The first day of classes after the winter break passed like any other. Teachers resuming their lessons with forced enthusiasm, students yawning without restraint, and piles of accumulated homework waiting to be corrected. But for Daniel, his return to Kuoh High School couldn't be more particular.
The only thing that truly stood out that day was when Mitsuru Kirijo, with her elegant bearing and determined gaze, joined Daniel and his girlfriends during lunch.
The cafeteria fell silent for a moment when the Kirijo Group heiress sat down with a slight but genuine smile next to the young man who had captured her attention... and perhaps something more.
Daniel's girlfriends —Tamamo, Reynare, Alya, Sakura, Hikari, and Hibiki— accepted her quickly and naturally. Though, through knowing glances, they all knew the truth: after that night during the holidays, they understood they would need more reinforcements if they wanted to avoid being overwhelmed by Daniel's dragon instinct. Mitsuru, with her composure and strength, wasn't a bad option.
—At least someone with good stamina and a tactical mind — Hibiki muttered under her breath, provoking a giggle from Alya.
While that was happening, Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri returned from their family visits in the Underworld. Sona came back with her classic serious and imperturbable behavior, though when Daniel was near, a faint blush decorated her cheeks and she seemed to try twice as hard not to look at him too much.
Rias, on the other hand, was not the same.
The redhead was quieter, more distant, and even downcast. She no longer shone as she used to, and although she struggled to maintain a strong appearance, Daniel didn't need to read her mind to know something was tormenting her.
With his memories from his past life and everything he knew about her story, he didn't need many clues to guess the reason: the engagement to Riser Phenex. A political agreement imposed by the higher echelons of the Underworld.
Daniel only glanced at her that day, without pressing. He knew he couldn't do anything... unless she asked him directly. Because even if he could be a womanizer, he wasn't a meddler.
—When you're ready, Rias... I'll be there — he thought to himself, as his eyes met hers for an instant across the hallway.
She lowered her gaze.
The school routine was returning, but the supernatural world never sleeps.
And something in the air... said this calm wouldn't last long.
As the school day ended, with the sun slowly descending on Kuoh's horizon, Daniel and his girlfriends prepared to leave together. They walked amidst laughter, comments about their classes, and plans for the evening, when an unexpected figure appeared before them.
A man of youthful appearance, with mostly human features, but sporting wolf-like ears atop his head and a thick tail that moved tensely behind him, stepped into their path. His aura was firm, but contained. He wore simple but well-kept clothes, and his face showed signs of exhaustion... and desperation.
Daniel activated his Observation Haki almost instinctively. He sensed the stranger's intentions were neither hostile nor malicious. Neutral, yes, but with a tint of sincere urgency.
—Forgive me for appearing so abruptly — the man began, with a slight bow—. I know it's not proper, but... I need help.
Daniel frowned curiously.
—Help? — he asked in a neutral but attentive tone—. Who are you?
—My name is Ginji. I am a Youko, part of the Yokai clan that lives on the outskirts of Kyoto, but I have family in Kuoh... or rather, I had.
Tamamo and Reynare, who had already positioned themselves on either side of Daniel out of precaution, exchanged silent glances.
—A few months ago — Ginji continued—, my brother's family disappeared. They had moved to Kuoh to start anew... and suddenly, they just stopped responding. No one has seen them. No magical signals. Not a single trace.
Daniel observed him carefully, perceiving the contained desperation behind his words. Then he thought of something.
—Yokai normally don't trust humans. Sona and Rias made that clear to me — he commented—. Why come to me?
Ginji sighed.
—Because I have no other choice. I heard about you. What you did with that fallen angel... the way you protected people who owed you nothing. I thought maybe you'd be different. If I must choose between asking for help from the devils who rule Kuoh or from a human without political affiliations, I prefer the option with fewer risks.
Daniel crossed his arms for a moment, thoughtful. This wasn't the first strange conflict to appear in Kuoh... and if there were Yokai missing without a trace, it could mean something much bigger.
Finally, he nodded calmly.
—Alright. I'll help you.
Tamamo smiled with pride, while Reynare nodded, already ready for action.
Daniel turned to the rest of his girlfriends. With a tender smile, he gave each one a kiss on the lips. A gesture full of warmth, but also of promise.
