Chapter 4

On top of a hill there is a boy with red skin and two small black horns, slowly walking down the wooden steps as he carries a tied up 5 foot boar on his back.

[Jintetsu] “Huff…Huff…he-hey, why am I the only one carrying this thing!?”

The complaint came from the youngest Oni in Akai Island, Jintetsu. Now at the age of 10, Jintetsu is now allowed to into the forest close to town. As long as he has someone tagging along with him, he is free to venture into the forest.

[Aletta] “Ha~ stop complaining Jin, you’re the only one amongst us who has the strength to carry something like that.”

A girl, who was slightly taller than Jintetsu, stops walking and turns around towards the slightly leaning Jintetsu.

[Jintetsu] “I might have the strength, but that doesn’t mean I like to carry heavy things.”

[Aletta] “As I recall, YOU called us to tag along, and besides…”

With her white wings, which grew at the back of her waist, she floats a few feet off the ground and flutters her way closer to the sweaty Jintetsu.

[Aletta] “Without an adult supervision, you won’t even be allowed to go to the forest.”

[Jintetsu] “Adult? You’re just one year older than me.”

As the two continue to argue, a meek voice tries to stop them.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, Aletta stop arguing, if we don’t hurry to Shiranue-sama’s lesson, she will scold us.”

The words of their Arctic fox friend Yuina, stops the two instantly. Jintetsu and Aletta know how scary the Hime-Miko can get if they were late. Especially if they themselves are the one that asked Shiranue to teach them about the Reiki Genkotsu-Ryugi.

At first, it was only the 8 year old Jintetsu who asked his Grandmother if he could also use Reiki and if possible, to be taught as well. Of course Aletta and Yuina heard about this and also ask Shiranue to teach them.

Therefore, all 3 of them are now being taught how to control their Reiki with different reasons.

With Jintetsu being curious, Yuina not wanting to be left out and Aletta for wanting to learn the skill that is helping her Mother’s recovery.

[Jintetsu] “But you know, we’ve been training our Reiki for 2 years yet I’m the only one who isn’t improving.”

Two years of training has passed and yet the best thing Jintetsu can do is release his Reiki from within and that’s it.

The other 2, though, are different. Both Yuina and Aletta can not only release their inner Reiki, but also put it in objects they held, increasing its durability and power.

[Aletta] “Oh come on! Don’t tell me the future Samurai Jintetsu is giving up?”

[Jintetsu] “!?”

Jintetsu twitches to Aletta’s words while Aletta gave a confident smile. Yuina on the other hand, looks at Jintetsu and Aletta worryingly. But Yuina’s worry isn’t directed at Jintetsu’s feeling, but the unexpected reaction that he is showing.

.

But for Aletta, this is what she was planning, she knew that “impossible” and “give up” are triggers for Jintetsu’s inner stubbornness.

[Aletta] Now then, what will you do Jiiiinnn!? “Hyaa!?”

Though Aletta is already prepared for what Jintetsu is about to do, she didn’t expect for him to suddenly grab her by the waist and lift her off the ground.

[Jintetsu] “Jintetsu of the Oni clan never gives up on anything!”

[Aletta] “O—O.K…whouaaa!?”

And without even letting Aletta to react, Jintetsu threw her up on the boar that he is carrying on his back.

[Yuina] “Hyaann!?”

And of course, Jintetsu did the same thing to Yuina.

[Jintetsu] “Hold on you two, I’m going to make a run for it!”

As he isn’t even carrying anything, Jintetsu runs down the hill so fast, Yuina and Aletta felt a powerful force of wind pushing them, making them to grab the dead boar even tighter.

[Yuina] “Ng………”

[Aletta] “Yahoo!!!”

Within only a few seconds, Jintetsu easily reaches the Town’s gate and proceeds to dash his way home.

[Shop Lady] “Oh, that’s quite the catch you got there Bou-chama.”

[Jintetsu] “I’ll catch one for your family next time!”

[Shop Lady] “I’ll be waiting!”

[Candy Vendor] “Yuina-chan, you guys come over next time, I got new sweets for ya!”

[Yuina] “Hmm!? Sweets!?”

[Old man] “Aletta-chan, let’s have a shogi match again! This time, I’ll be the victor!”

[Aletta] “Sorry Oji-san, I have training for the whole day, maybe tomorrow!”

When all 3 passed by, the people in the area greets the trio cheerfully. Even Aletta, who only started to live on the island for a few years, is being treated like she was one of them from the start.

