Chapter 55
Hayashi Genzo the man known as the "Sunfire King" sat on the balcony of his private guild hall, overlooking Tokyo's skyline. Even sitting still, there was a faint wisp of smoke rising from his shoulders, as though the heat of his mana couldn't be fully contained.
Genzo wasn't just any mage. He was the master of the Sunfire Guild, one of Japan's top-ranking guilds, and his fire magic was famous said to have turned an entire dragon nest into molten slag in less than ten minutes.
One of his officers entered, bowing slightly.
Officer: "Guildmaster Genzo, there's news from the Hunter Bureau sir They just confirmed a new SS-rank."
Genzo raised a brow, intrigued.
Genzo: "Another one? It's been five years since anyone reached SS rank. Who is the individual?"
Officer: "Renji. No family name given. Records are scarce. But the Bureau's evaluation reports put his magical output on par with Hiroto kenzaki of the Steel Fang Guild."
Genzo leaned back in his chair, his smile widening.
"hmm on par with Hiroto, eh? Interesting. Very interesting."
He stood, the temperature of the room rising with his excitement. Very well send an invitation to this Renji or no better yet, I'll go to him myself. A man of that caliber should hear it directly from me."
The officer's eyes widened. The Guildmaster rarely left his hall unless there was a raid or a duel.
"Understood, Guildmaster I'll make preparations at once ".
Elsewhere, Arisa sat alone in the Hunter Bureau's cafeteria, staring down at a cup of tea she had barely touched.
Her colleagues were chatting a few tables away, gossiping about the new SS rank evaluation, but Arisa stayed quiet, lost in thought.
Arisa's Thoughts lingered in her mind "Renji… how? A year ago, you almost felt ordinary No magical energy or any sign of awakening. I watched you myself. I swore to the Bureau that you were harmless."
She rubbed her forehead, feeling heat creep up her neck.
Sigh !! did the Bureau do something to him? No… Takeda wouldn't allow that. But then how…?"
Did something happened to him overseas?
Her heart thumped faster. She remembered the look in Renji's eyes when she saw him earlier calm, steady, but different.
She clenched her fists, her chest tight.
Arisa's Thoughts: "Why do I feel like… I don't know you anymore?"
Back at Takeda's private training hall, Renji stood shirtless, sweat rolling down his back. His body was no longer the frail one of years ago muscle lined his arms, shoulders, and chest, each movement sharp and efficient.
Takeda, standing opposite him, wore a faint smile.
Takeda: "You've grown a lot, Renji. But don't let it get to your head. I'm still stronger."
Renji smirked, wiping the sweat from his face.
Renji: "Yeah, yeah. You say that every time. One day, I'll actually land a clean hit on you."
Takeda chuckled softly, then vanished in a blur of speed.
Renji barely had time to react. His instincts flared, mana bursting around him like a golden flash, and he raised his arm just in time to block Takeda's strike. The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Takeda smiled "very good your reaction time's even faster than before
Renji grinned through gritted teeth, pushing back.
Well you know I've been training for a whole year with you, Mr takeda and If I wasn't improving, I'd surely be dead or stashed up in the hospital
They broke apart, circling each other.
Takeda's expression grew serious for a moment
"i'm sure you finally understand now don't you?
Renji took a deep breath, feeling the mana pulsing in his veins.
Renji: "I know. I can feel it too. And I think… I'm ready to control it now."
Takeda's eyes glowed faintly with approval with a gentle smirk in his face "That's what I wanted to hear
Meanwhile for Hayashi Genzo had never been a patient man.
When his scouts failed to locate Renji after hours upon hours the guildmaster's temper was close to boiling.
The air in the Sunfire Guild's war room shimmered with heat, the walls creaking as though the building itself feared him.
Genzo spoke loudly "You mean to tell me a man with mana output rivaling Hiroto is walking around Tokyo and none of you can find him?
The scouts flinched, sweat beading down their temples "Guildmaster, we've scoured the city. No magical trace or Bureau logs. Not even guild sightings. It's like he...."
Genzo: "Vanished?"
The scout swallowed.
"Yes sir!
Genzo's glare softened into a grin " hmmm it means he's clever. A man who can hide his mana completely… yes, that's the kind of hunter I want."
