The atmosphere inside the command room was calm—but heavy.
Asuka stood in front of Fujiwara Akane, with Shin, Hina, and Aoi beside him. Near Akane stood Kurosaki Kuro, silent as always, her expression unreadable like a lifeless doll.
Akane crossed her arms slightly, her sharp gaze moving across the four of them.
"…tomorrow," she said calmly, "the trial between the three great clans will begin."
Hina frowned slightly. "…why do we even need to fight just to decide this?"
Akane glanced at her.
"…old rules."
A short pause.
"…and most still follow them."
Her voice was steady, but there was a hint of resignation behind it.
"These traditions were created to prevent internal conflict from becoming chaos."
She looked back at Asuka.
"…power decides direction."
Silence fell.
Then—
"…are you ready?"
Her eyes locked onto him.
Asuka didn't hesitate.
"…yes."
Simple.
Certain.
Akane nodded once.
"…good."
The next day—
A vast forest stretched endlessly beneath the morning sky.
Tall trees.
Dense shadows.
Open clearings scattered throughout.
This was the battlefield.
A neutral ground, used only for conflicts between the great clans.
Asuka and his team arrived quietly.
The wind brushed past them.
But they were not the first.
At the center of a wide clearing—
Clan Shirosagi had already gathered.
At the front stood Shirosagi Lui, smiling as always, his presence overflowing with confidence.
Beside him—
Shirosagi Shino, calm and gentle, her warm smile unchanged.
And behind them—
Two women.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
But their auras—
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Hina blinked.
"…who are they?"
Lui turned, hearing her.
"Oh?"
He smiled wider.
"…you don't know?"
He gestured casually.
"That's my younger sister, Shino."
Then—
"…and these two…"
He placed a hand behind his head casually.
"…are my wives."
Hina froze.
"…what?"
Lui pointed one by one.
"Shirosagi Wua, Grade A. My second wife."
"And Shirosagi Yukio, Grade A. Third wife."
Hina's eyes widened.
"…why do you have so many wives?!"
Shin sighed slightly.
"…tradition."
Hina looked at her.
"…seriously?"
Shin nodded.
"…the Shirosagi Clan practices polygamy."
She crossed her arms.
"…especially for someone like Lui."
A pause.
"…he inherited a hereditary technique."
Hina tilted her head.
"…hereditary?"
Shin continued.
"Our bodies contain something called Yin."
Hina nodded slowly.
"…energy, right?"
Shin nodded.
"…yes."
"The nature of your Yin determines your affinity."
"If your Yin burns hot, you produce fire."
Hina glanced at her hand slightly.
"…that makes sense…"
"But hereditary techniques are different."
Shin's gaze sharpened slightly.
"In the past, their ancestors created techniques… not tied to natural elements."
A pause.
"…something artificial."
"Something passed down."
Hina listened carefully.
"To preserve it, they transfer their Yin into the next generation."
"…through blood."
"…through birth."
Aoi added softly.
"…but the success rate is extremely low."
Shin nodded.
"…it can take generations before one child inherits it."
Hina blinked.
"…so they keep trying…?"
Shin didn't answer.
But her silence said enough.
"…they're special," she finally said.
Hina and Aoi nodded slowly.
Understanding.
But also—
Uneasy.
Asuka stepped forward slightly.
"…are you three ready?"
Hina smirked faintly.
"…of course."
Aoi nodded.
"…yes."
Shin simply said—
"…always."
At that moment—
Another presence arrived.
From the opposite side—
Tokugawa Clan.
Leading them—
Tokugawa Asakura, hands in his pockets, looking as relaxed as ever.
Beside him—
Nagisa Sakurai, composed and sharp.
And behind them—
Three figures.
Aoi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…those three…"
Hina glanced at her.
"…you know them?"
Aoi nodded.
"…they're from the Tokugawa branch families."
Shin added.
"…yes."
Hina tilted her head again.
"…branch families?"
Aoi explained calmly.
"The Tokugawa Clan expands differently."
"They search for talented individuals…"
"…marry them into their lineage…"
"…and continue that process."
A pause.
"…until a child inherits a hereditary technique."
Hina blinked.
"…that's… complicated…"
Aoi nodded.
"…but effective."
She pointed subtly.
"…those three are examples."
"Tamaki Taki, age 20, Grade S."
"…her technique allows her to turn drawings into reality."
Hina's eyes widened.
"…what?!"
"Kenzo Sugo, age 23, Grade S."
"…he creates imaginary beasts."
"…and makes them real."
Hina swallowed.
"…seriously…?"
"Tendo Todo, age 25, Grade S."
"…his body enhancement technique."
"…pure physical power."
Shin crossed her arms.
"…they're all dangerous."
Asuka observed quietly.
Then spoke.
"…this won't be easy."
The air shifted.
All three clans stood facing each other.
Tension.
Pressure.
Silence.
Akane stepped forward.
Her presence immediately commanded attention.
"…the rules are simple."
Her voice echoed across the forest.
"If a clan leader is defeated and cannot continue—"
"…that clan loses."
A pause.
"Alternatively…"
She raised her hand slightly.
"…this battlefield contains three zones."
"Control one zone, and you eliminate another clan."
Silence deepened.
Then—
Akane lowered her hand.
"…the trial begins."
The wind stopped.
For a split second—
The world held its breath.
Then—
Everything moved.
To be continued…