Nagato Kagutsuchi: The Dawn
Ch. 301 — Ashikubi Thief
When Hayabusa went on a journey to see for herself Sarah's prophecy about the figure of her son who would make the whole country in the Continent of Ezzo unite under her name. Almost the same time as Hayabusa's departure traveled, Hawk and his troops came to the Me Region to visit the graves of Grandpa Hyogoro and the Warlord Goro who were buried in Me County.
Meanwhile, Matsuri, along with Kyla and some of the Kai Empire's few female military soldiers, ventured into several kingdoms and empires in search of Nagato's existence.
Matsuri leaves with Kyla after Hawk departs for Me County. The Kai Empire is now in a period of recovery, a country that has long been divided is now back together. Nobles Minami, Nobles Kochi and Nobles Kita help each other with financial matters.
Sachie intends to make Me County the capital of the new Kai Empire given the services of Grandpa Hyogoro, as well as the two young warriors who entered the final of the Kai Tiger Tournament. Both Nagato and Litha would definitely have similar thoughts, both of them would use the prize money to give to the incapacitated residents who were in the Me Region.
The battle that took place in the capital Daifuzen left many wounds. Many clans were further weakened due to the loss of their Chiefs and Elders. But behind the grief, the entire population of Kai Empire is working together to help people who have fought to defend the Kai Empire in the Capital of Daifuzen.
Fiery night events make some people restless looking to the future. The recent surge in the Kai Empire made several people make their own movements, such as groups in the Kinai Empire, groups that intend to bring down the ruler of the country, and others, the same goes for the ones in the Rakuza Empire.
Meanwhile in the Azbec Magic Kingdom, slavery and social inequality were increasingly visible. Since the arrival of Baha Jellikoth, more and more slavery businesses, especially Black Madia and all people who became followers. They were all influenced by the foreign culture of the Bahamut Empire which made their fellow humans slaves.
The Disaster organization located in the Azbec Magic Kingdom was led by Magma. Until recently Magma had focused her goal on finding the Rare Type Healing Holy Water: Phoenix Tears. The Beast Project and the Artificial Holy Water will be handled by Gore, in order to achieve the goal of having a superior army, Magma recruits to anyone who wants to be his subordinate.
Day by day, the Disaster Organization that was in the Azbec Magic Kingdom was growing in members. Magma herself was a very calculating person just like her father, she would not do a futile fight without profit.
Along with their respective movements in every country that existed in the Ezzo Continent, especially the Me Region there was a commotion because the Ashikubi Thief Group was in the Ancient Ruins City.
Upon hearing of Hawk's arrival to the Me Region, Dorobo waited for the man who had been raised to be the Great Commander of the Kai Empire with the wood in his right hand.
Grandma Beo had told Dorobo not to blame Hawk too much, but the old woman realized that Dorobo had been babysitting Nagato and Litha for a year. Of course Dorobo knows Nagato and Litha better than he does. After getting word of Litha's death, and the disappearance of Nagato, of course, Dorobo could not calm down. It has been two weeks and two weeks without sleep because it continues to think about and worry about Nagato's condition.
“Bos, sleep and rest, don't keep drinking like this. What you're doing is not good for your health.” Celes rebukes Dorobo but his words are not published in the slightest.
“Buy me sake again! You still have money, right?!” Dorobo shouted at Celes, Usup and Brush.
“Bos, stop... If you're sick, we'll worry about you.” The brush tried to calm Doroba but instead he was hit by a hard slap from Dorobi on his cheek.
“Compared to this.. all this is absolutely painless..” Dorobo drank her last sake before slamming the bottle and staring coldly at Celes.
“Go buy sake! Fast!”
Celes broke out in cold sweat and immediately ran over to buy sake. Grandma Beo who saw Doroba could only sigh deeply and shake her head.
‘That kid I think is alive, I can't interfere. Let's hope the boy meets the guy.’ Grandma Beo sat down while looking at Dorobo's puffy face.
Before long the crowd in the Ancient Ruins City grew increasingly crowded. Residents flocked to see the arrival of Hawk who came with good news because Me Region will be used as the new Capital of Kai Empire. The system of discrimination was removed from the Kai Empire after Hizen's reign ended.
“New capital project in Me!” Region
“Finally the Akaramizarawa Family took over the country! Let's hope they are just like the Furigiri family in the past!”
“We have now officially become residents of Kai Empire!”
“True, I should stop being a pickpocket!”
The people who came from various regions in the Me Region began to talk to each other about the truth of the transfer of the Imperial Capital Kai. So many people gathered in the Ancient Ruins City talked about the news of the truth.
When everyone was greeting Hawk. Celes tries to stop Dorobo holding the sake bottle in his left hand. The woman came to chase away the people who confronted her and looked at Hawk with a gaze full of anger.
