Repulsive Force dug the graves, and the villagers were laid peacefully to rest.
"..." Kenshiro narrowed his eyes in thought.
The others felt surprise, shock, joy...
"A miracle! This is nothing short of a miracle!" Old Jesse cheered, waving his arms.
Then he ran up to Tetsuhiro and clasped his hand with trembling fingers, so excited he could barely speak.
"Take it easy. It's all right. Your task from here on won't be an easy one. You'll have to carry their lives, their existence, their names, along with your own dreams and hopes. Live well, work hard to till the land and grow crops, sow the seeds of hope, and carry that spirit forward..."
"I... I..."
"That's right, Old Jesse. No slacking off," Kenshiro joked, a rare occurrence for him.
"Hahaha..." Everyone's spirits lifted a little more.
"You're right. I'll work hard and live on for their sake as well."
Kenshiro froze for a moment. Those words struck a chord with him.
Carry the hopes of others and live on for them, too!
He remembered what Shin's master, the elderly monk Feng Yan, had told him.
Back then, he had been standing amid the ruins of a city, while Feng Yan lay trapped beneath the rubble, barely alive, imparting those words to him.
"That's right. With so much resting on my shoulders, I have to defeat Shin and rescue Yuria!"
Clenching his fists, he silently joined the others in paying their respects.
After they had paid their respects to the entire village, he climbed into the vehicle with a heavy heart. They prepared to leave for a nearby camp.
Only after getting in did they realize Jesse still hadn't followed. Barto, who was driving, casually called out, "Come on, Old Jesse."
"Huh? You're taking me?" Jesse pointed at himself in