Volume 1, Chapter 1: The Promise

Once upon a time, in a bustling kingdom filled with hope and ambition, there lived a boy captivated by the beauty and power of his ruler. This boy, Kenji Satoshi, dared to dream the impossible: to become the next emperor of the kingdom. Little did he know, his journey would be filled with trials, laughter, sorrow, and joy—a tale that would one day be sung across the land.

It was a sunny spring day, the kind that made the world feel alive. Kenji Satoshi and his best friend, Kiyoshi Kazuki, stood beside a sparkling river near their home. The gentle sound of flowing water filled the air, but it didn’t drown out the boys' animated argument.

Kenji puffed out his chest, his messy white hair rustling in the breeze. “Eh? What’s wrong with me wanting to become emperor?!”

Kiyoshi, ever the teasing one, smirked. His short black hair glinted in the sunlight, and his mischievous eyes twinkled. “Haha, you’re too weak and stupid to become emperor! If anyone’s going to sit on that throne, it’ll be me. Hehe!”

Kenji stomped his foot, his face turning red. “No! I’m not stupid! YOU are!”

“What?! You’re calling your future emperor stupid?!” Kiyoshi’s smirk widened, and he leaned in closer. “For such insolence, I shall punish you!” He suddenly pounced, smacking Kenji repeatedly on his backside.

Kenji yelped. “STOP! Okay, okay, I’m sorry! Please stop! My butt hurts!!”

Kiyoshi didn’t relent, laughing hysterically. “Too late for apologies! You’ll receive fifty slaps for your rebellion!”

Kenji squirmed, his voice growing more desperate. “NOO! PLEASE!”

Their antics echoed across the river, drawing the attention of someone unusual. On the opposite bank, a man in a light brown cloak stood still, watching them intently. His hood obscured his face, but his presence was unmistakably menacing.

The boys froze mid-scuffle. Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes and stepped in front of Kenji protectively. “Hey! What do you want, you creep?! Get out of here!”

The man raised his hand slowly, his fingers slightly curling as though reaching for something unseen, then straightened his index finger to aim at Kiyoshi like a gun Without a word, he mimed pulling a trigger.

Kiyoshi’s body stiffened. His eyes widened, and then he collapsed, convulsing violently on the ground.

“Kazuki!!” Kenji screamed, rushing to his friend’s side. “What’s happening to you?! Answer me!”

Panic overwhelmed him. Kenji turned to confront the stranger, but the man was already fleeing as soldiers in armor appeared from the nearby town.

“There he is! Capture him!” one of the soldiers shouted.

The man dashed into the rooftops, vanishing like a shadow. Kenji knelt beside Kiyoshi, his hands trembling. His mind raced. Who was that? What did he do to Kazuki?

That night, at the Kiyoshi Clan’s estate, tensions were high. Kiyoshi’s mother, a stern woman with piercing eyes, spoke with the clan leader in the dimly lit meeting hall.

“Who do you suspect that man was, clan leader?” she asked, her voice sharp with worry.

The clan leader, a towering figure with greying hair, stroked his beard thoughtfully. “I have a few ideas… but no one with a clear motive to harm the heir of the Kiyoshi Clan.”

Kiyoshi’s mother’s fists clenched. “Then allow me to investigate—”

“No.” The clan leader’s tone was firm. “I’ve already assigned someone to handle this matter. Your priority is ensuring your son recovers fully. The tournament is fast approaching, and we cannot afford for him to be weak.”

She bowed reluctantly. “As you wish, clan leader.”

A week later, Kiyoshi was back to his usual mischievous self, thanks to his iron will and youthful vigor. Together with Kenji, he roamed the town, pulling pranks and causing trouble for unsuspecting townsfolk—especially bald ones, for reasons neither of them could quite explain.

One sunny afternoon, the duo spotted a wise monk meditating peacefully in the town square. His smooth, bald head gleamed in the sunlight.

Kenji nudged Kiyoshi. “Hey, it’s another bald guy. Should we?”

Kiyoshi grinned. “Of course. It’s our duty!”

But before they could act, the monk opened his eyes and smiled warmly at them. “Little ones, may I teach you something wonderful?”

Kiyoshi folded his arms. “What is it, bald man? You see, we’re very hungry.”

The monk chuckled, his voice calm and soothing. “Ah, hunger… such a fleeting discomfort. Have you heard of patience?”

