Exodus !

Day 324

Gengetsu Hôzuki, better known as the Nidaime Mizukage, was one of the most powerful ninjas of his time thanks to his extraordinary abilities in the ninja arts and more particularly in Genjutsu and Ninjutsu. This man was reputed to be invulnerable, not that he had indestructible armour, on the contrary, he was so confident that he only wore cloth clothes.

And he could afford it : indeed, his fetish Genjutsu technique consisted of using a giant clam capable of releasing a smoke that altered the perception of opponents. The Mizukage and his clam thus became mirages used to protect each other. It was then impossible to know exactly where the summoner of the summons was, making the attacks completely bizarre as no one could reach the real body of either the clam or the Nidaime Mizukage. Genjutsu techniques were reinforced by the mastery of a particular kind of chakra : Inton or Yin chakra. This last one allows to create illusions from nothingness or rather thanks to spiritual energy and Gengetsu Hôzuki was one of the rare ninja to master such an ability.

But Genjustu was not his only skill. Indeed, the Nidaime Mizukage belonged to the Hôzuki clan, who were reputed to have the ability to liquefy their bodies into water. Gengetsu had succeeded in mixing oil with water, thus allowing him to obtain more than varied effects on his opponents. This was notably the case of a formidable technique which consisted in transforming the water of his clones into explosive steam before becoming liquid again in an endless cycle, thus making it impossible to stop.

Knowing the abilities of this man but also of his famous swordsmen, it was better not to have Kiri as an enemy. And this Tobirama Senju was perfectly aware of.

At the beginning of the war, the Nidaime Hokage had not hesitated for one second to make Kiri his ally. He had managed to easily convince the Mizukage to join him by using his deep hatred against the Nidaime Tsuchikage.

Indeed, Gengetsu Hôzuki had a boundless enmity towards Mû who had only one objective : to make Iwa the most powerful and this whatever the way he would succeed. This is why, when the Senju proposed an alliance against Tsuchi no Kuni, the Mizukage did not think for a second and accepted. For as long as he had the possibility of reducing the Tsuchikage to dust, he was ready to accept anything.

But before he could face his enemy, Gengetsu Hozuki had left Kiri a month ago and headed for Suna. His troops went through the barren land until they finally reached their goal : Suna, the capital of Kaze No Kuni.

The Nidaime Mizukage intended to take the capital from the rear, taking advantage of the fact that the majority of the Wind Country's troops were on the side of Uzushio or on the fronts of Hi no Kuni. On the other hand, he did not imagine that his opponents would have been so imprudent as to let only a few hundred ninja ensure the safety of their village and their Kage.

Thanks to the surprise effect, the obvious outnumbering of the Kiri ninja against the Suna ninja and the undeniable efficiency of Gengetsu Hôzuki, the city fell only after a few hours. They took the Kazekage and his family hostage, forcing the leader of Sunakagure No Sato to surrender. The Mizukage obtained the surrender of Kaze no Kuni on all fronts where they were engaged, allowing for a better balance of power in this never-ending war.

Once assured that the area was secure and under control, the Hozuki left part of his army behind and headed for the Tsuchi No Kuni front in the hope that perhaps his longtime enemy would be there !

Day 325

Fifteen days had passed since Madara had annihilated Uzushio with his Rinnegan technique. At that point, no life form could have survived the power of the Ninjutsu employed unless they were prepared or hidden.

Thanks to the vast basements of the city and the many Fûinjutsu formulas that had been applied there, the population had been kept safe. For the civilians and soldiers who had not had time to reach the underground, Sakura had worked with Katsuyu's help to protect them from the massive chakra attack.

Once the attack was over, Madara had placed sticks mixing Fûinjutsu and Genjutsu all over the city. This gave the illusion that there was no longer a living soul in the area, and above all it erased the chakra signatures, even though the ninjas had the ability to camouflage their own presence. So they had all become invisible to the rest of the world.

Ashina Uzumaki, who had been so insistent on watching what the Uchiha would do to save them from certain death, had first had the overwhelming urge to reduce the brown-haired man to nothing for daring to destroy his town ! His home !

And although he had to restrain himself from expressing his rage at the desolate sight before him, the old man could only admit this undeniable truth : Uchiha Madara had just saved his people. He swallowed his pride and remained silent : he was now indebted to this man he had long considered a traitor.

