Part 3: Reborn

Kazuki looked back at the specter, his eyes reflecting the early morning light that streamed into the cabin through the chinks in the wood. "You're right, Tsukiyomi," he admitted. "I am still vengeful. But this time I say those sweet words to myself to eventually make it a reality."

Tsukiyomi's spectral figure began to shimmer, his edges growing fuzzy and indistinct like an apparition caught in the break of day. "You're indeed, a mortal of peculiar interest," his voice resonated, still profound and echoing but slowly growing fainter as he diminished.

"I shall observe your voyage with rapt attention," the deity promised, his ethereal form losing solidity with each passing moment. "Whether you eventually yield to your heart's deep yearnings or transcend them is yet to be seen."

Kazuki's eyes remained locked on the deity's diminishing form, his grip firm on the hilt of his katana, drawing comfort from its familiar coolness.

As Tsukiyomi faded, his voice lingered, a spectral murmur pervading the tranquil cabin. "Bear in mind, Kazuki," he proclaimed, his presence all but vanished, replaced by the soft rustling of morning breezes. "Avoid a mundane death akin to the countless who have come before you."

As the deity's existence dissipated entirely, Kazuki found himself in the cabin's silence, Tsukiyomi's position marked only by dancing dust particles in the sun's rays.

Kazuki's gaze was drawn to the wooden mirror nestled in the corner of the cabin. Compelled, he approached it. Upon observing his reflection, he saw the raw, unkempt young man who had been undergoing Shôkin's rigorous training for several months now.

Kazuki looked at himself in the mirror and heaved a sigh. It was time for a change. He picked up his Tento sword, its blade glimmering with electricity. He then carefully snipped off chunks of his long, unruly hair.

"This is a new beginning," he mumbled, watching each lock of hair fall onto the wooden floor, symbolizing his metamorphosis from an unruly youth to a disciplined, resolute Samurai. Once he'd cut it to a shorter length, he tied his hair back, revealing his sharp, boyish features.

Then, he turned his attention to his substantial beard. Using the razor-sharp edge of his sword, he meticulously sculpted it down to a tidy, sleek stubble. This change not only gave his face a softer, gentler look but also made him appear younger, almost below his actual age of 22.

Once done, he pushed himself away from the mirror and got to his feet, his gaze falling on the straw hat by his side. He picked it up and placed it on his head, tucking in the loose strands of hair.

"I hope this disguise works," he told his reflection, adjusting the hat to sit perfectly. "Hopefully, they won't recognize me now."

He then turned his attention to Gin Kagiri sword that lay on the bed. He picked it up, unsheathing it and studying its unusual shape.

"Such a peculiar blade," he mused, running his fingers down the length of the sword. "Why would a samurai sword be this long and curved?" He continued to gaze at it, puzzlement clouding his eyes, before re-sheathing it with a sigh.

With the sword now secure at his side, Kazuki retrieved Shôkin's letter from the folds of his kimono. He held it gently, as if cradling something precious and fragile. The letter seemed to hold all the love and faith his departed master had placed in him, a testament to their bond that transcended time and distance.

"Master Gin," he whispered, pressing the letter to his forehead, feeling the weight of the words written within. His voice wavered between gratitude and determination, the emotions swirling together like ink in water. "I will honor your name. I am Kazuki Gin son of Gin Kagiri."

His eyes glistened with unshed tears, yet a genuine smile spread across his face, revealing the joy and pride that came with his new identity. "I will be stronger, wiser... I promise," he vowed, the words both a pledge and a prayer.

"Kyoto," he whispered, his voice barely audible even to himself. The word held the promise of adventure and the challenge of confronting Namida Minamoto and Kuroyama Endō. It ignited a fire within him that would not be extinguished

The tiny deity of lightning, Raijin, maintained a watchful eye on Kazuki from high above the clouds. A soft smile played upon his divine lips as he observed the young samurai. In a flash of brilliant light, he vanished from the sky and reappeared in Minoh village.

Gin Kagiri stood amidst the wreckage left by Kaze Minamoto's tyranny, his face etched with concern as he surveyed the heart-wrenching scene. The once-thriving village now lay in ruins, its inhabitants scattered or deceased.

From the corner of his eye, Gin noticed a flicker of movement, and he turned to see Raijin, the tiny deity of lightning, materializing beside him. Raijin's presence, though ethereal, commanded respect and power.

"Kazuki is headed for Kyoto," Raijin informed Gin, his voice carrying a weight of urgency.

Gin's eyes widened, a mix of sadness and relief washing over him. He had been bedridden due to an illness, unable to offer aid to the village in its time of need.

"Thank you for relaying this information," Gin replied, his voice heavy with a tinge of regret. "While I couldn't lend a hand yesterday, at least Kazuki will be spared the heartbreak of witnessing this devastation."