Silence stretched for ten seconds. Twenty. Thirty.
Then Matsuno stepped forward.
"Righteousness." His voice carried despite not being loud. "義. Gi."
He let the word hang in the air. Weighty. Ancient. Loaded with meaning.
"Do the right thing, even when it's hard."
He moved to the table, unfolded a map. Hanasakura District marked in pink highlighter, borders clearly defined. Major streets labeled. Key locations circled.
"Tonight's mission: Patrol Hanasakura District's borders."
He traced the boundaries with one finger.
"For the next six hours, you are the shield between civilians and those who would harm them. You are Sakuratei's first line of defense. You represent everything this organization claims to stand for."
Matsuno's expression hardened.
"If you encounter injustice—civilians being harassed, bullied, threatened, endangered—you intervene."
He paused. Let that sink in.
"But here's the catch."
The room seemed to hold its breath.
"**You cannot use excessive force.**"
