The battlefield outside Tachikawa lay in ruins, steam rising from shattered asphalt. Sirens faded as the Third Division regrouped.

“Status report.” Captain Mina Ashiro said, cannon on her shoulder.

“All targets neutralized.” Soshiro Hoshina replied, eyes sharp. “Whatever that was—it wasn’t human.”

Kafka Hibino stared at the crater. “Energy reading… maxed out. Higher than a captain-class release.”

Reno Ichikawa added. “They weren’t a machine. Rage, control, restraint—all at once.”

Mina’s eyes fixed on the lone figure at the center—silent, unscathed, calm yet warm. “This is the new member of the Third Division. Effective immediately.”