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FIVE YEARS LATER – VILLAGE OF WHISPERING PINES, VALE
Time skip
Benimaru is now 10 years old
The first rays of dawn crept over the eastern hills, painting the village of Whispering Pines in hues of rose and gold. Through the window of their small wooden cottage, the light fell across Enjou Benimaru's face as he lay awake, his black eyes fixed on the ceiling. Even at ten years old, sleep came sparingly to him – his mind was always racing with forms to practice, strategies to refine, and the weight of the promise he'd made his mother the day he'd been reborn in Remnant.
He slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb the woman sleeping in the next room. His red hair – now cut in a neat style that kept it out of his eyes during training – stood up in wild tufts where he'd tossed and turned. Pulling on his worn training clothes – patched at the elbows and knees from countless hours of practice – he strapped his wooden katana to his hip and crept out the front door into the cool morning air.
The village was still asleep. Smoke rose from a few chimneys where early risers were preparing breakfast, but most homes were wrapped in silence. Benimaru's bare feet made no sound on the packed dirt path that led out of the village and into the surrounding pine forest – a skill he'd honed over years of sneaking out to train before his mother could stop him.
"Steady steps, even breath," he whispered to himself, falling into the rhythm of Total Concentration Breathing without even thinking about it. Inhale for four counts… hold for seven… exhale for eight… The familiar pattern flooded his lungs with clean mountain air, and he felt his senses sharpening – every rustle of pine needles, every chirp of a waking bird, every drop of dew rolling down a leaf became crystal clear.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: Total Concentration Breathing (Rank E – 35% complete) activated. Temporary stat boosts applied – Strength +2, Dexterity +2, Vitality +2. Aura regeneration rate increased by 40%.
Benimaru smiled to himself as the familiar blue screen flickered across his vision. Over the past five years, the System had become as much a part of him as his own thoughts – a quiet guide that had helped him navigate the complexities of Remnant's laws of combat and Aura manipulation.
He'd long since outgrown his original training clearing. Three years ago, he'd discovered a larger, more secluded space deeper in the woods – a natural amphitheater surrounded by ancient oak trees and ringed with large boulders that made perfect targets for practice strikes. Along one side of the clearing, he'd built a series of training dummies: some made from straw and canvas for basic strikes, others reinforced with thick planks of wood and even sheets of scrap metal he'd traded baskets for with the village blacksmith.
As he entered the clearing, his gaze fell on the newest addition to his training grounds – a wooden replica of a Beowolf, crafted with careful attention to the creature's hunched posture and clawed limbs. Master Kael, a retired Huntsman who'd settled in the neighboring village of Silver Creek two years prior, had helped him build it.
"Grimm aren't just targets, boy," Kael had said, his weathered hands guiding Benimaru's as they hammered the final nails into place. "They're predators – cunning, relentless, and driven by instinct to destroy anything with a soul. If you want to protect your home, you need to think like they do."
Benimaru stopped at the edge of the clearing and bowed his head in a gesture he'd adopted from his past life – a moment of respect for the challenges ahead and the strength he'd need to face them. Then he drew his wooden katana and assumed his starting stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, sword held at an angle across his body, point facing the ground.
"Let's begin," he said, and launched into his morning routine.
The first set of forms was basic swordsmanship – strikes and blocks he'd practiced thousands of times. Vertical downstroke… horizontal slash… thrust and withdraw… parry to the left… parry to the right… Each movement was precise, controlled, the wooden blade cutting through the air with a sharp swish that echoed off the surrounding trees. As he moved, he wove in elements of Taekwondo – low sweep kicks that shifted his weight into spinning roundhouses, knee strikes that flowed into upward sword thrusts, side steps that became acrobatic cartwheels followed by powerful downward cuts.
SKILL PROGRESS UPDATE: Swordsmanship (Rank F – 45% complete) → (Rank F – 48% complete). Taekwondo (Rank F – 42% complete) → (Rank F – 46% complete). Coordination between combat styles improved by 15%.
