In the forest.
Chojuro was swinging the axes in his hands, spinning like a top as he chopped at a massive tree so thick that three people would be needed to wrap their arms around it.
It had to be said, he truly deserved to be the owner of Hiramekarei among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Though he had lost his ninja sword, he still wielded those twin axes with tremendous flair.
Before long, the enormous tree fell straight backward.
Seeing this, Chojuro could not help wiping the sweat from his forehead, a gratified smile appearing on his face.
After more than half a month of hard work, he had become quite adept at chopping trees.
Normally, a tree this large required four people to handle, but he had done it all by himself.
That meant he could earn the wages of four people on his own.
Chojuro tucked the axes into the back of his belt and was about to drag the tree away when a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Chojuro!"
"Lady Mei Terumi!"
When Chojuro turned around, a delighted yet somewhat bashful smile appeared on his face.
But he quickly could not smile anymore, because he saw Mei Terumi's gloomy expression.
He hurriedly put down his work and stood off to the side somewhat nervously.
And upon seeing Chojuro like this, Mei Terumi found herself unable to say the reprimand she had intended.
Chojuro was clearly a genius youth from the Bloody Mist, becoming Hiramekarei's third wielder at such a young age. How had he ended up with such a bashful personality?
"Everyone else is resting. Why are you still working?"
Mei Terumi glanced at the fallen tree behind Chojuro, which still reached his chest even while lying down, then looked at the