Esdeath stood within a silent cemetery. Before her were three newly erected graves. She carefully placed a bouquet of flowers on each and whispered to the cold stone.
"Liver, Nyau, Daidara... you failed. That means you were weak, and it is only natural for the weak to be eliminated."
She traced the carvings on the headstones. "My poor subordinates. Between Night Raid and this 'Kamen Rider,' I can do nothing else but avenge you."
She turned and began to walk away, her cloak fluttering in the wind. "The Teigu users I requested arrive tomorrow. I've heard of their... unique habits. Perhaps I should play with them a little."
…
A young man with dark blue hair, wearing a coat that matched his locks, trudged through the capital streets. Slung over his back was a large, leaky bag filled with fish. Their heads poked through holes in the fabric, gasping for air in rhythm with his footsteps.
"My name is Wave! I am a man of the sea, and I serve in the Imperial Navy!"
"I've been scouted for a special force in the capital. To put it bluntly: a promotion! This is also my first time in the big city."
"I didn't want to be looked down on as a country bumpkin, so I wore these super, super cool clothes to look like a city dweller!"
Wave marched forward with confidence, oblivious to the fact that the crowds were actively parting to stay far away from him.
"When I left home, everyone was so impressed! And my mom picked out some seafood as a gift for me to bring. Everything is perfect; I'm not standing out at all. She said it would be rude to show up empty-handed."
"Just... why is everyone looking at me like I'm a freak? Is there something wrong with me?"
The people on the street formed a literal path for Wave, whispering about the "smelly country boy" or "the fish guy." Wave twitched his lips awkwardly.
"Whatever! I am a man who has fought fierce pirates and terrifying sea monsters! Small things like this can't stop me!"
He entered the magnificent Imperial Palace, the largest structure he had ever seen. Following the directions provided, he stood before the designated meeting room.
"My new comrades must be in here. First impressions are everything! I can't let them have a bad image of me!"
Recalling his grandfather's advice to be proactive when joining a new group, Wave plastered on a confident smile and threw the doors open.
"Good afternoon! I have been summoned from the Navy—"
Wave's voice died in his throat. His confident smile withered like a dying flower. The room was empty save for one massive man wearing a leather executioner's mask that completely hid his face. He looked terrifying, and worse, he was staring directly at Wave.
"Sorry, wrong room!"
Wave slammed the door shut and slid down against it, his heart hammering against his ribs.
"That was definitely a torture chamber. So scary..."
He double-checked his instructions, then looked at the sign on the door. It clearly read: Meeting Room.
"It is here? So... that scary guy is my new teammate!"
He visualized the masked man slowly approaching him in the dark. Cold sweat poured down his face. But he had no choice; he had to go back in.
"He... hello..."
Wave crept back inside. Wanting to avoid attention, he said nothing more. He walked to the long table in the center of the room, chose the seat furthest away from the masked man, and sat down, gripping his thighs tightly.
The masked giant turned his head to follow Wave's every move. Wave didn't dare look back. He didn't even dare to breathe.
Hey, hey... what is wrong with him? Why is he staring at me!! Mom, I want to go home!!
Click.
The door opened again. A young girl walked in with short black hair, wearing a black dress and a sword at her hip. It was Kurome.
"A normal girl!" Wave felt like he'd won the lottery. If his only teammate was the scary masked guy, he would have cried.
Kurome pulled out the chair directly opposite Wave and sat down. She placed a large bag of cookies on the table and began to snack. Wave saw an opening and tried to break the ice.
"Hey... hi! I'm Wave, and you're—"
Kurome suddenly hugged her bag of cookies protectively, startling him. "You're not getting any."
Dammit! Another weirdo! Wave retreated to his seat.
"Sorry for bothering you..."
Between the cookie-obsessed girl and the masked man staring at him, Wave was on the verge of tears. What kind of hellscape was this?
