Jinichi led the way through the dimly lit halls of the Zenin estate, his large frame moving with a quiet confidence that made Megumi feel small in comparison. The estate's walls were lined with scrolls and ancient tapestries, their history woven into the fabric of the house itself. Megumi could feel the weight of it all—centuries of tradition, the cold air of the family's influence pressing down on him. The silence between them was heavy, and though Megumi usually preferred it, today it felt unbearable.
''Should I say something?'' he wondered, glancing at Jinichi's broad back. The man barely spoke during their earlier meeting, but he was still an important figure. ''He's my uncle after all, right?'' The idea seemed distant and strange, considering how little he knew of his extended family. But now, with everything that had happened, Megumi knew that if he was going to survive in this place, he had to learn more. And who better to ask than Jinichi?
But what would he say? He didn't know the man.
''Should I ask about my father? Were they close? No... probably not. Or should I ask something casual? Favorite food? No, that's ridiculous. Why is this so hard?''
He was about to drop the idea when, to his great dismay, Tsumiki piped up beside him. Her voice was soft and innocent, cutting through the heavy silence like a knife. "Um, excuse me, sir," she began, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What's your job here?"
Megumi's heart skipped a beat. Why did she have to ask that? He shot a worried glance at Tsumiki, ready to step between her and Jinichi if things went south. After all, Jinichi was an intimidating figure, and Megumi hadn't exactly gotten the impression that this family had much patience for questions.
For a moment, Jinichi didn't respond, and Megumi's stomach clenched. But then, to his surprise, the man actually answered.
"I'm the family head's right hand," Jinichi said in his deep, rumbling voice, his tone flat but without hostility. "I oversee the Hei squad."
Tsumiki's eyes lit up. "Wow, that sounds really important!" she said, her voice filled with admiration. "You must be super strong then, right?"
Jinichi gave a brief nod, his expression unchanging. "Yes."
Megumi let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Okay... maybe he isn't so bad after all. He glanced at Tsumiki, who now seemed much more at ease, her usual brightness slowly returning. She fired off more questions as they walked—little things, like how big the estate was and what kind of training Megumi would go through. Jinichi answered each one in his typical, straightforward manner, never elaborating more than necessary, but also not dismissing her. It was a strange dynamic, and Megumi found himself grateful that Tsumiki was doing the talking. He wasn't sure how to handle all of this, and his mind still raced with everything that had happened so far.
Megumi trailed behind Jinichi and Tsumiki, content to observe the exchange, still trying to wrap his head around the revelation that Jinichi was his uncle. The man's imposing presence and gruff demeanour made it difficult for Megumi to reconcile the image of a family member with the persona of a seasoned warrior.
Tsumiki, on the other hand, seemed entirely unfazed by Jinichi's intimidating aura. She bounced along beside him, her eyes shining with curiosity as she asked about everything from the clan's training regimens to Jinichi's personal favorite combat techniques. Jinichi, to Megumi's surprise, responded to each query with patience and candor, revealing a dry sense of humor beneath his gruff exterior.
The estate itself was massive, stretching on with endless hallways that seemed to twist and turn into the unknown. Dark wooden floors creaked softly under their footsteps, and the air smelled faintly of incense and old parchment. It was both ancient and suffocating, a place that held power but demanded something in return. The atmosphere made Megumi feel like a stranger, even though he had agreed to become a part of this family. There was so much he didn't know.
As they continued, Tsumiki kept chattering, her voice a soothing contrast to the coldness of the estate. Megumi found himself smiling just a little, watching her bring a lightness to the moment that he desperately needed. She had always been like that, able to make any situation feel a little less overwhelming just by being herself. Even here, in the heart of the Zenin clan, she was able to brighten things up.
Jinichi, for his part, didn't seem to mind. He remained stoic, but he answered Tsumiki's questions patiently. Megumi had expected someone more like Ogi—cruel and dismissive. But Jinichi was... different. Cold, maybe, but not unkind. And somehow, that made Megumi feel slightly more at ease. He still didn't trust anyone here, but at least now he felt like he could breathe more easily.
