Chapter 213 - 14-24

Chapter 14. New Discovery of power of Wind

As the sun set over the lake, Kanoru finished setting up his tent. Their journey to the Eastern Hills had halted for the day. Traveling from the Western Black Kanji Forest to the Eastern Hills took two days on horseback. If they pushed through without rest, they would arrive exhausted, and encountering the enemy in such a state would mean certain defeat. 

With his tent secured, Kanoru walked away from the temporary camp. At a distance, he unsheathed his sword and practiced the five sword styles one by one. Then, he restarted, this time incorporating the power of wind into his movements. 

He had once formed 36 prototype sword moves but had forgotten them. Now, from the very beginning, he sought to integrate wind power into close combat again. 

Through his practice, he rediscovered 80 different ways to channel wind power. As he analyzed them, he found that among them, 36 sword moves could each be performed in one, two, or three different ways. With his growing understanding of the three new sword schools, that number increased to 45. 

"When my mastery of all five sword schools deepens, I will be able to perform 80 different ways as 80 perfected sword moves," he thought. Every unique way of wielding wind power held the potential to become a sword move of its own.

By the lake, Kanoru performed the 36 sword moves along with the nine newly discovered ones. After completing the sequence, he realized he couldn't seamlessly connect them. Unlike before, when his sister would say his swordplay looked like a dance, now, after every move or two, he had to stop and adjust his stance before continuing. 

Murmuring to himself, he affirmed, "My discovery that every different way to use the power of wind has a corresponding sword move is correct." 

For an hour, he repeatedly practiced the 45 sword moves. Then, standing still, he analyzed his performance, carefully examining his movements. After thorough review, he began rearranging the order of the sword moves. Through countless adjustments, he identified 12 moves that could flow into one another seamlessly, followed by another set of nine. In these sequences, his strength transitioned smoothly between moves, eliminating the need to stop or adjust—each move's end naturally became the beginning of the next. 

Before returning to camp, he performed one last set of sword techniques from all five schools. Then, he turned and walked back. The camp had no barricades, allowing access from any direction. To ensure security, a rotating patrol of 20 samurai guarded the perimeter, switching shifts every two hours. 

After greeting a patrolling samurai who had spotted him, Kanoru entered the camp. Instead of heading straight to his tent, he patrolled the area, searching for Shikichi. As deputy captain, he needed to communicate with the captain.

Over a hundred tents were set up along one side of the lake. The camp was arranged in clusters of 10 to 20 tents, each forming a circle with an open space in the center for a fire. The fire provided light and warmth, essential as the autumn nights grew colder. To keep insects and creatures away, they burned nightshade grass, its smoke and scent acting as a natural repellent. 

Kanoru found Shikichi in a clearing, sitting with several middle-ranked samurai, Takenaka, Tasuo, Asuna, and Mika. Spotting him, Asuna waved, and he walked over, taking a seat beside her. Some of the samurai exchanged knowing looks, while Tasuo shot him an angry glare. 

Tasuo suddenly spoke. "Kanoru, where were you? You're the deputy captain, yet you were missing during an important discussion." 

Kanoru didn't react. He was used to this. Since arriving at the training camp, Tasuo had either challenged him or thrown strange questions his way. To Kanoru, he was just an attention-seeking child. Though Kanoru looked like a child himself, his mind was over 30 years ahead of Tasuo's. 

Calmly, he replied, "I was made deputy captain because my strength is the highest among lower-ranked samurai." Though he could only maintain the third gate for ten minutes and had yet to master its energy, he was confident that no lower-ranked samurai, regardless of age, could defeat him in the territory. 

Tasuo simply grunted, "Hmph," but fell silent as Takenaka patted his thigh.

Kanoru asked, "What are you all discussing?" 

Asuna replied, "We're discussing how to stop the Niwais from crossing the river." 

Shikichi added, "We can't decide whether to engage them in battle if we find them after entering the Eastern Hills." 

Kanoru shook his head. "Their numbers and strength are greater than ours. Fighting them directly would be foolish." 

Tasuo scoffed, "What, are you afraid? We can defeat them." 

Without even glancing at Tasuo, Kanoru continued, addressing Shikichi. "Master Junzo ordered us to prevent them from crossing the river or attacking our town." 

"We're already a day behind them, so stopping them at the river is impossible. Before thinking about how to fight them, we need to ensure they don't leave the Eastern Hills." 

One of the middle-ranked samurai nodded. "Shikichi, Kanoru is right. If we face them in open battle and lose, they'll have a direct path to our town." 

Shikichi sighed. "Then we must figure out how to trap them inside the Eastern Hills." 

Kanoru asked, "Do we have a map of the Eastern Hills and the surrounding area?" 

Shikichi nodded. "Yes, in my tent." 

"Can I see it?" 

"Of course." Shikichi entered his tent and returned a minute later with a large scroll. "Here," he said, handing it to Kanoru. 

Kanoru took the scroll, unrolled it, and adjusted his position so the firelight illuminated the map. He studied it carefully, noting every detail. Then, he rolled it back up and handed it to Shikichi. 

Shikichi raised an eyebrow. "You don't need more time to study it?" 

Kanoru shook his head. "No need." He sat back down and closed his eyes. 

As he listened, he heard Takenaka discussing the map with the others, debating how best to trap the Niwais within the Eastern Hills and the surrounding forest.

While the others continued their discussion, Kanoru recalled the map in his mind, analyzing every detail. His first thought was not about destroying the Niwais' small force but how to block them while prioritizing his own safety. 

His attention settled on the five villages surrounding the Eastern Hills. The forest and hills had been cleared of blood beasts and impure blood beasts, leaving only ordinary wildlife. Because of this, the villages were able to exist near the forest, relying on it for survival. 

The blood beasts and impure blood beasts had to be regularly hunted. The Eastern Hills stretched from the northern to the southern border of their territory, eventually connecting to the Eagle Mountains. These mountains served as a natural barrier between the Mori and Niwais territories, with only two passages linking the two sides. 

Kanoru's thoughts remained fixed on the five villages. Slowly, the first step of his plan began to take shape in his mind.

Chapter 15. Mani Village

Kanoru opened his eyes and looked at the group still deep in discussion. He spoke, "Sir Shikichi, what do you know about the five villages?" 

Shikichi glanced at the map, noting the five villages around the forest bordering the Eastern Hills. He admitted, "I don't know much about them," then turned to someone in the group. "Fuma, aren't you from one of these villages?" 

Fuma nodded. "Yes, I'm from Koji Village." 

Kanoru continued, "I want to know about all five villages—how they live and how many people reside in each." 

Fuma explained, "The villages are quite similar. People farm from spring to autumn, and in winter, they rely on hunting. Each village has about 200 to 300 residents." 

Kanoru asked, "There may be retired samurai living there, correct?" 

Fuma confirmed, "Yes, but only apprentices and lower-ranked samurai. All of them are retired and over 30 years old." 

Kanoru nodded. "But they're skilled in archery, aren't they?" 

Fuma responded, "Most villagers hunt regularly and are highly skilled with a bow." 

Kanoru continued, "They hunt in the Eastern Hills and the surrounding forest, which means they know the terrain well." 

Fuma agreed. "Yes." 

Shikichi interjected, "We cannot involve ordinary villagers in military matters without the lord's permission." 

Tasuo added, "It's our duty as samurai to protect them, not drag them into war." Some other samurai echoed his sentiment. 

Kanoru's expression remained calm as he said, "Who said I want them to fight the Niwais?" 

Shikichi frowned. "Then what are you planning?" 

Kanoru replied, "The area north of the river makes up only a quarter of the entire Eastern Hills, but it's still large enough to hide a 150-man army." 

The others nodded in agreement with his assessment. 

Kanoru continued, "If we enter the Eastern Hills to search for them or set up a blockade inside the forest, they could simply slip out through another route, putting the five villages in immediate danger." He paused, letting his words sink in. 

Shikichi said, "Go on." 

Kanoru continued, "My plan is to turn the five villages into fortresses. We'll divide our forces into five teams, each guarding and patrolling a village. This way, we can effectively contain the Niwais within the Eastern Hills." 

The samurai exchanged looks, nodding. Kanoru's plan might not lead to an immediate victory, but it was the safest and most effective way to block the Niwais from attacking Entori with minimal risk. 

Shikichi said, "Then at dawn, we divide our forces into five groups, each heading to a village to fortify it." 

Kanoru added, "One team should leave immediately for Nisi Village." 

Shikichi frowned. "Why?" 

Kanoru gestured toward the map. "Look at its location." 

Shikichi studied the map. "It's near the river." 

"Exactly," Kanoru confirmed. "The Niwais only need to cross at a narrow point and follow the riverbank to exit the forest, bringing them straight to Nisi Village. We should send two teams there—each consisting of two middle-ranked samurai and 20 lower-ranked samurai." 

