The forest no longer felt safe.
For years, the rebels had moved through the trees like shadows, striking patrols and vanishing before the empire could respond. The forest had been their shield, their home, and their greatest advantage.
Now it had become a hunting ground.
And they were the prey.
Three days passed after the appearance of the man in white armor.
During those days, Toya ordered the rebels to split into smaller groups and move constantly through the forest.
No fires at night.
No loud training.
No unnecessary movement.
The once lively rebel camp had become quiet and cautious.
Ren sat on a fallen log sharpening his arrowheads with a small knife.
"You know," he muttered, "I liked it better when the soldiers were idiots."
Daichi snorted from nearby.
"Yeah. They were easier to kill."
Aiko glanced toward the trees surrounding them.
"This one is different."
Ren sighed.
"You keep saying that."
Aiko didn't answer.
Instead, she stared deeper into the forest.
Something about the silence bothered her.
The forest felt… wrong.
Several miles away, Kenshiro walked calmly along a narrow trail.
The White Fang moved like a man on a casual stroll rather than a hunter tracking a rebel army.
But his eyes missed nothing.
Broken branches.
Footprints in the dirt.
A faint mark where a blade had scraped against bark.
He crouched beside the trail and touched the ground.
"Still warm."
He stood slowly.
"They're close."
Behind him, two imperial soldiers shifted nervously.
"Commander Kenshiro… should we call for reinforcements?"
Kenshiro didn't even turn around.
"No."
The soldier hesitated.
"But the rebels could have dozens of fighters."
Kenshiro began walking again.
"Then it will take longer."
Back in the forest, Toya stood beside a stream, studying a rough map drawn in the dirt.
Daichi crouched beside him.
"You think he'll attack tonight?"
Toya shook his head.
"No."
Ren walked over with his bow resting on his shoulder.
"You seem pretty sure about that."
Toya pointed toward the map.
"If I were hunting rebels, I wouldn't attack the main group first."
Aiko understood immediately.
"He'll isolate people."
Toya nodded.
"Pick off the smaller groups."
Daichi cursed under his breath.
"That means—"
A scream echoed through the forest.
Everyone froze.
Ren's head snapped toward the sound.
"…West side."
Toya grabbed his sword instantly.
"Move!"
They arrived too late.
The small clearing where one of their patrol groups had been resting was silent.
Three rebels lay motionless on the ground.
A fourth leaned against a tree, barely breathing.
Blood covered his chest.
"Toya…" the injured rebel whispered weakly.
Toya knelt beside him.
"What happened?"
The man struggled to speak.
"…White armor…"
"He appeared out of nowhere."
Daichi clenched his fists.
"Damn it."
Ren scanned the trees nervously.
"Where is he now?"
The injured rebel coughed weakly.
"…Gone."
His body went still.
The forest grew quiet again.
Aiko closed the man's eyes gently.
Ren kicked a nearby stone in frustration.
"He's toying with us."
Toya stood slowly.
His face remained calm.
But inside, anger was beginning to rise.
That night, the rebels gathered in a hidden part of the forest.
The mood was heavy.
Whispers spread among the group.
Some were afraid.
Others were furious.
Daichi slammed his fist into a tree.
"We can't keep letting him do this!"
Ren nodded.
"He's picking us apart."
Aiko looked toward Toya.
"What's the plan?"
Toya didn't answer right away.
Instead, he stared into the darkness beyond the trees.
For the first time since the rebellion began, they had encountered an enemy who could truly challenge them.
But Toya had fought long enough to understand something important.
Even the best hunters made mistakes.
"…We stop running," Toya finally said.
Everyone looked at him.
Daichi frowned.
"You want to fight him?"
Toya shook his head.
"No."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"…Then what?"
Toya drew a small circle in the dirt with a stick.
"We hunt him."
Silence fell across the group.
Aiko tilted her head slightly.
"How?"
Toya looked toward the forest.
"He's confident."
"He thinks he's the hunter."
Toya stabbed the stick into the center of the circle.
"So we give him exactly what he wants."
Ren slowly began to grin.
"…A trap."
Daichi cracked his knuckles.
"Now you're talking."
Toya stood and looked around at the rebels.
"For years we've fought soldiers who rely on numbers."
"But this man relies on skill."
The wind rustled through the trees.
"So we stop fighting like rebels."
His hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
"And start fighting like hunters."
Somewhere deep in the forest, Kenshiro paused while walking along a quiet path.
He looked up at the moon shining through the branches.
For the first time since entering the forest—
He felt something interesting.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"…Good."
The hunt was finally becoming entertaining.