The sun was just beginning to rise over the mountains when a small village, surrounded by forests and dirt paths, slowly began to awaken. Birdsongs filled the air, and a gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the trees as if they were whispering ancient secrets.
In a humble wooden house on the edge of the forest lived Ken Kitagaki, a boy only eight years old. He had straight dark hair, deep brown eyes, and a gaze that blended innocence with a strange determination. He wore a slightly worn blue shirt and long pants stained from daily labor.
Ken had never known his parents. As far back as he could remember, his entire world consisted of his grandfather, Masashi Kitagaki—an old man with a stern face but a kind heart. Masashi had raised Ken as if he were his own son, teaching him simple values: respect, hard work, and humility.
To survive, they both worked cutting firewood in the forest and selling it in the village. It wasn't easy work, but Ken never complained.
In fact, he seemed to enjoy it.
And there was a reason.
Ken was not an ordinary child.
From a very young age, he had discovered he possessed incredible strength. He could lift massive logs with his bare hands, split wood without tools, and jump impossible distances. But the most astonishing secret of all was hidden beneath his shirt.
Two enormous dragon wings.
They were violet in color, covered in tough scales, and far too large for a child's body. Ken couldn't remember when they had appeared. He had always believed he was born with them.
He didn't know where they came from or what they meant, but deep inside, he felt they were connected to something far greater.
Masashi was the only one who knew this secret.
"Your wings are not a curse," he would always say. "They are a treasure."
In his youth, Masashi had been a great aikido master. He had competed in many tournaments and was respected across several regions. However, he chose to retire and live a simple life.
His greatest wish was for Ken to learn aikido and someday show his talent in competitions. But he also knew that was impossible.
"If anyone sees your wings, Ken, you will become a target," he warned once. "People with bad intentions will want to use your power."
That was why Ken did everything he could to hide them. He wore shirts much larger than normal, even though it made his back look strangely shaped, as if something were trying to break free from his body.
It wasn't comfortable.
But it was necessary.
In his free time, Ken researched dragons. He read old books, studied illustrations, and listened to travelers' legends.
He learned that dragons could shoot energy spheres from their mouths—powerful enough to destroy entire mountains.
That excited him.
If he had dragon wings… did that mean he could do that too?
Every night, when no one was watching, Ken went behind the house, stared at the sky, and opened his mouth with all his strength.
"Come on…!" he whispered.
He tried to imagine an energy sphere forming inside him.
But nothing happened.
Again and again.
Failure after failure.
Even so, he never gave up.
"Someday, I'll do it," he told himself.
One morning, Ken woke up and noticed something strange.
The house was too quiet.
"Grandpa?" he called.
No answer.
He entered Masashi's room and found him lying in bed, pale and struggling to breathe.
"Grandpa… are you okay?"
Masashi slowly opened his eyes.
"Today… I won't be able to get up," he said weakly. "You'll have to take care of the firewood."
Ken nodded without hesitation.
"Don't worry. I've got it."
Before the boy left, Masashi called him.
"Ken… come closer."
Ken approached the bed.
"Listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
Masashi took a deep breath.
"In life, we often have to do things we don't want to. Work, obey, endure difficult people… I created my own firewood business so I could be my own boss and have freedom. But even then, I was never truly free."
Ken listened closely.
"True freedom isn't about not working… it's about choosing your own path. And one day, I won't be with you anymore."
Ken clenched his fists.
"When that day comes… I want you to pack your things… and show your wings to the world."
Ken's eyes widened.
"Really…?"
"Yes. Don't live hiding. Your power exists for a reason."
Masashi gave a faint smile.
"Is that clear?"
Ken stood straight.
"Yes, sir!"
Ken left the house with his heart pounding.
He went into the forest, easily lifted a huge pile of firewood, and when he was sure no one was watching, he spread his wings.
With a powerful flap, he rose into the sky.
The wind struck his face as he flew at high speed.
For a moment…
He felt free.
After delivering all the firewood, he returned home.
"Grandpa, I'm back!"
Silence.
Ken ran inside.
Masashi lay motionless.
Ken placed his hand on the old man's chest.
No heartbeat.
Tears filled his eyes.
But against all expectations, a small smile appeared on his face.
"Grandpa… you're finally free."
He cried.
But not from sadness.
He cried with pride.
The next day, Ken used all the money they had saved to give his grandfather a proper burial.
He wore a black suit and dark glasses.
As he stood before the grave, a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
"I'm very sorry for your loss."
Ken turned around.
He saw a man around seventy years old, with white hair, a white beard, and piercing blue eyes.
"Who are you?" Ken asked cautiously.
"My name is Akira. I was your grandfather's friend."
Ken frowned.
"And how do I know you're telling the truth?"
Akira gave a slight smile and whispered:
"Because I know about your dragon wings."
Ken froze.
"Your grandfather and I trained aikido together," Akira continued. "Now I run a dojo called Kai."
Akira looked directly into Ken's eyes.
"I want to train you. There are things about your abilities you still don't understand. I will help you unlock your true potential."
Ken hesitated.
He remembered his grandfather's words.
Finally, he nodded.
"I accept."
Far away, in a dark underground laboratory, a man stared at a massive capsule.
He had spiky white hair and wore a scientist's coat.
His name was Stein.
A timer displayed:
7 days remaining
Stein smiled.
"In seven days… the world will be mine."
End of Chapter 1