Saito's brow furrowed, still processing everything.
"But why me?"
He gestured between them.
"Why ask my help specifically?"
"Alpha could do it. Hashima, Shiro, any of the Balance Table members—"
Olsen let out a low chuckle, cutting him off gently.
"There's a prophecy."
His tone grew more solemn.
"One that speaks of a person who will stand at the center of the world..."
"...and defeat evil, generation after generation."
Saito blinked, stunned.
"Wait..."
He pointed at himself.
"So I'm... the prophecy?"
Olsen shook his head slowly.
"There are others more worthy, perhaps."
He studied Saito carefully.
"But you're a better choice, given the potential you've already shown."
A pause.
"Though, if you ask me honestly..."
His gaze sharpened.
"...it wasn't enough. Not yet."
Saito nodded slowly, absorbing the weight of the words.
Alpha stepped forward, voice steady.
"We've been waiting."
"For someone capable enough..."
"So our leader — the current King of Gangster — can finally step down."
"And make way for someone new."
Saito's breath caught slightly.
"Wait—"
He looked between them both.
"I know it's always been my dream..."
"But when you put it like that..."
He let out a shaky breath.
"...it sounds like a really, really big deal."
Olsen offered a faint, knowing smile.
"Because it is."
Saito shook his head, voice tight with uncertainty.
"But I'm not ready."
Olsen stepped closer, gently pressing a finger against Saito's chest, right over his heart.
"There are nine God Eyes."
His gaze sharpened.
"Do you know their origin?"
Saito shook his head slowly.
Olsen continued, voice steady.
"They were once the first protectors of the Primordeus."
"All nine original users..."
He paused, expression darkening slightly.
"But over generations..."
"They shifted."
"From our protectors..."
"...to our destroyers."
Saito absorbed the weight of the words, nodding slowly.
Olsen's gaze softened, though the seriousness remained.
"When Alpha told me you carried the Seraph Eyes..."
"I knew instantly."
"One of the first signs had finally been completed."
He straightened, voice growing firmer.
"A new generation..."
"Nine God Eyes users, once again."
His eyes locked onto Saito's.
"And you..."
"...complete it."
"As the last one we've been searching for."
Saito's eyes widened.
"Wait... so there's more of us?"
Olsen nodded slowly.
"There are."
He clasped his hands together, gaze distant, as if picturing something far beyond the room they stood in.
"And you will meet them."
"In time."
"Throughout your journey."
Saito swallowed, the weight of it settling deep in his chest.
"Meet them... and then what?"
Olsen's expression grew solemn, steady.
"And ensure balance in this world."
He met Saito's eyes directly.
"That is the purpose of the nine."
"Not conquest."
"Not destruction."
"Balance."
Saito stood quietly for a long moment, the enormity of it all pressing down on him.
"...Balance," he repeated softly, almost to himself.
Alpha placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to understand everything right now."
"But know this—"
He met Saito's gaze evenly.
"You are no longer just fighting for your crew, or your territory."
"You're part of something far bigger now."
Saito let out a long breath, steadying himself.
"...Yeah."
He nodded slowly, determination beginning to settle back into his expression.
"Okay."
"Then I guess I've got a lot more to live up to."
A soft chime rang out.
Alpha's hologram device buzzed to life, flickering with static before Hashima's voice crackled through.
"Alpha. We've spotted a base."
"We believe it's Sector X's."
Alpha's expression sharpened instantly.
"Copy that."
He shut the device closed, turning toward Saito.
"Let's go."
Saito nodded firmly, determination settling over his features.
Before he could move, Olsen's voice called out once more.
"Remember this, young one."
Saito paused, glancing back.
Olsen's gaze was steady, weighted with quiet importance.
"Never corrupt yourself with your powers."
Saito held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded slowly.
"...I won't."
Alpha stepped beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Hold tight."
In an instant, the space around them blurred—
And they vanished.
Olsen remained alone in the quiet room, the faint echo of their departure lingering in the air.
