Ryuu Hanma stood in the Academy courtyard, his massive frame imposing as his voice thundered through the entire facility. "HAIKITO!"

  The very walls trembled. The earth beneath him cracked slightly with every step forward.

  Shoto, still seething from the council meeting, stormed down the stairs, his frustration boiling over. "Who the hell is causing this commotion?!" he shouted. Without hesitation, he pulled out his communicator, his voice sharp and authoritative. "All available heroes on campus, immediately seize whoever this man is!"

  Haikito stepped out of the council room, unfazed by the chaos unfolding around him. His eyes remained locked on Ryuu as he calmly raised a hand. "Stand down."

  The heroes hesitated. Shoto's anger grew even further. "Who IS this man?!"

  Haikito smirked slightly. "This is Ryuu Hanma. Dragon and Beast of the East."

  A heavy silence followed. Some heroes gasped. Others whispered among themselves. His name alone carried a weight unlike any other.

  Shoto's eyes narrowed. For a brief moment, Shoto processed the name. He had heard myths, whispers in the underworld, rumors that men like Ryuu Hanma weren't just strong—they were forces of nature. But seeing him in the flesh? That was something different. Something unsettling. Then, his anger returned, hotter than before. His momentary intrigue quickly twisted into rage. "Haikito, why do you continue to besmirch this Academy by bringing individuals from the Underworld?! You are defiling the status of a hero with your poor judgment of character!"

  Haikito, ignoring Shoto's tantrum, turned his attention back to Ryuu. "Come. There's someone I'd like you to meet."

  Ryuu laughed, walking forward with a confident swagger. "Seems like my presence has already caused a stir."

  As the two walked through the halls, Ryuu chuckled. "Ryuu Hanma... a hero? That doesn't sound right at all."

  Haikito's blue eyes gleamed as he looked up at Ryuu. "As I told you in prison, Ryuu—there's a shift happening in the world. Right now..." he paused, his voice lowering. "...it's time for us to lead that change, rather than be victims of it."

  Ryuu scoffed but couldn't hide a smirk. "I hate when you look at me with those eyes." His expression darkened slightly. "But those eyes, Haikito... have been right about a lot of things you've told me."

  He cracked his knuckles. "I'll help... but after that, I'm going back to prison. I enjoy being alone."

  As they approached the medical department, Ryuu glanced sideways at Haikito. "And you really think this brat is the future?"

  Haikito nodded, his expression solemn yet certain. "More than you know."

  Meanwhile, Kenji watched Shoto storm off, gripping his phone tightly before disappearing into his office. Kenji hesitated. His mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty.

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  Who should I trust?

  On one hand, he had reason to question Shoto—his reaction when Kenji first suggested a mole had been unusually defensive. But on the other... Haikito's pattern of bringing dangerous figures into the Academy was becoming harder to ignore.

  Kenji exhaled sharply.

  "Lost in thought, young Kenji?"

  Kenji turned. Takao Hoshigaki stood beside him. He rarely spoke, so the sudden interaction caught Kenji off guard.

  "During my tenure," Takao continued, his voice calm yet heavy, "I have seen great heroes come, grow, die, and foster the next generation." He exhaled. "One thing has remained the same—conflict within our own walls."

  Kenji swallowed. "Are you saying—"

  Takao cut him off. "I trust my peers, but I am no fool." His eyes darkened slightly. "There is something brewing within this Academy. My nose can smell it... and my nose has never been wrong."

  A shiver crawled down Kenji's spine.

  "Trust your instincts, Kenji." Takao turned away, hands behind his back as he walked. "And help this old man die with peace in his heart."

  Kenji clenched his fists. No more hesitation. No more second-guessing.

  He would find the truth—no matter what.

  With renewed determination, Kenji headed toward the medical department to check on another lead. As he approached, he noticed Haikito and an enormous man entering the clinic—the very man who had caused the commotion earlier. Keeping his distance, Kenji decided to observe rather than interrupt.

  Inside the clinic, the nurse observed Rei's body. "His vital signs remain unstable," she reported, adjusting the monitors. "However, the flickering of blue energy has become less frequent."

  Ryuu stared at Rei's unconscious form. "So this is the boy you've been telling me about."

  Haikito nodded. "Just as I told you, he's been in a deep unconscious state. But his battle is not with his body—it's within himself."

  Ryuu folded his arms. "And where's the other bastard you mentioned? The one training him?"

  Haikito's eyes gleamed blue once more. "Caught in the crosshairs of the Assassin's Guild." His smirk returned. "He'll be back shortly. A little razzled, but back nonetheless."

  Ryuu scoffed, stepping closer to Rei. His massive hand extended—

  The nurse gasped. "Wait! Don't touch him! His body is unstable—there have been reports of people feeling as if they were being sucked in!"

  Ryuu rolled his eyes. "Shut up. I know what I'm doing."

  His massive hand gripped Rei's neck.

  The heart monitors spiked as cords detached violently. Rei's unconscious body was lifted off the bed, only for Ryuu to slam his fist into his stomach.

  "Wake the fuck up, boy! Nap time is over!"

  The nurse screamed, covering her mouth as Ryuu began repeatedly slapping and punching Rei, shaking the entire room.

  Rei felt the pain. Someone was attacking him.

  His blood boiled. His body was fighting to move.

  Hikito appeared beside him, gazing outward. "That man..." He smirked. "Brother, this is the perfect time, don't you think? Let me take over, and we can finally ask that man about our family."

  Rei's eyes narrowed. "You don't even try to hide your intentions, do you?"

  Hikito chuckled. "I'm just saying, isn't that why you want to wake up? To learn the truth?"

  Rei exhaled sharply. "It's my body. If you can wake me up, so can I."

  Hikito sighed. "You're stubborn... just like our mother." He faded away.

  Rei focused everything on waking up.

  New visions flashed before his eyes—a golden cadaver, a man with six arms. Who were they?

  Then—

  Something inside him snapped like a breaking chain. His body surged, his blood roaring through his veins, his lungs gasping for air as if he had been drowning for years. His eyes shot open, fierce and alive.

  Ryuu's fists connected with Rei's face as he regained consciousness.

  With raw instinct, Rei grabbed Ryuu's head and headbutted him.

  A thin trickle of blood ran down both their foreheads.

  Ryuu grinned. "Look at me, Haikito! I've got better ways of waking him up than your so-called professional doctors!"

  Haikito chuckled, shaking his head as he looked intently away.

  Ryuu cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. "Nice shot, boy. Your real training starts now."

  He extended a massive hand.

  Rei, dazed but aware, grabbed it.