The warehouse was so silent that every breath seemed to echo.
Two hundred thousand Kogane Dragons stood ready—shoulder to shoulder, spine straight, eyes locked on their king.
Zumi didn't speak immediately.
He turned first…
to Gia.
She stood only a few steps away, holding her tablet, sharp and efficient as always—but when her eyes met Zumi's, that efficiency melted instantly.
Without warning, Zumi reached forward, took her by the waist, and pulled her into him.
Gasps rippled through the Dragons.
Gia didn't resist.
She didn't stiffen.
She didn't even hesitate.
Her entire body softened the moment he touched her—
because her devotion to Zumi had already passed the point of return.
She would let him do anything he wanted.
No questions.
No hesitation.
No limits.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she couldn't even lift her gaze to meet his.
Serafina smirked.
Bia gave a proud grin like a mother watching her daughter fall in love.
Hina crossed her arms, nodding as if this was the most normal thing in the world.
The Dragons?
They were simply stunned.
Their king held command not through fear — but through absolute devotion.
Zumi leaned in, voice smooth, low, teasing:
"How's my little hawk?"
Gia's breath hitched.
"I… I'm good," she whispered, trembling.
"I missed you."
"Oh? Did you now?"
She nodded weakly, blushing even harder — the cutest expression any of them had ever seen.
Zumi took her tablet right out of her hands and—with a flick of his fingers—
stored it inside his System Inventory.
It vanished into thin air.
A visible ripple of shock tore through the Dragons.
"D-Did he just…?"
"Was that teleportation?"
"Dimensional magic??"
Hina didn't react at all — she'd seen it a dozen times.
Bia didn't flinch.
Serafina raised one brow, impressed.
"Dimensional storage… and he does it casually," she murmured.
"Interesting."
Zumi kissed Gia softly on the lips —
then on the forehead —
before letting her go.
He turned to face the army.
Instant silence.
"My Dragons," Zumi said, voice resonating like thunder in the warehouse.
"After this meeting, I return to New York City."
A wave of emotion rolled through the crowd — excitement, nerves, anticipation.
"And things are happening sooner than planned."
Murmurs erupted — until Zumi raised a single hand.
Instant silence.
"You will be receiving your uniforms today.
And the First and Second Division will be coming with me to New York City."
The room exploded with cheers.
Energy surged like lightning.
Voices thundered off the steel walls.
Zumi let them have their moment —
then lifted his hand again.
Silence crashed down like a wave.
Zumi pulled Gia forward slightly.
"This," he said, "is Gia."
Every Dragon straightened even further.
"She is my official second.
If she gives you an order…
you treat it the same as if it came from me.
No questions asked."
"UNDERSTOOD!"
The Dragons roared as one.
Serafina chuckled.
"They learn fast."
Zumi lifted his chin toward the back of the warehouse.
Jonathan stepped forward — tall, stoic, with the aura of a knight who served only one king in this world.
Zumi spoke:
"When the First and Second Division move to the hotel, he is the one in charge of everything inside it."
No hesitation.
No disagreement.
"The only people who can override Jonathan's orders…
are myself —
and Gia."
The First and Second Division saluted sharply.
"YES, COMMANDER!"
Zumi nodded once.
Jonathan moved to the truck and unlatched the back.
The doors swung open—
And revealed crate after crate, packed floor to ceiling.
Uniforms.
Perfect.
Black.
Deadly.
Regal.
Jonathan and Gia stepped aside so everyone could see.
The Uniforms were black bomber-style jacket, tailored sleek and tight, made for mobility and intimidation.
On the back:
A large circular emblem bordered in gold. Inside the circle: A purple phoenix, wings flared A golden serpentine dragon, swirling toward it Both forming a perfect yin-yang of fire and shadow Above the emblem: こがね — "Kogane" in elegant golden Japanese script Beneath it: KOGANE in bold, royal gold letters
The material shimmered subtly, enchanted with durability and impact resistance.
A uniform no gang in history had ever worn.
This wasn't clothing.
This was allegiance.
The commanders wore something entirely different: long, black tactical trench coats—heavy, armored, elite.
The coat extended past the knees, reinforced with layered plating hidden under the fabric.
On the back:
The same phoenix-and-dragon emblem, massive and vibrant Golden embroidery that almost glowed. Above the emblem: ずみ (Zumi) in stylized calligraphy Beneath: ZUMI, declaring absolute authority
This was the King's version — but each Division Commander would have their own name embroidered in golden lettering.
It was a coat that made the wearer look like a dark general stepping out of legend.
When the Dragons saw it, they erupted again.
"That's insane!" "Look at that embroidery!" "Is that real gold thread??" "This looks like something a god would wear—!"
Serafina smirked proudly.
"He does," she whispered.
Jonathan began distributing crates. Gia coordinated the lines with flawless efficiency.
The Dragons handled the uniforms like sacred relics.
And Zumi?
He watched them with steady, burning pride.
