"What is Brother Zeno doing?"
"I don't know. He keeps lowering himself and coming back up?"
Ashin Village – 8 years ago:
Zeno, shirtless and drenched in sweat, was doing push-ups. Ever since he turned eight, he had trained like this every single day.
In the first months, 60 push-ups. By the sixth month, 400. After the first year, 1,000.
And now, after two years, he was doing 3,000 push-ups in a single set.
He also trained other exercises like pull-ups and squats. Alongside all that, every day he carried a 100-kilogram stone on his back and climbed up and down the mountain 100 times.
He was making himself stronger to fulfill the promise he had made to Kurenai.
He always trained either in front of the house or in the forest beside the village with extreme intensity.
"Hoooooo!… That set's done—let's move to the next!"
One of the kids stepped forward and asked,
"Why are you doing all these exercises, Brother Zeno?"
While hanging from a dry tree branch doing pull-ups, Zeno replied,
"Because I made a promise… and I have to keep it!… That's why I'm making myself stronger… so I can become more powerful than anyone!!"
Each time he pulled himself up, the muscles on his back flexed perfectly. They were proof of his relentless effort. He had hardened them so much that anyone touching them would think they were touching armor.
The sky slowly grew darker. The children gradually left. But Zeno's training was not finished yet.
"Good luck, Brother Zeno!"
The last child left. Zeno, still doing squats with the massive 100-kilogram stone on his back, waved goodbye with one hand.
Hours passed. It was completely dark now, but Zeno was still doing squats. The ground beneath him was soaked with his sweat. He was almost finished when suddenly a pair of feet appeared in front of him, stopping him.
He lifted his head.
A radiant face. A warm smile.
It was Kurenai.
"Don't push yourself so hard, Zeno."
When Zeno saw her, he smiled.
"I'm almost done. By the time you blink and go inside, I'll be finished too."
Kurenai laughed.
"Alright."
She started walking toward the house. Zeno's movements became faster. With every step Kurenai took toward the house, his speed increased.
The moment the house gate opened—
BOOM!!
The stone dropped from Zeno's back. Covered in sweat, he turned with a proud smile and said,
"See? I told you I'd finish before you got inside!"
Kurenai smiled.
"Hurry up and come in. It's time to eat."
Zeno's mouth filled with saliva.
"Yesss, food!"
Inside the house, two small candles were lit—one in front of Kurenai, who was cooking soup, and one on the table in front of Zeno, who was impatiently waiting. The light was so weak it barely illuminated part of the table.
Kurenai brought two bowls of soup. They both gave thanks and began eating.
Zeno noticed that only his bowl had meat in it. He smiled, picked up a piece of meat, and dropped it into Kurenai's bowl.
Surprised, Kurenai looked at him.
"I don't need meat. You're the one training. You need more meat to grow stronger. Otherwise, your efforts will be wasted."
Zeno smiled.
"I feel strong and full of energy when I see you happy and well-fed. When you put all the meat in my bowl like that, I just feel guilty—and the food doesn't even sit right with me."
Kurenai smiled in satisfaction. Suddenly, she stuffed all the meat into her mouth at once, chewed quickly, and said playfully,
"Alright then! Happy now, Mr. Kind?"
Zeno burst into laughter. Kurenai laughed with him.
The house might have been dimly lit—but the two of them filled it with the light of joy and laughter.
It isn't only light that brightens a place. Sometimes, you just need a bright and joyful heart.
Present Time – Royal Battlefield:
TIIIIING!!…
Everyone in the arena stood frozen, eyes wide, sweat dripping down their foreheads.
"That's impossible—he lost?!"
"I couldn't even see what happened!"
"His speed is beyond comprehension!"
After exchanging blows, both stood motionless for a few seconds.
Then, Shishi's armor shattered apart. Blood erupted from the center of his chest. With a pained scream, white eyes and blood spilling from his mouth, he collapsed to the ground.
The moment Shishi hit the ground, everyone except the royals erupted in cheers.
"HOOOOORRRAAA!!"
At that same moment, Veil, Arisa, and the doctor arrived, rushing directly into the battlefield.
Arisa and Veil shouted at the same time—
"ZENO, ARE YOU OKAY?!"
Zeno, his face and body covered in blood, crushed and trembling, sword resting on his shoulder, turned back with a proud smile and said only one sentence:
"I'm sorry… guys."
Thud...
Zeno's vision went dark. He fell to the ground. The last thing he saw was Arisa and Veil lifting him.
"Zeno?!…"
In a dark place, Zeno saw someone very familiar.
His eyes widened, filled with tears.
And he called out only one name—
"Kurenai…?!"