Children rarely understand the reasons behind their first, most profound impressions. A swirl of tastes, colors, feelings, and instincts accumulates in their memory, forming an indelible mark, yet no explanation for their fascination ever feels entirely certain.
Kageno Minoru was no exception.
From an early age—perhaps inspired by a superhero sentai show or a fleeting phrase from an old, forgotten radio program—he became captivated by the idea of an "eminence in the shadows." What began as a vague childhood admiration soon evolved into an unyielding ambition, a singular goal that consumed him: to embody such a figure at all costs.
This obsession shaped his every interest. Manga, novels, and any narrative resource he could access became tools to study this enigmatic role. How did the character operate? What did they say? How strong were they compared to the protagonists? How did they maintain their secrecy? Every question fed his curiosity and strengthened his resolve.
Like many children, his imagination ran wild with answers—answers that were often absurd or impractical. But unlike most, for whom such fantasies fade with time, Kageno's desire burned brighter as he grew older. What others dismissed as a fleeting childhood phase became, for him, a lifelong pursuit.
This relentless drive to embody his vision of an "eminence in the shadows" carried him into adolescence and beyond. Even as he gained what society calls common sense, even as others set aside their childhood dreams, Kageno's peculiar aspiration only deepened. It was no passing fancy; it was his identity.
Kageno Minoru's first serious step toward achieving his grand mission was to master as many martial arts as he could. Karate, Kendo, Judo, Boxing, and more became part of his growing repertoire, driven by an unshakable belief that, one day, these skills would serve his greater purpose.
At school, he maintained the unassuming guise of an ordinary, forgettable student. He was the embodiment of a generic Mob A character from a visual novel or an extra C who might momentarily pique curiosity in a random online video. However, this mundane persona was a façade that he upheld strictly during school hours. Beyond the classroom, his life was defined by relentless physical training and preparation. Kageno Minoru was, by all accounts, a peculiar youth.
It was during one of his nightly jogs that fate introduced him to two equally peculiar individuals. While they didn't share his specific aspirations, these new acquaintances were rare specimens in their own right. One was a hulking, rotund figure with a surprisingly gentle demeanor, and the other was a lanky giant whose height seemed out of place for his age.
With this comical duo by his side, Kageno not only honed his physical prowess but also cultivated expertise in intelligence-gathering and refined methods to embody his ideal "eminence in the shadows." These interactions broadened his perspective, exposing him to unconventional ideas and eccentric aspirations often dismissed by societal norms. Together, they explored realms of ambition and imagination that most would never dare to tread.
As adolescence reached its peak, doubts began to gnaw at his once unshakable resolve. The harsh knock of reality became an increasingly frequent intruder. In the cryptic words of General Zaimokuza: "The visions of the unholy world will twist your ideals and mark your path with failure," or as the great Bodhisattva once proclaimed: "Reality is a lie. Face it with honor, or perish in shame."
He didn't fully grasp the meaning behind these words, but they served as a sort of skewed encouragement—a reminder that brute physical strength alone was insufficient for the role he sought to embody.
No matter how many martial arts or techniques he trained into his body, they could never meet the otherworldly demands of his vision. At best, his strength could handle a small armed platoon. But the idea of a "shadow eminence" being bested by an average soldier F? That would be laughable, a mockery of his aspirations. Clearly, he needed alternatives to ensure absolute victory in all circumstances.
This realization forced him out of his comfort zone. The rigid archetype of a nondescript "mob" character, while useful, had limitations. Remaining perpetually crestfallen and devoid of presence wouldn't always align with his plans. His research into fictional franchises revealed an overlooked nuance: the effectiveness of the mob role depended heavily on context. An A2 mob could manifest eccentricities without attracting undue attention, while an A1 mob, too flat and predictable, might paradoxically invite suspicion.
The worst-case scenario? Deviating so far from the background that he inadvertently stumbled into the meddling protagonist archetype—or worse, became one. Such a fate was utterly unacceptable, a catastrophic derailment from his life's purpose.
To succeed, Kageno Minoru realized, he needed to balance subtlety and adaptability, crafting a persona that could seamlessly navigate the shadows without ever losing control of the narrative.
And so, as a reward for these profound reflections about his life's purpose, Kageno decided to recruit his peculiar companions as his first subordinates—a necessary step toward establishing his grand vision. Yet, this decision was constantly delayed due to their irreconcilable clash of ideals. A reincarnated, forgotten god; a demonic general from a bygone era; and an "eminence in the shadows"—a mix destined to spark endless debates over the modus operandi of their theoretical organization.
"What do I need to avoid losing to a ballistic missile?" Kageno pondered aloud during one of his many dramatic reflections.
