image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/e9/Fumio_Harada_watching_a_baseball_game_on_television_in_his_house.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b5/Elizabeth_Harada_Profile.png]

At the Harada household, the afternoon was marked by an air of tranquility, happiness, and a serene normalcy that defined their daily life. Fumio, with his ever-present smile, sat comfortably in the living room, engrossed in a live baseball match. His eyes twinkled with excitement, reflecting the passion he had developed over the years. Meanwhile, Elizabeth, his beloved wife, bustled around the house with a sense of purpose and contentment, attending to the day's housework with her usual grace and efficiency. Their son Jake and his friends were still in Japan, deeply involved in their quest to learn more about the seven swords, leaving Fumio and Elizabeth to enjoy a rare period of quiet together.

"Honey, can you come help me with this heavy bulk of clothes? I need to put them in the washing machine," called Elizabeth, her voice slightly strained as she struggled with the weight of the laundry.

"Just a second, dear, it's the exciting part of the match!" Fumio replied, his eyes glued to the television as the baseball game reached its climax. The tension in the match was palpable, and Fumio's enthusiasm was infectious.

Suddenly, the front doorbell rang. "Dear, please get the door. I think it's the delivery man," Fumio said, still fixated on the screen, his tone absent-minded but affectionate.

"Arghh, Mr. Harada! You're going to get it after I'm done!" Elizabeth retorted, her frustration evident but laced with the warmth of long-term companionship. She knew all too well how Fumio became a couch potato whenever a baseball match was on, yet her irritation was softened by the deep bond they shared.

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Elizabeth set the laundry aside and made her way to the door, reflecting on the many layers of love and patience that had come to define her relationship with Fumio. Even in moments of exasperation, the enduring affection between them was unmistakable, filling their home with a sense of peace and mutual respect. Their bond, forged through years of shared experiences, had always managed to weather the occasional storm of frustration, anchored by a deep and abiding love.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0b/Augustine_Salvatore_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a7/Jesse_Morgan_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d0/Gianna_with_her_blazer_button_up.png]

Upon opening the door, Elizabeth was taken aback to find not the delivery man, but three unfamiliar and imposing figures standing on her doorstep. The first, a tall man with shoulder-length brown hair, exuded an aura of calm authority. His dark green eyes were sharp and penetrating, and he wore a sophisticated white suit paired with an unbuttoned black shirt, giving him an air of both elegance and menace. Beside him stood a rugged man with a husky build, dressed in a light blue denim western shirt and dark blue jeans. His medium-length brown hair was partially hidden under a beige cowboy hat, and his piercing blue eyes glinted with a mix of confidence and mischief. The third figure, a young woman with a dark orange bob hairstyle and hazel eyes, was strikingly chic in a black blazer dress, her demeanor a blend of friendliness and quiet intensity.

"Yes... how can I help you?" Elizabeth asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she faced the intimidating trio.

"Greetings, ma'am. My name is Augustine Salvatore," the man in the suit introduced himself smoothly. "With me are my comrades Jesse Morgan," he gestured to the cowboy, who tipped his hat and drawled, "Howdy, ma'am!" "And Gianna Bianchi, my right-hand woman," Augustine continued, as the young woman waved politely. "We are here to look for your son, Jake Harada. Is he in?"

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat. "He is not. May I know what business you have with him?" she asked, trying to mask her growing fear.

Still biting on his toothpick, Augustine replied bluntly, "Madam, we know Jake Harada is your son. He is in possession of the Sword of Fire, and we are interested in acquiring it."

"I do not know what you're talking about," Elizabeth responded, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to handle the situation. "Honey, can you come to the front door now?" she called, hoping Fumio could help manage the unexpected visitors.

"Dear, just give me 15 minutes more. We're in the 9th inning," Fumio replied, oblivious to the tension at the door.

"Fumio Harada! COME TO THE DOOR NOW! THIS IS URGENT!" Elizabeth shouted, her voice breaking with urgency. Recognizing the seriousness in her tone, Fumio reluctantly left his seat, moving towards the front door.

Upon seeing the trio, Fumio immediately sensed trouble. He knew these were not people to be taken lightly. Elizabeth whispered to him, "They know about the Sword of Fire that Jake is holding."

"Hi, Mr. Augustine, if I am right, my son is not in, and we do not know anything about your imaginary Sword of Fire," Fumio said, his voice edged with protectiveness as he tried to shield his family from potential harm.

"Whoa, whoa, Mr. Harada, no need to be so angsty. I know your son is not in," Augustine replied, his keen eyes having already noted the absence of teenage presence in the house. "We just want to have a chat when he gets back."

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Fumio stood his ground, his body tense with protective determination, ready to defend his home and family against any threat these mysterious strangers might pose. He subtly reached for his aluminum bat, adopting a ready stance. The peaceful afternoon had taken a sudden, ominous turn, but the Haradas were no strangers to unexpected challenges, and together, they would face whatever came next.

"There will be no chat with my son. I already stated there's no Sword of Flame with him. Please leave and stop disturbing my family," Fumio declared firmly.

"Hey, old man, there's no need to take out your weapon. You think you got a chance against the three of us?" Jesse replied with a drawl, his southern accent adding a mocking edge to his words.

Augustine raised a hand, stopping Jesse. "I apologize for my subordinate's rudeness. We shall take our leave," he said, gesturing for his comrades to back off.

"But Mr. Salvatore, we still haven't gotten the information we need," Jesse protested.

"Just follow orders, Jesse," Gianna interjected.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/e6/Lightning_Draw.png]

"Alright, you say it, my lady," Jesse replied, tipping his hat to Gianna with a grudging respect. As the trio turned to leave, Fumio lowered his guard, his grip on the bat relaxing. Suddenly, Jesse turned back, using his Lightning Draw to unleash his lariat with blinding speed towards Elizabeth without warning. Fumio reacted instinctively, pulling Elizabeth into his arms and shielding her with his body, both of them bracing for impact.

