On every screen, the face of a somber news anchor appeared, the scrolling ticker at the bottom of the screen flashing in urgent red: JEJU ISLAND CRISIS: THE TIDE TURNS.
Global News Network: Tokyo Bureau
"We begin tonight with the deteriorating situation on Jeju Island," the anchor began, her voice tight with professional concern. "New satellite imagery and ground reports from the Korean coast confirm a grisly discovery. Hundreds of evolved ant monsters have been found dead, washed up along the southern shores of the peninsula. While this may seem like a victory, experts warn that the sheer number of carcasses suggests an internal population explosion within the Rank. Casualties among Korean coastal patrols have reached an all-time high this week."
She paused, tapping a tablet on her desk.
"In a startling public move, Chairman Go Gun-hee of the Korean Hunters Association has made an official plea for a joint task force. This appeal is directed specifically at the Japanese government and the Draw Sword Guild, Japan's premier S-Rank powerhouse. However, as of this hour, official statements from our own government remain elusive. Chairman Matsumoto of the Japanese Hunters Association has yet to release an announcement to address the plea or the growing blockade in the Korea Strait."
The screen behind her changed to a map showing the maritime passage, dotted with icons of sunken vessels.
"Furthermore, the maritime threat known as the Deep Dweller continues to terrorize the strait, capsizing over a dozen cargo ships in the last forty-eight hours alone. Economic analysts warn of a total collapse of regional trade if the passage isn't cleared. The question on everyone's mind tonight: Will Japan lend its strength to stop this threat once and for all, or will Korea be left to face the swarm and the abyss alone?"
Suddenly, the anchor pressed her hand to her earpiece, her eyes widening as she received an urgent update.
"Hold on... we are receiving breaking information. Sources close to the Draw Sword Guild are reporting massive movement at their private airfield. We are going live to the scene now."
The Draw Sword Guild: Private Airfield
The scene cut from the studio to a windswept tarmac bathed in the white glow of floodlights.
Uniformed staff and C-Rank logistical hunters were scurrying across the asphalt like disturbed ants, The asphalt of the Draw Sword Guild's private airfield hummed with the vibration of four massive transport jets, their engines whining in a synchronized pre-flight chorus.
At the center of the tarmac, a makeshift podium had been erected. Chairman Matsumoto Shigeo stood behind a battery of microphones, his expression a mask of stoic leadership.
"Today, we stand at the precipice of a new era," Matsumoto's voice boomed through the speakers, carried by the wind. "The threat of the Jeju Island swarm and the Deep Dweller is no longer a Korean problem alone but a regional crisis. Japan has heard the call. In an unprecedented alliance, the Draw Sword Guild will spearhead a joint operation to purge the nest once and for all."
As he spoke, the ten S-Rank hunters who would represent Japan began their march toward the lead aircraft. Goto Ryuji led the formation, behind him followed the elite core: Akari, Kenzo, Ippei, Tatsumi, Kei, along with the other four veteran S-Ranks Reiji, Kumamoto, Minoru, and Mari.
A news reporter, huddled in a windbreaker near the barricades, spoke breathlessly into a handheld camera.
"You are seeing it here first! All ten of Japan's active S-Rank hunters from the Draw Sword Guild are mobilizing. This is the greatest concentration of superhuman power ever assembled for a single raid in history since Kamish. The message to the Korean Association is clear: Japan is coming to help."
But as the ten hunters reached the boarding ramp, the hangar doors of the main guild building slid open one last time.
Two figures stepped out into the floodlights. They didn't wear the tactical armor or the reinforced vests of the Guild. They walked with their hands tucked casually into their pockets, their gait was devoid of the military precision of the others.
The first had messy, jet-black hair and emerald eyes, wearing a high-collared white jacket and black trousers and beside him, the second man sported vibrant, light-blue hair styled upward, his white jacket left completely open to reveal a black t-shirt, his expression one of pure, bored arrogance.
Ulquiorra Cifer and Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez.
The cameras started to shutter and began to click in a frantic, metallic staccato.
"Wait, look at those two!" a blogger shouted, frantically scrolling through his tablet. "Those are the guys! Look at the tags from last week, the 'mystery duo' who were spotted eating with Akari and Kenzo at Kagurazaka Iron!"
Within seconds, side-by-side comparisons began to flood the internet. The grainy, candid shots of the two "students" eating wagyu were held up against the high-definition live feed of them walking toward the S-Rank transport jet.
The red light of the hovering news drones flickered against the hull of the transport jet as the faces of Ulquiorra and Grimmjow were broadcast live across the nation. On the massive jumbotron overlooking the airfield, the news anchor's voice was a frantic backdrop to the mechanical roar of the engines, her finger pointing at the grainy side-by-side comparison of the brothers at the restaurant versus the brothers on the tarmac.
Matsumoto Shigeo stepped down from the podium, his official speech concluded. He turned his head slightly, his gaze lingering on the two white-clad figures with a deep, calculating curiosity finally seeing the for real.
