/N: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Classroom of the Elite belongs to Shougo Kinugasa. Bungou Stray Dogs belongs to Asagiri Kafka. I don't own three of the series since both of them belongs to their respective owners. Other Anime characters also belong to their respective owners.

Volume III

At the Middle of Pacific, Part I

On Tokyo Harbor at precise 06.30 a.m., a military jeep is seen park close to the shore where Jouno is seen standing close to it. He already dons his hat and cape alongside one feature that distinguish Hunting Dog from other military, the permission to carry military saber with the best quality.

The Hunting Dog itself was a group of seven soldiers range from young to middle aged man. Each of them has powerful skill and ability above seasoned soldiers, making them Japanese strongest military group. They are known for each quirk they have and their high-ranking position on the Japanese military, make them highly revered by the mass. In occasion, even foreign nation have their assistance in various tasks that's outside the military powers to handle.

'Hmm… I wonder how interesting this so-called elite students? I think they're nothing more than bunch of brats.' Jouno thought to himself as he observes the Speranza: An expensive cruise ship which inside is equal with 5-star hotel. Its facility including class one restaurant, theater, swimming pool, and many other facilities that usually only usable to rich people. Even there's an expensive spa inside.

"So the government wastes people taxes on this? I feel bad for those that can't pay their taxes when they can still be help." Another voice approaching Jouno. The owner of the voice is revealed to be a young man with wild brown hair that strays in numerous directions, with bangs falling in front of his face. He also has two thin pieces of hair that are longer than the others in the back. Like Jouno, he also wears standard Japanese military uniform. Beneath his left eye, he has three distinctive markings. "Even so, we're the government subordinates so we can only obey and do as ordered."

Tetchou Suehiro – 2nd Rank of the Hunting Dog

Special Ability: Plum Blossom in Snow

"Indeed, Tetchou-san. However, I think now I understand why taichou dislike ANHS system. Deep inside… I'm glad that I was not attending this school in the first place." Jouno replied to his fellow Hunting Dog. "I rather leave problem like this to the others but… I have some old acquaintances to meet. Oh, before I forgot… Tetchou-san, please keep in mind to not show your horrid eating manner and any weird antics of yours to the students." He said with serious tone.

Tetchou only look at Jouno with a plain face, before he suddenly snickers.

Jouno only shook his head at the response. "In the end… I can't make you promise. I just hope you don't destroy the Hunting Dog image on the student." He said in accepting tone, knowing how quirky his fellow member is.

July 19.

A month had passed since the whole Sumireko incident. Each of the first year class also not having any problem facing the end term exam for the first term of the first year. Itachi and Ryuuen manage to utilize Fuuka's help for the old end term test exam without any problem, except with she always ask for Itachi and Ryuuen to spar against her on free time. Her help once again make Class 1-C able to pass through the end-term exam without any expulsion.

So far thanks to Itachi's words, the class atmosphere is not tense in contrast to Class 1-A that still on war between two factions. Because of it, Class 1-C not having tension to chase up Class Point, saving up Private Points by order, and other things that make the atmosphere become tense. They instead only aim A-Class promise of getting 100 percent as a bonus but also paid attention on their class position in order to avoid falling in hierarchy.

For Itachi, ANHS truly surprise him. Not only the scam that it did to its students with the A-Class that will get the privilege, but the surprising summer vacation to the uninhabited island belongs to the school. When this announcement is come out, his class can hide their excitement except for few like him and Ryuuen. As this is not a normal school where the Japanese government chooses to waste their people taxes for the school and their 480 students, it possible that something truly fishy about it since even the cruise ship that used is a well-known ship that usually use by conglomerate or large businessman.

If not for Dazai secretly told them during the night when Sumireko is defeated, he and Ryuuen probably would not mind at all and just enjoy their vacation till' the school crush it at the last second.

For the vacation, he was worried because that means leaving Shisui behind but gladly, the school allows for the pet to be brought along during the vacation. Itachi also hope that at least on that uninhabited island, Shisui can find a mate as from what he learn, Shisui is a carrion crow and they are constantly migrate. Currently, they are gathering on the school entrance while get up to the bus for each class.

Shisui cawing as he perches on Itachi's right shoulder.

"Hn. You must be happy to go with us on vacation Shisui." Itachi said to him with a smile. Being his pet for years, Shisui is like a part of his family now. Even Mio manage to tolerate him despite his initial fear with birds. "I hope we can find you a mate on that island. When that time comes, if you want to leave, I'll accept it. After all, you're not a caged bird. You're free to go wherever you want." Itachi said to him with a smile, making Shisui look at him in response.

