Seven years had passed.
In the quiet courtyard surrounded by a small forest, a young boy was training relentlessly. His body was drenched in sweat, shirtless, muscles taut with effort. His black hair, streaked with hints of red along the sides, swayed gently in the wind. He was Akagami Rio—now twelve years old.
The daily training inherited from his father since the age of five had just come to an end.
A five-kilometer run… completed.
Fifty push-ups… completed.
Fifty sit-ups… completed.
And lastly, enduring and releasing the pressure of the aura from his own skill—
Eyes of Light.
A sharp, radiant aura enveloped his body for several seconds, then slowly faded away.
"Haaah…" Rio let out a long breath.
"Finally… it's over…" he muttered, sitting down on the ground while wiping the sweat from his face.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded from behind.
A tall figure with calm eyes stood not far from him—Akagami Zero, his father.
"Rio, have you finished your training?" he asked, his voice firm yet carrying the quiet composure of a father.
Rio turned his head, looking at his father and nodding tiredly.
"Yes, Father… I've finished my training," he replied with a small smile.
Zero stepped closer, his gaze tracing the body his son had built through years of relentless training.
"Good," he said briefly. Then he added,
"Now… put your clothes on."
He turned around slowly, then glanced back over his shoulder.
"After you rest for a bit, come with Father into the forest. There's something I want to show you."
Rio stared at his father seriously. A strange feeling told him that today's training… would be different.
"Alright, Father," he answered firmly.
Some time later, the two of them had entered the forest. The air was cool, sunlight filtering through gaps in the leaves, casting gentle, shifting patterns of light and shadow. A soft breeze carried the scent of damp foliage.
Using assassin techniques, they leapt and climbed across tall trees. Their movements were light, swift, and nearly soundless—
as if they were one with the forest itself.
Suddenly, while both of them stood on a thick branch, Zero halted.
"Stop," he said quietly, yet firmly.
Rio immediately stopped, maintaining his balance on the branch.
"What is it, Father?"
Zero stared ahead for a moment, then glanced at Rio.
"Can you see what's ahead with your skill?"
Rio fell silent briefly, then nodded.
"I can… but why?"
"Activate it now."
"Okay!"
Rio closed his eyes, took a breath, then opened them with a sharp gaze.
"Eyes of Light."
A faint glow wrapped around his eyes. The world around him slowed down.
The wind, the birds, the falling leaves—everything moved in a different rhythm.
Rio scanned the area. His vision caught something—
behind thick bushes. The figure moved fast, but to his eyes, it seemed to glide in slow motion.
"Father… I see someone moving toward us!" he said seriously.
Hearing that, Zero's presence changed instantly. His eyes sharpened, and his assassin aura burst forth, pressing down on the air itself.
"Now… kill him."
Rio froze, confused.
"Huh…? But why, Father?"
Before Zero could answer—
BRAGHH!!
A violent impact slammed into Rio! A black slime-like mass burst out from the bushes and smashed into his body, flinging him off the tree!
"RIO!!" Zero shouted. Panic flashed across his face… for the first time.
Rio's body fell, crashing through leaves and branches one after another. The sound of snapping wood echoed through the forest.
Zero leapt down. His killing intent exploded outward. The air trembled, leaves falling as if bowing before him.
"HOW DARE YOU!!" he roared.
From within the shadowy mist, the enemy revealed himself.
"Oh… so it's you, Zero. The legendary assassin,"
the voice echoed mockingly.
"You're strong… but your child… is pathetically weak,"
he continued with a cruel laugh.
But before he could finish—
"Do you really think… an impact like that could defeat me?!"
The voice came from behind him. The man spun around instinctively—
BRAK!
From the shadows of the trees, Rio emerged. His body was injured and covered in dust, yet his eyes burned brightly. A strange aura flowed around him—a mixture of light and darkness.
The enemy froze, stepping back reflexively.
"That's impossible… why is he still standing…?"
Silence filled the forest. The auras of Rio and Zero overlapped.
The enemy began to tremble.
"I-I have to… run!!"
He turned to flee—
A sharp voice stopped him cold.
"You think… you can escape!?"
Rio vanished from sight, using Eyes of Light and assassin techniques.
ZRAK! ZRAK! BOOM!!
Rapid thrusts tore into the enemy's body. Small bursts of light followed each strike.
"GAAAHHH!!"
Dust filled the air. Birds scattered in panic.
When the dust finally settled, the enemy lay motionless on the ground—
unconscious… or perhaps, barely alive.
Rio stood there, breathing heavily. His body trembled, yet his eyes remained sharp.
A few seconds later, Zero appeared beside him.
He looked at Rio, then at the defeated enemy.
"Excellent movement… You truly are my son."
Suddenly—
"Ugh…"
Rio collapsed. Unconscious.
Zero caught him instantly and lifted him into his arms.
"Hah… looks like his stamina is still lacking," he muttered with a small smile.
He walked slowly out of the forest, carrying his son back home.
"But well done, Rio… You've truly grown stronger…"