The Ginga Legend: Weed's Story

Futago Pass arc Episode seven: After The Fall of Kaibutsu

Weed, GB, and Mel were making their way down a path downward on the Futago Pass lands with Jerome on GB's back.

Weed and his friends put a stop to Kaibutsu with the help of Jerome, his pack, Kagetora, and Ken.

Weed and the others kept going down the path with Weed looking down at Kaibutsu's body, which was stabbed by a big log. When seeing this, he and the others got even more worried and kept going to try and find them.

Now they hope to save Kagetora and Ken, who fell down with Kaibutsu once he was killed once and for all.

Weed and the others reached the bottom of the path and started looking for Kagetora and Ken.

The end of a stream was revealed to show with Kagetora then being pulled out of the water by Ken.

After The Fall of Kaibutsu

Once Ken got Kagetora out of the water, he started panting with Kagetora thanking him for the assist. "Thanks. I can't believe you're helping me."

Ken smiled at the sight of his friend still being alive and advised him to keep going. "If you're still alive, then pull yourself up!"

Kagetora used his Canine Spirit energy to try and stand up while informing Ken of his condition. "I can barely move my body after that fall. You might have to carry me at some point."

"I'll be ready for it." Ken said before looking at the stream he and Kagetora went down. "Who knows how far this stream took us from the others?"

Kagetora thought about that beam Weed shot at Kaibutsu, even having a flashback to when he shot it. He was impressed with how quickly Weed was gaining control of his Canine Spirit. "Weed has already started shooting Canine Spirit beams. If he's learning that fast, then he'll be a master in no time." Kagetora and Ken pressed onward as Kagetora mentioned Weed's potential. "No doubt about it. Weed is going to completely succeed the leader." Ken nodded in agreement, knowing that Weed's potential was something that no one could deny.

Weed and the others were continuing downstream to try and reach Kagetora and Ken. Jerome couldn't help questioning why Weed and the others were helping him. "Weed. You guys don't have to worry about me." Weed and the others looked at Jerome with surprise when he said that. "The others need you. I've completely outlived my usefulness."

Kotetsu wasn't a big fan of how Jerome was handling his situation. "Dude; do you have a setting on your edgy-meter higher than death?"

"What Kotetsu means is," Weed began, wanting Jerome to know why he was doing this. "we're not gonna let you die just because the reason we were helping you is finished." Jerome looked at Weed as he brought up more about his wording. "You survived the battle, Jerome. There has to be a reason for that!" Jerome couldn't help tearing up at the sight and sound of others genuinely caring about him. It seemed as if this was a feeling he wasn't quite used to. "We'll patch you up after we find the others."

Weed and the others noticed Kagetora and Ken near a pond, running over to them as Weed called over to them. "Kagetora! Ken!"

Kagetora and Ken noticed the others running over to them, allowing them to do so to allow Kagetora's energy to rise up properly. Mel was quick to let them know of Kaibutsu's fate. "We saw Kaibutsu staked on a big log on the way over here! For a second, we got scared you might've died too!"

Kagetora chuckled a bit before assuring Mel that wouldn't be the case so soon. "Not this time, Mel."

Weed and the others were glad to see that Kagetora and Ken made it out. Koyuki then put her dagger away as she made a suggestion. "Since there's no danger around, Weed, I say we honor your word of patching up any necessary wounds.

GB then lied down as carefully as he could to make getting Jerome off of him easier. "Sounds like a plan to me!" Weed and the others then got to work, leaving Jerome amazed at how much they genuinely cared for each other. Instead of focusing primarily on their duties, they were taking the time to help each other, and the others around them.

Weed and the others were resting by the pond as Koyuki checked Kagetora for any wounds that could be causing his low energy. "I'm pretty sure there's a Canine Spirit ability that allows me to scan for injuries, but it might take me a while to learn it."

"Any help you can provide us is much appreciated." Kagetora assured Koyuki, being grateful that Weed and the others stayed behind to help.

Kotetsu was also looking at Ken, who didn't seem to have any serious wounds on him. "You should be good to go, Ken. The fact that you pulled Kagetora out of the water should help prove that." Ken showed the same gratitude Kagetora had for the help Weed and the others were providing.

