One week had passed since Kenzo, Danzai, and Yoshida got past the other side of the Sasaki District, doing what they do best right now: walking.

  “I want to see Lana, “Kenzo said.

  “You’ll get to her master after you complete your legacy,” Yoshida said.

  As the three walked, Danzai was quiet, not engaging in conversations. When he decided to speak, he asked Kenzo:

  “Kenzo, you must train; I think receiving training from me will benefit you even more,” said Danzai bluntly.

  "What?" said Yoshida and Kenzo.

  Danzai carefully explained the reason why he suddenly wanted to train. He had second thoughts about the destruction of the Sasaki, as Danzai thought that Kenzo hadn’t received enough training and only knew the basics, not the advanced aspects of the sword.

  Kenzo accepted the training, but he wouldn’t have thought that the moment he started, he would feel enormous agony.

  “They just started, and this is already the effect of Danzai’s training,” Yoshida said, feeling this will be a while.

  What felt like hours to Kenzo was only minutes to Danzai. Every time Kenzo thought he was going to collapse, he thought about the villagers in Nuville giving him strength.

  The scenery of Kenzo facing Danzai as they are about to have a practice scramble Danzai asked Kenzo one time if he was "ready."

  Kenzo thinks about the time Yoshida trained him. Kenzo nodded and gripped his wooden sword, tightening it. “I am Danzai-sensei.”

  A minute of silence filled the air as the two bloodline members were about to commence their battle. A leaf falls, Danzai’s wooden sword comes to life, and he becomes flawless with his steps. Kenzo’s eyes inflated as he witnessed Danzai’s speed flourish as if he were the founder of the blade.

  A gale of strikes struck upon Kenzo, who just barely got away from suffering each of Danzai’s offences.

  Danzai’s sword brewed through the air, sending instantaneous and terrifying strike blows. Kenzo’s heart pounded as he struggled to keep up with Danzai’s level of skill.

  He moved as he tried to counter Danzai, but as he went on, he became more strained.

  Sweat rained on Kenzo, fighting against the strong Danzai. While they were fighting, Yoshida watched as he saw a difference in Kenzo's performance now compared to when he trained him. However, history was repeating of Kenzo being outclassed.

  The moment Danzai let his guard down, Kenzo wrapped his leg around Danzai as he lost his balance.

  “Gotcha,” Kenzo said.

  Kenzo was ready to strike down Danzai. An occurrence happened, and Kenzo felt something was behind him.

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  “Are you sure about that?” Danzai said

  Kenzo looked behind him at Danzai’s blade pointed at the back of his neck; this became a mistake as the role reversed. Danzai swiftly lifted himself, gripping Kenzo’s kimono and slamming him down on the ground in a fast motion.

  The final touch was Danzai’s sword pointed at Kenzo’s skull.

  “You spoke at the wrong time,” said Danzai.

  “I did?” Kenzo is in confusion.

  Yoshida continued watching them. “For a moment, I thought Kenzo had him just now. Maybe it is too early for that, as Danzai is still too experienced. It won’t just take a mere day for an inexperienced fighter to do anything against an experienced one. Will he progress at a quick pace, or will it be a slow one?” Yoshida said to himself

  Danzai looks into Kenzo’s eyes, wondering, “Can he defeat Lei Sasaki?”

  No matter what, Danzai tried to assure himself he could do it, as it is factual for an Ogushi to have the best percentage of defeating a strong Sasaki bloodline member.

  “Keep it together, Danzai; you know full well you don’t have the facilities to defeat him. Only Kenzo is the only one who can do it, even if you have to swallow your pride and accept the fact that your blood couldn’t get the job done,” he said in his mind.

  He went back to his regular stance, saying, "Kenzo, get up; we’re going again.”

  “What!” Kenzo said

  “You heard me, no what’s, buts, or anything. I want absolute silence from you. All we do is train. Do you understand me?” said a motivated Danzai.

  Kenzo didn’t understand the change of tone in Danzai. The urge of a raging, burning spirit from Danzai touched Kenzo, slowly making its way out.

  “I understand, Danzai-sensei,” he said.

  The two quickly resumed their training as of now, and the results did not differ for him.

  “Well, the determination remains in Kenzo. Why wouldn't Ogushi’s blood run? In him, his father’s blood lives on. Lei could never stop that. You may have killed him, Lei, but you will face death very soon. Just wait.” Yoshida said it in rage in his head.

  ***

  Before they knew it, a day had passed by. The training continues. Kenzo’s attitude towards fighting had begun to evolve; he was becoming a hungry beast that craved a meal out of its prey.

  Kenzo’s hunger was a battle. Danzai saw through this, mirroring him to Lei and Alina. This made him think of Kenzo’s upcoming battle and whether it would affect him tremendously, driving the world back to peace, or it would lead to more destruction at Kenzo’s hands.

  The belief in it was uneasy for Danzai. He felt shameful thinking of it, but he didn’t let that possibility stay in his head for too long and focused back on what was important.

  It was barbaric for the inexperienced one who’d never felt such agony in his body.

  “I do not know how long I can take this,” Kenzo said, grieving in pain.

  “You better not be quitting on me; clear all the thoughts in your head and think of nothing else," Danzai said

  No matter, Kenzo ran out of energy and collapsed.

  Waking up hours later in the rain, he was covered by shelter.

  The moment he woke up, he was asked “if he was okay,” but he didn’t answer them.

  He said:

  “Look guys, I need a breather if you mind” as he walks to get his own space.

  Danzai was about to say something, but Yoshida said, “Let him be.”

  ***

  Kenzo walked off along a dirt path that led him to see a sign saying "Shama,” which represented an unfinished construction of a village with joyful people despite their lifestyle living in the current era.

  The narrow, broken-down streets are lined with rock houses. Black and red bananas waved in the wind. Taking it upon himself to absorb the atmosphere around him Kenzo found a quiet spot under the shade of a tree.

  He allowed his mind to travel, closing his eyes and reflecting on his current journey. Kenzo understood the importance of taking time for himself; he needed to meditate to rejuvenate his spirit. The Ogushi one opened his eyes, making a silent vow to himself that he would be back for his village.

  “You will complete this,” he said.

  ***

  From a distance, Yoshida and Danzai stood tall on top of trees, watching him, despite Kenzo saying he wanted some space for himself. “Yoshida, tell me what you think of Kenzo,” Danzai asked. A minute of silence lingered between them.

  “Kenzo’s spirit and blood shine brightly, but if he goes off track, he will dramatically end up on a dangerous pathway. That’s what you’ve been thinking, haven’t you?” Yoshida asked Danzai.

  “I would be lying if I wasn’t thinking that.”

  They continue to watch him.