Kise's warning had startled the people present around the table, with an exception of Kuroko. Kise continued, following his claim investigations, Kirisaki Daiichi had declared an all-out war against Teiko, with a sole reason: to have the last Kuroko successor atone the sins of the Kuroko clan.
"The humans will attack Teiko, without a doubt. The name of the man leading thousands of armies of several countries is Kisaragi Amaya."
The table was silent. Kuroko's expression was dark. And Akashi was furious. "Kise, did you say Kisaragi Amaya? Is he the reason of the downfall of the ambush team three years ago?"
Kise was battling the feelings of disconcertment. His fingers were stiff when he flipped the papers, his assistant had slapped him n his head, saying to get hold of himself. "Yes...Akashi-sama. I am pretty sure the commander of the army will be Kisaragi Amaya." Kise's fingers were tensed and jittery.
Kagami had questioned the identity of the man which had confounded the famous miracles. Kagami wondered what did the man named Kisaragi Amaya possess for the miracles to fear him, a human. "Kisaragi Amaya. Is he such a fearful man? You're a country of spirits. He's only a human."
"If only things were so much easier." Midorima had adjusted his glasses with a small click. "Kisaragi Amaya is a failed demi-spirit who betrayed the Kuroko clan. He has committed the vilest and the most distasteful sins we have never imagined."
Kagami frowned. The Kuroko clan? Surely he didn't mean the infamous Kuroko clan? Kagami stole a small glance at his friend seated at the head of the table, his expression was inscrutable as ever. "Yes. Exactly what it sounds like. Kisaragi Amaya is the uncle if the only successor to the Kuroko clan, Kuroko Tetsuya." Akashi had answered Kagami's puzzlement. Akashi smirked. "But Tetsuya no longer bears the name of Kuroko. We must investigate the cause why Tetsuya's uncle is so hung on revenge and killing Tetsuya." Akashi glanced at Midorima. "I leave this to Shutoku."
Midorima silently nodded, agreeing that Shutoku would take on the task given by his master.
Kagami's flummoxes increased in amounts as he stared at Kuroko in attempts of looking for answers. "What do you mean? He was adopted or something?"
"Kuroko Tetsuya have been married to me for the past three years. He's been marked and taken by the Akashi clan." said Akashi. "The Kuroko clan is special, even among spirits. They bear strong spiritual powers of vanishing arts. They are the closest enigma of humans, and live among humans. The society exists two kinds of people: those ostracizing members of the Kuroko clan, and those who desire the Kuroko powers for their personal use. People born in the Kuroko clan have experienced numerous misfortunes and unluckiness. Boy who returned from America, you chased Tetsuya all the way here, but you know nothing of him."
"Is that why I'm brought here? To become Kuroko's bodyguard?" Kagami questioned. "You're pretty tactful yourself, Akashi-sama."
"Only when you have proven yourself worthy." Akashi had smirked. "Kise, continue."
Kise nodded. "Kisaragi Amaya have critiqued Kuroko-sama analogous to a cursed being, claiming the Kuroko clan have taken away the liberation and sanity his only dear sister. To swear revenge, Kisaragi have declared war against the Teiko empire. Kirisaki Daiichi have joint hands with several countries, except Seirin. That's all." Kise bowed and saluted before resuming his seat.
"Except Seirin? Why?" Kuroko had questioned. "Seirin is also a country of the humans. I don't see a reason for Seirin to be ostracized and left out."
"I believe it is because Seirin is a newly built country. Their strength is unknown. Kirisaki Daiichi will not take a gamble to fight a losing war. With a demi-spirit, this might not be just a war against humans. They are hiding something important from us. We must be meticulous and analyze the corresponding source of their confidence." said Midorima, leafing through his notes and files. "And in addition, Seirin do not share Kirisaki Daiichi's pragmatics of pacifism."
Kuroko had nodded in satisfaction. Seirin was not involving in the war had one thing less to worry about. A declaration of war. Kuroko wondered what the people would say when they heard Teiko will be at war with the humans. AkashI gently took Kuroko's right hand to his lips planted a kiss. "Don't worry, Tetsuya. Teiko will not fall. The walls of Teiko is impenetrable. No humans have penetrated through the great walls, except the man named Kagami Taiga who is sitting right before us."
"If the worst happens, I will fight, Sei." Kuroko had announced, finally making his decisions. "Not even you can stop it. There will be a time you will need my strength, Sei-kun. Nowhere is safe during a war. Not when my uncle had my brother in possession. My brother is powerful." With the announcement, the colloquy had come to an end. Murasakibara was the sole individual who had not participated in the vital debate was also the first to leave the hall. The miracles had known. Murasakibara skills did not lie in his brain. Murasakibara only heeded those gained his respect. In most cases, his only interest lies in the food industry. With Akashi's command, he protects Teiko with the gift he was granted, renamed The Impenetrable Barrier.
Akashi had left Kuroko in the garden, a chambermaid, Aomine and Kise were ordered to stand guard. Sitting in the garden and reading a book while slurping a vanilla shake was Kuroko's pastime. Seated opposite Kuroko in the garden was his dear friend Kagami Taiga, a wild tiger demanding for answers. Kuroko had sighed, closing his book. "For the last time, everything is how Momoi had told. There's nothing else I can tell you, Kagami-kun. Just like what the miracles have told you, it sounded just as it is."
"The Kuroko I know is always about defeating the enemy with the best of his abilities! The Kuroko in front of me is just accepting of everything. You have no freedom. Look around you, maids and bodyguards everywhere you go. Are you even happy here, Kuroko?" Kagami had scowled at his friend. Kuroko was his first friend since returning from America. The tremendous difference of his skills had begun to show after returning from America, the godly gift that separated him from the rest of humans. Kuroko realized Kagami would one day stand on the same levels as the miracles, he would have no choice but to abandon humanity. "You even had sex with that devil. What were you thinking?"
Kuroko smiled. "Kagami-kun. Y'know, when Akashi plunged me into that bath of red essence, I remembered everything. The Kuroko you knew back then was just the outer shell of me who have lost his memories. I have been taken in by Teiko at the age of seven, and I have been here ever since. Akashi was my saviour, my mentor, and also my love. I entered a bond of marriage with Akashi when I turned fifteen. I was left alone, my clan was massacred. Growing up among spirits, the spirits of Teiko became my family. I learnt that I am also like them, the people of Teiko. I am not human, Kagami-kun. There is no way I could ever escape Teiko, Kagami-kun. Humans saw me as a cursed child, sold me to Teiko as a sacrifice in exchange for capital. That day, I learnt the darkness of the human heart." Kuroko blew hot air into Kagami's face. "It's also stupid Kagami-kun who stormed into Teiko. You can never leave Teiko. You should try learning to love Teiko."
Kagami turned pale. "I can't leave?!" He panicked.
"Do you get it, Bakagami?" Aomine draped his arms over Kagami. "Souls like yours who have hidden powers like us will be bound to serve the master of Teiko, Akashi Seijuurou. And with a war about to start, nope, not a chance. Look on the bright side, you get to see Tetsu everyday."
Kagami had displayed the horrors of disconcertment as reality dawned on him. "What is so fun about being chained and bound every single day? I don't want to see this stupid Kuroko being smoldered like a princess everyday. That's gross." Kuroko had turned away, their bold display from the afternoon was still fresh in his mind. It was all Akashi's fault. Aomine and Kise laughed. Kagami had got them. But it was the least of their problems. Teiko has to make preparations for and all-out war.
Teiko has to make preparations for and all-out war.
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