Flashback
Years ago...
A younger Saito was held tightly by a group of bandits.
One of them grabbed his collar and forced him to his knees.
"This is what happens when you attack one of us."
Saito glared at him.
"I don't care about that, you jerk."
The bandit leader stepped closer.
"What did you just say?"
Saito stared back defiantly.
"Try making me say it again."
The leader raised his fist.
"Go ahead."
Suddenly, another voice interrupted.
"Wait!"
Kira stepped forward.
"Please..."
"Let him go."
The leader laughed.
"No."
"You can try your luck, Mourning Blade."
Kira clenched her jaw.
The bandits laughed.
Then—
Everything stopped.
The wind froze.
Dust hung motionless in the air.
Even the bandits became completely still.
Saito's eyes widened.
"...What?"
Footsteps echoed through the frozen silence.
A man casually walked into the scene.
Akami.
He looked around at the bandits.
"Man..."
"You guys are always picking on the weak."
Akami stepped forward.
THUD!
He struck one of the bandits.
Then another.
And another.
One by one, the bandits collapsed.
Akami simply dusted off his hands.
Then—
Time resumed.
The bandits suddenly dropped to the ground.
Saito stared in shock.
"What...?"
His eyes moved toward Akami.
Then he noticed them.
Akami's pupils had transformed.
A red clock filled his eyes.
Its arrow was slowly moving.
Saito's eyes widened.
"...A God Eye?"
Before he could understand what he'd witnessed—
The memory suddenly faded.
Saito blinked.
He was back in the Red Sun Base's garden.
Hashima stood beside him, looking concerned.
"Saito?"
Saito shook his head.
"Yeah, yeah."
He smiled faintly.
"I just remembered something."
Saito looked at Hashima.
"How about the one with a clock-shaped eye?"
Hashima paused.
He thought for a moment.
"A clock..."
"That would be Chronos."
Saito's eyes widened.
"Chronos?"
Hashima nodded.
"Yes."
"That God Eye has the exact shape you're describing."
Saito suddenly remembered the red clock in Akami's eyes.
"So..."
"Akami has Chronos."
Hashima's expression immediately changed.
His eyes widened.
"Wait."
"You know Akami?"
Saito nodded.
"Yeah."
"I met him when I was younger."
Hashima stared at him.
"How?"
Saito looked toward the river.
"It's a long story."
Hashima stepped closer.
"Tell me."
Saito sighed.
"Alright..."
"Back then, I didn't even know what a God Eye was."
Hashima remained silent, waiting.
Saito's expression became thoughtful.
"But I remember exactly what his eyes looked like."
"A red clock."
"With the hand moving."
Hashima's face grew more serious.
"...Chronos."
He looked toward the sky.
"If Akami really possesses it..."
"Then you may have encountered one of the other six God Eyes without even realizing it."
Saito turned his attention to Hashima.
"You've heard of him?"
Hashima nodded.
"Of course."
"Akami is the leader of the Red Eye."
"And he is also a member of the Balance Table."
Saito's eyes widened.
"What?"
"So you meet him frequently?"
Hashima nodded again.
"From time to time."
Saito's expression immediately brightened with excitement.
"Can you take me to him?"
"I want to meet him."
Hashima shook his head.
"Unfortunately, only members are permitted inside the Balance Table mansion."
"And you are not one of us."
Saito's expression dimmed slightly.
"I see..."
Hashima offered a faint smile.
"But..."
"You will be someday."
Saito looked up at him.
"Then I'll become a member."
"And I'll meet Akami again."
Hashima let out a soft chuckle.
"You really do admire Akami, don't you?"
Saito smiled.
"Of course."
"He was my savior."
"He taught me a great deal."
Saito paused briefly.
"...Even if he is a bit of a jerk."
Hashima laughed.
Saito turned his gaze toward the sky.
"I want to see him again."
"I want to show him what I've become."
Hashima smiled with quiet pride.
"That's the spirit."
Saito clenched his fist.
"Then I'll make sure he remembers me."
Hashima nodded.
"Knowing Akami..."