Goto caught the Chairman's look and let out a sharp, dismissive scoff. He didn't offer an explanation; he simply turned his back on the cameras and stepped onto the boarding ramp, his long coat snapping in the wind.
Inside the plane, Minoru watched the brothers outside before darting between the monitors displaying the viral news feed and the real men just a few feet away from the plane.
"Well," Akari said, dropping into a seat and popping a fresh lollipop into her mouth. "It was only a matter of time before the public caught wind of those two. I'm actually surprised we weren't trending on the front page the second we walked out of that restaurant last week."
Tatsumi adjusted his seatbelt and his expression turning analytical as he watched the live broadcast on his tablet. "That was likely the Boss's doing," he noted, glancing toward the cockpit where Goto had disappeared. "The information was suppressed until the exact moment it would have the maximum impact. By revealing them now, during the official mobilization, it shifts the entire narrative."
He looked back at the screen. "Think about it. The public sees two unknown powerhouses standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Draw Sword's top ten. It doesn't just raise our status. This will spark a global mystery. People aren't wondering if Japan will succeed anymore; they're wondering where we've been hiding two more S-Rankers."
"It makes the news about that new Korean S-Ranker, Sung Jinwoo, look like a footnote," Ippei added, leaning his head back against the headrest. "The 'Draw Sword' brand just became untouchable. It's a pure show of power. We aren't just sending a raid team; we're sending a message that Japan's bench is deeper than anyone imagined."
Akari looked at the closed door of the cockpit, then back at the chaotic, flashing lights of the press core outside the window. A small shiver ran down her spine. "A strategy to drown out the Korean hope before the plane even lands... Scary," she whispered, though a small, impressed smile played on her lips.
She looked over at two outside, "Hey! You two!" Akari shouted over the final whine of the turbines, waving them toward the back of the cabin. "Hurry it up or we're leaving you behind to walk to Korea!"
———-
Grimmjow glanced sideways at the sea of flashing cameras and the throng of reporters held back by the security cordons.
He leaned slightly toward Ulquiorra, lowering his voice enough that only a being with enhanced hearing could catch it. "Heh. Look at all those vultures. You know, this is the first time we've ever been in a situation like this, actually being the center of the news."
Ulquiorra didn't turn his head as his gaze was fixed on the boarding ramp. "That is not entirely true."
Grimmjow blinked with a look of genuine confusion crossing his face. "Huh? What are you talking about? We weren't exactly 'public figures' back in our previous lives you know."
"I am referring to the 'survivalist' history we've been assigned," Ulquiorra replied tonelessly, "Have you forgotten the incident three years ago? The police raided that 'end-of-summer' party in the city. It made the local papers when they found that stash of illicit substances in the basement."
A look of sudden realization washed over Grimmjow's face, followed by a sharp, barking laugh that was swallowed by the wind. "Oh, man! I totally forgot about that! The look on the Peter's dad's face when the sirens showed up..."
"Indeed," Ulquiorra muttered. "It was quite a spectacle."
"Yeah," Grimmjow grinned, his eyes sparking with a rare bit of nostalgia. "That three-month suspension we got from the 'academy' was the longest ninety days of my life. I still want to know which one of those cowards tipped the cops off. We never did find that out, did we?"
"It is irrelevant now," Ulquiorra said.
"Hey! You two! Hurry it up or we're leaving you behind to walk to Korea!"
Ulquiorra looked at Akari, then shifted his emerald eyes toward the bank of news cameras. A faint, almost imperceptible glint appeared in his gaze. "They want a story, Grimmjow. Perhaps we should show this audience something worth filming."
Grimmjow's grin turned wild. He got the gist immediately, "Finally. You're reading my mind, Ulqi."
In the blink of an eye, the space where the two brothers stood was suddenly empty. A sharp static crack of displaced air echoed as the signature of a dual Sonido echoed across the airfield.
Before the cameras could even refocus, the two of them appeared directly behind Akari inside the plane. Grimmjow leaned over her shoulder, his hands still in his pockets, and let out a casual, "Yo."
Akari jumped a foot in the air, spinning around with a gasp, while Kenzo and Ippei, who were just inside the door, nearly drew their weapons in a reflex action. The crowd of reporters fell into a stunned silence for a split second before the screaming and camera shutters reached a deafening fever pitch. They hadn't moved; they had simply arrived at their destination.
Goto, already buckled into his command seat at the front of the cabin, watched the display with a stoic expression, though his eyes narrowed in approval.
"Sit down and strap in," Goto commanded, his voice cutting through the interior chatter. "The flight to the Korean staging area will take approximately ninety minutes."
Grimmjow threw himself into a reinforced seat next to Kenzo, while Ulquiorra took a window seat, staring out at the receding lights of Tokyo as the massive transport jet began its taxi.
