The sun rose over the slumbering village of Shinra no Sato, known as the 'Village of the Divine Order,' its golden rays painting the thatched roofs with hues of dawn, stirring life into the bustling town square. Yet, in a humble, weather-worn hut on the outskirts, a different tale unfolded.
Kazuki Kurotsuki, a young beastfolk with wolf ears, silvery white hair that shimmered like the first light of morning, and eyes the color of the sun, stirred from his bed of straw and tattered blankets. His home was simple, made from the earth and sky, a sanctuary where he could dream of his destiny. His stomach growled, a loud echo in the morning silence, reminding him of his hunger.
"Darn it! I'm starving!" Kazuki exclaimed, tossing his blankets aside. "Why must the heavens be so stingy? A samurai of my caliber deserves a banquet, not this hollow echo of hunger!"
With a sigh and a mischievous glint in his eye, Kazuki began his daily routine.
An orphan, his parents' faces lost to the mists of memory, leaving him with only a name and a peculiar birthmark on his back, shaped like a Yin Dragon. The villagers whispered that Kazuki was touched by Ryu, the life force that flowed through every samurai, but in him, it was wild, untamed, like a tempest within.
"Hey, look! The monster's back again!" a teen kid shouted, pointing at Kazuki.
Kazuki paid no mind to the taunts, his hands already moving in a blur. He began to juggle bokken, the wooden swords dancing in the air with a grace that belied their weight. A small crowd gathered, their eyes wide with wonder at his agility.
"Wow, he's quite skilled!" Matsuri Yukimura, an apprentice samurai with a heart as vast as the Ryu she wielded, exclaimed, her admiration plain.
"Shh! Don't encourage him!" Yamato, her friend, quickly hushed her, his eyes darting nervously at the other kids.
"Look at him! He reeks of sweat and looks so ugly! A samurai? More like a jester with those wolf ears and scruffy hair!" Yamato scoffed, taking a bite of his onigiri before throwing it at Kazuki. The rice ball landed on the leaf where Kazuki collected offerings from his performances, scattering grains like tiny stars.
"Here's your breakfast, monster! Maybe if you're lucky, someone will throw you a real meal one day!" Yamato taunted, laughter erupting from his cronies.
Kazuki paused, his bright eyes wide as he looked at the onigiri. A smile spread across his face. "Thank you so much!" he said cheerfully, his heart swelling with the simple joy of food. He picked up the onigiri, savoring each bite, forgetting the sting of mockery in the warmth of the meal.
Matsuri watched, her heart aching. She couldn't bear to see such talent scorned, especially with that infectious smile. "I... I can't watch this," she murmured, her expression softening. She turned away, her steps quick as she left the scene.
Kazuki, focused on his meager feast, didn't notice her departure. He continued his juggling, the bokken spinning, a symbol of his resilience.
As he finished the last morsel, he saw Matsuri returning, her face a mix of determination and concern, a small bundle in her hands. Kazuki's heart lifted at the sight.
"Hey, you!" he called, pausing his performance. "Did you come back to see my show?"
The girl approached, a shy smile on her face. "I... I couldn't just leave you like that," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "I brought you something." She carefully unwrapped the cloth to reveal a freshly made onigiri. "I thought you might be hungry."
Kazuki's eyes widened in surprise as he dashed toward her, gently taking her hands in his. "You brought these for me? You're a lifesaver! Please marry me!" he exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.
The girl's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she stammered, "Y-You dummy! I just brought it because you were in such a state, and it's so hard for you, so I wanted to help!"
Kazuki took the rice balls, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you so much! This means the world to me." As he took a bite, his eyes lit up. "It's so delicious! By the way, what's your name?"
The girl smiled, her eyes brightening at his happiness. "Call me Matsuri Yukimura. I'm glad you like it! You really are talented. Don't let them get to you."
Just then, Yamato and others, noticing the exchange, sneered from the sidelines. "Look at that! The monster has a little fan club now!" Yamato shouted, crossing his arms. "What's next? A duet?"
Kazuki felt a mix of embarrassment and determination. He looked at Matsuri, who nodded encouragingly. "Ignore them," she whispered. "You're better than that."
As Kazuki and Matsuri stood together, the sun caught the grand statue at the village center, depicting the eight previous and current Taisho. Each figure represented the strength, skill, and the unique Ryu they mastered. Kazuki gazed at the statues, a surge of determination coursing through him.
"I will place myself among the statues of Taisho," Kazuki declared, his voice filled with conviction. "I will surpass all those Taisho! My Ryu will shine brighter than the sun, and with it, I'll forge a new dawn for Shinra no Sato!"
The wind whispered through the village, as if in agreement, carrying with it the promise of Kazuki's future, where his wild Ryu would either be his greatest triumph or his ultimate downfall.