Alliance

On the golden beach, before the excitement and anxiety had even settled, the first internal dispute of Class D had already ignited—over the "simple toilet" worth 30 class points.

"Are you kidding me! 30 points! That's our precious points!" Ike Kanji was the first to jump up in opposition, his face full of reluctance. "Can't we just take care of it in the woods? That's what everyone else is doing, right!"

"Yeah, yeah, just tough it out!" Yamauchi Haruki immediately chimed in, clearly unwilling to pay such a price for "convenience."

"We, we don't agree!" Karuizawa Kei's voice carried obvious shame and determination, and the girls in her clique nodded in unison, their faces troubled. "In a place like that... no way! It's too unsanitary, and... and too dangerous!"

"Exactly! What if we run into snakes or bugs?" Other girls joined the opposition in a flurry.

"This is about basic quality of life and dignity!" Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses, trying to analyze it rationally, but his tone also betrayed reluctance to part with the points.

The argument quickly escalated, with the boys emphasizing the preciousness of the points and a "return to nature," while the girls insisted on basic hygiene and privacy. The scene was momentarily chaotic.

Kazama In stood at the edge of the crowd, leaning against a coconut tree with his arms crossed. His ink-black eyes calmly swept over the arguing parties. He was like a silent statue, offering no opinion, as if this debate about a "toilet" belonged to a completely different world from his own. His thoughts had already drifted past this trivial squabble, sinking into the deadly threats that might lurk deep within the island. Points? In his eyes, they were far less important than potential threat intelligence and survival guarantees. He watched coldly as his classmates struggled over the most basic needs at the very starting point of survival.

In the end, it was Hirata Yosuke's gentle yet undeniable voice that calmed the dispute.

"Everyone, please calm down." He stepped into the middle, a reassuring smile on his face. "I understand everyone's desire to save points. But please think about it—we are a group, and we have to live together here for a week. If someone gets sick due to hygiene issues, or if privacy concerns cause anxiety and stress, or even lead to conflict, the points lost and the trouble caused would far exceed 30 points. A clean, safe place to relieve ourselves is the foundation for maintaining team morale and ensuring basic health. I believe these 30 points are a necessary investment." His gaze swept over the crowd with a natural leader's persuasiveness. "We are a team. Only by understanding and caring for each other can we survive better, right?"

Hirata's words were reasonable and full of collective responsibility, leaving the originally opposed boys exchanging glances before finally grumbling and dropping their strong objections. The girls visibly relaxed, looking at Hirata with gratitude. In the end, under Chabashira Sae's tacit approval, Class D spent the precious 30 class points to purchase that crucial simple toilet.

With the basic "livelihood" issue resolved, the immediate priority was finding a suitable campsite. Everyone shouldered their heavy supply packs (the boys voluntarily took on more of the weight) and, led by Hirata Yosuke and Horikita Suzune, set off into the dense primeval forest.

The air instantly became humid and sticky, a thick mix of plant life and earthy scent hitting them. Towering trees blocked out the sky, leaving only dappled spots of light on the ground covered in fallen leaves and vines. Cicadas buzzed deafeningly, various unknown bird calls rose and fell, and occasionally the rustle of small animals darting through the underbrush could be heard. Underfoot, tangled roots and slippery moss made walking extremely difficult. The boys struggled to carry heavy supply boxes, while the girls carefully pushed aside hanging vines and thorny bushes, letting out small cries of surprise from time to time.

Kazama In walked silently in the middle-back of the group, close behind the conspicuous figure of Koenji Rokusuke. Koenji moved lightly and gracefully, as if strolling through his own backyard garden rather than traversing a primeval jungle, ignoring the harsh environment around him and even taking an interest in admiring the vein patterns of giant ferns. Kazama In's gaze was sharp as an eagle's, seemingly casually scanning the depths of the surrounding forest, the canopy above, and any shadowy corner where danger might hide. His ears caught every unusual sound—the rustle of wind through leaves, the startled flight of birds, distant indistinct voices... His mind worked rapidly, filtering information, assessing the safety coefficient of the environment. His perception was fully open, like an invisible radar, alert to any "foreign object" that might not belong to this primeval forest.

