---
The day of the Sky Summit had finally arrived.
Minato stood outside, marveling at the grand decorations adorning the arena. The evening sky was illuminated with dazzling fireworks, casting an ethereal glow over the gathering.
"Whoa!" Minato exclaimed, taking a long draw from the cigarette nestled in his elegant holder. He tilted his head to appreciate the handiwork further. "Narberal, you and the others really outdid yourselves this time."
Ajax, one of the servants standing nearby, immediately bowed. "Your grace, we lowly servants are undeserving of such high praise."
Minato glanced at him with a smirk, twirling the cigarette holder between his fingers. "Ajax, right?"
"Yes, your grace." Ajax kept his pitch-black, neatly done hair bowed in reverence.
Minato took another puff, handing the holder and cigarette to Ajax without much ceremony. "Go fetch Bruce. And while you're at it, fill this up again."
Ajax straightened, gripping the holder carefully, and nodded. "As you wish, your grace."
---
Scene Switch: Outside Bruce's Room
Ajax knocked persistently on the door. "Hello? Your grace?" His voice was calm but insistent.
At that moment, Belita approached, balancing a tray of tea and folded clothes. The soft clinking of porcelain caught Ajax's attention, and he turned to her, momentarily flustered.
"Oh... Belita, you're here," Ajax stammered, his cheeks reddening slightly.
Belita raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his reaction. "Where else would I be?" She stepped past him, her voice curt as she opened the door slightly. "Is he not waking up again?"
Ajax scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Uh, well, no. The patriarch sent me to fetch him."
Belita glanced at him briefly before stepping inside. She placed the tray on the table near the window and tossed the folded clothes onto Bruce's bed.
"Bruce," she called, her tone firm yet soft, "Master Minato wants you downstairs. I'm leaving this here—make sure to drink it."
As she turned to leave, Bruce grabbed her hand. "Belita, are you angry at me?"
Belita froze for a moment before sighing. "Do you think so?"
A brief silence followed, heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Ajax, still standing at the doorway, cleared his throat awkwardly, breaking the tension. Both Bruce and Belita turned toward him, startled. Belita quickly pulled her hand back, her cheeks flushing a deep red.
"I should go," she mumbled, hurrying past Ajax and out of the room.
Bruce scratched his head, utterly clueless. "What was that all about?"
---
Belita and Ajax walked down the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls. A brief silence settled between them, heavy yet not entirely uncomfortable.
Ajax broke the stillness, fidgeting with the cuffs of his uniform. "Are you and the young master... that close?" His voice held a mix of curiosity and something more.
Belita glanced at him sharply, her expression unreadable. "We're childhood friends. What do you expect?" she replied, her tone cutting through the quiet like a blade.
Ahead, another servant stood waiting—a lean man with a mischievous glint in his eye. He smirked as they approached.
"Hey, Bell," Sato called out casually, his arms crossed over his chest.
Belita's eyes narrowed, her sharp gaze practically freezing him in place. "Don't call me that," she said curtly, her voice colder than the mountain wind.
Sato raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "C'mon, why not? That's what the young master calls you, isn't it?"
Belita stopped in her tracks, turning to face him fully. Her glare was enough to make Ajax step back. "You and the young master are worlds apart," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "You don't even begin to compare."
Sato's smirk faltered, his jaw tightening as his hands clenched into fists. "Of course I know that," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I was just joking."
"That joke should cost you your life," Belita shot back, her words like venom. Without another glance, she spun on her heel and stormed down the hallway, her footsteps growing fainter with each step.
Ajax and Sato stood in tense silence for a moment. Then, Sato's lips curled into a bitter snarl.
"That bitch," he hissed under his breath, his voice laced with resentment.
---
Ajax tapped Sato on the shoulder, his voice low but steady. "Leave it be. We'll get her back once the plan is completed."
Sato crossed his arms, a sharp grin forming on his face. "Yeah, today's the last day after all."
Without another word, Ajax pulled out a small test tube from his pocket. The liquid inside glimmered faintly under the dim light of the hallway. Uncorking it, he tilted it carefully, letting a single drop fall into the tobacco pouch meant for Minato's pipe. The faint aroma of tobacco was now laced with something far more sinister.
"In the end," Ajax muttered, swirling the test tube gently before sealing it, "all that really matters is getting that item."