"He seems happy." Itachi see Yabu approaching him with her right hand carrying a small cage with her pet mice, Zushi inside of it. "I'm glad that we're allowed to bring in our pet. If not, I'm really worried what'll happen to Zushi." She said with a smile. After the time when they met Fuuka to buy the old mid-term test, Yabu was the one that frequently contacting the white-haired second year for the end term old test sheet. She also starts to get close to Itachi, mostly talking with him about various topics.

"You seem care for him that much." Itachi quickly points out as he knows that the lime-haired girl spend every Saturday morning to take care of the mice, something that he and Ryuuen tried to tolerate.

"I did. Believe it or not, I found-" Yabu try to explain before being cut off.

"My dear student~" A voice suddenly called and Shiho is look toward Itachi with a smile, although not in jealous tone. "I know you probably happy chatting with Nanami-chan but even Mio-chan already prepares to enter the bus with Hiyori-chan and the others." She said with a small pout. Ever since the re-match of Itachi and Ryuuen, Shiho manage to build her image well inside the class and now likes to hang out with the girls, making her influence currently the strongest inside the class. As expected of a gyaru.

"It's all right Shiho-chan. I just talk a bit with Itachi-kun." Yabu said to her before snickers at her. "After all, Shiho-chan is scared of Shisui so she won't dare to get close with Itachi-san now."

Yabu's statement make Shiho immediately flushed. "TAKE THAT BACK, YOU KIWI-HAIRED!?" Shiho comically yelled at Yabu while she is visibly lose her confidence as Shisui and Zushi are close by. "I-I'm not afraid of-"

"Heee~ let see if that's true. Shisui, perch on Shiho-chan shoulders." Yabu said to the crow. Since her nature that like any types of animal, Shisui find himself able to get along with Yabu that even Itachi permitted her to borrow Shisui time to time, although she make sure not doing it inside her dorm room because of Zushi.

Shisui cawing in reply as he flew toward Shiho, which make her turn pale.

"HIIIII!" Shiho yelp in fear as she run toward Mio who conversing with Hiyori, Makoto, and Rika. "Mio-chan! Help me!" She screamed as she ran toward their direction.

"Shisui. Stop it." Itachi said as he raising his right hand which makes Shisui turn around and flies back to him. As the crow landing on Itachi's right shoulder, he then pokes Yabu's forehead. "Yabu, that's not a good thing to do." He said with a smile as he walks to catch up with his classmates or more precisely, toward Ryuuen.

"Ow~" Yabu giggling while rubbing her forehead as she happy manage to joke with Shiho for a bit as she later catches up with Itachi to the bus where Class 1-C will ride on their way to the Tokyo Harbor. 'Well, now I know how to tease Shiho-chan if she annoys me~'

The scene then skips to inside the bus where all of Class 1-C sans Sumireko is sitting inside. For Itachi, he sits with Ryuuen on the sixth row on the right side of the seat. Dazai is sitting on the front, seems bothering the driver of the bus, which is revealed to be a young lady.

"Heh. Dazai-sensei must be told the lady to go to double suicide with him?" Ryuuen laughed as he see the scene where Dazai is like begging for her to do it, only to be scolded by her as she can't concentrate on driving the bus. Lucky that Albert is standing on the seat behind her so he can push Dazai back to his seat. "Albert surely has a lot to do before we arrived on Tokyo Harbor."

"Surely he is." Itachi agreed as well. "By the way Kakeru, you consider what Dazai-sensei said to us back then is the truth?" He wondered.

"I do my investigation and I can say it must be the truth. Hiyori and Manabe also already inform me of their suspicion. All I need is to connect dots and it seems it was true… On the island that belongs to this school nonetheless, there won't be any vacation… It will be another thing."

"The special exam term that Mio told me about huh?" Itachi said, remembering when Mio also said something similar to Hiyori and Shiho. Of course he also tries his best to search for the information about it. "I think it's better that we must keep cautious of this. In my opinion… It's best that we held a meeting on the cruise ship." He suggested.

"Ku ku ku. I also thought the same as you. I prefer this to be in secret though because I think, if this special exam really is the truth, Ichinose and Suzune will use that chance to attack us by raising their Class Point." Ryuuen agreed with Itachi suggestion. "I also have in mind who's the one that can be useful on the island. Believe it or not, they will be helpful. I even think we don't need to take our hands."

"Hn. It's unlike you to trust others Kakeru." Itachi quickly points out.

"You said it to me. It's not wrong if sometimes leader not taking active role in something. After all, I think the island will be good place to do that." Ryuuen said.

"Hn. I see. After all, I also curious about the thing Masumi talk to both of us and Mio months ago." He said to Ryuuen which make his smirk get wider.

"Special Ability huh? Ku ku ku what Itachi, you probably want to have it?" Ryueen asked in not too loud tone since Masumi warned them not to talk about Special Ability so easily in the open.

