Volume 4 Chapter 24 Raikou And Gen Shuuyoku, Heading To Fight The Bandits Ii
──A Few Minutes Later──
"According to the guards' testimony, Bakkai seems to be in this forest."
"So this was the main target."
Raikou and Gen Shuuyoku were running through the forest.
The guards confessed easily.
However, they were just low-ranking members. They didn't know everything about the organization.
They only had 4 useful pieces of information.
──The bandit group has a man called the 'Boss' and a woman called the 'Guide.'
──The Guide matches the description of Bakkai that Raikou knows.
──There are 7 people who can use martial arts, including the Boss and the Guide.
──The other ten or so are just regular bandits.
That was the information they got from the guards.
It was enough for Raikou and Gen Shuuyoku.
Raikou had brought several dozen soldiers from Toukaku of Eastern Town.
They were positioned to surround the forest.
Raikou and the others took down the guards to keep the soldiers' movements hidden.
So, Raikou used 'Five Divine Steps' to disable the guard who was in the tree.
The guard on the ground was immobilized by Gen Shuuyoku using the Pressure Point Technique.
It seemed to work. For now, the enemy was not moving.
And the soldiers had already surrounded the forest.
For the soldiers, this operation was a chance to impress Crown Prince Rouen.
Morale is high. The soldiers are steadily forming a siege.
The soldier in charge is Captain Ri Kai of the defense.
Raikou and Gen Shuuyoku's role is to deal with the martial artists.
"The plan was made by Tenhou and... the Military Officer Heki Nei."
While running through the forest, Raikou mutters.
"I'll confuse the enemy with 'Five Divine Steps' and draw the martial artists in. After that, the soldiers will take down the bandits."
"Yes. My job is to protect my senior disciple's back."
"Still... there are some interesting people in Toukaku's town."
Heki Nei is a military officer trusted by Tenhou.
If a person trusted by his disciple makes a suggestion, it can be believed. That was Raikou's judgment.
So──
"'Five Divine Steps'──'Storm of the Lurking Dragon King'."
Raikou uses the jumping technique of 'Five Divine Steps' to attack the enemy from the air.
The bandits fall down under the aerial assault.
The bandits notice Raikou's presence. But it's too late.
The range of 'Five Divine Steps' is terrifyingly wide.
By the time the bandits draw their bows, Raikou has already slipped into their midst.
"W-What the heck is this guy!"
"She's using a technique similar to the boss's... no, faster than the boss!?"
Hearing the bandits' words, Raikou shows a fearless smile.
"I'm not even at my full strength yet. Now, here comes 'Suzaku Flame Dance'!"
The spinning cut shaped like the Suzaku bird knocks down the bandits.
Right after that, a high-pitched sound of a flute echoes.
It seems the enemy's main force has noticed the intruders.
This was expected.
Raikou and the others' goal is to draw out the martial artists.
"Well then, let's deal with the bandits until the main target shows up."
Raikou starts running again.
Just then, an arrow strikes where she was standing. It's an archer.
Ignoring it, Raikou heads to hunt the bandits.
An archer who can't hide their presence is second-rate. Dodging arrows isn't hard.
In the meantime, Gen Shuuyoku will take care of the archer.
"Wh-what are you!? Ugh. My body..."
With a thud, the archer falls behind the trees, and Raikou sees Gen Shuuyoku nodding.
──Raikou runs around the enemy camp, drawing attention.
──The enemies targeting Raikou are taken down by Gen Shuuyoku.
If this continues, the martial artists of the 'Hidden Five Gods' should eventually appear.
"I'm really causing trouble for Yokumai. At this rate, who knows which of us is the senior disciple!"
Raikou cuts down one bandit after another.
She isn't dealing any fatal blows.
She needs to get testimony from them about Toukaku's wrongdoing.
That information should be useful to Crown Prince Rouen.
"I'm not going to kill you. You need to call your organization's boss over here."
"""E-Eek!!"""
The defeated bandits are screaming for help.
The Boss and martial artists of the 'Hidden Five Gods' can't ignore those cries.
'Hidden Five Gods' are leading the bandits because they are strong.
If they abandon the bandits, it would mean denying their own strength.
But that's not all. If the bandits are taken to Toukaku, the fact that 'Hidden Five Gods' abandoned their subordinates will spread throughout the country. The name of 'Hidden Five Gods' will fall into disgrace.
If that happens, no one will follow them anymore.
To avoid that, 'Hidden Five Gods' must confront Raikou.
"'The weakness of those who are connected only by 'strength.' If they were connected by duty or trust, it wouldn't be like this."
For example, what would happen if Tenhou was attacked by a strong enemy? If a comrade was targeted, and Tenhou got caught up in it, what if he had to fight the strong enemy?
At that time──
"Tenhou would try to stop the enemy without calling for help. Everyone would try to help him escape."
Shouou would say, "Don't come. Leave this to me and run."
Raikou would do the same. She would try to save Tenhou even if it meant sacrificing herself.
As a result, they would end up fighting together.
"That is the strength of those connected by duty and trust. Those connected only by strength cannot compete with such people. But the bandits probably wouldn't understand that."
Thinking about this, Raikou stops.
"Well... I guess it's about time."
She hears faint footsteps.
The user of 'Five Divine Steps' is getting closer.
Confirming that the real target has finally arrived, Raikou takes a deep breath.
And with a voice full of 'ki' energy, I shout.
"I, Raikou, the number one disciple of Master Gyoun, have arrived! Is Bakkai-dono, who is also a student of Master Gyoun, here!? If you are here, I would like to see your face!!"
Raikou continues.
"I have heard about the situation between my master and Bakkai-dono! In place of my master, I, Raikou, want to talk to Bakkai-dono!! If you have pride as a martial artist, please show yourself, Bakkai-dono!!"
Raikou raised her voice, shaking the trees in the forest.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)