The heavy iron doors of the detention hall groaned open.
Two elite guards entered and unbound Kanashimi's legs, though his wrists remained tightly tied with suppression ropes. They half-dragged, half-supported his weakened body through the long stone corridors. Every step sent fresh pain through his wounds, but Kanashimi remained silent, head slightly bowed.
They brought him into the Grand Discussion Chamber — a circular room carved deep inside the mountain. Eleven tall stone seats formed a half-circle under a domed ceiling painted with ancient battle murals. Floating silver lanterns illuminated the space with cold, unforgiving light.
Eleven elders were already seated.
At the center sat Elder Mizu, the head of the council, his face stern and wrinkled with age. To his right was Master Hikaru, looking calm but tense. The others included:
Elder Raijin – stern, lightning-specialist
Elder Kaede – calm, nature-aligned
Elder Tsubaki – sharp-tongued, traditionalist
Elder Gendo – bulky, battle-hardened
Elder Shiro – quiet, analytical
Elder Fumiko – the only female elder, known for her wisdom
Elder Katsu – aggressive and loud Elder Reina – young but influential Elder Haruto – oldest member, nearly blind but highly respected
Kanashimi was forced to kneel in the center of the circle, wrists still bound. The cold stone bit into his knees.
Elder Mizu spoke first, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"Kanashimi Oketo. You stand accused of betrayal, desertion, and the attempted violation of a fellow fighter. How do you plead?"
Kanashimi lifted his head slowly. His voice was weak but steady.
"I am innocent of the crime I was accused of."
Murmurs spread among the elders.
Elder Katsu slammed his fist on the armrest. "Lies! We have witnesses from that mission!"
Master Hikaru raised his hand, silencing the room. His voice was calm but carried heavy authority.
"Before we proceed with old accusations, I believe we must address new information that came to light last night."
He looked directly at Elder Mizu.
"Kage Oketo — Kanashimi's elder brother — appeared. He revealed that Shime framed Kanashimi on orders related to a larger threat. She did it to protect the village from an organization that wanted Kanashimi's Special Arts. The rape accusation was fabricated."
The chamber erupted.
Elder Tsubaki scoffed loudly. "Kage Oketo? A known traitor himself? And we are supposed to believe his words?"
Elder Fumiko raised an eyebrow. "If this is true, then the village may have punished an innocent man for three years."
Elder Gendo growled, "Even if the framing happened, he still ran away like a coward and abandoned his duties!"
Master Hikaru's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"I am not defending everything Kanashimi did. He ran. He hid. He deserted. For that, he must be punished. But the most serious accusation — the rape — was false. Fabricated by Shime on the orders of C. Oketo, Yuna's own elder brother."
The name "C. Oketo" caused visible shock among several elders.
Elder Mizu narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"Those are very serious claims, Hikaru. Do you have proof beyond the words of another traitor?"
Hikaru looked at Kanashimi, then back at the council.
"I have Yuna's testimony. She confronted Kage herself. She heard the same story."
Elder Raijin leaned forward. "Even if the rape charge was false, he still broke multiple laws. He must be executed or imprisoned for life."
Master Hikaru stood up slowly, his presence commanding respect.
"I agree he must be punished. But not for a crime he did not commit. We have already destroyed three years of his life, and Yuna's, based on lies. Let us not compound that injustice with execution. Imprison him. Strip him of rank. Make him serve the village in chains if needed. But do not kill an innocent man just to save face."
Elder Katsu shouted, "He is dangerous! His powers are too great!"
Elder Fumiko spoke softly but firmly, "And what of the child? Haru Oketo? Will we orphan him completely?"
The discussion grew heated. Voices overlapped. Accusations flew. Defenses were shouted down.
Kanashimi remained kneeling in the center, head bowed, listening to his fate being decided.
Kanashimi's inner thoughts:
They're arguing about whether I deserve to live or die…While Haru is somewhere out there, probably crying and calling for me.Master… please… at least protect him.
After nearly an hour of fierce debate, Elder Mizu raised his hand for silence.
"We will deliberate. Kanashimi Oketo will remain in detention until a verdict is reached. Take him back."
The chamber fell into a tense hush after Elder Mizu's declaration.
Kanashimi, still kneeling in the center with his wrists bound, slowly lifted his head. Blood had dried on his lips and chin. His voice came out weak, but surprisingly clear.
"Elder Mizu… may I say something?"
Mizu narrowed his eyes, clearly impatient.
"You may speak. But do not waste our time."
Kanashimi took a slow, painful breath and spoke with quiet honesty.
"Just like Elder Katsu shouted… 'He is dangerous! His powers are too great!'… I want to tell you all something. In these three years of running, I have lost most of my Special Arts. What was once thirteen has decreased to only six or seven. Many techniques I can no longer remember or control properly."
He paused, his voice growing heavier.
"And… I have killed more than a hundred people in the last three years. Not because I wanted to. But because they came after me and Haru. Most of them wanted my powers… some wanted to rip out my heart for my Infinite Drops… and others wanted the village arts I carry. I killed them all just to keep my little brother alive."
A heavy, stunned silence filled the chamber.
Several elders shifted uncomfortably. Even Elder Katsu looked momentarily surprised.
Master Hikaru closed his eyes for a brief second, his expression pained.
Master Hikaru's inner thoughts:
I am trying so hard to save you, you foolish boy…And here you are, practically begging them to execute you.
Elder Mizu stared at Kanashimi for a long moment, his face unreadable. Finally, he spoke.
"The charge of attempted rape… has no solid proof beyond the original testimony. Therefore, that particular accusation will not be considered in your final sentencing."
A few elders murmured in disagreement, but none openly protested.
Mizu continued, his voice cold and final.
"However, you openly admit to desertion, hiding from the village, and killing over a hundred people — many of whom may have been connected to our world. These are grave crimes. You will be punished accordingly."
He struck his staff against the stone floor once.
"Kanashimi Oketo will remain imprisoned in the detention hall until further notice. His powers will stay suppressed. He will not be executed… for now. But he will face judgment for his actions. The child Haru will be placed under village care."
Master Hikaru stood up immediately.
"Elder Mizu, I request permission to visit him regularly. The boy needs guidance."
Mizu gave a reluctant nod.
"Granted. But only under supervision."
As the guards moved to take Kanashimi back to his cell, he looked toward Master Hikaru with tired, grateful eyes.
Kanashimi's inner thoughts:
At least… they dropped the worst accusation.At least Haru won't grow up thinking his brother was a monster who hurt women.That's enough for me.
As he was dragged away, his last thought was of Haru's smiling face.
I'm sorry, Haru…Big brother might not come home for a long time.