Taro Ayato Days

The wind howled through the ruins of the JAA building, the bloodied X still staining the wall behind Taro and The Order. The air was thick with tension, silence stretching long as each member stared at the message left behind.

Taro turned, his voice low and steady. "We return. Now."

They didn't argue. The team moved like shadows, vanishing from the scene, their minds already focused on what was coming next.

—

Back at the shop, Jin stood guard outside. He gave Taro a small nod as he returned with the rest of the group. Kaito and Aoi were inside, watching the news for any update.

Taro entered, his face unreadable. Aoi looked up quickly. "What did you see?"

Kaede stepped in behind him. "An X. Drawn with blood. Slur made it clear."

Kaito's eyes widened. "A blood mark?"

Takumi sat down, rubbing the back of his neck. "He didn't just destroy JAA. He made a declaration. A personal one."

Taro glanced toward the closed room where his daughter Fu was sleeping, and his wife Emi stayed close, keeping her safe. His hands clenched at his sides.

"He's coming for all of us," Taro said. "Not just the Order. Not just me."

There was silence for a moment until Mika broke it. "What do we do now?"

Taro's voice was cold and sharp. "We prepare for war."

He turned to Kaito. "Find every detail about the JAA's files. What they had. Who might've survived. If there's even one clue they left behind, I want it."

Kaito nodded and left instantly to begin.

Taro stepped outside into the street, looking at the empty sky above the city.

The war had begun. And this time, it wasn't just about protecting the assassin world. It was about protecting his family.

And for that…

He would burn Slur's entire world to the ground.

The streets were quiet that night, the kind of eerie silence that made even footsteps sound louder than they should.

Kaede and Takumi walked together through a narrow alley, moving fast and alert. They had been sent by Taro to check on an old contact who once worked for the JAA—someone who might've survived the destruction.

"I don't like this," Kaede muttered, scanning the rooftops.

Takumi nodded. "Too quiet. It feels off—"

But before he could finish, a sharp breeze rushed past them.

A figure stood at the end of the alley, blocking their path. A tall man in a dark coat. White gloves. A calm, unnatural stillness.

Slur.

Kaede's eyes widened. "Get back—!"

In a blink, he vanished.

And in the next breath, blood sprayed the walls.

Kaede dropped first, a deep slash across her chest, eyes wide in shock.

Takumi tried to turn, drawing a hidden blade—

But Slur's hand shot forward, piercing straight through his chest like a spear.

Both assassins collapsed to the ground in seconds.

Slur stepped back, silent and composed, as if nothing had happened. Behind the two bodies, he reached into his coat and dipped his gloved hand into the blood pooling on the street.

He dragged a line… then another.

An X.

—

Minutes later, Taro, Mika, Kaito, and Jin arrived at the scene.

The moment they turned the corner, they stopped in their tracks.

Kaede and Takumi lay dead in the middle of the street. Behind them, painted on the wall in red, was the same symbol.

The bloodied X.

Mika fell to her knees in shock. Kaito stood frozen. Jin looked away, fists shaking.

Taro stared at the scene, his heart still, his rage boiling.

He didn't speak a word.

But in his eyes burned something Slur had never seen before.

The fury of a man who had just lost family.

And the promise of revenge.

The city slept under a blanket of silence, unaware that another storm was about to strike.

Mika stood on a rooftop, high above the city, communicating through her earpiece. She had been sent by Taro to scout a hidden base once used by the JAA. Her mission: find any survivors or files Slur might have missed.

She moved swiftly, eyes sharp, tracing her steps through the remains of shattered walls and collapsed stairways.

"This place is empty," Mika whispered into her comm. "No signs of movement. I'm heading back in five."

She turned to leave.

But she stopped.

There, standing behind her—silent as death itself—was Slur.

Her breath caught in her throat.

She reached for her dagger instantly, spinning to strike—

But Slur didn't flinch. His hand moved like a blur.

A single strike. A single sound.

Slash.

Blood sprayed across the rooftop.

Mika's eyes widened, body trembling as she dropped to her knees, clutching her side. She gasped, trying to stand, but her legs gave out. The dagger slipped from her fingers.

Slur stood before her, expression unreadable, almost calm.

"You were loyal," he said softly, "but loyalty won't save anyone now."

With one final motion, he ended it.

Mika's body fell limp against the cold concrete.

—

Later that night, Taro arrived at the rooftop with Jin and Kaito. He had sensed it—something was wrong.

When he found Mika's body lying still under the moonlight, everything around him went silent.

Jin looked away, unable to speak. Kaito fell to his knees.

Taro walked forward, eyes burning. There, again—on the wall behind Mika—was the symbol.

The bloodied X.

Three Order members.

Gone.

Slur wasn't just attacking.

He was erasing them.

One by one.

