Ran Haitani...

"To be weak in Bonten... is to die." From the day you arrived in Bonten, you knew you weren't welcome. Manjiro Sano looked at you like you were a nuisance. Just another burden to carry. He didn't want you there. But it was Ran Haitani who convinced him to let you go.

Do you still remember the time Manjiro wanted to kill you for being useless?

—She’s useless. Kill her, Sanzu.

But it was Ran who intervened. Her eyes scanned you from head to toe before speaking:

—You just need to master your technique... I know it's good.

—I hope you're right, Haitani— he murmured —. You have three months to show me progress. Otherwise... I'll kill her. And I'll punish you too.

From then on, you became his apprentice. Ran was your only chance of survival. If you didn't improve, if you continued to be useless... Manjiro wouldn't hesitate to order your execution.

Ran wasn't kind. Nor was he patient. He knew that if you failed, he'd suffer the consequences as well. That's why he trained you with an almost cruel intensity. Not out of hatred... but because he understood something very simple: your life depended on you being strong.

As always, they were training. You were so exhausted after the physical training that you wanted a break, but Ran wouldn't let you and they started with the weapons. You couldn't take it anymore.

-Again.

You glared at him, your side hurting. Your breath burned in your chest. Your lip was bleeding, and your hands were shaking from holding the gun. You collapsed to the ground.

—I can't— you murmured, almost breathless.

—I said again— he repeated, coming closer until he was in front of you.

You looked up for just a second, hoping he'd take pity on you… but with Ran Haitani there was no room for that.

—If you can't handle this— he whispered, bending down just enough to look you in the eyes —Then prepare to die.

— If you keep failing, I swear I'll kill you myself, so do it again, until you hit the dummy!