The village didn't feel the same anymore.
Not after the pirates.
Not after the bandits.
And definitely not after the Marines stayed longer than expected.
Kevin noticed it first in the silence.
People spoke less.
Watched more.
Especially when he passed by.
"…It's spreading."
Rumors.
Not loud.
Not direct.
But enough.
Kevin tightened his grip on the small pouch of Berries tied at his waist.
"…Then I need to move faster."
The dojo remained the same on the surface.
Training continued.
Sparring continued.
But underneath—
Tension had grown.
Clang!
Steel collided again.
Kevin stepped forward—
Sharper than before.
Kuina blocked—
But this time—
Her footing shifted.
"…!"
Kevin pressed forward.
Clang!
Clang!
Faster.
More precise.
Kuina's eyes narrowed.
"You're pushing harder."
Kevin didn't answer.
Because it wasn't just training anymore.
It was preparation.
Clang!
Their blades locked.
Kuina leaned in slightly.
"…You feel it too, don't you?"
Kevin's eyes shifted.
"…Yeah."
They broke apart.
No more words needed.
From the side, Koushirou observed quietly.
He said nothing.
But his gaze—
Missed nothing.
Later that day—
Kevin walked alone through the village.
Toward a place he hadn't paid much attention to before.
A small shop.
Weapons displayed inside.
Simple.
But real.
"…About time."
He stepped in.
The smell of metal and oil filled the air.
An old man stood behind the counter.
"You buying or just looking?"
Kevin walked forward calmly.
"…Buying."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"…You even have money?"
Kevin placed the pouch on the counter.
Clink.
Coins spilled slightly.
Silence.
"…Huh."
The old man leaned forward.
"…Didn't expect that."
Kevin's eyes scanned the blades.
"…I need something balanced."
"Not too heavy?"
"…Not yet."
The old man nodded slowly.
Then reached under the counter.
And pulled out a blade.
Simple.
Clean.
Not fancy.
Not famous.
But well-made.
Kevin picked it up.
Held it.
Swung it lightly.
"…Good."
The weight felt right.
The balance—
Better than anything he used before.
"I'll take it."
The old man smirked.
"…You know how to choose."
Kevin paid without hesitation.
Then turned to leave.
"Kid."
Kevin stopped.
"…Yeah?"
The old man looked at him carefully.
"…Be careful where you point that."
Kevin didn't respond.
But his grip tightened slightly.
"…I always am."
Outside—
The air felt heavier.
Kevin walked slowly.
New blade at his side.
"…First step."
But the moment he turned the corner—
He stopped.
A figure stood there.
Waiting.
A Marine.
The same one from before.
"…I knew it."
Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly.
But his expression stayed calm.
"You're observant," the Marine said.
"…You're persistent."
The Marine stepped closer.
"…Two incidents."
"Pirates."
"Bandits."
His gaze sharpened.
"…And both times…"
He paused.
"…You were there."
Silence.
Kevin didn't move.
Didn't react.
"…Coincidence."
The Marine studied him.
Long.
Carefully.
"…Maybe."
Another step closer.
"…Or maybe not."
Kevin met his gaze.
"…Do you have proof?"
The Marine stopped.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"…No."
Kevin turned slightly.
"…Then don't accuse."
He walked past him.
Calm.
Steady.
The Marine didn't stop him.
But his voice came again.
"…Be careful, kid."
Kevin paused slightly.
"There are things in this world…"
"…that shouldn't exist."
Kevin's grip tightened.
"…Yeah."
Without turning—
"…I've heard that before."
And then—
He walked away.
The Marine remained where he stood.
"…That presence…"
His eyes narrowed.
"…I'll be back."
That night—
Kevin sat behind the dojo again.
His new sword resting beside him.
He stared at his hand.
"…Control…"
He closed his eyes.
Focused.
And slowly—
He felt it again.
That faint connection.
This time—
Clearer.
Stronger.
Kevin exhaled slowly.
"…Better."
He opened his eyes.
The air around him shifted slightly.
Not visible.
Not obvious.
But real.
A faint chill.
A presence.
Kevin placed his hand on the ground.
"…I won't lose control…"
Not to power.
Not to fear.
But he also knew—
He wouldn't hesitate either.
Not anymore.
Because this world—
Didn't reward hesitation.
It punished it.
Kevin stood up slowly.
His shadow stretched behind him.
And for a brief moment—
It didn't look like just his own.