Kusanagi Castle, central dojo.
All core members of the Kusanagi family had gathered here.
Kusanagi Souji had already changed into a fighting outfit and assumed the standard stance of the Kusanagi style, crimson flames burning around his body.
His strength was no small matter—he had broken through to the Absolute Domain realm. Among the younger generation, he could be considered outstanding.
"Come on, outsider!" he shouted coldly. "Let me see what color your flames really are!"
"As you wish."
Cloud stood opposite him, not even bothering to take a stance.
He simply raised his right hand casually.
"Whooom—!"
A golden flame—purer, more domineering, and infinitely more divine than Kusanagi Souji's crimson fire—blazed to life around his body!
[Heavenscorch Scripture][Battle God Golden Flame]!
"Wha... What?! Golden flames?!"
Every single Kusanagi family member present, including ancient elders who had lived nearly a century, shot to their feet in shock, their faces written with utter disbelief!
They had never seen—never even read about in any ancient text—golden Kusanagi flames!
"This... this is... a sign of bloodline atavism?!" one elder stammered. "Legend says that our Kusanagi clan's original ancestor wielded divine flames like the fire of the sun god himself!"
Kusanagi Souji was completely dumbstruck.
He felt that his prized crimson flames, standing before Cloud's golden divine fire, were like firefly light compared to the brilliant moon—they weren't even in the same dimension!
"Impossible! This must be some kind of trick!"
He roared, forcibly suppressing his shock, and launched his attack!
"Style 100: Oniyaki!"
Crimson flames formed a pillar of fire that roared toward Cloud!
However, Cloud simply shook his head.
"Too slow, too weak, full of openings."
Using a tone like a teacher critiquing a student, he threw his own punch!
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Style 100: Oniyaki!"
BOOM—!!!
The golden pillar of flame struck first despite launching second, utterly pulverizing the crimson fire column with overwhelming superiority!
Then Cloud's figure moved!
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Aragami!"
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Dokugami!"
"Heavenscorch Scripture—Koto Moon Positive!"
One textbook-perfect—no, better than textbook—Kusanagi-style ancient martial arts technique after another flowed from him like water!
Every single movement was filled with power and beauty!
His control over the flames had reached a state of supernatural mastery!
All the Kusanagi elders present watched with rapture, as if witnessing the most perfect martial arts demonstration!
"Good heavens! This... this is like watching a living martial arts manual!"
"His understanding of Aragami is even... deeper than mine!"
As for Kusanagi Souji, he had been completely beaten senseless.
He felt like an infant who'd just learned to walk being systematically demolished by a world-class sprinter using every advanced technique imaginable!
"This... this is impossible... how can you possibly...?"
Finally, Cloud launched him into the air with an impossibly stylish Style 75 Kai kick, then gently caught him and set him down on the ground.
Victory was decided.
The entire dojo fell silent.
Everyone stared at the young man slowly extinguishing his flames as if he were some kind of monster.
Just then, a voice full of "pride" and "smugness" broke the silence.
"Ahem!"
Kyo Kusanagi cleared his throat, strode to the center of the dojo, and with a supremely satisfied expression, clapped Cloud on the shoulder. Then he announced loudly to everyone present:
"See that?! See that?!"
"This—this is the little brother that I, Kyo Kusanagi... taught!"
"Badass or what?!"
Everyone: "..."
...
After this "face-slapping" incident, no one dared question Cloud's identity again.
He was officially recorded in the family registry as the "Second Young Master of the Kusanagi Family."
For the next week, Cloud lived the corrupt life of a young master in Kusanagi Castle—meals served, clothes prepared, utterly decadent.
During the day, he'd spar with his "convenient older brother" Kyo Kusanagi, exchanging martial insights.
At night, he had to deal with that little devil Kusanagi Aoi who followed him around like a shadow, constantly begging him to tell her "South Town adventure stories."
And Saisyu Kusanagi, that "guilty" old father, changed tactics daily trying to "strengthen their father-son bond."
"Son, this is Kobe beef I've been saving for three hundred years. Try some?"
"Son, this is a replica of the Kusanagi Sword I used in my youth. Want to play with it?"
"Son, what do you... think of young Aoi?"
Whenever this happened, Cloud would look at him with an expression that said "concern for the mentally challenged."
Meanwhile, Shizuka Kusanagi completely treated Cloud as her "real son," constantly making him delicious food and fussing over him. Her treatment of him was three points better than toward Kyo, the "genuine article," which made Kyo perpetually jealous and suspicious that he'd been picked up from a trash can.
Just as Cloud felt himself about to be completely corrupted by this "sweet" family atmosphere into a lazy salted fish...
An unexpected phone call came through.
"Hello? Is this Cloud?"
A sweet, familiar voice came from the other end.
It was Athena Asamiya.
"Athena? How did you get this number?" Cloud was somewhat surprised.
"Hehe, that's a secret~" Athena's voice carried a playful note. "I heard that you're in Japan now, right?"
"Yeah, near Tokyo."
...
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