10. The Weight of War

The Five Branch Families Convene.

A grand hall, dimly lit by flickering torches, sits at the heart of the ruling estate of the Extermination Order. It is a place where only the heads of the Five Branch Families gather to make decisions that shape the world. Tonight, their meeting is different. Urgent.

At the long obsidian table, Lady Amaya Mori sits poised, her piercing gaze sweeping over the gathered lords. Across from her, Lord Juro Hanzo, arms crossed, radiates an air of barely contained frustration. Beside him, Lord Tokamori Kyosho, the ever-tactical mind, fingers the edge of the letter before him, deep in thought.

At the opposite end, Lord Mikazuki Kenji, younger than the others, leans forward, tension in his sharp features. Meanwhile, Lord Kuroda Masaki, the eldest, exudes a calm that masks the storm beneath.

A silence stretches between them, heavy and unbroken—until Amaya Mori speaks.

"This… is not an ordinary attack." Her voice is controlled but edged with something dangerous. "A single beast, powerful enough to challenge an Elite Exterminator—one that spoke, that had a name… and a purpose. We all read the report."

Juro scoffs. "We read Rengoku's report. He could be exaggerating."

Kenji shakes his head. "No. I know Rengoku. He does not exaggerate."

Kyosho's voice is measured. "Even if he isn't, what troubles me is the name." He glances at Masaki. "Malakai. That name does not exist in our records. We have never encountered an Eldritch Beast with such intelligence."

Masaki, silent until now, finally speaks. "That means this is either something new… or something old that we failed to remember." His ancient gaze sweeps over the room. "And neither option is good."

Juro exhales sharply. "And the boy? Shinzo's son? What are we supposed to make of that?" His fingers drum against the table. "That thing wanted him specifically. A child, a novice, untrained and unaware of our world. What possible reason could it have?"

Amaya leans back. "That is exactly what makes this so dangerous."

Kenji looks troubled. "And the shadowy figure? The one watching the battle? If it was not another beast, nor one of our own…" He trails off, eyes narrowing.

Kyosho interjects, "That, to me, is the most unsettling part. Someone—something—was observing the attack. If it was not a beast, then it was a force we do not yet understand."

Silence.

Masaki folds his hands. "We have two choices before us. One: we do nothing. We let Rengoku handle the boy, we monitor the situation, and we wait." He pauses. "Two: We take action. We summon the Grandmasters, bring them into this discussion, and decide the boy's fate ourselves."

Juro smirks, but there's no humor in it. "If we let Rengoku handle it, we all know what will happen. He will take the boy under his wing, train him, and eventually bring him into our world whether he likes it or not."

Kyosho nods. "And if we take action, we risk drawing attention to ourselves. Whatever force orchestrated this attack may be watching how we respond."

Kenji, thoughtful, asks the unspoken question: "So what is Shinzo's boy to us? A potential ally… or a liability?"

Another heavy silence.

Finally, Amaya makes the call. "We summon the Grandmasters." Her eyes harden. "This is no longer just Rengoku's burden. If a war is coming, we decide how we fight it—together."

The Grandmasters Receive the Summons

Seiyama Academy – Akihiro Sora & Elite Exterminator Kenshiro Takeda

A single candle flickers in Akihiro Sora's study. He reads Rengoku's letter twice, fingers lightly tapping the desk.

Kenshiro Takeda, his most trusted Elite Exterminator, watches him closely. "You're taking this seriously."

Sora nods, voice calm but firm. "A beast with a name and intelligence is already dangerous enough. But one that spoke and targeted a specific child? That's another matter entirely."

Kenshiro leans against the wall, arms crossed. "Rengoku's no fool, but some of the others will dismiss this as paranoia. We've never encountered an Eldritch Beast that could strategize like this."

Sora sets the letter down. "That's what troubles me. If this is an evolution of their kind, then we've been fighting blind." He glances at Kenshiro. "What do you think?"

Kenshiro exhales. "If Rengoku is telling the truth, this is bigger than we realize. And if he's wrong… then we're chasing shadows while something worse lurks beneath."

Sora sighs. "Either way, the Branch Families won't let this rest. I assume we'll be summoned soon."

Kenshiro smirks. "You say that like we have a choice."

Sora chuckles dryly. "We never do."

Kazekiba Institute – Hayate Shun & Elite Exterminator Yori Hoshino

Hayate Shun crumples the letter in his fist, tossing it aside like garbage. "Rengoku must be losing his damn mind."

Yori Hoshino picks up the discarded parchment and smooths it out, reading it carefully. "You don't believe him?"

Hayate scoffs. "Oh, I believe that something happened. But an intelligent Eldritch Beast? A shadowy figure lurking in the distance? A sudden interest in Shinzo's boy? Come on." He gestures broadly. "If this is true, everything we know is wrong. And I don't like that idea."

