The courtyard of Block D was a storm of voices and footsteps as soon as Sekiro's announcement echoed through the ancient stone halls. Over fifty competitors, battered and bandaged from the brutal race, stumbled and shoved each other, desperate to see their rankings for the Jyu-Ichi Banteo operation.
Blade, leaning heavily on his bandaged shoulder, dragged one foot after the other. Every step felt like stepping on burning coals.
"Ugh… someone carry me," he groaned, forcing a half-smile through his split lip.
Beside him, Akashi Peigon snorted and flicked him on the forehead.
"Still useless, huh? Dragon Soul or not, you can't even walk straight after round one."
Blade shot him a glare but nearly stumbled again. Kagami, her pale hair brushing against her bruised cheek, looped her arm under his.
"Stop whining. You're heavy, but I've got you."
---
At the bulletin board, Suntaro Akammi had muscled his way to the front, a thunderstorm brewing behind his eyes. He scanned the parchment tacked onto the old oak board — his eyes went wide.
"What the hell is this?!"
Kibito grabbed him in a headlock. "Oi, you idiot! Read it out loud already!" The crowd behind them pressed in, a sea of ruffled uniforms and bruised faces.
Kentaro Rikotsu, hair still sparking from his last lightning burst, scrambled up Suntaro's back. "MOVE! I wanna see! I better be top five or I'll fry you alive!"
With an annoyed grunt, Kibito elbowed his little brother down and cleared his throat like a showman.
"Alright, shut your traps — here's who passed."
He ran his finger down the parchment, each name hitting the air like a hammer on an anvil.
---
The Passouts — Jyu-Ichi Banteo
1. Kenshin Mouriū
The silent mountain — heavy stone blade Marekuno at his back. A man of few words but his presence alone settles storms.
2. Yano Mikazushi
The Wind Veil — fierce yet calm, her blade Furinto slices through lies as easily as flesh.
3. Jinshi Teru
Division 11's ghost hammer. A teleportation expert who once trained under the Silent Monk of the North.
4. Kagami Hanera
Soft as snow, sharp as frost. Wielder of Ka Kori, the ice blade. Her quiet steps freeze the will of enemies.
5. Suntaro Akammi
The Lightning Fist — thunder child of the Akammi Clan, master of Raitaro. Reckless, loud, unstoppable when anger sparks.
A crooked grin broke Suntaro's scowl. He jabbed his thumb at his name.
"Heh! Beat Kentaro's scrawny butt."
Kentaro's mouth fell open. "Wait… where's my name?!"
Kibito smirked, enjoying every second of it.
"Sixth — Kibito Akammi. Which, in case you forgot, is me."
Suntaro slapped the back of his head. "Only because Blade's psycho blast shot you past me like a human missile!"
Kibito grinned. "Physics, my dear brother."
"Seventh — Kentaro Rikotsu. The unstoppable genius who… fell over his own lightning."
Kentaro clutched his head. "This is sabotage. I demand a recount!"
---
As the crowd roared with laughter, Kibito continued.
"The last four spots were decided by combat ranking since the race… well… blew up."
Blade scratched his neck. "Sorry about that."
"Number one — Blade Taizuka. Rampaging hazard to bridges."
"Number two — Akashi Peigon. Chronox boy with the fancy hair."
Akashi crossed his arms, smirking.
"Number three — Ryuichi Kaze."
Silence. No one moved. A name none had ever heard. They looked around as if he might appear out of the shadows.
Tensho stepped forward, arms crossed, Keizoki humming behind him.
"You won't see him. Ryuichi Kaze is Division Four's Shadow — invisible to you, invisible to them. He's our knife in the dark."
A shiver crawled up a few necks. Even Blade muttered, "An invisible shinobi… so he could be here, now?"
Kibito clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't overthink that, dragon boy."
---
The Teams of Jyu-Ichi Banteo
Pinned beneath the rankings was the team breakdown.