The night sky over the city glowed faintly as Slur and Joe walked atop a high-rise rooftop, laughing quietly, their voices echoing in the emptiness.

"Three of them gone," Joe grinned. "The Order's crumbling. Just two left now."

Slur's cold smile remained unchanged. "Taro's losing control. He's reacting. Not thinking. That's when people die."

They kept walking casually toward the edge of the rooftop when suddenly—

BOOOOM!!

A massive explosion rocked the building just ahead of them, flames bursting through windows, debris flying in every direction. The shockwave swept across the rooftop, forcing both men to stop and shield themselves from the blast.

From within the inferno… two shadows emerged, walking slowly through the smoke.

The flames roared behind them. Glass shattered around their boots. The air trembled.

Taro Ayato and Jin.

Alive.

Unshaken.

Eyes locked on Slur and Joe like predators who had waited long enough.

Taro's voice cut through the night like steel. "You think we're the ones being hunted."

He stepped forward, eyes blazing.

"But now… it's your turn to run."

Slur and Joe stood unfazed as the smoke swirled around them, the flames painting their shadows in the chaos. Joe chuckled darkly. Slur smirked, calm as ever.

"So dramatic," Joe muttered, amused. "They always want to make an entrance."

Slur tilted his head, locking eyes with Taro. "Still alive, Ayato? Impressive."

But Taro didn't answer.

Without warning, Taro vanished from his spot — moving at a speed even Joe barely saw.

He appeared right in front of Slur, fist already cocked back.

BOOOOM!!

His punch landed with the force of a missile, the ground underneath exploding into shattered concrete, flames bursting out like a shockwave across the rooftop. The entire building shook violently as debris flew through the air. Smoke blanketed the scene.

Jin stepped back, eyes wide. "That's it. He landed it… It's over."

But as the smoke cleared—

Slur stood still.

Completely unharmed.

His white-gloved hand gripped Taro's fist.

Blocked.

Without effort.

Taro's eyes widened.

Jin's heart sank.

Slur slowly looked up at Taro, his calm expression now sharper. Darker.

"You think I've come this far... without evolving?"

Then, in a flash—

Slur tightened his grip. The rooftop trembled again.

The real fight had just begun.

Slur held Taro's punch mid-air, the force alone cracking the ground beneath them. A wicked grin crept across Slur's face.

Slur: "Taro Ayato… you've gotten slower."

With a sudden twist, Slur threw Taro across the rooftop, slamming him into a water tank. It burst open, flooding the area. Jin shouted and dashed forward, drawing his twin daggers glowing with blue energy.

Jin: "You're not going anywhere this time!"

But Joe stepped in front, cracking his knuckles. BOOM! Jin clashed with him, and their shockwave shattered all the glass windows around.

Taro stood up, drenched and furious. His eyes glowed. He dashed toward Slur with incredible speed, every punch faster, heavier.

Slur dodged like a shadow, then countered with a brutal elbow to Taro's ribs, followed by a palm strike that sent Taro flying again.

Joe and Jin fought fiercely—Joe had immense strength, but Jin had deadly precision. Jin sliced through a metal pole and flung it at Joe. Joe broke it mid-air with his bare hand.

Joe: "Is that all the Order has left?"

Jin: "I haven't even started."

As Jin and Joe clashed, Taro roared and released a blast of energy around him. Buildings nearby shook. He landed a heavy punch to Slur's chest that sent Slur flying into a wall.

Slur stood back up, brushing off dust.

Slur: "Now you're serious."

Suddenly—Slur vanished.

Jin: "Taro, behind you!"

But too late—Slur appeared right behind Taro and stabbed a strange glowing knife into Taro's back. Taro coughed out blood, dropped to his knees.

Slur (coldly): "Your time is almost up."

Jin screamed and charged toward them—but Joe grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground.

As Taro struggled, he looked at Jin and nodded. Jin understood.

Jin: "You'll pay for this, Slur."

Just as Slur was about to finish Taro, Taro's eyes flickered with deep rage. His hand caught the knife.

Taro (growling): "I don't die that easily."

He broke the knife's blade and punched Slur so hard that Slur flew through two buildings.

Jin stood, bloodied, and helped Taro up.

Jin: "We're not done yet."

Taro: "No… we're just getting started."

Slur and Joe appeared on both sides of Taro.

BAM!

A double punch to the face and gut—Taro's body flew back, crashing into the rooftop edge. Dust flew. He wasn't moving.

Jin's eyes widened.

Jin: "T-Taro?!"

Slur walked forward, cracking his neck, calm and smug.

Slur (smirking): "I know your weakness now… Taro Ayato. You have a daughter."

As those words echoed—

BOOOOM!!!

In a flash—Slur was smashed straight into the rooftop, creating a massive crater.

Joe: "What the—?!"

Dust and debris flew in all directions.

From within that rising dust cloud… a glowing red eye appeared.