Half an hour passed in a blur of movement. Benimaru's muscles burned with familiar exertion, but his Aura – now strong enough to form a visible golden shield around his body when fully activated – worked to repair the strain even as he trained. He'd learned early on that in Remnant, a Huntsman's Aura wasn't just a defensive tool – it was the foundation of all their strength, enhancing their speed, endurance, and ability to withstand damage.
Pausing to catch his breath, he wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and looked toward the village. The sun was higher now, and he could see smoke rising from more chimneys. His mother would be awake soon, preparing breakfast – probably his favorite: blueberry porridge with honey and fresh-baked bread. The thought of her brought a warmth to his chest that had nothing to do with his training or his Aura.
Sakura Enjou had been a constant source of strength and love since the day he'd been reborn. She'd never pressed him about why he was so focused on training, or how he'd learned things no five-year-old should know. Instead, she'd supported him in every way she could – mending his clothes when they tore during practice, packing him extra food for long days in the forest, and even hiding her worry when she'd find him with scrapes and bruises from sparring with Master Kael.
She'd told him stories too – stories of his father, a Huntsman who'd died protecting Whispering Pines from a pack of Ursai when Benimaru was just a baby. According to Sakura, his father had possessed a powerful Semblance that allowed him to manipulate earth and stone, using it to build barriers around the village and launch boulders at approaching Grimm.
"Your father believed that strength was meant to protect, not to dominate," she'd said one night, sitting with Benimaru by the fireplace as she wove a basket from pine needles. "He'd be proud of the man you're becoming, little flame."
Benimaru had asked her once why she called him that. She'd smiled and touched the silver flame pendant around her neck – the same one he'd grabbed hold of as an infant.
"Your hair was the color of burning embers the day you were born," she'd explained. "And even as a baby, you'd reach for warm things – the fireplace, the sunlit windowsill, my hands when they were cold from working outside. You've always been drawn to warmth, to light. You're my little flame in the darkness."
The memory of her words filled Benimaru's chest with warmth that spread outward, through his arms and into his sword. For the first time in months, he felt the familiar stir of power that he knew was his Semblance trying to break free.
He closed his eyes and focused, channeling the emotion through his Soul Core – the center of his Aura and Semblance that Master Kael had taught him to locate deep in his chest. This is for her, he thought. For every person in this village who needs protection. For the promise I made to never let anyone I care about suffer again.
A sudden heat washed over him. When he opened his eyes, he gasped – his hands were wrapped in gentle, flickering flames that didn't burn his skin or singe his clothes. The wooden katana in his grip glowed with crimson light, and when he swung it, a trail of fire followed in its wake.
SEMBLANCE AWAKENING INITIATED: Fire Manipulation detected. Emotional anchor confirmed – love and protective instinct. Compatibility with host's Aura signature: 98%.
SEMBLANCE UNLOCKED: Fire Manipulation (Rank F – 10% complete). Ability to generate, shape, and control flame. Additional effect – flames do not harm host or objects designated as "friendly" by the system.
NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: Blazing Edge – Channel flame through melee weapons to enhance damage and add burning effect. (Rank F – 5% complete)
Tears pricked at Benimaru's eyes as he watched the flames dance along his fingers. He'd been working toward this moment for years, and now that it was here, all he could think about was showing his mother what he could do.
But first, he had to master this new power.
He raised his flaming sword and resumed his forms, this time incorporating his Semblance into every movement. A horizontal slash sent a wave of fire rolling across the ground, scorching a perfect line through the grass. A spinning roundhouse kick launched a crescent of flame that struck the wooden Beowolf dummy, leaving a clean, blackened cut across its chest. A thrust forward shot a concentrated bolt of fire that shattered one of his metal-reinforced targets into glowing pieces.
With each successful technique, his confidence grew. He began to experiment, combining his skills in ways he'd only imagined before – using bursts of flame to propel himself higher into the air for acrobatic strikes, creating walls of fire to practice defensive maneuvers, even shaping the flames into simple forms like spheres and arrows to test his control.
TRAINING PROGRESS: Fire Manipulation (Rank F – 10% complete) → (Rank F – 18% complete). Blazing Edge (Rank F – 5% complete) → (Rank F – 12% complete). Total Concentration Breathing (Rank E – 35% complete) → (Rank E – 40% complete).
