The chairs clattered noisily against the hard floor as the other students filed out of the room. Hiruki remained behind, methodically removing the papers he had stuck on the board. Crinix, Takahishi, and Niski lingered, hesitant to leave.

Just as they were about to stand up from their chairs, Hiruki turned and fixed them with a stern gaze. "Crinix, Takahishi, and Niski, you three are staying behind today," he announced, his voice firm.

Takahishi's brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh? Why do we have to stay behind? Did something happen?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Hiruki's expression softened slightly. "Everything is okay, boys. Just follow me," he assured them, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

With a quiet nod, Hiruki moved towards the desk, opened the drawer, and slid the papers inside. He closed the drawer with a soft click and headed for the door, Niski, Crinix, and Takahishi falling into step behind him.

Their footsteps echoed through the corridors as they followed Hiruki to a tall, imposing tower. Grim Hunters guarded every entrance, their eyes watchful and alert. Hiruki stepped forward, exchanging a brief word with the guards, who nodded and swung open the massive main door.

As they stepped inside, the door creaked shut behind them, enveloping them in silence. A stairway stretched upwards, disappearing into the shadows. Hiruki began to climb, his footsteps quiet on the stone steps. Niski, Crinix, and Takahishi trailed behind him, their eyes fixed on Hiruki's back.

As they ascended, the air grew thick with an air of anticipation. Niski's voice broke the silence. "Where are we going? What are we even doing here?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Hiruki didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the stairs ahead. They continued to climb, their footsteps echoing off the walls, until they finally reached the fourth floor.

A long hallway stretched out before them, lined with doors on either side. At the far end of the hall, a single room was guarded by two figures clad in black leather jackets, their faces hidden behind hoods.

Hiruki approached the guards, a quiet greeting passing between them. The guards nodded, their eyes flicking to Niski, Crinix, and Takahishi before returning to Hiruki.

Hiruki's voice echoed through the hallway as he asked the guards, "Am here to see the Grand Reaper. Is he in his office?" The guards nodded, and one of them stepped aside, opening the door to reveal a lavishly decorated office. Crinix, Takahishi, and Niski exchanged curious glances as they followed Hiruki into the room.

Their eyes widened as they took in the opulent space. Golden furniture adorned the room, and picture frames lined the walls, showcasing the Grand Reaper's accomplishments.

Seated on chairs beside the Grand Reaper's desk were Kinski, Shinjikawa, and Shizuki. Takahishi's eyes widened in surprise as he spotted Shinjikawa. " Captain Shinjikawa ! What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tinged with amazement.

Shinjikawa's expression remained neutral, but a hint of a smile played on his lips. "I'm here to provide some... insight, Takahishi," he replied, his voice low and measured.

Yashimoto, the Grand Reaper, turned, his eyes narrowing as he took in Hiruki's companions. "Ah, Hiruki, you've arrived. We were waiting for you. Please, take a seat," he said, his voice firm but controlled.

Hiruki strode over to an empty chair and sat down, his eyes fixed on Yashimoto. Takahishi's confusion boiled over. "Huh? What's happening? Why are we here?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Niski chimed in, his voice laced with concern. "Yeah, what are we doing here?"

Yashimoto's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger. "SILENCE!" he thundered, slamming his hand on the desk.

The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the Grand Reaper. Takahishi's voice trembled as he asked, "Did we do something? Did something bad happen?"

Niski's defiance flared up. "Well, don't care why we're here. Let's just get this over with."

Kinski, seated beside Shizuki, craned his neck to glance at Yashimoto. "Well, Grand Reaper, just tell them already," he suggested, his voice tinged with exasperation.

Yashimoto's expression turned fierce, horizontal lines etching his forehead. He rested his chin on his hands, his eyes blazing with intensity as he glared at Crinix, Niski, and Takahishi.

"You boys have caused a lot of trouble lately, and I couldn't just sit back and ignore it," he began, his voice low and menacing. "The day before yesterday, you did something that almost put the entire Shadow Realm in danger. And if that wasn't enough, I heard you also had a fight and ended up destroying half of the school building. For that, you must be punished."

"Punishment?" Takahishi's voice trembled as he echoed Yashimoto's words.

Yashimoto's expression turned stern. "By freeing the Ghost Reaper, you almost put the entire Shadow Realm in danger. Therefore, you deserve to be punished."

A low chuckle rumbled in Yashimoto's throat, sending a shiver down Crinix's spine. "You boys are to be expelled from Hunter Academy immediately."

Crinix, Takahishi, and Niski stared at Yashimoto in stunned silence, their eyes wide with shock. Takahishi's mouth hung open, his voice barely above a whisper. "Huh? We're all to be expelled? B-but that would mean we'd have to leave the Shadow Realm."

Kinski intervened, his voice laced with concern. "Grand Reaper, don't you think that type of punishment is a little too harsh on them? I mean, after all, they didn't do much damage to the Shadow Realm, and I managed to seal the Ghost Reaper."

Yashimoto's expression remained unyielding. "Kinski, we don't accept that kind of trouble and destruction here. For that, they all deserve to be expelled from Hunter Academy "