Dimensional Watch DXD

6 Days left

The scent of grilled fish and freshly made soup lingered in the air of Izumo Inn's dining area. The gentle clatter of chopsticks filled the space, a quiet rhythm shared between those gathered at the table.

Issei sat cross-legged, still dressed in his loose red shirt and sweatpants, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. On one side, Yashima quietly picked at her giant rice bowl, occasionally stealing glances at him, while on the other, Uzume cheerfully nudged his arm and teased him about how adorable he looked with bedhead.

Akitsu sat just across from them, her movements minimal, but her gaze was intense as she watched her Ashikabi interact with his flock. Her vacant brown eyes lingered on him in quiet observation. 

Issei didn't notice as he was laughing softly at a joke Uzume had made, then gently scolding Yashima when she got rice on her cheek. 

Then the peace shattered with the sound of frantic footsteps.

"Issei!" Matsu's voice rang out, urgent.

Heads turned as Matsu entered the room, her usual sleepy swagger replaced by something anxious. Her hair was a mess—clearly she hadn't finished brushing it—and her glasses were slightly crooked.

Everyone at the table paused.

Issei, sensing her tension, setting down his chopsticks and his expression sharpened. "What's wrong?"

Matsu didn't sit. She hovered above the rest, breath slightly hitched. "I found him."

Silence.

Issei's body straightened and his fists tightened. "Fuji?"

Matsu nodded, eyes flicking to Akitsu for a moment before returning to him.

"After Akitsu escaped. He was hospitalized in MBI's medical ward for the injuries Akitsu caused when she fought back. He recently woke up a few hours ago. Since then, there's been internal discussion by the board of directors. He knows too much about MBI's secrets that he can't simply be fired and dismissed."

Akitsu's chopsticks stilled in her hand. Yashima gently set her bowl aside. Uzume leaned forward, ears perked.

"What's going to happen to him?" Issei asked, voice tight.

"They're shipping him off," Matsu replied. "He's being transferred to one of MBI's lesser overseas branches. No more active research. Just a desk job. It's meant as a punishment… and to keep him away from Japan."

Issei's fists clenched harder beneath the table. "So they're sending him off." He muttered. "Hiding their problem away."

Matsu hesitated. "At noon today, he will have a final meeting with Minaka himself. To hear his 'sentence' face-to-face. And then… he's gone."

That was all Issei needed to hear as he couldn't wait any longer. "I'm going to MBI headquarters."

The words fell like a thunderclap.

Everyone turned to him.

"Issei—" Yashima started.

"No," Uzume cut in, alarmed and standing up. "You're not serious. That's MBI headquarters!"

"You won't get past the front lobby!" Matsu added, wide-eyed. "That's completely reckless!"

"I don't care." Issei said firmly, standing up. His eyes were aflame with conviction. "He doesn't get to walk away from me meeting him. Not after what he did and nothing is getting in my way."

"Issei." Miya's voice was low, dangerous. She was in the kitchen when she heard what Matsu said. Already she can picture the amount of danger Issei will be in. Her brown eyes narrowed in that frighteningly calm way of hers. "You are just a boy and this is suicide. I won't allow you to waste your life doing something so dangerous."

Issei turned toward her, unflinching. "Akitsu has become someone important to me. That bastard hurt her and made her cry. If I let him go now… then I'm no better than people who watch and do nothing."

The room fell silent again.

Akitsu's lips parted, but no sound came. Her hand trembled against her kimono. A memory flashed through her mind—the sterile labs, the pain, Fuji's cold eyes as he selfishly destroyed her happiness all Sekirei desired.

"I'm going," Issei repeated, his voice unwavering. "I'm walking through those doors. And if I have to punch my way in, I will."

Uzume stood, panic in her voice. "We're coming with you, then!"

"No." He said quickly, shaking his head. "This is my decision and I can't allow you to get hurt because of my selfishness."

"We're not staying behind!" Yashima rose, surprisingly raising her voice as she was such a timid girl.

Issei held up his hand, stopping them both. "You're all important to me. That's why you have to stay. If something goes wrong, I want you safe." He turned back to Matsu. "Tell me where. The entrance. The route. I'll do the rest."

Matsu hesitated, then slowly nodded. "I'll tell you everything I have."

Miya stepped forward, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Issei-kun." She said quietly. "If you go through with this… you're making an enemy of MBI."

Issei turned toward her. He didn't smile. He didn't waver. "Then I guess they picked the wrong enemy."

He left the room as he prepared for the raid, his heart thundering strong in his chest.

