The garrison commander, Katsuo, was returning to the castle after a brief visit to his home. It was another casual visit to his family, but there were also some business matters. The elders of his family just couldn't stay away from the topic of politics, even in family gatherings. Thankfully, he could still visit them anytime he wanted while he was here.

Even his loving family had their own ambitions to ascend from what they were. Just like how their lord wanted to become shogun. All desire strength, and power. Katsuo was the same, in a way, but not too much. Not too ambitious. He just wanted his own nation to be better. And if he had to ascend to achieve that, he would. That was why he worked seriously to get rid of the pirates that plagued their seas. All to achieve the visions of the lord of the island.

It was a good endeavor, one that Katsuo fully supported. Even assisting the lord to become the Shogun. He was the only one he could trust about such a dream. There must be no others that shall become the shogun. The other islands were too foolish to do anything for the sake of the archipelago.

The eastern island was too self-indulgent, while the southern island was too close to the demons. Both islands were cesspools of everything repulsive. Perhaps the better island was Nishinoa, but even that had no guarantees. All they could believe in was themselves.

Perhaps all of this was just in pursuit of power. But would it be bad if it were for the benefit of everyone? No, if the leaders were proper, then it wouldn't be bad. Strength, absolute or not, was a necessity to grant a change in this land of chaos.

Right now, Katsuo's efforts have been acknowledged by the lord. However, the news had already spread to the other clans. Katsuo couldn't predict what they would do now. Perhaps find a way to ruin him, or go along with it and wait for their own chance. But if they were ever discovered going against the lord's endeavors, that might spell something bad for them. The best option they could do was just accept it all, and wait for their turn.

Within the carriage, sitting opposite of Katsuo, was his ninja personal aide, Jin.

"You look mighty relieved that you're coming back, Lord Katsuo," Jin said with a casual smile. "Typically, people don't enjoy going to their workplaces."

Katsuo wondered if that was truly the case. There were people who were passionate about their work. Especially those that were patriotic to their nation. Or just found their jobs fun.

"In my case, dealing with family is often tiresome." He glanced outside as their carriage moved. "Work is easier and simpler." At least in work everything was clear. In family, things were more vague, and complicated.

"... How is a job simpler…" Jin let out a sigh. "Still, it must be a great relief to see family."

"Indeed. My station is so far from home, I was missing it a little. What about you? Won't you go and visit your family?"

Jin fell silent as he glanced outside, his eyes distant. "... Unlike yours, my lord, mine is more bothersome. My father would just babble about how he dislikes my career path."

"Being a ninja and serving someone, huh? He still has not gotten over it?"

"I don't think he ever will."

"I see…"

Katsuo found it quite disappointing that Jin's father would think of it that way. Perhaps he had his own ambitions for his own son. But in a way, Jin was a bit too stubborn. Being a ninja meant you would definitely become a servant serving a master. A ninja's role was to do what was commanded. Becoming independent would be nigh impossible unless one were to become a master ninja. Perhaps he didn't want his son to be so tied down. He wanted him to be free. A master of his own destiny. But not every path guarantees all things good.

"Well, no family stays mad forever," Katsuo said.

"... Not that I care much if he doesn't like it, anyway."

Katsuo let out a sigh. It was not his place to try to amend the relationship between a son and a father. "Anyway, no planning to press your master in training you?" He had heard that Jin's master had rejected his request outright. When he first heard about it, it was not too surprising.

Jin shrugged. "... Whenever he saw me, he already seemed displeased. I might just irritate him further. He must be quite disappointed in me."

"You ninjas are quite too hard on yourselves."

Jin casually shrugged. "That's just how it is."

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But that was just how it was. Ninjas were the special forces of the island, and the most useful tools of a lord. Being incompetent or weak had no place in their clan. A ninja's failure could be catastrophic. Failure to eavesdrop, failure to defend their master from those lurking in the shadows.

"What about just training by yourself? Or with others."

"Should I train with myself where I have no difficult obstacles to climb over? I must experience and face something difficult, so that I can find a way to overcome it."

He needed to actually face someone stronger. To actually realize where he was lacking, and to determine just how much he needed to work. All for him to struggle, for in struggle is where you'd find development. To determine how hard a rock is, you have to punch it. Facing himself wouldn't give him that. Facing other ninjas would barely make a dent to his change.

"I don't mind fighting and beating you," Katsuo said with a brief chuckle.

"Ninjas are not usually for direct confrontations. You will have all the upper-hand."

Ninjas were the best men you could have against other ninjas. While warriors would fit fighting other warriors. What Jin was trying to improve on was in the ways of a ninja. But surely there were lessons to be learned from fighting across different disciplines.

