The chief chuckles, bending down until his eyes are level with Zen's. He grins.
"Cursed mana huh" he murmurs, patting Zen's arm.
Zen's hand shoots up, gripping the chief's wrist. His eyes narrow. He glares.
The chief chuckles again. "Why so feisty" he teases, straightening to his full height, looking down at Zen.
"If you want a fight, just say so" Zen replies, pointing toward the armed men behind the chief.
The chief glances back, then slowly lowers his hand. The soldiers drop their weapons, clattering to the ground.
"My apologies" the chief says, closing his eyes and smirking.
Zen's glare softens slightly. The chief smirks, placing a hand on his shoulder. Boom.
A black surge of mana burns through Zen. He flinches, the air snapping around him. The chief grabs his hand, wincing, eyes widening.
"That's his mana alright. Truly cursed" the chief thinks, shaking slightly.
Zen shakes his arm, eyes fixed on the man. A grin creeps across his face.
"Oh I'm sorry" Zen says, smirking. The chief narrows his eyes but laughs anyway.
"Damn boy has an ego huh" the chief thinks, stepping closer, laughing louder.
From the sidelines, one soldier whispers, glancing at the others frozen like statues. "The chief's usually colder even when the kid is his target" he mutters. Another adds quietly "he's a lot more welcoming today"
The chief sits casually, flicking stones between his fingers. He flicks one at Zen. Zen catches it. In a blink, the chief is behind him.
"What's your purpose kid" the chief asks, smirking.
Zen raises an eyebrow, calm as stone. "Easy. To become the strongest" he says, tapping his thumb against his chest. "To be number one"
The chief's eyes widen. He chuckles again. "He didn't even hesitate. Still pathetic. Just a kid born with cursed power" a soldier thinks, glaring at Zen's smirk.
The chief places his hand on Zen's shoulder. His face turns grave. "Why do you want to be the strongest Don't you know it's impossible"
"I DON'T CARE" Zen shouts, voice cracking like thunder. His left fist clenches. "There's darkness here… in this hand" he says, closing his eyes. "He's still out there. Yui is still out there" His body trembles. Stones lift from the muddy ground.
The chief smirks. He raises his palm. Red aura flares. "You know mana kid" he asks.
Zen's gaze locks on the glow. Eyes wide. Mouth gasps.
"Mana" he whispers.
"So that's a no" The chief sighs, letting the aura fade. He turns, raising a hand in parting. "If you want to be the strongest but don't even know the gift heaven gave us" His voice drops, cold as steel. "You're nothing but vermin. Not even worthy to be samurai"
Zen stops. Eyes fall to the ground. Teeth clenched. Not even worthy.
A violent vortex of purple mana bursts from him, engulfing the village.
The chief chokes, blood speckling his lips. Soldiers collapse, some gasping, some frozen.
Clutching his chest, the chief looks up at the storm surrounding Zen.
"Then teach me this mana" Zen growls.
The vortex disappears. His eyes turn pale, steely grey. Black mana coils around him.
The chief's breath hitsched. Then a twisted laugh escapes him. Zen's glare never wavers.
"Come with me to the dojo" the chief says, turning away.
The soldiers stir weakly, fear etched on their faces. Only one boy remains standing. Flaming red hair, tremblingnot with fear—but excitement.
"Huh" one soldier mutters as crimson fire erupts from the ground.
"STEP BACK" another shouts as flames lick the muddy grass.
The boy grins at Zen as he walks away with the chief. "So… Father wants to train a rodent" he whispers, laughing eerily like the chief.
Zen's eyes flick to him. His gaze hardens as the boy covers his face with his hands, laughing.
"A new rival I'm about to crush… or just a little boy who's about to learn mana.." the boy thinks, devious grin spreading across his face.