10 years ago,—before the tragedy that would reshape young Hiruzen Yuki's life.

  Professor Skyzen (voiceover):

  “There exists a phenomenon... a rare one. Only 1.6% of the population is born with powers. Powers that can alter reality, reshape the world, or destroy it. Some are reincarnations of legendary beings—Zeus, Raijin, even the Ice Demon. But there is one child… one with the potential to bring the world to its knees. He must be eliminated. Before he awakens.”

  Far from the secretive plans of men like Skyzen, young Hiruzen’s world was simple. Joyful.

  Hiruzen (excitedly):

  “Mom! Can we go to the park today?”

  Hiruzen’s Mom (smiling warmly):

  “Of course we can, sweetie. Anything for you.”

  The park was a haven for the young boy—a place where swings and laughter replaced the mundane of everyday life.

  Hiruzen (laughing as he swings):

  “Higher, Mom! Higher!”

  Mom (laughing along):

  “Hold on tight, Hiru!”

  For two blissful hours, everything was perfect. But that happiness was fragile. A storm was coming.

  On the way to pick up Hiruzen’s sister, Yuzu, the air seemed thick with a tension no one could sense.

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  Yuzu (pouting):

  “You guys went to the park without me?”

  Hiruzen (grinning):

  “Yeah, 'cause you take forever to get ready.”

  Yuzu (playfully):

  “Oh, shut up!”

  Mom (lightly scolding):

  “Now, now. You two are supposed to be brother and sister. No more fighting.”

  Both (in unison):

  “Sorry, Mom.”

  As they walked home, the warmth of family surrounded them. But across the street, hidden in shadows, danger watched.

  Skyzen (smirking):

  "So, this is the target. Hmph, a nice house for such... inferior beings."

  Agent #1 (nervously):

  “Yeah, it’s... uh, pretty nice, sir.”

  Skyzen (coldly):

  “No, it’s trash. Just like them.”

  Agent #1 (desperate to please):

  “Of course, sir. You’re right. I was just... joking.”

  Skyzen:

  “Shut up. They’re here.”

  As Hiruzen and his family approached their home, laughter turned into the sound of a nightmare.

  Hiruzen (innocently):

  “Mom, can we have fries for dinner?”

  Yuzu:

  “No, I want pizza!”

  Mom (playfully):

  “I can make both, don’t worry.”

  But those simple words were interrupted by a command that would change everything.

  Skyzen (coldly, without remorse):

  “Fire. Now.”

  The crack of gunfire shattered the moment. Hiruzen’s mom crumpled to the ground, blood staining her dress. Yuzu screamed, but it was cut short as another bullet took her life.

  Hiruzen (screaming in agony):

  “Mom!! Yuzu!! NOOOOOO!”

  Grief turned into rage. Hiruzen's tiny fists clenched, tears streaming down his face as a sudden and immense cold filled the air. A blizzard, violent and unnatural, erupted from within him, turning the warm Texas evening into a frozen wasteland.

  Skyzen (watching with mild amusement):

  “Hmph. Ice powers. How... appropriate. Men, retreat.”

  The agents fled, leaving Hiruzen standing in the center of an icy storm, his breath visible in the chilling air. His mother, barely alive, lay frozen on the ground, while his sister... she was already gone.

  Hiruzen (sobbing, cradling his mother):

  “Mom... please don’t die...”

  His father arrived moments later, rushing his shattered family to the hospital, but the damage had been done. Hiruzen lost not just his sister that day but his mother, too, as she slipped into a coma. With his world torn apart, young Hiruzen swore to his father:

  Hiruzen (broken, yet resolute):

  “I’ll find them. I’ll find the people who did this.”

  End Chapter