HPDBC Chapter 26: Captive Hearts
Chapter 26: Captive Hearts
Chapter 26: Captive Hearts
Isamu smirked again, his competitive nature flaring up once more. "And if they refuse our terms? What then? Do we even have any proof of our innocence?"
"Then war will be inevitable," Haruto said.
"War changes everything," Miku said quietly, breaking her silence. "We must be prepared not just for battle but also for its aftermath—the suffering it will bring to our people."
Miku's expression remained stoic as she considered the implications of their decisions. War would not only claim lives but also disrupt families and communities across their kingdom.
"I can't let the same thing that happened to me happen to other families," Miku promised herself.
Haruto cleared his throat, redirecting everyone's attention. "Fumio should manage the economy of Higashihara moving forward."
Every clan leader nodded in agreement.
"Well, if I am given this esteemed role, then I shall fulfill it! You will see, Lady Yotsuba, how this country blossoms into a prosperous paradise," Fumio declared proudly, puffing out his chest.
Miku did not even glance in his direction.
"Can I make a request?" Kiko asked.
"Yes, of course," replied Haruto.
"Then please allow me to accompany Lady Yotsuba!" Kiko Sasaki exclaimed confidently.
"Lady Sasaki, are you certain?" Haruto asked.
"Yes, I am certain!" Kiko replied, exhaling heavily through her nose.
"And I suppose you don't mind, Lady Yotsuba?" Haruto inquired.
"Do as you please, but I won't take responsibility for anyone," Miku stated.
"I guess that's a yes," Haruto responded.
"She is so impressive!" Fumio thought as he looked at Miku.
"Then, if Lord Kenshin is going to the Bestia Kingdom with his samurais and Lady Yotsuba is heading to the Draconis Empire with Lady Sasaki and her samurai..."
"Wait, if I go to the Draconis Empire with that fool, then that monkey girl will also follow us."
"May I suggest something?" Miku interjected.
"Yes, Lady Yotsuba."
"I know someone who is very familiar with the Bestia Kingdom; it might be beneficial," Miku explained.
"Yes, that would be very helpful," Isamu agreed.
"That reminds me, why did you only bring one samurai?" Haruto asked.
"I thought there was no need for more than him," Miku replied calmly.
"What's his name, by the way?" Haruto questioned.
"His name is—"
"What was it? That kid calls him 'sensei,' and I haven't heard the old woman speak his name either," Miku thought blankly.
"You should ask him yourself; I don't like speaking on behalf of others," Miku said with a straight face, a drop of sweat rolling down her temple.
"I see; then I guess I should ask him myself," Haruto acknowledged.
"By the way, does everyone agree with me staying here to prepare for the war just in case and to find clues for Kaal's mission?" Haruto asked.
"Yes, I think that would be great," Isamu said.
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
"And Katsu, have you discovered anything from that Kaal we found?" Isamu asked.
"No sir, we are still awaiting his awakening," Katsu replied.
"He can provide us with crucial information," Haruto noted.
"But why did they even leave him here?" Isamu queried.
"Whatever the reason may be, we need to remain vigilant. That same reason could be the cause of war because I believe the Draconis Empire knows that reason; that's why they see us as an alliance to the Kaals for some reason," Haruto replied.
"Now we don't know how they will react to the news of the emperor's death," Haruto added.
"Yes, the Kaals are very dangerous," Isamu said with a smirk.
"I know what that smirk is about; you just want to fight those Kaals again, don't you?" Haruto said.
"O-Of course not!" Isamu replied, sipping his tea. "Ugh... this tea is bitter!" he shouted.
At that moment, a man entered the room and whispered into Katsu's ear.
"I have bad news, respected clan leaders."
After saying that, they all followed Katsu to the lower floor and into a yard on the other side of the castle. When they arrived, they saw five bodies on the ground covered with blankets.
"Gasp..." Kiko was terrified at the sight.
"Who are these men, Katsu?" Haruto asked.
"These were ninjas we sent to keep an eye on the movements of the Draconis Empire."
"I see..." Haruto said and put his hands together to pray for their souls.
Miku spoke, her expression resolute. "We need to strengthen our defenses and gather intelligence on their movements. If they believe we are vulnerable, they may strike before we are ready."
"First, you take the baby seed and plant it in the field. Then you water it and take care of it for nine months until it grows."
"Once the baby is fully grown, you just pluck it out like vegetables," Felix finished explaining.
