Nagato Kagutsuchi: The Dawn
Ch. 5 - Early V

As dawn breaks, in order to recapture his warm days, Nagato embarks on a journey that will make him discover some unexpected things in his life.

Kuina explained to the others that they would go to the city of Fusha which is on the outskirts of the northern province and is closest to the western province so they must be more careful in hiding their identity because the border town sometimes has many warriors who settle just for a meal or overnight.

"Let's go now." Serlin tried to ring his neck and stretch his body.

"Where are we going, Serlin?" Nagato looked at Serlin who was stretching his body.

"Call me Brother Serlin!" Serlin pinched Nagato's cheek.

Nagato smiled faintly then turned his face indifferent towards Serlin.

"Hmmm .... Nagato!" Serlin was visibly upset that Nagato was ignoring her who had been teasing him.

Azai and Kuina ran followed by Serlin and Nagato from behind on the way the three of them tried to equalize the speed of running Nagato although Nagato also tried to balance the speed of the three of them.

"Nagato, if you're tired let me carry you!" Azai glanced at Nagato behind him with a faint smile looking at Nagato's calm-looking face.

"I'm not a kid!" Nagato was a little annoyed that Azai grazed him then he sped up his footsteps and ran beside Azai.

The four of them walked through the vast grassland with the wind blowing against their bodies making this long journey less tiring.

Kuina narrowed her eyes when she saw the shadow of the caravan train and the few people who were holding weapons after getting closer to her were convinced that the group of bandits who were trying to rob the treasure of the merchant caravan owner.

One of the bandits swung his sword towards the body of the merchant who refused to give his property to the bandit when he was on the verge of death the merchant did not expect there was a girl who killed the bandit who was about to attack him.

"Uncle, you better hide first let me take care of them!" Kuina stared at the dozens of bandits before her while the merchant who was being interrupted by her simply nodded slowly and hid behind the caravan train with the others.

Across Kuina were seen some merchants who were being held hostage, the girl saw Azai running towards the merchant who was held hostage by a bandit troupe.

Azai accelerated his footsteps when dozens of bandits realized Azai's whereabouts swung his sword to kill them in two to three slashes.

Some of the other bandits were shocked because there was a young man who finished off their friends in an instant. Azai stared at the dozens of bandits who were intending to return to being merchants becoming hostages quickly he used his brutal-looking swordplay.

"Clean." Azai processed his breathing while estimating the distance between himself and the bandits who were running towards the merchant.

"Tiger Awaits : Predator of Life!"

Azai nimbly charged forward at dozens of bandits and slashed at the body of the bandits quickly, with his swordplay hard to see as brutal and killing dozens of bandits in a single slash of his sword.

"Damn it! This guy killed our friend in an instant!" one of the bandits is shocked to see Azai's swordplay and is scared because he realizes that they are not a worthy opponent for him.

Some bandits thought that the girl who was alone standing holding the sword saw Azai's fight was a weak girl but their estimation was wrong as Kuina was quite good at swordplay had even already found her own sword style.

"Make the girl a hostage!" shouted one of the bandits pointing his sword at Kuina. Hearing his screams dozens of other bandits ran towards Kuina seeing that Azai only smiled while shaking his head.

"Heeh .. So because I'm a woman I look weak!" Kuina smiled faintly as she processed her breathing and stared intently at the tens of bandits who came towards her.

"Clean." Kuina processed her breathing and then charged forward to attack the dozens of bandits who ran towards her in one slash several dead bandits in an instant.

Sirih is the breathing twin of the Kagutsuchi Clan. Kuina learned the breathing from Pandu and the girl was smart enough to process her breathing and combine it with her swordplay so that her foot movements when stepping looked beautiful.

"The Dance of the Red Rose."

Suddenly, when Kuina stepped her feet in a beautiful motion, in an instant the smell of roses wafted from Kuina's body, causing dozens of bandits staring at Kuina to gulp at the sweet girl who was stepping her feet towards them, but Kuina disappeared from their sight and now he was in the middle of the bandits and then the girl turned her body.