As they walked, Megumi glanced out a nearby window. The courtyard outside was vast, with neatly trimmed gardens and stone pathways winding through it. Lanterns flickered in the evening light, casting long shadows across the ground. It looked peaceful, but Megumi knew better. There was nothing peaceful about the Zenin clan.
Eventually, Jinichi stopped in front of two sliding doors. "These are your rooms," he said, his voice echoing slightly in the hallway. "You have one hour to rest before you're called to the training grounds."
Megumi nodded, though his mind was already racing with the thought of what the training would involve. He knew it wouldn't be easy. Nothing about this place was easy.
Tsumiki gave a small bow to Jinichi. "Thank you for showing us around!" she said with a smile.
Jinichi stared at her for a moment, then gave a curt nod.
Megumi let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know what to think of that guy," he whispered to Tsumiki in a tone soft enough so that Jinichi couldn't hear him.
Tsumiki grinned up at him and whispered back. "He's not so bad! A little quiet, but nice enough."
Megumi couldn't help but scowl. "I'm not sure…."
They both entered their rooms, but Megumi knew the break wouldn't last long. Soon enough, the real challenge would begin, and Megumi would have to face whatever the Zenin clan had in store for him. He glanced out the window once more, taking in the clear sky. He had to be ready. There was no turning back now.
Once Megumi had finished briefly inspecting his room he returned back to where Jinichi was to ask him some more questions about their rooms. However when Jinichi saw Megumi approaching him he walked away and disappeared around the corner, Megumi felt a growing frustration building inside him. He had wanted to ask something—anything—to get a better sense of what to expect, but Jinichi had walked off before he could get a word in.
Megumi grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms. "What's with him? It's like he can't even be bothered to give me the time of day."
Tsumiki, always the optimist, brushed him off with a small smile. "You're overthinking it, Megumi. He's probably just busy. Besides, I think you're being too negative as usual."
Megumi frowned, feeling the familiar irritation rise. Easy for her to say, he thought, casting a glance at his sister. She actually seems to get along with that man. There was something about the way Jinichi had responded to Tsumiki's questions that had softened his otherwise stone-cold demeanor. It only served to highlight the difference in how they were treated. Megumi, in contrast, felt like he was being regarded as more of a pest than a person.
They stepped into their respective rooms, and after a brief pause, Tsumiki sighed and sat down on a small cushion by the window. In an attempt to lift their spirits, she tried to steer the conversation away from recent events, commenting on things like the pleasant weather. This continued for almost the entire hour, but neither she nor Megumi could truly shake the thoughts weighing on their minds. The tension in the air was unmistakable, and Megumi, no longer able to keep quiet, finally spoke up.
"So... what do you think about the meeting?" he asked, turning to face her.
Tsumiki's brow furrowed, and she shifted uncomfortably. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "It seemed to go well for you, at least. You and the family head seemed to come to some kind of understanding."
Megumi nodded. "Yeah, I get what they're hoping for now. It's clear they want to train me, to mold me into something they can use. At least I know where I stand." He paused for a moment, watching Tsumiki's expression darken. "But what about you?"
Tsumiki frowned deeply, her discomfort clear in the way she tensed. "I don't like it here, Megumi. The way he treated that woman—Shikino-san—was awful. Isn't she supposed to be his wife?" Her voice held an edge of disbelief and disgust.
Megumi stayed silent, not knowing how to respond. He'd never really thought much about marriage, or how people in those kinds of relationships were supposed to treat each other. But even he knew that Ogi's behaviour toward his wife had been wrong, even cruel.
"I mean," Megumi finally said with a sigh, "we're just guests here. Kids, no less. We don't have the power to change anything."
Tsumiki hissed in frustration, her fists clenched on her lap. "That's exactly why we should leave while we still can!" Her voice cracked slightly, the urgency and fear behind her words spilling out.
Megumi scoffed, shaking his head. "Do you really think they'd just let us walk out of here after all the trouble they went through to bring us here?" He met her eyes, his voice cold and practical. "Even if we managed to escape, where would we go? There's no one waiting for us out there. Those guys could track us down in a second."
