The resonating sound of a ringing mobile phone abruptly pulled him from a delightful dream. With eyes still closed, Levin fumbled around in search of the device, harboring no desire to awaken. As his hand finally reached the mobile, the call concluded. An expletive escaped his lips as he cursed the caller, and with that annoyance lingering, he returned to the embrace of sleep.

As he approached the brink of deep sleep, the caller dared to interrupt again. "Jeez!" He reluctantly opened his eyes and answered the call. "Yes?" he said, adopting a rude tone.

"Where are you, Levin?" The voice was familiar; Ayumi was on the other side.

"In my room, of course." By now, he was fully awake and aware.

"Come downstairs," she said.

"Sorry, I am sleeping." He declined and shut his eyes, as though she could perceive him.

"Sleeping, huh? It's only 10 PM." She knew that 10 PM was too early for him. He usually slept late at night, but today was a tiring day.

"Come downstairs. I'm waiting." She hung up.

He rubbed his eyes and sat. The room was empty; Tyler hadn't returned yet. Tyler, his roommate, was a completely different person, but still, a nice guy. They never interfered in each other's lives, likely the reason for their peaceful coexistence.
It crossed his mind that Tyler had plans to spend the night at a friend's house. He stood up, glanced at his reflection in the mirror, ran fingers through his hair, observed himself for a while, and then left the room. When he reached the ground, he noticed that Takato and Drew were also present.
"You disturbed my sleep, Ayumi," he grumbled as he approached them.

"Stop complaining. I want to show you something," she remarked and handed him a photograph.
He glanced at her and then at the photograph. It was a family picture. A handsome young man stood at the right corner, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. On the left side stood a beautiful young lady, presumably his wife, with long brown hair and emerald green eyes. In the middle, there were four children - three boys and a girl. One child, with dark brown hair and deep, wide emerald green eyes, caught his attention. A bright smile adorned the child's face. "Zac?" he exclaimed, his mouth falling open. "Where'd you snag this photo?" he inquired, giving them a scrutinizing look.

"His room, no surprises there," Takato shrugged.

"So, you stole it?" he asked with a frown, handing the photograph to Takato, recalling Risa's warning. She had a point.

"Isn't it obvious?" Takato replied smugly, slipping the photo back into his pocket.

Opting for silence, he decided to observe. Risa's words echoed in his mind - "Instead of intervening, you find it entertaining?"

"Return the photograph!" echoed a clear, loud, authoritative voice.
Levin turned to find Zac standing in front. When did Zac appear on the scene? Zac walked towards them.
"Hand it back," Zac repeated as he approached.
Zac was typically calm, but today, his eyes held a different intensity. A cold expression adorned his face.

"Give what back?" Takato asked, hands behind his head. Ayumi and Drew smirked.

"This is the last time. Return the photo," Zac's voice matched the chill on his face.

"If i don't return the photo, what will you do? Cry and call your mother?" Takato mocked him. If he were in Zac's place, he would beat the hell out of Takato.
Takato gripped the photo between the thumb and forefingers of each hand, poised to tear it apart. Suddenly, Zac delivered a powerful blow to his face, causing him to stagger. Takato tumbled backward with a resounding thud, his hold on the picture loosening. Seizing the opportunity, Zac swiftly acquired possession of the photo.
For a brief moment, Takato was stunned. Then, his expression twisted with rage. "You wretch!" Takato snarled, lunging forward. He targeted Zac's nose and landed a forceful hit, splattering blood on the ground.
In retaliation, Zac unleashed a powerful right overhand punch. Takato swiftly stepped out of range, but before he could raise his hands to defend, Zac thrust his shoulder into Takato's chest, forcefully pinning him against the wall.
This visibly angered Takato. He launched several robust punches, yet Zac effortlessly evaded each one.
The sight filled Levin with awe. Zac's movements were swift, akin to that of a skilled fighter, and he appeared deeply focused.
Executing a roundhouse kick towards Takato's head, Zac found his attempt blocked as Takato deftly caught his leg, causing him to stumble. Without granting Zac a chance to regain composure, Takato swiftly punched him in the ribs, sending Zac sprawling, his head colliding with the wall.
As Zac struggled to stand, one hand pressed to his head and the other against the wall, a hint of dizziness suggested the impact on his head. Seeing Takato approach once more, Zac attempted to retaliate, but Takato adeptly evaded his attacks. Zac threw a punch, yet Takato skillfully dodged it, seizing Zac's hand. In a swift maneuver, Takato's elbow delivered a powerful hit, pinning Zac down. Adding his weight, Takato pounded at Zac's chest.

