Karasuma Mansion — Blood Returns to the Nest**
The night air around Karasuma Mansion was heavy.
Not with danger—
But with history.
Keith Argus Runcandel stood at the front of the convoy as the gates slowly opened, ancient mechanisms groaning as if acknowledging their rightful heir. The black cars rolled forward, one after another, disappearing into the shadows of the estate.
Inside the lead car sat those he had personally brought:
Hidemi Hondou.
Vermouth.
Curaçao.
Jodie Starling.
And beside Keith—
A man whose existence itself was a secret.
Ethan Hunt.
The cars stopped.
The doors opened.
Rum was already waiting at the entrance, his single visible eye sharp and alert. The moment he saw Keith step out, he straightened.
"You're late," Rum said.
Keith smiled faintly.
"I brought family."
Rum's gaze flicked past him—then froze.
But before he could speak, the massive doors of the mansion opened.
And Karasuma Renya stepped forward.
The air changed.
Keith walked ahead without hesitation and bowed slightly.
"I'm home, Great-Grandfather."
Renya's cane tapped once against the marble.
Then Keith felt it—
A hand on his head.
Warm. Heavy. Certain.
"…You've grown," Renya said quietly.
Keith leaned forward and hugged him.
Not an heir.
Not a weapon.
Just a child greeting family.
Behind him—
Hidemi moved first.
"Grandfather!"
She threw her arms around Renya without hesitation, tears welling up instantly.
Vermouth followed, her usual smile gone as she embraced him silently, her grip tight—almost afraid to let go.
"…It's good to see you," Renya said softly.
Then his gaze shifted.
Curaçao stepped forward stiffly, unsure.
Renya nodded once.
"You as well."
Keith then placed a hand gently on Jodie Starling's shoulder.
She stiffened slightly.
"Great-Grandfather," Keith said calmly,
"this is Jodie Starling."
Renya's eyes narrowed—then softened.
"…Andrew's daughter."
Jodie swallowed.
Renya stepped closer and placed a hand on her head, just as he had done with Keith.
"Welcome back," he said.
"My child."
Jodie broke.
She hugged him tightly, her composure shattering as years of grief surfaced all at once.
"I'm sorry…" she cried.
"I thought you were the enemy. I thought about killing you… and them…"
Renya rested his hand on her back.
"It's alright," he said calmly.
"You know the truth now."
Jodie nodded against his chest, tears soaking his coat.
Then—
Two figures stepped forward.
A silver-haired girl with cold eyes.
And a taller young woman who looked almost identical.
Renya's gaze sharpened instantly.
"…Shiho."
"…Akemi."
Both froze.
He opened his arms.
"Welcome back, my granddaughters."
Shiho hesitated for only a fraction of a second—then hugged him tightly.
Akemi followed, tears falling freely.
"We're home," Akemi whispered.
For a brief moment—
The mansion felt warm.
Then Renya's gaze shifted again.
He looked past Keith.
"…Who is that?"
Keith turned slightly and met Ethan's eyes.
He nodded once.
Keith stepped forward.
"Great-Grandfather," he said calmly,
"I've kept a secret from you for two years."
Renya frowned slightly.
"…A secret?"
Keith tilted his head.
"Did you miss your godson?"
The silence that followed was absolute.
Rum's visible eye widened.
"…Ethan Hondou?" Rum said slowly.
Keith didn't answer.
Instead—
The man behind him reached up and removed his face.
The disguise peeled away.
The room exploded.
"…Father?!"
Hidemi ran forward and slammed into him, arms wrapping around his torso as she cried openly.
"I thought you were dead!" she sobbed.
Ethan hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
"I couldn't let them know."
Rum moved next.
No words.
Just a crushing embrace.
"…You idiot," Rum muttered.
Renya stepped forward last.
For once—
The old man's hands trembled.
"…You lived," Renya said hoarsely.
"Yes," Ethan replied.
"And I came home."
Renya pulled him into a firm embrace.
For a long time—
No one spoke.
Shiho, Akemi, and Jodie stood frozen, staring at the man they had believed dead for two years.
"…Uncle?" Akemi whispered.
Ethan looked at them and smiled faintly.
"Yes," he said.
"I'm sorry I scared you."
Shiho's expression cracked—just slightly.
Keith watched it all quietly.
He hadn't announced power.
He hadn't issued orders.
Yet—
This reunion alone shook the foundation of the Karasuma bloodline.
Renya finally exhaled.
"…Zoo," he said coldly.
The temperature dropped.
Vermouth's smile was gone.
Rum's killing intent leaked freely.
Ethan's eyes hardened.
"They'll pay," Renya said calmly.
Keith spoke for the first time since.
"Later," he said.
"Tonight is family."
Renya looked at him—
And nodded.
"…You've done well," he said.
Keith lowered his head slightly.
The dragon had not roared.
But the nest—
Was whole again.