LEVEL UP ELIGIBLE: Current Level 7 → Level 8. Stats increased: Strength +1, Dexterity +1, Vitality +1, Spirit +2. Unassigned skill points: 2.
By the time the sun was high in the sky, Benimaru was covered in sweat and soot, but his face was split in a wide grin. He'd pushed himself harder than ever before, and the results were more than he could have hoped for. As he extinguished the flames and sheathed his sword, he heard footsteps approaching from the path leading to the village.
"Benimaru?"
He turned to find his mother standing at the edge of the clearing, a woven basket in her hands and a look of mixed concern and wonder on her face. She must have followed him – he'd been so focused on his training that he hadn't heard her approach.
"Mama," he said, his voice catching slightly. "I was going to tell you –"
She held up a hand to stop him, walking slowly into the clearing and looking at the scorched targets, the blackened dummy, the perfectly burned lines in the grass. When she turned back to him, her eyes were shining with tears, but she was smiling.
"You've been hiding this from me," she said, but there was no anger in her voice – only pride. "Your father could sense when his Semblance was about to awaken in you. He used to say that you'd have power beyond imagining, that you'd be the one to protect this village when he was gone."
She set down the basket and opened it, revealing a fresh loaf of bread, cheese, dried fruit, and a small clay pot of water. "I brought you lunch. You always forget to eat when you're training."
As they sat on a fallen log and shared the food, Benimaru told her everything – about the System, about his past life, about the promise he'd made to protect her and everyone else in Remnant. He expected her to be shocked, to pull away in fear or confusion, but she only listened quietly, her hand resting on his shoulder.
"When you were born," she said when he'd finished, "I knew you were special. Not just because of your hair or the way you'd reach for warmth, but because in your eyes… you looked like you'd already seen more of the world than any baby should. Your father and I made a promise to give you a life free from the pain we'd known, but I think… I think we were wrong to try and shield you from everything. Strength like yours isn't meant to be hidden away."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch, setting it in his hand. It was heavy and cool to the touch. When he opened it, he gasped – inside lay a polished red crystal, glowing with soft warmth.
"Fire Dust," she explained. "Master Kael helped me get it from a merchant in Vale City. He said that when your Semblance awakened, you'd need something to help you focus and enhance your power. He's already spoken to the master smith in Silver Creek – we can have it inlaid into a proper sword for you, one that can handle the heat of your flames without being damaged."
Benimaru looked from the Dust crystal to his mother's face, his heart swelling with love and gratitude. In his past life, he'd known only betrayal from those he'd called family. Here, in Remnant, he'd found someone who loved him unconditionally, who supported his dreams even when they scared her.
"I promise I'll use this wisely," he said, closing his hand around the crystal. "I'll protect this village, protect Vale, protect everyone who needs it. Just like father would have."
Sakura pulled him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I know you will, little flame. But remember – strength isn't just about fighting. It's about knowing when to protect, when to help, and when to show mercy. Your father understood that, and I know you will too."
Over the next three months, Benimaru's training entered a new phase. With his Semblance now active and his Aura growing stronger every day, Master Kael began teaching him more advanced techniques – how to channel Aura through objects, how to sense Grimm from a distance, how to work with Dust to enhance his abilities.
The trip to Silver Creek to have his new sword made became a monthly ritual. The master smith, a burly man named Gareth with arms like tree trunks and a beard full of sawdust, took immediate interest in Benimaru's Semblance.
"Fire Dust is tricky stuff," Gareth explained one afternoon as he heated a length of steel in his forge. "Most folks use it in guns or explosives, but forging it into a blade… that takes precision. Too much heat and the metal will warp. Too little and the Dust won't bond properly."
He held up the glowing steel for Benimaru to see. "This is high-carbon steel imported from Atlas – strong enough to hold an edge through anything, and heat-resistant enough to handle your flames. We'll inlay the Fire Dust along the spine, creating a channel that will let you flow your Semblance through it without damaging the blade."
As Gareth worked, heating and hammering the steel into shape, Benimaru watched in fascination. The forge was a symphony of sound and heat – the clang of hammer on anvil, the roar of the fire, the hiss of water as hot steel was quenched in a barrel. It reminded him of the flames he could summon with his Semblance – powerful, dangerous, but capable of creating something beautiful and strong when properly controlled.
