A few days after the Hollowification incident, Grand Arbiter Veyran of the Astral Dominion issued a rapid wave of personnel orders to fill the sudden vacancies in the Thirteen Astral Legions.
Sui Feng of the Ninth Feng Clan—an elite descendant line trained in covert arts—was appointed the new Commander of the Second Legion, replacing the fugitive Yoruya Shihoen.
Selene Yadomaru, once the vice-captain of the Fifth Legion, was promoted to its commander. Under her recommendation, the Fifth Legion's Fifth Seat—Ginmaru Ichin—was elevated to vice-captain.
Veyran also promoted one of his most trusted subordinates, Komarus Sajin, appointing him as the new Commander of the Seventh Legion, replacing Love Aikawa.
Kairo Tenel, the sole "survivor" of the Hollowification outbreak, secured his position with Selene's backing and took command of the Ninth Legion, filling the void left by the fallen Commander Rokan.
As for the Third and Twelfth Legions, replacements were scarce. Their vice-captains—Iziru Kira and Mayron Kurotsu—temporarily held command. But both situations were unstable:
Iziru lacked the authority and experience, while Mayron, for all his genius, was someone no sane person trusted.
The aftermath had left the entire Dominion on edge.
Elite astral patrols monitored the Inner Rings day and night, specially selected for their elevated astral resonance. Legion training intensified across the board, with Commanders personally demonstrating overwhelming strength to restore order.
In the middle of this tense atmosphere, Arin Solara—rather than joining combat rotations—made a baffling request:
He volunteered to "guard" the Blossom Promenade.
The Blossom Promenade was the heart of the Dominion's nightlife. Fragrant petals drifted on warm currents of astral light. Lanterns glowed like floating moons. Music, laughter, and the clink of crystal cups filled the air. It was a world of indulgence, beauty, and temptation.
Inside its most luxurious pavilion, Arin Solara sat beside Commander Kaelis Shunrei, both enjoying a night of wine, warmth, and premium companionship.
Two master courtesans—elegance refined into human form—attended Arin alone. Their every motion was art, their smiles disarming, their devotion absolute.
Kaelis, with two lovely—but notably less divine—companions, stared at Arin's scene with pure bitterness.
He swirled his cup and muttered,
"Tch… So this is what it's like to be attractive. Unfair."
The women seated beside him were charming, but compared to Arin's oiran-tier companions?
No contest.
Oiran selected their clients personally—only the elite, the admired, the powerful.
Yet Arin acquired their full attention effortlessly.
Kaelis finally groaned,
"Damn it, Arin. How do you manage this?"
Adjusting his hat, Kaelis rose with a sigh. Without his former vice-captain Lisa, all paperwork fell directly on him. He still hadn't chosen her replacement, though he already knew exactly who would be the perfect fit.
He shot a meaningful look at Arin.
Arin pretended not to notice.
If two slackers worked together, who would handle the documents?
Arin, lounging back while a courtesan fed him grapes, smirked.
"Leaving already, Kaelis? The night is young."
Kaelis snorted.
"Unlike you, I have responsibilities. Shouldn't you be doing First Legion work instead of… this?"
Arin hugged the courtesans closer.
"I am working. Protecting the Blossom Promenade is crucial. What if something happened to these delicate flowers? Wouldn't that be tragic, Brother Kaelis?"
The courtesans giggled, leaning into him.
"Lord Arin, you're amazing!"
"So reliable! So strong!"
Kaelis stared at the farce with deadpan disbelief.
"You win. Enjoy your… 'duty.'"
He turned toward the exit.
Arin took a deep breath and yelled:
"KEEP THE MUSIC GOING! KEEP DANCING! COMMANDER KAELIS IS PAYING TONIGHT!"
Kaelis froze mid-step—
stumbled—
nearly hit the floor.
He looked back, horrified, only to find Arin laughing like a man possessed.
With a sigh of utter defeat, Kaelis pulled his hat low and vanished via astral shunpo.
Hours later, Arin Solara, thoroughly pleased with himself, returned to his quarters.
Despite the joke, he hadn't actually charged Kaelis.
He billed all expenses to the First Legion's operational budget.
"Guarding nightlife landmarks is exhausting work," Arin stretched lazily. "The Dominions should show appreciation."
Then—
[Ding! Daily Task: "Relaxation" Complete. Reward: White Album Stand +1, Astral Step +1.]
Arin's eyes brightened.
"Excellent. Getting stronger by relaxing… This world is perfect."
He pulled out the jade-like Horse Talisman, the most recent treasure from his system.
Over the past few days, he had tested it extensively:
Sober Restoration:
Only worked when he was really drunk—instantly clearing his mind.
Fatigue Recovery:
Could ease exhaustion, but couldn't restore astral energy.
Object Restoration:
Could repair damaged items perfectly, though at heavy astral cost for complex structures.
But unanswered questions remained:
Could it repair a shattered Astral Arm?
Could it reverse Hollowification itself?
If yes…
Its value was immeasurable.
Arin was satisfied. Between daily task rewards and Talisman experimentation, he grew stronger without revealing anything.
Strangely, despite his unusual requests—like becoming "Protector of the Blossom Promenade"—neither Vice-Commander Chojiro nor Grand Arbiter Veyran objected.
If anything… they accommodated him.
Arin smirked knowingly.
"A long leash, huh? Fine with me. I get paid, I get stronger, and I get to relax. Everyone wins."
His plan was simple:
Stay low-key.
Avoid danger.
Become invincible before the real chaos begins.
Meanwhile, in the Fifth Legion Barracks:
Commander Selene stood with her serene, unreadable expression. Her new captain's cloak draped elegantly over her shoulders. Beside her, Ginmaru Ichin smiled his usual foxlike grin.
"Ginmaru," Selene's tone was soft, yet commanding. "Any progress locating Commander Hirako and the others?"
Ginmaru shook his head.
"They're hiding in the Mortal Plane, but the Kido Corps can't pinpoint them."
Selene nodded, unbothered.
"They will surface eventually. What about the investigation into the Otsutsuki bloodline?"
"No records anywhere," Ginmaru replied. "Likely a fabrication."
He tilted his head.
"Should I dispatch search teams for this 'Otsutsuki Naruto'?"
Selene paused.
Then shook her head lightly.
"No. We do not yet know his purpose. Let him move first. Our priority is the Hōgyoku Core. When we complete perfect Astral Hollowification… no one—Otsutsuki or otherwise—will matter."
Ginmaru bowed.
"As you command, Selene-taichō."
But behind his eternal smile…
something flickered—
an emotion buried beneath loyalty, ambition, and deceit.