“Fresh air!” Natsumi said with a stretch that made her bones cackle. “The real ocean smell and not the musk of smelly ass pirates! I always forget how clear it is on this side of town. But this is only my second time here, so.”

The area opened up before Tsuna, making it clear they were approaching the town’s edge. Buildings became scarce, replaced by cargo and containers spanning along the coast and isolated by wooden walls. “Is this the town’s edge? What’s out here that we’re looking for?”

“Relax, my dear apprentice, and let me tell you a story. About a girl who knew nothing about her parents, her culture, or where she’s from. An orphan from the start, who survived days without the taste of a warm meal. The other orphans were frightened of her and the caretakers cared little, for she differed from the rest. They would mock her freakishly deformed ears because they knew she could hear them. They detested her monstrous tail because-.”

“Hold up. Stop right there.” Tsuna interrupted, waving his hands. “There’s no point to this, is there?”

“Of course there is!” With a snicker, Natsumi shrugged and turned towards him. “An excellent story always makes the children feel better. Raise their spirits so they won’t give up on their hopes and dreams. The point is, I’m different. I struggled. In the end, I’m here and living my best life. Whatever happened to me because of my race didn’t matter because I stayed positive and that’s the first step. Being happy with yourself. A Minhki can make a living working hard if she doesn’t let others drag her down!”

“Doesn’t that seem unfair to you? Comparing your struggle with another person, then make the claim they should be able to do it as well. You and I could have two totally different limits. What would be better is if the struggle did not exist at all.” Tsuna wrapped his fingers around his chin. “And if hard work makes life better, did you, being a ‘Men-kee’, have some of the opportunity denied to you?”

“‘Min-qi’. Sharpen the end and don’t drag out the ‘ee’ sound.” Natsumi stroked her ears. “I mean, yeah. People did not want me for certain jobs, but not everyone is a jack of all trades. I figured maybe they didn’t need someone of my skill set and there were better options. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Yeah, yeah. But how can a person work hard when no one wants to give them the chance? Using myself as an example, I’d go out, beg for forgiveness, and show humility. Every time they bastardized me for my past mistakes, my father not being in my life, or because I looked different.”

“Bastardization comes with the territory of being the special one. Not that it’s a good thing. Should it not occur? No. Should it stop you from being happy with yourself? Also No. For the brief time that I’ve known you, you haven’t struck me as a delinquent, so if that makes you feel better. Lingering on that kind of stuff will obstruct you more than help you. It’s best to move on that forget the past.”

“When I caused trouble, the people didn’t let me forget. Their stares, the way they’d run away when I’d be doing something as simple as crossing the street. Little did they know I turned my back on that behavior when my wife fell into my life. She made me happy, she made me feel like nothing in my past mattered.”

“But it does. It was constantly eating at you. It’s eating at you now. Waiting to snap again when you go low. The reason you’re having trouble handling your ether is there because of that. It may seem like I’m prying, but I promise you, it’s very important. Contrary to public belief, ether control is very emotion focused. It being so, those who can manipulate it are usually true at heart. Still, that heart can be anywhere on a moral spectrum.” Natsumi halted and searched around. “Not a soul in sight. This should be a pleasant spot.”

He pinched his nose as the stink of rust rushed into his nose. Old steel containers surrounded the area, the crackling of the rust almost mistakable with the oceans brush against the tattered pier nearby. Tsuna looked around as Natsumi turned to him and placed her knuckles on her hips.

“This is anything other than pleasant. What are we doing here?”

“We’re here to train you how to ethertwist or at the very least see ether! Remember how I mentioned not everyone can do this? Those that can have a lingering flow of ether around them if you try to sense it. It requires your focus. A ton of focus. Try to sense mine and we’ll move on from there. So if you’re finding trouble doing that, we’ll try something else.”

“Focus? In a place that smells like shit and where the water is loud as hell?”

Natsumi lifted her hands to the back of her head, averting her eyes. “Well, it wouldn’t be a test without disturbance. Give it a shot.”

After a groan, Tsuna squared himself and stared at Natsumi. This smell is toxic. It’s so strong that it’s hard to even think straight! His forehead thumped. Maybe if I can hold my breath, just maybe, I’ll be able to recognize what she’s talking about. The minute he inhaled, Natsumi snapped.

“Keep breathing. I need you focused, not passed out. Besides.” She pointed at the dark spot on her nose. “My nose is much more sensitive to smell. If I can ignore it, then you should be capable of it too.”

Damn it! I have to endure. Like I always have! Ignoring the smell, he focused harder. Straining his body he still saw nothing. My body can’t hold out like this for much longer. If I just hold out! A sharp whistle came from behind him, a portion of a container falling to the ground. The moment his head swung around, he heard Natsumi’s voice.

“Dont!”

