Kubo was still walking, a bit lazily.

Then he began to recall the meeting from the day before.

—    One day earlier —

At the headquarters of the Paper Nation, in the meeting room, around a table that had a map of the Paper Nation spread over it, seven people were seated.

In the main chair sat the Feudal Lord, Yakuzu Yagami — a 61-year-old man whose presence emitted an aura of power and authority. A samurai dressed in a refined kimono suitable for nobility, with a katana at his waist.

To his right sat Hoshino Kamui — a 40-year-old man with a very serious air, much confidence and authority. Long black hair. He wore a traditional samurai kimono with a white cloak over it inscribed with the words “Kamui Clan” and a katana at his waist.

Next came Kubo Kaisen, he looked relaxed, always chewing his gum and blowing bubbles.

And finally sat Suji Sugeto — a 30-year-old man with an eccentric appearance and a sadistic look. He wore a samurai kimono with a katana at his waist.

On the left side of the Feudal Lord sat Hiro Sugawara — a 42-year-old man, big-built, mature appearance, calm and easygoing demeanor. He wore a ninja outfit, had a sword on his back and a ninja tool pouch.

Next was Minata Kiss — a tall 27-year-old woman, beautiful and elegant, calm and serene. Still, she carried a cold expression and a cynical smile.

She had long bluish-white hair and eyebrows, red lipstick. She wore a loose white samurai kimono with light blue details and a matching sash around her waist where she kept her katana.

And lastly, there was Ichiro Kawaii — a humble-looking young man of 25. He wore a simple ninja outfit, with a ninja tool pouch and a ninja sword on his back.

“Very well, all the captains are here. Let’s begin the meeting. We have two important points to discuss. First, regarding the Arena, we need to select the best candidates of the new generation not only to join the Special Unit, but also to compete in the ‘Blood Tournament’ between the nations,” the Feudal Lord introduced calmly.

“Has it really been five years since the last Blood Tournament? Time flies!” said Ichiro.

“Yeah, five years is a pretty short interval. Actually, any interval feels short when it’s about throwing teenagers into a fight to the death,” remarked Hiro, in his calm tone, though clearly showing disapproval.

“It’s a tradition among the nations, we must respect tradition. And you know very well that veterans aren’t allowed to participate in the Blood Tournament because no nation wants to lose experienced soldiers. It’s also a way to mentally prepare the new generation for war,” Hoshino intervened firmly.

“That’s just pointless slaughter. We’re not obligated to follow the traditions of past leaders. We’re not savages, we’re soldiers,” Hiro insisted, still unconvinced.

“Hiro, your pacifism during wartime could lead us to defeat. How can we win a war with youths who are afraid to take a life?” Minata challenged him.

“Alright, captains. We’ll have time to debate the Blood Tournament later. Right now, the concern is the Arena. The candidates from the past two years weren’t very impressive. This year, we need to recruit the best,” the Feudal Lord stated with authority.

“There’s still one thing I don’t understand. You all know I’ve never cared about that. So why was I summoned?” Kubo asked with a bored look.

“This year, we have a new development, so you must take part in the recruitment. As you all know, each captain needs to recruit two or three candidates from the new generation, for those assigned to the Scroll Village, Origami Village and Papyrus Village, they can recruit three, since those villages have more academies and higher demand.”

“This year, my candidates will definitely be selected, and I’ll receive my reward,” said Suji, smiling and licking his lips.

“Every year you say that, but your candidates never pass,” Minata teased. “But back to the point: what’s the big new development, Feudal Lord?”

“Well, normally the captain whose two candidates pass in the Arena receives a monetary reward. But this year, in addition to the reward, they will also become the sensei of a team, leading the new Special Unit recruits on espionage and sabotage missions in enemy nations.”

“Why now? Why place us captains as mentors to these rookies?” Minata asked.

“The Great War is approaching. We only have three years left. There’s no more time! We need someone who can fast-track their experience. That’s why we need experienced captains to lead them.”

