Hundreds of years later….

  In a section of The Disciple World, The Water Section, where the colour blue glimmers across the region, there is a boy. A blue-haired boy, dressed in blue and black. A white scarf around his neck, he is lying down on a snowy hill. He appears to be overjoyed about something.

  He smiles and then screams as loud as he can.

  "Today’s the day, huh? The day when everything changes."

  "Kuragami!"

  The boy gets up, then looks to the left and sees his big brother calling his name.

  "Yuma, there's no need to shout."

  "Kuragami, don't you know what day it is. We need to meet Dad at our mother's grave. Don't tell me you forgot again."

  Kuragami stands up and puts his hands behind his head.

  “Do you blame me? I’ve been my whole life without a mother. Plus, today I’m becoming a Shorai."

  "So this is a big day, especially for you, Kuragami. Let's go meet dad at our mother's grave, and then you can take the bullet train to the ceremony."

  "Ok, fine, but can we not run there since you're way faster than me. Just because you're a Kizoku doesn't mean you get to show off how fast you are to me, got that?"

  Yuma sighs.

  "Fine. But it's not my fault you're slow."

  Kuragami punches his older brother, knowing that he's being teased.

  "Shut up."

  "Oh, and Kuragami?"

  "What?"

  "Happy birthday."

  Kuragami smiles. They both start walking down the hill and to the Water Section cemetery.

  Kuragami Nozomi is a 12 year old boy who lives with his Dad and his brother Yuma. It's just been the three of them for the whole of Kuragami's life.

  "Dad!"

  The dad waves. Kuragami starts running to him, and Yuma follows. He is standing in front of a grave.

  "Today is a special day and the start of a new era. It's Kuragami's birthday, and it's the day your mother died. You know, Kuragami, you remind me of your mother. Both of you have the same colour eyes as her. She would be so proud of you if she was with us right now on the day you become a Shorai."

  “Did she ever become a Shorai?”

  "No. She was hopeless when it came to fighting.”

  Their dad chuckles.

  “Although she had no element, her aura was strangely potent. Yet she didn’t know how to use it properly. I wish I had met her sooner.”

  The three of them start to stare at her grave silently. Their dad realises he has to break the silence.

  "Anyways, it’s time you guys make your way to the ceremony. Yuma, you're going with Keikena, right?”

  ”Yeah.”

  “And Kuragami, you're taking the bullet train, same as the other kids?”

  Kuragami nods.

  “Alright, you two make your way to Danketsu City. Khemu, Hasake and I got things to handle here, so I won’t be able to make it.”

  "Alright, see you later."

  Yuma disappears while Kuragami makes his way to a Bullet Train Station.

  Kuragami isn't the only kid running to a Bullet Train Station. Many kids in the Water Section are excited that they finally get to become Shorai. Many say hello to Kuragami as they're all running to the station.

  There are four different ranks. Shorai, Nakaba, Takai and Kizoku.

  The lowest rank is Shorai. If you are worthy, you will be promoted to Nakaba, the middle rank. If you are promoted, you will become a Takai. And all the Takai compete for the top ten ranks, the Kizoku ranks, which are reserved for the 10 strongest.

  Becoming a disciple in the ranks is a very good way for the young generation to become stronger and more competitive. It's a system that allows the Disciple world to be stable and keep things productive. It’s also a system used to protect.

  There are multiple bullet trains. The bullet trains give everyone access to different sections of the world and the important cities where Disciples go. There are other places such as different cities, different island and different countries. But for some of those places, the bullet train won't be able to take them there.

  Kuragami sees a lot of Ice and Water Disciples just like him in the train station, saying goodbye to their parents. He mainly focuses on the ones saying goodbye to their mothers.

  He enters the bullet train and sits down by himself.

  Some kids walk past where Kuragami is sitting and say hi to him. After all, he is very well-known in the Water Section.

  The bullet train reaches its destination. Kuragami has reached Danketsu city, the city created as a symbol of unity.

  Danketsu City is the primary location where disciples are assigned on missions. Important ceremonies are also held in the city. Danketsu is home to the wealthy and powerful, as well as those who work for them. It is a crime-free zone. If you commit a crime, you will be treated harshly and sent to a dangerous prison for the rest of your life. It's insane, but it works to dissuade thieves. The Kizoku are the primary defenders of Danketsu City. They also perform essential jobs there.

  Danketsu City is also the biggest city in the world. Every year it grows bigger and bigger. In a few years, it could turn into a country.

  Kuragami sees all the bullet trains for the different sections coming ahead. He goes to the fire section train to wait for someone.

  The fire section train doors open, and a bunch of fire and inferno disciples exit the train.

  Kuragami sees a familiar face and smiles.

  "HOMURA!"

  Homura looks around and sees Kuragami then pulls annoyed look on his face. But deep down, he is glad to see him, so he smiles right after.

  He walks up to him.

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  "What's up, birthday boy? Can you believe it? We're about to be Shorais."

