"Are you finished?"
"But I won't feel sympathy for a criminal."
Byakuya heard this, his expression unwavering. "Is that so? On this point, your thoughts align with mine. However, I extend no pity to anyone."
"Calculated. The timing should be precise."
At this exact moment, every council member present received a letter.
And after perusing its new contents, expressions of utter disbelief spread across their faces.
"What?"
"This is the decision of the Cabinet of Elders?"
"To appoint him Chief?!"
"Immunity from all responsibility?!"
"What an absurdity!"
The chamber erupted in a cacophony of murmurs, while Byakuya calmly speared a canned peach with his fork and ate it.
"People always say new officials 'burn three fires,' but I believe that's likely an outdated notion. Some practices should simply be abolished."
"People too."
"For example, our esteemed Chief Council Member, whose sole significant contribution to the acquisition cause has been to utter 'yes' and 'correct' at every council meeting."
"If one can only blindly agree or uncritically follow, then the O5 Council is no different with or without your presence."
"As an organization wholeheartedly dedicated to humanity's welfare, having such an individual in the decision-making echelons is unacceptable now."
"You!"
"Am I incorrect?"
Byakuya rose to his feet. "Those who have fought on the front lines truly understand how perilous they are."
"The soldiers risk their lives. What they require are leaders capable of making sound decisions, executing proper judgments, and reducing casualties, not leaders who can only echo 'correct' and 'yes'."
The crowd was about to interject when, at this moment, the large screen behind them illuminated.
Zero's projection materialized before them. "I am sure you've all received my communication. Regardless of any doubts you may harbor, remember what I told you the moment you joined the O5 Council."
"Here, there are no questions, no curiosity. Learn to be silent first."
"Byakuya will assume my seat on the O5 Council starting today. He will possess rights equal to mine, and every one of his orders will be absolute."
Byakuya stared at the crowd. "For the future of the organization, I believe the O5 Council should remove one person and allow a more capable individual to step forward."
"Understood."
Zero approved Byakuya's proposal. Observing Zero's stance, everyone present, unless they were utterly foolish, must have grasped the gravity of the situation.
Byakuya's position was not a simple matter. The 'mole' situation, if merely tolerated, would have meant nothing. But Byakuya becoming the Chief of the O5 Council?
This was already an unalterable reality.
Byakuya claimed he didn't want to enact the "new official burns three fires" cliché, yet the very first action he took was a clear warning, a 'killing of a chicken to scare the monkeys.'
Thus, some people's words should only be heard and never taken seriously.
Byakuya's narrative was a mixture of truth and fabrication. Which parts were genuine and which were deceptive, only he himself truly knew.
And Zero's intervention this time was clearly intended to decisively establish Byakuya's authority.
Zero had paved the way for him; what happened next depended entirely on his performance.
This meeting concluded.
And after the meeting, Zero introduced Byakuya to someone.
A portly man whose eyes had been gouged out.
His name was Tang Yan. Legend had it that he was one of Kitsune's initial A-class acquisition personnel, and also one of only two survivors of the Candy Box experiment. His codename was Eye of the Future.
He was originally the wielder of the Future Diary. Eventually, by some cruel twist of fate, he ended up in this condition, but thankfully, his life was spared.
Every day, two Kitsune soldiers shadowed Tang Yan. Tang Yan, meanwhile, spent his entire day sitting on his bed, staring blankly out the window.
Although he lacked eyes, he could perceive where the light shone from.
As soon as Byakuya entered Tang Yan's room, Tang Yan turned his head towards him.
"Who?"
Byakuya entered the room. "The Chief sent me to see you."
Hearing the word "Chief," Tang Yan sighed.
"I know. Come closer to me. Remember, do not move."
Byakuya walked before Tang Yan. Tang Yan's hand directly grasped his, then his arm.
Finally, he covered Byakuya's eyes.
"Ah..."
Tang Yan suddenly chuckled, then lowered his hand.
"Do you know why the Chief wanted you to find me?"
"This matter, only the Chief and I know. And you have become the third person to be privy to it."