The wisdom of Kakashi Sensei echoed in Levin's mind, "Never let your opponent pin you to the ground. Once your enemy pins you, it becomes very difficult to stand again."
Zac's next move caught his attention. Zac somehow managed to free his arms, blocking the incoming strikes. Surprisingly, he struck his forearm against Takato's throat. Takato, reacting to the unbearable pain, moved away. Seizing the opportunity, Zac swiftly rose to a standing position, delivering a punch to Takato's jaw.
Kakashi Sensei's tactical teachings played out before him. While applying such tactics in a real fight was challenging, Zac executed them effortlessly. The question lingered: Just who was he?
Takato stood tall, his eyes filled with rage as he glared at Zac. Leaping forward, he charged at him, and both combatants landed forceful blows to each other's jaws.

"He's quite the playmate for Takato," remarked Drew.

"Yeah," Ayumi smirked.

The confrontation between Zac and Takato came to an abrupt end when Takato forcefully slammed him into the wall, unleashing a barrage of solid punches into Zac's gut. Pain contorted Zac's face. Takato released him, and Zac slowly slid down the wall, eventually falling face-first. Several seconds passed, but he remained motionless.

"Takato, you went too far," Drew remarked.

Casually, Takato walked past Levin. Levin stood there, gaze fixed on Zac. Takato had truly crossed a line.

"Don't worry. He's still alive," Ayumi assured.

"You can't be serious, Ayumi!" Levin furrowed his brows.

Ayumi observed him for a moment before stating, "You seem disturbed."

"Shut up!" Levin averted his gaze.

She sighed and said, "He'll be okay. Let's go."

"Where?" he inquired.

"Don't tell me you forgot," she remarked, raising a brow and awaiting his response. Continuing, she added, "We're placing the posters on the walls."

"Let's do it tomorrow," he suggested, clearly fatigued.

"We have to do it tonight. It's fine if you don't want to come. Go and take some rest."

"Alright then, see you tomorrow," he waved goodbye and walked away. He felt a sense of embarrassment, acknowledging that once again, he was merely a spectator.

☆☆☆

Zac felt a lot of pain from the gutshots. He encountered significant difficulty in withstanding the impact, especially when directed towards his abdomen. This specific area proved particularly challenging for him, resulting in a complete depletion of his energy.
As consciousness waned, he experienced hallucinations of lifeless bodies, resembling those of his parents and siblings, soaked in blood. Soon, his perception shifted into a realm of darkness.
The duration of his recovery remained unclear. When he eventually opened his eyes, his body felt weighed down, a consequence of prolonged inactivity. Takato and the others had already departed. Although Takato emerged victorious, Zac remained unaffected. The photograph was now in his possession, and that alone satisfied him.

"I regret to say this is the only photograph I possess," Aunt Tokou had shared with him. "You all look perfect in this photo." Tears were rolling down her eyes.
Tokou was his mom's younger sister, someone who had also endured the pain of losing her dear ones.
A sigh escaped his lips as he directed his gaze towards the sky, adorned with stars, presenting a breathtaking view. Squinting his eyes, he focused on the bright full moon. While some might find it enchanting, he harbored a dislike for it due to the association with unpleasant memories.

