Saito grabbed one of the fallen ninjas by the collar and pulled him off the ground.
"Alright."
"Who hired you?"
The masked ninja struggled.
"We don't have the obligate—"
BAM!
Saito punched him straight in the face.
"Yep."
"Useless."
He dropped the ninja onto the ground and looked toward the forest.
"...They're still coming."
More shadows moved between the trees.
Kaito suddenly appeared beside one of them.
SHING!
His knife struck the ninja, forcing him backward.
"Yeah."
"They're definitely not stopping."
Saito narrowed his eyes.
Then he heard something.
Clop... clop... clop...
The sound of hooves echoed through the forest.
Saito turned toward the trees.
Three masked figures emerged from the woods.
But unlike the others...
They were riding horses.
Saito raised an eyebrow.
"...Seriously?"
The three riders slowly approached, weapons in hand.
Kaito looked at them.
"They brought horses."
Saito stared at the three figures.
"Maybe they're the commanders?"
Kaito nodded.
"I think so."
Saito tightened his grip on his sword.
"Then let's ask them ourselves."
The three mounted ninjas suddenly pulled their weapons free.
Saito smiled.
"Alright."
"Come on, commanders."
Inside the carriage, one of the masked ninjas suddenly climbed through the window.
Alya's eyes widened.
"Hey!"
The ninja lunged toward her.
Alya quickly grabbed a nearby hammer.
"Not today!"
BAM!
She swung the hammer straight into the ninja, knocking him across the carriage.
Alya stood proudly.
"Take that!"
But before she could celebrate—
Another ninja climbed inside.
He stopped.
Alya stopped.
They stared at each other.
The ninja slowly looked down at his fallen comrade.
Then back at Alya.
Alya looked at the unconscious ninja.
Then at the newcomer.
"...Uhh."
She gave an awkward smile.
"Oops."
The ninja's eyes narrowed.
He immediately raised his weapon and lunged.
Alya braced herself.
"Wait—!"
Suddenly, Fanny reached from behind and grabbed the ninja by his clothing.
"Got you!"
She lifted him off the floor.
The ninja flailed.
"Hey!"
Fanny grinned.
"Out you go."
WHOOSH!
She threw him straight out of the carriage.
THUD!
Alya stared through the window.
"...Thanks."
Fanny shrugged.
"No problem."
She glanced at the hammer in Alya's hand.
"Nice swing."
Alya smiled.
"I'm learning."
Saito walked toward the three mounted commanders, his sword resting casually over his shoulder.
He looked at them.
"So..."
"Am I supposed to speak to you three in some foreign language or something?"
One of the commanders narrowed his eyes.
"Blue Scarf."
Saito immediately pointed at himself.
"Yep."
"That's my name."
The commander gripped his weapon.
"We're here to kill you."
Saito stared at him.
"...Well."
"That's not a very nice thing to say."
The commander raised his weapon.
"You will be lying in your own blood before this is over."
Saito sighed.
"People really need to work on their greetings."
Suddenly—
"BOOM!"
Bomb launched himself toward one of the commanders.
"Gotcha!"
The commander barely managed to react.
"What—?!"
He grabbed Bomb and suddenly pulled out a pistol.
Saito's eyes widened.
"Crap!"
"He has a pistol!"
SHING!
A knife flew through the air.
Kaito's knife struck the commander's chest, forcing him to stagger backward.
Kaito calmly lowered his hand.
"You're welcome."
The commander looked down at the knife before pulling it free.
He looked around.
One commander was down.
Another had been knocked off his horse.
His eyes hardened.
"...You."
He reached for the weapon at his side.
SHING!
A katana slid from its sheath.
Saito's expression immediately changed.
He slowly raised his sword.
"Now we're talking."
He stepped forward.
"Show me your strength, ninja."
The commander suddenly lunged forward.
Saito raised his sword.
"Here we go—"
But the commander suddenly stopped.
Saito blinked.
"...Hmm?"
"Are you okay?"
The commander remained completely still.
Then—
SHING!
The tip of a sword slowly emerged from his chest.
His eyes widened.
He coughed before collapsing to the ground.
Saito stared at the fallen commander.
"...What?"
Behind him stood another figure.
