Qui-Gon Jinn was silent for a few seconds, his profound gaze seeming to pierce through Kot, seeing the fatigue in the young man's eyes, but even more so, the astonishing brilliance contained within that unpolished jade – powerful strength, keen intuition, the determination to protect his loved ones, and an almost perfect, instinctive trust and application of the Force in moments of crisis.
"Kot," Qui-Gon's voice was more solemn than ever. He took a step forward, as if making a momentous decision. "The Force surges within you, powerful… pure, but like an untamed torrent, it can nourish the land, or it can bring destruction. Your performance just now proved your extraordinary talent and potential, and it also proved… you need guidance."
He paused, looking directly into Kot's eyes behind the helmet's visor. "The war on Mandalore will not end quickly, and the shadow of darkness is everywhere. To protect your cousin Satine, to protect the children you consider family, you need to understand this inherent power more deeply, to learn how to control it, rather than merely be driven by it. Otherwise, the power itself could become the abyss that consumes you."
Qui-Gon Jinn extended his hand, not as a command, but as an invitation.
"Beyond fulfilling your duties to Mandalore, let me teach you how to listen to the voice of the Force, how to make this torrent an extension of your will. Not to become a Jedi Knight, but to become a stronger Kot Vizsla, to better protect everything you cherish. Are you willing to accept this guidance?"
In the depths of the abandoned pipe, there was only the echo of dripping water.
The fallen bounty hunter lay like a forgotten backdrop, all the pressure converging on Kot. Qui-Gon's words went straight to the core – power and responsibility, talent and risk, and the affirmation of the belief in "protection."
Kot looked at Qui-Gon's outstretched hand and immediately accepted the invitation. After all, no matter how much he researched, it couldn't compare to the techniques accumulated over thousands of years by the Jedi Order. Moreover, in his plans, Master Qui-Gon was an excellent wedge to help him integrate into the future.
And for Omen, for Lena, for the children who depended on him, for cousin Satine, for Bo-Katan… he needed stronger, more stable, more reliable power. The Jedi's strict rules instinctively repelled him, but Qui-Gon Jinn was a completely different person; some within the Jedi even considered Qui-Gon a Gray Jedi. He didn't force, didn't preach, but simply offered an opportunity to "understand" and "control" power, directly targeting Kot's deepest desires.
Kot took a deep breath; the foul air in the pipe seemed less suffocating. He slowly raised his hand to grasp Qui-Gon's, then solemnly, like a warrior, lightly tapped his left chest with a clenched fist.
"To protect my family and Mandalore, I will accept training, Master Qui-Gon," Kot's voice came through the helmet, carrying the clear tone characteristic of a youth, yet filled with undeniable determination. "I accept your guidance."
Kot stunned the Mandalorian with a stun gun, then dragged him like a heavy sack. Qui-Gon Jinn followed closely, and the two returned the way they came, passing through the messy lower levels of the fortress. The air still hung with gunpowder and a faint smell of blood. Guards were clearing the battlefield and treating the wounded.
The atmosphere in the temporary command center on the top floor of the fortress was somber. Duchess Satine's face was still a bit pale, but her eyes were sharp as she listened to the captain of the guard's report. Obi-Wan stood beside her, his blue and white lightsaber already retracted, but his hand still rested on the hilt, vigilance undiminished. When they saw Qui-Gon Jinn and Kot appear with the captive, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but then their gazes focused on the unconscious Mandalorian.
"Master Qui-Gon! Kot! It's so good you're all right!" Satine stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over them with concern, finally resting on the captive. "Is this… the mastermind?"
"He is one of the perpetrators, Your Grace," Qui-Gon's voice returned to its usual gentleness, but with a hint of fatigue. "A well-trained and coordinated hunting party, with clear objectives and ruthless actions. They used explosives to create chaos, with the main force assaulting my and Obi-Wan's rooms to draw attention and high-level combatants. The real killing blow was aimed directly at you. If not for Obi-Wan's quick reaction…" He looked at his apprentice, his eyes filled with approval.
Obi-Wan nodded slightly, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to Kot. He saw the deep marks on the young man's helmet, made by a dagger, and the dust and explosive residue clinging to his armor.
"Kot performed excellently in the pursuit," Qui-Gon seemed to read Obi-Wan's thoughts and naturally added, "He keenly saw through the deadly trap set by the enemy and, relying on… a deep understanding of the environment, ultimately located this cunning hunter's hiding place. Without his assistance, I might not have been able to capture this person alive." Qui-Gon subtly avoided directly mentioning "Force sensitivity."
Satine looked at Kot with gratitude and pride. "He's truly grown up." Bo-Katan also peeked out from behind her sister, her large eyes sparkling as she looked at her heroic cousin.
Kot merely nodded slightly, his voice muffled through the helmet: "It's my duty, cousin. This person needs to be interrogated immediately. It's very likely he's from Death Watch, given his intense hatred for my parents." He didn't want to take credit; he just wanted to quickly uncover if anyone else was behind this, wanting him dead.
"Of course," Satine motioned for the guards to take the man away for strict custody, preparing for a professional interrogation. "Death Watch! It must be them who hired him!" she said emphatically, her anger mixed with deep worry. "They've started using these despicable methods again!"
"It's highly probable," Qui-Gon mused. "But we can't rule out other factions stirring up trouble. The interrogation results will tell us the answer. The immediate priority is to strengthen the fortress's defenses, especially the inspection and sealing of the underground pipes. We cannot let them use the same method a second time."
The meeting quickly concluded, and everyone went to deal with the aftermath. Obi-Wan walked over to Qui-Gon and whispered, "Master, that Kot… he…"
"He did very well, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon interrupted him, his tone gentle but profound. "Much better than we expected. His talent… is very high." He didn't say more, just patted Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Go rest. We have more important things tomorrow."
Obi-Wan watched his master's retreating back as he went to continue discussing security details with Satine. Then he looked at Kot in the distance, surrounded by several scavenger children, seemingly asking him questions in low voices. His brow furrowed slightly. His master's assessment of that Mandalorian youth… seemed too high? And the implication in his master's last words made him feel a faint unease.
But he was also learning to accept this matter. After all, under his master's influence, he also believed in the prophecy of the Chosen One. He just didn't want his master to teach that child without the authorization of the Jedi Council.