Tsumiki's face twisted in frustration, her lips pursed as she failed to come up with a retort. He could see that she hated the situation as much as he did—maybe even more. She wanted to argue, but deep down, she knew he was right. With a defeated sigh, she asked, her voice softer this time, "Are you really sure about going along with this, Megumi? I don't like these people. They seem... like a bunch of meanies."
Megumi chuckled at the word, though there was no real humor in it. "You just haven't gotten used to them yet. It'll get better. I mean, you seemed to get along with Jinichi well enough," he pointed out.
Tsumiki, flustered, reluctantly admitted, "Well... yeah, but he seems like the exception."
Ignoring her comment, Megumi continued, his tone growing more serious. "Look, if things don't get better, I'll change this place. I'll make it more bearable for you."
Tsumiki blinked in confusion. "How are you gonna do that? You said it yourself—we're just kids. No one here is going to listen to us."
Megumi's eyes darkened as he thought back to his conversation with Naobito, the family head's smug expression flashing in his mind. "The family head made it clear," he said, his voice calm but firm. "They want me for whatever cursed technique I might have. Power means everything here, and the stronger I get, the more useful I'll be to them. And if I prove my worth, they'll have no choice but to listen."
Tsumiki still looked uncertain, biting her lip. "But... what if you're not useful to them? What if things don't go the way you think?"
Megumi's expression didn't falter. His voice was steady as he replied, "That won't happen."
His words hung heavy in the room, and Tsumiki looked at him for a long moment before nodding slightly, though the doubt was still clear in her eyes. Megumi turned away, staring out the window. The weight of his decision pressed down on him, but there was no turning back now. He had to play the part, had to prove his worth—not just for himself, but for Tsumiki.
This place was suffocating, full of dangers and people he couldn't trust, but Megumi was determined. He would find his place here, and in time, he would change things. For both of us, he thought, glancing back at his sister.
Tsumiki opened her mouth to say more, but before she could, the door swung open with a soft creak. Standing in the doorway was a boy with glasses that also possessed dark coloured hair that was tied up in a ponytail, his sharp gaze instantly cutting through the room's air of quiet tension. He looked young, maybe thirteen or fourteen, but the way he held himself—his posture, the cold tilt of his chin—made him seem far older. His expression was one of condescension, as if he'd already decided that whatever he saw wasn't worth his time.
Tsumiki, ever the polite one, quickly stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Tsumiki," she said with a gentle smile. "What's your name?"
The boy, however, didn't return the gesture. He didn't even bother to glance in her direction. Tsumiki's smile faltered slightly, confusion flashing across her face. Megumi, on the other hand, watched closely as the boy's piercing eyes locked onto his own.
"I am Bunseki Zenin," the boy said, his voice flat and uninterested. He completely disregarded Tsumiki as though she were invisible, keeping his focus solely on Megumi. "I've been assigned to bring you to the training room to test your skills."
Megumi felt a flash of irritation at the boy's demeanour. He wanted to finish his conversation with Tsumiki first—there were still things they hadn't sorted out, and he could see the worry lingering in her eyes. "Can I have another minute?" he asked, his voice steady but firm. "I need to talk with my sister."
But Bunseki wasn't having it. His lips curled into a faint sneer, and his tone grew colder. "Whatever you want to say can wait," he snapped, dismissive and sharp. "Master Naobito's commands are far more important than your time together."
Megumi's frustration flared, but he forced himself to take a breath and calm down. The last thing he needed was to make an enemy of this boy, especially with the family head's orders hanging over him like a weight. He cast a glance at Tsumiki, his reluctance clear in his eyes. "I'll be back soon," he said quietly, hoping to reassure her.
Tsumiki's concern deepened. She didn't like the situation at all, but there was nothing she could do. Before Megumi could step toward the door, she turned to Bunseki. "What about me?" she asked, her voice calm but edged with tension. "What do you want me to do while Megumi's away?"