Shikichi hesitated. "Then one village will be left unguarded." 

"That would be Konai Village," Kanoru said. "It's the furthest away, and if the Niwais go through the hills and forest, it'll take them a day to reach it. It'll be their last option." 

Kanoru continued, "The second team at Nisi Village will help build defenses there, then after some rest, they'll head to Konai Village." 

Shikichi stood. "Yukei, Chi, and Yuto, come with me. Gather 40 lower-ranked warriors—we leave in an hour." 

Turning to Kanoru, he added, "You assign the remaining teams to their villages." With that, he and his chosen officers left to gather their forces. 

Kanoru turned to another samurai. "Sir Fuma, you're assigned to Koji Village. Choose one middle-ranked samurai and 20 lower-ranked samurai." Koji Village was the closest to Nisi Village. 

Fuma nodded and stood. He turned to another samurai. "Takenaka, will you join my team?" 

Takenaka stood. "Yes, Sir Fuma, I'd be glad to." 

Tasuo silently followed them as they left to gather their warriors. 

Kanoru then turned to Lady Riko. "You'll take command of Toru Village. Choose your second-in-command and your squad." 

Lady Riko glanced at Asuna. "Asuna, will you join me?" 

Asuna shook her head. "No, sorry, Lady Riko. I'm following Kanoru." 

Lady Riko nodded in understanding and stood up, walking away to assemble her team. 

Kanoru turned to the two middle-ranked samurai still seated. "Sir Ryohi, Sir Akozo, you will both follow me." 

Ryohi smiled. "Of course." 

Akozo added, "We are at your service, Deputy Captain Kanoru." 

Kanoru smiled awkwardly. "Sir Ryohi, Sir Akozo, there's no need for formalities. You are my seniors—please offer me your guidance." 

With that, Kanoru went to find Shikichi, as he had yet to select lower-ranked samurai for his team. The remaining warriors would automatically join him. 

He stayed awake until Shikichi and his team departed, then finally went to rest. 

An hour before dawn, he woke and began packing up his tent. Around him, the temporary camp slowly stirred to life. After gathering his belongings, he walked to the lake, washed himself, and ate a quick meal from their supplies. 

Afterward, he headed to where his horse was tethered and fed it. Once everyone was ready, they mounted their horses and rode together for an hour before Fuma and his team separated, heading south toward Koji Village. 

Since Toru Village lay straight ahead, they continued their journey. After another two hours, Kanoru and his team parted ways with Lady Riko and her squad, who turned toward Toru Village while he led his group toward Mani Village. 

A few hours before noon, Kanoru and his team reached the outskirts of Mani Village.

As they approached, villagers working in the fields paused to stare at them. The harvest season was nearing, and Karonu's gaze swept over the golden paddy fields. A thought crossed his mind: *They need to harvest quickly. If the Niwais attack, their crops will become the enemy's food supply.* 

As they entered the village, the villagers and children gathered, watching them with cautious eyes. 

Karonu spoke firmly, "Where is the village chief?" 

The villagers exchanged glances and murmured among themselves. Then a voice called out, "I am the village chief!" 

An old man ran toward them, slightly out of breath. "I am the chief of Mani Village. Samurai, what can I do for you?" 

Karonu got straight to the point. "A force of Niwais is crossing into our land through the Eastern Hills." 

A ripple of panic spread through the villagers. Murmurs turned into worried whispers, fear evident on their faces. 

Karonu raised his voice to reassure them. "Do not worry. We are here to protect you and will fortify your village." 

The village chief bowed deeply. "Thank you, Samurai. Thank you." 

"But for that, we need your cooperation," Karonu added. 

The village chief nodded. "Yes, Samurai. We will do whatever is needed." He turned to his people. "Right, my fellow villagers?" 

A chorus of voices responded, "Yes!" 

Karonu wasted no time. "Chief, gather all available villagers and dig a trench—half a meter wide and two meters deep—ten meters around the village perimeter." 

The village chief nodded. "Yes, we will begin immediately." 

Karonu turned to his samurai. "Asuna, Mika—you will stay behind to help and oversee the work." Then he looked at the rest of his warriors. "Drop your luggage and follow me to the forest. We need timber." 

Asuna nodded. "Understood." The samurai began unstrapping their gear, placing it under a large tree. 

Karonu turned back to the chief. "Do you have anything in the village to transport large fallen trees?" 

The chief thought for a moment. "We have two ox carts." 

"Good," Karonu said. "Once we leave, send them after us toward the forest." 

With that, Karonu rode toward the nearest tree, dismounted to drop his luggage, then mounted again. With his team following close behind, he galloped east toward the forest.

Chapter 16. Battle For Nisi Village

At the same time, Karonu and his group entered the forest to cut trees. In Nisi Village, Shikichi inspected the fortifications built in a limited time. He didn't know when or if the Niwais would attack. Last night, Karonu mentioned the Niwais exiting the Eastern Hills and marching along the riverbank. Shikichi agreed with his reasoning—if he were leading the Niwais, he would use the same route. 

He climbed the earthen fortification—no wood was used. After arriving at dawn, his group, along with the villagers, dug a three-meter-deep, two-meter-wide trench around the village, using the soil to create an elevated platform inside the perimeter. 

A voice called out, "Shikichi, you should rest." He didn't need to turn to recognize it. 

"Chi, you rest," Shikichi replied. 

Chi shrugged. "A short nap, and I'm back to full strength. You should do the same." 

"I will after Yuto returns." 

"Where did he go?" Chi asked. 

"I sent him to the riverbank to watch for the Niwais." 

"What are the chances they'll take that route?" 

Shikichi countered, "If you were their captain, which route would you take?" 

Chi thought for a moment. *If I knew nothing about the Eastern Hills—the beasts, the dangers—I'd avoid it.* He said aloud, "I'd take the riverbank too." 

They stood atop the platform, gazing south as the sun set. A cool breeze from the river brushed against them. Suddenly, dust clouds rose in the distance—someone was running from the forest. 

Chi squinted. "It's Yuto. You can rest now." 

Shikichi might have agreed, but Yuto was sprinting at full speed, kicking up dust. Even more unusual, he had opened his four body gates for speed. Shikichi muttered, "Did he really need to open his gates just to return?" 

Chi's expression hardened. The hour-long run from the river was about to be completed in ten minutes. Yuto, desperate to reach the village, dashed across the paddy fields, leapt over the trench, ran three steps along the soil wall, and landed on the platform. 

Bent over, hands on his knees, drenched in sweat, Yuto gasped for breath. Shikichi waited until his breathing steadied. 

"What happened? Did you spot them?" 

"Yes," Yuto managed. 

Shikichi's gaze sharpened. "How long until they arrive?" 

"They're on foot, no horses in sight. Two to three hours." 

Shikichi fell silent, calculating his next move. 

Chi broke the silence. "Your orders?" 

Shikichi said, "Tell everyone to prepare, including villagers with bows. Have them eat now and send someone to Koji Village to inform Fuma." 

Chi nodded. "You and Yuto should rest. I'll wake you when I see the enemy." 

Shikichi almost refused, but if he didn't rest, Yuto wouldn't either. In battle, exhaustion could mean death. He sighed. "Alright."

------

By the riverbank, men and women in armor marched forward, carrying spears and shields. Their armor bore the engraved symbol of a bear. Leading them were two figures—a teenager and a young man. 

The teenager spoke. "Brother, is Father really going to honor the promise to the Sanada and hand over the Mori lands?" 

The young man replied, "A samurai cannot break his word." 

"I know," the teenager said, "but I feel reluctant. They only gave us 500 men and hired some pirates to help." 

"I also hesitate to give up the land," the young man admitted, "but without their 500 men, we couldn't have broken through the passes." 

He continued, "Besides, the contract lasts only a year. Next year, we can strike back and reclaim it." 

The teenager smirked. "Good plan. This time, nothing will stop us from destroying the Moris." 

They marched in silence for half an hour before the teenager grumbled, "I'm hungry. Let's rest and catch some fish." 

"Not now," the young man said. "There's a village just beyond the forest. We must reach it before nightfall." 

The teenager scoffed. "A small village? How long would it take to conquer it?" 

The young man's gaze darkened. "Do you think the Moris haven't noticed our departure from the main force?" 

He continued, "Even with a day's head start, the river crossing took half a day. We were on one side while they were on this one. Their forces are either already here or on the way." 

The teenager's expression hardened. "I understand, Brother." With renewed determination, he pressed on. 

Two hours later, they emerged from the forest and turned north. 

"Yuki," the young man called, "how far is the village?" 

A man behind him answered, "Young Lord, an hour's march." 

"Then the destruction of this village will mark the beginning of the Mori's end." 

The warriors roared, "End of the Moris!" 

