Two stories unfold like twin blossoms each revealing its own truth.
Ezra D. Vale stormed out of the chamber, his expression a mix of panic and guilt. Outside, the Five Elders were already waiting.
He cleared his throat twice, straightened his collar, and slipped back into his usual calm, unbothered demeanor.
The Five Elders, however, caught that fleeting flicker of unease. The way he avoided their eyes… it felt like he had just done something outrageous.
"Ah old men," Ezra said casually, forcing a lazy grin. "I'll be heading off now, yeah?"
He turned to leave, but of course, they wouldn't let him go that easily.
"Wait, young man…" said the Elder with the single star insignia, his tone a mix of curiosity and suspicion.
Ezra turned his head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "What's up, old man?"
The elder's face twitched. Old man? He was the head of the World Government respected and feared across the seas and this kid called him old man?
Did he not understand how many people would kill for a single audience with him?
Suppressing the urge to strangle the boy, the Elder asked carefully, "What exactly did Lord Imu want with you?"
Ezra rubbed his chin, tilting his head as if pondering a deep philosophical question. Then, with a tone dripping in mock innocence, he replied,
"Why, do you usually eavesdrop on your master's private conversations?"
The words struck like thunder.
Silence fell instantly. Not one of the Five Elders dared to breathe too loudly. The implication behind that question… was terrifying.
Just as Ezra was about to twist the knife with another jab, a cold, commanding voice drifted from inside the room
"You five. Get in here. Now."
The Elders stiffened.
Without a word, they shot Ezra one last venomous glare the kind that said 'We'll remember this, boy' before shuffling inside like scolded children.
Ezra just shrugged. "Tch. Not my problem."
After all, with the way Imu had been smiling earlier, those five old fossils were lucky if they only got yelled at. If they so much as tried laying a hand on him, they'd be leaving that room in ashes.
And sure enough, moments later came the sound of chaos:
"HOW DARE YOU raise your voice at him?!"
"W-wait, Lord Imu! It's not what you think—!"
"Think you've grown some courage, have you?"
"Mercy! Mercy, please!"
"Forgive us, Lord Imu! We were wrong!"
Imu's cold, furious tone mixed with their desperate pleas, echoing through the marble corridors.
Ezra winced slightly. "Yikes… sounds rough in there."
But he was already strolling away, hands in his pockets, whistling a tune. By the time he reached the conference hall's main doors, the commotion behind him had faded into background noise.
As soon as he pushed open the heavy door, he nearly bumped into Sengoku and Commander Kong, both striding down the hallway with grim expressions.
"Eh? What's going on, old man?" Ezra asked casually.
Sengoku stopped dead in front of him, eyes scanning for bruises. "Ezra! Did those old fools lay a hand on you?!"
Ezra blinked, then immediately understood what Sengoku must be thinking. Ah. He probably thought I got beaten up.
He chuckled softly. "Relax, Uncle Sengoku. I'm fine. Not a scratch."
Still unconvinced, Sengoku gave him a quick inspection from head to toe before finally sighing in relief.
Then, with a look of exasperation, he said, "Ezra… you didn't need to stick up for me earlier. Really."
Ezra frowned slightly. "Uncle, what are you talking about? How could I just stand there while the old and weak are getting bullied?"
Sengoku froze. His face twitched.
Old and weak?!
Any fleeting gratitude vanished instantly.
Old and weak, my ass! he screamed inwardly. If I don't train this brat to death someday, I'll change my last name!
Ezra ignored the deadly glare Sengoku shot him and turned politely toward Commander Kong. "Field Marshal Kong, I hope my uncle didn't cause you too much trouble."
Kong gave him a patient smile and waved a hand. "It's fine, truly. I was just—"
Before he could finish, Ezra interrupted with a grin. "Great! Then you can keep standing guard. Don't let anyone else in."
Kong froze.
His eyebrow twitched. His hand curled into a fist.
He exchanged a silent look with Sengoku that said, Can I kill him? Just once?
Sengoku quickly waved his hands. "No, no, don't! He's… uh… not right in the head sometimes!"
Ezra tilted his head. "You two look like you're plotting something. Feels like an insult?"
Neither of them dared to answer.
Meanwhile, deep inside Imu's chamber, the Five Elders stood frozen in disbelief. Their faces were pale; their robes were scorched and torn.
The echo of Imu's words still rang in their ears.
"If anyone dares to harm even a single hair on Ezra D. Vale's head… they can hand over their position as a Five Elder."
The eldest among them swallowed hard, his throat dry. "W-we didn't… offend him, did we?"
None of them answered immediately. The memory of their punishment still burned quite literally.
The second Elder shook his head quickly. "Are you insane? That boy no, that young master is clearly destined for greatness!"
"Right, right!" another agreed hurriedly. "Who'd be stupid enough to provoke him? Not me!"
The others nodded frantically.
Then their eyes all turned, slowly, toward the fifth Elder the one clutching his cursed sword, Kitetsu.
Under their collective glare, his grip trembled slightly. "Don't look at me like that! I was testing him! You understand? Testing his strength!"
Four voices answered in perfect unison: "Heh."
The fifth Elder's face darkened. "Fine! I'll apologize later, okay?!"
Again, four identical "Heh"s echoed around him.
He gritted his teeth. "You old bastards…"
Finally, the eldest spoke again, his tone deadly serious. "Enough. Whatever connection Lord Imu and young master Ezra share… we are not to speak of it. Ever."
The room fell silent.
Each man nodded gravely.
They all knew it if word got out about what they'd just learned, the entire world's balance of power would shatter.
And so, from that day forward, a new unspoken rule was etched into the hearts of the Five Elders:
No one touches Ezra D. Vale.
No one questions Ezra D. Vale.
And above all
no one dares to reveal his connection with Lord Imu.
Because if that secret ever came to light…
the world itself might burn.