DanDMan

Erabareshimono, often called Mono by his friends, is a young warrior training in the dojo of Zen’i No Machi. He is originally guided by a wise but enigmatic Sensei. As new threats loom, Mono must rise above his limits and face adversaries stronger and more skilled than he ever imagined. With his friends by his side and the guidance of the ancient book, Mono strives to become the warrior he was destined to be, discovering the balance between mind, body, and the will to protect those in need.

The Rise Of The Chosen One

The late afternoon sun painted streaks of orange and gold across the sky as the disciples finished their training outside the dojo. The wooden training posts stood firm, their surfaces worn smooth from years of strikes. Dust and sweat lingered in the air, a sign of their efforts.

Raiba wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, glancing toward the entrance of Sensei's quarters. There was a quietness to the evening—different from the usual routine.

Josei stretched her arms, rolling her shoulders. "Something feels off today."

Mono leaned against the wooden railing, looking over at her. "It's the silence."

Hito tossed a small wooden practice sword up and caught it lazily. "Sensei hasn't said much."

Tokira stood nearby, watching the sunset, his posture relaxed but attentive.

The door to Sensei's quarters slid open.

He stepped onto the wooden platform, his expression calm as always, but there was something about his presence—something that made them all pause.

"The dojo is entered," he said, his voice clear. "We will compete."

Raiba furrowed his brow. "Compete?"

Josei tilted her head. "In what?"

Hito straightened slightly, glancing toward the others.

Mono frowned, pushing himself off the railing. "Wait—are you talking about the Seventh Tournament?"

Sensei did not confirm nor deny it immediately. He simply looked over them, measuring their reactions.

Mono crossed his arms. "Because I heard people talking about it earlier."

Raiba shifted his stance. "You did?"

Mono nodded. "Some merchants passing through. Said this one's bigger than the last."

Josei's eyes narrowed slightly. "If that's true, why enter now?"

Hito stretched his fingers out, flexing them. "Not that I mind."

Tokira remained silent, but he was watching Sensei closely.

Sensei lifted the scroll in his hand, his fingers brushing over the sealed edge before breaking it open.

Josei exhaled quietly. "He's finally decided to read it."

Sensei scanned the contents, the details already expected, but now spoken aloud. "The dojo's registration is confirmed. The tournament begins soon."

The disciples stood still, absorbing the weight of those words.

Raiba rolled his shoulders. "Then we prepare."

Mono grinned slightly, shaking his head. "Guess we really are doing this."

Hito exhaled in quiet amusement. "No going back now."

Tokira's posture didn't change, but his focus remained sharp.

Sensei looked over them, acknowledging their reactions. Then, with his usual certainty, he turned back toward the training grounds.

"The forest training," he said simply, "was in preparation for this."

A moment of realization passed between them. The intense drills, the endurance tests, the lessons in patience—it had all led to this point.

Raiba glanced sideways at Josei. "Guess it makes sense now."

Hito gave a small smirk. "So you were making us run through trees and climb ridiculous obstacles *for the tournament*?"

Sensei nodded. "You will need it."

Mono rocked on his heels. "Guess it wasn't just for survival skills, then."

Sensei turned slightly, watching them. "Before the tournament begins, you must learn something else."

Josei lifted an eyebrow. "Something else?"

Sensei let the moment linger before speaking.

The disciples exchanged glances.

Raiba furrowed his brow. "Energy?"

Sensei nodded. "If you do not understand it, you will not last."

The weight of his words settled over them.

The Announcement