Now that everyone was safe, Mel couldn't get Weed's Canine Spirit beam out of his mind. He ran up to Weed while he and GB were looking at Jerome when he made that clear. "That beam you shot at Kaibutsu was so cool, Weed! How did you know you could do that!?"

Weed had to admit; Mel was pretty far off from how he handled shooting the beam. "I didn't. I just saw what Jerome did and decided to see if I could do something similar."

GB rubbed Weed's head as he encouraged him to practice with that new technique. "Give it time, and your new attack might become as strong as Jerome's too!"

Weed and Mel laughed a bit with Jerome still wondering why Weed and the others helped him. "You're all helping me continue living... even after I've fulfilled my purpose." Weed, GB, and Mel looked at Jerome, becoming confused as he asked his question. "Why is that?"

"Because we care about you, Jerome." Weed answered, surprising Jerome as Weed then elaborated on what he was saying. "I know we've only known you for a day, but you already helped us a lot by teaching us Canine Spirit. And you gave it your all in the battle with Kaibutsu." Weed smiled as he finished what he had to say. "And it's like I said. You have to have survived for a good reason."

Jerome couldn't help but appreciate the sentiment. He did have a question in mind for GB however, being that he was the closest adult. "So then... what should I do with my life now?"

GB flinched and laughed a bit while holding his paws up in response. "Don't ask me! I'm still trying to figure that out for myself."

Weed thought for a moment about everything Jerome has lived for. His whole life, he'd been raised to work for humans. There was nothing wrong with helping them, but he also got the sense that Jerome never thought of himself. Why else would he be willing to sacrifice himself during the battle with Kaibutsu. He gave the best answer he could think of for someone like that. "Maybe start living it?" Jerome could see that Weed was genuine when giving this advice. "Then the purpose you look for can be something that makes you happy."

Jerome started to shed tears of joy thanks to Weed. Seeing him care about his happiness was something he didn't even know he wanted. Before he could figure out how to express his gratitude however, the helicopter from before hovered over them all. As the gust of wind from the propellers came in, Koyuki went to Mel's aid. They've never seen one in person before, so she wanted to make sure he could handle one this close. "Mel! Does the sound of the propellers bother you!"

"No, I'm okay!" Mel admitted, wondering why the helicopter was so close to them. "I just wanna know why they're getting so close!"

Jerome was done letting humans boss him around, and he made that clear as he started speaking to them. "Don't come here! This isn't a place you should come into!" Weed's attention was caught by this, and Jerome continued to speak. "Futago Pass is the paradise of dogs! It belongs to the soldiers of Ohu! Humans can't just do whatever they please here!" And with that, Jerome declared his resignation from working for humans. "I won't be returning to you! This is where my friends have fallen! This is the last time I act as your fucking pawn!"

The others saw just how serious and determined he was to protecting Futago Pass, and standing by his declaration. "The soldiers of Ohu are real fighters! If you come down here and try to face us, you'll get badly hurt! I don't want it to have to come to that! These fangs swear by it!"

Weed was proud of Jerome. He didn't know him for long, but he could tell that he was now fighting not just for a new purpose, but for himself as well. "Jerome." The helicopter did as instructed upon Jerome's words, and as they did, Weed had a thought in mind. He didn't want to leave this place high and dry, and he shared that desire with his friends. "Jerome's right guys! The deaths of these dogs wasn't for nothing!" Weed smiled as he proposed his idea. "Whatya say we prove that ourselves by staying here for a few days!? We can make this place feel like home again!"

Koyuki and Kotetsu looked to Mel, who smiled in agreement with that idea. The others were up for it as well. It didn't take much persuasion to make them want to at least start the restoration of Futago Pass. GB's words to Weed made that especially clear on his end. "I've never me Gin myself, Weed... but I know he would be proud of you right now." Weed laughed a bit while keeping his smile, glad that his father would've been fond of his decision. The forest around the dogs was then shown.

Peace has finally been restored to the Paradise that is Futago Pass, thanks to the precious sacrifices of Smith and the victims, and the efforts of Weed and his friends.

