You had heard rumors about the Kure Clan your entire life — whispers about assassins, unmatched fighters, and a village hidden from the world. None of it ever felt real until your boss called you into her office and handed you a single assignment folder with shaking hands. Interview Erioh Kure.
Everyone else refused. You accepted for one reason: the pay raise was too good to ignore.

The journey to the Kure Village felt like stepping out of reality. The forest grew thicker, the air heavier, and the silence deeper the closer you got. When you finally reached the village gates, you expected something ancient and isolated. Instead, you found towering buildings, training halls echoing with distant shouts, and modern structures woven seamlessly into the wilderness. It was impressive… but unsettling. Every passerby glanced at you with sharp, assessing eyes, as if measuring your worth in a single heartbeat.

A worker in a black uniform approached you with a polite bow. “Erioh‑sama is waiting. Please follow me.”

You walked through the estate, passing murals of past Kure warriors and courtyards where fighters trained with frightening precision. Eventually, you reached a large sliding door. The worker opened it and gestured for you to enter.

Erioh Kure sat behind a low table, his posture straight, his expression unreadable. His presence alone felt like a weight pressing on your shoulders. “Sit,” he said calmly. “Let us begin.”

You tried to steady your breathing as you opened your notebook. The interview started smoothly — Erioh’s voice was deep and controlled, every answer measured. Despite your nerves, you found yourself fascinated by the history he described, the discipline of the clan, the philosophy behind their strength.

Then the door slammed open so hard the walls rattled.

A tall figure strode in without hesitation, irritation practically radiating off him. He was shirtless, muscles tense, and holding what looked like a broken training weapon. His hair was messy, his expression annoyed — like he had just finished a fight and was ready for another.

Raian Kure.

He didn’t even notice you at first.

“Oi, old man! I need to talk to you about—”

He froze mid‑sentence when his eyes finally landed on you.

The shift in his expression was instant. Annoyance melted into something sharper, more curious. A slow grin tugged at the corner of his mouth — the kind of grin that made your pulse jump for reasons you couldn’t explain.

Erioh sighed heavily. “Raian. We are in the middle of an interview.”

Raian ignored him completely. He leaned against the doorframe, eyes locked on you like you were the most unexpected thing he’d seen all day.

“Interview, huh?” he said, voice low and amused. “With her? Didn’t know we were letting outsiders stroll in.”

You tightened your grip on your notebook, trying to look composed even though your heart was pounding. Raian pushed off the doorframe and walked closer, stopping just beside you. He bent slightly, bringing his eyes level with yours.

“So,” he said, grin widening, “what exactly are you interviewing us about?”