Aletta was grateful for this welcoming atmosphere, even to this day.

At first, when she was new to the island, she imagined that she will have a hard time mingling with the islanders.

But to her surprise, they quickly welcomed her and treated her warmly.

[Yuina] “Ah, I can see Jin-kun’s house.”

[Aletta] “You heard her, Jin, Let’s make a run for it!”

[Jintetsu] “Graaaaaaaa!!!”

Using more strength in his feet, Jintetsu runs up another hill and eventually reaching at the front door of his house.

[Jintetsu] “He…he…hehehe! I—I, Jintetsu of the Oni Clan has succeeded…ha…ha…ha.”

And with a heavy thud sound, Jintetsu puts down the boar from his back and sits down on the ground out of breath.

Yuina and Aletta slide down the boar and pats their clothes to remove the boar’s fur while they walk closer to Jintetsu.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, are you alright?”

[Jintetsu] “Hehe…this…is nothing…”

Yuina and Aletta can easily tell Jintetsu is only playing tough, but the exhaustion doesn’t stop him from doing a Guts pose. Although his arm is still trembling…

The front door then slides open and was greeted by Jintetsu’s mother, Kaede.

[Kaede] “It seems like the gods blessed you 3; you caught a pretty big one.”

[Yuina] “Good afternoon, Kaede-sama.”

[Aletta] “Good afternoon, Kaede-san.”

[Jintetsu] “I’m home, Okaa-san.”

[Kaede] “Fufu~ And it would seem that it didn’t give you an easy hunt either.”

Hearing Kaede’s words, Jintetsu and the girls look at each other and find themselves dirty with mud, leaves and some dirt all over their clothes, faces and hair.

[Sofia] “Oh my, Aletta. Look how dirty you’ve become.”

[Aletta] “Mother, you were here?”

Back when Sofia still couldn’t move, Kaede visited her regularly and talked about their experiences as a mother and as well as a wife.

As the years for the treatment of Sofia’s condition passed, Kaede and Sofia grew fond of each

other due to their friendly atmosphere, they easily became close friends.

[Kaede] “Mother is still meditating, so this is your chance to freshen up in the bath.”

[Yuina & Aletta] “Thank you very much.”

[Kaede] “Jin-chan, I’m sorry but can you carry that to the back door please?”

[Jintetsu] “Alright…Huunnng!”

[Kaede] “And Jintetsu…”

[Jintetsu] “Hmm?”

[Kaede] “No peeking.”

[Jintetsu] “On what?”

Though Kaede is sure that he won’t actually peek, Kaede is a bit worried seeing such an innocent and honest confused look Jintetsu gave her.

[Kaede] “Hmm, I guess Jin-chan still hasn’t think about the girls that way yet…”

[Sofia] “Well, he is still 10.”

[Kaede] “Oh well, if Jin-chan still hasn’t found a girl, Okaa-chan will be here for him.”

[Sofia] “Lady Kaede, that’s a bit…”

Sofia is worried about something else. Four hours have passed after finishing their bath. Jintetsu, Yuina and Aletta are now inside an empty dojo, kneeling down quietly, and while they’re doing so, Shiranue is walking around them, observing their meditation.

[Shiranue] “Remember, you must calmly release your Reiki bit by bit and feel the amount the Ofuda can take, or it will—“

POOF!

[Aletta] “Whoa!?”

[Shiranue] “Aletta, you put too much again, minimize your output.”

[Aletta] “Y—yes, I’m sorry.”

The training they are doing right now is not only about control, but also about feeling the amount of Reiki an object can hold.

Jintetsu and the other girls are given 20 empty Ofuda each.

[Yuina] “Um…I—I’m done.”

[Shiranue] “You’ve done great Yuina.”

The successes rates of each of them are:

Yuina : 20 Ofuda filled.

Aletta: 16 Ofuda filled.

Jintetsu: 0 Ofuda filled.

Though Aletta isn’t born on the island, she is still able to use her Reiki. As for Yuina, Shiranue were amazed on how precise her control was.

As for Jintetsu…

[Jintetsu] “Gnnnnnnnnnnnn………………………Come on Reiki!!!”

Whack!

[Jintetsu] “Ooff!?”

[Shiranue] “Nothing will happen even if you called out to it, your Reiki isn’t a puppy.”

He got slapped on the back of his head by Shiranue.