The screen then faded to black after the helicopter was shown flying off as as...

Snowy mountains were shown, indicating that winter had recently begun, or that it was just starting.

One week later

Somewhere by a river near a bridge, Sasuke was being beaten up by the dogs from Nero's pack. "Let go! Damn it!" He did his best to sound tough, but even with him having improved since Weed and GB saved him during the duck incident, Nero knew he was bluffing. "C-come here yourself, Nero! What kind of a b-boss just watches from afar!? You can't even bother facing me yours-self!?"

Nero found himself annoyed by Sasuke's attempt at being tough. "Stop babbling on, Sasuke. If you had stuck with me, this would be your territory too. Instead, we're beating you to death!"

"That's not very nice, Nero." Nero looked to the side and saw Gin, who was standing beside a German Shepherd and two Kishus. Despite now being in his early thirties, the smile on Gin's face oozed with confidence as he gave Nero a little lesson. "Was this dog's crime really so bad that you have to give him such an unfair advantage? At least TRY to hide how scared you are to fight yourself."

"What did you say!? Do you lot know who I am!?" Nero shot towards Gin, and then the female Kishu walked up next to Gin.

The female Kishu was quick to join in on Gin's jab at Nero. She was also whittling a dagger that was in a similar style as Koyuki's. "Clearly not that important if you can't fight your own battles."

Gin and the Kishu fist bumped after that, which led to Nero being done with Gin and his friends. "I'll make you eat those words, bitch!" The Kishu set her sights on Nero and held her dagger firmly in her paw. "Get them, you lot!"

Nero's dogs charged at Gin and the others, and when the first one attempted to bite Gin's neck, he was unfazed. The same happened with the German Shepherd and the male Kishu. The female Kishu held her dagger up to Nero's neck as he came for her. "I wouldn't recommend it buddy."

Sasuke was amazed by how strong Gin and his friends were. He then remembered Weed and quickly put two and two together. 'The blue one looks similar to Weed. Could it be?' Sasuke started to get excited over the thought that crossed his mind. 'It has to be! That must be Gin!'

Gin allowed the dog who was biting him to try again, only to find his fangs unable to get through his skin. After a couple more seconds, he spoke up. "Have you been keeping your fangs sharp?" The dog flinched before letting go, confirming this to not be the case. He then went into two leg mode and attempted to punch Gin, only for him to put his paw up and grab his fist. The dog was then shown to be peeing as Gin looked down, and his light laugh, followed by a smirk, confirmed this. "I'll take that as a no."

Gin stood up and landed a spinning roundhouse kick on the dog he was facing, sending him straight into the water. Gin then looked to the German Shepherd to see what he thought about the dogs' chances at surviving. "Hey John? Do these dogs look like they can swim?"

"If their leader makes them do everything, then I'd imagine so." John answered before elbowing the dog he was facing in the gut. He then turned after letting him fall to the ground and hold his stomach. He followed this up with a quick kick that sent him down the hill and over to Sasuke.

The female Kishu was shown to be having a little too much fun with Nero as she kept pulling his arms with her foot on his back. "I'd be more worried about MINE being able to swim! Good thing dog bones are more expandable now!"

The Kishu made Nero's arms snap and dropped him, allowing him to fall as well with the male Kishu calling out her recklessness. "You're still far too violent, Tanto. This is a rescue mission."

"Akame, I already told you I don't speak 'soft on bad guys'." Tanto informed the male Kishu, who simply threw his dog down the hill. With that, the dog who fell into the water returned, all wet and cold. After Nero and his dogs cowered at the sight of Gin and his friends, they ran off after picking Nero up to get him medical attention. As the dogs slid down, Tanto started praising Gin in a more poetic fashion. "Once again, Gin-san, you have led us to a simple, yet rewarding- (Snorts) Okay, I cannot do this; dude, you rock."

Gin laughed a bit before addressing Sasuke to see if he was okay from the attack. Despite how laid back he was during the battle, he still showed compassion for Sasuke and hoped he was okay. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you." Sasuke answered, and Sasuke decided to ask Gin something that he hoped would help. "So you're really Gin, the leader of Ohu?" Gin nodded his head confidently in response, leaving Sasuke excited as he expressed how great of a coincidence this was. "That's great! My friend and I met your son, Weed, two months ago! He's still traveling up here to meet you!

