Shimotsuki Village — West Village outskirts.
Ryukawa led Zoro and Kuina out from the Isshin Dojo and all the way to the entrance of West Village.
Along the path, they were greeted by scorched ruins, collapsed homes, and flames that hadn't fully died out.
"Damn it!"
Zoro gritted his teeth, face burning with fury.
To his young heart, mountain bandits—who burned, killed, and plundered—were the very definition of evil.
Kuina was equally angered, but unlike Zoro, she kept calm and silent, her sharp eyes sweeping the surroundings in case any bandits remained behind in ambush.
"D-Do you really think they can handle this…?"
The villagers who had led the trio here exchanged anxious glances, worry filling their expressions.
In their eyes…
Whether it was Ryukawa, Zoro, or Kuina—they were still just children.
How could mere teenagers fight a group of cutthroats who had killed without hesitation?
And not just a handful—
over a hundred mountain bandits.
"Since the dojo master entrusted them with this task, we should trust his judgment.
Maybe… they have abilities we don't know about."
The villagers could only comfort themselves with such thoughts.
West Village had around a hundred households.
As Ryukawa walked through the devastated area, he saw the villagers' rage, despair, and deep fear.
To them…
Mountain bandits were demons.
And after today's raid, the already fragile village was left with nothing:
their food stolen, livestock taken, and worst of all…
Several young girls had been kidnapped.
Their families were crying quietly in grief, faces pale and hopeless.
To them, being taken by mountain bandits meant one thing—
death.
They had no strength to retaliate, no way to save their daughters.
They could only endure this suffocating despair.
"Senior Brother…"
Even Kuina, normally firm-willed, felt her heart twist at the sight.
"Let's go. Take us to the place where the bandits entered."
Ryukawa said calmly.
Under the villagers' guidance—
They soon arrived at the edge of West Village, near the mountain slopes.
"Those bastards came from here,"
a villager pointed at the mountain range, fists trembling in hatred.
"Senior Brother… the area is huge,"
Zoro whispered.
"With only the three of us… searching for their main hideout will be extremely difficult."
He was right.
Endless mountains, countless paths.
Finding the bandits' hideout would be like finding a needle in a haystack.
"Is there anyone in your village familiar with this terrain?"
Ryukawa asked.
"I am!"
"Me too!"
Two villagers raised their hands immediately.
From their faces, Ryukawa could tell there was more than just fear—
there was bitter hatred.
"We lost our daughters today," they said, "Taken by those monsters. Even if it costs us our lives, we will help you find them."
Ryukawa nodded.
Half an hour later—
Ryukawa stopped, eyes fixed on a series of messy footprints in the dirt.
"Senior Brother… that mountain up ahead…
It might be the bandits' main base."
Zoro tightened his grip on his wooden sword. His face was tense—both anxious and nervous.
Even Kuina felt the pressure.
"I know."
Ryukawa lifted his head, eyes narrowing as he stared at the mountain.
Based on all clues, the bandit gang was most likely holed up there.
"Half an hour of searching… finally found them."
Ryukawa's eyes lit up with anticipation.
He turned to the two villagers.
"You two should stop here. A battle will break out soon. If you're afraid, you can stay back. We'll handle the rest."
But the villagers shook their heads firmly.
"No—we are not afraid!"
"Good."
Ryukawa nodded.
"Zoro, Kuina—your job is to protect them. I will handle the bandits."
Zoro froze.
"Senior Brother, you… alone?"
Kuina also stared at him, unable to stay silent.
"Senior Brother, they have over a hundred men. Can you really…?"
Mountain bandits—
cruel killers who slaughtered without blinking.
Ryukawa smiled lightly.
"Little sister, don't underestimate your Senior Brother."
"Like I said—the bandits are mine.
Your task is simply to keep the villagers alive."
"Their safety is in your hands.
Don't disappoint me."
He reached out and rubbed Kuina's short hair, messing it up playfully, earning an irritated glare from the little swordswoman.
Then—
Ryukawa stepped forward…
and slowly drew out his weapon.
A wooden sword.
Yes—
He was planning to fight a hundred murderous mountain bandits…
with a wooden practice sword.
"Senior Brother, use my sword instead!"
Kuina immediately offered her treasured blade—the Wado Ichimonji, one of the Twenty-One Great Grade swords.
But Ryukawa waved it off with a smile.
"No need. You keep it to protect yourself."
He lifted the ordinary wooden sword in his hand, his smile turning sharp.
"Besides…"
He looked back at the two dumbstruck juniors.
"Who told you a wooden sword can't kill people?"
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