Chapter 5: The Truth of Sasine and the Timeskip


Universe 11, Abandoned city far from Zalabasta Prison

Sasine was still shocked to hear the truth about her existence from Hit. She took a deep breath, swallowed spit, and looked the other way from the Assassin. Looking at the ground with disbelieve, she turned back to face the assassin.

"I am an Assassin, like what you do?" Sasine asked shockingly.

"That was the difference between us, we were never exactly like each other. The only thing we shared was the ability to use the Timeskip. You fought for freedom, but not me," Hit explained.

"But... I am an Assassin, a killer, a murderer! How is that still different from what you do?" Sasine asked angrily.

"The Assassination training you followed allowed you to control your actions and decide whether or not you want your target dead. The Assassins of Planet Koroshi were secret freedom fighters who protected the innocent and only the evildoers that truly deserve it gets killed. Or so I thought, it turned out much more different," Hit explained.

"So, we are the good guys, right?" Sasine asked.

"Only you, I was never the good guy, but not a bad guy either. I kill either the good or bad, trying to stay on the neutral side because I don't believe in pure-heartedness," Hit said.

Sasine then quickly grabbed Hit's arms and shook him. "Tell me about my past, tell me everything! You are the only one that knows! What about this Planet Koroshi and the Assassins! How did I die?!" Sasine shouted.

Then out of nowhere, Sasine grabbed her head out of pain, like something was heating up inside her head. It was like fading images were flashing right in her eyes. "Aaww… What was…" Sasine said to herself.

"Fine then, I will tell you, because you are lucky that I just returned from your grave," Hit said when he turned his back to her. "It was maybe around 1100 years ago when we were just teenagers," Hit explained.

Sasine immediately interrupted him once again. "Wait, 1100 years ago… How old am I exactly?" Sasine asked.

"You are 1398 years old, the same age as me," Hit said.

"What! I am ancient, but I still look young and…" Sasine said as Hit just got enough.

"Several creatures in the universe live longer than 1000 years like you and me, which is the equivalent of just being around your middle-age. Be quiet and listen," Hit told her.

Sasine got quiet and listened to what the assassin explained.


Flashback 1100 years ago on Planet Koroshi

In the past on Planet Koroshi, both Hit and Sasine attended The Academy to become the most skilled Assassins, to protect the innocents from evildoers. The school was like any other in the universe to mask its true purpose, to train the deadliest freedom fighters in the universe. Only the people who lived on Planet Koroshi knew the real reasons for their existence.

Many months after joining the assassins, Boy was training in the art of combat and assassination. He never even thought about back home and his parents, his past life was all behind him. Boy visited the library many times, trying to find some inspiration for his new identity, but nothing came to mind for a long time. After one of the classes he followed was over, Boy, all on his own, was walking in the hallways of the school with his books in his hands. The boy looked around until he saw the library again.

Once entering, he looked around to find the one thing he desired for ages, his unique name. "I'll get an idea here sooner or later, maybe another book this time," Boy said.

He looked around, seeing several kids reading books or studying. Boy went to the history sections of the library and looked around, trying to find a book about Assassination.

"Let me see, I have read a lot of these books already, which one did I not read yet?" Boy said as he looked at the selection.

"Took you long enough, you never met me in the library, almost like you are avoiding me," The voice told him.

Boy quickly looked around and suddenly noticed Sasine laying on top of the bookshelf. The boy quickly took notice of her.

"Sasine? Where did you come from?" Boy asked.

"Use your imagination, but picking a name has been difficult because when you pick a name, it will stick forever. Why didn't you come to me before going to the library? I thought we were doing this together?" Sasine asked.

"I figured you'd be busy," Boy replied.

"I am never too busy to help you out," Sasine said when she then jumped off the bookcases and stood on the floor. "Anyways, I got some inspiration for you, wait here for a moment..." Sasine said as she left Boy alone for a moment to get something that would pique his interest.

Boy waited for a couple of minutes until Sasine arrived with a book in her hands. "How about this book, The Story of Koroshi, written by Principal Rosu. It's very special for the school and perfect for you. It has the origin of Planet Koroshi and it's about the 3 Legendary Assassins of The Academy," Sasine said.

Boy grabbed the book out of her hand and opened it. He started reading as Sasine sat next to him, reading it with him. He then looked on his right side and saw the girl reading with him, only raising one eyebrow. He decided to scootch over to get some space. Sasine only held one eyebrow up and puts her hands behind her head.

"Fine," Sasine said annoyed by Boy's antics.

"It says here that Planet Koroshi was once a dead planet, kind of like how I lived, but one day, someone known as The Brave One appeared and brought life to the planet. The Brave One was going by the name: Hittomanu. He populated the planet with different creatures and refugees from other planets, making it a home for everyone, declaring himself as the leader of the planet Hittomanu, which was the name the planet had first, interesting," Boy explained.

Sasine then stood up and stood in front of Boy with excitement in herself while Boy kept reading the book. "Yeah, I love that story, and it goes further with a fun ending. You see, Hittomanu was the leader of his planet for many years, but because the planet was accessible for basically everyone, it also attracted evildoers like a huge criminal organization," Sasine explained as she then looked the other way. "The evildoers struck fear in everyone on the planet by killing people, innocent or evil for power over the planet and its inhabitants. Hittomanu decided to fight fire with fire and trained his loyal followers to become skilled martial artists, including himself. Eventually, Hittomanu fought against the criminal organization with his army of martial artists and tried to change their way of life by fighting them, but not killing them. However, their leader was convinced that killing was the only way to strike fear because he will never change his way or be on the good side. Hittomanu believed that killing to protect the innocent was for a much nobler cause because you prevent other people from losing their precious lives by taking the ones who are undeserving. Hittomanu killed the criminal organization and his followers, and renamed the planet, Koroshi, meaning Assassin. He was the very first Assassin that killed someone in the world and decided to train the people who want to protect the innocent by disposing of true evil. He built The Academy that has existed now for more than centuries and was the very first headmaster that trained everyone into the art of Assassination," Sasine explained.

The boy kept reading the book while Sasine did her story, she then grabbed the book out of Boy's hands. "Hey, I was still reading!" Boy asked when Sasine spoke.

"There is something very cool that I wanna show you, come on, my story continues!" Sasine said excitedly as she happily ran out of the library.

The boy looked curiously as he puts his hand on his chin and followed Sasine out of the library. In the hallway, Sasine and Boy walked together to where the girl was taking him.

"Where are we going?" Boy asked.

"To the History Wall. It's where the best Assassins and their properties are saved for their successors," Sasine said as she walked forward.

Finally, around the corner, Sasine stood still and looked up, Boy just arrived and saw an entire glass case on the wall that belonged to the best assassins of the history of Koroshi. Three items stood out the most of all of them.

"You see all of this? Those weapons and items all belonged to the 3 legendary assassins of Koroshi. All 3 of the Assassins used one of those items according to their preference. Those two wrist blades belonged to the third-best Assassin, Korosu. He was specialized in using the hidden blades, without his opponent knowing he was armed, he could take care of anyone with just a stab in the right angle, awesome, right?" Sasine asked.

"Hidden blades? Hhmm… What about those two pistols?" The boy said as he looked around.

Sasine then pointed at 2 pistols in the glass case

"Oh, those pistols belong to the second best and the rival of the very best Assassin called: Ansatsu. He was an assassin that mostly worked on long ranges. He was a dangerous sniper with the best aim anyone has ever witnessed, but up close, he is just as threatening as he is far away," Sasine explained.

"Impressive," Boy said as he looked at the third weapon and found it pretty weird. "I don't get this one, this is just a purple trenchcoat. It's not like those other weapons that all had their uses, what's with this?" Boy asked.

"That is the most important and valuable one of all the items, the Purple Trenchcoat belonged to the best Assassin in History, Hit, and also the reason I brought you here. When Hittomanu trained the Assassins of Koroshi, 3 of the 10000 students were extremely specially gifted. Korosu, Ansatsu and Hit. Not only were they born prodigies, but they were also born with a technique only they were able to use," Sasine said intrigued.

Boy puts the book down and looked at Sasine. "What do you mean? " Boy asked.

"All three of them were able to use a technique called: Timeskip," Sasine said excitedly and mysteriously.

"Timeskip? Like actually skipping time into the future?" Boy questioned her.

"Yes and also... no. The Timeskip was first discovered by Hittomanu's son, Hit, and further researched to find out how capable his son truly was, and trust me, he was more than even that," Sasine explained.

"How much do you know about the Timeskip?" Boy asked.