Miya stood tall, her back straight, her expression unreadable. But there was a tremble in her hands, ever so faint. She faced the group with those piercing brown eyes, her gaze falling on each of the Sekirei that were winged by Issei. "You need to convince him to stop this. He'll get himself killed."

Uzume crossed her arms, her brows furrowed as she was in deep thought and then her voice came unwavering. "No can do, Miya. I know it's reckless, but that's who Issei is. The moment he sets his mind on something, it's over. He'll charge through fire if he thinks it's the right thing to do."

Matsu nodded beside her, adjusting her glasses. "Yeah. He's a stubborn idiot. But he's our idiot. We wouldn't be able to change Issei's mind. All we can do is prepare for the storm he's going to bring."

"But this isn't some random fight or street brawl," Miya pressed. "This is MBI. They'll kill him."

Yashima stood up quietly. She hadn't spoken much since the discussion started, but now, she lifted her hammer, which has been in a quiet corner in the room, the weight of it steady in her grip. Her eyes were full of quiet resolve. "I won't stop Issei-sama," she said, voice soft but firm. "If he believes this is right… then I believe in him. I'm his Sekirei. I will fight for what he wants and desires. I will also protect him with everything I have."

Uzume grinned, rolling her shoulders and grabbing her veil. "Damn right. If they think they can mess with our family, they've got another thing coming."

Matsu tapped her chin. "Well, if you're all going to go and do something stupid, then someone has to keep the entire building from collapsing on your heads. I'll stay here and hack into MBI. I'll kill the alarms, open the doors, and give you as much time as possible."

"That's suicide," Miya whispered, stepping back, her voice cracking with the weight of memories. "Takehito died because he charged into something he couldn't come back from. And now… now you're all doing the same thing."

The room quieted. Uzume paused, then looked toward the shrine, her expression softening.

"We're not doing this because we want to die," she said. "We're doing this because someone needs to stand up. For Akitsu. For all of us."

Suddenly, Akitsu stood up. She had remained still, silent—until now. Her pale brown eyes were resolute, and though her voice was monotone, the weight of her words was undeniable.

"He is doing this… for me," she said. "I will not let my Ashikabi walk into danger alone. I will fight for him."

Miya stared at them, these young women for that stubborn boy—and the way they stood united behind him. She clenched her fists, her knuckles white.

Outside, footsteps echoed in the entrance hall.

Issei stepped forward into view. He was no longer in his usual loose clothing. He wore a dark zip-up blue jacket, boots, and fingerless gloves. Basically his construction uniform as he thought it would be the most durable clothes he had. His face was set. Calm. Determined.

"Are you all ready to stop me?" He asked worriedly, his eyes scanning his flock of Sekirei.

Uzume stepped forward and jabbed a finger at his chest. "We're not stopping you, dumbass. We're coming with you."

Issei frowned. "You can't. It's too dangerous."

Yashima stepped beside Uzume. "We know. We don't care."

Akitsu moved to his other side. "I will not be left behind."

Issei hesitated. "I just—don't want any of you getting hurt for my choices."

Uzume grabbed his hand. "You're not alone anymore. Remember what it means to be an Ashikabi. We're a team. We fight together, or not at all."

His lips parted—an argument, maybe. But it never came. He exhaled slowly… and nodded. "…Alright. Let's do this together."

Then—

"Wait." Miya's voice, barely a whisper, brought the group to a halt. She stood at the top of the hallway, gripping the doorway. Her eyes were misted with emotion she had kept buried for too long. "I lost the love of my life once," she said, her voice trembling. "I swore I wouldn't love again. But you… you've made me feel it again. And now you're leaving. Just like he did."

Issei turned to her, something aching in his chest. "Miya…" Issei hesitated—then slowly walked to her.

He gently took her hand, feeling the tremble in her fingers. Miya's eyes widened, her cheeks flushed.

"I'll come back," he said softly. "That's a promise. I'm not Takehito. I'm not going to leave you behind. I've got too many people to come home to."

Miya's lower lip trembled, but she nodded. "You better. Or I'll come find you myself."

Issei chuckled softly, pulling away and turning toward the front gate.

The sun was climbing over the horizon, casting golden light through the open doors of the inn. It bathed the group in warmth, like a spotlight on a stage before the curtain rose.

Issei glanced back once, his eyes scanning the faces of his Sekirei. Of Miya. Of Matsu, watching from the stairwell with her laptop clutched in her hands.

Then he smiled. "Let's go."

