Alliance

On the golden beach, excitement and unease had barely settled when Class D's first argument broke out—over the "simple toilet" that cost 30 Class Points.

"You've got to be kidding me! Thirty points! Those are our precious points!" Kanji Ike was the first to object, his face full of pain. "Can't we just take care of it in the woods? That's what everyone does, right?"

"Yeah, yeah! Just hold it in and you'll get through it!" Yamauchi Haruki immediately chimed in, clearly unwilling to pay such a price for "convenience."

"W-we don't agree!" Karuizawa Kei's voice was full of embarrassment and determination. The girls in her clique nodded along, looking troubled. "In a place like that... how could we? It's so unhygienic, and... and so dangerous!"

"Exactly! What if we run into snakes or bugs?" The other girls joined the opposition, all talking at once.

"This concerns our most basic quality of life and dignity!" Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses and tried to analyze the issue rationally, though his voice also carried a reluctance to part with the points.

The argument quickly escalated. The boys stressed how precious the points were and talked about "returning to the wild," while the girls insisted on the need for basic hygiene and privacy. For a while, the scene grew chaotic.

Kazama In stood at the edge of the crowd, leaning against a coconut tree with his arms folded. His dark eyes calmly swept over both sides of the argument. He stood like a silent statue, offering no opinion, as though this debate about a "toilet" belonged to a world entirely separate from his own. His thoughts had already moved beyond this trivial dispute, sinking into the potentially deadly threats lurking deep within the island. Points? In his eyes, they were far less important than information about potential threats and the means to survive. He watched coldly as his classmates struggled over their most basic needs at the very start of their survival test.

In the end, it was Hirata Yosuke's gentle but firm voice that brought the argument to a halt.

"Everyone, please calm down." He stepped into the middle, wearing a reassuring smile. "I understand why you want to save our points. But think about it: we're a group, and we'll be living here together for a week. If someone gets sick because of hygiene issues, or if privacy concerns make people uneasy and stressed—even leading to conflict—the points we lose and the trouble we cause could easily cost us far more than 30 points. A clean, safe place to use the bathroom is essential for maintaining team morale and protecting everyone's health. I think these 30 points are a necessary investment." His gaze swept across the group, carrying a natural power to persuade. "We're a team. We can survive better by understanding and looking after one another, can't we?"

Hirata's argument was reasonable and grounded in a strong sense of collective responsibility. The boys who had been against it exchanged glances, then grumbled and stopped protesting so strongly. The girls visibly relaxed, looking at Hirata with gratitude. In the end, with Chabashira Sae's tacit approval, Class D spent its precious 30 Class Points on the crucial simple toilet.

With the first basic necessity taken care of, their immediate priority was to find a suitable campsite. Carrying their heavy packs of supplies—the boys had volunteered to shoulder more of the heavier items—the group followed Hirata Yosuke and Horikita Suzune into the dense primeval forest.

The air instantly turned hot, humid, and heavy. The rich scent of plants mixed with the earthy smell of the soil and washed over them. Towering trees blocked out the sky, leaving only scattered spots of light on the ground, which was covered in fallen leaves and vines. Cicadas screeched deafeningly, while the calls of all sorts of unfamiliar birds rose and fell. Every so often, they heard a small animal rustle through the undergrowth. Tangled roots and slick moss made the ground beneath their feet treacherous, making it extremely difficult to walk. The boys struggled to carry the heavy crates of supplies, while the girls carefully pushed aside drooping vines and thorny bushes, letting out occasional startled cries.

Kazama In walked silently near the back of the group, just behind the conspicuous figure of Koenji Rokusuke. Koenji strode lightly and gracefully, as though strolling through his own backyard rather than crossing a primeval forest. He paid no attention to the harsh surroundings and even seemed interested in admiring the patterns of the giant ferns. Kazama In's gaze, meanwhile, was sharp as an eagle's. He seemed to casually scan the depths of the surrounding woods, the treetops, and every shadowy corner where danger might hide. His ears caught every unusual sound—the rustling of leaves in the wind, birds taking flight, indistinct voices in the distance... His mind raced as he filtered the information and assessed the safety of their surroundings. His senses were fully alert, like an invisible radar, watchful for anything that didn't belong in this primeval forest.

