"The identity of the Crow who wielded the Gift of Blue Flame has been revealed!"
"For a single month, Nagasaki received a hero. A man in a scarecrow outfit, wielding an unusual blue flame, stood alongside Squad Segment 663 and an unaffiliated kunoichi—rumored to have protected the city for the past 13 years."
It was now noon. The squad had chosen to stay aboard the boat, watching quietly as victims were transported to nearby hospitals.
"The squad has officially denied any connections to the two vigilantes—but the latest events have cast serious doubt on those claims."
Itoshi stood at the edge of the clinic, gazing down as their fleeting tale of heroism was being dismantled.
Behind him, Jayu silently wrapped her arms around his legs.
"Earlier this morning, the identity of the so-called 'Crow' was partially revealed. Witnesses describe him as a boy—estimated between 14 to 17 years old—with long blue hair reaching his lower neck, flame-red eyes, and a height of approximately five-foot-five. During combat against Seele, and alongside the unofficial member Kirashi, he reportedly collapsed to his knees and lost consciousness."
Inside the clinic, the squad stared in silence. The TV screen reflected in their wide, stunned eyes as nurses worked on Hoshi and Ayro's wounds.
"Squad member Kara was seen rushing to the fallen boy, accompanied by the alleged lone survivor of the Kaba Island plane crash: A child named Jayu. Eyewitnesses and leaked reports suggest the girl survived due to an alleged connection to a Folktale Demon rumored to inhabit the island."
Everyone froze.
"What the hell?!"
Itoshi shouted.
"Huh?!"
Kirashi joined in.
"Connected to a Demon?! What the hell are they saying?!"
Ayro and Ryujin remained still, listening carefully. Kara's jaw tightened, her breath shaky as Jayu slowly lowered her head, clutching tighter onto Itoshi.
"Only thirty minutes had passed since they stepped off the bloodied ship, victorious from a battle against an army of Seele. But victory alone wasn't enough. "Hiding a demon," Was not a sin the public would ignore."
The news continued with a new headline, but no one in the room could move.
Two brutal truths had reached the nation today.
And for Squad 663, one step forward had already brought them face to face with another wall.
"The controversy now surrounds two individuals: a mysterious boy Gifted of Flame whose powers defy classification, and a child whose survival raises more questions than answers. As national debate escalates, the U.W.D.S. remained silent."
Whispers had become headlines.
Their moment of light was already being eclipsed.
The whole squad looked around, eyes darting from one to another, searching for signs—some kind of cue, anything.
No words were exchanged.
But they all understood.
The weight of the news was crushing, heavy in the air.
Especially for the young child still holding onto Itoshi's leg.
Jayu didn't speak. She didn't cry.
She simply stared at the floor, her grip unmoving—
As if letting go might make the truth louder.
~~~U.W.D.S. Asia Headquarters~~~
[China]
"So?... You've got some explaining to do, Hachi."
Nali hushed, eyes locked onto Hachi. One brow raised as she crossed her arms.
In a dimly lit conference room deep within the UWDS Asia Division Command, the Eight Trochanters of the Collaborative Japan Cleansing sat in the tense long table.
Each one represented a high-ranking authority over specialized squads, and today, their eyes were all locked on one man.
Hachi, arms crossed, eyes closed, remained unmoved in his seat. His coat lay draped behind him, the weight of recent events hanging heavier than any uniform.
"So? Any news?"
David, trochanter of Squad Segment 660 asked.
At the head of the table sat the highest-ranking officer present—Mr. Hasegawa, known as "Neck."
His face remained partially hidden beneath the shadow cast by the room's lighting, but his presence was palpable. Silent. Judging.
Hachi exhaled slowly, breaking the stillness.
"Be specific," he muttered.
CRACK.
Nali's fist slammed onto the table, sending the few untouched coffee cups rattling. A pale imprint of her hand lingered against the wood, cracks forming along the grain.
"Hiding a demon? Escaping restricted territory? And—baiting Seele?! Hachi, these aren't minor offenses."
She leaned forward, anger flaring in her tone.
"Each of those actions puts the public at risk—and worse, they've stained the image of your squad."
She turned to the others, her voice rising.