[Jintetsu] “Sorry Obaa-sama, I was just a little frustrated.”

[Shiranue] “Well, 2 years of training and 2 years of no progress, I guess your feelings are understandable.”

That is why it made Shiranue concern about Jintetsu’s Reiki a bit more.

Normally, for someone who is able to release their Reiki, they should be able to put their Reiki on an object after training for a year.

Yuina is what Shiranue would call a Prodigy; she was able to release her Reiki within only 4 months.

Aletta is normal, she was able to release her Reiki within a year.

But as for Jintetsu…

[Shiranue] It’s the same thing my Grandfather told me about…

She thought about it for a while, but she quickly sweeps away those thoughts and continues to instruct Jintetsu and the girls.

[Shiranue] “Yuina, I think it’s about time to teach you something else. Aletta, Keep it up and you’ll eventually reach the point where filling Ofuda with Reiki easily…now for you…”

After speaking with the two girls, Shiranue turns her head towards Jintetsu who is still holding on to his Ofuda while staring at it intensely.

[Shiranue] Anybody would have given up already; he’s as stubborn as my late Father.

The way Shiranue thinks of it may sound wary, but she is actually very happy to have a very stubborn Grandchild.

Especially when it comes to learning new things.

After making quite sigh, Shiranue decides to finish today’s lessons.

[Shiranue] “Alright that’s enough for now children. The sun has risen to its highest.”

[Aletta] “What!? Oh no, Natsume-shishou said I shouldn’t be late on today’s lesson.”

Quickly picking up all the failed Ofuda off the ground, she runs towards the sliding door. But before she leaves the Dojo…

[Aletta] “Oh right, umm, thank you for the lesson Shiranue-sama.”

[Shiranue] “You may go.”

Given the permission to leave the Dojo and doing a properly executed bow, Aletta dashes out of the dojo without missing a second.

[Yuina] “Um…Shiranue-sama?”

[Shiranue] “Yes?”

[Yuina] “Is Natsume-san’s lessons hard?”

[Shiranue] “Hmm…how should I put it…”

Natsume, is a Demi-Human called Kijo as well as Akai Shima’s female Samurai General, known for always wearing a Hannya mask and the light blue Hakama.

Though it is rare to have a Female as a Samurai General, the people of the island acknowledges her due to not only by her intelligence but also due to her Nitoryu, or also known as Twin Sword Style.

Even Yajiro, said to be the strongest in the island, honestly claims that Natsume is faster than he is when it comes to both martial arts and swordplay.

She is also one of the few that helped the runaway eastern Demi-Humans escape to Akia Shima.

[Shiranue] “I wouldn’t know if it is hard or not since I’ve never seen what kind of training she offers.” Or more like, I’ve never seen her accept any students besides Aletta. I wonder what makes her special to be given such a rare chance. I’ve seen dozens of people wanting to be under her teachings, but she refused all of them.

[Yuina] “Shiranue-sama?”

[Shiranue] “Hmm? Oh sorry, I was just thinking about something. What were you asking again?”

[Yuina] “If it’s alright for Aletta to continue, she had the same strict schedule since 3 years ago.”

[Shiranue] “Don’t worry; I’m sure Natsume-san won’t do anything reckless.” I’ve known her since she was a child after all. Despite how distances she acts to others, she is still a very caring and devoting woman.

[Jintetsu] “Gnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn! COME ON, REIKI!!!”

[Shiranue] “Like I said, your Reiki isn’t a puppy.”

Meanwhile on the other side of the hill, a lone house is hidden deep within the woods.

And though only one person lives in the house, the huge vicinity is spotless. Neither twigs nor leaves can be found on the ground and on the Koi pond.

At the edge of the pond is a woman that is wearing her usual Blue Hakama and her white Hannya mask.

While waiting for her only pupil, she continues to calmly feed the Koi Fishes in her pond.

[Natsuma] “……………………………………”

The peaceful atmosphere continues until Natsume heard huffing and soon the voice of her student.

[Aletta] “Sh—Shishou! Shishou, I’m sorry for being late.”

[Natsume] “It’s fine…”

Without saying anything else, Natsume slowly removes her Geta and slides open the door to her training room.

After training under her for 3 years, Aletta quickly realizes what her Master meant and quickly follows her in.

After changing into her uniform or Kendo-Gi, Aletta quickly walks to Natsume and bows again.