And then his voice—calm, deep, filled with fury.

Taro (real form):

"You can hurt me, Slur.

You can kill my people…

But if you touch my family…"

Suddenly, the dust exploded outward.

Taro Ayato stood in his real form.

His chubby body was gone.

His muscles were dense, armored with shadow-like energy.

His coat flapped wildly in the wind, and every step cracked the ground beneath him.

His aura was no longer normal—

It was monstrous.

Taro (cold): "Then I become something even I can't control."

Joe instinctively stepped back.

Slur, buried in rubble, coughed blood and looked up, finally serious.

Slur (grinning, but nervous):

"There he is… the real Taro Ayato."

Taro vanished in a blink—teleport speed.

He appeared in front of Joe and uppercut him into the sky—BOOM!

Then appeared above Joe mid-air and slammed him back down with a punch—BOOOOM!

He turned to Slur.

Taro:

"I'll bury you… before you ever speak her name again."

Smoke and dust scattered across the rooftop. Slur's body was buried deep in the cracked ground, eyes wide in disbelief. Standing above him was Taro Ayato—no longer the chubby shopkeeper, but the real one. His aura was raging. Shadows swirled around him like wild beasts, and the ground beneath his feet trembled.

Jin stepped back, stunned.

"This… this is the real Taro," he whispered.

Joe rushed forward, aiming a spinning kick toward Taro's head—but before the kick landed, Taro tilted his neck slightly. Grab.

He caught Joe's leg mid-air and slammed him into the wall, leaving a crater. "You stay down," Taro muttered coldly.

Slur pulled himself out of the ground, wiping blood from his mouth, smiling.

"So this is the man everyone fears," he chuckled. "This is going to be fun."

He vanished in a blink. Taro's eyes followed him.

CLASH! Their fists met in the center, releasing a sonic boom. Glass shattered in nearby buildings. The air twisted. Joe, even with his strength, was flung back by the shockwave.

Jin ducked, yelling, "I can't even move near them!"

Slur appeared behind Taro. "Your daughter, Fu… she looks so peaceful sleeping in her bed."

Taro's eye twitched.

Slur grinned—and then—BOOM!

Taro vanished.

He reappeared behind Slur, grabbing him by the neck.

"Say her name again, and I'll erase your entire bloodline."

CRACK! He slammed Slur through six floors of the building.

But before Taro could chase down, Slur erupted upward, uppercutting Taro through the roof into the sky. Taro spun in the air, landed on a floating piece of broken concrete, and launched back down like a meteor.

BOOOOM!

The ground exploded. The shockwave could be felt across the city.

Jin's eyes were shaking. "This is no longer a fight. This is a war between monsters."

Joe got up slowly, coughing. "Slur hasn't even used his second style…"

Suddenly, the battlefield went silent. Slur stood up, bruised, smiling. "Now… Taro Ayato. Let me show you the form I've never used in ten years…"

A dark red energy started swirling around Slur, twisting the sky itself. Lightning flashed. His body started transforming.

Taro narrowed his eyes.

"So that's how it's gonna be".

In a blink, Slur said, "I am going to kill your family first," and then he vanished.

Taro's eyes widened. His face turned pale for a second—but in the very next moment, his body vanished from the spot with a sonic boom. The ground cracked beneath his feet. He was already sprinting through the city at a speed no normal eye could follow.

Jin screamed from behind, "TARO!!"

Taro didn't stop. Wind tore through the streets. He didn't even blink. Every thought in his head was Fu. Emi. Aoi. Kaito. The house.

He jumped over buildings, flashing across roads, bursting past cars like a storm.

He reached his street.

And then—BOOM!

A part of his house exploded.

"No—!"

He slammed through the front door. Smoke filled the living room. Aoi was unconscious on the floor, blood dripping from her forehead. Kaito was buried under rubble, groaning.

Taro didn't see Emi or Fu.

He clenched his fists. "SLURRR!!"

Suddenly, behind him, a voice whispered:

"I told you, I'll take everything from you."

Taro turned.

Slur was standing there, holding Fu in his hand. A blade of shadow energy hovered near her neck.

"Let's see how strong you are… when you lose everything."

Taro's aura exploded.

Everything turned white.

Taro fell to his knees, the world around him fading. The smoke, the flames, the cries—all drowned in silence.

His eyes glazed over… and a flashback began.

He saw Emi laughing while cooking in the kitchen.

Fu running toward him, hugging his leg, yelling, "Papa! Papa!"

Aoi placing flowers in the vase, smiling proudly.

Kaito bringing groceries while cracking stupid jokes.

Their small, peaceful life… the warmth, the love.

Then—

Everything twisted.

In the nightmare, Slur stood in front of their burning house.

Emi… lifeless.

Kaito… gone.

Aoi… eyes open, unmoving.

