The two groups faced each other.
Ankoku no Ki (Dark Ki) — I launched three dark ki blasts at each of them, and the three of us advanced toward our respective opponents.
As I expected, Ichinose Kaede dodged while forming a sequence of hand seals and released his technique, creating another protective wall around his brother. I found him and we exchanged another series of blows.
I fought with KOKUTSUKI, while he defended himself with his kunai, but I noticed something strange. Ichinose Kaede was not as powerful as I had expected. Maybe it was because of exhaustion and the mental pressure, but that didn't matter. In fact, it was better for me; he would be easier to defeat.
After another exchange of blows, I moved back and launched another Ankoku no Ki, hitting him directly.
But the result shocked me.
A man made of stone fell to the ground.
What the hell? It was a substitution.
When I looked at Ichinose Yuki, I assumed he had done the same, but I went to confirm it.
The same thing happened.
Damn, they escaped.
Either way, one of them probably wouldn't survive for long.
— They aren't far away — Daichi said. — I can sense their chakra, and they are moving away.
— Then let's finish this old man — I replied as I moved toward him.
The three of us surrounded every possible escape route, standing in combat positions as we faced him.
— Hahahaha, who would have thought that I, Arakawa Goro, would meet my end like this? — Goro laughed loudly, but we could all see the sadness in his expression.
— If I have to fall, then I would rather fall at the hands of future legends like you. Thinking about it, dying on this day is also a kind of destiny. Come on, let's finish this.
We advanced toward him as he formed a series of hand seals.
And when he was about to complete his jutsu, I released the ability that had defined the prestige of the Tsukishiro clan and made them as feared as the Uzumaki clan in the ninja world.
— Jūryoku 2% (Gravity).
The seal was interrupted by the sudden increase in gravity.
Even Hikari and Daichi were affected.
Due to my low mastery of the ability, I could only apply it privately by touching the target, as I had done before with reverse gravity. But now, since we were positioned separately, the ability affected all of us.
Once his seals were interrupted and Arakawa Goro was distracted, I quickly approached him and pierced his chest with my sword.
KOKUTSUKI absorbed his blood as he fell.
Only then did we relax.
We had won.
— Hahahaha... it's over. It really is over... — Arakawa Goro smiled sadly. — Finally, I can rest and reunite with my family.
— You know, I wasn't always like this. As I said before, I was also a young man full of dreams. I wanted to fight to end all these wars that have plagued our world since forever, to make my parents proud, and become an example for my children... but...
— Children, I wish you all the luck in the world for your future. This world will do everything it can to swallow you, and if you aren't careful, it will devour you.
After saying that, he closed his eyes forever.
We remained silent, looking at the motionless body in the middle of the room.
The feeling of victory that I expected never came.
Maybe because deep down I knew that everyone is pushed to the extreme by life at some point, and if we don't have an anchor to keep us steady, we eventually sink into the sea of despair that is life.
We picked up the unconscious old man Kensuke and left the place.
Along the way, all the servants were unconscious, except for the butler and the head maid, who were injured. Everyone else had passed out.
— He tried to stop us from entering — Hikari said without waiting for me to ask.
Before leaving, I didn't forget to loot the place.
As a fan of cultivation novels, I know very well that more than half of a good protagonist's wealth comes from looting his enemies.
After searching carefully, with the help of the butler, we found the vault, which was filled with treasures.
Arakawa Goro was extremely wealthy, with riches obtained through exploiting ordinary people.
His death could be considered a public service, and as the person who killed him and performed such a great service for this city, I needed compensation.
This treasure would be my reward.
With KOKUTSUKI pointed at the butler's throat, I asked about the other vaults.
He cooperated very well and showed me the others, increasing my small fortune.
Hikari and Daichi did not like my behavior.
They said that by acting this way, I was no better than the Mukade group.
So, reluctantly, I told them to leave me alone.
When we left, we found another surprise.
The Ichinose brothers were lying dead at the entrance gate.
It seemed that we had received some unexpected help.
The Next Day...
I woke up to a great commotion.
The street was much louder than usual, and when I paid attention, I realized everyone was talking about what happened at Arakawa Goro's house.
They were shocked by the massacre and his death, but most people were celebrating.
Mukade had been a cancer to Mizukawa (Blue River Village) since the war began, so the death of its leaders was greatly welcomed by the villagers.
While we ate breakfast, the atmosphere was somewhat depressing.
Old Kensuke was still unconscious and showed no signs of waking up.
Then an unexpected visitor arrived.
Captain Kurogane Tetsu.
This time, he was accompanied by a middle-aged man. Since Kurogane walked behind him, it was obvious that he was probably the man's subordinate.
Name: Takahashi Renji
Rank: Jonin (Medium)
Bloodline: None
Talent: High
— Good morning, madam. Good morning, children. I apologize for arriving so early. I hope I am not interrupting your breakfast — Captain Kurogane Tetsu said with the gentlest voice he could probably fake.
— I would like to introduce you. This is my superior, Mr. Takahashi Renji, the head of Mizukawa's police department.
Takahashi Renji nodded.
— You are not interrupting. How can I help you, Captain? — my mother asked.
— I would only like to inform you that, during the night, the leader of the Mukade group and its main members were completely eliminated.
My mother only raised an eyebrow slightly.
— That is unexpected news. Mizukawa will be safer.
— I heard that it was a great operation by the village guard. If that is true, congratulations. You finally removed that cancer — I said while continuing to eat.