"Oh, I know all about it, and my initial answer might disappoint you. Okay, the Timeskip is no ordinary technique that everyone can learn in like a day with your energy waves. It is a technique that connects itself with the one it chooses, and thus, it cannot be learned. So you are either lucky to have it, or you don't and never will. The Timeskip allows you to create your parallel pocket dimension and enter it as if you were skipping time in the real world, making you appear as if you are further into time than your opponent. With the Timeskip, Hittomanu's son became the most skilled Assassin in the history of Koroshi for using his best abilities, even more than his father. Korosu could use the Timeskip in combination with his hidden blades, Ansatsu used it in combination with his pistol. Hit, well he didn't need any weapon of some sort like his friends, only the purple trenchcoat you see there to mask his movement. His strikes were deadly and precise, basically never missing his target. The coat he used made it much more difficult for his opponents to read his movement, his hands and legs are covered and thus you can't directly see his attacks coming, catching you off guard all the time. He could become intangible, phase through objects, strike inside the Timeskip, dodge, anticipate and fight so fast that he was almost impossible to beat. It is also capable of connecting two users so that they can enter their parallel dimension, so if one of them skipped time, the other one will know as well and be aware of it. And another thing, you can never get rid of the Timeskip ever, unless you do 2 specific things. Either you die and the Timeskip will find another suitable connection, or you can transfer the Timeskip to someone else who it deems worthy, but that ain't easy. In the history of the Timeskip existing, only 3 people can use it in the entire universe. There are many more things but I'll save you the essay," Sasine explained.

"How do you know all of that stuff Sasine? Are there students here that can use it?" Boy asked.

"Uuhhmm... Well no. Currently, no one has done it since then, and the school is still discovering," Sasine told him.

"Hmm, that's a shame, I want to see it in action so that I can do it. The Timeskip must be sleeping inside of my very being," Boy said out of confidence.

"Hey, I do my fair share of research in the library as well, I want to be a skilled Assassin too. You wanna know why only 3 people can use the Timeskip?" Sasine asked.

"Why?" Boy asked.

"It's because it is connected to all three of them, it's the same technique split into three! Other Timeskip users can sense each other, only if they try to concentrate and feel the same sensation as them. In the history of them trying to find more people who can use the technique, they only keep finding 1 or 2 more, but never more than 3 people in total," Sasine explained.

"The Timeskip, I am sure I can do that too, then I'll become the very best Assassin," Boy said proudly.

"Hahaha, you still have to get through me for that title, and trust me, there is a whole lot more about the Timeskip that you don't know. Don't you believe that I can try and achieve the Timeskip as well?" Sasine said.

"Try and get it if you want, but I am going to master it first. I will find out eventually, but I did get an idea of a name when you told the story. To become the very best, I need a fitting name, so what was the name of Hittomanu's prodigal son again?" Boy asked.

Boy and Sasine grinned at each other as he finally got the perfect name for his existence. The next day at the Academy, the students all attended their classes early in the morning. Sasine and Boy together were in class when their teacher was calling their names.

"Alright, Kiru…" the teacher shouted.

"Here Master Satsu!" Kiru shouted.

"Okay good, Sasine?" Master Satsu called her out.

"Here sir!" Sasine said.

"Excellent, and… Oh uuhh…" the teacher said as he read the name Boy chose for himself. "Hit!?" Master Satsu called out.

Boy quickly stood up off his chair. "Here sir!" Hit told the teacher.

The teacher then puts his book down and leaned on the table. "So, it appears your new name comes from Master Hittomanu's son, Hit. Why did you go with that name, kid?" the teacher asked.

"After reading Koroshi's history, Hittomanu's son was a true prodigy and the best Assassin the school has ever known. That title will soon belong to me, I will use the Timeskip and become better than the original Hit!" Hit told the teacher.

The class was quiet for a moment, started laughing at the boy. Kiru, a boy with short purple hair and a friendly demeanor spoke up to Hit's speech.

"Hahahaa, yeah right, come on man, it's too early to think you will be the best, most of us are here longer than you are!" Kiru said while laughing.

Shiya, a young girl with styled red hair and a proud look on her face, spoke up next to his bold statements. "We all have dreams, but yours right now is just a fantasy," Shiya jokingly him.

"Kid, that was a great speech, but becoming the best Assassin will be much, much more difficult than you realize. It takes years of practice and building up experience," the teacher said.

Sasine was still not responding and only kept smiling with her eyes closed.

"You see, Hit, we do have a prodigal Assassin in our class, it is the one sitting next to you on your right," The teacher told him when he then pointed at the prodigy.

Hit then immediately looked at Sasine sitting next to him on the right side. She finally opened her eyes and challengingly watched Hit.

"That's right… Hit… if you want to become the very best in The Academy, then you have to be able to beat the number 1 student," Sasine told him.

Hit then looked at her and replied. "No problem, I will beat you one day," Hit said to her.

Sasine only kept smiling at him, as Hit was watching her with determination in his eyes of becoming the absolute best. The teacher then decided to step in again.

"Remember class, we will soon have friendly sparring matches again to check up on your progress. Everyone will fight someone, and we will see how much you have improved or regressed," the teacher said.

Sasine menacingly looked at the teacher and then back at Hit, who was watching his clenched fist while showing just a little sweat.

Flashback end


Hit looked into the distance as Sasine realized Hit's story about not only Sasine's past but his own as well.

"The best Assassin in the Academy?" Sasine asked.

"The one I needed to beat to become the best," Hit told her.

Hit kept his hands in his pockets with a stern look while Sasine looked the other way and scratched her head.


Somewhere else on the Penitentiary planet

Necros, Juki, and Chikara escaped Hit's onslaught just in time and reappeared somewhere save from the Assassin. The second Necros' spell worked out, Juki walked away and crossed his arms. Necros and Chikara looked at the mercenary.

"Gentlemen, it appears we underestimated our enemy's powerful technique," Juki told them.

"I know for sure that I could take his Time Manipulation technique away from him forever, but he said that it would never leave him," Necros said in a thoughtful state.

"Well, we hit a dead-end once again. What is the best option to take down a powerful enemy like him? We couldn't even touch him!" Chikara told them.

"Observe him and find his weakness, Chikara, just make sure we know more about Hit to make sure we can surprise him the next time," Deathwish told him as he then continued with his speech on the best way to take care of an enemy. "Right now, we have to stay out of his sight and observe his actions to find any weakness in his combat abilities. Certainly, because of that technique to manipulate time, he must not be watching his defense a lot, but we have to know for sure," Deathwish explained.

"Alright, then how about this… Eye of the Magician!" Necros shouted when he waved his green magic from his hands straight.

Right in front of him appeared a small portal showing no image whatsoever. Deathwish and Chikara looked into the portal but didn't see anything.

"What did you just do magician?" Chikara asked when he touched the portal, but nothing happened.

"Patience, it is still reforming," Necros told him.

Then, the portal finally showed an image, it was Hit standing across a woman with white hair at the same height. Necros raised his hand to his comrades to look.

"Observe," Necros told them.

"What did you do Magician, is that the Assassin?" Chikara asked.

"I created an invisible portal close to Hit's position, this way, we can watch over him without him and hear his speech without Hit noticing, but it seems like he is not alone, that woman…" Necros said when he then looked at Sasine.

"Hah, found weakness number one, women, not even Assassins can get around them, trust me, I know. Let's see how important she is to him," Deathwish told them.

The three closely listened in to the Hit and Sasine's conversation.


An abandoned city far from Zalabasta Prison

Meanwhile, Hit and Sasine were still in a deep conversation about the past. Sasine took a minute to take in all the information she received from the Assassin.

"Just… give me a minute, I mean, I took this long journey to find out I was an Assassin, I don't know what to think anymore," Sasine said troubled. "I still cannot remember anything, can you tell me more?" she asked.

"Whatever you say," Hit said as he reminisced once again. "As I was saying…" the assassin continued.


Flashback

The Academy on Planet Koroshi

Mr. Satsu decided to take all of their students outside for a special sparring session, testing their martial arts skills. As they were all sitting in the grass field with their legs crossed, listening to their teacher.

"Alright students, today we will have another sparring session to see how much you all have learned. Hit, are you sure you want to join us, you have only been here a couple of months and the others are here for years. Are you up to it that soon?" the teacher asked.

"I fought my way to survival on my decaying home planet. At this point, I can pretty much handle anything," Hit replied proudly.

"If there is something you need, let me know," the teacher said as he then clapped his hands. "Alright, who wants to go first?" Mr. Satsu asked the students.

Then Shiya stood up as she puts her red hair in a knob. "I want to go first, come on Sasine, I want to test my skills against you," Shiya told her as Sasine only nods and stood in a fighting stance.

"Watch everyone, you will always learn something when you see Sasine fight," Master Satsu told them.

Hit observed both of the girls for their next sparring match. Sasine and Shiya both stared each other down in their fighting stance. Then, the two girls charged up to each other in a fist struggle, Shiya went in with several fast strikes, trying to bring Sasine on the ropes, but she knew better. Sasine blocked all of her strikes and used a low sweep to trip her off her feet.