After a long trek, the group finally stopped in a relatively open clearing in the forest. The ground here was slightly higher, relatively dry and flat, and a clear stream ran nearby. It was one of the ideal places to set up camp. The exhausted students dropped their packs and slumped to the ground, panting.

"Let's stay here!" Hirata Yosuke decided after looking around. "We're close to water, and the terrain is suitable."

With a preliminary base camp chosen, they now needed to survey the surrounding area in greater detail, find the best central campsite, and mark out water sources and dangerous areas. Hirata Yosuke stepped forward to organize them again:

"We need a small team to explore the surrounding area, find the best spot for camp, and get a general sense of the situation. Would anyone like to volunteer?"

After a brief silence, Koenji Rokusuke was the first to raise his hand, his movement as graceful as a gentleman inviting a lady to dance. "Oh-ho-ho! Exploring unknown secrets and uncovering hidden treasures—what a thrilling and beautiful adventure! Count me in!"

Right after him, Kazama In calmly raised his hand. Their eyes met briefly, and the corner of Koenji's mouth curled in a knowing smile.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka raised his hand almost at the same time as Kazama In, his expression blank.

When Sakura Airi saw Ayanokoji raise his hand, she hesitated, then timidly raised her own.

Kushida Kikyo's face lit up with her trademark sweet smile. "Oh, I'd like to help too! The more people, the more strength we'll have!" Her joining seemed to inspire the others, and several more classmates quickly raised their hands.

In the end, a ten-person scouting team took shape, made up of Hirata Yosuke, Koenji Rokusuke, Kazama In, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Sakura Airi, Kushida Kikyo, Sotomura Hideo, and three other boys.

"All right, let's go. Everyone else, please rest here and stay safe," Hirata Yosuke reminded them.

The team left the clearing and explored upstream along the stream. They had barely gone far when Kazama In casually approached Koenji, who was walking ahead, and spoke in a low voice that only the two of them could hear. "Koenji, come with me for a moment. There's something 'beautiful' I need you to appreciate."

Koenji Rokusuke's golden eyes immediately lit up. He turned gracefully and waved to Hirata and the others. "Oh-ho-ho, my dear Brothers and Sisters, Arbiter and I have found a more interesting trail, and we need to assess its 'aesthetic value.' We'll be back shortly, so don't worry!" His distinctive choice of words and tone left the others bewildered. Before Hirata could respond, Koenji was already striding lightly after Kazama In, veering off the main path and quickly disappearing into the denser, darker forest nearby.

Once they were out of sight and earshot of the others, Kazama In stopped in a secluded spot concealed by the aerial roots of a huge banyan tree. He turned and looked Koenji directly in the eye, skipping all pleasantries and getting straight to the point. His voice was cold and clear.

"Rokusuke, there are two 'Blood Crows' on this island."

"'Blood Crows'?" Koenji Rokusuke tilted his head. Rather than looking afraid, he wore a delighted expression, as if he'd discovered a rare gem. "Oh? What are they? Some newly discovered exotic birds with feathers as brilliant as blood? Is their song heavenly? Is their form..."

"They're assassins," Kazama In interrupted his poetic reverie, his tone flat. "Professionals. Their goal is to cause chaos or... eliminate certain people with precision."

The amusement vanished from Koenji's face. His golden pupils narrowed slightly as he studied the deep chill and hatred in Kazama In's eyes. The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

"Assassins..." Koenji murmured, savoring the word. Then a dazzling, dangerous smile bloomed across his handsome face, like a poisoned rose. "Heh-heh-heh... What twisted and breathtaking aesthetics! Treating life as an art to be sculpted and destroyed? Painting crimson marks of death across a primitive canvas teeming with life? Arbiter, my Brother, are you inviting me... to join a grand hunt?"

"This is about eliminating them," Kazama In corrected him firmly. "They're lurking in the shadows like venomous snakes. I need your eyes and... your strength." He knew that beneath Koenji's seemingly carefree exterior lay an extraordinarily perceptive mind, exceptional physical ability, and... unpredictable combat instincts. They had been through countless "adventures" together since childhood; there was no need to say more about their abilities or trust in each other.