"He likely never forgot you in the first place."
Saito and Hashima eventually walked back into the main room.
Kaito immediately looked toward Saito.
"Hey, Saito."
"We're heading to some shops."
"Want to join?"
Saito nodded.
"Sure."
Kaito smiled.
"Alright."
Saito looked around and noticed Alya staying behind.
"Alya."
"You joining us?"
Alya shook her head.
"I'm staying here."
"I've got a few things to do."
Saito nodded.
"Okay."
He turned around and walked out with Kaito, Rin, Bomb, and Fanny.
Alya watched them disappear through the doorway.
Then she suddenly reached into her equipment and pulled out her transparent tablet.
"Wait."
Bomb stopped.
"Huh?"
Alya walked over and handed him a pistol.
Bomb looked at it.
"...Okay."
He examined the weapon before looking back at Alya.
"What is this for?"
Alya smiled.
"I modified the ammunition."
"I put explosive rounds in it."
Bomb's eyes immediately lit up.
"Now we're talking."
He inspected the pistol again.
"Thanks."
Alya nodded.
"Try not to blow yourself up."
Bomb grinned.
"No promises."
He quickly caught up with Saito and the others.
Alya watched him leave before looking back down at her tablet.
"Idiots..."
She smiled faintly.
"...but useful ones."
Saito and Kaito walked at the front of the group.
Bomb and Fanny followed behind them, while Rin walked at the back, casually looking around the streets.
Saito suddenly pointed toward a shop ahead.
"Is that it?"
Kaito nodded.
"Yep."
"We're going to buy some food there."
The group walked inside.
As soon as they entered, several people inside turned their heads.
Saito glanced around.
"...Why is everyone staring?"
Bomb shrugged.
"Maybe we're famous."
Fanny grinned.
"Or you just look suspicious."
Saito ignored her and walked toward an empty table.
Everyone sat down.
A waiter quickly approached them.
"Yes?"
"How can I help you?"
Saito looked over the menu.
"Hmm..."
"How about a lot of those doughnuts?"
He pointed toward another section.
"And some of that sushi."
He thought for a moment.
"Maybe nine."
The waiter nodded politely.
"Of course."
He wrote everything down and walked away.
Saito leaned back.
"Wow."
"We're going to have a feast, huh?"
Kaito nodded.
"Makuto said he wanted to prepare a feast for us in Hanabi Village."
Saito smiled.
"That's pretty welcoming."
Bomb immediately leaned forward.
"How big is this feast?"
Fanny looked at him.
"You just ate earlier."
Bomb shrugged.
"That was earlier."
Rin sighed from the back.
"We're going to need a bigger table."
Saito laughed.
"At least nobody can complain we're not enjoying our vacation."
The peaceful atmosphere suddenly changed.
A man walked into the restaurant.
A katana rested at his side as he casually made his way toward Saito, Kaito, and Bomb.
Bomb narrowed his eyes.
Rin immediately became alert.
"Yes?"
"What can we help you with?"
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he simply grabbed a nearby chair and sat down beside Saito.
Saito stared at him.
"...Uh."
The man casually raised his hand.
"Hey, waiter."
"Bring me some beer."
He then looked toward Saito.
"What would you like?"
Saito blinked.
"Me?"
The man chuckled.
"Yeah."
Saito glanced at Kaito before looking back at him.
"Some fine beer, I guess."
The man smiled.
"Two beers."
The waiter immediately nodded.
"Yes, sir."
He quickly returned with two glasses and placed them on the table.
Saito picked up his glass but didn't drink yet.
Something felt strange.
Fanny slowly looked around the restaurant.
Several people had entered and moved toward the corners of the room.
They weren't eating.
They weren't talking.
They were staring.
At the man.
Fanny's eyes narrowed.
"...Guys."
Kaito quietly looked around.
"I noticed."
Bomb's hand slowly moved toward his weapon.
Saito glanced at the mysterious man sitting beside him.
"Who exactly are you?"
The man simply took a sip of his beer.
"Relax."
"I'm just here for a drink."