Renji Takahashi stood before the defeated enemy, his mask slightly raised to reveal the crimson glow of his Sharingan.
"Tell me," Renji said calmly, "why are you targeting freshmen from different academies? Who is behind this?"
Staring into the hypnotic spiral of the Sharingan, the man known as Brother Jin froze, his expression going blank. In a dull tone, he answered, "We were all expelled from our academies... We hold a grudge... This is our way of taking revenge."
"No one ordered us to do it... We acted on our own."
Renji pressed further, "Do you have other accomplices? Where are they?"
"No... After being hunted by Azure Dragon Academy, only the two of us remain..."
With those final words, Brother Jin collapsed, unconscious.
Renji turned to the others. "Captain, I've completed the interrogation."
Silence followed. Though their faces were masked, the group's astonishment was evident in their stillness.
"How... did you make him talk so easily?" asked Kanji, recovering from her daze.
The Executive Division had numerous torture techniques, yet Renji got results without laying a finger.
"Just a special skill of mine," Renji replied vaguely.
He didn't mention the Sharingan. Even among teammates, some secrets were better kept. He hadn't revealed everything to his father, Ryoji, so why would he tell others?
"Impressive," Red Wind finally said, nodding in approval. "From now on, you'll handle interrogations. You're a natural."
Interrogation usually required years of training, but Renji seemed born for it.
"You know," Red Wind added, stepping forward, "I also noticed something—can you copy other people's powers?"
She had witnessed it earlier during the skirmish.
Even among them, the ability to replicate supernatural powers was unheard of.
"Copying powers? You have that too?" Kanji was stunned.
He realized she barely knew anything about Renji.
He had secrets—many of them.
"It's possible," Renji admitted. "But only for the five core elemental types. I can't copy rare or unique powers."
He'd already come to terms with it.
His father had recommended him for the Executive Division not just for rewards or career growth—but to protect him. Staying out in the open while the Burning Fire Clan Clan was still after him and Yuna Hoshizaki was too dangerous.
The Executive Division gave him cover. No one except his own teammates knew who he really was.
To avoid drawing attention, Renji planned to minimize the use of his Wood Release—since only he and Shun Wei Lin at Azure Dragon Academy possessed that element.
If he used someone else's powers instead, who would ever suspect it was him?
"I see... so that means you now have seven different powers?" Red Wind said slowly.
The realization hit everyone hard.
Seven powers. That wasn't just rare—it was nearly unheard of.
In the entire Eastern Empire, four powers were considered the upper limit. One type was average. Two types were excellent. Three was extraordinary. Four was elite.
But seven?
Even the most elite cultivators couldn't dream of that.
"That's... a bit of an exaggeration," Renji said, scratching his head sheepishly.
In truth, he had obtained five elemental demon cores back in Sin City after defeating the Burning Fire Clan warriors. That was how he had access to all five elements.
The Sharingan could copy powers—but without the appropriate elemental affinity, it was limited to basic physical skills.
Illusions, puppet techniques, beast control—none of those could be copied.
"Still... you're a rare talent," Red Wind said with a bright laugh. "With you on our side, we're lucky."
"Right. From now on, you'll handle interrogations," Kanji added. "And when we're facing someone strong, if you can copy their power, you might just turn the tide for us."
Everyone laughed.
Having someone like Renji meant stronger missions, higher success rates—and better rewards.
"Alright. These guys are done. Let's clean up and move on," Kanji ordered.
"I call shotgun!" Red Wind grinned, running to their wooden combat vehicle and slotting in a Level 2 demon core. Clearly, she was eager to drive again.
"Fine, fine, go ahead," Kanji sighed, climbing aboard with the others.
Just as Red Wind gripped the steering controls, a flash of golden light burst from Red Wind's body—a yellow talisman floated in midair, glowing with power.
Everyone turned their heads immediately.
It was a Message Charm, a two-way communication talisman that used spatial power. Though effective, each charm could only link to one other—it was a private channel.
Red Wind's eyes narrowed as Ryoji Takahashi's voice emerged from the floating charm.
"Kanji, how's your mission going?"
"Just finished. All enemies have been neutralized. We were about to head back," he replied.
"Don't return yet. Ten kilometers east of your position, scouts from Shiranami Academy reported discovering a minor monster nest. There may be a Tier 4 monster inside. Go assist them."
"Understood," Kanji nodded and stored the talisman.
"Red Wind, change course. Ten kilometers east."
"Roger that. Everyone, hold on!"
With a loud hum, the vehicle launched forward, kicking up dust as it raced toward their next objective.
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