"Eliminating them... hunting..." Koenji gracefully stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "What powerful words! Cleansing this beautiful land of filth! Arbiter, your invitation is like inspiration whispered by the Muse herself. How could I refuse?" He spread his arms in a gesture of embracing the forest. "Then let us begin! Let's welcome this... magnificent symphony bestowed upon us by fate!"

"Follow me." Kazama In said no more and quickly moved off in one direction. His steps were light and precise, carrying him over the complicated terrain with ease as he deftly avoided soft mud and piles of dead leaves that might retain their tracks. Koenji followed close behind, equally agile and graceful, like a forest sprite, his blond hair shining in the faint light filtering through the canopy.

Using the encrypted coordinates Kurosawa had sent him in advance, along with his observations of the terrain after landing on the island, Kazama In quickly located a concealed spot—a natural crevice beneath a steep rock face covered in dense vines.

Kazama In pushed aside the thick, layered vines, which hung like curtains, revealing a narrow opening just wide enough for one person to pass through. He turned sideways and went in first, with Koenji right behind him.

The inside of the crevice was more spacious than they had expected, though dimly lit. A waterproof camouflage bundle lay undisturbed on a dry stone ledge in the corner.

Kazama In quickly untied the bundle. Koenji leaned in curiously, and when he saw what was inside, his golden eyes blazed with startling brilliance, like a connoisseur beholding a rare treasure:

1. Compound tactical bow and poisoned arrows: The bow's lines were smooth yet powerful. Its body was matte black, compact and precise. Beside it lay a row of arrows whose tips glimmered with an eerie blue light. "Oh! Those lines! That cold texture! A perfect union of power and beauty! The embodiment of the art of hunting!" Koenji exclaimed in genuine admiration, gently brushing his fingers over the cold bow.

2. Tactical straight knives and throwing knives: Two straight knives of different sizes, their edges gleaming coldly in the dim light, their handles wrapped in nonslip cord. There was also a row of slim, sharp throwing knives, likewise poisoned. "Simple! Deadly! Like the purest sculpture! Every curve speaks the truth of the cut!" Koenji traced the air above the blades with his fingertips, his eyes full of appreciation.

3. High-strength wire and trap components: Several coils of nearly transparent wire and a few small trigger mechanisms. "An invisible restraint, an elegant trap awaiting its prey? What a brilliant design!" Koenji picked up a small coil of wire and examined it in the faint light.

"Take whatever suits you," Kazama In said concisely. He picked up a medium-sized tactical knife and slid it into a custom sheath behind his waist. He strapped a pouch of throwing knives to the inside of his forearm, then tucked the lethal wire and several trigger mechanisms into a compartment in his pack. Finally, he picked up the compound bow, checked the bowstring, and slid the poisoned arrows into a custom quiver that he hung at his side.

Koenji unhesitatingly picked up the other, slightly larger knife and tucked it behind his waist as well. He chose a few throwing knives and placed them where he could easily reach them, then picked up the coil of wire and playfully turned it over in his hands. His face held the pure delight of a child given a new toy. "What a thrilling 'paintbrush,' Arbiter. I can hardly wait to create... a breathtaking masterpiece on this island's canvas!"

Kazama In checked his equipment one last time, rewrapped the remaining supplies, and hid them back where they had been, covering them with vines. He glanced at the custom watch on his wrist. Exactly twenty minutes had passed.

"We should head back," he said quietly.

"Of course, Brother." Koenji gracefully smoothed his extravagant blond hair, which the vines had tousled. His carefree yet sharp smile returned. "Let us return to our 'ordinary' classmates. This survival game is only now beginning to get... interesting."

Like ghosts blending into the forest, the two slipped silently out of the crevice and quickly returned in the direction of Class D's scouting team. Kazama In's fingertips unconsciously brushed the knife hilt at his waist. Its cold touch reminded him that beneath the calm of the survival test, a deadly hunt in the shadows had already begun. He and his brother were both prey—and hunters.