Nothing hit them. Opening their eyes, they saw Augustine standing before them, his gladius drawn, having intercepted Jesse's strike. "Are you unable to follow orders? I already said to leave," Augustine scolded, his voice icy with authority.

"But Mr. Salvatore..." Jesse began, reluctant to back down.

"I shall deal with you when we get back. I apologize for my subordinate's actions. I will handle him," Augustine said, turning back to Fumio and Elizabeth with a respectful nod before leading his team away.

"What's your next action, Mr. Salvatore?" Gianna asked as they walked away, surprised at Augustine's apparent reluctance to pursue further confrontation.

"I have booked an appointment to visit Professor Elden Thorne in the prison visitation room. We know the location of the Sword of Flame. There's no hurry; it's only a matter of time before we get it," Augustine replied calmly. "After my talk with Professor Thorne, you will receive further orders," he added as they boarded their car and drove off.

Inside the house, Elizabeth clung to Fumio, her face pale with worry. "Honey, what trouble awaits our son? Your decision to hand over the Sword of Flame to him has started to disrupt our peaceful life."

"Dear, it's part of the growing process. Jake now has a responsibility, and as his family, we must support and protect him. We will do our best to shield him from these dangers," Fumio said softly, holding Elizabeth tightly as he tried to console her. His embrace was firm and reassuring, a promise that together, they would face whatever threats emerged, standing strong as a family.

At Los Angeles International Airport, Cyrus arrived early at the departure hall, his mind racing with the weight of their mission: to find the Sword of Light. He stood resolute, his blue eyes scanning the crowd, waiting for his allies to join him. Soon, they arrived one by one. Noah bounced in first, his brown eyes sparkling with youthful energy and a playful grin on his face. Kim Ji-eun followed, her pink hair a vivid splash of color against the dull airport backdrop, her red eyes locked onto Cyrus with an intensity that bordered on obsession. Last came Elliot, lugging an enormous suitcase that barely concealed his unconventional weapon—a bulky cordless vacuum cleaner.

Noah's eyes widened at the sight of Elliot's luggage. "Are you moving house or just traveling?" he quipped, twirling his yo-yo with practiced ease, his tone dripping with sarcasm and playful mischief. Elliot adjusted his glasses, a small smile playing on his lips. "My weapon is bulky; I don't have much of a choice," he replied, his voice calm and matter-of-fact, embodying his inventive and practical nature.

"Chill, guys. Let's get ready for boarding," Cyrus interjected, his tone firm yet reassuring, the leader in him taking charge. He could feel the pressure of their quest weighing heavily on his shoulders, but he knew he had to keep the group focused and united.

Kim Ji-eun sidled closer to Cyrus, her excitement palpable. "This feels like a family trip, Cyrus!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a blend of innocence and fervent devotion. "I hope I get to share a room with you," she added in a whisper, her gaze never leaving his face. Cyrus, ever the stoic leader, pretended not to hear her, his focus unwavering. "Let's move, guys," he said, guiding them towards the immigration counter.

As they cleared security and made their way to the gate, the enormity of their journey settled in. Their destination was Rome Ciampino Airport, the gateway to Vatican City. For Cyrus, this mission was deeply personal—a quest intertwined with his desire for justice and retribution.

Boarding the plane, they took their seats, the hum of the engines signaling the start of their adventure. As the plane lifted off, Cyrus glanced around at his companions—each with their own reasons for joining him, each bringing unique strengths to the table. Their hunt for the Sword of Light had just begun, and Cyrus felt a renewed sense of purpose as they soared into the sky, bound for the heart of their next challenge.

On the opposite side of Los Angeles International Airport's arrival hall, Jake, Luna, Carter, and Akane disembarked from their flight, fresh from a tumultuous trip to Japan. Their bond had grown stronger, forged in the crucible of danger as they faced the Yakuza together. Despite their failure to retrieve the Sword of Spirit, the mission was a success in its own right, as they all returned safely and gained valuable insights into the seven swords from Kenjiro.

During the flight back, Luna had become unusually solemn. Her typically vibrant demeanor was replaced with a heavy-hearted silence, reflecting the toll her mission was taking on her and those around her. Jake, ever observant, noticed her uncharacteristic quietness. "Are you okay, Luna?" he asked gently. Luna mustered a small smile. "Yes, I am," she replied, but doubt and guilt gnawed at her. She was troubled by the dangers her quest had imposed on her new friends.

"Japan was fun! Our mission was a success! Where to next? We still have two months left of our summer break! Where do we find the next sword?" Carter asked, his enthusiasm infectious. Luna, however, couldn't share his excitement. "Shall we just stay in California and enjoy the rest of the summer break?" she suggested, her voice tinged with an uncharacteristic edge.

Carter, puzzled, replied, "But Luna, if the school semester starts, it will be harder for the three of us to help you." Luna's frustration bubbled over. "I said let's just stay in California and stop hunting the swords!" she exclaimed angrily, her sudden outburst shocking Jake, Carter, and Akane. This wasn't like her at all.

Sensing the tension, Jake stepped in to defuse the situation. "Let's go back home, guys. We can meet at my place tomorrow and discuss this again," he suggested calmly. With that, Akane and Carter waved goodbye and headed to their own homes, while Jake and Luna shared a cab back to the Harada household.

As they parted ways, Luna's words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the heavy burdens they each carried. The journey ahead was uncertain, but the bonds they had forged promised strength and resilience in the face of whatever challenges lay ahead.