[Natsume] “Now then, I have taught you all the fundamentals you need for your right hand, which is why…

Before finishing, Natsume brings out a weird looking jacket from a wooden chest and shows it to Aletta.

[Natsume] “You should start wearing this.”

Without even giving Aletta a chance to ask, Natsume walks around and made her wear the jacket.

And as soon as Aletta wears it, she quickly realizes that she is unable to move her right arm and her left arm is the only one that isn’t restricted.

While twisting and moving her body for a few seconds, Natsume throws a Kendo Bamboo Sword to her feet.

[Natsume] “Those Fundamentals that you’ve learned with your right…”

[Aletta] “Y—yes?”

Though Aletta already has a feeling what her master is thinking, she still wants to ask to make her a least feel a little bit less worried.

[Natsume] “You should use those Fundamentals on your left arm.”

[Aletta] I knew it…

Thus begins Aletta’s left hand swordplay training…

Meanwhile at Jintetsu’s home, a loud sound of wood hitting one another could be heard. Jintetsu and one of his father’s students are now sparring vigorously.

His father, Yajiro observes them while he remains seated on the wooden floor. And next to him is Yuina who tends to flinch whenever Jintetsu’s and the other student’s wooden swords collide.

And whenever Jintetsu almost gets hit by his opponent, Yuina makes a small scream and covers her eyes with her hands.

This sparring has already lasted for about 30 minutes and Jintetsu’s opponent is 3 years older than him, but even though the opponent is 3 years older, Jintetsu is still able to keep up or even surpass their level.

As Yajiro continue to watch his son grow in an amazing rate, he couldn’t help it but be overjoyed. But of course he doesn’t show it since his own students that stayed with him for a long time might get upset or even get downhearted.

But his main reason is because he doesn’t want his son to become arrogant.

[Yajiro] Someday, Jin will become someone that could surpass even me. And not only that, he is also taking lessons from Hahaue…

After thinking for a few more minutes, Yajiro once again realizes something to add up to his thoughts.

[Yajiro] Now that I think about it, He is also being trained by Tatara-sama, a real living God.

Although Yajiro wasn’t able to see how Tatara works at his smithy completely, he still knew how much hard labor it would take.

Slamming down a heavy looking hammer and carrying heavy boxes full of ores, if one would do those things every single day, any skinny man would turn into a hulking brute within months.

[Yajiro] Won’t that mean Yajiro’s development will………and to think he is only 10 years old.

While thinking so, a drop of cold sweat flows down his cheeks.

[Student # 1] “Winner, Jintetsu!”

With his thought away from the match, Yajiro wasn’t able to see how his son won.

[Student # 2] “Ha…ha…Wow Bou-chama, you really improved.”

[Jintetsu] “Thank you very much Senpai!”

With the defeated student down on the ground, Jintetsu stretches out his hand and helps him stand up. They both then bow respectfully towards each other.

[Yajiro] Well, I guess I don’t really need to worry about him becoming too arrogant.

After making their bow, Jintetsu and his opponent returned to their respective seats.

[Yuina] “Jin-kun, are you alright?”

[Jintetsu] “Don’t worry; getting hurt is part of sparring. Besides, getting hurt from this lets me know that I didn’t train enough.”

Though still worried even though Jintetsu told her not to, Yuina gives him a cloth to wipe off his sweat.

Right after wiping himself clean, another spar was about to begin.

Jintetsu then noticed the next spar will be no other that Yuina’s former bully Daigoro.

There’s a reason why Daigoro is mentioned as “Former” and that is because he notices how beautiful Yuina has grown over 5 years.

Unlike before, Yuina is now properly grooming her hair and fixing it with a curtain style.

As Daigoro walks to the center of the, he notices Yuina seated. He then waves at her confidently, but only to be ignored.

But he was not completely ignored.

Jintetsu, who was sitting next to Yuina, waves back.

[Daigoro] “I wasn’t waving at you!”

[Jintetsu] “Huh?”

Though Yuina has already realizes Daigoro’s feelings, she still hated him for all the hardship he gave her.

And as for Jintetsu, he’s oblivious about Daigoro’s feeling towards Yuina so he honestly thought that Daigoro was congratulating him on his win, so he thought he would wave back to say his thanks.

But because of Daigoro’s sudden rebuke, it makes Jintetsu’s raised hand sadly descends back to his lap.

