Dozens of foot ninjas surrounded Kaminari's main entrance. Most of the village's daily processes were resuming under new rule. With the lockdown dissolved, peasants and traders could move within the borders after careful inspection.
Five days after the attack on Kaminari, Kagero seized power over the Lightning region. He brought reinforcements from Kurai village to ensure that the vassal lords from each district pledged fealty to him. His new attire included a kasa and a white haori with the words 'Shadow Sage' on the back. He had several bandages on his body and face.
After discovering Kazuo was not in Kaminari village, he tasked five assassins to search for him in each of the region's other districts. Kagero, inheriting his father's dream, wished to become a Shadow Emperor. One leader from the Miyamoto bloodline to rule over Nihon. With two regions under his reign, the dream could be a reality.
As the days passed, most villagers still dressed in black. Kagero allowed for a service to be held for Sage Kazutaka. Peasants and noblemen, like ants, marched from every district in the Lightning region and gathered in droves to pay their last respects.
[
On the funeral morning, just as the summer sun rose in the sky, Shin and Hideo paid Asuka a visit at the Medical Corps centre. She had regained consciousness but her limbs were still immobile. A ninja doctor instructed her to get plenty of rest. When her friends shared their plan, she blinked once.
Shin and Hideo nodded back. They wished her a speedy recovery before leaving the hospital. They walked back to Shin's inn, reminiscing about the past. Almost every district had a foot ninja patrolling.
"Today's perfect," said Hideo once they got inside the building. He sat down in the lounge and sighed. "With the commotion around Taka-sensei's funeral, you can go to Kaen and return the next morning."
"I think a merchant with rouse less suspicion. Let me get ready." Shin was a master in hensōjutsu (disguise, impersonation and infiltration). He went as far as changing his vocal pitch with ease.
An hour later, the disguise was complete. Shin had short, ragged jinbei and a scruffy beard. He undid the ponytail, messing his hair and wore a kasa. "Y–Young man, would you mind holding this for me?" He handed over his katana. "My back is killing me..."
Hideo grabbed the sword, bursting into laughter. "Yes, sir..." he said, in between laughs. "Your katana will be safe with me, Oji-san (Uncle)."
Shin filled a sack with enough wheat grain to hide a tantō and carried it on his back. After bidding Hideo farewell, he took off. He faced no trouble on the way until a foot ninja stopped him at the main entrance.
"Where are we going?" The masked man read from a paper given to him by Shin. "Hmm, Tanaka-san?"
"Tochigi, young man." Wrinkles formed around Shin's eyes as he smiled at the ninja guard.
"How long will you be gone?"
"Just a day..."
"Any business you have in the Rice region?" He studied the old-looking merchant from top to bottom. "Oh, and... what's in that sack you're carrying?"
Shin lowered the sack to the ground. "Trade. I have wheat," he said, presenting its contents.
"Fine," the ninja nodded after a brief inspection. "You're cleared to go. Safe travels, old man."
"Thank you." Shin carried his bag and continued. He walked for close to an hour until he exited the Kaminari village perimeter. When there were no Shadow ninjas in sight, he took his tantō and left the wheat hidden in a nearby bush. Having reduced the weight on him, he made a dash for the Fire region.
Along the way, the road was empty. Bandits, vagabonds and other merchants were nowhere in sight. Shin arrived in Kaen village around noon. He identified himself at the main entrance as a Lightning elite. One samurai present escorted him to the palace. When he reached the castle, another samurai brought him to the throne room.
"Shin?" said Takumi, turning away from the shōgi board. He had been playing against Kenzo and appeared to be winning.
Shin sighed. "Was I that easy to notice?" he asked, removing his kasa.
"Not entirely. I just recalled your features, otherwise the disguise could've easily fooled anyone." Takumi turned to Kenzo. "Oh... this is–"
"Shin-san, an S–class ninja from Kaminari..." said the samurai escort, bowing and the Lightning ninja did the same. "Daimyo-sama."
Takumi got up from his seat. "Your presence here suggests something must've gone wrong..."
"The Lord Sage passed away five days ago." Shin hesitated, searching the room. "Is Kazuo around?"
"G–grandpa Taka…" Kenzo turned pale, unable to hold back the tears. "But he was just here recently."
