The early morning light barely crept through the White Blade base as the team gathered in the training yard. The crisp air stung Kaito and Yuna's skin, but their minds were focused on the task ahead. Today was the day they would face Captain Shin, a trial to prove their worth in the team—or be cast aside.

Kaito, nervous energy bubbling under his skin, adjusted his sword's grip, glancing toward Yuna. She stood calm and composed as always, her sharp eyes focused straight ahead. The weight of the moment wasn't lost on either of them.

Takeda, Daigo, and Mira stood off to the side, watching in silence. Takeda's arms were crossed, his usual scowl deepened by the tension in the air. Daigo leaned against a post, looking more relaxed, but his eyes were sharp with anticipation. Mira offered them an encouraging smile, her presence always warm despite the stern atmosphere.

Shin emerged from the shadows of the base, his silver eyes cold as ever, but there was something different today. His katana wasn't drawn. Instead, in his hand was a wooden training sword, its polished surface reflecting the morning light.

Kaito (whispering, to Yuna): "He's not even using his real sword..."

Yuna didn't respond, her focus entirely on Shin as he approached.

Shin (coldly): "You'll fight me together. You use your blades. I'll use this."

Kaito's brow furrowed. It felt like an insult, being pitted against their Captain with nothing but a wooden sword in his hand. The man didn't even think they were worth a proper fight.

Kaito (frustrated): "Captain, isn't it... unfair? You're fighting us with a wooden sword, and there are two of us."

Shin's silver eyes flickered to Kaito, a faint glint of annoyance flashing within them.

Shin (calmly): "Unfair? I've already lowered the difficulty for you. Your real test isn't about winning—it's surviving."

Kaito felt his hands tighten around his sword's hilt, frustration mounting. He had to prove himself today, not just to Shin, but to everyone.

Kaito (determined): "I'll prove myself, Captain. You'll have to use your real sword."

Shin's expression didn't change, but a flicker of acknowledgment passed through his gaze.

Mira (softly, to Takeda): "Captain shouldn't push them this hard... They're just recruits."

Takeda (gruffly): "It's not about pushing them. It's about seeing if they have the heart for this. If they don't make it through this test, they won't make it on the battlefield."

Shin took his position in the center of the yard, his wooden sword raised, but his body language was completely relaxed. It was as if he wasn't concerned in the slightest about the outcome.

Shin (coldly): "Come at me."

Yuna and Kaito exchanged a glance. They both knew there was no time for hesitation. In unison, they moved, their swords flashing through the air as they charged at Shin.

Shin sidestepped effortlessly, his wooden sword moving with a speed that made it seem like a blur. He blocked Kaito's strike with ease, pushing him back with a flick of his wrist. Yuna's blade followed immediately after, but Shin parried her attack with a precise movement, his eyes cold and detached.

In a matter of seconds, both recruits were on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Shin's swift and unrelenting movements. His wooden sword moved as if it weighed nothing, but every strike was calculated, every deflection precise.

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Kaito (thinking, panting): He's... too fast. I can't even keep up with him.

Yuna, though more composed, was clearly feeling the pressure as well. Her strikes were precise, but Shin read her movements like an open book. Every attempt she made was met with a counter, and every counter left her more exposed.

Suddenly, Kaito rushed forward, trying to land a blow on Shin's side. His frustration had boiled over, and he swung harder than before, aiming to force Shin into using his real blade. But the result was instant.

Shin's wooden sword struck Kaito's wrist with brutal precision, sending his sword clattering to the ground. Before Kaito could even react, Shin swept his legs out from under him, and Kaito hit the ground hard, gasping for breath.

Mira (softly): "Kaito..."

Daigo (grinning, amused): "I knew they'd have a hard time, but damn. They're really getting their asses handed to them."

Yuna launched herself at Shin, hoping to capitalize on the brief moment, but Shin's wooden sword struck her blade with a force that made her stagger back. He pressed forward, giving her no room to breathe. His strikes were relentless, each one pushing her closer to the edge.

Yuna's foot slipped on the dirt, and in that split second, Shin was there. His wooden sword tapped her shoulder, and then her sword arm. Yuna froze. She had been disarmed without even realizing it.

Shin stepped back, his expression unchanged. He hadn't even broken a sweat.

Shin (coldly): "You're not ready. Quit before you get yourselves killed."

Kaito, still on the ground, looked up at Shin, his eyes wide with shock. Yuna stood there, breathing heavily, her grip tightening around her sword hilt.

Kaito (quietly): "We... didn't even land a hit..."

Shin didn't respond. He turned his back to them, walking toward the barracks without another word.

Daigo (chuckling): "Told you it'd be rough."

Takeda (gruffly): "That wasn't a test of skill. It was a lesson. If they don't get stronger, they won't last a day out there."

Yuna sheathed her sword, her face calm despite the harshness of the lesson. Kaito remained on the ground, staring at the dirt, his fists clenched.

Yuna (calmly): "We're not done yet."

Kaito looked up at her, his expression filled with doubt.

Kaito (quietly): "But we... didn't do anything."

Yuna extended her hand to him, her voice steady and resolute.

Yuna: "We survived. That's enough for now."

Kaito hesitated, then took her hand, pulling himself to his feet.

As they sat around the table, nursing their bruised egos and bodies, Mira placed a warm bowl of food in front of each of them, her smile as comforting as ever.

Mira (cheerfully): "Eat up. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

Kaito frowned, pushing his food around with his spoon.

Kaito (muttering): "He said we should quit."

Mira placed her hand on Kaito's shoulder, her eyes filled with warmth.

Mira (softly): "The Captain doesn't waste time with people he doesn't believe in. If he didn't see potential in you, you'd already be gone."

Kaito blinked, looking up at her in surprise.

Kaito: "But... he said—"

Mira (smiling): "Shin is harsh, but he didn't kick you out. You survived, and that's what matters. Now, eat. Tomorrow's another day."

Yuna, who had remained quiet, looked up from her food.

Yuna: "We didn't even land a hit."

Mira chuckled softly.

Mira: "And you weren't expected to. But your form and reactions were good enough. Trust me, the Captain sees more than you think."

Yuna and Kaito exchanged a glance, surprised by Mira's words. Slowly, a sense of relief began to settle in.

Mira (softly): "Welcome to the team, you two."

Later that night, Kaito and Yuna lay in their beds, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to them. The faint light of the lantern flickered across the room, casting long shadows on the walls.

Kaito stared up at the ceiling, his mind still buzzing with thoughts of the fight. The gap between them and the Captain felt insurmountable.

Kaito (softly): "Do you think we'll ever be strong enough to stand beside him?"

Yuna, who had been quietly reflecting, turned her head slightly toward him.

Yuna (calmly): "It's not about standing beside him. It's about surviving long enough to learn from him."

Kaito let out a soft chuckle, though there was still uncertainty in his voice.

Kaito: "That's easier said than done."

Yuna didn't respond immediately, but when she did, her voice was steady.

Yuna: "We'll get there. One day at a time."

There was a long pause, the room filled with the soft sounds of their breathing. Finally, Kaito turned on his side, facing Yuna.

Kaito (softly): "Goodnight, Yuna."

Yuna (calmly): "Goodnight, Kaito."

And with that, they both drifted into a quiet, uneasy sleep, ready to face whatever the next day brought.

End of Chapter