"Seems you're all ready. Let's depart then."

Chōjirō had confirmed his disciples were all wearing traveller's kimonos. So he started his footsteps and ignored the little sobbing from Kasumi, who was still rubbing her eyes since she felt lonely she needed to seperate from her friends.

"Kasumi, remember we will come back so wait for us and don't cry!"

After Enju and Kyara gave her a small hug, they all left the village.

On their way to Kyō, Gekkamaru walked shoulder to shoulder with Enju. He assured her by mentioning how he would stay by her side and protect her.

"..."

Enju pouted, obviously not satisfied how much he mentioned he would protect her physically as she wanted to accomplish this mission by herself.

Chōjirō noticed how slow they walked and he turned around to his disciples.

"Everyone, speed up and run. It would take us a whole night to arrive to Kyō. So we need to be fast so that we could arrive within tomorrow. It is now evening, so we do not need to pay attention to anyone who might be suspicious of us. Everyone is asleep already, they would not pay attention to us running. That being said, keep up your speed and run."

All of his disciples then started running to the direction of Kyō. The distance between their village and Kyō was about 13 kilometres.

Around two hours had passed since they started running. It was the time the sky started to turn bright from the east, and they had already covered two thirds of the way.

...

They were in Tōkaidō, the road near the East Sea. He noticed how the sun had begun to rise while his disciples were still running.

"Everyone, stop."

"? What's wrong Chounii? We still have some more way to go to Kyō."

Ennosuke asked.

"You don't need to worry about us. We're strong enough to run to Kyō without rests!"

Kyara said with her confident smile.

"..."

Chōjirō let out a small sigh.

"Everyone, stop and consider our situation right now. Do you know where are we running now? What time is it already?"

His curt tone made them realised what he tried to say.

"...Oh."

Kyara looked like she just realised something important.

"...! You're right Chounii, we should stop our tracks now."

Ennosuke said.

"...?"

Enju was listening to their conversation, confused. She turned to Gekkamaru and asked him what they meant.

"We cannot keep running at this pace because we are on the main road at the moment. The people will be awake soon and will start using this road."

He explained.

"Yes, Gekkamaru is right, we can't run and draw attention."

Kyara said.

"...I see. That is a good point. I think I should start to learn more things like this..."

Enju nodded her head lightly in understanding.

"Gaining experience is what makes you improve and learn. Everyone, you all must learn from your experiences from your missions."

"Yes, niisama."

"I think this might be a good opportunity to teach you all. Let me explain why our missions are so important to our clan."

Their teacher turned to them and slowed down his footsteps.

"As you all know, our village can only survived by receiving commissions for our service to Lord Toyotomi."

His disciples were paying attention to their teacher as he continued to teach them.

"My former village, the Iga village had the same situation like the current Kōga, the soil of our land was poor. Without receiving commissions and jobs for our work, it is extremely difficult for our village to carry on. Without anyone's hiring, we will perish."

"That's why whenever we're given a task, we have to complete it perfectly so that we can continue to get hired, right?"

Ennosuke asked.

"Correct. Our village's future depends on successful missions. Do not forget that."

Our village's future...

His words cut through Enju's thoughts.

"For a shinobi, missions are worth more than his own life."

Maybe that is why niisama is always so... perfect.

"We risk our lives in order to complete our missions. If we die, so be it. You all must understand this concept, this is the rule we live by."

"I know."

Ennosuke lifted up his lips and smiled.

"Of course."

Kyara too, nodded her head at him.

"That is all I have to say. After we have taken a short break, we will continue our journey to Kyō."

"Yosh! We get to rest finally! Ha, I was getting thirsty actually, glad there's a river nearby!"

Ennosuke cheered.

"I think I'll join you as well, I want to grab a drink of cold water. I'm sweating!"

Kyara said. They left the rest of them and go to the river.

A mission is worth more than our lives. For shinobis.

Noticing Enju's fatigue, Gekkamaru looked worried.

"Are you all right? Enju-sama? You seem tired."

"..No, I'm all right."

Willing to sacrifice anything to achieve success... a vow that every shinobi needs to make. Our way of life. For the village. For the people.

Gekkamaru continued to look at her with concern and Enju noticed that. Seeing he was just next to her, she decided to ask him.

"Gekkamaru... do you.. also have the resolve of serving the village wholeheartedly? If needed, would you sacrifice everything for your missions?"

"...That might be true to other shinobis."

"To other shinobis...?"

"But not me. Serving the village, accomplishing a mission... Those are not most important to me."

"What?"

Enju widened her eyes in shock due to him saying that in determination. As if he was not a shinobi in the first place.

"Protecting Enju... is my priority."

"..."

Enju opened her mouth lightly as if she wanted to retort to him, but she shut it up again, not knowing what she should have said.

A sigh could he heard nearby.

"God forbid... Gekkamaru, I just explained the way of a shinobi, and you immediately dismissed it without batting an eye."

"I am just being honest, Chōjirō-dono."

"Oh is it? Your feelings are not any helpful to her though. Her ambition is to serve and contribute to the village of Kōga."