Bunseki's reaction was immediate. His eyes narrowed, and he clenched his teeth as if the mere thought of having to speak to her was beneath him. His disdain was so palpable that it almost felt like the room chilled a few degrees. "Do whatever you want," he said, the words dripping with irritation. "You're not important to the family. Just don't leave your room or cause any sort of commotion."
The blunt dismissal hit hard, and Megumi saw Tsumiki's expression shift from confusion to offense. Her lips parted as if she was going to say something in response, but she bit it back, deciding against it. The hurt in her eyes was clear, but she didn't push back.
Megumi, sensing the tension rising, stepped in before things could get worse. "Let's just go," he muttered to Bunseki, his voice calm but tinged with frustration. He didn't want to escalate things any further. Tsumiki needed space to process what had just happened, and Megumi knew he couldn't afford to make more enemies in this house. Not yet.
Turning back to his sister, he offered her one last reassuring look. "I'll be back soon," he promised, though the uncertainty of what lay ahead weighed heavily on him.
Tsumiki gave him a small nod, her voice soft but serious. "Be careful, Megumi."
With that, Megumi followed Bunseki out of the room, his mind swirling with unease. He knew this was only the beginning of whatever trials awaited him in this place, but he couldn't shake the feeling that things were going to get much harder from here on out.
As they reached the training halls, Megumi found himself surrounded by the buzz of activity. Dozens of Zenin clan members were assembled in neat formations, all facing a man with pompadour-like hair dressed in a pristine buttoned up white suit who appeared to be barking out commands. The man's voice was sharp and precise, and the trainees moved in synchronisation, their discipline apparent as they began various rigorous training exercises. The hall itself was grand and open, with high ceilings and wide space designed for combat training. Megumi couldn't help but feel a slight knot of apprehension form in his stomach. This place had an air of cold efficiency, and he was certain he'd be tested soon enough.
Bunseki led him toward the man in the white suit, who, upon noticing their approach, stopped issuing commands and shifted his attention to them. His gaze was piercing, assessing. There was something in the way he stared at Megumi—a look of scrutiny, as if trying to gauge his worth from appearance alone. Megumi shifted uncomfortably. Why did everyone around here give him such strange looks?
"This is Nobuaki Zenin," Bunseki introduced, standing stiffly at attention beside Megumi. The man didn't speak at first. He simply stared at Megumi with a cool, calculating expression. It lasted just a moment, but it was long enough for Megumi to feel its weight.
After what seemed like forever, Nobuaki gave a small, almost indifferent nod. "Of course I know who he is," Nobuaki said, his voice carrying a sharp edge. "Master Naobito already gave me instructions on how to handle the boy." His eyes flickered to Bunseki, silently dismissing him. "I'll take over from here. You may leave."
Bunseki, however, didn't move. His expression remained calm, but there was an unmistakable stubbornness in his tone. "I'll stay," he replied, his voice cool and composed. "I wish to be the first to report back to Master Naobito about Megumi's progress. And I'd like to oversee the training to ensure it operates smoothly."
Nobuaki narrowed his eyes, his disdain for Bunseki palpable. "Don't get too cocky, kid," he warned, his voice low and dangerous. "I've been instructed by the family head to oversee the boy's training, and I will be the one to report back on it. You don't have the authority to interfere. Keep pushing your luck, and you might find yourself in a… regrettable situation."
Bunseki's expression didn't falter, but there was a coldness to his smile as he responded, "Perhaps you should watch your tone. You're speaking to your superior." The word 'superior' dripped with condescension, and it was clear Bunseki was enjoying the power play.
Nobuaki's expression hardened, a deep frown forming on his face. "My superior? Some brat who barely knows how this clan operates?" he growled, his frustration evident. "Don't flatter yourself."
Bunseki wasn't done, though. His voice remained calm, but the insult was clear in his next words. "You may be the captain of the Kukuru Unit, but that doesn't make you any less worthless than the other slugs in this clan who don't possess a cursed technique." He didn't even bother to hide his smirk.