Gin wasn't surprised that he had a kid, as he remembered Sakura was pregnant when they were separated. However, he was intrigued by the name. "Weed?"

Sasuke nodded his head yes as Akame asked another important question. "Sasuke, was it? Does this mean you know of Smith and Sakura?

"Y-yes." Sasuke answered, feeling bad about what he had to say next as he bowed his head. "I'm sorry to say this. Sakura died when we first met."

This news made Gin heartbroken, and his gasp showed. He closed his eyes when contemplating what happened. "Sakura... was I too late?"

As Gin looked up to the sky, he had a flashback to when he and Sakura shared their last moments. This started with Gin giving Sakura to Smith for safety. "Smith! Perfect timing! Take Sakura to safety, now!"

"But what about you!?" Smith asked, knowing this would be a lot for Gin to handle. "That giant dog alone has taken out eight of our soldiers already!"

"I can hold him off!" Gin assured Smith, and then he turned to Sakura, giving her a look of love and compassion as he stated what he had to do. The tears forming in Sakura's eyes made it hard for him to contain his own. "Sakura. I'm sorry. I know I said I would be here for you and our baby, but it appears I have to put that promise on hold for now."

Sakura closed her eyes and shook her head, composing herself as she told Gin what she wanted her to do. "Ohu is what's most important right now! Just... promise you'll come for me and our child when you can."

Gin kissed his wife passionately on the lips, letting her know that he would do everything he could to keep this promise. After about five seconds, they broke apart with Smith then speaking up. "I promise Gin. I'll get her to safety and protect her for as long as I can."

"Thank you Smith. Look after our child too." Gin advised Smith, who nodded in response before heading off with a silently crying Sakura. As she looked back at Gin, the Akita stood on two legs and charged into battle, picking up a pointy stick to assist him.

Gin couldn't believe it. He didn't even realize until now that he didn't take the time to see his wife and son. Thankfully, what John asked next kept him focused on Sasuke's news. "And Smith?"

"He left for Ohu with Weed and GB." Sasuke then realized he never actually revealed who GB was. "That's the name of my friend who's with them." The others took note of that as Sasuke filled them in some more. "Gin. Weed's first thought after Sakura died was meeting you. Please, let him fulfill his wish."

Gin still had his doubts, but he wasn't about to wrong his family any longer. He wanted to make things right by finally meeting his son. "I will. Thank you, Sasuke."

"Holy crap; the leader of Ohu just thanked me! I was not expecting that!" Sasuke's words made Gin and Tanto laugh a bit before they ran off. Sasuke called over to them with a request. "Hey! When you find them, could you also tell GB I miss him!?"

"Least we can do to thank you for the info!" Tanto called back, showing that she, like the others, was also grateful for the news.

Sasuke watched Gin and the others run off before moving onward to continue looking for his owner. He smiled as he thought about how he was able to do right by Weed and GB. "Weed. GB. At least I was able to do something helpful for you."

As Gin and the others continued onward, it started snowing. Akame was the first to notice as a snowflake fell on his nose and made him smile. He always admired when a new season was coming close.

Up a set of stairs in another area were a group of dogs waiting anxiously right outside a hut. From inside, someone spoke in response to the news Nero gave them. "The leader of Ohu, huh?" The dog chuckled a bit before speaking some more. "This is getting interesting. Well then, Nero. What do you have to report?"

Nero started his response to what the dog said. "They embarrassed me in front of my followers. That's why..."

"Come inside so I can hear you."

"Y-yes, as you wish."

After Nero walked inside, he was heard screaming in pain before being sent flying out of the hut. This stunned everyone, and Nero questioned this move as he looked back at the with a bleeding line over his chest. "Wh...Why did you..."

Nero then took his last breath, sinking fear into the other dogs before a white furred Great Dane with black spots and ragged ears emerged from the hut. He had a Canine Spirit powered blade in his left paw, putting it away while he spoke. "If you were embarrassed by an idiot from the North-East, isn't it to embarrassing to continue living?" The canine laughed a bit before speaking to three Borzoi. "You lot! I heard you were fast! Go and find out where Gin and his followers have gone!"