“Excellent! That means I’ll be a sensei, because I’m sure my candidates will pass the Arena!” Kubo proclaimed confidently.

“Not just any candidate makes it through the Arena,” warned Hoshino in a slightly arrogant tone.

“I bet my candidates will outperform your prodigy children,” Kubo challenged.

Hoshino just ignored him. It was obvious those two couldn’t stand each other.

“Very well. Captain assignments to the villages will be random... except for you, Kubo. We’re sending you to Kraft Village,” said the Feudal Lord.

“But why there of all places? How am I supposed to find good candidates in that remote village with only one academy?” Kubo protested, eyeing Hoshino who now wore a smug grin.

“I understand, but this leads us to the second point on our agenda. You, besides being one of our best captains...” then the Feudal Lord was interrupted by Kubo.

“Please clarify that, Feudal Lord. There’s a big difference between ‘one of the best’ and ‘the best’,” Kubo declared with a confident expression.

Hoshino shook his head in disbelief at what he had just heard. Suji and Minata laughed out loud, just to mock. Ichiro looked around, a bit lost. Hiro remained silent, deep in thought.

“Anyway... you’re our best detective. We’ve received news of another family from the Amazo Clan being murdered. As we know, this is the strongest clan in our nation, due to the purple blood, and this must be connected to the killings,” the Feudal Lord explained, leaving the room tense.

“So we really do have a serial killer. For two months now, blood-purple clan have been slaughtered, family by family,” Ichiro said solemnly.

“Indeed. With the death of this last family, there’s only one target left: Rino Amazo. If he dies, the Amazo Clan will be completely extinct,” the Feudal Lord said with deep concern.

“So, that’s why you’re sending me there. Besides recruitment, I’ll also investigate Rino Amazo,” concluded Kubo.

“Rino Amazo would never do such a thing. He’s an honorable man. He opposed this entire system of war and hatred. And the death of his wife was the last straw that led him to leave the army and move to Kraft Village with his son to distance himself from it all,” Hiro said, clearly admiring him.

“I don’t believe he’s behind the murders either. I just want you to warn him to be careful, because the killer will surely come for him. And take the opportunity to ask him a few things that may help your investigation,” the Feudal Lord instructed.

“Anything specific?” Kubo asked.

“Well, as you know, only those with purple blood can awaken the circle level. However, in the entire history of the clan, Rino Amazo was the only one who managed to awaken it. And when he did, he had a vision of a mysterious man dominating all three nations.”

“One man dominating all three nations together? That needs some serious power!” Kubo commented.

“It was a divine power. And Rino Amazo couldn’t tell if the vision was about the past or the future,” said the Feudal Lord, leaving the room in suspense.

“After the Janken, we have all of history documented, and there’s nothing about a man with such power. It must be a vision of the future,” said Kubo.

“And what if it’s from before the Janken? After all, the Janken not only split the world, it also wiped everyone’s memory and all manuscripts from that time vanished. This vision could be a revelation about what happened before the Janken,” suggested Ichiro.

“That’s true. Since the start of the ‘Janken Era’, all three nations have searched for manuscripts about pre-Janken history, but none have ever been found. With Janken, humanity’s history reset, and we’re left to live with that,” said the Feudal Lord.

The room was filled with an air of suspense and mystery. Everyone sat in deep thought.

“Well, at least we know that before the Janken, the world was one. And in Rino Amazo’s vision, the man dominated three nations. So it must be a vision of the future… Anyway, you can leave this case to me,” said Kubo, confidently.

— Back to the present —

Rino Amazo! He had a child with a woman of normal elemental blood, so the child probably didn’t inherit the great power of the clan. Purple blood power is only inherited with pure blood. That’s why they used to marry among themselves within the clan. And Rino Amazo was the first to break that tradition and married an outsider.

So thought Kubo, as he walked along calmly and lazily.