The following morning, Tuziku woke up before the sun had risen—earlier than everyone in the crew. Without waiting for Kutcher, he returned to the forest where he continued his training in solitude.
Filled with determination, he swore he'd give it his all to learn the ways of the sword.
As the blazing morning sun began to rise, Tuziku was already in the heat of his training when a sudden, unexpected visitor made an appearance.
Priora approached Tuziku from behind.
"Hey, Tuziku."
"Hmm? Oh, Priora. What're you doing out here so early?"
She blushed. "Me? I'm just picking up some herbs and vegetables for Big Sis Mika."
"What about you? I thought you were training with Kutcher. Why're you out here alone so early?"
Hesitant, Tuziku scratched his head as he mumbled, "Oh, well… I'm just trying to get as much training as possible before Kutcher gets here."
"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.
As she left to search for supplies, she came across Kutcher, who was wandering through the forest looking for Tuziku.
"Oh—Priora, good morning," Kutcher yawned.
"You're up early. Have you seen Tuziku anywhere around here?"
"Yeah, he's training deeper within the forest," she replied.
"That impatient fool started without me?!" Flustered, he stormed off toward Tuziku.
"How dare you start without me, Tuzi—"
As Kutcher approached closer, he noticed Tuziku was completely focused on his training.
Sweat dripped down his shirtless body. His fist clenched the hilt of his sword as he maintained a calm and steady posture.
Kutcher thought to himself, He's going to do something amazing now.
Tuziku channeled his ability into his weapon and swung his blade, but once again—he released an unstable stream of acid, spilling it onto some nearby plants.
sizzle…
The acid corroded the plants.
Frustrated, Tuziku vented, "Damn it! I thought I had it there!"
Kutcher revealed himself.
"Soon you'll get the hang of it. Be patient."
"Kutcher… how long have you been here?" Tuziku panted.
"Not that long ago, but I'm impressed with your training so far. To think that this is your first time wielding a sword…"
That's actually scary…
"Nevertheless, I'll help you fully understand what it means to wield a sword," Kutcher said.
"Now, let's get to work!"
"Alright…" Tuziku responded.
…
Meanwhile, an imminent danger was steadily approaching the forest where Tuziku and the Casoltins were hiding out.
Somewhere on the Grand Sea, FADA's joined Units 4 and 6 made their inevitable approach toward Hinkon aboard one of their battleships.
"Come in, HQ! This is General Hinomo of Unit 4 speaking…"
"Yes, General. This is Agira speaking."
"Agira?! Where is the Chief?"
"Unfortunately, due to sudden events, the Chief isn't available to command this mission, so I was left in charge in his place," Agira explained.
"With that being said, you'll report to me for this mission."
"I see… Well, in that case, we have recently departed for the forest. Both Units 4 and 6 have already made the necessary preparations."
"And what about the General of Unit 6?" Agira questioned.
"Yes, General Ishimi has also completed preparations and is currently going over strategy with the two combined units."
"Good. What's the estimated time until your arrival?"
"I'd say by noon at the latest. Approximately the next six hours," Hinomo explained.
"Alright. You are to report to me as soon as you reach shore. Do not engage or advance without my permission."
"Understood, Ma'am!"
Hinomo then explained the circumstances regarding the mission and HQ to the combined units.
"Alright everyone, we have some information from HQ. Firstly, Agira is in charge of this mission—the Chief is not available right now."
"Secondly, as soon as we reach shore we're to report to Agira before making any moves, so nobody is to advance without my signal."
"Lastly, we have approximately six hours until arrival. Each and every one of you is to be sure of the plan and our targets before we reach shore. I don't care if you have to go over the plan a hundred times."
"That is all for now."
Curious, Ishimi questioned, "Where's the Chief?"
"Who knows… Agira didn't say," Hinomo responded.
"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 came out!"
A few moments earlier, Kutcher had said—"Yeah, just like that, Tuziku! I'm just gonna sit over here by this tree and watch…"
"How am I supposed to learn anything if my instructor sleeps for half of the lesson…" Tuziku complained.
Guess it's just me again…
Tuziku continued his training in solitude once more for the next four hours until Kutcher had finally awakened from his nap.
He yawned as he stretched his arms.
"Alright, let's go inside and get something to eat!"
"That's the first thing you say…?" Tuziku replied, baffled.
They returned to their hideout hidden among giant trees the size of small mountains. Their base was located at the top of one of those massive trees.
After lunch, they returned to the forest around noon, where Tuziku continued his training.
…
Meanwhile, at the shore of the forest where Tuziku and the Casoltins were laying low—approximately 300 metres away from Tuziku and Kutcher—the combined forces of Units 4 and 6, led by their two respected generals, 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