When the sword was finally finished three weeks later, it was more perfect than Benimaru could have imagined. The blade was three feet long, with a slight curve that made it ideal for both slashing and thrusting. The Fire Dust was inlaid along the spine in a pattern that looked like dancing flames, and the hilt was wrapped in black leather that fit Benimaru's hand perfectly. A circular guard, shaped like a flame, protected his hand from the heat of his Semblance.
"Try it out," Gareth said, handing him the sword. "But be careful – with your Semblance and the Dust working together, this thing can cut through solid rock."
Benimaru stepped outside the smithy into the practice yard behind the building. He drew a deep breath, activating Total Concentration Breathing, and channeled his Aura into the blade. The Fire Dust immediately blazed to life, wrapping the steel in a coat of crimson flame that didn't burn his hand or the leather hilt.
WEAPON EQUIPPED: Flame-Forge Katana (Rank D). Enhanced with Fire Dust. Damage increased by 30%. Semblance synergy bonus: 50%.
NEW TECHNIQUE UNLOCKED: Crimson Torrent – Unleash a wave of focused flame from the blade. (Rank F – 0% complete)
He raised the sword and struck at a large boulder that sat in the corner of the yard. The blade cut through the stone like it was butter, leaving a clean, glowing cut that split the boulder in two. A follow-up slash sent a wave of flame across the ground, melting a path through the dirt and leaving glass-like obsidian in its wake.
Gareth let out a low whistle. "Well now. That's more power than I've seen from anyone your age. You're going to make one hell of a Huntsman, boy."
On the journey back to Whispering Pines, Sakura walked beside Benimaru, carrying the sword in a leather scabbard she'd made herself. They stopped at a small stream to rest, and Benimaru practiced some of his new techniques while his mother watched, weaving a basket from reeds she'd collected along the way.
"Master Kael says that Signal Academy on Patch Island accepts students as young as twelve," she said casually, not looking up from her work. "He has a friend who teaches there – a man named Qrow Branwen. He says Qrow could write a letter of recommendation for you if you're ready."
Benimaru paused mid-strike, looking at her in...surprise. Signal Academy was one of the most respected preparatory schools for Huntsmen in Vale – it was where students learned to master their Aura, Semblance, and combat skills before moving on to Beacon Academy, the premier Huntsman academy in the kingdom.
"Mama… are you saying you want me to go?" he asked, lowering his flaming sword. The idea of leaving Whispering Pines, leaving her, had never crossed his mind – even as he trained for the day he'd become a Huntsman, he'd always assumed he'd stay close to home to protect the village.
Sakura set down her basket and reached out to brush a strand of red hair from his forehead. Her amber eyes were warm but serious. "Little flame, I want you to have every opportunity to grow strong. You can protect this village from Grimm and bandits, but there are threats to Remnant that are bigger than any we've faced here. The White Fang – extremist Faunus who've been attacking human settlements – the criminal organizations that traffic in people and weapons… these are the kinds of threats your past life taught you to fight, and they're the kinds of threats that require trained Huntsmen working together."
She pulled him close, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know it will be hard to be apart, but I also know that staying here would hold you back. Your father would want you to reach your full potential – and so do I. Besides," she added with a small smile, "Patch Island isn't that far. You could come home for holidays, and I could visit you when I sell my baskets at the market in Vale City."
Benimaru wrapped his arms around her, feeling the weight of her words settle in his chest. He thought of his World Quest – Eliminate 70% of active threats to Remnant's people – and knew she was right. To make a real difference, he'd need more than just his own strength; he'd need training, allies, and access to information about the threats facing the four Kingdoms.
"I'll do it," he said firmly. "I'll apply to Signal Academy. But I promise – I'll come back as often as I can, and I'll make sure Whispering Pines is protected even when I'm gone."
From that day forward, Benimaru's training took on a new urgency. Master Kael increased the intensity of their sessions, focusing not just on combat skills but on the academic knowledge he'd need for the Signal entrance exams – everything from Grimm anatomy and Dust properties to first aid and tactical strategy.