"I can still foresee the future."
Foresee the future?
Tang Yan clarified, "To phrase it that way isn't entirely accurate, because I originally possessed the ability to predict the future. It's simply that after my eyes were gouged out, I can only perceive through limb contact, witnessing an uncontrollable future."
The reason it was uncontrollable was because Tang Yan could only see one specific kind of future.
That was the future of death.
More precisely, it was the ultimate culmination of all possible futures.
He could only see the end, not the intervening process.
"Listen carefully, I'll only say this once."
"When the sun rises at night, and the Yang Tree blossoms in January, that is your fated day of death."
Byakuya's expression remained largely unchanged after hearing this sentence.
Feeling his breathing remain steady, Tang Yan was slightly puzzled, because his reaction was truly too calm.
When an ordinary person hears a prophecy of their own death, is this the typical reaction?
"Anything else?"
Hearing Byakuya's words, Tang Yan paused for a moment. "Don't you have anything you want to say?"
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"Have you heard a very classic story?"
Byakuya settled into a nearby chair. "It's a story I read in a fairytale book when I was very young."
"Once upon a time, there was a king. He was immensely wealthy, but one day, his most trusted wizard foretold that when the moon turned blood red, he would meet his end by the blades of rebellion."
"The king was terrified. He hastily designated his eldest son as successor, then renounced his own power, taking a select group of people and provisions, fleeing into the deep mountains, never to be seen again."
"Time passed swiftly. Supplies dwindled. The knights, driven by hunger, lost their minds, transforming into bloodthirsty beasts, clashing blades with each other, ultimately perishing at each other's hands."
"The king died by blades."
"And that very night the king died, a blood-red moon rose in the night sky."
Tang Yan nodded. "If the prophecy was truly so, then whether he fled into the deep mountains or remained in the kingdom, the outcome would have been the same."
"Precisely," Byakuya affirmed, clapping his hands. "Indeed, if death is fated, then no amount of preparation is futile."
"Rather than clinging to life in the deep mountains, consumed by the fear of death, it's far better to actively ignite war, to brazenly conquer. Before the blood moon rises, he will surely emerge victorious wherever he goes."
Tang Yan absorbed these words and suddenly experienced an epiphany. Byakuya's perspective had utterly transformed his own understanding.
If this story were applied to Byakuya, then Tang Yan's prophecy wasn't a death sentence.
It was a golden ticket to immunity!
The Chief, with his ability to discern people's true nature, truly possessed a unique way of thinking.
"What is your name?"
"Byakuya."
"Your name isn't quite right. Who gave it to you? Your father, mother, or older relatives?"
Tang Yan deemed his name unsuitable because of the prophecy he had just given.
The sun rising at night—wasn't that "Byakuya" (white night)?
Parents?
Elders?
Byakuya's expression, which rarely shifted, remained unchanged. "I haven't seen them since I was born. I have no parents."
"My name, I chose it myself. As for why this name, it's because..."
Byakuya considered himself a walking contradiction.
He was neither solely good nor solely evil, but at times precisely the opposite. He embodied both good and evil, thus existing as a paradox.
Light and dark, good and evil.
These were two extreme factions, seemingly irreconcilable. Yet, Byakuya felt both were intrinsic to himself, or perhaps, he believed that every life was inherently this way.
Just as all living things cast shadows, there are inherently two sides, Yin and Yang. All matters lack absolute right, wrong, good, or evil answers.
But why do humans insist on clinging to these dualities of good and evil?
Whether it's "man at birth, is good by nature" or "man at birth, is evil by nature," both assertions hold truth. There's no need for endless debate.
But the world simply operates in such a chaotic fashion.
And Byakuya's chosen name signified the coexistence of light and dark. He was both good, and he was evil.
Tang Yan was startled. "Do you know your birthday?"
"The day I was picked up is my birthday."
Byakuya evoked an indescribable sensation in Tang Yan, a feeling somewhat akin to what he experienced with Zero.
For instance, Tang Yan had once predicted Zero's death.
