Tensions Rising

The cavernous gym echoed with the sounds of intense training as hunters from Korea and Japan prepared for the upcoming Jeju Island raid. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and determination, a palpable energy coursing through the room. Itachi stood silently in a shadowed corner, his presence unnoticed by most, his dark eyes taking in every detail of the scene before him.

Nearby, Tanaka and Ryuji were engaged in a spirited sparring match, their fists a blur of motion as they tested each other's skills after years apart. The clash of their attacks reverberated through the gym, drawing admiring glances from other hunters.

Amid the controlled chaos, Itachi summoned his 'Eye', the air shimmering slightly as the mystical construct appeared. To any onlookers, it would seem as though Itachi was merely lost in thought, his eyes closed in concentration. But in his mind, information flooded in, images and sensations washing over him in a torrent.

A small smile, almost imperceptible, tugged at the corner of his mouth as he learned of Jinwoo's mother being cured from her eternal slumber. The touching reunion between mother and son played out in his mind's eye, a moment of warmth amidst the preparations for danger. He could see Jin-ah's tears of joy, Jinwoo's relieved embrace, and the palpable sense of a family made whole again. Itachi also learned that Jin-ah forgot to tell Jinwoo about Itachi's new rank. as expected after having such an emotional reunion.

As Itachi dismissed his 'Eye', he remained in his secluded spot, observing as Jinwoo entered the gym with Go Gunhee. From his vantage point, Itachi could see the curiosity etched on Jinwoo's face as Go Gunhee began pointing out the new S-rank hunters.

"That man is Takeda Ryuji," Go Gunhee said, gesturing towards the muscular fighter still engaged in his bout with Tanaka. Jinwoo's eyes widened slightly, clearly impressed by Ryuji's fluid movements and powerful strikes.

Go Gunhee then directed Jinwoo's attention to a man standing off to the side, his eyes sharp and calculating as he observed the various training sessions. "That calculative looking man is Matsumoto Haruto. He's a fighter, but his true strength lies in his strategic mind."

Jinwoo nodded, his brow furrowing slightly as he sensed Haruto's prowess. Even from a distance, the aura of strength and intelligence surrounding Haruto was unmistakable.

"And that," Go Gunhee continued, pointing towards a serene-looking woman with an otherworldly aura about her, "is Yuki Amaterasu. She's a mage, and a formidable one at that."

Jinwoo's eyes narrowed as he studied Yuki. After a moment, he spoke, his voice tinged with surprise and respect. "I can barely detect the illusion she's cast. Her control is... impressive."

Go Gunhee nodded in agreement before adding, "And... the last member seems to be absent." He paused, his expression thoughtful. "One thing to note is they all are from the same guild."

This caught Jinwoo's attention. "Huh, I thought they were with the Draw Swords guild."

Go Gunhee shook his head, his voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "I heard from a source that they were in that guild before they became S-ranks."

"Hmm, that's a first," Jinwoo mused, his curiosity piqued. "But what is the name of their guild and who is the guildmaster?"

As Go Gunhee opened his mouth to respond, a familiar voice cut through the ambient noise of the gym. "Uchiha," it said, deep and resonant. "It's the Uchiha guild."

Jinwoo whirled around, shock evident on his face as he came face to face with Itachi, who had silently materialized behind them. "Itachi !? You're here !?"

Go Gunhee looked between the two men, surprise coloring his features. "You know each other?"

A ghost of a smile played on Itachi's lips, his normally stoic expression softening almost imperceptibly. "We know each other very well."

Jinwoo's shock morphed into a grin, a mixture of surprise and amusement dancing in his eyes. "It seems you were also hiding something."

"I can't deny that," Itachi replied, his tone neutral but his eyes holding a hint of warmth.

As the two S-rank hunters caught up, the atmosphere in the gym shifted. The casual training evolved into more structured team exercises, the air crackling with competitive energy. Tanaka, fresh from his bout with Ryuji, squared off against Ma Dongwook. Their fight was a spectacle of skill and power, with Tanaka eventually emerging victorious after a heated exchange that left both fighters breathing heavily.

Across the gym, another Korean hunter fell to defeat, the sound of his body hitting the mat drawing momentary attention before the cacophony of training resumed.

Chae Hae-in, her face flushed with exertion and triumph from her own victory against an S-rank hunter, moved to support Baek Yoonho. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the room for potential threats or opportunities. Suddenly, driven by pure instinct honed through countless battles, she struck out at one of the Japanese hunters with unexpected force.

The hunter, Kumamoto, stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock before narrowing dangerously. The gym fell silent, the sudden tension palpable as everyone sensed the shift in atmosphere.

With a roar of rage that echoed off the walls, Kumamoto lunged at Chae Hae-in. His attacks were savage, far exceeding the boundaries of friendly training. The other hunters watched in horror, frozen by the sudden turn of events.

Before anyone else could react, Jinwoo appeared between them, his movements a blur as he deflected Kumamoto's savage strikes. In the same instant, Itachi materialized behind Kumamoto, his hand gripping the berserk hunter's shoulder with iron strength.

From the sidelines, Goto Ryuji watched the scene unfold with keen interest, his eyes narrowed in speculation. He leaned towards Hanekawa, the translator, and asked in a low voice, "Both of them are really mages, right?"

Hanekawa hesitated before replying, his voice equally low, "In official records, at least..."

Goto Ryuji's eyes never left Itachi's form as he studied the Uchiha's stance and the effortless way he restrained Kumamoto. 'I will confirm it myself,' he thought to himself, a competitive fire igniting within him.