Sasine tried a stomp, but Shiya quickly jumped off the ground and heel kicked Sasine. The white-haired girl held Shiya's hell kick with both her hands and pushed her away.

"You got better Shiya, new moves?" Sasine asked.

"I always learn new moves to surprise my opponents, and I will beat you this time!" Shiya shouted as she rushed Sasine head-on.

Sasine only smiled and awaited the girl's arrival. Hit was watching them fight and closely observed them. With narrowed eyes, he looked at his fist and clenched hard.

Meanwhile, Sasine saw Shiya rushing her down and punched Shiya straight in the stomach, followed by a low sweep, making Shiya spin in mid-air, and ending with a flying kick to the face, defeating her easily as she fell hard on the ground.

"Ouch, hey that hurt," Shiya told Sasine who was standing tall.

"I will try and not play around too much next time, but you did get better than before Shiya. I liked those moves you used," Sasine said as she helped Shiya off the ground.

She reached inside her pocket and gave her a tissue to stop her cheek from bleeding. "Sorry if I was a bit too rough," Sasine apologized.

"Don't worry, I wanted this fight. Thanks, Sasine," Shiya said as she walked back to her classmates and sat down again.

The teacher shook his head in acceptance as Sasine stood next to him. "Good job Sasine, once again you showed your classmates how it is done," The teacher said as he looked at his paper.

"Alright soo… Kiru, you have been training your assassination techniques, let's see how well you can perform them against Sasine. Go on," the teacher told him.

Kiru tried to stand up, but suddenly, someone held his arm. "No, I am next, I want to fight Sasine," Hit said.

The students, even Master Satsu was shocked that Hit, someone who has only been following lessons for several months now, wanted to step inside the sparring session with Sasine.

Kiru who sat next to Hit spoke up. "Hit, hold on, are you crazy? You cannot fight Sasine after being here for a short time, you get beaten in 2 seconds!" Kiru told him.

The teacher approached Hit immediately.

"Listen Hit, I admire your determination, but fighting Sasine is not something you can do yet," Master Satsu told him.

"Shiya has been training here just as long as Sasine and she couldn't even make her break a sweat. You have to sit this out and just watch the fights for now," Kiru explained when he puts his hand on Hit's shoulder.

But Hit quickly brushed off Kiru's hand. "Sorry Kiru, but I want to fight at my own risk. I did some training as well and I want to try my first ever sparring match," Hit said.

"Yes, I understand but, against Sasine?" Kiru said as Sasine held her arm straight, stopping the boy from talking, and approached Hit.

"Just so you know, if you want to be the best, make me at least break a sweat... Hit," Sasine told him.

"Just you and me alone," Hit told her.

"You got my attention," Sasine said with a smile and turned around, standing in her fighting stance while Hit used a very different stance.

HIt held his fists up and his legs spread. The teacher then raised his hand for Hit vs Sasine to begin.

"And… Fight!" Mr. Satsu shouted when he started the match.

Sasine ran up to Hit as he was standing still while showing a drop of sweat on his forehead. Sasine used several powerful strikes, trying to hurt the boy. Hit tried to avoid them, but he was just not fast enough to do any good. Hit was getting the beating of a lifetime.

"Oh, urgh," Hit mumbled in pain as he fell back.

Sasine who held her hand straight from the punches she dealt watched over him without saying a word. The teacher looked worriedly at the young man. Exactly what he thought came true, Hit was no match for her.

"Oh man, I knew this would happen, he is just not ready," Kiru said worriedly.

Hit tried to stand up from the beating and put his fists up again. Sasine saw the determination in him to keep fighting. She suddenly vanished from sight and appeared behind Hit, keeping him in a chokehold. "Dargh!" Hit choked by the girl.

"Hit, listen to me, you found your name, you found your place, but you still have a way to go to challenge someone like me. You can't do this so just give it up. I don't want to hurt you anymore," Sasine explained.

Hit didn't listen to her and only puts his hands on her arm, trying to get her off of his neck. He struggles more and more, but Sasine only tightens her grip. "Give it up, you can't win!" Sasine shouted.

"Then!" Hit shouted when he opened his mouth wide open.

Sasine curiously looked at why Hit did that and then, Hit bit Sasine's arm, actually leaving a bite mark. "Ooouucchhh! Hey, why did you...!" Sasine shouted in pain when she quickly let go and jumped back.

She stroked her arm and downed her eyebrows. "You have no dignity left?" Sasine told him saddened.

Hit then stood tall and raised his fighting stance again, this time, as he puts his fists up, he suddenly only slightly raised his index fingers. Sasine had no idea what he was planning, but after that stunt he pulled, she was not going to let him get off that easily.

"If you want to play it that way, then so be it!" Sasine shouted when she rushed the boy.

Once again, Hit got rushed down with powerful punches and several kicks to incapacitate him. However, in the mids of the struggle, Hit quickly saw Sasine's kick coming and sidestepped as fast as he could. Hit managed to get some space from Sasine who was caught off guard and the second he saw her distracted, he took his chance and dealt a powerful and precise strike in her neck. Sasine felt the powerful strike as if it went right through her body.

"Oooohhh!" Sasine shouted in pain.

The teacher, Kiru and Shiya, everyone was astounded by what just happened, Hit managed to land a blow on Sasine, the best assassin in The Academy.

"What, Kiru did you just…" Shiya told the boy.

"Yes, but that can't be, he was getting beaten like a ragdoll. How did he do that?! What was different from before?" Kiru asked.

The teacher was only gawking and decided to watch over the fight. Sasine in the meantime touched her neck and felt the pain Hit brought upon her, she worriedly looked at the boy who was still in his stance when he punched her the last time with narrowed eyes.

"What just happened, I thought I still had him running scared, but then… he just changed his entire style," Sasine said as she only coughed a little cup of blood and stood on her feet again.

Hit was watching her while showing several drops of sweat. "One misstep in my new technique, and it's over," Hit thought to himself as he spoke up. "This is the stance that will eventually make me the winner of this match," Hit said confidently.

"The winner?" Sasine exclaimed as she kept watching over Hit and slowly walked over to him, without any fear or concern, she walked until she was face to face.

With Hit's red eyes and Sasine's blue eyes, they stared each other down with burning intensity. In a flash of the stare, Sasine quickly dealt a powerful punch to Hit's cheek, making the boy slide off the ground a bit.

Hit closed his eyes, trying to recover from the punch, and when he opened his eyes, Sasine disappeared. Only for him to find out that she managed to sneak behind him. With a powerful straight kick, Sasine hit the boy right in the back. As Hit was getting struck by her attack, the young man quickly turned around and tried to hit her back. Sasine avoided Hit's suddenly rushed kick, but it was exactly what he was hoping she would do.

As Hit's kick missed her on purpose, Hit had the freedom to deal another precise strike in Sasine's lower stomach with his fist and his index finger slightly forward. Once again, hitting Sasine where it hurts the most, a vital point of her body.

"Aaaaaaah!" Sasine shouted when she stepped back more and more. "W-what's going on? Every time I attack him, he gets around me and hits my vital points!" Sasine shouted.

The teacher was watching Hit closely, he has never seen such an improvement on anyone like that. "That kid, Hit, he is something very special. Not only has he found a way to fight Sasine, but he can also critically hurt her without exhausting himself with useless strikes. He is dodging Sasine's attack and only aims for the vital points to not waste his energy," the teacher said as he then looked at Sasine who was crouching on the ground.

"I don't get it, what is it that I am doing that makes him get to my vital points so easily? It's like he's getting better the longer we fight as if he's... Wait, now I get it! I have seen this before!" Sasine asked herself when suddenly, something hit her.

She remembered many months ago when she saw Hit fighting the henchmen of the government, that Hit was not trying to fight them head-on, but that he did something very different to make it an even playing field by grabbing the baton of the government agency. And then, it finally made her realize something crucial.

"That's it, now I get it!" Sasine said while realizing Hit's strategy.

Hit only widens his eyes. "What?" Hit asked.

"I understand what's going on. You never raised your energy, you never used different styles, no it is something different that makes you able to hit me. Hit has a special ability. Just like before, you are simply adapting to my fighting style. The longer we fight, the better you get!" Sasine explained.

Hit narrowed his eyes. "I call it: Improvement," Hit replied.

"Of course that had to be it, there was no way you could damage me this much, I am much more skilled than you are and…" Sasine explained brashly when Hit quickly interrupted her.

"Wrong…" Hit told her.

"Uhm…" Sasine replied ignorantly.

