Shu took a deep breath. Out of everything, he hadn't expected coming back to the Snake Pit to be so hard.

After the World League, Shu had gone back to Beigoma to heal. His shoulder had been in bad shape, and it still was, though he was mostly recovered. It could have been worse, was what Shu had told himself over and over again. Seeing how the Blading world had changed since his injury made him doubt that assessment, however.

The Snake Pit was full of Bladers now. Almost double in number from before. Shu didn't know how to feel about that. Also, one thing which had shocked Shu to the core: Valt was a Snake Pit Blader now. Shu wasn't sure how and why it had happened, had wondered and despaired over the question for two nights in a row, and had come to the conclusion that something must have happened. Must have happened while he was possessed by Spriggan Requiem.

Speaking of Requiem, Shu would never wield that Bey again. No matter what Ashram wanted of him, this prize was too high. Shu wouldn't do it, would not even consider it. Never again. It hadn't been worth it. Nothing in the world should be given in exchange for revenge. Shu had taken too long to learn this lesson.

Yet, Shu had nowhere else to go now. The Snake Pit was the only thing he had left, the only place he could call home where he wasn't constantly on his own. Shu still needed the Snake Pit. If not for the power, then for the strange sort of community it created. Shu hated himself for it.

"Red Eye," someone called him. Shu knew that voice too well. He didn't want to call that person by the Snake Pit name. He never wanted that person to follow him here.

"Brown Eye," Shu said, taking care to speak slowly and to not choke on his words. No weakness in the Snake Pit. Not even in front of someone who was supposed to be a friend. It was Shu's fault anyway.

Shu had watched the matches of the World League where he'd been completely possessed. He had watched himself destroy Bey after Bey, laughing manically. He had almost thrown up seeing himself that way. He had never been happier than that moment when he'd finally broken free of Requiem's hold. It couldn't control him any longer. It would never manage to again.

"Ashram wants to talk to you," Val- Brown Eye said. This wasn't Valt. He wasn't acting like himself anymore. He was a totally different person. All because Shu had failed his best friend. Because Shu had given up everything for revenge.

"Did he say why?" Shu asked. This was a little strange. Shu had just arrived and he was still injured. What would Ashram want from him right now?

"No," Brown Eye replied. With the mask on he was so difficult to read. Valt shouldn't be difficult to read. This wasn't his nature.

"Okay, I'm going."

Brown Eye didn't reply. Shu was strangely grateful. Every word he spoke with his former best friend led to a stabbing pain in his chest.

Shu brought his suitcase to his room, got changed into his uniform, and then immediately made his way to Ashram's office.

Shu hadn't been there too often. He knew that this was where Ashram had worked out Project Requiem and where he usually was when he wasn't overseeing some other project or training.

In front of the door, Shu stopped. His hand trembled. Why?

Shu took a deep breath and scolded himself. Not now. What are you afraid of anyway? There is nothing.

Right?

Shu knocked.

"Come in," Ashram called. Shu wordlessly opened the door and closed it behind him again. Ashram was sitting on a couch, in front of him was another one. Between the two a coffee table with three cups. Probably tea, though. There wasn't a strong scent of coffee around. Ashram motioned the couch in front of him. "Sit down."

Shu did as he was told. Norman appeared from behind Ashram, carrying a teapot. His eyes widened as he lied eyes on Shu's still bandaged right shoulder. Shu willed himself not to fidget.

"So, Red Eye," Ashram started, "did you have a nice flight?"

"Tiring," Shu replied carefully, "though it was fine."

"Of course," Ashram smiled sympathetically. "Such long flights always take a lot of energy, don't they? But they are a necessary evil, at least I've always thought so."

"I agree."

Norman filled the three cups carefully. Shu watched his every move warily out of the corner of his eye. No Snake Pit Blader truly trusted. This wasn't a place for friendships or trust. Shu knew this. Before it hadn't bothered him. So why did it make him want to run now?

"This is Earl Grey," Ashram said. "Usually a breakfast tea, but I've grown quite fond of it during my last visit to London. Try it."

Shu cautiously took the cup. It was still too hot to drink, so he just held it in his hands, happy to have something to hold on to.

"And your shoulder? It still doesn't look fine to me."

Shu took a breath. "It's still healing, but I am capable of training, sir."

"Any special things to look out for?"

Was Ashram insinuating that Shu was weak? Was he trying to find an excuse to throw him out? For some reason that thought didn't bother Shu as much as it should. He could think about that later.

"Nothing you have to worry about."

It was the truth without saying everything. Shu had gotten used to talking like that. There was nothing to attack that way.

Ashram laughed. "Of course. Why am I even asking? It wouldn't stop you."

Shu stayed silent.

Ashram took a sip of his tea.

"Sir," Shu started, "is there a reason you asked me to come here? If not, then I'd like to leave."

It was a risk to be this blunt. It always was. It was Shu's style, though.

Again, Ashram seemed amused.

"Straight to the point as always," he mused. "Very well. I actually have a new task for you."

"A task?"

Ashram nodded. "I've been thinking of spending more time here in the Snake Pit. There is so much to do, you see, and with the Bulls who still need managing this seems a bit much, don't you think?"

Shu nodded slowly. He wasn't quite sure what Ashram was hinting at.

"So, I've been thinking. I need someone I trust to take over the New York Bulls for me. I think you're perfect for the job."

"What?"

Shu was completely dumbfounded. Him? As manager of the New York Bulls? One of the best teams in the world?

"Ashram!" Norman cried in outrage. "You can't be serious!"

"I am being quite serious, Gold Eye," Ashram said, sipping at his tea again.

Norman, who hadn't said much of anything until that point, seemed unable to comprehend.

"He's twelve!"

Shu winced. This was true. Would people even accept a twelve-year old at the top?

"Maybe so," Ashram replied, "but he is more capable than many of the adults I work with. His work-ethic and his responsible and mature nature should make this an easy enough task to fulfil. Am I right, Red Eye?"

Shu was trying to understand his situation. Him in charge of such a team? How would he even do that? And why was he chosen?

Then, Shu thought of Kristina Kuroda. He though to BC Sol, of the laughter and power. He thought of Free de la Hoya and of Kiyama. They had grown stronger without the Snake Pit. What if Shu could teach the Bulls to do the same? Stop them from becoming as obsessed as he had been?

He would go against Ashram. Against the man who had given him a home. But that man had also almost killed him with the Requiem project. Had let an eleven-year-old child give everything up for revenge.

If Shu could make Ashram's empire crumble from the inside, was it worth it? Was this a cause worth fighting for?

Shu looked up, meeting Ashram's eyes. Ashram's eyes that were like ice, yet there was a smirk so arrogant, so sure of everything. As if the world was in his possession.

A fire ignited in Shu. This was his chance. It was his moment to change this. To make up for all the destruction, all the pain. To change the world.

"Yes," Shu said. He sat straight, felt the fire in his veins take over for just a second. Ashram smirked, thinking he had won.

"I'm glad. Well, then, we have a flight to New York this evening. The team will be completely yours by tomorrow. Everything, the Bladers, the staff, the facilities, and the money, too. It will be your greatest challenge. Are you ready?"

Shu nodded firmly. "I'm ready for everything."

"Good. You're dismissed."

Shu put the untouched cup on the coffee table and turned to exit the room.

Only one of the three occupants of the room saw the golden fire surrounding Shu and also the burning in his eyes as he left the room.

The person trembled. Ashram had unleashed a force he couldn't hope to control.

The world wasn't ready for the new young owner of the New York Bulls. Not in the slightest.