As Jinwoo spoke quietly to Chae Hae-in. Goto Ryuji approached Itachi. His stride was purposeful, his chin lifted in challenge.

"Hey," he called out, his voice carrying across the room. "I would like to have a one-on-one fight with you. Are you up for it?"

Nearby, Itachi's party members exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Ryuji shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Is he an idiot?"

Haruto's eyes were calculating as he replied, his voice low and measured, "Not an idiot, but arrogant. This could be... interesting."

Yuki pouted slightly, a spark of mischief in her eyes. "When will I get my turn to fight? It's been so long since I've had a real challenge."

Ryuji grinned at her, confidence radiating from him. "Don't worry, it will end quickly. Itachi isn't known for drawing things out."

Itachi turned to face Goto Ryuji, his expression impassive as always. The gym fell silent once more, all eyes drawn to the impending confrontation. "I accept," he said calmly, his voice carrying easily in the hushed room. "But I insist you end this qui-"

Before he could finish his sentence, Goto Ryuji launched himself forward, his fist aimed squarely at Itachi's face. The suddenness of the attack sent a ripple of surprise through the watching crowd, but Itachi remained unfazed.

With a fluid motion that seemed almost lazy, Itachi sidestepped the attack, Goto's fist whistling past his ear. The miss threw Goto off balance, his momentum carrying him forward as Itachi calmly stepped aside.

"You're not really a mage," Goto Ryuji growled, frustration evident in his voice as he whirled to face Itachi again.

Itachi remained silent, his dark eyes focused intently on his opponent. This lack of response seemed to infuriate Goto Ryuji further. With a snarl, he attacked again, this time with a flurry of punches that would have overwhelmed a lesser opponent.

But Itachi was far from lesser. His movements were economical and precise, each block and dodge requiring minimal effort. To the watching hunters, it almost appeared as if Itachi was engaged in an elaborate dance, his body flowing around Goto's attacks like water around stones.

In a heartbeat, Itachi saw an opening. His fist shot out, faster than most eyes could follow, connecting solidly with Goto Ryuji's solar plexus. The impact was like a thunderclap, the sound echoing through the now-silent gym.

Goto Ryuji stumbled back, gasping for air, his eyes wide with shock and growing anger. As he struggled to regain his breath, his face contorted with fury. The air around him began to shimmer, his power manifesting visibly as his emotions spiraled out of control.

With a roar of rage that seemed to shake the very foundations of the building, he charged at Itachi, his fist glowing with concentrated power. The floor cracked under his feet as he launched himself forward, his attack carrying enough force to shatter concrete.

The air in the gym grew heavy, charged with tension as every hunter present realized the danger of the situation. Goto Ryuji's attack, if it landed, would cause serious injury, possibly even death. Yet Itachi stood his ground, seemingly unconcerned by the impending threat.

Just as Goto Ryuji's fist was about to connect, a blur of motion interposed itself between the two fighters. Jinwoo stood there, his hand firmly grasping Goto Ryuji's wrist, halting the attack mid-strike. The force of the interrupted blow sent shockwaves through the air, rustling clothes and hair of nearby spectators.

"Mr. Goto," Jinwoo said, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of steel, "I don't think you should injure someone before the raid. We need every hunter at full strength."

Goto Ryuji struggled against Jinwoo's grip, his face red with exertion and anger. Veins bulged on his forehead as he shouted, "Let me off! This is between me and him!"

Hanekawa stepped forward, his voice soothing as he addressed the enraged hunter. "Mr. Goto, I think we should stop and call it a day. This has gone far enough."

Slowly, the tension drained from Goto Ryuji's body. He stepped back, his breath coming in ragged gasps, sweat dripping from his brow. His eyes, still burning with frustration, locked onto Itachi. "I still didn't lose," he muttered, his pride clearly wounded.

Itachi's response was characteristically terse, his face betraying no emotion. "Whatever you think."

As the confrontation defused, Jinwoo approached Itachi. The two S-rank hunters stood side by side, an air of mutual respect surrounding them. "Thanks for that," Itachi said quietly, his words meant for Jinwoo's ears alone.

Jinwoo's lips quirked in a half-smile, a knowing look in his eyes. "You might have killed him with a punch. He was lucky he didn't come too close to you. "

Itachi's party members joined them, concern and amusement warring on their faces. Haruto's voice was low as he said, "Itachi, you were going to kill him. I could see it in your eyes."

Ryuji shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "He deserved it anyway. Sometimes a lesson needs to be taught the hard way."

Yuki nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling with suppressed laughter. "Indeed. Though I must say, it was quite entertaining to watch. It's not often we get to see Itachi in action these days."

As the tension in the gym gradually dissipated, Itachi's companions introduced themselves to Jinwoo, the atmosphere lightening as they exchanged greetings and shared stories of their respective adventures. Laughter began to fill the air once more, the earlier confrontation fading into memory.

Yet beneath the surface, an undercurrent of anticipation remained. The Jeju Island raid loomed on the horizon, a shadow that touched every conversation and influenced every decision. As the hunters resumed their training with renewed vigor, each was acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead. The raid would test them all to their limits, and only by working together could they hope to emerge victorious.

As the day's training drew to a close, Itachi found himself standing apart from the others, his gaze distant. The confrontation with Goto Ryuji had stirred something within him, a reminder of the constant vigilance required in this world of hunters and monsters. With a silent promise to himself to remain ever watchful, he rejoined his companions, ready to face whatever challenges the future might bring.