As they moved through the Fifth Gate, the Captain gestured toward his three top warriors.

  “Since you’re here, might as well get acquainted. This is my top three.”

  First—

  A girl stepped forward.

  The moment she did, her entire body tensed.

  Her eyes locked onto Watari’s squad—onto the Jūmonban sigil.

  And then—

  She went pale.

  “Oh no.”

  Her voice was barely above a whisper.

  “Oh no, no, no, no—”

  The Jūmonban were here?

  They sent the Jūmonban to the Fifth Gate?

  That meant—

  That meant things were way worse than she thought.

  She trembled, her hands gripping her own arms like she was trying to keep herself from exploding into sheer anxiety.

  Kaito blinked. “…Is she okay?”

  The Captain let out a deep sigh. “Yeah, she’s just like this.”

  The girl swallowed, trying to regain some composure. “I—I knew things were bad, but if they actually sent you guys…” She exhaled sharply. “I’m gonna die.”

  Ryuko raised a brow. “Damn, at least have a little faith in yourself.”

  “Nope. I’m dead. This is how I die. Goodbye, cruel world.”

  Watari smirked. “So dramatic.”

  The Captain continued. “That’s Amano. She specializes in healing but her combat would surprise you .”

  Amano shot him a gre. “I specialize in not dying.”

  The Captain ignored her.

  Second—

  A burly man stepped forward. Unlike Amano, he didn’t flinch at the sight of the Jūmonban. Instead, he gave them a long, thoughtful stare.

  His build was massive, stocky, solid. But there was no foolishness in his eyes. No recklessness.

  He wasn’t just some brute.

  He was a warrior.

  “This is Jiro.”

  Jiro crossed his arms, his deep voice rumbling. “I’m not a big talker….But I respect strength.” His eyes met Watari’s. “I look forward to seeing yours.”

  Watari felt the challenge behind those words.

  A smirk tugged at his lips. “We’ll see.”

  And finally—

  The third warrior stepped forward.

  Unlike the first two, he was completely normal-looking.

  Nothing about him stood out. No imposing presence. No overwhelming energy.

  Just a regur guy.

  “This is Tetsuo.”

  Tetsuo gave a small nod. “Hey.”

  Silence.

  Then—

  Kaito tilted his head. “Wait, that’s it? Just ‘hey’?”

  Tetsuo shrugged. “What else is there to say?”

  Watari smirked. He already liked this guy.

  The Captain exhaled. “Alright. Now that the introductions are done…”

  His gaze flickered toward Ayase.

  “So. Have you told them about them yet?”

  Ayase nodded. “I’ve informed them about the Kegare.”

  The Captain’s expression darkened. “Good.”

  He motioned for them to follow.

  “Then they won’t be shocked when they see this.”

  The squad exchanged gnces.

  Watari felt the shift in the air.

  They were heading toward something.

  Something worse.

  Finally, the Captain stopped in front of a small, reinforced shed.

  He reached for the heavy lock, unfastening it with a slow, deliberate movement.

  And as the door creaked open—

  The first thing they saw was a figure.

  Chained.

  Bloodied.

  And wrong.

  Something about him felt… off.

  Watari felt it first. That distorted energy. That unnatural pull, like something was misaligned.

  The air around them tensed.

  And then—

  CUT TO BLACK.