Makuto calmly pulled his sword free and began wiping the blood from the blade.
Saito immediately recognized him.
"Makuto!"
He grinned.
"Nice to see you again!"
Makuto looked toward him.
"Blue Scarf."
He gave a small nod.
Saito chuckled.
"Still as cheerful as ever, huh?"
Makuto sheathed his sword.
"You seem to attract trouble wherever you go."
Saito glanced around at the fallen ninjas.
"...Can't argue with that."
Makuto sheathed his sword and looked around at the scattered ninjas.
"Sorry about this."
He glanced toward the forest.
"Our territory has been dealing with rebellions all over the place."
"Many of them are trying to remove Lord Hashima's influence."
Saito looked at the damaged road, fallen trees, and defeated attackers.
"I can see that."
Makuto nodded.
"Come."
"Lord Hashima will be pleased to see you again."
Saito smiled.
"Sure."
He turned toward his crew.
"Guys, let's go."
Everyone started gathering their belongings.
The driver suddenly raised his hand.
"Me too?"
Makuto looked at him.
He paused.
"Sorry, peasant."
"Our territory isn't a place for civilians."
The driver's expression dropped.
"...Right."
Makuto then turned toward the road.
"Don't worry."
Two samurai stepped out from behind the trees.
They approached the damaged carriage and bowed.
Makuto pointed toward them.
"These two will help repair your carriage, sir."
The driver blinked.
"Oh."
He looked at the broken wheels and damaged frame.
"...Thank you."
The two samurai immediately got to work.
Saito watched them for a moment.
"Well..."
"At least someone is fixing our ride."
Bomb walked past him.
"Captain, we're really leaving the driver behind?"
Saito shrugged.
"Apparently, he's too civilian for samurai territory."
The driver sighed.
"Thanks for the support."
Fanny laughed.
"Don't worry."
"We'll come back for you."
The driver stared at her.
"...That's not reassuring."
Saito grinned and followed Makuto toward the road.
"Come on, guys."
"Let's go see Hashima."
The Blue Scarf crew followed Makuto along the forest road.
After a short walk, they reached another carriage waiting beneath the trees.
It was made from polished wood, with a beautiful white horse standing calmly in front of it.
Makuto gestured toward the carriage.
"Hop in."
Saito looked at the carriage.
"Much better than ours."
Kaito chuckled.
"At least this one isn't getting attacked every five minutes."
Bomb climbed inside.
"Don't jinx us."
Fanny followed, then Alya, Rin, and the others climbed aboard.
Saito stepped inside last.
Makuto walked toward the samurai driver and gave him a small signal.
"Let's go."
The samurai nodded.
"Yes, sir."
He pulled the reins.
"Hyah!"
The white horse began moving.
The wooden carriage rolled smoothly along the forest path.
Saito leaned back comfortably.
"So..."
"How long until we arrive?"
Makuto sat across from him.
"About an hour."
Saito nodded.
"An hour?"
"That's not bad."
Rin looked out the window.
"I hope nothing attacks us this time."
Everyone went silent.
Bomb slowly turned toward him.
"Why would you say that?"
Rin blinked.
"...What?"
Kaito sighed.
"Don't."
Fanny laughed.
Saito shook his head.
"Let's just enjoy the ride."
The carriage continued deeper into the Red Sun territory, carrying the Blue Scarf crew toward Lord Hashima's domain.
After nearly an hour of traveling, the carriage finally began to slow down.
Saito looked out the window.
His eyes widened.
"...Whoa."
The forest opened into a beautiful village.
Rows of houses lined the streets, surrounded by countless trees covered in soft pink flowers.
Petals drifted through the air with the gentle breeze.
The Blue Scarf crew stared in silence.
Even Fanny looked impressed.
Makuto smiled.
"Welcome..."
He gestured toward the village.
"...to Hanabi Village."
Rin leaned closer to the window.
"This place is beautiful."
Alya smiled.
"I've never seen this many flower trees."
Bomb looked around.
"Do they have food here?"
Fanny immediately looked at him.
"That's your first thought?"
Bomb shrugged.
"What?"
Saito laughed.
"Come on."
"Let's see what Hanabi Village has to offer."
The carriage continued down the flower-covered road as pink petals drifted around them.