Chapter 2

Another year has passed and the young Jintetsu, at a tender age of 5, is now being taught the basics of swordsmanship by his father Yajiro.

But of course he isn’t the only ones being taught; other child who wishes to learn are now at Yajiro’s Dojo and doing the basic sword swings like Jintetsu.

That also includes the town’s bully Daigoro and his 2 younger brothers.

[Yajiro] “Alright, just 20 more swings and we will be finished.”

Following the words of their teacher, the children kept swinging while desperately holding on to their Shinai and making sure it doesn’t fly off of their hands.

The oldest members of the kids, including Daigoro are also breathing heavily.

Except for one…

[Jintetsu] (Hmm…so we’re only going to keep swinging 20 more times, huh?)

Jintetsu kept swinging without any trouble or any sense of fatigue showing on his face.

In truth, he still wishes to keep swinging and learn more, but his own father said that he must learn step by step without skipping.

So with his father’s words, he kept swinging normally just like the other children, while keeping his desires to himself.

Watching every child from the Dojo floor swinging, Yajiro walks around observing their every swing.

He then moves his eyes towards his own son.

[Yajiro] (Hmm, Danzou was right. Jintetsu’s stamina is quite a sight to behold.)

Out of all the children that came in the Yajiro’s Dojo, Jintetsu is the only 5 year old that was willing to keep going.

There are some in the same age as Jintetsu that came to the Dojo to train, but all of them simply came because they thought it would look impressive and gave up halfway.

But unlike all of them, Jintetsu kept swinging without any problem.

[Yajiro] (He even beat the kids who are older than himself in stamina…but what makes him more amazing is…)

A year ago, when Yajiro heard the report that Danzou gave, Yajiro couldn’t believe it. But since those words came from the man he trusted for years, he had no choice but to see for himself if his own son has something special inside him.

So when Jintetsu hit 5 and was finally allowed to participate, Yajiro gave him a Shinai that has a 1 inch steel bar buried inside it.

Without knowing about the steel bar, Jintetsu kept swinging without any complains for about 3 months.

[Yajiro] (And not only that…his swings are getting even more precise and faster than before.)

Yajiro could see why Danzou was carrying an amazed look when he gave him the report about Jintetsu saving his daughter Yuina a year ago.

Finishing with the final swing, Yajiro claps his hands to give the signal to stop and clean up.

And with the same signal, Jintetsu ties rope on the Shinai he was holding and then ties it around his chest, doing the same thing he did a year ago.

[Jintetsu] “Otou-san, can I go to Jii-san’s shop?”

[Yajiro] “Hmm? Oh right, you’re supposed to help him in his shop today. Alright, but make sure to tell your mother before you go.”

[Jintetsu] “I will!”

With Jintetsu’s footsteps echoing inside the, he starts to look for his mother Kaede. But luckily for him, she was already watching Jintetsu’s Practice from the closest window.

[Jintetsu] “Okaa-san? What are you—whoa!?”

[Kaede] “Kyaaa! Jin-chan, you were so amazing and manly out there! Okaa-chan fell for you all over again! Chu~ Chu~ Chu~ Chu~”

http%3a%2f%2fi.imgur.com%2fuYYe4aM.jpg [http://i.imgur.com/uYYe4aM.jpg]

Without even letting Jintetsu finish, Kaede quickly hugs him and gave him multiple kisses all over his face.

[Jintetsu] “O—Okaa-san, please stop, I need to go to Jii-san’s workshop.”

[Kaede] “Hnnnnnng, but Okaa-chan doesn’t want to, can’t you just stay here with me?”

With an empty mind that only has thoughts about how to spend time with her own son, Kaede persistently tries to persuade Jintetsu to stay.

But fortunately for Jintetsu and unfortunately for Kaede, a voice came echoing throughout the wall, as if the voice itself found it’s pray.

[Shiranue] “Kaede-san~”

[Kaede] “Hiiii! O—Okaa-sama!?”

