As Taiyo finished forging his very first blade, he handed it to Kouzaburou for inspection, hoping to take notes on how to one day craft a sword worthy of being part of the Meito series—perhaps even the highest grade among them.
While Kouzaburou carefully examined the sword for any faults or imperfections, Taiyo waited in silence.
"This is of higher quality than most beginners manage," Kouzaburou said finally. "But there's still room for improvement. Come back tomorrow, and we'll continue."
He handed the blade back to Taiyo, who blinked in surprise.
"A swordsmith should always keep their first creation," Kouzaburou said, noting Taiyo's confusion. "It reminds them of where they started. This is yours—treasure it, and carry it as a symbol of your beginning."
Taiyo finally understood and nodded. "Thank you, Grandpa."
He bid farewell to Kouzaburou and left the forge, intending to return home. But along the path, he was intercepted by his sister, shinai in hand.
"Brother, fight me," Kuina challenged, determination burning in her eyes. She had taken to challenging him often, ever since he defeated their father in a sparring match.
"I'm really tired, Kuina," Taiyo replied, not wanting to engage. Though blessed with strength far beyond normal limits, swordsmithing had worn him out. His muscles ached, and his mind was weary.
"Liar! You can still fight," Kuina shot back, thrusting her shinai toward him.
Taiyo sighed, knowing full well that she would pester or even attack him regardless of his answer. Giving in, he took out the katana he had forged, sheathed it to blunt its edge, and pointed it toward Kuina—silently accepting her challenge.
Kuina rushed forward, but Taiyo dodged with ease and gently countered. Holding back his strength, he struck just hard enough to knock her down and disarm her.
"Ahhh! One more time!" Kuina groaned, frustrated, demanding a rematch.
But Taiyo was done. Without another word, he hoisted her onto his shoulders as she threw a mild tantrum, kicking her legs in protest. After a few minutes of struggling, she finally gave up and crossed her arms in a pout.
"Don't worry," Taiyo said, trying to soothe her mood. "I'll teach you how to become stronger."
"Really?" she asked, perking up immediately. Her eyes lit up with hope—she desperately wanted to become the world's strongest swordsman.
"Yes. Don't worry," Taiyo replied with a soft smile.
Kuina stopped pouting and grinned as she clung to her brother's back. A few more minutes of walking brought them back to the dojo, where their father, Koushirou, was still teaching students the basics—slashing, thrusting, and proper form.
"Good evening, Father," Taiyo greeted, approaching with Kuina still perched on his shoulders.
Koushirou looked at his twins and smiled warmly.
Seeing Taiyo carrying Kuina like that was a reflection of their strong bond. Despite Taiyo's unmatched talent and his lack of interest in becoming the strongest swordsman, and Kuina's fierce ambition but lesser natural ability, there was no jealousy—only mutual respect and love.
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The next morning, Taiyo and Kuina were sparring on the cliffside, the sea stretching endlessly behind them. Taiyo was instructing Kuina on how to maximize her sword swings. Thanks to his Transparent World, he could see the muscle groups involved in her movements in real time. As she practiced, he adjusted her posture and technique, subtly guiding her to make better use of her momentum and flexibility.
"Observe the waves and the flow of water," Taiyo instructed, pointing toward the sea. "Mimic their rhythm. Let each slash build off the momentum of the last. This will help compensate for your lack of raw strength by focusing on coordination and fluidity. Once you master this, I'll teach you something new."
Kuina listened intently, focusing hard on each swing. Her natural talent began to shine through as she adapted quickly, seamlessly integrating Taiyo's corrections with her developing style. Her movements became smoother, more connected—less like a student and more like a flowing current.
Once Taiyo was satisfied with her progress for the morning, he left Kuina to continue practicing on her own and headed to Kouzaburou's forge to continue honing his swordsmithing skills for the day.
This routine continued for about a month. Every day, Kuina's technique improved as Taiyo closely observed her movements, offering feedback informed by the Transparent World. Her form became more refined, her swings more efficient.
Recognizing her growth, Taiyo eventually introduced her to Total Concentration Breathing, a technique that would further enhance her focus and physical control. The results were immediate—Kuina's progress accelerated dramatically, surpassing her previous limits.
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As Taiyo continued training with Kuina, he also made steady progress in his bladesmithing skills. Integrating his breathing technique into each swing of the hammer, he gradually adapted to the immense weight of the forging tool Kouzaburou had given him. The hammer, intentionally crafted to be excessively heavy, served not just as a smithing instrument but also as a means of physical training—every strike working both the blade and Taiyo's body.
Day by day, Taiyo melted, forged, and reforged iron, relentlessly honing his craft. Each failure became a lesson; each success, a step closer to mastery. As he refined his technique, his strength increased alongside his precision. Kouzaburou, recognizing his grandson's dedication, began teaching him how to forge different kinds of weapons—katanas, tantos, wakizashis, and even polearms. The goal was to help Taiyo discover what type of weapon truly suited him.
Eventually, Taiyo gravitated toward the nodachi—a massive, two-handed blade longer than the standard katana. Its sheer size and power appealed to him, and it complemented his growing physical prowess. He decided that the nodachi would be his signature weapon.
From that point on, Taiyo poured himself into mastering the art of forging nodachi. His goal: to one day craft a blade worthy of being ranked among the Supreme Grade swords—a blade that could rival even the legendary Meito.