He was a boy who looked delicate and frail.
No one knew where he'd gotten that sword, perhaps, like Seff, he'd picked it up from the remains of a dead Soul Reaper. While such incidents weren't as common in these inner districts compared to the outskirts, they weren't unheard of either.
But in the end, what truly mattered wasn't whether he had a sword, it was whether he could survive.
Looking at the boy's sickly appearance, Seff found it hard to imagine he possessed the strength to fight a Hollow, much less defeat one.
He likely only carried the blade for protection, and now had the misfortune of encountering a Hollow, forcing him into confrontation.
With that thought, Seff quickened his pace.
The swordsmanship Seff inherited from Sephiroth was more than a set of flashy moves, it was a complete combat system. Each swing seemed simple, yet bloomed with silver arcs like exploding light. His blade style included movement techniques that used spiritual pressure to launch him across the battlefield, or slingshot him forward by anchoring his slashes.
He could even fly, albeit briefly, though that was still beyond him for now.
Still, he didn't need to fly to close this short distance. Just a burst of speed would do.
More importantly,
"Get away from him!!"
The shout cut through the air before Seff even appeared.
The Hollow and the boy, still locked in a tense standoff, turned toward the voice, too slow.
What reached them first was a shriek of rupturing air.
A brilliant arc of silver light carved through the space between the Hollow and the boy, parting them like a canyon had been split open by a divine blade.
The Hollow, unlike the boy, instantly felt a visceral wave of death bearing down on it, so suffocatingly intense that it almost couldn't breathe.
It jumped back instinctively, but even so, a lock of its black hair and a slice of its mask were sheared away in the blink of an eye.
Where the slash had passed, the air howled, and the earth cracked in a perfect, clean line like butter split by a hot knife.
Had it been a moment slower… it would be dead.
Never before had the Hollow felt death brush so close to its skin. It shuddered.
Then, in front of the pale, stoic boy who had held his sword so strangely moments ago, a silver-haired man landed with ease, holding his blade low in his left hand.
No need for introductions.
This was the man who had nearly killed the Hollow with a single strike.
And yet… he didn't look like the legendary black-robed "gods" the Hollow had heard of. Aside from the sword at his side, he looked no different from the many souls it had devoured in this world.
"You, what the hell are you?!"
Terror and confusion twisted the Hollow's voice.
Seff's reply was cold and simple.
"The one who's going to kill you."
A second flash of silver blurred through the air.
This time, the Hollow had no chance to evade. Even as it threw everything into retreat, the force of the cut tore through its body, shearing flesh and mask and even the trees behind it in a single stroke.
With a scream of rage and denial, the Hollow split in two, and then dissolved into grey ash, scattering in the breeze.
Another one, gone. Just another piece of trash.
Seff didn't even sigh this time. He casually flicked his sword to shed the blood, then returned it to its sheath in a smooth motion.
Turning around, he found the boy still standing behind him, also returning his blade to its sheath.
For someone his age, twelve or thirteen, at most, the blade looked far too long. His posture was awkward, but he managed it.
"You okay?" Seff asked with a soft smile, squatting slightly to meet the boy's eyes. "You were pretty brave, standing up to a Hollow like that. Still… it's not a good idea to be out here alone. If you hear about Hollow activity again, stay close to others and get away from the area, got it?"
Unlike Seff's warm tone, the boy's expression remained somewhat cold.
But as Seff spoke, a flicker of surprise passed through his face, perhaps not expecting kindness.
He stared at Seff, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
He didn't respond to Seff's advice. It was unclear whether he'd taken it to heart. Instead, his attention drifted elsewhere.
"You... are you a Soul Reaper?"
The question had barely left his lips when he suddenly frowned.
Then, to Seff's confusion, the boy turned to his side, at nothing, and muttered irritably, "Shut up."
Seff glanced in that direction but saw no one.
"…Well, I'm not a Soul Reaper," Seff replied calmly, pretending not to notice the strange outburst. He filed the odd behavior away in the back of his mind.
Funny, wasn't it? A month ago, Yui had done the exact same thing. Instead of answering his question, he'd asked Seff one first. Were all Soul Society kids like this?
Patting the hilt of his sword, Seff gave a helpless little smile.
"Though I guess people keep assuming I am, just because of this thing."
"Then you should become one."
The boy's gaze shifted to Seff's sword.
His tone wasn't hopeful, or admiring. It was flat. Like stating a fact that hadn't happened, yet.
"If you become a Soul Reaper, your strength will be of greater use."
With that, he turned away.
He didn't even give his name.
He just nodded politely to Seff… and walked off.
Seff, still crouched, watched him go with a dumbfounded expression.
After a moment, he gave a dry laugh and shook his head.
"Kids these days… sure have personalities."
Strange, nameless, and a little off, but Seff didn't take it personally. Just another passing encounter, he supposed.
He dusted off his knees and stood up.
But his eyes turned back to his sword.
He drew it again, swung a few times in the air, and frowned.
There was a strange sensation lately… like the blade wasn't quite right in his hand.
Was it…
Too short?
The moment that thought crossed his mind,
A quiet chuckle sounded behind him.
Seff turned on instinct, his blade already swinging.
But behind him, there was no one.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
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• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed