Japan — Aokigahara Forest — 18th of December 2023 — Night

  The rift closed behind Kooshima as his feet touched the soft soil and grass of Earth.

  I have forgotten how beautiful the soul of nature is.

  Kooshima sat on his knees. The obsidian blade rested quietly on his belt. Grey claws brushed the ground as wind laced its fingers through his. A small bird with white and dark-blue feathers hopped gently toward his hand, pecking at it with its tiny beak, then glancing up at Kooshima with small black eyes. The dim light of the moon filtered through the countless trees, illuminating the darker feathers of the bird.

  What a gentle way to approach, little guy.

  Kooshima nodded. The bird stared at him for a few extra seconds before pecking his hand once more.

  "This will be my first step toward befriending my own soul. I hope you can guide me through this, Uzubachi Tengen." His eyes lifted to the endless stars, to the moon keeping watch over those who live by the dark, its silver light washing over him.

  "For what it's worth… I will not let Binder, nor any Chaos Bringer, ruin this peace for our people." A single tear fell from his eye, caught by the wind and carried away from his cheek.

  His other hand rose to touch the path the tear had traced, feeling the weight of the moment—the moonlight, the forest, and the bird now nuzzled quietly into his palm.

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  Aokigahara Forest — 19th of December 2023 — Early Morning

  Small rays of sun broke through the clouds, floating silently in the air.

  Kooshima blinked slowly at the sleeping bird tucked into the fold of his mantle. First Lolita… now you?

  His head fell back against the tree he leaned on. Eyes drifted toward the sun, rising slowly in the distance. The wheel of time is always mischievous, isn't it?

  His thumb brushed gently over the bird's wings, then lifted its body to place it carefully on the ground.

  "Tengen is waiting for me, little bird. But we will meet again." He smiled.

  At least, that's what I hope will happen.

  With that, he rose from the ground, leaving the forest of Aokigahara behind as he walked toward the dojo. Rays of sun now warmed the path and his skin beneath their golden light.

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  Mount Takao, Dojo of Bōgu no Ken — 19th of December 2023

  "Hey! Hey!" multiple students shouted in unison as they swung their swords in sweeping arcs.

  "Not like that, Sota." Tengen adjusted Sota's legs and hands with his wooden stick.

  "Loosen your grip slightly, so your shoulders and elbow can recoil into a more powerful strike. Like this." He demonstrated, his hand moving into position. "Now you deliver it."

  With a decisive strike, wind followed behind his blade. The forest around the dojo seemed to fall silent. All the students watched in stunned awe.

  "W-wow…" Sota murmured, lowering his blade and bowing to Tengen. "Thank you, Master!"

  "You are very welcome, Sota." Tengen smiled, patting his shoulder. Then, his smile faltered. His eyes darted toward the distant shadows of the forest. "Kooshima…" his voice faded in the wind.

  "Master, did you say something?" one of the other students asked.

  "No, Yuta. Let's get back to training."

  He glanced at the shadows one more time. Not now, Kooshima. Not in front of my apprentices.