The moment Elder Renkai's final words echo across the Kyobi Battlegrounds—
The entire mountain basin trembles.
BOOOOOOM…!
The ceremonial drums explode to life once more.
Not slow this time.
Not solemn.
But thunderous.
Powerful.
The sacred braziers surrounding the arena erupt with towering blue foxfire as glowing clan banners rise high across the endless audience terraces.
And instantly—
The entire crowd erupts.
CHEERS shake the mountain itself.
Thousands upon thousands of voices roar beneath the sacred cliffs.
"They're here—!"
"The village leaders!"
"LOOK—!"
Massive stone gates built into the upper mountain walls slowly begin opening one after another.
Ancient mechanisms groan beneath the cliffs.
Foxfire mist pours outward from the glowing entrances.
Then—
From the first sacred pathway—
A figure emerges.
Long robes flowing beneath the mountain wind.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Yet the moment he appears—
The entire atmosphere changes.
The crowd erupts even louder.
BOOOOOOM…!
The drums synchronize with his footsteps.
Four more leaders emerge from neighboring ceremonial pathways beside him, each radiating immense presence of their own.
But despite their overwhelming aura—
The one walking at the center naturally commands attention.
Not because the others walk behind him.
No.
They walk beside him.
As equals.
Yet somehow—
He still feels like the axis holding the entire moment together.
His presence is calm.
Disciplined.
Heavy with authority.
Midnight indigo robes sway gently beneath drifting foxfire embers while one side of his face remains partially shadowed beneath the sacred mountain light.
The endless crowd continues roaring in celebration.
Jack's eyes narrow slightly as he watches the central leader descend toward the elevated council platform.
Jack: "…Who is that?"
Yukito immediately grins proudly.
Yukito: "That's the Seikage of our Tenryu Village."
His eyes shine with admiration.
Yukito: "Shiren Saegusa."
The name alone carries weight.
Even nearby warriors lower their voices slightly after hearing it.
Miko tilts her head curiously while watching the legendary leader descend through the glowing foxfire pathways.
Miko: "Seikage…?"
She looks toward Shiori innocently.
Miko: "What does that mean?"
Shiori's expression softens gently.
The mountain wind carries drifting foxfire around her as the five leaders continue approaching the sacred platform above the battleground.
Shiori: "Seikage is not simply a rank."
Her eyes briefly lift toward Shiren Saegusa.
"It is an honorable title granted only to those acknowledged as protectors of both strength… and wisdom."
The ceremonial drums continue echoing through the basin.
BOOOOOM…
BOOOOOM…
A sacred gust of wind sweeps across the enormous arena.
Miko's eyes widen slightly.
Shiori: "A Seikage is expected to stand where others cannot."
Her gaze remains on the descending leaders.
"To guide their village through war, fear, and darkness… without allowing the flame of their people to disappear."
Jack silently watches Shiren Saegusa walk forward beneath the roaring cheers of the battleground.
And for some reason—
Even from this distance—
His presence feels different.
The foxfire lanterns flicker softly across the sacred mountain basin.
The five village leaders continue approaching the ceremonial platform overlooking the legendary arena.
The sacred mountain wind surges across the Kyobi Battlegrounds.
Foxfire lanterns sway violently overhead as the five village leaders continue descending through the ceremonial pathways carved into the upper cliffs of Mount Kyobi.
And with every step—
The crowd grows louder.
"TENRYU—!"
"SEIKAGE SHIREN—!"
"The leaders have arrived!"
The endless audience terraces shake beneath the thunder of celebration as foxfire braziers burn brighter across the sacred basin.
BOOOOOOM…!
The ceremonial drums continue echoing through the mountain like war drums awakening ancient spirits.
Jack watches silently as the five leaders approach the central ceremonial platform where Elder Renkai and the sacred council stand waiting.
The closer they get—
The more overwhelming their presence becomes.
Different robes.
Different symbols.
Different energies.
Yet all of them radiate the same thing:
Authority.
Power.
History.
And at the center—
Shiren Saegusa walks calmly beneath the roaring mountain skies.
Unshaken.
