The market was already awake when Kazuki and Renji passed through it, filled with noise that blended into a constant rhythm of movement. Merchants arranged their goods with practiced hands, travelers moved with purpose, and the air carried the scent of dust and food. It was the kind of place where nothing seemed out of place, where life continued without pause.
Kazuki walked calmly, his attention unfocused yet aware of everything around him. Renji followed closely, his gaze wandering across faces and stalls. Among the crowd, a repeated topic surfaced again and again, spoken with excitement rather than caution. A swordsmen's tournament was approaching, one unlike the others before it.
As they listened from a distance, details slowly became clear. The tournament would be hosted by Sunheaven, held on open grounds near its capital. Swordsmen from all four kingdoms were expected to attend, drawn by the promise of recognition and opportunity. The date was close enough to make preparation urgent, yet far enough to allow choice.
When they left the market behind, the world returned to quiet roads and open land. The conversation lingered between them without being spoken. By the time they stopped to rest, the decision had already been made.
Training followed naturally. Blades were drawn, movements tested, and weaknesses exposed. Renji focused on speed and pressure, while Kazuki refined balance and restraint. There were no instructions, only repetition. Each strike revealed something that words could not. By the time they stopped, fatigue had settled into their bodies, steady and familiar.
The journey toward Sunheaven took several days. With every step closer, the roads became crowded with others who carried swords. Different styles, different purposes, yet the same direction. The presence of competition grew heavier with each passing mile.
When they finally reached the outskirts of Sunheaven's tournament grounds, the scale of the gathering became clear. Swordsmen stood apart in subtle groups, shaped by their origins. Ironclad warriors carried themselves with rigid discipline. Fighters from Frostveil observed quietly, conserving energy.
Verdantia's swordsmen moved freely, alert yet unrestrained. Sunheaven's own presence maintained order without confrontation.
The tournament had not yet begun, but its influence was already visible. All four kingdoms had arrived, and the calm before the clash settled over the land.