Her beautiful twists and bends were filled with the blind art of dozens of bandits amazed and silent for a few seconds, after seeing the leaves of the roses flying towards them, dozens of bandits realized they had not had time to react their bodies were already slashed when Kuina sheathed her sword back.

"Aragh!" the screams of dozens of bandits before they died rang out loud until the merchant who heard just covered his ears.

Azai smiled at Kuina's swordplay and before long the bodyman who had been silent with dozens of subordinates came to them.

"So that's the leader!" Azai smiled faintly at the bandit leader then he also approached them.

Carrying a large sword on his shoulder, the bandit leader swung his sword slashing at Azai but all of his slashes could be fended off by Azai.

"Clean." Azai processed his breathing while holding the great sword of the bandit leader with his sword.

Azai moved quickly behind the bandit leader's body until he easily swung his sword back to target the bandit leader's body. Haven't had time to react the bandit leader was just shocked then tried to dodge Azai's sword slash.

"Fuck up!" The bandit leader touched his bloody back from being hit by Azai's sword slash with a face filled with anger he went forward to attack Azai blindly.

Azai only smiled seeing the bandit leader who got out of control so he easily fended off the entire sword slash of the bandit leader. Not letting his enemy catch his breath, Azai smiled faintly then slashed the body of the bandit leader vertically.

Kuina killed dozens of bandits who tried to escape when their leader had died in Azai's hands. In an instant Kuina was able to chase them and kill them in an instant with her two sword moves.

The merchants approached Azai and Kuina thanked him while Serlin guarded Nagato who saw the fight from the caravan train.

One of the traders Kuina saved thanked her and she introduced herself to them. The name of the caravan merchant was Zeno then he explained to Kuina that they were on their way to Fusha City but their caravan was intercepted by the bandit group.

Zeno offered Kuina and the others to join the caravan group to Fusha City. Because Zeno was also afraid that there would be bandits attacking them again.

Because the caravan's purpose was the same as her, Kuina accepted Zeno's offer and invited Nagato and the others to enter the caravan.

Before continuing the journey of the merchants helping Azai, Kuina, and Serlin bury the dead bodies of the bandits.

In the course of Serlin and Zeno tells the story then Serlin also gave his identity to Zeno that he was the son of a witch whose name is quite famous, Merlin. While Zeno who heard Serlin's words was surprised because he and his wife were also from Azbec.

Zeno's face looks sad when he remembers his wife who died five years ago because of the attack carried out by Kazan and Black Madia when they worked together to conquer Azbec.

The view to Fusha City is very pampering for the eyes because it can see a vast expanse of grassland when the caravan train runs through the hill, which is very pampering, they can see the scenery and the wind that blows also makes them feel comfortable.

Along the way to Fusha City the atmosphere inside the caravan carriage was very comfortable due to the gusts of wind but all of it disappeared in an instant when Zeno and the Horseman told about the death of Pandu which made the entire clan in the Kai Empire came to the capital to have a meeting with the imperial family.

Nagato's ears were hot when he heard Zeno's words that his father was a traitor and was no longer recognized as the son of the emperor for having committed a massacre against his own clan, the Kagutsuchi Clan. He did not even know that his father was the son of the emperor.

Nagato's emotions exploded when he saw Azai's reaction, Kuina and Serlin who seemed to know all that while he knew nothing about his own biological father. When he remembered Tatsugoro's words to his mother, all his frustration overflowed.

"Kuina Serlin, are you two ahu about this!" Nagato stared coldly at the two girls sitting beside him.

"Tell me, everything you know about the kai emperor's relationship with my father!" Nagato stood up and looked coldly at Kuina and Serlin. The two girls could not speak as Nagato looked filled with hatred the five-year-old was already different in his eyes only radiating an overwhelming void and anger of hatred.

