After departing from the vivacious Hanafura Town, the trio continued their journey throughout the Daīfugi region in order to reach Shiriku.
After weeks of travelling on foot, the trio had finally arrived in the region of Shiriku and were only minutes away from getting their first proper view of Hakashi Village.
The entire journey had taken them approximately one month.
"How far are we from your village, Prīōra?" Tuziku asked in exhaustion.
"You said we should be here any minute now..."
"Just a little further ahead," she replied bluntly.
Kutcher stopped and took a sip of water.
Prīōra and Tuziku stopped as well.
"The reason we're so exhausted is because our bodies haven't adjusted to the new terrain in the Shiriku region..." Kutcher explained.
Tuziku inhaled roughly.
"Yeah..."
"I was surprised at how different the land is over here compared to what we saw back in Daīfugi!" said Tuziku.
Prīōra walked off ahead of the guys.
"I told you, didn't I?"
"The terrain is different in every region..."
"This region is known for its rocky and mountain-like terrain..." she explained.
Unlike the relatively open terrain of Daīfugi, Shiriku was surrounded by towering rocky landscapes, uneven paths and mountains that stretched far into the distance.
"Let's get going," she waved.
Tuziku and Kutcher followed behind.
Several minutes later...
"We're here, guys!" Prīōra shouted excitedly.
"Woah...!"
"It's so nice!" Tuziku mumbled as he gawked at the sight of the village.
In reality, it was quite a normal village, except Tuziku had never seen a village in the land of Hinkon with such decent buildings.
The village sat comfortably among Shiriku's rocky terrain, surrounded by mountains and patches of fertile land.
"I had no idea there were such nice places in the land of Hinkon..."
"The soil even looks fertile..." Tuziku gasped.
"This is no time for you to be fascinated!" Kutcher scolded him.
"This is it, Tuziku..." he gazed at him intensely.
As Tuziku gazed at the village, his mind was completely cleared of all unnecessary thoughts.
"Let's go meet my clan!" Prīōra pulled them along.
"Wait, hold on a second...!" Kutcher shouted.
As they approached the entrance to the village, they spotted a little girl who had suddenly fallen while running nearby.
She burst into tears.
"Waaaaaahh! It hurts!"
"Waaaaahh!
Prīōra immediately rushed to her side.
"Are you okay, little girl?"
"Wh—who are you, Miss?" The little girl sniffed.
"It's okay, I'm Prīōra and I'm from this village..."
she gave a bright smile.
"Can I see your leg...?"
Prīōra inspected her leg.
Tuziku and Kutcher watched in silence.
"It's just a small scratch, you'll be alright..." she said in a soft and comforting tone.
Prīōra placed a bandage on her leg.
The little girl stood up again.
"How're you feeling now?"
"All better!" the little girl shouted.
"You should go back to your mommy now," Prīōra waved her off as she ran away.
Prīōra glanced over at Tuziku and Kutcher, who stood awkwardly in a corner.
"Sorry about that, you guys..." she grinned innocently.
"It's alright," said Tuziku.
Kutcher shrugged.
As the trio walked through the streets of the village, the locals gazed at them, whispering amongst themselves.
Tuziku lowered his head as he followed Prīōra.
Meanwhile, Kutcher thought to himself...
I can feel their gaze...
They're judging us...!
Suddenly, a muscular middle-aged man wearing a menacing expression stepped forward, blocking their path.
"Sorry to interrupt you young folks..."
"But who are you people...?" he said in a malicious tone.
Kutcher immediately grasped the hilt of his sword.
"It's alright, Kutcher," Prīōra stepped forward.
"And who are you, young lady?" said the menacing middle-aged man.
Prīōra drew a breath of air.
"I'm Prīōra Hakashi. I've come back home to visit, and I've brought some friends..." she replied confidently.
The menacing middle-aged man gazed at her intensely.
...
"I see..."
That innocent face and beautiful blonde hair...
How could I have not noticed...?
"You're Geldar's child...!" he said.
"In that case, go right on ahead."
He stepped aside and allowed the trio to pass.
Soon after, the trio arrived in front of a wooden, white house.
"Here we are...!" Prīōra shook nervously.
She approached the door and slowly pushed it open.
"I'm home!"
Upon entry, her eyes locked on an old man and a young adult male with blonde hair and a scar on his face, who sat together on the floor.
"My dear grandaughter, you've finally returned to the village!" said the old man as he stood to greet her.
"Grandpa!" Prīōra hugged him.
"Sister, you've decided to return, I see..." said the young man.
"Big brother...!" Prīōra grinned at him.
"I'm so glad you've decided to come home and follow in your mother's footsteps," said the old man.
"Indeed!" her brother added.
...
There was a moment of silence.
"Actually, that's not why I came back home," she turned toward the door.
"Come in, guys!"
Tuziku and Kutcher slowly entered the room.
"Hmm...?" The old man pulled his long, grey beard.
"Sister, who are these people?" her brother asked.
"These are my friends... no, they're my crewmates..."
"We're a group of Underdogs called the Black Scabbards!" she grinned excitedly.
"The Black Scabbards...?" her brother mumbled.
"Yes!" Prīōra replied.
"Allow me to introduce you..."
"This is our swordsman, Kutcher...!"
Kutcher gazed at them in silence.
"And this is our Captain, Tuziku!" she pointed at him.
"Tuziku and Kutcher, this is my grandpa, Ryōkōjū, and my older brother, Nēgus," she introduced everyone.
Tuziku grinned nervously.
"So, Prīōra..."
"You became an Underdog, huh...?" said old man Ryōkōjū in a disappointed tone.
"Yes, Grandpa!" she replied.
"I thought you were against living a life of violence..." he said.
"No..."
"I was against living my life following in our family's footsteps!" she explained.
Her older brother Nēgus stepped forward.
"Sister, this crew of yours, it only has a couple of weak-looking kids..."
Kutcher clicked his tongue as sweat drip from Tuziku's face.
"Why are you running around the place playing Underdogs with these kids?!" Negus snapped, he gazed at Tuziku and Kutcher passionately.
"Now, now... Nēgus...!" Old man Ryōkōju intervened.
"There's no need for an argument," he pulled his beard.
Nēgus shrugged as the old man approached Prīōra.
"So, Prīōra, what is it that brings you back home?"
"Surely it's not to simply pay us a visit?" he said.
"Well..." she hesitated as she glanced at Tuziku.
"I've returned in order to ask you for a favour, Grandpa!" she explained.
"Hmmm?" Old man Ryōkōjū scratched his head.
"A favour...?" Negus mumbled as he watched in suspense.
My sister is the last person that would return home to simply ask a favour of us...
What are you up to, Prīōra...?
"Hmmm..."
"What exactly is this favour...?" Ryōkōjū asked her.
Prīōra slowly glanced toward Tuziku, who nervously remained silent.
"Grandpa..."
She pulled Tuziku forward.
"I'd like for you to teach my friend the Hakashi Technique!"
!!!
CHAPTER 36 END