Chapter 26 Part 2: Reborn

Kazuki's fingers trembled as he turned the page of the letter, his heart pounding in his chest. The paper seemed to possess an almost sacred weight, and as he read on, his eyes widened with shock and disbelief.

"Kazuki, the words scribed in this letter throbbed with unspoken urgency, "there is a truth I've long kept cloaked, but now is the time to pull back the veil. My true identity is that of Gin Kagiri. This secret, known only to Shogun Tokugawa and a few warriors who fought along side me during the civil war. However, i kept my real name hidden even from my step-brother Hayato with whom I've shared many seasons of life. I lay bare this truth to you in response to the raw honesty with which you narrated your tale during our days of training.

"You revealed the bitter abandonment by your parents, sacrificed at the altar of monetary gain, because they found sustaining both their offspring and their household an unbearable burden. They deemed you an unfortunate error, casting you from the family. Such a tale found echoes within my own past, having once myself experienced the sharp sting of a similar despair.

"Though our destinies diverge for the present, I hold steadfast to the belief that the threads of fate will weave us together once more. Should we both weather the trials of our separate odysseys, I would be overjoyed to embrace you as a son, welcoming you into the heart of my family. Until that time, my thoughts and prayers reach out for you, seeking your safety and well-being on your journey. In my heart, Kazuki, you are already a son to me."

As Kazuki allowed the words to seep into his consciousness, a wave of emotions swirled within him. Surprise, sorrow, understanding, and an unexpected flicker of warmth. The revelation that his revered master, Gin Kagiri, had walked a path shadowed by abandonment, fostered a deeper bond between them, their parallel narratives forming an unbreakable link.

His eyes rested on the words 'my own son.' A lump formed in his throat, the words hard to swallow, while tears - not solely of sadness but also of an indescribable sense of belonging - stung his eyes. His heart throbbed within his chest, reverberating with the distant yet heartfelt call of his master. It was a call to survival, to perseverance, and to the promise of a future reunion with his newfound kin.He whispered to himself, "He trusted me with his real name, a secret even his own brother didn't know."

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His hand instinctively reached for the comforting grip of his sword, as if seeking reassurance from the weapon that symbolized their bond. Inside, Kazuki felt the weight of responsibility settle upon his shoulders, a newfound determination taking root.

"Master Gin," he whispered, letting the moniker roll gently off his tongue, savoring it like a potent brew of fine sake. The very utterance of it hummed with profound significance, kindling an ardent flame within the depths of his being. Yet, he had not reached the end of the letter. So, brushing away the distraction, he quieted his mind and pressed on with the reading.

"Listen carefully," the letter continued, Shôkin's voice resonating within the confines of Kazuki's thoughts. "I sense that you are yearning to find my stepbrother, Hayato, and our mutual friend Himari Yui. However, dismiss such thoughts, for I received news just yesterday, as Raijin's whispers visited me in my repose. They have left the village and are secure. Your path now lies away from Osaka. Journey instead towards Kyoto, create a fresh existence, and master the way of the sword. Be a defender of the feeble, evolve into the admirable swordsman. I impart these words unto you."

Kazuki's mind raced with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "So that was what the little bolt of lightning was whispering to Master Gin," he muttered to himself, a furrow forming on his brow. "But why didn't he tell me? Maybe he thought I wasn't ready to know. Or perhaps he wanted to test me and see if I would find out on my own."

The revelation stirred a storm of emotions within Kazuki's heart. He had always admired Hayato and Himari's bravery, their unyielding spirit. Their sudden departure had left him feeling lost and uncertain. And now, this cryptic letter urged him to forge a new destiny, far from the familiar streets of Osaka.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in Kazuki's mind. "Wait a minute," he exclaimed, a spark of realization igniting within him. "Kyoto! The Shogun's son, Hidetada, has taken residence there since his father's passing. With the power shift, there's bound to be political maneuvering in the city. Kuroyama Endō and Namida Minamoto might be involved too. I can't let them manipulate the young Shogun for their own gain."

As Kazuki contemplated his next move, a haunting voice whispered in his ear, sending a shiver down his spine. It was Tsukiyomi, the enigmatic deity that had bonded with him during a moment of dire need. "I can sense your desire for revenge." Tsukiyomi intoned, his words filled with an ominous weight. "Though you may deny it, your heart and soul speak the truth."