Six months later, when Benimaru turned ten, the village of Whispering Pines faced its greatest threat since his father's death.
It started with reports of Grimm sightings closer to the village than usual – Beowolves and Ursai wandering out of the deeper forests, drawn by some unknown force. Then came the attacks: livestock killed, fences torn down, a few outlying cabins damaged. Master Kael gathered the able-bodied villagers to set up watches and fortify the village's defenses, but it was clear they were dealing with more than just a random pack of Grimm.
"Their behavior's not natural," Kael said one evening, standing with Benimaru and Sakura on the hill overlooking the village. "Grimm usually hunt alone or in small packs, but these are organizing – coordinating their attacks to test our defenses. Someone's leading them."
Benimaru felt his Semblance stirring in response to the threat. "The White Fang?" he asked, remembering what his mother had told him about the extremist group.
"Possibly," Kael nodded grimly. "Or a criminal organization using Grimm as weapons. Either way, we need to be ready. Benimaru, I want you to stay with your mother and help protect the villagers if things get bad."
"I can fight," Benimaru protested immediately. "My Semblance is strong enough now – I've taken down Ursai bigger than the ones we're seeing."
"I know you can," Kael said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But your mother needs you here, and the villagers need someone they can trust to keep them safe. Sometimes the bravest thing a warrior can do is protect those who can't protect themselves."
That night, the attack came.
Benimaru was awake, practicing his forms in the yard behind their cottage, when he heard it – a low, guttural roar that sent shivers down his spine. He activated his Aura and drew his Flame-Forge Katana, the blade immediately blazing to life with crimson fire.
"Mama!" he called out, rushing into the cottage. Sakura was already awake, her hands moving quickly as she packed a bag with food, water, and medical supplies.
"I heard it too," she said calmly, though Benimaru could see fear in her eyes. "We need to get to the village square – that's where everyone's gathering for safety."
As they ran through the dark streets, Benimaru could see the flashes of battle on the edge of the village – Master Kael and the other trained fighters were engaging the Grimm at the perimeter. But then he noticed something he hadn't expected – figures moving through the shadows, dressed in white and black uniforms with the distinctive symbol of the White Fang on their chests. They weren't fighting the Grimm – they were directing them.
HOSTILE ENTITIES DETECTED: 12x Juvenile Beowolves, 8x Juvenile Ursai, 6x White Fang Operatives. Threat Level: High. XP Reward: Variable based on target.
WORLD QUEST UPDATE: Guardian of the Kingdoms – Progress increased to 5%. New sub-objective: Defend Whispering Pines from coordinated Grimm/White Fang attack.
Benimaru stopped running, his jaw tightening with anger. Using Grimm to attack innocent villagers – it reminded him too much of the traffickers from his past life, the ones who'd been selling people for profit while his former squad stood by and let it happen.
"Benimaru, we have to keep moving," Sakura said, pulling on his arm.
"I can't let them do this," he said, looking at her with determination. "I have to help Master Kael."
Before she could respond, a White Fang operative emerged from an alleyway, blocking their path. He was a wolf Faunus, with pointed ears and sharp teeth bared in a snarl. In his hand was a crude club reinforced with metal spikes.
"Get out of the way, human," he growled. "This village is being claimed in the name of the White Fang – all who resist will be destroyed along with their precious Grimm pets."
Benimaru stepped forward, his flaming sword held ready. "You're not claiming anything. This is our home."
The Faunus laughed, a harsh sound that echoed in the empty street. "A child? You think you can stop us?"
He charged, swinging his club in a wild arc. Benimaru didn't flinch – he activated Total Concentration Breathing, his senses sharpening to their peak. He stepped to the side, avoiding the blow by inches, and countered with a low sweep kick that sent the Faunus stumbling. Before the man could recover, Benimaru brought his sword down in a diagonal slash, the flame-wreathed blade cutting through the club like it was made of paper and leaving a shallow burn across the Faunus's chest.
The operative scrambled back, staring at Benimaru in shock. "What… what are you?"
"Someone who's not going to let you hurt my family," Benimaru said firmly. "Now leave – before I make you."
