In the dim chamber of the Asian Continental Defense headquarters, the tension was dense—not from panic, but from presence.
Eight Trochanters sat in a precise formation around the curved table, each one handpicked for their strategic expertise, battlefield command, or scientific contribution to Seele countermeasures.
Despite their rank and the weight their titles carried, none of them spoke out of turn.
Because at the end of the table sat a Neck.
A living legend. The kind of person written about in doctrine, not conversation. Their posture wasn't stiff—it didn't need to be. Just being there demanded silence.
Hachi stood at the center.
Trochanter by title. Analyst by function. And right now, the one voice trusted to present a finding too volatile for public records.
The room dimmed further as his hand hovered over the holopad.
Displayed behind him was a single folder—projected large, clear, and fully unlocked. Inside were all the details Hachi had compiled: years of scattered files, missing reports, and overlooked truths. All pointing toward why W.E.S.C.U. truly sought Itoshi's power.
Hachi cleared his throat from the center of the room.
"Ahem... So, we all know the true potential—and the danger—behind Itoshi's blue flame. But before I get into our main agenda, let's have a quick review of his 'gift' first."
The seven other Trochanters sat around him, listening intently.
Some leaned forward, fists resting against their chins. Others sat straight, eyes fixed on the graphs and footage behind Hachi. And one—Nali, the only woman in the room—sat with her legs casually propped up on the table, arms crossed, unimpressed but attentive.
Behind them all, seated in silent command, was the Neck. The man who oversaw the entire collaborative mainland Japan Seele-cleansing operation. The kind of leader whose presence meant this briefing wasn't just a formality—it was a decision point.
"At this point,"
Hachi continued,
"We're all aware that Itoshi is a potential Flame Guardian. Possibly the strongest flame user of our generation. Ryo, with his blood-red flame, shares that same fate—though through a different path. The findings I've collected... they aren't far off from what we already suspect."
A few subtle nods. No interruptions.
He tapped the pad again, and a new image appeared behind him.
"Seems like even at the age of five, Itoshi was already destined to become the true bearer of the blue flame. During that time, he was already fighting alongside a recorded phenomenon... a Griffin."
The hologram shifted.
A photo appeared—grainy but clear. An ancient statue, half-buried in coastal ruins, its wings cracked by time and salt. The image was timestamped: Cape Hedo, two months ago.
"This was the Griffin he touched... the moment he collapsed without warning,"
Hachi explained.
"The Spine unit stationed there managed to document everything—but until now, we've had no real explanation as to why this incident happened. No link."
He stepped aside as the statue slowly rotated in projection. A faint glow traced the feathered carvings.
"But cross-referencing with pre-2050 texts from the Elemental Doctrine project gave us something strange. Every known Flame Guardian had a 'spirit' beside them. Not just symbolic—but literal."
He paused, allowing the weight of that truth to settle.
"Each original Guardian of the Four Elements was said to form a bond with a creature—not born of flesh, but of legacy. A shape that reflects the next generation's burden. And for Itoshi, it seems... it's the Griffin."
The room remained quiet.
Not out of disbelief—but because the connections were finally forming. Everything that was once myth, dismissed as archived folklore... was now leaning toward proof.
"But... as I was spending my time with this research... I asked Wandia a question."
[A few weeks prior]
"Wandia?"
On the other end of the comms, Wandia from the logistics division at the African headquarters replied.
"Yeah? Staying up late, are we? What do you need?"
"At what age does the so-called 'fighting spirit' of a Guardian show its form?"
Hachi asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"At what point do they appear?"
"Well... if a person is 100% going to be a 'Guardian' of their said element, their fighting spirit usually takes its shape once they awaken their... I guess their 'resonance' or 'sync' with their fighting spirit."
"How does one do that?"
"We're not entirely sure yet, but for now we theorize... it's from true desperation."
"Ahh... classic."
"Indeed, very cliché... Anyways, anything else?"
"On average... at what age do these fighting spirits of the Guardians embody themselves?"
"You mean... from past records, how old is the gifted when they realize the true scale of their gift?"
"Something like that."
"Well... according to our records in Europe... around middle aged."
"W-what?"
"Indeed."
"What about Ryo? Has he awakened his spirit?"
"Didn't I tell you, Hachi... They will only show up when the user is around middle aged"
Wandia paused.
"Is Ryo middle-aged?.. He's only 23."
Hachi couldn't reply.
