The morning sun spilled its light across Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, illuminating the quiet courtyard where Jue sat cross-legged, suspended effortlessly in the air.
"Why didn't you answer when I called you earlier?" Christina stormed over, her brows furrowed in frustration.
Jue glanced sideways at her with calm amusement. "Would it have made a difference? You still came, didn't you?" He gestured to the space beside him. "Sit."
With a huff, Chris plopped down cross-legged beside him. Hisako Tochigi arrived moments later, offering a respectful bow before kneeling beside her friend.
"I thought you said you were going into New York for a walk. Why are you back already?" Chris asked impatiently.
"I ran into two interesting boys," Jue said, squinting slightly as he absorbed the sun's warmth. The spirit particles in the air seemed to stir around him, feeding his soul energy. "Very good kids."
"You mean Gavin and Eugene?" Hisako asked knowingly.
Jue nodded. "They stand out. This school praises peace and harmony, but those two… they burn with purpose. They remind me more of Zaraki Kenpachi than Xavier."
Chris blinked in confusion. "Who are they?"
"They joined the school young. They've been training relentlessly—despite their teachers' warnings to avoid aggression. Their passion isn't born from anger but from clarity," Hisako explained, then trailed off, unsure how to phrase the rest.
Jue exhaled, eyes reflecting distant wars. "They understand something your teachers don't. Power unused is power surrendered. The philosophy here—of peace without preparation—is cowardice in disguise."
"That's not true!" Hisako blurted out. "Professor Jean and the others are protecting us!"
Chris looked uneasy, caught between the two.
Jue raised a hand gently to stop her. "I'm not saying peace is wrong. I'm saying peace without readiness is naïve. You must always be prepared to defend yourselves. To abandon the capacity for violence is not nobility—it is surrender."
"But if we stay kind… won't humans accept us?" Hisako asked, hesitant.
Jue's expression hardened. "Is that what you believe? That the conflict is between mutants and ordinary people?"
The two girls fell silent.
"You're not hated because you're different. You're feared because you're powerful. The humans in power—those protected by wealth, legacy, and militaries—recognize that mutants threaten their grip on the world. They understand that you render their systems obsolete."
Storm approached silently and overheard the end of Jue's words. Her presence added gravity to the conversation as she stepped into the circle.
"In my world," Jue continued, "strength determines leadership. We don't pretend otherwise. The world you live in—this so-called civilization—is no different. It's only dressed in politics and laws to hide the same truth."
Storm set down a basket of food and sat with them, calm but firm. "You shouldn't be saying this to children."
"They're already in danger, storm," Jue countered, looking at Christina with gentle eyes. "She nearly died yesterday. Should I let her keep living in a fantasy?"
Chris flinched slightly at the reminder, but Jue reached out, ruffled her hair, and smiled. She smiled back, comforted.
"You tell them to act peacefully so humans won't see them as a threat. But they are a threat, and you know it. That's why this school was allowed to exist—not because you obey the law, but because no one dares to confront Professor X."
Storm's eyes narrowed. "And yet the professor's method is working. We've made progress."
"You've made a truce," Jue corrected. "Not peace. You're tolerated, not accepted. And only as long as you stay weak or compliant. In Bleach, we learned this early. The Gotei 13 didn't preserve Soul Society by talking to Hollows—they killed them. They fought when they had to. Power doesn't listen to kindness. It listens to strength."
He paused. "Study history—your history. No ruling class ever gave up power willingly. You must knock them down. Not once—several times. Only then will they listen."
As his words faded into silence, two boys stepped into view. Gavin and Eugene stood straight and firm beside Jue, their young eyes already heavy with conviction.
"Teacher Jue," Eugene said clearly, "we're ready. Please—teach us how to become stronger."
"You want to train them?" Storm—regarded the two young mutants, Eugene and Gavin, her voice heavy with doubt.
"They deserve a chance," Jue said simply, his amber eyes calm but firm. He could see the fatigue in Storm's posture—years of navigating Xavier's pacifist ideals in a world that grew darker each day. Though she still clung to those ideals, part of her recognized how fragile they had become.
"Let them try," Jue continued. "The results will be theirs to shape."
With a fluid motion, Jue stood and turned to the boys. "You've just eaten. Walk ten minutes to digest. Training starts after that."
Eugene and Gavin nodded and made their way across the grassy courtyard.
"I need to inform Professor Xavier," Storm said, rising as well. Despite her reservations, she respected Xavier too much to keep him in the dark.
"That's only proper. He is, after all, the headmaster," Jue replied, unbothered. "Today's just an evaluation. No real combat—yet. You'll have them back in one piece."
"I hope you'll share your training plan beforehand," Storm added, concern evident. These students were her family. She didn't want to see them pushed into something they weren't ready for.
"You can't protect them from pain forever, Storm," Jue said, not unkindly. "Even physical drills can injure, and the world they're stepping into is far crueler. You don't ask enemies to go easy on your students."
He folded his arms, cloak rustling like the shihakushō of the Soul Society's captains. "I'll explain everything to Xavier at tonight's banquet. He understands this truth better than you think—he's just chosen to look away. He sees with the eyes of a scholar, a politician. But war is not philosophy. The coming age demands warriors. And warriors must be forged."
Storm was silent, struck by the precision of his insight. Who exactly was this man who carried the weight of centuries in his words?
"I need to take Christina to test her abilities. I'll have someone join your session later," she said, collecting the breakfast basket. She motioned for Christina and Hisako Ichiki—Armor—to follow her.
As they passed, Hisako paused. "Mr. Jue, may I join you?"
Storm and Christina both turned, startled. Hisako had always been reserved—who knew she had such fire in her?
Jue, however, was unsurprised. From the first moment, he had seen it in her: the restrained hunger for strength. The kind that often bloomed in those who had suffered quietly.
He nodded slightly. "You've trained with a blade before, haven't you? If you're serious, come to me. I have some... skill with the sword." He didn't elaborate, but in his former world, that understatement would've made Kenpachi laugh.
Hisako bowed low in gratitude.
Christina hesitated, then piped up. "Can I come too?"
"You're a telepath," Jue noted. "Xavier would be the best teacher for you. But if you're willing, I'll offer what guidance I can."
Christina beamed and dragged Hisako toward the mansion.
Storm, frowning, followed them. Something was shifting. Jue wasn't just a visitor—he was becoming a catalyst. Change had begun, and she didn't know if it would save or shatter them.
Storm whispered a silent prayer. Not to Xavier. Not even to the gods of Wakanda. But to any force out there willing to listen. Let this be for the better.
****
Once the girls had gone, Jue turned to Eugene and Gavin. His gaze sharpened.
"Alright. Come here. Today, I'll evaluate you both—your talents, your minds. No obligation to follow through. The choice is yours."
Gavin stepped forward first—small for nine, but with tightly coiled muscle beneath his training suit. Jue nodded approvingly.
"Strike me," Jue ordered.
"Huh?" Gavin blinked. "You mean... punch you?"
"Now."
Gavin launched forward, his enhanced legs propelling him with startling speed. His fist aimed directly at Jue's chest—
—but stopped instantly, caught in Jue's palm with no resistance. All that kinetic energy evaporated.
Jue gently pushed Gavin back.