"Now, your sensei are waiting outside. Meet them, speak with them," the Spiritual King declared.
The students stood up in a rush, buzzing with anticipation as they moved toward the exit.
Kenji clenched his fists in excitement. "Please let my teacher be cute!"
Uzuki smirked. "Mine better be strong."
"I prayed," Azar muttered.
"I know my teacher is gonna be cool," Ryju said confidently.
Outside, the teachers were waiting.
The Spiritual King gestured. "Here you go, Sensei."
A man with narrow eyes and a calm presence stepped forward. "I've got Team 8, if I'm not mistaken."
Uzuki raised a brow. "That would be us."
"You all look strong. We're gonna be fine," said the man, giving a small nod. "Name's Takao."
Another instructor, a tall woman with lavender hair, waved. "Team 4."
A boy raised his hand. "That's us!"
Next came a cheerful woman with golden eyes. "Team 50!"
Kenji's jaw dropped. "Yes! She's cute!" He leapt into the air like he'd just won a prize.
A fist slammed into the back of his head.
"Ow!"
"Sorry. We're Team 50. Don't mind him," Helia said, her tone sharp.
Another man stepped forward. "Team 42."
"Hi, nice to meet you," said a girl with warm eyes.
"Sup. Team 17," said a cool-toned voice.
"Oh yeah," Azar said with a smirk. "She's cool."
"No kidding," Zanden added.
"Hi," Misa greeted shyly.
Suddenly, the Spiritual King turned serious. "Team 1, your sensei should be here. Where is he?"
"I hope your captain's not terrible," Azar muttered.
"Probably is," Uzuki replied dryly.
Kenji grinned. "Feel bad for you. I've got a cutie."
"Shut up!" Helia snapped.
Out of nowhere, a man appeared in front of them, holding a rice ball in one hand. "Sorry I'm late. Got hungry."
The instructors immediately bowed.
"No way…" Azar whispered.
"That guy's your sensei?" Zanden asked.
Uzuki clenched his fists, eyes twitching.
"He's one of the Great Five," Kenji murmured.
Takao turned toward the students. "Bow."
Everyone bowed—except Team 1.
"You see everyone bowing. Why aren't you?" the man said. "You don't get the concept?"
The Spiritual King pouted. "Why do you all bow to him and not me? That's not fair. Stop bowing."
Takao laughed nervously. "We're bowing out of respect, Spiritual King."
"Keep bowing, please," the man—Kaji—said with a smug grin.
Ryju took a step forward.
"Why should I?" he asked, calm but defiant.
Kenshiro stood beside him. "Sorry, but we've got each other's backs. If you attack him, you're fighting all of us."
Shun cracked his knuckles. "We don't care who you are."
"You wanna fight?" Goro added.
Sena stared wide-eyed. "Are they crazy?"
Uzuki folded his arms. "I don't bow to anyone."
Kaji grinned. "I like it. You've got guts. You're definitely my students."
Uzuki sighed. "I wish my sensei was cool… Look at them, all bowing."
"Stop bowing," Kaji ordered.
Everyone stood straight again.
The Spiritual King clapped his hands. "Now that you've met your teachers, talk with them. Learn from them. You're dismissed!"
Scene: Team 8 – With Takao
Takao leaned casually against the wall. "Alright. You know my name—Takao. B-Rank ninja. Let's go around. Tell me your name and your dream."
"My name is Uzuki," the first boy said proudly. "I want to become the strongest swordsman in the world."
"Cool."
"Daigo," the next boy said. "I just want to kill. That's it."
"…Scary," Takao said with a sweatdrop.
"Hana. I want to protect my baby brother."
"Okay."
"Jake. My dream is to protect my big sister."
Takao blinked. "You two are siblings?"
"Yep," Hana confirmed.
"Tetsuya. I want to be cool."
"…That's basic," Takao chuckled.
"Naomi," said a girl quietly. "I… don't have a dream."
"That's fine. After hearing you all, I think we'll be a great team."
Scene: Team 4 – With Minae
Minae smiled brightly. "Hey guys. I'm Minae, B-Rank ninja. What about you?"
"Masaru Enomoto. I want to be the strongest."
"Good dream."
"Sora. I want to master wind."
"Nice."