"My father was a very good person even when he was considered a traitor my father still protected his birthplace from that person!" Nagato's voice sounded cold to Kuina and Serlin's voice made their ears feel like they were burning with fire, whereas Zeno looked at Nagato and was curious about the young boy's identity.

"Nagato, I didn't mean to hide all this from you." Kuina had not finished speaking, Nagato told her to tell him about the clan stronghold that regarded her father as a traitor.

Serlin was about to calm Nagato down but his face broke out in cold sweat when he saw the look of Nagato's eyes staring at him. The girl did not expect that pain and grudges could change a human's personality in an instant.

"Nagato, please sit back" Azai stood up and stepped her legs closer to Nagato, but her entire body stopped moving when she saw Nagato staring at her and smiling cynically. Azai gulped because Nagato who was in front of him looked like someone else.

"Azai, I didn't tell you to talk!" The look in Nagato's eyes made Azai stand for a few minutes because when he wanted to sit back his whole body felt so heavy, sweat poured down Azai's face because he did not expect that he was very difficult to move.

"Tell me everything, Kuina!" Nagato looked back at Kuina with a cold gaze making the girl's lips quiver when she wanted to say something. In a stammering manner, Kuina's brick explains the story of Pandu's past, which she then tells Nagato about the western clan's stronghold, which considers her father a traitor.

Nagato gave a small laugh then smiled sinisterly after hearing Kuina's story, the dark aura enveloping her body condensed around her before disappearing.

"Fuck the emperor I will kill all those who dare to insult my father's good name .. I will make sure they die in my hands this is whoever it is!" Nagato squeezed his hand then he sat back down, everyone who was in the caravan was silent and even had difficulty breathing because they heard Nagato's voice sounding as if ready to pounce on anyone who tried to talk to him at that time.

Kuina and Serlin tried to regulate her bawling breath - nasal due to Nagato's pitch-black aura that condensed around her body.

"So this is the Ancient Curse that Black Madia and Kazan are after!" serlin muttered softly, she could not believe seeing Nagato who used to look sweet and adorable but now the boy had changed in an instant.

Kuina let out a long sigh before greeting Nagato.

"Naagato?" Kuina ventured to hold Nagato's hand and greeted him.

Nagato was silent for a while before replying to Kuina's greeting.

"What's up, Kuina?"

"Are you okay? Soon we will arrive in Fusha City, isn't this the first time you've seen the outside world!" Kuina smiled, self-conscious about Nagato's condition because her teacher had told her that Nagato had a double personality if her mentality was shaky and Kuina was most aware of it.

Nagato just kept quiet and smiled at Kuina then he stared out looking at the new scenery for her.

Serlin and Azai were shocked to see Kuina acting so ordinary, that even the girl's actions made Zeno startled considering what had just happened.

"Stop!"

Their caravan stopped, when the guards of Fusha City told him to stop because the city gatekeeper asked Zeno to issue a permit and pay a tax worth ten bronze coins a condition for the merchant entering Fusha City. Nagato held the girl's hand beside him.

"Nagato, this is your first experience, isn't it?" Kuina smiled as she rubbed Nagato's hair.

Nagato just nodded slowly then his eyes looked at the cityscape from inside the caravan carriage, Zeno wanted to ask about Nagato's identity yet he did not dare to ask.

"We'll stop at the Fusha market." Zeno spoke to Azai because they had reached their destination to trade, then Azai told the caravan train to stop because they wanted to find a place to stay.

"Thank you uncle." Azai thanked Zeno for giving them a ride to Fusha City. Kuina and Serlin smiled gently at Zeno before approaching Nagato.

"Young master?" Zeno called Nagato who was stepping foot to leave.

"Yes." Yeah." Nagato turned his body to look at Zeno who called out to him.

Zeno abandoned his intentions because Nagato seemed very sensitive when he heard stories related to Pandu and Sarah.

