The vast chamber of the capital's council shimmered under the weight of power. The very air felt thick with Renshi, pressing down on even the strongest hearts. Golden pillars stretched high, and at the far center stood a single golden throne-like chair, untouched and waiting.
At the edges, the five reinforcements sat on the last row of chairs. They were the lowest-ranked Shinras in the room, and even sitting here was both an honor and a curse. Before them were gathered titans—five god Slaying Knights, the pinnacle of human strength, and five Cultivating god Slaying Knights, seasoned SHINRAS walking the path to ascend beyond.
The god Slaying Knights looked almost relaxed: four men, one woman, their presence sharp yet unbothered, like hunters waiting for prey. The Cultivators, older in age, bore faces carved by discipline, their aura more rigid, their expressions carrying the weight of centuries.
The pressure in the room was unbearable. Every breath felt like inhaling fire.
This… this is insane. Just sitting near them feels like I'm sinking into a void, Fladigo thought, gritting his teeth as his eyes shifted to Onamuchi.
"Don't look at me," Onamuchi's voice echoed in his mind through telepathy. "I'm as shocked as you are. They're young, but their strength is—"
Onamuchi suddenly clutched his head with a cry of pain.
"You are not permitted to use telepathy here, brat," one of the Cultivating god Slaying Knights spoke, his voice cold, eyes still closed, arms folded as if in meditation. "Whatever you want to say—say it aloud. To the council."
Voldigo stood abruptly, anger flashing in his eyes. "You don't give the orders here, old man! Why interfere with our business?"
The Cultivator opened his eyes slowly. A gaze sharper than steel pierced into Voldigo, and in that instant, his defiance shattered. His body trembled as if crushed beneath an invisible weight, sweat pouring down his temple.
"Y-you…" Voldigo's teeth ground together, his voice weak. "The aura from your eyes… it's suffocating… I can't even breathe—"
"Pardon his manners, we apologize on behalf of the reinforcements," Fushira stood quickly, bowing low, his tone steady but hiding his own fear.
"Tch. Can't even hold their composure for five minutes. Pathetic," Vedora muttered under his breath, arms crossed, eyes sharp but calm.
Before more words could be exchanged, the chamber itself shattered.
Behind the golden empty chair, reality broke apart like glass. Darkness bled into the room, stretching infinitely, a wound in space itself. From within, a single step echoed, heavy and absolute.
A middle-aged man emerged. His golden cape trailed with divine precision, his presence alone enough to silence the entire hall,his aura changing the room atmosphere, it vanish in an instant as he calmly withdrew it back inside himself. The shattered void sealed behind him as though it had never existed.
The reinforcements froze, their blood running cold.
This is Miyamoto…
We thought he was just some figurehead with the title. But… no. He's something else. He's more than just a Shinra,he's indeed worthy to be called the strongest SHINRA.
He walked unhurriedly to the golden chair, each step echoing like judgment. Sitting with legs crossed, his sharp gaze swept the room.
"There's no need to tremble. We are all Shinras here," Miyamoto's voice rolled with authority. Then his tone hardened, slicing the air like a blade. "Now. Let's speak of Fedora."
The silence broke like thunder.
"A shocking event," one of the god Slaying Knights said calmly. "No one thought one of them would still roam freely after all these years."
"What do you think we should do?" Miyamoto pressed. His eyes moved from face to face, leaving no corner untouched.
"I need every opinion. Here and now. Including you kids—" his sharp gaze flicked at the five reinforcements—"what did they call you again."
"Reinforcement, sir," Fushira replies.
"Ah, yes. Reinforcement. Almost forgot." His lips curled faintly.
"Bah. What use are they? They're just Weaklings,I don't see their use," the same Cultivator from earlier scoffed. "How can such people possibly maintain the country's peace—"
"Shut up, Long," Miyamoto's voice snapped like a whip, slamming the chamber into silence.
The Cultivator froze.
"I didn't ask for your opinion. You think yourself strong? Then fine. Go face Fedora yourself. there will be nothing of you left if you dare." Miyamoto's gaze sharpened further. "Overestimate yourself again, and I will personally remind you of your place."
"…My apologies," Long bowed, voice trembling, his pride crushed.
Miyamoto leaned back. "This matter will be left to the god Slaying Knights. Track Fedora. Trace his aura to where he last appeared. Your mission begins there."
He turned, eyes falling on the god SLAYING knight seated closest to him. "Suzuki."
"Of course, Master," Suzuki replied firmly, bowing his head.
"What about us, Master?" another god SLAYING knight asked. "Are we just going to sit around while he gets all the fun?"
"Of course not," Miyamoto said with a sly tone. "You will have your assignments. But I won't tell you what exactly. Figure it out yourselves." His gaze shifted. "Takahashi."
"Damn it. Not this again," Takahashi muttered with an exhale.
"I'm glad it's Suzuki again. Saves me the trouble," Sato said, grinning in relief.
"Why does he always get the main errands?!" Tanaka, the sole woman among them, protested, her fist slamming into the armrest of her chair.
"Calm down, Tanaka," Miyamoto replied dryly. "Suzuki is cool-headed. Unlike you, who tends to solve problems with… fists."
"I don't beat people up without reason!" she snapped.
"Debatable," Watanabe muttered with folded arms,I remember I don't beat people up,his expression unreadable.
"Alright, enough," Miyamoto's voice cut them off. His gaze swept the room one final time. "Suzuki. Watanabe. You will handle this matter. As for the rest—Do what you got to do.
With that, his form vanished like smoke, the void swallowing him instantly.
The room exhaled in silence.
Tanaka rose to her feet, arms stretched. "Then I guess the cultivators are mine. I'll keep myself busy while Suzuki and Watanabe are away."
"Fine, fine. I'll take the five huh reinforcement," Sato stood as well, glancing at the reinforcements.
Takahashi smirked,I guess I'm alone as always.
Sato replies him immediately
You can join me,the five won't be of much help anyways I think I need an extra hand.
Takahashi tone immediately with excitement. "Finally, I'm not left out of the game."
"We'll work together, Takahashi. With the help of these five, maybe it won't be that boring," Sato added.
"Heh. Not boring at all," Takahashi said, eyes glinting dangerously.
The god Slaying Knights stood one by one, their shadows long and heavy against the walls, and left the chamber,the others does same including the five reinforcement and the cultivating god SLAYING KNIGHTS.