Chapter 4: Crossroads

The events unfolded before me as if in a haze. My thoughts were completely consumed by the image of Miyuki, whose eyes, filled with fear and confusion, never left me. The events were unfolding rapidly: from the moment of my arrest to a short stay at the police station. But my mind was somewhere far away, intertwining with memories of what had happened.

Soon, someone from the clan came for me. I understood that my release was only a matter of time. Despite the dissatisfaction within the clan towards me, they couldn't afford to lose their reputation because of this incident.

The night was particularly tough. After a grilling from Jinichi, I was finally left alone. Lying in bed, I tossed and turned, trying to calm my nerves. Sleep eluded me, and thoughts continued to swirl in my head, returning to that dreadful moment at school, to Miyuki's gaze.

A knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. The door opened slowly, and to my surprise, Miyuki stood at the threshold.

"...Hey, Toji," he said, his voice sounding unsure and a little embarrassed.

"Miyuki..." I almost whispered his name, unable to hide my surprise.

"Sorry!" he suddenly exclaimed. "I got scared of you, even though you were trying to help me! I shouldn't have reacted like that! Please forgive me, Toji!"

Sincerity shone in his eyes, and I felt the tension within me start to dissipate.

"Alright, forget it," I waved my hand, trying to conceal my relief. "And you forgive me... I shouldn't have handled that guy that way. I lost control."

He smiled, then nodded, sitting down next to me on the bed.

"...I want to become a hero and help people. It's my dream!" he began, a bit nervously, fidgeting in place.

"With your weak body, it will be challenging," I calmly remarked.

Miyuki pondered for a moment, then suddenly exclaimed, "Well... I have something that can help me with that!"

He jumped off the bed and moved a short distance away. Focusing, he formed his hands into an unusual pose, resembling... a dog?

"Hounds!"

And then something unusual happened. His shadow on the floor started to move, twist, and suddenly, two figures emerged from it – white and dark hounds, staring at me with their bright eyes.

"...The Ten Shadows Technique?" I asked, not hiding my surprise. This quirk was known in the Zenin clan as the ability to summon shikigami – creatures created from cursed energy. But at this moment, no one in the clan possessed such power... except him.

"Look, isn't it cool?" he asked, petting the hounds with admiration.

"Indeed, you're a genius, Miyuki," I admitted, while numerous thoughts spun in my head.

He laughed, his eyes gleaming with joy and pride. I looked at him and realized the role his newly acquired abilities could play in the future of the Zenin clan. With this quirk, he could be an asset to the clan, despite his physical fragility. Just having such a powerful ability would make him a valuable and respected member.

"Does anyone else know about this?" I asked, assessing the possible consequences of this revelation.

"No, I accidentally summoned them just yesterday, and immediately came to you."

"Alright, then go to the clan head and show him your shikigami. It's important," I advised, foreseeing how this information could change his position within the clan.

"Okay!"

He stood up, fully preparing for the meeting that could determine his future in the clan.

"But, your dream of becoming a hero may not come true if you do that."

Miyuki's determined gaze turned into confusion.

"Why?"

"Your quirk is very valuable, and the clan members won't allow you to roam the city and save people just like that. Especially with your weak body. But sooner or later, they'll find out, so it's up to you to decide whether to tell them now or not."

Miyuki froze, lost in thought. His brows furrowed in contemplation, but then his face relaxed, and he smiled at me.

"Then, if I can't become a hero, promise me that you'll become one in my place, Toji!"

"What, are you serious?" I chuckled. "Do you think I'll indulge in such foolishness?"

"But you're strong and cool, you'll definitely become number one!" he exclaimed with excitement.

"And what's the point in that?" I asked, skeptically raising an eyebrow.

"Heroes are always in the spotlight, they have many fans, and they earn a lot!"

"Earn a lot? How much is a lot?" I inquired.

"Very, very much!" Miyuki exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.

Money has always been something distant for me. Confined within the clan, I rarely encountered the need for them, and who would give them to me anyway? But the thought that they might become essential in my future made me ponder.

"Walking the streets, beating up villains, and getting paid for it... doesn't sound so bad," I thought. "I didn't have any plans for the future anyway, so this promise doesn't cost me anything."

"Alright, I promise."

"Hooray! Then I'm off, see you, Toji!"

As he left the room, I remained alone, contemplating how this news would impact the clan. Miyuki, who always seemed so fragile and unnoticed, could now become a key figure in the game of clan intrigues and manipulations. However, his purity and kindness might help him not become like the others. At least, I hope so. And it's definitely better than suddenly becoming a pawn. At least, he will be cared for and protected.

The day went rather well, and as evening approached, I fell asleep.

The night was disrupted by a sudden sense of danger and a foreign presence. Even before fully waking up, my instincts made me move. I grabbed the uninvited guest's hand, instantly feeling the cold blade of a knife.

Opening my eyes, I saw Jinichi standing before me with a knife at my face.

"Didn't think you'd choose to congratulate me on my birthday this way," I said, maintaining composure.

He leaped aside, avoiding my counterattack. I immediately jumped off the bed, assuming a defensive stance.

"Getting angry about missing a training session, brother?" I smirked, assessing the situation.

"As always, you're annoying, Toji. Father gave the order to get rid of you. You've caused enough trouble already," Jinichi coldly replied.

"Oh, so it's father's order? Why did you come alone then, where's that wimp, got scared? Or do you think you can defeat me alone?"

"Degenerate," he growled and attacked abruptly.

I skillfully dodged his knife, which whizzed past my ear. In return, I directed my knife toward his side, but he managed to leap away.

"Didn't work on the first try, bastard?" I mockingly asked.

Without giving him a chance to answer, I launched my own attack. I made a swift lunge forward, followed by a kick to his stomach, forcing him to retreat. Jinichi responded with a series of rapid knife strikes.

I dodged and parried, feeling adrenaline coursing through my body. My attacks were fast and precise; I tried to find a vulnerable spot in his defense.

Jinichi, on the other hand, didn't yield. His strikes were fast and cunning; he was an experienced adversary. But I didn't allow him to gain the upper hand, controlling the distance between us and adapting to his fighting style.

Despite my speed and physical strength, I realized he had a deeper combat experience. Every move of his was calculated and precise, making me put in maximum effort to evade his attacks.

We were both caught in a ruthless dance of steel. Our knives gleamed in the air, reflecting the shimmering light of the night. I did my best to stay one step ahead, but Jinichi didn't miss a single opportunity to strike.

Suddenly, in the middle of one of his powerful lunges, my blade slid across his forearm, leaving a thin bloody scratch. However, in return, he managed to break through my defense, leaving a shallow cut on my side.

The battle continued, growing more intense. We were both caught in a merciless storm of strikes, where each could be decisive, but neither of us was willing to yield.

Eventually, the moment came when I decided to change tactics. In the next moment, I made an unexpected maneuver, deceiving him. My knife soared in the air, creating the illusion of an attack, while I delivered an elbow strike to his chest. Jinichi recoiled, losing balance.

I seized that moment to increase the distance between us, giving myself precious seconds to recover.

We both stood, several meters apart, evaluating each other. Jinichi's breath was rapid, and determination gleamed in his eyes. My own wounds pulsed with a painful sensation, but I didn't let it affect my focus.

"Good fight, Toji," he said, raising the knife. "But I must follow orders and cleanse the family of shame."

"You've always been an obedient son," I replied, gearing up for the continuation of the fight. "But I won't give in so easily."

Jinichi's next attack was lightning-fast. He rushed forward, his knife darting through the air like a snake seeking a vulnerable spot. I dodged and parried, pushing myself to the limit.

Suddenly, his knife sliced through the air, aiming directly for my heart. I stepped back, but not fast enough – the knife's edge left a deep scratch on my chest. I stifled the pain, responding with a blow to his jaw. Our struggle turned into a flurry of blows, where each could be the last.

We circled, dodging and attacking; our fight was like a dance on the edge of a knife. Each strike could be decisive. Worn out but unbroken, we continued.

Suddenly, Jinichi made an unexpected lunge, making me jump back. He seized this moment to perform a sharp turn and kick me in the side. I felt the air being forced out of my lungs. But even in that moment, I managed to deliver a counterblow, hitting him in the jaw.

Pausing for a moment, we both assessed each other, realizing that this fight couldn't go on forever. We were on the brink of exhaustion, and our wounds bore witness to the fierce battle.

"Stubborn as ever," he whispered, preparing for the next attack.

"And so are you," I replied, feeling every cell in my body tuning in for the final act of this confrontation.

The battle reached its climax. We were both exhausted, our bodies covered in wounds, but neither was willing to give in. In the last surge, Jinichi made a decisive lunge, attempting to deliver a lethal blow. However, my instincts and training kicked in – I dodged the blade, finding the right moment for a counterattack.

My strike was swift and accurate. I utilized all my strength and speed to land a blow to his side. The young man staggered back, clutching his wound, his face distorted with pain. Not letting this moment slip away, I struck him again, this time in the jaw. The blow was so powerful that he lost consciousness and fell to the floor.

I stood there, breathing heavily, over the defeated opponent. There was no joy in my heart from the victory, only fatigue and the realization that everything had changed. I couldn't stay here any longer. The foreign presence was too close for me to finish off Jinichi, and I had to leave in haste.

I walked through the corridors of the clan residence, wary of encountering anyone. When I reached the gates of the clan territory, I glanced back one last time. There stood Naobito Zenin, the clan head and my uncle, with his characteristic slightly gray combed-back hair and long English-style mustache.

"And where do you think you're going, Toji?" his voice was hoarse from alcohol.

"Old man... you reek of booze, please don't come too close," I replied, trying to maintain composure.

Naobito raised an eyebrow, grunting in dissatisfaction.

"Weren't you taught to be more respectful to your elders?" he muttered. "And what have you two stirred up? I had to tear myself away from important matters!"

"It doesn't matter. I don't want to stay here anymore. It's all too much for me. Don't stop me; it'll be better for you if I just leave," I said, stepping toward the gates.

"You can do whatever you want, but are you sure Miyuki won't be lonely?" Naobito stared at me intently.

"Don't threaten me. I know that you know about his ten shadows' quirks," I waved my hand, starting to walk slowly. "No one in the clan, not even you, is foolish enough to harm him."

Naobito hesitated, then sighed, taking a sip from the gourd with alcohol.

"Seems like I'll have to let you go this time," he said. "Just remember, Toji, if I hear even a word about you tarnishing the clan's name, I'll have to come and make you come back."

"Alright, alright, I get it," I quickened my pace, disappearing from view. Deep down, I felt relief. "Good thing he's more interested in drinking than in me. Lucky."

Thank you for reading! Like and rate the work if you enjoyed it!