We transition to a fancy room.

  The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a single overhead mp.

  The air was thick with tension.

  Yet, some of them seemed unbothered—leaning back in their chairs, feet propped up, arms crossed in casual indifference.

  “Tsk, can we just start already?”

  Shigure drummed his fingers on the table.

  “It’s probably another job I won’t even need all my arms to handle.”

  “Rex, Shigure.”

  Katsuro sighed, smirking.

  “We’re all eager to hear what Mori-sama has to say.”

  “Speak for yourself.”

  Tenzan adjusted his gloves.

  “I was enjoying the silence.”

  A man near the center, resting his chin in his palm, exhaled sharply.

  “Aren’t we missing one?”

  “Our double agent got his ass kicked,” Raigo muttered, amused.

  “Don’t expect him to show.”

  Jin scoffed.

  “Good ol’ Ryuko got caught, huh? Figures. Should’ve seen it coming.”

  His grin widened.

  “All the guy ever wants to do is fight this and fight that. He’s just a fighting hornball.”

  Across the table, Shigure waved a hand dismissively.

  “Does it matter? We can get started without him.”

  Then—

  A subtle shift.

  The man at the head of the table opened one eye.

  A reddish-blue glow flickered within it.

  Instantly—

  The room transformed.

  Every single man who had been reclining, speaking with ease, or lounging without care now sat bolt upright.

  Feet hit the floor. Backs straightened.

  No one spoke.

  No one even breathed too deeply.

  The old man, his long beard marking the weight of his years, exuded a quiet dominance that required no force, no threats.

  Just a look.

  Before he could speak, the heavy metal door creaked open.

  A tall figure strode in.

  Composed. Unfazed.

  His boots echoed slightly against the stone floor.

  The man’s eye remained fixed on him.

  “You’re te.”

  The newcomer merely smirked.

  He stepped inside with measured confidence, taking a seat beside the two men on the right.

  He met the man’s powerful gaze with zero hesitation.

  As he sat, he rested an elbow on the arm of his chair, leaning slightly forward.

  “Had to handle a new recruit.”

  “A new recruit?” one of the men asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

  “Is he promising or what, Yasuke?”

  Yasuke exhaled, a slow grin forming.

  “He’s… interesting, to say the least. You’d like him, Jin.”

  He smirked.

  “He fights like a wild dog—reckless but hard to put down.”

  Jin chuckled under his breath.

  “Sounds familiar.”

  A beat of silence followed.

  Then—

  The old man, now with both eyes open, finally spoke.

  “Now, it’s time to get this meeting started.”

  The six men spoke in unison, voices low and reverent.

  “Yes, sir, Mori.”

  Mori’s gaze swept over them all, his presence swallowing the room whole.

  “We have new orders from Kuroda.”

  CUT TO BLACK.