While Ryker's team pursued leads near the coastline, Jasmine Katsuragi stood at the center of a small plaza in Tomogashima's inner district. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. Her sharp eyes scanned the faces of passersby, each one tense with fear and paranoia.
"We'll cover more ground if we split," she declared confidently, turning to face her team.
Shin, hands in his jacket pockets, tilted his head.
"Smart. You have something specific in mind, leader?"
"Yes," Jasmine nodded, her voice calm but firm.
She pointed to different corners of the town marked on a map she unfolded.
"Shin, you take the market district. Blend in, listen, and observe. Someone there is bound to know something."
Shin nodded.
"Got it. I'll keep low."
"Sol," she turned to the energetic hero beside her. "You're with Hiroshi. Patrol the shrine path and forest edge. Several girls disappeared near that area."
Sol cracked his knuckles.
"Time for action. Let's go, Hiroshi."
Hiroshi gave a thumbs-up, already adjusting his gear.
"I'll watch your back, Sol."
"And King," Jasmine looked toward the calm and composed Kenta, "go to the docks. Disguised workers reported hearing strange music at night. Talk to the locals. You have the charisma to gain trust."
King smiled faintly.
"Understood."
"And me?" Saki asked, arms crossed.
"You're staying with me," Jasmine said. "We're heading to the town records and police station. I want to know every reported case and how they were handled—or ignored."
She turned back to the team.
"Report every hour. Be sharp. And remember…" she paused, looking them in the eyes.
"…This town hides something. We're not just fighting a criminal—we're facing the unknown."
Everyone nodded.
Then they split.
That night, everyone gathered at the house. Though it was called a home, it didn't feel like one. Inside, two teams were separated in different rooms.
In one room, Ryker sat with Celica, Yumi, Akira, and Aisa. The atmosphere was tense but determined.
"What should we do next?" Yumi asked, breaking the silence.
Ryker leaned forward. "We're all going tomorrow to find the girls."
Celica frowned. "Where exactly?"
"No one place," Aisa replied quietly.
"Yeah, that place," Ryker confirmed.
Akira looked confused. "What exactly are you telling us?"
Meanwhile, in the other room, Jasmine's team gathered—Sol, Izumi, Tasuya, King, Shin, Amelia, Hiroshi, Saki, Arisu, and Mio.
"Tell us what you found," Jasmine Katsuragi demanded.
Shin stepped forward. "I found something."
Jasmine smiled approvingly. "Good. I expected nothing less."
"There's a man who rules the island," Shin explained.
"The ruler?" Sol asked, eyebrows raised.
Amelia nodded. "Yeah, a man living in the big house. He's rich and powerful."
Sol frowned. "When you say 'rules,' do you mean he controls the island?"
"Not exactly, but something similar," Jasmine said.
King folded his arms. "Explain properly."
Shin glanced at the map. "He owns seventy properties across the island's territory. We're heading directly to his mansion."
Ryker's team and Jasmine's team arrived at the grand estate, its towering walls casting long shadows in the fading light.
Sol narrowed his eyes and turned to Ryker. "Why are you here?"
"I have some questions for the man inside," Ryker replied, his tone calm but firm.
Together, the group approached the main gate. Two stern-looking guards stood at attention, blocking the path.
"Hey! Turn back," one of the guards barked, his hand on his weapon. "No one is allowed beyond this point."
Jasmine stepped forward without hesitation, pulling out a sleek black card and holding it up. "We're heroes," she stated, her voice laced with authority. "Here's my ID."
The guards glanced at the card, then at the group behind her. Their expressions shifted from defiance to unease.
"A-All right," one of them stammered, stepping aside. "You may enter."
The gates creaked open, revealing the vast courtyard beyond. One by one, the heroes entered the mansion grounds, the heavy gates closing behind them as they stepped into the unknown.
As the group moved deeper into the estate, Sol looked around, his eyes scanning the perimeter. "There are a lot of guards here," he muttered.
"Of course," Izumi replied, adjusting his collar. "The guy's rich. What did you expect?"
As they walked toward the main building, Ryker turned his head slightly toward Jasmine. "Hey, Jasmine... how old are you?"
She glanced at him, a bit surprised. "Why are you asking me that?"
Ryker gave a casual shrug. "Ah, just curious. Come on, tell me."
Jasmine raised an eyebrow, then sighed. "Twenty-four."
Ryker nodded without saying more. With that, the group stepped into the lavish mansion, the doors closing behind them as silence and tension filled the air.
Outside the grand chamber, a guard knocked gently before entering.
"Sir," the guard said, bowing slightly. "Many heroes have arrived."
The man sitting near the window turned slowly, his expression calm but curious. "Heroes? Why are they here?"
"They're investigating the case of the missing girls," the guard replied, his tone cautious.
"I see..." the man murmured, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Very well."
Behind him, a frail voice called out from the bed. His daughter, pale and weak, stirred under the sheets.
"What's happening, Dad?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why are there so many people?"
The man turned to her with a gentle smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Nothing's wrong, sweetheart. Just stay here and rest."
She nodded slowly and closed her eyes again.
With a long breath, the man straightened his coat and stepped toward the door.
"I'll handle this."
He walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing through the hallway as he prepared to face the heroes waiting outside.
The heroes stepped into the mansion, and their eyes widened at the sight before them. The interior was vast, elegant, and bathed in a warm golden glow.
"Wow... it's huge," Sol said, looking around in awe.
"I've never seen anything like this," Yumi added, her voice full of wonder.
Saki Nakamura crossed her arms with a small smirk. "Our house is still bigger than this place."
"Yeah, right," Arisu Nakamura nodded, agreeing with her sister.
Aisa Nakamura chuckled softly. "Maybe… but it's still pretty impressive."
They continued walking through the grand hall, the sound of their footsteps echoing against the marble floors as they headed toward the room where the mansion's owner awaited them.
As the group moved through the ornate hallway, guided by two silent guards, a tall man in a sleek black suit stepped out from a side room. His presence was calm, but there was a weight in his gaze—one that carried authority and age-earned confidence.
He stopped in front of the group, folding his hands behind his back.
"You must be the heroes," he said, his voice deep and composed.
Ryker stepped forward slightly. "We are. I'm Ryker Tensai, leader of this group."
The man nodded politely. "I am Renji Hayato. I own this estate."
Sol's eyes narrowed. "We're here about the missing girls."
Renji's expression didn't change, but a shadow briefly passed through his eyes. "Yes… I was told. You came all this way for that."
Yumi stepped closer. "We need answers. Anything you know, anyone you suspect—tell us now."
There was a long silence before Renji spoke again. "You may ask your questions. But know this… I have nothing to hide. And you'll find no criminals in my home."
Jasmine narrowed her eyes. "We'll be the judge of that."
Ryker glanced at the group. "Let's begin."