And with that, the Ashikabi and his loyal flock stepped out into the light—ready to face whatever awaited them within the steel tower of MBI.

—------------------------------------

As the group marched silently through the city, the towering monolith of MBI headquarters loomed ahead.

Issei walked at the front of the group, fists clenched in his pockets, shoulders tense beneath his jacket. His eyes were focused, but behind that hardened gaze, his mind was anything but calm.

'This is probably a bad idea' he thought, gritting his teeth.

"You're correct, Master." Sherri's voice, ever calm and reasonable, echoed softly in his head through the Dimensional Watch. "There is no strategic value in seeking conflict with a man who is already being punished. The mission ahead invites unnecessary danger. In short—this is not a wise decision."

"I know it's not wise," Issei muttered under his breath, loud enough only for his companions in his head to hear. "But I can't calm down. Not after hearing what that bastard did to Akitsu."

The memories of her lifeless tone, her blank eyes as she recounted the pain and betrayal she endured under Fuji's 'care'… It made his blood boil. It brought to memory the first time he met Sakura.

"So your decision is rooted in emotion rather than logic. That's so very like you, Master."

Ddraig chuckled, a deep and rumbling sound like stone grinding against fire. (That's to be expected. After all, you bear my power.)

Issei glanced up at the glowing tower again, its sharp edges cutting into the sky like a blade.

(Dragons do not allow anyone to harm their treasures. And Akitsu is one of your treasures now, isn't she?)

"…Yeah," Issei said quietly, eyes narrowing. "She is."

(Then it is natural you would want to face the one who wronged her. Still—what will you do, partner? When you stand face to face with this 'Fuji'? Will you just yell at him? Hurt him? Kill him?)

That question stung, and it echoed louder in his chest than he expected. Kill him?

Issei didn't consider himself the kind of person who would take a life. Not even during the chaos of the Holy Grail War had he crossed that line with intent.

But Fuji… that man had broken something sacred to Akitsu.

"I don't know," Issei admitted, tightening his fists. "I don't know what I'll do. But the moment I see him, I'll decide."

The words felt heavy—but honest.

Ddraig hummed with approval. (Then trust your instincts, partner. And remember, I am with you.)

"We both are." Sherri added gently. "No matter what happens… we are your allies."

The warmth of their words eased some of the pressure in his chest.

Ahead, Uzume glanced back at him with a sideways smile. "You look like you're having a serious mental argument, Issei."

He blinked, startled, and forced a grin. "Just weighing if I should break Fuji's nose or not."

"Go for the kneecaps instead," Uzume said cheerfully. "He deserves to live crawling."

Yashima nodded in agreement, her grip tightening on her hammer. "If you hesitate, I wouldn't mind doing it for you."

Akitsu, walking quietly at his side, didn't say a word. But she glanced at him with something almost soft in her normally expressionless eyes. A silent thank you.

The MBI Tower was right in front of them now—its glass doors reflecting their figures like a challenge.

Issei stepped forward, placing one hand on the cold glass of the front door.

And with his other hand, he summoned his resolve as the Boosted Gear shimmered into existence. There was no longer a need to hide his power.

No turning back now.

"Let's go meet the bastard." he muttered.

The doors opened—and the final confrontation began.

The polished marble floors of the MBI lobby gleamed under the artificial lights, and the air buzzed faintly with a sterile chill that only reinforced how coldly professional the tower was meant to be. It was a space meant to impress—and intimidate.

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of approaching footsteps echoed with eerie precision as Issei and his group strode through the glass entrance. Uzume walked confidently at his left, veil draped over one shoulder, while Yashima kept her hammer holstered on her back, her eyes narrowed. Akitsu walked in silence at his right, her long white kimono fluttering with every step. Their presence clashed with the corporate sterility of the space, their energy palpable.

Behind the front desk sat a sharply dressed receptionist—early twenties, immaculate bob haircut, a headset resting neatly over her ear. She was typing something when she noticed the group and immediately rose with a polite but firm smile.

"Good afternoon," she greeted professionally, her voice crisp. "Do you have an appointment scheduled today with MBI personnel?"

The group didn't stop walking.

The receptionist blinked. "Excuse me! If you don't have clearance, I'll have to ask you to leave the premises."

Still, no response.

Issei's eyes were locked forward, jaw tight, gaze scanning the building for stair access. He didn't even glance at her. His focus was razor-sharp.

