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FIVE YEARS LATER – VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES, VALE
The pre-dawn air was cool against Benimaru's skin as he slipped out of the cottage, bare feet silent on the dirt path leading into the forest. His red hair was already a wild shock against his pale face, and his black eyes held a focus far beyond his five years.
"Be quiet, be quick," he whispered to himself, ducking behind the tall pine trees that surrounded their home. "Mama can't know I'm doing this."
Inside, his mother Sakura slept soundly, worn out from another day of working the garden and weaving baskets to sell at the market three miles away. Benimaru knew she'd worry if she found out he was training – she'd already lost his father to Grimm when he was a baby, and the thought of her son putting himself in danger would break her heart.
But he had to be strong. In his past life, weakness had cost him everything. Here, he'd be ready.
He reached his secret clearing – a small circle of soft grass surrounded by thick oak trees, hidden from the village by dense foliage. He'd found it three months ago, and it had become his sanctuary.
"Okay," he said, standing in the center of the space. "Let's try this again."
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, recalling everything he'd read in the old books about Huntsmen that Sakura kept hidden in their attic. Aura is the manifestation of the soul, the pages had said. Every person in Remnant has it – some just need to learn how to awaken it.
Benimaru focused on the warmth in his chest – the same feeling that had saved him in his past life. He imagined it spreading outward, filling his body with light and strength. He'd been trying for weeks to awaken his Aura, but it always felt just out of reach.
"Cognitive maturity achieved. System activation complete."
The mechanical voice echoed in his mind, and a translucent blue screen materialized before his eyes – just as it had in the moments before his death.
STATUS SCREEN
NAME: Enjou Benimaru
TITLE: World Traveller
WORLD: RWBY
LEVEL: 1
HP: 2,000/2,000
AP: 5,000/5,000
FATIGUE: 0/100
STATS
Strength: 3
Dexterity: 4
Vitality: 3
Charisma: 3
Wisdom: 6
Intelligence: 6
Luck: 3
Spirit: 5
MONEY: 0 Lien
SKILLS
- Total Concentration Breathing (Rank F – 10% complete)
- Aura Burst (Flame) (Rank F – Dormant)
- Swordsmanship (Rank F – 5% complete)
- Taekwondo (Rank F – 5% complete)
SEMBLANCE: Fire Manipulation (Dormant – 0% Active)
TECHNIQUES: Aura Control (Rank F – Dormant), Soul Core (Rank F – Dormant)
WEAPON: None Equipped
WORLD QUEST
Guardian of the Kingdoms: Eliminate 70% of active threats to Remnant's people (0% complete)
Note: Travel to next world unlocked at 70%+ completion.
Benimaru stared in awe, his small hands reaching out as if to touch the screen. It was real – just like in his memories.
"System tutorial initiated. To awaken Aura, focus on a strong emotional anchor and channel Spirit energy through your Soul Core."
Anchors… Benimaru closed his eyes again, thinking of his mother. Of the way she sang to him when he was sick, how she'd give him her share of food when times were hard, how she'd hold him tight during storms and whisper that everything would be okay.
Warmth flooded his chest, brighter and stronger than ever before. Golden light began to shimmer around his body, forming a thin shield that glowed in the pre-dawn darkness.
"Aura awakened! Aura Control skill activated (Rank F – 15% complete). Vitality +1, Spirit +1."
Benimaru opened his eyes, staring at his hands as they glowed with soft golden light. He felt stronger, faster – like he could run through walls or lift trees.
"Next: Test Total Concentration Breathing. This skill enhances physical stats during use and accelerates Aura recovery."
Benimaru took a deep breath, following the familiar rhythm from his past life. Inhale for four… hold for seven… exhale for eight…
The world sharpened around him. He could hear every rustle of leaves, every scurry of field mice in the grass, every drop of dew falling from pine needles. The air filled his lungs completely, and he felt his muscles growing tighter, more responsive.
"Total Concentration Breathing activated. Temporary stats enhanced: Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Vitality +1. Skill progress: 15% complete."
Excited, Benimaru began to practice the basic movements he remembered from his past life – standing stances, simple punches and kicks, sword forms he'd learned even without a blade in hand. He moved with surprising grace for a five-year-old, his body responding perfectly to every command.
After nearly an hour of training, he stopped to catch his breath, feeling only slightly tired despite the intense workout. The System was right – his Aura was already healing his muscles, and the breathing technique kept his energy high.
"Training complete. Skill progress updated: Swordsmanship +3%, Taekwondo +3%. Recommend testing combat capabilities against weak enemies to gain XP and level up."
Benimaru was about to head home when he heard a low growl from the undergrowth. A small Beowolf – barely bigger than a dog – emerged from behind a tree, its red eyes fixed on him, bone-white mask twisted into a snarl.
"Hostile entity detected: Grimm – Juvenile Beowolf. Threat level: Very Low. XP reward: 100."
Fear flickered through Benimaru, but he pushed it down, activating his Aura and Total Concentration Breathing. He'd faced enemies far worse than this in his past life – he wouldn't let fear control him now.
The Beowolf charged, claws extended. Benimaru didn't run. He stepped to the side, using a Taekwondo roundhouse kick to strike the creature's side. The impact sent it stumbling, and he followed up with a palm strike infused with Aura, hitting it square in the chest.
The Grimm dissolved into black smoke, and a warm surge of energy flowed through Benimaru.
"Grimm eliminated. XP gained: 100. Level up eligible – activation pending."
"Level 1 → Level 2. Stats increased: Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Vitality +1, Spirit +1. Unassigned skill points: 2."
Benimaru grinned, feeling his power grow. He'd done it – he'd fought a Grimm and won, all while protecting the village he called home.
He made his way back to the cottage as the sun began to rise, using a small stream to wash away any dirt and calm his racing heart. By the time he slipped back into bed, there was no sign he'd been gone at all.
"Wake up, my little flame!"
Benimaru opened his eyes to find Sakura leaning over him, a warm smile on her face and the smell of fresh porridge filling the room.
"I made your favorite," she said, ruffling his red hair. "Blueberry porridge with honey. And look what I brought back from the market!"
She held out a small wooden box. Inside was a carved wooden katana – perfectly sized for his small hands, with intricate patterns along the blade.
"The carpenter made it just for you," she said, her eyes shining. "He said any boy who helps his mama so much deserves a reward. You've been such a good helper with the garden and the chickens."
Benimaru's chest tightened with guilt and love. He was keeping secrets from her, but it was to protect her. One day, he'd tell her the truth – but for now, he'd be the good son she deserved.
"Thank you, Mama," he said, throwing his arms around her neck. "I love you so much."
"I love you too, Benimaru," she replied, holding him close. "And one day, when you're older, you can be a Huntsman if you want. But promise me you'll be careful – the world can be a dangerous place."
Benimaru pulled back, looking into her eyes. "I promise, Mama. I'll be strong enough to protect you – and everyone else who needs it."
As she led him to the kitchen for breakfast, Benimaru glanced out the window at the forest beyond. He could feel his Semblance stirring deep within him – a warmth waiting to be kindled. One day, his fire would burn bright enough to protect everyone he loved.
"System notification: Semblance awakening imminent. Continue training and emotional growth to unlock full potential. New objective: Protect Whispering Pines from Grimm threats – progress 1% complete."
Benimaru smiled to himself, gripping the wooden katana beside his plate. His journey had only just begun, but he was ready. Enjou Benimaru – World Traveller, son, and future protector of Remnant – would not let anyone he cared about suffer betrayal again.
END OF CHAPTER 1