[Jintetsu] “I thought he was being friendly, I guess I was wrong…”

Seeing the honestly depressed Jintetsu, Yuina quickly turns her head towards Daigoro.

With the equally dense Daigoro, he thought that he finally got Yuina’s attention. But opposite to his wish, as soon as Yuina turns towards him, she shows him a rarely seen glare along with an air of anger.

Daigoro’s confidence quickly diminish and thus resulting him to lose easily, and frankly pathetically.

A few hours later, the students of the Dojo are now thanking Yajiro with a respectful bow and leaving the Dojo.

Jintetsu and Yuina are also about to leave and head to the God of Smithy’s shop.

[Sofia] “Jin, can you please remind Aletta that her father will be home tomorrow? She most likely forgot again due to her training.”

Aletta forgetting about her father’s return has happened before.

Her father needed to go back to their country for work and comes back every 3 months.

And due to her amazing interest and concentration in Natsume’s swordplay, when her Father comes back home, she accidentally said…

[Aletta] “Huh? Dad? You are home?”

Which of course left Colter extremely depressed and thought that he might not be spending enough time with his daughter, making him refuse to go back to their country for work.

His 3 weeks stay on the island became a month and a half, until a messenger came and told him to go back to work.

That is why Sofia made sure to not let that happen again.

[Jintetsu] “Huh? Colter-san is coming back?”

[Sofia] “That’s right; apparently my Brother-in-Law needed his help on something big. Not sure what though, didn’t say anything in his letters.”

[Jintetsu] “Wow! I bet it’s something amazing, he helps make things for the village right?”

[Sofia] “That’s right.”

[Jintetsu] “Oh no, I better get to Jii-san or he’ll make me do Nothing!”

To a very productive and energetic Jintetsu, doing nothing is already considered as a punishment and something he never wishes to happen.

[Jintetsu] “Yuina, we better get going!”

[Yuina] “Don’t worry Sofia-san; we’ll be sure to tell her that.”

[Sofia] “Thank you, dears.”

With the two waving as they leave, Sofia stood at the front entrance waving back at them gently.

[Sofia] “Hu!? *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!* *Cough!*”

With the sudden occurrence of pain, Sofia crouches down while she grips her chest.

As she continue to cough painfully on the ground, Kaede, who just so happens to be walking by, found Sofia on the ground.

[Kaede] “Sofia! Sofia, are you alright?”

[Sofia] “Ms. Ka—Kaede, I’m *Cough!* *Cough!* I’m sorry for…”

[Kaede] “You don’t have to apologize. Just hold on Alright? Yajiro-san! Okaa-sama! Sofia needs help!”

With Kaede’s loud call, Yajiro and Shiranue run towards the front entrance and help Sofia get to her house.

[Shiranue] “Yajiro-san, gently put her on her bed and get me some warm water. Kaede-san, help me give her some of our Reiki to her.”

[Kaede] “R—right!”

Following Shiranue’s orders, she and Kaede gets to work, but while they are doing so, Kaede worryingly asks Shiranue about something that was bothering her.

[Kaede] “This doesn’t make sense; didn’t we give her a significant amount of Reiki this morning? Then why is this happening to her?”

[Shiranue] “Our Reiki is helping and it is making her stronger, but that doesn’t mean her immunity to sickness is strong enough.”

[Kaede] “So what should we do?”

[Shiranue] “I know of a herb called the Herushi that can strengthen her immunity, but I no longer have any in stock.”

Right after Shiranue’s words, Yajiro, who happens to hear her, comes walking in while carrying a basin full of warm water.

[Yajiro] “Can’t we just get some more, Hahaue?”

[Shiranue] “We can, but not in this season. The herb I’m talking about is growing at the northern part of Eien-Yuki.”

The said Eien-Yuki is the only mountain that can be found on the island, and just like what the name intended, the mountain is always covered in snow.

Hearing where the herb can be found, Yajiro and Kaede quickly realize why Shiranue is reluctant about finding the herb themselves.

In this certain season is the time when Eien-Yuki tends to be merciless, its strong and powerful wind makes travel difficult.

So with weather in that kind of condition, searching for a herb will be close to impossible.

Shiranue, Yajiro and Kaede continue their conversation while helping Sofia’s condition.

Little did they know, Aletta overheard their talk and is now running towards Tatara’s workshop to seek help.

But not from the Mortal God Tatara, since she knows that the old man will just stop her from going. The people she is going to ask are the two the friends that she could truly trust.