Kenji (5)

After earning our team number and securing Yushiro's help, we weren't off the hook just yet. The seniors made sure to scold us thoroughly for running off on a mission without leaving a message. We took the lecture in silence, heads lowered, accepting our punishment like good rookies.

After that, we got bandaged up, the sting of antiseptic a small price to pay for our survival. And once the scolding was over, the real fun began—our first real victory in a serious mission, and the seniors weren't about to let the moment pass without a celebration.

Laughter echoed throughout the base as mugs clashed together. Our seniors indulged in alcohol, their boisterous voices rising with each drink. Meanwhile, we were stuck with fruit juice, not that we minded much. After the day we had, even the simple sweetness of mango juice tasted like victory.

As I dug into my food, savoring the warmth of the meal, Stone suddenly spoke.

"Hey, Kenji, do you know how to use Hashi Armor?"

I looked up mid-bite, blinking. "…What's Hashi Armor?" I asked after swallowing.

Stone's brow furrowed. "You don't know what Hashi Armor is?" she repeated, almost in disbelief. She set down her drink and leaned forward. "Hashi Armor is created by gathering external Hashi and reinforcing it with your internal Hashi. It's a technique that hardens your body like armor, making you more resilient in battle."

I frowned, trying to wrap my head around it. "That sounds… complicated."

"It is complicated," Stone admitted, grinning. "But with time, you'll be able to use it."

I tilted my head. "Can you use it?"

Stone smirked, clearly pleased with herself. "Of course, I can. I'm actually kinda surprised you can't yet."

I narrowed my eyes. "What do you mean by that?"

She casually pointed at my black Division Knight jacket. "You're already using a weak version of it without realizing."

I blinked. "Huh?"

"Our uniforms," she continued, tapping her own jacket, "are designed to absorb the external Hashi you naturally release. It strengthens the fabric, acting like a basic form of armor."

That caught my interest. I grabbed a fistful of my jacket, feeling its weight. "How does it do that?"

Stone leaned back in her chair, looking satisfied with my curiosity. "They're made from metallic thread infused with Hashi and engraved with Hashi runes. The runes increase durability and help channel energy."

I hummed in thought, impressed. "That's actually pretty cool."

Stone watched me for a moment as I went back to eating. I could feel her staring, almost as if expecting more of a reaction.

When she finally turned away, she called across the room, "Hey, Truth, mind if I start training these rookies in Hashi Armor?"

My eyebrow twitched. I swallowed my food quickly. "Hey! Why are you asking him? Shouldn't you be asking me?"

Stone looked at me, confused. "Team 8 are your mentors, so I need their permission first."

I sighed, finishing off the last of my meal. The warmth of the food spread through me, a satisfying end to a long day.

"Fine," I said, stretching slightly. "We'll train with you tomorrow morning."

Stone glanced at me again, this time with something softer in her eyes. She exhaled quietly, then smiled—a warm, genuine smile.

"It's great to have you kids," she said, her voice kind, far gentler than before. "I'll say this again—welcome to Division 4."

I looked away, feeling an unexpected heat rise to my face. "It's… good to be here," I muttered, my voice a little lower than usual.

Stone just chuckled, and the celebration continued into the night.