Kaito "The Sunflare" Kazama stood before Kenji, his signature arrogant smirk firmly in place. The crowd of reporters hushed, sensing the tension between the established titan and the new phenomenon.
"Number Three," Kenji repeated, a small, knowing smile playing on his lips. "That's a high rank. But the world is changing, Kazama-san. And so are the rules."
Kaito's smirk tightened. "Don't mistake beginner's luck for true power, kid. You got an S-rank debut, sure, but sustaining it, growing it... that's a different game. Many fall, young Tanaka."
Kenji met his gaze directly, a flicker of his newfound confidence in his eyes. He knew exactly how Kaito was, how he treated others. But Kenji also sensed something more beneath the bravado, a flicker of genuine power and perhaps, a hidden depth. The System had subtly hinted at A-rank figures who were close to breaking through to S-rank—Kaito was definitely one of them.
"Maybe," Kenji conceded, his voice carrying surprising authority, "but some rise faster than others. Tell me, Kazama-san, the rumors of an Ultra SS-rank breakthrough… who do you think will get there first?" Kenji paused, letting the weight of the question hang in the air, then delivered his challenge, loud enough for every reporter and every global viewer to hear. "You, the seasoned Number Three? Or me, the new Number Thirteen?"
A ripple went through the crowd. Kaito's eyes widened almost imperceptibly, his smirk faltering for a split second before reforming into a more challenging, less dismissive grin. No one had ever dared to challenge him so openly, so directly, and on such a public stage. The implications of Kenji's words—a race to a mythical rank, between the old guard and the new—were staggering.
"Hmph. Cocky, aren't we?" Kaito scoffed, but there was a new gleam in his eyes. "Very well, rookie. Let's see if your ambition matches your newfound power. Don't disappoint me." He turned and strode away, leaving the crowd buzzing with excited chatter. The gauntlet had been thrown.
Training Under a Taskmaster: The Birth of Inner Sun
The next few weeks saw an unprecedented event at the Golden Gate Academy: Kaito Kazama, the notoriously solitary and ill-tempered Number Three S-rank, began to train alongside Kenji and the Dawn Breakers. His arrival at the villa was initially met with apprehension. He was still cocky and even rude to everyone, barking orders and criticizing their techniques with blunt assessments. He often referred to Kenji as "rookie" or "the kid."
However, beneath the tough demeanor, Kenji began to see glimpses of a true mentor. Kaito's critiques, though harsh, were always spot-on, pushing them to improve. He drove the team harder than Kenji ever could, demanding perfection.
One afternoon, during a particularly grueling spiritual energy control exercise, Kenji struggled to consistently manifest the crimson aura that had given him his second wind in Death's Doorstep. It flickered, appearing only in moments of extreme emotional stress.
Kaito observed, his arms crossed. "That red glow," he grunted. "That's your primal spiritual core, kid. Untamed. Wild. Dangerous if you can't control it. Most never even touch it without destroying themselves."
Kenji gritted his teeth. "I need to make it consistent. It saved my life."
Kaito finally uncrossed his arms. "Behind the tough demeanor and horrible attitude towards others, he slowly grew fond of Kenji." A slight, almost imperceptible softening in his eyes as he looked at the raw power within Kenji. "Alright, rookie. I'll teach you. It's a technique few possess the spiritual fortitude to master."
Over the following days, Kaito took Kenji aside, dedicating hours to teaching him. He explained the concept of an 'Inner Sun': a meditative and spiritual conditioning technique that allowed an Awakened to consciously tap into and stabilize their deepest, most primal spiritual reserves, turning that fleeting red aura into a constant, controlled state of amplified power.
"It's not just about drawing more power," Kaito explained, demonstrating with a controlled, golden aura that shimmered around him. "It's about making that power an extension of your will, without losing control. It's called 'Solar Flare Manifestation'."
Under Kaito's tutelage, Kenji's understanding of his own spiritual energy deepened exponentially. Kaito would push him to the brink of spiritual exhaustion, then guide him through the meditative steps to awaken and control the crimson glow. Slowly, painstakingly, the chaotic red aura began to respond to Kenji's will, becoming more consistent, flowing easily, controllable.
Team Awe and Financial Triumph
The rest of the Dawn Breakers watched this unusual mentorship with awe. They'd never seen Kaito so invested in anyone, let alone an S-rank newcomer. They saw the intensity of their training, the casual way Kaito would perform feats of spiritual power that would drain lesser Awakened.
"Can you believe it?" Hiroki whispered to Akari during a break, watching Kaito effortlessly deflect a barrage of spiritual blasts from Kenji. "The Number Three is actually teaching Kenji. And Kenji's already matching him in some ways!"
Akari nodded, her eyes wide. "He's tough, but… he's making Kenji unstoppable. This is incredible."
Meanwhile, the financial rewards from the Death's Doorstep mission began to roll in. The Academy, true to its word, delivered an unprecedented sum directly to the Dawn Breakers' shared account. The money from this dungeon was enough to make everyone satisfied, far exceeding anything they had ever imagined. It was enough to secure their families' futures, buy advanced gear, and invest in their training without a second thought. For Kenji, it was a profound shift; money, which had always been a source of stress, was now simply a tool for growth and security.
As the weeks passed, the rivalry between Kenji and Kaito, initially a public challenge, morphed into a deep, unspoken respect. Kaito, behind the tough demeanor and horrible attitude towards others, had slowly grown fond of Kenji, recognizing not just his monstrous power but his unwavering resolve and surprising humility. He saw a true successor, someone who could push the boundaries of what it meant to be an S-rank.
Kenji, in turn, found himself looking up to Kaito, learning from his gruff wisdom and absorbing his vast experience. The question of who would reach Ultra SS-rank first lingered, a constant, motivating undercurrent, but now, it felt less like a competition and more like a shared journey to push the limits of their power.