The orphanage where Cade lived was an isolated structure from the nearby Ashwood town. A clear path from the fields outside the town took one directly to the orphanage. Not far from the path, a cluster of ancient trees grew, their branches intertwining like old friends. One tree in particular was filled with birds, resting quietly one moment, then taking flight the next, only to return once more. This strange behavior repeated over and over.

On one of the sturdier branches of the tree, Cade hung upside down, his body perfectly still, his breathing so controlled it was nearly imperceptible. He was practicing two techniques—Zetsu, which allowed him to suppress his aura entirely, and Ren, which expanded it outward in a powerful surge.

Three things were happening around Cade as he trained. First, the birds gathered in large numbers on his tree, a behavior common around hunters due to their natural docility toward them. Second, they took off in a sudden flurry of wings each time Cade released his aura with a burst of Ren. Lastly, the birds returned once he slipped back into Zetsu, drawing in his aura until he became undetectable.

From the outside, his progress was subtle, almost invisible, but Cade could feel his mastery growing with every moment. His control over the basic Nen techniques was fine-tuning. After an hour and a half of this practice, he opened his eyes, and his aura flared outward like a spherical ball of energy. The edges of the sphere were uneven and expanding outwards like crimson tentacles.

Keeping Ren active Sweat began to form on his brow, dripping from his hair onto the earth below as he maintained the state for as long as he could. When he finally reached his limit, Cade released his hold on Ren, shifting from his upside-down position and landing softly on the ground. Breathing heavily, he stood there, catching his breath as his body relaxed from the intensity of the training.

After catching his breath, Cade set off toward the path leading to the town. As he walked, he noticed Kaze approaching with a tall, lanky boy. Both wore tank tops, with Kaze sporting an arm brace. The boy had his hands in his pockets. Carefree.

“You’re Ezra, I assume,” Cade said, as they came near.

“Hmmm. And you must be Cade.” Ezra’s eyes swept over him, assessing him with an almost lazy confidence. “Up close, you’re just a kid,” he remarked with raised eyebrows. “What are you, fourteen? Fifteen? Is this the boy who messed you up, Kaze?”

Kaze, standing nearby, nodded vigorously, almost as though he couldn’t stop himself. Meanwhile, Cade only offered a brief nod in return, unruffled by Ezra's words.

Ezra raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Well, I’ll be damned. I don’t get surprised often, kid.” His tone was firm yet oddly casual, as though addressing an equal. “I don’t believe in hurting kids, and I see a bit of myself in you. So, I’m giving you an out. Apologize to Ezra here and you don't have to worry about the damage you've caused "

Cade raised his eyebrows in surprise at how easygoing Ezra was acting. But he had other plans in mind.

His lips curled into a smirk. “Make me.”

Kaze’s eyes went wide. “Ezra! He said the same thing to me! This little—”

Ezra silenced him with a raised hand, his gaze never leaving Cade. “I like that confidence,” he said, his voice thoughtful. “Reminds me of the fire I used to have. Tell you what—show me something interesting, give me a good fight, and I might let you go. Hell, I'll even let you join the gang.”

Cade’s voice remained steady as he asked, “And what if I beat you?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Ezra’s smile widened, a low chuckle escaping him before it turned into a full laugh. “Beat me? You?” His laughter rang out, but just as quickly, it vanished, replaced by a cold look. “If you can beat me, I'll work for you. "

The words barely settled before they rushed at each other. Ezra swung first, his punch cutting through the air with a practiced ease, but Cade slipped aside effortlessly. Ezra pulled back, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. 'He’s quick' he thought.

Cade, for his part, was already analyzing him.

Ezra had reach, height, and years of experience on his side, but Cade remained unfazed. He darted forward, unleashing a flurry of quick punches. Ezra blocked and dodged with sharp, controlled movements. After several exchanges, he began to see the cracks in Ezra’s defenses, the patterns in his blocks.

Then Cade struck. A quick feint, a subtle shift in direction, and his fist connected with Ezra’s jaw. The blow sent Ezra stumbling backward, his head spinning as he hit the ground, momentarily stunned.

