~The next day~
"Huh. I thought it would just be us, Ayumu? Why is Ochita also here?"

That was the first question that escaped from Toji's mouth as Ochita, Ayumu, and himself were all standing face to face as they were all inside the church. While Ayumu scratched the back of his head, Ochita decided to be the one to speak up.

"Ayumu entrusted me with the Inverted Spear of Heaven so I could pass it down to his son when I felt the time was right and he matured enough as an executioner. That's why it was in my possession. In order for your deal to go through, I must be present as the Cursed Treasure is within my care as of this moment. Though ......I wish Ayumu would have at least let me in on this exchange before hand."

"Hehe....sorry, sorry. It was a heat of the moment type of agreement. Besides, it was the head of the Zenin clan that offered Toji here that large sum of cash. I HAD to give him something more valuable in order to ensure my son's safety."

Ochita merely nods his head in agreement. The priest soon revealed a black box in his hand. He placed it on the floor and slid the box over to Toji to show the man that they won't get close and try something. The moment Toji picked up the box, he opened it up and looked at the contents inside.

"Well I'll be damned. The treasure that was kept in the Nanaya family for generations is actually in my hands. Knowing your relationship with them, it must have been hard to get this, Ayumu. Now it's in the hand of a powerless monkey like myself. What happened to that family honor you Nanaya's use to have?"

"I don't know, what ever happened to the pride you Zenin had. Hiring a hitman just to take out a child that barely knew anything of the supernatural. I didn't take your former clan to be filled with cowards, Zenin Toji."

The tension was high as both Toji and Ayumu glared at each other. However, both men suddenly froze in place as they felt a murderous presence behind them. When they turned around, they merely saw Ochita smiling at them as he was slowly cracking his knuckles.

"Either take this argument outside like reasonable adults or else I will be forced throw to you out personally. Understood?"

"Hmph, whatever. I got my payment so I'm out of here. Though, I guess I have one thing to say. Ayumu, your brat has potential. Don't let him go to waste and die like a dog. Just like you all did with my own kid."

Having said his piece, Toji left the church with the Inverted Spear of Heaven in his possession. Afterwards, Ayumu sat down in one of the pews as he took a deep breath and exhaled. Soon the former executioner took a look at the priest.

"How long has it been.....since the old trio was back together in this spot?"

"Many years, but that was the past. Things have changed ever since then. The best thing we can do now is guide the new generation so they don't repeat our mistakes. Ayumu, sooner or later, you'll have to tell Shiki the truth about his heritage. I know you're doing this out of concern, but the longer you wait and hide the truth....the more it will hurt him that his own father kept something so important a secret from him."

~????~
"Mr.Shiki, can......can I eat full course meals?"

"Of course you can."

I lied.

Shiki was seen standing on the island of Jinoshima. The entire island engulfed in flames, swords scattered around the ground as they found themselves impaled into corpses. Blood was staining the ground as it was slowly reaching the boy's feet.

"Can I even make friends with other people like me?"

"Of course. A friend and an acquaintance of mine are very strong mages. They can even give advice on how to use your magic and improve if you want."

I lied.

Shiki now saw the corpse of Kurogane Rika now in front of him. Everything he promised to her, the future he wanted to help her live was turned to nothing but a big fat lie. Soon the man responsible for turning that promise to a lie aimed his gun at Shiki.

"I think the worse part about this......was the one lie I forced Rika to say with her own mouth."

"In my eyes, Mr.Shiki is the kindest person!"

The sound of a gunshot could be heard as a bullet pierced through Shiki's skull. As blood escaped from his head, a smile could be seen forming upon the boy's face. A single question running through his head as his body almost hits the ground.

"Rika....would you still think that if you knew what I did to your father and your island?"

~In Shiki's room~
Suddenly Shiki opened his eyes as he woke up in a cold sweat. The first thing he did was place his right hand on his forehead. He didn't feel a wound nor did he see any blood when he looked at his hand. A small sigh of relief escaped from his lips only for a frown to form on his face.

"I'm still alive..........."

As Shiki got out of his bed, he looked around the room. There they were, the lines of death were still in his sights. After getting picked up by Shiranui on Jinoshima and telling them what happened during the mission, Shiki could remove his Mystic Eyes Killers again and be able to see the lines of death once more. Though, a thought occured to him once he was able to see them again.

"Would using the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception have changed the outcome of his battle with Toji?"

No. There's no point in thinking about that. You lost as simple as that. If you want to change so badly, then produce results dammit.

As Shiki looked in the mirror, he looked at his own physique. He knew that one of the reasons why Toji managed to beat him was because of his superior body. The sorcerer killer and himself both shared the same vision, but Shiki lacked the body that could keep up and work with the ideas that came to his mind simultaneously like his opponent did.

"At least I know I CAN progress. Thank you, Toji. I see hope in crushing you."

As Shiki said this, he noticed his phone was vibrating. The moment he picked it up and looked at the caller ID, he saw that the person calling him was Shiranui. While putting on his Mystic Eyes Killers, the boy answered his phone.

"Hello....this is Shiki. Is there anything you need?"

"Nope. Just letting you know you'll be having a week long vacation. You'll need to regain your strength after a solo mission like that. Tell Asuramaru I will fulfill my end of the binding vow as I cover up the mission you were on to the public. That is all."

Having said that, Shiranui hung up the phone as Shiki just stood in his room. A week long vacation, truth be told, he didn't know he would be able to have a vacation. With a sigh escaping from his lips, Shiki slowly began to pick out what clothes to wear as one idea came to mind.

"Guess I'll see if Shiranui kept their word. Time to visit Rika."