At Rino Amazo's restaurant.

There were a few customers sitting at their tables. At one of the tables, two soldiers, a ninja and a samurai, were finishing their meal.

Then they stood up and were about to leave.

“Excuse me, gentlemen. You haven’t paid the bill yet,” Gotan said as he approached firmly.

“Ah... just put it on the tab, we’ll pay another day,” said the ninja with an arrogant tone.

“You should’ve mentioned that before ordering. You’ll have to pay now!” warned Gotan.

“What’s with the attitude, brat? Don’t you see we’re soldiers? Want to get beaten up?” the samurai snapped angrily.

“When I saw you were in uniform, I made a point of checking the palms of your hands. I didn’t see any ‘line’ which means you don’t have elemental blood. You’ll be the ones getting beaten if you don’t pay the bill,” Gotan said provocatively, showing his palm.

There was a slanted black line ( ∕ ) in the center of his hand. The two soldiers looked a bit shaken upon seeing it.

“So you have elemental blood, huh!? And you think you can take on two veteran soldiers?” the ninja scoffed, resting his hands on his waist.

We can’t take this brat on without knowing the power he has. We can’t risk humiliation. Thought the samurai, though he still raised his voice with authority:

“You’re still at ‘line’ level, we’ve already fought soldiers at ‘triangle’ level.

“Even so, my power is enough to take down any soldier without elemental blood,” Gotan replied firmly.

But I can’t use my power here, my father would kill me if he found out. Alright... I can still take them down using only physical combat. Gotan thought, eyes steady. It was clear he was ready to deal with them.

The two soldiers drew their weapons, a ninja sword and a katana. They assumed combat stances.

The atmosphere in the restaurant grew tense.

Then, Gotan clenched his fists with a determined look and a confident smile.

The soldiers lunged at him with their swords, but Gotan easily dodged the strikes sequence, barely moving his body.

He then jumped and delivered strong kicks to each of their chests, sending them flying. They crashed to the ground near the door — right at the feet of someone who was standing there.

It was Kubo, standing there calmly with his hands in his pockets, chewing his gum.

The soldiers got up and tried to return to the fight.

“Freeze!” Kubo ordered.

They stopped, confused, and turned toward Kubo, furious. Kubo remained calm and relaxed.

“Who are you? And why is a civilian walking around armed?” the ninja snapped.

“Let’s take him out first and then ask questions,” said the samurai.

Both rushed to attack Kubo, but he didn’t move a muscle. His expression didn’t change in the slightest.

Just as they were about to strike him with their swords, Kubo simply raised his hand, revealing a triangle (∆) in the center of his palm.

The soldiers immediately froze, stopping their swords just inches from his body, trembling with fear.

“He’s at the ‘triangle’ level and wearing civilian clothes? He must be from the Special Unit,” the ninja muttered, terrified.

“Let’s get out of here!” shouted the samurai.

The two soldiers ran off, and Gotan tried to chase them. But just as he passed by Kubo, the captain grabbed him by the back and lifted him into the air.

“Let me go, they haven’t paid the bill yet!” Gotan shouted, struggling midair.

“Relax, I’ll pay. Now tell me, where’s the owner of this place?” said Kubo, setting Gotan back on the ground.

“My father?” Gotan asked curiously.

“So you’re the son of the mighty Rino Amazo, interesting! Why didn’t you use your power against those two?”

“They weren’t strong enough for that,” Gotan replied confidently.

“I wonder if you’d use it on me? I’d love to see it!”

“What’s going on here?” Rino asked as he entered the place. “I heard yelling from the kitchen.”

Gotan grew nervous and forced a fake smile as he thought of what to say.

“Well, uh… Dad!? This man wants to talk to you. Right?” he said, nudging Kubo.

Rino looked at Kubo, and from his expression, it was clear he recognized him.

“You!? I remember you.”

“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t,” Kubo said with a sigh.

“Come with me!”

Rino walked ahead, and as Kubo tried to follow, Gotan grabbed his arm.

“You still haven’t paid the bill!” Gotan said with a mischievous grin.

“Damn, you don’t let anything slide. Have you ever thought about becoming a loan shark, kid?”

The two of them laughed together.

 

***    

 

In the kitchen, Rino and Kubo were already talking.

“I see. So the situation has reached this point. But why do you think the killer is able to track purple blood?” Rino asked, deep in thought.

“Your clan was scattered across different villages of the Nation, yet he managed to locate and identify every family. It would be very difficult for an outsider to access information about your clan in our central archive without being noticed.”

“I understand! If we assume he didn’t have access to our information, then he doesn’t know that I have a son.”

“Possibly. But still, the boy is in danger because of the purple blood, which can be tracked.”

“No, because he has red blood, like his mother, and the same hair color too. And the Amazo surname was removed by the clan, since they claimed he was unworthy of carrying it. Since then, he’s gone only by his given name. So I believe he’s out of the assassin’s reach,” said Rino, with a tone of relief.

“So he really was born with normal elemental blood!? As expected. Just out of curiosity, what’s your son’s power?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen it because I don’t allow him to train, much less use his powers.”

“It would be easier to assume if he had purple blood. Because your clan’s power is famous. That’s why I hope that when the assassin shows up, you’ll show him why you’re the most powerful ninja in our Nation,” Kubo said admiringly.

“Don’t worry!” Rino replied with a sigh of concern.

“I want you to know that you’re the first suspect on my list. You’re the only one with enough power to defeat the others in your clan. Your stance against the war makes things worse. And you’re the only one who had issues within your clan for breaking the tradition of marrying within the bloodline,” Kubo said, in a distrustful tone.

