The Tempest Hall stood quieter than the rest of the village at night, its structure vast and imposing, built not for comfort, but for authority. The wind moved differently here—less free, more controlled—as if even nature understood that this place belonged to those who had already mastered it. Light spilled faintly from a few inner rooms, low voices occasionally slipping into the halls before fading again into silence.
Inside one of those rooms—
laughter.
Not loud.
Not joyful.
But relaxed in a way that came from power, from status, from knowing no one present needed to prove anything to anyone else.
Yosuke Nakamura sat with his back slightly reclined, one arm resting loosely as he held his drink, his posture careless in a way only someone confident in their strength could afford. Around him were three others—two fellow Grand Masters, their presence heavy but unrestrained, and one who stood above them all without needing to say it.
A Sovereign Master.
The air in the room carried weight.
Not oppressive—
but absolute.
"You've been quieter than usual, Yosuke," one of the Grand Masters said, swirling his drink lazily. "That new student of yours tiring you out already?"
A faint chuckle followed.
Yosuke scoffed lightly, taking a slow sip before answering.
"Tiring?" he repeated, amused in a dry, dismissive way. "Don't mistake me for someone who wastes effort on things that aren't worth it."
The second Grand Master leaned forward slightly, interest sparked.
"Oh? So the rumors were wrong?" he asked. "They said you took in someone from the Kaze family."
Another small laugh.
"Or is it just that even their bloodline isn't what it used to be?"
That drew a reaction.
A quiet one.
But real.
Yosuke's smirk sharpened slightly.
"The Kaze Clan," he said, the name carrying no respect in the way he spoke it, "has always had a habit of overestimating itself."
A pause.
"They cling to reputation like it still means something."
The Sovereign Master didn't interrupt.
Didn't react.
But he listened.
That alone gave the conversation permission to continue.
One of the Grand Masters tilted his head slightly. "Careful," he said, though his tone held more amusement than warning. "That reputation has carried them through more than a few wars."
Yosuke let out a quiet breath through his nose.
"And what about now?" he replied. "Tell me—if that same clan had to rely on what I've seen recently… do you think they'd still stand the same way?"
Silence lingered for just a moment.
Then—
someone chuckled.
"Ah," the second Grand Master said, leaning back. "So it is true. You're training one of them."
"Training is a generous word," Yosuke replied flatly.
"Who is it?" the first one asked. "From Toru's side?"
At the mention of that name, Yosuke's expression shifted slightly—not into anger, but into something sharper.
More personal.
"Toru's family," he muttered, shaking his head once. "They walk around like they own the world itself."
A dry laugh followed.
"That man especially."
Another sip.
"He acts like his strength places him above everyone else."
"And doesn't it?" one of them asked lightly.
Yosuke's eyes narrowed slightly.
"For now."
The room quieted for a second.
Then the Sovereign Master finally spoke, his voice calm, measured, carrying authority without needing to raise itself.
"And the student?"
Simple.
Direct.
Yosuke didn't hesitate.
"Lady Yumi."
A beat.
Then—
laughter.
Not loud.
But enough.
"Seriously?" one of the Grand Masters said, disbelief clear. "Kazue's daughter?"
"That's the one."
Another chuckle, this one more dismissive.
"And?"
Yosuke didn't even pause.
"She's useless."
The word landed clean.
Without hesitation.
Without restraint.
"She can't fight. Can't think. Can't even control her own body properly."
He set his drink down lightly.
"And yet she stands there like she expects something to change."
Another laugh circled the room.
"That bad?" the second Grand Master asked.
"Worse."
Yosuke leaned forward slightly now, his tone lowering, not softer—but more deliberate.
"She imitates. That's all she does. Copies what she sees without understanding any of it."
He shook his head once.
"A body that moves without purpose… will never become strong."
The Sovereign Master watched him quietly.
"And Kazue allows this?" he asked.
Yosuke let out a short breath.
"Kazue," he repeated, a faint edge creeping into his voice now. "She's no different."
A pause.
"She carries herself well. Speaks well. Holds her position."
Then—
his gaze sharpened slightly.
"But strength?"
He scoffed.
"I've seen nothing that justifies the way that family carries itself."
One of the others raised a brow slightly. "That's a bold statement."
Yosuke didn't back down.
"It's an accurate one."
