Kanoru and his team reached the front-line camp in the afternoon. As they arrived, they focused on blocking the Niwais from crossing the river. However, Kanoru knew stopping the lower- and middle-ranked samurai wouldn't matter if the enemy's higher-ranked warriors gained the upper hand. His real concern lay elsewhere.
He watched intently as Lord Mori faced off alone against two higher-ranked Niwai samurai. To his amazement, the lord held his ground. Yet, Kanoru knew that if their leader fell, it wouldn't matter how well they held the lower ranks at bay.
His gaze then shifted to another crucial duel: Master Kaomisa versus the Sanada family's higher-ranked samurai. The Sanada warrior was weaker in raw strength, but his lightning mastery allowed him to evade most of Master Kaomisa's attacks. What truly unsettled Kanoru, however, was the looming possibility that the rest of the Sanada family might soon enter the battle.
The war halts as the sun nears the horizon, casting long shadows over the battlefield. With the fighting paused, Kanoru returns to the tent assigned to him—a large shelter shared with his comrades.
Inside, the atmosphere is thick with exhaustion. Without a word, he settles in, grateful for a brief respite. Hunger gnaws at him, so he eats a quick meal before succumbing to fatigue. The exhaustion of battle weighs heavy, and before long, he drifts into sleep.
By the time he wakes, dawn is still a whisper on the horizon. Slipping out of the tent with practiced silence, Kanoru dons his clothes and straps on his sword. The air is crisp with the lingering chill of night as he makes his way to the training ground. Most of the camp remains still, but he finds an empty space, grips his weapon, and begins his training.
After yesterday's teachings from Master Kaomisa and the intense night of sparring with his team, Kanoru has finally attained proficiency in all five sword styles. With each swing of his blade, he refines his form, testing the limits of his newfound mastery. His control over the wind has grown stronger, allowing him to reach the second stage of the Sword Wind Realm.
Yet, despite his progress, uncertainty lingers. To ascend further, he must grasp the true essence of wind—its very nature. However, he is at a loss for how to proceed. Seeking guidance, he had questioned Ryohi and Akozo, both of whom had spent years in the second stage of the Sword Wind Realm. Their advice? Keep practicing, and one day, understanding will come on its own.
Their vague answers only deepened his frustration. Even those who had comprehended the nature of wind spoke of it differently. Some described it as the power to cut through anything, while others claimed it was the ability to shatter or manipulate force. With so many differing perspectives, Kanoru found himself at a loss. If the nature of wind was different for everyone, how was he supposed to discover his own path?
Still, he had no time to dwell on the uncertainty. The battle had only paused, not ended. More Sanada Samurais could arrive at any moment, and the fate of their territory remained uncertain. With renewed determination, he gripped his sword tightly and continued training.
With no place to start to comprehend the nature of the power of wind, he cannot waste his time practicing sword skills as the war is still ongoing. He has to turn his attention to the third gate that he can open for a short period of time. To take control of the energy behind the third door first, he has to first make his body stronger so that it can bear the power to open the third gate. So with sorting his thoughts he start training his body.
----
As Kanoru trained his body some distance from the frontline camp, four higher-ranked samurai of the Moris stood together.
Negi crossed his arms and said, "Kaomisa! Why are we holding the meeting here?"
Kaomisa replied, "I want to show you something."
Negi frowned. "What?"
Junzo interjected, "Negi! If Kaomisa didn't have something important to show us, she would have moved the meeting elsewhere."
Tsuki smirked. "Negi, you're still as impatient as ever."
Negi scowled. "How can I be patient when I see no way to win this war?" He continued, "If the ocean weren't blocked, we could have asked the Spring Sword Sect for help. They would have agreed."
Junzo nodded. "Yes, in exchange for an increased supply of Black Kanji wood."
Tsuki said, "Who said we can't seek help from outside? Did you forget that our eastern side is also an ocean?"
Negi scoffed. "The east has no place for our ships to harbor. Are you suggesting we travel north from the east, then head inland?"
Tsuki shook his head. "No. If you can think of that, then so can the Niwai and Sanada families. Instead, we'll sail south and reach the Eagle Mountains. There's a secret water passage that leads to the Honda Family's territory."
Negi's eyes widened. "Really? But will the Honda Family help us?"
Junzo considered it. "They have conflicts with the Niwai. They might."
Tsuki added, "The Honda Family has a secret passage to the ocean, but they can't use it because they lack the knowledge to build ocean-worthy ships. If we offer to provide that knowledge, they may agree. But we'll need to hold the line for at least a week."
Kaomisa suddenly spoke, drawing their attention. "Hey! Look here. What I'm about to show you may not only help us hold for a week—it could even end the fight."
The three turned toward her as she began performing a series of sword techniques. They watched in rapt attention. The movements felt both familiar and unfamiliar, but one thing was clear—Kaomisa's swordplay seamlessly merged with the power of the wind.
When she finished, Junzo said, "This technique can help those in the first stage of the Sword Wind Realm advance to the second stage."
Negi frowned. "But that won't increase our strength by much, and ending the war with this is delusional."
Kaomisa smiled. "This technique can also help Junzo advance to the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm."
Negi's eyes narrowed. "How?"
Tsuki, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "I understand."
Negi turned to him. "What do you mean, Lord?"
Tsuki explained, "This sword technique helps in understanding one of the natures of wind—Cut. Junzo already understands the nature of Shattering. If he can grasp the nature of Cut, he will advance to the fourth stage of the Sword Wind Realm."
As Tsuki finished speaking, Junzo began performing the sword technique, executing all eighty sword moves. When he finished, he stood still, deep in thought. The other three remained silent, not disturbing him.
After a few minutes, Junzo took out a box containing Wind Gems, retrieved one, and returned the box to his pocket. He then crushed the gem in his fist. A blue wisp emerged from the shattered gem and entered his body.
Junzo performed the sword technique again, but this time, after completing the eighty moves, he did not stop. He continued, transitioning into a technique of forty sword moves, then twenty, and finally ten. To the watching three, these sequences appeared to be advanced versions of the previous technique.
After completing the final ten-move sequence, he stopped, his grip tightening around the sword handle. The sword began to vibrate, and waves of force rippled outward. When the waves reached the ground, the stones shattered into dust, and the earth beneath him cracked.
The wind began to howl, swirling around Junzo and rushing into his sword. As the wind merged with the blade, the sword grew brighter and brighter until it became a radiant blue light sword.
Seeing this transformation, smiles spread across the faces of the other three. The thought of success echoed in their minds.
Junzo released the sword, letting it sink into the ground up to the hilt. As it did, the wind shifted, now surging into Junzo's body. A tornado formed around him, lifting him into the air. The morning sky darkened as a storm took shape, thick clouds gathering under the force of the wind. Lightning struck the ground, and rain began to fall.
Watching this, Tsuki said, "They are coming."
Negi and Kaomisa turned south, spotting three black figures in the distance. Within moments, the figures became clear—three men standing at a distance.
Negi smirked. "Lord Niwai, looks like you won't be able to defeat us."
With his transformation complete, Junzo alone could battle two to four higher-rank samurai. If he fought without regard for his life, he could take two or three of them with him before falling.
Lord Niwai sought the destruction of the Mori, but dying to achieve his goal was not part of his plan.