Take care of your brother, alright?"

"I will!" The brunette accepted with a smile.

Kasumi smiled thinly. "Goodbye, you two." With her final words, the nukenin left the two who waved goodbye to her. After walking a good distance away, a familiar voice called to her.

"Was it wise to tell them who you are?" The nukenin glanced at the wall, seeing Ryu with his arms crossed. Ryu Hayabusa was someone she trusts as a close ally, a friend. With herself beginning to go into hiding, he was willing to help her run from her pursuers, making sure no one knows where she was. "He saved me from that monster and he is someone I can trust."

"Like when he tried to fight Ayane?" Ryu reminded.

Her mood turned grim for a moment. While Enrique told her it wasn't her fault for trying to stop Ayane, it still worried her given the beating he took just to defend her. Deciding to push that aside, for now, she looked at the Hayabusa shinobi. "Has anyone else known where I was since?"

The masked ninja shook his head. "They don't."

She sighed with relief. Now she doesn't have to worry about more assassins coming after her life.

"By the way, that man…" Ryu said, earning her attention. "He has that odd belt."

"From what I know, that belt is created by Smart Brain," Kasumi replied, recalling what she learned. "And it's designed to beat the gray monsters."

"I see you faced one before." The man realized.

"It's how we met." She explained to him. "He helped me by using that belt."

"I'm gonna find out more about those monsters in the meantime," Ryu stated. "If there are more of these monsters, then they will go after him to obtain that belt."

"You're gonna keep an eye on him?"

"I'm not gonna do anything, rest assured," Ryu said, raising his hand in defense. "He's just a civilian from what I saw who got caught up in an unfortunate situation due to that belt."

Kasumi remembered the words of the first beast she fought. Location, Missing Gear that belongs to Smart Brain… could that mean it was retrieving it for—that can't be possible. "Ryu…" The shinobi glanced at her. "This may be just me assuming this but what if those beasts… what if they are working for Smart Brain?"

"You mean that belt is created for those monsters' use?"

"I don't know but this is starting to feel like what DOATEC was… but more dangerous."

"I understand." He nodded. "I'll inform him as soon as I have proof. Let's hope that your theory isn't wrong."

The possibility of Smart Brain having a motive like DOATEC was becoming more obvious based on the previous attacks to retrieve the 'Missing Gear'. If so, it meant whatever Smart Brain is doing, it is something no one should ever know and willing to kill with no witnesses to see what they have.

He couldn't let that happen. He will have to face some of the creatures and find out their motives.

He had to find out more about this.

"Well, this was unexpected…" Enrique said, taking over what they learned from Kasumi earlier. "Actual ninjas are still living alongside us."

"Yeah! We're friends with a ninja! It's so cool!" Marie exclaimed, her hands intertwining with each other in wonder.

"You think it's cool? From what Kasumi told us, she had it difficult for the past year." Her brother pointed out with a slight frown. "Can you imagine being hunted by her clan, her sister no less?"

The fellow teenager lifted her head slightly, her mind giving her the realization of Kasumi's situation. "...I see your point." She replied after a few moments of thinking. "It must be very hard for her."

"Yeah." Enrique nodded with a grimace. He couldn't imagine the pain she has been through. The pain of being hunted down by her own family. Just what kind of things Kasumi did for the past year that made her a wanted man?

"Do you think she's gonna be okay?" Marie asked with concern.

"I hope so…" While Kasumi didn't want him to be involved, it didn't feel right to him. He felt like he should have done more to help them. "I'm going to get something for dinner."

"Are you gonna be okay with those injuries? That mean ninja did hurt you a lot."

"I'll… be fine." He assured as he placed another ice pack on his torso. He bit his lip at the cold touch but it subsided. He noticed her glum look before he gently poked her forehead to earn her attention. "I know you are worried, Marie. You know I am not the type of guy to abandon my reasons."

"I know…" Marie responded but remained concerned for his safety. "Just don't get into any more trouble okay?"