Five minutes later, the paddy fields came into view. But beyond them, a wall stood—manned by Mori men and women. 

The young man narrowed his eyes. "Looks like we're late." 

The teenager asked, "Brother, what now?" 

The young man smirked. "We attack."

-----

Chi, standing atop the wall, spotted the approaching force. Beside him, Yukei muttered, "Looks like they're here." 

Chi turned slightly. "Rozo, wake up Shikichi and Yuto." 

A teenager behind them answered, "Yes, sir," then turned and sprinted away. 

Chi continued, "We should man the eastern wall." 

Yukei nodded. "With that armor, they won't risk crossing the muddy paddy fields." He secretly wished they would—mud would slow them down, making them easy targets for his arrows. 

But his wish went unfulfilled. The enemy bypassed the fields, heading east before turning north. Seeing this, Chi and the others moved to the eastern wall. 

As the Niwais army reached the road leading to the village, Shikichi and Yuto joined them. The enemy pulled shields from their backs, forming a protective wall against incoming arrows. 

"If we still had the old bows," Yuto said, watching them, "we wouldn't be able to stop them from advancing." 

Chi smirked. "With the new bows, their shields won't save them." 

Yuto turned to Shikichi. "Give us the order, and we'll start shooting." 

"Not yet," Shikichi said, watching the enemy close in. "Let them get closer." 

A minute later, he raised his bow. "Everyone, ready." 

A chorus of voices responded, "Yes!" 

"Fire!" 

Shikichi released his arrow, and the air filled with the snap of bowstrings as a hundred arrows rained down. 

The volley struck the shield wall. Some arrows pierced through, and pained screams echoed. 

"Keep shooting!" Shikichi commanded, firing another arrow. 

Suddenly, twenty samurai burst from the shield wall, spears in hand, charging at incredible speed toward the village. 

"Samurai, draw your swords!" Shikichi shouted. "Villagers, keep firing!" 

He unsheathed his blade, swinging it toward the enemy. A crescent-shaped wind blade shot forward. 

From within the Niwais ranks, a man raised his spear and thrust it forward. A wind arrow shot from the spearhead, colliding with Shikichi's attack—both vanishing in a burst of energy.

Chapter 17. Sacrifice

Kanoru's sword, enveloped in wind, sliced cleanly through a tree trunk. The tree remained upright until he walked to the other side and gave it a push—only then did it fall. 

Behind him, Ryohi asked, "Do we need to cut more?" 

Kanoru replied, "I don't know. Until the construction is finished, I can't say." then added, "But for today, this will do." 

A loud crash interrupted them as another tree fell nearby. 

Ryohi turned and shouted, "Akozo, stop! No more trees for today!" 

Kanoru gazed toward the forest, waiting for the lower-ranked samurai to return. When they first arrived to cut trees, they realized no one had brought axes. After a quick discussion, he, Ryohi, and Akozo—who could wield the power of wind—decided to fell the trees with their swords, ensuring the blades wouldn't be damaged. Meanwhile, he had sent the lower-ranked samurai into the forest to hunt. 

Kanoru glanced at the pile of dead beasts—rabbits, boars, and birds already gathered. They had agreed not to rely solely on the village's food supply. One of the samurai had come across a herd of deer, and upon hearing this, the others had followed him deeper into the forest to hunt.

"Looks like we have to wait for them," Kanoru said. 

Akozo, sitting down on a tree trunk, replied, "I'll gladly wait if they bring back deer." 

Following his lead, Kanoru and Ryohi also sat down. 

Ryohi then spoke, "Kanoru, I should congratulate you. Any day now, you'll reach the second stage of the Sword Wind Realm." 

Kanoru asked, "Both of you have already reached the second stage. Can you give me any advice on how to advance?" 

Akozo said, "Anyone who understands the power of wind and enters the first stage will eventually reach the second. The only difference is how long it takes." 

Ryohi nodded in agreement. "Yes. Understanding the wind is the hardest part, but once you do, advancing to the second stage happens naturally." 

Kanoru, surprised, asked, "How?" 

Ryohi answered, "Master one sword style or become proficient in all five." 

Kanoru now understood why he felt that if he applied the 80 different ways to use the power of wind to a sword move, he would advance to the second stage. Since he had nothing else to do at the moment, he thought he should ask them how to reach the third and fourth stages.

Kanoru asked, "Can you tell me about the third and fourth stages?" 

Akozo answered, "To enter the third stage, one must understand the nature of the power of wind." 

Ryohi added, "But it's difficult to comprehend." 

Akozo sighed. "Five years have passed, and I still haven't grasped it." 

Ryohi scoffed. "Only five years? For me, it's been seven." 

Kanoru said, "So many years have passed—have you both stopped trying to comprehend it?" 

Akozo shook his head. "No, every day, I spend two hours trying." 

Ryohi added, "I spend three." 

Kanoru didn't understand why they dedicated so much time to this. From his limited knowledge, the power of the wind only enhanced a samurai's combat ability. If they had spent so many years without success, wouldn't it be better to focus on opening the gates inside their bodies instead? There had to be a reason. 

So Kanoru asked, "Wouldn't it be better to use that time to train your body and open the gates?" 

Ryohi replied, "We do this because we know our limits. We will likely never advance beyond Middle-ranked Samurai—our chances of reaching Higher-rank are less than 10%." 

Akozo nodded in agreement. 

Kanoru asked, "Does the power of wind help one become a Higher-ranked Samurai?" 

Akozo answered, "Not directly, but indirectly." 

Ryohi continued, "To advance to the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm, one must deeply comprehend the nature of the power of wind—enough to sense the spirit of wind. Then, through willpower, they must subdue and merge with these spirits. When that happens, their body is baptized by the power of wind, healing internal injuries, removing accumulated impurities, improving talent, and increasing vitality." 

Akozo added, "It also extends the age at which your strength stops advancing—from 30 years to 45." 

Before Kanoru could ask another question, he heard footsteps coming from the deep jungle. Looking up, he saw the lower-rank samurai returning, half of them carrying deer carcasses. 

Kanoru thought, "Looks like it's time to head back."

----

That night, after dinner, Kanoru sat on the roof of a house, staring south. His face was tense with worry. If their plan had succeeded, then Sir Shikichi, his team, and the villagers of Nisi Village would have already been destroyed by the Niwais. But now, the Niwais should be trapped inside Nisi Village, pinned down by Fuma and his group. 

Yesterday, when he made the plan and assigned the teams, every middle-ranked samurai present understood the true purpose behind it. Yet, no one spoke of it aloud, ensuring the lower-ranked samurai remained unaware. 

He felt someone climbing onto the roof and turned to see Asuna approaching under the moonlight. 

"Why are you looking south with such worry?" she asked. 

Kanoru didn't answer. Instead, he said, "Can you ask your father to take care of the families of Sir Shikichi and his team?" 

Asuna frowned. "Why?" 

Kanoru remained silent. Just then, he spotted a woman riding toward the village on horseback. Seeing this, he stood up and shouted, "Sir Akozo! Sir Ryohi!" 

In the next moment, Akozo and Ryohi leaped onto the roof, looking at him questioningly. 

Kanoru pointed to the approaching rider. "The news we've been waiting for has arrived." 

Akozo and Ryohi immediately jumped down and ran toward the woman. Kanoru followed, and behind him, Asuna called out, "Wait for me!" before rushing after them. 

When Kanoru reached the rider, the woman spoke, "Lady Riko sent me. The plan succeeded." 

Akozo and Ryohi froze, their expressions turning to stone. 

Kanoru asked, "Did Lady Riko leave for Nisi Village?" 

The woman nodded. "Yes." 

Kanoru turned to the others. "Sir Akozo, Sir Ryohi, now is not the time to mourn. We must leave for Nisi Village immediately. We cannot let the sacrifice of Sir Shikichi, his samurai, and the villagers be in vain." 

Ryohi clenched his fists and then turned toward the village. "You're right. We can't let their sacrifice be wasted." 

Akozo let out a heavy breath. "The plan succeeded, but why don't I feel happy?" Shaking his head, he turned back to prepare for the journey. 

Asuna, now even more confused, demanded, "What plan succeeded? And why are you talking about Sir Shikichi, his group, and the villagers as if they are dead?" 

Kanoru said, "Now isn't the time. I'll explain on the way to Nisi Village." 

With that, he headed toward the village to get ready. Asuna and the woman followed close behind.

Chapter 18. Master and Wind Gems

Junzo stood beside his brother, Tsuki, watching the flames consume the frontline camp. Tsuki, the lord of this land, had made the difficult decision to abandon the camp when the Niwais launched their assault, and pirates infiltrated the river behind them. Staying had become too dangerous. Now, their priority was to prevent the Niwais' main force and the pirates from landing on their side of the river. 