The remark hit hard, and Megumi saw the shift in Nobuaki's demeanor immediately. His eyes flashed with anger, his body stiffening as if ready to pounce. He shot Bunseki a death stare, his fists clenching as if he were seconds away from losing his patience. For a moment, Megumi thought the tension would snap into a full-blown conflict right then and there.
"Don't pretend we're equals," Bunseki continued coldly, his voice like ice.
Nobuaki cursed under his breath, his anger boiling over, but he quickly composed himself. He didn't have time for this. With a frustrated growl, he threw his hands up in exasperation. "I don't have time for your petty squabbles. Do whatever you want, Bunseki. Just keep your mouth shut and stay out of my way." His tone was bitter, but it was clear he had no desire to continue this fight.
Bunseki's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Whatever you say, sir," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Megumi stood silently between the two, watching the exchange. The tension between Bunseki and Nobuaki was palpable, and if this conversation was any indication then the Zenin clan were full of these power struggles and unspoken rivalries. As much as Megumi hated to admit it, he felt like a pawn being moved across a chessboard. This was a world where everyone was jostling for position, and it was only a matter of time before he, too, was pulled into the dangerous game.
Megumi couldn't help but feel the weight of unease settle over him as the tension between Nobuaki and Bunseki finally subsided. It had been an uncomfortable display of the power dynamics within the Zenin clan, and Megumi already felt like he was trapped in a web of pride and egos. When Nobuaki turned to him, his tone was sharp and harsh, likely still dripping with bitterness from the argument.
"Get to the training field," Nobuaki snapped, the impatience in his voice unmistakable.
Megumi hesitated for a moment, looking over to Bunseki, hoping for some form of reassurance. But Bunseki only gave him a disinterested nod, as if telling him to just obey without question. His cold detachment made it clear—there was no room for hesitation or complaints here.
Sighing in resignation, Megumi made his way to the training field, joining the rows of soldiers who were already in formation, carrying out their exercises with strict precision. He felt out of place, a stranger amidst the warriors of the Zenin clan, but he did his best to keep his composure. There was no turning back now.
Nobuaki, still clearly seething from the earlier exchange, motioned for one of his men to step forward. The man was slightly older than Bunseki, but unlike the skinny, sharp-eyed boy with glasses, this soldier was built like a mountain of muscle. His frame was intimidating, and Megumi had to stifle his apprehension as the man approached.
"You'll spar with him," Nobuaki ordered, his voice laced with mockery as he pointed at the muscle-bound man standing before Megumi.
"Spar?" Megumi repeated, the word hanging awkwardly in the air. This all felt like it was moving far too fast. He hadn't even been trained in basic combat, let alone prepared to spar with someone who looked like he could snap him in half with one hand.
Nobuaki scoffed, clearly unimpressed with Megumi's hesitation. "What? Did you think you'd discover your cursed technique by smashing your head into a training dummy?" he sneered, the sarcasm thick in his tone.
Megumi bit his lip. Truthfully, he had no idea how sorcerers usually discovered their cursed techniques. He wasn't even sure what his own technique was supposed to be, or how he'd unlock it. But Nobuaki's condescending tone told him that whatever he had imagined was likely wrong.
"I don't know the first thing about combat," Megumi admitted, his voice quiet but firm. It wasn't like he had been raised as a Zenin; he had no formal training, and everything about this world was new to him.
Nobuaki gave him a dismissive glance. "It doesn't matter," he said bluntly. "Most sorcerers discover their cursed techniques gradually, over time. But we don't have that luxury. The family head doesn't want to wait." His gaze grew colder, more calculating. "So, we'll use the other method."
"The other method?" Megumi asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
Nobuaki crossed his arms, a sinister smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Extreme stress," he said simply. "We'll force it out of you."
Megumi's stomach churned at the thought. Wasn't that a little too extreme? But before he could voice his concerns, Bunseki cut in, his voice sharp and devoid of empathy.
"Stop whining, Megumi," Bunseki ordered, his eyes narrowing with clear disdain. "You made an unbreakable vow with the family head. It's too late to back out now."