"I cannot raise my energy as other creatures do, I do something much more old-fashioned, I improve myself upon the situation. You might be more skilled than me, you trained much more, but I didn't just sit back and read books without learning and perfecting my skills. I sat out the other sparring matches until now to learn what I am up against. I have watched you fight numerous times, defeat your opponents like it was nothing, and most of the time, you were only playing with them. While you fought then, I observed your fighting style, your posture, your moves, everything that can give me trouble, and today, I had the confidence to finally face you. I have waited for this moment for many weeks, and it's time to show what I am capable of. Every time you try a different strategy, I will figure out what it is and improve upon it," Hit explained.

"He has been planning this from the very beginning. Only when he felt like he had a chance, would he fight. He watched me fight so many times, he knows almost all my moves," Sasine said when she puts her hand on her chin. "Interesting, I am starting to like him even more. He's different than anyone I have met, so I am glad I made the right choice to bring him in," Sasine thought to herself.

"Let's see how you can keep up with me now," Sasine said.

Hit and Sasine engaged in battle once more. Sasine managed to get more hits onto the boy, but in the end, Hit kept replying with a strike in one of her vital points. It kept going on for minutes. Hit was getting beaten badly, but Sasine was coughing blood from getting hit in her vital points too many times.

Eventually, they stopped once again and both were getting tired. Hit was crouching on the ground from a great loss of stamina, keeping up with Sasine's great speed. Sasine was only wiping the blood from her mouth while she kept looking at the ground. Slowly raising her head, she saw that Hit was slowly getting up on his feet again. Widening her eyes, Hit only looked at her with raised fists while wiping the blood off his lip, with something she never expected him to say.

"Come on… I can do this… all day," Hit said tiredly.

Sasine couldn't believe how tenacious Hit was to beat her. Quickly looking down at the ground, she decided to take this fight in a different direction.

"He is getting more and more dangerous the longer he fights, he is a huge threat, I guess I have no choice," Sasine said as she stood tall and closed her eyes, calming down for a moment with just a deep breath.

Hit was watching his opponent who didn't move a single muscle. He kept watching, trying to be on guard. Right as he was still watching, he then immediately got critically hit in the stomach with a flying kick by Sasine with a cold expression.

"Aaargh! How did you do that!" Hit shouted.

Then again, Sasine didn't respond and kept vanishing and reappearing all over the area, hitting the boy with so many critical hits on the body, he couldn't even react to any of it anymore. One second, Sasine was in front of Hit with a quick kick in the face, then appeared below him, with a low sweep. A split second later, she used numerous precise strikes in his chest while he was in mid-air. Sasine's last attack send Hit down the ground. He couldn't move anymore, and the fight was over.

Sasine went out of her fighting stance and deeply breathes in and out. Hit opened his eyes with a fuzzy view, and slowly tried to get up off the ground. "What just… happened, I couldn't see any of those attacks," Hit said to himself.

Sasine kept watching Hit with a cold expression. "He did this much damage, he made me use it," Sasine said to herself.

The teacher went right towards Hit, laying on the ground, and helped him up. "Hey, Hit, are you alright?" the teacher asked.

"No," Hit said as he tried to stand up.

He felt his stomach and wiped the blood off his face. The teacher then stands up.

"Sasine, I don't think it was necessary to go all out and use the Timeskip," Master Satsu said.

Kiru and Shiya then approached Sasine. "Don't you think you went a bit too far?" Kiru asked.

Sasine only looked at Kiru with doubt in her eyes. As Hit overheard them all talking, he noticed something he never expected. He widens his eyes and walked up to Sasine.

"That was the Timeskip you used on me? You are… one of them?" Hit asked.

Sasine didn't answer and only looked at the ground. Hit got angrier than before and grabbed Sasine by her shirt, pulling her towards him. "Tell me!" Hit shouted.

Sasine easily got out of Hit's grip. "Yes, it was the Timeskip okay!" Sasine shouted.

"But you said that there were no users of the Timeskip on this school, and you just did it yourself. You are just a liar," Hit said when he turned around and walked away.

He passed the teacher while being injured and left the class alone. Sasine sights and sat down on the ground, the teacher stood right in front of her.

"Sasine, everyone already knew you could use the legendary technique, so why was Hit different enough for you to not tell him about it?" the teacher asked.

Sasine then looked at her teacher. "It's different and very complicated, but I didn't want to yet," Sasine replied.

The teacher looked at Hit leaving and going back to his dorm. "Just give him some time to heal, I will make sure the nurse can visit him now and then. Let's continue the sparring session for now," the teacher said as he then walked away.

"Next up, Kiru vs Jikko is up next, go up in fighting position," Master Satsu told the students.

Sasine was still quiet, sitting on the ground with Shiya next to her.

"Sasine, are you okay? You have been quiet for a while now," Shiya asked.

"Yes, I am fine, it's just… well…" Sasine muttered.

"Is this 'Hit' boy that different for you to do this? Why didn't you tell him that you could use the Timeskip, then he would never have challenged you," Shiya asked.

"It's more personal than you think, I just wanted him to keep liking me, not hate me. At the same time, I didn't want to lose the fight," Sasine told Shiya.


Boys Dorm of the Academy.

In the late evening, Hit was laying in his bed with the wounds he kept from fighting Sasine. He tried to get some sleep but kept turning in his bed. Eventually, he opened his eyes and sat in his bed. Hit wiped his eyes clean and stood on his feet. He puts his clothes on and decided to get out of his room, leaving the boys dorm in the middle of the night.

Hit walked around the school with his hands in his pocket, looking at the sights late at night, and came across the field where he fought his opponent, Sasine. He kept staring at the field while the wind was blowing. Standing still on the grass field, Hit puts his hands in his pocket while the wind was still wavering.

"I wonder…" Hit mumbled.

He looked at his fist and punched the air just one. Keeping his arm in one position, he only narrowed his eyes. "I managed to get to the vital points, but it felt like it wasn't as effective as it should be," Hit told himself. " And I kept getting hit myself. I have to make sure I protect my vital points in a fight," he told himself strictly.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard behind Hit and he turned around and saw someone walking towards him on the field. Sasine decided to approach the boy with her eyes still closed. Finally, she stood right in front of Hit as he only mumbled.

"Hmm…" Hit mumbled.

Sasine opened her eyes. "Are you still mad at me?" Sasine asked.

Hit didn't answer her as Sasine spoke up again. "What would you have done if I told you that I could use the Timeskip when I told you about it?" Sasine asked.

"I don't know," Hit replied.

"The first time I told someone that I could use the Timeskip, no one wanted to be with me, talk to me or even come close to me. It's a blessing I got this gift, but it made me lonely. Eventually, after several months, people got used to it and I had friends to hang out with. I didn't want you to know, not to surprise you, but because I was scared you wouldn't like me, while I still like you," Sasine explained.

Hit then puts his hands in his pocket. "Uhum… I was never mad about that, just irritated that I found out about it on short notice. I could have included that in my master plan of how to fight you," Hit explained.

Sasine shockingly looked at Hit with a quick step back. "You aren't mad at me, but then…" Sasine asked as hit responded to her.

"I was proud of myself, that someone like me could make a Timeskip user bleed and force them to use their technique. It made me realize that I am progressing," Hit explained as he only showed a small grin.

"So, you are not mad at me? Or scared of what I can do?" Sasine asked.

"I was never scared of you in the first place, one day, you will go down," Hit told her confidently.

Sasine then greatly hugged Hit out of joy. "Cool! Next time, you will see what I am truly capable of!" Sasine replied happily.

Hit wasn't phased by her challenge and spoke up, as Sasine took some space.

"What exactly is your story? How did you end up at this school, it seems like you have a special relationship here with almost everyone," Hit asked.

Sasine's challenging grin disappeared and puts her fist down, she looked the other way into the darkness.

"Oh, how I got here well… I guess I never told you my story. Okay so, do you remember when I told you that I have been keeping a close eye on you to join us at the Academy?" Sasine asked.

"Yeah, you watched my fighting skill and decided I was one of the best candidates," Hit replied.

"True, but that wasn't the reason for me to watch over you and take you in on The Academy. It was for something very different. It's that, while I kept you on observation, your lifestyle reminded me of how I used to live," Sasine told him as she turned her back on him.

Hit kept listening with a blank stare.

"I come from a very abusive household, with parents who never loved me and always thought of me as a way of making them money. If I didn't do what they told me, then I would go to school with a black eye. I hated my home, my life, and I was close to killing myself from this burden," Sasine explained.

"You had a much more difficult time than I had," Hit told her.

