CHAPTER 12: THE BURDEN OF LEGACY

The next morning arrived far too quickly for Kazuki. His mind was still swirling with the revelation from the night before—he possessed a rare, mysterious power within him, the Kekkei Kaigen, something he had never even imagined. He barely had time to process the news before Jiro was already waking him up at the crack of dawn, ready for another day.

"Get up," Jiro said, nudging Kazuki's side with his foot. "Today, you learn the truth about your legacy."

Kazuki groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Can't I learn it after breakfast?"

Jiro rolled his eyes. "Your first lesson in power: it doesn't wait for your stomach."

Kazuki managed a weak chuckle, though the weight of Jiro's words still hung heavy over him. Legacy? What legacy? He'd never even met his parents, much less knew anything about their bloodline. As they walked out into the crisp morning air, Kazuki's mind kept going back to Jiro's warning—unlocking this power would demand everything from him.

The two made their way to a quiet clearing outside the bustling town, where the morning mist still clung to the grass. Kazuki felt the chill of the air on his skin, but more than that, he felt the tension from Jiro. Something about today felt different. Something about this morning seemed like a turning point.

"Sit," Jiro commanded, and Kazuki followed suit, taking a spot across from his teacher. Jiro knelt before him, his eyes sharp and focused. The atmosphere felt heavy, even though the town behind them was alive with the hum of activity.

Jiro pulled out his katana and laid it on the ground in front of him. "Today's lesson isn't just about swordsmanship, Kazuki. You've been practicing the basics, learning discipline, and honing your reflexes, but there's more to being a true samurai. You've heard the stories, the legends of samurai with powers beyond comprehension. What I didn't tell you before is that you are a part of that story."

Kazuki shifted, his heart beginning to pound in his chest. "What do you mean?"

Jiro's gaze didn't waver. "Your father was one of the most feared samurai in the land. He possessed the Kekkei Kaigen, just as I do. And just as you will."

Kazuki's mouth went dry. His father? He had no memory of his parents. No stories, no keepsakes, just silence. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

Jiro sighed deeply. "Because knowing doesn't make the journey easier. It makes it harder. The Kekkei Kaigen isn't just a gift, Kazuki. It's a burden. Your father… your father died because of it."

Kazuki's head snapped up. "What do you mean?"

Jiro stood, pacing the edge of the clearing, his fingers grazing the hilt of his katana. "The Kekkei Kaigen grants its wielder immense power, but it comes at a cost. To unlock it, you have to give up a part of yourself. It's not something you can take lightly. Your father was strong, one of the strongest I've ever known, but the power consumed him. It became too much."

Kazuki's heart raced. His father, a legendary samurai with the same power he was supposed to unlock? And now Jiro was telling him it could destroy him?

"So what am I supposed to do?" Kazuki asked, standing now, his hands clenched into fists. "You want me to unlock this power, knowing it could kill me?"

Jiro met his gaze, his eyes hard as steel. "I want you to be prepared, Kazuki. I want you to understand what you're stepping into. This isn't just about revenge or strength. This is about your legacy."

Kazuki felt a surge of frustration. He wasn't ready for this. How could anyone be ready for something like this? "Why now? Why tell me this now?"

Jiro turned away, his back stiff. "Because I won't be here forever."

The words hit Kazuki like a punch to the gut. He felt his stomach twist, and a coldness settled over him. Jiro had always been there. He was the unmovable rock in Kazuki's life, the one constant he could rely on. The thought of him not being there…

"What are you saying?" Kazuki's voice was barely a whisper.

Jiro didn't turn to face him. "You need to be ready, Kazuki. When the time comes, you will have to make a choice. Unlock the Kekkei Kaigen, or stay as you are."

Kazuki clenched his fists. "And what if I don't want to unlock it?"

Jiro finally turned, his expression grim. "Then you will die, just as your father did. And all I've taught you, all the sacrifices we've made, will have been for nothing."

The words hung in the air between them, and Kazuki felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't want to believe Jiro, but deep down, he knew the old man wasn't lying. Kazuki had always known there was something different about him, something that set him apart from the others. But now that he was faced with the truth, it was more terrifying than he had ever imagined.

They stood there in silence for a long time, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a blade. Kazuki didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to respond. All he could do was stand there, staring at the man who had been his mentor, his father figure, and now, his executioner.

After what felt like an eternity, Jiro finally spoke again, his voice softer now. "You're not alone in this, Kazuki. I'll be with you, as long as I can. But you need to be prepared. There's more at stake here than just your life."

Kazuki swallowed hard, his throat tight. "What do you want me to do?"

Jiro stepped closer, placing a hand on Kazuki's shoulder. "Train. Learn. Master your sword, your body, your mind. And when the time comes, you'll know what to do."

Kazuki nodded, though he wasn't sure if he truly understood. The weight of everything was almost too much to bear, but he trusted Jiro. He always had.

"And one more thing," Jiro added, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile. "Stop asking for extra buns. It's embarrassing."

Kazuki blinked, startled by the sudden shift in tone. "Wait, what? But the buns—"

"No more buns, Kazuki."

Kazuki couldn't help but laugh, despite everything. "Fine, fine. I'll leave the buns alone. For now."

Jiro's smile faded, and the seriousness returned to his eyes. "We start training tomorrow. Prepare yourself."

Kazuki nodded again, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. He didn't know if he was ready, but one thing was for sure—he couldn't turn back now.