After a long trek, the group finally stopped in a relatively open forest clearing. The terrain was slightly elevated, the ground relatively dry and flat, with a clear stream flowing nearby—an ideal campsite location. The exhausted students set down their packs and collapsed to the ground to catch their breath.

"Let's settle here!" Hirata Yosuke looked around and made the decision. "It's close to water, and the terrain is suitable."

With the initial base established, they needed to explore the surrounding area in more detail, find the best core campsite, and mark water sources, danger zones, and so on. Hirata Yosuke stepped up to organize again:

"We need a small team to scout the area first, find the most ideal campsite location, and get a preliminary understanding of the situation. Anyone willing to volunteer?"

After a brief silence, Koenji Rokusuke was the first to raise his hand, his gesture as elegant as inviting a lady to dance at a ball: "Oh-ho-ho! To explore an unknown secret realm, discover hidden treasures—what an exhilaratingly beautiful adventure! Count me in!"

Immediately after, Kazama In calmly raised his hand as well. His eyes briefly met Koenji's, and the latter's lips curled into a knowing arc.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka raised his hand almost simultaneously with Kazama, his face expressionless.

Sakura Airi, seeing Ayanokoji raise his hand, hesitated for a moment before timidly raising her small hand too.

Kushida Kikyo's face bloomed with her trademark sweet smile: "Ah, I'd like to help too! The more hands, the lighter the work!" Her participation seemed to have a rallying effect, and a few more classmates immediately raised their hands.

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

"Alright, let's head out. Everyone else, please rest here and stay safe," Hirata instructed.

The team left the clearing and began exploring upstream along the stream. Not long after they set out, Kazama In casually approached Koenji, who was walking ahead, and said in a low voice only the two of them could hear: "Koenji, come with me for a moment. There's something 'beautiful' I need your appraisal on."

Koenji Rokusuke's golden eyes instantly lit up with a strange brilliance. He turned gracefully and waved to Hirata and the others: "Oh-ho-ho, dear Brothers and Sisters, the Arbiter and I have discovered a more interesting fork that requires us to verify its 'aesthetic value.' We'll be back shortly—no need to worry!" His unique choice of words and tone left the others momentarily stunned, but before Hirata could respond, Koenji had already stepped lightly, following Kazama off the main path and quickly disappearing into the denser, darker jungle nearby.

Far from the sight and hearing of the others, Kazama stopped in a hidden corner shielded by the aerial roots of a massive banyan tree. He turned, his ink-black eyes fixed on Koenji, and without any pleasantries, cut straight to the point, his voice cold and clear:

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

"'Blood Crows'?" Koenji Rokusuke tilted his head, his face showing not fear but the delighted surprise of discovering a rare gem. "Oh? What's that? Some newly discovered rare bird with feathers as vivid as blood? Does its song sound like heavenly music? Does its posture—"

"Assassins," Kazama interrupted his poetic musings, his tone utterly flat. "Professionals. Their goal is to create chaos, or... precisely eliminate certain people."

The playfulness on Koenji's face instantly vanished. His golden pupils contracted slightly as he stared into the depths of Kazama's eyes, where a sediment of ice-cold hatred lay. The air seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

"Assassins..." Koenji repeated softly, savoring the word. Then, a flamboyant and dangerous smile bloomed on his handsome face, like a poisoned rose. "Hehehe... How... twistedly stunning an aesthetic! Treating life as the carving and destruction of art? On this primitive, vibrant canvas, smearing the crimson mark of death? Arbiter, my Brother, are you inviting me... to partake in a grand hunt?"

"Elimination," Kazama corrected, his tone resolute. "They lurk in the shadows, like vipers in the dark. I need your eyes and... strength." He knew that beneath Koenji's seemingly frivolous exterior lay extremely sharp insight, extraordinary physical ability, and... unpredictable combat instincts. They were brothers who had gone through countless "adventures" together since childhood; their mutual trust and understanding of each other's strength needed no words.