Junzo's immediate concern was the small Niwais force that had crossed the river from the east. He had already sent a unit to intercept them, though they were outnumbered by about thirty men, and their fighting strength was only half that of the Niwais. 

"Brother, is there any news from Shikichi?" Tsuki asked. 

"Someone should be arriving with a report any minute now," Junzo replied. 

Tsuki hesitated before speaking again. "I heard you made Kanoru Shikichi's deputy captain. Can he handle it?" 

Junzo nodded. "Kanoru was the first to spot the pirates. With only fourteen lower-ranked samurai, he managed to stall their advance until Negi and I arrived to stop them." 

Tsuki considered this and said, "After the battle, I should reward him with some land." 

Before Junzo could respond, they heard a voice calling their names. Turning, they saw Kaomisa approaching, her arm and upper left body wrapped in bandages.

Tsuki frowned. "Why are you here? You should be resting. Tomorrow, you'll have to fight again." 

Kaomisa shook her head. "I was thinking about the man I fought today." 

Junzo crossed his arms. "I heard he has mastered the power of lightning. It's not your fault that you couldn't defeat him." 

Kaomisa and her brother had both opened the Seventh Gate, yet the man who had injured her had only opened the Sixth. 

"I will defeat him in our next fight," she said firmly. "I was caught off guard when he used the power of lightning." 

Tsuki's expression darkened. "To control both the power of wind and lightning... That makes him nearly as strong as you and me." He thought back—there had been no reports from their spies about such a warrior. "The Niwais must have been preparing for this invasion for more than a decade." 

Junzo nodded in agreement, his thoughts turning inward. 'If I could comprehend the Fourth Stage of the power of wind, then our high-level strength would finally match the Niwais.' 

He was a high-ranked samurai who had once opened Six Gates, but after turning thirty, his strength had begun to decline. Now, at forty-one, his normal strength was that of a Five-Gate warrior. The power of the wind could temporarily restore him to his peak, but only for a short time. 

Their attention shifted back to Kaomisa as she spoke again. "I don't think he's a member of the Niwais." 

Junzo and Tsuki turned to her in surprise. "What?" 

Kaomisa met their gazes steadily. "Because during our entire fight, he never used the power of wind." 

Tsuki narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?" 

Kaomisa's voice was firm. "Lord, do you think I would lie about this?" 

Silence fell between them as Tsuki and Junzo sank into deep thought. 

There were four great continents in the world. On their continent, the powers of Wind, Lightning, Light, and Darkness resided. If this warrior was not Niwais, then where had he come from? 

Their people followed a specific path—first comprehending the power of Wind, then using it to grasp the power of Lightning, and finally progressing to the power of Light. Only after mastering three of the four elemental powers on their continent could they sense and absorb the world's essence energy. 

Anyone who could absorb essence energy was known as a 'Master', and every Master was a 'Divine Samurai'. However, not all Divine Samurai were Masters. There were two ways to become a Master: following the three-power path or comprehending a single power to the level where one could absorb essence energy. Their people followed the three-power path, while the Niwais pursued the single-power path—though their focus was on Wind rather than Lightning. 

The man who had injured Kaomisa using the power of Lightning could still be Niwais. Those who deeply comprehended Wind could eventually perceive and wield Lightning. But if that were the case, Kaomisa should have sensed Wind energy from him. If he had instead comprehended Lightning directly, then he either belonged to another family, or the Niwais had acquired a new inheritance. 

After explaining his thoughts, he asked, "Which of these two possibilities seems more likely?" 

Junzo was the first to respond. "Tsuki, those 500 samurai who suddenly appeared, destroyed the fort, and opened the passage for the Niwais—we assumed they had been hidden by the Niwais and prepared for this invasion. But now, I suspect they might be from another family entirely." 

Kaomisa's eyes hardened. "Then let's capture that man tomorrow and interrogate him."

Tsuki replied, "I would like to, but we can't. Our higher-ranked samurai are outnumbered. We have four, while they have five. Junzo is already struggling to hold off their fifth higher-ranked samurai." 

Junzo sighed. "Little Brother, I'm sorry. If I had reached the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm, we wouldn't be in this dilemma." 

Kaomisa shook her head. "Sir Junzo, this isn't your fault. If you weren't a Mori, you would have retired from samurai duties by now and wouldn't even be involved in this war, but..." 

Junzo cut her off. "But I *am* Mori Junzo." 

Tsuki spoke firmly, "Brother, if you weren't here, our situation would be far worse. Besides, I brought something from the treasury that might help us break this deadlock." 

Kaomisa's eyes narrowed. "What is it?" 

Tsuki extended his hand. "Brother, give me your palm." 

Junzo held out his palm, and Tsuki retrieved a red wooden box from his pocket, placing it in his brother's hand. 

Junzo frowned. "What is this?" 

Tsuki simply said, "Open it and see."

Junzo, heeding his little brother's words, opened the box to reveal ten blue, sparkling gems. The peculiar thing about them was the faint sound of wind emanating from within, and as he gazed upon them, he could feel the air around him subtly pick up. 

Kaomisa whispered, "Wind Gems…" Then, turning to her lord, she asked, "Tsuki, why is this the first time I've heard about them?" 

Tsuki replied, "I kept them hidden for an emergency like this." He then looked at his elder brother and said, "Elder Brother, among us, you are the closest to reaching the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm. I want you to use these ten Wind Gems to advance." 

Junzo had known about the Wind Gems locked away in the family's inner treasury, but he had never requested them. He had wanted to reach the fourth stage through his own efforts. But now, with the enemy ahead and his family depending on him, he had no choice. 

Accepting the responsibility, he simply said, "Thank you, Brother," before closing the box. 

Before he could leave to use the gems, a samurai came running toward them and called out, "Lord! A report from the Eastern Hills!" 

Tsuki took the scroll, unrolling it swiftly. Junzo and Kaomisa stepped beside him to read, their eyes scanning the words as the first rays of sunlight crested over the Eastern Hills behind them.

Chapter 19. The Reason

The three read the report with blank expressions, but as they reached Kanoru's plan, their faces darkened. 

"If I had given them five more middle-ranked samurai, they wouldn't have had to resort to such a plan," Junzo muttered. 

A middle-ranked samurai was only one rank higher than a lower-ranked one, but even five lower-ranked samurai who had opened three gates could barely hold off a middle-ranked samurai with four gates. The enemy force consisted of 20 middle-ranked samurai and 130 lower-ranked samurai. To properly hold them off, they would have needed at least 15 middle-ranked and 160 lower-ranked samurai. But Junzo had only been able to send 10 middle-ranked and 100 lower-ranked samurai. 

Tsuki shook his head. "Brother, this isn't your fault. We simply didn't have more men to send." 

Kaomisa added grimly, "Sixty percent of the samurai stationed on the other side of the river are dead, and forty percent are injured. Our numbers are stretched thin." 

Junzo exhaled sharply. "Thankfully, we only have the Niwais at our southern border. But at their border, the Niwais have two forces positioned against them. So they cannot send their full force." 

Both Tsuki and Kaomisa nodded, and they continued reading. As Junzo's eyes further scanned the report, his worst fears were confirmed. 

The garrison at Nisi Village—four middle-ranked samurai and 40 lower-ranked samurai—had been completely wiped out. However, 80% of the villagers managed to escape through a second gate built behind the village. 

According to the report, five enemy middle-ranked samurai had been killed by the garrison. Of the 130 enemy lower-ranked samurai, half had fallen to arrows. Nearly half had been cut down by Fuma and his group at the last moment. 

Now, the enemy occupied Nisi Village—but with limited supplies. If they attempted to leave, they would be shot down by arrows. 

A middle-ranked samurai could catch up to a horse, but doing so would take time and consume chakra. Meanwhile, they would be vulnerable to arrows, risking injury or death. The newly designed bows could fire arrows farther, capable of killing even middle-ranked samurai. 

The garrison had chosen this self-sacrificing strategy because they knew a direct battle would end in defeat. They had anticipated that the enemy would strike Nisi Village first. Had all their forces garrisoned there, they might have been able to hold the village, but then the enemy would have simply marched toward Entori. 

That, however, was not a major concern—while the enemy was on foot, their own forces had horses. They could decimate the advancing troops with arrows. The real threat was if the enemy retreated to the eastern hills. 

Inside the dense forests of the eastern hills, horses would be slowed, and firing arrows would become difficult, negating their primary advantage. Worse, the enemy would have access to abundant resources, including wild horses. The longer they remained in the eastern hills, the harder it would become to defeat them. 

If the enemy managed to connect with their main army, reinforcements would arrive, forcing their own main force to fight on three fronts—a disastrous situation. 

With pirates near the western cliffs, the need to stop the main enemy army from crossing the river, and now the threat in the eastern hills, any enemy foothold on this side of the river would be catastrophic. 

