The colossal main gate ruptured open as Kurashi and Hikari walked through. Inside the walls were different, something that Kurashi had never experienced before. The streets, lined with traditional Japanese buildings, stretched across the towering black steel walls. The base seemed to operate with quiet efficiency. People walked the streets with purpose, creating an atmosphere of discipline and order. There was an unspoken unity among them, a shared understanding of the unique existence they led.

"So...What was your life like before coming here?" Hikari asked in a curious tone, trying to break the silence.

"I was in high school..." Kurashi responded quietly.

"I see...did you get good grades?"

"Average..."

"A girlfriend?"

Kurashi shook his head no.

"Any friends?"

Kurashi shook his head no once again.

Hikari couldn't find the words to respond with, so the two of them spent the rest of their walk in utter silence. Eventually, they arrived at a large Japanese temple located within the center of the base. Inside the main temple and through a long hallway, Hikari knocked gently on the main office door.

"You may enter..." a rusty voice rang out from behind the door.

In front of them was the leader of the base, a wise and elderly man adorned in traditional attire.

"What is it you need, Hikari?" the old man asked sitting at his desk.

"Sorry for the sudden intrusion, Lord Fujita" Hikari respectively stated while bowing his head "But it seems the rumors of the Ito clan were true. He's here...the lost fragment of the Ito clan."

"Fragment of the Ito clan?"

Lord Fujita looked over at Kurashi, squinting his wrinkled eyes to get a better look.

"The son of Yasushi, to believe you truly exist".

Hikari looked up from bowing and asked "Lord, I ask you to please inform Kurashi."

"Kurashi, is it? It would be my honor." Fujita said as he stood up from his desk "Hundreds of years ago, during the Sengoku period, a band of tarnished ronin was formed. Abandoning their samurai ideals, these ronin turned to the way of the shinobi, fighting from the shadows to protect the nation's peace. Leading them was a man from the Ito clan, a strong and wise warrior whose name was lost in time. He was the father of Naishotetsu...the man who discovered a mysterious power that bestowed upon him supernatural abilities."

Lord Fujita looked out of a window, a clear view of the base present outside.

"With the growth of members, a stronghold was needed...Somewhere the members could live and strategize. To solve this issue, Naishotetsu was established." Fujita stated before looking back at Kurashi "The power which we now call "ryokukami" was passed down through their descendants. Over the years, the base evolved...each generation contributing to its growth. There were many great leaders of the base, but one man stood out far from the rest. Yasushi Ito, your father, built up what this base is today: the strongest member Naishotetsu has ever had...Then one day, he just disappeared without a trace, never to be seen again."

Lord Fujita walked over to a case of artifacts on the wall and picked up a worn-down black kitsune mask. He then made his way to Kurashi, handing the mask over.

"This mask...was your father's, let this be a symbol of your fate."

Kurashi looked down at the mask, trying to understand what was so special about it.

"And Hikari..."

"What is it, sir?"

"I am entrusting you to mentor Kurashi." Lord Fujita stated as he walked back to his desk "After all, I assume the next leader of Naishotetsu will have no problems handling this."

"Yes sir, thank you for your time Lord Fujita."

Now outside of the temple, Kurashi and Hikari continued their walk through the streets.

"What do you think Kurashi, is it all coming to you?"

Hands in his pockets, Kurashi responded with a subtle shrug of his shoulders.

"Hmm, wanna talk about it more over some ramen?" Hikari asked with a warm smile, trying to lighten Kurashi's mood, "Who knows...it might all come to you on a full stomach."

"I'm fine..."

Shortly after, Kurashi's stomach growled, a natural reaction after a long journey.

Arriving at the ramen booth, its rich aroma of broth filled the air.

"Long time no see, Hikari. What would like today?" the chef behind the counter asked.

"The usual Tokushima bowl, but make it two this time."

"Two Tokushima bowls coming right up."

After getting their food, Hikari had something he wanted to say before eating.

"Look...I'm going to be blunt with you. The potential that you have exceeds most of the others here...And to make that potential come true, you have to put in the work to achieve it."

Kurashi stared blankly at Hikari, his expression void of emotion.

"What I'm trying to say is that I want you to start your training tomorrow morning".

"Tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah, as Lord Fujita said, starting today, you will be under my supervision...Think of me as your new mentor, but just don't get all over-mannered. I'm not that much older than you are."

After finishing their meal, they made their way to Hikari's house. A beautiful traditional Japanese home that held three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. The atmosphere was warm, the scent of traditional Japanese materials filling the air. Entering the house, Hikari showed Kurashi to his room. Sliding the door open, the room contained a low platform bed, a nightstand, and a dresser with a small TV sitting on top of it. As night fell, Kurashi settled down, unpacking all of his things, and heading to bed. A good rest would be needed for what was coming the next day.