Encounter with Kaze Minamoto

Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Saigo inhaled a calming breath. The air around him grew heavier with tension as he prepared to face Kaze Minamoto. His hands trembled slightly on the hilt of his sword, betraying the fear he tried to hide.

"Come," Saigo commanded, his voice firm despite his nerves, "we must speak to Kaze now." His followers exchanged hesitant glances, their anxiety palpable. But they knew it was better to meet Kaze before he decided to do something unpredictable.

As they stepped outside, their eyes were drawn to the petite young man sitting in a lotus position. Kaze's blue kimono seemed to blend with the sky, and his short blue hair fluttered gently in the wind. His staff lay across his lap, a silent testament to his power. Directly across from him sat a mysterious figure clad in a black kimono, a straw hat obscuring his face. Village onlookers peeked from behind their window curtains, their curiosity tinged with fear.

Kaze stared intently at the Mahjong board in front of him as he played with the stranger outside, his face devoid of emotion. The clacking of tiles filled the silence, punctuated by the occasional murmur between the two players.

"Kaze Minamoto," Saigo called out cautiously, interrupting their game. Kaze remained mute, refusing to acknowledge Saigo's words. The mysterious figure glanced up, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes as they locked onto Saigo.

"Can't you see we're in the middle of something?" the stranger hissed. Saigo hesitated but pressed on, sensing an opportunity.

"Forgive me," Saigo said, bowing his head, "but I have urgent business with Kaze." The mysterious figure narrowed his eyes, studying Saigo for a moment before nodding curtly.

"Very well, but after the game," he said, turning back to the game. As he made his move, he muttered something under his breath, too soft for anyone but Kaze to hear. Kaze's face tightened, revealing a hint of frustration in his otherwise composed expression.

Saigo couldn't help but wonder what the stranger had said to elicit such a reaction from Kaze. He glanced at his followers, who shared his confusion.

The stranger's voice broke the tense silence, his words dripping with mockery. "You're going to lose again, Kaze. What a terrible move you've just made." The stacks of money piled on the table beside them seemed to loom higher as a result, casting a dark shadow over Kaze's calm demeanor.

Saigo studied Kaze's face, searching for any hints of anger or frustration. The young man remained mute, his eyes locked on the Mahjong board, but the subtle clenching of his jaw and the way his fingers twitched around his staff betrayed him. There was something simmering beneath the surface, and Saigo couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and dread at the thought of what might happen when it finally boiled over.

With a deep breath, Saigo mustered the courage to approach Kaze, his followers moving hesitantly in his wake. "K-Kaze Minamoto," he stammered, his voice quivering with fear. "I... I must tell you that I-I can't arrange the funds for Kuroyama."

His followers nodded in unison, their faces pale and their eyes wide with terror. They had all heard the stories of Kaze's volcanic temper, and they knew that failure often resulted in a swift and merciless punishment.

"Is that so?" Kaze finally spoke in an icy tone, not bothering to look up from the game. His words were deceptively calm, but the undercurrent of rage was unmistakable. Saigo swallowed hard, mentally preparing himself for the storm that was about to be unleashed.

"Y-yes," he managed to choke out, his voice barely audible. "I-I'm sorry, Kaze Minamoto. I tried, but..."

"Enough," Kaze cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand, the tension in the air reaching a breaking point. His focus returned to the game, leaving Saigo and his followers to silently back away, grateful for the reprieve but acutely aware that they had not yet escaped Kaze's wrath.