Chrono Blade: The Soul of the Forbidden AI
Chapter 5:

The morning sun hadn’t even warmed the cracked dirt of Broken Root Town when Jin found himself watching a boy get kicked across the street.

“Next time you steal from me, I’ll snap your damn fingers!”

The butcher’s boot dropped hard, and the boy — skinny, bruised, and barely old enough to grow stubble — groaned and rolled into a stack of crates. Rotten cabbage exploded around him like confetti for losers.

Jin paused mid-step, bread still in his mouth. He chewed slowly.

“Not your problem,” Chrono said flatly.
“Not your mission. Not your enemy.”

Jin watched the kid spit blood, then sit up and grin.

“Still got your coin pouch, dumbass.”

The butcher froze. Jin snorted.

“…Mildly amusing,” Chrono admitted.

The boy took off running — straight into Jin.

“H-Hey! Outta the way, old man!”

“Old?” Jin blinked.

The boy slammed into his chest like a chicken into a stone. Fell flat.

“Ow… what are you made of?”

“Regret and good posture,” Jin muttered, pulling him up by the collar.
“Let’s talk.”

Name: Kyo
Age: Probably lying about it
Profession: Pickpocket, trash-talker, accidental genius

They sat in a noodle stall later that evening. Kyo inhaled soup like it owed him money.

“So… you’re starting a sect?” he asked between slurps.
“Like, your own? Not joining one?”

“Blade Resonance Hall,” Jin said.
“A place for people who were never given a chance to begin with.”

“Cool name. Sounds like something I shouldn’t mess with.”

“Should I be worried this child eats with the efficiency of a wild animal?” Chrono asked in Jin’s mind.

“He’s a street rat. That’s how they survive.”

“Correction: That’s how they dominate soup.”

As they left the stall, three teens in fancy sect robes blocked the way.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the beggar with the fake sword,” one said.
“I saw you dodge the Ironroot trials. Cowards don’t get to preach about justice.”

Jin said nothing. He simply placed his hand on his sword’s hilt.

“Oh come on,” the guy laughed.
“Gonna threaten me? In front of the boy you’re pretending to raise?”

“He’s not pretending,” Kyo said, stepping forward.
“That guy saved me. And he’s gonna build a sect that puts yours to shame.”

Silence.

Then the teen snorted. “This your first disciple? I’ve seen worms with more backbone.”

“Wrong,” Jin said softly.
“You’re looking at my foundation.”

The first swing came fast. Jin didn’t draw his sword — he just moved.

One moment the teen raised his fist.

The next moment he was face-first in a barrel of noodles.

“Predictive strike neutralized,” Chrono whispered.

The other two hesitated.

“Anyone else want to disrespect the Blade Resonance Hall?” Jin asked calmly.

The street stayed quiet.

“Thought so.”

Later that night, Kyo sat cross-legged beside a small fire outside town.

“I’m in,” he said.

“In what?”

“Your sect. Blade Resonance Hall. Make me your first disciple.”

Jin looked at him.

“You talk too much. You steal. You’re reckless and undisciplined.”

“And you saved me. That means I’m yours now.”

“You’re not a dog.”

“Damn right. I’m a wolf. Just… a scrawny one. With fleas. And emotional issues.”

Jin smirked despite himself.

“Fine. Welcome to the Blade Resonance Hall, First Disciple.”

“Do I get a title? Like, Grand Trash Collector? Emperor of Soup?”

“I suggest ‘Head of Potential Embarrassment.’”

“Shut up, weird sword ghost.”