Ten years had passed since the fall of Yamashiga.
The pain still lived in Jiro's heart, but the flame his father left behind… now burned within him.
His horns were long, elegantly curved with a wild grace. His eyes, a deep crimson, glowed with determination. He wore a black training robe, with a white sash tightly tied at his waist — a symbol of his progress and discipline. His breathing was steady. His body, agile. And now…he was sprinting at full speed through a dense, green forest.
Beside him ran another young man: Rayjou Tamashi, a human with a lively spirit and a determined face, wearing martial arts gear marked with the symbol of Kamimizu Academy, founded by Jiro's legendary grandfather.
—Jiro, we're almost at the target! —shouted Rayjou, panting—. Are you sure this is the right way to catch it?
—I'm very sure, Rayjou. Just trust me… there are still a few things left to do here —Jiro replied firmly, without stopping.
Suddenly, Jiro leapt from a high branch of a massive tree.
From above, he spotted his target.
A massive boar, covered in dark, smoky fur, was stomping through the trees, destroying everything in its path. Black flames burst from its head and hooves. Its gaze was wild, filled with rage and ancient fury.
—There you are… —Jiro whispered from the treetop.
The ground trembled with each step of the beast.
—It's time, Rayjou! Now! —shouted Jiro.
Rayjou quickly nodded and, focusing his spiritual energy, stretched out his arms and formed a cube-shaped energy field around the boar. The aura was blue, pulsing, alive.
The boar, enraged by being trapped, let out a roar that shook the trees… and with a brutal leap, shattered the barrier, charging straight at Rayjou.
—Rayjou, watch out!! —Jiro shouted.
But before the beast could reach him, Jiro descended with a swift spinning kick, striking the boar's back and knocking it toward the nearby river. The creature crashed into the water with a thunderous splash.
Wasting no time, Jiro leapt into the air —using his spiritual energy to propel himself— and, as the boar was falling, created a spiritual barrier beneath it, bouncing it high into the sky.
The boar squealed in fear, tears spilling from its eyes.
—Your turn, Rayjou! —Jiro yelled.
Rayjou was already atop a nearby mountain. He gathered spiritual energy into his right fist, a blue energy crackling with power. With a fierce leap, he dove down in a straight line.
—BLUE SPIRIT – FURY STRIKE! —he shouted.
His fist slammed into the boar's gut, and the impact echoed through the entire forest.
…
One hour later
The boar's head rested beside a campfire.
Jiro and Rayjou sat, happily devouring the meat.
—You really overdid it with that hit, Rayjou… I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy —muttered Jiro between bites—. The plan was to knock it out, not crush its stomach…
—Bah! Doesn't matter how it ended —Rayjou replied, chewing on a juicy piece—. What matters is that now we have a delicious flame-roasted boar! And it was a great morning warm-up.
Jiro laughed heartily.
—You're right… It's always fun… especially if my grandpa were here… we'd be hunting more than one.
Rayjou froze for a second.
—Wait… Jiro! Speaking of your grandfather… I totally forgot about the academy! We're going to be late!
—Wasn't today the Tournament between the disciples?! —Jiro jumped to his feet—. I completely forgot!
—If we're late, he's going to punish us again… —Rayjou groaned.
—Like that time we had to clean all the dojos because we accidentally damaged the spiritual weapons… —Jiro rubbed his head, frustrated.
—Or when a Shinketsu opened and instead of sealing it, we tried to show off as heroes… and ended up summoning a spirit bear… —Rayjou sighed.
—That was the worst punishment ever… don't remind me… —Jiro groaned.
—Though, to be honest… most of those problems were our fault… —Rayjou added with a shrug, a bit sad—. The village knows us as the troublemaking duo…
—I really hate that nickname… —Jiro added, depressed—. Makes me look bad in front of the girls…
Both of them sighed at the same time…
Then, they looked at each other.
—WHAT ARE WE DOING?! LET'S GO! —they yelled in unison.