This was no gang anymore.
This was an army.
His army.
And soon… the entire world would know the name:
KOGANE.
The warehouse vibrated with energy as the crates opened and uniforms were distributed. A low murmur spread across the massive crowd—anticipation, awe, pride—like a rising storm.
Then, piece by piece…
Two hundred thousand Kogane Dragons put on their uniforms.
The moment the jackets slid onto their backs, the air itself changed.
A subtle hum, like static before lightning. A pressure, faint but unmistakable, rolled through the room.
Hina blinked. Serafina smirked. Gia exhaled softly.
Even Bia's eyes widened.
The Dragons stared at their hands, their shoulders, their bodies—
"What is this feeling…?" "I feel… stronger?" "Is this enhanced?"
Zumi nodded.
"Those uniforms are made from enchanted fiber," he explained. "Durable. Qi-conductive. Wearing them increases your physical output by 5%."
Gasps spread like wildfire.
A 5% increase wasn't small— not for trained fighters. Not for an army.
Two hundred thousand people now stood a little taller, moved a little sharper, felt a little more unstoppable.
Some clenched their fists. Others stretched their shoulders, feeling the new strength. Some simply stood straighter, pride swelling in their chests.
For the first time…
They looked like a true legion.
Zumi handed Reina a long, black, commander's coat—neatly folded, heavy with authority.
She froze.
Her fingers shook slightly as she unfolded it.
The golden emblem blazed across the back, phoenix and dragon intertwined in perfect symmetry. But her eyes locked onto the bottom, where embroidery glowed in regal gold:
REINA
Her name.
Her coat.
Her rank.
Her identity renewed.
She hugged it to her chest for a moment— a small, almost childlike gesture she would've died before letting anyone else witness.
But here… with Zumi, and her new sisters… she allowed herself to feel it.
She slipped it on, adjusting the collar. The fabric hugged her shoulders like it was made for her alone. She ran her hands down the coat, and her eyes softened.
She smiled.
A real smile.
Something rare, radiant, unforgettable.
Bia beamed proudly. Hina clapped softly. Serafina smirked with approval.
"You wear it well," Zumi said.
Reina bowed her head, cheeks warm.
"Thank you… my King."
One by one, the other commanders donned their coats:
Magnus Virel — Former Iron Saints Commander Drex Vane — Former Bulldogs Commander Riku Zanari — Former Blood Rats Commander Reina Kurosawa — Former Yorkdale Destroyers Commander
Each coat bore their names across the back in blazing gold.
As they stood together—
A line of four generals before their king—
The Dragons erupted in cheers.
"COMMANDERS!!!" "LOOK AT THEM!" "THEY LOOK LIKE A NEW ERA!"
The warehouse shook with energy.
When Zumi finally picked up his own coat, the Dragons fell silent.
Not quiet.
Silent.
A hush of reverence.
He slid his arms through the sleeves, gripping the collar before pulling it fully into place.
The weight of command. The aura of a king. The presence of a force the underworld had never seen.
The golden ずみ glowed on his shoulders.
And when he finally straightened…
Even the air bowed to him.
Serafina bit her lip. Hina's cheeks warmed. Gia nearly melted. Bia exhaled, eyes shining with devotion.
The Dragons?
They saw a king.
Their king.
Zumi stepped forward.
Every Dragon stood rigid, uniform crisp, aura sharp.
Zumi's voice thundered across the warehouse:
"You are no longer slum rats. No longer scattered gangs. No longer forgotten."
He raised his fist.
"You are the Kogane Dragons. My army. My shield. My sword."
Their uniforms shimmered under the lights.
"You will rise with me. Grow with me. Fight with me."
His voice deepened—raw, commanding, immortal.
"And together… we will build an empire the world cannot ignore."
Roars erupted.
"YES, COMMANDER!!!" "LONG LIVE KOGANE!!!" "WE FOLLOW YOU TO THE END!!!"
Zumi raised his hand.
Silence obeyed.
Zumi nodded toward the trucks lined outside the warehouse.
The Dragons of the First and Second Divisions marched in formation—
50,000 fighters per division. United. Clad in black and gold. Ready to serve their king.
As they boarded, they shouted farewells to the Third and Fourth.
"We'll see you soon!" "Hold the slums down!" "Kogane Dragons forever!"
Zumi turned one last time to the remaining divisions.
"You protect this city," he commanded. "It is my first territory. Anyone who threatens it… dies."
"YES, COMMANDER!!!"
He nodded once—firm, fatherly.
Bia hugged him tight. Serafina brushed past him with a smirk. Gia clung to his hand until the last moment.
Reina bowed deeply.
"My King… return safely."
Zumi smiled softly.
"I will."
Then he stepped into the lead truck.
The door shut behind him. Reina entered the truck with her division and closed the door behind her.
Engines roared.
And with a thunderous rumble, the convoy of black trucks tore through the slums— leaving behind a rising empire and heading straight for New York City.