He stood, his long coat billowing like smoke.
Well then if he won't come to me then maybe i'll go to him. Track his friends if he has any check the camera settings that you have at your disposal
But If he's training, there's probably only one man in Japan who could handle him Takeda. Find his training ground."
Hours later
Renji and Takeda had just finished a brutal sparring session, the floor cracked in several places. Choji was sitting with a towel on his head, muttering that they were going to bankrupt Takeda if they kept breaking his reinforced floor every week.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside the training hall three sharp bangs.
Takeda frowned. Few knew this location, only hiroto and he doesn't knock
He went foward towards the door
When he opened the door, standing there was Hayashi Genzo, his presence so hot the air seemed to warp around him.
Genzo spoke faintly Mr takeda It's been a while."
Takeda's eyes narrowed slightly "hmmm hunter genzo to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Genzo's grin widened as he spotted Renji standing shirtless inside, sweat dripping from his body,
Genzo smirked"There you are."
Renji blinked.
Renji: "… Huh Me?"
Yes you genzo replied you must Mr Renji the new SS-rank hunter. I've been looking for you.
We at the Sunfire Guild wants you as a matter of fact I want you."
Before Renji could respond, the ground outside trembled again and a familiar voice called out.
"Oi! Don't you dare sign anything until I get a word in.....
Hiroto appeared from the other side of the path, casually twirling his twin daggers. He grinned when he saw Renji.
"Renji, my rival! Of course I came to recruit you. The Steel Fang Guild doesn't just let talent like you run around solo."
Renji pinched the bridge of his nose "why do I feel like this is going to turn into a fight?"
Genzo replied instinctively "because it will you are coming with me mr Renji
Hiroto lashed out in response "Ha! Over my dead body, Sunfire King. He's my rival of course he should join my guild!"
Ehhh Rival? Genzo replied He just passed his evaluation. He doesn't need rivals bozo he needs a guild that can actually keep up with him and support him
Ooh says the man who spends more time burning down forests than fighting raids."
Genzo's eye twitched. Careful, Hiroto he said with a chilling gaze You're still flammable."
Hiroto shivered back really then bring it on stupid!
Takeda sighed loudly, rubbing the back of his head "Both of you, out. I'm not having two guildmasters turning my home into a recruitment battleground."
Choji was snickering in the corner, whispering, This is better than watching a TV
Before the argument could escalate, the entire room went still.
GBIM!!!
Suddenly a burst of mana filled the room
Renji felt it first a pressure so heavy it was like someone had dropped a mountain on his shoulders. Then Takeda straightened, his expression sharp.
Genzo instinct kicked in immediately " magical energy "
They rushed outside ..
Rumble rumble rumble!!
The air outside began to thrum with mana. The clouds twisted violently, forming a massive whirlpool of energy above Tokyo. A deep, guttural sound tore through the air like the groan of the earth itself.
Takeda eyes opened wide "…No. That's
He didn't get to finish before the sky split open.
A massive colossal gate formed overhead, pulsing with a mana so thick it made the cloud shimmer.
The gate was easily the largest any of them had ever seen, its frame of glowing with blue lightning.
The sheer size of the gate was breathtaking as if it was alive it was the biggest gate they have ever seen
Choji mustered under his breath That… that's bigger than Shibuya Tower…"
Even Genzo, who was rarely rattled, stepped back, his flames dimming.
Genzo: "I've seen S-class gates… even a few SS-class. But this… this is something else."
Hiroto's grin faded, replaced with grim focus
" Mr takeda is it just me or is that easily an sss ranked gate"
Renji stared at the gate, and muttered to himself an sss ranked gate ..... feeling the pulse of mana deep in his bones. His aura flared unconsciously, answering the gate's presence like a challenge.
Genzo stepped forward, his expression as sharp as a blade.
"This isn't just a gate, look at the size of that thing
Suddenly
The gate began to rumble,
Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble
CRACK CRACK CRACK
Hiroto eyes widen " wait .....what it's breaking but it just opened...
Genzo screamed as loud as he could to the neighbouring areas
His voice amplified with magic power made it so loud that every single person could hear
RUN!!!
CRACK!!
Slowly massive clawed hand pressed against its surface from the other side.