—Go straight home. I'll see you later. Be careful.
—You too... — Sakura murmured, still with the taste of the kiss on her lips.
—Don't do anything crazy — added Alya with a mischievous but worried smile.
And so, Daniel, Tamamo, Reynare, and Ginji set off together, following the clues that would lead them to the mysterious housing complex where the Yokai family was last seen.
A new shadow was beginning to rise over Kuoh...
And Daniel was ready to face it.
The icy winter breeze caressed the silent trees of the abandoned residential neighborhood as Daniel, Tamamo, and Reynare observed their surroundings seriously. Before them, the Youko Ginji, with a furrowed brow and clenched fists, pointed to one of the houses in the complex where his brother's family once lived.
—It was there — he said with a tense voice—. That was the last place they were seen. After that... nothing.
Tamamo closed her eyes and extended her hand, tracing invisible arcane seals in the air. Her expression was one of absolute concentration.
—...There are traces — she finally said—. Very faint, almost imperceptible. But magic was definitely used here... weeks ago, maybe more than a month. It's almost completely faded.
Reynare also concentrated, frowning as she spread her own dark wings. Her tone became grave.
—This magic... I recognize it. It's from a fallen angel. And not just any... it's dense, chaotic... arrogant. This trace is from Kokabiel.
Daniel narrowed his eyes.
—I figured as much...
Ginji looked at them, confused and tense.
—Kokabiel? Is that name supposed to mean something to me?
—Kokabiel — Reynare interjected coldly— is one of the most powerful and dangerous fallen angels that exist. A psychopath obsessed with war and chaos. If he came here, it wasn't for anything noble. If he attacked your family... it was for fun. For ego. Because he could.
Ginji gritted his teeth in fury. His tail swished back and forth, showing his growing anger.
—Fun!? That's all!? They were children, a normal family! What kind of monster...?
Daniel stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
—You're not wrong, Ginji. But losing control now won't help. We need to think how to locate them... if they're still alive, we have a chance.
Tamamo nodded.
—We can follow the trace, but it will be tricky. Over time, the magic has dispersed. I'll need to prepare a more precise tracking ritual. It might take me a few hours... but it's possible.
—And if the trace connects to other places — Reynare added—, maybe we can determine a pattern... or the final destination they were taken to. Though dealing with Kokabiel, it won't be a very friendly place.
Ginji took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
—Then let's do it. I'll do whatever's necessary. I just want them to be safe... and if they aren't... I want justice.
Daniel nodded, with a determined look.
—Then we start now.
We're going to find your family, Ginji.
And if Kokabiel is behind this... he'll pay.
Night had fallen over Kuoh, but in the old industrial district, a faint magical glow illuminated an area forgotten by the city. Tamamo, with a grave expression, had finished her tracking ritual. Her fan glowed softly as arcane symbols floated above the ground's surface.
—Here it is... — she murmured—. The magical energy flow is strongest in this direction. Warehouse 13B, right on the edge of the complex.
Daniel, Reynare, and Ginji exchanged glances before advancing. The building was in ruins, rusty and abandoned on the outside, but the interior... told another story. There were remnants of chains, symbols drawn on the wall with dried blood, and the smell of death permeating the air.
Reynare frowned upon detecting the familiar aura.
—This... isn't common magic. Dark rituals were done here... interrogations... torture.
Tamamo, still following the traces, led the group to the back of the warehouse. There, behind a stack of rusty crates, they found what no one wanted to see.
A body.
Already in an advanced state of decomposition, with remnants of dark magical energy infused into the flesh. Around it, the ground was marked by a suppression circle, and on its chest, there was a singed black feather: Kokabiel's macabre seal.
Ginji fell to his knees, as if his very soul had been struck.
—...No...
—NOOOOOOOOOO! — the howl he let out was so painful, so laden with fury, that it resonated throughout the building.
It was his brother. No doubt.
Daniel lowered his head in silence, clenching his fist tightly. The air grew denser. Even Tamamo, normally serene, gritted her teeth, furious at the scene.
Reynare only murmured with a broken voice:
—He... was executed as a warning. Kokabiel used him as an example...
Ginji slowly stood up, tears still streaming down his face. He walked to the body and, with Daniel's help, they wrapped it in a blanket of purifying energy conjured by Tamamo.