Itachi shook his head. "No. I just curious that's all. To think that some humans have this hidden… Supernatural ability that waiting to be awakened… It was really surprising." Itachi said with honesty, since this concept reminds him of Chakra on his old world. "I can see that you also curious about it?"

"Huh. Seems I can't escape your observation like usual." Ryuuen huffed as he looks at his right hand palm. "A world of Special Ability user that hides in the underworld… It something that where the strongest Special Ability user rules. The problem is that each person Special Ability is varied. If I somehow do the thing Kamuro said… I wonder what kind of Special Ability that I possess?"

"Knowing you, you probably will get the offensive-type Special Ability." Itachi lightly said with a smile.

"Ku ku ku. If that is true… I think I can crush you truly Itachi." Ryuuen joked.

"I wonder about that." Itachi challenged as the bus keep taking them to the Tokyo Harbor. 'Still… With the existence of such power… Seems this world is not as peaceful as I think. With power, there's some people that probably will use that for their own selfish goal.' Itachi thought the possibility.

In due time, he will find out of how right he is.

Inside Class 1-B bus, Honami is seen only looking at the window. Her mind currently drifts to various places. Although a month already passed since Sumireko's incident, what Akutagawa said to her back then really leave a nail on her heart.

"Pathetic! You considers that a grave sin even though you do that with good intention?! This is why someone like you sickens me! A fool that already have everything but not realize it and only looking at the past!" – Ryuunosuke Akutagawa, The Falling Star.

'You're wrong Akutagawa-senpai. I don't have anything worth to be mentioned. Even after I voiced my resolve in front of you that I'll not look in the past anymore… The guilt of doing something I shouldn't do is still in my heart.' Honami sighed to herself with melancholic smile. "I wonder… Why'd you support me for doing something like that… Akutagawa-senpai?"

"Ichinose." Kanzaki's voice who is sitting beside her awakens her from her own thought. "Are you all right? You like to space out in rare occurrence ever since the incident with one of Itachi's classmate." He asked with concerned tone.

"O-Oh! I'm all right Kanzaki-kun! I just… I just think of what our classes will do for the vacation." Honami reasoned quickly while making a forced smile.

Although not buying it, Kanzaki just accept her reasoning nonetheless. "I think something like that can be talk about on the cruise later." He said simply. "However, I think we must keep our guards up. According to what I observed from the upperclassman, it seems we're not going to do a normal vacation." He warned.

Hearing this, Honami immediately turn serious and nod in agreement. "I agree with that now you remind me Kanzaki-kun. Yeah, I can see it that way due to the school nature. With the leak of the Class Point that Hoshinomiya-sensei give us, it seems we must watch out for Itachi-kun class." She said.

"Reasonable enough. Horikita's class although seems cooperative still have some problematic students like Sudou and Kouenji. Class 1-A is too busy with their own civil war. As for Class 1-C, I can see they're not uniting as one mass under Ryuuen and Itachi. However, I heard a rumor that both of them do something that in the end… Manage to get their class respect. That aspect is truly dangerous." Kanzaki replied in agreement. "So for now, we can say Class 1-C is the current danger that threatens our position."

'That's true though. If what happens on the island can affect Class Point, Itachi-kun class will be the most dangerous foe right now. From what I observed, the way Ryuuen-kun govern his class is using little bit of violence but how'd he able to create such healthy atmosphere? It most like… They don't care that much about A-Class position… How'd Itachi-kun manage to do something like that?' Honami thought as she tries to search a proper strategy to protect her class. 'However, my assessment was true. Except for some, my class seems too rely on me alone. I must do something about this.'

Among the other classes, Class 1-D is lucky enough to be the first one that arrives on Tokyo Harbor. Suzune, accompany by Atsushi, Sudou, Kei, and Hirata are walking together to the direction that the harbor staff direct them toward the Speranza. When Speranza already on their sight, both Kei and Sudou cannot hide their excitement.

"Woah! That's huge!" Kei exclaimed in amazement.

"Incredible! Isn't this something that usually use by rich sport player!" Sudou also said in amazement.

"I can only imagine the rich football player that can ride ship like this. To think we can ride it is truly our best privilege from the school for our vacation." Hirata said with a smile.

"I agree." Suzune smiled in agreement.

"Oi Nakajima! Let's try the meal on that restaurant! I'll pay it!" Sudou said as he wrapping his right arm around Atsushi shoulders.

"Uh… Sorry Sudou-kun but do you have enough point for that?" Atsushi asked try to make sure. He really not like when people wasting their private point for him.

"No need to worry! Although of course don't choose the expensive one!" Sudou replied with a grin. After what Atsushi said on the first day and Suzune helping him with the assist of Kiyotaka, he started to change and manage to have close friendship with Atsushi.

"Aah~ Sudou-kun begins his antics again." Kei just sighed at Sudou's antics. 'I just hope Atsushi-kun… Not forgetting what I ask of him back then.' She thought while looking at him.