Currently, the enemy had 15 middle-ranked samurai and 60 lower-ranked samurai, while their own forces had only six middle-ranked samurai and 60 lower-ranked samurai. They were still no match for the enemy in direct combat. However, if the enemy left the shelter of Nisi Village, they would be exposed to relentless arrow fire, weakening their numbers until they could be engaged and annihilated in direct combat. 

Moreover, with the enemy's position now locked in, reinforcements could be sent. The main force could dispatch 10 middle-ranked samurai by ship, reaching the battlefield within three hours. Within a few more hours, they could crush the enemy and return to rejoin the main force.

Kaomisa, after reading the report, said, "Kanoru is a brilliant strategist, but he is only ten years old. If word spreads that his plan resulted in the loss of four middle-ranked samurai and forty lower-ranked samurai, some of their vengeful relatives might come after him." 

Junzo responded, "No worries. I will take responsibility and claim the plan was mine. I made Kanoru the deputy captain so he could oversee its execution." He knew Kanoru was still young—there was no need for him to bear such infamy. His plan had been ruthless, but it was effective. 

Kaomisa nodded. "That's for the best. But now, we should send some middle-ranked samurai to eliminate the remaining enemy quickly." 

Tsuki interjected, "We still need to confirm if any outside forces have joined hands with the Niwais to attack us. The lower-ranked samurai may not know, but the middle-ranked ones will have at least some insight." 

Junzo considered this. "To capture one or two middle-ranked samurai from the enemy, we would need to send at least fifteen of our own." 

Kaomisa spoke up, "I should go. I won't be able to fight today, and neither will that man because of our injuries. But for capturing prisoners, I am the best choice." 

Tsuki frowned. "But you're injured." 

Kaomisa dismissed his concern. "These wounds won't stop me from taking down fifteen middle-ranked samurai. Besides, we are already short on men for defence." 

Tsuki sighed. "Then get ready to leave." 

"I leave now," Kaomisa said. Since they were standing near the river, she jumped into a boat and began rowing. With the current flowing west to east and her own strength, she would reach Nisi Village in an hour, Tsuki estimated. 

Turning to Junzo, Tsuki said, "You should start training with the Wind Gems." He glanced at the sun, checking the time. "In a couple of hours, they will attack again." 

Junzo nodded and left. 

Tsuki remained, watching the dwindling flames of his former frontline camp. Beyond them, banners bearing the image of a bear fluttered in the wind. This war had no easy solution—he could not see a clear way to defeat the Niwais. They were outnumbered in both manpower and strength. 

Kanoru's new bow design had given them an advantage in long-range combat and was the reason Tsuki had abandoned the old frontline camp, retreating to this side of the river. Now, his task was clear: stop the Niwais and the pirates from securing a foothold here and wait for an opportunity.

-----

Kanoru sat alone on his horse, staring at Nisi Village. Behind him, his team waited on horseback, with the Eastern Hills rising in the distance. He wanted to inflict as much damage as possible if the enemy chose to escape into the hills. If they fled north or south, he could spot them from here. He had also stationed two samurai to the northwest and southwest to alert him if they attempted to escape to the west. 

He was certain the Niwais would abandon Nisi Village. The longer they stayed, the closer they came to death. Their captain would know this and would have no choice but to retreat into the Eastern Hills or attempt to cross the 50-meter-wide rapid river to the south. To preserve some of his forces, retreating into the hills was the only viable option. 

Their best chance to escape with minimal losses had been yesterday, right after occupying the village. But exhaustion from battle and Fume's ambush had made them hesitate. Unaware of Fume's true strength, they had stayed put. Now, in the morning light, they could clearly see Kanoru's numbers—and they would retreat at any moment. 

Kanoru's thoughts halted as he spotted movement on the village wall. Minutes passed as the entire enemy force gathered atop it. Raising his bow, he commanded, "Fire." 

With the snapping of bowstrings, arrows streaked toward the Niwais. Seeing the attack, the enemy leaped from the wall, crossed the dry canal, and charged toward Kanoru's position. 

"Scatter! Fire at will at the lower-ranked samurai!" Kanoru ordered. 

His group split into two, one heading north, the other south. He had targeted the lower-ranked samurai, knowing they were more vulnerable to arrows than the middle-ranked warriors. 

Turning in the saddle as his horse galloped south, Kanoru loosed an arrow. It flew at incredible speed, striking deep into a lower-ranked samurai's chest. Without stopping, he kept firing, cutting down enemy after enemy. 

The Niwais were now a few meters from escaping into the Eastern Hills. Kanoru kicked his horse forward, shouting, "Charge!" He continued shooting until he neared the enemy, then switched from bow to sword. Urging his horse to full speed, he charged straight at a middle-ranked samurai.

Chapter 20. Battle

Kanoru leapt from his horse as he approached the middle-rank samurai. He dismounted because he was not trained in horseback combat. While he could fight an equal opponent on horseback, facing someone stronger that way was too risky. 

As he landed, Kanoru swung his sword, releasing a wind blade, which the enemy blocked with his spear. Without hesitation, Kanoru charged forward, his sword's edge glowing blue. 

Right behind him, Asuna and Mika followed suit. The three of them were familiar with each other's fighting styles, allowing them to synchronize seamlessly as they engaged the middle-rank samurai.

This was his second time fighting a middle-rank samurai, and as he exchanged blows, he noticed that this one was slightly weaker than the middle-rank samurai realm pirate he had fought before. 

He gave the samurai no room to maneuver, knowing that a spear's full power required space to be effective. While a sword also needed some space to unleash its full potential, a spear demanded even more. 

Kanoru, Asuna, and Mika moved in perfect sync, attacking one after another, leaving the middle-rank samurai with no chance to retaliate.

Kanoru and his team's goal was not to risk their lives to kill their opponents. The enemy had twice as many is a middle-rank samurai as they did, and despite eliminating more than 50% of the Niwais' lower-ranked samurai before engaging in close combat, the Niwais still held the advantage. 

Kanoru refused to fight a battle where the risk of death outweighed his chances of survival. When discussing the battle plan with his team, he made it clear: this was not a fight to the death. 

He gave strict orders to retreat under three conditions: 

1. If any of their middle-ranked samurai were injured and unable to fight at full strength. 

2. If 20% of their lower-ranked samurai became incapable of fighting. 

3. If the battle lasted more than two hours.

So, if the goal wasn't to kill the Niwais, then why fight this battle? 

The purpose was to hold the Niwais in place long enough for reinforcements from the frontline camp to arrive. A villager had been sent with a report one hour after yesterday's battle, traveling straight along the riverbank on horseback. It would take him 12 hours to reach the main camp. 

By sunrise, the lord should have received the report. If reinforcements were dispatched immediately, they would arrive in about three hours using the Kōgyoku River, aided by the rapid west-to-east current. 

This battle had begun an hour after dawn—which meant that if two hours passed with no reinforcements, none would be coming.

As the fight went on, Kanoru became more familiar with the enemy. Relying on his memory, he could predict the enemy's spear movements from subtle shifts in muscle tension. With this, he felt less pressure—but he never once believed he could kill the middle-ranked samurai. Their strength were still too far apart. 

To kill him, Kanoru would have to take a risk—one that could result in his injury, death, or worse, Asuna or Mika getting hurt. That was unacceptable. This wasn't a life-or-death situation where such a gamble was necessary. 

And so, the battle dragged on for an hour and a half. Then, Kanoru spotted villagers from Nisi and Koji coming into view. They had come to assist in their retreat. In half an hour, they would flee while the villagers rained arrows on the Niwais to prevent pursuit. 

Kanoru glanced at Asuna and Mika, subtly signaling north with a tilt of his head. They, too, had noticed the villagers. 

Amidst the clash, a fleeting thought crossed Kanoru's mind—a hot spring bath after this battle. The middle-rank samurai hadn't drawn blood, but every strike had left his muscles and bones aching.

The others in the team, still locked in battle, also noticed the approaching villagers and understood that the time for retreat had come. The signal to withdraw would be the first volley of arrows from the villagers. Everyone prepared themselves—but then, the fight paused for a brief moment. 

A black shadow entered the battlefield. 

It moved swiftly from one Niwai to another. Each time it passed a samurai, it left behind either a corpse or an unconscious middle-ranked warrior. In mere moments, every Niwai samurai lay either dead or incapacitated. 

The shadow stopped. Only then did they recognize Master Kaomisa. 

She stood before them, dressed in a flowing robe, with bandages wrapped around her arms and left upper body. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, and despite her injuries, she radiated strength and heroism. 

The warriors, battered and bruised, bowed their heads in deep respect.