---
Bruce rushed down the stairs, his footsteps echoing loudly against the polished floor. He didn't expect to see Ajax and Sato loitering in the hallway. Before he could dodge them, he bumped straight into Ajax.
"Oh, young master!" Ajax greeted him with an awkward smile, feigning surprise. "Are you headed to see the patriarch, by any chance?"
Bruce adjusted his jacket, nodding casually. "Yeah, I am."
Ajax's face lit up. "Perfect! You see, the patriarch actually sent me on an errand to replace his tobacco pipe. But with all the important guests arriving, it would be inappropriate for someone like me to approach him. If you don't mind, could you—"
"Alright, alright," Bruce interrupted, taking the pipe from Ajax's hand. "I'll give it to him." Without another word, he strode past them, completely unaware of Ajax's sly grin as he watched him go.
"Thank you very much, young master," Ajax called out, bowing slightly.
Sato glanced at Ajax. "Phase one completed," he muttered with a smirk.
---
Bruce approached the entrance to the arena, where Minato stood overseeing the preparations. The air was thick with excitement, the hum of activity surrounding the arena vibrant and lively.
Bruce handed him the tobacco pipe. "Here you go."
Minato inspected it briefly before slipping some tobacco into it. "Wait here," he ordered. "You'll help me receive the guests."
Bruce frowned. "Come on, dude. I thought you were the patriarch. Aren't you the one people come to visit?"
Minato lit the pipe with a flick of his matchstick, taking a slow drag before exhaling a cloud of rich smoke. "It's precisely because they come to visit me that I must receive them properly."
"Damn it," Bruce muttered, scratching the back of his head.
---
Lavishly dressed guests from the six branch families began arriving in elegant carriages pulled by spirited horses. Fireworks lit up the night sky as the decorations around the arena shone brilliantly. The members of the Hoshikawa Hanma family were the first to step out, their formal robes adorned with shimmering jewels. Behind them, the Kozuki Hanma clan made their entrance, their stern expressions commanding respect.
As the guests passed through the towering gates of the Hanma Family Arena, they bowed respectfully to Minato. He stood tall, exuding an air of authority and calm, his sharp gaze scanning each face. Beside him, Bruce stood stiffly, clearly out of his element.
Minato leaned slightly toward Bruce, whispering, "Keep your head up. They'll take any sign of weakness as an insult."
"Fine, fine," Bruce grumbled, his irritation clear as he straightened up.
The arena, with its grandstands and the majestic imperial box reserved for the highest-ranking guests, glimmered under the moonlight. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as anticipation built for the events to come.
The Sky Summit was about to begin.
---
The Gathering of the Heirs
The first guests to arrive were the Takahashi Hanma Clan, led by their imposing family head. At the forefront strode a bold and slightly muscular girl, her confidence radiating with each step.
She halted in front of Bruce, grinning widely.
Kaede: "Yo!" (She waves casually.) "I'm Kaede Takahashi Hanma." (She beats her chest proudly.) "Feel free to squirm, vermin."
Before Bruce could react, a slow exhale of smoke from Minato cut through the air.
Minato: (Raising an eyebrow) "Ho, is this how the heiress of the Takahashi Clan is trained to behave toward the future patriarch... in the presence of the current patriarch?"
A loud thwack echoed as Takahashi Hanma knocked Kaede's head with a solid fist.
Takahashi Hanma: (Bowing slightly) "We apologize for the disturbance, Your Grace. Kaede here only respects the strong, you see." (A sly smirk tugs at his lips.) "Besides... he can only become the patriarch if he lives through this contest."
Minato lowered his tobacco pipe, tapping it lightly against the edge of his chair, before locking eyes with Takahashi Hanma. His next words carried a quiet, ominous weight.
Minato: "Confidence is a fine thing… but misplaced arrogance is how men dig their own graves." (He exhales a slow stream of smoke.) "I do hope your clan knows the difference."
A tense pause filled the air before Takahashi Hanma chuckled.
Takahashi Hanma: "Of course, this is a competition, after all." (He turns, dragging Kaede away by the collar.)
Kaede: "Ow, ow, ow! Come on, Dad—"
Takahashi Hanma: "That's Chief to you, muscle brain!"
They disappeared into the crowd, leaving Minato exhaling another slow stream of smoke.
Minato: "Ha, what a hassle..."
