The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted. The tension, which bordered violence, now replaced with a deep concern. The Titan Treaty was not just any agreement. It was a sacred pact forged in the crucible of the clan's most dire hour, when the very fate of their reality dangled in the balance. Signed by the four legendary warriors who fought alongside the Light in ancient times, it represented the ultimate failsafe.
In the millennia since its creation, the Treaty had been invoked only a handful of times, each instance marking a turning point in the Living Realm's history. It was a measure reserved for calamities so severe, it threatened not just individual clans, but the very fabric of their bloodline.
Masahiko, Mari, and Izimaru exchanged meaningful glances, a silent communication passing between them. Sora and Fukiko stood beside her seated husbands, their posture straight and resolute.
No one motioned to leave. The leaders and their wives stared at Kaito and Haru, their gazes a confirmation of accepting the invocation.
Seeing the unanimous agreement of the clan leaders, Kaito straightened his posture. The burden carried lightened in knowledge of having full support from the other clans.
"During the fall festival, there was a breach into our realm," Haru continued, his voice steady but laced with an underlying tension. "Just before dawn, several gatekeepers and royal guards were murdered. The intruders entered the palace grounds without detection, kidnapping the young master and a royal guardian, Etsuyo."
A collective gasp echoed through the room. Masahiko's phone slipped from his slack grip, clattering on the table. Mari's eyes widened behind his glasses. Izimaru, fully awakened, leaned forward, his face a mask of disbelief.
Haru clenched his fists adding, "The Elder that was in company with her was also murdered."
Sora took out a notepad from her inner pocket. "Captain Haru, where did this take place?"
"The Forest outside the palace grounds."
Fukiko focusing intensity on Haru's strained composure, pressed further. "How many?"
"Two."
"Do you know the identities of the intruders?" Mari inquired, his analytical mind thinking through the implications.
Kaito and Haru exchanged a grim look before responding. "Based on forensics retrieved from the Elder's autopsy, we've confirmed Zei of the Bloody Flames and one other assailant."
The name hung in the air like a physical presence. Zei of the Bloody Flames - a name feared by even the most hardened warriors. Sora's eyes cut to Fukiko. Fukiko, feeling Sora's eyes on her, looked to the side in disgust, her jaw clenched tight.
"Captain Haru, if I may..." Masahiko's casually interrupted, his tone light, but eyes sharp. "Please educate me on how the leader of one of the most lethal organizations was able to enter our realm unnoticed? Isn't it the Chika clan's sworn duty to make sure that never happens?"
Fukiko sniped out in Haru's defense before he could respond. "Idiot, Zei isn't just any run-of-the-mill shit. He's ridiculously strong and evasive."
Her eyes blazed as she continued, her words painting a chilling picture of their adversary. "He's a fire wielder with a highly refined noryoko that can create portals to places he's been before. He's known for using those abilities to murder and steal. No amount of protection can disrupt it."
Fukiko's eyes cut back to Haru, her voice turning accusatory. "But the better question is why he was here to begin with."
She placed both hands on her husband's shoulders, her gaze narrowing as she addressed Kaito and Haru. "Based on our intel on Zei, he's very selective about the jobs he takes, only going after rare and valuable interests. He murders to conceal his crimes or advance his goals." Her voice dropped, each word deliberate and weighted. "To put it short, your son isn't that... child trafficking is beneath him. So tell us what he was really after!"
Kaito's face became confliction of emotions at Fukiko's keenness. Haru stood rigid beside him, his hand hovering near his weapon, a reflex born of years of protecting the Chika clan's secrets.
"Fukiko's right," Mari chimed in, his voice calm but insistent. "We need the full story, Kaito. If we're invoking the Titan Treaty, if we're facing a threat from someone like Zei of the Bloody Flames, we need to know exactly what we're dealing with."
Sora, still standing behind her husband, nodded in agreement. "No more secrets, Kaito. Whatever it is Zei was after, whatever you've been hiding, we need to know. The safety of all each clan's bloodline is at stake."
Kaito closed his eyes for a moment, visibly wrestling with a decision. When he opened them again, there was a resolve in his gaze that hadn't been there before.
Haru looked to Kaito, who nodded in solemn agreement. The captain's voice was heavy with emotion as he began, "Along with taking the young master and guardian, they also kidnapped..." He paused, visibly struggling to maintain his composure, swallowing the sadness bubbling within him.
