CHAPTER 7: THE JOURNEY SOUTH

Kazuki wiped the sweat from his brow for the umpteenth time, glancing over at Jiro, who marched ahead without a care in the world. They had been on the road for days now, traveling south toward the city of Lord Takeda. Kazuki was exhausted, his legs felt like jelly, and he was convinced that he would spontaneously combust from the heat at any moment. Yet Jiro, as always, looked like he had just gone for a casual stroll.

"Are you sure you're human?" Kazuki grumbled, wiping more sweat from his face.

Jiro glanced over his shoulder, his face unreadable. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean, I'm dying back here, and you're barely breaking a sweat. Do you have secret samurai powers you forgot to tell me about?"

Jiro snorted but didn't slow his pace. "Maybe it's just experience. Or maybe you're out of shape."

"Out of shape? I've been training with you for months! I'm in the best shape of my life!"

"Could've fooled me," Jiro said, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

Kazuki groaned, shifting the pack on his back to a more comfortable position. The road stretched ahead, winding through dense forests and across rivers, with no end in sight. The birds sang merrily above them, as if mocking his misery.

"How much farther?" Kazuki asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

"If you ask me that one more time, I'm leaving you here to fend off the wolves by yourself," Jiro replied, his voice dry as ever.

Kazuki sighed. He knew better than to keep asking, but it was hard to keep quiet when every muscle in his body screamed for rest. Still, he wasn't about to give Jiro the satisfaction of hearing him complain any further.

The road ahead wasn't just long—it was dangerous. Bandits were known to patrol these parts, and Jiro had warned Kazuki more than once to stay on guard. The threat of an attack was always looming, though Kazuki secretly hoped any bandits would take pity on him if they saw how exhausted he looked.

As they trudged onward, Kazuki's mind wandered to the city they were heading toward. Lord Takeda's domain, a bustling hub of power and intrigue. Jiro had described it as a place where alliances were made and broken, where a single misstep could cost you everything.

"You said Lord Takeda's a powerful man, right?" Kazuki asked, more to distract himself than out of genuine curiosity.

"Very powerful," Jiro replied. "And cunning. He's not the type to give anything without expecting something in return."

Kazuki frowned. "So how do we convince him to help us?"

Jiro glanced at him, his expression serious. "We prove our worth. And we don't show weakness."

Kazuki gulped. "No pressure, then."

"None at all."

The sun was beginning to set by the time they reached a clearing where they could set up camp. Kazuki practically collapsed onto the ground as Jiro set about preparing their campfire.

"I thought you said this trip would make me stronger," Kazuki groaned, stretching his aching limbs.

Jiro shrugged. "It will. If you survive."

Kazuki gave him a deadpan look. "You really know how to inspire confidence."

Jiro smirked, handing him a small bowl of rice. "You'll thank me later."

Kazuki sighed, taking the bowl. "I doubt that."

As they sat by the fire, the sounds of the forest surrounding them, Kazuki couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement despite his exhaustion. This journey, as tough as it was, felt like the beginning of something bigger. The world was opening up before him, and though he had no idea what challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them.

At least, he hoped he was.