Disclaimer: I do not own Taimanin series.
The Vengeful Blade – Between The Line 01
"Look! Look! It's that One-Eyed kid again!"
"Ah! I know him, he's from that evil clan who started the revolt and lost!"
"Boo! Boo! One-Eyed Fuuma is a loser! One-Eyed Fuuma is a loser!"
A group of children were casually shouting at a young boy, who happened to pass through their playground.
"Go away! Don't even look over here, we don't wanna turn into a one-eyed like you!"
The harsh remarks caused him to freeze up on the spot.
This was nothing new. This wasn't the first time it happened. It was just one more occasional bullying added into the countless attempts.
The boy kept his gaze glued to the ground, walking off. The book wrapped in his small bruised arms brought closer to the aching sensations on his body. His current state wasn't the consequence of a different bully attempt, he'd tried to train himself before this and ended up causing a mistake at the training field located in the forest.
The child now hobbled along the streets of Gosha. He didn't think much about enduring the bully from other children his age, the hatred for his clan had been a common concept.
If it was just about him, the child could ignore it.
"My cousin said his sister is about to be promoted as a teacher in the Academy."
"Ehhh?! No way! I don't want to be taught by someone from his clan! My parents told me not to associate with a Fuuma!"
"Yeah, his sister might not act like it but she has to be an evil ninja!"
The child stopped walking. His head shot up, fire ignited in the opened left eye. He spun around, throwing the book straight at the group of children who just badmouthed his sister. They were stunted by the retaliation. However, the One-Eyed child didn't simply stop there. He charged head first at the one who spilled insult towards Tokiko, fists clenched.
One versus five. Hands thrown, legs kicked and came the use of teeth. A huge fight broke out. The One-Eyed child used everything he had.
Still, he was forcefully reminded of the reason why his physical evaluation at the Academy was below average.
There wasn't so much he could do against those whose potentials granted them the privileges to be many steps ahead of an ordinary human child.
He fell to the ground, all beaten up.
The child's anger burned dimly, eventually extinguished.
...
...
"What's with him taking us on like that!? Stupid! Stupid! You're making yourself a punching bag!"
"Uwwaahhh! He bit me! He bit me! I'll be turning into a One-Eyed like him!"
The One-Eyed child gasped for air and grabbed the nearest leg.
"Hey! Let me go!"
The bully tried to break him off, going as far as to knock him on the head.
"Apologize!" He'd got pushed away only to jump right back in and tighten his grip on the bully. "Apologize to Tokiko-nee!"
"I said let go!"
Zap.
The other bullies ganged up, pulling him by the shirt and pant.
Zapzapzap!
They all stopped after hearing a buzzy tone. The sound repeated as it was coming closer.
"Oi!" Sparks of green lighting accompanied a frustrated voice. "Stop the bullying!"
The group was fully aware of who the voice belonged to.
"Geh! Zap-Zap Yukikaze!"
"Go away. This has nothing to do with you!"
"Ayah! Zapzapzapzap!" Young Yukikaze fumed and increased the output of her Lightning Art.
"Hey! I'm not scared of your lighting, we'll take you on if you keep interfering."
"You're going to keep up with the bullying?"
Standing together with Yukikaze, a young girl was holding the bamboo sword in her hands.
"Where is your sense of justice as future Taimanins?! You boys should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Say what?! Everything is this loser's fault! His clan started this!"
"Yeah! Yeah! This is totally on him!"
"This doesn't concern you either, Akiyama! What? Are you going to swing that stick at us? Go ahead! We outnumber you girls!"
Young Akiyama Rinko readied her training tool and took a stance. She held the bamboo sword closed to her side while keeping a firm grip on its hilt.
"So you won't listen, fine. If you don't top bullying others, I'll have to teach you a lesson using the way of the sword. Itto-Ryuu Style!" Rinko glanced at Yukikaze. "Ready, Yukikaze?"
The tanned little girl nodded eagerly as she prepared her water toy guns.
"It's on!"
The two young girls charged at the group of bullies together.
The fight took place after would become a famous story shared among the young Taimanin-in-trainings at Gosha.
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