Master Kaomisa surveyed the battlefield and spoke firmly, "Good job, everyone. Now, carry the middle-ranked samurai of the Niwais to the village and burn the bodies of the lower-ranked ones." Kanoru nodded and first signaled the villagers from Nisi and Koji to return to Koji Village. Then, lifting the unconscious middle-ranked samurai he had fought, he carried him toward the centre of Nisi Village. The others followed suit, dragging the captured Niwai warriors and binding them together with heavy chains. 

Kaomisa's voice carried a solemn weight as she addressed them. "We have completed our task, but the sacrifices of Shikichi and the others deeply sadden me." Her gaze met each samurai's eyes before she continued, "But their sacrifice allowed us to eliminate all the lower-ranked samurai and capture fifteen middle-ranked ones. And Kanoru—" She turned to him. 

Kanoru straightened as she called his name. "Yes, Master Kaomisa?" 

"You did well in implementing Master Junzo's plan." 

Kanoru's eyes widened as he realized Junzo was taking responsibility for the risky strategy that had cost lives. With his strength as a higher-ranked samurai and his prestigious Mori surname, Junzo could bear the weight of the blame. 

Kanoru could hear murmurs around him, sensing the shift in his comrades' feelings toward him. He quickly responded, "Master Kaomisa, it was nothing. I only carried out Master Junzo's plan. The true credit belongs to Captain Shikichi and the others who gave their lives." 

Master Kaomisa gave a slight nod. "After the war, the families of the fallen will be rewarded." Then, turning to the captured samurai, she ordered, "Now, wake them up. I have questions for them."

Chapter 21. Sanada Family

Kanoru watched as the middle-ranked samurai regained consciousness, all fifteen of them bearing bruises in the same spot on the back of their necks. Master Kaomisa had rendered them unconscious with a single strike. 

The gap between ranks grew wider at higher levels. A low-ranked samurai could fight a middle-ranked one for several minutes, and if they grasped the power of an element, they could extend the battle further depending on their stage. 

However, no middle-ranked samurai could ever match a higher-ranked one, even with superior elemental mastery. The sheer strength of a higher-ranked samurai was overwhelming, rendering any advantage in elemental power meaningless.

After five minutes, all fifteen middle-ranked samurai regained consciousness, their eyes filled with hatred toward Master Kaomisa, yet they remained silent. Master Kaomisa said, "Looks like none of you are willing to talk." She then muttered to herself, "I'll have to arrange for them to be taken to Entori." 

Fuma suggested, "Master Kaomisa, why don't we build a prison here and keep them?" Ryohi supported the idea, adding, "It won't take us more than half a day to construct one." 

Riko asked, "Master, why did you capture them?" Master Kaomisa replied, "To extract information." Riko pressed further, "Can we know what information you're after?" Master Kaomisa answered, "I want to know if any other families have joined them in invading us." 

Kanoru, who had been observing the captured samurai, noticed something peculiar when Master Kaomisa mentioned her reason for capturing them. To confirm, he closed his eyes and recalled the moment she spoke. While the samurai remained stoic and silent, he detected subtle body movements in some of them—so minimal they would have gone unnoticed by the naked eye.

Kanoru asked, "Master Kaomisa, how did you discover that other families allied with the Niwais?" 

Master Kaomisa replied, "The man who injured me." Everyone turned to look at her as she continued, "Yesterday, I was ambushed by someone who used the power of lightning to wound me." 

Ryohi asked, "Master, why do you believe he was an outsider?" 

Master Kaomisa explained, "Because I didn't sense any power of wind from him." 

Riko frowned. "Then how was he able to control lightning without wind?" 

Master Kaomisa said, "One doesn't need to comprehend wind to grasp lightning." 

Kanoru hesitated before saying, "But the sword training method you gave me—" 

Master Kaomisa interrupted, "Every force has its own path to reach the realm of masters. Ours requires understanding wind, lightning, and light, but others follow the same path or completely different ones." 

Kanoru nodded slowly. "So, some inheritances focus on lightning, light, and then wind?" 

Master Kaomisa confirmed, "Yes. And some focus on a single element, like the Niwais, who dedicate themselves solely to wind to ultimately comprehend the power of the world." 

Kanoru asked curiously. "Single line?" 

Kaomisa explained, "Single-line inheritances focus on mastering only one of the four elemental powers in our land until they sense the power of the world. We, on the other hand, follow a multi-line path, mastering three elements before merging them to reach the same goal." 

Many in the team began whispering, their understanding of the world expanding with this newfound knowledge.

Another lower-ranked samurai, Miu, asked, "Master Kaomisa, we mentioned the power of our land—is the power in other lands different?" 

Kanoru's eyes were also trained on Master Kaomisa, anticipating her answer. 

Master Kaomisa replied, "We know of three other lands discovered so far, but I only have knowledge of the one closest to us—the Five Sacred Beast Land. There, the five elemental powers are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood." 

Riku asked. "They have five, while we have four. Does that mean their land is stronger than ours?" 

Master Kaomisa shook her head. "Their land is larger than ours, which is why they have one more elemental power." Seeing everyone nod in understanding, she continued, "We can discuss this later. For now, we must prepare to transport them to the prison in Entori." 

Kanoru suddenly remembered something he wanted to test and asked, "Master Kaomisa, one last question." 

Master Kaomisa, seeing Kanoru's serious expression, softened her gaze and said, "Go ahead and ask." 

Kanoru hesitated before asking, "Master Kaomisa, which family in our land starts with the power of lightning?" 

Master Kaomisa thought for a moment before answering, "Tachibana." She paused briefly before adding, "No… it can't be the Tachibana. They are known for using hammers as weapons. The man who injured me wielded a spear and used the power of lightning. Then the possible families would be—Taira, Shingen, Kato, Sanada, Watanabe, and…" 

As she continued listing names, Kanoru noticed the same subtle reactions among the captive Niwai samurai when she mentioned *Sanada.* He then asked, "Master Kaomisa, what can you tell me about the Sanada family?" 

At his question, the captives maintained their stoic expressions, staring straight ahead as if uninterested. However, Kanoru caught the briefest flicker of a glance from them, just for a fraction of a second.

Master Kaomisa said, "Sanada… They live west of our land. Their lord rules over a single town like us, but they are enemies of the powerful Hojo family. That's all I know about them since they are too far away from us." 

Kanoru asked, "Master, could the Sanada family be the one the Niwais allied with?" 

Master Kaomisa frowned. "Our land is too far from them. What would they gain from attacking us?" 

Asuna, deep in thought, said, "To escape from the Hojo?" 

Kanoru added, "Our territory is the hardest to invade in this land. They may have allied with the Niwais to claim it for themselves." 

At his words, Kanoru noticed some of the captives staring at him in open shock. It was no longer subtle—they were blatantly reacting. Master Kaomisa and the other samurai caught on immediately. 

Master Kaomisa turned to the captives and asked coldly, "So, you allied with the Sanada? If we send word to the Hojo, they might help us wipe you out completely." 

One of the captives sneered, "You can't send any messages. Your ocean routes are already surrounded by pirates and Sanada warships." 

Another captive smirked. "This time, we will completely destroy you, Moris." 

Kaomisa's eyes darkened. "Even if we fall, you won't be alive to see it." Then, without hesitation, she gave the order. "Kill them."

Chapter 22. Sword Practice

After executing the captives, Master Kaomisa called Kanoru aside for a private conversation, and they walked out of the village. She first inquired about his sword practice. When Kanoru mentioned the eighty ways he had discovered to harness the power of the wind, Kaomisa raised an eyebrow and said, "Show me."

Kanoru stepped back, creating some distance, and demonstrated all eighty techniques with his sword. Kaomisa's expression shifted to surprise. "Show me again," she commanded. Kanoru repeated the techniques, and after observing closely, Kaomisa nodded and said, "I sense that only forty-five of your sword moves are smooth. The others are lacking in power."

Kanoru explained, "That's because I'm not proficient in all five sword styles."

Kaomisa asked, "Which ones are you struggling with?"

"Wolf, Eagle, and Mantis," Kanoru replied.

Kaomisa unsheathed her sword. "Attack me using those three styles."

Without hesitation, Kanoru launched into a full-strength assault, though he refrained from opening any of his gates. His attacks came rapidly, yet Master Kaomisa blocked every strike with ease, never taking a step back.

"Good. Now step back," she instructed. Kanoru obeyed, and Kaomisa continued, "Watch carefully. I'll show you where you're making mistakes."

Kanoru nodded. Kaomisa then glanced past him and said, "You can all come closer. No need to watch from a distance."

Turning around, Kanoru saw the lower-ranked samurai observing from atop the wall. Upon hearing her words, they leaped down, crossing the canal effortlessly, and ran toward them. Once they gathered, Kaomisa said, "Since you're all here, I'll demonstrate all five sword styles. Watch carefully—I'll begin with the Wolf style."

