Tomoa stood before everyone, explaining the details of the upcoming Assassination Exam.
"This exam is the trial where participants will face off against each other in combat," he said. "The winner of each match will graduate from D-rank to C-rank. Assassins from other cities and nations will also be joining."
As he spoke, Kinto thought to himself, with a defeated frowned "Another thing I hate. Competition. Everyone gets so cocky with their abilities and then underestimate their opponents. Jesus Christ, what a pain."
Beside him, Alex was dozing off, head tilted back in his chair. Baraka casually munched on a bag of chips without a care in the world.
Tomoa continued to explain "Well, you kids aren't the only one's in the city to participate. Over the city, there are about atleast 50 arena's. Depending on where you live, your arena would be located to you. Although bkt everyone win the exams. Some of the Assassination exams end with a tie with all participants. While some go on to the second phase of the exams. On the second phase, it would be a mixture of people from other arena's into one final arena where everyone from the city would gather and watch you. In other words, a gladiator match." Kinto and alex who was sleeping both had bumped our looks on their faces "I knew it "
Runo raised her hand. "I have a question."
Tomoa nodded. "Go ahead."
She looked at him seriously. "Is killing allowed during the matches?" Everyone paused for a moment, raquel, serena and sukuna turned to her, but serena and sukuna were the one's who had baffled looks on their faces "Wait.... we can kill each other?" Serena asked while flabbergasted, sukuna added while being flabbergasted as well "You can't be serious... right?" Raquel added while nervously smiling "Guys....she's joking. Right?"
Tomoa folded his arms. "That depends on the referee in charge of the match. Some matches allow it, others don't.". This statement from Tomoa caused a gloomy feeling to breeze all over the room "Dead ass?" Everyone asked "Dead ass." Tomoa nodded. Son sighed and said with a depressed smile on his face, along with a small flame lite on his palm "Looks like I have to burn someone and call it an accident huh? Ahh, I see it now. What I'm meant to be.... AN ARSONIST" Raquel replied him with abit of annoyance "Sōn? No!"
Kinto sighed. "I really hope I don't end up fighting some deranged lunatic... Especially if it's a girl. God knows I'll lose it!"
Alex stretched and smirked. "Doesn't matter who I fight. I'll win regardless."
Mori glanced at him and scoffed. "You won't even make it past the first round. You off all people with no talent? Youre a joke"
Kazuki, who had been quiet the whole time, was silently practicing his purple flames technique under the table. "Looks like I've gotta put in some work."
Tomoa looked around. "That's all for now. You're dismissed."
Later That Day
Diablo was heading toward the city's gates. As he walked, a memory played in his mind—Tomoa assigning him to meet a group of assassins from the City of Steel.
Back in the present, Diablo sighed. "Why does everyone give me the hard jobs when they know damn well I don't have the strength for labor?"
He stopped at the gate, muttering, "Being the strongest person in the world is seriously a pain in the ass..."
Suddenly, a massive yellow lightning bolt shot down from the sky, slamming into the ground with a thunderous boom. Smoke clouded the area. As it cleared, four figures emerged.
Two boys—one with black hair, the other with red—stood beside a girl and a man with black hair, a white coat, and a sword strapped to his back. The man appeared to be in his early 20's
Diablo narrowed his eyes. "You guys from the City of Steel?"
The older man stepped forward. "We are. I'm Kenji, leader of this squad. These three are my team."
Kenji gave a respectful nod. "It's an honor to meet the famous Diablo. We are known as the strongest assassin team from the City of Steel."
Diablo frowned. "Yeah, yeah. Save the introductions for later."
Kenji grinned wickedly. "Very well then. We go by the name 'Monster Squad.'"
Diablo looked even more annoyed. "Can you just move on?"
Kenji chuckled. "Gladly."
A Few Hours Later – Kojin's Office
Alex, Serena, Kazuki, and the others gathered in Kojin's office. Baraka looked around, confused.
"Why are we here again?"
Tomoa turned to the group. "New contestants from the City of Steel will be joining the exam. Come in."
The door opened as three figures stepped into the room.
"This is Rin," Tomoa began. "She's a C-rank assassin from the City of Steel."
Rin smiled politely. "Nice to meet you all."
Tomoa continued. "This is Kazu, the second team member."
Kazu gave a brief nod, silent and unreadable.
"And finally, Shouya—the last member of their squad."
Shouya had a straight face "Good afternoon."
Tomoa addressed the room. "These three will be participating in the exam alongside all of you. Prepare yourselves. They asked to be paired with the most talented set of young assassins, and we brought em to you kids." Kinto said to himself with a lazy expression on his face "Again with this *Talented kids* stuff huh? They wanna work us dry."
Meanwhile – Dark Sign Organization Hideout which was a tall castle in the middle of a wasteland about a mile away from the city.
Ukina stood at the center of the room, eyes scanning her subordinates. "Is everyone here?"
Kirihai, sitting with her legs crossed, sighed. "Can we just start already?"
Jugo, leaning against the wall, replied calmly. "Be patient, you're being rude."
Zora growled(A guy wearing a pink jacket with a standing collar) , "Both of you, shut it."
Mirio, already seated, looked at Zora. "Calm down. Why are you always so hostile?"
Just then, Shinki entered with his sword stained in blood. "I'm back. Just finished a mercenary job. Sorry for being late. That and the fact I had to help Garou with his mission."
Ukina asked, "How was the mission?"
Garou stepped in behind him, his steel-covered hands gleaming. "Tough. Those guys weren't easy. Just getting in the way."
From a capsule nearby, Bara emerged, rubbing his robotic arm. "Why can't I just rest for once? But it doesn't matter. What's important is the meeting. Right?"
Rika(A girl with grey bandages on her arms and a grey skirt) skipped into the room, beaming. "That was the most fun I've had in ages!"
Mirio counted heads. "Wait... there's only nine of us. Where's that menace, Sorata?"
The doors swung open. Sorata entered with a smirk. "Watch your mouth, mirio. I might do something you'll regret."
Ukina smiled. "Now that we're complete... Let's begin."
She turned serious. "The Assassination Exams are approaching."
Mirio raised a brow. "You called a meeting for something so trivial?"
Ukina's smile twisted. "No. I've been planning something."
She stepped forward. "With all the chaos the exam will cause, it's the perfect time to infiltrate the city."
Sorata frowned. "And why would that matter? We almost didn't escape last time"
Ukina explained, "Because the demon boy is likely to reveal his powers. If we observe him in combat, we'll know his limits. That knowledge could help us capture him later. Either we wait for him to get stronger and capture him later, or we capture him immediately."
Jugo crossed his arms. "So you're suggesting one of us sneak into the city to watch him?"
Ukina nodded. "Exactly."
Sorata smirked. "And I'm not part of this plan?"
Ukina chuckled darkly. "Don't worry. You'll have your time. Once the exams end... I'll handle the city myself. Although I'll have to make some intese planning."
Her eyes gleamed as her wicked grin widened.
End of Episode