Ch.8- Unfolding legends

Arrival at Yukinu Village

The cold winds of Yukinu Village swept across Blade Taizuka's face as he and his squad stepped onto the snow-covered paths.

Their bodies were battered, their clothes torn and stained with dried blood from their last battle. Every movement sent a jolt of pain through Blade's limbs, but he pushed forward. Mount Akatsuki was their next destination, and nothing could slow them down.

Kagami, walking beside him, let out a shaky breath. "We should find a place to rest."

Blade nodded. They had been traveling without proper healing, and exhaustion was taking its toll.

Despite the frigid air, the village itself felt warm—not just in temperature but in spirit. Snow blanketed the rooftops, and yet, unlike other places they had passed through, there was no fear in the villagers' eyes.

Some even smiled.

Suntaro, using his sword Raitaro as a crutch, sighed. "A peaceful village… feels unreal after that fight."

Blade agreed. It almost felt too peaceful—as if the horrors of the outside world had never touched this place.

And yet… something about that felt off.

---

Searching for Aid

The squad moved carefully through the village, the pain of their wounds becoming harder to ignore.

Kibito, who had taken a particularly hard hit, clutched his side, blood still seeping through his bandages. "If we don't heal soon, we're gonna be corpses before we even reach Akatsuki."

Blade exhaled, scanning the village for help.

As if sensing their struggle, an elderly woman approached them. Her face was wrinkled with age, but her dark eyes held a knowing gleam.

Without a word, she handed Blade a small frost-covered fruit.

"Rest is important, young ones," she said softly.

Blade hesitated before bowing slightly. "Thank you."

The woman smiled before turning and walking away, disappearing into the snowfall.

Blade stared at the fruit in his palm. Something about her felt… different.

Kagami, watching from behind, whispered, "This village… it's hiding something."

Blade didn't disagree.

---

Meeting Fuzimura

After nearly an hour of wandering, they finally found what they were looking for—a small medical hut on the edge of the village.

A man stood outside. He was tall and broad-shouldered, despite having only one arm. His face was rough but not unkind.

His sharp eyes swept over them. "You all look like you've been run over by a stampede." He smirked. "Come inside. I'll patch you up."

Blade and the others exchanged glances before stepping forward.

Inside, the warmth of the hut embraced them. The scent of herbs filled the air, and for the first time in days, Blade felt like he could breathe.

---

Healing and Revelations

Fuzimura worked quickly, his single hand moving with practiced precision as he stitched and bandaged their wounds.

"You're lucky," he muttered. "With rest, you'll be fine."

Kagami, observing him, frowned. "You've done this before."

Fuzimura chuckled. "I used to be a swordsman. Until…"

His gaze flicked toward his missing arm.

A heavy silence filled the room.

"I wanted to join the Phoenix Order once," he admitted. "But during my test, I lost my arm. My dream ended there."

No one spoke.

Suntaro's usual energy faded. Kagami lowered her gaze. Kibito, for once, had nothing to say.

Blade clenched his fists.

Would that have been his fate too, if he had lost back then?

The silence was broken when Kibito's eyes suddenly flicked toward Blade's second sword—Kazeshin.

"Hold up… Blade. Where'd you get that sword?"

Blade blinked. "What?"

Suntaro pointed at it too. "Yeah! You never told us where you got that thing!"

Blade hesitated. "...Tsuchi Sensei gave it to me."

The room fell silent.

Kibito's eye twitched. "Wait. TSUCHI SENSEI gave YOU a sword?"

Suntaro dropped his bandages. "I TRAINED UNDER HIM TOO, AND HE DIDN'T GIVE ME ANYTHING!"

Kagami sighed. "So it wasn't just me, huh? I thought maybe I wasn't worthy, but… no, he just had favorites."

Blade smirked. "Guess I was just special."

Kibito groaned. "I'M GONNA LOSE MY MIND."

Suntaro grabbed Blade by the shoulders. "TRADE ME. RIGHT NOW."

Fuzimura, overhearing, raised an eyebrow. "Tsuchi Sensei, huh? That old man… he's kinda famous."

The squad all turned to him.

"Wait… famous?!" Kibito blurted out.

Suntaro crossed his arms. "You're telling me we trained under a legend and he never mentioned it?!"

Kagami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Of course he didn't. That stubborn old man."

Blade chuckled. "Sounds like him."

---

Recognition of Kamikaze

As Fuzimura finished treating their wounds, he turned back to Blade—then froze.

His eyes locked onto Blade's other sword—Kamikaze.

His breath hitched.

"...Is that… Kamikaze?"

Blade frowned. "Yeah? Why?"

Fuzimura took a step forward, disbelief in his expression.

"You don't know what you're holding, do you?"

Blade tightened his grip. "It's just a blade."

Fuzimura shook his head. "No. It's far from just a blade."

He turned toward the door. "You need to come with me."

---

Meeting Ajiso & The Seven Legendary Swords

Fuzimura led them through the village, stopping at a large wooden house at the far end.

Inside, an elderly man with white hair sat surrounded by ancient books. His presence was imposing despite his frail body.

The moment his clouded eyes landed on Kamikaze, his breath caught.

"…Kamikaze…" he whispered. "I never thought I'd see it again."

Blade and his friends stiffened.

Ajiso reached for an old, dust-covered book and flipped to a page filled with detailed sketches of legendary swords.

Blade's breath caught. Kamikaze was there.

Ajiso's voice was grave.

"Kamikaze was originally created by Akimchi, but it was reforged by Ginmori Taizuka."

Blade's fingers curled. Ginmori… Taizuka?

His ancestor.

Ajiso nodded. "He sealed the Five Elemental Dragons within Kamikaze, making it one of the legendary swords."

Blade's heartbeat pounded. "...Five dragons?"

Ajiso sighed, closing the book. "There is something else you should know. Kamikaze is not the only sword of legend."****"There are actually seven legendary swords in total. But I only have information about Kamikaze."

The squad exchanged stunned glances.

Seven swords.

What kind of power did they hold?

---

The Journey Continues

The next morning, fully healed and ready, they stood at the village entrance.

Ajiso gave a final warning. "Cross the River of Dawnlight, and you will reach Mount Akatsuki. But beware… many who enter never return."

Blade gripped Kamikaze. "We'll be careful."

As they vanished into the snow—

A shadowy figure watched from afar, smirking.

"Blade Taizuka… Let's see if you're ready."

---

To Be Continued…