Back in the village of Kagehana, a heavy silence lay over the Kage Tai as they gathered in the shaded clearing where they had laid Kanzaki to rest. His sword was planted in the earth by his grave, a mark of his unwavering dedication. The entire village had come to pay their respects, and after, Haru and his team had stayed, lost in their thoughts.
As the sun dipped low, Riku finally broke the silence, a bittersweet smile on his face.
Riku: "You know, Kanzaki would hate seeing us all looking so glum. He'd probably call us out for being 'a bunch of brooding idiots.'"
Kenji gave a half-smile, nodding.
Kenji: "Yeah... then he'd drag us out to eat and complain about us not keeping up with him."
Aiko (softly): "He'd order that ridiculous mountain of food and say it was all for 'training.'"
They all chuckled, and for the first time since the battle, the weight seemed to lift just a little. The memory of Kanzaki's hearty laughter, his easy confidence, felt closer than ever. Haru glanced at his friends, his heart aching yet grateful to have them by his side.
Haru: "Let's go. Kanzaki wouldn't want us sitting around all day."
They made their way down to the village square, where rows of bustling food stalls and lantern-lit shops awaited. The familiar sights and sounds felt comforting, a welcome distraction from the weight they all carried. They found a small, cozy spot to eat, where Aiko took the lead, ordering practically everything on the menu in Kanzaki's honor.
Aiko: "If we're going to honor Kanzaki's 'training,' we have to go all out!"
The food arrived quickly, each dish more extravagant than the last. Plates of savory ramen, grilled skewers, dumplings, and rice bowls crowded the table, and the team barely knew where to start. Riku was the first to dig in, lifting his chopsticks high as he gave a dramatic cheer.
Riku: "To Kanzaki's spirit! And to us not being able to move after all this."
They laughed and dug in, swapping stories between bites, the warmth of the moment settling around them.
Hours passed as they ate, laughed, and reminisced. Aiko teased Riku about his less-than-stellar aim, recounting the time he'd nearly missed a practice target entirely. Kenji shared a story about Kanzaki pulling pranks during training, including the time he'd switched out Haru's practice sword for a stick as a joke.
Kenji: "And Haru didn't even realize it for the first ten minutes. He kept swinging, completely oblivious."
Haru (laughing): "Hey, it looked close enough in the dark!"
Aiko: "I remember Kanzaki laughing so hard he almost fell over. That's the kind of guy he was."
Their laughter filled the night air, a comforting sound in the quiet village. The weight of Kanzaki's loss was still there, but for the first time, it didn't feel as heavy. It was as if he was with them, sitting at the table, laughing along.
As they finished eating, Riku leaned back, his expression thoughtful.
Riku: "We've been through so much lately. Kanzaki's gone, but he left us with a lot more than just memories. He left us with purpose."
Haru nodded, his gaze steady.
Haru: "Yeah. This isn't just about defending the village. It's about honoring what he fought for."
Kenji raised his glass, his voice strong but soft.
Kenji: "To Kanzaki—and to us. We keep going, not just for him but for everyone."
They clinked their glasses together, the solemn moment giving way to a quiet resolve. They weren't just the Kage Tai team tonight; they were friends, a family forged by battle, bound together by memories and loyalty.
As they left the restaurant, Haru took one last look at the night sky, a faint smile on his face. Kanzaki might be gone, but his spirit lingered in each of them, a silent promise that they would keep moving forward. And as they walked through the village streets, talking and laughing under the stars, Haru knew they'd face whatever came next—together.