Cade stood and walked over.“Your stance is decent,” he remarked. “But your technique—outside of defense—is garbage.”

Ezra groaned, spitting blood onto the dirt as he glared up at the boy. “So, do you give up?” Cade asked.

Ezra got to his feet slowly, his breaths coming heavy but steady. He rubbed his jaw and stretched his neck, standing tall once more. “I’m just getting started,” he muttered, his hand moving behind his back. A knife appeared in his grip, the blade gleaming in the sunlight as he gripped it tightly.

Cade raised an eyebrow, the barest hint of a smirk on his lips.

“A weapon? I thought I was just a kid,”

“Shut up,” Ezra snapped, “I won't go easy this time, so be prepared.”

Without further warning, Ezra lunged, the knife flashing as he swung it in a wide arc. Cade saw it coming, but as the blade neared, Ezra switched grips, aiming for Cade’s throat. Cade’s eyes narrowed, already anticipating the faint. He tilted his neck, staying just out of reach.

Ezra attacked again, slashing with increasing speed and fury, his strikes coming fast and wild. Cade danced out of harm's way, dodging each blow without his eyes leaving Ezra. A few shallow cuts grazed his skin, but they didn’t slow him down. If anything, Cade was learning more with each attack, feeling the rhythm of Ezra’s strikes.

Then came the opening. Ezra lunged again, aiming for Cade’s neck in a final, desperate move.

' oh~ he's ruthless'

Cade had seen enough. He sidestepped gracefully, grabbed Ezra’s arm mid-strike, and used his momentum to slam him into a nearby tree. The impact knocked the wind from Ezra, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Before Ezra could react, Cade was behind him, locking him into a tight chokehold. Ezra struggled, his knife hand pinned beneath Cade’s foot, but he was trapped. His breath grew shallow, his vision beginning to blur.

Desperation gripped him like a vice as the world around him began to blur and darken. His voice, weak and fractured, finally escaped in a hoarse whisper,

"I... I surrender."

The knife slipped from his trembling hand, clattering harmlessly to the ground.

Ezra just sat there unmoving.

Nearby, Kaze stood frozen in shock, sweating profusely. 'How is this possible?' he muttered, disbelief written across his features. 'I thought Ezra was a genius.'

Cade leaned forward, extending his hand toward Ezra, who sat lost in thought, his gaze distant and unseeing. Cade chose not to disturb him, leaving his hand outstretched, waiting patiently.

'He has potential,'

Cade mused silently, 'But no drive. Unfulfilled potential—that's what it is.'

From the start of the fight, Cade had been holding back, refraining from using his nen or any advanced martial arts techniques, knowing they would have ended the battle too quickly. Now, seeing Ezra's personality and latent abilities, he was glad for his restraint.

After a while, the anger, fire, and disappointment in Ezra's eyes finally faded, replaced by a different emotion—something much harder to earn: respect. He accepted Cade’s offered hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Cade asked, his expression calm. "What will you do now, Ezra? Will you stand by your word, or will you back down?"

Ezra shook his head resolutely. "I never break my word. A man is no man without his honor. But... I have a question."

"Go on," Cade replied.

"When we were fighting, I could tell you were holding back yourself. Honestly, I don't care how you developed your skills. What I want to know is, Will you teach me?"

Cade's smile widened slightly, his voice steady. "Of course."

Ezra and Kaze both knelt before him, bowing their heads in submission. "Then we'll be glad to work for you, boss," they said in unison.

"You can call me by name if you wish," he instructed, his tone firm but not harsh. "And you can stop bowing—I don't care for that."

Out of nowhere, the soft flutter of wings sounded. A small, round, and furry bird, no larger than the size of a palm, swooped down with surprising grace, its wide eyes gleaming as it gently perched on Cade’s shoulder.

The group exchanged glances, unsure of how to react, their silence filled with unspoken wonder.

“What?” Cade shrugged casually, giving the bird a light pat. “Birds love me.”

Meanwhile, Ezra and Kaze both found themselves lost in the same thought, a strange certainty settling over them: 'Why do I feel like my life is about to change forever?'.