The Borzoi did as instructed with the Great Dane then addressing everyone else. "Gather up all of our comrades at once! Let's show them that this isn't the era of those North Eastern fools!" As the dogs took to this command, the Great Dane laughed to himself while licking his lips with bloodlust in his eyes. It was also revealed that he had two scars on the left side of his head.

Elsewhere in the Northern Alps, a blizzard had begun, and a red furred Akita was taking shelter underneath a cottage. Upon opening her eyes, she caught sight of Gin and his Lieutenants. Instantly recognizing Gin's fur coat, she beamed and decided to make her move. "That fur coat." She went out from underneath the cottage and spoke up to Gin from behind. "Excuse me!"

Gin and his Lieutenants stopped with John looking back to see what the Akita wanted. "What do you want?"

"Could you possibly be the leader of Ohu?" The Akita asked referring to Gin specifically.

Tanto laughed a bit at how many canines were recognizing them. "I'm noticing a pattern with the nice ones."

"Keen eye there, miss." Gin praised as he turned around, having already decided to help the Akita if she needed it. "And you are?"

The Akita happily introduced herself after her guess was confirmed to be true. "My name is Reika. My father fought alongside all of you when the Ohu army faced Akakabuto. He was a soldier of Ohu." Reika couldn't expect Gin to remember every soldier he worked with, but she knew it wouldn't hurt to tell him about her father. "I know he was delighted to help you win back paradise." Gin nodded his head in response before Reika made them an offer. "This snow storm is getting quite heavy. You can rest up at the place I'm staying at if you like."

"That would be very helpful." Akame responded, knowing that the group could use it.

Reika was glad to see her offer being accepted by Gin himself and his friends. "It's a pleasure. Follow me." And with that, Gin and his Lieutenants followed Reika to where they could rest.

Later, Reika was bringing some dog food from her shack to the cottage for Gin and his friends when she saw an unfamiliar face in front of her. "Who are you!?"

One of the Borzoi from before, specifically the one with red fur, introduced himself upon Reika's request. "I come from the clan of the Southern Alps. I'm Rocket, a subordinate for Hougen." Reika tried to contain herself as she heard Hougen's name. "We're looking for a Tora-ge furred Akita and his followers; two older, one around his age. Have you seen them?"

Reika dropped the bag of food and lied while looking around, "I haven't." knowing she couldn't reveal Gin and his friends into Hougen of all canines.

"Is that so?" Rocket asked, making the Akita wonder if he actually believed her. "Sorry to bother you."

Reika watched the Borzoi run off before picking the food back up. She then made her way back to Gin as fast as she could to warn him and the others. 'I have to warn the leader.'

Rocket was secretly watching from a cliff he climbed up to with his brothers. As he watched Reika run off, he chuckled a bit before making it clear he didn't believe her. "Just as I thought."

Reika made her way back to the hideout, which looked like an abandoned factory. After she entered one of the buildings, Rocket and his brothers were shown as Rocket told them what to do. "I'll report this back to Hougen. Missile, Jet... I'll leave this to you." And with that, Hougen took off.

Gin and the others were inside with the food Reika brought with Gin confirming that they'd just been warned about Hougen. "Hougen of the Southern Alps?"

"Reika, are you sure the dog said he worked for Hougen?" Akame asked, knowing the blizzard could make it hard for even dogs to hear correctly at times.

Reika confirmed this with a 'yes', which led to John asking Akame about him. "Do you know him?"

Akame confirmed this by giving some more information. "Yeah. Rumor has it he's a troublesome youngster."

Tanto then jumped onto Gin playfully, making him flinch a bit before noogying him and making him laugh. "In that case, any of us on our own should be more than capable of taking him on!"

"Tanto, quit it! I know my fur is fluffy, but you're not exactly soft!" Gin reminded Tanto while laughing.

Akame admired Gin and Tanto's spirit, but he knew this couldn't be rushed into. "You're both so cheerful. Now's not the time to deal with this. We have to find Weed."

