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“Hey, I did hear about it, but I wasn’t sure if I should believe it.”
There’s no room for doubt though. Right in front of him, exists the biggest proof. The Shinsuke that he’s known and traveled with is gone, sacrificing his body for the greater good, but Altana’s powers have managed to reincarnate him.
A kid that has both eyes. A plain set of clothes and none of his usual outfit or kiseru. But there’s a sharpness that’s indescribably him, the sight of which makes his chest ache.
“You promised me that we’d have a fight to the death, but here you are, back to being a helpless toddler.” He can’t help but sigh at the loss of a promised sparring partner. “You’ve cheated me out of a good fight, Earth Brawler-san.”
Or is he still considered as someone from Earth, at this point, given that he’s been resurrected by Altana? Should he be Altana-future-brawler-san instead? That’s a mouthful, so he’d just continue calling him Shinsuke.
It’s not Shinsuke anymore, but perhaps it’s always been Shinsuke all along. He’s never had the patience for brats, but he doesn’t mind it as much when this kid Shinsuke tilts his head and asks, “Who might you be, Space Brawler-san?”
The familiarity of it twinges something inside his ribs, but it’s not a farfetched nickname to give him, given that he’s still dragging some fallen corpse by the hair, and there are ugly splotches of blood on his shoes. There are things that have changed, but the thrill of seeking a good fight is in his blood. It’s not about avenging the loss of his dearest mother, not about punishing his father for failing to keep her alive.
The Yato’s blood sings when violence is loudest, a grand chorus of blazing red. With Shinsuke around, the tune tempers into a less angry melody, one with interesting notes that makes him wish to listen longer.
He stretches out a bloodstained hand and casts his invitation, “How about it, twerp? Want to hitch a ride on my spaceship?”
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