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Chapter 19 – Hidden Secrets

Ryu, Aileen, Ayane, Mishu, and Kentaro made their way to the cave which held the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi safe from the Black Spider Clan.

"Kentaro," Ryu asked as they journeyed. "How do you know Aileen?"

Kentaro smiled but before he could answer, Aileen blurted. "Kentaro was the one who raised me after my parents passed."

Kentaro nodded. "Raised her, loved her, clothed her, fed her. I treated her as if she was one of my own children." He then said. "In fact, she was on of my own children.

As they proceeded through the forest Kentaro spoke as he pointed as a cleared dirt path. "This is where we used to send our messengers to find help when the Black Spider Clan first made their arrival to our village."

"Ahh," Ryu replied. "Very clever."

"Unfortunately, the Black Spider Clan found this path and killed those that tried to make any escape." He looked at Ryu. "We tried our hardest to make a contact with you."

Then Ayane smiled. "Well, we can say that there was at least one of your messengers was lucky enough to make it to us."

"There was?" Kentaro asked.

Ryu nodded. "Yes, an old man came to my shop and warned us about the Black Spider Clan controlling the Migu Village. They asked for our assistance." He looked at Aileen. "I am shamed to say that I declined the offer, but it was Aileen who persuaded me."

"You said 'an old man'?" Kentaro stared at Ryu with a questionable look.

"Yes, he was going to buy a Saki Tray but…" Ryu noticed Kentaro's expression. "Is something wrong?"

"Well," Kentaro said, "we would never send the elderly on such dangerous missions. Are you sure he said he was from Migu Village?"

"Positive. Couldn't it have been a man that has taken a different and safer route then the messengers?"

Kentaro shook his head. "Very doubtful. Well, unless if I wasn't notified and the man took off without informing anyone." Kentaro look was becoming more confused. "Was there a name that was mentioned?"

Ryu thought, "He did mention a name, but I cannot recall."

"Jian." Ayane said. "Jian Migu."

"Well that's absurb." Aileen blurted.

"How so?" Ayane asked.

Then Kentaro answered for her. "Jian Migu built the Migu Village over eight generations ago. He died in the midst of building our church. That is why we named the village after him. He has been dead for many decades."

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Though they knew the caves would be crawling with Black Spider ninjas, Kentaro assured that they were unaware of their discovery. The only obstacle would be to dispose of those that occupied the caves and so they did.

After their two-day journey, the cave entrance was already guarded by three Black Spider ninjas to where Ryu and Mishu together quickly disposed of. The two worked well as team. There were no similarities in their style, but it was their performance together which made it an enjoyable view to see the two fight side-by-side. Once inside the caves, the group overcame more ninjas and many surprise attacks. Some were difficult, the rest were easy as they made their way deeper into the cave. As instructed, Kentaro and Aileen stood behind waiting for all dangers to be cleared before they continued on.

After a few more quarrels, Kentaro announced, "This is it." He called one of the diggers that watched on as Ryu, Mishu, and Ayane fought. "Take us to see the sword and hurry."

The worker nodded as he and the other ran to the location. There were many workers, sweating from exhaustion, all pretending to be hard at work. "We buried it here." The worker replied pointing at a spot at the ground.

"Good," replied Mishu. "We'll start digging."

And so they did. The workers began digging as Ryu, Mishu, and Ayane scouted to assure no interferences would come along. Apparently, the workers buried the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi very deep, because it took longer than intended. But when they were finally finished, a large and beautifully crafted wooden case with metal sidings was extracted from the hole.

"This is it." Kentaro smiled as the others began to gather around. Kentaro placed his hands on the case and slowly opened it to view to the group the sword that laid inside. A beautifully crafted sword with a pulsating purple glow, surrounded by soft materials of silk to keep it comfortable.

Mishu gave a grin, "That is it, the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi." He said excitedly. "We found it!"

Ryu asked. "How can we be sure?"

Mishu jokingly replied, "Want to grab it yourself and find out?" Ryu gave a slight chuckle as Mishu turned his focus back to the sword. "Now we can't waste time, we have to destroy this sword immediately."

Kentaro looked at Mishu with a smile. "I agree. Then you must return to our village for a celebration."

"You are too kind, Kentaro. But the celebration should be held in honor of your people. You were the brave ones."

Then they shook hands. "It was an honor to help you."

