Death Caverns.
Three Kou Island research vessels had approached the ghost ship.
Leading them was a burly man dressed in a white kimono.
He wore wooden clogs, with two swords tucked at his waist.
"Yamato, the equipment is ready."
The research vessel's first mate reported respectfully.
Dozens of students wearing Imperial University badges crowded the three ships.
Everyone looked at Yamato with admiration.
"His Majesty the Emperor specially dispatched us to retrieve Emperor Ying's Sword. On this journey... we swear to complete our mission, even at the cost of our lives."
"Emperor Ying's Sword was purchased from the Dragon Kingdom by our forebears. It is a supreme treasure of Kou Island, and we will never let the people of the Dragon Kingdom lay their hands on it."
Yamato righteously whipped the students aboard into a fervor. "The empire's warriors cannot rashly put to sea. We are His Majesty the Emperor's blade."
"The Guan Family has Chun Prefecture, and the Emperor has us. Today, we will see which of these two blades is sharper."
"Kill Little White Tiger and reclaim Emperor Ying's Sword!"
"Seize the sword! Kill them!"
"Seize the sword and restore the empire's glory!"
"For His Majesty the Emperor, we gladly go to our deaths!"
Yamato's few words set the students ablaze, and they excitedly declared their willingness to die for the Emperor.
Yamato nodded in satisfaction, took out a strip of white cloth, and tied it around his forehead.
All the students followed suit.
The character for "death" was written in blood on the white cloth strips.
It symbolized their resolve to face death at any moment.
"Yamato, is Little White Tiger really aboard the ghost ship?"
One of the accompanying students impatiently drew his sword and shouted, "My elder brother died in the battle of the imperial