Katsuo was sitting down on a rock outside the castle. There was nothing much to do now but think about how to deal with this mess. He just wanted the silence of the outside — inside the castle was just suffocating right now. He couldn’t think. But most of all, he couldn’t wallow in his grief there.

  There was no one left to actually lead the castle but him. All was up to him now. He just couldn’t think straight at the moment and needed some peaceful personal space. Never in his life had he ?encountered something this dire. Where it could bring Hokunoa to the brink.

  First it was the lord’s son. Katsuo was quite well acquainted with that young man. Upon learning of his sudden death, it didn’t make sense; he couldn’t accept it. Never did he imagine that the son of the lord would die that day, and during a great event. He at the very least thought enemies would target the lord itself first.

  Well, even if Yuki died, at least the lord was still alive and present. But then that small bit of relief was taken away immediately. Everyone realized too late that the lord had been assassinated. Right beside his own son’s corpse. Nothing could be more cruel. Both families were dead. No one remained to take over the seat of the lord.

  He placed a hand on his forehead. To make the situation even worse, the master ninja, the man who had been at the lord’s side as a close ally for a long time, was dead. Too many deaths of such important people in a short amount of time. Katsuo felt everything was crumbling apart too fast. With Seiji gone, now it was absolute that there would be no one to reel in the other clan lords, or those with too much ambition.

  All because of that representative from Nishinoa. It all started with her. But that was even made worse with that girl from another land. What he believed was right; involving further with her would only bring more trouble than it’s worth.

  Why did this have to happen? Why did she have to get involved?

  It was just ridiculous. He had believed he had got rid of her, only for her to come back later and ruin everything. Not that he could just go and order everyone to hunt them. He felt it would all be futile. Besides, there was no lord to order such a thing. Katsuo still had to worry about the internal turmoil that was about to come.

  How do I even get to solve this?

  It was impossible. Once the other clan lords or elders ever hear of what happened, it will all begin. No one would just accept another assuming the position of lord. They would fight for that title. At the very least, all Katsuo could do was mitigate the damage.

  But how would he even do that? He didn’t know.

  Is the only option here to face it head-on?

  What a dreadful notion.

  What the hell are they even doing here of all places?

  What were those monsters doing here? And even helping Nishinoa. Did they make a deal? Was this an indirect attempt at invasion? Why cause all this chaos?

  How am I even going to announce the death of both the lord and his son?

  Even the people had to know eventually.

  Civil war is inevitable.

  Then what was the only option left for him? It was to protect himself and those at his side. He wanted to prevent the island's destruction, but there was no way he could do that by himself. The thought of becoming a lord himself was not something he was eager to do. The cost it would incur to him and to others would be too great. Furthermore, if he did that, he wouldn’t be different from the others — power hungry and ambitious. And he would be playing into the enemy’s hands by fighting against his people.

  But what if it was the only choice?

  Dammit. I should have remained back at Mahana.

  It was simpler back there.

  At any rate, it would seem it’s best to prioritize my own people’s safety. Focus on defense.

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  Not like announcing neutrality would certainly work. There may be others who would want Katsuo’s support or force him to submit. It was best to prepare for whatever danger ?might come. And thus, he started contemplating ??the steps that he should take from this moment forward.

  It was then that his lieutenant, Minori, arrived with a grave expression.

  “Commander, their corpses have been cleaned and been switched to proper clothing.”

  Katsuo nodded. “How’s Jin?”

  “He’s holding up well. But I’m sure he’s just keeping things in.”

  “... I see.”

  “The death of their master is something hard to keep from the ninjas. As you might expect, word has started to spread among them. It won’t be long before it spreads out further.”

  “Not surprising… So, what are you here for exactly? Surely that’s not what you came here for.”

  “... We have a guest. One ?we wouldn’t want right now. It’s Kugo.”

  Katsuo let out a frustrated sigh. “He must have heard of the commotion.” And he had come to investigate.

  “Where is he?”

  “For now, just asking questions about what happened last night.”

  Katsuo stood up. “He’s up to no good. Best to drive him away for the time being. I’ll handle it.”

  Not like there was anyone else who could do it.