There were no priests. No prayers. Only the silence of a night he would never forget.
Outside the warehouse, they dug an improvised grave. With respect, they covered it with earth and stones, and Ginji placed his sword in front of the mound as a sign of mourning.
—I swear — Ginji said, his voice low but charged with contained fury—. Brother... you will not die in vain. Kokabiel... will pay for every drop of suffering you endured. I'll make his screams reach the heavens.
Daniel placed his hand on the yokai's shoulder.
—You're not alone in this, Ginji.
It doesn't matter if you're human, angel, devil, or yokai. No one deserves this.
Tamamo and Reynare nodded.
—Kokabiel has crossed too many lines — Reynare said in a tense voice—. This time, we're going to stop him. Not for politics. Not for alliances. For justice.
Daniel looked at the starry sky and gritted his teeth.
—And I'll make sure the world remembers... that no one gets away with laying their hands on the innocent.
The night continued its course as Daniel, Tamamo, Reynare, and Ginji advanced, guided by the faint magical trace still floating in the air. The residual energy was weak, but Tamamo kept it alive with her tracking enchantments. No one spoke. The air was heavy, and the sepulchral silence was broken only by the group's hurried footsteps.
Finally, they arrived at a secluded house, hidden among dry trees and hills. The façade was abandoned, but something in the atmosphere made their hair stand on end.
—...They're not far — Tamamo murmured.
Daniel entered first, followed by Reynare, while Ginji barely held his breath. Crossing the threshold, the smell hit them like an invisible wall.
—No... — Ginji murmured, stepping forward.
On the floor, in the middle of the blood-covered living room, lay the lifeless body of a young woman. Her face showed traces of pain and resistance. It was his brother's wife. Her kimono was torn, but even so, her expression indicated she fought until the end.
Ddraig spoke in Daniel's mind, his tone cold and tense:
"This magical energy... is fresh. No more than four hours old. They're close. Very close."
Ginji fell to his knees again, his anger erupting like a dormant volcano reawakened.
—Damn bastards! They killed her! They killed her like nothing! — He slammed the ground forcefully, his nails turning into claws, his body trembling between tears and rage.
Daniel said nothing. He only placed a hand on his shoulder, his gaze fixed on the magical trail leading out the back door.
—There's still hope... the child.
Tamamo nodded immediately and activated her magic once more.
—There's another life source ahead! It's weak, but it's alive!
Reynare drew her dark-light spear.
—Then we can't waste another second.
The group arrived at an even larger warehouse than the previous one, covered by illusory barriers hiding its presence. Daniel shattered them as if they were paper with a wave of Armament Haki, and upon crossing the entrance, his Observation Haki activated fully.
—I counted at least 12 presences — he said in a low voice—. Most are low to mid-rank fallen angels... but there's one. One that's strong. The leader.
—Then you already know what to do — Daniel said, and the three nodded without hesitation.
Tamamo invoked her spiritual fires and launched herself like a whirlwind upon the mid-rank enemies, leaving a trail of holy flames. Ginji, releasing his partial transformation, became a beast of speed and fury, mercilessly tearing apart those in his path.
Reynare, quick and precise, handled the weaker ones. Her spear pierced hearts and skulls without hesitation. There was no mercy. Not with those who tortured for fun.
Daniel, meanwhile, walked calmly to the back of the warehouse. There, in a chamber surrounded by suppression symbols, was a small yokai child, chained, crying and trembling. Facing her, a six-winged fallen angel with black wings, robes stained red with blood, turned upon sensing Daniel's presence.
—Well, well... — he said with a twisted smile—. So you're the human who ruined Surgal's plans.
Daniel didn't respond. He just stared at him fixedly, his dragon aura slowly releasing, making the air dense and vibrant.
—Don't be mistaken — he finally said, his voice low but firm—. I'm not just any human... and you just sealed your death sentence.
—For interrupting a simple interrogation session?
—No. For torturing and murdering an innocent family. For turning suffering into a game. For looking at a child and thinking you could do the same to her.
The fallen angel fell into a combat stance, smiling arrogantly.
—Then come! Make me pay if you can!
The last thing he saw was a red flash.
