The battlefield was silent.
Blade Taizuka stood in the ruins of what was once a great city, now reduced to rubble and ash. Fires flickered in the distance, casting eerie shadows over the broken landscape. The sky, painted in hues of crimson and gray, loomed over him like a silent judge, watching as he clutched his sword—Kamikaze—the only thing that had remained by his side through everything.
He could barely stand. His body ached, wounds covering his arms and legs. His once-proud battle attire was in tatters, soaked in the blood of allies and enemies alike. His breathing was ragged, each inhale sharp and painful.
Yet, the physical pain was nothing compared to what he felt inside.
"What's the point of being alive... without anyone to protect?"
His voice was barely a whisper, carried away by the wind. His grey eyes, once filled with fire and determination, were now dull, empty.
He had lost everything.
The faces of those he cared about flashed through his mind—Kibito, Suntaro, Kagami—all gone. Taken by a war that never should have happened. He had fought to protect them, to stand between them and death itself. And yet, in the end, he had failed.
A single tear slipped down his cheek.
"I've lost everything... everyone... I'm just a shell of my former self."
His grip tightened around Kamikaze's hilt. This blade had been his partner, his extension, his soul. It had saved him countless times. But even a sword had its limits.
And so did he.
"But even in death... I'll find a way to protect them... to be with them again."
His decision was made. His fate sealed.
He raised Kamikaze.
A deep breath.
A final thought.
"If there is a purpose for me... I will definitely be reborn with you... Bye, Kamikaze."
The blade pierced his chest.
Pain erupted through his body, but in the midst of it, a strange sense of peace washed over him. As his vision blurred, he saw the sword—his most trusted companion—shatter into countless glowing fragments, dissolving into the wind.
His body fell, a serene smile on his lips.
Then—darkness.
---
A sharp gasp tore through the silence.
Blade's eyes snapped open. His body jerked upright, his chest rising and falling rapidly as if he had just surfaced from drowning.
He was alive.
His hands clutched at his chest, expecting to feel the deep, fatal wound. But there was nothing. No blood, no pain—just his normal heartbeat, steady and strong.
He blinked in confusion.
Gone were the burning ruins and the smell of death. Instead, he found himself lying on a futon inside a traditional wooden house, soft morning light filtering through paper windows. The scent of fresh tatami mats and cherry blossoms filled the air.
This wasn't the battlefield. This wasn't death.
"Where… am I?"
The door suddenly burst open.
"BLADE! WAKE UP! IT'S YOUR GRADUATION DAY!"
A familiar, booming voice echoed through the room.
Blade barely had time to react before his father, a towering man with a gruff beard, stormed in, his face twisted in frustration.
Blade's heart pounded. The war, his death, the destruction—it was all gone. He was back home, in the town of Hanegakure.
A dream?
No, it had felt too real. The pain, the sorrow—it had been real. But now…
His father crossed his arms, glaring down at him. "Boy, you better get up before I throw you out of that bed myself!"
Blade's mind was still spinning, but instinct kicked in.
"SHIT!" He bolted upright, only to get tangled in his blanket and crash onto the floor.
His father sighed. "You overslept again, didn't you?"
Blade groaned, rubbing his head. "Damn it… why didn't you wake me up earlier, old man?!"
"You're seventeen. Learn to wake up by yourself!"
Blade scrambled to his feet, hurriedly throwing on his graduation outfit—a simple yet elegant black and red kimono, tied with a golden sash. He grabbed a piece of bread from the table and dashed for the door.
"Gotta run! See ya later, old man!"
But before he could escape, his father stepped in front of him, holding a katana in his hands.
A blade unlike any other.
Blade skidded to a stop, eyes widening.
"Before you leave," his father said seriously, "take this. It's time you wield our family's treasure."
Blade's gaze locked onto the sword. Its polished steel gleamed under the morning light, intricate ancient symbols glowing faintly along the blade.
"Kamikaze…?"
His father nodded. "This is Kamikaze, the blade that seals the power of the five elemental dragons."
Blade hesitated before reaching out, his fingers brushing against the hilt. A strange, electric energy surged through him, sending a chill down his spine.
"Five elemental dragons…?"
His father's expression darkened. "You will understand in time. The world is changing, Blade. And soon, you will need this power."
Blade gripped the sword, the weight of destiny pressing down on him.
He exhaled sharply, flashing his usual cocky grin. "Alright! I'll make this look good!"
His father shook his head, but there was a hint of pride in his eyes. "Don't get too full of yourself. Now go—your friends are waiting."
---
Blade stepped outside, inhaling the crisp morning air. The town of Hanegakure was alive with excitement—banners lined the streets, and groups of young warriors gathered for the upcoming graduation ceremony.
At the village square, three familiar figures stood waiting for him.
Kibito Akammi, Suntaro Akammi, and Kagami Hanera.
Kibito smirked. "The mighty Blade Taizuka, late as always! You sure this is your graduation day?"
Suntaro playfully punched Blade's arm. "At this rate, you'll sleep through your own wedding!"
Kagami crossed her arms, her golden-brown eyes narrowing. "Did you even eat breakfast? Or are you planning to starve?"
Blade held up his half-eaten bread, grinning. "Multitasking, my specialty!"
The four laughed together, unaware that this day would mark the beginning of something far greater than just graduation.
Because soon, war would come.
Soon, the Phoenix Order would call upon them.
And Blade Taizuka's destiny would begin.
---
This story, characters, and world belong to me, Reyzin. If you're reading this on an official platform like Webnovel , thank you for your support! If you see it somewhere else without my name or permission, someone has stolen it. Please report it and support original creators!"