THEY WERE ALL SET. Every student had now completed their training. Kasaki, now named a captain, dedicated himself to daily practice, striving to hone his magic skills and refine his techniques. After Tinoue finally passed his magic test, the master gathered all the new samurais in the front yard.

"My fellow warriors," the master began, his voice carrying a weight of determination and resolve. "This is it. The moment we've been preparing for has arrived. There is no more room for preparation; the time for action is upon us. We stand not just for ourselves, but for the very freedom of our country. Know that if Misuki prevails, Black Gold will be lost to darkness forever. Our loved ones will be condemned to lives of slavery, toiling until their last breath under his oppressive rule.

"Be vigilant, for Misuki has laid traps for us. Should any of you fall to an enemy's blade, or raise your own in defense, you risk falling under his spell, just as Mikamoto has. He seeks to exploit our desperation, to cloud our judgment with fear. But we shall not falter. We shall not be swayed by fear or despair.

"We must be cautious, but also cunning. Keep in your minds the dire consequences of defeat. Should we fail, our very existence hangs in the balance. Misuki's orders are clear: to eradicate us all, leaving no threat to his tyranny. Our families, our loved ones, they look to us for salvation. We cannot, we must not, disappoint them.

"So let us fight with all our hearts and minds united. Let us do whatever it takes to emerge victorious, and then leave the rest to fate. We are the last bastion of hope for Black Gold. Our families, our brothers, sisters, wives—they all depend on us. Let us rise to the occasion and prove ourselves worthy of their trust. Let us not falter, for the future of our beloved homeland hangs in the balance."

As they journeyed on, Kasaki's ears perked up at the sound of familiar footsteps approaching. It was Kishira and her band of warriors.

"Kishira," Kasaki greeted her warmly.

"Hey, Kasaki," she replied, a hint of shyness in her demeanor as she glanced down at the master.

"Join us," Kasaki offered.

The master's brow furrowed as he observed the exchange. "Do you know her?" he inquired of Kasaki.

"Yes, master," Kasaki confirmed. "We crossed paths during a previous hunting expedition. She shares our desire to confront Misuki."

The master sighed, considering the implications of Kishira's presence. "We must maintain order within our ranks," he cautioned. "Disunity will only invite chaos and weaken our resolve."

Respectfully, Kishira interjected, bowing. "I understand your concerns, master. But we face a common and formidable adversary. My men and I pledge our allegiance to your cause, recognizing that defeating Misuki is paramount to our freedom and survival. Let us set aside our differences and unite for the greater good."

After a moment of contemplation, the master nodded. "Very well. You and your soldiers will fall under our command. I lead this army, with Mikamoto, Nagai, Sisuke, Kasaki, and Mikono as our captains. You will serve as soldiers under their authority, as well as mine. Is that clear?"

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"Yes, master," Kishira affirmed.

"Good. Let us press on without delay," the master declared. "There is no time to waste."

"Thank you," Kishira expressed her gratitude to Kasaki as she fell into step beside him.

Kasaki raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "For what?" he inquired.

"For speaking up for me with your master," Kishira replied. "You know how he views ronin warriors. To him, we're often seen as nothing but trouble—deceitful, self-serving, and prone to causing chaos. And while there may be some truth to those stereotypes, there's more to us than meets the eye. Plus, there is another issue between your master and me, but—well, that's a story for another time. Let’s just say for now we’re not the best friends. Let's just focus on defeating Misuki for now."

"Having a dozen more skilled warriors on our side certainly won't hurt our chances," Kasaki remarked. "The master understands that too. Together, we can wreak havoc on Misuki's forces far more effectively than if we were fighting alone."

"Exactly," Kishira agreed, a glimmer of determination in her eyes.

As they marched forward, led by Chichi soaring above, the mood was tense with anticipation. Yet, amidst the looming threat, the black parrot brought a touch of levity to the scene. With each flap of her wings, she circled overhead, mocking Misuki in a comical tirade.

"Hey, Misuki! Your days of luxury are numbered!" Chichi squawked, her voice dripping with passion. "Get ready to kiss your oil wells goodbye! The samurai army is on its way, and we're bringing the chaos to your doorstep, yoo-hoo!"

Her antics elicited amused chuckles from some of the warriors below, offering a brief moment of relief from the impending violence that awaited them.

"So, Kasaki. What do you know about Misuki’s spell? The one you mentioned to me earlier," inquired Kishira, her eyes fixed on him with curiosity.

Kasaki took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "Honestly, not much. As far as I know, only Mikamoto, one of our captains, is currently affected by it. You can spot him over there, with the long hair," he gestured towards Mikamoto amidst the group. "He inadvertently triggered the spell by eliminating one of Misuki’s spies. Now, he seems to rely on a peculiar coin called #BG to sustain himself. Whenever he's injured, a life bar materializes, indicating his diminishing vitality. He's at about half strength now."

"And does he need to eliminate more of Misuki’s men to replenish his life points?" Kishira pressed, her expression betraying a mix of curiosity and concern.

"That seems to be the prevailing theory," Kasaki confirmed. "Although, oddly enough, he hasn't taken any lives since falling under the spell."

Kishira's smile widened, prompting a quizzical look from Kasaki. "He'll soon have the chance to take as many lives as he desires," she remarked, her tone tinged with an unsettling enthusiasm that gave Kasaki pause.

"I certainly hope so," he responded cautiously, unable to shake the uneasy feeling her eagerness evoked.