  Along with Minori, he left the area and made his way to where Minori had seen Kugo last. However, on the way, they came across a group of ninjas. They immediately rushed towards Katsuo.

  “Lord Katsuo! Why are we just doing nothing here?”

  Katsuo raised an eyebrow. “What do you intend to do?”

  “Revenge! We need to get revenge on whoever did this.”

  “That’s right, we need to find that person!”

  Katsuo frowned. “If she killed your master, what makes you think you can defeat her?”

  “All of us will go after her. We will overwhelm her.”

  “That is foolish.”

  “It’s better than letting her go without making her pay. Do you really intend to just leave her be?”

  “For now, yes,” Katsuo answered.

  “That’s absurd! We can’t just let the criminals go after all that they have done to us.”

  “That is my order.”

  The ninjas glanced at each other.

  “Our master is dead, he is the one that we had always followed. Without him, we should follow the biddings of the lord. But there is no one left to follow. Both our master and the lord are gone.”

  “...” Katsuo fell silent.

  “Lord Katsuo, with all due respect, you’re not exactly our superior. You were not officially designated as one, nor are you part of our clan.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “... It means we do not need to follow you.”

  Ah, it’s already begun.

  There were going to be others who might think like this. It was not like Katsuo could completely stop them, they were not his men. They belonged to a clan with no leader. Seiji had no heirs or inheritors of his position whatsoever. The most likely person these ninjas would follow would be the strongest among them. However, some of them might have different ideas.

  “You’re right. In that case, what are you going to do?”

  They all looked at each other.

  “We’re hunting down the person who killed our master.”

  “... Is that the purpose you will set upon yourselves?”

  “I don’t know about the others, but for us, it will be.”

  “But I’m sure there are more that will seek the same,” another ninja added.

  With that, the ninjas left. Katsuo let out a sigh and glanced at Minori.

  “We also have to think about our own. Hire stray ninjas that might be willing to join my army.”

  “Under your army? What about the Eternal Shores?”

  “They will start fighting among themselves. We will focus on ourselves and our faction. And that is under my banner, my army.”

  “... I see. Understood. But most of our men are on Mahana.”

  “We should still have plenty of time. And we’ll bolster our forces however we can to prepare for the storm.”

  They continued on their way until they found Kugo walking around. When the latter saw Katsuo, he frowned in displeasure.

  “Of course, you’d be here for me.”

  “Kugo, I don’t recall your presence being summoned, nor did you announce your visit.”

  Kugo shrugged. “I heard what happened, and wanted to check if things are okay.”

  “Everything is alright. So, I suggest you promptly leave and stop poking your nose into the castle’s business.”

  Kugo glanced away. “I’ve noticed that everyone is strangely tight-lipped. The ninjas are in a gloomy mood. What happened exactly?”

  “The castle will announce when it’s time.”

  Kugo stared at him for a moment, seemingly suspicious. “I’d like to check up on the lord’s status. Surely the attack at the castle was meant for targeting him.”

  “Not now.”

  Kugo stomped his foot forward, glaring at Katsuo. “What the fuck are you hiding here, Katsuo? What happened?”

  “Details will be announced when the situation is clear.”

  Kugo shook his head. “Oh, something is clear to me, alright. I’ve not seen Seiji when all his ninjas are scattered all over. Didn’t even see the young lord. Everyone here being tight-lipped tells me something dire happened.”

  “You’re overthinking it.”

  “Don’t fucking give me that, you bastard. Is the lord alive?”

  “...”

  “Don’t fucking lie to me. I’ll know when you do.”

  “You are quick to jump to conclusions. Return to your home.”

  “Who the fuck are you for me to obey, hah?! You think because the lord had you up close you’re now some kind of big shot? You can’t order me around. I ain’t your damn underling.”

  “If the lord ever hears of the commotion you’re causing, he’ll be displeased.”

  Kugo clicked his tongue. He pointed his finger at Katsuo as he slowly stepped backward. “You’re hiding something. And I’m gonna find out.”

  I suspect it won’t be long before he finds out.

  With that, Kugo left.

  “That’s just Kugo,” Minori said. “How will you deal with the other clan heads and elders?”

  “... I do not know.”

  At the very least, we should have a proper burial ceremony before it all falls apart…