The revelation hit Kagiroi hard, his eyes widening in surprise and disbelief. How could Kanji know about his most closely guarded secret? The truth about his parentage and his plans to unseal the Demon God Khazad was something he had kept hidden even from the gods.
"How...how do you know about this?" Kagiroi demanded, his voice tinged with a mixture of anger and confusion.
With the revelation hanging in the air, Kanji offered a proposition to Kagiroi. "If you make a deal with me," he said, his tone serious, "I promise not to reveal the truth about your parentage and your plans to unseal the Demon God Khazad. This secret will be safe with me."
The offer hung in the air as Kagiroi weighed the options. He was in a precarious situation, having been defeated and the truth of his origins revealed. The idea of making a deal with Kanji, as reluctant as he was to do so, seemed to be his only option.
"Very well," Kagiroi agreed, his voice laced with resignation. "I'll make the deal. But you must keep your end of the bargain. If you reveal this secret, there will be consequences."
As the deal was struck, Kanji turned to Kagiroi, his expression contemplative. "Since you have the power of a 'God Ranker', I have no intention of being against you for the time being," he said. "However, in the upcoming War, I expect you to remain uninvolved. This is a human affair, and I do not want your interference."
Despite the agreement, Kagiroi's smirk revealed a hint of mischief. He reminded Kanji that the opposition against him was not limited to divine and otherworldly beings. "It's not just divines and otherworldly beings who will be against you," Kagiroi warned, his tone playful. "Even the humans may turn against you. Your own disciples, Kiana and Zero, may not be enough to protect you. You must be prepared for anything."
Kanji spoke, his tone firm as he clarified his intentions. "I never specified that I would bring Kiana and Zero into the conflict," he explained. "Their involvement is not necessary, and I have other assets at my disposal."
Kagiroi's gaze turned to Kanji, a curious look on his face. "Are you truly planning to face this alone?" he inquired, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
Kanji met Kagiroi's gaze, his expression calm and unwavering. "Yes," he replied simply. "I have the power and determination to face the challenges alone. Relying on others will only create a weak point that can be exploited."
In a quaint village, a woman dressed in a male samurai's attire stood admiring the girl in front of her. She inquired with a warm smile, "Excuse me, young one, could you tell me where I might find the Sword Master of the Yuri no Kaze?"
The little girl, with a shy smile, looked up and pointed with her tiny finger. "Oh, he's over there, near the river," she replied, her voice soft and sweet. "He's always training hard every day."
The woman, her steps light and graceful, made her way towards the direction pointed out by the little girl. She headed towards the riverside, the sound of flowing water growing nearer with each step.
The Master of the Yuri no Kaze, Kuro, paused his training as the woman approached. His eyes widened with recognition, a warm smile gracing his face. "Yami!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise and joy. "Is that really you?"
The woman, known as Yami, smiled back, her own eyes sparkling with recognition and affection. "Yes, it's me, Kuro," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "I'm glad to see you are doing well."
Kuro's expression turned serious as he examined the bounty and order letter presented by Yami. The amount of the bounty for Kanji Naein was enormous, and the fact that even the gods were involved hinted at the seriousness of the situation. He glanced at the high price on the divine tool and the blessings of multiple gods.
"This bounty is truly incredible," Kuro noted, his voice filled with caution. "It seems that Kanji Naein has attracted the interest of both humans and gods. This will be a dangerous undertaking."
"A billion gold and divine tools with god's blessings," Kuro mused, shaking his head in disbelief. "It seems that Kanji Naein is not an ordinary individual. We must tread carefully and prepare ourselves for the challenges that lie ahead."
Yami nodded in agreement with Kuro's words. "Indeed, we must be cautious," she replied. "The fact that gods are involved indicates that Kanji Naein's abilities and influence are significant. We should gather as much information as possible before making anymoves."
Kuro turned to Yami, his eyes locked with hers as he posed a question. "Are you joining the hunt for Kanji Naein?" he inquired, his voice calm and measured.
Yami's expression grew determined, her eyes filled with resolve. "Yes, I will be joining the hunt," she replied, her voice firm. "I cannot allow such an individual to roam free, especially with the attention and resources that are being expended to track him down. It's our responsibility to take him seriously and not underestimate the danger he poses."
As the conversation continued, Yami revealed her motivation for participating in the hunt. She spoke with a soft smile on her face. "Of course," she said, her voice gentle. "The reward for the capture or elimination of Kanji Naein would be substantial, and those funds would be crucial for taking care of the orphans in my village."
Kuro smiled faintly, understanding the motivation behind Yami's decision. "I knew there must be a reason you would join the hunt," he commented, his tone filled with admiration. "It makes sense now that you need the reward to help the orphans of your village. Your dedication and willingness to help others is truly admirable."
Yami's eyes softened, and she nodded in appreciation of Kuro's words. "Thank you, Kuro," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "Caring for the orphans in my village has always been a priority for me, and if taking on such a dangerous task can provide them with a better life, then I'm willing to take the risk."
Kuro's expression turned serious as he spoke. "Yami, I understand the importance of the reward, but I must tell you something," he said, his voice firm. "You possess incredible skills and mastery over the Yami no Hikari. It's a shame not to pass on your teachings to a worthy disciple. Have you considered finding an apprentice?"
Yami's gaze grew introspective as she considered Kuro's words. "I've always believed that my skills should be passed on, but I haven't found the right person to entrust them to," she replied thoughtfully. "Finding someone worthy of carrying on the tradition of the 'Yami no Hikari' is no easy task."
Next chapter "hunting start"