Gin knocked Tanto off with the Kishu rolling back up as Gin thanked Reika. "Thanks for letting us know about this, Reika." He then warned her about her current chances of survival. "You should stop coming here. If they followed you, your chances at dying here are damn near unavoidable." Reika nodded in understanding with Gin continuing to thank her. "Thanks for your concern. We'll make our move as soon as the snowstorm is over."

Reika then left the building while also looking back to pray for Gin and the others. 'I pray for you all.'

As she was running off however, Rockets brothers were revealed to be watching with the Dark Brown one speaking to regular brown one. "Jet, you stay here and watch." Missile then looked forward as he commented on how easy this was. "Heh. Big mistake leading us right to the target."

Inside the building, Gin and his Lieutenants were resting, only for Akame to hear something that alerted them, leading to John's question. "What's wrong, Akame?"

Akame quickly shushed John and jumped up to the second floor to peak out the window. When he looked, he saw several dogs right outside of their building. He jumped back down to warn the others. "This is bad. There's loads of them?"

Gin had an idea after hearing about this and brought the three in for a plan. "Okay. Here's what I want you to do if their leader is with them."

After Gin snuck out through a crack in the wall and into a snow pile while walking on his hind legs, the Great Dane from before was shown walking up from the front side. Rocket informed them of where they were when he walked with him. "Boss! They're in that cabin. We should have them cornered like mice." Gin started positioning himself in the snow pile while also making sure not to be noticed by anyone.

John revealed himself up on the roof, also standing on his hind legs, with the Great Dane looking up at him and speaking up. "Yo! Are you lot really the top four!?

"What's it to do with you!?" John asked, wanting to know what exactly the Great Dane was planning.

"Aren't you Gin, the leader of Ohu?"

"You shouldn't ask without stating your own name first, blockhead!"

The Great Dane stared John down with Tanto and Akame revealing themselves. The former spoke up as she pointed to the snow pile the Great Dane was closest to. "If you want Gin, just look in that snow pile. Sight alone will reveal him."

John and Akame were clearly concerned about this plan, and the Great Dane looked at the snow pile while ignoring their expressions. "Guess some North scum ARE rats. What a lucky break!" The Great Dane failed to see what Tanto was getting at. He failed to realize that Gin had perfectly blended into the snow. He smirked while looking back at his butt, which was pointed out while perfectly blending into the snow pile. And as Hougen brought up his supposed absence to Tanto... 'All I see is a bunch of-"

PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHT

...a ripe and bassy ten second fart shot out of Gin's vibrating butt and hit the Great Dane with a yellow cloud of rotten eggs that caused him, and his followers, to start coughing and gagging. John and Akame covered their noses with Tanto laughing in response to the prank. Gin started laughing as well after revealing himself, since the snow melted during his fart. After the fart ended, he taunted the Great Dane with a butt shake. "If it's me your looking for, then here I am!"

Gin jumped back up to where the others were as Akame used his Canine Spirit to clear the noxious air. John was annoyed, Akame was baffled, and Tanto was just laughing it up. "Okay, we have to do that at least once every Winter!" Gin smiled proudly, having enjoyed unleashing that fart quite a bit. It was clear that Koyuki was right when she told Weed that Gin was a gassy canine.

After Akame cleared out the fart cloud, and it was a big one, the Great Dane spoke up about Gin standing in front of him. "So. You're Gin, huh? The leader who threw down Akakabuto and never stops boasting about it." Gin stared the Great Dane down, grinning before being taunted by him. "With such a small body, you'd be lucky to take down a rabbit."

"Aaaand, he just got ten times more punchable." Tanto stated, clenching her fist while holding back her fury. She couldn't reveal too much of her Canine Spirit just yet.

Akame then spoke up to make the group's request. "I'm Akame. The German Shepherd is John, and the female Kishu is Tanto. We request that you take us to speak to your leader, Hougen."

The Great Dane's grin stayed as he questioned the motives of Gin and his friends. "Meet him and do what? Escape from death? I have an even better proposition."

"I'd recommend dropping it and listening up!" John demanded, only for the Great Dane to go into a pooping position, shocking everyone. After a few seconds, the leader let out a small turd underneath him.

