CHAPTER 51: A NEW MEMBER

The very next day, Ren opened his eyes and, sure enough, found Kaien sitting beside his bed again.

"Why is it that every time I wake up in a hospital, you’re right there glaring at me?" Ren muttered, irritation in his voice.

Kaien smirked. "And when will you stop getting yourself hospitalized so this doesn’t happen again?"

Ren clicked his tongue but didn’t argue. "Anyway, how are the others? And the war?"

"The war ended in our victory in all three wards. As for your friends, they’re fine. Seth, Minato, and Kaela were discharged yesterday. As for Sora...." Kaien leaned back in his chair, "She woke up earlier than you. Looks like she unlocked her Core Release. The backlash hit her hard, but nothing serious. Not as serious as when you first unlocked yours."

Ren’s eyes widened slightly. "So she unlocked hers, huh? Tch, guess I need to train harder if I don’t wanna be left in the dust."

Kaien chuckled. "Sure you do. But I think you pulled off a new move yourself, didn’t you?"

"Yeah," Ren admitted, scratching his head. "But I need a lot more practice. Otherwise..." He gave Kaien a pointed look. "I’ll just keep waking up with your ugly face next to my bed."

The two burst out laughing, the room warming with their shared relief. Then suddenly, Ren’s face turned serious.

"The Fangs aren’t the only threats in Shikkoku."

"Of course. They’ve got their leader too. The same man who we speculate that wiped out all of Benio."

"Not just him. They have something else, the messengers."

"Messengers?"

"Yeah. I fought one. She claimed to be one of the four messengers. From what I saw, they’re Shikkoku’s hounds, born to destroy, nothing else. And Kaien, they’re strong. At least a high 7 star. Maybe even disaster class."

Kaien let out a whistle. "So you beat one? Look at you already climbing the ladder."

"I’m not joking, Kaien." His tone sharpened. "I only won by luck. Even with my core release, she had me on the ropes. The only reason I survived was because I pulled out a new technique mid battle."

Kaien raised a brow. "New technique, huh? Care to enlighten me?"

"It’s hard to explain. Basically, I forced my drive core into an outward spiral. It let the energy from my core release spread through my body instantly. No delay between thought and movement, allowing me to execute powerful attacks continuously."

Kaien’s eyes widened. Then, he burst out laughing. "You! That’s Core Spiraling! Do you even realize what you stumbled onto? That’s not ’just’ some trick, it’s an advanced technique!"

"Advanced?"

"Yeah. Most people can’t even attempt it without wrecking their core. But if you can pull it off naturally, then you’ve got serious potential." Kaien smirked, leaning back. "Still, it’s rough around the edges. When you’re ready, I’ll give you some real tips." He winked.

Ren’s face twisted in disgust at the playful wink Kaien shot his way. Yet despite that, he couldn’t help but smile. He knew Kaien was a dependable figure, someone strong enough to guide him through this newly discovered technique.

"Anyway," Ren smirked, "how did the mission with your girlfriend go?" His teasing tone made Kaien’s ears turn red immediately.

"Stop teasing me! And besides....." Kaien’s expression shifted to something more serious. "It’s better if you hear about it tonight at the training grounds."

After some casual conversation, and Kaien settling Ren’s hospital bills, the two made their way to the ZEAL meeting spot at the training grounds.

"I swear, you need to stop ending up in situations that land you in the hospital." Kaien scolded, glaring at him as he opened his wallet with a dramatic sigh. "Oh, my poor wallet....."

When they arrived at the training grounds, Ren and Kaien were met with a rare sight, every ZEAL squad was already assembled, lined up in perfect rows before the sparring platform. Not just squads 3, 4, and 7, but all of ZEAL.

At the front stood the six wardens, Gale, and Ayato himself. Their presence radiated authority, silencing the field.

Kaien, late as always, tried to sneak into the back unnoticed.

"About time, Kaien." Ayato said coldly, his eyes never leaving the gathered members.

"Hehe..." Kaien let out a nervous chuckle, scratching his cheek as if he hadn’t just been caught red handed.

Ren quickly reunited with his friends, greeted by warm smiles. The moment he saw Sora, however, his expression turned solemn. He rushed up to her and lowered his head.

"I’m sorry I didn’t get there in time." Ren said quietly.

"Don’t be." Sora shook her head. "It was our fault we got caught in that trap. We could’ve avoided it if we’d been more careful."

Minato and Kaela exchanged small smiles at her words, while Seth crossed his arms with a grin.

"Well, at least now our squad’s got two people at 7 star level."

Kaela shifted nervously, glancing at Ren. "I-I believe you’re almost ready to reach that level too. I-I mean, you were unstoppable when you had your Core Release active."

Ren blinked at her, caught off guard, before the rest of the squad shouted in unison.

"You can activate your Core Release?!" Ren, Sora, Minato, Botan, and Miko yelled out together.

"Y-yeah, kind of." Seth scratched his head with an awkward smile. "Only for a little while though."

Finally, Ayato stepped forward, the wardens and Gale standing firmly behind him. His sharp gaze swept across the field, silencing the low chatter.

"Thank you all for gathering here today," Ayato began, his voice steady and commanding. "What I’m about to share requires the presence of every one of you. As for all of you are the beacon of hope for this city."

He paused briefly, then continued, "I sent Kaien and his girl— I mean, the White Owl, Gale, to investigate Ward 13, the Shikkoku’s main base."

Kaien and Gale stiffened, their faces blushing at Ayato’s slip. They did their best to smother it, forcing the heat in their cheeks down beneath stern expressions.

"Upon their investigation, they discovered that the Shikkoku, together with their Fangs, launched these large scale attacks not just for destruction, but to measure our strength. They’re testing our firepower, observing the wardens, the members, and even my own capabilities. If our suspicions are correct, their true strike could come at any moment."

The field grew tense, murmurs breaking out among the crowd.

"They already know our strength?"

"Does this mean a full-scale war?"

"What’s their true motive?"

Ayato raised his hand, cutting through the noise. "We don’t yet know their exact goal, or how they plan to move next. That is why we must remain vigilant, not just today, but in the days ahead. The reason I called you all here is to announce the beginning of new operations for our gang."

The hall erupted once again, whispers turning into sharp, unsettled voices.

"Silence!" Rago’s thunderous voice cut through the murmurs of the grounds like a blade, crushing the chatter in an instant.

Ayato stepped forward, his tone sharp yet steady. "First of all, Squad 4, our recon team, will be granted a special combat exemption. From this moment on, you will be allowed to deploy without waiting for my direct orders. Captain Warden Aeri Arashi will assume full command."

Gasps rippled through the crowd, but Squad 4 remained still. Ren and his comrades exchanged brief, firm nods. They all understood the weight of this responsibility, an honor, but also a burden that could decide the future of the city.

"As for the rest," Ayato continued. "Some squads will remain stationed at HQ. Others will be sent to reinforce our allied wards, prepared for both Shikkoku advances and their controlled gangs."

He raised his hand, and the room seemed to lean toward him.

"From this day forward, we prepare for the all out war the Shikkoku will inevitably bring. Until that day comes, your duty is clear, protect the people, sharpen your strength with continuous training, and never waver!"

His voice rose, every word burning into the hearts of those before him.

"ZEAL is not strong because of me, or even the Wardens. ZEAL is strong because of you. Because we carry one another on our backs, no matter the storm. So remember this, we will never falter! Not to the Ashes, not to the Shikkoku, and definitely not to Anyone! For ZEAL!"

For a moment, silence held thick and heavy. Then, like a spark catching flame, voices erupted.

"For ZEAL! For ZEAL! FOR ZEAL!"

The grounds shook with the unified cheers of countless voices, echoing with resolve strong enough to rattle the place.

"Lastly, I need a word in private with Aeri and her squad. Everyone else, dismissed." Ayato commanded.

The members of ZEAL walked out of Squad 7’s training grounds, leaving behind only Squad 4, Aeri, Ayato, and Minato.

Ayato’s gaze swept over them before settling on Minato. "Some of you may be wondering why he’s still here. Upon his request, I’m officially transferring Minato into Squad 4." His tone softened, almost amused, as he allowed himself the smallest smile.

The squad’s eyes widened, and in an instant their serious faces lit up with joy.

Ren stepped forward and clasped Minato’s hand. "Guess that means we’ll keep being partners on the battlefield!"

"Yeah." Minato replied simply, but with a firm nod.

Seth crossed his arms with a smirk. "Hate to break it to you, but given his Drive Core ability, he’s probably going to be paired with Kaela instead."

The guys just laughed while Sora reached out her hand. "Welcome to the squad, Minato."

He shook hers, then turned to Aeri and bowed respectfully. "I’ll be in your care, Captain Warden Aeri."

"It’s good to have you. But just call me Captain." Aeri replied with a small smile.

Ayato then stepped forward again, his tone sharpening.

"Now that introductions are out of the way, it’s time I explain what this Special Combat Exemption really means. It’s not a free pass to charge recklessly into the field." His eyes swept across each of them, weighing their resolve.

"I am giving Warden Aeri full authority to command you without my consultation. If she orders you to deploy, you deploy. If she orders you to train, you train. Planning, strategy, and execution will all be in her hands."

He paused, letting the weight sink in.

"This exemption exists because of necessity. The battlefield moves too fast for orders to always come from me. Your squad must be capable of immediate response, and that makes you vital to this war. Do not take this lightly. From here on, Squad 4 is no longer just another recon team, you are ZEAL’s spearpoint."

Their expressions hardened, even Aeri’s, as the weight of responsibility pressed down on them all. Yet, Ayato suddenly lowered his head, his voice carrying quiet sincerity.

"I’m indebted to you all. Please be careful out there."