The evening bled into crimson, burning the sky over West Molzhiki's cliffs.
Jin had barely stepped into his yard when he caught the familiar sharp voice:
"You had Kuma come find me, then you vanish to wash up?! Do you know how busy I am?!"
The small girl glared at him, blue hair damp with sea salt, bamboo sword in hand. Kuina's voice dripped with righteous annoyance.
Inside, Jin winced—caught. But outwardly, he kept that bored, half-lidded mercenary look.
"Now, now," he drawled, "didn't I tell Kuma where I'd gone? Maybe he forgot to pass it on. Right, Kuma?"
He turned, and his face twisted into something sly—a grin that promised pain if his bear dared answer wrong.
Kuma flinched. Even his thick hide remembered that one hellish night: shitting his guts out after Jin's "detox" brew.
"Uh… yes, big sis, it was my fault. Boss told me. I forgot," Kuma mumbled, sounding as sincere as a sinner at confession.
Jin spread his hands in fake magnanimity.
"See? The poor bastard just learned to talk. Cut him some slack, Kuina."
Over half a year together had taught Jin exactly how this proud little swordswoman worked. Mornings at the Isshin Dojo, afternoons training alone or sparring him by the cliffs. The one thing Kuina wouldn't tolerate? Being stood up. She'd sulk like a cat denied milk.
Kuina's glare softened. She glanced at Kuma's guilty bear face, then gave a small "hmph!" and stomped over to sit.
"Fine. But don't think I'm fooled," she sniffed.
"Alright, now tell me—why'd you call me here?"
Jin's playful smirk faded. His violet eyes grew cool, sharp as drawn steel.
"You've always wanted to see what I'm really capable of, right?"
Kuina blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift. Then, slowly, she nodded.
"Yes. I know you hold back when we spar. I hate to admit it… but you're far stronger than me."
For the first time, she said it out loud—and that admission hung heavy in the humid air.
Jin felt a flicker in his chest. Gratitude? Respect? Hard to say. He pushed it aside, letting the old mercenary calm settle over him.
"Then follow me," he said quietly. "I'll show you."
They walked together, crunch of gravel underfoot, until they stood before the hundred-meter cliff, scarred by wind and salt.
Kuina stood back, eyes wide, as Jin exhaled a slow breath.
"Stay there. And watch closely."
In a blink, Jin vanished.
"Shave!"
In half a heartbeat, he'd crossed twenty meters of air—then kicked again.
"Moon Step."
His boots struck nothing yet found purchase, bounding higher. For an instant, he hung suspended, ocean breeze teasing his sweat-soaked shirt.
He didn't look back. Hand on his blade's hilt, words barely above a whisper:
"The sword… is the king of weapons. Not just steel, but the will to cut through anything. Even the heavens."
Kuina's breath caught. His voice wasn't loud, yet she heard it as if whispered into her ear.
"Horizon Slash!"
His arm swung, every muscle coiling into a single savage arc. Air hissed and warped, then screamed apart.
A crescent of compressed force—six meters long, born purely of muscle and killing intent—flew from his blade, striking stone.
KRACK!
Stone exploded outward, leaving a jagged scar six meters deep, gouged across the cliff face.
Kuina's mouth parted, words frozen.
She had seen him move like mist, walk on air itself, and cut stone as if it were paper.
Jin landed lightly, boots digging into sand beside her. His breath steady, face unreadable.
"So," he asked softly, "now you've seen. What do you think?"
She barely heard his first question, mind still replaying that impossible display.
"Ah… what?" she stammered.
"I asked: what do you think of my strength?" Jin repeated, more gently.
Kuina swallowed. Her dark eyes locked on him—part awe, part frustration.
"You're… terrifyingly strong. I knew you held back, but… this? This is beyond me," she murmured.
Then, shoulders slumping, her voice dropped to something raw and painfully young.
"Boys are just born with more strength… If I were a boy, I wouldn't lose to you. I… wouldn't lose to anyone."
Jin noted a faint flicker to the east—someone spying. His senses, honed by two lifetimes, caught it even as it vanished.
Ignoring it, he turned to her, voice low but firm:
"If you really want power, I can help you, Kuina. Look at me. I'm barely eight. And yet I can cut stone and fly through the air. Not because I was born special—but because I forged it."
"Help… me?" Kuina echoed.
"If you trust me," Jin said, violet eyes calm as a blade's edge, "come to my house tonight."
Then, without waiting for her answer, he vanished again—one final Shave leaving only swirling dust.
Kuina stood rooted, hand tight around her bamboo sword, heart pounding in a strange mix of fear, wonder… and hope.
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: patreon.com/GodFic