Morning arrived quietly in the forest.
But unlike the peaceful mornings of the past, the rebel camp was already awake long before the sun rose above the trees.
Weapons were being sharpened.
Ropes were tied between branches.
Hidden pits were dug into the earth and carefully covered with leaves.
This was no ordinary preparation.
This was a hunt.
And the target was not an army.
It was one man.
Toya stood near the center of the forest clearing, examining the traps being prepared.
Daichi wiped sweat from his forehead as he finished tying a rope between two trees.
"If this doesn't stop him," he muttered, "nothing will."
Ren sat in the branches above, testing the tension of his bowstring.
"You sound worried."
Daichi snorted.
"You weren't there when he cut down six of our men."
Ren shrugged slightly.
"Fair point."
Nearby, Aiko quietly handed out small blades and tools to the rebels who would help trigger the traps.
Unlike the others, she remained calm.
But even she knew the truth.
Today's battle would decide something important.
If Kenshiro continued hunting them like this, the rebellion would slowly fall apart.
Toya finished inspecting the final trap and turned toward the group.
"Everyone knows their position?"
Several voices answered.
"Yes."
"Good."
Toya pointed toward the narrow trail leading deeper into the forest.
"He'll come from that direction."
Ren tilted his head.
"You sound pretty confident."
Toya answered simply.
"He wants to fight."
The forest grew quiet again.
Everyone waited.
Not far away, Kenshiro walked slowly along the forest path.
The White Fang's footsteps were calm and steady.
He had followed the rebels for days now.
Studying them.
Learning how they moved.
How they hid.
How they fought.
They were far more organized than ordinary bandits.
Which only made this more interesting.
Kenshiro stopped for a moment.
The air felt different.
The forest was too quiet.
"…So this is your answer," he murmured.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
Without hesitation, he continued walking forward.
Back in the clearing, Ren suddenly raised his hand.
"He's coming."
Every rebel froze.
Through the trees, the white armor appeared between the shadows.
Kenshiro stepped calmly into the clearing.
His eyes scanned the area once.
Then he laughed quietly.
"…You're not even hiding."
Toya stepped forward.
Behind him, dozens of rebels waited silently in the trees.
"This ends today," Toya said.
Kenshiro tilted his head slightly.
"Does it?"
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then Toya raised his hand.
"Now."
The forest exploded into motion.
Ropes snapped tight between the trees.
Hidden logs swung down from above.
Arrows rained from the branches.
But Kenshiro moved like flowing water.
He stepped aside from the falling log.
Cut through the ropes with a single strike.
And deflected two arrows before they could reach him.
Within seconds, the first wave of traps had already failed.
Ren stared from the tree branch above.
"…That's ridiculous."
Kenshiro dashed forward.
In a blur of steel, he cut down two rebels rushing toward him.
Their blades never even touched him.
Daichi charged next with a roar.
Their swords clashed violently.
Daichi's strength pushed Kenshiro back one step—
But only one.
Kenshiro twisted his blade and struck Daichi across the chest.
Daichi collapsed onto one knee.
Toya moved instantly.
His sword met Kenshiro's with a sharp metallic crack.
The two blades locked together.
For the first time, Kenshiro truly looked at him.
"…So you're the leader."
Toya said nothing.
Their swords separated.
Then the real duel began.
Steel flashed again and again beneath the forest canopy.
Toya's strikes were fast and disciplined.
Years of battle had sharpened his technique.
But Kenshiro was different.
Every movement he made was precise.
Effortless.
Their swords clashed again.
Toya slid backward across the dirt.
Kenshiro smiled slightly.
"You're good."
"Better than the others."
"But not enough."
He stepped forward again.
Their blades collided once more.
This time Toya managed to cut across Kenshiro's shoulder armor.
A shallow line appeared.
For the first time, Kenshiro's expression changed.
"…Interesting."
Behind them, the rebels struggled to regroup.
Ren fired another arrow.
Kenshiro knocked it aside without looking.
The battle continued to spiral into chaos.
Toya's breathing grew heavier with each clash.
He realized something terrifying.
Even with all their traps…
Even with all their fighters…
They still might lose.
The White Fang stepped forward again, his blade cutting through the air like lightning.
Toya barely blocked the strike.
The impact sent him sliding across the ground.
Kenshiro lowered his sword slightly.
"…You're strong."
"But strength alone cannot win a war."
Toya slowly stood again.
His grip tightened on the sword.
Around them, the rebels watched in tense silence.
This duel would decide everything.
The forest wind blew through the clearing.
And once again—
Two blades rose beneath the shadow of the trees.