[Shiranue] “I have found you~”

[Kaede] “Y—you have fo—found me…”

[Shiranue/Kaede] “”…………………………………””

A smile is shown in Shiranue’s face, but it was obvious that the air it carries isn’t pleasant nor warmly.

Though Shiranue is already hundreds of years and also carries the body of a 12 year old, she is still a practitioner of the family martial art called ‘Reiki Genkotsu Ryugi’, a technique that release the energy inside one’s body and uses it as ether for fighting; it can even be used for healing.

And with this technique, Shiranue boosts her strength and quickly grabs Kaede’s horn.

[Kaede] “Wh—wait, Okaa-sama!? P—please don’t pull on my horns!”

[Shiranue] “Silence! I told you that you must keep praying for 4 hours, but here you are, not doing your duty as a Head Miko!”

With Kaede’s cries and Shiranue’s nagging, Jintetsu watches them with a warry smile.

But before Shiranue and Kaede disappear to a corner, Shiranue remembers something and calls for Jintetsu.

[Shiranue] “Jin-bou, you are heading towards Tatara’s shop, yes?”

[Jintetsu] “I am, is there something you want me to do?”

[Shiranue] “I have a letter here with me; I want you to give it to him for me.”

With her right hand still grabbing Kaede’s horn, Shiranue takes out a letter from her chest pocket and hands the letter to Jintetsu.

[Shiranue] “Make sure that you hand it to him properly.”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry, I will.”

With Jintetsu’s steps getting further, Shiranue remembers one more thing and yells at Jintetsu.

[Shiranue] “Oh, and make sure you come back before dinner!”

[Jintetsu] “Got it!”

With Shiranue’s Mother-like words, Jintetsu in now making his way towards one of the island’s elders.

But before Jintetsu got to the door, he was able to hear his mother shout something about her role being taken away from her and then a “BONK!” sound echoed throughout the hallway.

As Jintetsu walk the way to Tatara’s shop, he finds Yuina leaning while looking at the ground, kicking a pebble close to her foot.

She then notices Jintetsu from the corner of her eyes and runs towards him.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, are you done with your practice?”

[Jintetsu] “Yeah, I’m heading to Jii-san’s shop now.”

[Yuina] “I—I see…………”

After hearing where Jintetsu is going, Yuina looks down again and then fidgets in place while fondling with her own hands from behind.

Jintetsu stood there staring at her in wonder, but after a few seconds, he eventually figured why suddenly acted awkwardly.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

[Jintetsu] “Hey Yuina.”

[Yuina] “Hmm?”

[Jintetsu] “Want to come with me? Let’s go to Jii-san’s shop together.”

Jintetsu then held out his left hand towards Yuina.

Seeing this, Yuina made a rarely seen smile and grabs on Jintetsu’s hand while small making a nod.

http%3a%2f%2fi.imgur.com%2fVGFZwTZ.jpg [http://i.imgur.com/VGFZwTZ.jpg]

[Jintetsu] “……………………”

Since Yuina rarely shows a smile, Jintetsu thought about something and spoke.

[Jintetsu] “You should keep smiling like that Yuina; you look very cute when you do.”

[Yuina] “Eh!? M—me, cute!?”

Jintetsu nods strongly at Yuina’s question as he smiles back at her.

With such a straightforward answer from Jintetsu, Yuina’s face grew deep red and looks away from Jintetsu’s eyes.

[Yuina] “Tha—that’s not true. I mean, everyone bullies me and calls me gloomy.”

[Jintetsu] “Hmm…is that true?”

[Yuina] “Y—yes.”

With a small and barely hearable reply from Yuina, Jintetsu thinks about the certain bully as well as the other boys who called her names.

[Jintetsu] “I don’t think they really mean that.”

[Yuina] “Huh?”

[Jintetsu] “I think they’re teasing you because they like you.”

[Yuina] “……………Huh?”

Yuina was at a complete loss, she couldn’t understand what Jintetsu means by that. If they liked her, then why would they teas her?

