Author's notes:

HIro's personal thoughts will be shown in italics and the color will be blue. It should help tell when he is talking to himself a little easier.

He will be checking his stats but it won't be for a few more chapters. Be patient on seeing his new stats.

By the way the next arc will start in two chapters.

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Chapter 41

Once the emotional scene ended Hiro spoke to the ladies.

“Can you guys pack up and return to the hut once you are finished. I will be waiting for you there.”

The ladies wiped their eyes and nodded in agreement. Hiro ran back to the hut where Leo and Leara were waiting for him.

“I have completed my training and I am ready to return home” said Hiro.

“Sounds good to me” replied Leo.

“I’m ready!” said Leara.

“Let’s wait for the rest of the group before we leave. Plus I want to tell everyone about my new plan of action.”

A few moments later Amaterasu, Foria, and Scarlet came out to the area where the hut was. Hiro welcomed them and lit a fire so that they all could sit around and talk. Hiro went over and put his arm around Foria and began to speak.

“The final request of my master was….”

“Whoa who is that?” asked Foria

“Oh I’m sorry this is Leara she is Leo’s mate.”

“Another Liger? You mean you now have tamed two of them?” said Scarlet.

“Yes, but this time I didn’t tame anyone this time she came to fight alongside of her mate. But as I was saying my new plan is to become a leader that unites the people of this world rather than rule them with strength. So I want to unite any and ALL of the people of this world so that there can be peace.”

“What do you mean all of the people?” asked Foria.

“I mean all of the people. That would include monsters, beastmen, and any other people who have a society. This will include goblins, beastmen, and orcs as well.”

“Are you crazy? Your talking about groups that have been fighting for centuries. How do you think that one man can do all of that” said Scarlet

“No, I’m not crazy nor do I think this will be easy but if I don’t try no one will. This world is constantly at war and only someone with an open mind can do this. Oh and I won't be alone. I have you guys and hopefully an army in our town of Korin.”

“Are you sure about this? I mean the orcs and goblins destroyed our home and killed my family” asked Foria

“I know and that day will definitely create some difficulties between our people. I just want to ask you, how many goblins and orcs did we kill?

"We did kill a lot of them. We had good reason though. They kidnapped my brother and killed my parents."

"Yes, I understand. Did you ever stop to think that they might have had a reason. At some point the killing has to stop and the only way it will is if someone decides to change.”

“Hiro, you make a compelling argument. I am not sure it is the most sane plan either but I you saved my life. So I will fight alongside you until my dying day” said Scarlet

“Foria, will you help me?”, asked Hiro

“I love you so no matter how crazy I think your plan is my answer will always be yes” replied Foria

“So will I as I am intrigued by your plan. You actually sound a lot like the 12th master. The lightning blade style was always strong but most of them sought out peace instead of war”, added Scarlet

Then Leara and Leo roared while Amaterasu howled in agreement.

“Alright Leo, Amaterasu can you two carry Scarlet and Foria back to Korin this evening?”

“I don’t mind” replied Leo.

“No problem. I was looking forward to going home soon anyway” said Amaterasu.

"Hiro would you like me to carry you?", asked Learra

"Umm... No I don't think you could keep up if you carried me", said Hiro

"What are you saying I"m not as strong as Leo?"

"Well... sorry to say it but you are not. I am even stronger than him so you should run and try to keep up as part of your training. You want to be as strong as Leo than train like he does."

"Ok, Hiro."

The group shared a meal together then everyone went to sleep.

Early the next morning the group awoke and packed up all of their things for their journey home. Once everything was packed up the group left out as fast as they could. The speed at which they moved was incredible. Leara was much faster than Hiro expected but she was still much slower than Leo and Amaterasu even though they were carrying people. The group moved at such a high rate that it only took them about 5 hours of running to make it back to the town.

When they came over the final hill and saw Korin from a distance the group was shocked at what they saw. In the 2 months or so that they were gone the town had once again gone through an expansion. There was a large white building at the Northern end of the town. It looked to be a very large home. It was more like a mansion. In addition, the wall around the city now had watch 8 watch towers where archers were stationed. Finally, outside of the city wall there were a large number of buildings that looked to be a residential area for refugees who came to live in Korin.

