The forest of Shirakawa stretched endlessly, shadows weaving between towering trees. Yochiro walked along the narrow dirt path leading to his secluded cave, the weight of his new gift—a katana and some food—resting lightly in his hands. His steps were steady, yet his mind wandered, drifting through the thoughts that always followed him like a shadow.
They call me the cursed boy… am I really cursed? he thought, his crimson eyes scanning the forest floor. The wind rustled the leaves, whispering through the branches like distant voices.
A memory flashed. When the father of the child he had recently protected, asked yochiro with eyes wide in emotion, had said:
"You are our protector. If you are not here, we will die."
Yochiro's lips curved into a small, fleeting smile. The weight of the words, the trust placed upon him, settled warmly in his chest, mingling with the bitter edge of the "curse" he carried.
Time passed, the path winding through dense jungle, until the entrance of his cave appeared in the distance. He paused for a moment, taking in the sight of the known graves to the right of the cave mouth—silent reminders of the past . Bowing his head, Yochiro lowered himself until his forehead touched the cool stone, a gesture of respect and remembrance.
Rising, he entered the cave. The flickering light revealed the gift he had received: the katana, unlike any ordinary blade. Yochiro picked it up, running his fingers along the polished edge.
"This is not a regular sword… this is something special," he whispered to himself. Carefully, he hung it on the wall, positioning it perfectly. Sitting down on the rough stone floor, he allowed a rare moment of calm.
But the stillness didn't last. A faint shift in the air—a subtle presence . His senses sharpened. From the entrance of the cave, he saw a figure standing, framed by the dim light outside. A man.
Yochiro's eyes narrowed. Something about this newcomer made the forest feel heavier, the shadows darker. The man's stance, the confidence in his posture—it was a presence that could not be ignored.
A man was walking in. Not like a normal man—his gait was exaggerated, almost theatrical, like someone trying to look taller, stronger, and more confident than he could ever be. His shoulders swayed, his arms swung with exaggerated rhythm, and his head tilted back ever so slightly as if he were strutting down a stage rather than entering a dangerous cave.
He is not like an ordinary guy, Yochiro thought, narrowing his eyes.
A tiny stone betrayed the stranger. He tripped, tumbling face-first into the cave floor. Dust flew, pebbles scattered—but in a blink, he was back on his feet, brushing himself off as if nothing had happened. And then he strutted forward, chest puffed, arms swinging, grinning like he had just survived a minor tragedy.
"Ha, ha! So you're the boy that everyone talks a fake protector. So-called Devil Destroyer, ha!" the man exclaimed, spinning slightly for dramatic flair. His words rang out, strangely loud for such a small cave, bouncing against the walls.
Yochiro's lips twitched into a smirk, though his eyes remained sharp. "Who dared you to come here? I know the village leader sent you to tease me," he said, his voice low but carrying authority.
The man waved his hands like he was conducting an orchestra. "Do you think that old shill of a man ordered me? I am not the person who only listens to orders! I am here to train you, not to tease you… , because I make people brave, powerful, and, well… like me!"
From the far end of the cave, a low, eerie sound echoed. Shadows flickered. The man's head jerked toward the noise—and then, like hundreds tiny wings erupting from darkness, bats swarmed directly at him.
With a shriek that could have scared even a grown demon, he dove behind Yochiro. "Wait! Wait! I am not scared! I—I was just testing your bravery! Yes! Protecting you!" he stammered, peeking out with wide, panicked eyes.
Yochiro leaned forward slightly, tilting his head. "Is this your bravery? You fear some bats?"
The man straightened abruptly, chest puffing like a balloon. "Ha! You think badly of me? I scared you out of your mind, boy! I ran there to protect you! You think I feared those useless bats? Me? I am the legend who can kill six bears' souls when they attack my town!"
Yochiro shook his head slowly. Yes… he is definitely not a special man…
"Don't just talk! If you're really strong, fight me!" Yochiro challenged, eyes narrowing.
"Heyyy! You think I make fake stories? Then go ask my village villagers!" the man shouted, flailing one hand as if to emphasize his ridiculous point.
"You dumb man," Yochiro said, voice calm but deadly. "Fight me to prove that I don't need to go to your village."
The man straightened again, arms waving wildly. "Fine, fine! But don't blame me if I look too good while fighting! Style matters! Style! Always style!" He struck a dramatic pose, spinning slightly as if expecting applause.
---
Suddenly, Yochiro felt a shift in the air. His instincts screamed danger. Without a word, he sprinted outside, leaving the man spinning uselessly in the cave.
The forest stretched in every direction, trees towering like silent watchers. Shadows flickered between the trunks. A demon leapt from a tree, claws extended toward him. Yochiro's body moved with lightning speed. He dodged and delivered a brutal kick that sent the demon flying into a tree.
And then, dozens more—almost a hundred—emerged, crawling along branches, leaping from trunks, swarming him. Yochiro's aura flared, the air around him shimmering with energy. Limbs were severed, claws crushed, and blood sprayed in crimson arcs across the forest floor. Each strike was calculated, brutal, and merciless.
From behind, a massive demon lunged, claws grazing Yochiro's neck. But suddenly, the limbs of all nearby demons were severed, landing in messy piles. Standing atop a fallen demon, the man revealed himself fully, The man stood holding the katana, which was Yochiro's gift." chest puffed, grin wide.
