On the banks of the Purity River, where gentle waters flowed in quiet harmony, Engetsu knelt and sipped directly from the stream while Yōtsuki filled several canteens and secured them to his belt.
Yōtsuki: "Hey, Engetsu!"
Engetsu shook the water from his hand and stood upright.
Engetsu: "Yes?"
Yōtsuki: "Come here."
Engetsu walked over.
Yōtsuki:
"All of you are growing stronger—moving forward with purpose.
Your goals resemble one another, yet they are not the same.
And that difference is not a flaw.
However, the reasons you seek power… they are excessive.
Even with the strength you already possess, you could achieve what you desire.
Isn't that so?"
Engetsu: "I'm not sure about that."
Yōtsuki: "Then listen carefully. My advice is this—unite your purpose."
Engetsu: "Then why tell me this now Wouldn't it be better to speak to all three of us together?"
Yōtsuki:
"Because you helped me find a new purpose as well.
First—to make you stronger, no matter the cost.
Second—my own desire: to visit my lover from time to time.
And now… I must set out to fulfill that second purpose."
Engetsu: "What?! Now?!"
Yōtsuki:
"I'll send letters. And I promise—I'll return in about a week."
Engetsu:
"But how will we meet again?
There's still so much we need to learn.
Leaving like this feels… wrong."
Yōtsuki:
"Do not worry. I will find you.
How? That, too, is something you will learn.
You are no longer far beneath me.
Leaving you on your own will strengthen your will—and your spirit."
Engetsu: "I think… I understand."
Yōtsuki: "Good. Then there is no problem."
Engetsu gazed at the river for several seconds, lost in thought.
When he finally turned back—
Yōtsuki was gone.
(Eyes drift into distraction…)
Morizuki:
"Ahhh… which way was it again?
Is this really the time to get lost… I'm so thirsty."
??: "I have what you're looking for, kid."
Morizuki froze and looked around.
Morizuki: "Hey! Who are you?!"
??: "Someone who can help. You're thirsty, aren't you?"
Leaves rustled. Branches shifted.
A man emerged from between the trees—extremely short in stature.
He climbed down from a tree with practiced ease and approached.
??: "The cure to your problem lies with me."
From one of his many pockets—far more than necessary—he pulled out a canteen.
In fact, his jacket was absurdly stuffed with them.
A smile rested comfortably on his face.
His shoulders were unusually wide for his height.
The man stood at exactly 1.24 meters.
He extended the canteen toward Morizuki.
Morizuki:
"Ah—thank you. I really was dying of thirst."
He opened the lid… then hesitated.
Morizuki: "Wait. Why should I trust you?"
Zairon:
"Well, anyone you ask would know me.
Name's Zairon Kurogane.
A very trustworthy and honest man.
Sure, I may look suspicious—but I swear there's nothing strange in that canteen."
Morizuki lifted it and drank every last drop.
Morizuki:
"Woaah… thank you, sir.
You're really a good person."
He handed the canteen back.
Zairon: "You're welcome. After all—you're paying for it."
Morizuki: "What?! Paying?!"
Zairon: "Yes. Only 100 Kreion."
Morizuki:
"What?! One hundred Kreion?!
That's two Astra!
I've never even seen that much money in my life!
I should've just drunk from the river!"
Zairon: "What, you don't have any money at all?"
Morizuki: "I only have ten Obel."
He pulled the coins from his pocket.
Morizuki:
"I was going to use this to buy five loaves of bread."
Zairon calmly took all the money.
Zairon:
"Then you're in debt.
Ten Obel equals one Kreion—so you still owe me ninety-nine.
That means one Astra and forty-nine Kreion, kid.
If you don't pay… I'll have you executed."
Morizuki:
"What?! Executed?!
I'm a guardian of that village—there's no way they'd allow that!"
Zairon:
"Koganehara Village, huh?
Who told you I was from there, hmm?
Heh-heh-heh…"
Zairon chuckled, turned his back, and walked away.
Morizuki:
"That bastard…
He took all my money and left me in debt.
What am I supposed to do now…"
Engetsu: "Hey, Morizuki!"
Morizuki turned—and relief flooded his face.
Morizuki:
"Hey! Guys! Haha!
You finally found me."
Hyōgetsu:
"Yeah.
I sent you the wrong way earlier.
Here—your katana."
He handed it over.
Morizuki: "Thanks. I completely forgot about it."
Engetsu: "Morizuki, there's something you need to know."
Morizuki: "What is it?"
Engetsu: "Master Yōtsuki… he's gone."
Morizuki's eyes widened.
Morizuki:
"What?! Where?!
Did he die or something?!"
Engetsu:
"No. He left to visit his lover.
He won't be with us for a while."
Morizuki:
"Man… why does everything happen to me?"
Engetsu: "What else happened?"
Morizuki:
"First I got lost.
Then I got thirsty.
Then some guy gave me water—then demanded two Astra.
He took my last ten Obel and put me in debt.
One Astra and forty-nine Kreion.
And now… Master Yōtsuki…"
He sighed deeply.
Engetsu:
"That guy scammed you badly.
Do you know his name? We can find him—and deal with him properly."
Morizuki:
"Umm… I think it was… Za—"
Engetsu: "Za?"
Morizuki: "Zadiron."
Engetsu:
"What kind of name is that?
Whatever. Let's find him.
Hyōgetsu, you coming?"
Hyōgetsu stood up silently, and the three began walking.
Engetsu:
"So… which direction did we come from again?"