The woman frowned, her fingers already gliding over the keyboard. "Security, this is the front desk. I have a situation—"

But the line didn't click. There was no response. In fact, her entire monitor began flickering erratically. Symbols flashed across the screen—strange green characters that pulsed in time with a faint buzzing. Her mouse froze, her headset crackled, and the entire interface blinked once—

Then died.

"What…?" she whispered, staring at the black screen in horror.

Back with the group, Matsu's voice came from the Dimensional Watch. "Just a heads-up—I've cut internal security communications. You're ghosted for now, but don't take too long."

"Wait Matsu! How did you—?" Issei says, astonished.

"I was finally able to hack into the Watch. But only in using its speakers to talk to you." Matsu interrupted with her voice smug with triumph. 

"Miss Matsu, That's incredibly dangerous. You have no idea of the repercussions that can happen if you mess with the Watch." Sherri's voice came out urgently.

"You're telling me, I have no idea what half of this programing is or what it does?"

"If you understand. Please don't try digging any deeper."

"You worry too much, Sherri. Just give me a few months. I'm sure I can—."

"Matsu not to make less of your achievement but we are kind of in a hurry." Uzume spoke out, trying to hurry the conversation.

"Hehehe. Sorry. Minaka should be on the top floor." Matsu says sheepishly.

Uzume smirked. "You really are the best, Matsu."

Behind them, the receptionist was now visibly sweating. She grabbed her landline phone—dead. The lights above flickered once, then stabilized.

"SECURITY!" she screamed, bolting from her chair. "SOMEONE STOP THEM!"

Yashima looked back briefly, raising a brow. "Should we do something about her?"

"No," Issei said flatly. "We won't be here long enough for it to matter."

They finally reached the main hallway. Two options. Stairs or elevator.

"I say elevator," Uzume said, tapping the button playfully.

"No," Yashima shook her head, frowning. "Too risky. If it stops mid-floor, we're trapped."

Uzume pouted. "But it's so many stairs!"

"SECURITY!"

Akitsu remained silent, but glanced toward the stair access door like she already agreed with Yashima.

"Stairs," Issei said decisively. "Last thing we need is to get stuck while trying to punch someone in the face."

They veered toward the stairwell, Issei pushing the heavy door open with a creak..

Meanwhile, the receptionist stood by the main entrance, frantically pressing buttons on her still-useless devices. Her panicked breaths came in sharp bursts, her voice trembling.

"Where is everyone? Why is no one answering!?"

The camera above her fizzled out with a pop.

—-------------------------------

The stairwell echoed with the steady rhythm of footsteps—booted heels, soft sandals, and the clack of a hammer's holster brushing against the metal railing. The air was thick, filled with anticipation and the dull hum of fluorescent lights that flickered occasionally above them.

Issei took each step with purpose. His breathing was calm, but his mind churned like a storm. 'How much time do we have before they realize we're not supposed to be here?' 

He looked over his shoulder. Uzume's veil fluttered behind her as she jogged up the steps, her eyes sharp and focused. Yashima followed, gripping her hammer behind her back tightly, her breath steady. Akitsu trailed just behind, eerily silent, her expression unreadable but calm.

"Let's keep going." Issei said without turning. "Matsu said he was on the top floor."

"Got it," Uzume replied, sweat dotting her brow but determination in her voice. "Let's just hope Matsu interference holds out."

—---------------------------

Meanwhile, in the upper floors of the MBI building, the main surveillance room was descending into chaos.

"Sir! Feed from cameras on floors one through eight just went dark!"

A young tech slammed his fingers across multiple keyboards, desperately trying to regain visual control. Static replaced the usual clean images of pristine white hallways and marble-tiled lobbies. Monitors sparked with green-tinted glitches, entire blocks of code flooding the screen.

Another technician cursed under his breath. "Someone is actively jamming us. The system's being overridden."

The commander of the floor, an older man in a black coat, growled as he grabbed his walkie talkie. "Send out units. Every floor. Full sweep. Lock down the building from the inside."

"Yes sir!" Several voices came out.

Immediately, sirens blared—low, warning klaxons that didn't reach the stairwell yet but began echoing through other sections of the tower. Security teams in black body armor armed with guns, shock-batons and containment cuffs moved into formation, fanning out through side hallways and maintenance tunnels.

"Move in squads of four. The enemy might be armed—and dangerous!" Barked the commander, slamming his hand down on the control console.

Another tech stammered, "We—we're trying to regain system control, sir, but it's like someone's rewriting the code from the inside."

"Someone is." The commander's voice darkened. "And I want to know who."

—------------------------------------

Back in the stairwell, Issei suddenly halted. The girls nearly bumped into him.