"Yes, one day, when I came home from school, and I entered my house. My father grabbed me by the neck for disobeying his orders and told me that I cost him a lot of money. He grabbed a knife and decided that he had to get rid of my mother, or me, and obviously, I was the one that needed to go. When my father wanted to kill me, the Timeskip finally released itself inside of me, and my father's attack stopped. I saw the knife right in front of me and I got out of my father's grip. He didn't know what was going on and tried it again, and thus I kept using the Timeskip to avoid his attack. I ran far away from home, to never return to my parents ever again. Just like you, I was alone, with no one to help me or to take care of me, until headmaster Rosu, found me and realized my talents. He took me in and taught me almost everything he knew about the assassination to defend myself. After that, I lived at The Academy and on Planet Koroshi my whole life. Headmaster Rosu is like a father to me, as much as Kiru and Shiya, my very best friends," Sasine explained.

"So then, the reason you took me in was that..." Hit said as Sasine continued.

"You had the same upbringing with your parents surrendering you to the government for experiments. If the government succeeded by taking you in, they would have experimented on your brain and your intelligence, and you would be dead. I won't let anyone else live like that. I wanted to help you out and give you a much better life to live and save you from the life I used to live," Sasine told him.

Hit sighs and puts his hands in his pocket. "Hmm… Thanks for that," Hit told her.

Sasine quickly showed an infuriated look and grabbed Hit by his shirt. "We aren't finished yet Hit, we got something serious to talk about," Sasine told him.

"Another fight?" Hit asked challenging.

"What? No, not that. How in the hell did you do all that stuff? What exactly did you do to hurt me? It was so cool! Was it a new technique?" Sasine asked excitedly.

"Oh, you are talking about my Pressure Point Strikes?" Hit asked.

"Yes, even though you weren't strong, it was so painful and much more effective than I realized. What did you do differently?" Sasine asked.

"Why should I teach you my special technique?" Hit asked curiously.

"Whaaaa? Fine, I'll find out myself, don't make me beat it out of you," Sasine said angered as she turned around and walked away.

Hit watched her leave and sighs. "Okay... Listen…" Hit said as Sasine turned around and quickly ran up to Hit again. "What I did was only a demonstration, I am working on something different than you saw me do. It's still imperfect what I did, so it had a lot of flaws as well," Hit explained.

"Really? Hmmm… I know!" Sasine said as she excitedly ran up to Hit. "Now that we are friends again, how about being training buddies from now on, we will be the strongest assassins in history!" Sasine asked him.

Hit down his eyebrows. "What do you mean 'friends' and 'again'?" Hit asked.

Sasine looked surprised. "Aren't we friends after all that talking?" Sasine asked.

"Hmm… uhhmm… fine?" Hit replied.

Sasine came close to Hit as she hugged him. "Awesome! Okay, so what did you do? Tell me," Sasine asked.

Hit and Sasine sat down on the ground. "Listen, I was trying to focus my energy into my strikes to increase its effectiveness in battle and make them travel through my opponents. So in all of my punches, I solely aim for the vital points. Kicking and punching like a martial artist are fine, but, I want to be more deadly as an assassin. To do so, you only go for the most vital areas. The kidney, the heart, the stomach, the head, and the neck. There are many more, but I don't know those yet. Anyways, my new technique is all about hitting the vital points by focusing your energy into your strikes and making it travel through your opponent to hurt them even more," Hit explained.

Sasine was watching him as if she never even knew what he was talking about. "Wow, I knew you were smart, but never this good to invent your techniques outside of school. Creating a technique to strike your opponent with energy that travels through their vital points, that's cool!" Sasine told him.

"It's just that I am not good at using my energy yet, I still have to learn that," Hit told her.

"Oh, don't worry about learning energy control, it is one of the most basic things to do here. Also, using your Vital Point attack with your ability of fast improvement, that makes you probably one of the deadliest assassins in the far future," Sasine told him.

"We'll see how far it goes. My new technique will reach its true potential when I develop it more in the future," Hit told her.

Sasine smiled as she sat back in the grass field. "I think this will be the start of a great friendship, I know you feel the same way Hit, I know you like me as well," Sasine told him while laying down. "Also, I must say, the name fits, I got used to it very quickly," she told him.

Hit only watched her with his mouth slightly open, and didn't know what to think. "I see, Sasine" Hit replied shyly and coldly.

He then sat down next to Sasine and laid down, as the two kept watching the night.


Flashback end

Hit and Sasine were still watching each other, with Sasine realizing that in fact, she and Hit used to be real friends. Just when she wanted to speak up, she then felt another spasm in her head.

"Ow, why does that keep happening, it hurts," Sasine said in pain.

"Your memories, you must be remembering more every second, give it time and everything will come back," Hit told her.

"But… I still don't remember everything, we were friends when we were kids?" Sasine asked.

"I was never the type to have friends, but you called me one of your most valuable friends, so I went along with it," Hit replied.

"And the Timeskip, all this time I thought it was something I discovered 6 months ago, while it has been with me all my life. There is one thing I don't get, why did it make me vanish or become intangible without me doing anything? Can you tell me more about it?" Sasine asked.

"You lost your memories and did not remember that you are a skilled assassin who can use the Timeskip. Since you haven't used the Timeskip in a very long time, it releases itself in small bursts. Remember, it's not a normal technique everyone can learn. Either making you skip time or become intangible without you doing anything, it does not matter, it needs to be used, even just a little," Hit asked as he then continued. "Another thing, did you also use that technique I told you about?" Hit asked.

"Which one, the Vital Point Attack?" Sasine asked.

"Yes," Hit replied.

"Yes, I did it once against my husband, and when I was on Planet Sadal trying to block one of Kale's energy attacks," Sasine replied.

"Kale? Did you meet the Saiyans on Planet Sadal? Anyways, that is the technique I taught you. You are more of a martial artist, while I focus on precise strikes," Hit said.

"Wow, and then my past, abusive parents that almost killed me when I was a child, I can't imagine doing something so horrible if I had a kid," Sasine said.

"As far as I know, you don't have a child," Hit told her.

"You still didn't tell me how I supposedly died," Sasine told him.

"What I want to know is how you ended up on Planet Sunakku," Hit asked.

"I don't know how I ended on Sunakku, but I only remember sleeping for a very very long time and waking up in a hospital room with a concussion and a scar on my head, the doctor said that I fell hard. I only remember reading my files, and the doctor came to me to tell me that I am a citizen of Planet Sunakku, so I went there to find my home. I did live in a homeless shelter for a few months but after working as a cook. Later on, I set up my flower shop, and that's where I met my husband, Chippusu. But I always started to doubt my origin because it felt like a lot of my history was still missing. That's all I know," Sasine explained.

"How did you get in the hospital? Who brought you there?" Hit thought to himself.

"I don't know…" Sasine told him.

"Hmmm… What I had explained recently was only our early teenage years, when we are getting older, in our early adolescence, we both became skilled Assassins and mastered my technique. So much further into the Academy goes like this," Hit explained.


Flashback 500 years ago

Five hundred years have gone by since Hit first started his assassination training on The Academy. Together with Sasine and the other students at The Academy, they all became skilled assassins going on several errands for the planet. Hit was in his prime as a young adult, but he has changed a whole lot since the first time he entered school.

One day, Hit, who has become much more composed, Sasine as a more responsible young adult, and their friends were all attended class with their usual homeroom teacher, Master Satsu.

"Now class, answer me this, you are against an opponent much more powerful than you, and can counter all of your techniques. What is the best thing to do in your situation?" the teacher asked.

Only 5 students raised their hands, two of them were Hit and Sasine. The teacher looked around and gave Sasine a turn.

"The first thing you do is analyze your opponent's moves and techniques, then you change your strategy by how they fight and find their weakness," Sasine told her.

"That's right, I hope everyone did their homework, next week is the Assassination exam, it counts for 75% of your final grade," The teacher explained when the bell finally rang. "Alright everyone, you can go and take a break, and remember for the ones that have a mission tomorrow, so Kiru, Sasine, and Hit, make sure you get enough sleep and prepare yourself. Tomorrow is a very important day," the teacher told them as the students all got up off their seats and walked out of the classroom.

Sasine met with Kiru and Shiya outside of class, with the two standing across Sasine who was leaning against the wall.

"Class is over, finally, it got so tiresome," Sasine told them.

"Come on, don't act like you had such a hard time, you should feel sorry for us Sasine," Shiya told her.

"Shiya, I might know the answers, but that does not mean I enjoy following 3 hour-long classes. Don't mistake me for a goody-goody that loves school. You guys are like family but even I get annoyed sometimes," Sasine told them.

"I guess you are right," Shiya told her friend.

"Guys, sorry to interrupt, but I am getting really hungry. Anyone up for lunch?" Kiru asked.

"Uhm actually I…" Sasine said as then next to her from the classroom door, Hit walked through with his eyes closed and head down, not saying anything while holding his backpack.

Sasine spoke up. "Hit, how is it going?" Sasine asked curiously.

Hit then saw the three standing and approached them. "Hey," Hit simply replied.

"What did you think of class today? Pretty rough right?" Kiru asked.