"o? Anything else?"
Wandia asked for one last time.
"Nothing... all good, thanks."
"No problem... oi Hachi, my mo!—"
Before she could finish, Hachi turned off the comms and sank into thought.
"Desperation and middle-aged?.."
[Present Day]
"I think we all are aware that Itoshi is far from being middle-aged."
Hachi continued his presentation.
"As Wandia stated, two known key factors possibly contribute to the awakening of a Guardian's fighting spirit: desperation and middle age. The second factor is far from possible... but here we are."
The presentation behind Hachi shifted.
"Here are the aftermath photos of the Yomitan High accident back in April—where one student died at the hands of a Seele. Hishiki Koren... the one and only childhood friend of our golden boy Itoshi Kiyagari."
Hachi pointed to the images.
All eyes in the room widened.
"What...?"
"Hmm."
"It's a Griffin."
Indeed. In the photos, a burn mark shaped like a Griffin was imprinted where Itoshi 'first' used his prominent rhythm.
"These photos were all taken after he used his rhythm. Now, we're also aware that Itoshi's rhythm attracts Seele for some bizarre reasons..."
He paused, letting the tension build.
"We were not able to document the latest moments that he used his rhythm, but we were able to find... when he truly first used it."
Everyone took a deep breath.
"Back in 2159... 10 years ago... he awakened his spirit at the age of 5."
Tension filled the room as they heard the findings.
"What does this connect with W.E.S.C.U., you may ask? Well..."
Behind Hachi, the page changed once more.
"W.E.S.C.U. was responsible for awakening this ability... I'm still not certain how W.E.S.C.U. found out about his flame, but... I think we all know how they awaken it."
"The first factor,"
The Neck, Mr. Hasegawa, muttered.
"Indeed, sir."
Hachi replied.
Behind him, the page turned again.
"Him... along with his sister, Kara Nigiyoma. They took him to this place."
It was an old lab on the edge of an island.
"Now it's all burned down, but we understand W.E.S.C.U.'s intention when that place was still operating. Using Itoshi's rhythm, they'd bait Seele out of their hiding places—and use Itoshi as a weapon. A silent bomb, you might say."
Behind him, a photo appeared—of a 'torture device' that tied its victim upside down. Next to it lay tools designed to pull out nails and a medicine said to make your blood feel like it was boiling from within.
"A total of ten times they used this machine. But no massive surge of Seele occurred. But... that's what everyone thought. We believe that their experiment with Itoshi Kiyagari ten years ago is somehow connected to the war in South Africa..."
"The scale of his 'rhythm'—or what they called 'the birds call'—was far greater back then. Maybe because of how they managed to make the child feel desperate in those times..."
A murmur rippled through the room.
"Desperation as a catalyst... it fits Wandia's theory. But using a child like that—inhumane."
Squad trochanter 152 muttered.
"If W.E.S.C.U. knew this, why wait so long to act? Ten years is a long time for such a weapon to remain hidden."
Squad trochanter 220 questioned.
Nali, legs still on the table, smirked.
"Sounds like they were playing a dangerous game, hoping no one would notice until it was too late."
The Neck, Mr. Hasegawa, finally spoke in his calm but firm tone.
"We can't afford to underestimate the enemy's tactics. This 'silent bomb' might have already shaped conflicts beyond our immediate knowledge."
The room fell silent again, the weight of the revelation sinking deeper.
"For now... let's keep our eyes on Itoshi and his squad. Their actions could change this war—for the better... or for the worse."
The words of the higher-ranked officer lingered in the room, heavy with pressure on the squad Trochanters.
"You may continue, Hachi."
"Yes, sir. Their plan to fully utilize this 'technology' is not complicated. All they need is a regular van to drive into the city center... to avoid 'unwanted attention' from civilians."
A few Trochanters exchanged uneasy glances.
Ronny raised a brow.
"A van? That's dangerously low-key for something so catastrophic."
David chuckled.
"It fits their style — weaponize the mundane to slip under the radar."
Nali, raising an eyebrow
"Civilians won't stand a chance if this goes off in a crowded area. Disguise won't matter."
The Neck, voice steady but grim.
"This is one more reason we cannot let go of Itoshi."
The room's atmosphere tightened—everyone fully aware the stakes just got higher.
"The relationship of Itoshi with the other squads also matters... If they get into a misunderstanding... this might cause a rift and... stray Itoshi far away from the squad."
