Abrupt Reunion

Gazing at the eight formidable warriors before him, the Ten Takeshi, Knight's attention settled on Tende. A colossal aura surrounded Tende, triggering a flashback to years past. In that moment, Tende embarked on his journey, bidding farewell to Knight as he ventured forth. Through arduous trials, he conquered a Dark One and triumphed over a dark hero's heart. The culmination of these trials rendered him a force on par with, or possibly surpassing, an angel or hero. The narrative transitioned back to the present day as Knight marveled at the strength all of them had achieved.

However, amidst their ranks, a void lingered—Ichimaru, number one, was conspicuously absent. Knight pondered Ichimaru's absence, suspecting his reluctance to join. Despite this, Knight remained assured of Ichimaru's well-being and had heard tidbits of his adventures. Calling for everyone's attention, Knight shifted the tone, urging them to address a serious matter: Lycone.

The atmosphere grew tense, the gravity of the topic weighing heavily. Knight mentioned the proposal involving Lycone wearing the slave collar. As he posed the question of who was in favor, only Tobura, Menma, and Toka raised their hands. The majority abstained from a response, but then, to their surprise, Ichimaru appeared, his sudden outburst chastising the others for their apparent lack of insight. Fear gripped the room, with exceptions in Toka, Nabe, and Katsu, who remained unperturbed. Ichimaru's presence caught the attention of Knight and the three previously mentioned individuals.

Casually, Ichimaru greeted them. Misugu spoke, earning a brusque retort from Ichimaru, instructing her to be quiet. He continued, shedding light on the fact that Lycone's survival hinged on their master's desire, and the employment of the slave collar was a strategic move to avert war. This revelation spurred unanimous approval from the group.

Concluding the discussion, Knight ordered everyone else to exit the area, reserving a place for Ichimaru. He instructed Ichimaru to stay behind, leaving the rest to digest the gravity of the decision they were making.