"Yes, it took a long time. I cannot stay to talk, I have to go now," Hit said when he left the group.

"Hit, wait!" Sasine said when Hit turned around and looked at the girl. "Would you... like to go get some lunch with us together in the cafeteria? We can talk to each other for a moment as well," Sasine asked of the young man.

"No thanks Sasine, I am going to train. We have an assignment tomorrow to assassinate a corrupt government official and I am not slacking. If you want to follow me, so be it," Hit told them as he walked the other way.

Sasine kept watching him and sighs. She looked at the ground with slightly downed eyebrows. Shiya looked closely at her friend.

"Sas, you alright? Is it about Hit? If it is, then you shouldn't feel so distant. You know he can be a loner sometimes, it's just how he is. He cares about you, Kiru, and me, you know that," Shiya asked.

"Kiru, can you go train together with Hit for a moment?" Sasine told him.

"Wait, why do you want me to train with him? Why can't I stay here with you guys? I want to get lunch, I am hungry!" Kiru asked of the two ladies.

"Shiya and I will come later, but for now, we have to talk about something, without you," Sasine told him.

"Oh… alright then, fine!" Kiru said when he ran away. "Hey Hit, wait for me man!" he shouted when he walked next to the purple teenager.

Sasine and Shiya were left alone. "Okay, sending Kiru away means it's solely girl talk, what is on your mind?" Shiya asked.

"Shiya, Hit and I have been friends for more than 500 years, even though he sees it otherwise, he has always been, with you and Kiru, my best friend. I care more about him than just a friend… I might want to…" Sasine said as Shiya quickly silenced her friend.

"Oh my God, Sas, you have…" Shiya said as she looked around to see if the coast was clear. "You have a crush on Hit? Does he know?" Shiya asked.

"That's just it, you think it is wise to have a relationship with someone as sheltered as Hit? He was more open when we were younger, I can see a clear difference, but now, I don't know, he's so on his own," Sasine asked.

Flashback end


"That is what Shiya told me," Hit told her.

Sasine suddenly got greatly shocked by Hit's words and took several steps back.

"What did you say! A crush on you! B-but I am married I… I have a husband, what will he say if… Did we go on a date or..." Sasine shouted as she started to completely freak out.

Hit only watched her freak out and then puts his hand on her mouth, silencing her.

"Shut up and let me continue," Hit told her.


Flashback continues.

"I don't know Shiya, we went through a lot in our childhood, and I thought he liked me too, but he is not good at showing it," Sasine explained with her arms crossed.

"Yes, I mean, you also did try to ask him for prom 5 months ago. He didn't want to go, but he still did because he knows you are his best friend," Shiya replied.

"We only went as friends Shiya, that does not count," Sasine replied.

"Listen, Hit is indeed very sheltered, he is just getting more serious about being an assassin. I still remember how he all impressed us when you fought him, that was the moment I knew he was special for you. It was unlike anything I have ever seen. I think that fight you had with him, made him so much more serious to become stronger than he became so on his own," Shiya explained.

"I see, so… what should I do? I feel kind of conflicted, should I go for it?" Sasine asked.

"Okay, the last time you gained Hit's utmost attention was in the first fight you had with him, and used the Timeskip. After that, you two only friendly sparred, so just fight with him again, but then seriously. I am sure sparks will fly. Trust me, Hit likes you, he is just not good at showing it," Shiya told Sasine.

"Now that you mention it, I do want to test out how good he truly is, and I like fighting Hit because he is very different in combat. Our next fight will show if we are made for each other," Sasine said when she and Shiya walked away, finding Hit in the grass field.


Grassfield

Hit and Kiru were fighting each other in the grass field, training their skills for the mission the next day. Kiru went in with several precise kicks, Hit easily avoided them and took some space while crouching.

"Come on Hit, can't you keep up?" Kiru asked.

Hit only watched him and stood up. He only puts his hands in his pocket and stood still. Kiru found it weird that Hit was just standing there and not moving a muscle.

"If you won't move, then allow me!" Kiru shouted as he charged Hit head-on.

Hit was watching his opponent coming his way and just when Kiru was in direct contact, Hit quickly raised his right arm and punched Kiru in the lower right of his torso. As Hit made contact, from behind Kiru, Hit's energy got released as a purple ray of light. Then responded with a straight kick in the stomach to push Kiru back. He rolled back, landing on his feet while crouching.

"That was good, did you get stronger?" Kiru asked.

Hit went out of fighting stance. Not to answer Kiru, but for the one who was walking towards the two boys. Kiru saw that Hit was distracted and turned around. Walking towards them was Sasine, with her eyes closed and head down. Hit narrowed his eyes as Kiru made his way.

"This might get ugly, she looks serious Hit," Kiru said to the man.

Sasine passed Kiru and finally faced Hit straight on. She opened her eyes and then slowly went into her fighting stance.

"Where is Shiya, didn't she come to train as well?" Kiru asked.

"No, Shiya isn't coming. Kiru, you have to go, for now. This is no ordinary visit," Sasine told her friend.

"Again? Why am I the one that always needs to leave? Ugh, fine, whatever, see you tomorrow Hit, maybe I can stay tomorrow at the mission," Kiru said irritatedly when he walked away from the grass field and back to his room at the boy's dorm.

"Let's see how much you have progressed since five hundred years ago," Sasine told Hit.

"Why the seriousness all of a sudden Sasine?" Hit asked of the adolescent woman.

"We have known each other for a long time, and you know that I care about you and that you care about me," Sasine told him.

"Care about you? What are you talking about?" Hit tried to speak but immediately got interrupted.

"I know your typical composure so don't bother. What I am saying is, ever since our first fight, I never knew how good you have become. Do you think you can stand up to my Timeskip now? The last time we fought seriously, you didn't look so good," Sasine told him.

Hit walked up to Sasine and stood right in front of her, staring her down as she still showed a serious expression. Hit narrowed his eyes.

"There is another reason you want to fight Sasine, very well," Hit said when he then went back to where he stood and went into his fighting stance.

Hit and Sasine closely watched each other, trying to spot an opening or anything for them to start. Both were showing signs of sweating on their forehead. The sky suddenly turned grey and the clouds covered the air, and with small raindrops falling from the sky, the very first raindrop that hit the ground was the start of the fight between the two powerful assassins. Sasine and Hit entered a fist struggle, trying to push each other.

Their struggle pushed each other back. Hit opened his eyes and saw that Sasine was gone. He quickly tried to get a read on where she was, and quickly, Sasine appeared on his right. With a quick strike, Sasine dealt a strong punch in Hit's side.

"Dooh!" Hit shouted as he tried to punch back, but Sasine vanished once again and reappeared behind the purple man.

Aiming at his back, Sasine struck his back, greatly hurting the boy. "Aaahh!" Hit shouted as he got launched away and fell to the ground.

Sasine released her stance and stood straight. "You are getting sloppy Hit, you used to be able to keep up with my Timeskip back then, now you can't even read my movement. You sure your training is working out for you?" Sasine asked mockingly.

Hit struggled to get off the ground but still managed to. He wiped the blood from his mouth and put his fists up while the rain was still going. Sasine smiled and continued the fight. It only got worse from this point on, while mixing up Hit's invented technique, the Vital Point Attack, Sasine combined it with the Timeskip, using so many precise strikes on Hit's vital points that he couldn't even register where she was coming from anymore.

Meanwhile, the rain came down more and more until both fighters were soaking wet, with Sasine's hair getting soaked and rain falling on Hit's head. The barrage of attacks had just stopped, Hit started to feel weak and beaten while he kept his arms hanging and head down in the rain. Sasine smiled, as it was her victory.

"No improvement this time? Are you giving up? Then I win!" Sasine shouted when she activated her Timeskip once again.

While entering her parallel dimension, Sasine came closer to a beaten Hit and used her last punch to finish the match. Then out of nowhere, she got stopped, Hit only raised his arm and grabbed Sasine's fist. He then raised his head.

"Mhmhmh!" Hit mumbled when suddenly, the entire area gained a greenish tint all over in a huge clash.

Sasine widens her eyes from the shock of Hit's expression, not being worried at all as it was something she had never seen Hit do.

Sasine used her Timeskip once again, but when she did that, Hit wasn't frozen in time at all, he was in the same realm as Sasine. Both fighters looked around, Sasine knew where she was, but Hit didn't.

"What just happened?" Sasine asked.

Then, everything went back to normal and the area went back to its original sphere with the rain still going. Sasine looked around, and then at Hit, who stood tall. He raised his head and puts his hands in his pocket.

"This is thanks to you Sasine, for finding my true potential," Hit explained.

"True potential?" Sasine said as she thought for a moment. "Don't tell me… you can as well…?!" Sasine shouted.