Megumi sighed heavily, feeling the weight of his agreement with Naobito bear down on him. Bunseki was right. He had promised to prove his worth, and there was no escaping that commitment. As much as he wanted to, there was no turning back from the path he'd chosen.
"Alright," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper as he steeled himself. "Let's get this over with."
With that, he stepped forward to prepare for the duel, trying to push down the rising tension in his chest. They weren't going to make this easy for him, but he knew he had no choice but to face whatever challenge lay ahead.
Megumi hesitated, unsure of what to do, but his opponent didn't waste any time. He charged at Megumi with a powerful tackle, sending the younger boy flying across the training field.
Megumi struggled to get back to his feet, his heart racing with fear. He had never been in a physical altercation before, and the thought of being hurt or worse was daunting. Tetsuya, sensing Megumi's weakness, pressed his advantage, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks that sent Megumi stumbling backward.
Bunseki's voice cut through the din, his tone firm but measured. "Megumi, focus! You need to defend yourself!" But Megumi was at a loss, his mind a jumble of panic and confusion. He stumbled, tripped, and fell, Tetsuya's blows raining down on him like a storm.
Nobuaki's laughter echoed across the training field, his mockery and scorn palpable. "This is pathetic! You call that a defense? You're not even trying!" Megumi's face burned with shame and humiliation, his body crying out in protest as Tetsuya continued to pummel him.
The duel had been a disaster for Megumi. No matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he focused, not a single flicker of cursed energy had appeared during his fights. He had lost—badly—three times in a row. Each time, he was sent to the ground, beaten down without even the faintest hint of power to defend himself. His opponents were seasoned warriors, yes, but the real problem was his complete inability to manifest anything. After
those initial humiliations, Nobuaki arranged for Megumi to face four different opponents, hoping for some breakthrough. But the result remained the same—each match ended in defeat.
Six hours passed with nothing to show for their efforts, the sun already began to set. The discouragement on both Bunseki and Nobuaki's faces became more and more evident. As Megumi lay on the ground, sore and exhausted, they stood off to the side, exchanging frustrated glances.
"Perhaps he doesn't have a cursed technique after all," Bunseki muttered, his voice tinged with disappointment. He folded his arms, narrowing his eyes at Megumi. "Master Naobito would be beyond disappointed. He had such high hopes, especially with him being the son of that vile beast."
Nobuaki, still visibly irritated by the lack of results, grunted in agreement. "If we bring this to Master Naobito, especially if he's been drinking lately, he could turn his wrath on us. We've wasted hours on this, and the family head won't be in a forgiving mood."
The thought of Naobito's infamous temper seemed to hang over them like a dark cloud. Neither of them wanted to be the bearers of bad news. After a long pause, Bunseki sighed. "One last test," he said, the frustration palpable in his voice. "If there's nothing, then we'll bring the news carefully, hope for the best."
Nobuaki agreed, though he still seemed reluctant. With a heavy sigh, he called for one of the most dangerous members of his Kukuru Unit, Oga Zenin. Oga, towering and massive, was known for his brutality, and when he entered the training grounds, it was like a storm brewing on the horizon. This wasn't going to be a spar—it was going to be a beatdown.
And that's exactly what it turned into. Oga wasted no time, relentlessly pounding Megumi into the dirt. Fist after fist, kick after kick, Oga's attacks rained down on him with unbridled savagery. Megumi could hardly defend himself, and before long, it was clear to everyone watching that this wasn't a match but a one-sided onslaught.
Bunseki and Nobuaki stood by, watching the scene unfold with growing regret. They had hoped to see some flicker of power, some sign that Megumi had inherited the Zenin clan's legacy, but there was nothing. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they came to a conclusion.
"He doesn't have a cursed technique," Nobuaki muttered, shaking his head. "It's over."
Bunseki sighed, disappointed but resigned. "Fine. We'll just have to tread carefully with Master Naobito. If we're lucky, he'll be in a good mood."