Following behind them were the remaining members of the Takahashi Hanma Clan, soon joined by the Okamoto Hanma Clan and their heir, Haruto Okamoto. Shortly after, the Kozuki Hanma Clan made their entrance, led by their solemn family head, Kozuki Hanma, and their heir, Ren Kozuki.
Minato greeted them with a nod.
Minato: "It's good to see Kozuki Hanma doing well."
Kozuki Hanma: (Bowing slightly) "It's nothing worth your time, Your Grace."
Minato's gaze then shifted toward the younger heir.
Minato: "And how's our little Ren doing?"
Before Ren could respond, Kozuki Hanma spoke, his tone calm yet laced with subtle contempt.
Kozuki Hanma: "I see the young master still hasn't awakened his stigma yet." (He crosses his arms, shaking his head mockingly.) "How is he even expected to win if he can't use that? Well… not that he even stands a chance with it either."
Minato exhaled smoke slowly, his expression unreadable.
Minato: "And what makes you think that?"
Kozuki Hanma: (Smirking) "Simply because… he's weak."
With those final words, Kozuki Hanma turned on his heel and walked away, his clan following suit. Ren, however, lingered for a moment, locking eyes with Bruce. Though he hadn't spoken a word, the enmity between them was clear.
After their departure, a few more families arrived, including the Yamashiro Hanma Clan and their heir, Tsubaki Hanma, and finally, the Hoshikawa Hanma Clan with their heiress, Aika Hoshikawa.
---
As the Hoshikawa Hanma clan approached, their presence carried an air of nobility. At the forefront was Hoshikawa Hanma, the only female chief among the branch families, her every step exuding confidence and authority.
She placed a hand over her mouth, feigning surprise. "Oh my! What an honor for the Patriarch himself to personally welcome us."
Minato exhaled a slow puff from his pipe, the smoke curling around his face before fading into the evening air. "You're probably the only family that has said that today." His gaze shifted. "So, is she the one?" He pointed toward Aika Hoshikawa, the supposed heir.
The young woman crossed her arms, her disinterest palpable. "I refuse."
Hoshikawa Hanma blinked, her expression momentarily cracking. "What?"
"I refuse to marry someone as weak as him," Aika declared, her voice unwavering. "Once Ren-sama wins the competition today, then—"
"—Oh my, would you look at the time?" Hoshikawa Hanma suddenly interjected, cutting off her daughter. Without giving Aika the chance to continue, she turned on her heels. "Come along, Aika. We shouldn't keep the others waiting."
As the Hoshikawa Hanma clan disappeared into the arena, Bruce stood motionless, his expression unreadable.
"Hey, Minato," he said, his voice disturbingly calm. "Is it just me, or are they all looking down on me?"
Minato tapped the side of his pipe, flicking off the ashes. "Your instincts are quite sharp."
Bruce remained silent for a moment, then let out a dry chuckle. "I see..."
A subtle shift occurred in the atmosphere. Though his eyes hadn't changed color, there was an undeniable pressure in the air—a weight that made those nearby unconsciously tense.
Minato recognized it instantly. Golden eyes.
Bruce was pissed.
"Relax," Minato said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "If you lose control now, you'll just be proving them right. Save it for the arena."
Bruce exhaled sharply through his nose and unclenched his fists. "Tch. Fine."
Together, they stepped through the towering entrance of the Hanma Family Arena, the massive gates groaning as they shut behind them.
Minato took another slow drag from his pipe before speaking again.
"The reason they look down on you is simple. From the perspective of a stigma user, you are no different from an ordinary human—blind to the activities happening around you, unaware of the power within you."
Bruce narrowed his eyes.
"Everyone is born with a core," Minato continued, "but most only use it to sustain their life force. A stigma serves as an intermediary, allowing its user to tap into their core's true potential."
Bruce instinctively touched his chest, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Without a stigma, you're just living a mundane life, unaware that there's more. Those without one are called unawakened, or lessers, because in the presence of a stigma user, they are no better than insects."
Bruce clenched his jaw. "So how do I awaken?"
Minato exhaled another puff of smoke, a knowing glint in his one good eye. "There are two methods—the natural awakening method, and the jump-start method, also known as artificial awakening."
Bruce frowned. "Which one do I use?"
Minato smirked. "Don't worry. There's a 90% probability that you'll awaken your stigma today."
Bruce scoffed. "Tch. You sure about that?"
Minato simply smiled.
"Why don't we find out?"
---