Chapter Summaries

Uchiha Hiko learned that the Eldest Prince’s stone had a second use as a pass, while the princes asked him to investigate a troubling matter involving the school. Hiko and the Second Prince left to begin their inquiry, aware that the investigation could affect their future and the royal family.

• Uchiha Hiko asked how long the stone’s power took to recover, but the Eldest Prince admitted he did not know because he had never exhausted it.
• The Second Prince prompted the Eldest Prince to explain the stone’s other function, and the Eldest Prince revealed that it served as a pass.
• Uchiha Hiko promised to investigate the mystery with the Second Prince, while the Eldest Prince urged them to prioritize their safety.
• The Eldest Prince sent Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince away to handle confidential matters concerning the Father Emperor.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince prepared to leave and begin their investigation, recognizing the stakes for themselves and the royal family.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince prepared to set out, with Hiko teasing the nervous prince about relying on him. The Eldest Prince appeared and urged them to begin their journey.

• The Second Prince privately asked Uchiha Hiko whether the Eldest Prince had changed since taking the throne, and Hiko said he had noticed nothing unusual.
• Uchiha Hiko put on the Second Prince's old equipment while they prepared supplies for their journey and discussed the possibility of encountering a divine beast.
• The Second Prince tried to walk ahead alone, but returned and clung to Uchiha Hiko when Hiko did not follow.
• Uchiha Hiko teased the Second Prince until he admitted he was still a novice and agreed to follow Hiko's lead.
• The Eldest Prince called down to them, and Uchiha Hiko assured him they were ready to set off.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince left to prove themselves to The Eldest Prince, while The Second Prince tried to learn what Hiko thought about the prince’s authority. The Second Prince’s unusually carefree mood turned out to be connected to the shoes he had changed into, and he began explaining their effects to Hiko.

• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince left after Hiko warned that lingering would give The Eldest Prince more reason to question them.
• The Second Prince asked whether everyone feared The Eldest Prince, but Hiko avoided giving him a clear answer.
• The Second Prince acted carefree as they walked, and Hiko wondered whether his mood would change when they reached their destination.
• When asked about his unusual mood, The Second Prince said he had changed shoes after Uchiha Hiko came out.
• The Second Prince laughed at Hiko’s confusion and began explaining what his shoes could do.

The Second Prince demonstrated that his shoes could grant him extraordinary running speed, startling Uchiha Hiko before switching them off so they could travel together. They set out toward the village from the previous day, carrying the stone Pass Order and planning to investigate the matter important to The Eldest Prince.

• The Second Prince sped away using his shoes, leaving Uchiha Hiko unable to see where he had gone.
• Uchiha Hiko worried that The Second Prince was lost, but The Second Prince soon returned unharmed and explained the shoes’ power.
• Uchiha Hiko asked The Second Prince to stop using the shoes so they could travel at a pace they could share, and The Second Prince switched them off.
• Uchiha Hiko estimated that they would soon reach the village from the previous day and noted that the stone Pass Order would let them enter even if they arrived late.
• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince discussed why The Eldest Prince had delayed giving them the stone and decided to investigate the matter quickly.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince returned to the village chief with a stone that granted them permission to investigate freely. They set out for the site of the patterns with the Second Prince’s carefully preserved book, ready to continue their inquiry.

• Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince met the village chief, who was sweeping leaves outside her house.
• Uchiha Hiko showed the village chief the stone, and she gave them permission to move about and stay as long as they wished.
• Uchiha Hiko explained that they had not possessed the stone the previous day, and the village chief asked him to investigate the village’s trouble thoroughly.
• Uchiha Hiko asked whether the Second Prince had brought the book, and the Second Prince produced it from his clothes.
• Uchiha Hiko took the book and led the Second Prince toward the place where they had found the patterns the day before.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince compared the patterned flower with a book and learned that it was a powerful suppression seal. They used the stone from The Eldest Prince to open a door and discovered slots in the wall, leaving them poised to see what lay beyond.

• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince examined the flower pattern and confirmed it matched the book.
• The Second Prince found that the pattern was a powerful suppression that would lose its effect if broken.
• Uchiha Hiko showed The Second Prince the faintly glowing stone The Eldest Prince had given them.
• Uchiha Hiko fitted the stone into a slot beside the door, and the door began to open.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince explored a dark underground passage with stones that lit their way and left visible markers. They followed strange wall patterns deeper into the spotless, multi-level structure, agreeing to stay cautious and together.

• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince discovered that their stones glowed brightly in the darkness and illuminated unusual patterns on the walls.
• Uchiha Hiko found that the stone could leave a bright marker at his direction, and The Second Prince made marks with him.
• Uchiha Hiko observed that the underground structure seemed to have multiple levels and looked more intricately designed than the Royal Palace.
• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince wondered why the passage was spotless despite appearing long unused, and The Second Prince reasoned that only their two stones could open the entrance.
• Uchiha Hiko warned The Second Prince to stay cautious, and The Second Prince promised not to repeat his earlier recklessness.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince explored an endless, sealed passage, and Hiko realized its entrance pattern made it seem to stretch deeper the farther they walked. Hiko prepared to find a way through while The Second Prince challenged him to succeed, and Hiko proposed a bet.

