It wasn't about what they were doing, but why they hadn't done it sooner. For centuries, the Tama Artist had treated mortals like slaves, striking fear into their hearts. Yet, the mortals had passively accepted their fate, just like their ancestors before them.
But Shinji's words ignited a spark within them. Why not fight back? Why not attempt to defeat their oppressors?
The possibility of death lingered, but it was a risk they took every day. However, the potential reward was worth it: freedom.
They knew that freedom was an intangible force, a feeling that couldn't be grasped but only sensed. And they knew that as long as they felt suppressed, they weren't truly free.
Shinji's rallying cry echoed through their minds:
"Chopping wood starts with only one hit, and a great tree goes down in several hits!"
The men roared with determination, their legs surging with adrenaline as they charged toward the incoming horse-cart. Their eyes blazed with resolve; they were no longer afraid to die, but they were afraid to let their children suffer the same fate as them.
On the opposite side, Katsura raised an eyebrow as the group of men rushed toward them.
"Did they wipe out the entire Koshi Village? I've never seen them so enthusiastic about meeting us."
One of his subordinates took a closer look and sensed something amiss, "Why do they have their blades drawn?"
Another subordinate chimed in, shocked. "They're coming to kill us!"
The three samurai began sweating profusely. An elderly female chef chuckled lightly.
"Even without Miyamoto to restrain them, they'll follow Silver Hammer-Boy-Kun. But if something happens to him..."
She trailed off, her experienced eyes conveying the implication. Lucy's presence had kept the group in check, and without him, the dynamics would shift.
The samurai understood her unspoken words and frantically searched for Lucy among the approaching mortals. However, upon realizing that everyone in the group was of average height, the samurai's expressions turned ashen.
They shared a haunting thought:
'We exhausted our Rei during the journey here!'
Despite this dire realization, Katsura maintained his composure. "We'll continue to oppress them as we always have, upholding the first law of the world: Tama Artists rule over all."
Just as he spoke, an arrow pierced his shoulder, and he groaned in pain. Another arrow followed, striking his other shoulder. His subordinates removed the arrows, their tips laced with a colorless liquid.
Their eyes couldn't help, but widen in horror. "That's stage 3 black mamba venom!"
Katsura's fate was sealed; without ever using the Open Heart and Body Tama to circulate Rei through his body, he was beyond saving.
The two samurai knew they were in a precarious position. Mortals were physically stronger, and most samurai would be outskilled by them. They slowed the cart and, when it was safe, jumped into the grass field, abandoning the cart and the elderly ladies.
The mortals got even more motivated. The absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on them – it was like a kudu chasing away a tiger - unbelievable!
As the group of mortals pursued the two fleeing samurai, a figure clad in silver armor emerged from the distance. The mortals, however, remained oblivious to the newcomer's approach.
Their focus was solely on the samurai, who had abandoned all honor and dignity.
But in the blink of an eye, the dynamics shifted. A girl in her late teens with piercing black eyes and raven-black hair appeared before the samurai.
With a swift flick of her fingers, she sent the samurai flying toward the mortals. The two men exploded in the air, their bodies bursting like overfilled balloons.
The mortals were stunned, halting their advance as they turned to face the girl with slightly pale skin in silver armor.
Just the image of a black Asian dragon emblazoned on the armor's back seemed to sent chills down the spins of the mortals.
Her gaze landed on the mortals, her voice cold as ice, "Those who wish to avoid trouble, go behind me. Those who desire to be forced into submission, remain where you are."
The mortals, however, didn't pay mind to her, and charged forward without hesitation, their faces set in determination.
The girl sighed, her expression a mixture of disappointment and annoyance. With a swift motion, she slapped all the mortals, sending them crashing to the ground.
To her, the motion was effortless, almost tedious. But to the mortals, it was a blur of speed, indicating how strong of a samurai she is.
As the mortals groaned in pain, the girl smiled faintly.
"You're fortunate that I'm a heiho practitioner. If the Tama Artists from this island discovered that you killed a samurai, you'd be doomed. I'll take the blame for you, as there's someone I don't want to see harmed due to your reckless actions." (1)
The girl suddenly approached Shinji, unfolding a drawing as she walked, "I'm searching for this person. I'm certain he's here."
Shinji blinked repeatedly, wondering if his pain-addled brain was playing tricks on him.
"Your... drawing..." he stammered.
The girl's smile broadened. "Isn't it amazing? Everyone has praised my drawings since I was young!"
Shinji's eyes widened, his expression questioning the woman's sanity. To him, the drawing depicted a masculine figure with chiseled features that seemed almost otherworldly - just like someone out of a girl's dream.
'I've never seen anyone so handsome.' Shinji thought.
His eyes suddenly welled up with tears, fists clenched involuntarily, as he realized his plan had failed. Yet, here he was, distracted by the girl's drawing.
The girl sighed, recognizing that Shinji wasn't going to provide the answers she sought.
She looked at the camp, saying, "I won't tell you that money and power are insignificant. That's what those who have it tell you, anyway. But be cautious of what you wish for. Life offers so much more than what wealth can provide. Not all happiness can be bought."
The moment the girl's words faded, she vanished from the group and reappeared in the stationary horse cart.
The old ladies inside were shocked, fainting at the sight of her. She shrugged them, and turned to the man examining Katsura's lifeless body.
"I advise you not to touch that. There is a possibility that the poison might transfer to you too."
Lucy nodded, removing his hand from the purple-hued corpse.
The girl's gaze shifted to Sora, lying at the other end of the cart with cold, glazed eyes.
Her curiosity deepened, "Who is she?"
"My sidekick," Lucy replied. He paused, removing his mask, and stared at the girl.
"Are you jealous?"
The girl's cheeks flushed lightly, and Lucy sensed a deep emotion behind her eyes.
She had much to say to him, and many sleepless nights had been spent dreaming of moments they could share.
However, she had to prioritize the urgent matter at hand.
Her face slightly soured, "I have information about your father. Things might not be as straightforward as they seem."
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Heiho - samurai who train in mixed martial art. Some even go to make oaths to never do certain things, just like how someone trained in karate is not allowed to fight people on the street.