The Great Dane then looked back and chuckled. "So you took down that bear? How brave of you. Please show me too, the bravery you used. Eat my shit with everyone watching, and we'll let you go."

"So that's how this works? I fart in your face and then I eat your fecal matter?" Gin wasn't having it and instead taunted the Great Dane himself. "You must be really confident to try and offend us! At least MY move was a joke. Hougen must be disgusted to have a subordinate like you!"

The Great Dane laughed a bit before standing on his hind legs and revealing his identity. "Bitch, I AM Hougen!" Gin and the others were shocked by this as Hougen made his threat. "If you want to live, then you'll eat my shit!"

John became furious and jumped down before charging at Hougen with his Canine Spirit charged. "You bastard! I'll take your shit and cram it down your throat!"

Hougen smirked before hitting John right in the jaw with a strong Canine spirit powered uppercut, sending him flying back into the wall. "John!"

After Gin expressed his fear for his friend, as Akame and Tanto did, Hougen taunted John when walking over to him as he was getting up. "Well, you're half right. Except the thing you're cramming down my throat is disappointment." He then looked up at Gin to challenge him. "Hopefully, your leader can wash that down with some satisfaction."

Akame expressed disgust over Hougen's behavior, and his nature. "You really are a devil, Hougen."

"And you thought I was going to negotiate." Hougen taunted before snapping his fingers, causing everyone to charge at Gin and his friends.

As the dogs started charging, Gin looked to Akame and Tanto with a clear command. "Let's save John and get out of here!"

Akame and Tanto nodded and rushed in with Gin sending one canine back with a flying dash kick. After he did so, Akame slashed at two dogs and sent them to the ground. Tanto took her blade and disabled one of them before kicking them into another and knocking them both out. John elbowed one of Hougen's soldiers before calling out to him. "Your fight is with me, Hougen!"

"Was with you. That uppercut is all you get." Hougen declared, and that enraged John, who kicked the face of one dog who tried to pin him down, and elbowed the head of another.

John spin kicked another dog that charged at him, pinning the other one down as he charged up a Canine Spirit beam. "Don't touch me! Don't worry yourself with me if you wish to live long!" And with that, he knocked a third canine back with said beam, sending him flying into a wall.

Hougen smirked while calling out how even Gin and his friends had limited energy. "Your spirit can't last forever."

Gin front flip kicked one canine to the ground before blasting two with Canine Spirit orbs. Knowing that Hougen could be right about this, he called out to Akame and Tanto. "Akame! Tanto! Head to Ohu, now!"

"Are you serious, leader!?" Akame asked concernedly.

"We can't just leave you here!" Tanto declared, not wanting to leave Gin behind.

"I'll be fine! Use the rest of your strength to get to Ohu!" Gin commanded, knowing that the journey should be a quick one for them. "It shouldn't take you longer than two days! Maybe only one if you fly!"

John was still fighting off Hougen's minions as he called out to his friends. "Gin and I can handle this! Don't worry about us!"

Tanto knew there was no arguing and put a paw on Akame's shoulder when he tried to protest. "We don't have time to hesitate, Akame. He's leaving us to find Weed." Hougen started to grow impatient with the lack of death surrounding him.

Weed had one more request in response to that. "And when you find him... tell him I'm sorry! Sorry that I wasn't there for him!"

Tanto clenched her fists over how hard that hit her. She knew what it was like to feel like her kids were done wrong. She started making her leave as she made another request for Gin. "You'd better damn well do the same if you find MY kids first." Gin and Tanto formed Ki orbs in their paws and launched them at each other for a Ki orb fist bump. After they did this, Tanto ran off with Akame, who nodded to Gin with mutual respect.

Hougen noticed Akame and Tanto flying off, refusing to let them escape as he charged some Ki beams. "I've always wanted to go bird hunting!"

Just then, Gin dashed up to Hougen and aimed a powerful Ki punch at him, only for it to be grabbed. Gin did the same for his knee as John slashed at the neck of a dog who charged at him and killed him instantly. Just then, the fighting was stopped by the voice of Missile. "That's enough, you Ohu scum!"

