The Dream Tree

After creating the new bow, Kanoru used water from the Cold Spiritual Pond to wash his wounds and redress them. Exiting the cave, he found a secluded spot within the camp, sat under the night sky, and closed his eyes to sense his chakra. 

Since opening the third gate, his chakra reserves had increased, and his body had strengthened. Now, even without opening any gate, his strength was already half of what it had been when opening the first. From today onward, his focus had to shift from strengthening his body to controlling the energy released from the third gate. 

He opened the first gate. Energy surged through him, doubling his strength, but externally, there were no visible changes. He opened the second gate—his strength doubled again, yet still, there were no outward signs. When one could fully control the energy within the gates, the body remained unchanged on the outside. 

Taking a deep breath, he opened the third gate. Energy, like fire, erupted from within. His chakra failed to contain it as it flooded his body, turning him into a red-skinned figure with steam rising from his skin. He made no attempt to control the surge, simply remaining seated. After ten minutes, he closed all three gates. 

Eyes shut, he waited for the exhaustion and pain to subside. He could sustain the third gate for ten minutes before it caused serious harm. Some of his healed wounds reopened, making him realize he needed to recover fully before attempting to control the third gate's energy. 

With nothing else to do, he returned to his tent and fell asleep.

At dawn, south of the Kōgyoku River, a vast war camp with thousands of tents stirred to life as the sun rose. 

From the north, in a small boat, Master Junzo rowed himself toward the camp, a bow slung across his back. After receiving Kanoru's newly crafted bow and testing its power, he had ordered the camp's woodcutters to begin producing them. Once the bow was correctly replicated, he set out to meet the lord. After resting briefly outside the Black Kanji Forest, he arrived at the frontline camp by dawn. 

Spotting him in the boat, a samurai guarding the makeshift port called out, "Master Junzo, why are you here?" 

"I want to meet the lord," Junzo replied. 

"The lord must be preparing for the morning meeting," the samurai said, stepping forward to secure the boat. 

Junzo stepped onto the port. "Where is the lord's tent?" 

"At the center of the camp," the samurai answered. 

Junzo nodded and entered the camp. As he walked, every samurai he passed greeted him with respect. He returned their greetings and continued until he reached the central tent. 

"Tsuki," Junzo called out. 

A voice from inside responded, "Brother, come in." 

Junzo entered to find Tsuki dressing. "Brother, why are you here?" Tsuki asked. 

Junzo held out the bow. "I want you to try this." 

Curious, Tsuki examined the uniquely designed bow. Taking it in his hands, he pulled the string and immediately noticed its superior strength. When he released the string, the snap echoed like distant thunder. 

Junzo said, "Let's go outside the camp and test it. Only then will you understand its power." 

Tsuki nodded. "Let's wait for the captains to arrive for the meeting. That way, everyone can see the bow's strength at once."

After an hour at the port, Junzo stood by his boat while Tsuki and a group of samurai gathered nearby. 

Tsuki asked, "The day after tomorrow, the children will be moving to the second camp, right?" 

"Yes," Junzo confirmed. 

"I'll visit them as well," Tsuki said. "What do you think would be a suitable reward for Kanoru's invention?" 

"For him, the best reward is practice resources," Junzo replied. "But since he consistently delivers excellent results, I already reward him regularly. Right now, the greatest reward for him would be his father's safety." 

"Then I should move him to the logistics team," Tsuki suggested. "It will increase his safety." 

Junzo nodded. "Then let us meet tomorrow." 

With that, he stepped into his boat and began rowing toward the other side.

As Junzo rowed his boat to the other side, Kanoru remained hidden in the forest, watching the cliff ahead. It was filled with red seagulls—twice the size of ordinary seagulls, their feathers a deep crimson. He observed as they soared from the cliff, returning with large fish clutched in their beaks. 

Patiently, he waited for an opportunity—for their numbers to dwindle or for one to come within range. His chance arrived a couple of hours before noon. He nocked an arrow in the newly crafted bow, made just an hour before from the tendon of an impure blood beast—a Double Horn Ox. The bow was incredibly difficult to use, requiring the strength of a samurai who had opened the first door. Even the arrowhead was crafted from the bone of an impure blood beast. 

Carefully aiming, he released the arrow. It pierced through the neck of a red seagull nearby. Without hesitation, Kanoru bolted from his hiding place, sprinting toward his kill. As he lifted the fallen bird, cries of enraged seagulls echoed behind him. He dashed several meters into the forest before stopping. 

Gazing down at the red seagull in his hands, he then looked up at the sky. There are about eight hours until sunset. If I time it right, I can hunt another one. This bow is powerful—if I land my shot correctly, one arrow is enough to kill a red seagull. 

Returning to his hiding place, he resumed watching the seagulls, but this time, they remained grouped together and kept their distance. Undeterred, he waited patiently for the perfect moment. As the sun began to set, the seagulls gradually flew down until only two remained. 

Now or never. 

Kanoru aimed at one of the remaining seagulls and let his arrow fly. It struck the bird square in the chest. The wounded seagull flapped its wings frantically, struggling to stay airborne, but it drifted dangerously close to the cliff's edge. Kanoru sprinted forward, knowing he had to reach it before it tumbled into the depths below. 

Just then, the second seagull launched toward him. Kanoru swiftly unsheathed his sword, meeting the attack head-on. 

With all three gates open, he unleashed his sword techniques, wounding the bird repeatedly. He couldn't reveal the full power of the Sword Wind Realm at such close range, but he could still utilize it partially. The battle raged for half an hour. Blood soaked the ground, and both combatants were exhausted. At last, the seagull collapsed, succumbing to its injuries. 

Kanoru turned his attention to the first seagull—it had finally come to a stop at the very edge of the cliff.

After resting for half an hour, Kanoru began his journey back to camp, carrying three seagulls in his hands. Navigating the forest at night would be difficult, so he made his way to the cliff's edge. From there, he could see the Kōgyoku River flowing south. 

By following the river, he would eventually reach the stream that ran near the camp. With that in mind, he started walking leisurely along the riverbank, gradually descending from 50 meters above the water to 40, then 30, then 20 meters. 

He suddenly stopped. 

What is that sound? It sounds like many people talking. 

Lowering himself to the ground, he carefully peered below. His eyes widened as he spotted three large pirate ships anchored by the river. 

Without hesitation, he sprang to his feet and started sprinting back toward the camp. 

'I have to inform Master Junzo!'