My Soul card is a Reaper

"Anyway, if it is possible, I want the list of every clan's chosen members within one month," he said. "I'll provide the headquarters, the infrastructure, and the funding. All you need to do is choose the people. The best of your generation." He glanced at Francis. "Clan Leader Blood, this includes your clan, too. Because this is a hidden clan special elite force. If you aren't interested in a part of it, you can send the people you think it is worthless. I don't care, but representation is necessary."

"It's alright, I will send my best warriors." Francis waved his hand. But then he added, glancing at other clan heads. "I only have one question, though. Who will control them? Will your Death Clan head that unit?"

In an instant, sharp gazes fell upon Azzy.

Azzy shrugged. "Simple, the strongest soldier who is willing to lead will be the Commander, and it will be their responsibility to take care of the elite unit."

With no one responding to it, Azzy continued. "Next, some of you may have already heard the news, but some of you may not. Collaborating with Camelot, The Death Clan is going to host a Tournament of Power," Azzy continued. "Open to anyone aged 18 and under. All clans are invited to send their representatives."

"Tournament?" Ayush asked, leaning to the front in curiosity. "The one when Lord Qridus originally planned but never surfaced."

"Not exactly. This one is open to everyone, not just between the hidden clans," Azzy said. "However, the winner will receive a single wish."

Francis frowned. "What kind of wish?"

"Anything," Azzy said. "As long as it doesn't violate the laws of nature. Reality. Life and death, time travel, soul erasure — those are off-limits. But anything else? Granted."

That got their attention.

Fjor leaned forward. "Who's granting it?"

Azzy smiled just a little. "I have a Jinn."

"A Jinn?"

"A Jinn you say?"

"That wish-granting Jinn?"

"But, wouldn't that lessen your life span?"

The reactions were quite high for this one, compared to others.

"Let me finish," Azzy said, quieting down the atmosphere.

"For your clans," he continued, "there's an additional reward. If the winner is from one of your hidden clans, your clan will receive a Rank-10 Spirit Core, which is the most essential component to break through to the demigod realm."

The air shifted, this time quite disturbingly.

Shuichi's eyes widened. Estella's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Even Francis looked shaken at his proposal.

"You're not joking?" Francis asked slowly.

Azzy shook his head. "Nope. I'm serious. I have been holding quite a few of them. I believe those who attended the last meeting, Like Clan Head Fujiwara, King Searvale, and Clan Leader Ayush, know what I'm talking about."

"Yeah, we know." Ayush nodded, and so did the other two.

"The Tournament of Power will take place six weeks from today," Azzy continued. "The Death Clan will dispatch official notices with the rules and regulations printed. You'll receive them within the week. Each clan has two weeks from now to submit the names of those participating. And you can select two for a seeding position so that you don't have to bother with preliminaries and all."

He waited a beat, letting that sink in.

"But… that's just the information," he said, his tone subtly shifting again. "Now comes the next proposal."

"Just as Clan Leader Ayush pointed out earlier, Lord Qridus talked once," Azzy continued, "about an Inter-Clan Tournament. Not a symbolic event or exhibition match, but a proper competition. Clan versus clan. Strength versus strength. It never got off the ground, but I think it's time we also bring it back to life, once the Tournament of Power is over. Let's hold it a year from now. That will get enough time to prepare for it."

That piqued their interest.

"Each clan sends a team of eight," Azzy explained. "Three rounds. First is solo, a one-on-one showdown. Second, a two-versus-two. Third, a full five-man team match. We will divide it into three categories: rookies under 14, seniors under 1000. So, that's 16 per team. Of course, no Clan Heads are allowed to participate."

Fjor was the first to nod slowly. "Hmm… that's more interesting than the Tournament of Power. It's been a long time since we had a proper fight between hidden clans. Hahaha, I like it."

Then Shuichi leaned forward, chin resting on his hand. "That's impressive and all. But what are you proposing for rewards? It has to be more awesome than the reward you promised for the Tournament of Power. Reward is, after all, the greatest motivation for a fighter to spar against an opponent."

Azzy smiled. "It's not a tournament to have rewards for the participants, Clan leader Fujiwara. It's a fight between the clans. Obviously, high stakes are involved instead. Every clan has the right to challenge three other clans. We first draw a lot and then speak according to the order. You challenge a clan, and you announce the stake. The other party can either accept the challenge and match the stakes you proposed or accept defeat in front of everyone. And of course, you cannot challenge an opponent you have already battled earlier. What do you think?"

That stirred a new wave of murmurs.

Francis chuckled darkly. "You're not afraid to stir the pot, are you?"

"I'm just trying to make the stew better," Azzy said, voice dry.

There were a few smirks at that.

"Alright, I have no problem with that." "Me too" "Me too" "Me too"

Everyone except for the Sun and Dragon Clans readily accepted. However, they were reluctant to participate as their force dwindled a lot due to suppression for two decades.

Taking a breath, Qin Wuye took the opportunity to ask. "Before we say anything, Lord Garcia, may we know when we can expect our elders to be released?"

Azzy blinked, "three days at tops. You can be assured about that."

Qin Wuye's face lit up. "Alright. Sun Clan Agrees."

"We also agree."

As a result, a unanimous decision was reached on the hidden clan battle challenges.

But then, his face changed to seriousness.

"Now, for the next point," he said. "This one... might not be what you're expecting."

They listened, wondering what else he had to say.

Azzy looked around the room again, slower this time. "For centuries, our clans have hunted monsters. We've enforced spiritual order, contained dark forces, and protected sacred lands. We've dealt with criminals, warlords, disasters."

He let the next words fall with the weight they deserved.

"But we've done nothing for the environment."

"Hmm?"