The S-rank council chamber was still thick with the oppressive weight of the Grandmaster's words. An Archbishop. The Seven Deadly Sins. And 100 B-rank portals, some potentially escalating to A or even S. It was a daunting, almost impossible, task.
Kenji, however, was not intimidated. His mind, now fully focused, saw only objectives. He had a job to do, and a rival to outpace.
"Grandmaster," Kenji's voice cut through the stunned silence, calm and clear. "You mentioned Number Three earlier. Will Kaito Kazama and his team also be given a specific task? We have a… personal wager."
The room went completely silent. All eyes, which had just been on Kenji for the dire news, now snapped to Kaito, then back to Kenji. This wasn't just about the world's fate; it was about S-rank pride. Kaito, however, simply leaned back in his chair, a slow, knowing smile spreading across his face. He enjoyed Kenji's audacity.
Grandmaster Hiroto blinked, then a deep, booming laugh erupted from him, filling the chamber. "Ah, yes! My apologies, Kenji. I do sometimes forget how young you are, for an S-rank. For a moment, I forgot the competitive spirit of youth, especially when it comes to Kaito here." He chuckled again, a rare display of lightheartedness amidst the grim proceedings.
"Very well, Number Three," the Grandmaster declared, his eyes twinkling. "Consider your challenge accepted, indirectly. You and your team can tackle 50 A-ranked Dungeons. These are existing threats, of course, that also contribute to our overall efforts. This also helps everyone here." He looked around the room, a satisfied glint in his eye. "Now, is everything settled?"
The other S-ranks nodded, murmuring their assent. They understood the Grandmaster's subtle play: leveraging the rivalry to maximize output for the greater good.
"Oh, and one more thing, Kenji," the Grandmaster added, a mischievous glint in his ancient eyes. He leaned back in his chair, a slight chuckle escaping him. "Your request, the one you sent in yesterday… it was granted, but it comes at a cost." His gaze flickered to the entrance. "Shamelessly, you have to go on a date with my daughter."
A collective gasp went through the room. The other S-ranks looked shocked, some barely suppressing snickers, others outright gawking. Kenji, for his part, felt a blush creep up his neck.
"She is 19 years old, Kenji," the Grandmaster continued, completely unbothered by the reactions. "And every single day I get home, she asks me if I've met you yet, and if you're as awesome as she reads online about. She's been quite… persistent, shall we say." He chuckled again, a triumphant look on his face. "So now that's settled, everyone is dismissed."
The S-ranks rose, a low hum of chatter beginning as they filed out, many shooting curious glances at Kenji.
A Brotherly Bond and a Godlike Beauty
Grandmaster Hiroto, his ancient eyes still twinkling, strode towards Kenji. Kaito, with his characteristic swagger, fell in step beside them. As they walked out of the council chamber, through the heavily guarded corridors of the S-Rank Global Council's headquarters, the Grandmaster put a hand on Kenji's shoulder.
"Good luck with your mission, Kenji. And my daughter." The Grandmaster's smile was knowing. "She's much stronger than she looks. She'll be a good challenge for you, both on and off the field."
Kaito then clapped Kenji on the back, a rare, genuine warmth in his eyes. "Listen, little brother," he said, his voice dropping slightly, "thank you for that in there. Now you really can't lose to me." He let out a hearty chuckle, the sound less like a boast and more like a shared secret. The competitive fire was still there, but now it was laced with something akin to brotherly affection.
As they approached the main exit, a figure emerged from the antechamber, bathed in the soft, ambient light of the grand hall. Kenji stopped dead in his tracks.
It was a woman, perhaps in her early twenties. Her hair, long and flowing, was the color of spun moonlight, cascading around a face of ethereal beauty. Her eyes, a striking shade of violet, held an intelligent spark and an aura of profound grace. She wore an Academy uniform, pristine white, but the spiritual energy she radiated… it was immense. Easily A-rank, but with a palpable depth that Kenji's heightened Spiritual Sense (A-Rank) immediately recognized as being on the verge of a breakthrough. She moved with an innate elegance that seemed almost otherworldly.
She wasn't just beautiful; she was mesmerizing, radiating a calm power that made even Kenji, an S-rank, feel a slight sense of awe. Her beauty was almost god-like.
"Father," she said, her voice like chimes, "the meeting is over?" Her gaze then drifted to Kenji, and her violet eyes widened almost imperceptibly as they met his. A faint blush dusted her porcelain cheeks.
Kenji was stunned. This was the Grandmaster's daughter? The one who asked about him every day? The one he was supposed to go on a date with? He had expected someone perhaps a bit awkward or overly enthusiastic, given her father's description. He certainly had not expected this.
Kaito, noticing Kenji's stunned expression, simply chuckled and nudged him forward. "Go on, rookie. Don't keep a lady waiting."