"Mei… I don't know my dream yet."
"You've got time."
"Sayaka. I want to be the best mist user!"
"Great."
"Toma. I don't believe in dreams. Just reality."
"…Okay."
"Emi. I don't have one yet."
Minae nodded. "Then I'll help you figure it out. Let's make this fun."
Scene: Team 50 – With Sena
"I'm Sena, an A-Rank ninja. Name and dream, please."
Kenji stepped forward, starry-eyed. "Hi! You're beautiful. Also, I want to be strong."
"Thanks. Nice dream."
"Sorry, don't mind him," Helia said. "I'm Helia. I want to support the Great Village."
"Awesome."
"Appolo. I want to make a masterpiece."
"Cool."
"Akari. I want to spread music around the world."
"Beautiful."
"Mika. I want to be the greatest mist user."
"Nice."
"Takeshi. I want to become the strongest puncher!"
"Love the energy. Congrats, everyone."
Scene: Team 17 – With Yuna
Yuna leaned back, arms crossed. "Sup. Name and dream. Protocol, you know."
"Azar. I want firepower—lots of it."
"Nice."
"Zanden. I just want to have fun."
"What a cool dream."
"Misa. I want to become strong."
"That's girl power!"
"Jett. I want to be the best shooter."
"Nice."
Kaien didn't speak—just nodded.
"He doesn't talk much," Misa said.
"It's fine," Yuna said with a grin.
"Taro. I want to be strong."
Yuna smirked. "I can tell. We're gonna be the cool team."
Narrator: "Eh, let's just skip Team 21 and Team 42… Who even cares?"
Scene: Team 1 – With Kaji
Kaji lit a cigarette with his finger. "I already know your names. Don't care about your dreams. I'm Kaji, part of The Justice—above SS-Rank. My only rule: never back down from a fight. Doesn't matter how strong they are. Fight."
"Any questions?"
Ryju shook his head. "Nope."
"Sounds cool," Rei said.
"You're the sensei," Kenshiro muttered.
"If you're in, I'm in," Shun added.
"Perfect," said Goro.
"Anything to help me find peace," Kuroyami replied quietly.
"Let me show you something."
Kaji's aura exploded—fiery orange, suffocatingly strong.
Ryju froze. "What the hell?"
"This… power…" Rei whispered.
"I… can't move," Goro grunted.
"What is this?" Kuroyami gasped.
"Must be his max," Shun muttered.
"See? Doesn't matter how strong. Fight."
Everyone was left breathless.
What was that…? Ryju thought.
So powerful… Kenshiro echoed in his head.
Without warning, Kaji teleported to Kuroyami and vanished.
Scene: The Spiritual King's Office
Kaji and Kuroyami appeared.
"Yo, Lloyd," Kaji said casually.
"Oh. You brought Kuroyami?" the Spiritual King asked.
"What am I here for?" Kuroyami asked, confused.
"I need to age you… and unlock your ability."
"Like you did for my team?"
"Exactly."
The Spiritual King raised his hand. Kuroyami began to glow—his hair grew longer, his form more mature.
"I… grew."
"Now let's see your ability."
The king touched his head… and frowned.
"What is it?" Kaji asked.
"I can't unlock it. There's a blockage."
"…So I don't have an ability?"
"Something like that."
"…Of course. I'm done. I quit." Kuroyami turned and walked away, eyes filled with tears. Why can't I be strong? I just want peace…
Scene: Later That Night – Misa's House
"I'm going out for air," Misa told her father.
He nodded. "Okay."
She stood outside, gazing at the stars. Her father peeked through the curtain.
She's so beautiful, he thought, closing it.
Suddenly, three masked men appeared.
"What!?"
"Doesn't matter who we are," said the first.
The second tapped her back.
"When did you—!?"
"Earthshatter Pulse!" Misa shouted. The ground rumbled.
Inside, her father stumbled. "What's that!?"
"My body… it's vibrating!" said the third attacker.
"Stone Punch!" Misa struck hard.
"You're next—huh? Why am I sleepy?"
"It's my ability. Sleep," said the second.
"I… can't stay awake…"
She collapsed.
"Get him. I've got the girl."
"On it."
They disappeared into the night.
Where are they taking her? Why?
To be continued…