Duality (DxD) (Part 2)

Ch 234 - Pieces Of The Past

After Siriyu got himself out of the splinters and ruins of the destroyed forest, it was seen that his body was unscathed. Completely fine after the punch he took to the face. It meant he was stronger than he let on, another similar aspect of him and Jin. But after hearing that Jin knew Ban, Siriyu stood topless with his sister. His sister now known by the name of Suki. Standing together within the partially destroyed forest, looking at Jin, now known as the Disciple of Ban.

Soon to find out he was the Last Disciple of Ban.

Siriyu: I thought the martial arts looked similar to Ban. However, you combine styles just like he did.

Jin: I don't remember Ban combining styles. He said I should master Fist of Flowing Water; Crushing Rock before I did. He was very adamant about that. Though he never touched another martial art despite mastering his own.

Suki: No not Ban, he's saying your method of mixing martial arts is similar to someone named Garo.

Jin looked at Suki and heard the name he remembered Ban telling him. He knew exactly who that man was. How could he not remember such a monster? Smiling sadly as he clenched his fists. His martial arts were similar to such a monster.

Jin: {I guess I am similar to that monster. I'm sorry Ban.}

Siriyu looked at Jin and quickly punched his sister in the arm. Causing her to jump and hold her left shoulder in pain, looking at her brother annoyed. Only for her to look back at Jin confused.

Siriyu: Sorry for my sister. She meant nothing by it. Comparing you to such a thing would be insulting.

Siriyu said glaring at Suki as her eyes shot open. Not realising that she just compared Jin and Garo by mistake. She had her fair share of pain and meant nothing by it. In fact, she was trying to do the opposite of insulting him.

Suki: I'm sorry! I meant it as a compliment! Your martial arts was very impressive! It takes a certain level of skill to combine multiple martial arts so fluidly and he was the only frame of reference I had! I really didn't mean to compare you to that thing!

Suki said worried as now she looked at Jin, she could notice the hint of pain in his face. Being compared to him brought up some old pain. Like a wound that didn't properly heal. Garo had caused a of pain and while Jin had never met the dead monster, Garo still left his impact. But Jin smiled. He couldn't be so depressing around new friends.

Jin: It's fine. I could take no insult to a compliment on my martial arts. Though, I'm more curious about how you know Ban and Garo. {The pictures and photos I have, they're in none of them. I even have one photo stored away of Ban and Garo together. Another of Ban and an old man I don't recognise. So how do they know the two?}

Both Suki and Siriyu looked at each other. Jin could tell they were asking each other whether they should tell him or not. But they found no reason not to. Garo was dead and the only way for Jin to have learned Fist of Flowing Water; Crushing Rock was from Ban. Jin looked at the two who looked back at him. Understanding the entire silent conversation they had.

Jin was now confused that he was no longer confused about non-verbal communication. But shaking his head, he focused, looking at the two who seemed ready to tell him.

Siriyu: Well, our martial arts is called the Void Fist. At an early age, our parents passed away. Our mother from illness and our father from stress working multiple jobs. We didn't have a large family, so we were taken in and raised by our grandfather who was the creator of the Void Fist. The one who taught us our martial arts. We don't know if our grandfather knew Ban, we didn't meet him in such ordinary circumstances.

Jin listened and assumed their grandfather didn't know Ban. If they hadn't met under such ordinary circumstances, the other old man in a photo with Ban was unlikely to be Siriyu and Sukis' grandfather.