"Kaname," Kaito interrupted, his voice steady but tinged with a deep sorrow. "Taking her was his main objective."
"Who the hell is Kaname?" Fukiko snarked, her expression mixed with puzzlement and suspicion.
Kaito's response sent shockwaves through the room. "She's the future wife to Yasushi... and my daughter."
The war room fell deathly still, the assembled leaders and their wives frozen in disbelief. All eyes were fixed on Kaito, their minds struggling to process this unexpected revelation.
Fukiko uttered a harsh laugh, the sound echoing off the ancient walls. "What nonsense! It's well known that Airi is barren! Not only that, she'd never allow a concubine to live long enough to birth a child."
"Kaname is not of blood to the Chika clan," he explained, his gaze sweeping across the room. "She was found about 6 years ago and has been raised in secret under our protection. Very few members of the clan even know of her existence." Kaito's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a hostile murmur. "Which means there's a traitor within our ranks."
Izimaru patted his wife's hand as he spoke, "So basically, you need help with not only covering up this embarrassment, but also retrieving your heir and that girl, correct?"
"Yes," Kaito confirmed. "Especially since he's an originator out of the Takeshimego clan."
Sora leaned forward with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm curious. What's so special about this Kaname that would attract someone like Zei?"
In response, Haru stepped forward, placing his hand flat on the table. Water began to flow upward from the corners, converging in the middle to form a shimmering hologram. Starting as just an outline, it slowly coalesced, revealing a full embodiment of Kaname and her features.
The reaction was immediate and visceral. Sora's mouth dropped open, her eyes sparkling with a childlike wonder. Masahiko pulled out his phone to snap a picture. Fukiko and Izimaru exchanged concerned glances.
As the hologram fully formed, the room fell into a hushed silence, eyes fixated on the image of Kaname. Her appearance, a blend of ethereal beauty and otherworldly mystery left clan leaders and their wives in astonishment.
Kaname's hair cascaded to her shoulders in a silky waterfall of the most exquisite silver, shimmering like moonlight on still water. Two delicate braids framed her face, adding an air of innocence to her otherwise striking appearance. At the tips, her hair seamlessly transitioned into a darker grey-silver, creating an ombre effect that captured the very essence of twilight.
But it was her eyes that truly captivated everyone in the room. Large, expressive, and mesmerizing bluish-grey, reminiscent of storm clouds on the horizon. Within those eyes, colors swirled and blended, creating an ever-changing landscape that held secrets beyond mortal comprehension.
Her skin, a warm golden tan, appeared to glow with an inner light. It looked impossibly soft and smooth, like the finest silk given human form. Her lips, slightly plump and a soft, inviting pink, curved into a gentle smile conveyed both innocence and strength.
Kaname's appearance in all was youthful yet timeless, familiar yet utterly unique. She was undeniably a beautiful child, but in a way that transcended conventional beauty.
Mari stood up, leaning forward to examine the fully formed hologram more closely. "Kaito..." his voice infused with awe and trepidation. "What is she?"
Kaito shook his head in discernment. "To be honest, we don't know. Her appearance is unique, but that's the only thing special about her. She's yet to display any abilities or birth elements. She's likely just a mutated mortal."
"A mutated mortal, eh?" Mari sighed, looking back at Sora. Their silent exchange didn't go unnoticed by Haru, whose brow furrowed with concern.
He stepped forward, his voice steady as he offered more information. "We believe it's due to her rare appearance that Zei acquired her for a buyer. With the testimony provided by Taichi, Koba, Megumi, and Sachiko, we've identified Zei's accomplice as Lee, his disciple and a known trafficker."
The mention of the children's names sent a shockwave through the room. Fukiko's head snapped up, her eyes blazing with sudden fury. "Wait a fucking minute! What do you mean by a testimony from Koba? What does my son have anything to do with your mess?"
The temperature in the room seemed to spike, mirroring Fukiko's rising temper. Haru met Fukiko's glare steadily, his voice calm but firm as he replied, "According to the statements taken, they followed the young master to see Kaname out of curiosity, making them eyewitnesses to the abduction. They're currently in confinement."
Fukiko's hands slammed down on Izimaru's shoulders, small flames licking at her fingertips. "Confinement?!" she roared, her voice sharp with anger. "How despicable! Release my son immediately!!!"
Masahiko sighed, scratching his head with an air of nonchalance. "Fukiko, relax! This is standard procedure. If the roles were reversed, wouldn't you have done the same thing?" A wry chuckle escaped his lips. "...Probably worse."