"Zac..." He was lost in contemplation when the sound of his name being called interrupted his thoughts. Startled, he sat up and scanned the surroundings, finding no one present. Footsteps echoed.
"Zac..." Once again, the voice persisted. Zac recognized whose voice it was. He sharply turned back, eyes widening as he faced the person. The boy had blond hair, narrowed amber-colored eyes, and an X-shaped scar on his face.
"Dd..Darrin..." Zac stuttered as he stood up. Was this some form of illusion?

"So, you recognize me," Darrin grinned.

"It can't be..." Zac mumbled.

""It's me, Zac." Darrin enveloped him in a hug. "Missed me, didn't you?"

Still in shock, Zac mumbled, "It's an illusion... yes... Darrin has died... Rayuga has killed him," tightly closing his eyes, attempting to escape the illusion.

"It's not an illusion, Zac." Darrin seemed to read his mind. "I know it's hard for you to believe, but I really am alive."

Zac reluctantly opened his eyes.

"Look. I am standing in front of you." Darrin raised both hands.

Discomfort gripped Zac's chest, followed by nausea. He covered his mouth, crouching down.

"Are you okay?" Darrin asked, a sinister smirk on his face.

Nausea intensified, and Zac hurried towards the washroom. Once there, he turned on the tap, letting the water run. Gripping the sink's edge tightly, he took deep breaths. His head bowed, eyes hidden by his bangs.

"You seem pathetic," a voice echoed in the room.

Zac lifted his head, catching a glimpse of Darrin's reflection in the mirror. "Disappear from my sight!" Zac's command echoed.

"Perhaps a lesson in manners, you impolite son of a bitch," Darrin responded coolly.

"I was right. You're not Darrin," Zac turned with a face twisted in anger. "How dare you mock my friend? You wretched impostor!" Zac's punch landed solidly on imposter's jaw, causing him to stagger.

As the boy wiped his jaw, he quipped, "Sharp instincts you have."

"Enough!" Zac aimed another blow, but he deftly caught his arm.

"Why so serious all the time?" The boy smirked, twisting Zac's arm.

Zac winced. "Who are you?" Black flames briefly surrounded his body but vanished. Zac realized he couldn't act so freely; he was in a hostel with surveillance cameras everywhere. He needed a different place.
Zac drove his knee into the boy's abdomen. The boy groaned, stepping back. Zac freed his arm and hurried outside. The boy chased after him.

"Ugh! I'll run into a guard heading to the main gate," Zac pondered while sprinting. "The rooftop is a better option."

He turned the corner, revealing a staircase leading upward. Zac sprinted upstairs, reaching the top only to find the door locked.

"What the..." Zac furrowed his brows. Although he could easily destroy the door, he hesitated, not wanting to create a lot of noise. He turned.

"Why are you running away? Are you afraid of me?" The boy approached him.

"I'm not running away!" Zac drove his shoulder into the boy's chest, making him stumble. The boy lost balance, and as he was about to fall down the stairs, he grabbed Zac's arm, causing both of them to tumble down. Zac's head collided with the ground as they landed, and the boy's forehead met Zac's knee. Both winced in pain.

"I guess I have no other choice," Zac mumbled, struggling to stand upright. The other boy also got to his feet. Both charged at each other, locking fists.

"Instant Transmission," Zac said, and suddenly, they both disappeared.

They reappeared in a dimly lit street, prompting Zac to sigh in relief.

"Why do you always drag me along with you?" The boy released Zac's hands.

"Who are you?" Zac demanded abruptly.

"Curious, huh?" The boy looked down, smirking. When he raised his head, his appearance had changed - white hair, narrowed ocean-blue eyes. Zac recognized him immediately. It was Kaito Kurogame.

"You!" Zac exclaimed.

"It's been a long time, Zero," Kaito smirked. "How about addressing you by your real name?"

Zac narrowed his eyes. Kaito continued, "It's Advin Damen, isn't it?"

This revelation startled Zac. Kaito looked at him and chuckled. "Did I just expose your secret?"

