The next morning, Tuziku got up before sunrise—earlier than everyone else in the crew.
Without waiting for Kutcher, he returned to the forest to continue his training in solitude.
Filled with determination, he swore he'd give it his all to successfully control his ability using the Sword of Raigan.
As the morning sun began to rise, Tuziku was already in the heat of his training when an unexpected visitor interrupted him.
Priora approached from behind.
"Hey, Tuziku."
Shirtless and covered in sweat, Tuziku lowered his blade and glanced toward the soft, familiar voice.
"Oh—Priora. What're you doing out here so early?"
Woah...
I didn't know he had such a nice body...!
"I—I'm just picking up some herbs and vegetables for Big Sis Mika," she replied, blushing.
"What about you? I thought you were training with Kutcher. Why are you out here by yourself?"
"I just want to get as much training as possible before Kutcher gets here," he replied flatly.
"I see... Well, I better leave you to it and go get the vegetables for breakfast."
"Try not to push yourself too hard, Tuziku," Priora said as she smiled and waved.
Tuziku watched her blankly as she disappeared into a grove of trees.
Soon after, Priora came across Kutcher, who was wandering through the forest searching for Tuziku.
"Oh—Priora, good morning," Kutcher yawned.
"You're up early. Have you seen Tuziku anywhere around here?"
She scoffed at the sight of him.
"Yeah, he's training deeper in the forest," she mumbled before walking off.
She still doesn't like me at all...
"That impatient fool started without me?!" Flustered, Kutcher stormed off toward Tuziku.
"How dare you start without me, Tuzi—"
As Kutcher drew closer, he noticed that Tuziku was completely absorbed in his training.
Instinctively, he hid behind a tree and observed from a distance.
His hand remained firmly wrapped around the hilt of his sword as he maintained a calm and steady posture.
He's going to do something amazing now.
As Tuziku channeled his ability into the Sword of Raigan, a sudden gust of wind began forming around him, causing his dark, messy hair to sway.
Then he swung.
But once again, an unstable stream of acid burst from the blade and splashed onto nearby plants.
Sizzle...
The acid rapidly corroded them.
"Damn it! I thought I had it that time!" Tuziku vented in frustration.
Kutcher finally stepped out from behind the tree.
"Soon you'll get the hang of it. Be patient."
"Kutcher...? How long have you been watching?" Tuziku asked between short, quick breaths.
"Not that long, but I'm impressed with your progress so far. To think this is your first time wielding a sword..."
He rested a hand on the hilt of his own blade.
That's actually scary...
"Nevertheless, I'll help you fully understand what it means to wield a sword."
He grinned.
"Now, let's get to work."
"Alright..." Tuziku replied.
――――――――――
Meanwhile, an imminent danger was steadily approaching the forest where Tuziku and the Casoltins were hiding.
Somewhere on the Grand Sea, FADA's combined Units Four and Six made their inevitable approach toward Hinkon aboard one of their battleships.
"Come in, HQ. This is General Hinomo of Unit Four speaking..."
"Yes, General. This is Agira speaking."
"Agira? Where's the Chief?"
"Unfortunately, due to sudden events, the Chief isn't available to oversee this mission, so I was left in charge in his place," Agira explained.
"With that being said, you'll be reporting directly to me."
"I see... Well, in that case, we have already departed for the forest. Both Units Four and Six have completed the necessary preparations."
"And what about the General of Unit Six?" Agira asked.
"Yes, ma'am. This is General Ishimi. I have also completed preparations, and we're currently reviewing our strategy with the combined units."
"Good. Hinomo, what's your estimated time of arrival?"
"I'd say by noon at the latest. Approximately six hours."
"Understood. Report to me immediately upon reaching shore. Do not engage or advance without my permission."
"Understood, ma'am!"
After ending the call, Hinomo turned toward the soldiers.
"Listen up, everyone!"
"We've received new orders from HQ."
"Firstly, Agira is in command of this mission while the Chief is unavailable."
"Secondly, once we reach shore, we're to report to her before making any moves. Nobody advances without my signal."
"Lastly, we have approximately six hours until arrival. Make sure you know the plan and your targets before we reach land. I don't care if you have to review it a hundred times."
"That is all."
Curious, General Ishimi folded his arms.
"Hey, Hinomo. Where's the Chief?"
"Who knows..." Hinomo shrugged. "Agira didn't say."
"Hmmm... I see."
――――――――――
Back in the forest, Tuziku was still in the middle of his intense training session with Kutcher.
At least—he was.
"Kutcher... Kutcher...! I can't believe he fell asleep on a tree again. It's only been about an hour since he got here!"
A few moments earlier...
"Just try to do it exactly as I showed you, Tuziku. I'm gonna sit over here by this tree and watch..." Kutcher said.
Presently...
"How am I supposed to learn anything if my mentor sleeps through half the lesson...?" Tuziku complained.
GRAAAHHHK... SNNNRRRK...
He's even snoring!
Guess it's just me again...
Tuziku continued training alone for the next several hours until Kutcher finally woke from his nap.
He yawned and stretched his arms.
"Alright, let's go get something to eat."
"That's the first thing you say...?" Tuziku replied with a baffled look.
They returned to their hideout hidden among giant trees the size of small mountains. Their base was located near the top of one of those enormous trees.
After lunch, they returned to the forest, where Tuziku resumed his training.
――――――――――
Meanwhile, at the shoreline nearly three hundred kilometers away from Tuziku and the Casoltins, the combined forces of Units Four and Six had finally made landfall.
"Hello, Agira?"
"We've arrived. Give the order, and we'll turn this forest upside-down..." Hinomo said with an eerie grin.
CHAPTER 16 END