And Zero, with a calm expression, had simply stated, "Then there's still time."
Both also shared another clear similarity: the blurred boundary between good and evil.
So, in a certain sense, the two of them might indeed be kindred spirits.
...
At 2 AM, in the dead of night.
Byakuya, still deep in sleep, frowned as countless roaring voices echoed within his mind.
"No, that's not right!"
"It's not like that!"
"Then what is it? Didn't that simple-minded brute just go up and kill him?"
"Alright, there's no need to quarrel, my friend. If you keep arguing, everyone will be unhappy."
"Whether we're quarreling or not, I'm intensely uncomfortable right now!"
"Then what can be done? The truth is, that's simply how it is. You're all dead."
"You too."
"I never claimed I wasn't dead, either."
"Chief, I demand an explanation from the Chief!!"
"Quiet, you're too noisy."
"Hahahaha, I'm quite different from you. I'm incredibly ecstatic right now, because this fellow is about to perish!"
"Ren Water, we'll be waiting for you down below!!"
"..."
Byakuya's eyes suddenly snapped open. His heart rate abruptly accelerated.
He sat up, the persistent sounds within his head refusing to subside.
Byakuya's gaze was cold. He immediately sat cross-legged, the Five Element energies on his body manifesting and beginning to converge to a single point. "As long as the Heavenly Stem's power isn't fully refined by me, their souls will not dissipate."
The Heavenly Stem secondary phantoms weren't merely pure energy.
They also contained intense individual consciousness, or perhaps, souls.
Byakuya's absorption of their secondary phantoms wasn't just a simple energy transfer; it was more akin to integrating a type of distinct personality.
And each time he integrated a personality, his strength would increase.
Just as when Geng Metal consumed the potion, his physical body was simultaneously enhanced.
Byakuya absorbing Geng Metal's secondary phantom was like absorbing that very potion into himself, thereby strengthening his own physical body.
When the Deca consumed their potions, these had varying degrees of influence on their physical bodies, and likewise, different levels of impact on their spirits.
When all these forces converged onto Byakuya's body, both his spirit and physical body descended into chaos.
Sometimes his body would uncontrollably perform certain actions, sometimes he would involuntarily utter specific phrases.
Ultimately, Byakuya failed to completely refine them.
Byakuya closed his eyes. The Yin Five Elements and Yang Five Elements divided into two distinct groups, beginning to rotate like a Taiji symbol, converging to a central point.
But refinement was far from easy. Moreover, each failure would trigger a backlash, rendering this process even more arduous.
Repeated backlash caused blood to trickle from Byakuya's mouth. All his internal organs sustained varying degrees of damage.
After a while, Byakuya opened his eyes.
"Cough, cough!"
Byakuya spat out a mouthful of blood. The converged Heavenly Stem power once again dispersed.
"Why can't the Heavenly Stem's power unite?"
"Deca's power originates from the same source; they are mutually generative and can transform one into ten. Why can't they coalesce into one entity?"
"Are these powers rejecting each other due to fundamental emotions, or are these powers rejecting me?"
Byakuya listened to the increasingly loud and noisy voices in his head.
...
At the exact same instant, in Africa.
The Chaos Insurgency headquarters.
Computer was manipulating the Chaos Unit 01 body, meticulously modifying a human on the operating table, while 009 continuously paced beside him.
Several robotic arms were connected to Computer's back, constantly retrieving various tools from the surrounding area, methodically altering the life form on the operating table.
"What exactly do you intend to convey?"
"Chaos Insurgency never passively accepts humiliation. Serpent's Hand made fools of us. Can you truly tolerate this?"
Computer heard this and, without looking back, replied, "So what do you propose we do?"
"What else? Of course, eliminate them!"
"Very well, proceed."
Noticing Computer's perfunctory attitude, 009 directly leaned in. "What is the meaning of this indifferent demeanor?"
Computer turned his head. "I am currently assembling Chaos Unit 02. Please wait a moment."
Unit 02?
009 looked at the person on the operating table. This individual was a Kitsune member captured during the Antarctic battle.