Hiro smiled and the group walked towards the town. Once they got close to the gate a familiar voice said, “Hey welcome back.”

Suddenly, a dark figure jumped down from one of the high towers and ran towards Hiro. When the figure got close enough Hiro could tell that it was Kaura. She threw several kicks at Hiro. He easily dodged them. He was moving so fast that to Kaura, it was as if her blows were passing right through him. She pulled out her two short swords and began slashing at him but he simply used his arm to block the blade. As the blade struck his arm, there was a metallic clang as if she struck and piece of iron. She slammed both of her swords down on his arms. He blocked them again with his forearm. She added more pressure but Hiro simply flung her off effortlessly as if she was nothing more than a child.

"What the hell? How are you doing that? What in the world are you?"

Hiro smiled and hugged her. Once he let her go she went and embraced the rest of the group members including Scarlet.

“How have you guys been? I can tell you have all gotten stronger? What is up with the new look or both of you? There are now two ligers” asked Kaura

“First this is Leara she is Leo’s mate and I will answer the rest of the questions……

Just then Hiro felt something large begin squeezing him.

“Oh is it you Orochi? You have gotten stronger since I last saw you.” asked Hiro with a smile on his face.

“Yesssss. HHHHHello Hiro?”said Orochi

“How… What in the world?”, Kaura said with her gaping open. “How are you still breathing when Orochi squeezed you with his coils?”

“Well I’ve gotten a bit stronger since I left and I fought a much bigger version of Orochi while I was in training. Maybe if you train him enough he might evolve into one of those plains constrictors. However now his constricting body feels more like a massage than a deadly snake."

Hiro flexed the muscles in his arms and Orochi squeezed harder. The coils were wrapped tightly but Hiro simply increased his strength even more and began to open his arms so that his hands moved away from his torso. Orochi squeezed with all his might but eventually he had to let go as he could no longer contain Hiro’s raw power. Hiro smiled as Orochi released him. Hiro stroked Orochi’s head.

“Kaura please, may I answer the rest of your questions tomorrow? I would like to get some sleep in my own bed tonight. It has been a rough few moments of training.”

Kaura saluted her commanding officer and stepped aside.

“Open the gates Mistress Foria and the commander have returned!” yelled Kaura.

“Master Scarlet, I will have a room made up for you at my home”, said Foria

“Thank you Foria. It will be good to get into a bed after staying in the forest for all that time.”

The group entered into the town to see not much had changed inside the town. Foria, Scarlet, and Amaterasu went to Foria’s home and Hiro and the two ligers went to Hiro’s home. Hiro opened the door to his home and allowed the two big cats to enter.

Once they were in Hiro walked up and hugged both of his companions and said, “Thank you for joining my family, Leara. I will see the two of you in the morning. I’m going to take a well deserved rest in my bed.”

“Hiro, you have worked extremely hard while training with your Master, get some rest my friend” said Leo.

“Yes rest well Hiro”, added Leara.

Hiro climbed the steps and finally reached his room. His bed looked so comfortable. Hiro removed his clothes and caught a glimpse of himself in his mirror.

Wow! I really do look different. It looks like I have gotten a bit taller I’m about 190 cms. I did bulk up too. I now probably weigh close to 200 lbs and I barely have any fat on me. I am completely ripped up. This is crazy! I couldn’t even imagine my body could look like this. But I guess there are some lingering effects from my training from Matsuro. That gash he put across my chest healed but the mark is still there. I wonder while it didn’t heal?

Hiro touched the scar across his chest and thought of his battles with his master.

I guess It is ok it will just be a reminder of my time with my master.

Oh and man this beard would make a lumberjack jealous. I guess I will shave this down tomorrow. Anyway I am really worn out. That training was unreal but the result is incredible. Master I’m going to make you proud, just watch.

Hiro laid down in his bed. Just before he drifted off to sleep the door slowly opened and Foria strolled in. They didn’t exchange any words, she just walked in and climbed in the bed next to him. Hiro could smell the wonderful scent of jasmine on her as her long flowing hair gently brushed against him. She laid her head on his chest then looked him in his eyes. They kissed softly and both fell asleep.

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Sorry for the short chapter. The next one will be out today.