"No, not just your squad. The entire organization. One wrong step and that flame boy becomes a symbol of unchecked power. A threat. Now his identity is out for the public!"
She faced Hachi again, eyes sharp.
Hachi kept his eyes shut, his mind drifting—not to the faces in the room, but to Ryujin.
"They've done all this while I was gone?"
"No... Ryujin wouldn't do something reckless without reason. There has to be a real purpose behind it."
"I have to make an excuse. Something that'll hold up."
He cleared his throat and slowly opened his eyes.
"Let me start with the latest news,"
Hachi began calmly.
"Ryujin and the squad left their designated sector because Seele had overtaken a container ship. I was informed of this by their field handler, Miss Gigi. She lost signal once they exited the 'play area,' but before that, she told me everything."
The room remained still. But in truth—
That wasn't all Gigi had told him.
[Earlier — In Private Comms]
"Your squad's out of the play zone. They're stuck with the 'sellers' they've been tracking—on the ship."
"Hoh? So they actually tracked them down?"
"Yeah. Along with a kunoichi—identity still unknown. But she seems trusted by the squad. Especially Kara."
"Ah. I see."
Hachi began walking through the darkened hall toward the briefing chamber.
"The brass will be questioning you once you arrive. Be ready."
"I'm aware. Thank you, Miss Gigi."
With that, he shut off the comms and entered the shadows of the command chamber—where judgment awaited.
[Present Time]
"I think it's obvious why they went to the boat."
He paused.
"Miss Gigi warned them that Seele's were approaching the area. The entire squad was made aware—but with Itoshi unconscious, she made the call to bring everyone to the ship and intercept the Seele there."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, almost casually, he added
"Before I continue on that... I recently discovered something while I was spending time with Hawth."
"Itoshi's rhythm—his heartbeat, his flame pattern—it attracts Seele's."
Gasps didn't come, but tension did. Eyes sharpened.
"I dont't believe Ryujin knows this, but I've already informed Miss Gigi the moment I confirmed it."
He leaned back slightly, calm and collected.
Ronny raised a brow, suspicious.
"Ah... so you were already aware that Itoshi can attract those beasts.. Then why didn't that information reach the rest of us?"
The question hung in the air like a blade.
Hachi didn't flinch.
"I was planning to report it—right now."
As he spoke, he casually raised a black folder in one hand. Its corners were slightly worn, but clean. Official.
He set it gently on the table in front of him, the sound quiet—but deliberate.
Hachi cleared his throat once more before continuing.
"On that note... it was far too risky to engage the Seele within the city—especially since we're trying to keep Itoshi's identity under wraps."
He glanced around the room, his voice steady.
"In the end, Miss Gigi made the decision to redirect the beasts toward the open ocean. Itoshi, unknowingly, served as bait—his flame drawing the Seele away from populated areas."
The room fell silent as Hachi's reasoning settled over them—logical and measured.
"About the demon child... I believe we're all aware that's impossible. There's no evidence demons can reproduce, nor that female demons even exist."
"Nali, I think you've been carried away by your emotions on that point. I hope this clears things up."
Nali clenched her lips, then slowly sat back, eyes closed and arms folded tightly across her chest.
In the heavy silence, the highest-ranking official in the room finally spoke—his voice low but firm.
"That is indeed a sensible argument. Nice work, Gigi... and you, Hachi."
Hachi closed his eyes, nodded respectfully, arms crossing once more.
"Now... let's hear what you've uncovered regarding W.E.S.C.U."
Hachi opened his eyes, nodding in acknowledgment.
He stood, gathering his folders and laptop.
With practiced ease, he connected the laptop to the television at the front of the room.
Turning the pages of his notes, he prepared to begin his briefing as the other trochanters sipped their coffee in anticipation.
He cleared his throat and covered his mouth with his fist.
"A—"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Back on the ship, Itoshi's shout rang out—raw frustration breaking free. He gripped his loose, long blue hair tightly, fingers tangling in the strands.
His voice trembled with anger and disbelief.
The sound carried all the way to the clinic.
Kara, standing nearby, whispered under her breath, eyes narrowed.
"How did this happen...?"
Itoshi's shoulders tensed as he struggled to steady his breathing, his fingers still tangled in his hair.
Kara sat beside Hoshi who was sleeping as she spoke, her voice soft but firm.