Unhurried.
His midnight indigo robes flow softly beneath drifting foxfire embers while the sacred winds curl around him like the mountain itself recognizes his presence.
Then—
The five leaders finally step onto the ceremonial platform.
The entire battleground seems to pause for one brief moment.
Elder Renkai slowly steps forward.
The ancient foxfire around his staff flickers brightly.
And then—
To everyone's surprise—
The old elder smiles.
A genuine smile.
Elder Renkai: "…You've all returned safely."
Shiren Saegusa stops before him.
For a brief second—
The two simply look at each other.
Not as legends.
Not as leaders.
But as people who have carried the weight of generations together.
Then—
Renkai steps forward and embraces him firmly.
The entire battleground ERUPTS.
The crowd roars louder than before.
CHEERS thunder across the sacred basin as foxfire bursts upward from the ceremonial braziers lining the arena cliffs.
Miko's eyes widen.
Miko: "E-Elder Renkai hugged him—!"
Yukito grins proudly.
Yukito: "Told you he's legendary."
Even Kaito looks genuinely shocked.
Kaito: "I didn't think Elder Renkai hugged anyone."
Jack laughs quietly at that while watching the ceremonial platform above.
After a moment, Renkai releases Shiren and turns toward the remaining four leaders.
One by one—
He greets them warmly as well.
Some with clasped forearms.
Some with respectful embraces.
Others with quiet words only they can hear.
And every single greeting causes another wave of cheers to spread through the endless audience terraces.
Because this moment means something greater than celebration.
The leaders are united.
The sacred villages stand together.
The mountain itself feels alive with it.
High above the battleground—
The colossal Amatsuragi Clan Symbol glows faintly beneath drifting mist.
Watching silently over the gathering of leaders below.
Then—
Shiren Saegusa slowly steps beside Elder Renkai at the edge of the ceremonial platform overlooking the entire arena.
The sacred wind lifts his robes gently.
Thousands upon thousands of eyes immediately focus on him.
The cheers gradually begin settling again.
Lady Shizune slowly stepped forward onto the edge of the grand ceremonial platform.
The sacred mountain wind swept gently through her robes as foxfire lanterns flickered across the colossal Kyobi Battlegrounds.
Below her—
Tens of thousands of kitsune filled the endless stone terraces carved into Mount Kyobi itself.
Warriors.
Elders.
Children.
Village leaders.
Every eye slowly turned toward her.
And gradually—
Even the cheers began fading.
Shizune lifted her gaze toward the colossal Amatsuragi Clan Symbol towering above the sacred battleground cliffs.
The entire basin seemed to quiet alongside her.
Then—
She spoke.
Shizune: "Before the Kyobi Battlegrounds Festival may begin…"
Her calm voice echoed beautifully throughout the mountain.
"…we first offer gratitude."
The sacred foxfire around the arena dimmed slightly.
The mountain wind softened.
Shizune: "To the one whose will still protects this land…"
Her eyes lowered respectfully.
"…the God of Kitsune."
The title alone sends a ripple through the audience.
Instantly—
Thousands of kitsune straighten themselves.
Conversations vanish completely.
Even the children fall silent.
Miko quietly places both hands together.
Yukito's playful expression fades into respect.
Kaito lowers his head silently.
Jack watches the atmosphere shift around him.
Not fear.
Not obligation.
Reverence.
Ancient and sincere.
High above the battleground—
The colossal Amatsuragi Clan Symbol glows faintly beneath drifting foxfire mist.
Shizune slowly closes her eyes.
Shizune: "Please stand…"
Across the endless mountain terraces—
Everyone rises together.
An ocean of people standing beneath the sacred sky of Mount Kyobi.
Even the village leaders lower their heads respectfully beside Elder Renkai.
Shiren Saegusa closes his visible eye calmly beneath the mountain wind.
The ceremonial drums cease entirely.
No music.
No voices.
Only silence.
Sacred.
Complete.
Foxfire lanterns drift softly through the still air as the entire Kyobi Battlegrounds enters silent prayer together.
Jack slowly follows the others.
Closing his eyes.