Fu…

"No…" Taro mumbled in his dream. "Please…"

Slur grinned in that vision. "You couldn't save them."

Suddenly—Taro's eyes snapped open.

Time froze.

The flames halted.

The shadows stopped moving.

Even Slur's smirk was locked in place.

Only Taro stood—rising slowly. His aura burned cold and heavy.

And then—time restarted.

Slur blinked—and Fu was gone from his hand.

"What—?!" Slur looked around, panicked.

In front of him, Taro stood.

Holding Fu safely in one arm.

And the look in his eyes—was not rage.

It was death.

Slur took a step back.

Taro didn't move.

He just whispered, "You touched my daughter."

The ground cracked beneath him.

The air grew thick like gravity had multiplied.

And Slur, for the first time in years—felt fear.

Slur's smirk returned.

"You can't catch me, Taro."

And in a blink—he vanished.

A sonic boom echoed as he sped through the ruins like a phantom, leaving nothing but wind and dust behind.

But before the dust could settle—

Taro was already chasing him.

No words. No roar.

Just pure, focused fury.

The ground tore apart behind Taro's feet, each step cracking the earth, the buildings, the air itself.

Meanwhile—

Jin faced Joe.

Joe laughed. "You're just the smart one, huh? Let's see if brains can block this!"

He charged, launching punch after punch—

Jin dodged—countered—

A knife from his sleeve struck Joe's arm—another in his side.

Joe growled, bleeding. "You little—!"

Jin suddenly vanished—reappeared behind him.

And then—

CRACK!

A brutal elbow to the back of Joe's neck.

Joe stumbled.

Then Jin pulled two wires from his gloves, wrapped them around Joe's throat, and shouted:

"For Mika!"

Snap.

Joe dropped—lifeless.

Jin panted, staring down. His hands were shaking—but his eyes were burning.

He looked up at the smoke trail in the sky where Taro chased Slur.

And whispered, "End him, Taro."

They both were running like thunder—

Taro and Slur, shadows slicing through the air.

The ground trembled beneath their speed.

Skyscrapers blurred behind them.

Streets, bridges, trees—

Gone in seconds.

Birds scattered from the sky, windstorms followed in their trail.

Slur looked back for a second—

Taro was right behind him. His eyes—red.

His face—calm like death itself.

Slur gritted his teeth.

"Damn it... how is he this fast?!"

They ran across highways, through tunnels, over rivers.

Everywhere they passed—cars flipped, windows shattered, alarms screamed.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each step felt like a small explosion.

And then—

Slur raised his hand and fired a black energy blast backwards—

But Taro jumped, dodged mid-air, and came crashing down like a meteor—

BOOM!

The road cracked.

Slur barely turned around to block the next attack—

But Taro's fist collided with Slur's jaw—

sending him flying through five buildings.

And Taro didn't stop running.

He vanished into the smoke—

Chasing him again.

Slur skidded to a halt on the cracked highway, his breath heavy, eyes blazing with fury. The ruins around them were scars of their violent chase. He turned fully to face Taro, voice cold and commanding.

"Enough running, Taro. Now fight me… or die right here."

Taro stopped a few meters away, his shadowed aura pulsing fiercely. His gaze never wavered as he stepped forward.

The two warriors locked eyes — a silent challenge passed between them.

Then, without warning, they lunged at each other.

Fists collided with the force of thunderclaps, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Each strike was faster, harder, deadlier than the last.

The battle raged on — punches, kicks, energy blasts, and skillful dodges. Buildings crumbled around them, roads shattered, and the earth itself groaned under their fury.

Neither gave an inch. Neither showed mercy.

It was a fight that would be remembered — a clash between two forces equal in strength, fueled by hatred and survival.

And as the sun began to rise, the war between Taro and Slur only grew more deadly.

Taro's eyes burned fiercely as he growled, "You killed my friends. This is for them."

Before Slur could react, Taro charged forward, his fist connecting with Slur's jaw in a devastating punch. Slur was sent flying, disappearing into the swirling clouds above.

Slur laughed darkly, catching himself mid-air. "Is that all you've got?"

But then, the sky darkened.

A massive meteor hurtled toward him, trailing fire and smoke.

The ground cracked violently beneath them as Taro appeared from the earth's fissure, grabbing Slur mid-fall.

With cold resolve, Taro snarled, "Kill him."

Taro stood over Slur's lifeless body, chest heaving, eyes still blazing with the remnants of battle. The city was silent again, the storm finally passed.

He wiped the sweat from his brow and whispered, "It's over… everything is fine now."

With heavy steps, Taro turned and made his way back home.

As he entered the quiet house, something caught his eye—a glowing tablet resting on the table.

He picked it up. The screen flickered to life.

A man's face appeared, grinning coldly.

"This… is only the trailer," the man said, voice dripping with menace. "The real game… has just begun."