"But I thought you wanted a real challenge."

Jin quietly groaned. "Still, battling you would be too rude, my lord."

"Hm. Well, at least you can fight Minori anytime you want."

"... I guess you're right… She won't hold back at all… She might even enjoy beating my ass."

Katsuo chuckled.

They arrived back at the castle. After they got off at the castle front doors, there was a man leaning on the wall, as if expecting their arrival. Katsuo knew him. The man directed a glare at him.

"Yo, I heard you've been promoted or something."

He was the leader of the Ironspire clan, Kugo Hirokage. A clan that specialized in exterminating or hunting monsters. Katsuo kept a stoic face as he faced him. This Kugo had never hidden his dislike of him. Perhaps he was annoyed that Katsuo was actually quite competent at his job, or he just didn't like him being close with the lord. And he himself was not. Because of Kugo's attitude, the lord was not quite fond of his presence — but of course the person in question never realized that.

"What of it?"

The man shrugged. "Just here to congratulate you, is all. Lucky you, huh?"

"... I appreciate it." Katsuo frowned.

"Must be nice, being acknowledged by the lord staying behind a desk all the time. Doing nothing but barking orders."

"Watch your mouth!" Jin chimed in. "You have no idea what Lord Katsuo is really doing." He glared at him.

Kugo chuckled. "Put a leash on your pet, Katsuo."

What a fool.

Kugo saw things too simple. He believed that all Katsuo ever did was just casually throwing orders around, failing to learn what being a leader truly entails. One had to have vision, allies, and the true drive for change. And most of all, integrity.

Katsuo placed a hand on Jin's shoulder before stepping forward, facing Kugo. "Do not be so upset, Kugo. I did my job well, and such a thing is to be rewarded. Leading is not as simple as barking orders."

Kugo scoffed. "Yeah, right. You just got put in a good spot, that's why."

"We fulfill what we are set out to do, we succeed. If we lead, we do it well. Tell me, how was your leadership when you lost all your men recently?"

Kugo got off the wall and directed a strong glare at Katsuo. "What?" His voice was low and grim.

Katsuo smiled slightly. "I heard about what happened while you were out on a hunt. How could you lose your entire team in the badlands? I thought killing monsters was your entire purpose?"

"Bastard…" The man clenched his fists.

"Did they even die to monsters? Your entire elite team dying is just a bit hard to believe. What really happened?"

Katsuo recently learned about what happened to Kugo's team when they went to hunt in the badlands. It was not a rare occurrence for them to set out and hunt, they were mainly for entertainment reasons, or for training. With Kugo and his elites there, one or two casualties or fatalities would be a bit more believable. But with his entire team dead, and he alone survived? That was strange. So far, Kugo has not described what truly happened.

It could be something he's so ashamed to admit.

"What happened is none of your business."

"Is that so? What a shame. Still, don't think you can hide this forever. You losing all of your team is not something that can be shrugged aside."

"... Don't be so cocky, Katsuo."

"You're hiding something. What is so shameful that you wouldn't even utter it? Did you perhaps flee like a coward while your men fought a very dangerous creature? Is that why you survived?"

Kugo stomped his foot forward and gripped Katsuo's shirt collar. "I'm no coward!"

Jin pulled out his blade and pointed the tip to Kugo's neck.

Katsuo let out a tired sigh. "Let go of me, Kugo. There's no point in lashing out." He stared into his eyes.

Kugo gritted his teeth before aggressively letting him go. "Careful with your words, Katsuo. I won't be as patient next time."

"Careful? I'm merely curious about the truth. If something or someone is strong enough to kill many of our strongest warriors, that is something we have to look into. We don't know how risky it will be for us to leave it alone. Don't wait for the Lord himself to inquire about the matter."

Kugo clicked his tongue before walking away aggressively. From the looks of it, he wanted to avoid the topic altogether.

Jin sheathed his sword. "What's his problem?"

"Let him be. He has always been quite the impulsive type."

It was then that Minori came out of the castle, meeting the two. "You're finally back."

"Minori, I didn't expect to see you here today," Katsuo said. "You're done visiting your family?"

"Yes. I don't want to stay very long. There's still work to do."

"... I see. But you could have taken your time. We might go back to Mahana soon."

"That is fine."

Katsuo nodded. Minori had always been so serious with her work. She truly had a bright future ahead of her. "... If you say so. But did you enjoy your time with your family?"

"Yes. Anyway, Lord Katsuo, we have news."

"What is it?"

"The representative of Nishinoa has arrived."

"The daughter?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what happened?"

"Apparently, she was ambushed. Only she and her bodyguard survived."

Katsuo was surprised.

Who did it? I'm certain it wasn't us.

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