Always remember your pleases and thank yous

"So," Hirokoshi muttered, "The plan is for all of the phantoms in the rank of crackle to find themselves apprentices, maximum three minimum two, from the willing for adventure, to the ones in their last legs, but all isolated."

Kurenai opened his mouth to speak before the door creaked open and 8 faces peeked round the corner.

"Would it be possible for us to have an audience with Master Hirokoshi and Master Kurenai?"

Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of release and smiled a little, releasing part of the tension from the meeting and the door opening.

Hirokoshi and Kurenai walked out the door.

"Good teachers, we have a proposition for you," Gao started.

Vadik's face remained calm and solemn as he said "Considering that the martial arts style we have is mainly centered around hand to hand combat, we were wondering if you would be able to get us all gloves or shoes that would help us increase our fighting proficiency. Please."

Everyone apart from Vadik, Hirokoshi and Kurenai smiled as he spoke.

Hirokoshi blinked before he and Kurenai laughed, with Kurenai saying in a solemn tone, "We're gonna have to do better as your teachers. This is not a simple martial arts competition or a sparring session. This is an environment where you're gonna need every edge that you can get."

Hirokoshi stared at him before saying, "Copyright much?"

Kurenai sighed exasperatedly, "If it worked for us it'll work for them."

Hirokoshi and Kurenai turned towards the elevator and the others followed. They arrived at a floor on which Yue had been previously, and Roshi remembered it as the floor he was taken to after the recent attack.

Hirokoshi turned to them all.

"As of now, you will all individually make a choice. Your equipment and supplies can either be chemically focused or technologically focused. There will be some crossovers, but it's best that you choose one now. You'll be able to study about either of them and be able to do small fixes and upgrades by yourself. I'll give you all a minute to make your decisions.

Everyone but Astrid and Kurenai sighed. "Always with the quick decisions." After conversing for some moments, the phantoms chose…

Later that day.

Ring Ring Ring!

The "receptionist" picked up the phone.

Havoc opened his mouth wide and exclaimed, "Hello there Amelia! I was just wondering about the schedule for the next month."

"Sure. You got the summit of the 12, the recruiting bonanza, and the release of that one video franchise you really like."

"Ah, yes, the summit of the old guys right? Part from me of course."

"I know you already know just about everything about it, but if you wanna hear more of my voice then sure why not. You're not even the youngest anymore Kai."

"Youngest at heart though. The New leader of the Cyclical guild acts like he's a 142. Might be an old monster pretending to be a kid with a soul burn ability or magic potion."

"Only you Kai, only you. Is that it?"

"That should be, oh wait, I'll be heading out this evening so could you please schedule no big meetings then. Much appreciated."

"You don't need to shoulder the burden by yourse…"

"Thanks for helping Amelia. Au revoir."

The phone cut.

Amelia shook her head.

Havoc turned towards the window, his smile slowly fading from his face. His phone screen began to crack, and the room started to shake.

Some hours later, an announcement crackled around the building.

"The 10th, 6th and 5th pillars will be visiting the training room tomorrow. To new phantoms, consider it as a learning experience. Prepare yourselves though. It won't be easy.