Team One — The Intel Core
Kagami Hanera, Kenshin Mouriū, Ryuichi Kaze.
This team would gather secrets, track enemy movements, and break traps before they snapped shut.
Team Two — The Combat Unit
Blade Taizuka, Jinshi Teru, Qui Toriko.
Frontline. Break enemy lines. Stop the advance.
Qui Toriko, Division 3's spindly, sharp-tongued assistant, flicked Blade's forehead. "Try not to destroy the mission, Dragon Soul."
Blade stuck his tongue out at him.
Team Three — The Founders
Suntaro Akammi, Kentaro Rikotsu, Kibito Akammi.
Find the Platinum Fragments — the keys to the mythical blades.
Suntaro read it, then grabbed Kentaro by the collar. "Not these idiots! My brain will rot."
Kentaro wiggled free, yelling, "Says the human thunderstorm who can't even spell!"
Kibito flicked Suntaro's ear. "Respect your elder, Suntaro."
Team Z — The Ghosthunters
Akashi Peigon, Yano Mikazushi, Ryen Kairo.
Hunt down Akuma Chi's base. Wipe them from the shadows.
Ryen Kairo watched from the roof's edge, eyes like a bored cat's. He yawned as Yano glared up at him.
"Get down here, you brat! This is a mission, not your nap time."
Kairo smirked lazily but dropped down anyway.
---
Later — Beneath the Lanterns
The courtyard melted into quiet chatter. Blade and Kagami leaned against the railing while Jinshi leaned against a pillar, arms folded.
"So that's it, huh…" Blade muttered. "Three days until we're scattered into the jaws of Akuma Chi."
Jinshi's eyes softened. "We're not alone. Remember that."
Kagami pressed a rice ball into Blade's palm. "Eat. You can't save the world on an empty stomach."
Qui Toriko leaned in, face deadpan. "Or blow it up."
Blade shot him a look. "One time. It happened one time."
---
Kenshin and Yano drifted over. Kenshin's mask muffled his low voice. "Don't overthink. The storm's already here. We just ride it."
Ryen Kairo lay flat on the garden bench, eyes half closed, listening but pretending not to.
"Let's eat tonight," Kibito piped up suddenly. "All of us. If we're going to bleed together, we might as well feast together first."
No one argued. Even the shy ones nodded.
---
Hiraguri Town — A Night to Breathe
Laughter spilled from Hiraguri Town's oldest tavern. Suntaro and Kentaro nearly threw plates at each other over who ate the spiciest dumpling. Kagami fed Blade rice balls while he pouted over his bruises. Qui Toriko and Akashi Peigon bickered about sword techniques while Yano threatened to wind-slice the table in half.
Jinshi, quiet and polite, sat beside Kenshin, who stared at the lanterns above like they were falling stars.
Even Ryen Kairo, arms folded, half-smiled at something Yano muttered under her breath.
Jeitsu and Sekiro watched from the far street, arms crossed.
"They're idiots," Sekiro grumbled. "But they're our idiots."
---
Moonlight Resolve
Hours later, Blade found himself alone on the rooftop of his room. He watched his breath fog in the night air. His blade, wrapped in cloth, hummed like a heartbeat.
"I know the rage inside me. But I can't fear it. If I do… what am I?"
A voice drifted up from the shadows. "Oi, Dragon Soul."
Blade leaned over the edge. Akashi Peigon stood there, pale hair lit silver under the moon.
"You can't sleep, huh?"
Blade gave a tired smile. "I could say the same for you."
Akashi grinned, Chronox resting on his shoulder. "Stop sulking. First one to the garden wins."
Blade's eyes glowed with that familiar, stubborn spark. He vaulted down, boots thudding next to Akashi's.
"I'm not losing this time."
They ran — boys under moonlight, blades at their backs, laughter slipping through the quiet Phoenix Order as the world waited for the storm to come.
---
To be continued...