And like lightning, they dashed off at full speed, leaving behind only bones, ashes, and a dying fire.
The sun was already high when Jiro and Rayjou came running into the village of Kimizuke, leaving the forest behind. With their clothes whipped by the wind and their faces covered in dust, they dashed through the main gate, stirring the townspeople with a thick cloud rising like an explosion of earth.
—Koff, koff! —coughed an old man, shaking his cane—. And there they go again! The troublemaking duo of Kimizuke!
Jiro and Rayjou barely heard him, steam puffing from their noses like furious bulls, driven by adrenaline and urgency. They both looked up toward the top of a great stone staircase: the Kamimizu Spiritual Academy, founded by Jiro's grandfather after the fall of the old village of Yamashiga.
Ten years ago, that tragedy known as the Void Phenomenon had taken not just his home, but his family and entire past. Since then, Jiro had kept only one thing: a crimson rock amulet in the shape of a crescent moon, a gift from his father before his disappearance.
A bright jewel, warm to the touch, that seemed to pulse every time he trained with determination.
Despite the pain, Jiro never stopped moving forward. At fifteen, he had grown into a strong, determined young man, with the long horns of his Oni lineage, eyes as red as burning embers, and a sharp gaze. His dream remained intact: to become a Dimensional Traveler, like the legendary Raizen Tenkuma, hero of countless worlds.
Jiro and Rayjou, childhood friends, shared laughter, fights, and mischief. They both dreamed of great deeds, even if the townsfolk saw them as nothing more than troublemakers.
—Fasteeer! —shouted Jiro as they leapt across rooftops.
With one final bound, they landed just in time on the bleachers of the Grand Spiritual Arena, in the heart of the academy. The place buzzed with excitement: hundreds of people, entire families, elders, and children filled the stands to witness the grand final of the annual tournament.
—Look at that! —exclaimed Jiro, eyes locked on the arena—. We made it just in time for the final match...
At the center of the battlefield, the disciple Shinji Zabutsu, current champion and academy prodigy, was preparing for his match. His opponent, a brave young fighter who had made it to the final round, raised his fists with his body covered in blazing spiritual energy.
—We already know how this is going to end —said Rayjou with a half-smile—. Though I'm surprised the other guy made it this far...
—Let's see what happens —added Jiro, intrigued but calm.
The fight began with a burst of flames: the challenger launched waves of fire with his blazing spirit flow technique, trying to trap Shinji. But Shinji, agile as a feline, dodged every strike with clean, nearly effortless movements. He turned, slid, and with each step seemed to analyze every angle of his opponent.
—This fight won't last long... —murmured Jiro, watching the moves closely.
And then, the final twist: the rival gathered energy and launched a powerful glacier of ice to trap Shinji. But in the blink of an eye, Shinji redirected it with a spiritual counterwave. The ice bounced back, trapped the challenger, hurled him into the air, and sent him flying out of the arena, frozen, his eyes spinning like spirals.
Rayjou whistled, impressed.
—Not even five minutes... and he's out!
At the center, the elder Kamimizu, master and founder of the academy, raised Shinji's hand with a powerful voice:
—The winner of the Lunar Medal Tournament... Shinji Zabutsu!
The crowd erupted in cheers, applause, and shouts of excitement. Everyone celebrated the victory of the favorite, while the wind rustled the ceremonial banners hung throughout the dojo.
Jiro crossed his arms and frowned. Though he clapped, his gaze went far beyond the battle.
Jiro stood up from his seat, clicking his tongue with a resigned gesture.
— I knew it would end like this… — he muttered to himself, adjusting his cloak —. Anyway, I'm leaving.
Rayjou, who was beside him, raised an eyebrow, curious.
— Hey, Jiro, where are you going?
— Don't worry, to the grandfather's place — he replied in his usual carefree tone —. We have to be there so he doesn't suspect we just arrived, don't you think?
Rayjou's eyes opened wide as if he had just been snapped out of a trance.
— You're right, friend! We have to hurry!
