They all turned their heads toward the man who was standing with his fist planted firmly on the table.
They didn't know what had happened or why he suddenly slammed it down. But for Temari, Riruka, Kurenai, and Yoruichi, the same thought crossed their minds.
Was he jealous or something?
The blonde man didn't lift his head. His face remained lowered toward the desk as he muttered and cursed under his breath.
"What the fuck is this bullshit… h-how did this happen… this shouldn't have happened… fuck, what's going on…"
He tried to compose himself.
He seemed deep in thought about something. Then he shoved his hands into his pockets and slowly left the hall.
Their eyes followed him as he exited. They were clearly bewildered by his behavior.
But Maki didn't even glance in his direction.
When he heard the bang, he was still thinking about what Yoruichi had said.
Illusions? This Sharingan can do that?
Mei glanced briefly at the blonde man before returning her attention to Maki.
Earlier, she had noticed that Maki was carrying a long sword, but she hadn't bothered to ask. Now she did.
"What's that big sword you're holding?" she asked.
Maki's ears perked up slightly at her question.
"This? It's an extending rod sword."
His answer clearly baffled them.
"Extend?" Yoruichi asked.
"Well… it becomes longer."
Mei tilted her head. "That's it?"
"No. It can also become a butcher knife."
"Butcher knife?" Mei and Yoruichi asked at the same time.
Kurenai stood there, listening to this conversation that barely made sense.
Not just her — Ulti, Riruka, Temari, and Tokoyami, who were on their way out, also paused to listen.
But the biggest thing they had heard earlier was that Princess Mei was apparently engaged to that man.
That alone didn't make sense.
They glanced at the man whose face was still partially hidden by his hood.
Then Yoruichi asked, "What's the name of your zanpakutō?"
"Zanpakutō? What's that?" he asked. "Is that some kind of food?"
For a split second, everyone felt like slipping and hitting their heads at his level of ignorance.
Mei clarified, "She's talking about that long sword."
"Oh, this one?"
He lowered the sword onto the stage.
It stood upright — towering over them.
They could see now that it wasn't just long.
It was heavy.
Mei teased him. "Is everything about you long and big?"
Everyone stared at her.
Maki, however, didn't understand what she meant.
"Well… this sword's name is Hōzukimaru."
"Hōzukimaru…" Yoruichi repeated.
They stared at the massive blade standing upright as he balanced it casually with one hand.
Tokoyami was the most fascinated. He whispered, "A sword worthy of darkness."
Ulti glanced at him in confusion.
Temari only gave the sword one last look before continuing toward the exit.
Riruka was the most curious of them all. She desperately wanted to see what was hidden beneath that hood.
But she couldn't move now. The man was surrounded.
So she left the hall, followed by Ulti.
Tokoyami followed as well, Dark Shadow still glancing back.
Unbeknownst to Maki, Kurenai was silently observing him.
She was already thinking about digging into his background later.
Those eyes.
That aura.
She smirked faintly at the mystery before her.
That, however, was a bad idea.
Because Maki's recently gathered information had already been sealed by Nezu. Unless someone went directly to Nezu and asked, there would be nothing to uncover.
As Maki finished explaining the name of the katana, something suddenly came to mind.
"Catty," he asked Yoruichi, "do you know what an Orion is? It was in Question 68… or 69, I think."
Kurenai and Yoruichi both slapped their foreheads.
How could this man not know what Orion was?
That question was practically free points.
"Don't tell me," Yoruichi said slowly, "you didn't know anything about the test."
Kurenai stared at him.
If Yoruichi was right, then this man would fail.
And that would be a complete waste.
Mei looked at Maki and said calmly, "He's already enrolled. It's just that his class hasn't been decided yet."
Kurenai raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Did Nezu approve his enrollment?" Yoruichi asked.
"Yes," Mei replied, resting her head against his waist.
Nezu approved him.
Kurenai narrowed her eyes.
Anyone approved directly by Nezu was usually considered for Class S — the highest priority.
Then why let him take the exam if his enrollment was already confirmed?
Then they heard him continue.
"Orion… was it those black cookies?"
Their mouths twitched.
They all reached the same conclusion.
This man was truly damaged.
The examination had concluded.
Across ten halls, one hundred examinees each had taken the test.
Only around a hundred total would likely be accepted.
The survival test measured physical strength, stamina, and adaptability.
The written test — Prove Your Knowledge, or P.Y.K. — measured mentality, mindset, and fortitude.
This new era had chosen its seedlings.
Unknown existences were being entangled with one another.
Surely fate had played its role.
Probably.
Among them were stans, elitists, and those suffering from main-character syndrome.
But Maki—
He was still wondering if the test had misspelled "Orion."
( ・３・)