The storm had passed, but the atmosphere in the cavern remained thick with the scent of salt and blood. The sound of waves crashing against the rocky shores echoed through the stone hallways of Kuro's fortress. Inside, Kaito sat on a large stone slab, his side wrapped in crude bandages, but blood still oozing from the wound Kuro had inflicted earlier.
Kuro stood nearby, his Lostvayne now resting peacefully at his side, observing Kaito with an unreadable expression. The man was tough, but Kuro knew that a wound like that could easily prove fatal if not treated properly. His goal wasn't to break Kaito; it was to make him stronger.
Kaito grunted as he shifted slightly, trying to avoid putting too much pressure on the wound. He caught Kuro's gaze and frowned, irritated but resigned.
Kaito:
"Are you just going to stand there and stare at me, or are you actually going to do something about this?"
Kuro gave a slow nod and walked over to Kaito, pulling a small, neatly-wrapped kit from his cloak. His movements were smooth and efficient, as though he'd done this hundreds of times before.
Kuro:
"Hold still."
Kaito scoffed but remained still, his eyes scanning the room. Despite the pain, there was a certain respect in his gaze—he had fought Kuro with everything he had, yet the man had still managed to come out on top. That, more than anything, was why Kaito was now here.
Kuro unwrapped the kit, revealing a set of tools for stitching wounds. The air felt heavy with unspoken tension, but Kuro focused entirely on the task at hand, his hands steady as he began cleaning the wound.
Kuro:
"You fought well. But you need to understand that in this world, strength isn't enough. It's the mind that will carry us forward."
Kaito grunted, clearly struggling with both the pain and Kuro's words.
Kaito:
"Yeah, well... your mind's got me stitched up, so I guess there's something to it."
Kuro didn't respond at first, his attention fully on his work. The sound of the needle pulling through Kaito's skin was almost soothing in its consistency.
Kuro:
"I don't intend to lead a group of fools who rely on brute strength alone. Every person in the Swords of Faith will be a weapon—one that can destroy the Five Great Shinobi Villages."
Kaito's eyes flickered slightly, his irritation giving way to curiosity.
Kaito:
"The Five Villages, huh? You really plan on taking them all down?"
Kuro:
"We will. But to do that, we need more than just warriors. We need a cause. A reason for our actions. The villages may be strong, but they are divided. They will fall."
As Kuro finished stitching the wound, he wiped away the excess blood and bandaged it carefully. Kaito winced slightly as the pain subsided, but the damage was done—his body was healing, albeit slowly.
Kuro stepped back, his eyes scanning the mercenary's battered form. Kaito had proven his worth, and now it was time for the next step.
Kuro:
"You've earned this."
Kuro reached into his cloak and pulled out a black cape, the fabric shimmering slightly with chakra-infused threads. The cape was simple in design but incredibly symbolic. He draped it over Kaito's shoulders, the weight of it settling on him like an unspoken promise.
Kaito blinked in confusion, looking down at the cape of swords that now rested on him. The symbols on it—two crossed swords embroidered across the back—marked him as a high-ranking member of the Swords of Faith.
Kaito:
"What's this?"
Kuro:
"The Cape of Swords. It is a symbol of rank within the Swords of Faith. You've proven yourself in battle, and now you bear the mark of leadership."
Kaito's fingers ran over the fabric, feeling the weight of it as he stood, his newfound power settling within him. The realization struck him—this was not just a symbol of strength, but a responsibility.
Kaito:
"And the others?"
Kuro:
"Those who are lower-ranked will wear a black cape with a small sword on the back. They will be the foundation of our organization. But you—"
He paused for a moment, letting the silence hang between them.
Kuro:
"You have the potential to rise even higher. You'll be a leader among them. Your actions from this point on will determine your place."
Kaito looked up, his eyes sharp, now filled with a deeper understanding of the path ahead.
Kaito:
"Then I'll show them that I'm not just a warrior. I'll show them what it means to have faith in something greater."
Kuro nodded, a rare, almost imperceptible smile flickering on his face.
Kuro:
"Good. Now, rest. We've got much work ahead of us."
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End of Chapter 2
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This chapter focuses on Kuro's relationship with Kaito, showing the bond they begin to form after the battle. Kuro's leadership is solidified as he initiates Kaito into the Swords of Faith, marking him with the Cape of Swords—the symbol of high rank. Kaito's character starts to evolve as he accepts his role in Kuro's vision.
Let me know if you want to adjust anything or move to the next part!