Time is like a mischievous child, always slipping away when you're not looking, or like fine, soft sand that runs through your fingers no matter how tightly you try to hold it. Two years passed quickly, almost without anyone noticing.
Two Years Later, Seihoku Village
The sky was bright, and the fresh morning air filled Seihoku Village. A gentle white mist wrapped itself around the small village, softening every edge and corner. Dewdrops from the night still clung to the leaves of plants along the roadside, and insects gathered to sip the pure droplets, drawing the attention of birds flitting from branch to branch. It was a scene full of life-a perfect portrait of a vibrant morning.
Daichi, the old village chief, had woken early to enjoy the crisp air. Despite the passing years, he looked much the same as ever: sturdy, wise, and calm. Standing at the edge of the village, he smiled softly, lost in memories of his conversation with Kunkei the night before.
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"It's been two years, and it's gone by very quickly." Kunkei's voice was thoughtful, tinged with nostalgia.
"Oh, yes," Daichi replied, slowly opening his palm to reveal the faint pattern of a strange shield etched in his skin. He shook his head gently, his voice as steady as ever. "Two years may seem fast, but for an old man like me, it's just another pair of seasons. Time doesn't change much for me, but it's enough to let young people grow. How are Shibi and Reo now?"
Kunkei's lips curled into a smile, but he didn't laugh aloud.
"Those two boys have grown up quickly. I've passed my Epee style to Shibi, and now he's grasped the true meaning of the sword. It suits him-his calm and mature personality makes him a natural. He's become a tactician, and Reo, after exploring his own path, has mastered his Devil Fruit ability well. But…"
Kunkei paused, his brow furrowing.
"Reo still lacks the experience of killing. Unlike Shibi's stubbornness, he's rational, and his thinking is mature for his age. But that very maturity is a flaw-one that could become a fatal weakness."
"I see," Daichi sighed, leaning on his crutch as he rose from his chair and moved to the window. He gazed out at the bright moon hanging in the sky, its silvery light reflected in his old, wise eyes.
"Kunkei, you taught Shibi the Epee. Have you thought of letting him use the magic weapon from the back mountain?"
Kunkei lit a cigarette and exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "I have, old man. I think our generation needs to be flexible."
"Shibi is still young, but he's the right one to take up the magic weapon. To be honest, it's selfish of me-it's a way to keep my dreams alive."
Daichi didn't turn from the window, his hands clasped behind his back. The moon's glow painted his face in silver, and his lips moved slowly, like the bark of an old tree.
"When will you let Shibi go to the back mountain to claim the magic weapon?"
Kunkei flicked his cigarette out the door and replied, "The day after tomorrow. It's not easy to pull up the magic weapon. There's the guardian beast to face, and you need the will to wield it. I'll go to Shibi's house tomorrow and tell him everything about his magic weapon."
"That's good, Kunkei. You know, I feel lighter now, as if the weight I've carried in my chest for years is finally gone."
Daichi took a deep breath of the morning air, then turned and walked back inside. This was his favorite time of day-to drink tea and enjoy breakfast in peace.
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Shibi's house sat quietly under the thinning mist, its yard just visible. Two young men squatted in the yard, focused intently on the ground as if guarding a precious treasure.
"Hey, Shibi, do you think it's a good time to eat roasted sweet potatoes?" The speaker was a slender, black-haired young man with a handsome face and bright, intelligent eyes. He looked at the muscular young man beside him with a teasing grin.
"Delicious food is always good, any time of day. And besides, I don't believe Uncle Kunkei will come looking for us this early," replied the sturdy youth, his sapphire eyes never leaving the small mound of earth in front of him.
The slender young man rolled his eyes and tapped his forehead. This is the real reason you dragged me out here to bake sweet potatoes at sunrise.
These two were Reo and Shibi, now grown into young men after two years.
"Reo, how long do we have to wait?" Shibi asked, growing impatient as he stared at the dirt mound.
"About ten minutes. Sweet potatoes in Seihoku Village are special, you know. And if you can't tell the time, why bother asking me?" Reo's tone was resigned, as if this scene had played out many times before.
"Ah, I hate waiting for sweet potatoes to cook," Shibi groaned.
"Well, you're the one who wanted them, idiot."
Shibi sighed dramatically, then suddenly turned to Reo as if remembering something important. "Hey, Reo, do you remember that night two years ago? You never told me your dream back then. Do you have one now?"
Reo, who had been watching the time, smiled. "I didn't have a dream then, and even now, I'm not sure what my dream is. But I do have a goal: to stand in front of you and protect you, Shibi."
Shibi groaned in mock despair. "You really have no ambition. I want to be a navy admiral one day. This is just my first step. Since you don't have a dream, you can help me achieve mine-become someone the world looks up to."
Reo looked up from the dirt, meeting Shibi's gaze seriously. "Alright. If you can't do it yourself, I'll do it reluctantly."
"What do you mean, 'reluctantly'?"
"Well, with your pig brain, Shibi, it's going to be tough to become an admiral."
"Bastard! Who are you calling pig brain? You're the pig brain!"
"Oh, the sweet potatoes are ready."
"Really? Let's eat!"
Shibi immediately began digging into the dirt mound with the enthusiasm of someone uncovering buried treasure.
"Careful, don't break the sweet potatoes," Reo warned.
"Got it!" Shibi replied, not looking up as he dug.
Just then, a familiar voice called from the gate. "What a coincidence! Are you making breakfast? I haven't eaten yet, so save some for me."
Kunkei's calm voice drifted across the yard. At the sound, Shibi's forehead twitched with annoyance. He jumped up, pointed at Kunkei, and shouted, "What a coincidence! Why do you always show up when we're eating roasted sweet potatoes, you bastard?"
"Don't be so harsh. I actually have important business today," Kunkei replied, unfazed.
"You always say that," Shibi grumbled.
Reo just shook his head, sighing as he squatted down to help dig up the sweet potatoes. He was used to this scene by now-familiar, lively, and full of warmth, just like the village itself.
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A/N: Hey Everyone, If you like the chapter please share your reviews and feedbacks. Thanks for reading.