Chapter 4 Part 2 : Captured

  As Saigo's sword drew near, Sh?kin Kagiri calmly dismissed the weapon with a flick of his wrist. His hand, now enveloped in an electric aura, seemed to dance and crackle with life, illuminating the dark scene with its glow. Saigo's eyes widened at the sight, a mixture of fear and opportunity dawning on him.

  "Ha! You've dropped your sword, old man?" Saigo taunted as he adjusted his aim for Sh?kin's exposed neck.

  But as Saigo's blade neared its target, Sh?kin simply sidestepped the attack, his movements swift despite his age. With a smirk, he reached out and pressed his electrified hand against Saigo's chest. Time seemed to slow as Saigo realized the gravity of his mistake. "I'm a fool...," he thought bitterly before pain tore through him, rendering him unconscious within seconds.

  "Perhaps you're a bit too young to be challenging me," Sh?kin said, smiling down at the fallen warrior.

  Kazuki stared in disbelief, his sinister smile fading as he realized the old man had effortlessly defeated Saigo. The villagers and Saigo's subordinates shared in this shock, their cheers dying down in an instant. As silence overtook the battlefield, the rain continued to pour, washing away the pride that had once filled the air.

  "Finish him off!" Kazuki yelled at Sh?kin, his voice barely audible over the rain, while gritting his teeth in anger. "He deserves it for what he's done!"

  Sh?kin looked down at Saigo's unconscious form and then back to Kazuki, his eyes reflecting a calm determination. "That's not my way," he replied evenly. "Killing him won't bring peace or undo the wrongs he's committed."

  Kazuki's frustration bubbled within him like molten lava, threatening to erupt at any moment. He couldn't believe that this old man, who had just shown such incredible power, was refusing to finish off their enemy. His dark powers stirred and swirled inside him, fueled by his thirst for revenge.

  "Fine! If you won't do it, I will!" Kazuki spat, as he struggled to stand on his shaky legs. The wound on his side throbbed painfully, but he refused to acknowledge it. His sole focus was on ending Saigo's life so that at least one of Shogun Tokugawa killers would pay for what they have done.

  "Kazuki, don't let your desire for vengeance consume you," Sh?kin warned, concern evident in his voice. But Kazuki ignored him, consumed by the darkness that was taking hold of him.

  With a guttural scream, Kazuki lunged at Saigo's prone body, raising his sword high above his head, intent on delivering the killing blow. Sh?kin acted quickly, extending his hand towards Kazuki. Electricity crackled around his fingers, forming an electric cage that ensnared Kazuki's arm mid-swing.

  "Argh!" Kazuki cried out, as the electrifying grip halted his attack, causing him to drop his sword with a clatter in the mud. The pain was unbearable, coursing through his body like wildfire.

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  "Enough, Kazuki," Sh?kin said firmly, his voice cutting through the rain and thunder, as he released his grip on Kazuki. The young samurai collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

  Kazuki's chest heaved with each labored breath, as he glared at Sh?kin through the rain, defiance in his eyes. His thoughts raced, trying to find another way to achieve his revenge, but the darkness that had once fueled him began to recede. Perhaps deep down, he knew Sh?kin was right, but admitting it was not something he was ready to do.

  As the rain continued to fall, Kazuki lay there, catching his breath, unable to tear his gaze away from Sh?kin's piercing stare. The old man's words echoed within him, clashing with the remnants of his thirst for revenge, leaving him uncertain of where his destiny truly lay.

  With a heavy sigh, Sh?kin lowered his still-crackling hand and turned to face the crowd that had gathered, their expressions a mix of awe and terror. "The battle is over," he announced, his voice calm but authoritative. The rain continued its relentless downpour, soaking the onlookers and turning the ground beneath them into a muddy mess.

  Kazuki felt his throat tighten as a wave of anger and despair washed over him. He wanted to scream, but all that escaped his lips were the barely audible words, “Damn it," as he punched at the ground in frustration. His tears coursed down his cheeks, as if they were being pulled by an invisible force. "He's right...but...I can't let go...not yet." He though.

  As if in answer to Kazuki's unspoken plea, Hayato and Himari appeared at his side, concern etched across their faces. They had been watching the confrontation from a safe distance, their eyes filled with a mix of admiration and fear for their friend.

  "Kazuki," Hayato said gently, reaching out to help him sit up. "Are you okay?"

  "Leave me alone," Kazuki snapped, swatting Hayato's hand away. "I don't need your pity."

  "Stubborn i see," Himari sighed, kneeling beside him and offering a soft smile. "We're not here to pity you, Kazuki. We're here for you because we care."

  "Your path isn't just vengeance, Kazuki," Hayato added, echoing Sh?kin's earlier words. "There's more to you than that."

  Kazuki frowned, unable to find words to counter their claims. He knew they were right, but admitting it aloud felt like a betrayal of all he'd lost and everything he'd fought for.

  "Saigo will face the consequences of his actions," Sh?kin said, his attention now on the still-unconscious warrior. "But death is not the answer. It serves only to perpetuate a cycle of pain and suffering."

  Kazuki's eyes darted between Hayato, Himari, and Sh?kin, as if searching for some sign of deception or hidden agenda. But all he saw was genuine concern and belief in him – a belief that perhaps, just maybe, there was more to his future than a never-ending quest for revenge.

  As the rain continued its torrential downpour, Kazuki passed out at the muddy ground beneath him.

  "Alright, with the danger out of the way, I can get on with turning you in for that sizable bounty," Sh?kin said, his face softening into an easy smile.

  Both Hayato and Himari swiveled their heads towards Sh?kin, their expressions a matching blend of confusion. They chimed together, a shared bafflement in their voice, "What...?"

  The battle may have been over, but the true struggle – the battle within Kazuki – had only just begun.