Raiden stood in the middle of the rocky training ground, frustration building as he struggled to unleash the energy he felt bubbling inside him. Green sparks crackled at his fingertips, but each attempt to form an energy blast fizzled out into nothing.
"Focus, brat," Kurata said, standing a few feet away with his arms crossed. "If you force it, you'll never get it."
Raiden gritted his teeth. "It's not working! I can feel the energy, but it won't come out!"
He clenched his fists tighter, but then he paused, his eyes narrowing with determination. If the blast wouldn't work, maybe there was another way. Closing his eyes, he let the strange green energy within him flow freely, surging through his body. His muscles bulged and stretched, bones cracking as dark fur began to cover his skin.
Within moments, Raiden's form shifted into a gigantic, ape-like creature. This wasn't an ordinary transformation; the beast was massive, towering over Kurata, with glowing green eyes filled with primal fury. Without hesitation, the enormous ape swung a powerful fist toward Kurata, the ground trembling beneath its steps.
Kurata didn't flinch. As the punch came hurtling toward him, his hand shimmered and hardened—his skin taking on the appearance of iron, smooth and indestructible.
BOOM!
The impact of the punch sent a shockwave across the training ground, but Kurata remained unmoved. Calmly, he raised his middle finger and struck Raiden's wrist with precise force, deflecting the massive fist. The blow sent Raiden stumbling backward, and with a loud crash, the ape hit the ground hard.
Raiden groaned as his body reverted to its original form. "What the hell was that?" he panted, staring at Kurata in disbelief. "Your hand… it looked like metal. How did you do that?"
Kurata gave a small, knowing grin. "It's a technique that turns your spirit into something unbreakable. Took me years to master."
Raiden's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Teach me, geezer! I need to learn that."
Kurata shook his head. "Not yet, brat. You've got a lot more to learn before you can handle it."
Raiden grumbled in frustration. "You're always holding out on me!"
With a smirk, Kurata added, "You're staying with me for one more year. After that, you can go out into the world and do whatever you want."
That night, the nightmare returned. Raiden found himself standing in the middle of a burning house, unable to move. Flames roared around him, engulfing everything in their path. His parents were trapped under debris, desperately struggling to escape.
"Father! Mother!" Raiden cried out, but his legs refused to move. It was as if invisible chains bound him in place, forcing him to watch helplessly.
The fire spread mercilessly, consuming everything, including his parents. Raiden stood frozen, unable to do anything but watch as they disappeared into the inferno.
He woke up with a jolt, gasping for air. "Father… Mother…" he whispered, gripping the glowing green necklace his father had given him. The weight of their loss crushed him anew, leaving him breathless. But after a moment of silence, he wiped his tears and lay back down. The nightmare had shaken him, but he knew he couldn't let it control him.
Over the next year, Raiden threw himself into training with relentless determination. Kurata guided him, though never making things easy. Day by day, Raiden's skills improved. He refined his control over lightning, mastering new techniques that pushed his abilities to their limits. He also learned how to sustain his massive ape-like form for longer periods, gradually gaining full control over the beast within.
Each challenge brought Raiden closer to unlocking the secrets of the power inside him. The green light he carried wasn't just energy—it was potential, waiting to be fully unleashed. His connection to the Arc Serum and the strange necklace his father had given him only deepened his resolve to discover what made him different and what his purpose truly was.
Kurata's lessons, though harsh, began to shape Raiden's understanding of not just combat but life. His uncle's words echoed in his mind with every step forward: Power without purpose is wasted. Purpose without strength is a burden.
And so, Raiden trained not only to grow stronger but to find the reason behind his strength.
The day finally arrived. Raiden stood on the dock, a small boat waiting to carry him away from the island and into the unknown. Kurata stood beside him, arms folded, watching the ocean waves with a calm expression.
"So, kid," Kurata asked after a moment of silence. "What's your dream?"
Raiden paused, thinking carefully. The weight of everything he had learned, lost, and fought for settled on his shoulders. His dreams were clearer than ever now, each one rooted deep in his heart.
He thought of Kurata's teachings and his parents' hopes. "I want to end slavery and injustice," Raiden began. "I want to overthrow the ones who profit from the suffering of others. I'm aiming to create a world where no one has to suffer, where people can live in peace. I want my friends to eat without worrying about dying. If I don't do it, who will?"
Kurata gave a small nod but said nothing.
Raiden continued, his voice more certain. "I need to prove myself too. I've spent my whole life feeling like the little brother—like I'm just a shadow of Takeshi and Kori. But I'm not. I want to be stronger, not just in my body, but in my mind. I need to become something more than just 'the youngest.' Maybe in ways even they didn't expect."
He glanced down at the green necklace around his neck, the one his father gave him long ago. "I also need to discover what's inside me. The Arc Serum... this green light... it's not just power. There's something else. I need to figure out what makes me different—and find my own path, even if it means going beyond everything you taught me."
His voice softened as he added, "I've lost too much. But I won't let that be the end. I'll rebuild a family—people who will fight with me, stay with me, and love me. A family doesn't have to be blood."
Finally, Raiden smiled, though there was a flicker of sadness in his eyes. "And I want to find freedom—real freedom. I want to fight through the burdens I carry until I finally feel free."
Kurata gave him a long, thoughtful look before placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Life will not hand you victories—only battles. Win those battles, and you'll earn your victories."
Raiden nodded, feeling the weight of the words sink in.
As the boat rocked gently in the water, Raiden climbed aboard. He looked back at his uncle one last time. "Don't die on me, old man."
Kurata gave a rare smile. "Same to you, brat."
Raiden grinned. "I'll miss you, old geezer."
Kurata chuckled. "Get going before I change my mind and drag you back here."
The boat drifted away from the dock, carrying Raiden toward an unknown future. With every wave, the horizon stretched endlessly before him. The time had come to carve his own path, find his crew, and chase the dreams burning within him.
His journey was just beginning.