"Elimination... hunt..." Koenji elegantly stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "What powerful words! Cleansing the filth from this beautiful land! Arbiter, your invitation is like the whisper of inspiration from the Muse herself—how could I refuse?" He spread his arms in a gesture embracing the forest. "Then, let us begin! To welcome this... magnificent concerto bestowed by fate!"

"Follow me." Kazama said no more, turning and moving quickly in one direction. His steps were light and precise, navigating the complex terrain as if on flat ground, skillfully avoiding soft mud and piles of dead leaves that would leave traces. Koenji followed closely, equally agile and graceful, like a forest spirit, his golden hair glinting in the faint light filtering through the canopy.

Based on encrypted coordinates sent by Kurosawa in advance, combined with his observations of the terrain after landing, Kazama quickly pinpointed a concealed spot—a highly hidden natural crevice beneath a steep rock face covered in dense vines.

Kazama pushed aside the thick, curtain-like layers of vines, revealing a narrow gap just wide enough for one person to pass through. He sidled in first, with Koenji following close behind.

The interior of the crevice was slightly more spacious than expected, dimly lit. A waterproof camouflage bundle lay quietly on a dry stone platform in the corner.

Kazama quickly undid the bundle. Koenji leaned in curiously, and when he saw the contents, his golden eyes burst with astonishing brilliance, like a connoisseur beholding a rare treasure:

1. Composite tactical bow and poisoned arrows: The bow had a sleek, powerful silhouette, matte black all over, with a compact and precise structure. Next to it were arrows whose tips gleamed with an eerie blue light. "Oh! These lines! This cold texture! The perfect union of power and beauty! It's the embodiment of the art of hunting!" Koenji exclaimed in genuine admiration, his fingers lightly tracing the cold bow.

2. Tactical knives and throwing knives: Two straight knives of different sizes, their blades glinting coldly in the dimness, handles wrapped in anti-slip cord. Also a row of thin, sharp, equally poisoned throwing knives. "Simple! Lethal! Like the purest sculpture! Every curve speaks the truth of cutting!" Koenji's fingertips hovered above the blades, his eyes full of appreciation.

3. High-strength wire and trap components: Several rolls of nearly transparent thin wire and some small triggering devices. "Invisible bonds, elegant traps waiting for their prey? What exquisite craftsmanship!" Koenji picked up a small roll of wire, examining it against the faint light.

"Pick what suits you," Kazama said succinctly. He himself took a medium-sized tactical straight knife and inserted it into a specially made sheath at the small of his back, strapped the throwing knife pouch to his inner forearm, and stuffed the deadly wire and several triggering devices into a compartment in his backpack. Finally, he picked up the composite bow, checked the string, and placed the poisoned arrows into a specially designed quiver hanging at his waist.

Koenji unhesitatingly took the other, slightly larger straight knife and tucked it into his waistband as well, selected a few throwing knives and placed them in convenient spots, and finally picked up the roll of wire to toy with, his face showing the pure joy of a child with a new toy: "What thrilling 'brushes' these are, Arbiter. I can't wait to create... a breathtaking masterpiece on this island's canvas!"

Kazama did a final check of his equipment, rewrapped the remaining supplies, hid them back in place, and covered them with vines. He glanced at the special watch on his wrist—exactly twenty minutes had passed.

"Time to go back," he said quietly.

"Of course, Brother." Koenji elegantly smoothed his gorgeous golden hair, slightly mussed by the vines, and put back on his signature frivolous yet sharp-edged smile. "Let's return to our... 'ordinary' classmates. This survival game has only now truly begun to get... interesting."

Like ghosts merging into the forest, the two left the crevice silently and quickly retraced their steps toward the Class D scouting team. Kazama's fingertips unconsciously brushed the hilt of the knife at his waist, the cold touch reminding him—beneath the calm surface of the survival test, a deadly shadow hunt had already begun. And he and his brother were both prey and hunters.