Chapter 30 Part 1: Friend or Foe?

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting its warm orange and pink hues across the dense forest, Kazuki rode on horseback towards Kyoto. His stomach growled incessantly, reminding him of the hunger gnawing at his insides, but he stubbornly ignored it.

"Shut up," he muttered to his belly, fully aware of how absurd he sounded. "We'll find food soon enough."

Kazuki's journey had been made possible by the generous gift of 200 gold coins from his master, Gin Kagiri. After purchasing a sturdy horse for his travels, he now had 100 gold coins left in his pouch. The horse had been expensive, but worth every coin, as it had carried him tirelessly through the harsh terrain.

"One hundred gold coins for this fine steed," he said to himself, running a hand over the horse's mane. "And yet, not a single tavern or resting place in sight."

He sighed, adjusting his straw hat to shield his eyes from the last rays of sunlight. As they continued deeper into the forest, an uneasy feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. It was as if someone, or something, was watching him from a distance. He shook off the thought, attributing it to his hunger-induced paranoia.

"Focus, Kazuki," he whispered under his breath. "You can't let your imagination get the best of you."

For three nights, Kazuki had slept under the open sky, using his saddle as a pillow. Each day, his hunger grew more intense, making it difficult to focus on anything else. He had tried hunting for food, but his weakened state left him too slow to catch rabbits or fish from the nearby river.

"Maybe I should save my energy," he thought, frustration mounting. "I need to find a tavern or some place to rest and replenish my supplies."

Kazuki's gaze fell upon his horse, and for a moment, he entertained the thought of slaughtering it for sustenance. His stomach growled again, louder this time, as if urging him to act on the idea. But he couldn't bring himself to do it; the horse had been his loyal companion throughout his journey, and sacrificing it would mean abandoning his mission to reach Kyoto.

"I can't do that to you, friend," he whispered, patting the horse gently. "We'll find another way."

The following day, he stirred from his slumber, the forest floor having served as his bed for the night. The sun was now high and radiant, its light bathing the forest. He mounted his horse, his body aching with exhaustion from the lack of a good night's rest.

"Kyoto awaits," he murmured to himself, determination fueling his every step. "We'll get there, no matter what it takes."

Kazuki's eyes darted from side to side, the sense of being watched nagging at him like a persistent itch a second time. He glanced over his shoulder yet again, searching for any sign of movement in the dense leaves.

"Is someone there?" he muttered, his voice low and wary. "Or is it just my hunger playing tricks on me?"

His horse snorted and shook its head, as if sharing in Kazuki's unease. The warrior sighed and rubbed his temples, trying to focus on the path ahead. But the feeling would not leave him – he was certain something was amiss, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.

"Keep moving," Kazuki told himself, urging his horse forward with a gentle nudge. "It's only your imagination."

As they resumed their journey towards Kyoto, Kazuki could not shake the feeling that a shadowy figure still watched from afar, silently observing his every move.

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The tranquility of the dense forest was suddenly shattered by a scream that sliced through the air like a sharpened blade. The sound was so loud and piercing that it seemed to reverberate within Kazuki's very soul, drowning out even the growling of his own hunger.

"Help!" cried the voice, unmistakable in its terror. Kazuki's heart raced as he recognized it belonged to an elderly woman. He glanced around quickly, trying to pinpoint the source of the cry, but the thick branches and leaves made it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.

Without a moment's hesitation, Kazuki dismounted from his horse, agile as a cat despite his weakened state. His hands instinctively went to the hilts of his twin katana blades, their familiar weight reassuring him. As he adjusted his straw hat, shielding his eyes from stray rays of sunlight filtering through the trees.

"Stay here," he whispered to his horse, before moving towards the direction of the scream. His steps were measured and careful, his senses on high alert, as he pushed aside branches and navigated his way through the undergrowth.

"Please, I beg you!" the woman's voice sobbed, her words laced with desperation. "I have nothing left to give!"

"Ah, but we might find something if we look hard enough," said another voice, this one rough and malevolent.

As Kazuki crept closer, he could hear the sounds of a scuffle: grunts, gasps, and the unmistakable crackle of leaves underfoot. He hesitated for a fraction of a second, torn between his desire to help and the nagging thought that he was too weak, too hungry to be of any use in a fight. But in the end, his innate sense of justice won out.

Kazuki's eyes locked onto the elderly woman, her frail frame trembling as she held her own against the gang of bandits surrounding her. Her voice was weak, but the fire in her eyes told a different story. The bandits themselves were rough-looking and intimidating; they carried their katana's with ease, their sneers revealing teeth stained by years of neglect.

"Please," the old woman implored, "I have no gold nor antiques to barter at the market. I am but an old lady with nothing left."

The bandit chieftain, a hulking man with a twisted scar across his cheek, dismissed her plea with a cruel laugh. "You think we care about your sob story? If you don't have anything for us, then your life is forfeit!"

"Ah, but if my son were here," the elderly woman retorted, her gaze never wavering, "you would not dare harm me."

This brought raucous laughter from the bandit leader, who slapped his thigh in amusement. "One man against the five of us? What could he possibly do?"

Yet the old woman's chuckle that followed sent a shiver down their spines, and they demanded to know what she found so amusing. She leaned in slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "My son has been blessed by a divine entity. Were he here, he could annihilate all of you with just one strike."

A tense silence descended upon the group, the bandits exchanging uneasy glances as they processed her words. Kazuki, hidden within the shadows, saw an opportunity to intervene. He knew that, despite his hunger and exhaustion, he could not stand idly by while this injustice occurred.

The tension in the air grew thick as one of the bandits, his face twisted with malice, seized the elderly woman's arm roughly. He yanked her towards himself, an ugly sneer playing on his lips. "So, your divine son can annihilate us all, huh? Well, let's see if he shows up to save you now."

"let her go!" roared Kazuki, his voice thundering through the clearing, echoing off the trees that surrounded them. It was a sound that demanded obedience, fierce and commanding. The bandits jumped at the sudden intrusion, their eyes darting around in search of the source.

The bandits stumbled back, eyes wide with surprise at Kazuki's sudden appearance. They glanced at each other, their bravado momentarily shaken. The moment of shock was short-lived, however, as their leader quickly stepped forward and glared at Kazuki.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" he growled, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

Kazuki remained calm he could sense their uncertainty, their fear, but he refused to allow it to affect him. Instead, he focused on the elderly woman, her tear-streaked face etched with gratitude and hope.

"Answer me!" the bandit leader barked, his patience wearing thin.

Taking a deep breath, Kazuki locked eyes with the man, allowing a chilling coldness to seep into his gaze. As if sensing the danger before them, the bandits shifted uneasily, their confidence wavering.

"Kazuki Gin," he said, his voice low and even. "You would do well not to underestimate me."