Chapter
Deep beneath Tokyo.
Far below subway tunnels.
Past forgotten war bunkers and sealed caverns.
There existed a chamber that no human government knew about.
The War Chamber of the Oni Syndicate.
The room was massive.
Circular.
Stone pillars carved with ancient Oni symbols surrounded a black obsidian table.
Twelve empty thrones stood around it.
One throne sat higher than the others.
The throne of Shinra.
One by one…
Figures began appearing.
Not by doors.
Not by footsteps.
But by manifestation.
Dark spirit flames flickered.
The first to arrive was Raiko.
The giant warrior knelt immediately before the throne.
“Reporting failure.”
A second presence appeared.
A tall man wearing flowing crimson robes and a fox-like Oni mask.
His voice was smooth.
“Well, that was quick.”
Raiko didn’t react.
“The Vessel has begun training.”
Another figure materialized.
A woman wrapped in black chains that moved like living snakes.
She leaned lazily against her throne.
“So the Vessel finally awakens.”
More presences appeared.
A silent armored warrior with six arms.
A pale child with glowing red eyes.
A towering monk whose skin was carved with ancient seals.
One by one…
The Crimson Circle gathered.
Twelve of the most powerful Oni generals in the world.
Then—
A ripple moved through the chamber.
Everyone fell silent.
Dark flames ignited behind the throne.
A man stepped forward.
Tall.
Black armor etched with red spirit veins.
His long white hair flowed behind him like smoke.
His eyes burned crimson.
Shinra.
Warlord of the Oni Syndicate.
Every general bowed their head.
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“Lord Shinra.”
Shinra sat slowly on his throne.
His voice was calm.
“Report.”
“The Vessel has awakened a movement ability.”
Kurohana’s voice echoed from the shadows.
“And the thunder girl guarding him is stronger than expected.”
Several generals chuckled quietly.
The fox-masked general tilted his head.
“You mean the human girl pushed you back?”
“She did more than push.”
A murmur spread across the table.
Shinra remained silent.
Then he asked one question.
“Can the Vessel be captured?”
“Yes.”
“But not by one hunter.”
“That is why you exist.”
The pale child sitting on one throne swung his legs playfully.
“Can I go hunt him?”
The six-armed warrior spoke next.
“I will crush him.”
“I want the thunder girl.”
Voices overlapped.
Excitement.
Bloodlust.
Anticipation.
Shinra raised one hand.
The entire chamber fell silent instantly.
“The Vessel is not prey.”
“He is the key.”
The generals leaned forward.
“For centuries… the gods sealed themselves away from this world.”
“But the Vessel carries their memory.”
“And when the Vessel awakens fully…”
The table cracked slightly under the pressure.
“Those doors will open again.”
,
“The heavens…”
“And we will be waiting.”
Kurohana leaned back in her throne.
“So what is the command?”
“Send three fangs.”
“Three?”
“Yes.”
His voice echoed through the chamber.
“Tokyo will become a battlefield.”
The chained woman grinned.
The fox-masked general laughed quietly.
The six-armed warrior cracked his knuckles.
.
“The Vessel will either kneel…”
His spirit pressure filled the entire chamber.
“…or awaken.”
The generals rose.
Twelve shadows around one throne.
Twelve monsters preparing for war.
Far above them—
Tokyo continued living its ordinary night.
Unaware that the Crimson Circle had begun moving.
Back at the Shrine
Mckell sat quietly near the courtyard steps.
Rin stood nearby, watching the moon.
Emeka had fallen asleep with a bandage on his head.
“So… how many of these Oni hunters exist?”
“Twelve generals.”
“Of course there are twelve.”
“And we’ve only seen two.”
“Great.”
Emaji’s blindfolded gaze turned toward the city.
“But something else worries me.”
“What?”
“Beneath Tokyo…”
His staff tapped the stone floor.
“…something ancient is starting to stir.”
