Chapter 2 — Arrival in Wave
The sea stretched endlessly before him, silver waves reflecting the morning sun. Atop the cliffs overlooking Wave's harbor, Kurafuto stood silently, crimson hair rustling in the wind. His sharp blue eyes scanned the city below — fortified walls, bustling streets, and ships swaying in the docks. Soldiers patrolled the harbor, merchants called to one another, and the scent of salt and metal filled the air.
Drago, now perched on his shoulder, hissed softly, wings twitching as though sensing the possibilities hidden within the city. Kurafuto exhaled, feeling the weight of what lay ahead. Wave was a nation alive with potential — but also a nation that could not yet fathom the kind of power he wielded.
> "This is it, Drago," he whispered. "The first step of many. Today, they will see a creator like no other."
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The First Public Zoid Demonstration
Kurafuto stepped forward into the open plaza, where the local authorities had gathered, curious about the newcomer rumored to be an exiled Uzumaki with strange talents. The crowd murmured as they noticed the boy standing confidently, no older than ten, yet exuding an aura of authority that drew the eye.
Kurafuto extended his hand. A ribbon of light, thin as a spider's thread, shot into the air, tracing intricate patterns. With a quiet word and precise chakra control, the air rippled, and Drago began to expand. Metal fused with living tissue, scales glimmered, claws extended, and wings unfolded in a perfect arc. Within moments, Drago hovered above the plaza, nearly six meters in length, its sapphire and crimson scales reflecting the morning light.
Gasps echoed through the plaza. Soldiers whispered to each other. Nobles leaned forward in disbelief.
> "Alive… made of metal… moving on its own," someone muttered.
Kurafuto's lips curved slightly. "This is only the beginning," he said calmly. "Observe carefully: a Zoid fights not because it is commanded, but because it understands. Because it trusts its creator."
Drago flexed its wings and tail, then let out a resonating roar. The metallic sound echoed off the surrounding cliffs — neither a simple noise nor a threat, but a statement of life.
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Zoid Combat Demonstration
Kurafuto waved his hand, and Drago lunged forward, claws shredding stacked wooden barrels placed as targets. Its tail whipped with precision, knocking down columns of practice dummies. The boy's chakra flowed seamlessly through the creature, every movement of the dragon perfectly synchronized with his intent.
> "A Zoid is not a weapon," Kurafuto explained to the crowd, voice calm yet commanding. "It is an extension of the mind and soul. With trust, understanding, and bond, it becomes part of you — your strength, your senses, and your will."
The crowd could not help but marvel. Even the soldiers, trained to combat intruders and threats, whispered among themselves: This is not a machine… it is alive… intelligent… obedient only to him.
Drago, still hovering, flared its wings and tail. Kurafuto extended his fingers, and the dragon shrank to a mere two inches, coiling safely onto his shoulder.
> "Size is flexible," he explained. "For combat, it can grow. For transport or safety, it can shrink. The power of a Zoid is in its bond with its master, not its size alone."
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Foreshadowing the Gemstone Bond System
Kurafuto's eyes swept the crowd as he prepared to explain his vision. He did not yet know Himeko, the future princess and his bride, but he understood the potential of his creations.
> "One day," he said, raising a hand, "I will allow others to bond with these creatures. With the proper tools — Gemstones imbued with chakra — humans will be able to synchronize with Zoids. But the bond will require loyalty, trust, and respect. Only then can they fight alongside you, and protect what you hold dear."
Though the crowd could not fully comprehend the statement yet, murmurs of awe and excitement swept through the plaza. Even the city guards leaned forward, fascinated by the boy who had created life from metal.
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The First Step Toward Trainers
Kurafuto took a slow breath, imagining a future in which Trainers — humans bonded to multiple Zoids — patrolled the streets, defended the nation, and explored lands beyond the walls.
> "This is only the first step," he whispered to Drago, who chirped softly, scales shimmering. "One day, I will craft not only creatures, but systems of partnership and protection. And those who are ready will rise to become more than warriors… they will become Trainers, guardians of the nation, explorers of the world."
Though unseen by Kurafuto, distant observers on foreign ships had already begun taking note. The boy was creating something unprecedented. A new kind of soldier, a new kind of nation. One that could not be ignored.
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The Dawn of an Era
As the sun rose higher, casting light across Wave's harbor, Kurafuto lowered his hand. Drago shrank back to rest upon his shoulder. Citizens continued to whisper, awe-struck, and soldiers returned to their posts, but all had seen something impossible: life born from metal, loyal only to its master.
Kurafuto looked out at the city, breathing in the salt air. His exile had ended. His journey had only begun. And one day, long after this moment, he would transform Wave itself, creating creatures, systems, and bonds that would shape the future of the world.
> "This is only the beginning," he murmured. "And Wave… will never be the same again."