"Father said he's taking us out on an outing today. Hurry up and get ready!"
Little Ayato happily said to little Ayaka.
"Really?"
Little Ayaka sprang to her feet in excitement.
It had been a long time since Father and Mother had taken her and her brother out to play.
"Yeah, yeah. Father and Mother are already waiting for us at the entrance. Hurry and get changed!"
Ayato urged Ayaka.
"Okay!"
Little Ayaka nodded and got up to change clothes.
That afternoon.
The Kamisato family of four arrived at a stretch of countryside near Araumi.
It wasn't far from the Kamisato Estate, and in many ways, it was a suitable place for an outing.
Of course, the head of the Kamisato Clan wasn't foolish enough to bring his wife and children directly into somewhere as dangerous as Araumi.
Instead, they were in the area between the Kamisato Estate and Araumi, at the foot of Mt. Yougou.
The scenery there was pleasant, and there was little danger.
Was it really without danger?
On the steep mountain above, several ronin warriors sneered, cruel expressions spreading across their faces.
As the clan overseeing the Yashiro Commission, the Kamisato Clan's every movement naturally drew the attention of those with ulterior motives.
The Kamisato Clan Head knew this well.
Inside the Kamisato family carriage, Ayaka and Ayato's father was playing a game of chess with Ayato.
"Father, I feel like someone is watching us."
Ayato's senses were exceptionally sharp. He glanced out the window, certainty in his eyes.
"No need to be nervous."
"No matter what happens, remember this."
"The more nervous you are, the easier it is to make mistakes."
Their father smiled faintly as he placed a piece on the board.
At the same time, shadows stirred all around them.
On the hillsides, the ill-intentioned ronin were silently cut down by masked figures wielding blades.
The Kamisato Clan's special forces—the Shuumatsuban.
"The Kamisato Clan has worked diligently alongside the Grand Narukami Shrine to manage the affairs of the Yashiro Commission."
"But in recent years, the Grand Narukami Shrine has gradually begun delegating authority, and the affairs of the Yashiro Commission have increasingly fallen under the Kamisato Clan's control."
"Naturally, some people are unwilling to see the Kamisato Clan dominate the Yashiro Commission alone."
Ayato's father spoke calmly as he explained things to him.
"Your awareness just now was correct. Very sharp."
"But you also made a mistake. Even if you notice something wrong around you, you must not show fear."
"Instead, assess the cards you hold. If you find yourself unable to handle the danger, withdraw before the threat fully arrives."
"As the eldest son of the Kamisato Clan and its future head, you still have much to learn."
As he spoke, another chess piece fell into place, cutting off all of Ayato's paths.
"I understand, Father."
Ayato nodded, his gaze gradually becoming calmer.
Compared to the solemn atmosphere between father and son, things were far more relaxed not far away between Ayaka and her mother.
"Mother, look!"
"What beautiful Sakura Bloom clusters!"
Ayaka's eyes widened in amazement as she stared at the pink floating clusters in the distance, dispersing and gathering again in the air.
"Yes, they really are beautiful."
Her mother looked at little Ayaka affectionately and gently rubbed her round little head.
At that moment, an explosion sounded from afar.
The violent blast startled little Ayaka.
Ayato immediately looked up toward his father.
The Kamisato Clan Head frowned and looked outside.
"That is…"
"Bad news, Clan Head!"
A Shuumatsuban ninja appeared before him, anxiety written across his face.
"A group of ronin fled into Araumi and disturbed all the Ruin Machines there!"
"And those madmen deliberately lured the machines out of Araumi. They're heading this way!"
The moment those words were spoken, both Ayaka's parents' expressions changed.
"Those bastards!"
Ayaka's father's face turned icy cold. He turned to the Shuumatsuban ninja.
"How long before the Ruin Machines arrive?"
"Our people are doing everything they can to hold them back. Clan Head, please retreat immediately!"
the ninja said quickly.
"Alright, we—"
BOOM!!!
Just as Ayaka's father was about to give the order to retreat, a dark shadow suddenly crashed down from the sky.
The immense shockwave instantly flipped the entire carriage.
Protected by the carriage itself, everyone inside was sent tumbling, but fortunately suffered only minor injuries.
"Cough… cough…"
When they emerged, they saw a towering Ruin Grader over ten meters tall standing before them, its single eye glowing a sinister crimson.
"Damn it!"
Seeing the severed limbs clenched in the Ruin Grader's hand, the Kamisato Clan Head immediately understood the fate of the Shuumatsuban who had gone to intercept it.
Little Ayaka clung to her mother's arms. Her once fair face was now smeared with dirt, fear filling her eyes as she stared at the massive Ruin Grader.
"Ayato, take your mother and sister and run!"
"Don't look back!"
The Vision at the Kamisato Clan Head's waist lit up, and a katana appeared in his hand.
"I'll hold it off!"
"Father!"
Panic filled Ayato's eyes.
"No arguments. Go!"
The Kamisato Clan Head barked at him.
The Ruin Grader did not stand idle. With a grinding metallic sound, its mechanical arm swung down toward the Kamisato family.
Clang!
The Kamisato Clan Head raised his katana and blocked the heavy strike.
The tremendous force caused his expression to change.
"Go!"
Ayaka's mother grabbed Ayato with one hand and Ayaka with the other, running toward the opposite direction.
Once his wife and children were safely moving away, the Kamisato Clan Head no longer had anything holding him back.
"Kamisato Art: Tilt!"
Sword light surged as he unleashed countless slashes against the Ruin Grader in the blink of an eye.
The blade scraped across the machine's steel body, throwing off showers of sparks.
The force of the Kamisato Art swordsmanship made the Ruin Grader tremble continuously.
The Ruin Grader's single eye glowed brightly.
A beam of concentrated energy shot toward the Kamisato Clan Head.
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