The spinning helicopter blades spun to a halt as it landed on the satsujin high grounds, and soon, Kin dressed in the satsujin high uniform stepped out with soldiers behind him, including Takeda Genji.
"Class lesson begins the day after tomorrow; these two days will be dedicated to socialization and self-orientation." Takeda said to Kin, "You are in team 5 or team Arakawa, you have two teammates, and they should be here any time to welcome you." Takeda looked around.
" It seems as though they aren't here. But don't worry, everything will work out. Your luggage has been sent to your base already, so socialise and try to fit in, okay?"
Kin nodded.
Some time had passed, and Kin had begun to study the campus, which was filled with many buildings and was a bit large. Right now, he was in a park and hadn't moved a step from where he stood when he got down from the helicopter.
Most students were socialising and getting to know each other. A NEW TERM HAD STARTED AT Satsumai HIGH.
"Oi, you look as pale as a zombie!" a boy with blue hair and a cat lying on his head with a mouth-to-ear suspicious grin said, "Name's Kaito Ayanami, future legend of the Satsujin Hunters—and current heartthrob for every girl in the academy. What about you, silent guy?"
Kin blinked, unmoved, his voice quiet and low. "...Kin. Ikari."
" Oh no! Are you all those quiet guys that are no fun?!" Kaito grinned," Or you are having a bad morning, either way, I'll get you pumped up - you'll like me! Everyone does!"He gave a playful wink, earning giggles from passing female students.
But before Kin could think of responding, a calm, organized, and firm voice cut through the air.
"Kaito, you're being noisy again!"
kin turned to see a boy with sharp white eyes and a black eye patch on the left eye,with silky white hair; he had a metal rod fixed to his belt.
"I'm Riku Sato," he said, offering a small bow. "Firstborn of the Sato family… but just a student here, same as you. It's an honor."
kin nodded.Kaito leaned in, whispering loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Don't mind Riku—he's the type who memorizes the entire rulebook before the first class. Stick with me, Kin, and life will be much more fun."
Riku sighed. "Stick with Kaito, and you'll fail every exam before the semester ends."
Kaito threw his arm around Kin's shoulder anyway, laughing. "Look at that, Kin—you just arrived and you're already stuck in the middle of us. You're cursed, my friend."
For the first time, Kin's lips twitched, almost into a smirk.
It was small—barely noticeable—but both Kaito and Riku caught it.
Kaito gasped theatrically. "Was that a smile? He smiled! Ohhh, this is the start of something beautiful. Team of destiny, right here!"
Riku adjusted his glasses, but even he allowed himself a tiny smile. "Perhaps… destiny indeed."
And just like that, a strong bond had begun to form: a strange boy from distant mountains, a powerful but weak spirit summoner, and a rich heir filled with kindness.
None of them knew it yet—but this meeting would change the future of the Satsujin Hunters forever.
***
The day was still fresh as morning light bathed the campus grounds with luminosity. And the campus was filled with noise.
Kaito, of course, was the loudest part of it. He strutted down the main walkway, hands folded behind his head, talking faster than Kin could even keep up.
"Look at this place, Kin! Training arenas, sparring rings, libraries full of scrolls… and best of all—girls. So. Many Girls. Our future is shining!"
Kin said nothing, his golden eyes scanning every detail with quiet intensity. He was still trying to get used to the things he was seeing, and sometimes, along their exploration, would ask Kaito what it was.
Then Riku joined their side, his steps silent. The morning sun caught his shock of white hair, glinting against the black eyepatch covering his left eye. Other students whispered as he passed— just because he was a Sato.
"You two are far too loud," Riku said simply, his voice calm. "People are already watching. Hunters don't waste energy on chatter."
Kaito smirked, turning to Kin as if to prove a point. "See that? That's Riku's way of saying he's jealous of my charisma. Don't be fooled by the white hair—he's secretly a grumpy old man in a teenager's body."
Kin's lips curved faintly again, the hint of a suppressed laugh.
"...I heard that," Riku replied flatly, but his lone visible eye softened.
They walked together exploring the school grounds. Soon, they arrived at the external training field, where there were benches around, and they all took a seat as they were tired. from the walk.
The training arena of Satsujin High was a wide circular ground, ringed with seals that shimmered faintly, ready to contain the energy of reckless students. The stone floor was already scarred from past duels, proof of the raw power young Hunters could unleash.
"This is pointless. Why do we have to roam the campus doing nothing all day? And waste our time till evening, then our team leader will come pick us up!" Riku complained.
" Speaking of the team teacher, who is he anyway? And why don't we have a girl in our team?" Kaito said
"Arakawa Fyuuto, Age:27, Rank:Platinum, first class," Riku said,"How are the ranks arranged?" Kin asked, his voice cold but calm. It was the first time both of the others had heard Kin speak so much aloud, so they were a bit shocked.
Kaito leaned back in his chair,as if he were some great philosopher about to reveal the mysteries of the world. Kin and Riku just stared, unimpressed, but Kaito grinned anyway.
"Alright, listen up, newbies," he said dramatically, slapping his lap for effect, making Night jump out of fear to Kin's lap. "The Satsujin Hunters—that's us, the cool guys who risk our lives while everyone else just watches anime at home—we've got a ranking system. It's how we know who's a small fry and who's, well… someone like Arakawa-sensei who can one-shot a Toku with his pinky. I mean, that is expected of a platinum first class, right?"
Riku shook his head. "You're really not explaining it well."
"Shut up, bookworm, I am explaining!" Kaito shot back, before clearing his throat.
"So, here's how it goes. Hunters are divided into six big ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and… the legends… Grandmaster. But it's not just that. Each rank has classes inside it. For example, Bronze isn't just Bronze—it's Third Class, Second Class, First Class, then Full Bronze. So, even in Bronze, you know who's the bottom and who's close to breaking out."
He paused for dramatic flair, "It's like a video game ladder. You climb step by step, and every step makes you sweat more. Silver's the same deal, then Gold, and so on. By the time you hit Diamond, you're basically famous. Cities know your name. Kids buy posters of you. And Grandmasters… well, there's like… what? A handful? Those are the ones who can fight armies of Toku by themselves. Living legends."Kin crossed his arms. " Master Shujin is a grandmaster, I heard him say it more than twice, "Kin said to himself.
"So it's all about strength?" Kin asked.
Kaito wagged a finger. "Nope. That's the catch. It's not just about raw power. The Hunters rank you by your skill, emotional stability, leadership, survival record, and yeah… your actual fighting capability. Some people are strong but reckless—they don't move up. Some are weaker but reliable—they climb. It's not just who punches hardest, it's who can protect the world the best."
Riku smirked a little. "That actually makes sense."
"Of course it does, because I'm explaining it," Kaito said proudly, leaning back like a smug genius. "And one more thing—within those ranks, we also specialize. Hunters aren't all the same. Some are good at sealing, some at ranged attacks, some at support. Our job isn't just to be strong individually—it's to sync as a team. That's why people like us," he gestured at the three of them, "are gonna climb together. We're not just nobodies anymore. We're Satsujin Hunters, baby!"He slapped his thigh again,much harder this time,
"Errm, doesn't that hurt?" Riku asked.
Kin sighed, and Riku shook his head.