Hit vanished into thin air and stood right in front of Sasine when he stared her down. "To realize my position, as one of the three prodigies to obtain the Timeskip. Instead of improving, I have ascended, and unlocked the Timeskip that was sleeping inside of me," Hit told her when he used several punches with great speed, using the Timeskip.

Hitting Sasine all over her body with great accuracy, he damaged Sasine in just mere seconds. While coughing, Sasine stepped back from the pain.

"He has the Timeskip as well, that means there are now two assassins with the legendary technique. I always knew he was special, I am proud of him," Sasine said proudly when she closed her eyes and laughed.

Hit puts his eyebrow up as Sasine spoke up. "So, now that we can both use the Timeskip, how about a true Timeskip battle?" Sasine told him as she entered her realm again.

Hit followed her as he could see her move in and out of her dimension. Appearing and reappearing all over the area, Hit and Sasine's fight grew more brutal and high speed than ever before, it was a true battle of light speed. In between the scuffles, Hit struck Sasine's chest, then in the next struggle, Sasine struck Hit's neck and the fight kept going until one of them would fall eventually. But, in between the fights, both fighters smiled at each other, both respecting their intense and powerful battle.

After an hour of fighting and skipping time, Hit and Sasine were both heavily gasping for air from their stamina being depleted so much. Sasine walked up to Hit, and tried one more punch, trying to get Hit down. But Hit parried her punch and flipped Sasine over his shoulder, throwing her down the ground, as he tripped over himself and fell on top of her.

Sasine tried to stand up, but Hit held her arms to the ground until he felt a spasm in his left arm and couldn't restrain Sasine's right arm.

While still trying to catch their breath, their fight was over. Hit tried to compose himself and tried to get up. But opening his red eyes, he saw Sasine laying. With Hit starring Sasine in her eyes with a grin.

"I'm... proud of you..." Sasine said softly.

Sasine then quickly closed her eyes and exchanged a smooth and tender kiss with Hit. Softly holding the purple man's cheek in the rain, their kiss lasted long with her heart beating faster, but Hit didn't. He found the strength he needed to get off of Sasine as quickly as possible. He puts his hands in his pocket and puts his head down.

"Now I understand what you meant when you said you 'Cared about me', I have to go," Hit said as he used his Timeskip and then vanished from the grass field.

Sasine only sat on the ground and leaned her arm on her knee. "That was a fun fight Hit, I liked that. Let's do it again sometime," Sasine said satisfied.


Boys Dorm.

Hit had reappeared in the boy's dorm and was soaking wet from the rain. Returning just from his extreme Timeskip battle with Sasine, Hit takes his clothes off and took a quick shower. Once out of the shower, he dries himself off and puts his sleeping pants on. He didn't put his shirt back on for the fact that he had to treat his wounds from the fight. He went to the bathroom and whipped the water and blood off his face and cleaned his wounds with alcohol. He watched himself in the mirror. He clenched his fist and tried to use the Timeskip once again.

Entering a greenish tinted dimension, Hit looked around, until he returned to reality again. "I can't stay long, it felt like less than a second, maybe only 0.1. So, this is the Timeskip, interesting," Hit said to himself.

Hit went back to his room and sat on his bed, he then stood up again and turned on the light switch on the wall. When he looked behind, he saw Sasine laying in Hit's bed with her arms behind her head.

"It must have been a big shock to you, you know, that last thing we did there," Sasine said while she looked at the ceiling.

Hit sighs and rubs his eyes. He didn't answer her and Sasine then looked at Hit.

"It's okay that you don't feel the same way for me as I feel for you. It's just that… we have been best friends for so long and I thought, we should move on as adults. I guess you had other plans huh?" Sasine asked Hit.

"I know myself," Hit said when he walked towards the wall and leaned with his arms crossed. "And I am not the type to engage in direct friendship and relationships. You did a lot for me and that will be appreciated, same for Shiya and Kiru, but we don't belong together as you implied. When you said that you cared for me the same way I do, I had a feeling you would want to go further. I am not an idiot that can't take a hint," Hit answered.

Sasine sighs and narrowed her eyes. "That's fine, at least I get it, and I am not upset. It's more important to me for us to have a good connection. I guess that was the reason you managed to unlock the Timeskip, I do have some effect on you as of late," Sasine said proudly.

"I guess you do," Hit replied.

"So..." Sasine said when she then approached Hit slowly. " How did it feel to use the Timeskip for the first time?" she asked.

"Like a new experience, I do have you to thank for my growth Sasine. Your help will always be appreciated," Hit told her gratefully.

Sasine put her hand on his shoulder. "I will always be there for you, Hit. Get well soon, we got a mission tomorrow, and another thing... before I leave..." Sasine said as Hit opened his eyes and looked at Sasine. "Try and be a bit more open with me and the others. It's good that you are serious, but don't abandon your friends, and don't abandon me okay? You always give us the idea that you don't care for us anymore, you still care, do you?" Sasine asked.

"Hmm... You are... my friend, Sasine, and I won't forget you guys," Hit said, as he never really experienced saying something like that before.

"Thank you Hit, then I'll go now. Good night," Sasine said when she gave Hit a quick kiss on the cheek.

Hit looked the other way, not responding to Sasine's actions as she exited Hit's dorm room. While Sasine was walking, Hit was still thinking of her words and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

"Sasine, I almost forgot, we have to talk about something important for the mission, do you mind... staying for a while? If we pass this, we will be sure to graduate," Hit told her.

Sasine looked behind and with a surprised expression, she turned around and walked back towards Hit. "Oh… Yeah I know what you mean, we better talk about it before Mr. Satsu lectures us again," Sasine replied.

Flashback end


"And… what happened after that?" Sasine asked.

"We finished the mission with Kiru and took down the corrupts government official," Hit told her.

"You sure that's all that happened?" Sasine asked.

"Positive, why?" Hit asked curiously

Then once again, Sasine felt more spasms in her head. She started to see images. Horrible images of a huge fight, she couldn't see who was fighting, but slowly, they became clearer and clearer. It was herself and Hit fighting as if they were fighting until someone was dying.

Finally, she spoke up while still feeling the pain. "Hit, tell me one more thing… What was it that you wanted to do on the Academy after a few years?" Sasine asked troubled.

Hit narrowed his eyes and then replied. "I decided to take care of everyone on Planet Koroshi for my plans to get to fruition and…" Hit spoke as Sasine finished his sentence.

"And that you have to get rid of the only one who was…" Sasine said as she widened her eyes and looked directly at Hit. "The only one who opposed a threat to you… me. I remember that…" Sasine said troubled as she grabbed her head.


Flashback 9 months later, The Hill next to The Academy

Hit was watching over the sunset on the hill, with his eyes staring into the sun, he looked at the ground and closed his eyes.

"Soon," Hit said.

Then he turned around and saw Sasine standing with a concerned expression, she was really worried about what the man was thinking, she saw it in his eyes that what he was about to tell her was serious.

"Hit, what's going on? You have been acting very strange lately, is everything alright?" Sasine asked worriedly.

Hit didn't answer her and only kept watching her straight on. Sasine got very nervous and tried to get closer, then Hit spoke up.

"Time to tell you the truth," Hit said.

"The truth? About what? What's going on Hit!" Sasine asked him.

"I have outgrown you all, my skills have become unrivaled, which means that I have no longer use for any of you," Hit exclaimed.

"You don't need us? What did you take us for, what was I to you?! A simple tool for you to get better!?" Sasine asked angrily.

"Exactly, I was a weakling who could only defend himself with his improvement, but with the Timeskip, and my techniques, I am unbeatable. Not even you can stop me," Hit explained.

"Hit, why are you doing this! I am your friend, how can you use us like this, how can you use me like this. I know you can't be serious right now," Sasine said troubled.

"You never knew me for who I truly was. I am not a freedom fighter that protects the innocent like a caped hero. I never was, I never will be," Hit explained.

"But, I always saw you as one of my best friends, you can't tell me that everything we have been through was just for this moment," Sasine asked as she came closer to try and reason with the madman. "I cared for you, I gave you a second chance to get a new life of your own than to be controlled by others," Sasine said saddened, yet still angrily as she shed several tears.

"I never cared for any of you, don't you understand? I am only here to be the absolute strongest, with the Timeskip, and my invented techniques are all I need. Trash belongs in the trashcan, now that I have no further need of you," Hit explained as Sasine downed her head and infuriatingly spoke up.

"Trash! You called me, and everyone else… Trash! I gave you a life, I made you who you are! I am the one who gave you to Timeskip! Because of…" Sasine shouted as Hit continued.

"Because I gained the Timeskip from the challenge you gave me, I earned it myself, so you served your purpose," Hit explained.

"The only thing you earned…" Sasine said as she shook her head. "Is to be experimented on by the government!" Sasine shouted.

