"Oh my god, are those Tailed Beasts actually in the draw now?!"
Renji Takahashi stared at the latest prize wheel in disbelief.
Everything else was fine, but... tailed beasts? Were they serious?
The Eight-Tailed beast, Nine-Tailed Fox—if you landed on either of them, wouldn't that basically make you level five instantly?
If he really pulled one of those, Renji figured he could basically walk around like a boss.
"Come on, give me a tailed beast!"
He clasped his hands together, and with a silent prayer, the golden roulette began spinning with a rhythmic da-da-da-da.
Finally, the pointer slowed... then stopped. A golden light flashed—and a line of large golden letters appeared:
Mangekyō Sharingan (Basic Version)!
Let's goooo!
Renji was over the moon.
Sure, it wasn't a tailed beast, but honestly? Anything on this prize wheel was a huge win.
[Mangekyō Sharingan (Basic): No unique dojutsu abilities. However, it grants dramatically enhanced perception, copying ability, and genjutsu proficiency. Spiritual energy consumption is doubled.]
Although this version didn't come with any special techniques, it massively boosted the normal powers of a three-tomoe Sharingan.
To Renji, this was more than acceptable.
After all, there's a world of difference between a regular Sharingan and the Mangekyō. No matter how hard a basic Sharingan tried to "glare," it could never beat the intensity of a Mangekyō.
"If I'd had this back then," Renji thought, "maybe I could've broken through the illusion-blocking mechanism in Akatsuki's mind back in the sewer…"
Mission complete.
Haruki Tsukimura had to escort Takeshi Kurosawa back to Azure Sea Academy before returning.
Once there, Haruki reported the findings to the Dean Chen—though he only shared that the beast tide had been manipulated by the Burning Flame Clan, and disclosed some details about their operation.
He intentionally left out one very crucial thing: the fact that the clan's real targets were Renji Takahashi and Yuna Hoshizaki.
Although Takeshi Kurosawa already knew the truth, Haruki didn't want others thinking this was just Azure Academy's problem.
At the moment, he needed them to see that the Burning Flame Clan was everyone's enemy.
"The Burning Flame Clan, huh… Sounds like a bunch of troublemakers. If they're able to control beast tides, we can't afford to underestimate them," Dean Chen muttered.
Haruki nodded. "Agreed. Unfortunately, we couldn't learn anything about the location of their leader."
"We understand," Dean Chen replied seriously. "Thank you. Once our city wall is repaired, we'll keep a close eye on their activities. Anyone who can form alliances with monsters is not to be taken lightly."
"That's the full report. If there's nothing else, we'll be heading back. Thank you for your cooperation."
"No problem. Takeshi Kurosawa, please see them out."
"Yes, sir!"
Takeshi Kurosawa walked them to the gates of Azure Sea City, waving warmly.
"Goodbye, everyone. Please visit again if you get the chance!"
"Yeah! See you again, Teacher Takeshi Kurosawa!" Yuna waved cheerfully in return.
As they left Azure Sea City, the group boarded a wooden-powered vehicle headed back to Azure Dragon Academy.
This time, the four members from the Executive Division rode with Renji and the team.
The wooden cart, which once felt spacious, now felt cramped with eight passengers.
Three people sat per side on each bench. Renji and Yuna ended up sitting together.
The cart rumbled forward.
No one spoke.
The silence in the cart was tense and heavy.
Everyone from the Executive Division wore masks, so their faces were unreadable. These were people who had killed before—maybe many times.
The faint scent of blood clung to them, forming a kind of invisible pressure.
Renji couldn't relax.
Thankfully, the tension broke slightly when Honoka Akabane, who was sitting next to Renji, got up and walked to the front.
"Boss, you're driving too slow. Let me take over."
"This is fast," Haruki replied. "We're doing sixty miles per hour—that's the limit for a first-tier demon core."
"Then why not use a second-tier core?"
"You got one to spare?"
"I do! Just let me drive!"
She pulled out a glowing second-tier demon core and slotted it in. Then she eagerly took the wheel.
Once the more powerful core was installed, Honoka cranked the speed up to 120 mph and howled with excitement.
"Now this is how you drive!"
"Yes, yes, Miss Honoka. I humbly admit your skills are superior," Haruki said dryly.
With one less person on the bench, Renji and Yuna could finally breathe easier.
The journey back from Azure Sea City to Azure Dragon Academy still took nearly a full day and night.
Haruki and Honoka took turns driving, while everyone else rested or tried to sleep.
Renji leaned against the wooden wall, letting his eyes drift shut.
Suddenly, he felt something press gently against his shoulder.
Startled, he opened his eyes—only to realize Yuna had nodded off, and her head was now resting lightly on him.
Her peaceful sleeping face was so close.
The soft scent of flowers lingered around her, refreshing and comforting like a spring breeze.
Caught in the moment, Renji couldn't resist. He lightly pinched her cheek.
So soft…
Silky smooth, like the finest mochi.
"Hmm…"
Sensing his mischief, Yuna murmured softly and nuzzled her head like a kitten, making Renji flinch and pull his hand back instantly.
Thankfully, she didn't wake up.
Still, Renji didn't dare push his luck again. Drowsiness overtook him, and he drifted off beside her.
By dawn, after a night of high-speed travel, they arrived back at Azure Dragon Academy earlier than expected.
"We're heeere!" Honoka called from the front.
Everyone slowly woke up.
Yuna's eyes fluttered open—and then she realized she wasn't just leaning… she was lying halfway across Renji's lap.
Her cheeks flushed bright red as she bolted upright.
Renji blinked awake groggily. "Morning."
"M-Morning…"
Everyone got off the cart.
Haruki clapped his hands. "Mission complete. You all did great. Go get some rest. I'll call you when there's a new assignment."
"Finally, home."
Renji stretched his back and heard a few satisfying cracks.
The Executive Division left, leaving just Renji and Yuna.
Their homes were in opposite directions, so they split up at the gate.
"Bye. See you tomorrow," Yuna said with a soft smile and a wave.
"Yeah. See you tomorrow," Renji replied, smiling back as they walked away from each other.
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