Silence enveloped the headquarters of the Nervous Organization when Levan appeared, rushing in, his face pale and eyes trembling as if a storm were trapped inside a fragile body.
Levan spoke in a broken voice:
"I have… terrible news."
Nakemi stepped forward cautiously, staring at him with alarmed eyes:
"What happened? Are you hurt?"
Levan closed his eyes in sorrow, then said:
"I wish it had been me… and not what happened. The Stone of Rock… it's been stolen."
Falan's breath quickened as he stepped forward:
"Impossible… are you sure?"
Levan lifted his head, a trace of helpless bitterness in his voice:
"They took it right before my eyes… and I couldn't do anything."
Zankiro intervened in a steady tone, trying to calm the tension:
"Calm down… this is part of the villains' plan. They want to drive us into panic and rash actions."
Falan nodded inwardly with admiration:
Impressive… he makes decisions quickly and accurately.
Zankiro continued:
"Let's board the helicopter now. We'll return the humans we rescued to their homes, then head straight to the Nervous Organization headquarters."
---
Before the Fight…
In a dark room where no light penetrated, nine figures bowed before a mysterious man whose face could not be seen.
The man spoke in a low, commanding voice:
"Do you obey the president's orders?"
The nine answered in unison, their voices metallic and firm:
"Yes, sir… we obey."
The mysterious man continued:
"In two minutes, you will execute a raid on the ongoing competition. I want six of you to engage the members of the Nervous Organization, while—"
Torashi interrupted unintentionally:
"What is the purpose of this raid?"
Before he could finish, blood gushed from his mouth, and he fell to his knees in pain.
Torashi cried out:
"Ah… I'm sorry! Forgive me, please!"
The mysterious man continued speaking without turning to him:
"The first goal: to spread fear among the newcomers and show them they are powerless.
The second goal: to steal the Stone of Rock… a power that will serve our future plans.
The third goal: to assess our enemies' abilities."
Kanshi raised his head:
"Are we allowed to use all of our powers?"
The man shook his head:
"No. We want to know their abilities… not reveal ours."
Then he gestured with his hand:
"Dismissed."
Alone in the darkness, he held a picture of a child. His fingers trembled as he gripped it, and he muttered with a mix of pain and rage:
"Damn… I'll see you… I'll tear you apart."
---
At the Nervous Organization Headquarters
The Nireo arrived with Falan, Raizen, Rento, and Barinta at the gates of the headquarters.
A young man standing at the entrance greeted them with a strange smile.
Riato said:
"Welcome to the Nervous Organization headquarters… do you want to play hide-and-seek with me?"
Raizen raised an eyebrow in surprise:
"What is this fool doing at the gate? Ah… is he a security guard? I've never seen such a ridiculous—"
He was interrupted by everyone:
"Sshhh!"
Before he could finish his sarcasm… Riato appeared suddenly behind him.
Riato continued:
"Don't you know who I am? I am—"
Yakuro interjected coldly:
"Don't bother… just another fool in your lives."
Riato smiled slyly:
"I see you want training, Yakuro."
Nakemi said quickly:
"He's a Nireo leader… Riato, the Wind Nireo."
Falan, Raizen, and Rento whispered to each other:
"But… he looks like a gamer addict…"
Nakemi responded:
"You don't know him when he's serious."
Riato gestured for them to enter:
"Come into my office. I'll handle your acceptance since none of the higher ranks are here."
They sat before him, and he said:
"Since I watched the fight…"
Rento interrupted in astonishment:
"How? The broadcast was cut… you weren't even at the arena!"
Riato chuckled lightly:
"Good question. And the answer… experience."
They all shouted together:
"Huh??"
Then he said:
"Just kidding. We have someone in the organization who possesses the Stone of Sight… they can see anything within a thousand kilometers."
Falan stared at him, a mix of anger and astonishment:
"You watched the enemies trying to kill the Nireo, trying to kill us, trying to kill Barinta… and you were eating popcorn as if watching a movie?"
Riato replied indifferently:
"Because I knew they only wanted to test your abilities."
Zankiro asked:
"Then why didn't you tell us?"
Riato smiled calmly:
"I wanted you to discover the secret yourselves. And… you say I don't care about my friends? True… because I trust them. And if a secondary character dies saving the world… their life must be taken."
Falan stared at him:
"What?"
Raizen and Falan said together:
"His logic… kind of makes sense."
Riato suddenly stood and said:
"Don't be arrogant because you fought a single person. Rento… you couldn't defeat a swordsman like you who doesn't even have a stone. Raizen… the last person Nakemi treated was you because you're weak. Falan… you're still emotional in battle."
He continued:
"Do you want to know the rank of the person you fought?"
Falan asked:
"Do the villains have ranks?"
Riato shook his head:
"Yes. Their ranks… from weakest to strongest:
1- Kokushi
2- Sandora
3- Gransen
4- Krutsmieh
5- Kropani
6- Shinkro
7- Ringokai
8- Korayama
The person you fought… was only rank four."
A heavy silence fell.
Riato then said:
"In five minutes, I'll meet with the Nireo to discuss your acceptance into the organization."
After five minutes had passed…
He returned and said:
"Go to your homes. I'll send you the decision by mail… as we need the opinion of the higher ranks."