The next day, following the late-night revelations at FuturForge and the discovery of the origins of the Sword of Flames, the Harada family went to bed in the early morning hours. It had been especially late for Fumio, who had volunteered to drive both Carter and Akane home. When Jake finally woke up, it was already close to the afternoon. As he emerged from his room, rubbing his sleepy eyes, he noticed his mother, Elisabeth, preparing lunch, while Luna sat at the dining table, chatting with her.

"Morning, Mum. Morning, Luna!" Jake greeted, though it was much closer to the afternoon. "Don’t you both need more sleep? We went to bed so late last night!" he asked, concerned and curious.

"I’m fine, Jake," Elisabeth replied warmly. "I’m a morning person. I might take a nap later if I need to," she added, smiling with her characteristic maternal love. "Besides, someone has to make lunch."

"I offered to help, but she insisted I sit," Luna chimed in.

"Of course! You're a guest, Luna. I’d never let a guest help with the cooking," Elisabeth said, flashing Luna a smile.

Jake turned to Luna, asking, "How about your night? Are you getting used to the guest room?"

Luna, grateful for their hospitality, smiled. "I'm fine, Jake. It’s my second night here, and your family’s hospitality has been wonderful," she said earnestly. "Honestly, though, after finding out the seven swords really exist in this time, I couldn’t help feeling both relieved and excited, so I didn’t sleep much," she admitted.

Jake laughed. "It must be a lot to process, huh?"

"Yeah," Luna nodded. "I’ve also been chatting with your mum, learning more about this world—it’s so different from my future." She then smiled mischievously, adding, "Your mum even shared some embarrassing stories about you from your younger days."

"Mum!" Jake groaned, not knowing what stories had been shared, making both Elisabeth and Luna laugh.

"Luna, our conversation was cut off earlier when Jake woke up," Elisabeth said with an air of inquiry and instinctive maternal concern. "As I was saying, how are you going to travel to Japan without proper documentation? The airport security might not allow you through, especially if they can’t find any records of you in their database. It could make you seem like a suspicious character." Elisabeth, though trying to help, couldn't quite come up with a solution herself.

Luna, however, was not fazed by the challenge. She smiled reassuringly at both Elisabeth and Jake, clearly having a plan. "Don’t worry, Mrs. Harada, and Jake," she said confidently. "I have a solution for that. Let me show you."

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/53/Digital_Blade.png]

With that, Luna pulled out her lightsaber, not as a weapon but to reveal her unique skill—Digital Blade. As the blade hummed to life, Luna manipulated it, and in a flash, a clickable holographic screen appeared before her. Luna's lightsaber allowed her to interact with digital systems, enabling her to hack into or manipulate technology. She effortlessly accessed the secure web of airline and immigration databases, conjuring what appeared to be legitimate travel documents and electronic tickets, seamlessly creating her own identity in the system.

"There, it's all settled," Luna announced with a satisfied smile, as both Jake and Elisabeth stared in astonishment, jaws dropped.

"You can hack into systems with your lightsaber? That’s so cool!" Jake exclaimed, clearly impressed and surprised.

Luna chuckled at his reaction. "This century’s systems are much easier for me to hack," she explained. "In my era, technology is much more advanced, so the challenge is greater."

"I'm amazed by how advanced future technology is, Luna," Elisabeth said, feeling relieved. "I guess all my worries were for nothing!"

Fumio, who had slept much later the previous night, walked into the dining room, still groggy but alert enough to hear Elisabeth speak. "Morning, honey! You missed a show!" Elisabeth exclaimed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Yesterday, I was telling you about my worries regarding Luna's travel documents, but she has it all settled."

"Oh, tell me more!" Fumio's curiosity piqued as he sat down, wanting to hear the story. Elisabeth, Jake, and Luna filled him in on how Luna managed to hack into the necessary systems using her lightsaber.

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about!" Fumio nodded approvingly. "Jake, Luna, I've already reached out to Uncle Nomura. Your cousin, Yoko, who you haven’t seen in 10 years, will be there to meet you at Narita International Airport in Tokyo," he proudly announced. "You’ll both be flying out tonight!"

"Thanks, Dad! It’s really been a while since I last saw Uncle Nomura and Yoko!" Jake responded, a mix of excitement and nostalgia in his voice.

"Lunch is ready! Let’s eat now," Elisabeth announced, setting the table as the Harada family and Luna gathered to enjoy their meal together, a sense of warmth and anticipation filling the room.

In the later afternoon, as the day progressed, Jake was in his room, reflecting and preparing his luggage for the overnight flight to Japan. He knew he had a few hours left before departing for Los Angeles International Airport and had already informed both Carter and Akane to meet him there. Halfway through arranging his belongings, the sound of the door knob turning caught his attention.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Jake, can I come in?" It was his dad, Fumio, standing at the door.

"Sure, Dad, come in," Jake responded, giving his permission.

As Fumio entered the room, he noticed Jake packing. "I see you're getting ready for the trip. Are you excited about heading to Japan?" His tone was light and easy, as usual.

"Yeah, Dad! I'm all set. It's been 10 years since I last saw Yoko and Uncle Nomura. I think it’ll be a fun trip!" Jake replied, his usual optimism shining through.

Fumio’s expression changed, becoming more serious, unlike his typical laid-back demeanor. "Jake, I need to tell you something," he began, drawing Jake's full attention. "This trip to Japan might not be as peaceful and fun as you're expecting."

Jake paused, surprised by the shift in tone.

"You’re likely to face more than just a vacation," Fumio warned, his words heavy with the weight of experience. "Japan holds its challenges—fighters, combatants, and people with formidable martial prowess. The journey ahead won’t be easy."

