Morning training was the same as always.
Jinichi had his arm still bandaged, but his forehead was now uncovered, revealing a fresh, cross shaped scar right on his forehead.
He was sitting on the stone bench at the edge of the circle, Not moving much,
Just watched as Tetsuya launched Missile Fist after Missile Fist, followed by punches and kicks, reinforced with cursed energy.
Violet projectiles streaked through the air, slamming into reinforced dummies with sharp cracks of splintering wood.
These ones were better puppets. Infused with cursed energy. The missiles broke them anyway.
Tetsuya's form was cleaner every day. Punches flowed better, kicks offering momentum to roundhouse ones, and the occasional combo of a missile fist along with a punch.
Jinichi offered only the occasional grunt. "faster. Again."
Tetsuya didn't expect more.
This afternoon brought something different, however.
A servant appeared at the grounds' edge, bowing low.
"Jinichi Zenin sama, Tetsuya Zenin sama, there will be a clan gathering. All are to attend."
Tetsuya paused mid shoot, violet energy dissipating around his fist.
A gathering?
The Zenin didn't call the whole clan together for nothing.
Something big was cooking up.
Jinichi rose slowly, his expression unreadable, and jerked his chin toward the main hall.
They walked in silence.
The great hall was packed.
Naobito Zenin at the head on his raised platform, elders and high ranking Hei seated in rows, retainers and lower branches filling the edges.
Incense hung thick in the air. Formal kimonos rustled. Low murmurs.
Naoya stood near the front, fourteen years old and already carrying himself like he owned the room.
Teal haori immaculate, blond hair, and that permanent, arrogant smirk smack dab on his face.
His father, was sitting beside him, looking bored but attentive.
The announcement came quickly.
Naobito's voice cut through the room, gravelly and final.
"Naoya Zenin has been officially designated as heir to the head of the clan. The succession is set, barring unforeseen circumstances."
A ripple of bows, murmurs of approval from the elders.
Naoya's smirk widened into something smug and satisfied.
He didn't speak. He just let the moment hang, eyes sweeping the room like he was daring anyone to object.
Tetsuya didn't care, if he was honest.
He tuned out the arrogant prick entirely, even as said prick sent out a massive grin to him, clearly having some problems with Tetsuya.
Likely, he'd heard his fast progress, and felt it was appropriate to show him his place.
His gaze drifted to the side, where Ogi Zenin sat with his wife.
Ogi. As stern as always, arms crossed in perpetual disapproval.
His wife beside him, cradling two small bundles in her arms.
The twins.
Maki and Mai.
The twins were tiny, wrapped in simple white kimonos.
Mai was chewing on her own finger, drool glistening, eyes half lidded in sleepy contentment.
Maki, already the sharper one, even as a baby, stared straight ahead for a moment.
Her dark eyes locked on Tetsuya across the room.
Just a second.
Then something else caught her attention. Perhaps a flicker of light from a lantern, and she looked away.
Tetsuya suppressed the sudden, ridiculous urge to grin like an idiot.
'One of the Main cast. Oh man, oh man. I'm gonna be a grinning idiot when i see Yuji and todo, aren't i?' Tetsuya thought, suppressing that exited smile.
Not panels on a page. They were real. Right here.
The formal part ended quickly. Naobito waved a hand, and the gathering loosened.
Trays of food brought in, sake poured for the adults, quiet chatter replacing ceremony.
More celebration than announcement, at least on the surface.
'Fuck. Actual meat. I think I'm going to cry. Fuck you old man for making me eat greens every day!'
Tetsuya grumbled in his mind as he dug into a wonderful steak, hoping whenever puberty starts, Jinichi relents and lets him scarf down some meat .
After filling his belly, Tetsuya moved.
He walked toward Ogi's side of the room with a casual, respectful, gait, like any polite young Zenin paying respects.
He stopped a short distance away, bowed shallowly.
"Congratulations on the birth of your daughters, Ogi sama."
Ogi glanced up. His expression soured instantly.
"Congratulations?" He snorted.
"Two girls. One with not an ounce of Cursed energy."
"Oh! I apologise, Ogi sama. I wasn't made aware of that!" Tetsuya bowed again.
'As if. I knew that before you did, you piece of shit.'
Ogi's wife said nothing, eyes downcast, arms tightening slightly around the bundles.
Tetsuya kept his face neutral.
"They're cute, despite that though! I think Ogi sama's charm has been passed down regardless." Tetsuya spoke, eyes flicking to the twins.
Mai gurgled around her finger. Maki kicked a tiny foot once, then settled.
Ogi huffed, dismissive.
"Save your flattery, boy. These are just useless brats."
The conversation died there. Ogi turned away. Others drifted off to their own conversations.
Tetsuya lingered just long enough to slip a small mochi or two fom his sleeve, pilfered from a tray earlier and tucked it gently into the fold of Maki and Mai's blanket when no one was looking.
Then he left.
The next morning, training resumed.
Jinichi sat on the same bench, head wrapping gone.
The Cross shaped scar was vivid. Two angry red lines crossing perfectly, still raised and raw at the edges. He watched Tetsuya drill Missile Fists in silence.
Halfway through the session, Jinichi muttered something under his breat, too low for Tetsuya to catch most of it.
"…Naoya… that little…"
The boy paused, lowering his fist.
Jinichi noticed the look.
"Keep training," he said flatly.
But Tetsuya caught the tail end.
Naoya.
Amusement flickered in his chest.
'Of course. Naoya probably couldn't resist commenting on the scar. Probably some snide remark about how "the great Jinichi finally got marked" or whatever petty jab he had under his sleeves.'
A broken clock could be right twice a day, apparently.
... Maybe just once for this clock.
Tetsuya snorted softly to himself, raised his hand again.
Violet energy condensed.
Dummies exploded in splinters.
Jinichi watched.
The scar was real now.
The twins were real.
And the timeline was rolling forward whether he liked it or not.