Akira woke on the dojo's wooden floor, staring up at the ceiling beams. "I've been training way to hard is already time for the Hunter Exams." Akira thought back to what Ito said yesterday: "Tomorrow you're doing the Hunter Exams." Akira leaned back, yawning. "Why do I have to go and do that." Ito flashed his Hunter ID. "The perks that a Hunter gains is unlimited, like going to any country unpermitted, using Tao to destroy buildings, and you can freely fight or kill other Hunters."
Present
"I Don't see why I would ever need to kill someone," Akira says, falling back on his back.
Morning light spilled through the windows, bleaching the room white. He caught his reflection in a cracked mirror across the wall and paused.
He looked, Sharper.
His jaw sat tighter. His posture had changed without him noticing.
"…I grew," he muttered.
Steam filled the bathroom as he stepped under the shower, hot water biting into bruised skin. He stayed there longer than necessary, letting the noise drown his thoughts.
The bathroom door slammed open.
Ito didn't bother knocking.
"Finally," he said, red ponytail swaying as he leaned against the frame. "You sleep like the dead, kid. Get dressed. We're leaving."
Akira cracked one eye open. "Where?"
Ito turned away already. "The Hunter Exam."
The air outside the Yoru compound cut sharp and clean, pine trees towering on both sides of the road as Ito's black car ate up the distance.
For once, Ito didn't talk.
That bothered Akira more than the bruises.
"So," Akira said finally, staring out the window. "I still don't see why I have to become a Hunter"
Ito didn't look at him."A man nearly a million credits in debt shouldn't complain."
Akira's fingers twitched.
Ito nodded once. "You're becoming a Hunter, and that's final."
Akira smiled. "You're acting like you're my dad."
Akira stepped out—and froze.
"…A graveyard?"
Ito walked, signaling Akira to follow him
The names were softened by time, but still readable.
Ayame Yamato Ren Yamato
Ito crossed his arms. "You didn't answer me before. About what you want before you die."A glance back. "Most people want to meet their parents. One way or another."
Akira knelt slowly, fingers brushing the carved letters.
The silence pressed down on him like judgment.
"They're not my parents," he said flatly.
Ito raised an eyebrow. "You sure? Died to a Yokai the same year you were born."
Akira stood, shadow swallowing the graves."My name's not Yamato, at least I don't know if it is, I was the one who gave me my name."
Ito's grin twitched. Just barely.
"Eh, I knew you were an orphan, but how did you name yourself? Who were you raised by?"
Akira points to himself. "Yours truly."
By afternoon, the gates rose before them.
The Hunter Association Headquarters.
Marble spires pierced the sky. Banners from every kingdom rippled with Tao, saturated so thick it prickled Akira's skin. The courtyard swarmed with examinees—faces carved with hunger, fear, ambition, or emptiness already burned in.
Ito placed a hand on Akira's shoulder.
"This is the first step," he said.
Akira inhaled deeply. "I'm ready."
"Then let's start."
Lanternlight washed the grand hall in gold.
At its center stood a man in white robes trimmed with gold, a crimson spiral pinned to his chest. His hair—white, streaked with red and blue—caught the chandeliers like flame.
Kenji Sato. Grand General of the Sao Kingdom.
"Welcome, future Hunters!" His voice rolled through the hall. "I hope you survive—preferably in great fashion.""Beyond that? You're on your own."
Then his gaze found them.
"…Ito Yoru," Kenji said lightly. "Nice to see you, I see you brought a student of your own."
Ito shrugged. "He's stronger than he looks."
Kenji's eyes slid to Akira."Good. I brought one of my own this year. Hinata Nobunosuke."
A pause.
Ito smiled "Let's see whose student lasts longer."
Kenji didn't blink."Multiple people can pass in this exam. It's dumb to try and put two people against each other instead, we should hope they all pass."
Kenji smiled wider.
"Then let the games begin."
The gate groaned open.
They surged forward.
Akira ran.
Stone blurred beneath his feet as darkness swallowed the corridor. The passage spat them into a single room—bare bulb overhead, a lone wooden chair at its center.
The gate slammed shut.
A woman lounged in the chair, cigarette burning low.
Early thirties.Sharp eyes.Tired eyes.
"Kaori Tsukikage," she said. "This whole exam is pretty simple, simple questions about being."
Ash fell to the floor.
"I'm here to test the bare minimum requirement of being a Hunter, for each question I ask flare your Tao up if yes, keep it the same if no, if you can't do that, then you should leave."
Murmurs rippled.
Akira blinked. That's it?
Kaori raised a hand. "Relax. If you fail what comes next, you don't belong here anyway."
"What is the strongest grade a Yokai can be? Is it Grade 7?"
People flared their Tao, same as Akira
Kaori nodded.
Then her voice hardened.
"As Hunters, your job is simple. Kill Yokai. What are Yokai made of? Flare if Tao."
Some flinched.
"Yokai are made of Tao. Their Tao leaks over time—so they eat humans to survive."A drag."Humans and Yokai impose on each other. They cannot coexist without a contract."
Her gaze cut through the room.
"Understand?"
They nodded.
"Second test."
The bulb flickered.
"I'll ask a question. Answer silently. I'll know if you lie."
A pause.
"If you could save your parents… or an entire city—who would you choose, Flare if parents, keep the same if city."
Time stretched.
Kaori watched.
Measured.
Then she stood.
"You pass," she said as the next gate opened. "Hunters don't need to be good people."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Just people who do good things."
Thirty minutes later.
Trees shook with the echo of steel.
Hinata stood before Akira, longsword drawn, hands trembling—not fear.
Fury.
"So—did you kill him or not?!"
Akira stood over a lifeless body.
Blood soaked the ground.
His face was hidden in shadow.
Silent.
Unreadable.
And for the first time—
Hinata wasn't sure whether Akira was a hero…
Or something else entirely.