CHAPTER 1: The Boy with No Shadow
The city of Tokyo never truly sleeps. Its streets pulse with neon lights, its trains hum endlessly, and its people move as if racing against time itself. Among the countless souls drifting through this endless flow, there was one boy who seemed… invisible. Not because no one saw him, but because no one truly noticed him.
That boy's name was Renji Kurohane.
Renji, just eighteen, worked part-time at a tiny flower shop tucked away between two towering office buildings. The shop was small and old-fashioned, with hand-painted wooden signs and the constant scent of fresh roses. Renji often wondered how such a delicate place could survive in a city that thrived on steel and concrete.
Perhaps it was because of the flowers—bright crimson roses, golden tulips, and white lilies—that reminded people of emotions they had forgotten. Emotions like love, regret, and hope.
Renji's hands moved skillfully as he arranged a bouquet of crimson roses. His jet-black hair fell slightly over his eyes, which were a soft gray that reflected no emotion. But his most unusual feature was something no one dared to notice—Renji had no shadow.
Even under the sharp light of the shop, where every petal cast a faint outline, Renji's feet touched the ground without a single trace of darkness.
The Encounter
It was an ordinary afternoon when she walked in—Aoi Miyazaki. She was around his age, with bright brown eyes that sparkled like they held their own sunlight. Her presence filled the room in a way that made the flowers look even more alive.
"Renji, do you have any fresh roses today?" she asked, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.
Renji looked up from his work and nodded silently. He wasn't good with words, but Aoi didn't seem to mind. In fact, she often came to the shop just to see him. Every week, she bought flowers for her grandmother, who was bedridden in a small apartment nearby.
As Renji wrapped the roses in white paper, Aoi tilted her head. "You never smile, do you? Are the flowers too shy to make you happy?" she teased.
Renji hesitated, then gave a small, awkward smile. It wasn't much, but it made Aoi's face light up like she'd just won something important.
The First Sign of Darkness
That evening, after closing the shop, Renji took the trash outside. The street was unusually quiet. A strange chill ran down his spine as he noticed something unusual—a dark figure standing at the far end of the alley, watching him.
Before he could react, the figure stepped forward. Its face was hidden under a mask shaped like a bird's beak, and its voice was low and sharp."Found you, shadowless boy…"
Renji froze. No one had ever mentioned his shadowless condition—not even once. How did this stranger know?
Suddenly, the man lunged at him, pulling out a dagger covered in black energy. Renji's instincts kicked in. He tried to dodge, but the attacker was fast. Just as the blade was about to hit him, something snapped inside Renji.
The Awakening of Shinketsu
Renji's eyes turned crimson, glowing like burning embers. His hands, once empty, now shimmered with black chains of light, as if his very blood had taken form. The chains lashed out on their own, wrapping around the attacker's arm and snapping it like dry wood.
The man screamed and tried to retreat, but the chains struck again, slamming him against the wall. Renji stared at his own hands, horrified. He didn't understand what was happening.
Then, like an echo from deep within his mind, a voice whispered:"You are the heir of Shinketsu… the blood of vengeance flows in you."
Before Renji could question the voice, the attacker vanished in a swirl of shadows. Renji fell to his knees, his chains dissolving into black mist. He stared at his trembling hands, breathing heavily.
Aoi's Concern
The next day, Aoi came to the flower shop, as usual. She noticed Renji's pale face and bandaged arm."What happened to you?" she asked, her voice full of worry.
Renji looked away. "It's nothing. I… just fell."
Aoi frowned. "You're a terrible liar, Renji. But fine… if you don't want to talk, at least promise me you'll take care of yourself."
For a moment, Renji wanted to tell her everything—the strange attack, his glowing eyes, the voice calling him an heir of something he didn't understand. But he couldn't drag her into his darkness.
Still, when Aoi smiled at him, something warm stirred inside his chest. It was the first time in years he had felt… alive.
Foreshadowing the Storm
That night, Renji stood alone on the rooftop of his building, staring at the city lights. His hands still trembled from the strange power that had awakened.
"Shinketsu… what does that even mean?" he muttered to himself.
