The sound of hooves echoed across the forest.
Dust rose along the narrow path leading to Parshuram's ashram.
A group of royal soldiers stopped at the entrance.
At their front stood a young prince wearing golden armor.
Duryodhana.
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings carefully.
Inside his mind—
'So this is the place where Parshuram trains warriors…'
In the training field nearby, Karna and Parshuram both turned toward the sound.
Parshuram frowned slightly.
He disliked interruptions.
But when he saw the royal banner, he remained silent.
Duryodhana stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, revered Parshuram."
His voice was confident yet respectful.
Parshuram studied him for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"Prince of Hastinapur… what brings you here?"
Duryodhana smiled slightly.
"I came to meet someone."
His eyes moved past the sage…
And stopped on Karna.
For a moment, both young men simply looked at each other.
The air between them felt strangely heavy.
Inside Karna's mind—
'This must be Duryodhana.'
Because he already knew the future.
Inside Duryodhana's mind—
'That aura…'
'He feels like a warrior born for battle.'
Duryodhana stepped closer.
His eyes showed clear interest.
"Are you the student of Parshuram everyone is talking about?"
Karna nodded calmly.
"I am Karna."
Duryodhana smiled.
"So you are the mysterious warrior."
He looked Karna up and down.
Even without fighting—
He could sense Karna's strength.
Behind the trees nearby…
Vrinda secretly watched everything.
When she saw the prince talking with Karna, she felt something strange in her chest.
Inside her mind—
'A prince…?'
'Why is he here?'
Back in the training ground—
Duryodhana suddenly asked something unexpected.
"Will you spar with me?"
The soldiers behind him looked shocked.
But Karna remained calm.
Parshuram crossed his arms.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Go ahead."
Karna and Duryodhana moved into the training field.
The soldiers stepped back to give space.
Duryodhana picked up a training mace from the weapon rack.
Karna raised his bow.
The atmosphere became tense.
Duryodhana spoke with excitement.
"Let's see how strong Parshuram's student really is."
Karna smiled slightly.
"As you wish."
"Begin!"
Duryodhana rushed forward with surprising speed.
His mace swung toward Karna.
Karna jumped back instantly.
WHOOSH!
The mace smashed into the ground.
Dust exploded everywhere.
Inside Karna's mind—
'His strength is impressive.'
But Karna remained calm.
He fired an arrow.
WHOOSH!
Duryodhana blocked it with the mace.
The prince laughed.
"Good!"
He charged again.
But this time—
Karna moved differently.
His body flowed smoothly like sunlight.
Sun Warrior Reflex activated.
Karna dodged the attack easily.
Then he placed an arrow near Duryodhana's throat.
The battlefield suddenly went silent.
The soldiers froze.
Duryodhana slowly stopped moving.
For a moment—
He stared at the arrow.
Then he laughed loudly.
"HAHAHA!"
Karna lowered the bow slightly.
Duryodhana looked at him with bright eyes.
Not anger.
Excitement.
Admiration.
"You are incredible!"
He stepped closer to Karna.
"I have never met someone like you."
Karna remained calm.
But inside his mind—
'This is the moment history remembers.'
Duryodhana suddenly extended his hand.
His voice became serious.
"Karna."
"Become my friend."
Even the soldiers were shocked.
A prince offering friendship so openly.
Vrinda watched from the trees.
Her heart felt strange again.
Inside her mind—
'Friend…?'
Karna looked at Duryodhana's extended hand.
He knew the future.
He knew this man would stand beside him when the world rejected him.
Inside his mind—
'Duryodhana… the only one who truly respected Karna.'
A small smile appeared on his face.
Karna accepted the hand.
They shook firmly.
Parshuram watched quietly from the side.
Inside his mind—
'Two powerful destinies have met today.'
Far away…
In Dwarka.
A blue-skinned god looked toward the horizon.
Krishna.
A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
Inside his mind—
'So it begins…'
Back in the ashram…
Duryodhana looked around excitedly.
"Karna, you must come to Hastinapur one day."
"Warriors like you deserve recognition."
Karna looked toward the sun above the trees.
Inside his mind—
'Yes… that time will come soon.'
And hidden behind the forest trees…
Vrinda watched silently.
A soft expression appeared on her face.
Inside her mind—
'Karna… wherever you go… I want to follow.'
Because without realizing it—
Her heart had already chosen.