Yoriichi slowly regained consciousness.
Darkness filled his vision—there wasn't a single trace of light.
He struggled to prop himself up, his stomach growling loudly. Kito had been far more difficult to deal with than he had expected. Though he had only used two forms of Breathing, they had completely drained him. Even the evasive movements before that had pushed him to his limits.
Truthfully, Yoriichi hadn't intended to kill the man. He had only feared that holding back would fail to stop him.
He hadn't expected the power to go that far.
Those who are pitiful often have something detestable about them…
That saying fit Kito Toshitaka all too well.
Grrr—
Yoriichi's face flushed slightly.
He was hungry. Really hungry.
After hesitating for a moment, he began crawling around in the dark, only to suddenly feel himself lifted by the back of his collar.
"Yoriichi! You're finally awake!"
A relieved female voice rang out. When he turned his head, the first thing he saw was Taito's overly smug face—followed by Ōmisako's delighted expression.
"Big Sister Shasha…" Yoriichi murmured softly. "I'm hungry…"
The pitiful look on his face nearly broke her heart.
"Alright, alright! I saved food for you—I'll get it right now!" she said gently, then shot Taito a fierce glare.
"You'd better watch him properly! If anything happens, I'm telling Mifune-sama!"
She hurried off to fetch food.
"You little menace," Taito muttered. "You show off and pass out, and I'm the one stuck carrying you the whole way. My legs almost went numb."
Of course, in reality, Yoriichi had been carried most of the way by Ōmisako. Taito's numbness came from his own injuries.
"Where… are we?" Yoriichi asked.
"Matsuo Town. You slept for a full day and night," Taito said, poking his cheek. Then he ruffled his hair mercilessly, leaving the boy wobbling.
Ōmisako soon returned, holding a cloth-wrapped grilled fish. She carefully removed the bones, leaving only the meat. It had gone cold, and the flatbread beside it was a bit tough—but that didn't matter to Yoriichi.
He had eaten far worse in the past.
Leaves. Wild grass. Tree bark. Even ants when there was nothing else.
Watching him eat with such contentment finally eased the unease in Ōmisako's heart.
He really was just a child.
She suddenly remembered her own childhood—how her father would always bring sweets home from his travels. Soft, sweet candy that melted on the tongue.
She rummaged through her clothes and pulled out a small, translucent candy.
"This is from the Land of Fire," she said brightly. "My father brought it back. You can have it."
"But… wasn't this from your father?" Yoriichi hesitated.
"It's fine! I have lots at home! And if I don't, I'll just steal from my brothers!" she said proudly.
"When this mission's over, come visit my house! I'll give you all the candy you want!"
Taito twitched.
The Ōmi family was infamous for its wealth—even richer than many nobles. Their estate was massive, and their annual taxes dwarfed even Mifune's household.
He glanced at Yoriichi with envy.
Just because he's cute… he gets this treatment?
This kid's going to be dangerous when he grows up…
Taito swore inwardly to keep a close eye on him.
No romance before adulthood. Absolutely not.
He was sixteen and still single—this brat wasn't getting ahead of him.
"Only when the heart is free of women can the sword be truly sharp!" he muttered solemnly.
Yoriichi, oblivious to Taito's inner vows, finished eating and patted his round belly.
"I'm alive again…"
"Alright, I'll go stand guard," Taito said. "You—what are you doing in a man's tent? Get out before my reputation's ruined!"
Ōmisako responded by smacking him repeatedly.
Eventually, Taito limped outside while Ōmisako reluctantly said goodbye to Yoriichi.
He waved sweetly.
She melted instantly.
Then, without warning, she hugged him and kissed his cheek.
Yoriichi froze, face burning red, and bolted out of the tent.
Ōmisako staggered away laughing like a drunken rogue, even winking at him before leaving.
Yoriichi immediately dove behind Taito for protection.
...
That night, beneath a sky full of stars, Yoriichi sat wrapped in a blanket in Taito's arms.
His thoughts drifted to his grandfather.
Grandpa… where are you now?
His chest tightened.
"Senpai…" he whispered. "Will you disappear while I'm sleeping too?"
Taito blinked, then gently ruffled his hair.
"If you're worried about that, then grow stronger. When you're my age, you can do anything you want—even get married."
"Then… when I'm your age, can I find Grandpa?"
Taito smiled. "Of course."
He pinched Yoriichi's cheeks until they puffed out.
"Kids should be cute. Leave the warrior stuff for later."
---
Elsewhere.
Steel flashed.
A shinobi collapsed into the river, blood blooming across the water.
Mifune stood tall, blade gleaming under moonlight.
"Come out. I see you."
Slow applause echoed from the forest.
"Well done. Even without chakra, a samurai of your caliber is impressive."
Mifune's eyes narrowed.
"Hanzo of the Salamander."
From the shadows emerged a towering figure in a respirator mask, aura heavy with killing intent.
"So the title 'Demigod' of the Shinobi World still holds some weight," Hanzo said coldly.
"But tell me—do you really think a samurai can challenge me?"
Mifune's grip tightened.
"I'll show you what a warrior of the Land of Iron can do."