"So," I begin to ask, "what do you think?"

"I should be asking you that." Katsumi replies.

"Hhhmmm..."

I sit down into my chair and light another cigarette with a small black flame from the tip of my index finger.

"Oren...definitely has potential." I begin to say. "I don't know what he called that combat style, but..."

"He referred to that custom combat style as the 'Yubi' style, which specializes solely in kicks, sword strikes, and break dance moves. However, he did say the style, and its name, are subject to change."

"...Thank you. Anyway, as far as fighting is concerned, he is quite adept at hand-to-hand combat. Not to mention his abnormal speed, strength, and resilience. I haven't seen anybody with any rhime tone fight that well, even without his Soul Conversion technique. He might arguably be the best close quarters fighter without rhime here. But..."

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"The concern is his rhime."

I nod my head and let out another sigh.

"Indeed. He is quite reckless with his rhime, causing him to get tired after every match. And the fact that he doesn't use rhime other than for Soul Conversion puts him at a great disadvantage against long-range opponents and those who can prolong battles. Plus, the fact that we don't know his subtone makes it difficult for us to decide on whether being in the Keisetsu is good for him or not. A subtone not suited for combat will only hold him back."

"And once again, he chose not to reveal it. You sure what Crystal said about him having an abnormal healing factor was correct? Could that be his subtone?"

"Doubtful, after seeing his injuries in the last couple fights."

"This...might be insulting to him, but...you think he can't use his subtone, period?"

I remain silent, then shake my head.

"Everybody can use their natural subtone. Even someone as young as Seppe. The thought of anyone not being able to is unthinkable."

"Still, if he doesn't use it, you know he cannot stay. 'A fighter without a subtone suitable for combat isn't qualified to fight amongst our ranks.' That's our unspoken rule. We have different divisions in the Kyusen for a reason, and a fighter who cannot fight alongside his fellow members isn't meant to be part of the Keisetsu."

"I know, I know. But..."

"But?"

"Surely you've seen his other flaw, correct?"

"His...other flaw?"

...

"Bring him here."