Kapitel 8: Part 2 : The Arrival of a Veteran
The terrified villagers huddled together, their eyes wide with horror as they watched the brutal duel unfold before them.
Mothers clutched their children close, while elderly men and women whispered desperate prayers for Kazuki's safety. Their voices formed a chorus of anguish that melded with the unrelenting rain and the ominous thunder hovering above.
"Please, save him!" cried a young woman, her hands clasped in fervent supplication.
"Kazuki, you mustn't give up!" urged Hayato and Himari, their voice cracking with fear and sadness.
Despite the pain that wracked his body, Kazuki could feel the weight of the villagers' hopes upon him, urging him to keep fighting. With gritted teeth, he struggled to his feet once more, his battered sword held defiantly before him.
Saigo's laughter cut through the rainfall, chilling Kazuki to his core. "You truly are a pathetic sight," Saigo taunted. "But if it's a show these peasants want, then I'll gladly indulge them."
With a cruel grin, Saigo lunged at Kazuki, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Kazuki tried to parry the attack, but the force of the blow sent him reeling. Desperate, he swung wildly, only for Saigo to effortlessly dodge and counter.
"Kazuki!" cried the villagers in unison, their eyes filled with tears.
"Your suffering is music to my ears," Saigo said maliciously, watching Kazuki clutch the side of his head, blood streaming between his fingers. "I wonder how long it will take for you to finally collapse."
The metallic taste of blood filled Kazuki's mouth, and every breath he took burned like fire in his lungs. But as he looked into the eyes of the villagers, their faces etched with fear and concern, something within him refused to break.
As Saigo prepared to strike again, Kazuki knew that he had to dig deep within himself, to find the strength to stand against this seemingly unstoppable force. For the sake of the villagers who believed in him, he would not give in – no matter the cost.
The sound of a soothing melody cut through the tension that hung heavy in the air, drawing the eyes of all present to the entrance of the village.
An elderly man, his white hair and beard standing in stark contrast to his tanned, wrinkled skin and one arm, casually strolled into the fray with the grace of a dancer. His movements were fluid and effortlessly elegant, belying the intensity simmering beneath the surface.
"Ah, there you are," Shôkin Kagiri called out jovially, looking directly at Kazuki. "I've been searching high and low for you, young man." He then turned his attention to Saigo, who regarded him with a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"Who are you?" Saigo demanded, tightening his grip on his sword.
"Apologies for the intrusion," Shôkin said with a lighthearted chuckle as he patted himself down frantically, searching for something. "Aha!" He pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and unfurled it, revealing Kazuki's face and the bounty of 50,000 gold. "I'm here for this fellow."
Saigo raised an eyebrow at the old man's casual demeanor. "I am Saigo Watanabe, one of the generals of Kuroyama. Stand aside or risk getting hurt."
"Risk? My, my, you're quite the serious one, aren't you?" Shôkin said, not taking Saigo's threat seriously. "Well, I'm only here for the bounty, so I'll just be taking him off your hands, if you don't mind."
In the crowd, Hayato and Himari exchanged incredulous glances before recognition dawned on their faces. Tears welled up in Hayato's eyes as he whispered, "Brother...Shôkin."
"Your brother?" Himari asked, her voice barely audible. Hayato nodded, choking back tears of joy.
Kazuki, his face a mask of blood and pain, stared at the bounty poster in disbelief. The shock quickly turned to fury, his eyes rolling back and veins bulging from his head as he let out an enraged scream that rattled everyone present – everyone except Shôkin Kagiri, who merely offered a gentle smile.
"Enough!" Saigo snapped, taking a step toward Shôkin. "I don't care who you are or what you want. This man is mine."
"Is that so?" Shôkin said calmly, drawing his unusually long and curvy samurai sword from its scabbard. With a decisive strike, he slammed it into the ground, and lightning crackled along the blade, illuminating the area with its radiant power. "Then you'll have to go through me first, young man."
The scene hung in tense anticipation, both combatants standing their ground, each knowing the stakes at hand. Shôkin's calm demeanor was unshaken, even in the face of Saigo's formidable presence. The villagers looked on, their hearts swelling with hope at the arrival of this unexpected savior, as the storm continued to rage around them.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein