Innocent Intent.

Kazuki turns his eyes to his master. The young consider the proposition. Tian-Han is way more experienced than him. Consequently, Kazuki thinks that the option submitted by the old man is a far better one than to keep going without ressources for. Kazuki nodes to Tian-Han. The master smiles. 

"Alright then. I'll make you a little snack to gain some strength and energy before going back for more."

Tian-Han lifts the young boy in his arms and together they head to the temple. Tian-Han puts Kazuki in his bed. 

"I'll be back soon."

Kazuki looks at his master leaving the room. He knows he can't go back to training yet. The only thing he can do is to think while waiting to be ready to go out again. He thinks about the masked man. If only he could take care of him without the help of someone like the black figure… Tian-Han wouldn't have to worry about him again. He wants to be stronger, or at least strong enough so that nothing on those lands could be a threat to him or the people around him. Tian-Han could stop worrying about him so much. 

He doesn't want to suffer anymore. He doesn't want to see Tian-Han's worried face when he is in his bed. The more he thinks about it, the solution is simple. If he stops the masked man, all this mess will stop with him. But to this, he has to reach the strength of the Black Entity. 

Breaking the young man's thoughts, Tian-Han comes back with two sandwiches filled with meat and vegetables. He gives one to Kazuki. The old man takes a bite of the other sandwich and stands next to Kazuki. Neither of them seems willing to sit down. Tian-Han leans on a piece of furniture with his elbow while Kazuki leads against a wall. Tian-Han, with his usual soft and warm tone, starts the conversation. 

"So, is it enough for you to keep going? Or do you need more? I'll understand that you need rest, you're still young."

Kazuki looks at his master. There is no sign of concern towards him in Tian-Han's eyes, which is a relief for him. After 10 seconds of silence, Kazuki finally answer. 

" - Yeah, I'm more than ready for it. 

-That's the spirit! That's what I want to hear, my boy!" 

But while the old man seems to agree with Kazuki, he puts a hand to he goatee and looks at a random spot on the opposite wall. This behavior starts to trigger Kazuki's curiosity, as he knows that it means he is about to tell something important. And at this very thought, Tian-Han lips starts to lo move 

"I'm happy that you want to be stronger, but why?" 

The kid things about the question. However the answer comes obvious to him, as clear as blue sky. 

"- I want to be strong enough to stop bad guys like the one in my dreams! 

-"The one in my dreams"? You see more in your dreams? And what happened? 

-It was the same as the night of the incident.. The masked man.. We fought.. And I got the helped of some kind of fully black man. 

-I see.. And what can you tell about them? 

-The Black Man is way more strong than the Masked Man! I want to be like him and defeat the masked man! If I stops him, then the pain will be over! And you won't have to worry about them attacking me again! 

-So it is your true motivation.. Do you really intend to kill him? 

-Kill…? 

-Fight with the intent to end someone's life. 

-End.. If it ends, it'll stop.. So.. Can I learn how to kill it? 

-Killing isn't something you do like when you eat or sleep. It's a very important decision, because it is something which can't be undone. Think about it before wanting to kill someone. It's not something I'll teach you. You take away someone's life. 

-It takes away a life..? 

-You do know the concept of death. Killing is giving death to someone. 

-So.. If people are killed.. They die? 

-Exactly. You got it.

-That's horrible! I don't want people to die.. 

-Do you still want to become stronger, then?"

A silence fills the room. The question is hard for the young boy. Kazuki takes his time to consider the options. On one hand, he'll be stronger. On the other hand, if he is too strong he might kill someone innocent. After a short moment, Kazuki is confident about his decision. 

"- I still want to become stronger! I don't have the obligation to kill! I can just defend myself!

-Only yourself? 

-Yeah. Why? Is there anyone else to protect? You're too strong, you don't need my protection! 

-Haha! We'll see about that. But don't forget to also protect people around you, like your relatives, your friends and the ones who aren't strong enough to protect themselves. *

Kazuki nods 1nd Tian-Han smiles again. 

"In that case, let's get back to work!"