Kitsune Travel Record's

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Japan, Ozunu Orphanage

Another day had passed, and Lucian, anticipating Takeshi's return, had been pushing himself harder than ever.

He knew that if Raizo had been captured,

it would be a turning point, a moment of reckoning. He trained relentlessly at the orphanage, driven by the need to become stronger before their return.

He stood in his room, his upper body bare, a testament to his unwavering dedication. The rhythmic sound of his handstand pushups echoed in the silence.

"497, 498, 499, 500" he counted, his voice a steady rhythm, each repetition a testament to his growing strength. He lowered himself to the floor, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes.

He focused inward, attempting to accelerate his natural healing to strengthen his muscles. Before he could fully concentrate, Cortana's worried voice echoed in his mind.

"Do you really have to do this?" Cortana's voice, filled with concern, cut through his concentration.

"We aren't even sure if their mission was connected to Raizo."

'It's better to be ready,' Lucian responded, his voice a calm whisper in their shared consciousness. 'If it is connected to Raizo, this might be our only chance.'

His focus sharpened, pushing the limits of his control, but before he could reach the limit of his healing, the sound of rushed footsteps shattered the silence.

The door swung open, and Violet stood there, her eyes wide with urgency.

"They're back." she announced, her voice barely a whisper, "and they brought something back."

Lucian opened his eyes, a flashing glint appeared in his eyes.

He saw the anxiety etched on both Violet's and Garrett's faces.

He nodded, he stood up swiftly, as he walked towards the door pausing beside Violet and Garrett.

He leaned in, whispering,

"Are you close with all the kids in the clan?"

"Just with the kids our age." Violet said, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.

She understood the vastness of the Ozunu clan, the sheer number of children who had been forcibly taken from their families and molded into weapons.

"How many?" Lucian's question was sharp, his brow furrowing as he considered the number of kids he needed to help escape. 'There are too many children to get them all away on my own,' he thought, his mind racing. As he couldn't afford to make any mistake.

"Then you'll need their help."

Cortana appeared as she materialized before him, her voice full of concern and her gaze fixed on Violet and Garrett.

Lucian ignored her, his frown deepening as he headed towards the orphanage courtyard followed by Violet and Garrett.

"It's about thirty two." Garrett said, without hesitation before he could think them through.

Violet, however observed Lucian closely,

her curiosity piqued by his questions.

She wondered what he was planning.

"Then how many are all of the kids in the clan?" Lucian's voice was a measured tone, his steps slowing to a halt.

"One hundred and twenty-six." Violet answered, her eyes on Lucian, who stopped abruptly.

'There are too many kids' Lucian thought, his mind racing, 'If we have to escape with bullets flying around.' He stopped, He needed a plan.

The sheer number of the kids that he needs to help overwhelmed him.

"That's why you need help." Cortana stated, her voice laced with worry.

"You can fight, but you can't save them all alone."

Lucian sighed as he didn't want to risk the kids life he turned to face Violet and Garrett, his gaze unwavering.

He saw the questioning look in Violet's eyes and the confusion in Garrett's.

"You guys always wanted to leave, right?" he said slowly, his words causing their faces to register surprise and tension.

Violet and Garrett exchanged a fleeting glance, a mixture of fear and hope flickering across their faces yet their body tensed up.

They knew the consequences of betraying the clan. They knew the brutal punishments reserved for those who dared to escape.

But there was a glimmer of possibility in Lucian's words a spark of hope that ignited in their hearts.

Lucian nodded, understanding their unspoken fears, Acknowledging their shared desire for freedom.

He turned and started walking again, yet this time he walking towards a different location.

"There will be a chance to leave. I need your help." he said, his voice was blank without emotions as he didn't want force them to make a decision.

Violet and Garrett stood frozen in shock, their minds reeling.

They looked at each other, their fear slowly giving way to a tentative glimmer of hope. 'Why would the best ninja, the heir to the Ozunu clan, want to leave?' they thought.

They were utterly bewildered their faces a mixture of confusion and apprehension but the glint of determination in Lucian's eyes was undeniable.

They began to chase after him, their steps quickening, their hearts pounding with a newfound sense of urgency.

Violet and Garrett, their minds buzzing with questions, followed Lucian as he moved with purpose through the crowded halls.

When they realized where he was headed, their eyes widened with understanding.

They knew what he was about to do.

They exchanged a worried look, but their shared desire for escape overrode their fear. They followed him, their hearts pounding, into a large, dimly lit room.

