Beneath the shrine's cherry trees, in the training hall—everywhere was saturated with the sickeningly sweet, sour smell of their three-way romance.
Cloud was enjoying this top-tier treatment of "Yamato Nadeshiko on one hand, tsundere queen on the other," feeling like life had reached its peak.
However, such warm, sweet days were destined not to last.
One morning a week later, several black luxury sedans bearing the chrysanthemum crest silently pulled up outside the Kagura Shrine's torii gate.
A group of men in black suits, expressions severe, radiating "keep away" auras, escorted an elderly man in traditional hunting attire with an arrogant face into the shrine.
The old man was named Konoe Fumimaro, the Director of the Imperial Household Agency. The black-suited men around him were the Imperial family's most elite guards—the "Chrysanthemum Guard."
They weren't here to pray. They were here to "settle accounts."
"Miss Chizuru Kagura." Director Konoe's voice was sharp and cold, carrying condescending arrogance. "By His Majesty the Emperor's command, we are here to apprehend the murderer of Crown Prince An'un—Cloud! And to question the Kagura family regarding their complicity!"
Chizuru, who had been sparring with Cloud, darkened at the words.
"Director Konoe, this is Kagura Shrine, not your Imperial Household Agency's interrogation room." She positioned herself in front of Cloud, her presence fully unleashed, not yielding an inch.
"In the KOF Tournament, life and death are accepted by all. Crown Prince An'un's death was a fair duel under the rules—where's this 'murder' you speak of? As for my Kagura family, we revere only the gods of heaven and earth. When did it become the Imperial family's place to question us?"
"Insolence!" One of the guards beside Director Konoe barked.
"Chizuru Kagura, you dare disrespect His Majesty's decree? Don't forget—the Three Sacred Treasure families have been the Imperial guardians for generations! Your harboring of a criminal is betrayal! His Majesty commands that if the Kagura family persists in this folly, they will face the Imperial wrath!"
"Imperial wrath? Heh heh."
A lazy voice drifted from behind Chizuru.
Cloud emerged yawning, casually looking over this group of uninvited guests like they were a bunch of circus clowns.
"Listen, showing up at someone's door to yap like dogs this early—don't you know you're affecting the neighborhood aesthetics? 'Imperial family'? What era is this? Still playing the 'all under heaven belongs to the king' feudal game? Does your household not have internet, or did you forget to pay the electric bill?"
"Impudent wretch! You're Cloud?!" Director Konoe trembled with rage. "Killing the Crown Prince is an unforgivable crime! And you still dare speak such arrogance! Guards, seize him!"
"Yes, sir!"
Four elite Chrysanthemum Guards exploded into motion. Their auras transformed sharply—all of them had reached Absolute Domain!
The four took positions at cardinal points, forming a battle formation. An overwhelming pressure instantly blanketed the entire courtyard.
"Oh no, oh no, this is bad." Cloud called out dramatically, then extended a single finger toward the four charging men.
"One move—no, make that half a move."
He simply pointed forward lightly.
No sound, no flashy effects, not even a ripple of energy.
But those four imposing Imperial experts froze in midair like a movie frame hitting pause.
Then, like puppets with cut strings, they sprayed blood and flew backward, carving four deep furrows in the ground before collapsing unconscious on the spot.
The entire process was so fast nobody saw what happened.
Director Konoe's jaw dropped wide enough to fit an egg. The arrogance on his face instantly turned to horror.
"You... you..."
"Me what?" Cloud walked up to him, grinning as he patted the old man's cheek. "Gramps, go back and tell your Emperor—I killed his son. If he wants revenge, he can."
Cloud's smile suddenly turned cold, a terrifying killing intent flashing through his eyes.
"Then let him wash his neck clean and come find me himself. Sending a few rotten fish and shrimp like you—is he looking down on me, or looking down on himself?"
With that, he extended a finger and lightly tapped Director Konoe's forehead.
A nearly invisible thread of golden flame, finer than a hair, instantly entered his body.
"Get lost." Cloud waved his hand dismissively, like shooing flies. "And take the trash with you."
Director Konoe, scared out of his wits, scrambled away with his unconscious subordinates, fleeing the Kagura Shrine in disgrace.
Imperial Palace, the Emperor's chambers—"Phoenix Hall."
The current Emperor was a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his fifties, with a stern, commanding presence that needed no anger to intimidate.
He sat quietly listening to Konoe Fumimaro's embellished, tearful report.
"...Your Majesty! That Cloud is absolutely outrageous! Not only does he show no respect for the Imperial family, he... he even severely injured the Chrysanthemum Guard! This is a declaration of war against the Imperial house—against you! Please deliver divine punishment and execute this villain!"
The Emperor's face showed no expression. He simply asked flatly, "He really... only used one finger?"
"Absolutely! This old servant saw it with his own eyes!"
A gleam of light flickered briefly in the Emperor's eyes. He was silent for a moment, about to speak.
Suddenly!
A burst of golden flame exploded from Director Konoe's forehead where he knelt!
The flame appeared small, yet the instant it emerged, it released a pressure so terrifying it warped space itself!
The full unleashing of 96% Absolute Domain!
The flame transformed into a roaring golden lion, carrying an aura that could incinerate all things. It crossed the distance of space and lunged straight at the Emperor on his dragon throne!
This sudden development made Director Konoe wet himself on the spot.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"