Akira concealed herself in the bushes.

She did not dare go too far from the road because it was dark. The land in the entire locale was wild and unmaintained, and there were some wild animals in the national reserve. She did not want to risk sustaining more injuries.

​​

She was also worried that she might be too far when Raiden brought her go-bag. Therefore, she decided to hunker down and watch her beautiful burning car. She was almost sure that the assailants would not follow her down anyway.

If they were interested in a good show of her suffering, they would probably not follow her again into the dark. But she could not underestimate the ruthless people who were pursuing her for money. Therefore, she did not dare reveal herself.

She heard a vehicle driving away as she hid away. However, she did not come out. She could not be sure that it was not a ruse to draw her out. She waited while hoping that Raiden would be able to find her before it was too late.

Unfortunately, the Immortal Sword Valley was still quite far away.

After about thirty minutes, her phone vibrated. She picked it out from her pocket quickly and found it was Rai. She answered in a hushed whisper even though there was no one around.

"Have you arrived?" She asked.

"Oh, thank goodness you are alright. What happened to your car?" His voice was relieved.

"Rocket launcher. Short story. Did you find my go bag?" She asked.

"Yeah. You can come out."

Akira stood from her squat in the dark bushes. She walked with difficulty up the incline leading to the road with her sword as support. She was glad that she had sensible shoes on, or she might have slid back down with every step. Finally, she vaulted over the road barrier.

When she reached the road, she saw two people instead of one. Raiden had an awkward look on his face, while the Chief had a stern expression as he looked at her. She felt guilty while facing him. Still, she walked steadily to him.

"Why didn't you tell me about all this?" The Chief asked with some hurt in his rough voice.

"I didn't know it would escalate this fast." She replied.

"Is it that stupid man's enemies coming for you?" He asked with a vengeful expression.

Akira laughed. "Surprisingly not. It is someone else. But I cannot tell you the details. Even if you have information, you will not be able to do anything about it. They are not your opponents."

The Chief was unhappy because of this statement, but if Akira said it, it had to be true. He could not be stubborn and force her to tell him everything.

"Can you deal with it?" He asked.

"I think so. But I have to lay low for a while. I am in no condition to be fighting." She said.

"Where will you go?"

"Don't worry. I have a plan." Well, Kaito had a plan.

She turned to Raiden, who was clutching a black bag. "How did you get caught?"

Raiden chuckled while rubbing his nose. "Someone saw me going to your room and reported me to the Chief as a pervert. You owe me for my good reputation."

Akira chuckled. "What good reputation? You are the bane of all the female trainees."

Raiden handed over the bag while the Chief gave her one of their combat jackets. There was a hint of melancholy in the air.

"I thought you might not have a jacket. The nights are getting colder. You have to be careful." The Chief said.

The awkwardness in his voice warmed Akira's heart. Even though the man was her teacher and superior, he treated her well. She could consider him half a father. He had cared for her through her life and went beyond the requirements.

"I know. I am a grown-up now." She stuck her tongue at him. "I don't know how long I will be gone after this, so think of something to reassure my father and brother. Check on them in case someone targets them. But it is unlikely since it looks like I cut all ties with the Yamazaki family."

"Are you ok with that?" The Chief asked.

"It is better this way right now. I do not know how many enemies are in the shadows, so I cannot expose them to danger." She paused. "Make sure that those rotten people do not find a chance to worm their way back into my father's life."

"And Rai, check up on Hina and make sure she is fine. Do not let her leave her post at the medical research institute." She said with a tough tone.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Rai grumbled.

"Use all the means to your disposal. If I learn that she has left the institute before her research is complete, I will come for you." She threatened.

After that, she opened the go bag and stuffed her small handbag into it. She wore the combat jacket and zipped it up before slinging the backpack on her back. She looked at them with a lot of reluctance, her eyes becoming misty.

"Thank you. I hope I will see you again." She said with a watery smile.

With that, she picked her sword, turned and began walking away. The father and son wanted to rush to her and stop her from going away. She looked so lonely. However, they did not move when they saw the resolute back.

Even if they stopped her, they would not be able to protect her because the threat was in their home. For now, the culprit was only giving away Akira's location. But they could not say that the person would not take action within the compound.

"We will find the mole, Dad," Raiden said.

He never called the Chief 'Dad' because it seemed strange. He did not know his mother, and he was raised by the Chief alone within the Immortal Sword Valley. The image of his father was that of a tough soldier, so he usually called him 'Chief'.

"So, you know I am your father." The old man said pettily.

Even though he understood where Raiden was coming from, he always wanted to hear his son calling him a little more intimately.

"Of course, I know you are my father. I ran a DNA test." Raiden said. "I could not believe that you could actually get a girlfriend, so I had to be sure."

"You…" The old man gritted his teeth.

Raiden laughed while sneaking a small look up the road.

She was gone.