With a final roar of the turbines, the plane lifted off, banking sharply toward the west. Below them, the lights of Japan faded into the dark expanse of the ocean.
—————
The sleek transport jet touched down on the tarmac of Incheon International Airport hours later. As the pressurized door hissed open, the humid air of Korea rushed in to meet them.
Ulquiorra stepped onto the mobile staircase, his emerald eyes scanning the horizon.
'The second foreign country I have ever visited. The air here has a different frequency compared to Japan, huh that's interesting. I could definitely get used to this. Perhaps, once this 'raid' is concluded, a tour of this world's various territories would be a logical use of time.'
Below, a fleet of black luxury sedans was already idling, prepared by the Korean Hunters Association. Standing at the head of the reception committee was a man in a crisp black suit, his hair slicked back and his eyes shielded by narrow glasses. Woo Jinchul, Chief of the H.A.D.
Grimmjow stepped down behind Ulquiorra, his hands in his pockets, his gaze locking onto the Korean official.
'So this is the guy who keeps the leash on the local S-Ranks? He's definitely looking stiff. Smells like paperwork and hidden daggers to me. He's got some weight to him, but compared to us? He's a candle in a hurricane.' Grimmjow thought as he looked the man over.
"Welcome to Korea," Jinchul said in a professional manner, "Chairman Go Gun-hee has arranged for your accommodations at the Grand Shilla. We will transport you there immediately."
As Jinchul spoke, his gaze lingered a few seconds too long on the two brothers. He had seen the reports, but the sheer physical density they projected now that he was in front of them was unlike any "unranked" individual he had ever encountered.
"Hmm?" Grimmjow grunted, stepping into Jinchul's personal space. "Something you want to say, suit? Or are you just admiring the view?"
Jinchul didn't flinch at the proximity and kept it cool, "I was merely observing. Please, this way."
The ride to the five-star hotel was quiet until the car door closed, sealing Goto, Ulquiorra, and Grimmjow inside the lead vehicle.
"The Koreans are on edge," Goto said, staring out the tinted window at the passing Seoul skyline. "They know their hope rests on this raid. Ulquiorra, you asked about their roster earlier."
"I did," Ulquiorra replied. "Who are the primary variables we will be meeting tomorrow?"
"Six of their S-Ranks," Goto briefed them. "They are competent, but they lack the cohesion of the Draw Sword Guild. However, there is a new name, Sung Jinwoo. He is an unknown card."
Goto turned his head, his sharp eyes fixing on the brothers. "I am meeting with Chairman Go Gun-hee this evening to finalize the tactical map. I want the two of you to accompany me. It's time they saw exactly what kind of 'help' Japan has brought to their shores."
"Fine," Ulquiorra said simply.
"Whatever," Grimmjow added, leaning his head back. "As long as there's decent food at this meeting."
"Your formal suits will be brought to your rooms shortly," Goto added as the car pulled into the grand circular driveway of the hotel.
As they stepped out into the gilded lobby of the five-star hotel, Grimmjow glanced at Ulquiorra as they were handed separate keycards. "Suits? Seriously? I liked the jacket."
Ulquiorra shrugged. "Efficiency requires adaptation, Grimmjow. Just ensure you don't tear the seams within the first five minutes."
—————
Chairman Go Gun-hee walked down the carpeted hallway of the Association's high-security wing, his footsteps heavy. Beside him, Woo Jinchul held a tablet displaying the surveillance photos of the two brothers from the Tokyo airport.
"What do you think of them, Jinchul?" the Chairman asked, his voice gravelly.
"They are an impossibility, sir," Jinchul replied. "Their mana signatures don't register on standard scanners, yet my own instincts... the hair on my arms stood up the moment they stepped off the plane. It's the same feeling I get when I stand near Hunter Sung Jinwoo."
Go Gun-hee stopped at the double doors of the conference room. "Unexpected. To think Japan was hiding such individuals while we were struggling. If they truly possess the same 'vibe' as Jinwoo... then this raid just became a lot more complicated."
The Chairman reached for the door handle, a peculiar sensation washing over him. It was a vast, crushing density that seemed to warp the very air behind the door panels.
'What a peculiar thing.' He pushed the doors open.
Inside, Goto was seated at the long mahogany table, his translator Hanekawa beside him. Flanking Goto Ulquiorra and Grimmjow. They had changed into the black tailored suits Goto had provided, Ulquiorra's fit perfectly, sharp and somber, while Grimmjow had clearly ignored the tie and left the top buttons open.
Go Gun-hee's heart gave a subtle thud in his chest. Up close, the feeling was undeniable. The energy vibrating off the two "Espada" was vastly dense and felt like a cold, bottomless depth. In the dark-haired one and an electric violence in the blue-haired one.
"How peculiar indeed," the Chairman murmured to himself. He took his seat at the opposite end of the table, his eyes locking onto the two brothers before shifting to Goto.
"Let's get this on the way, shall we?"