The door opened for the third time. A girl in a green military uniform with brown hair entered, accompanied by a small beast. It was Seryu Ubiquitous and Coro.
"Pardon me!"
Her arms, which had been severed by Sheele, were now replaced by gleaming metallic prosthetics. She and Coro snapped into a perfect military salute. In her other hand, she held a bouquet of roses.
"I am Seryu Ubiquitous of the Imperial Guard! And this is Coro!"
"Kiu kiu!"
Wave beamed. Finally, a normal person! But his joy vanished when Seryu tossed the flowers into the air and bowed low.
"Dr. Stylist, everything is prepared!"
A man with purple hair, wearing glasses, a yellow suit, and a white lab coat entered. He adjusted his glasses and murmured to himself.
"One must always care... about the first impression... that is the essence of Stylist! Like a true gentleman."
"Another one... no, two more psychos!" Wave was catatonic at this point.
Stylist glanced at Wave and covered his mouth. "Oh my, one look and I can tell you're a country bumpkin. Though, you are quite handsome. I could polish you up and make you much better. Let's get along!"
Stylist winked. Wave felt goosebumps erupt all over his skin. His fragile soul was shattering. He was being "targeted"!
"Hello. It seems I am the last to arrive."
A sixth person entered—a handsome blond man with a feather-like ornament in his hair.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Wave," the sailor said tentatively.
"I am Run. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Wave froze. A normal answer! He lunged forward, grabbing Run's hand as if he'd found a long-lost brother. Finally! A normal human being!
The masked giant stopped staring at Wave. He returned from a side counter with a tray of tea.
"Everyone... I've made some tea."
He placed a cup before each of the five members, clutching the empty tray shyly—if "shy" was a word that could even be applied to such a man.
"Forgive me. I was the first to arrive but didn't say anything. I'm what they call the 'timid' type... so I was very nervous. I believe I am the oldest here... so I summoned my courage to speak. I am Bols, of the Incineration Squad."
Stylist glanced at Bols and turned away disinterestedly. "The Incineration Squad... the ones who burn everything, whether objects or people. No wonder he looks like that... not my type."
The door opened one final time. A woman in a military uniform wearing a mask walked in. She said nothing as she approached the table.
"Uh, who's this?" Wave asked, confused. The woman stood before them and raised her voice.
"What are you all doing here?"
"Hey, look, we were ordered to gather—"
BAM!
The woman kicked Wave in the stomach. The force was so great he flew out of his seat and slammed into the wall, leaving a massive crack in the stone.
"An assassin could be anyone. Don't let your guard down."
She lunged at Run, forcing him back, then effortlessly tripped Seryu as the girl tried to counter-attack from behind.
"You there, not bad reflexes," she said to Run. "And you, when you're launching a sneak attack, don't leak your killing intent."
Kurome dashed forward, a cookie still in her mouth. Her sword cleared its scabbard, several slashes whistling through the air.
"Even if you aren't serious, I won't hold back," Kurome mumbled.
"So that is Yatsufusa. A terrifying Teigu indeed."
The woman's mask cracked, revealing Esdeath's face. The room fell into a stunned silence.
"General Esdeath!"
"Our captain... is just as weird as the rest of them..." Wave groaned as he stood up, feeling like his future had just turned pitch black.
"Did I surprise you? A normal greeting would have been too boring."
As the sun began to set, Esdeath, now in a black suit, walked down an open corridor. Behind her followed the members of the special unit, all dressed in matching black suits.
"No, I've grown accustomed to difficult situations," Run noted politely.
"We should thank the Captain for the lesson!" Seryu added enthusiastically.
"Very well. We are going to a banquet, followed by an audience with the Emperor."
"We... we get to meet him?"
"Isn't it a bit early for the first day?"
"I need to clear away the nuisances first," Esdeath said coldly. "But first, General Esdeath, what is our organization called?"
Esdeath looked out over the capital. "We are the only organization authorized to pursue traitors without mercy. The Special Police Force: The Jaegers."