Although an Awakened, his internal energy was pitifully low, and one of his arms was broken.
His sole valuable asset was that this person possessed the Rabbit stone.
He was the Rabbit position among Kitsune's Twelve Earthly Branches, the wielder of the Rabbit stone, and had clashed with Arthur twice.
The first encounter was at the shopping mall, the second in Antarctica.
For some unknown reason, Computer had developed a peculiar interest in this individual and was currently performing various mechanical modifications on him.
Of course, beyond this person, Computer had also retrieved a significant amount of material from the Antarctic battle.
These items included, but were not limited to, humans, monsters, diverse metals, and various minerals.
"Two more months. Still plenty of time."
"What two months?"
009 always felt Computer was becoming somewhat eccentric. He would occasionally murmur inexplicable things, truly making him an enigma.
009 would inquire, and Computer's answer was consistently the same.
"Only by obtaining that thing can one truly grasp the key to the future."
"If the plan succeeds, this world will enter an era of Automata!"
"Chaos Insurgency will be the first to reach the future!"
009 stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So what exactly is that thing? If it's so important, what if someone else acquires it?"
Computer paused his hand movements. "Acquire it?"
"They still require at least five more years of development before they can even attempt to compete with me for this resource."
"What resource?"
"Heli-3."
...
April 26th, sunny.
Remember to eat canned peaches tomorrow.
April 27th, sunny.
Why eat canned peaches?
Because I enjoy them.
April 28th, light rain.
The information written on the 27th is erroneous. I do not like canned peaches.
April 29th, sunny.
Yesterday's words were false.
"..."
Byakuya continuously penned entries backward in a diary for days that had yet to arrive, until the content extended a full month into the future.
He casually tossed the diary onto the table, then changed his clothes, opened the door, and exited the room. As he walked down the hallway, a woman in a uniform approached him.
"Ren... Chief Byakuya, this is the canned fruit you requested yesterday."
The woman held a can of peaches in syrup and offered it. Byakuya saw this and stroked his chin. "Did I state I wanted this?"
"You did."
"I dislike canned peaches. Next time, prepare canned plums. Bring them tomorrow morning." Byakuya finished speaking, preparing to turn and depart.
However, the woman, without changing her expression, produced a can of plums from behind her back.
"Here."
Speaking of the newly appointed Chief, he possessed a peculiar quirk. Firstly, every morning, he would awaken early and instruct someone to prepare a can of fruit for him.
Moreover, it had to be delivered the following morning.
Yet, every time the canned fruit was delivered, Byakuya would claim he didn't recall asking for such a thing, and would then request a different variety of canned fruit.
Purely mentally unstable.
After being teased twice by Byakuya, the woman had grown wiser. This time, she had directly prepared one of each kind of canned fruit.
Byakuya observed this and remained silent for a moment, then reached out and took the canned plums.
"Tomorrow, prepare canned mixed fruit."
Hearing this, the woman again produced a can of mixed fruit from behind her. "Here, canned mixed fruit."
Byakuya and the woman faced each other. Time seemed to momentarily suspend itself.
"Tomorrow, prepare a bowl of wonton noodles. It must contain fourteen wontons. You eat ten, leave four, and two of those four should be cut open."
"The rest, I'll consume."
Huh?
...
On the other side, within the Cabinet.
A council member secretly met with Zero. "Chief."
"Speak."
"Regarding Byakuya's resume, a section of it appears to have some discrepancies. Would you care to review it?"
Zero looked up at him. "Just tell me directly."
The council member retrieved two documents. "Firstly, his education. Byakuya claims he's an orphan who never received a proper education. So, where did this National Defense University resume come from?"
Zero heard this and set down the pen in his hand. "Who told you he's an orphan?"
"Uh... he said so himself."
"The meeting recording from yesterday is still available, if you don't believe me, sir..."
"No need. Byakuya is the child of a comrade of mine from when we were both in the military. I even visited him on the day he graduated from National Defense University," Zero stated.
Huh?
The council member was stunned. Looking at the intelligence report in his hand, his mind immediately raced, trying to make sense of the new information.
