Carlos, the lone shinigami, wastes no time in beginning to train the protagonists and the samurai in his unique combat methods. Unlike the honorable and direct style of the samurai, Carlos teaches the art of silence, a combination of stealth, cunning, and using the shadows to gain an advantage over more powerful enemies. At first, the samurai are reluctant to follow his tactics, as they believe honor lies in fighting face-to-face. However, with the yokai attacks becoming more frequent and deadly, they begin to see the value in learning new ways of fighting.
Carlos leads them into the forest surrounding the samurai village to begin the training. Under the shadows of the trees, he teaches them how to move undetected, control their breathing, and use the environment to strike from where the enemy least expects it.
"Combat is not always about brute strength or a frontal clash," Carlos explains as he watches the samurai. "It's about knowing when to strike and when to disappear. Only the warrior who masters the shadows truly knows the power of silence."
Kaede, the young and passionate samurai warrior, initially doubts Carlos' teachings, as his methods contrast with everything she has learned about honor and Bushido. However, as she watches the mastery with which Carlos moves and his ability to avoid direct conflict, she begins to develop an admiration for him. She sees him as a different kind of warrior, capable of confronting the world's darkness without getting lost in it, though his distant and reserved attitude keeps him at arm’s length from the others.
During one training session, Kaede decides to ask him about his motivations.
"Carlos, your skills are impressive, but I don’t understand why you’re helping us. You don’t follow the rules of the samurai or the shinigami. What drives you to fight?"
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Carlos, still keeping watch over their surroundings, replies without looking at her.
"I fight for myself, Kaede. I don’t follow anyone’s rules because, in my experience, those rules only chain you down. In this world, only those willing to do whatever is necessary survive."
Kaede doesn’t respond immediately, but Carlos’ words stay with her. Although their philosophies differ, she senses a truth in what he says, a reality she has yet to fully experience.
Meanwhile, the yokai, who have been watching from the shadows, also begin to prepare their next move. The leader of the yokai in this region is a cunning Kitsune, a multi-tailed fox spirit and master of deception and manipulation. With the ability to shape-shift and create illusions that confuse and disorient his enemies, the Kitsune is a formidable rival.
"The samurai and their allies won’t last much longer," the Kitsune says to himself, watching from afar. "We’ve played with them long enough, but now it’s time to destroy their village once and for all."
The Kitsune begins gathering his hordes, including more Tengu, Kappa, and other lesser yokai, intending to launch a devastating attack on the samurai village. Using his skills to sow doubt and chaos, the Kitsune plans to destroy them from within, weakening their alliances and breaking their spirit before the final assault.
As the samurai and the protagonists continue their training, Takeshi, the strategist, begins to suspect that something is wrong. The yokai have been too quiet lately, and his instincts tell him that something bigger is coming. Carlos, too, has sensed a disturbance in the air, as if the shadows are moving differently, but he cannot yet pinpoint the exact threat.
The protagonists know they must prepare for what is to come. The previous yokai attacks were merely tests, and the real challenge is yet to arrive. With Carlos training them in stealth and deception, and the samurai more open to new tactics, the group unites with renewed determination.
However, the Kitsune’s presence is a threat none of them can fully anticipate. With his cunning and ability to toy with the minds of his enemies, the next attack will be unlike anything they’ve faced before. The village is in danger, and the only hope for victory lies in learning to combine the discipline of Bushido with the shadows of the art of silence.