• Uchiha Hiko hesitated at the passage’s dreamlike, abyssal feel, then followed The Second Prince onward.
• The Second Prince and Uchiha Hiko found that walking in either direction revealed no exit, while the stone’s light showed an apparently boundless passage ahead.
• Uchiha Hiko concluded that the pattern at the entrance had sealed the area and caused the passage to seem deeper as they traveled.
• Uchiha Hiko told The Second Prince not to interfere, and The Second Prince taunted him to break through the seal.
• Uchiha Hiko pointed upward and downward and proposed a bet to The Second Prince.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince wagered on which direction to break through, then dug in opposite directions. The Second Prince found the ground too solid to penetrate, while Uchiha Hiko pierced the ceiling, confirming his choice to go upward.

• The Second Prince offered Uchiha Hiko a wager: the winner would gain the loser as a lackey, while Uchiha Hiko promised to keep the Second Prince's loss secret.
• Uchiha Hiko rejected breaking through to the left or right because the totems there held immense power and using the stone on those sides could waste its strength.
• Uchiha Hiko proposed breaking through upward, while The Second Prince believed they should explore downward.
• The Second Prince revealed hidden digging tools, and he and Uchiha Hiko began digging in opposite directions.
• The Second Prince found the ground exceptionally solid, while Uchiha Hiko pierced straight through the ceiling with a light jab.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince reconciled after arguing over a bet, then continued exploring an underground passage. They reached a door that might conceal the place’s secrets, but Uchiha Hiko stopped The Second Prince from approaching it rashly.

• Uchiha Hiko told The Second Prince that he wanted them to be equals and learn from one another, and The Second Prince happily agreed to work with him.
• Uchiha Hiko led The Second Prince up a passage and explained that he had inferred the route from how the place was likely constructed.
• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince continued through a passage with no totems and considered themselves the first explorers to reach it.
• The Second Prince prepared to approach a door, but Uchiha Hiko pulled him back and warned him not to act rashly.

Uchiha Hiko led the Second Prince through a trapped passage and confronted an armored figure with glowing red eyes. As the Second Prince hesitated to help, Uchiha Hiko reminded him of the power-granting stone, and the Second Prince prepared to use it.

• Uchiha Hiko tested the passage with fragments and revealed three layers of arrow defenses before leading the Second Prince through the door.
• Uchiha Hiko heard footsteps approaching from behind, and the pair waited silently as they drew closer.
• An armored figure emerged and attacked Uchiha Hiko, who grabbed its hand and asked the Second Prince to help remove its helmet.
• The Second Prince refused to approach the figure until Uchiha Hiko reminded him about the stone from The Eldest Prince.
• The Second Prince clenched the stone and prepared to strengthen his power.

Uchiha Hiko removed the helmet from a seemingly mechanical attacker and discovered it was empty. The village chief revealed that he and the villagers were Hunters who had been ordered to relocate the divine beasts, explaining why they had hidden their community from The Eldest Prince.

• Uchiha Hiko used his speed to remove the armored attacker's helmet and found no one inside.
• Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince heard approaching footsteps and confronted the person who emerged from the doorway.
• The village chief explained that he had staged the encounter as a test, which Uchiha Hiko had passed.
• The village chief revealed that the villagers were Hunters and had been ordered by The Former Emperor to relocate the divine beasts before reporting to The Eldest Prince.
• The village chief told Uchiha Hiko that the book he carried had been written by the earliest Hunters.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince learned why the Hunters lived in a secluded village and asked about seeing their divine beasts and experiencing the Hunter life. The Hunters said they could show the beasts once the Eldest Prince approved their presence, but only their original people could become Hunters.

• The village chief reassured the Second Prince that the Hunters would not take back the book and explained that their ancestors had given it to Father Emperor.
• The village chief explained that other nations rejected Hunters, while the Eldest Prince's country had accepted them, so they settled in a village on the outskirts.
• Uchiha Hiko concluded that the Eldest Prince might not know about the Hunters and prepared to bring him the information.
• The Second Prince asked when he could see the divine beasts and whether he could experience being a Hunter.
• The Hunter said the Second Prince could see the divine beasts after the Eldest Prince approved the Hunters' presence, but he could not become a Hunter because he was not one of their original people.
• Uchiha Hiko urged the Second Prince to wait, and the village chief invited them to leave after they had uncovered the village's secret.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince learned that the divine beast imprisoned deep inside the village had to meet the newly crowned Eldest Prince first, and they finished exploring the hidden route. They stayed overnight at the village chief’s suggestion, where he asked Uchiha Hiko why the village usually kept people away at night.

