The sun was already beginning its descent by the time Kazuki finished his training for the day. The Kekkei Kaigen felt more like a part of him now than it had ever before, but he knew that mastering it would take time. It was a delicate balance between allowing the energy to flow and maintaining control. Even with the progress he had made, he still felt there was much more to uncover about his abilities—and himself.
Masato stretched lazily under a nearby tree, having watched Kazuki's training for the better part of the afternoon. "I gotta say, you're starting to look like one of those legendary samurai from the old tales," he said with a smirk, tossing a rock from hand to hand.
Kazuki wiped the sweat from his brow and sheathed his sword. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. I'm just barely scratching the surface."
Masato sat up, tossing the rock away. "Still, you're improving fast. I wouldn't wanna be on the receiving end of that power. It's no wonder Jiro thought you had potential."
At the mention of Jiro, Kazuki's expression darkened slightly. The loss still felt raw, despite the days that had passed. His mentor's death had left a void, one that training couldn't fill. It was his drive now, though—his reason to keep pushing forward.
"I need to be stronger," Kazuki muttered, more to himself than to Masato.
Masato seemed to pick up on his mood and, in typical fashion, attempted to lighten it. "Stronger? Man, at this rate, you'll be punching through mountains by next week. And when you're done with that, you can start doing my chores too!"
Kazuki rolled his eyes but allowed himself a small smile. "If I'm ever that strong, the first thing I'll do is throw you into the nearest lake."
Masato feigned shock, holding his hand to his chest. "You wound me, Kazuki. After all I've done for you? The support, the encouragement?"
"The constant distraction?" Kazuki quipped, shouldering his pack as they began to walk back to the village.
Masato grinned. "Well, somebody's gotta keep you from turning into a brooding hero. That gets old fast, trust me."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of nature filling the air. The day had been long, and though his body was tired, Kazuki's mind was still racing with thoughts of the future. The path ahead of him was uncertain, but at least he had clarity on one thing—he needed to grow stronger if he was to avenge Jiro's death and protect the people he cared about.
As they approached the village, Masato tilted his head toward the setting sun. "So, what's next for you? You're not planning to stick around here forever, are you?"
Kazuki shook his head. "I need to head to the city soon. There's only so much I can learn here. Jiro mentioned that the larger cities are where the real knowledge and training lie. I need to find someone who can help me master the Kekkei Kaigen."
Masato's brow furrowed, his usual carefree demeanor slipping for a moment. "You're talking about leaving, then? For good?"
Kazuki hesitated. He hadn't fully considered the weight of his decision until now. The village had been his home for as long as he could remember, and the thought of leaving it behind stirred something within him. But staying here wouldn't help him fulfill his goals. The world was much larger than this small village, and if he wanted to become the warrior he needed to be, he would have to seek out that knowledge elsewhere.
"I don't know if it'll be for good," Kazuki finally replied. "But I have to go. There's too much I need to learn, and I won't find it here."
Masato nodded, though his smile seemed a little forced. "Yeah, I get it. The big city's where the action is, right?"
Kazuki gave him a sidelong glance. "You could always come with me."
Masato blinked, clearly caught off guard by the suggestion. "Me? Leave the village? Pfft, who'd run the tavern while I'm gone?"
Kazuki laughed. "Somehow, I think the village will survive without your occasional free drinks."
Masato chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, well… I'll think about it. I mean, I'm not one for big cities, but… I don't know, maybe it's time for a change."
They continued their walk toward the village gate, the sun casting long shadows behind them. As they entered the familiar streets, Kazuki noticed a few villagers glancing in his direction with a mix of curiosity and admiration. Word had already spread about his growing abilities, especially after Jiro's passing. Many expected him to follow in his mentor's footsteps, to become the village's next protector. But Kazuki knew his path lay beyond these walls.
As they reached the center of the village, Masato stretched and yawned. "Well, I'm starving. You coming to the tavern tonight, or are you gonna sit by the fire and meditate all evening?"
Kazuki smirked. "I'll join you, but only if you're buying."
Masato laughed. "Deal. It's the least I can do for our future legendary samurai."
The tavern was bustling with life, as it always was in the evenings. The smell of grilled meats and warm sake filled the air, and the sound of laughter and clinking cups created a lively atmosphere. Kazuki and Masato found a table near the back, away from the main crowd, and settled in.
"So," Masato said after ordering drinks, "what's the first thing you're gonna do when you get to the city? Aside from training, I mean."
Kazuki shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "I'll probably have to find a place to stay. And maybe some work. Training's important, but I'll need money if I'm going to survive in a place like that."
Masato's eyes gleamed with mischief. "You could always become a bodyguard or a mercenary. With that Kekkei Kaigen, you'll be swimming in coins in no time."
Kazuki chuckled, though the idea didn't appeal to him. "I'm not looking to make a living off fighting for other people's wars. I just want to get stronger."
Masato raised his cup in a mock toast. "To becoming the strongest samurai in the land, then!"
Kazuki clinked his cup against Masato's, smiling despite himself. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but for the first time in a while, he felt a sense of purpose. He would leave the village soon, head for the city, and continue his journey toward mastery. And who knew what—or who—he might encounter along the way?
As the night wore on and the tavern's atmosphere grew more raucous, Kazuki found himself relaxing, the weight of his responsibilities momentarily lifted. Masato, as usual, kept the conversation light, regaling him with exaggerated stories of his misadventures around the village.
By the time they left the tavern, the moon was high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the quiet village. Kazuki felt a strange sense of peace as they walked back to their homes, the events of the day fading into the background.
"Hey, Kazuki," Masato said suddenly, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
"Yeah?"
"If you do leave… don't forget about us, okay?"
Kazuki stopped in his tracks, surprised by the vulnerability in Masato's voice. He turned to his friend, who was staring up at the moon, his expression unreadable.
"I won't," Kazuki said softly. "I could never forget this place. Or you."
Masato nodded, though he didn't meet Kazuki's gaze. "Good. Because no matter how strong you get, you'll always be that awkward kid from the village who tried to spar with me and got his ass kicked."
Kazuki laughed, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure I won that fight."
"You keep telling yourself that, buddy."
They parted ways at the village gate, and as Kazuki made his way back to his small home, he felt a sense of finality settling over him. His time in the village was coming to an end. Soon, he would embark on the next chapter of his journey, leaving behind the familiar comforts of home for the unknown challenges that awaited him.
But no matter how far he traveled or how strong he became, Kazuki knew one thing for certain: this village, and the people in it, would always be a part of him.
With that thought in mind, he clos
ed his eyes and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, ready for whatever tomorrow would bring.