Chapter 34 - The Force Edge

As Ellen walked alongside Toshinori, she asked him.

Ellen: "Where are we going, 01?"

Toshinori: "I live in the forest. It's not like I have great wealth or anything."

Ellen was shocked to hear that he had been struggling all these years.

Ellen: "Do you really like living like that? Don't you want a nice home with someone who loves you?"

Toshinori paused for a moment before replying.

Toshinori: "Well, I've lost my left arm, I've got a scar like Shanks, and I have a devil form that looks like Nero from Devil May Cry. There's no way anyone could love me."

Ellen's heart sank after hearing Toshinori's words. She thought to herself, "How could he think so little of himself?"

She felt a surge of compassion and sadness, knowing the burden he carried with his scars and the way he saw himself. "He doesn't realize how much he's worth."

she thought, "or how deeply I care for him, despite everything he's been through."

Ellen wanted to show him that he was deserving of love, no matter his past or his appearance.

When they reached Toshinori's small house, Ellen couldn't help but ask, "So, 01, may I know the reason why we're here?"

Toshinori responded calmly, "I'm here to take my weapon."

Ellen's eyes widened in surprise. "Weapon?"

"Yeah," Toshinori nodded. "Just like 02 has dual swords and 03 has a scythe, I also have a weapon that I created."

Ellen was intrigued by this revelation. "But they always summon their weapons. Can't you do the same?"

Toshinori shook his head slightly. "Their weapons are the spiritual manifestations of their souls, but my case wasn't like that."

Ellen looked at him, her voice laced with concern as she asked, "What do you mean?"

Toshinori responded in a casual tone, "Well, due to the high limitations on my powers, I can't summon my weapon like the others. That's why, back when I still had my healing factor before the fight against Beilal, I decided to create a weapon using my own flesh and bones."

Ellen's eyes widened in horror. "01, don't tell me…"

Toshinori nodded calmly. "Yes, Ms. Azaria, I created that weapon from my own body. It wasn't ready when I faced Beilal, but now it is."

Toshinori suddenly punched the ground with immense force, causing the entire floor to crack. "There it is," he said.

Ellen looked down through the cracked floor and saw a sword, fully created from flesh and bone. The sight of the weapon horrified her. "Why did you create something like this?" she asked, her voice trembling. "I can't even imagine the pain you must have gone through."

Toshinori remained composed. "Well, I don't know what to say, but if I wanted a powerful weapon, nothing seemed more suitable than my own bones and flesh."

After that, Toshinori looked at Ellen and asked, "Shall we go?"

Ellen, still trembling from the horror she had just witnessed, replied, "Please give me a moment... it's too much for me."

Toshinori nodded, understanding her need for time. "Sure thing, Ms. Azaria," he said calmly, then stepped outside the house to give her some space.

Ellen was left alone in Toshinori's small house, her gaze fixed on the grotesque weapon fashioned from his flesh and bones. Overwhelmed by the sight, her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, tears flowing freely.

Ellen: *[sobbing]* "How could he endure so much pain..."

Her cries grew more intense as she thought about his suffering, the past moments they shared, and how he had pushed her away.

Ellen: *[crying]* "All this time... he suffered alone. I didn't know…"

She struggled to calm herself, taking deep breaths to steady her emotions, but the disturbing image of the weapon lingered in her mind.

Ellen: *[whispering]* "He's been through so much... I have to help him. I can't let him suffer like this anymore."

As Ellen emerged from Toshinori's small house, her face was streaked with tears. Toshinori, noticing her distress, approached her with concern.

Toshinori: "Ms. Azaria, are you okay?"

Ellen looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.

Ellen: "Yeah, it was just... a lot to take in."

Toshinori sighed, a hint of regret in his voice.

Toshinori: "I suppose I shouldn't have shown you that. I'm sorry for burdening you with it."

Ellen shook her head, her voice steady despite the emotional strain.

Ellen: "No, it's important for me to understand what you've been through. I need to know how to support you properly. You've carried this pain alone for too long."

Toshinori looked at her with a mixture of surprise and gratitude, realizing how much Ellen cared for him.

Toshinori: "Thank you, Ms. Azaria. I didn't expect you to react this way."

Ellen: "I want to help you. I can't bear to see you suffer alone anymore. We'll get through this together."

Toshinori nodded, his expression softening.

Toshinori: "Alright. Let's move.

After their conversation, Ellen looked at Toshinori with curiosity.

Ellen: "What did you name that weapon of yours?"

Toshinori, with a small grin, responded casually.

Toshinori: "I called it Force Edge."

Ellen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the name.

Ellen: "Force Edge? Where did that come from?"

Toshinori chuckled softly.

Toshinori: "I've always liked *Devil May Cry* games. The name just felt right."

Ellen smiled, a bit of the tension from earlier lifting.

Ellen: "So, even after everything, you still have your sense of humor."

Toshinori: "It's the little things that keep me going."