The rumors spread faster than the rebels expected.
Within weeks, imperial patrols began appearing more frequently along the forest roads. Villages near the region reported seeing larger groups of armored samurai marching through the countryside.
The lord had finally responded.
In the rebel camp, the atmosphere had grown tense.
Scouts were sent farther into the surrounding hills. Guards were posted at the outer edges of the forest day and night. Even the younger members of the group began carrying real weapons instead of training blades.
The rebellion had grown strong.
But now it had also become a target.
Early one morning, Ren rushed into the clearing where Toya and the others were training.
"Toya!"
Toya lowered his sword.
Ren rarely sounded this serious.
"What happened?" Toya asked.
Ren caught his breath before answering.
"There's a new commander."
Daichi frowned.
"A commander?"
Ren nodded.
"The lord sent someone from the capital."
Aiko's expression darkened.
"That's not good."
Ren continued, lowering his voice.
"They say he's not like the other samurai we've fought."
Toya crossed his arms.
"What do you mean?"
Ren looked toward the forest.
"They call him The White Fang."
Two days later, the rebels learned why.
A scout stumbled back into camp just before sunset.
Blood covered his sleeve.
"Toya!" he gasped.
The entire camp rushed toward him.
"What happened?" Daichi demanded.
The scout struggled to breathe.
"…Our eastern group."
Aiko's eyes widened.
"They were attacked."
"By how many?"
The scout shook his head slowly.
"…One."
The camp fell silent.
Ren frowned.
"That's impossible."
The scout collapsed to his knees.
"He moved like a ghost."
"He cut through six of us before anyone could react."
Toya knelt beside him.
"Did you see his armor?"
The scout nodded weakly.
"…White."
The man arrived the next day.
The forest road was quiet when he stepped into it.
He wore clean white armor with dark markings along the shoulders. A long sword hung at his side, the blade slightly curved like a predator's fang.
His hair was tied behind his head, and his eyes were calm—almost bored.
This was the man the soldiers called The White Fang.
His real name was Kenshiro.
Behind him, a group of imperial samurai waited cautiously.
One of them spoke nervously.
"Commander Kenshiro… the rebels hide somewhere in this forest."
Kenshiro glanced toward the trees.
"I know."
The soldier swallowed.
"They've defeated many of our patrols."
Kenshiro began walking toward the forest without hesitation.
"Then they'll be disappointed."
The soldiers exchanged uneasy looks.
In the rebel camp, Toya gathered the group together.
Everyone stood quietly as the injured scout explained what had happened.
Daichi clenched his fists.
"So one man killed six of ours?"
The scout nodded.
Ren looked toward Toya.
"That's bad."
Toya stood silently for a moment.
Then he turned toward the forest.
"Prepare the camp."
Aiko frowned.
"You're expecting him to come here?"
Toya nodded.
"If he's hunting us… he won't stop."
Daichi grabbed his sword.
"Then we ambush him like the others."
Toya shook his head slowly.
"…No."
Everyone looked at him.
"This one is different."
The scout's trembling voice confirmed it.
"He cut through our formation like it was nothing."
Toya looked down at the ground.
Years of battle had sharpened his instincts.
And those instincts were warning him.
"This man is dangerous."
Ren sighed.
"So what's the plan?"
Toya raised his head.
"We move the camp tonight."
Murmurs spread among the rebels.
Daichi frowned.
"You want us to run?"
Toya's voice remained calm.
"This isn't running."
"It's survival."
He looked toward the forest again.
"We'll fight him eventually."
"But not on his terms."
Night fell.
The rebel camp quietly began packing supplies and weapons.
Torches were extinguished.
Huts were abandoned.
Within hours, the clearing that once served as their base looked empty.
But far away, hidden among the tall trees, Toya stood watching the path leading into the forest.
Beside him were Ren, Daichi, and Aiko.
Ren spoke quietly.
"…You think he'll come?"
Toya didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he listened to the wind moving through the trees.
Then he spoke.
"He's already here."
Footsteps echoed from the darkness.
A tall figure stepped into the moonlight.
White armor gleamed faintly beneath the silver glow.
Kenshiro looked around the empty clearing.
Then his eyes slowly turned toward the trees where Toya stood hidden.
For a brief moment, the two leaders looked at each other across the silent forest.
Kenshiro smiled faintly.
"…So you're the rebel leader."
Toya stepped forward slowly, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"And you must be the lord's hunter."
The wind rustled through the leaves.
Neither moved.
Two swordsmen.
Two paths.
And both understood the same thing.
Sooner or later—
One of them would die.
Kenshiro turned away slightly.
"…Run while you still can."
Toya didn't respond.
The commander began walking deeper into the forest.
But before disappearing into the darkness, he spoke once more.
"I'll find you."
The forest fell silent again.
Ren exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
"That guy's terrifying."
Daichi nodded.
"No kidding."
Toya continued staring into the darkness where the commander had disappeared.
For the first time in years—
He had met an enemy who felt truly dangerous.
And deep in his heart, Toya knew something.
The rebellion had just entered a far more dangerous war.