"Koya... calm down. Getting worked up won't change what's already out there."
He didn't reply, just shook his head slowly, eyes flickering with frustration and doubt.
Around them, the squad exchanged uneasy glances.
Ryujin clenched his fists quietly, while Ayro's gaze remained steady but somber.
Jayu hugged Kara's side tightly, her small frame trembling ever so slightly.
The weight of the news hung heavily over them all.
"Nah... that's some bullshit of a news report they put out there."
He paused.
"We can't exactly ignore that,"
Itoshi muttered, voice low and simmering.
He stood tense in the middle of the clinic, surrounded by the rows of beds, his clenched fists trembling slightly.
Then, Ryujin spoke—his voice even, but heavy.
"We can't exactly prove Jayu-chan isn't a demon either."
Ryujin continued.
"Yes, it's true—no real female demon has ever appeared in the public eye. But that doesn't mean it's impossible."
Itoshi didn't respond right away. He just gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed on the floor, struggling to find something—anything—that made this feel fair.
Jayu clung tighter to Kara, her small hands gripping the fabric of her coat as the voices from the television replayed in her mind.
"Kara-nee... Do you believe I'm a demon?"
She whispered.
Kara blinked, then smiled softly, placing a hand on the girl's head and gently patting it.
"Of course not!"
She said with warmth.
"Don't listen to what those people are saying. You survived all that by yourself... you're strong!"
"No..."
Jayu murmured, her voice muffled against Kara's chest.
"I survived because I had a guardian angel..."
Kara's smile wavered.
She couldn't bring herself to answer.
"Ah... yes."
"Children can't exactly see demons... to them, they appear like ordinary people... or something else entirely."
Then, a small voice broke the silence again.
"Are you guys... gonna leave me?"
Before Kara could respond, Ryujin spoke gently from across the room.
"No, we're not. Jayu-chan..."
He paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Didn't we promise we'd bring you home and help you find your papa?"
"We're going to make those promises real. What they're saying on the news... that's not reality. So don't worry, Jayu-chan."
His voice was soft. Calm. But unwavering.
Jayu slowly lifted her head, her face still pressed against Kara's chest.
Her eyes met Kara's—soft and comforting. Steady.
Then, one by one, she looked around the room.
Itoshi, standing in silence, his eyes burning—not with anger now, but with passion, fierce and protective.
Ryujin, calm as ever, his gaze genuine, like a pillar that wouldn't break no matter what storm came.
Ayro, lying on his bed, eyes sharp, cold—but holding a reassuring stillness, like steel drawn but not swung.
Kirashi, arms folded, posture relaxed—but his confidence was unmistakable. A subtle smirk at the edge of his mouth said it all.
Kara, still holding her close, radiating warmth and safety, as if nothing outside that hug could ever harm her.
And then...
Hoshi, resting peacefully nearby—asleep, her expression calm, finally taking a breath after carrying the wind for so long.
Jayu blinked slowly, eyes beginning to well.
She said nothing.
But in that moment, she understood.
She wasn't alone.
In the silence that had settled over the squad, the creak of the clinic door broke through.
Aldrin stepped in, slightly awkward as he glanced around.
"Uh... all the victims have been moved,"
He said.
"Ryujin-san, a major interview might be waiting for you outside."
Everyone turned to look at him. Ryujin let out a slow nod.
"Ah... that's right."
He sighed under his breath.
"Man... I hate cameras."
Suddenly, Kirashi stood up, raising one hand high like an eager student.
"Let me do it then!"
"Absolutely not."
Ryujin shut him down without missing a beat.
Across the room, Itoshi smirked as the earlier weight on his chest seemed to vanish.
"They only interview the handsome ones, Kirashi."
Kirashi didn't even flinch.
"Ah, no wonder we had to keep your face hidden."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Itoshi snapped.
"DEAF!"
Kirashi shouted back, already bracing.
And just like that—
In the middle of the clinic, under the soft sunlight of that quiet afternoon—
The two erupted into another playful scuffle, dust rising as beds shook and complaints echoed.
The others just watched.
Some rolled their eyes.
Some smiled.
But no one stopped them.
For now...
Everything was okay.
~~~To be Continued~~~