One by one, they slowly turned around to face the unforeseen threat to their plans. Before them stood a slim young man, a charming smile on his face, but that smile and his casual demeanor belied the danger that simmered beneath the surface. For behind that friendly façade, lay a cold, ruthless streak. Hikaru gasped in shock when she saw him.

"What is it?" asked Okita Soushi no Miko. "Do you know him?"

"Yes," she grimly replied, locking gazes with him. "That's Dan Green."

"Oro!"

"Dan Green from the ML?"

"The Dan Green, who knows everything about RK?"

"The genius?"

"The one who never shuts up?"

"The very same," replied their foe, sweeping them a gallant bow. "Hello, Hikaru-chan. It's always a pleasure to see you. I just wish we could have met under nicer circumstances."

"Why, Dan-kun? Why are you doing this?"

"Why? That's a really funny question," he chuckled. "You know the answer to that one."

"Well, for the benefit of those of us who don't know, why don't you tell us," demanded Kaoru-chan, scowling at him.

Dan smiled at her. "Well, basically, I can't let you destroy the fillers because I intend to do that myself."

"What!" gasped Kaoru-chan.

"How dare you!" fumed Danielle, taking a threatening step towards him.

Dan laughed in the face of their outrage. "You Seishi are so cute, standing there and glaring at me like that. I'll remember this moment always. Now, step aside please so that I may claim my prize. I, Dan Green," he proclaimed, striking his chest, "will crush Entertainment X, and the glory of obliterating the fillers and commencing the animation on the Revenge arc shall be mine!!"

He laughed once more, this time a hint of mania present in the sound.

Ryuuen no Miko leaned over to Hikaru and whispered, "Has he lost it, or is he always like that?"

"Um..." Hikaru scratched the back of her head and laughed nervously.

"Let me at him!" growled SaitouSano, advancing angrily upon Dan.

"Wait!" yelled out Hikaru, grabbing his arm to stop him. "You don't know his power! He's dangerous!"

Dan's laughter died down to a soft chuckle. "She's right. It wouldn't be wise to attack me, especially when you're so obviously outnumbered."

As he spoke, several hulking forms detached themselves from the shadows surrounding him. The Seishi's horrified gazes traveled up and up and up. Dan's minions grinned vacantly at them from their great height, their ugly visages made even uglier by the gaps in their rotted teeth.
From among them stepped a smiling young boy wearing an "I Love Enishi" t-shirt and happily waving a pair of pom-poms. He giggled merrily as he sashayed to the sideline and cheered, "Dan-san, Dan-san, he's our man! If he can't do it, no one can!" He bounced around, kicking and giggling.

Dan smirked at the Seishi, his eyes cold as he regarded them. "Still eager to take me on?"

"Feh." SaitouSano glared at his smug foe and cracked his knuckles. "I'll take down your ugly pets," he spat out, "and then I'm coming after you!"

With a fierce battle cry, SaitouSano launched himself at the nearest of Dan's minions and landed a mighty blow on his chest, knocking him down instantly. The other Seishi watched in amazement as the hideous creature fell with a resounding thud. Their amazement quickly turned to confidence as they rushed the remaining minions. Kay and Ryuuen no Miko looked on proudly as the Seishi fought. SaitouSano proceeded to take out five more minions. Giullia made quick work of four with her sword. Ketsukei and Danielle pounded on another with their fists while Okita Soushi no Miko perched on his massive shoulders and beat his head, and Kaoru-chan kicked at the kneecaps of first one minion and then another.
 
All but Hikaru battled ferociously. She simply remained behind and glared at Dan, who continued smiling confidently despite the fact that his forces were being soundly trounced. Hikaru suddenly turned her fierce gaze upon Dan's cheerleader and slowly advanced upon him as he began a new chant.

"Give me a D! Give me an A! Give me an N! Give me an-"

Hikaru reached him, pulled back her fist, and punched him hard, hitting his nose. He clutched at his face, wailing pitifully, and collapsed to the floor. As he lay moaning and sobbing, the rest of the minions scattered, howling in pain, sobbing in harmony with Dan's cheerleader, or simply cowering in a corner.

SaitouSano cracked his knuckles again and smiled at the still undaunted Dan. "Now it's your turn," he said menacingly.

Unfazed, Dan responded, "Hmph. Do you really think I'm finished so quickly?" His smile widened. "Think again."

TO BE CONTINUED