The Faunus hesitated, then turned and ran back into the shadows. Benimaru didn't pursue – he could hear more fighting ahead, and he needed to get to the village square where the other villagers were gathered.
As they continued toward the square, they encountered more Grimm and White Fang operatives. Benimaru fought with a skill and precision that belied his age, combining his swordsmanship, Taekwondo, and Semblance into a fluid dance of fire and steel:
- Against a pack of Beowolves, he used Crimson Torrent to unleash a wave of flame that drove them back, then followed up with spinning kicks that sent them dissolving into black smoke.
- When an Ursai charged toward a group of fleeing villagers, he used his Semblance to create a wall of fire between them, then leaped over it and struck the creature's weak point – the unarmored spot beneath its jaw – with a thrust that ended the fight instantly.
- Against two White Fang operatives working together, he used his speed and agility to keep them off balance, alternating between sword strikes and hand-to-hand combat that left them both defeated but alive – he'd made a promise to his mother to show mercy when possible.
COMBAT PROGRESS: Multiple hostile entities eliminated. XP Gained: 2,500. Level Up Eligible: Current Level 8 → Level 9 → Level 10 → Level 11.
STATS INCREASED: Strength +3, Dexterity +3, Vitality +3, Spirit +4. Unassigned Skill Points: 6.
SKILL UPDATES: Fire Manipulation (Rank F – 18% complete) → (Rank E – 25% complete). Blazing Edge (Rank F – 12% complete) → (Rank E – 20% complete). Swordsmanship (Rank F – 48% complete) → (Rank E – 55% complete). Taekwondo (Rank F – 46% complete) → (Rank E – 52% complete).
NEW TECHNIQUE UNLOCKED: Flame Step – Enhance movement speed with bursts of fire, allowing for rapid dodges and surprise attacks. (Rank E – 10% complete)
By the time they reached the village square, the battle was nearly over. Master Kael and the other fighters had pushed the remaining Grimm and White Fang operatives back into the forest, and villagers were already beginning to assess the damage and tend to the wounded. There were no fatalities – a miracle that everyone attributed to Benimaru's quick thinking and skill in protecting the civilians.
As the sun began to rise over the village, painting the smoke-filled sky in shades of orange and red, Master Kael walked over to where Benimaru stood with his mother. The older man's face was grim but proud.
"You fought well today, boy," he said, clapping Benimaru on the shoulder. "Better than most trained Huntsmen I know. You've proven that you have the strength and the heart to protect others."
He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "I wrote this last night, before the attack. It's a letter of recommendation to Signal Academy – addressed to Professor Qrow Branwen. With your skills and this letter, I have no doubt you'll be accepted when you turn twelve."
Benimaru looked from the letter to his mother, who was watching him with tears of pride in her eyes. The battle had been terrifying, but it had also shown him exactly what he was capable of – and exactly why he needed to continue his training at Signal.
"Thank you," he said to Master Kael, taking the letter with trembling hands. "I won't let you down."
That evening, as the village gathered to celebrate their victory and honor those who'd fought to protect them, Benimaru stood with his mother in their yard, looking up at the two moons of Remnant – Luna and Sol – hanging in the night sky like silver and gold coins. He held his Flame-Forge Katana at his side, feeling its warmth through the leather scabbard.
"Two more years," he said quietly. "Then I'll go to Signal, learn everything I can, and come back stronger than ever."
Sakura wrapped her arm around him, pulling him close. "I know you will, little flame. And no matter how far you go, remember – you carry the fire of this village with you. Use it to light the way for others, just as your father did, just as you did today."
Benimaru looked down at his hands, feeling the familiar warmth of his Semblance stirring beneath his skin. At ten years old, he'd already faced more than most people did in a lifetime – betrayal, rebirth, and now battle to protect those he loved. His journey to become a true Guardian of the Kingdoms had only just begun, but he was ready.
The flames of his past had forged him into something strong. Now, the flames of his future would light the way forward.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: World Quest – Guardian of the Kingdoms – Progress increased to 8%. New sub-objective: Complete Signal Academy entrance requirements by age twelve. Semblance potential identified – further growth possible with advanced training.
[END OF CHAPTER 2]