Eight hundred years after the death of Yoochi, the world had transformed into a new era—an era where the weak and the strong could finally synchronize. Balance had been restored in many ways, though problems still lingered. The strong could still oppress the weak, theft and abuse persisted, and destruction could erupt at the slightest provocation.
Even so, the Koruzan remained active, fighting tirelessly to put an end to these crimes. Applications to join the Koruzan were still open for individuals with immense power—called the Gifted, or Jinju. When a Gifted was captured for criminal activity, they were bound in special cuffs crafted from chromium stone, commonly known as Light Stone or Light Cuffs. These cuffs were highly effective, completely suppressing a Gifted's power and weakening them for transport to the Koruzan headquarters.
The Koruzan was structured into six hierarchical ranks, each tasked with specific duties and responsibilities.
The lowest rank was the Tag Force—Gifted individuals tasked with basic crime-fighting operations, similar to police duties. They were subordinate to police authority in terms of command, execution, and power.
Above them was the Super Tag Force, named "super" for their extraordinary intelligence. They served as elite detectives capable of solving cases with minimal effort. Though they possessed strong combat abilities, fighting was rarely required of them. They were commonly known as the Problem Solvers.
The third rank was known as the Adams, named after the ancient clan of Sakamoto—unseen for eight centuries. Members of this division displayed prodigious and unparalleled abilities. Their martial prowess was the highest among the first three hierarchies, and they served as protectors of the citizens. People often called them the Watchdogs, renowned for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the populace.
The fourth rank, the Light, consisted of an elite army deployed by governments to combat transnational threats beyond their borders. Their resolve and strength made them superior even to the Adams.
The fifth division, simply known as the League, consisted of powerful fighters with devastating abilities. Their battles were so destructive that they were forbidden from fighting within cities—they could reduce entire districts to rubble. They existed to combat bounty hunters and similar dangerous groups. They were half-bandit, half-agency, and were shrouded in mystery. Citizens had heard of them, yet no one had ever seen them. Their secrecy placed them above all previous ranks in power and fear.
At the top stood the sixth rank: the Elderly. These ancient figures had ascended through all ranks over countless years, mastering every form of battle and governance. Their task was to legislate with absolute precision and oversee global management. However, no one had ever seen or heard them directly; they communicated only through emissaries sent from each nation.
On the other side of the chaos were the bounty hunters—powerful, often criminal fighters who hunted other criminals for money. Some operated in groups, taking over cities, capturing hostages, enslaving civilians, and even executing fellow bounty hunters for profit. Their increasing violence and greed made them the Koruzan's greatest challenge.
To nurture future protectors, academies were established for both Jinju (Gifted) and Jonju (Ungifted). While there were special classes for the Gifted, the Ungifted could attend as well. In rare cases, exceptionally skilled Ungifted individuals graduated into high ranks using specialized weapons alone.
Among the students was Yamato, a fifteen-year-old high schooler enrolled in the Gifted Academy. He was a Jonju—born without a shred of ability, skill, or talent. His parents were also Jonju, which meant he had no chance of awakening powers. Despite struggling with both academics and skill training, he remained enthusiastic, especially toward Jinju classes. No matter how powerless he felt, something deep within him insisted he belonged among the Gifted.
But he was the lowest-ranked student in his class. Almost no one paid attention to him—students ignored him, teachers overlooked him, and even his parents had little hope for him. Still, he admired a girl in his class: Asami. She excelled in both Jinju and Jonju classes, achieving perfect scores in everything. Rumor had it she could reach the fourth or fifth hierarchy after graduation. She was beautiful, talented, and the academy's model—yet she had never once noticed Yamato.
The one person Yamato did notice, but despised, was Denji, a wealthy student ranked second after Asami. He was the son of a powerful politician with authority in the Koruzan. Denji was smart, influential, close to Asami—and everything Yamato hated. Yamato disliked Denji, but hated himself even more for being weak, talentless, and invisible. He often believed he would never earn Asami's recognition.
That belief persisted until one day when the class went on a historical tour of a hidden section of the academy. Among the artifacts was a sealed sword that had remained untouched for generations.
"This sword belonged to one of our ancestors," the teacher explained. "A great warrior who sacrificed everything for the world we have today."
While the class turned to leave, Yamato suddenly heard a voice calling his name—from the direction of the sword. Confused, he stayed behind. As he reached out, someone called from behind.
"Yamato? What are you doing?"
It was Asami.
His heart almost froze. "U-uh, it's nothing. I was just checking if the steel was rusted or something," he replied awkwardly.
"Hmm. Alright. Hurry and catch up with the others," she said gently before walking away.
Yamato stood stunned. She… she knows my name? His heart leapt, but he forced himself to calm down. It's just my name. Nothing more.
After school, Yamato headed home through the compound—but the voice returned. The sword appeared again before him, now pitch-black with blunt edges. Yamato blinked in disbelief, shaking his head. "Gah… maybe I'm just hallucinating…"
The next day, the same thing happened. Unable to ignore it, Yamato approached his teacher after class.
"Sensei… could you tell me more about that sword?"
Seeing Yamato unusually serious, the teacher explained the sword's history, ending with a vital detail: no one had ever been able to pull it from the ground. Rumor had it that only the first wielder—or someone chosen by destiny—could remove it.
Yamato returned to class still pondering this when a deafening boom echoed from outside. Students rushed out to witness a horrifying sight: one of their own teachers clad in the garb of a bounty hunter—and the entire school staff lying motionless, poisoned.
Yamato froze when he recognized him—Soske Chichu, the same teacher who had always treated him kindly, who spent time with him when no one else cared. Now he stood at the center of the massacre, calm and unrecognizable.
Soske turned to his masked companion—a deadly assassin.
"Kill who you want. Capture who you want," he ordered.
Then Soske vanished into thin air.
The assassin lunged into action but was intercepted by Kuria, class president of Class B. Her vine-manipulating powers erupted from the ground, sharp-mouthed and fierce. She ensnared him and stabbed him repeatedly through his body. A wave of relief washed over the students—until Yamato shouted:
"Kuria! Watch your back!"
Before she could react, the assassin sprang up, grabbed her, slammed her to the ground, and drove his blade into her forehead. A chilling silence fell over the courtyard, followed by screams and uncontrollable sobbing.
Asami, trembling with fury, charged at the assassin. Her world slowed as her heightened perception activated, and her telekinesis gathered force—but the assassin anticipated it. He dodged, planted both hands on her face, and plunged his fingers into her eyes.
"AHHHHHH!"
Asami collapsed, screaming as her vision vanished forever.
The assassin's heinous ability allowed him to disable any body part permanently—whether removing it or destroying its function.
Despair gripped the school. "We're doomed!" "He killed her!" Voices trembled.
Something inside Yamato snapped.
Rage, grief, and helplessness fused into a burning storm inside him. And from the depths of the ancient sword came a voice:
"Use me."
Compelled by fury and destiny, Yamato reached out—and the sword responded. With a single pull, he ripped it from the ground, a feat impossible for centuries.
Gasps filled the air.
The sword that no one—not even the strongest—could lift… moved as if it had been waiting for him alone.
At that moment, Yamato's eyes blazed with six distinct colors—the sign of an ancient prophecy uttered by Yoochi. The prophecy foretold that the one who bore such eyes would one day claim the great Sakamoto and bind fate to their will.
And so, the boy who was powerless… awakened the destiny of a legend.