"General Hachiman, Shadow of Twilight has begun monologuing again! And this time, he's doing it out loud... Should we join him in his deep meditation?" Yoshiteru quipped, his voice dripping with exaggerated reverence.
"A super punch? A steel body? Infinite endurance? Or maybe, powerful armor?" Kageno continued, ignoring the interruption, his eyes gleaming with determination.
"Let it go, Yoshiteru," Hikigaya intoned solemnly. "This is a necessary exercise in achieving inner peace."
"No," Kageno declared firmly. "None of those will do. What I need is something else—something beyond mere physical strength. A power unlike any other. Yes... magic power, aura, ki... anything of that nature."
"YOOOOOOOOOOOOSH! I see you've finally grasped it!" Zaimokuza exclaimed, his arms spread wide. "Divinity is nothing but a chain upon your mind. Go beyond it, Twilight-san. Break free!"
"Wrong answer, Zaimokuza," Hikigaya countered dryly. "I think you're missing the point. Shadow, are you sure you've set your priorities straight?"
"Then what, Bodhisattva-san? The eminence in the shadows I aspire to be will never crumble, not even before a missile. This world offers few viable options," said Kageno, his voice heavy with dramatic resolve.
"First, Shadow-san, don't reveal my avatar so recklessly. Second, if you can't defeat them, join them. Third, relying on unknown forces as your sole and ultimate solution is shortsighted," replied Hikigaya, exuding his trademark mix of cynicism and pragmatism.
"Exceptional, as expected of a divine conscience. I deeply regret my earlier affront to your wisdom," Zaimokuza declared, striking an exaggerated salute.
"Elementary, General. But honestly, you always manage to add unnecessarily sharp remarks," Hikigaya countered, rolling his eyes.
"Does that mean... I should become atomic?" Kageno asked, his face a curious blend of earnestness and mischief.
"Your body's already made of atoms; no need for redundancies," Hikigaya shot back, adjusting his imaginary glasses. "Wouldn't it make more sense to elevate all your abilities to their peak? Although, I'm getting déjà vu from this conversation. What's the limit of your ideal?"
"I believe the power I seek lies beyond the grasp of mere sanity. It surely resides within the depths of madness itself," Kageno mused, a glimmer of unshakable determination in his eyes.
"Impressive," Zaimokuza intoned, nodding sagely.
"I respect your ambitions," Hikigaya interjected, his voice tinged with skepticism, "but aren't you afraid of dying in the process?"
"Kukukuku, as if death could scare me? It would simply offer me a new world to conquer!" Kageno laughed darkly, his voice dripping with the usual bravado.
"Oi, Yoshiteru, it's fine to say it like that, but don't hide behind me. Besides, I wasn't talking about your death. The question was for Shadow," Hikigaya interjected, his tone dry and matter-of-fact.
"Then should I postpone the search for magic to broaden my horizons?" Minoru asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Until you truly understand what you're up against, you'll always lose. Or, you can continue to perfect what little you've mastered, just like RecklessGeneral-san," Hikigaya replied, his words edged with cynicism.
"More imposing than any strategy, authority must always lead the charge," Zaimokuza declared with a self-assured grin.
"Don't drag me into your endless defeats against a mere human, Losserteru-san," Hikigaya retorted, glancing at the general with a raised eyebrow.
"Ha, being abandoned by a comrade is nothing new. What do you say, Shadow-san? Unlike reincarnation, we still have unlimited potential. Join me and you'll have half the world," Zaimokuza said, his voice a mix of challenge and jest.
"Nah, I'll pass. That's not my goal," Kageno responded, his voice unwavering as he dismissed the offer.
However, as the new school year began, the thoughtful nightly conversations Kageno had come to look forward to came to an abrupt end. Their paths diverged in an instant. Like a cruel twist of fate, they vanished after reporting changes in their lives. In reality, they were simply changing addresses.
To the misfortune of the trio, none of them realized the significance of their last meeting that year. Being disconnected from online media played a part: Minoru didn't see the point of it, Hachiman was engrossed in practicing complicated kanji, and Yoshiteru spent his free time purchasing outlandish outfits. They failed to exchange contact details or even mention where they'd be moving to. It was a casual sadness, the kind that often befalls groups brought together by shared ideas and interests, only to part ways without fanfare.
Their paths would not cross again—until that day.
"Ah, Bodhisattva-san."
For reasons Minoru couldn't comprehend, his former comrade froze at the sight of him. It was as if an invisible threshold had been crossed, one that led to a new world. Adding to the strangeness, two strikingly beautiful girls stopped mid-step and turned their attention to him.
"Hikki, is he a friend of yours?" asked a pink-haired girl, her expression curious.
"From the way he addressed you, is he another... unusual acquaintance of yours, Rarigaya-kun?" inquired a serene beauty, her demeanor befitting a true yamato nadeshiko.