"Sorry for catching up too late Suzune. I just escort Kokoro to Mei and Kushida." Akito said as he approaches them from the bus. "Seems Itachi and Mio still not arrive." He pointed while looking around.

"Yes. My suggestion is our bus seems move out earlier than the others or we get a free road." Suzune said to Akito.

"Oya~ isn't this unexpected?" Suzune widen her eyes hearing that voice. She then look forward to see Jouno approach him with Tetchou follows him. "It's been a while Suzune. Glad to see you're well." He greets her.

Suzune then approaching her bokken teacher and offer a handshake, which Jouno gladly replied. "It's been half a year since we last see each other, Saigiku-shishou." She greets her teacher back. "By the way, the one behind you-"

"Ah~ this is Tetchou. As you can see." He then look at Tetchou, who surprisingly eating a roasted egg along with its shell, in one bite. "He's a bit quirky. It's sad that I can't meet Manabu. However, I'm glad that one of my students is on great health." He then accepting Suzune's handshake.

"If I not wrong, Isn't the Hunting Dog like you is busy because you know… Your celebrity status and quirks of all thing? Not to mention the United Nations that sometimes ask your help for some operations." Suzune asked her mentor. However, what she said causing shock among the groups.

"Hunting Dog!?" Sudou said in disbelief. "Moreover, there are two of them in front of us!"

"What!?" Kei exclaimed in surprise. "Japan strongest military unit!? They'll accompany us!?"

"Incredible indeed." Akito also voiced his amazement. "From what rumors said, Hunting Dog are the strongest seven soldiers with high ranking on the military. My tou-san always told me about it time to time."

"I agree. After all, their captain is the revered Japanese hero that saves Japan and even the world numerous times, Ouchi Fukuchi. I really want to meet him in the face." Hirata said with a smile.

"For that we're quite sorry. Fukuchi-taichou currently is busy with many overseas meetings due to the slight increase of global underground terrorism at the moment." Tetchou explained to Hirata. "However, if you truly want to meet him, I think it will be his honor to meet the student from the most elite school in Japan." He promised with serious face and tone.

"Thank you very much, Tetchou-san." Hirata thanked, which Tetchou replied with a small smile. He truly glad that from what he can see, this group is not swallowed by the school toxic environment, at least not yet. But still, he hope that with someone like Hirata, they can keep this personality for the next three years.

Jouno then clap his hand, signaling the conversation must end for now. "Now then. I believe we must check up the ship if there's any possibility of hijacking or anything." He said to his companion before looking toward Suzune. "It's goodbye for now Suzune. Let's talk more when all of the first year already gathers and all of you already pack your items." He said as he going toward the Speranza with Tetchou only did small bow and followed him.

"For the strongest military soldiers… They're truly polite." Sudou scratch his head in confusion. "Isn't the Hunting Dog… You know, should be uh… Brutal?" He asked.

"Even though their name sounds fearsome, the people inside probably not brutal like you think Sudo." Akito said to him. "From what I take, both Tetchou-san and Jouno-san are quite polite."

"Even so… It still truly unexpected." Sudou said.

"However, didn't all of you notice something strange? Jouno-san… From the way he talks to us… He always keeps his eyes close. Why I have feelings he mocking us?" Kei suddenly said as she noticed that throughout the conversation, Jouno always keep his eyes closed like he was looking down on them unlike the polite personality of Tetchou.

"I think it's not because he's looking down on us Karuizawa-chan. I can see he treat us with formality like Tetchou-san did." Atsushi opined.

"But still-"

"Atsushi-kun was right Karuizawa-san." Suzune said, supporting Atsushi. "Saigiku-shishou is not looking down on us. In fact, he was naturally blind and can't see at all." She revealed. Silence is happen for a moment, until Kei speak again.

"W-What? Th-That's impossible… He doesn't even use the pole thing that usually use by blind person… How can he act like normal person…" Kei stammered in disbelief after hearing it.

"Holy shit!? He's been blind all this time!?" Sudou also voiced his disbelief.

"That's amazing then. I think Saigiku-san compensate with his hearing right?" Hirata theorized since something like that wasn't impossible at all to achieve in compensate for the blindness.

"That's right. Saigiku-shishou other senses are considers being abnormal even among normal humans. You can say that all members of the Hunting Dog truly built different than normal human. They're truly the epitome of the might of Japanese military." Suzune explained before looking toward Jouno and Tetchou who walking through the stairs to enter the Speranza. "Because of that… I really want to join their ranks once I manage to graduate from ANHS." She revealed, which shocks her classmates a bit.

"But… Aren't you still too young to join the military Horikita-san? I mean, isn't it around 20 years old or so?" Hirata asked, confused.