The room was an arsenal, a haven of steel and shadow. Katanas hung from the walls, their blades gleaming in the dim light. Kusarigamas, shurikens, nunchakus, and poison jars were scattered across the room, a testament to the clan's ruthless efficiency.

Lucian moved with practice ease, his eyes scanning the room, a familiarness in his movements.

he walks towards a cabinet as he flung it open a cabinet overflowing with ninja clothing, pulling out his gears, dark practical uniform and his signature mask.

He knew this would be his last mission, his final stand as a Ozunu ninja.

As he turned towards the weapons, his gaze landed on a kusarigama. With familiarity he secured it to his waist, followed by a katana strapped across his back.

His movements were swift, efficient, each action a testament to his training.

He paused, his eyes fixed on a handful of shurikens, his expression serious. He grabbed them, his fingers brushing against the cold, sharp steel.

He turned towards Violet and Garrett,

who were watching his movements with a mixture of awe and apprehension.

"Get what you need." Lucian said, his voice low and urgent.

"We don't have much time." and he

pocketed a handful of shuriken.

Garrett, his hand instinctively reaching for a katana, was stopped by Violet.

She slapped his hand away, a fierce glare in her eyes.

"We're fine for now." she said, her voice firm, laced with an urgency that mirrored the tension in the air.

"You can carry weapons, but if the others see us with them, and Lord Ozunu sees us, we're going to be punished."

Lucian frowned. He knew the attack was coming fast, right before Raizo's punishment started but he saw Violet's concern and nodded slightly.

As it was a possibility that if Ozunu saw them carrying a weapon they will be killed first before the attack even happened.

So Lucian turned towards a crate, his movements swift and decisive.

He lifted the lid, revealing a cache of smoke bombs small, unassuming weapons, but potentially life-saving tools.

"At least take these." he said, tossing a few towards them, his eyes meeting their gaze.

Violet and Garrett caught the smoke bombs, their hands trembling slightly, their expressions a mix of fear and gratitude.

They knew that the smoke bombs would at least offer them a chance to escape.

They looked at Lucian with thankfulness.

As Lucian just nodded towards them As they slipped out of the weapons room and started heading towards the courtyard,

The courtyard had a tense energy. A group of young ninjas sat on the ground, their faces reflecting a mixture of curiosity and anxiety, their eyes darting between the kneeling figures and the ominous wooden crate.

As Lucian reached the courtyard, his gaze landed on Takeshi and the other ninjas were kneeling before Ozunu.

Behind them, a wooden crate, just large enough to fit a man, stood silent and still.

A cold dread settled over him as he recognized the box meant to be a cage for someone.

"He's in there." Lucian whispered, his voice barely a breath, his body jolted up with the knowledge that this was the moment, the turning point he had been waiting for.

Lucian knew who was inside. His body tensed as he approached the children. Violet and Garrett, arriving shortly after, noticed his reaction and exchanged worried glances before following.

"Prepare to help the kids." Lucian said, his voice a low, urgent whisper. He saw the shock in their eyes, the understanding dawning on their faces as they didn't think that the opportunity to escape had arrived sooner than expected.

He knew this was their chance, their opportunity to escape.

They sat down amongst the other children, their hearts pounding in their chests, their eyes darting between the box and the imposing figure of Ozunu.

"Open it." Ozunu commanded, his voice a low growl, His eyes, cold and calculating, were fixed on the box.

"Yes, Lord Ozunu." Takeshi said his voice filled with pride as they brought back the worst traitor of the clan.

Takeshi bowed, his eyes filled with respect and reverence to Ozunu. As He signaled to one of his men, who stepped forward and began to remove the nails securing the lid.

The lid creaked open, revealing a figure covered in blood yet oddly he didn't have much wounds as he slumped against the interior of the box. He wasn't dead. But he was weak, his face pale, his body battered and bruised.

Lucian felt his heart beat become faster as he recognized the man.

"Raizo" he breathed, his voice a strained whisper.

The sight of Raizo, lying still and silent in the box, sent a wave of shock and horror through the courtyard even the children, who are accustomed to violence and bloodshed, were stunned.

"Prepare." Lucian murmured towards Violet and Garrett, his voice a calm counterpoint to the chaos brewing within him.

He looked towards the gate, his body tense, every muscle coiled, ready to spring into action. He knew the attack was coming.

Lucian was right. The attack was coming, but this time, it wasn't just the military who were coming for the Ozunu clan.

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Next Chapter 35: Attack

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