He leaned back again, more relaxed now that he'd said it.
"And her daughter proves it."
Another silence.
Then—
someone else spoke.
"What about her husband?"
The room shifted slightly at that.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
Yosuke's smirk returned.
Colder this time.
"Husband?" he echoed.
A quiet chuckle left him.
"Or do you mean the one who disappeared?"
Another low laugh from one of the Grand Masters.
"Ah… that story."
Yosuke tilted his head slightly, as if considering it.
"Funny, isn't it?" he continued, voice carrying a mocking edge now. "A family that prides itself on strength… and yet can't even keep itself together."
A pause.
Then—
the line crossed.
"Maybe he saw what she really was and left."
A beat.
"Wouldn't be surprising."
Laughter followed.
Sharper this time.
Less restrained.
"Or maybe," Yosuke added, almost idly, "he realized there was nothing worth staying for."
The room echoed with it.
And outside—
the air changed.
Reiji stood just beyond the door, his hand already resting against it, his movement halted mid-action as every word settled into place.
He hadn't meant to listen.
But now—
he couldn't ignore it.
Each sentence pressed deeper than the last, something tightening in his chest, something sharp building with every careless word that came from inside.
His jaw clenched.
His grip tightened.
And when the laughter rose again—
that was it.
The door slammed open.
The sound cracked through the room like a strike, cutting every voice instantly as all eyes snapped toward the entrance.
Reiji didn't stop.
Didn't speak.
He crossed the distance in a single motion—
and grabbed Yosuke by the throat.
The force of it drove him back into his seat, the wood scraping sharply against the floor as the room shifted violently from relaxed to dangerous in an instant.
"Take it back."
Reiji's voice was low.
Controlled.
But shaking with something barely restrained.
Yosuke's eyes widened for a fraction of a second—not from fear, but from surprise.
"Take. It. Back."
The pressure tightened.
Not enough to crush—
but enough to make the point clear.
The room moved.
Chairs scraping.
Energy rising.
"Lord Reiji—!" one of the Grand Masters stepped forward, shock breaking through his composure.
The Sovereign Master stood.
And when he did—
the entire room shifted.
"What is the meaning of this?" his voice cut through everything, sharp, commanding, leaving no space for defiance.
Reiji didn't look at him.
Didn't loosen his grip.
"He will take it back," Reiji said, his eyes locked on Yosuke, "or I will make sure the Nakamura family regrets ever speaking ill of the Kaze."
A dangerous silence followed.
Then—
"You overstep."
The Sovereign Master's voice dropped.
Cold.
Heavy.
"You forget where you stand."
Reiji's grip tightened slightly.
"I remember exactly where I stand."
"Then act like it."
The pressure in the room increased.
Not from Reiji.
From above him.
"You are an Elite Master," the Sovereign Master continued, each word deliberate. "You stand in a room with those who surpass you."
A pause.
"And yet you raise your hand against them?"
For a moment—
it held.
Then—
Reiji released him.
Yosuke staggered back slightly, hand immediately going to his throat as he coughed once, twice, his expression twisting—not in fear, but in anger.
The moment he recovered—
he struck.
A sharp blow, fast and direct, catching Reiji off guard just enough to send him back, his body hitting the ground with a dull impact.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Yosuke straightened slowly, rolling his neck once as he looked down at him.
"You think strength gives you the right to act without consequence?" he said, voice low, edged. "You don't even understand your place."
Reiji didn't respond.
Didn't move.
The Sovereign Master stepped forward slightly.
"This behavior is unacceptable."
Final.
Decisive.
"For raising your hand against a superior—"
A pause.
"You are forbidden from taking missions for thirty days."
The words settled like a sentence.
"If you disobey this order—"
His gaze sharpened.
"Your rank will be stripped."
Silence.
"Do you understand?"
A beat.
"…Yes."
Reiji's voice was quiet.
Controlled.
But something beneath it remained.
Unbroken.
"Good."
The Sovereign Master turned away slightly.
The matter was decided.
Finished.
And then—
Yosuke spoke again.
Calm.
Cold.
As if nothing had happened.
"As for your sister—"
Reiji's eyes flickered slightly.
"I will no longer train her."
A pause.
"I have no interest in wasting my time."
Another breath.
"Find someone else."
Final.
Absolute.
And just like that—
the last thing Yumi had—
was gone.