  "Yeah, I can't wait. This will be just the start of my journey to become somebody stronger than the Kizoku.”

  Homura has a confused look on his face.

  "Do you know how strong the Kizoku are? It will take so long for you to be that strong."

  "Don’t you mean us? You will become that strong too alongside me."

  “I doubt it. I mean, I’m not the prodigy my family produced, am I?”

  ”You don’t need to be a prodigy to become strong. Hard work can get you there.”

  Homura smiles.

  The two boys start walking towards the Danketsu Lobby.

  There are a lot of other Disciples on their way to the Danketsu Lobby.

  Homura came from the fire section as a fire disciple. He wants to surpass the current strongest Fire disciple. Kuragami's older brother Yuma, is said to be one of the strongest Ice disciples, making him one of the strongest in the Water section. Although Yuma is the 7th Kizoku, Kuragami believes that his older brother is the strongest out of the bunch.

  "Hey, Homura, have you heard about the inferno Kizoku who beat everyone who tried going for his position?"

  "Yeah. His name is Kiyoshi. There are rumours that he beat Akuma, but I doubt it's true since their positions haven't changed."

  Kuragami looks at the sky.

  "Who knows. The Kizoku like to keep things a mystery. They think they’re so cool.”

  Homura chuckles.

  "Kuragami. You're an idiot."

  Homura smiles.

  “You may be right though. The reason why the former number one left and became an outlaw is a mystery. There’s a rumour going around that he did something unforgivable to the whole of the D.O. The fact that he’s alive makes him dangerous. The D.O. don’t take anything lightly.”

  “That means that they can’t do anything to him. He must be extremely powerful. So for me to be a Disciple above the Kizoku, I’ll have to beat him!”

  "Not if I beat him first!”

  Kuragami laughs.

  Kuragami and Homura enter the Danketsu Lobby. Danketsu Lobby is a big hall that can fit thousands and thousands of people. There are around 700 Shorai in the hall. There's many other Shorais too, but they have different days of starting days. Also different events special to Shorai in the future. There are speakers everywhere so that everyone can hear the Kashikoi.

  The five Kashikoi are former disciples who have knowledge of all the generations before and will have the knowledge of all the generations after. They are said to be the most wise in the world, and in their disciple days, they were one of the strongest.

  The Hall is loud with all the kids talking and telling everyone how excited they are. There are some who are petrified, some who are overconfident and some who aren't bothered at all.

  Kuragami looks at one of the kids. The kid has a sword on his waist, and he has his hands in his pockets. Kuragami is about to approach him and talk to him, but he senses a powerful aura around the kid. He hasn't sensed an aura like that before; it feels different. He senses regret in his aura.

  Kuragami has a feeling that the kid wants to be left alone, so he stops approaching him.

  The kid looks back at Kuragami.

  "Yo."

  “Yo.”

  There’s awkward silence between them.

  “My..names Sasaki.”

  Kuragami smiles.

  "Kuragami, Kuragami Nozomi. Wait. Your name is Sasaki? Were you in the junior tournament back in the day?”

  “Yeah I was. I forgot all about that. You don’t seem to have a sword so I’m guessing you were watching.”

  “Yeah I was. But I was participating in the no weapons one. My group won. I was watching your group in the finals but then I had to leave. I really wanted to watch the whole fight. I don’t know how that kid made it to the finals by himself.”

  Sasaki gets irritated.

  “Anyways Sasaki, I hope one day we could spar. I would like to see how strong you are.”

  Sasaki looks away.

  “Be careful what you wish for. There are some powers in the world you wouldn’t want to see.”

  Kuragami places his hands on the back of his head in confusion

  "Eh? Why fear something you’ve never seen before? Seems dumb.”

  Sasaki looks at him, interested.

  “And here I thought you looked like an idiot. You made yourself sound smart.”

  Homura walks towards them.

  “Anyways. I’m out. See you in a bit.”

  Sasaki walks away.

  “Kuragami, who was he?”

  "Excuse me, can I have all your attention!"

  All of the disciples stop speaking as one of the Kashikoi gets everyone's attention on stage.

  The rest of the four Kashikoi are sitting down behind him.

  "Today is a special day. Today is the start of a new generation. The start of a new era. All of you today are going to become Shorai. You are going to become Disciples who protect people and make the world a better place. You will grow as people and become stronger with one another. This is a chance to change the world for the better and show the world who you are. You will go out on missions and earn points to be seen as honourable Shorai, who will turn into honourable Nakaba, honourable Takai, and then you all could fight for the Kizoku places. Only the strongest of the strongest become Kizoku, and since we are talking about them, I have a little surprise for you guys. Let's bring the Kizoku on stage.”

  The whole crowd is shocked that the 10 Kizoku are going on stage. After all, they are a big influence on all disciples.

  Homura becomes excited.

  "Kuragami, this will be the first time we see all 10 Kizoku together. Can you believe it?"

  Kuragami shows a bit of excitement.

