Today, 6 teams of Chasers came in to greet the recruits. Each team was assigned to one of the recruit teams and chose a specific recruit. They were told that these individuals would be their mentors until they died or finished their time as a Trainee. Kenji expected that Devin or Zac was going to pick him. However, Devin chose Watabe Ken, and Zac eagerly chose Chiba Ume. Instead, Kenji found himself alone in a room with Franky. 

“You look disappointed,” Franky said with a smile. 

“Ah, no, no! I’m just surprised. That's all.” Kenji blurted out. 

He had been told he was special since he showed up here. In the beginning he didn’t understand how, but as the days progressed, he was slowly starting to understand. The more he discovered about what he could do the more he wanted to explore his own limits. Which surprised and confused him. Through all of that he figured Zac wasn’t fond of him, but he expected Devin to mentor him. 

“Surprised, huh? Why’s that? We each choose recruits from your team that match us the best.” Franky explained.

“Ah, I get it. Zac’s your team leader, so he took Ume. Devin is… strong, so he took Watabe.” Kenji understood. Kenji could imitate how others fought and could move his body well, but he didn’t really know how to fight. Even after he had “copied” those fighting styles, he still felt that if he fought Watabe, he would be at a disadvantage. But in the back of his mind he rejected that notion, he was sure that he could beat Watabe into submission. 

As that thought bubbled to the surface, Kenji instantly pushed it back down. He had never been this competitive before. Maybe, he was, and  had just avoided situations where this trait could show itself. He was starting to think he really didn’t know himself at all. 

“Incorrect!” Franky, sharply interrupted his train of thought. 

“What?” Kenji responded to Franky’s sudden outburst.

“Zac isn’t our Team Leader. Devin is.” 

“Huh?” 

“Zac isn’t leader material. He’s a master manipulator. Sure, some form of manipulation is needed to lead, but Zac is… a little much.” Franky explained. 

“What do you mean?” Kenji questioned. 

“Let me ask you something. Did you hear what your reward for completing Day 2’s ‘mission’ was? Or what your task today is?” 

“Actually, no. I hadn’t thought about it.” Kenji responded. 

“Because there isn’t one. There never was. You’re a recruit; this is an evaluation, mostly physical in nature. Why would we give you missions? That’s so dumb!” Franky laughed. Kenji just stood there in confused silence. 

“Did I give you a reward for breaking Zac’s records on Day 1? HAHAHA! On Day 2, instructors normally fight each of you individually, evaluate your abilities and potential, and then create the teams for you. They then fight your teams, test your synergies, re-evaluate you, and reform teams as needed. Normally you’d barely have 3 hours of rest before Day 3 starts.” Franky continued to laugh. 

“Zac felt his way was more effective, and honestly, we can’t argue with the results. He played you guys to get the desired results with the least amount of work. He even got you guys to form your own teams.” Kenji stood there in silence as he watched Franky double over in laughter. Kenji felt a cold shiver run down his spine, as he felt a migraine coming. He didn’t know whether to fear or respect Zac, but the more he learned about him the more he came to understand Zac’s annoyance with him.  

“Leaders inspire trust, and trust their subordinates. Zac doesn’t trust anyone… but Devin, and Dr. Varma. Also, Zac doesn’t inspire trust from anyone… but Devin, and Dr. Varma.” 

“But isn’t he the brains of your team?” Kenji asked, confused. 

“Yeah, but not because we trust him. We trust Devin, who trusts Zac. As far as Zac….” Franky let out a long sigh and continued,

“We all know it’s in our best interest to follow his game plan. Because even if we don’t want to, that’s probably by his design.” Franky shrugged helplessly. 

“Wow… uh, he’s uh.” Kenji stammered. 

“Yeah, he’s a real piece of work.” 

“But Ume isn’t like that!” Kenji injected as he realized the implications. 

“Really? You know that, after knowing her for what? Barely 48 hours?” Franky chuckled. 

“She may not be quite as untrusting as Zac. But she’s not far behind. She didn’t trust you guys on Day 2; she trusted HER ability to use you for HER own means. She is a schemer, just like Zac. Watabe is a leader.” Franky corrected Kenji. There was a reason why Franky chose to mentor Kenji. Out of all the recruits, Kenji was the most like him. 