“I completely understand,” Rino answered without raising his voice.

“Being the only one left with purple blood, you have just one way to get off my suspect list: either the assassin’s body... or yours! And I hope it’s the assassin’s body,” said Kubo with a concerned look. “Today was just to warn you about the assassin. Tomorrow, I’ll come back with some questions”.

“About?” asked Rino, curious.

“About the man from your vision…” said Kubo, leaving Rino with a worried look on his face. “Well, I have to go.”

Then Kubo left, leaving Rino very worried and thoughtful. He knew that something very bad was about to happen.

 

***    

 

Night fell!

Only a few lights lit up the empty streets.

Inside the restaurant, there were no customers. Gotan was finishing sweeping the floor.

“Whew, I’m done here, Dad. I’m gonna try to get some rest,” said Gotan, yawning while still focused on what he was doing.

Noticing his father's silence, he looked up and saw him lost in thought. It was clear something was weighing on his mind.

“Dad!” Gotan called loudly, managing to get his father's attention. “What did that man say to you that’s got you worried all day?”

“Nothing, son. Grown-up stuff. No need to worry about it,” Rino replied, trying to sound reassuring, but unsuccessfully. The concern was too obvious.

“I see… well, I’m going to rest. We’ll talk tomorrow. By the way, they’re recruiting two students from the Academy tomorrow. Can I go there to support Mania?”

“That’s fine!” Rino agreed without hesitation.

That left Gotan confused, and he stared at his father. Something was off, this was unlike his dad.

“Just like that? Right away? What’s going on, Dad? The moment I mentioned the word ‘academy’, I expected at least one or two questions before you allowed it,” Gotan said, concerned, knowing that whatever this was, it was serious.

“Son…” Rino called, let out a sigh, and continued “an enemy with power greater than the three nations is approaching. The only one who will be able to stop him is someone who has awakened the ‘Circle’. That would be me… but if I’m not here anymore to stop him, you’ll have to carry that responsibility.”

“What are you talking about, Dad? I don’t have purple blood, I can’t awaken the ‘Circle’.”

“Even though your elemental blood is normal, I know the power of purple blood lies hidden within you… because you are my son.”

“Why are you telling me all this? And why do you sound like you’re saying goodbye?” Gotan asked, worried.

“I want you to remember this: I was able to awaken the ‘Circle’ because I let go of hate. Great power awaits you, but first you must train your heart to be kind and just.”

Gotan was listening intently, but at the same time, he was filled with anguish. After all, if his father was passing on the responsibility of stopping such a mysterious and powerful enemy, something terrible was surely about to happen.

“I don’t know if I can do it, Dad! I don’t know if I can let go of hate. To be honest, I don’t even agree with that,” Gotan confessed, deeply saddened.

“I understand. Letting go of hate isn’t something I can force on you. It has to be of your own free will… Now go to sleep, son.”

Gotan walked off, thoughtful and sad, leaving Rino sitting there in silence. When Gotan reached the door, he opened it and stopped with his head down.

“Sorry for not being the son you deserve, Dad.”

Rino was moved upon hearing that and turned to his son:

“Know that I began to master my hate the day you were born. Because I wanted a better world for you. And because of that, I was able to awaken the ‘Circle’. You are the best thing that ever happened to me, son,” Rino said, deeply emotional.

“Thank you, Dad,” Gotan replied, touched.

Gotan went inside and closed the door, leaving Rino alone and thoughtful.

A short while later, outside, someone mysterious arrived — the same boots worn by the man who killed the other purple-blooded family.

And inside the restaurant, Rino, still deep in thought, suddenly widened his eyes, clearly he sensed someone’s arrival. He took a deep breath and waited.

Down at the entrance, the man’s boots stepped in. He passed through the door with slow, firm steps… then stopped!

“I’ve been expecting you. I heard you killed my entire clan, and now you have the audacity to come after me, the only one who awakened the ‘Circle’,” said Rino with a confident air.

Then came the deep, intimidating voice of the mysterious man:

“The ‘Circle’, right? Let’s assume you really are the only one who awakened it. Do you even know what to do with your ‘Circle’?”

So this man knows I don’t understand the power of the ‘Circle’ or how to use it. Rino thought, worried. But outwardly, he kept a firm expression.

“I suppose you know the true power of the ‘Circle’,” Rino guessed.

“I do. Why do you think I’m killing off the only clan capable of awakening the ‘Circle’? To ensure I won’t have any trouble when the time comes,” the mysterious man said, while Rino was listening carefully.

Now I understand! The power of the “Circle” will only activate when something specific happens… and whatever that is, it must be coming soon, which is why this man started wiping out our clan. So Rino thought, though his firm expression hid his concern.

“I see you already know that the Circle’s power hasn’t activated yet. But I still have purple blood. Our power is the greatest of the three nations, do you really think you can defeat me?” Rino asked, sounding threatening.

“You know that if your power were greater than mine, I wouldn’t have survived all the battles I fought against every purple-blooded person I killed... You will die here and now!”

Rino, always with a firm expression, said nothing, just thought:

I can’t fight using purple blood powers without waking Gotan. If he shows up here, this man will know I have a son. Even without purple blood, he’ll kill him as a precaution. So I can only use my power if it’s to win... but even that power wasn’t enough to stop this man in past fights.

“Let’s begin!” the mysterious man declared.

“Let’s go!” Rino replied with a determined look.