About one month ago, just three days after Tuziku was rescued by Sailou, the Casoltins had a certain conversation in Tuziku's absence.
Kutcher and Priora, who were both teens close in age to Tuziku, were not involved in the discussion but were later informed of the decisions regarding Tuziku.
Djong, a member of the Casoltins, had a major concern regarding the decision Sailou had made.
"Captain, are you sure this is the most optimal decision?" he asked.
"This kid you picked up seems like more trouble than he's worth..."
"I mean, not only is he currently one of the most wanted fugitives in the entire world, but he also can't control his own Abyssal ability—a very dangerous one for that matter."
Felo, another member of the crew, raised his hand.
"I agree with Djong, Captain."
"He killed more than a hundred Fuyupian citizens on their own land! Some of them had connections to certain big shots, I'm sure..."
"They won't stop hunting him down. Taking him in only puts us on FADA's radar. He's not worth the trouble."
Sailou responded to their concerns.
"Hmmm... I understand where you guys are coming from, and I also agree with your reasoning, but... I can't just abandon him after hearing his story..."
Mika immediately defended her captain.
She stepped forward.
"The captain is right! Don't you guys have a heart?"
"Every single one of us on this crew only made it this far because the captain rescued us—just like Tuziku."
"We might not have been in his exact situation, but he's still a citizen of Hinkon who endured the tyrannical and cruel ways of those monsters in Fuyu just like us."
She pointed toward the crew.
"He may have had it even worse than us!"
Djong insisted.
"So we're supposed to just take him in with open arms even though the government is desperately hunting him down?!"
Mika snapped back.
"Have you forgotten?! You were once in a similar position when the captain rescued you, Djong!"
"Yeah—I remember! I was being chased by a couple of guards for stealing from Fuyu, not for murdering over a hundred of their citizens!" Djong replied angrily.
"But—"
"That's enough, guys!" Sailou interrupted.
"We all have mixed feelings about this situation... but the fact is, he's a fifteen-year-old boy whose father was killed right in front of him."
"He can't return home to his mother because he's being hunted."
Sailou scratched the back of his head.
"Besides, he escaped from the land of Fuyu while being hunted by FADA's elite forces. That's quite an impressive feat."
"So if we don't help him, then who will?"
"If he can learn to control those powers of his, he'll be of great help to our crew."
He lowered his gaze.
"To be honest, I can't say if this is the best decision or not... but I've decided he's going to join our crew."
He turned toward the two members who had remained silent throughout the discussion.
"Dendelon, Juzio, I haven't heard anything from you two yet. What do you think?"
"You've never made a decision that would intentionally jeopardize our lives. I won't start going against your decisions now," Juzio responded.
"I agree with Juzio," said Dendelon.
Sailou nodded.
"Good. Then I'll personally see to it that Tuziku learns to control his powers."
The room fell silent.
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One month later...
As Tuziku and Kutcher continued their training in the forest, they were completely oblivious to the danger that had crept onto the shoreline.
"This is General Hinomo, Agira. We've finally arrived at the shore."
"Give us the order."
"...This is Agira. Permission granted to advance. I wish you both the best of luck."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The generals' strategy was to combine Units Four and Six and divide them into four groups containing soldiers from both units, with each general leading two groups.
Each group would serve a specific purpose during the operation.
"Alright, men! We've received the signal. Squads A and C are with me. We'll take the northern side and make our way toward the center of the forest," Hinomo shouted.
"Am I understood?"
"Yes, sir!!" the soldiers responded in perfect sync.
General Ishīmī stepped forward.
"Squads B and D, you're with me! We'll take the southern side and advance toward the middle."
The two generals led their forces into the forest with the goal of locating and eliminating Tuziku and the Casoltins.
At the same time, Tuziku and Kutcher continued training near the center of the forest, completely oblivious to the predators hunting them.
Kutcher stretched his arms.
"You're making good progress, Tuziku. Okay, let's try again. This time, imagine the shape you want the acid to form when you release the slash."
Tuziku gasped for air as he sat on the ground, drenched in sweat.
"Alright... one more time... Ughh!"
After finally managing to find his footing, the exhaustion vanished from his face.
He gripped the hilt of his sword calmly, as though holding a child's hand.
Taking a deep breath, he swung his blade—calmly, yet filled with strength and determination.
Kutcher's eyes widened.
Ohh... there's something different about him this time...
A small stream of acid burst from the blade in the shape of a poorly imitated crescent.
"...Yesssss!! Hahaha!"
Tuziku jumped up and down as he celebrated his first successful attempt to safely release his acid.
"Not bad at all, rookie!" Kutcher applauded.
Unaware of the danger approaching, Tuziku continued celebrating his success—unaware that it would soon lead to their discovery.
Just moments after the soldiers began advancing through the forest, Hinomo made a decision without informing Ishīmī.
"You four are to head straight toward the center and see what you can find!"
The four selected soldiers immediately broke away from the group.
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A short while later...
As the soldiers advanced deeper into the forest, they heard Tuziku's cry of excitement.
"Did you guys hear that?!" one soldier shouted.
"Yeah, we heard it!" another replied.
"It came from somewhere ahead. I'd say a few hundred meters away," said the third.
"Let's move quickly, guys!"
Meanwhile, back with Tuziku and Kutcher—
"Why don't you take a break now, Tuziku? You've been going nonstop for the last five hours."
"All that hard work is finally starting to pay off."
Kutcher patted him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, but that slash wasn't completely stable... and it took everything I had just to get that sloppy shape," Tuziku replied as he lay on the ground, gazing up through the canopy of giant trees.
After briefly celebrating Tuziku's accomplishment, exhaustion finally caught up to both of them.
Having trained since sunrise, they eventually fell asleep in the forest.
Suddenly—
Rustle...
Rustle...
Rustle...
Tuziku jolted awake.
"Huh?!"
He tilted his head toward the sound.
What's making that noise?
Curious, he slowly got up and peered through a patch of bushes.
Then he froze.
Soldiers.
His breathing immediately became erratic.
The uniforms.
The rifles.
The insignia of FADA.
In an instant, every horrific memory came rushing back.
Why are they here?!
Don't tell me...
They came for me?!
Shit...! This is bad...
I see two of them searching through the bushes...
And another two in the trees!
They all have guns! And there's most likely more of them nearby...
I have to let Kutcher know!
As Tuziku slowly stepped backward, he accidentally stepped on an old branch.
CRACK!
One of the soldiers immediately stopped.
"Hm? I heard something! Over there!"
"Guys, I think there's someone up ahead!"
"Let's go!"
Realizing the soldiers were heading straight toward him, Tuziku panicked and shouted:
"Kutcher, enemies are here! Wake up!!!"
CHAPTER 17 END