But in the distant shadows, another figure was watching him. A man with white hair and a cold smile.
"Interesting… the shadowless boy has awakened," the man whispered. "This will be fun."
Renji had no idea that this was just the beginning—the beginning of love, blood, and revenge.
CHAPTER 2: Blossoms of Love
The scent of fresh roses lingered in the air as the small bell above the flower shop's door chimed softly. Renji glanced up from the counter and saw Aoi walking in, her light brown hair swaying slightly with each step. She was carrying a paper bag filled with groceries, but her face lit up when her eyes met his.
"Good morning, Renji," she said, her voice warm and cheerful. "You look less pale today. Did you finally get some sleep?"
Renji blinked, slightly caught off guard. After what happened last night—the attack, the chains, and the crimson glow in his eyes—sleep had been impossible. But he didn't want to worry her."Yeah," he said quietly, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine."
Aoi raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but she didn't press him further. Instead, she placed a few coins on the counter and pointed at a bunch of white lilies. "For grandma," she said softly. "She loves these."
Renji carefully wrapped the flowers in crisp paper, his hands moving with the same quiet grace they always did. "How's she doing?" he asked.
Aoi hesitated for a moment, her gaze lowering. "She's… not getting better. But she smiled yesterday when I told her about you."
Renji's hands froze mid-motion. "Me?"
Aoi's lips curved into a small, teasing grin. "I told her about the quiet, mysterious boy who never smiles but makes the prettiest flower arrangements in the world."
Renji looked away, embarrassed. "I'm not… mysterious."
"Yes, you are," Aoi said, her tone light but her eyes searching. "Sometimes, I feel like you're hiding something. Like you carry this heavy pain but never let anyone close enough to see it."
Renji paused. He wanted to tell her about the voice in his head, the shadowless curse, and the man in the mask who nearly killed him last night. But how could he? She was just a normal girl, someone who deserved a life without blood and danger.
A Walk Through Tokyo
Later that day, after the shop closed, Aoi surprised him with an invitation. "Renji, do you… want to walk home together? I mean, it's on the way."
Renji hesitated. He had never spent time with anyone outside work. But something about Aoi's hopeful expression made it impossible to say no.
The streets of Tokyo were glowing with the soft orange of the setting sun. The busy crowd moved around them, but Aoi and Renji walked at their own pace. Aoi stopped at a vending machine and bought two cans of peach soda, handing one to Renji."You like sweet things?" she asked.
Renji shook his head slightly. "I don't… know. I never really thought about it."
Aoi laughed softly. "You're weird, you know that? But I like that about you."
Renji looked at her, puzzled. "Why?"
"Because you're different," she said, sipping her soda. "Most boys try to act cool or say cheesy things, but you… you're just real. Like a blank page that hasn't been colored yet."
Her words struck something in Renji's heart. No one had ever spoken to him like that—like he was something worth noticing.
The First Confession
When they reached Aoi's street, she stopped in front of her apartment building. The soft glow of a streetlamp illuminated her face, and for a moment, Renji felt like time had stopped.
"Renji," she said, her voice quieter now. "Do you believe… people can find light even in the darkest places?"
Renji stared at her, unsure how to answer. His entire life had been darkness—loneliness, pain, and the curse of being shadowless. But when he looked at her… he felt warmth."I don't know," he said honestly. "But maybe… if the light is strong enough."
Aoi smiled. "Then I'll be your light, Renji. Because when I'm with you, I feel… safe."
Renji's chest tightened. He didn't know how to respond to such words. No one had ever offered him warmth like this. For a brief moment, he almost forgot the attack, the voice, and the blood that awaited him.
The Assassin Returns
But peace never lasts long.
That same night, as Renji walked back home, the air grew unnaturally cold. He felt a presence behind him—a familiar, suffocating darkness. Turning around, he saw him. The masked man.
"You got lucky last time," the man growled, his injured arm now wrapped in black bandages. "But luck won't save you again, Shinketsu brat."
Renji's heart pounded. He glanced around—too many people nearby. He couldn't fight here. The man seemed to sense his hesitation and grinned behind the mask.
