Chapter 19 Part 2: The Last Stand

Windows rattled violently in their frames, the glass threatening to shatter under the relentless assault. Homes trembled, their very foundations groaning in protest as they endured the invisible onslaught. The air was thick with fear, the cries of the desperate mingling with frantic prayers for deliverance.

"Please, Kaze," Saigo pleaded, his face twisting in despair. "Have mercy on these people. They've done nothing wrong."

"Mercy?" Kaze spat, his voice laced with contempt. "You expect me to show mercy when you hide the truth from me? When you keep Kazuki's fate a secret?"

The wind intensified, its ferocity escalating with each word that spilled from Kaze's lips. Saigo's heart pounded in his chest, a torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. Fear, regret, and anger clashed within him, tearing at the fabric of his soul. He knew that he could not maintain the facade any longer - the truth had to be revealed.

"Alright!" Saigo cried out, Having no choice to fight Kaze. "I will stop you, Kaze Minamoto!"

In a flash, Saigo unsheathed his sword and lunged at Kaze, only for the wind to deflect his blade. A gust lifted him off his feet, sending him sprawling across the cobblestone street.

Kaze, staff twirling expertly in his hands, met Saigo's soldiers with swift strikes. One by one, they fell, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of fury that was Kaze. Through it all, the young Shogun watched in awe from a safe distance, his heart pounding with excitement and fear.

Saigo rose to his feet, blood dripping down his face from a gash on his forehead. His heart ached at the sight of his fallen men, but he held his gaze firm. "Kaze!" he yelled, charging forward once again.

The clashing of their weapons echoed through the village, the wind dying down for a moment as if in anticipation. Saigo's blade swung swiftly, finally grazing Kaze's cheek. A grim smile spread across Saigo's face at his minor victory, but it quickly disappeared when Kaze's staff pushed him back with an immense gust of wind, sending him crashing through the wall of a nearby house.

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"You... you betrayed Kuroyama-sama!" Kaze accused, stepping through the hole Saigo had made, his staff glowing with an ethereal light.

Saigo, struggling to get up, coughed up blood. His eyes fell on Hayato and Himari, hiding in the corner of their home. He winced, guilt gnawing at his heart. "I did it... for them," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. "For the people of Minoh village. I couldn't let you hurt them, Kaze..."

Tears welled in Hayato's and Himari's eyes, their hearts breaking at Saigo's confession. With a swift, merciless motion, Kaze pierced Saigo's heart with his staff, a gust of wind so strong following that it nearly leveled the village.

Hayato and Himari managed to escape from the back of their crumbling home, their bodies weak and bloodied. They staggered and crumpled to the ground, the energy that kept them alive fading like the last embers of a dying fire. Despite their feebleness, they sought each other's hands. As their fingers intertwined for what they feared was the last time, an ineffable tenderness radiated between them. The touching sensation carried a solemn message, a goodbye unsaid but deeply felt.

The young Shogun, stunned, turned to Kaze. "Was it necessary to kill the villagers as well?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

Kaze merely turned to him, his eyes cold. "A real leader must make difficult decisions to get what he needs," he said, regret tinging his words.

As they made their way to their horses, Kaze turned back to the young Shogun. "Did you learn anything from our brief outing?"

The Shogun sighed heavily. "I understand making tough decisions... but this... this just feels wrong, Kaze."

With a thoughtful look in his eyes, Kaze swung up onto his horse."There are times, when a leader must employ a bit of severity with his people. It serves as a reminder of who's in control."

He could sense his words may not fully resonate with the young shogun, so he deftly shifted gears. "But for now, let's turn our focus back to Kuroyama. In a moment of recklessness, I ended up ruining our Mahjong board. I believe I owe you a rematch."

The young shogun's eyes hardened slightly. "That wasn't just 'a bit of severity', Kaze," he retorted, not hiding the displeasure in his voice. "But sure, let's divert our attention to less contentious issues for now. Back to Kyoto, we go."