“Bos, stop! Don't act rashly!” Celes pushed Dorobo's body but easily crashed because Dorobo pushed him.
“Hei, Hawk!” Everyone stared at Dorobo.
Dorobo throws a bottle of sake that he holds onto Hawk's body. Everyone was shocked to see Dorobo blatantly injuring Hawk. When hundreds of Kai Empire military soldiers raised their weapons, Hawk immediately raised his hand to signal his subordinates not to draw their weapons.
“You have no shame and dare to come to this place!” Dorobo ran quickly while swinging the wood she held in her right hand. Everyone was shocked when the wood Dorobo held hit Hawk's face.
Hawk's face spewed fresh blood from his forehead. Everyone was surprised to see Dorobo's anger, but some people just kept quiet because they knew Dorobo and Hawk's relationship.
“Bos, stop—” Unfinished member Thief Ashikubi reprimands, Dorobo back blows.
“Murid brash! Basic useless!” Dorobo threw the wood in his hand, then slapped a punch at Hawk's face to vent his anger.
“And you were in that battle! Why don't you protect them both! Hey, Hawk! Answer it! Are you mute?!” Dorobo smacked Hawk's mouth and bled.
Hawk took Dorobo's hit without fighting back. He himself realized that he had failed as a student because he could not save the child of the Master who had contributed in his life.
“Oi, Hawk! Stand up! Answer what! Why did you let Nagato suffer! Why did you let Litha die before her!” Dorobo lashed out a punch that left Hawk's mouth full of fresh blood.
”Bos, stop!” Celes, Usup and Brush try to calm Dorobo down.
“Why don't you protect them both?! Why didn't you save them?! Aren't you a Great Commander?! Answer these words, you useless disciple!” Dorobo was about to hit Hawk in the eye but Grandma Beo was standing in front of Dorobo.
“It's enough, Dorobo..” Granny Beo's soft and soothing voice made Dorobo stand up and throw the three members.
Dorobo kept shedding her tears, “I can't imagine the suffering Nagato is feeling right now! He loved Litha and Asha! Although he seems to be unconcerned, but Nagato loves Litha and Asha very much, he considers them both his own siblings!”
Celes, Brush and Usup let go of their handrails trying to hold Dorobo. Remember the time the three youngsters were playing and learning swords together at Ashikubi Thief Base.
*Nagato, you should be honest with your own feelings. Why be shy like this...
Litha, however, I must be stronger in order to protect you both. As a swordsman and big brother, of course I have to be strong!
Hmmm, do as you please. You are too active to practice, I will cook fried chicken and spicy chili for you later tonight...
Really, Litha?
Yeah, didn't you always tell me to make it in the Cakrawyuha Forest.
Heh, Brother Nagato thinks of me as a younger brother?
Why are you here, Asha? Don't bother me!
Nagato's sister, Litha, last night I found a beautiful place and there were many fireflies.
Heh, then we'll be there tonight, won't we, Nagato.
No, I want to practice. Litha, you should not be too influenced by the words of this child.
Come on, Brother Nagato...
Asha*h*!
Celes wept as he recalled the past as he peeked at the togetherness of Nagato, Litha and Asha. Likewise with the Brush and Usup that shed tears considering the times when Nagato, Litha and Asha became part of the Ashikubi Thief Group.
*Already, already. You three better take a shower and rest first, then tell me what happened during these two months. Boss is very worried about you guys.
Noisy, broom hair man!
Rancid boy! How dare you insult me!
Nagato's sister, that broom-haired man is very cute.
Boss, I'll chop them both up
Already Brush, the three of you come in*.
Grandma Beo stared at the entire members of the Ashikubi Thief who were crying. Then he turned his gaze to look at Hawk who was lying on the ground with a bruised face and droplets of fresh blood.
“Hawk. What happened to Nagato? I heard he wasn't found anywhere.” Grandma Beo asked Hawk.
“Grandmother Beo..” Hawk changed his position to sit and wipe the blood of his mouth, “On the scene there was only Litha who had died and Iris who lost her memory of Nagato. Nagato's body was nowhere to be found, and there is absolutely no trace of his death in the capital Daifuzen. We are doing a search. Chances are he's alive.”
Dorobo cried after hearing Hawk's words. His hand clenched for a moment, before he stretched it out.
“Nagato was just a strong-witted rancid boy, in fact he was just a fragile and crybaby child. If I could take his place, I want him not to suffer... I myself can't imagine how devastated her feelings are right now.” Dorobo bit her lower lip and looked up at the sky, “Hopefully she did nothing stupid.”.
“Nagato! Whatever happens! You don't die!”
It flashed through Dorobo's mind, if Nagato would kill himself because he felt depressed. So he screamed to vent his sadness.