They both glanced at Megumi's crumpled form, lying beaten on the ground, bloodied and bruised. Bunseki's tone turned cold as he shrugged. "If he survives, we'll just throw him into the Kukuru Unit as another sacrificial pawn. If he doesn't... well, it's not our problem." He paused, turning his mind to Tsumiki. "As for his sister, she'll just be trained as another maid. We have plenty of servants, but it never hurts to have more."
With that, Bunseki turned to leave, his indifference clear. But Oga, still not satisfied, continued to rain blows down on Megumi, muttering hurtful slurs and insults. It was a brutal scene, one that should have ended long ago. However, it took a dark turn when Oga leaned down, sneering at the boy.
"Once I'm finished with you," Oga snarled, "I think I'll go have some fun with your sister."
That was the final straw. Megumi, already angry from the beatings and humiliation, felt something snap inside him. Threatening Tsumiki—the one person he had vowed to protect—pushed him beyond his limits. His eyes turned crimson, filled with rage and murderous intent. For the first time, his mind was consumed with only one thought: kill.
With a roar, Megumi's voice ripped through the air, a primal scream filled with rage and fury. Nobuaki, who had been watching from the sidelines, tensed, his eyes widening as something dark began to spread from beneath Megumi's feet.
Bunseki, who had been walking away, stopped dead in his tracks, turning back to see what the commotion was about. What he saw froze him in place.
Shadows expanded under Megumi's feet, dark and twisted, as two large wolves began to rise from the darkness. One had jet-black fur, the other stark white, their forms rippling with cursed energy.
Oga, confused and suddenly uncertain, stared in shock. "You... you have a cursed technique after all?" he spat, his rage boiling over. "That just makes me hate you even more!"
Oga charged at Megumi in a blind fury, but before he could even get close, the wolves lunged at him. Their speed was terrifying, and in the blink of an eye, they tore into Oga, ripping him apart. In mere moments, the once-dominant fighter had lost an arm and an eye, his screams echoing through the training grounds as he begged for mercy.
"Please! Stop! Show me mercy!" Oga wailed, blood spilling from his wounds.
But Megumi wasn't listening. He was beyond reason, lost in his rage, his eyes glowing with bloodlust as the wolves prepared to deliver the final blow. It wasn't until Nobuaki's voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding, that the situation shifted.
"Stop!" Nobuaki yelled, his voice breaking Megumi's focus.
Suddenly, as if snapped out of a trance, Megumi collapsed to the ground, his energy drained. The wolves dissipated into thin air, vanishing just before they could finish Oga off. The training grounds were left in stunned silence.
Bunseki, still shaking from what he had just witnessed, slowly approached Nobuaki. His voice was shaky, filled with disbelief. "Did you see that? That... that was the Ten Shadows Technique, wasn't it?"
Nobuaki, pale and visibly shaken, nodded. "Yes," he confirmed, his voice low. "There's no doubt. He used the Ten Shadows, the pinnacle of our clan's cursed techniques."
Immediately, Nobuaki began barking orders to his Kukuru Unit. "Clean this up!" he shouted, his tone panicked and angry. "Escort Megumi Zenin to his room. Handle him with care—more delicately than a flower! If you fail, I swear, I'll have you hanged!"
His men rushed to obey, scrambling to ensure no more mistakes were made. Megumi, now unconscious, was carried away, while Oga was left bleeding and defeated on the training grounds. The once-dismissive attitude toward Megumi had vanished in an instant, replaced by fear and urgency.
The son of the terrifying beast that haunted the zenin clan had awakened. And now, the Zenin clan knew just how dangerous he could be.
—oOo—
Nobuaki and Bunseki sprinted down the grand halls of the Zenin estate, their minds racing as fast as their feet. The gravity of what they had just witnessed weighed heavily on their shoulders. The Ten Shadows Technique—Megumi had used it. The pinnacle of Zenin clan techniques, thought to be lost to this generation, had awakened in a boy who, until mere hours ago, they had written off as worthless.
They exchanged glances, the fear evident in their eyes. The family head, Naobito Zenin, was not known for his leniency. With this news, they had a chance to escape his wrath—but if they failed to explain it correctly, or worse, if Megumi didn't recover, they would be the ones paying the price.
