But this was a new day, and he wanted more.
Ryukage placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and bowed low to Masaru. “You may have whatever you wish.”
Good.
Bowing low to the one creature wanted dead by most everyone, Masaru inclined his head, then quickly took his leave.
He didn’t know how much time he had before his actions were discovered. But he could already feel himself growing stronger from the bargain he’d just made.The greater my standing, the stronger my powers.
Although Koichi and Keiko might yet kill him over this.
Perhaps they’d thank him. After all, he’d given the Kage what he’d wanted.
What he deserved.
Now all Masaru had to do was survive.
* * *
“Something’s not right.”
Koichi paused at Keiko’s words as she barged into his tent. “Correct. I have a kitsune in my domain, and she didn’t even bother to ask permission to enter.”
She dismissed his words with a scoff and a wave of her hand. “Not that. Have you seen Ryuichi?”
“Short little annoying brat? Can’t miss him. He’s always underfoot.”
“Normally. This isn’t normal.”
“How do you mean?”
Keiko gave him a vicious glare. “I repeat. Have you seen Ryuichi?”
“Not in the last few minutes.”
Crooking her finger, she motioned for him to follow her.
Irritated, Koichi sighed. He was trying to stay low, given that the monks on the mountain weren’t very keen on his presence. While they tolerated him, he still had a bit of a dubious reputation where they were concerned.
No one was sure he could be trusted.
Not to mention Ryuichi’s attack on Ryota upon their arrival, which hadn’t exactly endeared them to anyone. Plus, his former pupils had apparently been sharing less-than-flattering stories about him as they hid themselves away in the camp.
Now the monks who’d been his longtime allies were giving him less-than-pleasant smirks whenever they glanced at him.
Koichi clapped one of his former students on the back as they passed. “Itsuki. So glad you weren’t eaten.”
“No thanks to you. I could have been killed.”
“Yet here you are.”
Itsuki scoffed as he returned to work for the monks.
“Well, if you don’t like it, you can leave.”
“Monks won’t let me. Thanks for committing me here. I’d have rather been at the school. In Night Patrol.”
Just like Ryota.