As she performed the Wolf sword style, Kanoru felt as if a wolf itself was lunging at him, striking with its claws and fangs. *Master Kaomisa has reached mastery in the Wolf style,* he thought. He observed closely, not only focusing on the movements of her sword but also on the way she moved her body.

Kaomisa executed the Wolf style three times before instructing, "Now, all of you perform it."

The samurai exchanged glances before spacing themselves out along the road, flanked on both sides by paddy fields. They formed six straight lines, but only 56 of the original 100 lower-ranked samurai remained alive.

Kaomisa frowned at the formation. "This space is too narrow. Any mistake could lead to injury. Let's move to the open field."

Kanoru, who was at the back, watched as his teammates walked forward before following them. Upon reaching the open field, they took their positions around Master Kaomisa and began practicing. They continued until Master Kaomisa finally said, "Stop."

She then pointed out the common mistakes each of them made before demonstrating the Wolf style one last time. In the same manner, she proceeded to teach the remaining four styles. By the time they finished, it was noon. Some went hunting, and once lunch was prepared, they all sat down to eat.

Kanoru, seated to the right of Master Kaomisa, asked as he ate, "Master Kaomisa, what is the situation at the frontline?"

Master Kaomisa replied, "It's neither good nor bad for us. The camp has retreated to this side. If nothing changes, we should be able to prevent them from gaining a foothold here."

Asuna, sitting to Kanoru's right, added, "But things will change once the Sanada family invests more in the war."

Takenaka commented, "It may not change. The Sanada family might only have one Higher-ranked Samurai."

Riko disagreed. "That's impossible. The Niwais are proud. If the Sanada family didn't have some strength, they wouldn't have agreed to an alliance."

Ryohi spoke up, "If we want to defeat them and drive them out of our land, we need to seek help from other families."

Master Kaomisa shook her head. "Our territory has the best defensive position, but it's also isolated from the other families in our land."

Kanoru nodded, understanding that with the Eagle Mountains running along the entire northern coast, their family relied on trading with the Five Sacred Beast Continent every spring, as it was more accessible. A week's journey from their territory would take them to the Five Sacred Beast Continent.

Asuna asked, "Then how will we defeat them?"

Kaomisa reassured them, "No need to worry. You are still young. I will discuss this new information with the lord and find a solution."

After finishing their meal in silence, Master Kaomisa and the middle-ranked samurai departed, leaving Kanoru and the remaining lower-ranked samurai to spend the night in the village and leave at dawn. They were tasked with repairing the village so the villagers of Nisi could return and harvest the paddy. In times of war, a shortage of food was not an option.

Kanoru first surveyed the village, assessing the damage. He then sent half of the lower-ranked samurai into the forest to gather wood while the rest tore down buildings that were beyond repair and would be better rebuilt from scratch. With their combined strength, they completed 80% of the work by sunset and decided to finish the rest at dawn before departing.

As the night settled in, Kanoru noticed that everyone sat in silence, deep in thought. He felt the need to change their mood.

With the full moon shining above, he saw an opportunity—training. Practicing their swordsmanship under the moonlight would not only lift their spirits but also exhaust them enough to sleep soundly.

For himself, it was the perfect time to refine his techniques. After Master Kaomisa's teaching, he could feel his proficiency in the three sword styles improving, but he had yet to master them. He wasn't tired, and under the full moon, there was no better time to train.

Kanoru stood up and shouted, "Everyone, let's go outside and practice our sword skills! We don't know when we'll be thrown into battle again, but the stronger we become, the longer we can survive and the more Niwais we can kill!"

Takenaka, the lord's son, scanned the surroundings before rising to his feet. "The defense of our territory is my father's and the higher-ranked samurai's responsibility. Our duty is to grow stronger, kill more of our enemies, and survive longer."

One by one, the others slowly stood and followed Kanoru outside to the open field. They began practicing, but Kanoru, lost in his training, failed to notice that their movements lacked energy and determination. Takenaka called out to him, snapping him out of his focus. Only then did Kanoru realize the others were going through the motions without true intent.

Thinking quickly, he approached one of the lower-ranked samurai. "Ryo, what style are you best at?"

Ryo, caught off guard, stared at him in surprise. It was the first time Kanoru had spoken to him directly, and he had assumed Kanoru didn't even know his name. "Snake style and Eagle style," he finally answered.

Kanoru nodded. "Practicing alone won't help us improve quickly. Let's train against each other."

Ryo agreed, and without hesitation, they began sparring.

Chapter 23. The fourth stage of sword wind realm

Kanoru and his team reached the front-line camp in the afternoon. As they arrived, they focused on blocking the Niwais from crossing the river. However, Kanoru knew stopping the lower- and middle-ranked samurai wouldn't matter if the enemy's higher-ranked warriors gained the upper hand. His real concern lay elsewhere.

He watched intently as Lord Mori faced off alone against two higher-ranked Niwai samurai. To his amazement, the lord held his ground. Yet, Kanoru knew that if their leader fell, it wouldn't matter how well they held the lower ranks at bay. 

His gaze then shifted to another crucial duel: Master Kaomisa versus the Sanada family's higher-ranked samurai. The Sanada warrior was weaker in raw strength, but his lightning mastery allowed him to evade most of Master Kaomisa's attacks. What truly unsettled Kanoru, however, was the looming possibility that the rest of the Sanada family might soon enter the battle.

The war halts as the sun nears the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield. With the fighting paused, Kanoru returns to the tent assigned to him—a large shelter shared with his comrades. 

Inside, the atmosphere is thick with exhaustion. Without a word, he settles in, grateful for a brief respite. Hunger gnaws at him, so he eats a quick meal before succumbing to fatigue. The exhaustion of battle weighs heavy, and before long, he drifts into sleep. 

By the time he wakes, dawn is still a whisper on the horizon. Slipping out of the tent with practiced silence, Kanoru dons his clothes and straps on his sword. The air is crisp with the lingering chill of night as he makes his way to the training ground. Most of the camp remains still, but he finds an empty space, grips his weapon, and begins his training. 

After yesterday's teachings from Master Kaomisa and the intense night of sparring with his team, Kanoru has finally attained proficiency in all five sword styles. With each swing of his blade, he refines his form, testing the limits of his newfound mastery. His control over the wind has grown stronger, allowing him to reach the second stage of the Sword Wind Realm. 

Yet, despite his progress, uncertainty lingers. To ascend further, he must grasp the true essence of wind—its very nature. However, he is at a loss for how to proceed. Seeking guidance, he had questioned Ryohi and Akozo, both of whom had spent years in the second stage of the Sword Wind Realm. Their advice? Keep practicing, and one day, understanding will come on its own. 

Their vague answers only deepened his frustration. Even those who had comprehended the nature of wind spoke of it differently. Some described it as the power to cut through anything, while others claimed it was the ability to shatter or manipulate force. With so many differing perspectives, Kanoru found himself at a loss. If the nature of wind was different for everyone, how was he supposed to discover his own path? 

Still, he had no time to dwell on the uncertainty. The battle had only paused, not ended. More Sanada Samurais could arrive at any moment, and the fate of their territory remained uncertain. With renewed determination, he gripped his sword tightly and continued training.

With no place to start to comprehend the nature of the power of wind, he cannot waste his time practicing sword skills as the war is still ongoing. He has to turn his attention to the third gate that he can open for a short period of time. To take control of the energy behind the third door first, he has to first make his body stronger so that it can bear the power to open the third gate. So with sorting his thoughts he start training his body.

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As Kanoru trained his body some distance from the frontline camp, four higher-ranked samurai of the Moris stood together. 

Negi crossed his arms and said, "Kaomisa! Why are we holding the meeting here?" 

Kaomisa replied, "I want to show you something." 

Negi frowned. "What?" 

Junzo interjected, "Negi! If Kaomisa didn't have something important to show us, she would have moved the meeting elsewhere." 

Tsuki smirked. "Negi, you're still as impatient as ever." 

Negi scowled. "How can I be patient when I see no way to win this war?" He continued, "If the ocean weren't blocked, we could have asked the Spring Sword Sect for help. They would have agreed." 

Junzo nodded. "Yes, in exchange for an increased supply of Black Kanji wood." 

Tsuki said, "Who said we can't seek help from outside? Did you forget that our eastern side is also an ocean?" 

Negi scoffed. "The east has no place for our ships to harbor. Are you suggesting we travel north from the east, then head inland?" 

Tsuki shook his head. "No. If you can think of that, then so can the Niwai and Sanada families. Instead, we'll sail south and reach the Eagle Mountains. There's a secret water passage that leads to the Honda Family's territory." 

Negi's eyes widened. "Really? But will the Honda Family help us?" 

Junzo considered it. "They have conflicts with the Niwai. They might." 

Tsuki added, "The Honda Family has a secret passage to the ocean, but they can't use it because they lack the knowledge to build ocean-worthy ships. If we offer to provide that knowledge, they may agree. But we'll need to hold the line for at least a week." 

