RYUSATSUGA

The path back to Hanzo's house was calm… at least, at first.

Shiro walked with his hands hanging, sniffing every tree, climbing rocks by instinct, and sometimes stuffing wild fruits into his mouth whole, without peeling them. A sparrow watched him from a branch and flew away as soon as their eyes met. Kaien noticed. He became thoughtful.

— Hey, Shiro — Kaien asked curiously — where do you live?

The boy lowered his gaze, thoughtful. For the first time since they met, his voice grew quieter.

— In the forest. For a long time. Before… I lived in a village. With my mom and dad.

Akari turned to him, attentive.

— And what happened?

Shiro took a moment to answer.

— One night… a monster came. It was huge, had no face. It smelled like blood. And it roared like it hurt to be alive. No one could stop it. It destroyed everything. When I woke up… everyone was dead. I was the only one left.

Silence.

— Since then, I've lived alone. Sometimes I think I'm still dreaming.

Kaien looked down. Akari pressed her lips together.

— You're not alone anymore.

Shiro said nothing, but for the first time, he smiled. However, Kaien noticed something strange in his golden eyes. As if they shone a little brighter than normal…

When they arrived at Hanzo's house, the children ran out to greet them.

— KAIEN! — shouted Haru, the most impulsive, tripping over a rock from excitement.

But when he saw Shiro, he froze.

— IS THAT A MONSTER?! — he shouted, pointing dramatically.

— I'm not a monster! — growled Shiro, showing his teeth.

Mei, the smallest, took a timid step forward, holding a stick.

— So what are you then? A magic goat?

Riku, who always wanted a fight, crossed his arms.

— Then prove you're not a coward! Fight!

And he threw a branch at him like a spear.

With incredible speed and a smile, Shiro dodged, jumped, and landed on Riku's back, tickling him until he cried with laughter. In seconds, they were all playing with Kumo in the yard: Shiro growled, climbed trees, slid on the ground like a wild beast. The kids adored him.

— Come on, little horns! You against everyone! — shouted Haru, standing on a rock.

— One by one or all at once! I don't care! — Shiro replied, proudly showing his teeth.

Kaien watched them from the doorway with a smile. Next to him, Akari looked surprised. Behind them, Hanzo observed the scene, trying not to laugh.

— Looks like they've found a good friend.

Kaien nodded.

— Yes. He's a little weird… but he's one of us.

— That's what matters.

Later that same day…

Hanzo and Akari set off on a short trip to the outskirts of the mountain. They visited a secluded house, protected with seals and covered with medicinal plants. There, in a dark room with bitter scents, lay Akari's mother, pale, barely breathing.

Akari sat beside her, holding her hand tightly. She said nothing, just pressed her lips.

— Don't worry, mom… we're going to make it.

Hanzo watched from the doorway, arms crossed. Then he approached her slowly.

— Remember this, Akari. True strength doesn't come from weapons or fury. It comes from the desire to protect… those we love. That will always be your purest source.

Akari nodded, holding back tears.

In their absence, Hanzo had spent part of the last days helping rebuild the village destroyed by the monster. Though no longer the invincible warrior of his youth, his hands were steady, his decisions wise, and the villagers followed him.

— Are you a real warrior? — a boy with dirty pants asked him.

— I was many things. Now I'm just someone who helps where he can — Hanzo replied with a serene smile.

Back home, he resumed training Kaien and Akari in the backyard.

— Focus. Feel the energy of the weapon… but don't let it consume you — Hanzo corrected them — The first level of mastery is resonance. If you can't harmonize with your weapon… you will never control your true power.

Kaien closed his eyes. For a moment, he felt Ryusatsuga breathe with him. He realized the sword wanted to protect… as much as destroy.

Akari murmured spells. A circle of warmth surrounded her, vibrating with controlled power.

Hanzo watched closely. His voice was firm but gentle:

— Don't forget this: strength born from ego is fragile. But strength born from love… that is eternal.

Kaien lowered his katana, thoughtful. Akari glanced at him sideways, saying nothing. They both understood.

That night, the full moon hung like a white eye in the sky.

Everyone was sleeping deeply.

Except Shiro.

His body trembled. He was in the forest, not far from the house. Panting.

— What's… happening to me?

He looked at his hands. His nails were slowly growing longer. His teeth… sharper. The veins in his arms pulsed like they wanted to escape his skin.

— My head… it hurts!

He leaned against a tree. His back cracked, his breath became guttural.

— No… no…

His skin began to darken, his silhouette to warp.

The trees shook. Birds fled silently.

The moon shone over him as if calling him.

And in the silent forest, a beast roared.

A wild creature… with eyes that still held traces of humanity.

The moon flickered.

The wind stopped.

And the forest held its breath.

| Author's Note |

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