The mountain wind brushes gently against his face.
And for one strange moment—
The entire battleground feels… alive.
As though something ancient is silently listening.
Watching.
Remembering.
The foxfire around the arena flickers softly.
Not violently.
But gently.
Like a quiet response.
A silent acknowledgment from the sacred mountain itself.
Then—
The prayer continues in complete stillness beneath the gaze of Mount Kyobi.
The entire Kyobi Battlegrounds stands in complete silence.
No drums.
No cheers.
No movement.
Only the sacred mountain wind drifting softly through the colossal arena basin.
Thousands upon thousands of kitsune remain standing beneath the towering cliffs of Mount Kyobi, their heads lowered respectfully toward the center battleground.
Above them—
The colossal Amatsuragi Clan Symbol glows faintly through drifting foxfire mist.
Ancient.
Watching.
Timeless.
Lady Shizune stands at the edge of the ceremonial platform, hands folded calmly before her.
Beside her, Elder Renkai lowers his gaze.
Even the five village leaders remain completely still beneath the sacred mountain sky.
The foxfire lanterns surrounding the arena dim further.
Their flames soften into a deep silver-blue glow.
Then—
Shizune speaks once more.
Quietly.
Yet every soul hears her clearly.
Shizune: "Close your eyes…"
The sacred mountain wind brushes gently through the endless terraces.
One by one—
The people obey.
Children.
Warriors.
Elders.
Travelers from distant villages.
All closing their eyes together beneath Mount Kyobi.
Jack slowly exhales before doing the same.
Yukito lowers his head respectfully.
Kaito's usual grin disappears completely.
Miko clasps her hands tightly together.
Shiori closes her eyes beside them, foxfire flickering softly around her sleeves.
Shizune lifts her gaze slightly toward the mountain cliffs towering above the arena.
Shizune: "To the sacred protector who carried the burden of our kind…"
A faint pulse moves through the foxfire barriers surrounding the battleground.
Almost like the mountain itself is listening.
Shizune: "To the warrior who entrusted the future to those yet unborn…"
The drifting foxfire embers begin floating upward around the arena like stars rising into the night.
Shizune: "To the God of Kitsune…"
Her voice lowers gently.
"…we offer our gratitude."
Silence follows.
Pure.
Sacred.
No one moves.
No one speaks.
The entire mountain basin enters stillness together.
And slowly—
The foxfire responds.
Across the cliffs of Mount Kyobi, ancient foxfire inscriptions carved into the stone begin glowing faintly beneath the darkness.
Symbols older than memory itself.
The mountain wind deepens.
Warm now.
Gentle.
Like unseen hands brushing softly across the battleground.
Miko's eyes widen slightly even while closed.
Yukito unconsciously straightens.
Jack remains completely still—
Yet something about the atmosphere changes around him.
Not power.
Not pressure.
Presence.
Ancient.
Calm.
Watching over the mountain in silence.
Far above the arena—
The colossal Amatsuragi Clan Symbol suddenly emits a faint pulse of blue foxfire light.
WHOOM—
A ripple of sacred energy spreads quietly through the entire battleground.
Gasps almost escape the crowd—
But everyone remains respectfully silent.
Even the ceremonial foxfire pillars surrounding the arena bow lower as though acknowledging something unseen.
The sacred wind continues flowing through the mountain basin.
Then—
Elder Renkai slowly lifts his staff.
Its foxfire burns brighter than before.
Elder Renkai: "May the sacred flame continue guiding the future…"
The crowd quietly places a hand over their chest together.
Elder Renkai: "And may the next generation rise without fear."
The foxfire pulse slowly fades.
The warmth settles.
The mountain grows calm once more.
Then—
Shizune slowly opens her eyes.
Shizune: "The silent prayer is complete."
For one final moment—
No one speaks.
The silence itself feels holy.
And then—
BOOOOOOOM…!
The ceremonial drums erupt across Mount Kyobi once again.
The crowd explodes into cheers.
Foxfire braziers ignite high across the sacred battleground cliffs.
And the Kyobi Battlegrounds Festival truly begins.