A New Piece Joins the Board

They followed Kyo to a nearby restaurant for the real talk.

"So, you are the one who wants to be our coach?" Ren asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Yes, and that's the only way you can go to Japan for the next tournament," Kyo answered, folding his arms.

"Can't we go without you?" Jim asked, leaning forward across the table.

"You can't go without any elder," Kyo replied calmly.

"What about Shin?" Zhi asked, glancing toward him.

"I don't want to be the coach," Shin answered without hesitation.

"You can't even be the coach. You are not that old," Kyo said with a shrug.

"What about Kazuki?" MyungJin asked curiously.

"Now, who's that?" Kyo raised an eyebrow.

"Shin's elder brother," Haru answered from across the table.

"How old is he?" Kyo asked, looking at Shin.

"He is 18," Shin replied.

"That means he's also not old enough to be your coach," Kyo replied.

"Okay, but do you even play water fights? We can't accept you as our coach if you don't know how to play water fights," MyungJin said, eyeing him carefully.

"I know how to play with water," Kyo said simply.

He raised a finger slightly. The water in a glass on the table rippled, then suddenly floated up into the air in a perfect sphere. Everyone leaned in, eyes wide. With a flick, the water gently dropped back into the glass without spilling.

"How did you do that?" MyungJin asked, his voice loud with shock.

"Slow down your voice. Remember, we are still in a public place," Kyo said calmly.

"How did you do that?" MyungJin repeated, this time in a hushed tone.

"I'm a water bender. I can control water and emit water from my hands," Kyo replied.

"Why are you telling us about your powers?" Zhi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I know you guys were using your powers during the tournament," Kyo replied, tapping a finger on the table.

"I don't trust you," Ren said coldly.

"Your powers are invisibility and phasing through objects," Kyo replied immediately, eyes focused on him.

"No, these are not my powers," Ren lied quickly.

"You told me about your powers. Your powers are invisibility and phasing through objects," Haru said, turning toward him.

Ren glared at Haru furiously.

"And Haru's power is...," Ren began.

"My power is that I can use 50% of my brain," Haru said before Ren could continue.

"No human can use 50% of their brain," MyungJin said with disbelief.

"Trust me, he can," Ren replied without looking away.

"Alright, I and MyungJin have the same power, and it is technology eyes," Jim added, adjusting his collar.

"But we haven't seen Shin and Zhi using their powers yet," Haru pointed out.

"You have 50% brain usage. Why don't you know about Shin and Zhi's powers?" MyungJin asked, curious.

"I said I have 50%, not 100% of brain usage, and why spying on others," Haru replied coolly.

"Shin used his power during the tournament but secretly," Kyo said, now turning to Shin. "He used his powers on the drone and then transferred them to his shoes, but I didn't see any effect during the tournament."

"Okay, my power is that I can create anything but only attached to my body," Shin replied. He flexed his fingers and formed a knife, which morphed smoothly into a wristwatch on his arm.

"And what is your power, Zhi?" Jim asked.

"My power is, just like Haru, I can use 30% of my brain," Zhi replied.

"So, do you also have reflexes like Haru?" Kyo asked.

"Not those fast reflexes, but yeah, a little bit better reflexes than a normal person," Zhi answered.

"If I become your coach, I'll train you how to use your powers correctly as well as win the tournament without using your powers," Kyo said, his tone turning serious.

"Well, we don't have any other choice. So, I guess we can trust you," Zhi said after a moment.

"Alright, but you will regret it if you try to betray us," Ren added, his gaze sharp.

"But your team is still weak. The team should be at least seven people, and you are only six," Kyo said.

"I know someone who can join us," Shin said quietly.

"And who will be your captain?" Kyo asked.

"I vote for Zhi," Shin said without hesitation.

"I agree. Zhi is best at making strategy. I also vote for Zhi," Ren said.

"Yeah, we agree," Jim and Haru said in unison.

"I vote for Zhi as well," MyungJin said.

"So Zhi, do you accept to be the captain of the team?" Kyo asked.

"I guess I can try," Zhi replied.

"Alright, any address so I can pick you up for the flight?" Kyo asked.

"We will all be at Shin's house," Zhi said.

"Tell me your address," Kyo said.

"Do you have a notebook or something?" Shin asked.

"I don't have a notebook, but I do have a phone," Kyo answered.

"Give it to me," Shin said.

Kyo handed him the phone. Shin typed in the address.

"Here, take it," Shin said, returning the phone.

"So, when are we leaving?" Haru asked.

"After 6 days, on Sunday," Kyo answered.

Kyo's phone rang. He glanced at the screen and picked it up.

"Yes, he woke up? Okay, I'll be there soon," Kyo said over the phone. Then he ended the call.

"Alright, everyone, meet you on Sunday," Kyo said, standing up.

He left after paying the bill. The group headed back to Shin's house, where their families were waiting. Laughter and celebration filled the air as they shared the victory.

Before everyone left, Shin pulled Zhen aside.

"I need to talk to you," Shin said quietly.

"What is it?" Zhen asked.

"I need you in the team. We all are going to Japan for the next tournament, and we both know he is waiting for our arrival," Shin said seriously.

"You want me to do that?" Zhen asked, his tone lowering.

"I can't just tell them about him," Shin said, voice firm.

"But we can't involve them in that," Zhen replied.

"He only wants to take revenge on us," Shin said.

"He has grown stronger," Zhen said.

"But we also have powers now," Shin replied.

"Alright, I'm in the team," Zhen said after a pause.

"You have to be careful," Shin said.

"I'll try my best. When are we leaving?" Zhen asked.

"On Sunday," Shin answered.

After a while, Zhen went home with his family. Others followed, returning to their own homes as the night wind cooled and the house fell into calm silence.