Missile was holding Reika, who couldn't escape due to a lack of fighting experience, which Gin quickly picked up on. "Reika!"

Hougen then used this to send Gin to the ground with a Canine Spirit blast. He dragged across the ground, but managed to stand up as Hougen made his threat. "Just a fair warning, Gin. I'm not merciful." He spawned the same kind of Canine Spirit blade in his paw as he walked up to Reika. Gin almost moved, but was stopped as Hougen held the blade up to Reika's neck. "This girl will be in trouble if you continue to oppose me."

Gin and John were disgusted by Hougen's behavior, and John was the first to express this. "You disgusting bastard!"

"I'm flattered." Hougen used his other paw to aim a Canine Spirit finger beam at John, who stepped back before Hougen continued. "So what's it going to be, Gin? Your pride... or the girl?"

Gin didn't even hesitate since he knew one wrong move would mean Reika's death. "If you mean what should I sacrifice, then it's my pride! Let Reika go; now!"

"Oh, that's what I forgot to mention. Yes, that's not an option for you." Hougen declared, giving a sadistic grin as he made an order. "Beat these fuckers to death." And with that, Hougen's soldiers all charged at Gin and John with the two of them standing strong, ready for what could be their last fight.

Back in Futago Pass, Weed was under training by Jerome for another way of using of Canine Spirit. This would be learning how to use his Canine Spirit to fly. This was harder for him than the Canine Spirit orbs, which confused him. He was able to float a few inches above the air, but once he noticed, he fell back on his feet. He started to get worried about how long this was taking. "This is taking longer than I thought."

Jerome saw that Mel was handling flying rather well. The Golden Retriever was laughing as he flied over his friends with Koyuki and Kotetsu praising him. His speed was slow, but his learning was impressive. "Do you remember how I said Canine Spirit can be used for more than just fighting?"

"Yeah. I figured that was the case with flying." Weed admitted, never expecting it to be as hard as it was, even if a bigger challenge.

Jerome felt he should another aspect of Canine Spirit was worth expanding upon. "One reason for that is the personality of those using it." Weed looked up at Jerome, who elaborated on his statement. "I see in you, Weed, a tenacious, brave, and compassionate spirit. You and Koyuki share a tenacity level, and that flows incredibly well with combative Canine Spirit." Jerome then pointed to Mel to back up his words. "Mel's spirit is one that's also compassionate, but it's also relaxed and curious. A relaxed spirit is much better for learning flight."

Jerome reminded Weed of the seven core skills of Canine Spirit. "Remember, Weed. Canine Spirit can be used for combat, flying, speed, healing, nature, conjuring, and rhythm. Also, I never figured out what that last one meant. Hehe."

"That's okay. You've done a great job at teaching this to everyone." Weed started to better understand what Canine Spirit was about. It made him more confident in mastering all he could about it. "Well, if part of my spirit is tenacity, then I should be able to learn this flight stuff no problem!" Jerome smiled in response to his knowledge paying off, and Weed could tell. "So you're really gonna help us find my dad? And Koyuki and Kotetsu's mom of course."

"Once you're ready for the world beyond Futago Pass, yes." Jerome answered proudly. "Once we all know how to fly, we'll get there much faster than we are now."

Weed realized a flaw in Jerome's plan and felt it worth bringing to his attention by mentioning the strategy he and the others used before. "Wouldn't it make more sense to practice during breaks while moving?"

Jerome realized where Weed was coming from and felt his method was better. "Now that you mention it, yes." Jerome looked up at the sky and saw that it was getting close to bedtime. "Perhaps we should make our move tomorrow, when the day is young."

"Sounds like a plan." Weed then hugged Jerome, much to his surprise as he thanked him for his help. "Thanks, Jerome." Jerome smiled and allowed Weed to head over to GB, who was getting the other puppies ready for bed as Weed playfully called over to him. "Remember, GB! I'll sleep next to you, but not behind you!" Jerome smiled at the sight of Weed and his friends. He could see that Weed's words were true. He really did have a new purpose now, thanks to him. Before, he was an assassin. And now, he was a teacher to Weed and his friends for Canine Spirit.

To be continued.