A silence followed his explanation, and after a few moments, loud laughter erupted from the infirmary hall. Laughter is the best medicine after all, people thought as they passed by the infirmary hall.
"And about your lady, only her Zor aura was different than before; that much I can say," Isamu said.
"Aura was different?" Felix looked confused.
"Wait—you mean you don't know how to sense the Zor aura of a person?" Isamu asked incredulously.
Everyone present was shocked by Felix's words; some wondered how he could even be a samurai if he didn't know how to sense someone's Zor aura.
"I can feel a bit of tingling if that counts," Felix said earnestly with a straight face.
"Why do I feel like I am talking to a child?" Isamu thought at Felix's earnestness.
"To think that you're the only samurai Miku brought and you don't know how to sense someone's Zor aura!" Haruto said while fidgeting with his white beard.
"He is the only one representing the Yotsuba clan!?" Hayate was even more surprised.
"And you weren't even at 10% of the speed of the Kaals," Haruto added.
Even after hearing these words, Felix stayed composed; he thought that if he got in trouble, so be it—but he wouldn't allow anything to fall on Miku, remembering her warning.
"I will just tell him that I'm a new samurai here to be trained in samurai etiquette," Felix thought of excuses.
"So... I've decided that I will train you alongside Isamu," Haruto declared boldly.
"What!? Training? I don't need training!" Isamu shouted at Haruto's words.
"You were in pretty bad shape after the fight, weren't you?" Haruto questioned Isamu.
"That always happens in fights," Isamu said while crossing his arms and turning his face away.
"I guess he didn't suspect me. Whatever it is, I can't fight them; they are far stronger than me, and I don't know if they have their Zor releases or what their powers are," Felix contemplates.
"Hmm... This is the man she was talking about, huh? His Zor energy level is so high it could even be above the Himura brothers' Zor energy levels combined—I wonder what his fate will be," Haruto ponders thoughtfully.
"What are you up to, Mistress of Fate?"
"A-And he's getting trained by Lord Haruto now? What's happening?" Hayate is beyond shocked.
"But what about Lady Miku? Will she allow it?" Felix asks.
"Don't worry about her; she doesn't mind," Haruto said confidently. "I guess," he whispered.
"Ugh..." The light blue-haired samurai got up from his futon, who had heard all the conversations.
He got up, slightly losing his balance, and holding his head as if it hurt a lot.
"What about me, master? What am I supposed to do?" he asked with determination in his striking brown eyes.
"Relax, Yuri; this isn't something you will do alone. You all play important parts in this," Haruto explains patiently.
"Yes, master. Forgive me." Yuri bowed slightly.
"First, I want to tell you that you'll be traveling. Some will go with Lady Yotsuba and Sasaki, while others will accompany Lord Isamu," Haruto announces decisively.
"Hey! Since when can you use my first name?" Isamu protests indignantly at Haruto's casualness.
"Because you're my student now," Haruto replies nonchalantly.
"I never agreed to that!" Isamu shouts back defiantly.
[Smack-Thud]
Haruto smacks Isamu on the head hard enough to knock him out and break through the wooden floor below. "Shut up and let me finish talking here!"
"Yuri, Nene, and Sei will be going with Lord Isamu," Haruto continues without missing a beat.
"Hayate will go with Lady Yotsuba's group," he adds matter-of-factly.
"Even he is calling me Sei!" Sei exclaims dramatically while shedding copious tears.
"It's all your fault, Four Eyes!" Sei shouts at Nene.
"Who are you calling Four Eyes, you mushroom head!" Nene shouted back at Sei.
[Bam-Grit]
They collided their heads while gritting their teeth.
[Clap]
"The rest of you will also have special training with someone strong," Haruto said. "This is not a normal situation we are in; we are at the brink of war," he stated seriously.
Immediately everyone's face turned serious as they understood the gravity of the situation.
"Now, you pick him up and come with me," Haruto signaled for Felix to get Isamu.
"Hey, be careful with Lord Isamu," Nene said dramatically.
Felix nodded and slowly picked Isamu up onto his shoulder.
"I wish you the best, brother," Hayate said encouragingly to Felix.
"I want to see you stronger than you already are and have a sparring match with me," Hayate added with a grin.
[Puff-Puff]
Felix smiled at Hayate's words, and they fist-bumped each other before Felix left the hall with Haruto and Isamu to prepare for what awaited him next.