President

Discussing Sinister X

Hikaru sat in the safehouse lounge, arms crossed, deep in thought.

Across from him, Teshii lounged on the couch, chewing on a toothpick, looking as relaxed as ever.

But Hikaru wasn't relaxed.

Not after what happened in the village.

Not after meeting Sinister X.

"I don't get it," Hikaru muttered. "Who is Sinister X?"

Teshii raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me?"

"You know more about mutants than the rest of us," Hikaru pointed out. "You even knew about Bone Weaver."

Teshii chuckled. "Yeah, but this Sinister X guy?" He shrugged. "Never heard of him."

Hikaru frowned. "Really?"

Teshii stretched. "Nope. But—"

His golden eyes glinted with amusement.

"He does sound like a final boss type."

Hikaru groaned. "Teshii. I'm serious."

Teshii smirked. "So am I. Think about it—'Sinister X'? The name screams 'big bad villain.'"

Hikaru sighed. "That's exactly why I'm worried."

Teshii leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"Look, Sunshine. We've fought some strong guys before. But this one?" He tapped his fingers against his knee. "This one feels different."

Hikaru nodded. "Yeah. And that's the problem."

Before either of them could say anything else—

Satoshi and Reina entered the room.

Summoned by the President

Satoshi adjusted his glasses. "We have orders."

The room fell silent.

Reina stepped forward. "The president has requested to see you all."

Hikaru blinked. "Wait—the actual president?"

Reina nodded. "Yes."

Ikazuchi raised an eyebrow. "We're meeting the leader of the country? Sounds serious."

Moriya frowned. "What would they need us for?"

Satoshi sighed. "Most likely a mission."

Teshii, who had been quiet, suddenly grinned.

"Oh, I get it."

Everyone turned to him.

Then, with a dramatic wave of his hand—

He broke the fourth wall.

"The president will send us on a mission, and—oh wow, what a surprise—we'll coincidentally find either the Element of Darkness or the Element of Fire while we're at it."

Hikaru facepalmed. "Teshii."

Ikazuchi scoffed. "You have to stop doing that."

Teshii shrugged. "I could stop, but I won't."

Sora smirked. "At least he's self-aware."

Reina cleared her throat. "Regardless, you all need to prepare. We leave soon."

Teshii stood up, stretching. "Fine, fine. I'll come with."

Reito blinked. "You're actually going?"

Teshii smirked. "Sure. But I'm not going inside the office. Politics bore me."

Hikaru sighed. "Of course they do."

Teshii pointed at Hikaru. "But don't worry, Sunshine. I'll be right outside if anything goes wrong."

Hikaru shook his head with a tired smile.

"Yeah. I figured."

Arrival at the Capital

The massive government building loomed over the city, its white stone exterior reflecting the bright afternoon sun.

Hikaru and the rest of the Elements—Haruto, Moriya, Ikazuchi, Reito, Daichi, Sora, and Tetsuya—walked through the front entrance, accompanied by Satoshi and Reina.

Behind them, Teshii followed casually, his hands in his pockets.

As they approached the president's office, Teshii suddenly stopped.

Hikaru turned to him. "You're really not coming in?"

Teshii smirked. "Nope. Politics bore me."

Sora chuckled. "Coward."

Teshii shrugged. "Call it whatever you want, Windstorm. I'd rather watch paint dry than listen to some old guy talk about government stuff."

Hikaru sighed. "Fine. Just don't wander off."

Teshii grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."

With that, the Elements stepped inside.

Teshii leaned against the wall, his smirk fading slightly as he glanced at the door.

Something about this doesn't feel right…

The President's Hatred Toward Mutants

Inside the grand office, the president sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his piercing gaze fixed on the group.

A powerful man in his late fifties, he radiated authority—but his expression carried something darker.

Hikaru immediately sensed it.

The president wasn't just serious.

He was angry.

"I appreciate your arrival," the president began. "I have requested your presence today for a matter of great importance."

He stood up, his hands resting on the desk.

"The mutant population has been a growing threat to this country. They are unstable, dangerous, and an infection that must be purged."

The room went silent.

Haruto's jaw clenched.

Moriya narrowed his eyes.

Reito glanced at Hikaru, whose fists had tightened.

The president continued.

"There is a particular group—the Mutant Rebellion Squad, or M.R.S.—that has been causing disturbances across the country. They have attacked government buildings, sabotaged supplies, and stirred chaos wherever they go."

He reached into his desk, pulling out a document.

"This," he said, sliding it toward them, "is a list of their members."

Hikaru hesitated before picking it up.

His eyes scanned the names—

Then froze.

His heartbeat quickened.

No way…

The List of M.R.S. Members

Smokewraith.

Blood Mage.

Shifter.

Velocity.

Ghost.

Molecule.

Chameleon.

Bone Weaver.

These were the same mutants they had fought before.

Every single one of them.

Hikaru's hands trembled as he read the next name—

Mind.

And finally—

Sinister X.

The others looked over his shoulder, their expressions darkening.

"This…" Haruto muttered. "This is bad."

Moriya frowned. "They were all part of something bigger?"

Reito clenched his fists. "We barely handled them individually."

Sora exhaled. "And now we know there's more."

The president watched them carefully.

"I need your assistance," he said. "The Order of the Elements must eliminate every mutant on this list."

The Impossible Request

The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

Hikaru's stomach twisted.

"…Eliminate?" he repeated.

The president nodded. "Correct. We cannot allow these creatures to roam freely."

Silence.

Hikaru and the Elements exchanged looks.

They had fought these mutants before—some were brutal, dangerous, and outright killers.

But not all of them.

Some of them had retreated when losing.

Some of them had hesitated to kill.

And the biggest question—

Was every mutant truly evil?

Hikaru opened his mouth to protest—

But Satoshi spoke first.

"…We will do what is necessary."

Hikaru's breath hitched.

The others flinched.

The president smiled. "Good."

Haruto gritted his teeth but remained silent.

Moriya crossed his arms, conflicted.

Reito exhaled sharply.

Sora glanced away, clenching his jaw.

They had no choice.

And the president knew it.

Outside – Teshii Listens In

Behind the office door, Teshii stood completely still.

His usual smirk was gone.

He had heard everything.

His fingers twitched as a storm of emotions raged inside him.

Exterminate every mutant…?

His golden eyes darkened.

That idiot president has no idea what he's playing with.

Teshii closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.

Then, slowly, a cold smirk returned to his face.

"…Well."

He turned his back to the door, cracking his knuckles.

"This just got interesting."