The Curse and a Gift

In the heart of the Water Nation, where streams wove through villages like lifelines and the air carried the scent of the ocean, the Mizuno Clan stood as a symbol of pride and tradition. They were warriors of unmatched skill, deeply intertwined with the very essence of water. Among them was Narumi Mizuno, a boy destined for greatness—though not in the way anyone could have imagined.

From an early age, Narumi understood the weight of his family's name. The Mizuno Clan's reputation was not just a banner of honor but a burden of expectation. His every step was scrutinized, his every action compared to those who had come before. Yet, Narumi bore it with a quiet resolve, determined to uphold his clan's legacy.

But beneath the surface, a storm brewed.

When Narumi was just eleven years old, his life took a turn that would haunt him forever. That night, the household was quiet, save for the gentle lapping of water against the canals outside. His mother, Ayame, had just tucked him into bed, whispering soothing words as she smoothed his hair. Sleep came easily, as it always did in her presence.

It was only moments later that the air in the room shifted—a subtle disturbance that Narumi, in his half-dreaming state, barely registered. Unbeknownst to him, his father, Hiroto, lingered in the shadows of the room, a kunai glinting in his hand. The man's face was a mask of cold determination, his intent clear. Hiroto's hand moved swiftly, the blade aimed directly at his son's forehead.

But before the steel could strike, a surge of energy erupted from Narumi's small frame. A radiant, blue figure materialized—the unmistakable form of Jiao, the Water Dragon. It coiled protectively around the boy, its ethereal presence creating a shimmering shield. The kunai struck the barrier and disintegrated into dust, its fragments scattering into the air.

Narumi awoke with a start, his eyes meeting his father's. Confusion gave way to horror as he saw the remnants of the kunai drifting before him. "Father?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "What are you doing?"

Hiroto's expression was unreadable, his lips pressed into a thin line. Before he could respond, Jiao acted. The dragon's energy flared, an extension of Narumi's raw emotions. "Leave me alone!" the boy shouted, his fear and anger merging into a powerful command. Jiao's light lashed out, striking Hiroto with such force that he crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

Narumi's cry echoed through the house, drawing Ayame from the other room. She burst into the scene, her gaze shifting from her husband's still form to the glowing figure of Jiao now receding back into her son.

"Narumi," she said, her voice tight and cold. "Is that you?"

Tears streamed down Narumi's face as he turned to her. "Did you know?" he demanded, his voice breaking. "Did you know about this?"

Ayame's expression hardened. She did not deny it. Instead, a cruel smile played on her lips. "So, you caught on, did you?"

Narumi's grief twisted into fury. "Stay back," he warned, his hands trembling. "I'll kill you too if I have to."

Ayame stepped forward, undeterred. "You've already killed one parent tonight," she said with venom. "What's one more?" She raised her hands, summoning water from the air. "Water Ball Art!"

But Narumi's rage had already summoned Jiao in full force. The dragon's power surged, unleashing the devastating "Seven Seas of Art Kamizuki"—a technique as ancient as the Mizuno Clan itself. The house was engulfed in a torrent of water, its destructive force obliterating everything in its path. When the chaos subsided, only silence remained.

Narumi stood alone amidst the ruins, Jiao's energy fading back into his body. The realization of what he had done—what he had become—crushed him. Without a second thought, he fled into the night, seeking answers. His journey led him to the Fifth Lord Derya, the leader of the Water Nation. It was there he learned the truth: within him resided half of Jiao Xyra, the Water Dragon's essence. This power was both a gift and a curse, marking him as a force unlike any other but also isolating him from those he once called family.

Now, Narumi lives on the fringes of his clan, a shadow among the Mizuno. The people call him "Ringing Sea," a name that evokes both awe and fear. Whispers of his power ripple through the Water Nation, but trust is scarce. To most, he is the boy who killed his parents and wields a power no one fully understands.

Yet Narumi remains resolute. He has embraced his solitude, honing his abilities and learning to master the dragon's energy within him. In the depths of his heart, he carries the weight of his past—a past that has shaped him into both a warrior and a mystery. And as his path crosses with Yukino's.