Deep within the Valley of Order, a large blowhorn whaled.
Beckoning an audience of assassins' understudies who rushed to fill the stands around the training grounds. Resembling an underground Roman colosseum, lit torches littered the arena.
In a reserved area, looking over the training grounds. Kado waited for his master's arrival.
During this time, hundreds of unmasked fledglings wearing yellow ninja uniforms finished filing in. Yellow represented the very bottom, ascending to orange, red, and then black. This system was implemented to make the hierarchy clear among the underlings. Pinned near the collar, a numbered badge would represent their name. Remaining so until they rose in the ranks.
Even though the tension was thick, various groups of overzealous and undisciplined individuals were whispering to each other.
" Why do you think they called us forth this time?"
" Beats me, I thought we had 3 months to prepare until the first trial."
" Oh, perhaps we were gathered here to see the execution of 00."
" Are you talking about the boy with bronze skin?"
" Of course, who else would it be. He was the only person who didn't pass the initiation this year."
"Hmph, serves him right for being a coward."
Two boys around fourteen conversed with one another. Speaking ill of Zeke and his inability to execute a captive prisoner. Overhearing their discussion from the row behind them, a petite girl with curly red hair and pink eyes interjected.
" Take it back..."
Barely catching her timid voice, the pair turned around.
"Huh, what was that pipsqueak?"
"I said, take it back, 00 isn't a coward, he's braver than anyone I know."
She spoke with conviction this time around as the two laughed.
" Psst, please, if he isn't the definition of a wimp, I don't know who is. Now shut up and mind your own business."
Upset, the girl barked back.
" Make me, you cravens!"
Not taking her insult lightly, the taller boy reached out, ready to strike as she flinched. However, his fist was stopped just short of the mark.
" I don't think that'll be a wise decision to cause such a ruckus here, considering people had been killed for less."
Appearing out of nowhere. A teenage boy with short black hair that was slicked back, tightly held onto the aggressor's wrist.
Having slit eyes that seemed closed even when they were open. He carried an eerie smile directed at the obnoxious duo.
"24!"
The girl exclaimed happily, being fully acquainted with him. While the others looked back with extreme caution, not wanting to get on his bad side.
"... You're right."
" Yah, thanks for the advice..."
Satisfied by their timid responses, 24 let go. Taking a seat next to the damsel in distress as the others turned back around like nothing had happened.
" What have I told you about starting something that can't be finished, 55?"
24 sighed, patting her on the head.
" But... how could I just sit back and listen while those creeps talk bad about 00?"
" I understand what 00 meant to you. Hell, he was like a brother to me as well."
"What do you mean by 'was'?"
55 frowned, brushing his hand away from her hair.
" Ugh, grow up 55. We have both seen and know what happens to people who disobey orders. It'll take a miracle for..."
24 suddenly became strangely quiet, wondering why he stopped mid-sentence. She soon caught on, along with everyone else. Kado finally made his presence felt as a ghastly aura engulfed the entire coliseum. Getting their attention, he withdrew his killing intent.
" Presenting, Master Lee!"
Stepping aside with a bow, Master Lee stepped forward, front and center from above. Wearing a pristine black robe with grey leopard fur, his overbearing presence was immediately felt by all.
"Greetings, Master Lee!"
The whole arena shouted with vigor, respect, and fear as they bowed wholeheartedly. Not daring to move a muscle until told,
" You may rise."
Following his command, a suffocating silence overwhelmed the once rowdy bunch. Wasting no time, he began to set the stage for what was to come.
" I bring you here to welcome back a lost lamb to the flock, or someone who'll forever be lost! 00 come forth!"
Walking out of the north tunnel onto the training grounds, Zeke halted his steps in the center.
Looking up at Lee with confidence, before bowing. All eyes were now fixed on him with surprise and interest to see that he was still drawing breath. 24 had to quickly cover 55's mouth as she was about to shout 00's number with glee.
" Begin the initiation, bring out the prisoner!"
Master Lee immediately commanded.
Eventually, an assassin in red dragged someone in purple from the south tunnel. Having a sack placed over their head. It was still easy to tell that this was a woman through her slight curves.
Mistreated, she collapsed to her knees near Zeke as he thought,
'Something not adding up here, it couldn't be?'
Yanking off the sack revealed a face that was very dear to not only 00 but 24 and 55. None other than Zeke and 24's Den Mother, Elizabeth. In the hidden cave of untold shadows. Den mothers were categorized by purple attire.
They would nurture and raise the young before leaving the nest for an assassin's life. This revelation especially hit home for number 55, being her biological parent.
" Mom!"
Her muffled scream slipped through 24 fingers as she bit down, weeping. Acting hysterically, he chopped the back of her neck, knocking 55 unconscious.
" I'm sorry, but it's for your own good..."
With their actions going unbeknownst to the others in attendance.
Zeke and Elizabeth were, unfortunately, the stars of this morbid show. With her mouth gagged, she could only stare at Zeke with tears.
' This isn't supposed to happen!'
Zeke stated in his mind, glancing above at Lee, who couldn't contain his wry smile.
When he initially ordered Kado to summon the class of '88, Unit 1. Zeke had expected himself to be made to redeem his past failure.
However, he figured that it would be someone on death row. Not having the skills to be an assassin.
These condemned souls would traditionally be slaughtered like cattle to test the young fledgling's fortitude.
Yet here he stood in front of an asset that was usually valued in this hellish environment. Having a connection to a past that he hadn't personally lived before his transmigration.
Elizabeth was one of the few people that 00 cherished growing up, while the current Zeke felt a swell of conflicting emotions. The red assassin proceeded to hand him a blade, signaling the moment of truth.