The next morning, despite having slept only three hours, Kaoru was already accustomed to a busy, sleep-deprived lifestyle—a habit carried over from his time as a hero in another world. Fatigue was nothing new to him, and he faced it with his usual calm demeanor.
By precisely nine o'clock, Kaoru was ready for an interview with a musician who had caught his interest. Although he now held an important position in the entertainment industry, his passion for music still burned brightly. As the meeting commenced, the atmosphere became both enthusiastic and professional. They discussed various topics, ranging from collaboration projects to contract details. Kaoru was pleased to hear that the musician's vision aligned with his own plans to expand music content and soundtracks for the video platform he was developing.
After the meeting ended on a positive note, Kaoru shifted his focus to the music platform project. He carefully evaluated content strategies and discussed with the creative team how to attract a new audience. "These soundtracks need to feel more immersive," he said to one of his staff. "I want each track to pull the listener into the story we're creating, not just serve as background music." His voice was firm, full of passion.
After lunch, Kaoru handed over the supervision of the next tasks to the management team. He knew his team was reliable enough to handle the responsibilities without much intervention on his part. It was time for him to focus on something more personal and pressing: the trip to Gosha Village.
Accompanied by Asuka and Shiranui, Kaoru set off for Gosha Village, where Kousuke had been staying after the tragic event that had changed his life. During the journey, Kaoru tried to remain calm, though his mind was filled with questions about Kousuke's condition. "Is it possible for his body to return to normal?" he wondered, glancing at Asuka beside him. Her face looked slightly brighter, though there was still clear worry in her expression.
Shiranui, sitting in the back seat, occasionally offered reassuring comments, but Kaoru knew she wasn't entirely at ease either. Gosha Village was a mysterious place, full of both technology and magic that could bring hope, but also fear of what they might find there.
"We'll find the answers we need there," Kaoru said quietly but confidently, glancing at Asuka and Shiranui with determination.
Soon, Kaoru headed toward Gosha Village.
Gosha Village, the main base of the Taimanin, was formed by gathering shinobi and clans that had once been scattered throughout Japan. The new village was hidden somewhere in the Kanto region, built near ancient forests and mountains. Although the village may have existed in some form since ancient times, it had never been used as a base for all Taimanin until now. The village had grown from the merger of smaller villages and now had a population of 10,000 people.
Incidentally, Gosha Village was close to the Koukawa clan's territory, but that had been destroyed ten years ago in an attack by Edwin Black.
Kaoru and his group finally arrived at the gates of Gosha Village after a long journey. The village was surrounded by dense forests and ancient mountains, giving the impression that this place was indeed hidden and difficult for outsiders to reach. Although the village had initially been a small gathering of scattered shinobi clans, Gosha Village had now grown significantly and become the headquarters for the Taimanin, with a population reaching ten thousand.
As they arrived, the village guards swiftly stopped their vehicle. The guards, dressed entirely in black with serious expressions, eyed Kaoru, Asuka, and Shiranui with great caution. One of them stepped forward and sternly asked, "What is your purpose for coming to this village?"
Kaoru, who had faced countless situations, found himself momentarily at a loss. Though he had good intentions, the serious demeanor of the guards and their strict protocols made him hesitate for a moment. He tried to answer calmly, "We've come to check on someone being treated here. His name is Kousuke, and he was recently abducted and underwent horrible physical changes." However, the guard remained unimpressed, his expression unchanged.
Kaoru paused, considering what to do next. Suddenly, he remembered the black card he had received from the government about a week ago. The card was a special access permit, granting him permission to move freely across territories controlled by the DCST (Department of Countering Supernatural Threats).
Quickly, Kaoru pulled the card from his pocket and handed it to the guard. The guards exchanged glances briefly, clearly recognizing that the card was not something they encountered every day. After inspecting it, one of the guards said, "You may enter. With this card, you are authorized to access the Gosha Village area."
Kaoru gave a faint smile and nodded at Asuka and Shiranui, who sat beside him. "I didn't know you had a DCST card," Shiranui remarked with surprise in her voice.
"I hadn't had a chance to mention it," Kaoru replied as he started the car again, driving past the village gate. "Well, I got it about a week ago, so it's still pretty new." He added with a small smile, though in his mind, he was still trying to fully understand what the black card truly was and the power it carried.
As they entered the village, Kaoru could see more clearly how Gosha Village lived in the balance of tradition and technology. Ancient houses built in traditional Japanese style stood alongside buildings equipped with modern technology. Shinobi moved back and forth, some carrying advanced equipment that seemed to be the result of a fusion between magic and high technology. Kaoru couldn't help but be impressed—this village was the perfect representation of the past and future merging together.
But beneath his awe, his mind kept returning to Kousuke. "What has happened to him? And can this village really heal him?"
After parking the car by the roadside, Kaoru quickly pulled out his phone and called Yukikaze. The hum of the car engine added to the tension as he informed her that they had arrived in Gosha Village. "Yukikaze, we've arrived. Where are you?" he asked, staring out at the unfamiliar sights of the village.
"I'm nearby! Wait a moment!" Yukikaze's cheerful voice responded from the other end of the call, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.
A few minutes later, Yukikaze arrived. She looked energetic, her sun-kissed skin gleaming under the sunlight. Her casual outfit—a brightly colored shirt and jeans—made for a comfortable, practical look for a young shinobi. Her long hair was braided into two, giving her a cheerful appearance that matched her personality. Kaoru smiled at her, feeling some of the tension ease.
"Kaoru! Asuka! Mom!" Yukikaze shouted with enthusiasm as she waved energetically. "I'm glad you made it! Come on, I'll show you the way to the research center!"
Kaoru stepped out of the car and looked at Yukikaze. "How is Kousuke? Has he received treatment?"
Yukikaze nodded, her expression growing slightly more serious. "He's in treatment, but his condition is still unstable. We're doing our best, but there are many complications from the modifications done to him." She then turned and started walking, "Come on, I'll explain on the way."