Back at the Deadly Seven's hideout, all seven members including Mishiira were sat at a large table.
At the head of the table sat Mishiira, with his five personal bodyguards behind him.
"Updates." Mishiira said.
"I have been keeping eyes on Daisuke and the others. Makoto will be dealt with in the next few days." Raidon stated.
"I'm surprised Fuka hasn't caused any problems with your plans." Mishiira mentioned.
"In all honesty, I nearly did." Fuka admitted.
"As is clear, Jigoku is no longer with us." Mishiira then gestured towards the new member sat in Jigoku's old seat, "Jigen, you have big shoes to fill. I know there won't be much to report on. So, Yami."
"Yes, Mashiira." Yami responded.
"I apologise for calling you back from your mission early. Is there much to report?"
"I have destroyed all external allies. There is no one outside Japan that the people can seek refuge with. I have also discovered two caves outside our boarders that also contain great power--"
"That's all, Yami. As always, I give you my gratitude. We can discuss the rest of your findings later. Now, Chikyu and Fuji?"
"All the Samurai from our side of the land is dead. There is no one else for us to assassinate." Chikyu replied.
"We can assist Raidon and Fuka if you need us to?" Fuji asked.
"No, that's all I need from you two for now. Ryōshi, as always, your information regarding the government will be discussed privately. However, I'd like you Jigen to become your partner." Mishiira stated.
"What? I don't need a partner."
"Jigen will be your partner, Ryōshi." Mishiira stated again, this time with a firm tone in his voice.
"This is ridiculous. I've never had a partner. It's a hindrance. I won't take him."
Mishiira stood up from his chair, "You've questioned me twice already. The third time will be your last."
In a rage of frustration, Ryōshi also stood up.
"This is bullshit! Taking him along with me is suicide. I'm done with this." Ryōshi slammed his chair inside and proceeded to walk towards the door.
As he did so, Mishiira's bodyguards hurried to surround him.
"Well then, it's either suicide, or you can die here?" Mashiira said.
Mishiira walked towards him, passing through the guards. In an attempt to catch Mashiira off guard, Ryōshi withdrew his sword, lifting it up and swinging down towards Mashiira's head.
Without moving an inch, Mashiira caught Ryōshi's sword in between his teeth. Ryōshi tried to force the blade out of Mashiira's mouth but it wouldn't budge.
In an instant, Ryōshi fell to the floor, throwing up blood. No one was able to see what happened, but Mashiira punched him in the chest. It was so fast and powerful, not only was no one able to see it, but it left a dent in Ryōshi's sternum.
"Have I made myself clear?" Mashiira asked.
Unable to speak due to the pain, Ryōshi nodded, clenching his chest.
Raidon sat, watching attentively as he thought. He was amazed at how fast Mashiira was able to strike Ryōshi, and wondered how a fight between Mashiira and himself would go. It is a thought he has had countless times. Despite the enormous gap in power, Raidon always tried to think of ways around it.
Mashiira returned back to his seat, and his bodyguards returned to their original positions.
"As Jigoku is no longer with us, and some of you have gained strength and power, I have your new rankings."
"I'm never number one." Fuka stated, smiling.
"It doesn't matter what you think, or how you perceive each other, this is based on my superior knowledge of you all. So, as follows:
One, Yami. Two, Fuka. Three, Raidon. Four, Chikyu. Five, Ryōshi. Six, Fuji. Seven, Jigen."
"I knew I wouldn't be number one." Fuka said, laughing to himself.
"We are done here." Mashiira stood up and left, with his bodyguards following behind.
"Why do I need to do to become number one?" Fuka asked.
"The only chance you have at becoming number one is if I die." Yami stated, face void of emotion.
"I mean when you're first, being second is basically first compared to everyone else." Fuka stated, trying to make himself feel better.
"Fuka, you're second because of the power of your Summon. Not because of you." Raidon interrupted.
"It's always you with the smart answers." Fuka commented, getting annoyed.
"If you were to ask me, I'd say the ranking Mashiira gave is accurate, considering our skill as warriors and our Summons. But skill in combat alone, Fuka I'd say you're fifth."
"Fifth?! That's basically last because Jigen is new."
"My Eagle doesn't lie, nor is it ever mistaken."
"I'm guessing Yami, you and Ryōshi are above me. Who else is above me?"
"Fuji."
"Fuji?!" Fuka shouted in hysterics.
"Why aren't I above you?" Fuji questioned, "Because we can sort this out right now."
"The real question is, how many of us would it take to beat Yami?" Chikyu asked excitedly.
"I don't even want to think about fighting Yami." Fuji added.
"Look at Raidon!" Fuka shouted. Everyone looked at Raidon who seemed to be in deep thought about Chikyu's question.
"He's actually trying to think about it." Fuka joked.
"Raidon can't beat me. But, if I placed a bet on it, he would beat the rest of you." Yami stated with authority.
Yami's life is shrouded in darkness, mirroring the scars that crisscross his 6ft 8, muscular frame. Born into a village nestled amidst dense forests and towering mountains, Yami's childhood was marked by hardship and isolation. As a child, he lost his parents to a brutal raid by marauders, leaving him orphaned and alone.
Raised by the village elder, Yami found solace and purpose in the art of blacksmithing. Under the elder's guidance, he honed his skills, crafting weapons and armor to defend his village from the ever-looming threat of danger.
But Yami's ambitions stretched beyond the confines of his small community. Fueled by a restless spirit and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, he would often venture into the wilderness and unknown in search of rare materials and ancient artifacts, heedless of the risks that awaited him.
It was during one of these perilous expeditions that Yami's fate took a dark turn. After getting lost in search of a forbidden forest, he came across the Ryūdendō Cave. Having not known what it was, he stepped into the waters unaware of its power.
Transported to the other realm, he encountered a monstrous Hydra, a creature of ancient legend and unspeakable power. In a fierce battle that raged for days, Yami fought tooth and nail against the beast, each scar on his body bearing witness to the ferocity of his struggle.
But against all odds, Yami emerged victorious, his spiritual body battered and broken, but his soul unbroken. His triumph caught the attention of Mishiira, whose influence extended far beyond the boundaries of mortal realms. Recognising Yami's strength and resilience, Mishiira offered him a chance at power and redemption, an offer that Yami could not refuse.
Drawn into the depths of the cave, Yami was confronted with the Hydra, a symbol of his newfound allegiance to Mishiira and the darkness that lurked within him. Yami became a fearsome warrior forged in the crucible of pain and suffering.
Now, clad in armor of his own making and wielding weapons tempered in the fires of his trials, Yami serves as Mishiira's enforcer, a silent harbinger of doom whose name strikes fear into the hearts of all who dare to oppose him. But beneath his stoic exterior lies a soul haunted by the ghosts of his past, a man torn between the light of his former life and the darkness that now consumes him.