Izumi swallows, the pressure building up on his shoulders.
"K-kage Sentai?"
He asks incredulously.
"Yes, and not just you, I am talking about Ren and Akane too."
Jin says nonchalantly, as if this was an average conversation.
The Kage Sentai is the Black Ops, or the special forces for Cloud City. To be a member of this organisation was great honor, but it also came in secrecy. If a member of the Kage Sentai were to reveal to another person about their membership, they would be immediately executed. The Kage Sentai was responsible for killing demons that were stronger than a Purple-belt soldier. The Kage Sentai also worked in assassination missions where the stakes were high, every single soldiers' dream is to become a member, and here were Izumi, Ren and Akane, being offered the membership just like that.
"What's the catch?"
Akane says, suddenly barging in the conversation.
Izumi glances over at Ren, who just looks at the entire situation in the room, with a jaw dropped look.
"You will have to complete the Forest Trials."
Jin says gravely.
"I usually don't like giving white-belts invitations to the Kage Sentai, but since all three of you are exceptionally strong and unique, and since I have tutored Ren and Izumi myself, I will you three this chance."
Akane gets up from her seat, her legs visibly shaking, and her entire forehead sweating.
"But sir, I have not proven my worth yet."
Jin's eyes softened when he looked at her.
"Of course, Akane, you must be confused why you were selected."
Jin takes out a peice of paper from his pocket and clears his throat loudly and then says,
"Akane Horas, age 16, defeated a Red belt ranked soldier during training, top of the class, once in a 100 years prodigy."
Akane blushed when she heard Jin say all those things about her.
Izumi rolled his eyes, Jin's compliments to Akane making her blush was getting on his nerves..
Jin looked away from his paper.
"I think I know what I'm doing Akane."
Akane looked like she wanted hide under the blankets of the bed Izumi was laying in, embarrassed.
Jin smiled.
"Kids, remember this, the Kage Sentai is not for the ones who can only show power, but the people who can show potential to grow stronger."
He patted Akane firmly on her head.
"Well, I have to go sort out the name board situation, think of my offer."
Izumi stared at Jin as he opened the door and exited the hospital room.
Ren broke the awkward silence by speaking.
"Well! That's certainly a lot to take in at once, I suggest once Izumi's recovered, we go to Evan's inn and discuss it there."
After that, Ren and Akane left, leaving Izumi alone with nothing else but his thoughts.
He stared at his hands, and still processing the offer he had received.
"The Kage Sentai huh? that's certainly one way to start a soldier's career."
He spoke quietly to himself.