The teenagers arrived at the hospital, eager to check on Kenjiro’s recovery. When they reached his ward, relief flooded over them as they saw Kenjiro sitting upright in his hospital bed, wearing the standard green pajamas and chatting comfortably with Yoko. His calm demeanor and attentive gaze revealed that he was in stable condition, which brought a collective sigh of relief.

  As they walked in, Kenjiro’s face lit up. "Jake, I’m so glad you’re safe!" he exclaimed warmly.

  Jake, however, replied with his head bowed. “Uncle Kenjiro, I’m sorry… I should have stepped up sooner to help you.” The memory of Kazuo’s attack on his uncle stung him; he’d been so shaken by his own defeat that he had been paralyzed, unable to defend Kenjiro when he needed it most.

  Kenjiro smiled with understanding, his voice steady. "Jake, it’s all right. Carrying the weight of the Sword of Flame isn’t easy. Even your father struggled with it for a long time. He faced defeats too, and eventually chose a quiet life in the U.S., retiring from his role as the sword’s bearer. You’ll grow into this in your own time.” His eyes held a fatherly reassurance, full of empathy and warmth.

  After exchanging nods with each of them, Kenjiro straightened his back, his expression shifting to one of calm seriousness. He cleared his throat gently, “Ahem!”—a sound that immediately drew everyone’s attention, signaling he had something important to say.

  “As you may already know, Kaito is affiliated with Kurokaze-kai,” he began, his voice clear. “But I am as well. I was one of Kazuo’s horsemen.” This revelation sent a ripple of shock through the group, especially for Yoko, who stared at her father in disbelief.

  “Otōsan… you’re part of the Yakuza?” she asked, stunned. Until now, she had always believed he was a businessman in the finance sector.

  Kenjiro gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Yoko. The finance sector part is true; I managed loan operations for Kurokaze-kai. If any of you saw the eighth floor of the headquarters, that was my department.” Jake and Luna exchanged glances, recalling the traditional Japanese room they’d passed through on that floor—the tatami mats, samurai swords on the walls, and serene paintings. Now, it made sense why the room had such a personal touch and, even more, why it had been empty.

  Kenjiro continued, explaining the roles of the other horsemen within . “Takeshi, the sumo, oversaw Extortion and Protection Rackets; Hiroshi, the cybernetic ninja, managed the Cybercrime Division; and Hana, the young woman, was in charge of the... adult entertainment sector.” He then glanced at Kaito, prompting everyone else to turn their attention toward him. “As for Kaito… he was the newest horseman, hired by Kazuo to run the Illegal Gambling Operations.”

  Kaito stepped forward, addressing Kenjiro and the group. “Nomura-san, Hana and Takeshi have decided to keep some of the legitimate business operations going. They’ll end the illicit parts of Kurokaze-kai’s empire—Takeshi will focus on security, and Hana will manage the bars and cabaret clubs legally,” he explained. “They even suggested that you transition the loan operations into a legitimate financial loan business. Something legal that could genuinely help those in need, rather than profiting from them unfairly. As for me, I’m returning to my student life.”

  Kenjiro nodded thoughtfully, absorbing the changes with a mix of relief and lingering sadness. “And Hiroshi? Kazuo?” he asked, unable to hide his concern, even for the adversaries who had once been allies.

  Kaito’s face fell. “They weren’t seen after the collapse… I tried to convince Kazuo to escape, but he chose to stay.” His head dropped, regret evident in his voice.

  Kenjiro placed a reassuring hand on Kaito’s shoulder. “Kaito, you did everything you could. You fought with honor.”

  Jake added, “Yes, without you, I wouldn’t have been able to face Kazuo again. Your encouragement gave me the strength to fight.” Jake’s gratitude was clear, and he gave Kaito an approving nod.

  “Yes, Kaito, without your help, I wouldn’t have escaped Hiroshi, let alone been able to assist Jake afterward,” Luna added, her expression warm with approval. Her gratitude, like Jake’s, was evident, highlighting how crucial Kaito’s support had been throughout their trials.

  “I hope I’ve redeemed myself for what I did…” Kaito’s voice softened as he glanced at Yoko. She met his gaze but quickly looked away, signaling that her forgiveness might still take time.

  Kenjiro, ever the wise samurai, nodded in understanding. “Kaito, you’re young, and it’s human to make mistakes. Redemption is in the actions you take moving forward.” His words, grounded in honor and the Bushido code, carried the wisdom of a true warrior.

  Kaito looked at everyone, his expression serious yet tinged with vulnerability. "I appreciate your forgiveness," he began, "but I want to be honest about my role with Kazuo and the truth behind taking the sword. I wasn’t coerced or threatened by Kazuo to steal the Sword of Flame from Jake."

