The sound of steel clashing echoes throughout the night. As Naoya swung his blade at Shiki, the boy used his knife to clash with the cursed weapon. His mission was to protect the Tokyo Branch and to retrieve Asuramaru, so destroying the blade was a last resort plan. That's why he didn't want to use his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception in this fight.

"Second Edge:Michi no Satsujin."

As Naoya grasped the blade part of Asuramaru, he slid his hand across the blade as it began to glow a bright red as his blood was seeping into it. Suddenly, Naoya wildly began to slash at the air as red, crescent-shaped projectiles were launched at Shiki. Just as the attacks were inches away from Shiki, the boy suddenly swung his left arm in a horizontal arc as the attack was broken apart.

"It's a good thing Megumi-senpai's speed is ridiculous. She got all of my Black Keys I wasted just before we launched our counterattack."

"Don't get so cocky, brat", Naoya stated as the broken pieces of the projectiles returned to their liquid state for a brief moment and floated in the air in the shape of small spheres. Suddenly the spheres shot themselves at Shiki as they suddenly took the form of spears. The boy suddenly turned around and swung his Black Keys at the projectiles as he was being pushed back due to using his Holy Sacraments with one hand to defend.

Seeing this Naoya swiftly dashed at Shiki and swung Asuramaru down his back. Shiki hissed in pain as his blood dripped onto Asuramaru. Shortly after, the boy turned around and swung his knife as it clashed against the cursed treasure. As Naoya and Shiki looked at each other's eyes, Shiki smirked as he used the Black Keys in his left hand to launch the dirt on the ground upwards into Naoya's eyes.

The moment the dirt got into Naoya's eyes, Shiki swung his knife at Asuramaru again. Since Naoya's grip on the blade lessened due to being caught off guard by Shiki putting dirt in his eyes, the sword flew out of his hand and landed a few feet away from him. Seeing his chance, Shiki launched a rising roundhouse kick with his right leg going towards Naoya's temple.

The moment Shiki's right foot connected to Naoya's head, he slammed the Zenin's head onto the ground and quickly used his knife to stab the man's right hand into the ground. Soon Shiki dashed towards Asuramaru as Naoya ripped the knife out of his right hand as he chased after Shiki.

"The failure who aims to to take his position from the shadows through bloodshed. A boy who does not remember the past, but carries his own sins in the future. Two defects of two families. This is a most entertaining joke."

Once more, a voice entered Shiki's ears. As his eyes darted around for a brief moment, he saw no one else besides Naoya. Just as Shiki managed to get to his destination, his right hand grabbed onto Asuramaru's hilt. The moment this happened, Shiki screamed in pain as black, shadow like energy escaped from the blade. The shadows wildly attacked everything around Shiki, destroying parts of the ground and even attacking Naoya as the Zenin could only look.

"Shit, i'm too late. I didn't receive a reaction like this when I first came into contact with it. Don't tell me, is Asuramaru actually reacting to this brat and trying to establish a temporary contract?!"

~???~
As Shiki's eyes opened up, he no longer saw himself near the Tokyo Branch and didn't see Naoya anywhere. The only thing Shiki was met with was pitch black darkness. Soon Shiki heard the sound of footsteps approaching him as a voice called out to him.

"Strange. Usually when establishing a connection, the form this place takes on is based on how the wielder's inner mind and soul views itself. Yet all that is here is silence and darkness, as if a blank slate."

The voice was oddly soothing to Shiki, yet also terrifying. Not because it belonged to a stranger, but because the voice sounded familiar to him. Soon Shiki felt a hand gently touching his right cheek. Before he could say anything, he heard the voice whispering into his ear.

"What is that you want? The power to kill all your foes? Fame? Recognition? Protect everyone and become a hero? If so, the cost isn't cheap. After all, I am a cursed sp-"

"For the rest of the battle against that Zenin bastard, i'll let you have control of my body. In exchange, by the time the battle is over and we meet with Megumi, you'll be coming with me to the Tokyo Branch and we can discuss what we do next there. Those are my terms."

"....... interesting. Very interesting, Koritsu Shiki. But you didn't answer my question."

"I'm not a damn hero who wants to save everyone. I'm not a dumb battle junkie who wants to be the strongest. I just wanna protect the little normalcy I have left in my life. I'll do anything to keep the two most important people to me safe. Whether it be letting you posses me ........or me just destroying that damn sword all together! This desire doesn't belong to the church or some sense of duty. This is a desire that belongs only to Koritsu Shiki!!!!!!"

As Shiki said this, the being that spoke with him began to laugh. Usually the people that wanted them only wanted power to escape their normal boring lives, yet here is a boy threatening to kill them because he wants to keep his normal life. Soon the being let go of Shiki's face as they shook the boy's right hand.

"With that, our temporary contract is set. Nice to work with you, you bloodthirsty egoist."

~With Naoya~
The shadows that attacked Naoya vanished as quickly as they came. As the Zenin looked forward, he saw one figure standing alone as he held Asuramaru in his hand. Seeing as the boy wasn't moving, Naoya quickly lunged at the him.

"You let your guard down, you arrogant br-"

"Asura-Kanon."

Naoya quickly jumped back as he saw a dozen blades materialize behind Shiki. Suddenly the blades pointed at Naoya as they launched themselves at the man in rapid fire succession. Seeing this, Naoya mustered up all the strength in his legs and ran in a zig-zag pattern to avoid the projectiles.

Just as Naoya dodged the last sword launched at him, Shiki was suddenly in front of him as he stabbed Asuramaru straight into Naoya's right eye. The Zenin screamed in pain as Shiki took Asuramaru out of his eye socket and a long with his right eye. As the eye slid off the blade, Shiki merely looked at it before stepping on it and crushing it.

"This body lacks an ounce of mana, so I am free to use my own power without worrying about it clashing with the host's own power. Despite having no mana, this body is practically superhuman. I think I can get use to this."

"You......who the hell are you" Naoya screamed at Shiki as he could tell something wasn't right. The ability he just used, the way he spoke, and the way he fought was drastically different. Seeing this, "Shiki" merely laughed as he placed his right hand on his head before slicking his hair back with a sadistic smile on his face.

"You don't remember my name despite putting your dirty hands on me? That won't do at all. I guess I'll burn my name into that thick skull of yours, you arrogant monkey."