[Jintetsu] “Or at least that’s what my Okaa-san said top me.”

[Yuina] (If that’s what Obaa-sama said, then it must be true.)

Is what Yuina thought…

But while still in thought, she found something particular about what Jintetsu said.

[Yuina] (If what Obaa-sama said true, then why isn’t Jin-kun teasing me? Could it be that Jin-kun actually…)

The word ‘Hate’ suddenly pops out in her thoughts.

Her hand that is holding on to Jintetsu’s right hand slowly gets tighter and tighter. Water from her eyes starts to trail down her blushed cheeks and small sniffing sounds could be heard.

Yuina then stops walking and wipes her eyes with her free hand while her other hand still grasping Jintetsu’s.

[Jintetsu] “Hmm, Yuina? What’s wrong? Huh, wh—why are you crying!? Does your stomach hurt!?”

Not answering Jintetsu’s worried words; Yuina shakes her head left and right while covering her face with her free arm.

[Jintetsu] “Th—then…what’s wrong, do you want to go home?”

Once again, she shakes her head without saying a word.

Unable to know what to do, Jintetsu sits on the ground as he tries to see Yuina’s hidden face.

After a few scratches on the back of his head, Jintetsu stood up and asks.

[Jintetsu] “Come on Yuina, I won’t be able to help you if you don’t talk and face me.”

After saying those words to Yuina, Jintetsu waits for a few more seconds and after one final wipe of her tears, Yuina looks up to Jintetsu and spoke.

[Yuina] “You—you said that boys tease the one they like, right?”

[Jintetsu] “That’s what Okaa-sama said. What about it?”

[Yuina] “Jin-kun………then why isn’t Jin-kun teasing me? Do you hate me?”

[Jintetsu] “Huh?”

Hearing the reason of Yuina’s sudden tears, Jintetsu tilts his head and made a stupefied look.

With Yuina still in tears, Jintetsu sighs and let’s go of Yuina’s hand, he then raise the same hand that held Yuina pinches her left cheek and stretches them.

[Yuina] “Wha—why are you doing this Jin-kun?”

[Jintetsu] “Well, you said that if I don’t tease you, it would mean I don’t like you right?”

Realizing what Jintetsu meant Yuina’s eyes shone and widens.

Seeing that it worked, Jintetsu let’s go of her cheeks and then walks a few steps ahead of her and stops.

With his own cheeks slightly blushing, Jintetsu looks back at Yuina, who is holding her left cheek happily.

[Jintetsu] “You know Yuina, I won’t be doing that to you again, just so we’re clear.”

[Yuina] “Wha—what do you…?”

[Jintetsu] “I like you Yuina, and unlike the rest of the boys, I don’t bully the people I like.”

As soon as he finish what Jintetsu wanted to say, his face grew even redder and he quickly turns his head and continues to walk.

Just like how rare Yuina’s smiling face, seeing Jintetsu’s embarrassed face made Yuina giggle.

She then runs to Jintetsu and stops next to him.

And as they walk side by side together, Yuina grabs a hold to Jintetsu’d hand and they continue to walk forward together.

On top a small hill lives a blacksmith.

But he is no ordinary black smith; he is a living God that has created both work of art and also amazing power.

[???] “That boy is late…”

An old man stood in front of the house, though he only has one leg and one eye, his very presence still gives out a heavy air of power.

With an amazingly huge and built body and a huge gray beard that covers almost half of his face, Tatara the Ippon Datara waits for the young boy who wishes to learn from him.

[Jintetsu] “Jii-san!”

[Tatara] “Boy, you’re finally here…hmm?”

Seeing the boy Jintetsu wave to him while running, he notice another child running next to him, holding Jintetsu’s other hand.

[Tatara] “Hmm…aren’t you Danzou’s child?”

[Yuina] “I—it’s nice to meet you, Ta—Tatara-sama.”

Yuina wanted keep hidden behind Jintetsu, but since Tatara is one of the island’s elders, she knew she had to show some proper respect.

