Silence reigned in the underground chamber.
An ancient crypt, hidden beneath the ruins of a forgotten fort, had been transformed into a gathering place. Magical torches cast a dim light on the black stone walls. In the center, seven figures stood, still marked by the chains and experiments they had endured.
Facing them was a single man.
Kaito possessed no overwhelming aura. No royal symbols. No official titles. Yet, none of the seven dared to look away.
Behind him, his dark cloak billowed slowly… and on his back shone a black moon, without a number.
Chiyo murmured, amused:
"They're nervous. Their blood clearly shows it."
Musashi, calm, observed in silence. No swords were summoned. No unnecessary movements were made.
Kaito spoke.
His voice was steady, almost neutral.
"You were imprisoned because you were dangerous. Too strong." Too unpredictable. The world doesn't like what it can't control.
The seven exchanged glances.
They already knew.
Kaito slowly raised his hand. Seven dark cloaks appeared in the air, floating for a moment before gently falling in front of each of them.
On the back of each cloak:
an engraved moon
and a number.
"From today onward, you no longer officially exist.
You have become shadows.
And your strength will be recognized… only by your number."
A heavy silence followed.
One of them—Kael—clenched his fists.
"What if we refuse?"
Chiyo smiled. Kael's blood coursed slightly through his veins. Not enough to hurt. Just enough for him to understand.
Kaito's expression didn't change.
"Then you're free to leave." But the world that awaits you outside will hunt you until your death.
I offer you something else."
He took a step forward.
"I offer you a place where your power has meaning.
A role.
Protection.
And a mission."
He paused.
"In the shadows, we will right this world.
Without recognition.
Without statues.
Without mercy."
One by one, the seven took the cloaks.
Nyx was the first to put them on.
"Very well… Shadow Mistress. Just tell me one thing.
Who are you really?"
Kaito turned his head slightly.
Behind him, several swords appeared, suspended in the air, perfectly still.
Then they vanished instantly.
"I am the one who decides when the light must go out."
Musashi finally spoke:
"On your knees."
Without understanding why, the seven knelt.
Kaito raised his hand.
"Repeat after me.
We do not act for glory.
We do not act for power.
We act… for the shadow."
The voices united.
Thus, an organization that no one was meant to see was officially born.
Blake Shadow.
And somewhere, far away, invisible threads were already beginning to be stretched around the world.