Kazuma slowly opened his eyes and saw no change in his body.
Ten (closing his eyes and breathing deeply as if burdens had fallen on him):
You still haven't found the way to activate it.
Kazuma:
Unfortunately... I'm not fully focused.
Ten:
You need rest. Forget about training for now.
Kazuma (softly):
It's hard... I have to become stronger.
Ten:
That doesn't mean you shouldn't rest.
Remember this: strength doesn't come through intense training, but through intelligence.
Kazuma (taking a deep breath):
But if I don't open the Shin, I won't achieve my goal.
Ten (with a serious face):
Shin is not a physical power — it's a mental one.
Shin depends on your mind and your psyche.
Kazuma (standing up):
Alright, but I'm going to the village.
Ten:
Be careful. You know what happens if you go down there.
Kazuma:
They won't do anything... they just hate my brother.
---
Between the trees and thick branches, Kazuma was walking.
He reached the village through a dusty path. The small wooden houses were neatly lined to the left.
The atmosphere felt like a desert.
The road was empty.
Kazuma turned left, walking deeply in thought.
A big market appeared — tables lined with clothes, fruits, and everything else.
People crowded around every stall.
When they saw Kazuma...
A woman near the clothing stall whispered nervously to her friend:
Woman (whispering with great anxiety):
Has death not taken him yet? He's still alive?
Friend:
Every time I see him, I remember his brother and feel pure anger.
At another stall, the vegetable table...
Customer (looking both angry and nervous):
I don't trust this kid... I feel he'll betray us just like his brother betrayed his clan.
Vendor:
Clear your mind, man. He's just a child.
Customer:
We don't trust that clan. Betrayal runs in their veins.
Kazuma (looking at everyone and seeing the tension and anger on their faces, lowers his head and closes his eyes):
Why do people hate me for something I didn't do?
How long must I carry the weight of others' actions?
Kazuma (raising his head, shouting loudly):
Why do you hate me when I've done nothing wrong?
A loud voice responded — a fruit vendor standing with a 13-year-old black-haired boy.
Vendor (gruff voice):
We're sorry, but your clan isn't trustworthy. And you're one of them.
Kazuma (raising his eyebrows, crossing his arms, clenching his fists, and staring at the vendor):
And what proves that to you?
Vendor (laughing sarcastically):
Your brother made it clear. And your clan — they were tyrants.
Kazuma (gritting his teeth):
Don't talk about them or else—
Boy (stepping in front of Kazuma with a mocking grin):
Or else what? Gonna hit my uncle?
The boy raised his right fist — it sliced through the air,
And landed on Kazuma's face.
Kazuma fell.
People stared, their faces tense and worried.
People:
Leave him… he's had enough.
The boy grabbed Kazuma by the hair. Kazuma's left eye squinted, his eyebrows raised.
The punch's mark was on his face.
Boy (mockingly):
Is the mama's boy gonna cry?
Vendor (yelling):
I told you not to interfere. Come here!
Boy (dropping Kazuma with a grin):
Don't cry. We don't have anything to shut you up.
And he walked away.
Kazuma stood up, dusted off his clothes.
He looked at the tense and fearful faces around him with weak eyes.
Kazuma (running with eyes shut, tears streaming, leaving a trail behind him):
Why did fate choose this life for me?
---
At the clan's entrance, there were two wooden pillars and a sign reading "Tenma Clan" — the clan destroyed by Jin.
In a small wooden house, the ground was gray, not desert-like.
The house was isolated, facing a thick forest.
Inside that house was Kazuma — his family's home.
Dry blood filled the space. The house was nearly destroyed, full of dust.
Kazuma lay on the floor of his old room. The wooden walls were painted light green.
Kazuma (looking at the ceiling):
Why do I carry burdens too big for my age?
Am I human? Or just a treacherous monster in their eyes who doesn't deserve to live?
Was I born just to suffer?
Was I born just to carry others' responsibilities?
Suddenly, he heard footsteps inside the house.
Kazuma (standing up):
Who's in this house besides me?
The footsteps approached the room.
Kazuma's heartbeat was like war drums.
Suddenly, someone entered.
Kazuma's eyes widened in shock.
The man wore a black mask with eye holes. He had white hair, about 65 years old.
He wore a black cloak, a black shirt, black pants with a brown belt, and black shoes.
Kazuma stepped back.
Mysterious Man:
Don't worry, I won't hurt you. You're someone important.
Kazuma:
W...who are you... who could you be?
Man:
I only came to talk to you. That's all.
Kazuma:
How can I trust a man I don't know?
Man:
Just trust me. I'm a good guy. I only want to talk.
So relax, don't take things too seriously.
The man pulled a white paper from his pocket — it was a summoning paper.
Man (calmly):
I came to give you this paper.
Kazuma:
And why me?
Mysterious Man:
Because I was sent — I'm on a mission to give you this.
Kazuma took the paper from him.
Kazuma:
Who sent you to me?
Man:
I can't answer that. It's a secret.
But the point is — this paper takes the shape of a bird and brings you to me.
My goal is to train you and teach you all techniques.
Man:
I'll make you stronger than you are now.
Kazuma felt comfort with this man.
He smiled — for the first time in a long time. As if it was the first time ever.
Man (standing tall, feeling proud of Kazuma):
I'll make you stronger than you are now.
Kazuma's eyes widened as he looked at the man, his mouth open like he'd seen a corpse.
Man (confused):
What's wrong with you, boy?
Kazuma kept staring in shock. Tears fell from his eyes.
Man (curious):
Why are you crying?
Kazuma (realizing himself):
Huh?
He wiped his tears.
Kazuma (astonished):
I... I don't know why I cried...
But something inside me broke, like I said goodbye to someone I hadn't even met yet.
Man:
Whenever you need me for training — I'll be here.
Man (sniffing, then mumbling):
The house still smells beautiful...
Kazuma (raising his eyebrows, mouth open):
What? Do you know this house?
Man (nervous):
N-no, of course not. Maybe I mistook it...
The man began to disintegrate into sand.
Man (smiling with pride):
Cherish this house.
And he dissolved like he was never there.
Kazuma felt something suspicious as he stared at the paper.
The camera rises above Kazuma, who's still staring at the paper.