The small village of Reito had flourished over recent years due to it being only half a mile from the Silk Road. That, and because the village was now a major tourist attraction in the area. Everyone from miles around would come to hear the tale of the day a demon walked through…
Mitsurugi wandered the Silk Road. After relieving the bandits of their supplies, he marched the Road looking for more sources of food and water, but found nothing more than abandoned camps, with scarcely more than a few crumbs of bread. Either someone else had gotten here before him, or his reputation was already spreading fast. Good, let Nobunaga know what chases him; let his mind turn to nightmares.
After two days of walking since the bandit encounter, Mitsurugi's supplies were almost completely out; he was left with a few drops of water and half of a stale loaf. At this point, he spied ahead on the road his first sign of life in forty-eight hours. Some careless merchant had dropped a small barrel of western ale on a side road off the main one. Considering the possibilities, Mitsurugi decided that the merchant probably would have headed down this road, meaning that the road must lead to some kind of settlement.
Half an hour later, a weathered figure strode into Reito, the sun catching slightly off his slightly tarnished armour. Dozens of eyes glanced a look at the valuable looking scabbard around his waist; these were desolate times, and anything that could be pawned would be. The price reached on the scabbard alone would provide for someone for a lifetime. Acutely watching every passing person, Mitsurugi tightened his grip on his sword hilt, as if sensing their desperation.
Travelling down through the single road in the village, he finally came across the small local market. He picked up a handful of apples, some bread, and a few skins of water, paying for each with the smallest amount of money possible, which unfortunately was still a lot in these areas. He watched the trader's eyes light up as he passed over a single coin, probably worth to him more than he would get normally in a lifetime.
As he continued along the marketplace, he listened intently to the figure attempting to stalk him. All at once he came to a halt, the sudden rustle of armour freezing the entire street.
"Come out so I can see you" he appeared to call out to the shadows at large.
A small, thin man shifted towards him from behind a nearby stall.
Spinning around on the spot, his drew his weapon and notched it at the man's throat.
"Name" he demanded, but this seemed to cause the man no worry.
"Yamai" he replied calmly, almost conversationally. "I am a guide around this area, one who thinks you may need my services".
Sheathing his sword, his turned again, flipping another small coin over his shoulder.
"That is your pay for this month. You will get your own supplies, and I will not stop if you fall behind. And I would consider buying yourself a weapon. We have three armed men following us."