— "And now what ?" the Uzumaki asked once the entire city was placed in this bubble of illusion.

— "Let's be careful Ashina, any hasty move could lead to our downfall. Let's go back to the underground now," the dark-haired man replied, preferring to make sure no enemies were left around before heading for Heiwa.

— "How long will we stay hidden ?" The old shinobi asked.

— "As long as it takes... fifteen days... maybe twenty," the Uchiha thought, truly fearful that they would be spotted.

So they stayed that way : hidden in the basement for several days like caged rodents. A rationing protocol had been put in place to ensure the survival of the two thousand people crammed there. But Sakura intervened and brought out food supplies for the entire population. No one lacked anything and everyone had only one thought : Long live the Fûinjutsu.

Sakura also stood out among the people. Remembering what she had experienced during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, she quickly organized a health centre for all the people present : civilians, soldiers and shinobi. With the help of Katsuyu and her medical skills, the young pink-haired woman set about helping anyone who needed it. She gave priority to all the wounded, which caused astonishment among the crowd. At the same time, nobody knew Iryô Ninjutsu and some thought that the young woman was practicing magic.

But beyond these unusual medical techniques, what caught the attention of the people was Sakura's attitude. Indeed, the young woman never stopped caring for people and she did it with a smile, with gentleness and sincere empathy. It was a rare attitude in these times of war, but it brought comfort to the people and eased their stress of being trapped underground until they were finally allowed to leave this hideout.

Taking advantage of being trapped underground, Ashina and Madara discussed what to do next and what would be best for the people. Sakura and Madara mentioned Heiwa : a place of peace, a refuge for the victims of war, a place to start over. But to reach it, they had to make sure that all the people who were here could move around without being seen or heard. This was the new challenge to ensure that their journey went smoothly.

Ashina actively participated in a way to guarantee the protection of his people when they could finally leave these ruins and was inspired by Sakura and Madara's sticks. It was imperative to increase the range and stability that the wooden stick emitted. Two thousand people to travel by land would create a population exodus of several miles.

The old Uzumaki took into account all the possible parameters : civilians do not move as fast as a seasoned shinobi, and the arrival date at the destination will surely be spread over several days. Taking all these parameters and adding them to those already taken into account by Sakura and Madara's formulation, he created a more complex and above all more reliable system. The Fûinjutsu allowed for a range of possibilities that would make anyone swoon and the Uzumaki opted for a substance more rigid than a piece of wood so that there would be no worries of involuntary breakage. He proposed his plan to the duo, who approved of this alternative : to use the plates of the shinobi's headbands as a support. This would then allow the seal to be deactivated by another seal that would cancel the technique.

Thus, the inhabitants of the now-defunct Uzushio learned of their imminent departure for their next home : a place where peace reigned. All that remained was to organise this exodus. They formed groups of people who would be supervised by shinobi to ensure their safety and especially to ensure the protective wave of illusion around them.

Everyone was told to take only a few things with them so as not to slow down the convoy. This was sometimes heartbreaking for the inhabitants because, although they were grateful to be alive, it was still one of the traumas of the war : losing everything. And when everyone was ready to leave the basement, the shock was even greater. They discovered that their city was a pile of ruins, their whole life reduced to nothing.

Many wept but were quickly called to order : silence was the order of the day. Even if they were under the protection of the illusion technique, they could not be sure that spies were not always posted to ensure that they did not survive. It was better to be cautious and wary, for even if their saviours spoke of this safe haven to start a new life, until they got there they had to keep a low profile to hide and preserve themselves.

The convoy then set off, and it had already been a week since the crowd had been moving at a steady pace towards Ta No Kuni. Ashina stayed close to the Uchiha with whom he regularly conversed.

— "What else do you know ?" Ashina asked Madara as they walked at a civilian pace.

— "What do you mean Ashina ?" the dark-haired man asked in return.

— "I still find it hard to believe in this fortune-telling stuff, but the facts are in ! You were right about Konoha's betrayal, you were right about our enemies attacking us, and you're offering my people refuge," the old man said reluctantly. "What else do you know about the future ?" The Uzumaki clarified.

