Perfect! Let's continue with Chapter 3, building on the last chapter. Here, Kurafuto begins creating more Zoids, introduces the Gemstone system, and shows the first glimpse of the Trainer profession—all before Himeko enters the story.
---
Chapter 3 — The Birth of Trainers
The plaza in Wave had never seen such a gathering. Word had spread quickly: a boy, an exile from Uzushiogakure, had arrived with life forged from metal and chakra. Now, the city's elite, soldiers, and curious citizens crowded the open space, eager to witness the next step of his incredible creations.
Kurafuto stood at the center, Drago perched calmly on his shoulder, its small wings fluttering. Around him lay stacks of metal plates, coils of wire, and intricate machinery — all raw materials that would soon become living Zoids.
> "Today," Kurafuto announced, voice clear and firm, "I will show you the second and third Zoids. And with them, you will see the foundation of a new order: the Trainers."
---
The Second Zoid: Quartos, the Four-Headed Guardian
Kurafuto knelt and traced symbols in the air with his fingers, a faint shimmer of light flowing from his fingertips. The metal on the ground began to twist, coil, and fuse with strands of chakra. Slowly, the form of a four-headed dog emerged.
Each head had its own pair of glowing eyes, snarling and twitching as if aware of its surroundings. Its muscular legs flexed, claws clicking against the stone. Even in miniature form, Quartos exuded an aura of power and menace.
> "This is Quartos," Kurafuto explained. "A guardian and warrior. It can split into four separate units for combat, each head independent but still linked to your will."
The crowd gasped. Soldiers whispered to each other: Four heads… four minds… one body…
Kurafuto's fingers traced a series of precise patterns in the air, and Quartos responded instantly, flexing, barking, and leaping with agility. Then, with a thought, it split into four smaller dogs, each two inches in size, darting around like living shadows before merging back into the massive guardian.
> "This demonstrates the first principle of Trainer combat," Kurafuto said. "Adaptability. Zoids are alive, yes, but their strength grows with strategy and bond. A Trainer must understand not just the power of their Zoid, but the way it thinks."
---
The Third Zoid: Subtera, the Tunnel Devourer
Next, Kurafuto gestured toward coils of metal embedded with chakra. They writhed and flexed as they pulled together, forming a massive worm-like Zoid. Its giant maw opened and closed, lined with teeth of polished steel. The crowd shivered as Subtera flexed, thrashing through the ground like a creature born to devour tunnels and crush foes with precision.
> "Subtera," Kurafuto announced. "This Zoid excels underground and in confined spaces. A Trainer must bond deeply with it to synchronize movement — only then can it reach its full potential."
He demonstrated partial mimicry, extending his fingers into clawed forms, and the small-scale Subtera slithered in perfect rhythm with his motions. The crowd whispered among themselves: The boy controls not just one, but multiple lifeforms…
---
Introducing the Gemstone System
Kurafuto stepped back, letting the first three Zoids hover or move at miniature scale. He reached into his satchel and produced several glimmering gemstones, each etched with intricate lines of chakra.
> "These are the Gemstones," he explained. "They allow a human to bond with a Zoid. Without loyalty, without trust, the bond will fail. But with true dedication, one can synchronize with their Zoid — enhance reflexes, share senses, and even transform partially or fully using the Zoid Transformation Technique."
He handed a gemstone to a nearby volunteer soldier. The moment the boy touched it, a small metallic wolf emerged and nuzzled the soldier's hand, eyes gleaming with recognition. Murmurs ran through the plaza.
> "Through these gemstones," Kurafuto continued, "ordinary citizens can rise to become Trainers. They may bond with up to six Zoids. And with practice, patience, and trust, they can achieve man-beast form, a humanoid Zoid capable of feats far beyond ordinary human strength."
---
The First Trainers in Action
Kurafuto selected a few volunteers from the crowd, teaching them basic partial mimicry. Claws extended, eyes glimmered, scales shimmered faintly along their arms. Even the novice movements impressed the crowd.
> "A Trainer is not merely a wielder of power," Kurafuto said, voice carrying across the plaza. "They are partners, leaders, and protectors. Every action, every strike, must be synchronized with the Zoid. Strength alone is meaningless without bond and understanding."
Drago flexed its wings, Quartos' heads snarled in perfect unison, and Subtera writhed like a living shadow beneath the crowd's feet. Together, the Zoids and their fledgling Trainers demonstrated coordination, power, and the first glimpses of a new order rising in Wave.
---
Foreshadowing a Future of Bonded Zoids
Kurafuto looked out over the harbor, imagining the day when Zoids would patrol the city, protect Wave, and explore the unknown beyond its walls. The Gemstone system would allow even ordinary citizens to become Trainers, and advanced mastery of the Zoid Transformation Technique would enable some to reach man-beast form, fusing human intellect with the physical power of their Zoids.
> "This is only the beginning," Kurafuto murmured to himself, Drago coiling protectively on his shoulder. "Wave will become the heart of a new era. And one day, I will create more Zoids — greater, stronger, more versatile. And they will all serve those who are worthy."
The crowd, still in awe, did not yet know the full scale of Kurafuto's vision. They could not imagine the dragons, the hydra-like beasts, or the intricate bond systems that would one day dominate the lands. But even now, the age of Zoids had begun, and it would never be the same again.
---
This chapter sets up:
1. Kurafuto's second and third Zoids (Quartos and Subtera).
2. Introduction of the Gemstone system for bonding Zoids to humans.
3. The Zoid Transformation Technique being demonstrated for partial mimicry and foreshadowing man-beast form.
4. The first apprentice Trainers starting to learn bonding and mimicry.
---
If you want, I can continue with Chapter 4, where Kurafuto:
Creates his fourth and fifth Zoids.
Introduces his personal Zoid.
Expands the Gemstone system across Wave.
Begins preparing for Himeko's eventual introduction and her bonded Zoid.
Do you want me to continue with that next?