"Sorry .. Not being a Young Master." Zeno smiled and then climbed back into the caravan.

"Hmm... Uncle why?" Nagato muttered softly while looking at Zeno then walked back in with Kuina and the others.

In the afternoon the streets of Fusha City were so crowded, the merchants were seen in and out of the city in turn, while Nagato who was not used to seeing many people around him made himself hold Kuina's hand tightly.

"We'd better find an inn far from the city." Kuina spoke to Azai and Serlin who were walking in front of her.

Serlin just nodded slowly then he walked beside Kuina while Azai tried to ask the townspeople about the inn far from the city crowd. After a few minutes Azai returned and explained to them that there was one inn that was on the outskirts of the city even though it was empty of visitors but the inn became a subscription for the stay of the warriors because it presented adequate facilities and a view of the windmill in the village around the city of Fusha that can be seen from the inn. It's just that the overnight price to stay is said to be quite expensive because Azai and Kuina do not have money.

"One room 1 gold piece holy coin!" Kuina scrunched her forehead when she heard Azai's explanation.

Serlin smiled after being silent for quite a while he advised them to go to that inn because he was carrying enough money.

Kuina stuck out her hand asking Serlin, while the girl just shook her head then she smiled slightly.

"One piece of gold is too expensive Serlin's sister." Nagato looked at Serlin who was walking beside him.

Serlin was surprised to hear Nagato call him big brother so he was a little embarrassed then explained to Nagato about the currency used in the Kai Empire and some countries in the Ezzo Continent.

The average currencies used in the Ezzo Continent were Holy Gold, Silver and Bronze Coins. Nagato understood Serlin's explanation, while Azai was still awkward to talk to Nagato.

Not long after they saw a multi-storey inn with a windmill built.

"See Nagato we've reached the inn so that Brother Serlin pays!" Kuina glanced at Serlin and stroked him.

Serlin took out 2 gold coins then walked towards the inn while Azai protested because the girl had only booked two rooms.

"Two rooms? All four of us, so book four rooms, you weird witch!" Azai approaches Serlin and forces him to spend the money he has.

"I only have two gold pieces I slept with Nagato while you both slept together." Serlin smilingly glanced towards Kuina and Azai as it deliberately rubbed the two of them.

Kuina smiled then hugged Nagato's body and looked at Serlin, the girl unwilling to budge with Serlin's statement. Nagato has a face that is almost the same as Pandu only the look on Nagato's face which is now more handsome because it looks cold in his eyes and the look of a face that looks serious. If Nagato was the same age as them, they would always tease Nagato all the time, even at the age that was far adrift between Nagato and the two girls who were fighting over it they were both already married to five-year-old Nagato while Kuina and Serlin were sixteen and old they were eleven years apart.

Azai feels defeated by the son of his teacher who is eleven years younger than him about women, because the two girls are fighting over Nagato. Then Azai invites Nagato to sleep with her to hear Azai who invites Nagato, two girls who are fighting over Nagato staring at Azai.

"Azai, don't don't don't you ..." Serlin smiled faintly looking at Azai suspiciously.

"Stupid, your mind goes where the strange Witch is!" Azai was upset that Serlin thought she was also interested in Nagato.

Kuina only smiled and intended to taunt Azai but the young man ignored her and walked into the inn.

"Excuse me ..." Azai entered and saw that there were only a few people in the inn, but his eyes were fixed on the three people wearing black robes in red.

The Windmill inn looks so comfortable the atmosphere, the inn is in the form of a two-story building that provides twenty-two rooms for rent. Then Azai approached Serlin to pay and reserve a room.

Serlin gave the two pieces of gold in his hand to Azai then his eyes looked at some people who had a different aura than others.

"Serlin, you realize it, don't you three eat in the room, let me eat in the living room that the inn has provided I want to hear their conversation" Azai whispered softly in Serlin's ear as he felt familiar with the robe used by three people who were chatting in the living room.