Daniel vanished from his sight. When the angel tried to move, he felt a sharp blow to his abdomen. Then to his face. Then to his back. Daniel struck him with brutal precision, using Boost after Boost, and mixing Haki with his draconic power. The floor broke with each impact.
The angel fell to his knees, spitting blood.
—Who... the hell are you...?
Daniel walked to the child, freed her from the chains, and carefully picked her up in his arms.
—I am the warning that this world will no longer let you keep torturing in the shadows.
With a dragon's roar, a burst of flames enveloped him.
When the flames dissipated, nothing remained of the fallen angel. Only ashes.
Ginji arrived seconds later, enemy blood still dripping from his claws.
—Is she... alive?
Daniel handed the child to him. She was unconscious, but alive. Ginji broke down crying again, this time with relief.
—Thank you... Thank you, brother.
—Don't thank me yet — Daniel replied—. Kokabiel still remains... and this time, he's not going to escape.
The yokai girl slept deeply in Ginji's arms, sheltered with an improvised blanket by Tamamo, her breathing barely audible, but steady. Daniel remained silent, observing the surroundings stained by pain and death. It was a small relief amidst the tragedy, but at least... one life was saved.
—Ginji — Daniel said in a low but firm voice—. Are you okay with me calling Azazel?
The wolf-man raised his gaze, his eyes filled with rage and sadness.
—The Governor of the fallen angels? After all this?
—I know — Daniel nodded—. But Kokabiel is acting behind Azazel's back. This massacre... this abomination, wasn't authorized. If we don't contact him, this could escalate into something much worse. A war, perhaps.
Ginji hesitated. The pain clouded his judgment, but he knew blind hatred wouldn't get him anywhere. He looked at his niece sleeping in his arms and sighed deeply.
—Make the call... But if that angel dares to justify anything, I'll tear him apart.
Daniel nodded with respect and took out his phone. He dialed Azazel's contact directly. The line took a few seconds to connect until the Governor's nonchalant but alert voice resonated.
—Well, Daniel. What's up? I was hoping you'd be resting.
—I wish I could say yes — Daniel replied coldly—. But I found a yokai family murdered. Ginji's brother and his wife are dead. Their daughter, barely alive. And everything points to a squad of fanatics... loyal to Kokabiel.
There was silence. Pure and total. Then, Azazel's voice changed tone, becoming more serious.
—Are you sure?
—Tamamo detected the magical traces. Reynare recognized them. And the group's leader was a subordinate of Surgal.
The Governor of Grigori cursed quietly, away from the microphone.
—This... will have very serious political consequences — he said—. If the yokai find out officially, it could provoke retaliation against us, even if I wasn't the one who gave the order.
—Ginji wants justice. Not vengeance. Justice. He wants to talk to you.
Azazel fell silent again. Then he let out a sigh and replied:
—I accept the meeting. Not for convenience, but because this... is unacceptable. Tell Ginji I'll see him personally, when he's ready.
Daniel hung up, then turned to Ginji.
—He accepted.
Ginji lowered his gaze to his niece, gently stroking her head with an expression between pain and hope.
—Thank you... truly, Daniel. Not just for saving her. For... taking this as if it were your own family.
Daniel shook his head.
—This should never happen, Ginji. It doesn't matter if you're human, devil, yokai, or angel. No one deserves to lose their home like this.
The wolf-man smiled faintly, for the first time since it all began.
—I'll repay this debt. I swear by my brother's name. I have connections with the yokai clans and with Governor Yasaka. I'll put in a good word for you with her. The least I can do.
Daniel was about to refuse out of courtesy, but the words stuck in his throat. He just nodded with a half-smile.
—I appreciate it.
As Ginji departed for his meeting with Azazel, accompanied by the child wrapped in a magical protective blanket, Daniel, Tamamo, and Reynare began their journey back home. The wind blew strongly, as if trying to sweep away the sadness, but the weight in their hearts didn't fade easily.
—It was... a hard day — Reynare said, crossing her arms, pensive.
—But we did what we could — Tamamo added, taking Daniel's hand as they walked through Kuoh's silent streets.
—Yes... — Daniel whispered, looking at the night sky—. Though what we saw today... I'll never forget it.
And as they walked away, leaving behind the horrors of that warehouse, a bitter sensation floated in the air, but also a spark of hope.
Because this time, a child survived.
And justice... was beginning to move.