"What is it?" Yashima asked, breath slightly short.

He squinted ahead, hearing something. He clenched his fist. "I think I hear footsteps." He said. "They know we're here."

Uzume cracked her neck and smiled. "About time. Was wondering how long it'd take for them to panic."

"We can't fight them on the stairway. We're too boxed in." Issei muttered. "We'll burn out before we reach the top. We might need to pick a floor to deal with them each."

Akitsu finally spoke, her voice cool as falling snow. "If they attack, I can freeze them in place. Ashikabi-sama let me handle them"

Issei nodded. 

As they pressed on, Matsu's voice again came from the watch. "Heads up—MBI's launched an internal countermeasure protocol. You've got hostiles deploying from the eight and twelfth floors. My control over the systems is starting to degrade. I can buy you a few more minutes before they reboot, but after that…"

"Then we run faster," Issei said, grit in his voice. "Tell me when they're about to breach the stairwell."

"Will do."

He looked to the others—his Sekirei. His team.

"Let's go." Issei Hyoudou was not leaving this tower without giving that man a piece of his mind.

The moment they opened the door to the eight floor.

"INTRUDERS! OPEN FIRE!"

The sudden chorus of shouts rang like a wave of alarm through the narrow corridor. A full security team of ten men in black body armor raised their weapons, red targeting dots flicking across the tiled walls and floor as gunfire erupted in bursts.

Issei's heart lurched. "Get down—!"

But before a single bullet could reach them, Akitsu stepped forward.

Her eyes narrowed. Her bare feet slid forward with eerie grace, and her outstretched hand pulsed with a freezing surge of power.

"Freeze."

A blast of cold exploded outward, mist and frost spiraling from her fingertips like a winter storm unleashed. Instantly, a wall of jagged ice shot up between the group and the guards, encasing bullets in shimmering crystal and locking them mid-air. The corridor floor frosted over, turning slick and white beneath the stunned guards' feet.

The MBI soldiers shouted in surprise, some slipping as they tried to retreat behind cover.

Issei glanced at the frozen bullets. "Holy crap…"

Akitsu turned her head slightly, her expression still detached. "They will not shoot again."

Uzume scoffed, veil already unwrapping around her like ribbons preparing to strike. "Now that's what I call crowd control."

Yashima stood beside her, hammer ready, eyes focused. "But we still need to get through more."

"Yeah, but no killing," Issei said, holding up a hand. "They're just doing their jobs."

Uzume tilted her head with a teasing smile. "You make it hard to feel badass when you tell us to be nice, Issei-kun."

"Just don't go breaking skulls." He shot back with a grin, before turning to Akitsu. "Thanks for the save."

She said nothing, but the corner of her lip twitched ever so slightly.

Matsu's voice crackled into the watch. "That squad was one of the heavier response teams. Good news? You've got a clear path to the upper floors—for now. Bad news? You've probably got less than fifteen minutes before the next wave recalibrates and starts coming in from all directions."

"Then let's move!" Issei barked.

They slipped past the frozen blockade—guards groaning from behind shields of ice and walls slick with frost. One tried to raise his weapon again, but Uzume's veil lashed out, yanking it from his grip and slamming it harmlessly against the wall.

"Sorry!" Uzume winked at the man. "Self-defense!"

Once on the 15th floor, they found themselves in a wide hallway lined with sterile white lights, polished floors, and doors labeled with room numbers and strange scientific symbols. Every step they took echoed ominously.

"Just how many floors does this place have." Issei muttered, tightening his fists.

Akitsu followed quietly, her presence like a cold breeze on the back of their necks, while Yashima and Uzume watched each corner with focused eyes.

—---------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, back at Izumo Inn…

Matsu's fingers flew across her laptop keyboard like a woman possessed. The screen glowed brightly in the dim light of her room, line after line of encrypted code unraveling beneath her gaze.

The constant feed of camera glitches and status pings told her everything she needed—her Ashikabi and her fellow Sekirei were climbing steadily through MBI, leaving behind a trail of confused, mostly-frozen security teams. And while most would consider breaking into the mainframe of one of the world's most powerful and secretive organizations impossible. 

"Fufufu~! You underestimated the genius Matsu~!" she giggled, eyes sparkling behind her glasses. "While all your eyes are on my darling and his sexy bodyguards, I'm going to shake your foundation from the inside out."

She cracked her knuckles and tapped the last key on a command string. "Operation: Controlled Anarchy—start."

With a flicker, her screen shifted to a blueprint of the facility's containment zones.

