Shinobu thought back to the previous night's training with Lock. They'd practiced until their arms ached — yet not a single marking had appeared on her skin.
Maybe… the Mark wasn't something that could be forced. Perhaps it was unique to each person.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was calm, yet carried a quiet melancholy.
"None of the others have awakened their Marks yet. It seems I must speak with Lock again soon."
He had been deeply concerned about the Mark awakenings among the Corps. Despite all the efforts of the Pillars, not one of them had succeeded in manifesting it — except for Lock.
Even Sanemi, who had been undergoing near-suicidal training sessions, still hadn't awakened his Mark.
It made Ubuyashiki realize that the process wasn't nearly as simple as Lock had once described. It was something far more elusive… and perhaps, something not everyone could reach.
After a long pause, he murmured, "It seems, for now… only he can do it."
Shinobu's expression softened slightly. Then she spoke.
"My lord, I have something else to report."
Ubuyashiki lifted his head, smiling faintly. "What is it, Shinobu?"
"Lock's talent," she said simply. "It's exceptional. He can grasp the principles of any Breathing Style just by watching it once."
"Is that so?" Ubuyashiki's tone held quiet surprise. "Which Breathing Styles has he learned?"
"Insect," Shinobu replied, "and Flower."
Ubuyashiki raised a brow. "He hasn't learned Water Breathing?"
Shinobu shook her head. "No. He's never been exposed to it."
"That's unusual," the Corps Leader mused aloud.
The five major Breathing Styles were normally taught first because of their broad application. Insect and Flower Breathing were derivatives — personalized styles originally developed by those who couldn't perfectly adapt to Water Breathing.
Yet Lock had started with those — and mastered them.
"This boy's potential," Ubuyashiki said softly, "may rival Tokito's."
He smiled faintly, his pale face illuminated by sunlight breaking through the paper doors.
"Shinobu, in a few days, take Lock to the Pillar Training Grounds."
Her eyes lifted slightly. "You wish to have him train there?"
"Yes. Rengoku Kyojuro will be returning from his mission soon. Bring Lock to him. I wish to see how far this boy can go."
Shinobu's eyes widened slightly. The Flame Hashira?
If even the Lord wanted Rengoku to oversee Lock's progress, then… he truly saw something special in him.
"Yes, my lord. I'll see to it immediately."
With that, Shinobu bowed and departed, the soft sound of her sandals fading through the corridors.
Meanwhile — Deep in the Mountains
The sunlight filtered through a dense bamboo grove.
The rhythmic crash of air being sliced echoed across the valley.
Each swing of the wooden blade sent shockwaves through the clearing, scattering bamboo leaves like a storm.
"Why won't it work!?"
Sanemi roared, veins bulging as his sword split the air again and again. Sweat poured down his arms, soaking through his shirt until it clung to his body.
The forest itself seemed to tremble under the weight of his strikes.
A voice came from the shadows. "Still can't open the Mark?"
Sanemi turned sharply.
Obanai Iguro stepped into the light, his mismatched eyes — one gold, one green — glinting beneath his bandaged face. The pale white snake around his neck coiled lazily, its scales shining like glass.
Sanemi snorted. "No. And you haven't either, have you, Iguro?"
Obanai shook his head. "No. It's… harder than I expected."
The two stood in silence for a moment, the sound of wind weaving between the bamboo.
Both had the same unspoken question:
How did Lock do it?
But neither said it aloud. Pride ran deep between them.
"Come on," Sanemi finally growled, ripping off his top. "Train with me. I'll break this damn limit one way or another."
Obanai's lips tightened. "I can't. I've got a mission soon."
Sanemi raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you here?"
"I came to tell you something." Obanai's voice lowered. "Lock's learned two Breathing Styles — Insect and Flower."
Sanemi blinked. "Those? From the Butterfly Mansion?"
Obanai nodded. "His progress is terrifyingly fast. At this rate, he might even surpass you before your next match."
Sanemi gave a short, sharp laugh. "Let him try. I don't care about competition — I care about strength."
He gripped his Nichirin Blade again, his expression hardening. "Until I open the Mark, nothing else matters."
Obanai hesitated, then muttered, "Still… teach that kid a lesson when the time comes."
Sanemi turned, puzzled. "He provoked you or something?"
Obanai's silence said enough.
In truth, it wasn't Lock's fault — but Mitsuri had been talking about him a lot lately. Too much, maybe.
"Forget it," Obanai muttered, drawing his own sword. "Let's train for a few rounds. I'll handle the mission later."
Sanemi grinned fiercely. "Now that's more like it."
The sound of steel clashing filled the forest once more.
Back at the Butterfly Estate
When Shinobu returned home, she noticed something unusual — the estate was lively.
She slipped off her sandals, her soft footsteps creaking lightly across the wooden floorboards.
Voices drifted from the courtyard.
She turned the corner and stopped.
Under the shade of a large wisteria tree, Lock sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep thought.
Kanao was beside him, gently wiping the sweat from his brow.
Nearby, Aoi, Naho, and Sumi each held small plates of freshly baked sweets, crowding around him excitedly.
Shinobu blinked.
Since when did Lock become so popular in my own house?
Even the three attendants were one thing — but Kanao too?
She had never shown this kind of warmth toward anyone before.
It was almost… endearing.
Still, Shinobu couldn't help but feel a hint of confusion.
"What on earth…" she murmured, stepping closer.
All the girls noticed her and quickly straightened up.
"Good afternoon, Lady Shinobu!"
"Welcome back!"
She smiled gently, pointing toward Lock. "And what's he doing now?"
Before any of the girls could answer, Kanao spoke softly:
"He's thinking… about something."
"Thinking?" Shinobu repeated, her eyes widening slightly as realization dawned.
Wait—don't tell me… another epiphany?
Her heart skipped a beat as she turned to look at him again.
Lock sat perfectly still beneath the sunlight, breathing slow and steady — the faint shimmer of heat around him hinting at something new awakening inside.