With his huge hands draws closer to Yuina, a huge shadow covers her whole face. She then clenches her hands and closes her eyes out of fear.

[Tatara] “Now, now, you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

Tatara’s hand gently pats Yuina’s head, just like how a kind grandfather shows his affection towards his grandchild.

[Jintetsu] “Wow, I’ve never seen Jii-san so gentle. My turn, pat my head to.”

Hearing Jintetsu’s request, Tatara sees him carrying a grinning.

Tatara’s hands slowly goes over Jintetsu’s head, and with his huge hand…

(BONK!!!)

[Jintetsu] “Ouch!”

[Tatara] “Stop being an idiot and bring out all the ores we need for today’s orders.”

[Jintetsu] “G—got it.”

[Tatara] “As for you, why don’t you stay at the counter and wait for customers? You can do that for me, right?”

Sensing that Tatara isn’t as scary as he looks, Yuina made a small nod and Tatara lead her to a stool where she can sit and watch the shop properly.

Jintetsu then walks pass her while carrying a wooden box full or ores in different colors.

And while doing so, Jintetsu heard a small crumbling sound in his clothes. As soon as he heard that sound, he quickly remembers his grandmother’s request.

[Jintetsu] “Jii-san, Jii-san! I forgot to give you something!”

With Jintetsu’s shouts, Tatara comes out of the curtain while wearing a black leather apron and a thick hammer in hand.

[Tatara] ”Quit shouting Boy, I could hear you just fine! So, what do you want?”

[Jintetsu] “It’s something from Obaa-sama, here.”

[Tatara] “Hmm, for Shiranue-san?”

Taking the letter from his hand, Tatara opens the letter while Jintetsu continues his task by carrying the wooden box inside the smithy.

[Tatara] “Let’s see……….hoho, I see.”

After reading all of contents of the letter, Tatara lifts the curtain that leads to his smithy and calls out to Jintetsu.

[Tatara] “Boy, change of plans. Go get the nails and carpentry hammer at the shed; we have something we need to do first.”

[Jintetsu] “Huh? Well…Alright. Is it something about the letter Obaa-sama gave you?”

[Tatara] “That’s right, so we better get it done or she’ll have my head.”

Thinking on what Shiranue might do, Tatara’s skin grew slightly pale. He then shakes his head and regains his composure back.

[Tatara] “Anyway, we need to fix the house next to yours Boy.”

[Jintetsu] “Wow, did you hear that Yuina? We’ll have new neighbors.”

[Yuina] “I hope they will be nice people living there.”

[Tatara] “Boy, hurry up with the tools we need!”

[Jintetsu] “R—right, got it!”

With Jintetsu running towards the shed, Tatara closes the shop, while Yuina helps him. With the help of extra hands, they were able to close the shop faster and they quickly head to the empty house next to Jintetsu’s home.

Meanwhile, at the vast ocean that is to the west of Akai Shima, a luxurious ship is sailing its calm waters.

One could easily tell that this ship isn’t something that a normal commoner would be able to ride on.

With its beautiful carving and its gorgeous ivory statue of a woman with wings, and finally it’s huge sail with a golden engraving of a hawk, flapping through the wind.

Inside the Royal cabin is a 6 year old girl sitting next to her sickly mother. She wore a beautiful and obviously expensive white dress, similar to what a princess would wear.

But the part about her that stand out the most, even more so that her dress, is her wings that is growing out from the back of her waist.

Her wing had a beautiful white color with fading red color at the tip of her feathers.

And along with her beautiful wings, she also has alluring platinum blond hair and instead of ears, on the sides of his head are wings that have the similar color as her wings on her waist.

This little girl, Aletta Del Ziarre is an Avian, a race that is known for its attractive wings as well as their amazing speed in flight.

But unlike their energetic-like description, Aletta’s mother is too sick to stand and is now sleeping quietly on the bed.

