Inside a large living room, two sofas faced each other with a low wooden table in between. To the right was a big TV sitting on a table, flanked by bookshelves on both sides, giving off a quiet, bookworm vibe.
One wall had a huge window with the curtains drawn open, letting in plenty of sunlight.
Seated on the sofas were the commanders of the Sixth and Seventh Units, with their team members standing behind them. Everyone was in casual clothes since this wasn't an official meeting—just an informal visit.
Himari had guided Commander Tenka and her second-in-command into the room, while Yuuki quickly got dressed and prepared refreshments. He brewed a calming herbal tea and brought it in just as Tenka settled comfortably into her seat.
Yuuki walked over to the table, set out the cups, and poured the hot tea for both commanders. He even placed sugar blocks on a small dish, letting them sweeten it to their liking. The sunlight through the window lit up the back of his white T-shirt as he stood beside Nei, taking position like a dutiful guard behind the sofa where Kyouka sat.
Tenka kept her gaze fixed on Yuuki the whole time, and Kyouka noticed. She assumed it was because of Yuuki's status—being both a man and her slave—but something deeper was going on in Tenka's mind. The warm and gentle commander of the Sixth Unit, with her soft Onee-chan aura, picked up the teacup and brought it to her plump, rosy lips.
She took a sip and sighed, the calming herbs spreading over her tongue.
"Mmm~!"
"Slave-kun brewed a tasty cup of tea!" she said sweetly, looking at Yuuki with kind eyes. But Yuuki sensed there was something more behind that look—something he couldn't quite put his finger on.
Kyouka smiled faintly, crossing her right leg over her left. She leaned forward, resting her chin on the back of her hand. "So, what brings you here, Tenka?"
Tenka took another sip, her feather earring swaying lightly as she nodded. "You must have seen the government notice, Kyou-chin… It's about that humanoid Shuuki you encountered."
Kyouka remembered. It was the same day they encountered that humanoid Shuuki and the terrifying One-Horned type. She had immediately reported it to the higher-ups, understanding how serious the threat was. If left unchecked, that creature could easily kill dozens—possibly more. It was as strong, if not stronger, than a unit commander.
The average soldier wouldn't stand a chance.
And then there was Yuuki's comment. He believed that humanoid Shuuki was his sister. Kyouka had thought about it long and hard—whether to report that part or not. In the end, she decided against it. If the higher-ups got wind of it, they might use Yuuki to bait or blackmail that Shuuki woman. That would mean losing her loyal "pet dog" and the dorm caretaker.
And maybe it was just a coincidence. Maybe Yuuki simply imagined the resemblance because of his lost sister.
To others, Kyouka might seem cold, treating Yuuki like a tool. But to her, power was everything. She had sworn to eliminate all Shuuki—and Yuuki had power. That made him valuable. Valuable enough to protect.
Eventually, the organization reviewed her report and reached a decision.
Tenka continued, "Each squad has always had its own way of doing things. We've mostly acted independently, and that's worked… But now, it seems we need to work more closely."
Kyouka paused before replying. "I see. That's all?"
But before Tenka could answer, her second-in-command, Yachiho Azuma, raised her hand with a scowl. "I don't know if it's a new strain of Shuuki or whatever, but if your squad had wiped them out properly, none of this would've happened."
Her tone was sharp and venomous.
The room went silent.
Yachiho wasn't done.
"I heard the Vice Commander of the Seventh Unit was taken down by the humanoid Shuuki and lost consciousness. How pathetic."
Her words cut like a knife. Her gaze was locked on Himari, who clenched her fists tightly, shoulders trembling with guilt and shame.
Kyouka stayed silent, staring at Yachiho with a dull expression.
"You always drag the Azuma name through the mud, Himari!" Yachiho's face twisted into something unbearable. Like a spoiled brat desperate to be smacked.
Yuuki's hand itched. He was really holding back the urge to slap her across the face. (Honestly, do beautiful women lose brain cells with every compliment they get?)
In his mind, he had already turned into Sukuna—ready to curse three generations of her family.
"Why don't you just go home and cry like a little girl?" Yachiho was about to throw in another jab, but—
"Granted, you were right to prioritize your people's safety, Kyou-chin," Tenka interjected, cutting her off. "Actually, the Third Unit had a run-in with them too. A different one, not the one you faced."
She sighed. "They were completely wrecked. They'll be out of commission for a while, I believe."
"That means there's more than one…" Kyouka leaned back on the sofa, her expression serious. "So, it's true—we do need to coordinate more."
Just as the atmosphere started to lighten, and Yuuki was about to calm the Sukuna inside him, Yachiho opened her mouth again.
"And while we trust you, Commander Kyouka… some of us feel uneasy about trusting our backs to your squad."
This time, she wasn't even subtle.
Kyouka raised an eyebrow. She noticed Himari trembling now, her glare sharp but silent.
She could've responded, and made Yachiho apologize on the spot. Sure, Kyouka's emotional outburst was a blunder that day. But insulting her chosen team? Unacceptable.
But before she could speak—
"Can you stop making that constipated face?" Yuuki said flatly, his expression blank and saint-like. "Some of us feel uneasy… What if you fart and suffocate everyone in here?"
Dead silence.
Tenka nearly spat out her tea, choking back laughter.
Shushu covered her mouth, shoulders shaking.
Even Himari couldn't hold back anymore—she let out a chuckle, unable to keep it in. Meanwhile, Yachiho's face twisted in horror, turning bright red.
Yuuki met Tenka's gaze with a sweet smile.
She smiled back.
But the tension was rising again, and Kyouka could sense it. Not wanting her living room to explode into chaos, she cut in with a sharp, decisive tone.
"It's necessary we assess the real strength of each squad. Why don't we hold a Mato inter-squad tournament?"
"You make a strong point, Kyou-chin," Tenka nodded. "I'll request approval from the higher-ups. That should give us a few days to prepare."
"Perfect."
And just like that, the Mato Inter-Squad Tournament between the Sixth and Seventh Units was set. Tenka and Yachiho returned to their dorm soon after.
Yuuki stood there, still glowing from the satisfaction of putting Yachiho in her place.
But then Himari started walking toward him—and he suddenly got a very bad feeling.