After losing their parents. This is going to shatter them! A tear trickled down Takumi's cheek and he wiped it off. "Kazuo is by the Inazuma shrine..." he said, turning to Kenzo. "My deepest condolences."
"Who died?" asked Kazuo, drenched in sweat as he entered the room. He looked up at Shin before walking past him. "Takumi, what's going on?"
Shin cleared his throat. "I'm afraid, Lord Kazuta–"
"NO!" said Kazuo between gritted teeth. A ringing resounded in his ears and the words sank deep into his head. His face became blank. "I'm going out."
"Kazuo, wait..." said Shin, grabbing the prince's shoulder. "Before you go. I'm here to tell you that–"
Kazuo shrugged him off and left.
Shin turned to Takumi and Kenzo. "I'm here to warn Kazuo to stay clear of Kaminari. As we speak, there's a search for him all over the Lightning region. If possible, he has to go into hiding..."
"Which means," said Kenzo, placing a hand on his chin. Kaen could be next. "They might search here..."
"Indeed. I fear that could be a possibility. He should go somewhere they won't be able to reach him." He bowed, preparing to leave. "Lord Kenzo, Takumi... it was a pleasure to meet you."
Kenzo raised an eyebrow. "You're leaving already, Shin-san? It will be dark out soon."
"I would've loved to stay but have another journey ahead of me before returning home. Tochigi." He bowed, bidding them farewell and they did the same.
Afterwards, Takumi went to Kazuo's room and found him lying on a tatami mattress–sobbing. He sat beside him and offered condolences. "We're here if you need to talk. Or for some quiet time..."
Kazuo got up and wiped his eyes. "What did Shin want to talk to me about?" When Takumi relayed the message to him, he furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm leaving for the Earth Country tomorrow."
"I don't think you should travel alone–"
"You and Mikoto can come along if you want..."
Shin gave me an idea that could work. Takumi adjusted his sunglasses once more. "With that bounty on your head... you'll need a disguise."
Kazuo remained quiet.
"The enemy is looking for someone fitting your description. There aren't that many fifteen-year-olds with violet hair. For example, we can dye it."
[
Mikoto had spent almost the entire day relaxing at the village spa. She came to the palace around dinnertime and sad faces greeted her. When the boys gave her the depressing news, she wept.
That evening's meal of ramen, miso broth and topped with sliced pork, tasted rather bland. They ate in total silence with memories of the late Sage.
"Takumi tells me you're leaving for the Earth Country tomorrow," said Kenzo, trying to lighten the mood. "That's a four-day journey on horseback."
Kazuo gulped a mouthful. "I have to begin training with this Hanzo guy great grandpa told me about."
"Thank you for having us, Kenzo-sama." Mikoto's face flushed red. "I really felt like a princess here."
Kenzo smiled. "It's my pleasure, Mikoto-san…"
After supper, Mikoto dyed Kazuo's hair black and Takumi stocked up on a few supplies. The next day arrived quickly and the trio readied to leave before dawn. Kenzo and two samurai escorted them outside the palace. On arrival at the royal stables, a stallion connected to its carriage waited and they loaded their bags.
The trio bid Kenzo farewell and set out for the Earth Country at first light. They travelled through a dense forest filled with tall pines and shorter bushes. The carriage moved at an average speed. It increased its pace when the dusty road cleared.
In two days, they travelled from Kaen to Gifu through Natsuo village with little to no challenges. They drove half the day–stopping to eat and rest. During their stationary hours, Kazuo also trained with Mikoto while Takumi drowned himself in Fire region literature. With each hour, time flew by fast.
By the third day, they had crossed the Grass border at Shiga and restocked on supplies from local merchants. When they stopped to rest in Hyogo District, Mikoto and Kazuo convinced their comrade to join them in taijutsu training.
Later that night, Takumi heard a rustle in the nearby bushes. He woke the other two and suddenly, three rōnin jumped towards their tent. The Lightning team defeated their enemy with ease and tied them up. They that spot for another and slept.
Hours into the fourth morning, it was smooth travelling for the trio as the Tochiyama border presented itself on the distant horizon. Flocks of people entering and leaving the Earth Country appeared like ants from afar. Their destination now almost in sight, the trio galloped forward–unbeknownst to what awaited them there.