Not someone who liked to be kept idle for long, waiting in the great hall, Master Lee tapped his feet repeatedly. Unable to wash the rancid taste in his mouth that was brought about by a recent heated meeting held with his other two colleagues. Master Ono and Master Taki.
Together, they were known as The Hidden Cave of Shadows: Three Reapers.
Each man reigned over one of the underground valleys inside this large labyrinth of a cave. While the remaining valley had been deemed a neutral zone.
It was nicknamed the Valley ofLight, becoming the only place where natural light shone, courtesy of a crevice that peered above into the outside world.
" How dare those rotten vultures try to team up against me, coveting what's rightfully mine!"
He shouted, crushing part of his armrest. Looking back, the reason for discord stemmed from their proposal to cut a significant percentage of his current budget and resources. This resulted in him naturally raising hell. In the end, Ono and Taki decided to make a tactful retreat on the matter, tabling the discussion.
Returning to his valley, which was aptly named the Valley ofOrder. Lee was understandably in a fouler mood than usual.
Trying to regain his pose. He felt the presence of his direct disciple and another before Kado requested permission to enter.
" You may."
The tall stone doors opened, with Kado holding onto a long chain that had Zeke's hands bound in cuffs. Taking the lead in this dimly lit great hall, filled with blue flames. Kado respectfully bowed, yanking the chain downward, indicating for Zeke to follow suit. Afterwards, they walked the elongated hall, reaching Lee as he questioned.
" I see that you retrieved the boy, but where have Kei and the other idiot gone off to?"
Hearing this, Kado hesitated for a second before responding.
" Master, if you'll allow it, I believe that this boy here can explain their whereabouts better than I."
Kado proposed, while Lee observed the kid whom he once held some expectations for. His interest later waned when Zeke failed to display the killer intent necessary. Unable to execute a random captive.
In his eyes, Zeke was too sentimental, which he deemed a sin in The Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows.
Despite his inability. Lee held out false hope that this potential pet project would eventually rectify his grave mistake. After days in confinement, he was met with disappointment instead when the boy didn't budge from his stance of not killing.
This led to him giving the order for his execution, with the vulgar intention of displaying his head on a pike for all to see. Reminding them that their lives were in his hands. He couldn't help but become curious about why this same boy stood before him still alive.
" Speak!"
Lee demanded of Zeke.
" Thanks, and gratitude, now if you don't mind releasing me from these shackles? It would be easier for me to show you than explain the drawn-out details."
Zeke asked as Kado looked towards his master, receiving a slight nod of approval to unleash him. Released from his bondage, he proceeded to retrieve a spatial pouch tucked by his chest. With Kado still on guard, he opened the said item.
" Kei!"
Both men exclaimed in disbelief as two heads, mounted on individual sticks, rolled forward. Immediately, Kado swiftly drew his knife, stopping just short of Zeke's throat.
"What is the meaning of this here?"
Kado asked with hostility.
Only paying special attention to the boy, he thought, as feeble because his master had taken a vested interest in him. Deep down, Kado felt that this fledgling wasn't worthy of his master's precious time and attention. Despite his skepticism, he withheld his emotions, daring not to raise an issue.
Thinking back on when he fetched this kid. The vibe around Zeke had significantly shifted since he last saw him.
Before bringing Zeke to the great hall, Kado had already broached the subject of the missing pair.
....
" Hmm, good question. All I know is once they arrived, we soon parted ways, therefore, after."
Zeke smirked as Kado restrained his displeasure. Giving Kado the urge to kill him right on the spot.
However, he refrained from this action when Zeke spoke once more.
" If it isn't much to ask, I'd like to request an audience with Master Lee?"
"Tsk, what for?"
" I seek the opportunity to repent for my sins and prove that I can change the error of my ways."
Doubtful, Kado decided to let his master properly deal with this rapscallion. Fast-forwarding to the present, Kado's knife now rested uncomfortably on Zeke's jugular.
" I don't understand why you're so surprised, senior brother? Didn't I mention beforehand that these two men and I parted ways? Perhaps I should've been clearer about where they departed to?"
Zeke egged on, not showing any concern about his life being threatened.
Infuriated for being made to look like a dunce in his master's presence. Kado aimed to put this situation to bed once and for all.
" You little brat, die!"
" Stop, that's enough!"
Lee belted as his voice echoed throughout the spacious room. Heeding his words, Kado withdrew his blade from Zeke without a word of complaint.
" Explain yourself now, boy!"
" Certainly, Master Lee."
Zeke bowed, lifting the heads that were showcased on a sharpened torch stick as he continued.
"It's simple once you think about it. It was either them or me. So, I just took it upon myself to take out the trash."
" Hmph, you're aware that one of those so-called "trashes" you speak of was my nephew, right?"
" Honestly, I didn't know until he was already dead, when I later found a note on him that was addressed to you."
Zeke then gathered the note as Kado snatched it from him. Delivering the scrap of paper to his master, who remained seated. Scanning through the note, he posed another question.
" If you knew he was my kin before you took action, would you have ever killed and made a mockery of him in such a way?"
" Respectfully, yes, I still would."
Zeke answered with no hesitation to be found. This made the bushy purple brows of Lee rise. Beholding the boy who now stood boldly before him. It seemed like a miracle that this pup could change so drastically in such a short amount of time.
' Heh, so this runt has finally decided to reveal his true colors'
With this thought in mind, he then crumpled the note in his hand, laughing loudly.
" Excellent, I approve! This world will always boil down to the survival of the fittest! If I weren't obliged to honor my dying brother's wishes for all these years. His useless son would have been cast aside!"
Knowing his master better than most, Kado wasn't surprised by his feelings towards Kei, even if he showed favoritism in the past. Lee had a habit of valuing talented and ruthless individuals more than anything else.
" However, you still owe me a great debt that needs to be repaid. Kado, I need you to summon the class of '88, Unit 1, onto the training grounds."
" Yes, master."
Kado then vanished while Zeke had a slight notion of what to expect next.