Elsewhere
"Boss... individuals are still actively sweeping the perimeter of the Second Branch compound," reported John Levi's right-hand man, standing at rigid attention.
John Levi sat in his high-backed leather chair, his white-knuckled grip threatening to crush the armrests.
"You really pulled it off... didn't you, Ethan?" John Levi whispered under his breath, his eyes cold and dark.
"Boss, what are our orders?" the officer asked nervously.
A cold, sinister smirk slowly spread across John Levi's face.
Ethan... you have a mother and a little sister, don't you? John thought, his gaze drifting toward the darkened window.
Tuesday Morning — The Next Day
The night gave way to the crisp morning sun as Ethan and Daisy walked side by side toward their high school.
"Brother..." Daisy spoke up, glancing over at him.
Ethan turned his head. "Yeah?"
"You look... happy," she said, tilting her head.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing bad! I just didn't notice it until Mom mentioned it," Daisy giggled. "She told me you've been smiling a lot more nowadays."
Ethan paused for a second, then gave a light, casual shrug to brush off the thought. "Well, having you guys around keeps me in a good mood, I guess."
Daisy smirked playfully. "Mom thinks it's because of all that time you're spending at the MMA gym."
Ethan shook his head, letting out a faint laugh.
"Though lately... I see you hanging out with Madison a lot," Daisy added, eyeing him carefully.
Ethan flinched slightly, his posture stiffening.
"Are you two dating?" she asked point-blank.
"No!" Ethan shot back instantly, waving his hands. "Daisy, don't jump to conclusions. We just enjoy each other's company, yeah... that's all!"
Why the hell am I getting nervous? Ethan thought, clearing his throat.
Daisy shook her head with a mischievous smile.
"What's that look for?" Ethan pressed.
"Nothing... I just thought I'd give Mom the teaser about you two," Daisy teased. "She'd be thrilled."
Ethan looked at her, confused. "Thrilled? Why?"
Daisy looked at him in disbelief. "You really don't know? Mom basically helped raise Madison. When Madison's mother went overseas when she was little, Mom spent so much time taking care of her."
Ethan blinked in realization, offering a silent nod.
I had no idea...
Before long, they arrived at the school gates, entering the building and heading down their respective hallways. As Ethan walked toward his homeroom, he spotted Madison standing near her locker.
"Madison!" Ethan called out.
She turned around, offering a bright wave. "Good morning, Ethan."
"Morning," Ethan replied, stepping up to her.
Madison's smile flickered into concern as she read his expression. "Is something wrong?"
"No... it's just that I haven't seen Allen around," Ethan noted, looking down the corridor.
Madison nodded. "He should be arriving shortly. He had to handle a few errands first."
Satisfied with her answer, Ethan walked alongside Madison as they headed into their classroom together.
Meanwhile — Tokyo, Japan
Over the past few week, Shisui's condition had improved dramatically. He was now recovering back at his residence under the attentive care of his sister, Mei. Commander Sasaki and other high-ranking estate members dropped by regularly, though Hayato visited far more than anyone else.
In the present, Hayato lay stretched out on the sloping roof of his family estate, his eyes passively tracking the morning sunlight as it crept across the courtyard.
Beside him to his right lay his trusty katana. He chewed lazily on a toothpick, his left arm folded behind his head while his right hand rested lightly on the sword's hilt.
That bone-blade back at the Second Branch... Hayato mused, staring up at the clouds. I kind of wish I'd brought it back with me. All because of that bastard... he called himself number 0. Hm, Yes, 0 has no value just like him. He thought.
Down in the courtyard, Akira was up early for her morning physical routine. As she jogged past the main house, she glanced up and saw Hayato lounging on the roof. She rolled her eyes, ignoring him, and focused on her laps.
Her mind briefly drifted back to a few days prior, when Shisui was still in the hospital. She had accompanied her father to visit his ward.
When the door had opened, Hayato was already inside. Sasaki had spoken quietly with Shisui while Akira stood silently neaby. The exchange had been brief, grounded, and intensely focused.
As they walked down the hospital corridor afterward, Akira had asked, "Father... wasn't the atmosphere in there a bit strange?"
Sasaki had simply shaken his head. "Everything was normal, Akira."
Back in the present, Akira shook off the memory, maintaining her steady jog.
Suddenly, Hayato sat up in a single fluid motion and dropped lightly off the roof onto the paved driveway below. Sheathing his katana, he began walking toward the gate. His expression wasn't his usual lazy grin—it was calm, quiet, and strangely unreadable.
Akira stopped in her tracks, her brows furrowing. Where is he going at this hour?
As Hayato walked out of the estate grounds, Akira quieted her footsteps and followed at a distance.
Hayato paused near the outer wall, feeling a subtle prickle at the back of his neck. He glanced around the empty street.
Is someone tailing me...? Shaking his head, he dismissed the feeling and continued walking.
Akira narrowed her eyes from behind a decorative hedge. Did he take a blow to the head while he was in Canada?
Hayato navigated away from the high-security district, stepping into the traditional public neighborhood toward an old, weathered wooden home. Before stepping through the side gate, he glanced left and right to ensure no passersby were watching. Then, he slipped inside.
Akira watched from an alley corner, utterly bewildered by his extreme secrecy. What on earth is he doing in a place like that? And at early dawn before the neighborhood is even awake?
After a few tense minutes, Hayato stepped back out onto the street, once again checking his surroundings before placing his hands casually in his pockets and strolling away. The toothpick still in his mouth.
Akira fell back into line, tracking him from a safe distance.
As he walked down the shopping street, Hayato paused at an old flower shop that was just opening its shutters. He bought a small, fresh bouquet from the elderly florist, cracking a quick joke that made the old woman laugh, before resuming his path.
Flowers...? Akira noted, watching him head toward the city cemetery.
Is he visiting his parents' graves?
A private plot of land on the hillside was strictly reserved for members of the Yamamoto family and their allied clans. General civilians were buried in the public section adjacent to it.
Akira watched as Hayato stepped onto the private family grounds. However, instead of stopping at the main Yamamoto family monument, he continued walking past them, stopping at an unmarked, secluded grave tucked away at the very far edge of the plot.
He knelt down, placing the fresh flowers gently against the stone. He stayed there in complete, motionless silence for several minutes.
Only after paying his respects at the isolated grave did Hayato stand up and walk back toward his parents' and fallen comrades' headstones.
By the time he finished, the morning clock struck 8:34 AM.
Akira had already slipped away, assuming he was simply spending time honoring family members. Yet as she walked back toward the estate, her mind couldn't let go of the mystery.
Who was buried at the far end of the plot...?