🔴THE SIX CATALYSTS

---Kazuya  expalind"Look, the way the Shimaru Sector works isn't as simple as it looks. The whole place is split into three different ranks. The highest grade is called *Senoji*, the second is *Tanziro*, and the third is *Yamato*."
Yuki sat up straighter, looking curious. "So, do they all do different things?"
"Completely different," Kazuya nodded. "The entry-level guys—the third-grade Yamatos—mostly handle the paperwork. They make the name lists and gather basic data about everyone's powers. Then, the second-grade Tanziros take that data, analyze it, and write up the final reports. But the real action happens in the first grade."
A spark of excitement lit up Kazuya's eyes. "The Senoji are the ones who work directly with the chemistry of the Name Seals. And you have to become a Senoji first if you ever want to be promoted to a 'Shimaru.' Basically, no Senoji, no Shimaru."

---UP frowned, trying to understand. "So, you're saying the Senoji have to use their brains and invent crazy stuff to move up?"
"Exactly!" Kazuya said. "Take Katsuro Hayato, for example. Back when he was a Senoji, he made a special chemical mix. It used the elders' seals to completely protect everyone else's seals. That one discovery got him promoted straight to Shimaru. Then there's Kenshi. When he was a Senoji, he combined his internal power with unique chemistry to create a master lockdown system. It locked everyone's seals so tightly that no one could sneak in and unlock someone else's Name Seal."
 ", Kenshi's lockdown system was pure genius. But remember, when that huge mess with the elders' seals happened later on, Kenshi had to go in himself. He used a special jutsu to manually unlock those weak seals and fix everything."


---Yuki’s eyes widened. "Wait... how do you know all that so perfectly?"
"Hold on, yuki ," UP asked, surprised.  Yuki asked,"Have you actually been inside the Shimaru Sector?"
Kazuya rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. I mean... my dad is the vice-captain there."
"What?! Your dad is the vice-captain?!" Yuki almost yelled, jumping up. "That means you probably go there all the time and hang out with everyone!"
"No, no, it’s not like that at all . "It was just during the festival. My dad didn't have anyone available to help him in the lab that day. He was totally overwhelmed with work, so I just went along to give him a hand. That’s really it."
Yuki let out a breath and turned back to Kazuya. "Good to know. But Kazuya, once you become a Senoji, do you really have to do something that crazy just to become a Shimaru? Can't a normal 
---Yuki let out a breath and turned back to Kazuya. "Good to know. But Kazuya, once you become a Senoji, do you really have to do something that crazy just to become a Shimaru? Can't a normal guy ever make it?"
Kazuya’s face went serious. "No. The Shimaru rank isn't for ordinary people. To get there, you need a highly specialized skill or a massive breakthrough that proves you're completely on another level."

Kazua and Yuki were standing on the balcony, lost in conversation, when Kazua's eyes caught sensei (teacher) stepping into their classroom."Yuki, hurry up! Let's get inside," Kazuya said, giving her a quick nudge. "Sensei is already here."The two of them scrambled back into the room, slipping into their seats just in time. As the teacher walked up to the podium, he looked out at the rows of students and cleared his throat to gather their attention."Listen up, everyone. I have an important announcement regarding your next assignment," Sensei began. "I'll be splitting the class into groups and sending you all down to the lab. There will be six groups in total, with five members in each. I've already drawn up the arrangements, so make sure to check the name list after class to see who you've been paired with. Understood?"He paused for a moment, letting the words sink in, before his tone turned a bit more serious."Each of your groups will be supervised by a senior. I expect absolute respect and cooperation. If I catch anyone slacking off, fooling around, or showing any disrespect toward the senior students, there will be serious consequences."Tatsuya stood up from his desk, looking a bit confused. "Sensei, what exactly is this group project for? And why do we have to go to the lab?""It’s for your upcoming lab practicals," Sensei replied smoothly. "As for the finer details, you’ll find out everything you need to know once you get down there."He sat back down, but Yuki couldn't help but sigh. he leaned forward, resting his chin on her palm, and muttered under his  breath, "I barely have the energy for regular classes, and now we have to deal with lab work? And seniors on top of that? What a drag.When the classroom erupted into noisy chatter, Sensei finally had enough. "Quiet down, everyone!" he commanded, silencing the room. he looked around at them, exasperated. "What is all this talking about? Look, you are supposed to have a lab class today. But honestly, I'm sitting here wondering what you even do during regular classes. How are you supposed to pay attention in a lab? I have no idea why Sir Yoshiro assigned this to me."Momoko spoke up, breaking the brief silence. "Sensei, which students are going to teach us ?"Senior students from the upper grade," Sensei replied. "I taught them in their lab class before, and now it's their turn to teach you." As he said this, a wave of relief washed over his  . he took a quiet breath, deeply relieved that he wouldn't have to go with them. If he had to manage that chaotic crowd himself, they would have driven him completely crazy.The moment the class hour ended, a wave of excitement swept through the room. Everyone was buzzing about the group list Sensei had left behind. Students scrambled and crowded around the paper, eager to see who their partners would be. The commotion was so intense that Yuki didn't even want to bother getting up.Instead, Yuki and Tatsuya stayed in their seats, casually chatting on the bench. Yuki shared everything Kazuya had mentioned about Shimaru.Tatsuya listened intently, nodding. "Hmm... so that means they might take us to the Shimaru sector, Yuki?""Wait, what?" Yuki replied, caught off guard.Tatsuya sat up straight, his eyes lighting up. "Think about it. They're probably going to have us do an experiment with chemicals, maybe on name seals? That's likely why they're holding a lab class for us. Don't you think that sounds pretty interesting?"Yuki sighed, leaning back. "Honestly, I never know what to expect with Sensei's decisions. You can never predict what he'll do next. But more than that, I'm just nervous about which group I'll end up in. Sensei already sorted everything out and left the list!"Tatsuya stood up from the bench, drawing Yuki’s attention. "Are you going to check the group names?" she asked. "Take a look at mine too, Tatsuya.""Alright, hold on," Tatsuya replied. "Let's see if I can even make it through that crowd first."He pushed his way forward, jostling through the packed hallway. After a bit of a struggle, he finally managed to reach the posted sheet. He scanned the lines, searching for his name. Eventually, his eyes landed on Group 4. He found his name, but as he looked at the other students listed next to him, his heart sank. Aside from Kazuya, he didn't recognize a single soul. They were all complete strangers he had never spoken to before.Slouching his shoulders, Tatsuya dragged his feet back to Yuki. "Kazuya and I are in the same group," he said heavily."What about me?" Yuki asked eagerly.Tatsuya sank back into his seat. "You're with Masaru, Yumeko, and a few others."Yuki practically jumped out of his chair with excitement.Tatsuya raised an eyebrow, looking at him skeptically. "What's with the sudden energy? You didn't seem to care at all a minute ago. Why so happy now?""Oh, come on," Yuki said, trying to downplay it. "I just don't really know anyone else in the class. It would've been so boring if I got put with random people.""Yeah, I guess you're right," Tatsuya mumbled.Seeing how disappointed he looked, Yuki leaned in. "Hey, you have Kazuya with you. Why are you acting so miserable?""It’s not because of Kazuya!" Tatsuya sighed. "It's just that I don't know the other three people in my group at all. Honestly, thank goodness Kazuya is there, or I'd be totally lost.""Oh, I see," Yuki said, a small smirk creeping onto his face.Tatsuya caught his stifling a giggle. "Wait a minute... are you making fun of me right now?"