"Do you have anything else?"
"No... No."
"Go."
"...Yes."
...
No sooner had this council member departed the Cabinet office than he encountered Byakuya at a discreet corner.
At this moment, Byakuya, with his arms crossed, casually leaned against the wall. "Good morning, Council Member Tiao."
"...Morning."
"Why the constipated expression? Have you consumed too much kaolin?" Byakuya teased, his tone light and nonchalant.
The council member's eyebrow twitched. "Old man, it's been seven days since you joined the O5 Council."
"Regarding Serpent's Hand, regarding Chaos, regarding the Book of God, and the new Heavenly Stems, a huge pile of critical issues is awaiting your attention. Don't you feel you should be actively engaged?"
Byakuya replied, "These matters you've listed, I'm already addressing them. Haven't you noticed?"
"I haven't."
Byakuya heard this and chuckled softly, then clapped his hands. Five men and five women suddenly emerged from around the corner.
"Here, behold the new Heavenly Stems."
The council member turned to observe these ten individuals. He looked, and then nearly couldn't help but swear aloud.
This so-called new Deca comprised both young and old, some as ancient as 80 and others as young as 14.
Moreover, these people were D-class personnel!
They hadn't even had the opportunity to change out of their orange uniforms!
One old man among them chuckled, "I never thought I'd reach this age and still be entrusted with such vital work by the organization, becoming a true pillar of the institution. It's genuinely a great honor."
The council member stared at this group of people and almost spat out a mouthful of stale blood. Is this fellow truly not an operative sent by Chaos? he wondered.
"Are you joking?"
"Do I appear to be joking?"
"These people can actually perform missions?!"
"Why not?"
"They're D-class personnel!"
"What's inherently wrong with D-class personnel?"
"You... fine, fine, fine."
I'll just observe how you manage to bring Kitsune down!
Chief, oh Chief, when will you finally come to your senses?
The council member walked away, shaking his head in disbelief.
After he left, Byakuya, adopting the demeanor of a tour guide, raised a small flag, then led these ten individuals into the low-intensity acquisition zone.
"Everyone, observe carefully. This item is designated β-077: Fresh Lemonade."
"This was acquired by the organization with considerable effort. It's a bottle of lemonade that never depletes."
"As the first stop of this tour, please, everyone, have a drink of lemonade. Each of you will receive a cup. There's ample for everyone, no need to quarrel."
The ten D-class personnel each took their cups. Byakuya opened the acquisition room, retrieved the lemonade, and began pouring for them one by one.
"Alright, everyone can now enjoy."
The group guzzled down the lemonade. At this moment, Byakuya produced a photograph from his chest pocket, then handed it to the oldest man among them.
"Here, examine the person in this photo."
The old man took the photograph and carefully studied it. The picture depicted a man with Clown makeup on his face.
"Remember what he looks like?"
"I remember," the old man nodded vigorously.
Byakuya revealed a faint smile. "Very good."
With that, Byakuya suddenly pressed his hand down on the old man's face, directly slamming him against the metal wall with a forceful palm strike!
Puff, puff!
Blood splattered. The old man's head directly exploded.
Byakuya shook the blood from his hand, then turned to look at the next person, but that individual was already frozen in horrified bewilderment on the spot.
Byakuya used his blood-stained hand to extract another photograph from his pocket.
It was still the man with Clown makeup on his face.
"Here, look at him."
That person snapped to attention, hastily shaking his head. "No..."
Byakuya reached out and grabbed his hair, directly pressing the photograph against his face. "Actually, you don't need to remember it. Just look at it."
With that, Byakuya tossed the photograph aside, then directly broke the man's arm!
Crack!
"Aaaah!!!"
Byakuya twisted his wrist, then tore off the man's arm. Immediately after, he broke his legs, and the person died directly during this agonizing process.
Byakuya immediately looked at the next person. He took out another photograph. This photograph was a portrait of the Gambler, Zhang Yuanqing.
However, the remaining eight people instantly scattered at this moment, desperately trying to run!