Madara recognized in these questions the analytical mind of his counterpart. He intended to be honest with him while avoiding revealing Sakura's secret : her going back in time and her knowledge of a past that had already happened. The brunette had to be quite subtle in his answers but he was used to manipulating words to better lead his interlocutors where he wanted.

— "The war is almost over," Madara sighed.

— "How can you say that ?" The other questioned, surprised by such a statement.

— "How ? Because both armies are running out of steam. This conflict has gone on for far too long and resources are running out. Don't tell me you didn't notice that detail ?" Said the dark-haired man.

— "Yes, now that you mention it, we have heard reports of food shortages in some areas. But we've also heard that there's been a lot of looting," the Uzumaki said before making the connection between the dark-haired man and the pink-haired woman. "It was you, wasn't it ?"

— "Hn," the dark-haired man replied, which was more than enough for the other to understand everything that had happened since the beginning of this conflict.

However, the Uchiha anticipated his counterpart's words by adding with a weary tone :

— "Let me stop you right there in your thoughts : I didn't start the war. I just took advantage of it for my project of a safe haven for all people who want to live in peace."

— "So why do I get the impression that you are not happy that the war is coming to an end ?" Ashina immediately remarked.

— "Because World War II will soon follow after it's over," Madara stated as if it were a logical and indisputable fact.

— "Seriously," Ashina said in surprise at his tone.

— "Ashina ! It's not my job to explain to you how a conflict works. Certainly, I interfered in it to serve my own interests, and I admit that destroying your city will shake up more than one of the elemental nations. Suspicion will be born within the alliances and as everyone has already lost a lot in this conflict, it is inevitable that each Kage will end up getting personally involved on the different fronts in order to end it. But..."

Madara paused to make sure his interlocutor was following his logic and especially that he was listening carefully to his words.

— "But by choosing this option, most of the Nidaime will perish."

— "How can you say such a thing Madara ? The current Kage are outstanding ninjas with monstrous techniques ! Don't think that you and Hashirama were the only ones scaring the world !" The old man snapped, taking the previous words as the Uchiha's legendary arrogance.

— "Didn't I predict that your town would be destroyed ? Ashina I told you : I have seen what the future holds for the world !" he retorted, pointing to his Rinnegan hidden under his hair.

The old man frowned slightly : if the legendary ward conferred this power then it was obvious that Madara could indeed be many steps ahead of his opponents. But the Uzumaki wanted to understand why his interlocutor was assuring that the next war would soon begin. That he had seen it through his eye power was one thing, but the old man was a man who needed concrete evidence, substantial elements to reach that same conclusion.

— "Ashina, give me your opinion : how do you think the elemental nations will feel once the armistice is signed, because it will be signed. All wars end at some point. Even you, as a clan leader who has lost everything because of this war and Konoha's betrayal, how would you instinctively react ?" The Uchiha asked innocently.

The Uzumaki was beginning to understand what he was getting at. Of course he was grateful that his people had been saved, but the fact remained that it had only been possible because of the dark-haired man's intervention. In other words, if he hadn't intervened... and just the thought of Konoha abandoning them to their sad fate plus the fact that the Leaf had deliberately concealed the disappearance of his only daughter... one feeling came over the old man : vengeance.

— "The desire for revenge will motivate the elemental nations to react," the Uzumaki announced calmly in a cold voice.

— "Right," the dark-haired man simply agreed, confirming that his interlocutor understood his way of thinking. "But it's Konoha that will start the hostilities. Of course, a climate of hatred and resentment will be created in every elemental nation, but it is through Konoha that the second war will begin. I don't know the real motivations that will lead the Leaf to behave like a bitch, but Konoha will try to stir up trouble and cause tensions. All of this will benefit the Sandaime Hokage who..."

— "The Sandaime ?" Ashina exclaimed, which made his counterpart smile.

— "I repeat, the Nidaime will perish in this conflict and even Tobirama will lose his life. Believe me, this is a certainty that cannot be changed !" The dark-haired man added, not without concealing the satisfaction he felt at knowing that that bastard Senju would die.

— "So be it ! But finally Madara, what exactly is your goal in all this ? What's the point of you playing the good samaritan ? And don't give me any of your stories about wanting a safe haven for the victims of war," Ashina demanded, not believing in the utopia the Uchiha was defending at all.

