Three years passed...
Hakuji had mastered his training, and Koyuki had turned sixteen.
On that day, Keizo decided to entrust both the Soryu Dojo and his beloved daughter to Hakuji.
Overjoyed, Hakuji visited his father's grave and told him everything that had happened.
Then he returned to the dojo...
The dark red sun lingered on the horizon. As Hakuji gazed toward the entrance, his heart refused to settle.
"Something terrible happened!" A young man who had been anxiously waiting in a corner spotted Hakuji and ran out, tears streaming down his face.
"Hakuji! Uncle Keizo and Koyuki, they... they're both dead!"
"What?!" His heart clenched violently, the pain beyond anything he could bear!
He raced desperately back into the dojo, rushing past one familiar sight after another.
Whoosh! With trembling hands, he slid open the Shoji Door.
All he saw was that old man, strong as an ox and nearly invincible, lying quietly on the floor with his eyes closed.
Beside him was...
"No!" Hakuji recognized the pink kimono he had personally bought for Koyuki before leaving.
"Koyuki! No, this isn't real! I don't want you to die!"
"Aaaah!" Hakuji all but crawled over and clutched the girl's cold little hand.
It felt so familiar, yet there was no warmth left in it. His heart gave a vicious spasm.
His eyes bloodshot and his face contorted, he addressed the young man who had followed him inside. "With the old man's strength, no one around here could have beaten him. They did this, didn't they? Was it poison?"
"Y-yes. Uncle Keizo and Koyuki drank water from the well and collapsed in agony. She died very quickly. When I arrived, all I heard was her calling your name."
"Ugh..." Hakuji shuddered again.
"Uncle Keizo kept struggling, especially after he saw her die