C498 New Gupta Family Leader

Cipher stood up. “Let's go.” We all followed her out of the tent. She walked directly toward the coaches' tent and stopped outside. “Hammer!” Her voice echoed across the camp. Within seconds, Hammer and the other coaches rushed out. Cipher smiled. “Please gather everyone from both families. I have a special announcement to make.” Hammer froze for a moment. “Madam, it will be dark soon. Are you sure you want to do this now?” Cipher nodded. “Yes. I want everyone there.” Hammer understood. He turned toward the other coaches. “Bring everyone together. Quickly.” The coaches immediately moved. Within five minutes, word had spread throughout the camp. The new Gupta Family leader had called for an emergency meeting. Soldiers from both families began rushing toward the meeting area. Some were curious. Others were suspicious. Many had no idea what Cipher wanted to announce. As everyone moved toward the meeting area, Pixel, Silver, and the eight Trojan Horse recruits arrived at the camp. The recruits immediately blended into the crowd. But before separating Pixel looked at Colen. "Trojan Horse don't forget the personal task I gave you." Colen nodded. Nobody paid much attention to them. They simply followed the soldiers toward the meeting area.

Pixel and Silver separated from the recruits and quietly made their way toward us. When I saw them, I smiled. “You're all back?” Pixel and Silver nodded. “Everything went well,” Pixel said. Cipher stepped forward before we could continue talking. The crowd gradually became silent. Hundreds of soldiers from both families stood facing her. Cipher looked around. Then she spoke. “My name is Alicia Gupta.” She paused. “But you can call me Cipher.” The crowd remained silent. “My grandfather sent me here to lead everyone toward victory.” She looked around at both families. “I came here with my team.” She paused. “You will get to know them later.” Her expression became serious. “Right now, I have something more important to discuss.” Cipher stepped forward. “I have developed a strategic plan for this border.” She pointed toward the vast territory behind the soldiers. “So I want everyone to listen to me carefully.” The soldiers remained quiet. “The border we are protecting is wide open.” She looked toward the coaches. “Yes, that is useful during a full-scale war.” She shook her head. “But I don't want a full-scale war.” She paused. “My objective is to protect every person fighting for my family.”

Then Cipher reached for the weapon hanging at her side. She slowly raised the Gold and Diamond Dagger into the air. The reaction was immediate. Whispers spread through the crowd. Cipher held the dagger firmly. “As you can see, I am the rightful owner of Gold and Diamond.” Her voice became stronger. “And I intend to treat anyone who respects me and accepts my leadership fairly.” She lowered the dagger slightly. “But those who oppose me…” She looked directly at the soldiers. “…or those who secretly plot against me will not be forgiven.” Nobody moved. “The dagger in my hand gives me the authority to kill anyone who stands in my way.” She raised it again. “And I hope every one of you understands what this dagger represents.” Her eyes moved across the First Family soldiers. “Especially those who understand the history it carries.” The crowd remained silent. Cipher lowered the dagger. “Before I explain my plan, I want to make one thing clear.” She looked directly toward the First Family. “First Family soldiers…” Several soldiers straightened. “I have no personal grudge against you.” She paused. “If you respect me and accept me as your leader, I will lead you fairly.” Her expression softened slightly. “And nobody will be punished simply because your former leader made enemies with my family.”

She paused. “You will not be punished for what Hanna did to my family or my son.” The First Family soldiers looked at one another. “But…” Cipher's voice became colder. “If there is anyone among you who is not satisfied with me as your leader, I am giving you a chance right now.” She stepped forward. “Challenge me.” Whispers immediately spread through the crowd. “One against one.” Cipher looked around. “If you believe I am not worthy of leading you, fight me.” She raised her chin. “If you kill me, you will be doing Hanna a very big favor.” The whispers became louder. Cipher waited patiently. Then she asked, “Is there anyone who wants to challenge me?” Nobody moved. Cipher looked around. “If not, I will take your silence as acceptance that I am your new leader.” For several seconds, there was nothing but silence. Then the First Family soldiers suddenly began moving. A path opened through the crowd. Two men stepped forward. Tyson and Ignacio. I immediately recognized them. Cipher smiled when she saw them. “So…” She looked at them. “You don't think I am worthy of leading you?” Ignacio stepped forward. “I mean no disrespect.” He looked directly at Cipher. “But you have never led an army into war.” He paused. “You have never fought in wars like we have.” His voice became stronger. “So how can you expect us to accept you as our leader?” He looked toward the First Family soldiers. “Hanna is the one who deserves to lead us. We fought alongside her for years.”

Cipher nodded. Then she looked toward Tyson. “And you?” Tyson nodded. “I agree.” He stepped forward. “I am challenging you, Alicia, on behalf of my former leader, Hanna.” Cipher smiled. “No problem.” She stepped into the open space. Hammer immediately moved forward. “Madam.” He stood between her and the two men. “My first duty is to protect you.” He looked at Tyson and Ignacio. “Allow me to deal with them.” Cipher shook her head. “No.” Hammer frowned. “They have challenged my authority.” Cipher looked at him. “They don't believe I am worthy.” She stepped forward. “So let me show them exactly how worthy I am.” I frowned. “Cipher, be careful.” She turned toward me. “I will.” Then she looked toward Tyson and Ignacio. “Remember, Cracker…” She paused. “There is no fairness in war.” I froze. Those words sounded familiar. The coaches had already warned us. There were no guarantees at this border. No fairness. No mercy. Only survival. Cipher continued walking toward the center. Tyson smiled. “So, Leader…” He looked at Ignacio. “Who do you want to challenge first?” He turned back toward Cipher. “Or let me put it another way…” His smile widened. “Who do you want to be killed by?” The crowd reacted with nervous whispers.

Cipher simply smiled. “Neither.” Tyson frowned. Cipher looked at both men. “There is no need for you to fight separately.” She raised her hand. “You can both fight me together.” Silence. Complete silence. Even the Lions froze. I looked at Bighead. He was staring at Cipher. Chipmunk's expression had completely changed. Kiddo looked worried. Survivor didn't say a word. Pixel and Silver exchanged a quick glance. We had always known Cipher was fearless. But this was different. Tyson and Ignacio were not ordinary soldiers. They were the same two men who had defeated us during the Family Boxing event. And now Cipher had just challenged both of them at the same time. She stood alone in the center of the circle. The Gold and Diamond Dagger remained at her side. The two First Family fighters slowly stepped forward. And suddenly, everyone at the border understood that this was no longer just a test of Cipher's leadership. It was a fight for the future of the Gupta Family.