Makino looked at the unconscious Inosuke, thought for a moment, then took a set of clothes from the courtyard and draped them over him.
The mountains were dangerous. If he simply left Inosuke alone like this, he might encounter wild beasts.
In the end, Makino decided to wait until Inosuke woke up before leaving.
Slash!
Return!
Slash!
Return!
In the silent mountains, Makino practiced Suburi with Complete Concentration.
This was a fundamental exercise he did every day, one that had long since become a habit.
Whenever he watered an Energy Droplet, Makino's strength improved. And every time his strength improved, the feeling of holding his sword became subtly different.
That subtle difference could have been ignored, but Makino enjoyed the sensation of something both unfamiliar and familiar.
He was like an old farmer. Simply seeing the crops in his fields growing well filled him with happiness.
Time passed second by second. Makino focused wholeheartedly, free of distractions. Eventually, he even felt as if he had merged with the entire mountain.
Every swing of his sword seemed to resonate with the mountains and rivers.
Inosuke had been awake for some time, but Makino paid him no mind and merely continued with what he was doing.
Inosuke did not disturb Makino either. Watching Makino practice Suburi, he became utterly absorbed.
What is this strange feeling?
He's obviously so close to me, practically standing right in front of me, but he feels so far away. Strange. Too strange!
Is this why this Mountain Master is so strong?
Inosuke stared at Makino, his eyes sparkling with little stars.
He had grown up in the mountains and was more familiar than anyone with every blade of grass and tree within them.
He had even fought tigers before, but he had never seen a Mountain Master