Fukiko's eyes darted to Masahiko, her lips curling into a sneer. "Tsk..." She looked away, but her grip on Izimaru's shoulders tightened, emitting a visible smoke to rise from his clothing. Izimaru winced but remained silent. His eyes widened, sweat beading on his brow as he glanced at his smoldering shoulders.
Kaito stepped closer to her. "I can assure you, Queen Fukiko, the children are unharmed and being well taken care of as if they are my own." He then bowed deeply. "As a father, I understand your frustration, but please... right now... my son... my daughter... Etsuyo... are in the hands of a vile warrior. I need everyone's attention and commitment to help me bring them home."
The sincerity in Kaito's voice cooled Fukiko's anger. Her hands relaxed, the smoke dissipating as she loosened her grip on Izimaru's shoulders. He looked up at his wife, feeling the heat from her palms fade. "Kaito, we've all known each other since our childhood. Even if there was no treaty, we'd help you, because we're friends."
"Agreed," Mari nodded in agreement, pushing up his glasses.
Sora, still captivated by Kaname's hologram, smiled as she continued taking notes. "Yup!"
Masahiko, now playing a game on his phone, glanced up briefly. "I guess..." he mumbled, his casual tone belying the seriousness of the situation.
Kaito straightened from his bow, relief washing over him. "Thank you so much, everyone!"
Masahiko cleared his throat, pocketing his phone to address a lingering unspoken question. "Before we begin our pest hunt, may I ask where Airi is?" His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, "She's not only your wife but also Head General. Second in Command, to say the least. Why isn't she here?"
The question seemed to catch Kaito off guard. He turned to Haru, motioning for him to come closer. As Haru approached, Kaito leaned in, his voice low but urgent. "Where's Airi? Why hasn't she arrived yet?"
Haru hesitated, his posture becoming a reflection of discomfort. "She declined to come, my lord."
Kaito's brow furrowed, a hint of irritation creeping into his tone. "Is she assisting with the search?"
Haru shook his head, his discomfort growing. "No."
"Then where is she?!" Kaito harshly whispered, his composure slipping in the face of this unexpected complication.
"In the master chambers," Haru replied, his voice tinged with unease.
Kaito bit his lip."How embarrassing..." he muttered under his breath, turning to Haru at his side, "Go get her. She has duties to fulfill."
Haru bowed slightly, his expression anxious. "Understood." With that, he left the war room, the heavy doors closing behind him with an ominous thud.
Kaito straightened, visibly struggling to maintain his composure as he turned back to face the group. The absence of Airi, especially given the gravity of the situation, was a glaring anomaly that threatened to undermine the unity they had just established.
"Airi..." Kaito began, his voice carefully controlled, "is indisposed at the moment. She's... dealing with the situation in her own way." The vagueness of his explanation didn't go unnoticed, but the other clan leaders chose not to press the issue for now.
Seeking to redirect focus, Kaito placed his hand flat on the table, facing his comrades. Instantly, interactive screens flooded the room with holographic diagrams, bathing everyone in a soft, blue light. "She'll join us shortly, so let's begin."
The sudden shift to action energized the room. Mari stepped forward, pushing up his glasses as he studied the holograms. "Pull up a 100-mile perimeter of the Chika territory," he instructed, his finger tracing a circle in the air. "You have permission to extend it into our territory."
Izimaru rose from his chair, moving to stand next to Mari. "While you're at it, pinpoint the stationed guards at the time of the incident," he commanded, his eyes scanning the flickering data points.
Sora looked up from her notepad, closing it with a strange gleam in her eye. "Show me the surveillance footage," she requested, her voice tinged with an almost eager curiosity that seemed at odds with the gravity of the situation.
As the holographic displays shifted and expanded to accommodate their requests, the war room transformed into a hub of intense activity.
Fukiko joined the others at the table. "We need to establish a timeline," she ordered, her fingers dancing through the holographic interface. "Every detail, no matter how small, could be crucial."
Masahiko leaned in to study a particular data cluster. "These energy signatures," he mused, "they're... unusual. Could this be related to Zei's portal ability?"
Though the clan leaders actively immersed themselves in the investigation, Kaito's mind stayed still, unable to shake a bothersome feeling that his wife's absence was more than just a personal indisposition – it was a piece of the puzzle he couldn't afford to ignore.
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