Akimitsu woke to his alarm's jarring ring, shaking off slumber. He rubbed his eyes, remembering the previous day's events. After a quick freshen-up, he grabbed his axe and headed to his workspace.
As he walked, he stumbled upon Rina, the girl from yesterday's market encounter, locked in combat with a menacing figure.
Akimitsu's eyes locked onto Rina's, his gaze piercing. "Now tell me... who is he?
"He was from the other territory and he pick a fight with me,Can you help me defeat this guy?"Rina asked, dodging her opponent's blows.
"Yeah! Looks like I got a real dummy to fight!" Akimitsu replied, axe in hand.
The opponent vanished, reappearing with a katana pressed against Akimitsu's neck.
Rina intervened, deflecting the blade with her sword. Together, they faced the adversary, who unleashed the formidable "Tatsu Kurenai no Kiru" technique.
A navy-blue dragon emerged, its roar thundering through the air. The ground around them shattered as the dragon prepared to destroy them.
The foe shouted, "Die!" but his attack was thwarted. The dragon dissipated mere inches from Akimitsu.
The opponent's eyes widened in terror. "Is he alive?" he stammered, fleeing the scene.
Akimitsu turned to Rina. "Who is he?"
Rina shook her head. "I don't know. Sorry for the trouble."
Akimitsu smiled. "No worries. I'm Akimitsu."
"I'm Rina Tsukiyori," she replied.
Rina invited Akimitsu to share a meal at a hotel. Over steaming bowls of ramen, their friendship blossomed.
As they parted ways, Akimitsu returned home. He found an unexpected visitor: Hoshinaka Akira, his trusted friend.
"Akira, what brings you here?" Akimitsu asked.
"I saw you with a girl," Akira replied.
"Who is she?" Akira asked.
"Rina Tsukiyori," Akimitsu said.
Akira's eyes narrowed. "I need your help. Come with me for an hour."
Akimitsu's adventure had only just begun.
As Akimitsu followed Akira, he pondered the mysterious events unfolding around him. Little did he know, his journey to become Hoshizuro's savior had just taken its first step.
Akimitsu and Akira strolled hand-in-hand beside the serene lake, enjoying the warm sun on their skin. Suddenly, Akimitsu's gaze locked onto a familiar figure.
"Rina!" Akimitsu called out, releasing Akira's hand.
Akira's eyes narrowed, thinking, Go away, Rina.
But Rina, Akimitsu's friend, came running towards them, a bright smile on her face. She hugged Akira tightly.
"Hey, Akira! Long time no see!" Rina exclaimed.
Akimitsu stared at Akira, his expression unreadable. Akira's eyes darted nervously between Rina and Akimitsu.
"Do you know her?" Akimitsu asked Akira.
Rina intervened, "Yeah, he was my boyfriend."
Akimitsu's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"
Akira's face flushed. "I'll come back later," turning to leave.
But Akimitsu caught his hand. "Wait, Akira I need to talk to you,Rina one minute
"Yeah, of course," Rina replied.
Akimitsu turned to Akira, his voice low. "Hey, Akira, why didn't you say she was your girlfriend?"
Akira shrugged nonchalantly. "It's nothing."
Akimitsu's eyes pierced Akira's, seeking answers.
Rina's smile faded.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the rolling hills, Akimitsu gathered his closest friends beside him. With an infectious enthusiasm, he proposed an adventure, inviting them to journey together into the unknown.
But their excitement was short-lived.
Five burly men emerged from the shadows, their faces twisted in scorn. "You think you're worthy of being a savior, Akimitsu?" one of them sneered. "You're nothing but a poor, weakling!"
The group's leader, a towering figure with a cruel grin, stepped forward. "Prove your worth, Akimitsu. Let's see if you can even defend yourself!"
Akimitsu's fists clenched, but he hesitated. These men were from his own territory, and he couldn't bring himself to harm them.
Just as the leader was about to strike, a figure emerged from the fringes of the group. Akira, with eyes blazing like steel, caught the man's wrist in mid-air.
"Don't. Touch. Him," Akira growled, his voice low and menacing.
The group took a collective step back, intimidated by Akira's imposing presence.
"Who are you?" one of them stammered.
Akira's gaze never wavered. "I'm Akira, student of Shinowara – the greatest martial arts master this land has ever known."
A murmur rippled through the group. "Shinowara's student?" one of them whispered. "But he's the one who defeated his own master!"
The group's bravado deflated, replaced by fear. They retreated hastily, disappearing into the fading light.
Akimitsu turned to Akira, gratitude etched on his face. "Thank you, Akira."
Akira's expression softened. "You're under my protection now, Akimitsu. No one will harm you."
Rina's brow furrowed with concern as she turned to Akimitsu. "What's their problem with you?"
Akimitsu shrugged, his eyes gazing downward. "I don't know. Maybe it's because I'm poor."
Rina's expression softened. "That's not your fault, Akimitsu. You're kind and brave – that's what truly matters."
Akimitsu's gaze met Rina's, a hint of sadness lingering. "But to them, my poverty makes me worthless. They think I can never become a true savior."
Rina's voice took on a determined tone. "Don't listen to them, Akimitsu. You have a good heart, and that's the greatest strength of all."
Akira, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "Rina's right, Akimitsu. Your worth isn't measured by wealth or status. It's your courage and compassion that will make you a true hero."
Akimitsu's face lit up with a faint smile, his spirits lifted by his friends' unwavering support.
To be
Continued.