1.72: Confirmation

*Rebirth guild hideout; HQ*

***

Martin called on all the members of Rebirth after their failed mission a day ago. Sir Williams also came to the sitting area to break down his verdict.

"Alright then. You guys will tell me how we lost the one trail to Hajiman in a simple operation?" He asked.

"Sir, permission to speak?" Lennox asked.

Williams shook his head and allowed him to stand up.

"I have a theory that Yamato was being controlled."

"Being controlled? Is that your excuse for him losing control?"

"Yes, Sir. Knowing him for so long, he wouldn't let his emotions exfoliate to the point of ruining the mission."

"That could be a reason, but how can you prove that?"

Bobby stood up to give his verdict. "Well, the psychological point of view, Sir. Yamato already knew how important this-"

"Bobby, who gave you the right to talk?" Williams interrupted.

"Sorry, Sir. I'm just saying facts here. There's no way Yamato would lash out of vexation. Martin already ousted him from the scene; it wouldn't make sense that-"

"I've made up my mind."

Sir Williams picked up the phone on his chair. "Call in the new rookies, please."

They all waited as they heard the elevator reach the top floor.

DING!

Sanji and Sasha walked in and bowed to all the members. "You called for us, Sir," he said.

"Yes. Sanji and Sasha, you have been promoted to permanent associates of Rebirth as of today."

They both looked up out of shock.

"Already? But we have only been working here for two weeks." Sasha stated.

"And you guys have a lot of potential."

She felt that this was too good to be true. With the bit of work they did, no employer would easily promote them. "Sir, the tapestry in the main entrance states that one can become a permanent member only by defeating or replacing the current members. How can we get these positions without earning them?"

"You're smart as always, Sasha. A very attentive agent is exactly what we need here at Rebirth. But you are correct..."

Williams stood up and walked to Yamato. "To become permanent members, you must defeat…or replace current members."

TEAR!!

He tore Yamato's badge off his cloak. "From now on, you are no longer part of Rebirth."

!!!

Everyone was shocked by his sudden decision.

"Anyone who dares to oppose my decision can leave with him."

TAP!!

Sir Williams heard another badge hit the desk. "If that's at stake, I'll gladly take that offer," Bobby said as he threw his badge. "Ever since we retained Legon City, your choices as the boss have diminished your state of mind. I was worried when you fired Gaiyato of all people, but if such a small mistake makes us lose our jobs…I can kiss mine goodbye as well."

Bobby stormed out of the room with Yamato, but Sir Williams kept smiling and told everyone to leave.

"Martin, a word?"

"Yes, Sir." Martin closed the door and took a seat.

SLAM!!

Williams hit the table out of pure anger. "Do you have any idea about the importance of this mission?!"

Martin made no eye contact and looked away. "Yes, Sir, but everything you heard during the meeting was precise. Yamato lost control and killed the last piece of-"

"My life is on the line, Martin!" Williams switched on the screens on the table. "I have had ZERO communication from Hajiman or the AR ever since the apprehension. I PROMISED THEM THAT THIS WOULD BE A CAKE WALK, and what happens…A FUSHIGIRI BRAT COMES BACK TO LIFE THREE TIMES?!"

He tried to stop clenching his teeth and sat on his throne. "A background check on him, please."

Martin searched for Intel on Tedashii.

[Search Results; Tedashii Katsuno]

`Prowess: Wind, N/a and N/a

`Power Level: 52

`Fighting Style: Close Combat

`Class: 1-1 Striker (human experience)

...

They both took their time looking at his stats.

"…This doesn't make ANY SENSE, Martin!"

"Sir, the machine was as accurate as always-"

"YOU'RE TELLING ME A HUMAN, OF ALL THINGS, DEFEATED MERCEDES?!"

"I was just as-"

"AND WHY THE HELL CAN WE NOT FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS PROWESSES? HOW THE HELL IS IT UNAPPLICABLE?!"

***

"I don't know myself," Tedashii said to Seto. "That machine surely must've been broken…I know I'm stronger than most of the second years."

"I see. Didn't you do a manual training test to fix them?" He asked.

"Well, that's the entrance exam we must do, so I'm going to prove that machine wrong!"

They both laughed while sitting on the moving train. "So…Seto. You said you wanted to spare with me?"

Seto realized that he had forgotten. "Oh, right! I got so caught in the moment that I forgot my request."

He stood up and began stretching, but Tedashii did not know how this would go down.

"So, exactly how is this going down?"

"It's simple. I want you to fight me at 200 percent, okay?"

"WHAT? But that's a serious fight! And besides, it's cheating since you can't see."

Seto smiled when Tedashii said that. "That is exactly why I want us to fight."

He jumped off the train with his sister as Tedashii followed them. "Have you heard about Syncing?"

...