"Hmph…" Hit said as he then grinned slightly. "Yes, indeed you should have let them take me, but I am not unreasonable as you know. So, let's make a deal. Surrender yourself, leave this planet forever, and never return, or you will suffer the consequences with your peers Sasine, I am giving you a fair choice of life, so I would take it," Hit told her. "You have no choice but to leave this planet, Sasine… I am sorry," Hit thought in his mind.

"Leave the planet! This is my home, my family! They raised me, they fed me, they fed you and your ungrateful self! If you want me gone, then the only way is to fight… but… this will be our final fight, this time, to the death!" Sasine told him as she immediately went in her fighting stance.

Hit sighs deeply and raised his fists. "I hope you would just leave, for what I have to do," Hit said. "Up to plan B," Hit sounded in his head.

"Stop talking and fight me, and to think we could have had a future together," Sasine told him.

"If you thought that far ahead, then you are a bigger idiot than I thought," Hit explained.

Sasine dried her tears and her anger knew no bound. Her final fight with Hit began with both of them exchanging the Timeskip, entering their realm, and exchanging punches and kicks.

Flashback end.


Hit stood still while Sasine took several steps back while holding her head, she slowly released her head and widens her eyes.

"We fought… to the death because you betrayed the Assassins! I remember everything now! I am Sasine, an Assassin from Koroshi, a student of Principal Rosu and Master Satsu!" Sasine said as she looked around her, then at Hit and pointed right at him. "You… are Hit, an outsider who had no name until I gave him one and my former best friend. I remember everything from my past," Sasine replied.

"So, your memories are back. I am known as Hit the Infallible, and I am not here to start trouble with you, Sasine," Hit said.

"The Infallible? You betrayed the only people that cared about you! For what?! For your pride? For the Timeskip?!" Sasine said as she got another image in her head.


Flashback

In the extreme battle of Hit and Sasine, their fight lasted for 3 straight hours, never have they fought this long and this much ever in their life. Both were gasping while bleeding all over their body. Hit stood tall while Sasine was crouching.

"Argh… You cannot do this, after everything we did for you, what I did!" Sasine said troubledly.

"Last chance Sasine, give up, leave this planet, or your death will be inevitable," Hit told her.

Sasine stood tall but crumbled on her legs, she still got up off the ground. The female Assassin didn't have enough stamina to use the Timeskip and thus, she had fewer options.

"I am an Assassin from Koroshi, and we never give up, not to evildoers, not to anyone! You won't get your way!" Sasine shouted angrily.

With only a little bit of energy left, Sasine charged Hit head-on. Hit who still had some stamina left kept his arm straight and used his very last technique, the Vital Point Technique. His first punch went right for Sasine's head to stun her. From behind her head, Hit's purple ray of light exited her head, as it made the female Assassin standstill with her eyes open, and with Hit's eyes widened as well as shaking arms, Sasine fell back on the ground, from her head injuries. Hit kept watching Sasine as she was laying on the ground, and gasping for air, he watched over her body, realizing that Sasine had passed away.

Flashback end


"You tried to kill me! You... did kill me!" Sasine shouted as she jumped back.

"I didn't because you survived, which I am conflicted about," Hit explained.

"Shut the hell up, you traitor! Not only did you betray all of us, but you are wearing the Original Hit's trenchcoat! You don't deserve that, you are disgracing Hit's true legacy!" Sasine told him.

"I earned the trenchcoat because I am Hit's true successor and for what he truly stood for," Hit told her.

"Bullcrap! What happened to Planet Koroshi, where are the other Assassins! Where are my friends, Shiya and Kiru! What did you do! Tell me!" Sasine demanded in her emotional state of mind.

"Planet Koroshi is no more, it's now a dead planet floating somewhere in the solar system of Universe 6. Rosu, Satsu, Shiya, and Kiru, all of the Assassins, and the entirety of Planet Koroshi… are dead. I am singlehandedly responsible for what needed to be done, destroying Planet Koroshi," Hit explained.

Sasine's shock was just too much for her. With immediate tears in her eyes, she grinds her teeth and shook her head. Covering her eyes with her hands, she exploded.

"You are lying! They can't be all dead! You are lying, I know you are!" Sasine shouted.

"After I took care of you, 2 days later, I healed from our fight, and I started my onslaught. I had the tools to take care of everyone in a matter of seconds, the Timeskip, my unstoppable new techniques, and the Trenchcoat so that no one could ever fight me. No one could stop me, and the only one who could, was another Timeskip user, you. Master Satsu was my first victim, then Shiya and Kiru followed, and everyone else. Rosu was the last one to be alive, and I killed him by striking him in the heart," Hit explained.

Sasine was shaking in anger and grief. She couldn't believe it, Hit killed everyone she ever knew, her family, the only real one she had, were all killed by the one she thought, deserved a second chance. Sasine clenched her fist, and her energy was suddenly rising. From the ground, the rocks started to float up and with a roar, Sasine released all of her frustration.

Her energy struck a hole in the sky, and as she finished her yell, Sasine's energy returned to her. With a calm gasp, Sasine opened her eyes and looked at her hands. "I am myself again, my power, it has become rusty and dormant for so many years… Now, I am back to when I was in my prime. Which means… I am as deadly as I was in the past," Sasine said as she then focused her sight on Hit who kept his eyebrows down.

"Hit…" Sasine said as Hit didn't reply. "I will make sure that no one will ever find your body after I am finished with you. I gave you everything you needed for a new life, and you killed all of my friends, everyone that ever cared about me for your games. You ruined my life and I will never forgive you for this! Don't expect any mercy from me when I have you bleeding out on the ground!" Sasine shouted.

Still, Hit didn't answer and kept his guard up. Sasine was in her old usual fighting stance as when she was younger.

"I remember every single detail, everything of my fighting techniques. My strength has returned, and this time, you will not beat me again!" Sasine shouted when she when in with a punch.

"Haaaah!" Hit growled as replied with the same punch.

Hit and Sasine's punch both entered another fist struggle and their Timeskip had connected just like in the past. Both then jumped back and activated their Timeskip, entering their parallel dimension. The two former friends stared each other down for the rematch, and inside the Timeskip, they exchanged their punches once again.


Somewhere else on the Prison Planet

Necros, Juki, and Chikara watched over Hit's conversation with Sasine in silence while using Necros his spell. Necros puts his hand on his chin and watched while Juki and Chikara were in their thoughts.

"I have to say, for a huge punk bastard, Hit is a pretty good storyteller, wish I had some popcorn with me. I want to know more about how it all happened between him and Sasine. Do you think Hit and Sasine will ever get together, or will they kill each other?" Chikara said slightly satisfied.

"Shut up Chikara, you idiot," Deathwish silenced him.

"It appears that woman is Hit's long lost friend and training partner who also has the same technique as he does," Necros said.

Juki then turned towards the necromancer. "And love interest, I told you, women are always a weakness, even for him," Juki said.

"Did you guys hear that when he explained his technique, the only way to get around it is to kill him, or he has to willingly surrender it over to someone else. Which means that we can't beat Hit, he knows our moves and his improvement will be fatal," Chikara told them.

"Ah, Chikara, you missed another flaw of the Timeskip," Juki said as Chikara and Necros listened. "The second flaw is that when 2 users of the Timeskip fight and connect each other no matter how then they will enter their realms. So that means that Timeskip users can never surprise each other, they always see each other coming," Deathwish told them.

"Sasine was her name, she looks intriguing. She lost everything to Hit and is a desperate soul out for revenge. What if she can kill him?" Necros asked.

"Then, my work here is done and I will be off to do some other work magician, later," Juki replied.

"No no no Juki, I meant something else, what if we can convince Sasine to join us for a special favor?" Necros told them.

Chikara and Juki started to listen to the magician. "Join us? How can you convince her?" Juki asked.

"Do you guys keep forgetting that my specialty in magic is Necromancy? I can easily bring back all of her friends and family from the dead and make them my brainwashed soldiers. If I do that for her, they will be one of ours and we will have a powerful user of the Timeskip ourselves for our conquest. She will keep her promise and join us while her friends are my servants, she has no choice because as an Assassin, she has to be honorable," Necros told them.

"That idea could work, so you mean to build an army with those guys from Universe 6?" Juki asked.

"Yes, not a normal army, but an army of the deadliest assassins in the entirety of Universe 6. What Hit explained, just imagine all of those Assassins that passed away and just as deadly as Sasine and Hit combined!" Necros asked.

"I like that idea, then I do have some fun with my army, where do we go from here?" Chikara asked.

"From here on out, we wait until Sasine and Hit's battle have concluded, and we will follow Sasine quietly. The only thing we need now is that Sasine kills Hit, so that we can convince her to join us in return for her friends, after that, we will begin," Necros explained.