Ch.7-The Great fox Chase

The sun hung high as Blade and his squad made their way through the dense mountain forest, their journey toward Mount Akatsuki stretching longer than expected. The battle with Croitoshi and Hanami had left them exhausted, but there was no time to rest.

Unfortunately, walking for hours without any sign of civilization had started to wear on the group.

Suntaro let out a dramatic groan. "We've been walking forever. Are we even going the right way?"

Kibito, dragging his feet, nodded. "Yeah, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised if we just ended up back where we started."

Blade exhaled sharply. "Stop complaining. We're heading to Yukinu Village before Mount Akatsuki. If we keep moving, we'll get there before nightfall."

Suntaro rolled his eyes. "Yeah, if a bear doesn't eat us first."

Kagami, scanning the map, sighed. "We just need to follow the river north. Yukinu Village is close to the waterfalls."

Blade kept his pace steady, his mind drifting back to the battle. He had tapped into something powerful, something different—but he still didn't fully understand it.

Suddenly—

A loud rustling came from the bushes.

Everyone froze.

Kibito gripped his sword. "That better not be a bear…"

The rustling grew louder. Then—

A small white fox leaped out from the bushes, a piece of fabric in its mouth.

The squad relaxed for a moment.

Suntaro raised an eyebrow. "Oh. It's just a—WAIT. What is it holding?"

The fox stared at them for a moment, then turned and bolted into the trees.

Kagami's eyes widened. "That was—"

Blade's expression darkened. "That thing just stole my belt sash."

There was silence.

Then—

Suntaro burst out laughing. "PFFFT—WAIT. You're telling me a fox just mugged you?"

Kibito clutched his sides. "The great Blade Taizuka, defeated by a tiny fox!"

Blade scowled. "Shut up."

Kagami cleared her throat, trying to hide her smirk. "Well, we do need to get it back… that sash holds your Phoenix Order emblem, doesn't it?"

Blade's eye twitched.

Suntaro smirked. "Sooo… what you're saying is… we're going on a fox hunt?"

Kibito grinned. "Mission: Retrieve Blade's Honor."

Blade exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "We are not calling it that."

Suntaro ignored him. "Alright, team! Our enemy is small, fast, and incredibly cunning. This will be our most dangerous mission yet."

Kibito nodded seriously. "We must outsmart the fox. Predict its movements. Become one with nature."

Kagami sighed. "Or we can just chase it."

Blade, already moving, muttered, "I hate all of you."

---

The Great Fox Chase

The squad tore through the forest, dodging branches and leaping over fallen logs, chasing after the mischievous white fox.

Kibito, full of energy again, grinned. "Alright, time for some strategy! Suntaro, cut it off from the left! Kagami, slow it down with ice! Blade, uh—just look scary or something!"

Suntaro flashed forward, sparks of electricity crackling as he tried to cut the fox off—

Only for the creature to leap onto a tree and bounce off his face.

"GAH—IT USED ME AS A SPRINGBOARD!" Suntaro crashed into a bush.

Blade moved faster, his instincts sharp. He reached out—

Only for the fox to trip him with its tail and dart away.

Kibito doubled over, laughing. "OH MY GOD, IT'S OUTPLAYING YOU!"

Kagami sighed. "Enough playing around." She thrust her hand forward—ice spread across the ground, forming a slick path leading toward a dead-end of trees.

The fox skidded on the ice, its paws slipping. It tried to change direction—

But Blade appeared in front of it, swords drawn.

"Nowhere left to run."

The fox blinked. Then, in an act of ultimate disrespect, it stood on its hind legs, stuck its tongue out, and threw the sash at Blade's face.

Everyone stared.

Suntaro, still on the ground, wheezed. "Did—did that fox just taunt you?!"

Blade, catching the sash, glared at the tiny creature. It smirked—SMIRKED—before vanishing into the forest.

Silence.

Then Kibito clapped. "Ladies and gentlemen, the real winner of this fight: The Fox."

Blade tied his sash back on, ignoring the burning humiliation. "Shut up. Let's go."

Suntaro wiped away fake tears. "He's acting tough, but deep inside, he'll never forget his greatest rival."

Kagami shook her head. "Let's just get to Yukinu Village before something else happens."

Blade marched ahead, swearing under his breath.

Somewhere in the trees, the fox watched them leave, tail flicking mischievously.

Its job here was done.

---

Later That Night…

The group had failed to reach Yukinu Village before dark, forcing them to make camp under a massive old tree near a riverbank.

Kibito stretched out on the grass. "Well, at least we didn't get attacked by a bear. So, I'd call today a win."

Suntaro sighed. "Yeah. Aside from the whole 'getting humiliated by a fox' thing."

Blade, already lying against the tree, muttered, "You two won't let this go, will you?"

Kagami, wrapping herself in her cloak, smirked. "Not in a million years."

Silence fell over the group as exhaustion took over. The soft sounds of the river and rustling leaves filled the air.

Then—

A loud, grating snore echoed through the night.

Suntaro cracked one eye open. "…No way."

Kibito groaned. "Oh, hell no."

Kagami exhaled sharply. "I should've known."

They all turned to Blade, who was completely knocked out, snoring like an earthquake.

Suntaro rubbed his temples. "How is he THIS loud?!"

Kibito covered his ears. "I'd rather fight Croitoshi again than deal with THIS!"

Kagami sighed, pulling her hood over her ears. "We're never camping with him again."

Blade continued snoring. Loudly.

The others suffered.

And somewhere, hidden in the trees—

The white fox watched from afar, tail flicking mischievously.

It knew.

---

To Be Continued…