— "Peace !" Madara replied harshly.

— "Peace ?" Ashina repeated in disbelief.

— You, who are older than me, should understand my feelings. How many of your people have you seen die in your very long life ? Too many, isn't it ? Imagine me : since we were children we have been confronted with the horrors of conflict and confrontation. And for what ? Because some self-important fool has ambitions of conquest ? I am tired of it all, Ashina. I'm tired of seeing everyone I love die. I'm tired of doing nothing to change this world view. So I decided to act, to change this world that is only ruled by hate."

Madara had not taken his eyes off the Uzumaki for a moment and continued with conviction :

— "I want to subdue the world and force it to be at peace : this is what I have wanted for so long. But since history is written by the victors, I am the one who is described as the fool, the traitor... the villain," he finally said in a jaded tone.

Uzumaki Ashina understood everything his sidekick had just said. How he had wished for peace to be established in the elemental nations for good.

But every time a semblance of peace and stability was established, it was shattered again by yet another conflict. War alliances and peace treaties. That's all the old man had known in his lifetime. So yes, a global peace project might be reason enough to embrace the Uchiha's vision.

— "I can understand that," Ashina replied, turning his gaze to his people. He would do anything to preserve and protect them, even adhere to a plan like the Uchiha was proposing.

Day 340

Yui's eyes widened at what she saw before her : an architectural marvel like nothing she had ever seen before. It was beyond anything she had ever seen in her short life. Indeed, when she arrived in the land of Ta No Kuni, what struck her immediately was the state of the roads. They were well marked and even paved. Even the most developed cities did not have this kind of infrastructure, including such detailed signage. Each town was clearly marked and one detail could not escape those who stopped in front of the various signs offered : Heiwa was the landmark, the central point of all the other destinations.

When the young woman arrived with her parents in the valley before the capital, they were overwhelmed by the vastness that stretched for many kilometres. Several villages were being built in various places, and rice fields could be seen spreading out over the valleys. All these small details proved that the region was in full expansion.

But what was even more striking when one let one's eyes wander over the region was the immense wall that rose up in the distance. It was impossible to miss it because it was several metres high and undoubtedly served to protect the larger city behind it. And what was equally impressive was that both the wall and the city were still growing : a clear sign of the constant development of the region.

— "It's beautiful," Yui said aloud as they were about to pass through the portcullis of the main gate.

The gate was guarded by fifteen or so guards who kept an eye on the world coming in and out of the gate. From time to time, they checked the identity and the reasons why people had come to this place.

— "Are you sure about this, Yui-chan ?" Asked the woman in her fifties who accompanied the brunette.

— "Yes, Kaa-chan," the young woman assured immediately, looking around.

Ever since she had met the woman who had saved her from that fateful fate, Yui had only one idea in mind : to follow in the footsteps of that saviour. So she had done everything to convince her parents to follow her for Heiwa.

And as they passed the guards, she looked over her head and saw a large bell and archers positioned inside the wall. The young woman had no fear of seeing them, on the contrary she felt strangely safe within these walls. There was an atmosphere of plenitude in this city... of peace. Yet outside there was war, countries were ravaging each other, arable land was trampled, deformed, towns and villages assaulted, destroyed and pillaged.

But here, the atmosphere was totally different, like a bubble out of time and unaffected by the climate of terror outside. How could a place like this be untouched by war ? How was it possible that the people present were so serene, without the slightest sign of worry on their faces or in their attitudes ? Yui even wondered if all these people were also victims of war just like her ?

— "It's a real anthill, to say the least," said Yui's father over a rather imposing hubbub.

Indeed, the main aisle was gigantic and allowed the crowd to come and go without anyone jostling each other. The traffic of people was very fluid in spite of their large number. It was as if the architects had foreseen that the place would receive so many people and that they had anticipated the development of the city. All the structures were made of stone : from the paved floors to the surrounding buildings and the imposing wall that encircled the city. There was no doubt that there was a quarry nearby, so the architects chose this material as a priority.

Suddenly, a horn sounded in the city for a few seconds and the population became agitated very quickly without showing any panic or anxiety.