"The same for me." Mishu replied and glanced at the sword again. "Now we mustn't waste any time, there's no telling…" Mishu looked at Kentaro who's mouth was dropping and eyes wide as he gave Mishu a frightnened expression. "Kentaro? What's wrong?" Then speckles of blood drip from the old man's mouth onto Mishu's hand. Mishu yelped out, "Kentaro!" The old man suddenly and lifelessly fell against Mishu and the former Black Spider ninja witnessed a knife stuck to the back of his neck.

"Kentaro!" Aileen yelled out.

Then another voice spoke out. "If you don't want to suffer the same fate, hand over the sword."

The group turned to see the entire team of the Black Spider Clan hierarchs standing before them, Aisu, Dokon, Yung, and Xia, all accompanied by an old man. The old man that stood before them Ryu immediately recognized the face.

"It's you." Ryu exclaimed. "The old man from the shop."

Mishu looked to Ryu. "Gamja? He was the one that came to your shop."

"That's Gamja?" Ryu rhetorically asked.

"Isn't funny," Gamja spoke. "How at first I beg you to come save this pathetic village, and then I warn you to stay away?"

"But why?"

"No explanation is needed. The hero always saves the day. The hero always finishes his missions. What better way to find the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi than allowing the hero to find it for us." Ryu was tricked. "Good job, hero." Gamja finished with a sly smile, then his face cringed and yelled out. "NOW HAND IT OVER!"

Ryu, Mishu, and Ayane drew their weapons. "Never!" Ryu replied.

Gamja gave a chuckle which grew into a large laugh. "Do you really think your small band of pathetic ninjas can defeat my hierarchs?" He said looking at Ryu. "You couldn't defeat Yung." Then at Ayane. "And let's not mention the pleasure Dokon had with you." Then to Mishu. "And finally the traitor, Kaki." He lip curled in anger as he pierced his cold stare.

"Don't call me that name."

Gamja gave a smile. "Aisu informed me you haven't told the others of who you are." Mishu only gave Aisu a glance to which she turned away lowering her eyes. "Do you think that it's fair to them?"

Ryu then asked. "What is he talking about Mishu?"

"It's nothing, Ryu. Believe me." Mishu responded keeping a cold stare at Gamja.

"Ha!" Gamja blurted. "There is much you need to learn about your friend, Kaki." He said. "But I am not here to reveal secrets, I've only come for the sword and will take any measures needed to retrieve it."

"Then our dead bodies are your only option." Mishu responded.

"As much as it would please me to kill you and your friends, " Gamja replied. "for some odd reason, Mitsuri has a heart for you and do not want you to be harmed."

This struck Mishu in surprise. He left the clan, assisted with the killings of other clan members, assisted Ryu in finding the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi, and even turned down the chance to re-join the Black Spider Clan, and yet and still Mitsuri cares for him.

"So instead, "Gamja continued. "We are taking other measures to get what we want while still abiding by Mitsuri's request." He looked to Aisu and nodded his head signaling him.

She stood in front of him and her hands of ice were becoming surrounded by the frost wind of black magic.

"Aisu, don't do this." Mishu yelled out.

Aisu looked up to him, her eyes were filled with tears slowly crawling down her cheeks.

"Don't worry, Kaki." Gamja spoke out with a devious grin. "I'm sure you will find some way of leaving out of here alive."

Mishu yelled out, "NO!"

But at the point it was all too late, Aisu released a huge blast of ice from her body which was large enough and strong enough to hit all four individuals. Ice from the cold winds surrounded each of their bodies and ice particles clung to their skin freezing each of them in place. When the wind stopped, Ryu, Aileen, Ayane, and Mishu, were all trapped under a large block of ice.

Aisu lowered her hands and gave another saddened glance at the frozen statue of Mishu Nguyen. She looked back to Gamja. "It's done."

Gamja smiled in approval.

Xia asked. "I don't get it. Why can't we kill them now? While they are at our disposal?"

Yung walked towards the group to retrieve the cased sword where it laid as Gamja answered. "As much as I hate it, we must follow Mitsuri's orders. But now it doesn't matter, "He said as Yung handed him the case. "We have the Dokugumo-Ureeru Tsurugi once again. Our master will soon be reborn."

Dokon spoke. "What about the others?" He asked referring to the on-looking diggers.

Gamja gave them a cold stare then turned away. "Kill them."