"Thank you, my lord!"
At Hiraga Kota's words, Kawabata Nozomu burst into laughter and clasped his fists in thanks.
Then he rose to his feet and looked at Kusakage Asao Jun, his expression turning cold.
"Lord Kusakage, my disciple Mizunoki was killed by one of your men. You owe me an explanation!"
"An explanation? He trespassed into my village's alert zone of his own accord. The fact that I did not personally execute him was already out of consideration for you, yet you still dare demand an explanation from me!"
Facing Kawabata Nozomu's immediate attack, the Kusakage sneered and retorted sharply, refusing to yield an inch.
"The man is already dead, and the dead cannot testify. You can say whatever you like now. But I asked the feudal lord to uphold justice today not to argue over this matter with you. A life for a life, a debt repaid with money—this is only natural. However, we both serve under the feudal lord, and it is normal for incidents to arise between our subordinates. But if we handled it that way, the feudal lord would inevitably be displeased, and it would also hurt our harmony. That is why I asked the feudal lord to host this banquet and invite all of you here: to resolve this matter once and for all!"
Kawabata Nozomu nodded and did not continue deadlocking with the Kusakage over the matter, getting straight to the point.
"Fine. How do you wish to settle this?"
The Kusakage nodded and looked at Kawabata Nozomu.
"I do not care which of your subordinates did it. Since we are settling this, we shall naturally determine it by strength. I will send out three men, and you will send out three men. Then you and I will face each other. Whoever wins