章 16: Part 4: The Unveiling
Kazuki's pulse quickened, the renewed determination to protect those who had placed their faith in him surging through his veins like a tidal wave. He raised his head, locks of damp hair clinging to his face, and stared at Shôkin, his tone laced with urgency. "Release me, then! If they believed in me, I must repay that trust. Let me go to them, help them stand against Kaze!"
Shôkin's eyes seemed to bore into Kazuki's very soul, assessing the sincerity behind his newfound resolve. The waterfall roared behind them, its thunderous presence mirroring the tumult within Kazuki's heart.
"Your desperation is admirable," Shôkin replied, his voice cold and unyielding as stone. "But misplaced. You think rushing headlong into battle will prove your worth? That your reckless actions will make up for the pain you have caused?"
Kazuki winced, the rebuke cutting through him like a blade. He knew Shôkin's words held truth, but the fire of his rekindled spirit refused to be extinguished. "I cannot stand idly by while others suffer on my account," he insisted, gritting his teeth. "I owe them more than that."
"Indeed, you do," Shôkin agreed, nodding slowly. "But charging blindly forward is not the answer. It will only bring further chaos and destruction."
The older man released the ropes binding Kazuki's wrists, and Kazuki rubbed the raw skin, feeling shards of doubt pierce his certainty. He searched Shôkin's face for guidance, but found only a solemn expression, a stony facade masking any hint of emotion.
"What should I do now?" Kazuki implored, his voice barely above a hushed whisper, revealing his deepest insecurities. "If not by fighting alongside them, how do I make things right?"
"Well, firstly, we have Saigo Watanabe on our side." Shôkin responded stroking his beard. "He's undercover in Kaze's squad, working for us without Kaze's knowledge. Saigo's there to safeguard the village. As for your part, you need to work on your self control. I sense a deep darkness within you. Moreover, your skills with the sword are lacking."
Kazuki glanced at his palms, memories flooding back of the shadowy entity encircling him back when he was in prison, a sensation that was both empowering and horrifying. A cold shiver crawled down his spine.
"You can only truly safeguard those who trust in you once you have control over yourself," Shôkin held Kazuki's gaze, the harsh reality in his words clear. "Your good intentions won't suffice till then."
A mix of despair and frustration coursed through Kazuki, clenching his fists. He understood Shôkin's point but couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness thinking about the villagers facing Kaze without his aid.
"Then Teach me," he pleaded, his gaze meeting Shôkin's with fiery resolve. "Help me become a true warrior."
"Alright," Shôkin conceded, his stern expression easing slightly. "But be forewarned, Kazuki: the path you've chosen isn't an easy one. It will be filled with hardship and pain, and there will be moments where you'll yearn death."
Kazuki studied his surroundings, a mixture of bewilderment and curiosity painted on his face. He turned to Shôkin, an air of confusion swirling around him. "So what now?" he asked, a touch of trepidation in his voice.
A wide grin spread across Shôkin's face, like the cat who got the cream, as he nonchalantly knocked Kazuki back into the waterfall's icy cascade. Kazuki reacted in sheer panic, water invading his nostrils as he spluttered and gasped. "What the hell, you bastard!" he bellowed through the rush of water, snot smeared across his dirt-streaked kimono.
Shôkin's laugh echoed through the forest, his eyes gleaming with a perverse joy. "Your training starts now." he announced, almost too cheerfully. "We'll be out here in the wilderness for two months before we return to the village."
As Kazuki collected himself, soaking and sputtering, he nodded, a newfound determination flashing in his eyes. He knew he had to grow stronger, If he was struggling against a mere general, how would he fare against the likes of Namida Minamoto in Kyoto? This fear resonated within him, propelling him forward.
***
As we draw the scene back to Minoh Village, a gloomy stillness hangs over the usually bustling thoroughfares. The roads are eerily deserted, every face hidden behind wooden slats and paper windows. The villagers peer out nervously, fear haunting their eyes as they wait in ominous anticipation.
Inside Hayato and Himari's living room, Saigo nervously paces back and forth, his face pale and taut with anxiety. His men, Himari and Hayato, watch him from the sidelines, their own expressions solemn. The letter Saigo clutches in his trembling hand had clearly sent him into a frenzy.
"Saigo, calm down," Hayato suggests, trying to infuse some confidence into his friend. "Everything will be alright."
Yet, Saigo remains unconvinced, haunted by past tales. He quickly replies, "You don't understand. The last general was slaughtered on the spot for his negligence by Kaze when he visited. Just for not fulfilling his duty!"
In the midst of this tension, Himari steps forward, gently grasping Saigo's hand. A warm smile graces her face as she reassures him, "You're stronger than the last general, Saigo. I have faith in you."
A blush creeps onto Saigo's face at her words, a tender thought passing through his mind, 'Ah....Himari is so cute when she talks.' He thought, as he unsheathes his sword, a newfound confidence in his voice, "Of course, you need not worry, Miss Himari, and, um…" He stumbles, forgetting the other man's name.
With a huff, Hayato crosses his arms, a hint of irritation flickering in his eyes. "It's Hayato…Ha-ya-to. Not that hard."
Himari chuckles at their exchange, shaking her head lightly, "There, there, honey, it's okay. People can forg—"
Before she can finish her sentence, a loud, resounding noise erupts from outside. A powerful gust of wind whips through the silent village, leaving a trail of panic in its wake. Everyone in the room freezes, their hearts pounding in their chests. The silence is palpable; all eyes turn to Saigo, who is shaking uncontrollably. He knows the inevitable is just moments away - the encounter with Kaze 'the young genius' Minamoto is on the horizon.
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