"Secret, huh?" Zac composed himself. "I never made an effort to conceal this fact."

Kaito laughed. "Really? You..."

"Get to the point, Kaito!" Zac interrupted. "You haven't come this far just to reveal my real name."

Kaito smirked. "You're intelligent, and that's what I really appreciate about you."

"I don't have time to waste on you," Zac furrowed his brows.

"I won't test your patience any longer," Kaito laughed. "Join us."

"What did you say?" Zac sought confirmation.

"Join our organization," Kaito repeated, extending an invitation to join the ShadowStar Sinister.

"Are you nuts?" The crease between Zac's brows deepened.

"No, I am not," Kaito replied, crossing his arms. "You should consider our offer."

"I don't even need to think about it," Zac snapped.

"Do you prefer Aurora Sentinels to the ShadowStar Sinister?" Kaito asked as he walked towards the wall. He chuckled when his eyes fell on the poster. "You're the most wanted criminal, Advin. It's an honor, isn't it?"

Zac's expression shifted to one of confusion as he approached Kaito, eager to examine the poster. His eyes widened in disbelief upon reading the stark details. The poster boldly declared him as the most wanted individual: Advin Damen, 19 years old, with dark brown hair and emerald green eyes, last seen six years ago. The ominous revelation concluded with a staggering reward of $20,000, marking Zac as a figure of considerable notoriety and prompting a moment of silent realization.
At the bottom, the contact number and address of Aurora Sentinels were prominently displayed.
This revelation fueled anger within Zac, as if the entire world conspired to mock him. The possibility of other similar posters lingered in his thoughts. What impressions would these posters leave on people who came across them? What motives were Aurora Sentinels harboring? Zac found himself immersed in these contemplations.

"What's your next move?" Kaito's voice snapped Zac out of his thoughts.

"It's none of your business, so don't try to poke your nose in," Zac replied, still fixated on the poster.

"It is my business. I'm asking you again to join our organization."

"Stop trying; my answer won't change."

"It looks like I need to use some force," Kaito smirked, charging a blue orb in his hand.

Suddenly, a forceful impact struck Zac's head from behind, causing beads of blood to surface on his forehead. His hand instinctively moved to his head, and then he collapsed.
The unexpected turn of events filled Kaito with surprise. The blue orb dissipated from his hand as he turned his gaze to the newcomer. A 19-year-old, roughly Zac's age, with black hair and piercing blue eyes had just appeared. Gripping a steel rod, he exuded an air of determination.
"Taurch! What the hell are you doing here?" Kaito's brow furrowed, evident displeasure in his tone.

"You were taking so long, so I decided to take care of the matter myself," Taurch smirked and casually tossed the rod towards him.

"Stay out of it," Kaito snapped, swiftly catching the rod in his hands.

Instantly, a cluster of chakra-absorbing roots emerged from the ground, swiftly binding Taurch and Kaito's legs tightly together.

"What?" They exclaimed in unison.

Their attention turned to a figure approaching. A man, approximately 22 years old, with striking violet hair, including bangs that partially covered the center of his face. His eyes mirrored the hue of his hair, and he was clad in the standard Aurora Sentinels uniform.

"Who the hell are you?" Taurch yelled.

"I don't need to tell you." The man walked towards Zac and crouched down. Zac's hair was stained red with blood, his face also covered in the crimson liquid. "Please be safe," he muttered, checking Zac's pulse. A sigh escaped his lips upon feeling it.

Taurch and Kaito struggled against the chakra-absorbing roots.

"It's useless," he remarked. "Let the roots consume all your Chakra. You can go home after that."

"Jeez!" Taurch clenched his fists.

"Now listen carefully as I won't repeat myself." The man turned his head to address both of them. "If you try to hurt him again, I'd kill you." With that, he disappeared, taking Zac with him.

☆☆☆

"Wake up, Max. It's 7:15 AM," Mimi announced as she entered the room. His usually tidy room appeared messy, surprising her. "Max, you're getting late." She shook him.

"5 more minutes," he mumbled, changing sides.

"The breakfast is ready. Come downstairs in 5 minutes," Mimi instructed before leaving the room.
Max's sister, Mimi, was around 20 years old, with black hair and black eyes. Since their mother wasn't at home, Mimi had taken charge of preparing breakfast.
After 15 minutes, Max descended the stairs, donned in his school uniform and ready for the day. He took a seat on the couch. "I'm not hungry. Just give me a glass of milk."

"Are you alright?" She inquired while pouring milk into the glass.

"Yeah."

"I don't think so. Your room was a mess too. What were you doing last night?" Concern laced Mimi's voice as she handed him the glass of milk.

"I was looking for a sketch," Max replied.

"A sketch?" Mimi sat beside him.

"Yes."

As Max sipped the milk, his mind rewound to a particular encounter with someone.
Max sat in the cozy corner of a quaint restaurant, the warm ambiance embracing him. Trish, his companion, excused herself as her mobile phone rang, promising to return in 2 minutes.
A figure approached, an 18-year-old with blonde hair. His narrowed, amber-colored eyes revealed a mysterious air, accentuated by an X-shaped scar on his right cheek.
"Hi there!" the newcomer greeted Max with a friendly smile.

"Hi," Max responded.

"My name is Darrin," he introduced himself, the smile lingering on his face.

"I'm Max."

""May I join you?" Darrin inquired, seeking permission.

"Of course," Max responded with a warm smile.

Darrin pulled over a chair and settled in. "Actually, I wanted to ask something. Is that girl your girlfriend?"

Max, momentarily puzzled, questioned, "Who?"

"The one who was sitting with you a few minutes ago."

"Yes."

"Great!" Darrin grinned. "Here's a gift for you." He handed Max a carefully folded paper.

Max cast a glance at Darrin before unfolding the paper. His eyes widened in amazement at the intricate sketch before him. It captured the essence of the moment perfectly-Trish and Max seated in the familiar restaurant, occupying the same spot. Trish gazing out of the window, and Max captivated by her presence. The details were so vivid that it felt like a frozen frame of reality on paper. Max looked back at Darrin, deeply moved.

"That's incredible," Max exclaimed. "You have a real talent for sketching." Max couldn't help but be touched by the thoughtful gesture, his gratitude evident in his appreciative gaze.

"Hahah. Truth be told, my friend created this masterpiece. He decided to stay away, fearing you might throw a punch. There he is." Darrin gestured to the right, but there was no one in sight. "Where did he disappear to?" Darrin muttered.

Suddenly, both of them noticed Trish returning. Darrin stood up. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Darrin smiled, extending his hand.

"Likewise," Max responded, shaking his hand. "Please convey my gratitude to your friend."

"Absolutely," Darrin grinned before gracefully making his exit.

The flashback concluded, leaving behind the vivid memory of that intriguing encounter.

"Why the search for the sketch?" Mimi inquired when Max shared the story.

"I believe I know Darrin's friend," Max replied.

"Really? How?" Mimi, having heard about Darrin and the sketch earlier, was intrigued

"He's a fellow student in my class, and his name is Zac," Max clarified.

"It's truly surprising, considering Zac is your classmate," Mimi noted, referring to the unexpected connection.

"Darrin has passed away, Mimi."

"Oh.." Her expression shifted to a somber tone.

After a brief silence, Max spoke, "I'm running late, so we can discuss it later."

"Alright. Have you located the sketch?"

"Yes. See you later." Max waved goodbye and exited.

☆☆☆

"You knocked him out!"
Max, en route to the classroom, was halted by this arresting exclamation. He paused and turned to witness Levin and his friends in a circle, deeply engaged in conversation.

"Indeed," Takato affirmed, crossing his arms.

"I wish I had been there. Why didn't you guys give us a call?" Dawn lamented, pouting.

"A scuffle wasn't part of our plan. Zac was the instigator," Drew explained.

