The heavy iron gates of Shri Vidya Mandir didn't just open; they felt as though they were being pushed aside by a force of nature. Two figures walked through the dust and the Gray light of the afternoon.
Ekam Sanjeevan and Karan.
The transformation in the assembly ground was instantaneous. The 300 Ravens, even those who were bleeding on the ground, felt a surge of energy that defied medicine. The despair vanished, replaced by a devotion so deep it was religious.
"EKAM! EKAM! EKAM!" The chant started as a whisper and grew into a roar that shook the windows of the school. The Ravens didn't just cheer; they did something that made Kuroshi's eyes narrow in surprise. Every single Raven who was still able to move—even the injured—stood up, turned toward Ekam, and knelt.
They lowered their heads in a display of absolute respect. It was a sight of pure, unfiltered loyalty. The "Rank Zero" had returned to his kingdom.
Ekam walked through the centre of the kneeling army, his face as blank and emotionless as a marble statue. Beside him, Karan looked at his fallen brothers, his jaw tight with a murderous rage. Ekam stopped a few feet away from the "Upper Rank" killers, his eyes locking onto Kuroshi Hawai.
"Kuroshi," Ekam said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "Mujhe pata tha tum aaoge (I knew you would come). Maine tumhara hi intezaar kiya hai."
Kuroshi stood up for the first time. The air between the two leaders seemed to hum with tension. "So, you are the boy they call Rank Zero. You look... ordinary."
Ekam didn't reply to the insult. He turned to his gang, his voice softening just a fraction. "Karan, baki bache hue Upper Ranks ko khatam karo (Karan, finish the remaining Upper Ranks). Ravens, apne bhai ka saath do."
Karan didn't need to be told twice. He led the remaining able-bodied Ravens into a final, furious charge against the 100 Upper Rank killers. Inspired by Ekam's presence, they fought with a renewed, supernatural strength. Within minutes, the remaining Upper Ranks were incapacitated, but the effort left Karan and the Ravens completely drained. They collapsed onto the ground, unable to move another inch.
Ekam stood alone. Facing him were 300 WC Elite fighters who had stayed back, and Kuroshi Hawai himself.
Ekam reached down and picked up a heavy iron rod that had fallen during the fight. He looked back at his tired, broken brothers, then up at his old classroom—Class 11th A.
"Tumlog aaram karo (You all rest)," Ekam ordered, his eyes returning to the 301 enemies in front of him. "Ye meri ladayi hai (This is my fight now)."
The most legendary 1-vs-301 battle in history was about to begin.