Kaomisa suddenly spoke, drawing their attention. "Hey! Look here. What I'm about to show you may not only help us hold for a week—it could even end the fight." 

The three turned toward her as she began performing a series of sword techniques. They watched in rapt attention. The movements felt both familiar and unfamiliar, but one thing was clear—Kaomisa's swordplay seamlessly merged with the power of the wind. 

When she finished, Junzo said, "This technique can help those in the first stage of the Sword Wind Realm advance to the second stage." 

Negi frowned. "But that won't increase our strength by much, and ending the war with this is delusional." 

Kaomisa smiled. "This technique can also help Junzo advance to the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm." 

Negi's eyes narrowed. "How?" 

Tsuki, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "I understand." 

Negi turned to him. "What do you mean, Lord?" 

Tsuki explained, "This sword technique helps in understanding one of the natures of wind—Cut. Junzo already understands the nature of Shattering. If he can grasp the nature of Cut, he will advance to the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm."

As Tsuki finished speaking, Junzo began performing the sword technique, executing all eighty sword moves. When he finished, he stood still, deep in thought. The other three remained silent, not disturbing him. 

After a few minutes, Junzo took out a box containing Wind Gems, retrieved one, and returned the box to his pocket. He then crushed the gem in his fist. A blue wisp emerged from the shattered gem and entered his body. 

Junzo performed the sword technique again, but this time, after completing the eighty moves, he did not stop. He continued, transitioning into a technique of forty sword moves, then twenty, and finally ten. To the watching three, these sequences appeared to be advanced versions of the previous technique. 

After completing the final ten-move sequence, he stopped, his grip tightening around the sword handle. The sword began to vibrate, and waves of force rippled outward. When the waves reached the ground, the stones shattered into dust, and the earth beneath him cracked.

The wind began to howl, swirling around Junzo and rushing into his sword. As the wind merged with the blade, the sword grew brighter and brighter until it became a radiant blue light sword. 

Seeing this transformation, smiles spread across the faces of the other three. The thought of success echoed in their minds. 

Junzo released the sword, letting it sink into the ground up to the hilt. As it did, the wind shifted, now surging into Junzo's body. A tornado formed around him, lifting him into the air. The morning sky darkened as a storm took shape, thick clouds gathering under the force of the wind. Lightning struck the ground, and rain began to fall. 

Watching this, Tsuki said, "They are coming." 

Negi and Kaomisa turned south, spotting three black figures in the distance. Within moments, the figures became clear—three men standing at a distance. 

Negi smirked. "Lord Niwai, looks like you won't be able to defeat us." 

With his transformation complete, Junzo alone could battle two to four higher-rank samurai. If he fought without regard for his life, he could take two or three of them with him before falling. 

Lord Niwai sought the destruction of the Mori, but dying to achieve his goal was not part of his plan.

Chapter 24. The War End

After two days, Kanoru and half of the samurai at the frontline camp walked out, marching toward Entori, their home. The war had ended abruptly. 

Two days ago, while training his body, Kanoru was forced to stop after an hour as a storm suddenly formed. A tornado appeared to the northeast of the camp, yet strangely, it remained stationary. Despite its stillness, the surrounding wind became violent, tearing through the camp and forcing Kanoru and the samurai to flee to a safe distance. 

As time passed, the tornado began emitting a blue hue. From a distance, Kanoru felt an overwhelming power of wind radiating from it. Every samurai in the sword wind realm, whether at the first or second stage, stood frozen, staring at the glowing tornado in a trance. 

Kanoru, mesmerized, gazed at the blue light. With his naked eye, he felt as though he was witnessing the very mystery of the power of wind. Everything around him faded, and in his vision appeared a phantom figure practicing the sword technique he had derived from the five styles, merging the power of wind with the sword. 

The figure completed the technique, paused briefly, then began performing another set of sword moves. As Kanoru observed, he realized the new technique felt both familiar and unfamiliar—it carried the essence of the first but was more refined. It was an advanced version. 

After finishing the second technique, the figure continued, performing a third, which was again an evolution of the previous one. Then came the fourth technique, even more advanced than the third. Each successive technique built upon the last, forming a progression that deepened Kanoru's understanding of the power of wind.

After that, the figure slashed his sword toward him, and the vision disappeared. 

Coming out of the trance, Kanoru learned that he was not alone—everyone who had entered the sword wind realm experienced the same phenomenon. Some even advanced to higher stages, while others, like him, gained knowledge of the next stage. 

Ten minutes after Kanoru regained awareness, the storm dissipated. They returned to the frontline camp and began repairing the damage. 

While working, Kanoru and the others heard the sounds of battle. Rushing to see what was happening, they found a figure glowing with a blue hue, fighting alone against three Niwai higher-rank samurai. Lord Mori, Master Kaomisa, and Master Negi stood nearby, silently observing the fight. 

The figure moved as if he were the embodiment of the wind. Despite their combined strength, the three Niwai higher-rank samurai could only match him, neither side able to land a decisive blow. 

After half an hour, a ship arrived, and from it, four higher-rank samurai moved at incredible speed to the battlefield. The fight came to a sudden halt. It was then that Kanoru and the others finally saw the glowing figure's face—it was Master Junzo. But something had changed. He looked younger, and the aura he emitted was far greater than that of any higher-rank samurai. 

Without a word, the four higher-rank samurai on their side and the seven enemy higher-rank samurai vanished from sight.

As a joyful atmosphere spread through the camp, everyone knew that even if the war had not officially ended, their chances of victory had dramatically increased after Master Junzo advanced to the final stage of the sword wind realm. Master Junzo alone could now fight against three higher-rank samurai. 

However, they were still one higher-rank samurai short compared to the enemy. But one of the enemy's higher-rank samurai was a pirate, and their forces were made up of warriors from two different families—the Niwais and the Sanadas. Even a slight disagreement between them could lead to the war's end. 

Kanoru's guess proved right. Just two hours later, a rumor spread through the camp—the war had ended. 

By evening, more details emerged. The Niwais would return to their territory, while the Sanada family was granted control of the Western Coast. This coastline stretched from the river down to the Eagle Mountains in the south. 

The next day, the Niwais and the Sanada withdrew from their frontline camp across the river. However, Kanoru's side kept their camp intact, staying vigilant. They did not trust the Niwais, and they knew little about the Sanada. 

But today, Kanoru and half of the higher-rank samurai were finally allowed to return home.

Now, riding his horse, Kanoru was eager to return home and begin training. He now knew how to advance to the third stage of the sword wind realm and needed to strengthen his body to withstand the energy behind the third gate. The war had pushed both his realm and strength forward by leaps and bounds. 

"I still don't want to participate in another war until I can fight against higher-rank samurai," he thought. The risks were too high if he lacked the strength to either face or escape from a higher-rank opponent. 

Beside him, a voice asked, "What are your plans after returning home?" 

Kanoru glanced at Asuna and replied, "What other plan is there besides training?" Then, after a moment, he asked, "Why do you ask?" 

"Nothing," Asuna said. 

Kanoru then asked, "Did you meet Master Junzo?" He had wanted to meet Master Junzo to confirm the training method he had grasped during Junzo's advancement to the fourth stage of the sword wind realm. 

Asuna nodded. "Yes, I met Uncle Junzo." 

"Why?" 

"I wanted to ask about the enlightenment I received during his merging with the wind spirits," Kanoru explained. 

Asuna responded, "I know about that." 

"Then tell me." 

"According to Uncle, it wasn't enlightenment but rather your understanding of the power of wind showing you the way forward. That's why only those who already understood the power of wind received the gift." 

Hearing this, Kanoru felt reassured. The knowledge he had gained about advancing to the third stage of the power of wind was not wrong. 

With this thought in mind, he continued talking with Asuna as they rode toward Entori. 

Two days later, as the sun set, they finally arrived home. Their journey had been slow, with no urgency. Every night, the group celebrated the war's end, savoring their victory before returning home.

At the gate of his home, Kanoru found his father, mother, and sister waiting for him. As soon as he stepped down from his horse, his little sister jumped and hugged him. While holding her, he noticed her strength had increased. 

After entering his home, he learned that his sister had managed to open the first gate, even if only for a short period. The happiness didn't end there—his father and mother had advanced to middle-rank samurai a year before turning thirty. Since strength began to decline after thirty, reaching the middle rank before then not only fortified their bodies but also meant they would be more resistant to disease and could live longer. 

He spent the entire next week with his family, training his body and working to master the second sword technique with forty moves. Unlike the first technique, this one didn't focus on sword movements but rather on controlling the power of the wind. He had to merge two different methods of controlling wind into one. 

One day, while training his body and circulating the chakra behind the third gate, he had to stop as his father informed him that the Lord had summoned him.