"Saigiku-shishou himself joins the Hunting Dog when he still 19 years old. Currently he's 26 years old. Rumors said that the captain of the Hunting Dog have strict requirements for its members so it's quite hard to join their ranks in the first place." Suzune replied. "However… I think that can go by me slowly rise up in ranks in order for him to acknowledge me rather than immediately register to their ranks." She said.

"That's right." Atsushi agreed.

"And I think… We need to talk about that after we're on the cruise Horikita-san." Hirata said with a serious look on his face.

"I understand. Call our usual groups for meeting later. And for this case only… I want Ayanokouji-kun to help us decipher something." Suzune said to Hirata as all of them later followed by the other Class 1-D students to the cruise.

However, hearing Suzune want to ask Kiyotaka assistance makes Atsushi frown a bit. 'I hope… You not make him do all of the act Horikita-san. If that ever happens… I'm afraid of what'll happen to the other… Normal students in the future.' He grimly thought.

When all of the class already arrived, they are gathered for morning briefing before allowed to board the Speranza and put their belongings on already designated room. Itachi room is located on the fourth floor of the ship, three floors above the basement of the ship where machine room is located.

Speaking of roommates, Itachi expecting that he will share it with his own male classmates. However, thanks to the revolution that Manabu makes, the room now is mixed with one person from each class share the same room. This according to him has purpose to reduce the tension thanks to the A-Class competition because after all, they are from the same year. As for the roommates…

"So you're Itachi Ibuki. Kamuro sometimes talk to me about you in my class. Now I see that that champion title you achieved three years ago was a deserved one. My name is Kohei Katsuragi. I hope we can get along for the next two weeks." Katsuragi praise Itachi formally with his stern tone.

"Likewise, Kohei." Itachi nod with a smile. "Even though we're roommates, if there's another exam… Our class won't hold back. However, I heard your class is not in a good situation right now…"

Katsuragi nod in confirmation. "Our class is split into two thanks to the differences of ideology between me and one called Arisu Sakayanagi. However, that no means we can't work together." He said; try to close Class 1-A weak points from another classes as minimum as possible.

"It's okay." Itachi nod in understanding of Class 1-A privacy. "Speaking of-"

"I'm entering." The door then opened to reveal a male student from Class 1-B that becomes Itachi and Katsuragi roommate. He is on average height with blue hair and purple eyes. "My name is Sou Shibata from Class 1-B. I hope we can get along as roommates during this trip." He said while introducing himself with a smile.

Katsuragi just nod accepting his introduction.

"It's nice to know you, Sou." Itachi replied his greeting.

"So you're Itachi-kun. Kanzaki-kun told me about you and I must say… Now I know why he and Ichinose-san respected you." Shibata said while rubbing the back of his head with a grin. As he said that, Sudou is revealed to be the last student that enters the room.

"Um… Forgive me but is this my room on this cruise?" Sudou asked as he enters the door when he notices Shibata's presence. "Ho! If it isn't Shibata! I'm glad that I at least have someone that I know inside this room!" He said as he wraps his right arm on Shibata shoulders.

"It's nice you in here too, Sudou-kun." Shibata said to him.

"Sudou? I see. Forgive me to say this but my class really have bad opinion about you. Said that you're short fuse or something like 'defect from D-Class'." Katsuragi commented about Sudou. "I am apologizing in the place of my classmates."

"So you're Ken Sudou. Suzune always talk a lot about you. She seems respect you on her own way." Itachi acknowledge him.

"I see you're Itachi Ibuki of Class 1-C. My name is Ken Sudou. Nice to meet you." Sudou said introducing himself. "Suzune and Atsushi talking about you time to time and I must say you're quite a good fellow from the first impression."

"Hn. I maybe not as good as you think." Itachi just smiled, which earn laugh from Sudou and Shibata while Katsuragi just shook his head.

For Mio, her roommates are what she truly expected. Her room is located on the first floor of the cruise, close to the hall.

"So it seems we become roommates during this entire trip." Masumi quickly points out as she sit on the bed.

"Indeed it is. However, due to the strangeness of this sudden Summer Vacation where we not allowed returning back to our home… There's something fishy probably will happen in due time." Suzune said as she looks through the window. The Speranza currently already set sail from Tokyo Harbor. It's been two hours passed since then.

"That's true. I really want to come back home for a while to meet my mother and younger sister." Honami said as she currently brush her hair on the dressing table after taking a second morning bath.

"Same for me then. I also want to go vacation alongside Itachi and the others." Mio just sighed before look toward Masumi. "However Masumi. I think this is the perfect time to explain it to the three of us about how to awaken Special Ability." She said.

"Atsushi-kun already informs to me that many people have dormant Special Ability inside them. Since from what I remember you don't have one, to think you use it during our fight against Hanabusa-san surprise me." Suzune also voiced her curiosity as she glanced toward the purple haired girl.