"I’ll be fine, Dad. It’s not like I’m going there to fight anyone!" Jake reassured him, trying to brush off the seriousness.

Fumio, not convinced, continued. "You’re now the guardian of the Sword of Flames, Jake. That means you have a huge responsibility. You have to keep it a secret, but remember, you can use it when the situation demands it."

Jake nodded. "I understand, Dad. I’ll do my best."

Fumio smiled, his gaze softening as he looked at his son. "You've grown so fast. Your mom and I just wanted to give you a normal life." He opened his arms, offering a hug. Jake smiled and embraced his father.

Fumio, his voice now a mix of emotion and strength, whispered his final words of guidance. "If things get tough, don’t hesitate to call me or your mom. No matter how far away you are, we’ll always be here for you."

Meanwhile, in stark contrast to the warmth and comfort of the Harada household, the Thorne residence was enveloped in an ominous and gloomy atmosphere following Professor Elden Thorne's arrest. The dim light from a lone computer monitor illuminated the otherwise dark room, casting eerie shadows across the space where Cyrus Thorne sat, scrolling through endless streams of hurtful comments and online articles.

Every article, social media post, and forum discussion Cyrus encountered was riddled with slander and false accusations against his father. Comments like, "Professor Thorne's research is a sham," "He's nothing but a plagiarist," and "He contributed nothing to FuturForge or society," filled his screen. The malicious rumors grew darker, some even claiming, "He grades students based on bribes or sexual favors." Each new comment fueled Cyrus's growing anger and frustration.

Determined to clear his father's name, Cyrus fought back. He tirelessly composed detailed rebuttals, refuting each claim with logic and personal accounts, fervently trying to correct the public's perception. But it was a losing battle. The more he defended his father, the more the trolls reveled in countering him, adding more lies and fabricated "evidence" to the fire.

Cyrus underestimated the overwhelming power of internet trolls. No matter how much he typed, how reasoned his arguments, or how fiercely he believed in his father's innocence, he was just one person fighting a faceless army. The trolls seemed to multiply with every response, feeding off his frustration and making the task of defending his father's legacy seem impossible. It was a digital battlefield, but one where Cyrus was hopelessly outnumbered.

Pushed to the brink by the insurmountable challenge of swaying public opinion, Cyrus's frustration boiled over. "What's wrong with all these people!" he bellowed, as the flood of negative comments intensified. The anger mounted within him, sending him spiraling into despair. Unable to bear it any longer, he lashed out in a fit of rage. His hand swept across the table, sending his keyboard and mouse crashing to the ground. With a violent shove, he knocked his computer monitor off the desk, sending the room into total darkness.

The sound of shattering electronics filled the air as Cyrus collapsed onto the table, his head buried in his arms. His sobs, born of loneliness and bitterness, echoed in the silence. He felt utterly defeated, unable to fight back against the tide of slander and hatred.

As he lay there, a glint caught his eye—a faint, reflective shimmer amidst the wreckage of his desktop tower. His curiosity piqued, Cyrus wiped his eyes and looked closer. Among the shattered pieces of his computer, he noticed a meticulously sealed envelope marked 'confidential.'

Surprised and unsure why it had been hidden inside the desktop, Cyrus carefully opened the envelope. Inside, to his astonishment, lay the blueprint for his father's crowning achievement—the Sword of Water. A testament to Elden Thorne's genius and ambition, the detailed designs reignited a spark in Cyrus's heart. His anger, which had been a whirlwind of emotion moments earlier, began to solidify into something darker—revenge.

Cyrus's thoughts turned to the future, his thirst for vengeance overtaking him. The blueprint in his hands represented more than just a sword; it was his path to vindication. He envisioned himself recrafting the Sword of Water, making it even more powerful than before. The plan to seek retribution for those who had wronged his father was now firmly set in his mind. This discovery marked a turning point, shifting Cyrus's life from one of grief to one of vengeance, consumed by a deep-seated desire for justice.

Back at the Harada household, filled with the warmth of family love, Elisabeth gave Luna and Jake one last hug before they boarded Fumio's car, who was chauffeuring them to Los Angeles International Airport. "Enjoy your trip, and please stay safe!" Elisabeth's voice was a melodic mix of encouragement and subtle sadness, as her maternal heart grappled with the thought of them traveling to Japan on their own. "Dear! We're running late!" Fumio urged, gently reminding Elisabeth to let go so they could make it to the airport on time. With a final wave, they bid her farewell and departed.

Upon arriving at the airport's departure hall, Fumio helped unload the luggage. Carter and Akane, who had arrived early, were already waiting with wide smiles, excited for the trip to Japan. "Hi, Mr. Fumio!" Carter greeted cheerfully, while Akane waved shyly, her greeting soft as a whisper. "Ready for some anime and sushi?" Carter asked, his excitement brimming, treating the trip more like a holiday than a mission. Jake, ever the optimist, embraced the moment. "Yes! Let’s make this trip fun, even with the mission ahead," he said with a smile, sharing his cheerful energy with the group. Fumio, laid-back as always, waved them off with a casual "Have fun and enjoy!" as he departed, leaving the group with a lighthearted farewell.

As they made their way through the terminal, each carried their unique weapon—Jake’s baseball bat, Carter’s hockey stick, Akane’s pair of sais, and Luna’s lightsaber. In this world, it was the norm for travelers to carry melee weapons, a sight no one found unusual. The airport security checks allowed the group to pass without issue, and they soon boarded their flight to Narita International Airport. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as they embarked on their journey to Japan—a holiday filled with adventure and their quest to uncover more about the seven swords with the help of Jake's uncle, Kenjiro Nomura.