Serlin just smiled, then he ordered two rooms on the second floor and ordered some food to eat in their room. Then Serlin smiled at Nagato and led him into a room that had been booked.

Serlin stared at Azai then took out some gold coins before giving it to him.

"Azai, buy Nagato clothes and our clothes look shabby? So buy us four new clothes!" Serlin smiled giving 2 gold pieces to Azai.

Azai looked annoyed at feeling being played around by Serlin.

"Don't you say you only have 2 gold pieces? Strange witch!" Azai took the 2 pieces of gold Serlin gave while cursing in his heart when the witch girl pretended not to hear his words.

Kuina who heard the talk asked Serlin for money because she also wanted to choose a suitable outfit for Nagato. Serlin gave Kuina 2 pieces of gold and the girl took 1 piece of gold in Azai's hand before running away from the inn room.

Azai was intent on chasing after Kuina but she was also embarrassed when she saw the servant girl running around inside the inn. After seeing that Azai and Kuina had left, Serlin took a bath in the bathroom inside the room. While Nagato chose to take a bath in a special male bath provided by the windmill lodging.

In the hot pool, a man was seen soaking, then Nagato tried to put his foot in the pool.

His entire burden felt lifted from his body as Nagato soaked himself enjoying the atmosphere for a while before leaving the grandfather who was drinking wine while soaking in the same pool with him.

After finishing the bath Nagato returned to the room and there Serlin was seen wrapped around his towel which looked tight and tempting but for Nagato such a sight was not something that made passionate Nagato just ignored Serlin and broke his body mattressed.

"Na .. ga .. to! Aren't you interested in my body?" Serlin puffed her cheeks as Nagato only silently looked at her body but did not react in the slightest.

"Hm ... " Nagato muttered softly staring at Serlin's body covered in a towel so that it looked like a seductive curve of her body.

Serlin was misbehaved when Nagato's cold gaze stared at his body.

"A ... Whahuh? My body?" Serlin nervously looked at Nagato's eyes staring at his body.

"If the other guy I'm talking to might be interested in Kak Serlin's body .. So don't show people any body parts and close the door when Serlin's only wearing a towel!" Nagato turned his face to advise Serlin.

"Why do I feel rejected?" An annoyed Serlin then sat down beside Nagato's bed and laid down his body. Suddenly the sound of the room door was open and Kuina saw Serlin who was casually wearing a towel lying next to Nagato who was also only wearing a towel.

"Azai, your room is next door!" Kuina closed the door when Azai was about to enter the room. Then Kuina gave Nagato two clothes, the first one was jet black and the second one was white.

Nagato took both clothes and went into the bathroom to wear them. Kuina was also preparing to take a shower before dinner.

Before long Azai came knocking on their room and was about to eat in the middle room, Serlin who was already wearing her new clothes just nodded slowly hearing Azai's words.

Nagato ate in the room with Kuina and Serlin, one of the servants delivering some of the room food and drinks they ordered.

"Nagato, eat a lot to make your body healthy because you are still in growth." Kuina smiled gently at Nagato while taking some soup for Nagato to eat.

Serlin glanced at Nagato then took the soup and rice with his spoon then pointed it at Nagato's mouth.

"Nagato ..., aaaaaa." Serlin's deliberately spoiled voice made Nagato open his mouth.

Nagato greeted Serlin's spoonful feed, then he chewed it slowly enjoying every sensation of the food he was chewing on his mouth.

Serlin's breathing gasped for breath at Nagato who looked unconcerned at him but still welcomed the mouthful of his spoon.

"Australia .. if .. Nagato's the same age as us I'm .. I." Serlin stared at Nagato's cold face. While Kuina just shook her head looking at the behavior of her friend.

"Based on a strange witch, I'm starting to crack her behavior again." Kuina was enjoying the soup she was eating.

On the other hand Azai who was in the middle of the room was trying to find out information about the events that had just happened in the Kai Empire.