Honami immediately tensed hearing it. After all, she still remembers how Akutagawa treats him months ago. 'W-What?'

Masumi silent for a moment before sighing. "It seems there's no run away from this then. Very well then, I'll tell the three of you." Her face then turns really serious. "However, never tell anyone about this unless by my permission. If it ever goes out to the wrong ears-"

"You can trust me." Mio said. "After all, you already told me months ago."

"I also the same. You can keep my words." Suzune stated as well.

"Same for me." Honami also said after she finished brushing her hair.

"Very well then." Masumi said, trusting the three of them before begin the explanation. "As the three of you already know, Special Ability is varied between person and each person only has one of it. However, if you think Special Ability immediately awakens, that's wrong assumption. How? That's because many people have one without ever realizing it for their entire life." She revealed. "My own Special Ability awakens three months after the middle grade martial arts tournament. What I'll tell you is something that probably can't be easily accepted by logic because… It sounds weird."

"That something weird… What is it exactly?" Suzune asked.

"This will take quite some time to be explained." Masumi suddenly shivered as she remember something that she already forget. "It all start two years ago…."

While Suzune's room tension is currently very tense, the same not happen in Shiho's room.

"I'm glad that we share the same room, Shiho!" Kozue said happily as she hug Shiho, who clearly embarrassed by her antics. "Let's tell kaa-san when we reach home!"

"Kozue! There are the others inside of here!" Shiho quickly protested as she tries to comically make Kozue releasing her hug.

"Still… To think that Manabe-san and Minamikata-san are lived under one house… It is truly unexpected." Kei said as she sits on the bed. "I'm the single child of my family so I never know how it feels to have a sibling."

"Please pay it no mind Karuizawa-san. Kozue is just that energetic." Shiho said while making fake laughing attempt. Speaking of how they know each other, Shiho accidentally cross path with Kei and her group of friends back on April during her joint trip with Kozue and Itachi on Keyaki Mall. At first, it was a mere greeting but later, she and Kei occasionally meet on Keyaki Mall on that same spot with the Class 1-D girl claimed to be her favorite spot on Keyaki Mall. The two later go on many conversation to the point that Shiho tag along occasionally with Karuizawa's gang.

From her observation, Kei is not like the rumor that says she's a bitchy girl as she seems got along with Satou, who from Shiho observation is a nice girl despite her gyaru style of clothing. Mori is just a plain girl but also kind like Satou. Shinohara for her is the most annoying since her loud voice and her tendency to sometimes speak something unnecessary. Chiaki for her is the most elegant among Karuizawa's gang, although she seems hiding something but not having any sinister thought to her friends.

"No need to worry." Kei said while winked at her. "After all, I truly enjoy the sight. It's rare to see Manabe-san embarrassed like this." She said with a smile. Thanks to her various interactions that mostly thanks to Suzune mostly use her for many tasks, she tries to be more open and rarely using her bitchy personality unless it was necessary.

As for their roommate from Class 1-A, it was a girl around Shiho's height with long black hair tied to a ponytail and blue eyes. She have sleepy expression on her face but not to the point like Kiyotaka expressionless one. She is seen on the dressing table, reading The Great Gatsbyby Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald.

"Speaking of it, why you don't join us, Yamamura-san?" Shiho asked her.

"It's okay. I just want to finish this page for a bit." The girl known as Miki Yamamura said to Shiho with her sleepy expression. "But it truly unexpected… That I share the same room with you in here, Shiho-san."

Shiho laughed a bit. "Seriously, even now you're still the same sleepy girl like the time we're on grade school. Well, that's before I move out to Nagano." She said with a smile.

"You know her Manabe-san?" Kei asked curiously.

Shiho nod. "She and I shared the same class during my first grade school." She explained. "Still, it's funny that you still look the same."

"The one that surprised was me." Yamamura said as she closes her book. "As far as I know, you always isolated yourself. Even when I heard your name, I thought it was different person altogether." She said with sleepy tone. "Someone must be experiencing something in Nagano till' now. Love perhaps?"

"How cruel of you, Yamamura-san." Shiho pouted at her. "And love… I-I don't even have a boyfriend if you must know."

"So, you now learn how to make funny expression as well?" Yamamura wondered while tilting her head with her face still not changes from her sleepy look, causing giggling from Kei and Kozue.

"Yamamura-san!"

"I'm glad that we're on the same room, Sakura-san, Siesta-san." Hiyori said with a smile toward her club mates.

"Y-Yes. A-At least I-I-" Airi stammered to said she's glad.

Siesta just chuckling. "No need to be shy Sakura-san. All of us in here won't bite you see." She said to cheer her up before look at their roommates from Class 1-B, Chihiro Shiranami. "I hope you don't mind with us, Shiranami-san. After all, the three of us are from the same club."

