Episode 4: The Breaking Point

The warm glow of lanterns flickered inside the house as Renji, Hana, Ryusei, and his wife Satomi gathered for dinner. The scent of grilled fish, rice, and miso soup filled the air. The meal was simple yet comforting after another grueling day of training.

Renji sat quietly, poking at his food. His mind was clouded, frustration eating away at him. Hana, on the other hand, ate happily, still glowing from her first demon kill.

Ryusei took a sip of tea before turning his sharp eyes toward Renji. Then, with a smirk, he spoke.

"Four years of training, and you still can't use Water Breathing? Pathetic. You're a disgrace to me... and your dead family."

Silence filled the room. Hana’s chopsticks froze mid-air. Satomi’s face darkened, her eyes narrowing at her husband.

Renji’s fingers tightened around his bowl, his teeth gritted. His breath quickened. He had endured Ryusei’s harsh training, his brutal words—but this?

This was too much.

He slammed his fists onto the table, knocking over his bowl. “Maybe I don’t need you, old bastard!” he shouted, standing up.

Satomi gasped. Hana’s eyes widened in shock.

Ryusei chuckled darkly. “Is that so? Then go ahead. Leave.”

Renji turned toward the door, fists clenched. His rage boiled over. He had nothing to prove to this man.

As he reached the door, Ryusei’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“You bastard. It’s the Third Great Demon War. Demons roam the streets like wild animals, slaughtering innocents. The Hashira and demon slayers are fighting endlessly, trying to hold them back. If you leave now, you’re as good as dead.”

Renji paused. His breath was ragged. But he refused to look back.

“I don’t goddamn care.”

And with that, he stepped into the darkness, slamming the door behind him.

A Reckless Choice

The night was cold, the streets eerily silent. Renji pulled his cloak tighter around himself as he walked through the desolate road.

Then—he heard it.

A low growl. A shadow shifting in the darkness.

His blood ran cold.

A demon.

Emerging from the shadows, a monstrous creature grinned at him, its fangs glistening under the moonlight.

Renji’s heart pounded. He stumbled backward, his voice shaking.

“Shit... shit!”

The demon lunged.

Renji turned and ran.

His feet pounded against the dirt road as he sprinted through the empty streets. The demon’s snarls grew closer.

"Get away from me, you bastard!" Renji shouted, sweat dripping down his face.

The demon was faster. Too fast.

Just as it was about to sink its claws into him—

SHING!

A blade flashed through the air, slicing cleanly through the demon’s neck. Blood sprayed. The creature let out a gurgled scream before crumbling into ash.

Renji fell to the ground, gasping for breath. His eyes darted up—

Hana.

She stood over him, her sword dripping with demon blood, her expression calm yet sad.

She sheathed her blade and looked down at him. “This is my last gift to you,” she whispered. “I hope you become stronger, Renji… until we meet again.”

Renji stared at her, his mind racing. “Hana…?”

But she had already turned away, disappearing into the night.

Alone in the Darkness

Renji wandered, his feet heavy, his mind numb. His body ached, his pride shattered.

Eventually, he found shelter in a dark cave, near an old water well.

He sat against the cold stone wall, wrapping his arms around his knees.

Alone. Weak. Lost.

As the wind howled outside, Renji closed his eyes.

Tomorrow… he would have to find his own path.

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