Enrique rubbed his sister's hair to comfort her. "I know. Stay in the apartment, okay? And remember the rules."

Marie nodded in response as he leaves the house. However, she was still worried about him after the recent reveal they just heard. Will her brother be alright after what just happened to him? Hopefully, he doesn't have to fight another monster again today.

"Today sure was a very long day…" Enrique sighed as he carried the ingredients needed for tonight's dinner. He winced during the walk as he still felt the pain from the fight a couple of hours ago. He should have ended up in a hospital from the beating but this was odd to know his pain wasn't as bad as earlier. Probably the ice packs that were applied earlier did the work. But what of his bones? It hurt like hell from the kicks yet it wasn't like that anymore. He made a mental note to check with a doctor if it does get worse. He doesn't want to make his sister worry more about him. He decided to help someone and he doesn't regret a thing. However, the matter involving Kasumi and Ayane still concerned him.

Why did the sisters have to fight each other? What was Ayane's reason for wanting to kill her own family? Something has happened to them in the past for her to have such hatred, that's for certain.

Will he find out the reason one day? He couldn't know for sure. Hopefully, Kasumi survives against her and live on.

Feeling something changing in the air, Enrique stepped back to avoid a monster crashing onto the ground.

"I found you at last. You have the Faiz Gear according to our report." The monster stated with a frown.

First a Stingfish, then a Tiger, and now an Elephant-based monster? Looks like the monsters he kept encountering are based on animals.

"Let me guess, you're here for the Faiz Gear aren't you?" Enrique asked carefully, knowing what will happen.

"If you knew about that, then give me the Gear or I'll grant you a painful death!"

The young man immediately grabbed the belt from his bag, strapping it onto his waist and said, "Sorry, no can do." He then opened the Faiz phone and pressed the code.

STANDING BY!

He crossed his left arm, closing the phone. "Henshin!" He then inserted the phone into the belt, connecting itself into the buckle.

COMPLETE!

Red lines crawl around his body to form the Faiz armor. He then brushed his hand before slamming them into a fist. "Come and get it, ash freak."

Accepting the challenge, the monster charged at Faiz to which he immediately attacked with a punch to its hide. Not stopping, he punched the monster again a couple of times in the chest, the Elephant-themed beast sent stumbling back.

"Had enough?" He taunted the monster who simply stood up trying to ignore the damage.

"Don't look down on me! I'll beat you to a pulp and take the Missing Gear!"

"Try that if you can." The Rider continued to taunt the monster, knowing it will enrage him more and blind him due to its rage. The Elephant monster roared in anger and pain from his attacks. Sensing its charging approach against him, Faiz rolled away to avoid being rammed by the monster. Knowing it will get back up, Faiz raised his arms while the Elephant monster now got up shakily but soon regained its bearings.

"I will crush you to the ground, you brat!" The monster now roared in fury until it begins to grow.

"Holy…" Faiz lifts his head, seeing the Elephant-based monster now become something equivalent to a tall centaur. "You gotta be kidding me…"

The Orphnoch glared down at Faiz who felt like a bug to it. A bug needing to be crushed.

"Oh shit." Seeing the danger, he immediately ran away as the Orphnoch chased after him.

Nothing was worse than provoking an elephant! He skids before making a corner as people immediately ran or avoided the sight of the beast.

It shoves aside cars that were in its way, even crushing a few unoccupied ones by its weight. The teen looks left, seeing it focus on him as they run parallel.

"Oh, crap…"

Moving diagonally, it rammed him as the rider crashed through the glass and the monster pulled him, the latter clawing the ground before he was hoisted up by his leg. Immediately grabbing the Faiz Phone, he inserts the code.

BURST MODE

"Let go of me you elephant freak!" He aims the gun and fires at its face, forcing the monster to release his hold and grasp its face.

The teen landed on his back with a groan until he saw its two feet lifted. With a yelp, he rolls to avoid the stomp before firing more rounds at it.

