In the overcast sky, Saruto sped through the air, carrying Jin, heading towards the rebels' headquarters. The cold air whipped against their faces, and silence reigned, broken only by the wind.
Jin broke the silence hesitantly: "Saruto… when the rebels see you, looking like this, they'll think you're the Emperor."
Saruto nodded calmly. "I know."
Suddenly, a dark energy began to emanate from his body, like a living, pulsating mist. His black hair glowed, then gradually changed color until it became a deep purple. His eyes transformed, becoming sharp, black, with a savage gleam like a dragon's.
He swept his hair back, straight and flowing smoothly, leaving a few strands to fall gently across his forehead without obscuring his features. His entire presence had changed, becoming more mysterious and dangerous. Jin stared at him in amazement. "This… this is incredible."
"Does he look convincing?" Saruto asked quietly.
"Yes," Jin replied quickly. "No one will suspect a thing."
A short while later, they reached their destination. They landed in front of a desolate, rocky area that seemed to hold nothing. Jin took a step forward and raised his hand. A glowing tattoo appeared on his palm, emitting a faint light. Slowly, the ground split open, revealing a stone door hidden beneath.
They entered and began descending a long staircase carved into the rock. As soon as the door closed behind them, torches spontaneously ignited, one after another, illuminating the path. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the rebels' headquarters.
The place was bustling with life. Men and women from all ten kingdoms, their features stern, their bodies taut, their eyes alert—clearly trained warriors. A man approached Jin, shook his hand, and said in surprise, "Didn't you go to surrender for your family? What happened?"
Jin sighed. "It's a long story, my old friend."
Saruto cleared his throat lightly, and Jin turned to him. "Oh, I almost forgot. This man wants to join the rebels."
Saruto took a step forward. "My name is... Void."
In his subconscious, the real void was watching silently. "Why didn't you tell them your real name?" he asked.
"Someone's already using my name," Saruto replied mentally. "If I said my name was Saruto, they'd suspect me immediately."
Void silently agreed. The other man smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Taios."
At that moment, Saruto felt someone watching him. He didn't turn around. He preferred to wait. Taios spoke suddenly, his aura powerful. "Joining the rebels isn't easy. We have to test you... to make sure you're not a spy."
Saruto looked at him steadily. "I don't mind."
Taius softened his aura and spoke calmly, "Follow me, and you too, Jin."
He led them to a vast training ground. Taios asked, "Which kingdom are you from, Void?"
Saruto answered without hesitation, "The Kingdom of Dragons."
Silence fell. Suddenly, the trainees rushed forward, grabbed Saruto, and pinned him to the ground. "What are you doing?!" he cried out in surprise.
Taios unleashed his aura in fury. "Liar! The Kingdom of Dragons has been completely wiped out! And I am its last remaining son!"
Scales began to appear on his body before everyone's eyes. Saruto laughed, his energy exploding and pushing everyone back. "I'm not lying… Do you want proof?"
He relinquished control to Void. In an instant, purple dragon scales appeared on his body, and purple flames shot from his mouth, scorching part of the training ground. Amazement filled the air. "A member of the Kingdom of Dragons… is still alive!"
Control returned to Saruto. Taius stepped forward, shook his hand firmly, and exclaimed excitedly, "Today we will celebrate! I have found one of my kingdom's sons!"
The cheers rose, chanting, "Void! Void!"
Taios said, "Jin, send a summons for the leader to attend."
Jin left, and Saruto thought to himself, "Good… I will finally meet Bianca."
The celebration began. Saruto noticed four people whose energy surpassed the rest. "Who are they?" he asked Jin.
"The four leaders of the rebels… including Taius," Jin replied.
Before he could finish, Bianca entered. A dense, dark energy emanated from her. Saruto froze. "…What?"
"Yes… the leader is from the Dark Family. She is the sister of…"
Before he could finish, Taius pulled Saruto forcefully forward. "Leader! This is one of the survivors from the Dragon Kingdom… Void!"
Saruto bowed respectfully. But Bianca suddenly unleashed her aura toward him. Everyone was taken aback. "Your name is Void… and you're from the Kingdom of Dragons, aren't you?" she said coldly.
"Yes," Saruto replied.
She smiled coldly. "Then… why do I sense a dark energy emanating from you?"
In an instant, the four leaders rushed forward, tackled him to the ground, and restrained him. Bianca gestured, and his disguise vanished. The hall froze in astonishment. "…The Emperor!"
"…My brother," Bianca said angrily.
Saruto eyes widened. "My brother?!"
But she didn't give him another chance. She struck him, knocking him unconscious. "Tie him up," she said coldly. "Take him to the execution ground."
Then she added, "And Jin too… he was the reason he got in. They will both be executed… tomorrow."