— "What's going on ?" Yui's mother exclaimed, unaccustomed to such agitation and the muffled sound of the horn.

— "I have no idea, Mother," Yui replied immediately, looking around. People were scrambling out of the middle of the road and positioning themselves against the buildings.

— "Get out of the way !" Shouted a man in the distance before the sound of hooves on stone could be heard. Yui and her parents followed suit and moved out of the way just before a troop of fifty horsemen in formation rode out of town.

If she still had any doubts about her choice to come here, Yui had none. Sakura hadn't lied to her. Yui knew that in coming to Heiwa she had finally found what she was looking for, a place she could call home, a place where her family would be safe. But on top of all that, the young woman knew that she could have the opportunity to protect them, something that would never have been possible if they had stayed in their small village.

Once the troop of horsemen had left, it took no more than thirty seconds for the activity of the town to resume with its ambient hubbub. Yui and her parents blended back into the crowd until the beautiful brunette spotted a patrol of soldiers.

— "Excuse me sir," Yui exclaimed as she approached the man who appeared to be the leader of the patrol. He was recognizable because he was the only one with a weapon in his scabbard while the others had hasta weapons in their hands.

The young woman, although confident, was slightly apprehensive about how she would be treated. She knew that she was physically very pleasing to the eye and that she appealed to the male population. One only had to remember the horror she had almost suffered if Sakura hadn't intervened in time. Besides, she was used to men treating women as objects and not as human beings.

But she was once again surprised by the behaviour of the man she had just challenged. For the first time in her life, Yui was not subjected to the lustful looks of men. On the contrary, he answered her with such respect and concern that she wondered if all women were treated in the same way.

— "Yes Miss ? What can I do to help you ?"

— "I've come on behalf of Sakura-sama. She told me to ask for Suzuki-sama so that I could meet him," she explained bluntly, because she didn't want to get into trouble with the local authorities.

Upon hearing these two names, many of the soldiers turned their gaze to the young woman who suddenly felt intimidated by being the centre of attention. The patrol leader stared at the young woman and her family with squinted eyes, then looked the beautiful woman up and down as he tried to figure out why Sakura-sama would ask this person to see Suzuki-sama. He had to make sure it wasn't a trap since the possibility of assassination couldn't be ruled out : Sakura's fame had been growing ever since the war began.

— "Did she tell you why you had to meet him in person ?"

— "I wish to take up arms."

This answer had been uttered with force and conviction by the young woman, but it triggered the amazement of her parents. Indeed, Yui had deliberately lied to her parents about her real motives for joining Heiwa. They would never have agreed to follow her and even less to leave their village, especially for this reason. What parents could have accepted that their daughter learn the art of combat knowing that it was something very frowned upon in today's society. Moreover, her mother did not fail to exclaim with a voice full of despair :

— "But Yui, my dear, you're not thinking about it ! You told us you wanted to run away from the war and make a new life in this town, not join the army."

— "Mother ! Please," the young woman pleaded, her heart aching from having to lie to her parents. She was torn between the pain she had just caused them and the visceral urge to feel useful in keeping her people safe.

The patrol leader did not let himself be disturbed by the obvious concern of the people accompanying the young woman and asked if they were also moving to the city. Yui did not let her parents answer and took advantage of the shock of her announcement to nod in agreement. Although inwardly puzzled that such a person would wish to take up arms, the man did not express his opinion but gave the following instructions :

— "Follow the main path. When you reach the market place, turn left and go straight up the alley to another gate. Tell the guards there what you told me and that you have already been checked. The guards will take you to Suzuki-sama. However, your parents will not be able to follow you.

— "Why is that, sir ?" Asked the father, who didn't like the idea of leaving his only daughter alone surrounded by so many men.

— "Because as a newcomer and future citizen of this country you have to report and register with the administration. It's a big building, you can't miss it, it's on the same street as the one where you go to see Suzuki-sama. If you can't find it, follow the queue, good day to you," the patrol leader explained before taking his men back to continue their work.

As the family began to walk down the designated path, Yui's mother called out to her daughter who was walking ahead :

— "Yui ! When were you going to tell us about your plans ?"

— "Kaa-chan, you know very well that you would have done anything to stop me if I had told you in Kaze No Kuni," she replied, pushing her way through the crowd.