Still nothing appeared to him. Just a Minhki standing in front of him, disciplining him on what he was now believing were lies. Recalling the conversation that had led up to the moment, his mind scrambled. Emotions. Try to control my emotions. How can I block out the sound when things are falling down around me? How can I overlook something that stinks? Wait… Isn’t that what I’ve been doing all of my life? Blocking out the people who doubted me. What they said, what they did. If I can do that… then! Now fully locked on Natsumi, black spots developed in his sight. No, I won’t lose! I can’t afford to! I need to do this!… For…! At that time, Mr Amagi’s statement resounded in his head.

“I see it now and this is the clearest I’ve ever seen you. Looking too far into the future will cause you nothing but stress and anxiety. Living in the past will keep you there. Live for the now, Tsuna.”

The strain proved fruitless, as he could still see nothing. He slumped to a knee, the Minhki almost moving to help him but refraining as a glint flashed from his red eyes.

“Let go of what’s keeping you back! Ask yourself where you would like to be, not what could you have done! Be the better you because it’s all for you!”

All for me? As if he’d figured out a puzzle, his mind cleared. The judgement discard, the glares banished, their words forgotten. Japan was no longer where he lived, but now a piece of the past. A new identity could take form if he wanted, but Tsuna was too true to himself to reject his character. Maybe now was his chance to be the man he should’ve been from the start and maybe create something better for himself.

“The Minhki is right.” Infernus’ voice reached him by surprise. “Your next step is what could save that girl’s life. Faltering over history will permanently leave in you a pit of despair. Know that you can do it. Know you will do it.”

Energy surged through Tsuna’s body, granting him a strength that felt as if something had been physically holding him down his entire life. He shot back up, straightening his back and looked at Natsumi with a determined zeal. It will take more than this, but this is only the first step. I will grasp this power and find my mom and Emiko! Natsumi’s cheeks lit up a faint red color while she took a step back from Tsuna’s intense presence. Her first step revealed something in the corner of Tsuna’s eye. A tint of green vapor, almost hazy in appearance, extended from Natsumi’s shoulder, gradually withdrawing into her body like a flowing tide. “There! Your shoulder!” Tsuna pointed at her. “That aura going into your shoulder. It’s faint but undeniable that it’s under your control!”

Natsumi’s jaw dropped as her head jerked backward. The essence hastily retreated into her body as she blinked twice before muttering. “C-Congrats! I knew you could do it, my apprentice! How though…”

Tsuna collapsed to a knee, the black spots nearly covering his sight. As Natsumi rushed over to him, her eyes snapped towards his hand then she kneeled down to hold him up with her shoulder. “H-How was that.” His panting continued until he resolutely set his other foot on the ground.

“I-Impressive! Especially for a first timer!”

There was a waver in her voice that hinted at something. Though Tsuna picked up on it, he disregarded her odd behavior. “There’s more to learn, right? Give me a minute and I’ll be ready for whatever you have to throw at me next!”

Natsumi twitched, jumping back and throwing her hands in front of her. “Nevermind that! You’ve had enough for the day! And I need to consult the rest with Rylen! He’d be proud to hear of this progress!”

Tsuna raised an eyebrow. Bullshit. Didn’t we sneak away from him? He shouldn’t have any idea what we’re doing.

Natsumi went on, speaking more emphatically than usual. “So! Tell me about this wife of yours. How did you two first meet?”

“Heh, funny you asked that. How we met happens to be one of my favorite memories of her.” Tsuna smiled. “Are you sure you want to hear? It’s a long story.”

“I-I want to hear everything. I can only assume by the way you look now that you had to fight for her or something, is that it? Did you save her from a group of bandits? Or was she a childhood crush?”

“You’re practically right. Switch the roles around and the plot and you’ll be spot on.”

“Well, don’t tell me that! You’ll spoil the story! Go on, tell me while we walk back!”

I’ll keep it blunt. Can’t spoil where I’m from.

***

Twelve years ago in Yanagawa, Japan

“Help!” Tsuna said, face hidden in his hands. Before him were three boys, who, by the style of their hairstyles and facial features, were obviously brothers. The tallest of them swung his fist, the impact knocking Tsuna off of his feet and onto the concrete. The bandages on his arms uncovered, showing the cuts beneath. It’d been unmistakable that this was not the first time they’d done this. The bruises on his legs showing how brutal they’d been.

“I was nine-years old, born in what I’d consider the boonies. My skin color being tanned and my distinct features were an unfamiliar sight for some who’d never traveled out to see more than what’s around them.”

“Aww, look at the monster crying for help.” The Eldest boy said. “Like anyone would want to help a monster as dirty as him!”

“Maybe we should show him a lesson again.” The youngest of them scoffed as he cracked his knuckles. “Monsters don’t get to cry because all they do is hurt people!”

