The lamplight shone pale on the bluestone floor, stretching the three children's shadows out long, like three growing trees.
Jilan stood on the far left, his short black hair gleaming like ink under the lights, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan rotating slowly in his eyes. He was nine years old, Strong Kage level, and the possessor of the Multiplication Fruit. His body was a size larger than those of children his age, his limbs long and his muscles solid. Standing there, he resembled a pine rooted in rock. His hands hung naturally at his sides, neither clenched into fists nor gathering strength, but his presence had already locked onto the two people opposite him.
Ryukōshi stood on the far right, his golden hair shining softly under the lights, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan likewise rotating slowly in his eyes. He was eight years old, Strong Kage level, and the possessor of the Holy Blood Angel Devil Fruit. Behind him, a pair of golden wings of light spread slightly, their edges glowing pale gold. With his hands clasped behind his back, his posture straight and his expression calm, he stood there like an unsheathed blade.
Jin Zhiyin stood between them, his emerald-green hair shining softly under the lights, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan also rotating slowly in his eyes. He was eight years old, Strong Kage level, and the possessor of the Forest-Forest Fruit. Beneath his skin, faint green patterns flowed, like the veins of leaves, like winding vines. He held an Oak Seed in his hands. It glowed faintly in his palms, as though breathing.
Jilan looked at Ryukōshi on his left, then at Jin Zhiyin on his right.
"Why... is this a three-person fight?"
Toyotomi Yinglang's voice came from the edge of the grounds, calm and devoid of emotion.
"You three are all too strong,