The gang members' bodies trembled as if the cold had seeped into their bones, what froze their hearts wasn't the weather, it was that boy. The fear that Ken spread through them made their breaths falter. He finally released the man's wrist after threatening him, then turned calmly and began walking away, ignoring their existence as though they were nothing but passing air.
But Akio never forgot the scene. He rushed forward excitedly until he was beside Ken, panting with thrill. He reached out his hand as if he's greeting an old friend.
"Hey, Yukaji Ken! You really impressed me just now… You're strong, and you've got a Vakin too, just like me!"
Ken's face stiffened. A clear look of irritation flickered in his gray eyes, but he didn't stop walking. Akio, however, wasn't the type to give up easily. He hurried to keep up beside him, his voice growing louder with enthusiasm:
"You know, I've always imagined having someone like you around! Maybe we could train together, or even—"
Ken suddenly stopped. He turned his head halfway, his eyes gleaming with cold sharpness. He let out a short breath from his cigarette and said quietly but firmly:
"That's enough. Stay away."
Akio froze, his words stuck in his throat, but he smiled again soon. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Heh… I knew you'd be a tough one to deal with."
Ken didn't reply. He simply looked forward again. But Akio didn't back off, he chuckled lightly and raised his fist in front of his chest with renewed energy.
"Well… even if you don't want to now, I'm sure we'll stand on the same side one day. You'll need me, just like I'll need you. That's a promise!"
Ken glanced at him for a few seconds, his eyes filled only with boredom and apathy.
"You're really annoying. Don't you know how to leave people alone?"
Ken's sharp words struck Akio for a moment. His childish smile faded as he looked down slightly, mumbling softly:
"Ah… sorry. I didn't mean to bother you."
Ken resumed walking. After a few seconds, Akio lifted his head again, his eyes regaining their sparkle, and a small smile returned to his face. He sped up his steps to follow from behind, as if he hadn't heard anything.
Inside, he repeated the words of the man who told him about the annual selection place:
"At the large plaza, near the biggest stone statue…"
He clenched his fist in excitement.
'I'll prove myself there… and start my journey no matter what!'
He raised his voice again from behind Ken:
"By the way! Are you joining the annual selection too?!"
There was no answer, only the faint smoke from Ken's cigarette drifting away. He finally finished it and dropped it to the ground, crushing it slowly beneath his boot.
After walking through the crowded alleys for a while, the road finally opened into a wide plaza full of movement. Dozens of young men stood in uneven lines, their faces were tense and their eyes were expectant, each of them is carrying a dream or a heavy ambition.
At the center of the square, stood a massive stone statue of a samurai clad in cross-lined iron armor. His expression was rigid, yet radiated awe and authority. At its base, a stone plaque bore the inscription:
"Statue of Shogun Shiro – Symbol of Justice and Courage in Valoria."
Akio stared at the statue, his eyes were wide with amazement, while Ken walked on until he vanished into the crowd. Akio slowly stepped closer. The sword carved in the statue's hand glimmered under the sun as if still drawn for battle.
He stopped in front of it, his face glowing with excitement.
"This is it… the greatest in our continent, the Shogun who I'll follow his path!"
Yet beneath his wonder, something strange stirred in his chest… afaint forgotten nostalgia. Suddenly, an image flashed in his mind: his old classroom.
Little Akio sat at his desk, listening intently to his history teacher, who began the lesson in a clear voice:
"Students, the history of our continent Valoria, begins 375 years ago. Before that, we have no verified records, no documents that tell us what happened. What we know is that our ancestors found themselves on this land with no memory of their lives before that point.
After that, humanity rebuilt its civilization from nothing. Kingdoms and provinces were formed, power and order emerged. The largest of these is the Grand Kingdom of Kaji, alongside ten states under Emperor Makia's rule. Then there are the three islands that are outside any kingdom's control, and finally… the Empire of Zitara, where we live. It's the only place that preserved its ancient traditions and resisted every invasion.
As for what lies beyond the borders of our continent… no one knows. The transparent wall surrounding Valoria prevented us from crossing, and hides whatever may exist beyond it. So, all we have is this land and this history, is built through centuries of effort and blood."
When the teacher finished speaking, she pulled a paper photograph from her bag and held it up before the students. It showed a young man in his early twenties, he is pale-skinned, with snowy white hair and bloody eyes.
She paused, then said reverently:
"This is the former Shogun Shiro. He was a symbol of strength and order in his time. Thanks to him and his clan, our continent enjoyed long years of peace. He sought to unite everyone under one banner. But his life ended in betrayal, he was murdered before he could finish what he started."
She lowered the photo slowly then continued:
"Though he died twenty-seven years ago, his name remains alive in our history, remembered as one of the greatest leaders Valoria ever knew."
Her eyes lingered on the photo as she spoke again:
"Shogun Shiro was kind and powerful beyond belief. He possessed an extraordinary power, and never used it for domination. He used it to protect people from those with dark hearts. He always stood with the weak, defending the innocent, and that's why everyone loved him."
Akio suddenly raised his hand and stood from his seat, his eyes full of childish curiosity:
"Teacher… what happened after Shogun Shiro died? Was there another Shogun after him?"
One of the kids tried to suppress his laughter, and the teacher smiled slightly at his innocence before looking back at the photo.
"After the death of Shogun Shiro, chaos spread across Valoria for a time. No other shogun ever appeared with his name or presence… but power didn't disappear completely. Over the years, new rulers rose like King Cirrus and Emperor Makia. Each of them is trying to impose his own influence. And so, instead of unity, Valoria's people were divided."