"Ha, boy! See carefully who your master will kill! What demons?" he shouted theatrically, pointing at the defeated creatures.
Yochiro glanced at him, lips twitching. "But tell me… when did you accept him as your master?"
" And that is my gift, fool!
"He killed two weak demons and now thinks himself a warrior," Yochiro thinking.
Suddenly from the shadows, the demon leader emerged, massive and hulking, its voice a deep growl: "So this boy killed my brothers? Prepare to feel the fear of death!"
Yochiro's eyes glowed crimson, calm but deadly. "Ha! Fear of death?"
"I don't fear death. I hand it out to demons like you," he said, one hand in his pocket, aura flaring around him.
The man flanked him, katana raised dramatically. "You just made the biggest mistake of your life! Now the living legend, the Great Tonakama, will end you with his own hands!"
Yochiro "So this fool's name is Tonakama—a strange name, just like him."
The moonlight cut through the forest canopy like silver blades, illuminating the chaos of the clearing. The demon leader towered, claws gleaming, growls rolling across the treetops.
Yochiro's crimson eyes glowed, muscles coiled like steel springs. His knuckles cracked faintly as he flexed them, aura flaring around him. Tonakama stood beside him, katana held lightly, exuding a deadly calm. The man who had once been comical now radiated raw, professional-level swordsmanship—every inch of him precise, fluid, and lethal.
He's changed… completely, Yochiro thought, eyes narrowing.
"Was he… the same man? No… he isn't. Something's changed. He's… Something Dangerous."
The demon lunged, claws swinging like twin axes. Yochiro darted forward, empty hands glowing red with raw energy. He struck first, his knuckles colliding with the demon's jaw in a brutal, bone-crushing punch. The impact shook the creature's head back, but it recovered instantly.
Tonkoma's katana moved like liquid steel. In one motion, he blocked the demon's claw, slicing through the forearm with a clean, precise strike. Sparks flew, and the forest seemed to tremble under the force. His every movement was calculated, insane in precision, leaving no opening for the enemy.
The demon roared and swung again. Yochiro ducked under a claw, delivering a spinning, aura-infused kick that slammed into the demon's ribs, sending a shockwave of pain up its massive body. Blood sprayed like crimson fireworks.
Tonakama flowed in a deadly dance around the monster. Every slash, parry, and step was executed with masterful efficiency. He deflected claws, severed limbs, and repositioned in an instant. Each strike was devastating yet perfectly controlled.
Yochiro didn't hold back. Glowing red eyes, he ducked under a swipe and landed two rapid punches to the demon's shoulder. It staggered, but retaliated with a crushing downward claw. Yochiro rolled to the side, slamming both knuckles into the creature's knee, forcing it to stumble.
Yochiro realized.
"He isn't the person he pretends to be in front of others."
"His swordsmanship skills are insane"
The demon roared, spinning for a massive, sweeping strike. Tonakama met it head-on, blade slicing through the air, deflecting the blow while simultaneously slicing the demon's other arm. The clash echoed like thunder. Meanwhile, Yochiro leapt from the side, spinning, delivering a brutal series of knuckle strikes to the demon's torso. The force sent it staggering back, bones cracking under every blow.
The forest was chaos. Limbs flew. Blood painted the ground. Tonakama moved faster than thought, his katana arcs slicing through air and enemies alike. Yochiro was a storm of fists and aura, striking relentlessly. They fought in perfect, deadly synchronization, each strike from Tonakama creating an opening, each strike from Yochiro punishing the demon further.
The demon lunged one final time, desperate. Tonakama pivoted, blade slicing its arm midair, while Yochiro jumped high, glowing fists smashing into its head. The creature collapsed, twitching, broken, bleeding.
Yochiro's chest heaved, aura still blazing. He glanced at Tonakama, admiration flashing through his glowing eyes. This man… insane skill, deadly precision… a professional swordsman. But I'm not weak. I held my own.
Tonkoma's katana rested lightly in his hand. His aura flickered, still controlled, still deadly. "Well done, boy," he said calmly. "You fought like a warrior. But remember… the sword and the fist are equal only to those who dare to push beyond limits."
Yochiro: "Why did you do that?"
Tonakama: "What?"
Yochiro: "That… showing others that you're damned!"
Tonakama (shouting) : huh?! I guess your parents never taught you how to act around great people… especially legends!"
"Suddenly, Tonakama saw a hen coming toward him. His face turned red with fear, and he moved with frantic nimbleness, as if he had seen a devil. 'Hen! Hen!' he screamed, darting to hide beside Yochiro. 'Please… save me from it!' he begged."
Yochiro stared at him, disbelief written all over his face. " You really are a fool!" he said, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his tone. He shook his head slowly, silently wondering how someone could be so terrified of a mere chicken.
Tonakama clutched Yochiro's arm, trembling like a leaf in the wind. "I… I can't! It's… it's coming right at me!"
Yochiro sighed, trying to hide a smirk. "Calm down, idiot. It's just a chicken."
But he did not listen
CH 4 END'S THERE
NOTE "If you liked the story, please leave a comment and tell me what I can improve. Did you enjoy it?" ✅