Yori smirks. "You don't like being wrong, period."

Hayate glares at her. "You think this is legit?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. But if we dismiss this and it turns out to be real, we'll regret it."

Hayate groans. "Fine. Let's hear what the others think when we get summoned." He rubs his temples. "I swear, if Rengoku drags us into some grand conspiracy…"

Yori grins. "I'll be sure to say 'I told you so.'"

Sanzoku Academy – Yuzuki Rei & Elite Exterminator Kaede Isamu

Yuzuki Rei pours herself a cup of tea, gaze locked onto the letter in front of her. She takes a slow sip before speaking. "Rengoku is either the most cautious man alive… or he's scared."

Kaede Isamu, lounging against the window, scoffs. "Rengoku? Scared? The man who led his students into an Eldritch-infested ruin just to 'test their mettle'?"

Yuzuki smirks. "Exactly. That's what worries me."

Kaede's expression darkens. "You think he's telling the truth?"

Yuzuki nods. "Something's wrong. Even if the details are exaggerated, the fact that he's calling attention to this means it's serious."

Kaede sighs. "So what's the play?"

Yuzuki leans back. "We go, we listen, and we decide. But if this is the start of something bigger…" She trails off, swirling her tea.

Kaede finishes for her. "Then the war's already begun."

Raiketsu Academy – Ikari Ren & Elite Exterminator Daichi Kurogane

Ikari Ren reads the letter with a cold expression. Daichi Kurogane watches him silently before speaking. "That bad, huh?"

Ikari exhales sharply. "Worse. The Branch Families are panicking."

Daichi raises an eyebrow. "They don't panic."

Ikari tosses him the letter. "Read it."

Daichi's eyes move across the page. "…An intelligent beast. A shadowy observer. And a boy at the center of it all." He sets the letter down. "This does feel like panic."

Ikari nods. "Which means we're about to be thrown into a storm."

Daichi smirks. "So? We've handled storms before."

Ikari's gaze hardens. "Not like this."

Tatsuyori Academy – Hiroshi Masaru & Elite Exterminator Ayame Fujimoto

Hiroshi Masaru sighs as he reads the letter. "This is a nightmare."

Ayame Fujimoto snorts. "You expected peace?"

Masaru shakes his head. "No. But I expected a battle we understood." He rubs his temples. "A beast with intelligence and strategy? We're not prepared for that."

Ayame leans forward. "So what's the plan?"

Masaru sighs. "We listen. And we prepare for war."

Raijin Academy – Kiyoshi Meirin & Elite Exterminator Shoma Tanaka

Kiyoshi Meirin sets the letter down. "It's starting."

Shoma Tanaka raises an eyebrow. "Starting? I'd say it's already begun."

Kiyoshi nods. "This changes everything. If they could speak, if they could strategize, if they could plan…" She exhales. "Then our past victories were nothing but borrowed time."

Shoma frowns. "So what do we do?"

Kiyoshi's gaze sharpens. "We prepare to fight an enemy we don't understand."

The Fallen's Shadow

A Hidden Stronghold of The Fallen

Darkness cloaks the chamber, only faintly illuminated by the glow of enchanted lanterns. The three Generals—Izekiel, Liora, and an unnamed shadowed figure—stand before Vaelith, their enigmatic leader.

A fourth presence, draped in a heavy hood, kneels before them, whispering.

Vaelith listens in silence. As the messenger finishes, he leans back into his throne. His crimson eyes glint with something between amusement and curiosity.

"An Eldritch Beast… that spoke?"

A hush falls over the room.

Then, Izekiel, the oldest and wisest among them, strokes his beard. "That… is unprecedented."

Liora crosses her arms. "Unprecedented, yes. But useful? That depends." She tilts her head. "Rengoku's report suggests it had a purpose. It wanted the boy."

The boy. The words hang in the air, and all of them know who she means.

Izekiel scoffs. "Shinzo's son. If an Eldritch Beast—one capable of speech and strategy—wanted him, that means the child is more important than we anticipated."

The shadowed figure, who has remained silent until now, finally speaks. Their voice is low, distorted. "More important… or more dangerous."

Vaelith taps his fingers against the armrest of his throne. "Perhaps both."

Liora leans forward, resting a hand on the table before them. "So what do we do? Let the Eldritch roam free and hope it continues its little rampage? Or should we attempt to bring it under our control?"

Izekiel snorts. "You make it sound easy. It's an Eldritch Beast, Liora. They are primal, ancient, bound by no rule but their own hunger." He pauses, his eyes narrowing. "But if it is sentient… then perhaps it can be reasoned with."

Liora laughs, sharp and mocking. "Reasoned with? And what, you expect it to shake hands with us and fight alongside us like a trained hound?"

Izekiel shrugs. "If we offer it what it desires, it may listen."

Vaelith exhales, long and slow. "You assume it desires something beyond slaughter."

The shadowed figure speaks again. "Everything desires something."

A pause.

Vaelith smiles. "Yes. And that is what we must uncover."

Liora clicks her tongue. "You're suggesting we find it?"

Vaelith nods. "Yes."

Izekiel folds his arms. "And if it refuses?"

Vaelith's smile widens, slow and predatory. "Then we test its limits."

The room hums with silent tension.

Liora smirks. "Then it seems we'll have to send someone to track it down."

Izekiel nods. "Not just anyone. If this thing is as powerful as it seems, we need the right hand for the task."

Vaelith tilts his head. "I have someone in mind."

The shadowed figure steps forward, the dim light finally revealing a glimpse of their sharp, pale features and a cold smirk.

Vaelith simply says one word.

"Go."

Meanwhile in what was used to be Hagakure.

Rengoku took a step forward, his eyes steady as he regarded Kaito. "Before I leave, I'll teach you something. It's a basic step, but it's the foundation of everything you'll need to survive."

Kaito straightened slightly, his gaze locked onto the old man.

"It's called Flow," Rengoku continued. "The first step to mastering Essence Energy. It strengthens your physical abilities—your speed, endurance, and reflexes—by spreading Essence throughout your body: muscles, bones, nervous system. It lets you move faster, reserve stamina, react instinctively. Without it, even the weakest Eldritch Beast will rip you apart before you can blink."

Rengoku raised a single finger, pointing at Kaito's stomach. "Essence isn't something you force. It's something you guide. First, you need to sense it. Right here." He tapped lightly against Kaito's abdomen.

Kaito flinched slightly. "And how exactly do I do that?"

Rengoku smirked. "You already have."

Kaito frowned. "What?"

"That injury of yours—it should've taken three weeks to heal. You did it in three days without even realizing it."

Kaito's breath caught in his throat. "That—" He looked down at himself, flexing his fingers. His wounds had closed, the pain was gone. He hadn't thought much of it, assuming it was just his body being pushed to the limit, but...

Rengoku's expression remained unreadable. "You've been unconsciously channeling Essence. Now, your job is to control it. Find out how you did it, how to make it happen again—at will."

Kaito clenched his fists. I already used it? Without even knowing? He suddenly felt the weight of something unknown inside him, something he had been blind to.

"For the next three weeks, this is your task." Rengoku's voice cut through his thoughts. "Sense your Essence. Move it through your body. Keep it flowing for as long as possible. Master this, and you'll have taken your first real step."

Kaito swallowed hard but nodded. He was about to ask something when—

Rengoku's expression shifted. His gaze flickered away for a split second, sensing something in the distance.

A presence.

Seijuro has finally arrived.

Before Kaito could even open his mouth, Rengoku stepped forward, placing a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. "That's all for now, brat. I have to go."

"Wait, what—?"

Rengoku turned and walked off without another word, his long coat flowing behind him.

Meeting with Seijuro Arata

A lone figure stood at the treeline as Rengoku approached. Seijuro Arata—Elite Exterminator of Shinketsu Academy. He leaned casually against a tree, arms crossed, the hilts of two curved blades resting at his sides. His dark blue Exterminator coat was slightly open, revealing a reinforced chest plate beneath.

"About time," Seijuro muttered, pushing off the tree. "Thought I'd have to come looking for you."

Rengoku exhaled, rubbing the back of his head. "Apologies, Seijuro. Looks like I'm putting you on babysitting duty."

Seijuro arched a brow. "The kid?"

Rengoku nodded. "Keep an eye on him while I'm at the Summoning. From a distance. I don't know if that thing—Malakai—will come back or not."

Seijuro's expression darkened slightly. "You think it might?"

"It wanted something from Shinzo's boy," Rengoku said, his voice grave. "I don't know why. And that worries me."

Seijuro exhaled through his nose. "So if it does come back, what do you want me to do? Take the kid and run?"

Rengoku smirked. "If you think you have no choice, then run. But knowing you..." His smirk widened slightly. "You can take it head-on."

Seijuro chuckled, shaking his head. "Tch. You always throw me into the worst situations, old man."

Rengoku patted his shoulder. "I have faith in you. Keep him safe."

With that, Rengoku turned and walked into the night, leaving Seijuro standing there, staring in the direction of the ruined battlefield where Malakai had appeared.

The Elite Exterminator exhaled, cracking his knuckles. What the hell was that thing after?

For now, his mission was simple: watch over Shinzo's son.

And make sure whatever was coming didn't reach him first.