"Um. It's okay…" Chihiro said in meek tone as none of her classmates are close by. "But I wonder something… How'd the three of you manage to keep on inside the club that supervised by Dazai-sensei?" She wondered.

"It's nothing really." Siesta chuckling hearing Chihiro's question. "Dazai-sensei after all is not like the rumor said. True that he probably not right in the head though."

"S-Siesta-san that's t-too far…" Airi shyly reprimands her fellow clubmate.

"Dazai-sensei… He just a complex character that's all. Despite he never admits it, he truly care for all of us." Hiyori said. "Did you perhaps want to join literature club, Shiranami-san?"

"N-No! It's not that I d-don't want to… It just, hearing Honami-chan stories scared me off!" Chihiro said in comical panic.

Hiyori chuckled hearing it. "It's okay Shiranami-san. I bet that Ichinose-san just exaggerate things about our club. After all, we have much time on the cruise before we reach the destination to introduce you to Dazai-sensei properly."

"B-But-"

"It's okay Shiranami-san." Hiyori said with a reassuring smile. "After all, we from literature club really open to the new members that want to join as it was in line with our goal."

On the Speranza restaurant, Jouno is sitting together with Tetchou, enjoying their drinks. Both of the Hunting Dog already check up the entire cruise to make sure it was safe from any sabotage by outsiders and to keep precaution, lock up the possible room that can be used for inappropriate acts.

"Like I said before Tetchou-san, what you do instead of lock up the room that I already told you is follow me like a lost lamb. I even can't ever imagine how you could become the second strongest Hunting Dog below Fukuchi-taichou himself…" He said with a huff.

"I just can't lock up the door because there's a possibility the crew will use it. After all Jouno, you're too serious as always." Tetchou said as he mixing his black coffee with black soy sauce. This quirk of his is what makes Jouno annoyed with Tetchou: He had such horrid eating habits, like mixing one with the same color together even though it makes no sense at all.

Jouno however doesn't reply Tetchou as he stands up from his seat and leave the restaurant. "Sorry Tetchou-san, I leave the matters here to you. It seems." He then emit a smile that seems emit mysterious meaning behind it as it hard to be decipher due to his blindness. "There's some small interesting event about a certain buffoon on the corridor of the third floor." He then walking toward the location as he suddenly disappears from sight.

Tetchou just sighed knowing his comrade antics.

True to what Jouno sensing, the commotion on the corridor was because of a certain blonde arrogance and seemingly asshole move as he seems disregard any human decency and takes freedom a bit too far if Suzune and Atsushi not control him in place.

As Kouenji walk around the third floor corridor with his arrogant smile wearing only his underwear and judging from his wet body, he clearly not dry up himself after taking a bath which surprisingly from the public bathroom. A waiter from Speranza then approaches him with towel in hand presumably to give it to him so he can dry up himself. However, he just walk to whatever direction he goes without any care if the water that leaves on the floor thanks to his wet body will make someone who don't watch their way slip.

"S-Sir! Please don't act like that!" The waiter said as he tries to catch up with Kouenji who only walk without any care in the world. "Please dry up your body first before walking throughout the corridor!" He pleaded while also in fact to make Kouenji wearing a towel to cover his underwear.

However, what the waiter get is rude and arrogant reply expected from the heir of Kouenji Company.

"Ha ha ha. Too bad that on my entire life, I never wiping my own body not even once." He said with nonchalant tone as if he's not at fault for his asshole tendencies as he keeps walking throughout the corridor.

"S-Sir! Please!" The waiter pleaded once more and Kouenji finally stopped. He then turns around to look at the waiter with both of his hand on his hip. Arrogant smile still on his face.

"Is like what they said, dripping with manliness." Kouenji said as he swept the water on his bangs and forehead.

"Or rather, what you did was not manliness at all." Kouenji glance to behind to see Ryuuen casually walk along the corridor with whiskey at hand. He seems search for it on the drink vending machine that located on the ground floor, close to the swimming pool. "It's been a while indeed, bastard." He said with a smirk plastered on his face. He still remembers him as arrogant freak and it seems from his observation, he doesn't change at all.

"Hoo. If it isn't Dragon-boi. Too bad though, you won't understand why I did this in the first place." Kouenji said with his smile still on his place.

"Humph. Considers you weird antics I won't bother to understand it. However, even for someone like me who adore immorality and violence, I can act much better than a gorilla like you." Ryuuen replied. "What? Do Nakajima and Suzune bother you? I bet both of them are." He try to guess and although it not seen by the naked eye, the light in Kouenji eye show slight annoyance to Ryuuen observation. It's true though that ever since what Atsushi pull inside the class; Kouenji freedom is truly restricted though not fully.

However, before Kouenji can reply, a clapping sound in mocking tone is heard as Jouno suddenly appears with a smile on his face. Though for Ryueen, he can sure of one thing: He is pissed.

