Asta stood motionless before the wide glass window, his silhouette framed by the dying light of day. Beyond the glass, the sun slowly drowned itself in the horizon, painting the sky in violent shades of orange, crimson, and burning gold. He lifted the cigarette to his lips and drew in deeply. Smoke filled his lungs, then spilled out in a slow exhale, curling like a living thing through the silent room.
The world outside was ending for the day. Inside, something heavier lingered.
A sharp knock echoed from the distant gate.
"Come in."
The door creaked open. A young boy stepped inside, shoulders stiff, eyes alert. He tried to look calm, but tension clung to him like sweat.
"Asta-sensei…" His voice wavered before he steadied it. "It has been one month. They're still missing. We can't go any deeper into the ocean. According to the latest reports…" He swallowed. "They're presumed dead."
Asta didn't turn around immediately. He stared at the horizon a second longer, then exhaled smoke into the fading light.
"Hmm." His voice was low, unreadable. "I understand the situation." He flicked ash into a tray. "Stop the research for now. And send Sora to me."
The boy bowed quickly, relief and fear mixed in his eyes. He closed the door behind him and hurried down the stairs. He stopped before another room and knocked.
From inside came a calm, steady voice. "Come in."
The door opened to reveal Sora leaning over a snooker table, lining up a shot. The room smelled of polished wood and chalk. Yumei stood nearby, arms crossed, watching quietly.
"It's you," Yumei said, glancing at the boy.
"Asta-sensei is calling," the boy replied.
Sora straightened, set the cue stick aside, and dropped onto the sofa with careless ease. "What does that old geezer want now?"
"I'm going," Yumei said softly. Without another word, she turned and left the room.
Sora grabbed his coat and followed, pushing open the door. Outside, the air felt colder. Asta stood waiting, his back half-turned, the last light of sunset tracing the sharp lines of his figure. Slowly, deliberately, he faced Sora.
"So," Asta said, eyes piercing, "you finally came." His gaze hardened. "You seem strangely calm. Your son has been missing for a month. Our commanders are gone too. First Zoe, then Jack, James…" His voice dropped. "And now Elsiya, Raihtasu, and Hiyori."
Sora's jaw tightened. His eyes darkened, like steel being buried deeper into steel. "Death is permanent," he said flatly. "Everyone dies eventually. You and I will too."
"They were young," Asta replied.
"I don't believe they're dead," Sora said, his voice firm, unyielding. "Not with Raihtasu among them."
Asta's eyes narrowed to slits. "Set a meeting with Douma."
Sora stiffened. "What? He's from Black Fang."
"I don't care," Asta snapped, anger flashing like a blade. "Tell him to meet me. His fiancée died too. Her ship sank in the open ocean. He has every reason to hate Katakuri."
"Katakuri didn't kill her," Sora argued. "If he had planned this, he wouldn't have risked Yuki's life. Katakuri never gambles with her safety."
Asta stepped closer. "Call Douma. Now."
Sora let out a long breath. "And if he doesn't tell us the truth?"
"Then," Asta said coldly, "we go directly to Katakuri." His eyes gleamed. "He'll make Douma speak."
Sora rubbed his temple and turned away. "Alright. What a burden…"
The world shifted.
Wind screamed across the battlefield as Yuki slammed her hands together. A cloud clone burst into existence with a sharp whoosh and shot forward at blinding speed.
Hina spun, eyes wide.
CRACK—BOOM!
Lightning tore through the air as she destroyed the clone in an instant. Another rushed her. Then another. Yuki's clones flooded the field, each one exploding into mist and thunder as Hina struck them down.
"Thunder… everywhere," Hina whispered, electricity crawling over her skin.
The sky darkened. Storm clouds gathered with a deep, rumbling ROARRR. Rain crashed down in heavy sheets, drenching the ground. A violent tornado rose from the earth with a deafening WHOOOOM, wrapping around Hina's arms and lifting her slightly off balance, pinning her in place.
Yuki leapt forward.
A wind-style kunai formed in her grip, screaming as she hurled it.
SHHHHHRASH!
The air itself sharpened, turning into invisible blades. They sliced into Hina's body again and again. SLASH—CRACK—RIP! Blood mixed with rain as Hina cried out and fell to her knees.
"Stop…" Her voice was barely audible over the storm. "You win."
She collapsed to the ground.
The wind died. The rain softened.
Yuki rushed to her side, kneeling. "Hey… hey. Are you okay?"
"Yeah…" Hina said, forcing herself upright. Her breathing was heavy, her body trembling. She looked at Yuki, eyes strangely gentle. "Before you go… thank you."
Yuki froze.
"You made me feel like a real friend," Hina continued softly. "We fought and met only minutes ago, yet the feeling is strong. I don't know what you think of me. Maybe you see me as an enemy." A faint smile touched her lips. "But I like you."
Tears welled in Yuki's eyes. She sat beside her, rain dripping from her hair. "Why would you say that?" she whispered. "Why do you make me feel guilty?"
"For the first time," Hina said, her voice shaking, "someone cared about me." She stared at the dark sky. "Since childhood, I've been a slave. I can defeat Zero and Weston… but they were know my weakness."
She turned back to Yuki and smiled, weak but sincere. "It's time for you to go. Your friends need you."
"No," Yuki said immediately, her voice breaking. "I want to know about you. What happened to you." She wiped her tears. "I want to know your past… and you're interesting. My friends can handle themselves."
She took Hina's hand and held it tightly.
"Stay," Yuki said. "Tell me your story."