"Don't worry, I'm not here for you," the man sneered. "I'm here for that girl you were walking with."
Renji's eyes widened. "Don't you dare touch her!"
The man laughed. "Then show me your power, shadowless boy. Prove you can protect her."
Rage exploded inside Renji, and the black chains erupted from his hands again, glowing crimson this time. The air around them trembled with raw energy as Renji's eyes blazed like fire. The fight had begun.
A Promise to Protect
After a brutal clash of chains and shadows, Renji barely managed to fend off the attacker. But this was just a warning. The man vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a chilling message:"Next time, the girl dies."
Breathing heavily, Renji collapsed onto the pavement, his hands trembling. His heart ached, not from fear, but from the thought of Aoi being hurt because of him.
Looking up at the night sky, he clenched his fists."I won't let them touch her. No matter what… I'll protect her. Even if I have to destroy myself."
CHAPTER 3: The Crimson Awakening
The city was asleep, but Renji's heart was wide awake, pounding like a war drum. The masked assassin's words kept echoing in his head:"Next time, the girl dies."
He stood on the rooftop of his apartment building, staring down at the streets below. Every shadow looked like it could hide a threat. Every sound made him tense. He clenched his fists, feeling the faint warmth of the strange black chains that had appeared during his fight."What… am I?" he muttered to himself.
The Voice Within
As the cool night breeze swept across his face, the whisper returned. That same voice from before—the one that had spoken when his power awakened.
"You are Shinketsu. A shadowless heir. Your blood holds the power of vengeance, forged to destroy those who live in darkness."
Renji's head throbbed. "What do you want from me? I don't care about vengeance! I just… I just want to protect her."
The voice chuckled. "Protecting her means killing them. There is no other way. Wake up, Renji Kurohane. The Kurotsume clan will not stop. If you want to keep that girl alive, you must accept who you are."
Renji bit his lip. The name "Kurotsume" burned into his mind. It was the same name the masked man had muttered before vanishing. Whoever they were, they were dangerous—and they were after him.
Aoi in Danger
The next evening, Renji returned to the flower shop, but Aoi wasn't there. The shop owner, Mrs. Yamane, smiled and said, "She came earlier but left in a hurry. Something about visiting her grandmother."
A strange unease settled in Renji's chest. He left the shop early and walked toward Aoi's street. That's when he saw it—a black van parked near her apartment, its engine running. His heart sank.
Before he could call out, two masked men dragged Aoi out of the building. She struggled, her voice muffled as they covered her mouth.
"NO!" Renji's scream ripped through the street.
The Crimson Chains Unleashed
Without thinking, Renji's blood boiled and his entire body burned with energy. The black chains burst from his arms, glowing crimson this time, longer and sharper than before.
"Let her go!" he roared, his voice shaking the night air.
The men turned, startled. "Shinketsu!" one of them hissed, pulling out a weapon made of black mist.
Renji charged forward. The chains shot out like living serpents, wrapping around one man's neck and slamming him into a wall. The second man tried to stab him, but Renji's crimson eyes flared—and the chain sliced through the blade like it was paper.
Aoi fell to the ground, gasping, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. She had never seen this side of Renji before—this terrifying, glowing version of him.
Aoi's Tears
"Renji… what is happening?" Aoi whispered, tears forming in her eyes.
Renji stood there, his chains dripping with black energy, his breath ragged. He wanted to explain. He wanted to tell her everything. But before he could speak, a sharp pain stabbed his chest—a throwing knife laced with black energy hit his shoulder.
From the shadows, the masked assassin, Rikuya, emerged once again."You just don't learn, boy. Every time you use that power, you're one step closer to death."
Renji growled, his chains tightening. "I don't care what happens to me. Touch her again, and I'll kill you."
The Awakening of His True Power
The fight was brutal. Rikuya was faster this time, moving like smoke and shadows. But Renji's anger made his chains stronger, sharper. Every time Aoi screamed his name, his power surged.
Finally, in one desperate move, Renji unleashed a new ability: the Crimson Bloom.The chains exploded outward like a giant flower, its petals made of glowing crimson blades. They ripped through the street, slashing everything around him. Rikuya barely escaped with deep cuts across his chest.