"...What do you mean?"

Gekkamaru looked confused, not getting what his teacher meant.

Looking at this situation, Enju decided to speak up. After all, she was involved in this.

"Gekkamaru, I really appreciate your feelings, but I want to be able to make it on my own as a shinobi. Do this on my own. If you understand, please don't act as my bodyguard in this mission, but as my partner, a shinobi."

Enju said softly, hoping he would understand her feelings.

"Enju-sama..."

"You see how this is her wish? She needs to accomplish this mission without your help."

Normally, Chōjirō wouldn't be this stubborn to change other people's view like this. But when it involved shinobi missions and his cousin, he wouldn't hesitate to speak up and correct anyone who didn't truly understand them.

"You of all people should understand how much she has wished this. How important this is to her. You must try to understand. It is your responsibility to accept her resolution, as you have been living by her side for such a long time."

"Chōjirō-dono..."

"Please..?"

Enju asked while looking at Gekkamaru.

"...All right."

"Thank you, Gekkamaru. Let's be equal partners."

"As you wish."

"Do not worry too much Gekkamaru. Ennosuke and Kyara are competent shinobis. And I am here as well."

Chōjirō said, reassuring him.

"Let's accomplish this mission safely together! Kasumi is waiting for us. Oh, and Kuroyuki would come back soon as well!"

Enju said with anticipation and excitement.

Seeing her cheerful face, Chōjirō softened his expression just a little, his lips lifted up a bit.

"Enju, there is still some way to go until we reach Kyō. Go with Ennosuke and Kyara to get some water for yourself. You must be tired after all the running."

"Understood."

She smiled at him and left.

Niisama... he helped me convey my feelings to Gekkamaru. He really knows everything about me. Hehe. Oh, why do I feel this happy?

...

"Gekkamaru, wait."

"Chōjirō-dono?"

"There is something I want to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"Do you hate me... for letting her go on a mission?"

"Eh...?"

"Even though you might understand her feelings, aren't you not convinced?"

"...Enju-sama has the tendency to look down on herself, her own life... That's why, I am worried about her. I just can't help but keep thinking, wouldn't she sacrifice herself for the sake of the village?"

"I think she doesn't over look down herself. However, I also agree with you that she doesn't value herself a lot. Her father might be one of the factors. But besides that, her mother, Kagari-dono must have been a big influence to her. She might have shaped Enju in this direction... since she passed away in that... way."

"..."

"But even so, you can't protect and treat her like a kitten. She is not a little child anymore, she is trying to grow and become a strong person. You know that too, don't you?"

Gekkamaru lowered his head while listening all of that, thinking about his actions and attitude towards Enju so far.

"Gekkamaru, I know how you always protect her. But that is merely physical support. Have you ever thought about helping her mentally? What really suits her best, in both ways?"

I've always been thinking Gekkamaru would be the one who can accompany her, protect her. So this is all I need to tell him, in order for him to think what really makes her happy... Enju.

"If you think you want to protect her heart as well, not only her body, you need to think about this again. How to really protect her meaningfully."

I can only watch over her from afar. I will never get close and hurt her. I will never...

"Chōjirō-dono... thank you for your words. You are right. I will keep that in mind."

Chōjirō nodded lightly at him with a small smile.

"The water...!"

"It's just delicious! It'd be great if Chounii and Gekkamaru came too."

Kyara and Ennosuke returned, along with Enju.

"It's indeed so refreshing!"

Said Enju, feeling nice after drinking the cool water from the riverside.

After Gekkamaru and Chōjirō went to grab their drinks, all of them started their journey again.

"?! Wait."

Chōjirō noticed an unrecognised presence. Someone was here.

It seemed that not only he had noticed that, but his other disciples too. They all grabbed their weapons and adjusted their stance.

"Enju-sama, stay behind me."

Said Gekkamaru.

A shuriken flew over them.

"!"

"Ha!"

They started blocking the attacker's shurikens as he threw more shurikens towards them.

This shuriken-throwing method...

Chōjirō thought as he observed the attacker's shurikens.

Enju tried to block the shurikens too, but Gekkamaru had already blocked them before she could.

Maybe he is just protecting me out of reflex... I can't blame him.

After a short while, Chōjirō chuckled as he swung his big double-edged sword against the flying shuriken, making it fell onto the ground.

"Niisama...?"

"Hm, stop your mischievous act already. Why don't you show yourself now? ...Kuroyuki."

Apparently, the attacker turned out to be Kuroyuki. He mentioned he was just greeting them with his own method and apologised to his elder brother, Gekkamaru, as Gekkamaru scolded him about how he might have hit Enju with his shurikens. It seemed that Chōjirō recognised his disciple in the middle of the fight due to his method of shuriken-throwing, he also scolded his actions.

Enju was joyful to see her childhood friend again after all these years. The same goes to the others, they were all happy to see him again.

Chōjirō approved Kuroyuki could come with them on their current mission, so they all walked together at sunrise with slow footsteps, towards Kyō.