A couple of weeks passed since the sorcerers had been tasked with finding the cause of the sudden increase in curse activity, as well as the cause of the storms that swept through all of Japan in just a month.
The storms stopped terrorizing the islands, making it easier for the secret society to do its job. Searching for the children was the last thing they thought they'd have on their schedule… Especially when that child wasn't even old enough to walk.
Within the comfort of her home, Sarada Yotsuka pampered her newborn son with light pats on his back, even as his arms and legs began to stretch and drip from his body like he were made of loose rubber.
Her face and her movements flustered with anxiety, fear, and complete and utter confusion. "Argh! Why are you doing that!? How is that even possible!! Why can't my baby be normal, f*ck!" She scrambled about the house, eager to find some sort of device or homestead tool she could use to get her son back to normal.
Haisei, on the other hand, simply watched his limbs dangle with starstruck joy. The looseness in his body felt like literal freedom. It's like I feel my body, but I don't feel my body. It's like some phantom shit! He couldn't even bother to begin to put it into words.
His heart raced with joy. He easily retracted his limbs back to normal just before his mother began to set him in a straining bowl. He cooed outwardly, but mentally, he was cracking up.
"Oou~ That's not funny, you! Why are you such a hassle, damn it!" She let her anger show through a wide smile and beautiful laughter as she swooped in and hugged Haisei.
The boy in question received it with glee, letting his legs swing loosely as he showed his happiness. Sarada sighed and just accepted it. "Ready? Let's go." She cooed, swinging him from one end of the kitchen to the other.
Placing him firmly next to the fridge as she opened it, looking for some baby food for him to eat. "You're a pretty fast-developing baby… Already having a craving for this kind of thing instead of mommy's milk… They grow up so fast." She nearly felt herself tear up.
She quickly opened the can of food and seated her son to eat while mentally cursing the heightened hormones shes experiencing due to her recent birth.
The doctor said these things usually subside around 6 months, but, ugh... That would be a blessing. She sighed, plopping her behind in the chair next to the one Haisei enjoyed.
She watched her son eat with glee; his coordination already impressed her. The fact that he can stretch and nearly perfectly control the stretch only astonishes her further.
Their day went by smoothly. After breakfast, the duo spent some time doing some reading. Sarada was big on making sure Haisei got the best education he could, and she knew the sooner he began, the better.
With his advancement in movement, she knew her son was ready for bigger things.
During the evening, she even got comfortable enough to go on a stroll. And that's what they did. A nearby park, Yoyogi, if she could remember correctly. She didn't get out much, so she chose the one closest and within walking distance.
The streets of Tokyo were always accommodating to pedestrians. Most people don't even drive; the walks are always nice, and the subways are quicker and more convenient.
Many people oogled her and her son, finding them a perfect duo. A staple example of a single mother and her newborn son. Atleast thats what she told herself. The eyes made her feel some type of way–The only sense of comfort she had was from the reaffirming grips Haisei delivered.
She patted his back as she weaved through the crowd. His patch of blonde hair flittered from out of the grips of his hood that Sarada insisted he wore. The markings on his body didn't shrink or fade; they've only grown alongside him.
Sarada hadn't expressed much concern. Not as much as she feels like she should–However, something in her gut–no, dare she say even deeper than that tells her that she'll lose her son forever if she calls anyone about the marks or the strange abilities he possesses.
It's a gift from god. Nothing more, nothing less… He's still my baby at the end of the day; he'll still grow up and be like the people around us. Get a job, a girlfriend, right? She sighed, her breath shuddering.
Haisei gazed at the side of his mother's face, his thoughts a flurry of emotions. Don't worry. Once I'm old enough, I'll be out of your hair. I may even cause mayhem just to get the Sorcerers to come get me. That idea resonated with him. His heart finds it a good backup.
He observes the empty trees and their branches with apprehension, clutching his heart. He could only feel for his mother and only apologize to her for being born her son.
Hmm? "Goo?" He cooed outwardly, but his eyes darted upward, scaling buildings all around him. A tingle went down his spine, and stress began to plague him as he realized that feeling was because he was being watched. Damn it! I'm in no way ready for battle– Not to mention mom… Shit!
His panic died the moment an idea popped into his head. I have Nika's fruit. I should have Haki and all the traits that come with it. It was worth a shot.
He ducked his head into the crevice of his mom's neck and collarbone, finding the warmth soothing as he cleared his mind and calmed his heart.
Searching for the feeling of a sixth sense–Hell, even a seventh or eighth. For moments, nothing occurred; he couldn't even begin to imagine what he was feeling for.
But he didn't let the feeling of despair conquer his desire. He took another deep breath, slower than the one before, as he focused his sensitive ears on the world around him.
The footsteps of those passing, the silent breeze that washed over the bare, dry bark of the trees in the park. Even the whistling between the blades of grass.
One breath.
Two Breaths…
And on the third, a deep and powerful thrum of power shot out of his body in a circular radius with him in the center. His eyes shot open, and his heart surged with excitement.
T-That was easier than I expected! Observation haki is easier than I thought… His thoughts were drowned out by the rapid movement of those he had felt eyeing him.
They ran in the opposite way, his eyes snapping up and out of his mother's embrace and straight behind her, up the thirteen-floor office building to the duo of a man and woman running from where they previously were.
To his right, a singular guy was already hopping down the building, scaling its fire-escape stairs like a pro. Before disappearing into the busy streets of Tokyo.
Haisei hummed. They're already here. He gulped, a frown stealing his stoicism as worry gripped his heart. Shit, I need to experiment with my abilities. See just how Nika's abilities transferred over to this universe. I can't wait until I come to a near-death experience to unlock gear five and my reality-bending abilities.
It's not that kind of world. He swallowed hard and simply enjoyed the walk back to his home. Eager to get to training and eager to grow up.
So many thoughts and fears already plagued the boy's heart. Cursing his luck was the last thing on his mind, but sometimes, he couldn't help but consider.