"You're getting stronger," Rikuya hissed, retreating into the shadows. "But strength means nothing if you can't protect the ones you love."
The Promise
Renji turned to Aoi, his body trembling from exhaustion. She looked at him—afraid, but also… worried.
"Renji," she said softly, tears running down her cheeks, "you… what are you?"
Renji's chains faded, and he collapsed to his knees. He wanted to tell her the truth, but all he could say was,"I don't know… but I swear… I'll protect you. No matter what."
Aoi knelt beside him, holding his hand tightly. "Then I'll stay with you. Even if you're dangerous, even if you're different… I'm not leaving you."
For the first time, Renji felt both terrified and alive. Because now he had something to fight for.
CHAPTER 4: Love and Blood
Renji sat beside Aoi's hospital bed, his hand trembling as it gently brushed her fingers. The beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound in the room, a soft reminder that she was still alive—barely.
The night of the attack replayed endlessly in his mind. He had been fast… but not fast enough. A stray blade of black energy had struck Aoi, knocking her unconscious. Renji had destroyed the attackers, but he couldn't protect her from harm.
He stared at her peaceful face, his jaw clenched."I'm sorry, Aoi… I wasn't strong enough."
Takeda's Arrival
The hospital door creaked open, and an old man with a cane entered. His silver hair was tied back, and his eyes were sharp as steel."You're the Shinketsu heir," the man said, his voice calm but firm.
Renji turned sharply. "Who are you?"
"My name is Takeda, once a guardian of your clan," the man said, slowly approaching. "I have been searching for you for years, boy. You've awakened your power, haven't you?"
Renji didn't answer, but his silence was enough for Takeda to nod."Then the Kurotsume won't stop until you are dead… or worse, until they take your power. That girl," Takeda said, pointing at Aoi, "is your weakness. They will use her against you."
Renji's fists tightened, black mist curling around his hands. "If they touch her again, I'll kill them all."
Takeda smiled faintly. "Good. Then you are ready to learn the truth."
The Truth of Shinketsu
Takeda led Renji to an abandoned dojo at the outskirts of Tokyo. The wooden floors creaked as Renji stepped inside, the walls lined with old katanas and faded paintings of shadowless warriors.
"Centuries ago," Takeda began, "your ancestors wielded Shinketsu—a power born from the blood of the dying sun. It allowed them to summon chains of pure energy, capable of binding even demons. But that power came at a cost. Every time a Shinketsu uses their chains, a part of their life force is burned away."
Renji froze. "Life force… you mean, if I keep fighting—"
"You will die," Takeda said bluntly. "And the more you fight for others, the faster your time will run out."
Renji's chest tightened, but then he thought of Aoi lying in that hospital bed. He didn't care. "If dying means protecting her, then I'll gladly burn away my life."
Takeda looked at him for a long moment, then smiled. "You have the heart of a true Shinketsu."
Training and Pain
Days passed as Takeda trained Renji, teaching him how to control his chains and harness their true strength. The dojo echoed with the sound of chains striking wooden pillars, sparks of crimson energy lighting up the night.
"You rely on rage too much," Takeda said, striking Renji's shoulder with the end of his cane. "Power is not born from anger alone—it's born from will. Find your reason to fight, boy. Find your anchor."
"My anchor…" Renji muttered, glancing at a single white lily Aoi had once given him. She was his reason. She was his light.
Letters to Aoi
Every evening, Renji returned to the hospital. Aoi remained unconscious, her breathing steady but fragile. Renji wrote letters to her, placing them on her bedside table:
"Aoi, today I learned how to summon two chains at once. I wish you could see me… I wish I could hear your laugh again.""Aoi, if I survive this war, I'll take you to see the cherry blossoms. I'll make you a crown of crimson petals, like the ones you love so much."
The Shadow Eclipse
One night, Takeda's expression turned grave."The Kurotsume leader, Lord Akuma, is preparing the Shadow Eclipse. If he succeeds, Tokyo will be swallowed in eternal darkness. You are the only one who can stop him."