  His confession sent a wave of shock through the group. Though they had forgiven him, Kaito felt it was important that they understood his actions fully. As they listened closely, sensing the weight of his words, Kaito began to recount how he had first been drawn into the ranks of the Kurokaze-kai.

  It was an ordinary day for Kaito after school. He’d completed his assignments and breezed through his revision with no challenge, and though he’d tried to pass the time with puzzles and books, nothing seemed able to hold his interest—everything was too easy for someone with his level of intelligence.

  One evening, while browsing the internet, he stumbled upon an intriguing website filled with brain teasers and high-level IQ puzzles. The site boasted a ranking board, and as users climbed higher, they received cash rewards. It seemed almost too good to be true, so Kaito, ever cautious, took his time investigating and navigating the site to make sure it wasn’t a scam. Satisfied that it was legitimate, he decided to give it a go.

  As expected, Kaito solved each question effortlessly, climbing the ranks with ease while money poured into his account. The questions went beyond what AI could solve, focusing on logic, conscience, intuition, context, and ambiguous scenarios. Yet Kaito always managed to get the “right” answer—almost as though the administrator behind the site agreed with his reasoning.

  After reaching the top of the leaderboard, Kaito hit a frustrating plateau. There were no more questions, no way to advance further, and the cash flow abruptly stopped. Each day, he checked the site for updates but found nothing new. Then, on a fateful day, he received an unexpected message in his inbox:

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "Greetings from the admin. I am impressed by your answers and would like to discuss an opportunity. Let’s meet."

  Kaito hesitated, aware of the risks of meeting a stranger from the internet. But the prospect of making money at such a young age was tempting. “Why should I meet you?” he replied. “What if this is a scam?”

  The administrator’s response was almost playful: “It’s all about the risks you’re willing to take. If you feel uncomfortable, you’re free to walk away.”

  Mulling over the administrator's words, Kaito weighed his options carefully and decided to go ahead—making his own preparations just in case things didn’t go as planned. He took his bamboo shinai with him as he headed out to meet the mysterious figure behind the website.

  Arriving at the designated location, Kaito noted the eerie quiet around him—no sign of anyone else. Feeling reasonably assured he wasn’t walking into an ambush, he waited patiently. After a few minutes, a luxury car approached, with a man seated alone behind the wheel. The driver stepped out, exuding an air of authority and charisma that was hard to ignore. The man had black hair tied back in a ponytail, a distinctive scar on his right cheek, and striking white irises. Dressed in a sharp black suit with a matching black tie, he was as commanding as he was composed.

  "You must be Kaito Fujimori. It's a pleasure to meet you—I’m Kazuo Mori," the man introduced himself smoothly. Though cautious, Kaito didn’t sense any immediate threat from him.

  “You must be the administrator of the website,” Kaito replied, cutting straight to the point. “What opportunity are you talking about?”

  Kazuo’s smile widened, as if pleased by Kaito’s directness. "I am the head of the Kurokaze-kai," he explained, “and I’d like to offer you a position in my organization. With intelligence like yours, I see you as a valuable addition to my grand plan.”

  Kaito, though intrigued, was skeptical. He found it strange that someone of Kazuo’s caliber would seek out a high school student, especially given the resources available to a yakuza leader. “Why me?” he questioned. “And what ‘grand plan’ are you talking about?”

  Kazuo’s smile didn’t falter. “I don’t trust just anyone—not even my closest subordinates,” he said. “In my world, every relationship is a transaction, and people are pieces on a chessboard. You, Kaito, are someone I see as low-risk. As a high school student, you’re uniquely positioned to help me without arousing suspicion, and I value that.”

  Then, almost as an afterthought, Kazuo reached to his side, unsheathing a katana that immediately emanated a ghostly green aura—a spectral glow that sent a chill down Kaito’s spine. “As for my plan,” he continued, “I’m looking for all seven legendary swords. If I possess them, I believe I can reshape the world.”

  Kaito stared in awe, recognizing the legendary weapon from stories. “Is that...the Sword of Spirit?” he asked, astonished.

  Kazuo’s gaze sharpened, clearly impressed. “Just as I expected—a true prodigy. Yes, this is the Sword of Spirit.” He watched Kaito closely. “I’m certain someone of your intelligence understands what I’m talking about. Together, Kaito, we could make the world a better place.”

  Kaito took a moment, carefully weighing the opportunity laid before him by the yakuza leader. He was still in awe of the Sword of Spirit in Kazuo's possession, and the promise of wealth and influence made the offer even more enticing. Considering the benefits and risks, Kaito saw this as a unique chance to train himself in a world far removed from academic challenges—a world of strategy, power, and real consequences. With his adaptability and intellect, he knew he could manage the secrecy required, adding an enigmatic edge to his life as he juggled his role within the Kurokaze-kai with his school life.

