Toya Mikame—the legendary assassin, known throughout the underworld as "Ghost."
He had just completed another mission for the Assassins' Association. Sitting before a crystal-clear lake under the veil of night, he let out a deep sigh.
"Ah… another mission. I feel so relieved…"
Toya, a pale-skinned man with black hair and golden-tinged eyes, wore a long black overcoat. At his waist rested a dagger, its design resembling sharpened fangs.
He looked down at his hands, the blood of those he had slain still dripping from them. His black coat was stained with crimson, the mark of his most recent kill.
"Well then, I'll return to the Association and—"
His words were cut short. He swiftly drew his dagger and intercepted an incoming strike.
"What are you doing, Mochizuki!?"
Steel rang out as the two clashed. On one side stood Toya, the Association's finest assassin. On the other, Mochizuki Ichigo, who had once fought at his side on many missions.
"Why are you doing this!? Have you lost your mind!?"
Ichigo, a white-skinned man in a butler's uniform, his blond hair slicked back and his blue eyes gleaming, was thrown back by the violent impact of their blades. His body struck a tree, blood spilling from his lips as the sound of a rib breaking echoed into the night.
But before Toya could finish him, agony pierced through his back. He had been stabbed—by Mochizuki Ren, Ichigo's twin. Ren, with blond hair, wearing a waiter's suit and a red tie, twisted the blade with cold precision.
"Damn it… why… you cursed twins…"
Blood spilled from Toya's mouth. Yet even as his strength failed, he lashed out—slashing Ichigo's neck and driving his blade into Ren's stomach. Only then did he collapse, his body giving way to the earth.
"Hey…" coughing blood "Why… why did you do this… to me…?"
For a fleeting moment, his thoughts steadied.
No… it isn't anger. I'm not angry. I simply… fulfilled my duty.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Through his dimming vision, Toya saw them—assassins surrounding the lake, each clad in black coats and masked faces. At their head stood Riku, the Association's leader: a towering, muscular man with hair as white as snow flowing to his waist, black eyes cold as death, dressed in a black suit and tie. He approached slowly, his voice unwavering.
"You were the best, Toya…"
With great effort, Toya pushed himself upright to sit before him.
"Why… why must I die? I am the best! I carried out every mission faster, cleaner, more efficiently than anyone else! I killed countless in your name, Riku!"
His words broke into ragged breaths, blood bubbling from his lips. Riku's reply was merciless.
"You know too much. Of all our members, you are the one who holds the most knowledge about the Association. That makes you dangerous. You possess information that rivals even my own. Granting you so much freedom was a mistake. Your story ends here, Toya."
Toya clenched his fist, slamming it against the ground, his other hand pressed against his wound.
"Heh… Riku…"
He fell onto his back, his gaze drifting to the sky above.
"You brought so many assassins here… because you knew I wouldn't die easily, didn't you? But perhaps I disappointed you a little… stabbed in the back, of all things."
He raised a trembling finger, pointing at Riku.
"But you… you will meet an end as tragic as mine. I am certain of it…"
His eyes closed. His heartbeat ceased.
Thus ended the life of Toya Mikame—the Association's greatest assassin, killed not for failure, but for knowing too much.
***
Darkness. His consciousness stirred once more. Toya was no longer in his body. He was falling—endlessly—through an infinite void.
"Ah… so I… died? Yes, I'm dead. Without question. If I were to live again… I would do everything differently. I would strive only toward my own goals. In this life, I gave everything to the Association. I never once did what I truly wanted. I simply followed orders. The world is cruel—that is why I suppressed my emotions all my life, acting as coldly as I could. But… no, that's not it. The truth is… I never had emotions to begin with. Well… it's over now."
And then, amidst the emptiness, a light appeared—pure, radiant white.
"What is… that?"
He reached for it. The moment his hand touched the glow, his vision shifted—he awoke in another body.
"H-huh? What… is this?"
He tried to speak, but no words came. His voice was that of a newborn's cry. His skin was pale, his eyes crimson red, his hair snowy white.
"He's beautiful, my love! He takes after his father!"
His parents, Kenji and Satoe, smiled down at him. Toya's crimson eyes darted around. A simple wooden crib. Walls of smooth, ancient stone.
I've… reincarnated. Damn it. To be trapped in a baby's body… And this place—it feels so ancient. Like the medieval era.
He flexed his tiny fingers, testing the body he now inhabited.
This time, I'll live for myself. I will serve no one. I will act according to my own goals. Never again will I be deceived.
His fists clenched tightly.
"Look how handsome our little Ryouma is~" his mother, Mizuto Natsuki, said with a smile. She was a fair-skinned woman with bright lime-green eyes, long blond hair, and a graceful figure.
Toya sighed inwardly.
So… my name is Ryouma now…
"Hmph! I'm certain he will grow into a fine governor of the Mizuto lands," his father declared proudly.
Ryouma's crimson eyes glinted with thought.
Mizuto… lands… So I've been reborn as the son of a governor. A noble. Then my name now is Ryouma—Mizuto Ryouma.