Renji's chains flared, his resolve burning like fire. "Then I'll stop him. Even if I die doing it."
Takeda nodded. "If you go to that final battle, you may not return. Say your goodbyes."
Renji walked back to the hospital that night, holding a single crimson rose. He placed it beside Aoi's hand and whispered,"If I die, Aoi… let my soul bloom in your dreams."
CHAPTER 5: The Final Petal
The blood-red moon hung over Tokyo like a silent omen. On the streets below, the lights flickered as if the city itself feared what was about to happen.
Renji stood atop the Tokyo Tower, the wind tearing through his black jacket, his crimson chains glowing faintly around his arms. His breathing was heavy—not from fear, but from the burden of what was coming.This was it. The final battle.
Behind him, Takeda placed a hand on his shoulder."Are you ready, boy? There's no turning back."
Renji nodded. "I don't care what happens to me. I just want to protect her… and this city."
The Arrival of Lord Akuma
A dark mist covered the rooftop. From it emerged a towering figure dressed in black armor, his face hidden beneath a crimson mask. Lord Akuma. His presence was suffocating, his power radiating like waves of fire and shadow.
"So, you're the last Shinketsu," Akuma said, his deep voice echoing like thunder. "Pathetic. You'll die just like your ancestors did."
Renji's eyes flared crimson. "You hurt Aoi. You hurt innocent people. I don't care about ancient bloodlines—I'll end you for what you've done."
Akuma chuckled. "Bold words for a boy who barely knows his own power. Come, let me show you true darkness."
The Final Clash
The battle began in an explosion of chains and shadows. Renji's crimson chains struck like whips of lightning, while Akuma's black blades clashed with them, sparking with each hit. The air trembled from the sheer force of their fight.
Renji was fast, but Akuma was faster. Every attack pushed Renji closer to the edge of the tower."Your love makes you weak," Akuma sneered, his blade cutting across Renji's arm. Blood dripped onto the metal floor.
Renji gritted his teeth. "No… my love makes me stronger!"
With a roar, Renji's chains flared brighter, fueled by the memory of Aoi's smile, her voice, her warmth. He launched a devastating strike, his chains wrapping around Akuma's blade and shattering it.
The Crimson Bloom
But Akuma wasn't finished. He raised both hands, summoning a massive sphere of black energy—the Shadow Eclipse. The sky above Tokyo darkened, the moon disappearing behind swirling clouds.
Renji knew there was only one way to stop it. Takeda's words echoed in his mind:"The Crimson Bloom. The ultimate Shinketsu technique. But it will cost you everything."
Renji clenched his fists. "If I die, I die. But I won't let him win."
His chains wrapped around his body, glowing so brightly they looked like molten fire. With a final scream, Renji unleashed the Crimson Bloom—a giant flower made of countless crimson blades, exploding outward in a storm of light and steel.
The attack consumed everything—Akuma's shadow eclipse, his body, and even the rooftop itself.
The Last Goodbye
When the dust cleared, Akuma was gone, his mask shattered and his presence erased. But Renji was on his knees, blood dripping from his mouth. His chains flickered weakly, then dissolved into mist.
"I… did it…" he whispered, his vision fading. "Aoi… I kept my promise…"
Aoi Awakens
At that exact moment, in her hospital bed, Aoi's eyes shot open. She felt it—a warmth, a heartbeat calling to her. She tried to stand, but tears blurred her vision."Renji… where are you?" she whispered.
The Final Petal Falls
On the tower, Renji looked up at the sky one last time. The blood-red moon faded, replaced by the gentle light of dawn. A single crimson rose petal drifted past him, glowing in the morning light.
He smiled faintly. "Aoi… I wish I could see you one more time…"
And with that, his body dissolved into petals of crimson light, scattering into the wind.
Epilogue
Weeks later, Aoi stood in the flower shop, now hers to run. She arranged a bouquet of crimson roses, tears glistening in her eyes."Renji… you're still here, aren't you?" she whispered. "Every time the wind blows, I feel you watching over me."
She placed a single rose in a vase by the window, smiling through her tears."You are my forever blossom."