— "And it's not too late to turn back," the old woman added, convinced that this idea was an aberration.

— "No mother, you know what happened out there ! I never want to be so helpless in a situation like that again. I want to be able to defend myself and the people I love. I don't want to be a woman who is just good for marriage. No mother, I don't want this imposed fate," she defended herself strongly.

Indeed, even though she was far too focused on her goal, Yui could see what she was used to when she went somewhere : the furtive looks in her direction. Thanks to the fine features of her angelic face, but also thanks to the feminine aura she naturally gave off, the young woman made men and women alike turn around as she passed.

Her mother could not bring herself to let her daughter make such a decision that she called on her husband to intervene and reason with their child :

— "Darling, say something ! You're not going to accept this, are you ?"

— "What do you want me to say ? Let her do it, life will bring her to her senses if necessary," retorted the father, who knew that he would not make his beloved daughter change her mind. He was willing to accept her choices as long as she was happy.

This ended the conversation and they walked for many minutes before arriving at a huge square which could only be the market place. Numerous stalls and shops were spread out over the area where a large crowd was swarming and shopping. Moreover, the hustle and bustle of the area was a noisy mixture of the voices of merchants and customers : some baiting the crowd with advertisements and haggling, others negotiating prices in search of the best deals.

This market was unlike any other in the world, as it was overflowing with wealth, both in terms of basic foodstuffs and much more exotic products. This opulence was in stark contrast to the reality of the world outside, where famine and deprivation were the order of the day.

This did not escape Yui's father who had stopped in front of so much abundance : he even wondered if he was not dreaming as it seemed so surreal. Could it be that the Daimyô of this country was much richer than that of Kaze No Kuni ? At first sight, the answer was obvious : yes, this country was undoubtedly rich. It wasn't gold or precious stones, but the development of the infrastructure spoke for itself. No elemental nation had such large and well-made walls. But the most important indicator of the wealth of the country and its capital was the serene atmosphere that reigned there. Without any hesitation, the choice of neutrality towards the current conflict had allowed this region to develop and prosper.

The girl's father was interrupted in his contemplation and reflections when he heard his daughter's soft but determined voice.

— "I'll meet you later."

Indeed, they had arrived in front of the famous administration building, in front of which there were already four queues. There were many soldiers to watch over and ensure the security of the place. People were first searched before they could be invited to wait in one of the queues. Yui was about to leave her parents and head in the direction the soldiers had indicated when her mother hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear.

— "Be careful my daughter".

Once the embrace was over, the young woman walked with a confident step towards the door she had to use. Yui then noticed that there was a second wall within the city itself. It was three times less high than the one that encircled the capital, but it was probably used to delimit the different districts of the city. And obviously, the young woman was approaching a district reserved for the nobles. Just the quality of the clothes of the people passing through the control gate indicated that they were people with higher incomes than the modest citizens. Moreover, the guards let them pass without checking them more than necessary, whereas the more soberly dressed people were subjected to more scrutiny.

Yui did not escape this treatment as she approached this second door. A guard moved slightly towards her and prevented her from going any further. She did not wait for him to ask her why she was here and repeated what she had already said at the first check. As with his colleagues, hearing the names Sakura and Suzuki called out to the guard, who frowned slightly before glaring at the young woman. If she had passed the first check, then she had already been asked the right questions.

However, Yui had not expected to be subjected to a body search. She had imagined that mentioning the names Sakura and Suzuki would be enough to get her through. But when she heard the guard call one of the other men behind him and order a search, she felt her body tense with fear : the memories of her attack still fresh in her mind. Reflexively, she closed her eyes tightly as she felt the man's hands come up to her body and rest over her clothes. The guards, as keen observers, understood from this attitude that this woman had surely been confronted with physical or even sexual violence. That is why the man in charge of the search was careful not to make too many gestures, although he was obliged to check that she was not concealing anything that could be a weapon.

— "Nothing to report, boss," the man finally said, sliding his hands down the young woman's trousers from her groin to her ankles.

Yui still had her eyes closed and was trying to calm the pounding of her heart following this body search. She had to admit that she had feared that the man would take the opportunity to feel certain areas of her body more intensely, such as her breasts or her crotch. But no inappropriate gestures had been made, which confirmed what she had already perceived : men treated women differently in this city.

