The Dream Tree

At the same time, Karonu and his group entered the forest to cut trees. In Nisi Village, Shikichi inspected the fortifications built in a limited time. He didn't know when or if the Niwais would attack. Last night, Karonu mentioned the Niwais exiting the Eastern Hills and marching along the riverbank. Shikichi agreed with his reasoning—if he were leading the Niwais, he would use the same route. 

He climbed the earthen fortification—no wood was used. After arriving at dawn, his group, along with the villagers, dug a three-meter-deep, two-meter-wide trench around the village, using the soil to create an elevated platform inside the perimeter. 

A voice called out, "Shikichi, you should rest." He didn't need to turn to recognize it. 

"Chi, you rest," Shikichi replied. 

Chi shrugged. "A short nap, and I'm back to full strength. You should do the same." 

"I will after Yuto returns." 

"Where did he go?" Chi asked. 

"I sent him to the riverbank to watch for the Niwais." 

"What are the chances they'll take that route?" 

Shikichi countered, "If you were their captain, which route would you take?" 

Chi thought for a moment. *If I knew nothing about the Eastern Hills—the beasts, the dangers—I'd avoid it.* He said aloud, "I'd take the riverbank too." 

They stood atop the platform, gazing south as the sun set. A cool breeze from the river brushed against them. Suddenly, dust clouds rose in the distance—someone was running from the forest. 

Chi squinted. "It's Yuto. You can rest now." 

Shikichi might have agreed, but Yuto was sprinting at full speed, kicking up dust. Even more unusual, he had opened his four body gates for speed. Shikichi muttered, "Did he really need to open his gates just to return?" 

Chi's expression hardened. The hour-long run from the river was about to be completed in ten minutes. Yuto, desperate to reach the village, dashed across the paddy fields, leapt over the trench, ran three steps along the soil wall, and landed on the platform. 

Bent over, hands on his knees, drenched in sweat, Yuto gasped for breath. Shikichi waited until his breathing steadied. 

"What happened? Did you spot them?" 

"Yes," Yuto managed. 

Shikichi's gaze sharpened. "How long until they arrive?" 

"They're on foot, no horses in sight. Two to three hours." 

Shikichi fell silent, calculating his next move. 

Chi broke the silence. "Your orders?" 

Shikichi said, "Tell everyone to prepare, including villagers with bows. Have them eat now and send someone to Koji Village to inform Fuma." 

Chi nodded. "You and Yuto should rest. I'll wake you when I see the enemy." 

Shikichi almost refused, but if he didn't rest, Yuto wouldn't either. In battle, exhaustion could mean death. He sighed. "Alright."

------

By the riverbank, men and women in armor marched forward, carrying spears and shields. Their armor bore the engraved symbol of a bear. Leading them were two figures—a teenager and a young man. 

The teenager spoke. "Brother, is Father really going to honor the promise to the Sanada and hand over the Mori lands?" 

The young man replied, "A samurai cannot break his word." 

"I know," the teenager said, "but I feel reluctant. They only gave us 500 men and hired some pirates to help." 

"I also hesitate to give up the land," the young man admitted, "but without their 500 men, we couldn't have broken through the passes." 

He continued, "Besides, the contract lasts only a year. Next year, we can strike back and reclaim it." 

The teenager smirked. "Good plan. This time, nothing will stop us from destroying the Moris." 

They marched in silence for half an hour before the teenager grumbled, "I'm hungry. Let's rest and catch some fish." 

"Not now," the young man said. "There's a village just beyond the forest. We must reach it before nightfall." 

The teenager scoffed. "A small village? How long would it take to conquer it?" 

The young man's gaze darkened. "Do you think the Moris haven't noticed our departure from the main force?" 

He continued, "Even with a day's head start, the river crossing took half a day. We were on one side while they were on this one. Their forces are either already here or on the way." 

The teenager's expression hardened. "I understand, Brother." With renewed determination, he pressed on. 

Two hours later, they emerged from the forest and turned north. 

"Yuki," the young man called, "how far is the village?" 

A man behind him answered, "Young Lord, an hour's march." 

"Then the destruction of this village will mark the beginning of the Mori's end." 

The warriors roared, "End of the Moris!" 

Five minutes later, the paddy fields came into view. But beyond them, a wall stood—manned by Mori men and women. 

The young man narrowed his eyes. "Looks like we're late." 

The teenager asked, "Brother, what now?" 

The young man smirked. "We attack."

-----

Chi, standing atop the wall, spotted the approaching force. Beside him, Yukei muttered, "Looks like they're here." 

Chi turned slightly. "Rozo, wake up Shikichi and Yuto." 

A teenager behind them answered, "Yes, sir," then turned and sprinted away. 

Chi continued, "We should man the eastern wall." 

Yukei nodded. "With that armor, they won't risk crossing the muddy paddy fields." He secretly wished they would—mud would slow them down, making them easy targets for his arrows. 

But his wish went unfulfilled. The enemy bypassed the fields, heading east before turning north. Seeing this, Chi and the others moved to the eastern wall. 

As the Niwais army reached the road leading to the village, Shikichi and Yuto joined them. The enemy pulled shields from their backs, forming a protective wall against incoming arrows. 

"If we still had the old bows," Yuto said, watching them, "we wouldn't be able to stop them from advancing." 

Chi smirked. "With the new bows, their shields won't save them." 

Yuto turned to Shikichi. "Give us the order, and we'll start shooting." 

"Not yet," Shikichi said, watching the enemy close in. "Let them get closer." 

A minute later, he raised his bow. "Everyone, ready." 

A chorus of voices responded, "Yes!" 

"Fire!" 

Shikichi released his arrow, and the air filled with the snap of bowstrings as a hundred arrows rained down. 

The volley struck the shield wall. Some arrows pierced through, and pained screams echoed. 

"Keep shooting!" Shikichi commanded, firing another arrow. 

Suddenly, twenty samurai burst from the shield wall, spears in hand, charging at incredible speed toward the village. 

"Samurai, draw your swords!" Shikichi shouted. "Villagers, keep firing!" 

He unsheathed his blade, swinging it toward the enemy. A crescent-shaped wind blade shot forward. 

From within the Niwais ranks, a man raised his spear and thrust it forward. A wind arrow shot from the spearhead, colliding with Shikichi's attack—both vanishing in a burst of energy.