He let out a soft, knowing chuckle, lowering himself into the chair behind his desk.
"...The nine, gathering once more."
He glanced toward the window, gaze distant.
"Let's see how far you go, Saito."
They arrived at the base in a sudden blur of motion.
Saito staggered, gripping his head.
"Ugh—"
"I'm gonna be sick—"
Hashima and Makuto walked over, already scanning the perimeter.
Hashima glanced toward Alpha.
"Ready to attack?"
Alpha nodded firmly.
He turned his gaze toward the base, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
Then—
They snapped open.
Pure white, streaked with faint purple veins branching along each side.
Saito's eyes widened instantly.
"Wait—"
He pointed, stunned.
"You have a God Eye too?!"
Alpha nodded, voice steady.
"Omniscient."
His gaze swept over the base, eyes glowing faintly as he scanned every corner, every hidden room.
A long pause.
"Lots of enemies inside."
His brow furrowed slightly.
"But I don't see Brody."
"Or even Noxus."
Hashima crossed his arms, expression tightening.
"Figures."
"They wouldn't leave their most valuable pieces exposed like that."
Makuto scanned the surrounding treeline cautiously. "Could be a decoy base."
Alpha shook his head slowly, still focused. "No... this is real. Just not their command center."
Saito straightened, steadying himself. "So what now?"
Alpha's eyes faded back to normal as he lowered his gaze.
"Now..."
He glanced toward the base entrance.
"We take it anyway."
"Every piece we dismantle weakens them further."
Saito nodded, steadying his resolve.
Hashima cracked his knuckles.
"Like always, me and Makuto will create the distraction."
He glanced toward Saito.
"Saito, you're with Lily."
Saito froze.
"...Lily?"
Footsteps approached from behind.
Lily strolled up, giving a small wave, smirk already forming.
"Hi, Saito."
Saito swallowed hard, forcing a stiff smile. "H-hey, Lily..."
Hashima glanced between them, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, you two already met?"
Lily's smirk widened dangerously.
Saito jumped in quickly, voice slightly higher than usual.
"We, uh—met at a restaurant!"
"Just briefly! Very briefly!"
Lily tilted her head; the smirk not fading in the slightest.
Hashima shrugged, unaware of the tension. "Ah, I see. Good, no need for introductions then."
He gestured toward the base.
"You two, go around from behind."
"Try to find anything that could lead us to their main base."
"Documents, maps, coordinates—anything useful."
Saito nodded quickly, relieved the conversation had moved on. "Got it."
Lily leaned close as they turned to move, voice low, teasing.
"Restaurant, huh?"
Saito stiffened. "...Just go with it."
Lily giggled softly, falling into step beside him.
"Relax."
"Your secret's safe."
"...For now."
Saito groaned quietly under his breath as they slipped toward the rear of the base, leaving Hashima and Makuto to prepare their distraction.
Inside the base, scientists patrolled the perimeter, weapons slung casually over their shoulders, unaware of the danger closing in.
Then—
Hashima and Makuto dropped from above, blades flashing in perfect sync.
Two scientists collapsed instantly, silent before they even hit the ground.
But one further down the hall caught sight of the movement.
His eyes went wide.
"Intruders! Intruders, attack!"
Alarms blared through the compound.
Doors burst open on all sides as scientists and armed guards flooded out, weapons raised, forming a defensive perimeter around Hashima and Makuto.
Dozens of barrels leveled at them.
Hashima rolled his shoulders, cracking his neck casually despite being surrounded.
"Well..."
He drew his sword fully, a confident grin spreading across his face.
"That didn't take long."
Makuto steadied his stance beside him, blade angled defensively.
"As expected."
Hashima glanced toward him; smirk widening.
"Ready?"
Makuto nodded once.
"Always."
The scientists tightened their formation, fingers hovering over triggers.
One of them barked out orders.
"Open fire!"
Hashima's grin sharpened.
"Let's dance."
In the same instant, gunfire erupted, and both warriors moved—fast, precise, cutting through the chaos as the distraction began in full force.