The night was bright and clear, almost like daytime for me, thanks to the skill I acquired years ago: "Night Vision." Coupled with my messed-up sleep cycle, I was more active at night.
My destination remained unchanged,Shogi Village. Eight years is long enough for people to change, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't check it out. Whether I find the person or not doesn't really matter, though I'd feel a little less lonely if I did. I hope I do.
Far ahead, I noticed a group camping in the woods,over a hundred of them, a full army of samurai. I hadn't heard anything about wars, so why would they be here? They were too heavily guarded to be just a security force, and there weren't any major clans around here that would require protection like this.
Regardless, I kept moving forward, deciding to skirt around them to avoid unnecessary engagement. Using the large trees and the darkness of the night to stay out of the moonlight, I maneuvered through the woods.
"Spy!"
A loud cry shattered the silence.
I wondered if I had caused the alarm or if they'd spotted someone else.
Suddenly, an arrow whizzed through the air and lodged near my shoulder. The pain was dulled thanks to my pain resistance skill, but I still felt the burning sting.
I traced the trajectory of the arrow and saw a man hiding in the shade of a tree. I could see him clearly.
He set another arrow and fired at me. I dodged, bending to the side, then took off. The last thing I wanted now was a confrontation with these people.
Arrows whizzed past, and the sound of breaking branches and hurried footsteps echoed behind me as I made my way to the other side of the forest.
Suddenly, I kicked a branch while running. It seemed like any other branch lying on the ground, but something felt off.
In motion and trying to process what felt odd, the ground gave way beneath me, tripping me up. I realized I was lying on a net, and before I could move, it folded around me, hoisting me into the air.
"We caught him!"
Voices echoed through the night.
I dangled there, waiting for the samurai to approach. There was nothing I could do, I couldn't even turn my head from my upside-down position.
The light from their fires grew brighter as they arrived, all clad in traditional battle armor.
"Hmph. Foolish spy got caught in an animal trap," one of them sneered.
"Bring him down. Let's take him to the general, his death will be discussed. Seppuku won't be enough."
"Wait, wait, wait! Look, I'm not a spy! I was just wandering through the woods, and then you all started shooting arrows at me, so I ran for my life and got trapped here. I swear I'm not a spy—please, believe me!"
"Lies to save your skin. Cut him down!"
One of them climbed the tree, broke the branch, and I crashed to the ground.
I tried to escape, but they pulled the net tight, dragging me across the ground to their campsite.
Still trapped, I ended up in front of a tent that was isolated from the others. It was the commander's tent, larger than the rest and set farther away.
One of the samurai knelt before the tent and announced, "Commander! We captured a Himori spy lurking in the bushes. We bring him to you for justice."
Soon, a young man emerged from the tent, dressed in a white kimono, clearly a night outfit. His eyes were dark red, with long brown lashes and hair that was tied back into a ponytail with soft red tips.
Based on his face, I knew I'd seen him before, but I couldn't quite place him.
"You're a scout from the Himori clan. I'd appreciate it if you didn't waste our time and answered every question. How many of you were sent here?"
His voice was calm, deep, and authoritative, fitting for a young commander.
"I have no idea who this Himori clan you're talking about is. I'm not a spy, I was just passing through and came across your camp."
"Mmm… so that's how it is."
He extended his hand, and a samurai placed a long katana in his grip.
"Release him from the net," he ordered, stepping closer to me.
He must have thought I was weak. The only reason I hadn't attacked was because of the net binding me. I would've escaped long ago otherwise.
One of the samurai removed the stone pinning the net down. Just as he was about to open it, a loud scream echoed through the air, followed by frantic noises.
"What's going on?" they murmured, tense, as another scream echoed a warning.
"It's a demon attack! A demon!"
"A demon attack?"
The samurai and the commander were momentarily distracted, and I seized the opportunity. With the net now free of its anchor, I lifted it and escaped.
The commander noticed immediately and swung his katana, but I sidestepped to the right, dodging it, then leaped back.
"Hey! Get back here!"
Two samurai rushed at me, armed and armored. I landed two quick blows to each of their stomachs, knocking them out, while making sure to keep my distance from the commander.
"Hey! I don't know who you think I am or where the Himori clan is, but I'm not a spy. I'm out."
I bolted deeper into the forest, noticing bodies scattered along the ground. The demon had already started its feast. As much as I'd like to fight, the impression they gave me left me with no reason to help them.
I picked up a katana from one of the dead bodies and moved deeper into the forest, then spotted a demon waiting for me ahead. He looked to be of average strength; I could probably take him on barehanded, but using the katana wouldn't hurt.
I swung the katana and kicked forward, sliding along the ground as I severed his legs from the knees. He dropped down, seemingly unaware of what had happened.
"What…?"
He hadn't realized it yet.
"Hey," I said, appearing in front of him. He still wore a smug smile, but it slowly faded when he realized he was looking up at me.
"Why… why are you so tall?" he asked.
"Rather, why are you so short?"
"Eh? What do you mean…?"
He looked down, seeing only a pool of blood where his legs had been.
He fell back onto the ground.
"Relax, I'm using an ordinary katana. You'll regenerate soon enough."
I reached into my Hakama, took out the blade Ms. Ayuma had given me, and buried it deep into his shoulder. He let out a scream.
I realized then that I might have a thing for torturing demons.
"Argh! I'm going to kill you, brat. I'll tear off your limbs, feed on your flesh, and drink your blood!"
"Is that so?"
His legs began regenerating. I pulled out the dagger, twirled it, and sliced his head from his neck.
I was so focused on him that I didn't notice the other demon behind me. I turned just in time to see it about to leap.
Then a voice spoke…
"Sun Breathing, Third Form: Raging Sun."
Someone appeared before me, performing two precise, rapid slashes. Huge flames trailed from his katana, decapitating the demon and severing its arms. The heat was overwhelming, like standing inside a burning house.
The figure in front of me slid his katana back into its scabbard as he watched the demon's body fall. Even the demon likely hadn't realized it was dead.
He turned, looked at me, and asked, "Are you alright?"
His voice was low, barely audible. His appearance was strikingly similar to the commander's, though he bore a distinctive mark on his forehead. In that moment, I realized who they were.
The strongest demon slayer and the creator of the Breath Styles, Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
And the one destined to become the strongest Kizuki, Michikatsu Tsugikuni.