Night fell as expected.
But the mountain gate was exceptionally quiet tonight.
"Those monsters aren't planning to come?"
Saito Hajime, his face wrapped in a bandage, looked somewhat puzzled.
For the past few days, the moment night fell, the Chang Ghosts would appear on the mountain path and madly try to enter the village. But today was unusual.
"Be careful. Those things are definitely still here. Take a good sniff—the air reeks. They're definitely nearby. They just haven't shown themselves yet."
Hijikata Toshizo warily scanned the surroundings, searching for the Chang Ghosts.
"The ones coming aren't Chang Ghosts."
"It should be that guy called Kurokawa Hideo."
Sakumura had already drawn Crane Feather, his sharp gaze fixed on the middle of the mountain path.
"Just as expected of Sakumura Anno, who possesses an eagle's vision. Every time, every time, you find the truth before anyone else even notices."
"Just as expected of you."
A raspy voice rang out, as though its throat had been filled with water.
"Kurokawa Hideo. Who exactly are you? Why are you coveting our village?!"
Souji had also come to the mountain gate today. She sternly questioned Kurokawa Hideo, Kashu Kiyomitsu already drawn in her hand, its cold blade gleaming.
"You were there back then too."
Kurokawa Hideo finally stepped into the light, tilting his head as he spoke to Souji.
His skin was deathly pale, as though he had been soaked in water, yet it was not swollen.
His eyeballs protruded from their sockets, and he wore tattered clothing. He looked eerie and terrifying, very much like the Chang Ghosts, yet it was as though something restrained his body.
"And you. You were there too."
He pointed his sharp claw toward the other side, at Sakamoto Ryoma and Oryou-san.
"And Hoshiguma Yuna—my greatest enemy, the foe