Akio lowered his head slightly, his eyes glimmering with sadness as he muttered aloud:
"How unfortunate… If Shogun Shiro was still alive, he would've fulfilled his dream and made Valoria a happy place for everyone. I wish I could've met him… maybe he would've been my friend too."
Silence hung for a few seconds before most of the class burst out laughing. Some banged on their desks mockingly, others whispered with scorn.
"His friend? Does he think he's in a fairy tale?"
"What an idiot… he wants to be the friend of the Shogun!"
Akio's face flushed red with embarrassment, but as usual, he kept his smile, unaware that his sincerity and innocence were exactly what made him a target of ridicule.
The laughter grew louder until the entire classroom shook with it, when suddenly the teacher slammed her hand on the desk and shouted:
"That's enough!"
The laughter stopped at once, though a few students still struggled to contain their giggles. The teacher turned towards Akio, she said with a calmer tone:
"Some may laugh at what you said, Akio… but the truth is that your words carry deep meaning. Shogun Shiro truly dreamed of making Valoria a better place for everyone. If he was alive today, perhaps he would've achieved that dream. But maybe… that dream will come true in the distant future, through someone else."
Akio was still standing by his desk, his hands pressed on the table. Then suddenly, he raised them in excitement, sending his papers flying into the air, shouting with all his heart:
"I'll be that person! I… will become the next Shogun!"
As soon as Akio finished, the classroom erupted in laughter again. The boy who'd held back his laugh earlier stood up, snickering loudly:
"Did you all hear that? That idiot wants to be the Shogun! Maybe he'll rule Valoria with his stupid smile!"
The laughter intensified, but Akio stood firm. His voice didn't tremble, and his expression didn't waver. He clenched his small fists tightly, standing tall, his smile still on his face despite the mockery.
Those memories suddenly shattered back into the present. Akio froze, his eyes still fixed on the stone statue's face. The memories he had tried so hard to forget stroked him like a cold blade. The laughter of his classmates, their words, his naive expression that day… they all now weighed on his chest with one feeling only… regret for his weakness.
Moments later, the murmurs of the crowd were cut by a sound of swift footsteps slicing through the air. All eyes turned upward, where a young man leapt lightly over the rooftops. His tan skin gleamed under the sunlight, and his short black hair was shaved into a modern fade with a golden streak.
Around his neck curled a black tattoo shaped like the number 3. His hazel eyes shone with defiance, half-hidden behind dark sunglasses pushed down his nose. His clothes blended past and present. A short black kimono embroidered with golden threads, tight combat pants full of pockets, a light shoulder guard glowing with yellow lines, and a metal chain hanging from the hilt of his katana. Every leap he made looked like a wild dance, announcing his fearless arrival.
Before the crowd could process his presence, a short teenage girl followed him from behind. Her short violet hair fluttered in the wind, and her bright purple eyes glowed with determination and energy. Her movements were nimble like a ninja, her feet barely touching the surfaces before springing again. She wore a plain, lightweight black outfit for full mobility, her nose and mouth covered by a black ninja mask. A cloth belt wrapped tightly around her waist, and a small combat pouch hung from her back, ready for stealth or battle.
The two landed gracefully before the crowd. Silence swept across the plaza. All eyes were fixed on the newcomers. Some people gathered, whispered sharply and pointed at the delinquent man. One accusation after another rose until the plaza sounded like a courtroom.
"It's the pickpocket Mabushi! What's that scoundrel doing here?!"
"You stole my wallet last time! I'll never forgive you!"
"What shame!"
Mabushi grinned broadly, lifting his sunglasses slightly to reveal his playful, defiant his hazel eyes. Spreading his arms as if showing off to the audience, he said mockingly:
"Oh… I'm so loved! You just can't forget me, can you?"
He chuckled while spinning the chain of his katana between his fingers before saying with teasing cheer:
"But relax… I'm here to play with you today, not to collect wallets."
At that moment, the violet-haired girl landed beside him, standing straight with her arms crossed firmly. She shot him a disapproving glance, then turned to the crowd, her voice was sharp and commanding:
"Mind your own business. If he's here to join, that's his concern, not yours."
A tense silence followed. Some people still watched him with suspicion, while others backed away, intimidated by his boldness and her confidence.
The crowd parted on its own, as if they compelled to clear his path. Mabushi's footsteps were heavy, his presence undeniable. He walked with a swagger, head high, a cocky grin on his lips. His eyes scanned those around him like a predator choosing his next prey.
He stopped beside a man eating from a paper bag of roasted potatoes. Without hesitation, Mabushi plucked one between his fingers and popped it into his mouth in front of everyone. He chewed slowly, then smirked.
"Delicious… maybe I'll take the whole bag later."
He laughed and kept walking, leaving the man frozen between anger and disbelief at his arrogant composure.
As for the violet-haired girl, she hopped lightly from a wooden crate to catch up with him, her steps lively and full of spirit. Unlike his provocative grin, her smile was bright, honest, and full of life.
She waved cheerfully to the crowd and shouted playfully:
"Don't take him too seriously, everyone! The only fun he knows is annoying people!"
Some of the teens laughed. Mabushi gave her an irritated look, but she didn't care. She walked closer, scratching the back of her head, then turned to the potato seller with a teasing smile.
"Don't worry, sir… I'm sure you'll eat in peace, if you leave us half the bag."
Soft laughter rippled through the crowd. The tension Mabushi had brought began to fade, replaced by the warmth of her energy. Yet, there was nothing naive about her… only a strange confident boldness.