"Gotta find a way to keep this freak in place." He kept firing until it stops. It roared in anger, no longer its speech was human-like earlier. Could that form be a way for if to give up its normal traits for a more feral one?

If so, then it's similar to a rampaging animal.

A few normal shots hit its back, forcing it to look behind and sees a few officers. This wasn't good. The local law enforcement must have noticed the situation.

"Stop right there!" The officer shouted, aiming his gun at the monster.

"Get away, officers! This monster is dangerous!" Faiz warned.

The centaur-like monster grabbed a car and took sight of the humans, prompting the officers to run.

Panicking, Faiz quickly aimed at its head, the energy rounds irritating it as the car was now dropped onto its head with an audible clang.

He needed to stop its rampage before it hurts the officers. Grabbing the Faiz Pointer from his belt, he kneels and clips it onto his ankle. "Hey, you giant ashtray!" The beast looked at him, offended. "Come and get me! You wanted the belt?! Then try it!" He taunted it.

Roaring in a rampage, the Orphnoch charged against Faiz who ran at him at the same time. He then opened the Faiz Phone and pressed Enter.

EXCEED CHARGE!

Leaping, Faiz aimed both feet at it, the energy drill appearing on the monster's chest, forcing it to stop. With one leg tucked in and the other with the pointer aimed for the monster, Faiz descended towards it. "HAAA!" He went through the cone and appears on the ground behind it, skidding to a halt.

The monster remained still until a PHI symbol appeared, making it explode into blue flames as it turned into ashes. The teen panted from the rush of adrenaline in his body, the numbing pain from its attacks still in him especially after his previous fight with the female ninja.

He licked his lips under his helmet after taking a moment to breathe. "That was insane…if more of those monsters can transform into giants like that, I'm screwed…"

He never thought the beast can assume a form of its nature. To see the elephant-like monster assume a centaur form, he shuddered to think of future monsters doing the same.

Walking away from the area, the graduate was about to return to his home when one of the officers spoke to him.

"Hey, you! Thanks for the help." The officer thanked before asking the question in his mind. "Who are you?"

The teen opened his mouth slightly under his armor before remembering the name of the Gear. "Call me… Faiz." He answered. "I-I should go." He quickly ran away, preventing further questions regarding what happened to them.

The Hajinmon Sect. kunoichi landed on the ledge of the building, her crimson eyes taking note of the damage of the three-block radius caused by the beast she saw earlier.

Originally she planned to depart after her failed search for Kasumi after their previous encounter. However, it changed when the sound of a roar and gunshots earned her attention. That was then she witnessed the guy from before facing the monster.

It destroyed numerous vehicles and a few walls but it withstood normal bullets like they were pellets to its rough hide.

"That guy from last time took care of that monster…" She observed the scene. "Just what is with that belt?"

The belt allowed him to end the beast. From what she saw last time, the young man is inexperienced at fighting but he had inhuman strength that she felt from one attack. Something was going on. And it was eerie. Her eyes landed on the scene where the beast died, law enforcement taking photos, etc. then there were the ashes that are being gathered.

'Ashes…'

She immediately remembered one of their villages going silent until they investigated, seeing a place being nothing but ashes in clothes on the grounds of the village and inside the homes, even bodies of fellow shinobis who have been murdered in cold blood.

Could those monsters be the cause of that? If so, it means more will be coming. They weren't just aiming for him but others for reasons unknown. Now she realized who are responsible for the village massacre.

She needed to inform the clan about this situation. And find a way to deal with those monsters and their group.

A/N: And that completes this chapter! Seems the problems have risen for our protagonist and a sliver of a certain trait has been revealed. I know some of you are wondering: Is he the Wolf Orphnoch? I can't say anything to spoil it. You all have to find out yourselves in the story to see if he is the Wolf Orphnoch or a different type. Don't forget to favorite, follow, and review! I will see you guys soon! Stay in the shadows everyone!