Sure, Kenji had far more potential than he could dream of, but Franky was also forced into this life. He had stumbled on something he shouldn’t have seen. Luckily, he was given a choice. To die or try his luck as a recruit. He was just as naive as Kenji and was content with everyday life. It had been barely 3 years since then, but he had already gone through more than enough to crush that naivety out of him. 

So while all the other recruits were probably getting pointers on their fighting style or weapon of choice. Or, in poor Genkei’s case, going through an entirely new physical evaluation that made him wish for death. Instead, Franky decided to use this time to educate Kenji about the world he was getting himself into. 

“What qualities does a leader need, then?” Kenji asked. 

“As I said, they must inspire trust. Other than that, they must have authority and the capability to maintain that authority, while being able to command respect. They must desire greatness or, at the very least, to get the best out of those around them. Most importantly, they must have the will and strength to put their team on their back when shit hits the fan. You have the potential to do that. But does that sound like you?” 

“Not really, no,” Kenji responded. 

As he reflected on the previous day, it was Watabe that chose their group, not the other way around. Not only that, but none of them rejected him. Instead, they were more shocked that he’d work with them. Obviously, they respected his ability and trusted him to get the job done. Kenji found himself imagining Watabe’s movements almost as much as Zac’s. He was one of the people he wanted to emulate and surpass. And when everything was said and done, it was him and Ume that made Zac bleed. 

“Dammit…” Kenji mumbled to himself. He didn’t know where this sudden desire for Devin’s and Zac’s, of all people, approval sprouted from. 

“Devin is not only the leader of our team but our entire organization. You didn’t even want to be here. Why would he waste his time on you?” Franky chided. 

“You want me to be the team leader? What about that freak? We all saw what he could do yesterday. Moves that took years of training, he copied and improved after a glance!” Watabe asked Devin, a bit annoyed.

“What about him? He has tremendous potential, more than me. But he doesn’t have the drive, nor the desire.” Devin responded with a smile. He and Watabe stood in an empty training room.

“Desires easily change.” 

“You’re right, and I’ve noticed a slight change already. Being the leader of that team won’t be easy. Dealing with someone like Zac never is, and you’ll have 2 versions of him! One with his potential and the other with his mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if they both challenged you for leadership at some point.” Devin joked.

Watabe didn’t need to ask what he was referring to. Ume was hard to read and harder to follow mentally. That innocent face of hers hid a sinister temperament. She was immensely kind and supportive to those she cared for but equally cruel to those she didn’t. He’d tried his best to stay on her good side over the years. Otherwise, he’d be done before he knew what happened. 

“You seem to know what kind of person Ume is?” Watabe asked.

“Yeah, your uncle filled us in on the both of you, and-” 

“AND YOU WANT ME TO STEAL A POSITION FROM HER?!” Watabe interrupted. As Devin began to laugh hysterically. 

“Zac will handle that, don't worry. She seems to be a logical person; she’ll understand. If not now, eventually.” 

“Eventually…great.” Watabe wasn’t convinced. However, if there was anyone who could reel her in, it would be someone like Zac. Especially if he was going to be acting as her mentor. Watabe sighed as he calmed down. 

“What exactly are we going to be doing today?” After Watabe spoke, Devin tossed him a pair of daggers. They were very similar to the ones he had used the day before, only newer. 

“You’re a natural leader, so I don’t need to teach you anything. So we’re going to work on your weapon of choice. Your weapon of choice is the exact same as Zac’s. Eventually, I’ll ask him to give you some pointers, but outside of him, no one knows the ins and outs of those more than me.” Devin smirked proudly. 

“Do you use these as well?” Watabe asked. Even if Zac and Devin used the same weapons, it made sense that Zac was more proficient. Devin was a true Chaser with a Program. Zac had nothing but his body and wits; he’d need to bring everything he specialized in to its limit to even begin to compete. 

“Nope, never even touched them. But I’ve been Zac’s sparring partner… and training dummy for years. So attack me with everything you have, and I’ll point out every single flaw and tell you how to fix them. We have 12 hours together, so make them count.” Devin smirked.

Watabe let out a deep breath as he properly equipped the daggers. He checked the wiring to make sure everything functioned properly. Watabe then charged forward toward Devin.

“First mistake. Your throwing hand is too obvious.” Devin said as an invisible force smacked the dagger out of Watabe’s left hand before he properly began to throw it. Watabe’s eyes widened as he didn’t understand what had just happened. He took a breath and picked up his dagger, and charged again, 

“Thank you, Sensei.”