SATORU AMATO:
FLASHBACK_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As the twilight hours bled into the sky, painting it with hues of orange and pink, Satoru and Pako stood side by side on the riverbank, their fishing rods extended over the water. The sun cast a warm, golden glow upon their faces, reflecting their camaraderie and the peace that enveloped them.
Their laughter, rich and melodic, intertwined as Satoru triumphantly reeled in a massive bass. Its silvery scales glinted in the waning light, like a thousand tiny mirrors reflecting the world around them. The sheer size and weight of the catch threw Satoru off balance, and he tumbled backwards into Pako, their limbs entangled in a clumsy dance. Together, they splashed into the water with a resounding crash, while the bass, seemingly mocking their misfortune, flopped onto the sandy shore with a victorious slap.
Gasping and sputtering, the friends surfaced one after the other, their wet hair clinging to their faces. They shared a moment of pure, infectious laughter that echoed across the water, reverberating through the trees and the soft whispers of the wind.
Later, as nightfall draped itself over the land, Satoru and Pako warmed themselves by a crackling campfire, its flames casting shadows that danced upon the ground. They skewered marshmallows on long, wooden sticks, roasting them over the fire until they turned a perfect shade of golden brown.
In the midst of this simple pleasure, Pako's eyes took on a faraway look, her voice deepening with unexpected wisdom. "A shinobi must always trust her gut feeling," she said, her words imbued with the weight of a thousand unspoken truths. "And no matter how horribly she is treated, she must never devalue human life. Only monsters...only monsters treat human life below them."
Current Day__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
That night, as the campfire dwindled to glowing embers, Satoru lay in restless slumber, haunted by the somber gravity of Pako's words. She was jolted awake by her father's war cry – a distant yet unmistakable sound that sent chills down her spine. Gin Amato's roar, it was called, a sound that could make even the bravest warrior quiver in fear.
With her heart pounding like a desperate drumbeat, Satoru peered over the ship's banister to see her village ablaze, the air thick with acrid smoke. The clamor of makeshift weaponry filled the air, a cacophony of screams and clashing metal, drowning out the peaceful memories of the day.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she wondered if this was why her parents had sent her away – to see the world beyond their village, to gain knowledge and strength, and to return as an agent of change in a world that desperately needed it.
As Satoru stood there, lost in thought, the ship's crew members mocked her, trading absurd rumors about the source of the chaos. Their cruel laughter seemed to pierce her heart, each chuckle a dagger to her fragile spirit. But their jeers were silenced by a thunderous voice – the captain, Indira, a towering figure whose presence commanded respect.
Twelve days had passed since he had rescued Satoru from the flames, and now she clung to him like a lifeline as they navigated the foreign world of the Cloud District. Her small hand gripped the red tail that adorned his waist, its gold trim a symbol of his authority and power. In his presence, she found solace and the courage to face the unknown.
In the elevator ascending to the 100th floor, she shrank back into the corner, her wide eyes darting from side to side, taking in the gleaming, polished surfaces. Satoru stood amazed and frightened at the back of the elevator afraid.