Both got up quickly while Shinji, still in the practice arena, watched them with cold and calm eyes. Their gazes met for a moment... then Shinji simply ignored him, as if he wasn't worth his attention.
---
Moments later, Jiro and Rayjou arrived at the disciples' meeting room. Almost everyone was there, chatting animatedly... except Shinji.
— Hey, where's Shinji? — Rayjou asked one of the boys.
— Ah, he decided not to come celebrate — the disciple said while pouring himself a hot drink —. He said he preferred to go straight home. By the way, the academy will close early today.
— Ugh... typical cold guy — Rayjou commented with a mocking smile.
Jiro stretched, putting both hands behind his head.
— He's always been like that. He never liked meetings or celebrations. Shinji is the type of person who prefers to be alone.
Rayjou looked at him attentively.
— Makes sense you know that. You met him long before I did, when you arrived in this village...
Then, amid laughter, another disciple chimed in:
— Or he knows him well because he lost many times against him!
The room burst out laughing, and Jiro frowned for a few seconds, but ended up forcing a smile.
Then a powerful and stern voice thundered through the room.
— Stop it already, please! — boomed Grandfather Kamimizu's voice, instantly commanding respect —. We are not in the past, but in the present! So let's leave it at that...
The old man stood up with an intense look.
— And you...
In a blink, his figure vanished as if dissolving into the air. A moment later, he reappeared behind Jiro and Rayjou, both hands firmly resting on their shoulders.
— And you... where have you been? I haven't seen you since this morning — he asked with burning eyes, covered by a killing aura that even blurred his face.
The nearby disciples instinctively stepped back. Rayjou and Jiro stammered in sync.
— N-no... we... we were... in the kitchen...
— LIARS!!! — shouted the grandfather, and immediately, two powerful blows thundered in the room like heavenly hammers, shaking even the academy walls.
— SORRY!!! — Jiro and Rayjou shouted in unison as they were thrown to the floor with big bumps on their heads.
---
Later, in the quiet streets, the trio walked calmly. Rayjou and Jiro both sported two well-marked bumps on their heads. The silence between them was almost comical.
— It can't be... — grunted Rayjou —. He found out!
— I feared that... — sighed Jiro —. But I never imagined he would do it so fast.
Rayjou, in a calmer tone, reflected:
— Well, at least... he didn't punish us.
Grandfather coughed loudly just as he heard that line, and both young men instantly separated by reflex.
At that moment, from a corner, a deep voice was heard:
— Hey, Rayjou! Son!
It was a man with a katana on his belt and traditional armor. Rayjou smiled at once.
— Ah, my father is here! Jiro, see you tomorrow.
With a flawless bow, he greeted:
— See you tomorrow, Mr. Kamimizu.
— See you tomorrow, Tamashi. Take care — the grandfather replied in a paternal tone.
Jiro raised his hand:
— See you tomorrow, friend.
Rayjou ran to his father and hugged him with a wide smile. Jiro silently watched them from behind.
— See you tomorrow... — he whispered.
Upon arriving at his humble home, the wooden door was dragged open with a soft creak. Jiro ran to his mother and hugged her tenderly.
— Hi mom, how are you?
— Very well, dear. And your day?
Jiro thought about everything that happened: the boar, the training, the meeting.
— Well... you know, mom. A bit tough...
She smiled gently.
— That's alright, dear, go take a bath before dinner.
Grandfather Kamimizu handed a bag of vegetables to his daughter-in-law.
— Mrs. Bo sent these for you.
— Oh, thank you very much — the mother said gratefully.
Jiro submerged himself in the bamboo hot spring bath. The hot water wrapped his tense body, steam rose in silent spirals. He closed his eyes, letting the heat loosen his stiff muscles.
— That... I really needed...
His thoughts began to drift. He remembered the image of Rayjou's father hugging his son with pride. He kept watching the water move slowly.
— I wonder how it would be... if my father were here with me now... — he thought silently.
Night fell with serenity, while Jiro remained there, between the warmth of the water and the memories that never left him.