Mr. Hasegawa thought to himself.
"Hachi, make sure that Itoshi's relation with EVERY squad member will never falter."
Hachi nodded in agreement.
"I'll do the best of my abilities, sir... On that note, that's all the findings we have for now."
As Hachi ended, the lights flickered on and the Trochanters began to chatter among themselves.
The lights flickered on, and low murmurs filled the room as the Trochanters exchanged concerned looks.
"So W.E.S.C.U. is targeting Itoshi, the key asset held by Squad 663 under U.W.D.S. protection."
Ronny of 376 theorized.
"That complicates things. Squad 663 isn't just any team—they're highly skilled. Any direct assault would risk full-scale conflict."
Nali, crossing her arms:
"Which means W.E.S.C.U. will try something subtle—like that van plan—to snatch him away without drawing fire."
"We need to step up surveillance on Squad 663 immediately. Their movements could be the only clue to intercept W.E.S.C.U.'s next move."
The Neck, voice steady and commanding:
"This is no ordinary operation. We must coordinate with Squad 663 and prepare for any scenario. Failure is not an option. That said, we will continue the cleansing operations as planned—mostly for formality and to keep appearances."
The room quieted, the weight of the threat hanging heavy over them all.
The meeting in the dim chamber slowly drew to a close. Hachi's presentation had laid bare truths few dared speak aloud.
The Trochanters absorbed the weight of their new understanding.
Itoshi's Rhythm was not just beautiful. It was a weapon.
And behind every Guardian, a fighting spirit — born from desperation, or from the steady march of time.
Yet, for all their knowledge, crucial questions remained unanswered.
Why did W.E.S.C.U. seek to unleash such devastation?
And more importantly, how had they uncovered the dormant blue flame buried deep within Itoshi?
~~~Hakata Bay~~~
Kirashi stretched his back as he sank into the clinic seat, old fluorescent lights buzzing as he let out a loud yawn.
"Man! Our ride is taking a loooong time..."
No one answered.
He glanced around, then spoke again, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
"I would've looked cooler if they showed up right when I opened the door!"
Earlier, Kirashi had celebrated as he swung the ships door open, aiming for a cool entrance of victory. But as their SUV took longer to arrive amidst the crowd, the excitement faded. Now back in the clinic, a dark aura seemed to cling to him.
Ayro lay on his bed, eyes half-lidded, and deadpanned a tease.
"Didn't know that's what a modern-day 'cool' looks like."
Itoshi muttered from his seat, legs resting comfortably, left arm draped over his knees.
"Yo trying too hard to be cool."
"Hey! At least I know how to enjoy myself!.. Not like you!"
Kirashi shot back, defensive.
Itoshi smirked, his mind drifting through all the ways he entertained himself—
Filling Kirashi's face with drawings.
Bullying Jayu.
Bullying Kara.
Basically just teasing the two ladies and everyone else.
Kara sighed deeply, folding her arms.
"Jeez... Koya, I can already see what's going through your head with that smile."
Kirashi groaned as he wiped an imaginary bubble off the top of Itoshi's head, thinking about the 'entertaining' things he'd done.
"Oi! Those were masterclass!"
Itoshi moaned, pretending to be offended.
"They're shit!"
Kirashi shot back.
"Oi! There's a child out here."
Itoshi teased with a smirk.
Ayro muttered quietly to Ryujin.
"You two are always so noisy..."
Ryujin added with a dry tone,
"Add to that... they don't have a... 'social censorship' or something."
Kara sighed deeply, sitting with Jayu in her lap as she gently played with the child's hair.
"Sometimes it's embarrassing to hang out with them both in public..."
Her gaze then shifted toward Hoshi, still sleeping peacefully on her bed.
As Kara watched over Hoshi, Kirashi went back to his seat. Kara didn't notice Ryujin quietly observing her.
"Another weirdo on the squad, huh?"
Ryujin said with a small smile.
Kara was caught off guard.
"Huh?"
But then she smiled softly.
"I guess so..."
Ryujin smiled back, sitting across from them.
"Don't worry, Kara. She's one of us now."
Kara simply nodded, returning the smile.
Ryujin took a deep breath before speaking.
"Well then... our ride will be coming right about... now."
The door suddenly creaked open. It was Aldrin.
"Our ride is outside... there's quite the crowd waiting for you, Ryujin-san."
Ryujin gave a simple nod.
~~~To be Continued~~~