EARTH - JAPAN

Tokyo was alive in a way Gotham never truly was, even after everything the world had just survived, neon lights reflected across rain-soaked streets. Massive digital screens covered skyscrapers with advertisements and Hunter rankings while crowds of civilians moved through the sidewalks beneath umbrellas, talking, staring at their phones.

A ripple of shadows appeared soundlessly between two buildings.

Arthur emerged first, then Raven stepped out right beside him.

Both wore casual clothes instead of their usual attire. Arthur had abandoned the dark suits and shadow armor entirely for something simple: a black coat over a shirt and pants, his long ashen hair loosely tied back while a few strands still framed his face.

Raven looked equally different.

No cloak and no glowing magic, just a dark oversized sweater beneath a long jacket, black leggings, and boots. Her hair flowed freely around her shoulders.

To everyone, they looked like ordinary foreigners visiting Tokyo.

Well... Ordinary if one ignored how absurdly attractive they both were, Arthur looked toward the massive city stretching endlessly beneath the night sky.

Then he sighed quietly.

"Raven..."

She immediately crossed her arms.

"Kara not coming doesn’t automatically include me in the ban."

Arthur gave her a look.

Raven raised an eyebrow innocently.

"I’m free to do whatever I want."

Arthur stared at her for a second before exhaling through his nose.

"...I suppose that’s true."

Raven smirked victoriously.

"Good." Then she stepped closer beside him and looked toward one particular district.

"So one of them is here?"

Arthur nodded slowly.

"In Japan."

His violet eyes glowed faintly for a brief moment as his senses spread outward through the city.

"The magical energy is immense, I know for a fact that it belongs to them."

Even Raven felt it now that she focused.

A strange pressure, but it was subtle to her.

Arthur’s expression sharpened slightly.

"He should be one of the Hunters affiliated with this guild on that building."

Raven glanced toward him carefully.

"You said you want contact with the vessels..."

Then her eyes narrowed slightly.

"But if they recognize what you are..."

Arthur answered immediately.

"Most of them probably don’t even know they’re vessels. The Rulers don’t seem to communicate directly the way Monarchs do."

Arthur looked thoughtful now.

"They are very careful."

They have landed quietly on a crowded street near one of Tokyo’s largest new Hunter districts.

The massive building ahead towered over the surrounding streets, modern architecture mixed with traditional Japanese design. Black glass walls with enormous banners displaying high-ranked Hunters hung near the entrance.

Hunters entered and exited constantly, some carried massive weapons.

Others wore modern combat gear.

The atmosphere around the building alone felt different from the rest of the city.

Arthur looked up toward the name displayed in glowing kanji.

"It’s only been like 4 months since the first appearance of Gates and they are already this... the world really moves fast sometimes... anyways this ’Samurai Guild.’ seems like it’s one of the best in the country, there are some strong hunters inside."

Raven blinked before slowly looking toward him.

"...You can read Japanese?"

Arthur looked genuinely confused by the question.

"I know every language on Earth."

Raven stared at him.

"Seriously?"

Arthur shrugged lightly.

"It comes with the powers."

Raven looked at him for a long second before smiling faintly.

"That is a ridiculous amount of abilities you have."

Arthur smirked slightly.

"Is that admiration I hear?"

Raven looked away dramatically.

"Maybe."

Then she glanced back toward him with amused violet eyes.

"I’m beginning to wonder if there’s anything you actually can’t do."

Arthur thought about it seriously for a second.

"...Cook."

Raven immediately burst out laughing.

"That’s... actually true."

Arthur looked mildly offended.

"I tried once."

"I remember."

"It was one time."

"And George almost slapped you for it."

Arthur pointed at her.

"That’s... well, I’m banned from the kitchen for a reason."

Raven grinned.

Arthur sighed quietly while they approached the guild entrance together.

The moment they stepped inside, several people noticed them immediately.

Not because they caused a disturbance.

But because both Arthur and Raven carried an unusual presence despite hiding their power. Hunters instinctively reacted to strength.

And something about these two felt... wrong.

The interior of the guild was enormous.

Large holographic mission boards floated near the center hall while Hunters gathered around tables discussing raids and dungeon clearances. Receptionists worked behind long counters while television screens replayed footage from Gotham’s recent catastrophe.

Several Hunters glanced toward Arthur and Raven quietly.

Some looked curious.

A young woman approached them politely before things could grow awkward.

She wore the standard black-and-white uniform of the guild staff though the mana radiating from her identified her as a Hunter as well.

Probably B-rank.

She smiled professionally despite clearly noticing they were foreigners.

"Welcome to Samurai Guild."

Her English was smooth though slightly accented.

"How may I assist you?"

Arthur immediately answered,

"Hello."

Raven already knew this was about to go badly.

Arthur continued calmly.

"I’m here to meet your strongest Hunter, please."

Raven closed her eyes instantly.

Arthur added casually,

"They should currently be inside the building."

The poor receptionist blinked twice.

"...Excuse me?"

Raven physically facepalmed beside him.

"Oh my god."

Arthur looked toward her.

"What?"

Raven stared at him in disbelief.

"Is that how you start conversations with people?"

Arthur frowned slightly.

"It was direct."

"Yes." Raven pointed at him. "Directly suspicious."

The receptionist now looked deeply uncertain. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Arthur tried again.

"We are not enemies, I want to talk with your strongest hunter here, there is a very important matter we need to discuss."

Raven muttered quietly, "Not helping."

