Outside Hanzo's residence in the Land of Rain.
After three years of brutal beating from his teammates, Guard B could now confidently declare.
'There wasn't a single person in the entire guard corps who could take a beating better than him!'
That's how confident he was!
"Damn it, when one of you gets married or gets a girlfriend, I swear I'll pay you back! Just you wait!"
Guard B, who had just taken another beating, cursed bitterly in his heart.
As he was about to stand up, he suddenly noticed something and widened his eyes in shock, his trembling finger pointing in a certain direction.
"Th-That looks like Young Master Katsura..."
Before he could finish, a blur of motion smashed through the door with a bang and shot out like an arrow!
Even the speed of sound might not have matched Hanzo's sprint towards the approaching figure at that moment!
...
"K-Kotaro..."
Tears welled up in Hanzo's eyes as he stared at Katsura, who had clearly grown significantly taller.
His voice trembled and the sound of sniffles and suppressed sobs was unmistakable.
Three years! Three whole years!
Do you have any idea how I've lived through these three years?!
I've been looking at your childhood photos, drowning in sorrow and heartbreak!
To have missed such an important stage of your growth... it's just too painful!
Katsura, now around ten years old, looked at Hanzo—noticeably thinner, his hair much grayer, his body unsteady, trembling uncontrollably, as if on the verge of collapse—and politely offered his greetings.
"Hanzo-sama, it's been a while. But why have you lost so much weight? Have you not been eating properly? Or are you being picky? That won't do. As a general of this nation, managing your daily diet and routine is of utmost importance! Your body doesn't belong to you alone—it belongs to the country! Please don't forget that!"
"Kotaro—!"
Suddenly, perhaps overwhelmed by this unexpected concern, Hanzo burst into loud, wailing sobs!
Then, the three years' worth of pent-up longing erupted all at once!
Tears gushed forth uncontrollably from his face!
And then, due to the overwhelming excitement of Katsura's sudden return, combined with the fact that Hanzo had barely eaten more than one meal a month over the past three years, lost his appetite, and suffered from sleepless nights...
He fainted on the spot.
...
In his dream, Hanzo saw himself celebrating Katsura's tenth birthday with a cake.
In that small, warm room, the two of them laughed together, utterly happy.
"Kotaro..."
Watching Hanzo on the bed, wearing a doting—no, a downright grandfatherly—expression, the guards present unanimously decided to erase this scene from their memories.
Because... it was simply too unbearable to witness.
The man revered as a demigod, Hanzo-sama, making such an expression over a child? No one would believe it if word got out!
He really does treat Young Master Katsura as his own grandson!
The guards couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Ever since Hanzo-sama picked up Young Master Katsura, he had completely changed.
Though he remained cautious when alone, he would agree to anything when it came to Katsura!
"Hehehehe..."
Listening to Hanzo's dreamy chuckles, the guards wisely pretended not to hear.
....
Meanwhile, in Katsura's room, the boy sat deep in thought, his brows furrowed.
Of course, he didn't notice that the room had been kept exactly as it was when he left—a detail arranged by Hanzo, who had ordered daily cleanings while ensuring not a single piece of furniture or item was moved from its original place!
When my disciple left, he had to return exactly as he was when he departed!
"Elizabeth, why have I reverted to my childhood appearance again?"
Elizabeth: [That afro-wearing lady set a three-year limit for your body's recovery, with the condition that you find the culprit behind the spacetime rift within those three years. You're now ten years old—the only way to grow older is through natural aging.]
"I see."
Knock knock!
"Katsura-sama! Hanzo-sama is on the brink of death! Please come quickly!"
At the sound of urgent knocking and the panicked voices of the guards, Katsura jolted to his feet in shock.
"What?!"
With a grave expression, Katsura flung open the door and sprinted down the hallway with all his might toward a certain destination!
Watching Katsura's reaction, the guards couldn't help but feel moved.
Though it had always seemed like Hanzo-sama was the one showering affection unilaterally, Katsura-sama clearly held deep regard for him in his heart!
This was the proof!
...
"Hanzo-sama! Hanzo-sama!"
Kneeling beside the futon, Katsura wept uncontrollably as he watched Hanzo—eyes closed, breathing labored—clearly in his final moments.
His heart burned with desperation!
How could Hanzo just up and die like this?
The most important thing hadn't even been passed down yet!
The Summoning Technique scroll for the salamander hadn't been handed over!
Hold on, Hanzo-sama!
Perhaps Katsura's cries had an effect—Hanzo's ragged breathing gradually steadied, and his tear-filled eyes slowly opened with grandfatherly warmth.
"I... I worried you, Kotaro..." Hanzo's voice was faint. "The dream was so blissful... I nearly passed on right there..."
"Hanzo-sama..." Katsura's eyes welled up with tears, overwhelmed with relief.
As long as he wasn't dead, there was still a chance to touch those salamander paws!
"Kotaro... cough... My time is short, so... before I go, could you... stay..."
Before Hanzo could finish, Katsura's expression suddenly shifted as if struck by inspiration.
"Speaking of which, Hanzo-sama, I actually came back this time to ask for more travel funds. Though I've already investigated the plight of the wandering paw—cough! The plight of the common people in our country, the situation abroad with rare paw—cough! The situation abroad is impossible to gauge without seeing it firsthand! So, since you're clearly fine now, I should take my leave!"
Hearing this, Hanzo immediately dropped the act and stood up straight.
"What?! You're leaving again?!"
"You seem quite healthy—I'd say you've got another twenty years in you. Farewell, Hanzo-sama! Thank you for everything!"
Watching Katsura's tearful gratitude, Hanzo was utterly dumbfounded.
His little act had been meant to make him stay, yet he was still determined to go!
"No need to worry—I've mastered the Reverse Summoning Technique. I'll send you postcards regularly!"
.....
Supported by two guards to keep him from collapsing, Hanzo smiled and waved goodbye as Katsura and Elizabeth departed, their backs laden with luggage.
Of course, even with that expression on his face, Hanzo's heart was already shattered into pieces.
By the time Katsura and Elizabeth had completely disappeared from Hanzo's sight, the latter finally couldn't hold on any longer, rolled his eyes back, and collapsed.
"Ko... Kotaro..."
"Hold on, Hanzo-sama! Hey! Doctor! Where's the doctor?! Hanzo-sama's heart has stopped! Hey! Doctor!"
...
Outside the emergency room, Guard A couldn't help but complain.
"Honestly, if he really didn't want Young Master Katsura to leave so much, why didn't Hanzo-sama just say it directly? Young Master Katsura would definitely understand Hanzo-sama's good intentions if he heard it."
Guard B, standing nearby with his arms crossed, sighed softly and said almost sentimentally.
"You just don't get it, do you? Supporting a child's dreams is an adult's responsibility. Even if it means enduring the pain of separation, they still send their child off with a smile. That's what parents are..."