“We’ll keep monsters from bothering anyone else. Starting with this one.” The third child declared. “He doesn’t even have a dad, probably ate him and his black soul made him dirty!”

It didn’t take long before I turned into a victim. The appearance is the first impression. It decides whether you’re going to talk to a person or not. Here, it was about why I differed from them. Somehow tying that to how my father wasn’t in the picture. It only developed from there. I dealt with years of belittlement, bullied over something as stupid as looking different. But it’s what kids do. Sometimes adults too… But one day, someone had enough.

“Get away from him!” A voice cracked from behind them.

The shadow blocked the setting sun. Raising a single finger high into the air.

“You call him a monster, but you’re beating him up. Only monsters pick on kids!” The finger dropped, pointing straight at the eldest of the brothers. “And that monster is you and your two minions!”

“I’d always had my head down in school. Thought taking my eyes off the world would help me get through it. Like maybe if I didn’t see them, then they didn’t see me. Little did I know, someone’s eyes had been on me for some time. I don’t recall seeing her, but I will never forget how I felt when I saw those blonde twin-tails come to my rescue.”

“Get out of here, pipsqueak!” The middle sibling stepped forward and pointed in another direction. “You’re not supposed to protect monsters! You’re supposed to-!”

The girl moved, the light shining in Tsuna’s face again. He’d shielded his eyes from the sun as he heard a thud. No longer blinded, he saw the brother on the ground holding his face. She strode to the side, hopping on her toes and throwing a finger into the air again. With a grin, she shouted.

“Knockout!”

“She was an unusual girl who grew into an unusual woman. Fascinated with video games and fantasy, escaping the world around her to believe she was more important.”

“Shinichi, get up!” At the sight of his brother in pain, a rage overcame the youngest. “You’re gonna pay!” He said as he reversed a punch and swung at her.

The girl ducked under his swing and landed two rapid blows to his stomach, and finished with an uppercut and a stylish flourish. Brushing the tip of her nose with her thumb, she raised her finger again.“Knockout!”

The eldest kept his composure. His two brothers on the ground in front of him made him hesitantly lick his lips. He strolled in place, sizing up the girl who had more than proven that she was not to be taken lightly. Tsuna watched as the two of them squared off in front of the sun. Setting a scene that reminded him of old samurai films. The boy tightened his fist, suggesting he was fit to attack, then proceeded. The girl’s hand stretched out, stopping him in his place. He’d noticed she pointed at his shoes.

“You should tie your shoes. You’ll hurt yourself if you trip and fall.”

Taken aback by her remark, the boy peered down and saw she was telling the truth. His eyebrow lifted as he glanced back at the girl.

“What are you waiting for?” She said, her eyes averting to the sides. “Tie them so we can fight.”

“Regularly finding herself in situations she placed herself in, she reacted to them with a sense of humor. Treating it all like it was a parody.”

With a laugh, he went to tie his shoes, diverting him from the smirk that formed on her face. Swiftly, the girl swayed her leg high, landing a kick across his jaw. She winked and once again tossed her finger in the air. “Knockout!”

Tsuna looked up to see his three bullies lying on the ground, and this one girl left standing. Her attention then turned to him, skipping to him and reaching out with both of her hands.

“No need to be scared anymore. Come on.”

Tsuna was uncertain whether he should feel scared or secure. This girl he’d never seen before, in moments, proved she was tougher than the bullies who’d tormented him. Cautiously, he took a hold of her hands, and with her help, stood up straight. “T-Thank you.”

“It was like seeing an angel in person. Someone who randomly came into your life at your lowest and made you think you could fly. She was… Is… the light in the dark that I needed. Then she told me her name, Emiko Sawano. The name that I’d never forget.”

***

“She told me she was only helping someone in need, but always implied there might’ve been more to it. I don’t know. She’s weird like that.” Tsuna laughed. “Both of us are military brats, our fathers both from far away places. Couldn’t get us apart even if you pulled us from both ends, her parents would say. It wasn’t until some years later when things got rocky.” He peeked at Natsumi, who was wiping away a tear. “You better not be crying because of that story.”

“N-No!” She sniffled, wiping around her nose. “It’s the rust! I swear!”

“We’ve been walking for the last ten minutes. I’m sure you can’t smell the rust anymore.” A glimpse of the area ahead and he could tell they were back on the populated side of the town. “Are we almost where we need to be? Leora’s?”

“Close. You’d better make a charming impression. That woman’s a hardass for no reason most of the time. Rylen will undoubtedly give us an earful too, so expect it to get noisy. So, as my new apprentice, I need you to put on the best performance you can so we can get out of this with the least amount of punishment possible!”

Tsuna wanted to laugh, but the thought of what was ahead kept him from doing so. You really are always up to no good. “I’ll do my best.”