  In truth, he found himself aligned with Kazuo’s ambition: reshaping the world to balance the forces of good and evil. Perhaps this was a path where he could make an impact, however shadowed the means.

  Looking up, his expression resolute, Kaito extended his hand. “Mori-san, I accept your offer.”

  And so, with that handshake, Kaito’s journey into the underworld of the Kurokaze-kai began—the first steps toward his role as one of Kazuo’s trusted horsemen.

  With Kaito finishing his story, he took a deep breath, then bowed deeply once more. "I am truly sorry. I let wealth and influence cloud my judgment. I believed that by helping Kazuo, I could make the world a better place. I never imagined it would lead to hurting those I care about."

  Though the group had already forgiven him, the weight of forgiveness from his friends seemed to lift a burden from Kaito's heart.

  Kenjiro looked at him with understanding and then turned to his daughter. "Kaito’s recognized his mistakes, Yoko. I believe we’ve spoken about the samurai code of compassion. What do you say?"

  Yoko considered her father’s words. “If Otōsan believes in forgiveness, then I’ll agree," she finally said. "But," she added firmly, "that doesn’t mean I won’t be watching. He’ll have to prove it through his actions.”

  "Thank you, everyone!" Kaito said, a wave of gratitude washing over him. The acceptance of those he cared about brought tears of relief to his eyes. Determined not to waste this second chance, he promised himself he would never let his choices harm his friends again.

  Kenjiro then turned to Luna. "I understand you’re searching for the legendary swords, and you saw the Sword of Spirit with Kazuo. As I mentioned, the swords choose their masters, not the other way around. With Kazuo’s demise, there’s no telling when the Sword of Spirit might appear again to find a new owner."

  Luna nodded thoughtfully. She still had questions, especially about her own time. In her future, the tyrant known as the Overlord was said to wield all seven swords, holding absolute power over her world. Even though no one from her rebel group had seen these swords firsthand, the story was well-known, a looming mystery.

  Kenjiro noticed Luna’s pensive look and continued, "You may not have all the answers now, but if you’re committed to finding the other swords, know that the journey will not be easy. Kurokaze-kai was only the beginning; there will be even more formidable adversaries on the path ahead."

  “Tougher than the horsemen of Kurokaze-kai and the Sword of Spirit?!” Carter exclaimed, thinking back to his battle with Takeshi. He already knew how formidable they were. If there were even stronger adversaries, weren’t they just inviting more trouble?

  “The world is vast, young man,” Kenjiro replied. “Legendary swords don’t make one unbeatable. They give advantages, yes, but they don’t guarantee supremacy.”

  Kaito nodded and expanded on Kenjiro’s point. “Even Kazuo, with the Sword of Spirit, couldn’t rule over Japan outright. The police and other forces have individuals tougher than even us, without the need for any legendary weapon. Kazuo had to balance his power carefully, knowing that if he disturbed the peace, they’d take action.”

  The group sat in silence, processing the revelation. Facing even greater challenges than those with Kurokaze-kai sounded daunting.

  Kenjiro’s expression softened as he looked at Jake. “Your father passed the Sword of Flame on to you because he believed you were ready. It reminds me of when he and I were young, traveling around the world just to find and challenge the wielders of other swords.” He reminisced fondly, recalling the days he and Fumio hunted the legendary swords for the thrill of testing their strength.

  Jake nodded, feeling the weight of his responsibility but also the pride his uncle showed in him.

  Kenjiro leaned back thoughtfully. “I can’t give you exact locations for the swords. But from my past encounters... the Sword of Light and the Sword of Ice are likely somewhere in Europe. The Sword of Shadow is in China, and the Sword of Storm is probably with someone who has a strong connection to the sea, maybe a captain or sailor. And the Sword of Earth... last I saw it, it was in Egypt.”

  “Do you know any names or precise locations?” Jake asked on Luna’s behalf, sensing her frustration. The continents were vast; the hints felt like needles in a haystack.

  Kenjiro shook his head. “That’s all I have. After your father retired to the U.S., we stopped caring about the locations of the swords. Much like your dad, I just wanted a good life for my family.” He looked at Yoko with pride. Jake understood, thinking of how his parents had also chosen a quiet life but had ultimately passed the Sword of Flame to him, sensing it was his time.

  Suddenly, a loud “grruuu!” echoed in the room. All eyes turned to Carter, who clutched his stomach sheepishly. “Sorry, guys! It’s been a long day, and we haven’t eaten. Can we get some food?” His complaint drew a round of laughter from the group.

  “Alright, let’s get that ramen I promised,” Kaito said with a grin. As they left the room, Kenjiro settled back, ready to rest, while the others walked to the ramen shop. Laughter filled the air as they finally left the challenges of the day behind them, united and ready for whatever lay ahead.

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