As the training intensified, the brutal regimen tested every fiber of their being.

While Haruki excelled with effortless, cold perfection, Eiji struggled along with the others, their movements clumsy and unpolished.

Yet, in that struggle, Eiji found something Haruki missed: the warmth of brotherhood.

“My body is aching all over.” Nobutaka groaned.

“Everyone's been struggling lately,” Seiya said. “We haven't had a proper chance to rest.”

“Not everyone,” Nadare replied, glancing toward Haruki, who sat alone eating his lunch.

“Did you see him hauling those sacks of pebbles back and forth across the field?”

Nobutaka shook his head in disbelief.

“It's insane!”

“And the way he leaped across those pillars…”

Seiya turned to Nobutaka.

“You'd think he was walking on flat ground.”

Nadare let out a weary sigh.

“Don't even get me started on Suburi training.”

The others nodded in silent agreement.

“Eiji, why don't you invite your brother over to eat with us?” Nobutaka suggested.

“I don't know about that…” Eiji hesitated.

He already knew Haruki would only glare at him.

“You must've really done something to tick him off,” Nadare glanced at Eiji.

“I've never seen the two of you get along.”

Eiji lowered his gaze, his smile fading.

Noticing the change in his expression, Seiya quickly stepped in.

“You know what,” she gestured for them to sit down.

“Let's just eat. Haruki clearly wants to be left alone.”

“Then why's Eiji walking over to him?”

Nobutaka pointed across the yard.

“What?” Seiya turned to look.

Sure enough, Eiji was making his way toward Haruki.

She let out a quiet sigh.

“...Idiot.”

Over at another table, Haruki noticed Eiji standing beside him, wearing a hesitant smile.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” Haruki glared.

“Leave. Me. Alone!”

Haruki muttered through gritted teeth.

“You seemed lonely, so we thought maybe you'd like to join us—”

“Shut it!”

Haruki's eyes were sharp enough to stop the words in Eiji's throat.

“I don't need your pity or anyone else's. Now get lost.”

Haruki turned back to his meal.

”Apparently, you're too dense to take a hint.”

Eiji stood frozen, unable to find a reply.

Around him, conversations softened into whispers.

Curious glances drifted their way before quickly turning aside.

“If General Hyosei hadn't taken me in… maybe Haruki would be in a much better state.”

The thought settled heavily in Eiji's chest as the murmurs around him grew louder.

He didn't need to hear the words to know what they were saying.

“The general's sons can't even get along.”

…

The seasons marched on. Before they knew it, a year had passed.

The children had become warriors. Their bodies were sculpted by labor and iron, their eyes carrying a focus born from countless bruises and failures.

With the foundations of their bodies forged, General Hyosei, Vice General Asatsuyu, and the senior Blades of Tsutsumi began teaching them the village's martial disciplines.

Sojutsu — the way of the spear.

Kyujutsu — the way of the bow.

And above them all...

Kenjutsu.

The way of the sword.