He knew he had to think fast, come up with a plan to take down the figure below. A sly grin spread across his face as he thought of a plan.

"I'll jump on top of him, knock him out cold, and then make a run for it," Takahishi thought to himself, a sense of confidence washing over him.

Slowly, Takahishi stood up, his eyes fixed on the figure below. He bent his knees slightly, preparing to jump. He took a deep breath, and then let out a loud scream as he launched himself off the tree.

The figure below spun around, its eyes widening in surprise as Takahishi descended upon it. There was a loud thud as Takahishi landed on the figure's back, sending them both crashing to the ground.

Takahishi sat up, his chest heaving with exertion. He looked down at the figure below him, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"I got you, Shinro!" Takahishi exclaimed.

But the figure below him groaned in pain, its voice sending shockwaves through Takahishi's body.

"Arggh, get off me, Takahishi," the voice said.

Takahishi's eyes widened in surprise as he recognized the voice. It was Crinix's voice.

"Crinix, is that you?" Takahishi asked, his voice shaking with surprise.

"Yeah, it's me. Now get off me," Crinix replied, his voice strained with pain.

Takahishi quickly scrambled off Crinix's back, his face burning with embarrassment. Crinix slowly rose to his feet, his hand clutching his right arm.

"Why did you do that, Takahishi?" Crinix asked, his face furious.

Takahishi looked down at his feet, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought you were Shinro. I'm sorry, man."

Crinix's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm. "Why did you run away, Takahishi? We were supposed to work together."

Takahishi's eyes dropped to the ground, his voice filled with shame. "I was scared, man. I'm sorry."

Crinix took a step closer to Takahishi, his eyes burning with intensity. "Pull yourself together, Takahishi. If we can't survive Shinro's training, how will we survive the hunter survival test tomorrow?"

Takahishi looked up at Crinix, his eyes filled with fear. "I know, Crinix. But this is really scary, man."

Crinix's expression remained firm, but his voice took on a slightly softer tone. "We don't have a choice, Takahishi. Remember why we're doing this. If we don't pass that test tomorrow and become Grim hunters, Shinro and Shina will die. Remember what the Grand Reaper told us."

Takahishi's eyes dropped to the ground, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's just that everything seems really scary Crinix and I can't do anything. I really wanna fight but l can't ."

Crinix's hand fell on Takahishi's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "We'll face it together, Takahishi. We owe it to Shinro and Shina to try."

Takahishi's eyes drifted shut, his mind replaying the day they met Shina and Shinro. He recalled the soul eater's attack at the asylum, and how Shina had saved their lives. He remembered the journey to the Shadow Realm, and the debt they owed to Shinro and Shina.

As he opened his eyes, a determined glint sparked within them. "I'll try to fight, Crinix," he said, his voice firm.

Crinix's face split into a wide smile. " Glad to hear that, Takahishi."

Takahishi's gaze swept the surrounding area, his eyes scanning for any sign of Shinro. "Now what, Crinix?" he asked, his voice low.

Crinix's expression turned grim. "Now we find Shinro and get through with this training."

But before they could take a step, a voice cut through the air, sending shivers down their spines. "That won't be necessary!"

Takahishi and Crinix spun around, their eyes locking onto a shadowy figure emerging from the trees. As the figure stepped into the light, Shinro's features became clear, his sword at the ready.

Crinix's smile never wavered. "Hmpft, we're glad you showed up, Shinro. We were just about to look for you."

Shinro's eyes gleamed with a fierce light. "What are you waiting for? I'm here now. Let's continue with the training."

Without warning, Crinix and Takahishi charged at Shinro, their weapons flashing in the sunlight. Shinro jumped back, his sword raised in a defensive stance.

"I love that spirit of teamwork!" Shinro exclaimed, his voice dripping with excitement.

Crinix swung his axe in wide arcs, the blade biting deep into the air. Takahishi darted in and out, his daggers flashing like deadly serpents.

Shinro dodged and weaved, his sword slicing through the air to block their attacks. The three of them clashed in a flurry of steel and sweat, their movements lightning-fast.

Crinix's axe crashed down, meeting Shinro's sword in a shower of sparks. The two of them strained against each other, their faces set in fierce determination.

Takahishi saw his chance and struck, his dagger aiming for Shinro's exposed arm. But Shinro was too quick, his sword flashing up to block the attack.

In a swift counterattack, Shinro's elbow shot out, connecting with Crinix's face. Crinix stumbled back, his eyes watering from the pain.

Takahishi's eyes never left Shinro's face, his dagger still poised for the kill. But Shinro was relentless, his head snapping up to meet Takahishi's face. The two of them clashed in a sickening crunch of bone and cartilage.

Takahishi's cry of pain echoed through the forest as he fell to the ground, his vision blurring. But he refused to give up, his body screaming in agony as he slowly kicked his way back to the surface.

"Takahishi, let's end this," Crinix said, his axe pointed at Shinro. Takahishi nodded in agreement, his eyes locked onto Shinro.

Shinro's gaze swept over them, a fierce glint in his eye. "I like the way you're keeping this up," he said, his voice dripping with excitement. "But let's heat things up a little bit."

Shinro's expression turned fierce, his eyes blazing with intensity. He lifted his sword upright, gripping it tightly with both hands. A blue aura began to emanate from his body, covering him in an ethereal glow.

Crinix and Takahishi exchanged a wary glance, their eyes fixed on Shinro. What was he planning?

Shinro's voice was low and menacing as he muttered, "Divine Technique Number 1, Raging Floodgate!"

A small water droplet appeared in mid-air, growing larger and larger until it burst, releasing a torrent of water. The floodgate opened, unleashing a deluge of water that sprayed outward, heading straight for Crinix and Takahishi.

They tried to run, but the water was too fast, catching up to them and hitting them with incredible force. The two were swept away, their bodies battered by the relentless torrent.

But just as Shinro thought he had them beat, Crinix and Takahishi emerged from the water, clinging to a tree root that had saved them from being washed away. They rose to their feet, drenched and battered, but still standing.

Shinro grinned, impressed despite himself. "You guys are getting tough. I thought that would keep you down."

Takahishi laughed, his eyes sparkling with defiance. "One thing this training has taught us is how to survive."

Crinix smirked, his axe at the ready. " That technique of yours couldn't keep us down."

Shinro grinned "Oh is that so, let's if you can stand this next attack" he said. "Divine Technique Number 2, Slicing Water Shuriken!"

He swung his sword, slashing it through the air. Huge, star-shaped shuriken sprang from the blade, hurtling toward Takahishi.

"Takahishi, watch out!" Crinix yelled, leaping in front of the shuriken.

He blocked the attack with his axe, but the shuriken's force pushed him back. Takahishi rushed to his side, adding his daggers to the block.

For a moment, they managed to hold off the attack. But then another shuriken came, slicing through their defenses. A loud bang shook the air, sending both Crinix and Takahishi flying.

White smoke enveloped the area, hiding the two from view. Shinro chuckled, thinking he had finally bested them.

But as the smoke cleared, Crinix emerged, his axe still clutched in his hand. Takahishi, however, lay motionless on the ground, blood streaming from his nose.