  "I guess so."

  All ten of them suddenly dash on stage faster than the eye can see. They are all wearing matching black capes with gold shoulder caps. All their capes have gold writing on the back of them, which says Kizoku and their place. For example, the 10th Kizoku will have Kizoku 10 on the back of his cape.

  "Here we have all the 10 Kizoku. The 10th Kizoku, Name: Mizuki. 9th Name: Keikena. 8th Name: Furo. 7th Name: Yuma. 6th Name: Kiyoshi."

  Kiyoshi looks directly at Kuragami, and Kuragami looks back.

  "5th Name: Akuma."

  Akuma powers up a powerful force of energy and releases it so the whole crowd feels his power, which lead to a third of the people in the crowd to faint. The whole crowd is shocked as they feel it.

  Kuragami looks around.

  “Why did some people faint. Are they that excited to see them? It’s not that serious.”

  ”It’s not that Kuragami. Did you feel what Akuma did?”

  “Feel what? He just stood there.”

  “So you didn’t feel that? I can pretty much taste it, the taste of blood.”

  The whole crowd starts to vocalise. Suddenly, the noise in the hall increases.

  Kiyoshi steps up.

  "Akuma. What the hell are you doing?"

  "These people are weak. The world doesn't need them to become Shorai. I simply just -"

  Kiyoshi interrupts Akuma.

  "You have a simple view of the world, Akuma. You should have faith in them. I think that the Shorai we see infront of us is gonna change Disicples forever. In fact, I know it."

  "Kiyoshi, you're an idiot who needs to get taught a lesson. And trust me, one day you will!"

  Kiyoshi laughs.

  "You should learn something from my situation. Never judge a book by its cover."

  "What's that supposed to mean then?"

  "Don't overthink it, and you'll get your answer."

  All of the Kizoku glance at Kiyoshi. He notices, so he looks at the ceiling and starts smiling.

  The Kashikoi carries on with his speech.

  "I deeply apologise for Akuma's actions. May you guys help and carry the people who fainted to the side, and we will carry on with this ceremony. I'll assure you, Akuma, will get punished."

  Akuma scoffs.

  "We will carry this on in 30 minutes."

  Kuragami is confused.

  “Literally nothing happened. What’s going on?”

  Homura doesn't respond as he's shocked by what Akuma has done.

  All the Shorai leave the hall and all hang around the area around Danketsu Hall.

  “Seriously, though, Homura. I get the Kizoku are a big deal and all, but to faint while they’re on stage, that’s just embarrassing.”

  “Kuragami, they didn’t faint from excitement.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Give it a few more seconds, and you would’ve fainted too. The Kizoku aren’t all that.”

  “Oh, really?”

  A voice of another Shorai is projected from behind them. Kuragami and Homura turn around. Kuragami starts to get angry.

  "Of course it's you. Isamu."

  Isamu is a Thunder Disciple who used to go around terrorising other people his age. His father is a former Kizoku so early on in his life, he was taught strong techniques from his father. It helped him adapt and made sure that in the future, those techniques will be stronger than the average disciple.

  Some people start to crowd around them.

  "What is it that you want, Isamu?"

  "‘The Kizoku aren’t all that’. Is all you speak a bunch of rubbish?”

  “Uh oh, an angry fanboy.”

  “Me, fanboy? Nah. Although I want to become a Kizoku, the current bunch is a bunch of losers. And the biggest one of them all is your brother.”

  He then starts laughing.

  Kuragami comes close to Isamu, so close that he can Isamu can see the anger in his eyes. Out of rage, he grabs him by the shirt.

  "Isamu, how dare you insult my brother. He's stronger than everyone you know. Even stronger than your dad."

  Everyone starts to form a crowd around them. Sasaki starts to watch too. A girl with a red cap and a lollipop says to her friends around her,

  "Who's he?"

  "He's Kuragami, the 7th Kizoku's little brother."

  "Is that so?"

  A significant group of people with dark aura start to get interested. They are all wearing similar dark clothes. One with aura that's out more than the others is sitting down, looking at the floor.

  "Hey Daku, look. These two brats are gonna fight."

  "Why don't we join Daku?"

  Daku stands up.

  "They're not worth our time. Although that blue-haired kid seems interesting."

  They all carry on listening to their argument.

  "Prove it then. Fight me right now. If you win, I'll never insult you or your brother again. But if I win, then trust me, I'll make you pay for insulting my father."

  Homura goes to Kuragami and grabs his shoulder.

  "Don't do it, Kuragami. I will have to admit he seems stronger than you. Even stronger than me. He's grown Kuragami."

  Kuragami smiles and makes Homura let go of his shoulder.

  "I accept. I'll beat your ass in front of everyone watching."

  He cracks his knuckle, getting prepared for the fight.

  "Fine, but let me tell you one thing. I might be too fast for you."

  "Huh?"

  What would you rate this chapter? This will be the only chapter I’ll ask to rate