The Edo Period.
Jōkyō First Year.
February twenty-sixth.
Saturday.
"Fire God, does it still hurt?" Shiranui Jinkuro handed a roll of bandages to the young man beside him.
The young man's face was covered in freshly tattooed flames, now thick with scabs. He gave a bitter smile, and the scabs on his face cracked, their broken edges glistening as though blood were about to seep out.
"Brother, I really don't understand." Shiranui Fire God took the bandages and used them like tissue to gently wipe his face. The stinging pain made him draw a sharp breath. "Why did those old men insist on putting these damned tattoos on my face? Why didn't those bastards tattoo their own faces?"
"Fire God, it's because you're too powerful." Jin Jianglang patted his shoulder. "You're the one who will someday bear the name 'Shiranui.'"
"Bear the name 'Shiranui'?" Fire God frowned, a hint of disappointment crossing his face. "Brother, you're ahead of me. When would it ever be my turn to bear that name?"
Jin Jianglang sighed softly and said, "No one in the lineage can reach your heights. You're extraordinarily gifted. From birth, you could foresee the arrival of the 'Line.' The elders named you 'Fire God' and covered your body in flames when you came of age because they recognized your strength. Because one day, you will fully comprehend 'Divine Fire · Shiranui.'"
At those words, Fire God lowered his head dejectedly. He looked at his hands. Even his palms were covered in flame tattoos, their patterns crusted with scabs that hurt terribly.
"Brother, I hate them," Fire God said. "Just because of this elusive 'Shiranui,' they turned me into a monster when I was sixteen..."
Jin Jianglang frowned slightly. Of course his heart ached for his younger brother, but there was