Aletta’s mother has been bedridden from more than 3 years now and every Arc-Priest in different countries they visited, all the answer they give is that they could not heal her with their magic.

But by great luck, while Aletta’s father was on a journey to find a cure for his wife, he was able to meet a traveler, Kurohiko a half man half crow individual, or also known in Akai Shima as a Karasu Tengu.

And at their lucky meeting, the Karasu Tengu mentioned a healing method that doesn’t use Magic, but by some other method using another power called Reiki.

Seeing that as a ray of hope, Aletta’s Father quickly asks the Karasu Tengu where he could find this certain Healer.

The Karasu Tengu then speaks of a Certain Woman that lived for so long and has great knowledge when it comes to Reiki.

As soon as he got the location, Aletta’s father quickly goes home and tells his family about the great information he received.

And after a few days of preparation, as well as the help from the Karasu Tengu sending a letter of introduction to their destination, they quickly departed and sailed the seas.

2 month has already passed since their departure and Aletta is now getting restless whirl sitting beside her still sicken mother.

[Aletta] “I sure hope this so called old Healer could help.”

[???] “Don’t worry Aletta; I’m sure this would heal your Mother.”

Hearing a familiar voice from behind, Aletta looks back and finds her father Colter, closing the cabin door, he then quietly walks to Aletta and puts his left hand to ease her.

[Colter] “Mr. Kurohiko said so himself, this lady named Ms. Shiranue could heal anyone with the use of her Reiki.”

After comforting his daughter, Aletta’s mother, Sofia slowly opens her eyes and looks at the direction where her husband and daughter are.

[Sofia] “Your father is right Aletta, you must believe in his words.”

[Aletta] “Mother…y—yes, your right.”

[Colter] “That’s my girl. Now hurry and go to Mr. Kurohiko, isn’t it about time for you studies?”

[Aletta] “Oh no, you’re right. I’ll come back later mother.”

After giving her mother a kiss on the cheek, Aletta quickly runs to the door.

[Colter] “Now then, as for you Sofia, you should rest some more. You might need a bit of strength once we make it to Akai Shima.”

[Sofia] “Yes, I understand. Sorry Dear.”

Hearing her apology, Colter sits at the chair where Aletta used to be and he place his hand to Sofia’s forehead and gently strokes her.

[Colter] “Don’t be, I’m happy to do anything for you.”

[Sofia] “Thank you…………………………”

Being married for more than 25 years, the two could tell what the other partner is thinking. That is why Colter can easily tell if his wife Sofia is worried about something.

[Colter] “Is there something bothering you? Is it something to do with Aletta?”

Giving her husband a small smile, a thought about hiding anything to her husband would is impossible, she openly tell her worries.

[Sofia] “You’re right, I was worried about Aletta. Could she fit in with the other children at that island?”

[Colter] “Don’t worry, we have Mr. Kurohiko teach her about the island’s language. And besides…”

[Sofia] “Hmm?”

[Colter] “She is your daughter.”

Hearing Colter’s answer, Sofia laughs weakly while Colter joins in with her.

3 Weeks later, Colter and Kurohiko are standing at the ship’s deck and a big smile could be seen on Colter’s face.

[Colter] “I see it, I can see the island!”

[Kurohiko] “Finally home, I haven’t seen the maple trees of the island, it’s been so long.”

As he thinks about his past in Akai Shima, he quickly remembers about the strong waves around the boat.

Just when he is about to warn Colter, the waves starts to hit the ship, making it swing around left and right.

Luckily, the huge ship only swung, no damages are appearing to its body.

But due to Colter’s happy shout, Aletta rushes out of her cabin and run towards her father, and right when she is at the deck, a powerful wave hits the ship, causing it to tilt.

Colter, Kurohiko and the ship’s crew quickly brags hold of the ship’s railings, but Aletta, who was at the middle of the deck, has nothing to hold on to, so she slides down and falls into the sea.

[Colter] “Aletta!”

Colter spreads his wings and flew to where Aletta fell, but not even a shadow could be seen.