Kiyoshi rolled his eyes. “Bald man, get to the teaching part already.”

The monk’s smile grew wider. “That is the teaching, young one. Patience. To endure without haste is to understand the flow of life.”

Kenji tilted his head. “Okay, old man, we get it. But first, you have to set an example for us.”

Without warning, he and Kiyoshi lobbed two eggs straight at the monk’s gleaming head. The eggs landed with a satisfying splat, dripping down his face.

The monk sat motionless, his eyes closed, a thin vein bulging on his forehead. His serene smile never wavered, but the air around him grew heavy.

“Children…” he said softly, his voice carrying an ominous edge. “Let me teach you… the consequences of impatience.”

Kiyoshi sprinted down the bustling street, anger blazing in his eyes.

“BALD MAN! WHY AREN’T YOU BEING PATIENT? I THOUGHT YOU WERE A MAN OF YOUR TEACHINGS!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the alleyways.

Kenji, hot on his heels, chimed in. “YEAH, OLD MAN! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LEARN PATIENCE IF YOU KEEP CHASING US?! YOU RUINED MY LESSON!”

Behind them, the enraged monk stormed after the two boys, his face red with fury. “COME BACK HERE, YOU LITTLE RATS! WHEN I CATCH YOU, IT WILL BE YOUR LAST DAY OF JOY!”

Kiyoshi yanked Kenji into a narrow alley, the two pressing against the cold stone walls. The monk thundered past, his angry shouts fading into the distance.

Kiyoshi exhaled in relief. “I think he’s gone.”

Kenji’s stomach growled loudly.

Kiyoshi chuckled. “Alright, let’s go get your favorite food.”

Kenji’s face lit up. “YAY! LET’S GOOO!”

The ramen shop’s bell jingled as they entered.

“Welcome to the best ramen shop in town!” the owner called, smiling—until he saw who it was. His face fell.

“Ugh, it’s you two again,” he grumbled.

Kiyoshi waved dismissively. “Come on, old man, appreciate that we actually pay for our food. It’s always empty in here anyway.”

The boys plopped onto their stools. Beside them sat a man who slurped his noodles obnoxiously loud.

“HEY, OLD MAN! OTHER PEOPLE ARE EATING HERE TOO, YA KNOW!” Kiyoshi barked.

The man stopped mid-slurp, visibly embarrassed. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” he said with a sheepish smile. “I didn’t realize I was being so loud.”

Kiyoshi frowned. “Weird guy,” he muttered under his breath.

The man perked up. “As an apology, how about I treat you both?”

Kenji and Kiyoshi’s eyes widened. “REALLY?!”

“Of course,” the man said with a grin. “Order whatever you like—my treat.”

Kiyoshi smirked. “Old man, you’re the best!”

The man blinked. “Why do they keep calling me ‘old man’?” he muttered to himself.

He wasn’t ready for what came next.

The boys ordered everything on the menu—five times over.

The man’s jaw dropped. “HEY, I DIDN’T MEAN YOU COULD EAT EVERYTHING!”

But it was too late. They devoured the feast in minutes, their stomachs full and their smiles wide.

The owner handed the man the bill.

“Two million Etherons,” he said flatly.

“Two…Million?!” the man choked.

The owner shrugged. “What’s there to be surprised about? They ate like monsters. Now pay up—or clean the toilets for a year.”

With a resigned sigh, the man paid. As the boys left, he glared at their retreating backs.

“One day, they’ll pay for this,” he muttered.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Kiyoshi and Kenji sat on a bridge, watching the orange glow reflect off the water.

“Hey, Satoshi,” Kiyoshi said softly.

Kenji turned to him. “What, Kazuki?”

“Starting tomorrow, I won’t be hanging out with you anymore.”

Kenji froze. “WHAT?! WHY?!”

“The clan tournament is in four years,” Kiyoshi explained. “I need to focus on training if I’m going to become the next emperor.”

Kenji smirked. “KEEP DREAMING! I’LL BE THE NEXT EMPEROR!”

Kiyoshi held out his pinky. “Let’s make a promise.”

“What kind of promise?”

“Whoever fails to become emperor will be the other’s slave for life.”

Kenji hesitated, imagining himself as Kiyoshi’s servant. But his pride got the better of him.

“FINE! IT’S A DEAL!”

Their pinkies intertwined as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

“To the next emperor,” Kiyoshi said solemnly. “May he find eternal happiness.”