• Uchiha Hiko questioned the village chief about the divine beast, and the chief explained that the Eldest Prince had to meet it and sign a contract first.
• Uchiha Hiko warned that possessing a divine beast brought serious responsibilities, while the village chief said the arrangement followed a tradition passed down by the Father Emperor.
• Uchiha Hiko used the stone to solve the route’s mystery, and the village chief and Hunter praised his judgment.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince decided to return and tell the Eldest Prince, but the village chief told them it was close to midnight.
• Uchiha Hiko agreed to stay the night near the entrance, and the village chief asked why they generally did not let people come there at night.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince learned why the village restricted overnight stays and heard the divine beasts howling beyond its barrier. Unable to sleep, they went to ask the village chief for help, finding him muttering outside.

• The village chief explained that divine beast souls howled at night and that a barrier kept them from crossing the edge of Village 403.
• Uchiha Hiko warned the Second Prince not to leave their lodging, and the Second Prince agreed to stay inside.
• After nightfall, the pair heard roars and wails, and Uchiha Hiko reassured the Second Prince that they came from the divine beasts.
• The Second Prince said he could not sleep through the noise, so Uchiha Hiko suggested they plug their ears with cotton.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince opened the door to ask the village chief for help and found him muttering outside.

Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince waited while the village chief examined the released souls, and The Second Prince explained why the Hunters controlled the divine beasts gradually. The village chief opened his glowing red eyes and asked why they were still standing at the door.

• The Second Prince stopped Uchiha Hiko from approaching the village chief and asked him to wait quietly.
• The Second Prince explained that the village chief was sensing the released souls and that the Hunters tamed divine beasts gradually to preserve them and their own way of life.
• Uchiha Hiko joked that the Hunters' faith seemed stronger than the royal family's, and The Second Prince warned him not to say that in front of The Eldest Prince.
• The village chief opened his eyes, which radiated red light, and asked Uchiha Hiko and The Second Prince why they had not gone back to rest.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince sought help from the Hunters' village chief after the spirit beasts' howls kept them awake. The village chief gave them a special liquid that filtered out the cries, and they finally got a peaceful night's sleep.

• Uchiha Hiko explained to the village chief that the spirit beasts' noise had kept them awake.
• The village chief apologized for being delayed while investigating the spirit beasts and offered to help.
• The village chief gave the Second Prince and Uchiha Hiko a liquid that filtered out the beasts' cries when placed in their ears.
• The Second Prince and Uchiha Hiko tested the liquid and found that they could hear each other clearly while the howls disappeared.
• The Second Prince fell asleep, and Uchiha Hiko settled down to rest before the next day.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince prepared to leave the Hunter village and report to the Eldest Prince, while learning how much the Hunter clan’s survival depended on gaining royal recognition. The chapter ended with the village chief trusting Uchiha Hiko to understand their concerns.

• The Second Prince and Uchiha Hiko woke and prepared to leave, but found the village chief waiting to serve them breakfast.
• The village chief explained that he had delegated the work of dealing with the divine beasts to his subordinates so he could host his guests.
• The Second Prince urged Uchiha Hiko to hurry because they needed to report to the Eldest Prince about the village.
• Uchiha Hiko learned that the Hunter clan might have to disappear or relocate if the Eldest Prince refused to recognize them.
• The Second Prince explained that the divine beasts within the children could become uncontrollable if they were no longer suppressed.
• The village chief said he was relying on Uchiha Hiko to understand what the Hunters were thinking.

Uchiha Hiko promised the village chief that he would try to secure the Eldest Prince’s approval, then set off with the Second Prince. As they traveled, the princes exchanged shoes and grew closer while discussing what they had learned from the Eldest Prince.

• Uchiha Hiko pulled the village chief up and said he could only recommend helping the village, since the Eldest Prince had the final say.
• The village chief thanked Uchiha Hiko and returned to guarding the divine beasts while he and the Second Prince prepared to leave.
• The Second Prince gave Uchiha Hiko his Speed Shoes, explaining that wearing them two days in a row made them uncomfortable, and Uchiha Hiko accepted them.
• Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince exchanged shoes and continued toward the Eldest Prince, with Uchiha Hiko moving faster in the Speed Shoes.
• Uchiha Hiko told the Second Prince to learn to get through things simply, and the Second Prince joked that Uchiha Hiko was his teacher as their trust grew.

Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince discussed whether the Eldest Prince would agree to deal with the Hunters, then went to the Royal Palace to meet him. A slip of the Second Prince’s words briefly kept Uchiha Hiko from accompanying him, but the guards allowed them to continue together.

• Uchiha Hiko doubted that the Eldest Prince would follow the Former Emperor’s example, while the Second Prince thought he probably would.
• Yu Chen and Wang Yan urged Uchiha Hiko and the Second Prince to stop worrying until they had spoken with the Eldest Prince.
• The Second Prince dismissed the guards at the Royal Palace entrance and asked to be taken to the Eldest Prince’s quarters.
• The guards stopped Uchiha Hiko because the Second Prince had said to escort “me” rather than “us.”
• The Second Prince corrected himself, and the guards let Uchiha Hiko accompany him up the stairs to the Eldest Prince’s residence.