Suzuki and Hashuba were clear about the army : Discipline !

— "Well, Katsuo will guide you to Suzuki-sama," announced one of the guards before moving to another person who approached the large door.

Yui reopened her eyes when she heard that she would finally meet the one who would teach her to defend herself and fight. She followed the man named Katsuo and they continued their journey in silence in a neighborhood a little less crowded than the previous one. The buildings were undeniably better worked and more artistic architecture. They walked at a fast pace but she had time to look around until she saw a little higher up a very large building : it must be the home of the Daimyô.

But this was not their destination, they went to another place, much less imposing but nevertheless out of the ordinary. The owner of the place seemed to love art, for many sculptures adorned the building in question.

Two men stood in front of the front door and opened it as soon as they recognized Katsuo. Yui could see a spacious and refined interior without being sophisticated.

However, they were interrupted in their progress by the pleas of a man behind them. He was dragged by two soldiers who held him by one arm each and they entered the building, passing Yui and Katsuo. The latter had mechanically stopped before entering the premises where they heard one of the guards address the man framed by the other two.

— "Save your breath you scoundrel !" Shouted a city guard.

— "I didn't do anything ! I'm telling you I didn't do anything," the girdled man almost shouted.

— "But of course," sighed the second guard, who then entered a large room.

A man was there, sitting cross-legged in the middle of the room, seemingly in the middle of a mediation session. The two guards knelt respectfully before the individual, even as the third man gesticulated heavily between them. Yui was about to enter the room in turn, but she was interrupted by Katsuo : "Wait" was the only word he said before ordering silence in a single glance.

— "My lord, forgive us, but this man...," began one of the guards still kneeling.

— "What is the crime that has been committed ?" Suzuki asked bluntly, keeping his eyes closed.

— "Shoplifting, Suzuki-sama," the other soldier answered at once.

On hearing this sentence Suzuki opened his eyes thinking he had heard wrong. He had been called in for a simple shoplifting incident. Usually he was called in for more serious crimes, not just a simple theft. Suzuki opened his eyes and looked menacingly at the guards before him. One of the guards was quick to elaborate on the threatening look they were receiving.

— "This man has robbed the city jeweller, my lord," he said, placing a purse before his leader. The latter made an imperceptible movement of the head to allow the contents to be revealed to him : there were a good dozen emeralds of all sizes, representing a small fortune.

— "My lord, please, it's not me ! I... I...," the thief defended himself as best he could, but he stopped short as Suzuki raised a hand to silence him. Then he clapped his hands twice and a servant rushed into the room with a wooden log.

The two guards saw this and immediately placed the man's right wrist on the log, sleeve uncovered. Suzuki drew his katana from the scabbard and moved towards the man to place the edge of the blade gently on the skin of his wrist.

— "Do you know the punishment for a thief ?" Suzuki asked, even though everyone in Heiwa knew the punishment for thieves.

— "No... please !" Begged the man who was sweating profusely in front of the sharp fate that awaited him.

Suzuki remained silent for a few seconds, which seemed to be terribly long for the thief as well as for Yui who felt the tension around her. She understood that she was in front of the man she was supposed to meet and she was simply impressed by the charisma and strength he exuded.

— "However, this is Heiwa and no one is supposed to ignore the law that applies here. So you have a choice : your hand or three months of hard labour at the stone quarry ?" Suzuki said in a calm voice.

And as expected, since he was not the first to make this choice and they all did, the thief opted for the three months hard labour. Of course, the law was clear : everyone was given a second chance, but if they were to commit crimes again the sentence would be much less lenient. Moreover, the law offered these alternatives for redemption but only for crimes considered minor. The law was uncompromising when it came to unpardonable crimes such as rape and murder.

No sooner had the thief made hisac choice than he was taken out of the room while Suzuki was quietly sliding his katana into its sheath. Katsuo then took the opportunity to address the man.

— "Suzuki-sama, I bring you someone who wants to talk to you in person."

The man looked at the soldier and the beautiful young woman at his side. The latter, although impressed by the man and despite the jerking of her heart, took courage and managed to say in a strong and intelligible voice :

— "I come on behalf of Sakura-sama and I wish to take up arms."