As they reached Naobito's chambers, they hesitated only for a moment. Normally, disturbing Naobito while he was in his personal quarters was a quick way to earn a brutal punishment, but there was no time for decorum now. They barged in, the heavy wooden door slamming against the wall as they entered.
Inside, Naobito lounged in a plush chair, his eyes glued to the television screen, a bottle of sake in his hand. He was watching one of his favorite shows, a smirk of lazy contentment on his face. The interruption immediately drew a scowl from him. His sharp gaze snapped toward them, and for a brief moment, the room felt as if it had dropped several degrees in temperature.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, barging in here?" Naobito growled, his voice low and dangerous. His grip tightened on the bottle, his irritation palpable.
But before either of them could stammer an apology, Bunseki blurted out the words that would change everything: "Megumi performed the Ten Shadows Technique!"
For a second, the room fell silent. Naobito's smirk faded as his brow furrowed, confusion flickering in his eyes. Then, his hand loosened, and the bottle of sake slipped from his grip, crashing to the floor and spilling its contents. His gaze sharpened, disbelief clear in his expression.
"What... what did you just say?" Naobito's voice shook, as if he couldn't trust his own ears.
Nobuaki, his heart pounding, repeated it with careful precision. "Megumi has the Ten Shadows Technique, Master Naobito. We witnessed it ourselves."
Naobito's eyes widened, and he suddenly shot up from his chair with a wild burst of energy that startled both of them. The air in the room crackled with tension. He let out one of his infamous crazed laughs, the sound echoing through the chamber like a jagged blade scraping across stone. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant, excitement lighting up his face.
"I've hit the jackpot!" he roared, his laughter bubbling over uncontrollably. His eyes gleamed with greed, as if the mere thought of the Ten Shadows Technique being in the hands of the Zenin clan again was enough to send him into euphoria.
As his laughter died down, Naobito wiped his mouth, his expression turning serious. "What's Megumi's condition?" he asked sharply, his tone now that of a man who had just realized the full value of his prize.
Bunseki swallowed hard before answering. "Megumi is unconscious, Master Naobito... after battling Oga."
At the mention of Oga's name, Naobito's excitement immediately evaporated, replaced with a burning fury. His face twisted with rage, his eyes narrowing into a dangerous glare.
"You let him fight Oga?" Naobito's voice dripped with venom. "And with no prior training?"
Nobuaki and Bunseki exchanged panicked glances, stumbling over their words in an attempt to defend themselves. "We—we thought it was necessary to—"
But Naobito had no interest in hearing their excuses. He cut them off with a sharp, dismissive wave of his hand. "I don't care what you thought. Leave this room. Now."
The two men, already trembling, began to back away toward the door. Naobito's voice, dripping with menace, stopped them in their tracks just before they could leave.
"I want a full report of the event later and make sure Megumi recovers quickly," he added in a low, sinister tone. His eyes gleamed with a dark promise. "If he doesn't... the blame will be on your heads."
With that final threat hanging in the air, Nobuaki and Bunseki quickly fled the room, their hearts pounding in their chests. As the door slammed shut behind them, they couldn't shake the cold sweat that now drenched their backs. Naobito's temper was infamous, but now the stakes were even higher. The future of the Zenin clan rested on Megumi—and if anything went wrong, it would be their necks on the line.
Inside the room, Naobito remained standing for a moment, staring at the door. A slow smile crept onto his face, and with a chuckle, he turned back to his chair, resuming his place before the TV. The show was still playing, its bright colors and happy voices a stark contrast to the dark thoughts brewing in his mind.
He took a deep breath, settling back into his chair as his laughter began anew. "My dear, departed creep of a brother," Naobito said to himself, his voice dripping with twisted amusement. "You've left me quite the gift, haven't you?"
As his show played on, Naobito's mind danced with plans, each more ambitious than the last. With Megumi now in his grasp, the Zenin clan's future had never looked brighter—or more dangerous.