Max's eyes widened in intrigue. He discreetly positioned himself to remain unseen, fully aware that the class was set to commence in a mere five minutes.

"But you shouldn't have hit him," Alice advised. "He's just a regular guy. There's..."

""I disagree," Ayumi interjected.

Levin glanced at Risa; their eyes locked. She frowned and walked away.

"What do you mean, Ayumi?" Alice inquired.

"He fought quite efficiently. Yesterday's altercation wasn't your typical fist fight," Ayumi replied.

"He knows how to handle himself," Takato added.

"Are you impressed, Takato?" Drew smirked.

"Shut up," Takato snapped. "I never expected him to react. I'm glad he did."

Their conversation was abruptly halted by a short, high-pitched sound.
"Yuichiro," Levin called out, swiftly pressing the red button on his watch.

"Did you guys plaster those posters on the wall?" Yuichiro inquired, seeking confirmation despite the apparent evidence.

Levin exchanged glances with the others before responding, "Um, yes."

"Jeez! Why do they always assign all the idiots to my squad?" Yuichiro expressed annoyance.

"What's bothering him?" Ayumi wondered to herself.

"Go and clean up the mess. I don't want to see a single poster. Got it?" Yuichiro demanded, awaiting their acknowledgment before continuing. "Also, the CEO wants to meet with you. Be at the HQ by 2 PM." He disconnected

"CEO!" They exclaimed in unison.

"What's going on with them? What have we done exactly?" May questioned.

"We've invested effort and money in designing those posters. Where's the appreciation?" Dawn furrowed her brows.

"That's the Aurora Sentinels for you," Ayumi chimed in. "Let's go."

"I understand," Max glanced at his watch. It was 8:10 AM. "Oh, I'm late." He hurried off to the classroom.

And so, the unexpected summons from the CEO left them puzzled, but they couldn't dwell on it for long as their day continued with its own set of challenges and surprises.

☆☆☆

Arashi lounged comfortably on the plush couch, engrossed in his laptop, surrounded by the soft glow of ambient lighting in his cozy living room. The doorbell chimed, interrupting his focused moment. He gracefully rose from his seated position and strolled toward the entrance. As he swung the door open, a slight creak echoing in the hallway, there stood Yuichiro, his figure outlined against the backdrop of the outside world.

"Yuichiro?" Arashi expressed mild surprise. "Come in." He stepped aside, welcoming his unexpected guest.

Yuichiro entered, and Arashi led him to the lounge, a comfortable space adorned with subtle decor.

"When did you return?" Yuichiro inquired, taking a seat on the couch.

"Last night," Arashi replied. His return marked the end of a month-long S-rank mission, an endeavor both perilous and time-consuming.

Yuichiro nodded in acknowledgment.

"Well, what would you prefer to drink? Tea or coffee?"

"Nothing."

"How about juice, then?"

"You don't need to go through the trouble. I've come here to discuss..."

"We can delve into that later. It's your first time at my place. Let me serve you," Arashi interjected.

"Alright, do as you wish." Yuichiro agreed, allowing the hospitality of the moment to unfold.
Arashi smiled and left. After 5 mins he came backArashi smiled and excused himself. Five minutes later, he returned with two steaming cups of coffee.

"So, what's on your mind?" Arashi inquired, handing a cup to Yuichiro as he settled back into his seat.

"Is Advin here?" Yuichiro asked.

Arashi studied him for a moment before responding, "Yes."

"I need to talk to him."

"That's not possible," Arashi explained. "He's not in good shape."

"Why is he even here?" Yuichiro questioned.

"I have many questions myself."

""Alright." Yuichiro shrugged. "We can exchange the information we have. You answer my questions, and I'll answer yours."

And so, they delved into a conversation that held the promise of unraveling mysteries and sharing secrets, the atmosphere in the room thick with anticipation and curiosity. The coffee cups sat between them, witnesses to the start of an exchange filled with revelations and discussions.

☆☆☆