"Cough! Ichiro, take these four gold tokens and keep them safe!... Cough! Don't wear them around your neck! Put them in the bamboo basket behind you. With so many Samurai around, relax, they won't get lost!..."
The sun was already setting in the west, casting a golden-red twilight. The Samurai on both sides sat cross-legged on the ground to rest, eating simple dried rations and water. Although they remained vigilant, the atmosphere had eased considerably.
After handing over the gold tokens to his trusted aide, Kaozaki Yoshihiro finally regained his composure. With a wave of his hand, several Samurai escorted four craftsmen to the hands of the Shandan Tribe across from them. Sensing an ominous end, some of the craftsmen wept silently, some cried bitterly, some were expressionless, yet none of this shook the Samurai's resolve.