"Oya oya. I want to say it but Ryuuen-san already beat me first. In fact, what a beautiful voice I heard from the restaurant." Jouno said in mockery as he approaches the three of them.

"J-Jouno-san…" The waiter unable to hide his amazement to see a member of the Hunting Dogs up close.

"You can go now, waiter-san. Let me handle of this." Jouno said with a smile to the young male waiter.

"H-Hai!" The waiter replied as he scrambled to turn around to go back to his post. After the waiter already disappeared from the corridor, Jouno then begin to speak.

"At first, I thought what Fukuchi-taichou said was nonsense and I have a moment of disagreement, that ANHS is nothing more than a research lab in disguise as a high school that does nothing more than wasting people taxes. However, after seeing scum like you who don't even think about decency, I can see that his way of thinking has truth to some degree. Now then, if you have enough human decency, I suggest you to return to where you come from and act like human supposed to be instead of an animal." He said with composed smile.

Ryueen just watch Jouno intensely since he knows one wrong word will not end well for both of them. Jouno after all was a member of Japanese military nonetheless. Mocking him is like mocking the Japanese military that's responsible for the nation security. Plus, according to rumor, Hunting Dog has special privilege that some considers as barbaric and he not want to test that right now.

"Unfortunately that can't be done, Blind-san. Like I said-"

"'I never dry up my body not even once.' For a student, you really fit with the rest of trash that I capture during my entire line of duty. My condolences to Kouenji-san. For such a man that dedicated for the prosperity of Japan and being a successful businessman, it seems he was unable to show proper care that result of a son that evens a chimpanzee has more manners than you." Jouno said all of the mockery with a calm smile, but in truth is to strike Kouenji psyche. "I wonder now if this pathetic school should even exist in the first place, if they choose the so-called candidate for the future of nation in such stupid manner that even a military general have better job in choosing subordinates." He then doing something unexpected, which is place his right hand on the hilt of his military saber, preparing to draw it out.

'Oya~ Are you serious to draw such thing here? It's not military-like to immediately resort to ultimate violence in the first place." Kouenji return the mockery with his usual smile still plastered on his face.

"I wonder if you consider returning if I resort to this. Let's play a game, I'll walk closer to you and if you decided to return to whatever place you come from, or-" He never finished his words as Kouenji suddenly turn back and return to the direction of the public bathroom to take the towel that stock in there to dry himself up.

'Did what I see just a fluke?' Ryuuen narrowed his eyes at Jouno. 'This man… Even though not shown on his face… That bastard Kouenji… His hands back then… Trembled?' He thought while swallow saliva on his mouth.

"Even though he not shows it, it seems he still has emotion of fear." Jouno said as he put his right hand away from the grip of his military saber before smiled at Ryuuen. "My apologies for seeing such scene Kakeru Ryuuen. I know it's unbefitting for a military but that thing… Was necessary."

"No need to worry. You're a member of the Hunting Dog, Jouno Saigiku right? To think there are other six monsters beside you really make my skin crawl. But if you decide to do violence against Kouenji, I actually will support you. He's after all is a lost cause." Ryuuen said with a smirk to Jouno, who replied with a smirk of his own as well.

"I'm glad that among the students there is someone like you who see that violence is not just a tool of brutality. Well then, excuse me since I was only intrigue by the event on this floor corridor." Jouno said as he walk pass Ryuuen but not before giving one final message. "When you reach the island, there'll be a special event that happened which will become the first true challenge inside this so-called elite school. Better prepare yourself and for your claims… There's only five other monsters besides me. Calling Fukuchi-taichou a monster." He then walks away from Ryuuen back to the restaurant on the main floor. "Was an understatement."

Ryuuen glance as Jouno walks away from him. 'Of all of my life, I experience this kind of pure fear three times. The snake that almost bite me, Itachi killing intent, and the newest one… Is this person, Jouno Saigiku mere presence.' He thought before smirk to himself. "Seems this cruise will be not so boring… With two Hunting Dogs on board." He said to himself as he return back to his bedroom that located on the fourth floor.

Author Notes

And that's all for this chapter! Truly that this Cruise part titled 'At the Middle of Pacific' will have two more chapters before we move to the Uninhabited Island Exam. Couple of mystery explanation is revealed on this chapter and we'll see what Class 1-C have in mind in order to battle the first special exam on the next chapter.

As you can see here, Manabu really change ANHS on how student interacts by making one room on Speranza incorporate four people with one from each class in order to create a healthier environment.

And we can see Kouenji tremble with Jouno presence. What's exactly the Hunting Dog? Why'd they respected so much? And what role they have on the Island?

And like the previous volume, the earlier chapters will be a calm before the storm, as my version of Volume 3 will really become bloody due to the existence of a certain groups.

See you in the next update.