The training grounds of the Lord's estate were a stark contrast to the serenity of the rest of the compound. The clang of steel on steel echoed through the air, and the shouts of warriors in the throes of combat filled the space with a sense of urgency. Kazuki stood at the edge of the grounds, watching as a group of samurai sparred under the watchful eye of one of the Lord's seasoned retainers.
"Looks intense," Haruto said, joining Kazuki by his side. He looked more at ease than he had in days, but Kazuki could still sense the wariness in his friend's posture.
"It has to be," Kazuki replied. "These men aren't training for show. They're preparing for war."
Haruto crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he observed the sparring match. "You think the Lord's hiding something else from us?"
Kazuki glanced at him. "You mean other than using us to wipe out the rebels?"
Haruto shrugged. "Yeah. I mean, if he's willing to use us like pawns, there's no telling what other secrets he's keeping. I wouldn't be surprised if he has his own agenda for after the rebels are taken care of."
Kazuki remained silent for a moment, his gaze returning to the warriors on the field. He had the same feeling. The Lord's offer had been too convenient, and the more time they spent in his estate, the more Kazuki felt like they were being watched—evaluated.
Just then, Daichi appeared at their side, his usual smirk in place. "Enjoying the show?" he asked, gesturing to the training grounds.
Kazuki turned to face him, keeping his expression neutral. "It's impressive," he said. "But we didn't come here to watch. We came to train."
Daichi's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Of course. You'll be joining the others shortly. The Lord has requested that you receive special instruction from one of his personal guards. They're the best in the city, so you'll be in good hands."
Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Special instruction? Why do we get the VIP treatment?"
Daichi's smile didn't falter. "You're not just ordinary fighters, are you? The Lord recognizes potential when he sees it. And besides, if you're going to be facing the rebels, you'll need more than just basic training. The techniques you'll learn here are… exclusive."
Kazuki's interest piqued at the mention of "exclusive" techniques. He had been curious about the Lord's personal warriors since they arrived. There were rumors that a few of them possessed abilities far beyond the average samurai. If that were true, learning from them could give Kazuki the edge he needed to fully awaken Kekkei Kaigen.
"We're ready," Kazuki said simply.
Daichi nodded, turning to lead them toward a separate section of the estate. As they walked, the sounds of the training grounds faded behind them, replaced by the quieter ambiance of the private quarters.
"So, what kind of special techniques are we talking about?" Haruto asked, his tone casual but laced with curiosity.
Daichi chuckled. "You'll see soon enough. Let's just say they're not the kind of techniques you'll find anywhere else in the country."
They entered a secluded courtyard, where a lone figure stood waiting for them. He was a tall man with a lean build, his black hair tied into a neat topknot, and his dark eyes gleaming with intensity. He wore the traditional armor of the Lord's elite guards, but his presence alone commanded attention.
"This is Katsuro," Daichi said, introducing the man with a respectful nod. "He's one of the Lord's most trusted warriors and a master of techniques that most samurai can only dream of."
Katsuro's gaze swept over Kazuki and Haruto, his expression unreadable. "So these are the ones the Lord has chosen," he said, his voice deep and steady. "I hope you're prepared for what's to come. The training you'll undergo here will push you beyond your limits. It's not for the faint of heart."
Kazuki straightened his posture, meeting Katsuro's gaze without flinching. "We're ready."
Katsuro studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well. Follow me."
The next few hours were grueling. Katsuro was a relentless instructor, demanding perfection in every movement, every strike. He drilled them on the fundamentals first, pushing their bodies to the brink of exhaustion with rigorous exercises that left their muscles burning and their minds sharpened.
But it wasn't the physical training that intrigued Kazuki—it was the way Katsuro fought. His movements were fluid and precise, almost inhuman in their speed and accuracy. There was a power behind his strikes that Kazuki had never seen before, a power that seemed to come from something deeper than just physical strength.
As the training session drew to a close, Katsuro finally addressed the elephant in the room.
"You're wondering about the techniques," he said, his gaze fixed on Kazuki.
Kazuki nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yes. What makes your techniques different from what we've learned so far?"
Katsuro's expression remained serious. "What I'm about to show you isn't something that can be learned through ordinary means. These techniques tap into a power that lies within certain individuals—power that is inherited, not earned."
Kazuki's heart skipped a beat. "Kekkei Kaigen?"
Katsuro's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't deny it. "Yes. The Lord's guards are trained to harness abilities that most people can only imagine. It's why we're the elite. But these techniques come at a cost. The power can consume you if you're not careful."
Haruto looked between them, his confusion evident. "Wait, so you're saying that the Lord's guards all have Kekkei Kaigen?"
"Not all," Katsuro corrected. "Only a select few possess it. The rest have mastered other techniques that border on the supernatural, but Kekkei Kaigen is something different. It's rare, and those who have it are either revered or feared."
Kazuki's mind raced. This was exactly what he needed—to understand the power within him, to control it. But there was also a warning in Katsuro's words, a reminder that this power was dangerous, even to those who wielded it.
"Why are you telling us this?" Kazuki asked, his voice cautious.
Katsuro met his gaze evenly. "Because the Lord believes you have the potential to awaken Kekkei Kaigen fully. He wants you to learn how to control it and use it against the rebels. But you need to understand that once you go down this path, there's no turning back. The power will change you."
Kazuki felt a chill run down his spine. He had known that mastering Kekkei Kaigen would be a challenge, but hearing Katsuro's words made it clear just how high the stakes were.
"I'm willing to take that risk," Kazuki said quietly. "If it means avenging my master and protecting the people I care about, I'll do whatever it takes."
Katsuro nodded, his expression approving. "Good. Then we begin tomorrow at dawn."
As Kazuki and Haruto made their way back to their quarters, Haruto was unusually quiet. Finally, he spoke up.
"You sure about this, Kazuki?" he asked, his voice low. "This whole thing with Kekkei Kaigen… it sounds like it could be dangerous. Like, really dangerous."
Kazuki nodded, his mind still processing everything Katsuro had said. "I know. But we don't have a choice, Haruto. If we're going to beat the rebels, I need to unlock this power. It's the only way."
Haruto sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Just… be careful, alright? I don't want to lose you to some crazy magic power."
Kazuki smiled faintly. "I'll be careful. I promise."
But as they settled in for the night, Kazuki couldn't shake the feeling that Katsuro's warning would come back to haunt him. The road ahead was filled with uncertainty, and the power of Kekkei Kaigen was both a gift and a curse.
Only time would tell which side of that power Kazuki would find himself on.