Arthur ignored her completely.

"I simply wish to speak with them, nothing more."

The Hunter girl looked between both of them nervously now.

"...May I ask who you are first?"

Arthur paused.

Then surprisingly, he said with a smile.

"My name is Arthur Blackwynd."

The moment those words left his mouth, the young hunter standing behind the reception desk blinked once in polite confusion.

There was no recognition or dramatic reaction. Just a courteous smile from someone clearly trying to process two extremely attractive foreigners casually walking into one of the largest hunter guilds in Japan asking to meet the strongest person in the building.

Around them, the inside of the Samurai Guild headquarters buzzed with activity.

Hunters moved between mission boards and elevators carrying weapons cases. Large television screens mounted high on the walls replayed footage from Gotham over and over again.

Explosions, the colossal Gate in the city, flying monsters swarming through smoke-filled skies.

Justice League members and Hunters fighting desperately across ruined streets.

And then, The shadows.

Gigantic black soldiers tearing through hordes of beasts, winged creatures descending from the skies.

A man cloaked in darkness moving so fast the cameras barely captured him.

Every time the footage slowed down enough to show Arthur’s face for even half a second, conversations around the lobby immediately reignited.

"That shadow guy is insane..."

"No way he’s human."

"You saw how he closed the Gate?"

"One attack wiped out hundreds of monsters..."

"He’s scarier than the monsters themselves."

"Still saved the planet though."

"I heard he works with the Justice League."

"Could be stronger than Superman."

Arthur stood there calmly while hearing every single conversation around him.

Raven watched him from the side with amusement.

"You’re surprisingly calm hearing people debate whether you’re humanity’s protector or the final boss."

Arthur shrugged lightly.

"I’ve heard worse."

The receptionist girl politely bowed her head again.

"U-Uhm... Sir Arthur Blackwynd, was it? I apologize but our Guild Master is currently..."

Then her eyes casually drifted upward toward the television behind Arthur.

The footage paused on a frame.

Ashen white hair, violet glowing eyes.

Black armor made of living shadows.

The exact same face standing directly in front of her.

The girl froze and her eyes slowly widened.

Then she looked from the screen...

...back to Arthur.

...then back to the screen again.

...then back to Arthur.

Her jaw dropped.

"IS THAT YOU?!"

Half the lobby turned instantly.

Arthur moved faster than thought and gently placed a finger in front of his lips.

"Shhh."

The girl immediately slapped both hands over her mouth, eyes sparkling with absolute excitement.

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god!"

Raven pinched the bridge of her nose.

Arthur sighed softly.

"Yes," he admitted quietly. "That is me. Though I’d appreciate it if the entire building didn’t explode into chaos over it."

The girl looked seconds away from passing out.

"You, you’re the shadow guy from Gotham!"

"One of them, yes."

"You fought beside Superman!"

"I suppose."

"You controlled those giant shadow monsters!"

"They’re soldiers."

"You CLOSED THE GATE!"

Arthur tilted his head slightly.

"That part was admittedly impressive, I know."

Raven stared at him.

"You are unbelievably smug."

The receptionist suddenly rushed around the desk and grabbed Arthur’s hand with both of hers.

Raven’s eye twitched instantly.

"Oh my god can I please get your autograph?! I’m a huge fan of the Justice League! And those shadow soldiers were SO COOL, especially the knight one with the red cape and the giant dragon and, and YOU were moving so fast the cameras could barely follow you and there’s this online forum debating if you’re actually human or some ancient god or..."

She kept going and going.

And somehow got even closer to Arthur while talking.

Raven slowly narrowed her eyes.

"Calm down, girl."

The receptionist straightened immediately.

"S-Sorry!"

Arthur chuckled softly.

"It’s fine."

He gently pulled his hand free before Raven decided to disintegrate somebody.

"Just do us this favor. I could have entered by force if I wished to meet your Guild Master... but I’d rather avoid misunderstandings."

The girl nodded rapidly.

"R-Right! Of course!"

Then she leaned closer conspiratorially.

"Our Guild Master is amazing though. The ranking device completely failed trying to measure his mana output."

Arthur’s violet eyes glowed faintly.

"Oh?"

"He’s technically not even classified as S-Rank anymore because nobody can properly evaluate him. Some people think the system itself broke because of him."

Arthur glanced sideways toward Raven.

"Brilliant."

Raven crossed her arms.

"So this is definitely one of the vessels."

Arthur nodded faintly.

"The magical energy leaking through this building is far beyond a normal hunter."

The receptionist continued excitedly, completely unaware of the true conversation happening beside her.

"He’s honestly kind of terrifying sometimes but he’s really respected here! Even foreign guilds avoid provoking him."

Arthur smiled slightly.

"That confirms it even more."

Raven leaned closer toward him.

"And if he turns hostile?"

Arthur looked completely unconcerned.

"Then we leave."

Raven blinked.

"That’s it?"

Arthur looked at her.

"I came here for a way to contact the rulers, not war."

Then after a brief pause, he added casually,

"Besides... if he truly is a vessel of the Rulers, he’ll recognize what I am the moment we meet... perhaps."

The girl returned with visible excitement practically radiating off her.

"Guild Master would agree to see you immediately!"

Arthur nodded politely.

"Thank you."

Then the girl suddenly panicked again.

"WAIT THE AUTOGRAPH.."

Arthur sighed in defeat while Raven groaned audibly beside him.

/-\

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