Her eyes narrowed. "Let's see… Sekirei containment chambers… Status: LOCKED. Not for long~."

The security teams had diverted all their attention to the 'intruders' moving up the tower. Not a single administrator was watching the Sekirei. That gave her the perfect window. Her fingers danced again.

"Unlocking suppression protocols… disabling containment seals…"

"Warning: Unauthorized access—"

"Oh hush," Matsu muttered, clicking past the alert.

And then—

CLICK. WHOOSH.

One by one, chamber doors deep within MBI slid open. Warning lights blinked red and emergency klaxons wailed across the sub-floors. Confused personnel scrambled through corridors as Sekirei who had been held for weeks and months finally stepped into the halls.

"Looks like MBI's about to get a few more guests," Matsu whispered with a grin. "Let's see how Minaka handles a tower, full of angry, confused, and very powerful Sekirei."

She leaned back in her chair and stretched, the sounds of alarms echoing through her speakers.

"Time to cause a little revolution. And don't worry, Issei-kun~," she cooed to herself, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, "I've cleared your path. Now go make that bastard pay."

Her eyes glittered with mischief.

"And when you come home, I'll be waiting—with open arms and maybe just a towel."

—----------------------------------------

At the very top of MBI Headquarters sat a man who fancied himself a god of his little game board.

Minaka Hiroto, clad in his pristine white lab coat, reclined comfortably in a luxurious, custom-designed chair behind an absurdly oversized desk that screamed both wealth and egotism. His long, wild hair framed a pale face twisted in a theatrical grin, though his eyes now held a simmering disappointment as he stared at the man trembling before him.

Fuji, the former tuner, disgraced researcher, stood rigidly in place, his coat wrinkled and hands clammy. A bead of sweat trailed down his temple as he avoided Minaka's burning gaze.

"You broke one of my Sekirei," Minaka said, his voice deceptively calm, as if speaking of an animal that had been improperly groomed. "Not just damaged—broke. Do you understand what kind of sin that is, Fuji-kun?"

Fuji swallowed thickly. "I—I was under pressure! My team was—"

Minaka slammed a hand down on the desk with a sharp crack, the sudden noise silencing him instantly. His manic grin never faltered.

"You failed to treat my precious birds with the respect they deserved. You tampered and discarded one as if she were trash."

Fuji flinched, unable to meet his superior's eye.

But before Minaka could properly unleash the rest of his theatrics, the office intercom buzzed.

A voice, frantic and breathless, echoed through. "Director! Emergency—code red! You need to see this!"

Minaka's brows lifted in curiosity. "Hmm? How delightfully timed. Patch it through."

The far wall of the office came alive with the flicker of security footage, switching through halls in rapid succession. A particular feed expanded into full view.

There, on the 23rd floor, was the chaos incarnate itself.

A group of four—an Ashikabi and three women. All Sekirei. Two of them are well-known and leading them, a boy—brown-haired, work uniform tattered, his eyes ablaze with fury.

"WHERE IS FUJI?!" he roared, slamming a security guard to the side with more force than any Ashikabi had a right to possess.

Fuji's face drained of all color. "W-Who is that?" he stammered.

Minaka chuckled. "That, my dear idiot, is Hyoudou Issei. The wildcard. A glorious wrench in the gears of fate."

The employee at the console spoke quickly, panic in his voice. "Sir, it's not just them. All the Sekirei in containment—those still undergoing adjustment—have been released. They're active and disoriented. We have dozens of signatures flooding the halls."

Minaka raised his brows. "Fascinating. I wonder who managed to breach my beloved digital fortress." He tapped a finger against his chin. "Matsu, I wager. What a naughty girl."

Fuji stepped back, voice shaking. "I've—I've never seen him before. Why is he after me?!"

"If I had to guess." Minaka replied, rising from his chair with a mad glint in his eye, "It would have to do with one of the girls by his side. The one you harmed and broke. And now her Ashikabi has come to collect your sins." Minaka walked toward the window, gazing down at the streets far below. "Yes… this is turning into real entertainment."

"Should we evacuate, sir? What about the building's defenses?"

"No, no, no," Minaka said, holding out a hand. "That would ruin the drama. Instead… release the Disciplinary Squad. Let's see how our dear Number 4 and the new numbers handle our uninvited guests." Minaka smiled wider. "They'll either crush Hyoudou… or add even more flames to the spectacle."

He turned, arms outstretched as if addressing an invisible audience.

"Let the curtain rise on the next act!"