Samurai Oni
TRIBULATION

“Whatever Akio's decision, I believe it's the best.” That is how Mizunashi Kage said that he trusted Akio so much until now.

The tengu grandfather who had the name Naruhaya seemed to be jolted as soon as Mizunashi's sentence came back to his mind. And was subconsciously able to ease the emotions on Akio at the moment.

“Two yokai creatures. I don't know what you really want to do with them. Whether it's to utilize or just maintain, I don't know.”

Grandfather took a deep breath, then he took a sitting position near Akio.

“Akio, your punishment may have been changed, because you will use your sword to eliminate yokai only. But, I won't allow you to use a real sword.”

Akio could only be speechless, knowing full well what upset grandfather. This punishment was much milder, at least Akio was grateful for only being punished like this not to be thrown out of the sea, that was the term.

“Because the Shogun changes his own punishment directly, then what can be done. Then, I know what you've been doing behind my back for a year.”

Grandfather then looked cynically at Akio.

“You used a wooden sword. Only then can you eliminate the yokai. Real great. Where did you learn from? I stopped teaching you.”

"From you." This was all Akio had written, in response to the grandfather's question.

Grandfather did not understand why his swordsmanship was getting stronger was answered by Akio that it came from his own grandfather. However, on the one hand he felt proud as his swordsmanship grew stronger and stronger.

Of course, there is also fear that is present in every gap in the science of sword.

“Akio, can you hold your word? Your promise will kill them. And never be bound by their feelings just because they have a human form?” ask grandpa.

He tried to ascertain the extent of the firmness possessed by Akio.

Akio shook his head once and wrote down the answer, "I can't pull my words. Even if I feel like me."

“Be a man like your father. Even though you've done such an incredible amount of evil that you almost killed the judge, I'm still with you.”.

Akio was delighted at the indirect support. The relationship between a grandson and a grandfather or teacher and student has long been established since childhood. That's why grandfather felt guilty about Akio's actions all along.

But if you change the right target, the damned yokai, then maybe the past mistakes will be forgotten, even though it may be impossible.

“Akio, promise not to betray yourself! I believe in you!”

***

The days passed as usual but the atmosphere felt drastically changed since the news of the suicide of one of the followers of the Mizunashi clan spread among the residents.

They were worried because they thought it was a yokai, but the slightly involved samurai had long since been interrogated.

And all the results of the investigation turned out to be nil, there was no way to reveal the truth about Tadashi's death that day.

As if a warning to everyone, if you do not want to die then do not fight even once. Sit down and curl up in the darkness, then fall down without fighting. Those words are like all the samurai in this country who should not attack the enemy, yokai!

“Yang then let it pass. Tadashi, one day I will discover this truth. Because I'm sure you wouldn't be able to do such reckless acts. I'm sure!”

Mizunashi Kage was the worst when he was very close to him. The pain will be passed through with his long sword, in order to eliminate the figure of the cursed yokai.

Then, one news that made the samurai astonished was the existence of the Black Sword Samurai, Mikio. It was originally declared lost and died from being allegedly dragged away by the ferocious ocean currents outside the island, but upon learning Mikio was back, and already some from the clan had met him directly, he said, they still don't believe it.

Only the samurai knew this, not with the population for fear of being excited.

“Can you tell me why you're alive now?” ask Shogun Hatekayama while painting something again.

In the castle in his room, the Shogun is facing a man, Mikio.

“Sorry I should have come earlier here, but I precisely—”

“You could say I was very lucky. After being dragged by the sea currents to make me unable to do anything, suddenly I was on a small island, Kuran.” region

Long story short, Mikio has been stranded to the Kuran region. The area was separate from the main island, so the island had no inhabitants except where the tomb was placed.

“Hm, Kuran' is it? But can you survive for years there? What really happened?” the Shogun asked again, seemingly still doubting the answer from Mikio.

“As I just explained. I was dragged into the Kuran area. But, I am still alive because there are many fish inundated there.”

“Oh, I understand. So, why are you just back now?!” he asked again as he threw the brush at Mikio.

However, Mikio immediately avoided it so that the inked brush did not hit the face.

“Hey, don't dodge!”

“Please forgive me Shogun Hatekayama. I just got back because I forgot that this country is the place where I was born,” Mikio said with a faint smile.

“Do not smile!!”

“Ya, sorry.”

“Then, what absurd reason is that? You forgot about your own country? Geez!”

Mikio was badly amused by the Shogun, and coincidentally some of the founding clans heard him outside. They seemed curious about the conversation between the two men but there seemed to be only chaos.

“Hey, he's that Mikio?” ask Honjou.

“Ya, right. Right enough. He's Mikio, no more wrong. His face has not changed at all,” replied Uchigoro.

“To be honest I myself still doubt it.”

Some of the founding clans here gathered because there were things that the Shogun Hatekayama wanted to talk about as well, but since the chatter between Mikio with him still continued, then they had to retreat.

***

At the same time. At the mountain top.

Akio, Akashi and the fox, a long-haired man without wearing a single piece of clothing, were now silent.

“Mr Akio, finally give up too huh?”

“He did not give up but was bored.”

“What did you say?!”

Clataks!

Something fell by the window. The golden cat statue with its right hand raised upward, rolled forward Akio unnaturally.

“A-what is it?” ask the fox nervously.

“You scared? This is just a statue that happens to move,” Akashi said innocently.

Within a few moments the statue finally fell silent. But then, a voice from him sounded.

“Meow!”

“AAAAA!!” shouted the hysterical fox.

Surprised, the fox's reflexes jumped into Akio's embrace while Akashi's back hit the wall behind him violently.