Akane's Drive

Shigureee!

Hm?

Hey, Akane.

Oh, Aldo! Didn't see you there.

What's up? Did you have something else to discuss?

Got that right! Y'see...

I wanna get stronger!

Well that was sudden!

Hahaha! Getting straight to the point as always, I see!

...But I suppose I can see where you're coming from this time.

Yeah, I swore I'd get strong enough that Shion wouldn't have to worry about me. That's why I wanna know how I can get even stronger!

I tried all sorts of ways, but nothing's really worked out so far...

Like what?

Well, I tried looking for a dojo on the western continent that I could challenge to a fight, but...

Everyone said no such thing exists!

Of course it doesn't!

Yes. That's the usual approach, but...

You're already plenty good with a blade. So improving on that won't be easy.

No! There's gotta be something I can do!

I think...the strength you need lies outside of swordsmanship.

But I'm a swordsman! I'm not interested in things like spears or bows!

That's not what I'm talking about. I mean, what you need to put Shion at ease is...

Strength of heart.

Strength of heart...

I see. You might have a point there.

You're a genius, Shigure! I think I know what to do now!

Thank you so much!

A-Akane?!

She's just like her brother! Once she's got her heart set on something, she loses sight of everything else.

Still...

Yeah... I got a bad feeling about this.

She had purpose in her eyes when she ran off...

We better go check on her, then. It looked like she was headed to Izana.

Welcome! What can I get for you?

One hammer, please!

A hammer? I've got something similar, but...

Aren't you a samurai? What do you need this for?

I wanna make my heart stronger, so...

I'm gonna hammer my heart until it's strong as steel!

Wha...

I heard you can forge a strong sword by hammering it! So I wanna do the same to my heart!

Hold on now. If you did that, you'd die for sure!

It's a samurai's honor to put their life on the line like this!

Oh no. I'm not getting through to her...

Stop!

Shigure?

Phew. Looks like we're just in time.

Yeah, that was a close one...

Listen, Akane. Hammering your heart won't make it stronger. ...Besides, this isn't even a hammer.

Really?!

That only works on metals, which is what swords are made of. Not people.

Sorry, but she won't be needing this after all.

Whew... I appreciate you fellas stepping in.

That's a shame. I guess I'm just not smart enough to know what it means to make my heart stronger...

Well... I think someone with a strong heart doesn't waver.

Right. There's something at their center that keeps them upright.

Ohhh! I get it!

Sorry, but could I have a spear instead?

I guess there are samurai who use spears, but...are you sure?

Yup! If I swallow this, it'll make my heart stronger for sure!

WHAT?!

Yeah! It'll stop me from wavering by keeping me completely upright!

That's not how that works!

This is harder than I thought...

It seems your mind only comes up with the most literal of solutions...

Then maybe we should change the way she thinks? Like...

Wait!

Hm?

Sorry, but I don't want any specific advice.

That's not like you. There's no shame in relying on others, you know.

I know, but this time...I wanna figure it out myself. If I can't, Shion will just keep worrying about me.

Guess you have a point.

If it's specific advice you don't want, then how about a little hint?

That's fine!

"Always keep Shion in mind."

Hm...

With all due respect, I've never forgotten about him for even a second!

As promised, I won't say any more. Just think about my advice carefully, okay?

I will! Thank you!

Well, I'm gonna head off and give it some thought! See ya!

Just you wait and see, Shion. I'm gonna find my own answer!

Ugh... Humans these days are way too cautious. I'll never find a decent prey at this rate... But I need human energy to help the tree on my back grow. Isn't there anyone I can trick around here?

Keep him in mind... Keep him...in mind...

Hmm... Seems that girl's quite focused on someone. Wonder who it could be... I'll just take a little peek into her heart.

She's got lots of memories of her brother. In that case...

There's only one way to do this!

...This ought to do the trick. And I believe he talks like this.

Strength of heart... Just like Shion...

Akane.

Shion?! You came back?

Yes, not long ago. Is something the matter? You seem troubled.

Uhh... M-Me? Troubled?! Don't be silly!

Are you hiding something? Something you can't even tell your brother?

I'm really sorry, but...you're literally the only person I can't tell!

(What's going on? She's acting different than in her memories. I thought she trusted this guy with her whole heart...) (Well, nothing I can do about that. I'll just get that energy without getting involved in whatever else she's got going on.)

Very well. I won't ask any more. In any case, I'm heading to the Temple Ruins. Would you like to join me?

The Temple Ruins? What for?

We talked about it long ago. You haven't forgotten, have you?

Listen well, Akane. Samurai do more than just wield their swords. They live according to their principles.

That means finding something worth devoting both their swords and lives to.

I trust you still remember that.

Of course I do!

(And why wouldn't you? I stole the words right out of your memories, after all!)

Do you know what I meant when I said that?

You mean "finding something worth devoting both their swords and lives to"? Well, uh...

Nope! Not a clue!

Wha... You remember what I said word for word, yet can't recall the meaning?

Sorry, but...I've never seen a "principle" before.

If I find one, though, I'll be sure to tie it up and devote all my attention to it!

That's probably not what that means...

You're so amazing, Shion! You say things so deep even YOU don't even understand 'em!

...Anyway, that temple may be in ruins, but it is home to an ancestral spirit of this land. And praying to that spirit is yet another part of being a samurai.

Then that means I gotta devote my attention to it! All right. Let's go!

Excellent. Follow me.

We made it!

Yes. But I'd like to go to the main hall further in.

There's lots of specters back there, right? But...I guess the two of us can handle it!

Is that where we can find a "principle"?

(Does she doubt me? I guess I'll just have to dive back into her memories and find another suitable explanation...)

Ah, that reminds me...

Hrmm... I wanna get stronger, but nothing seems to be working. I'll never be as good as you, Shion.

You have talent when it comes to the blade. However... If you're worried, it might be a good idea to get advice from a master of something other than the sword.

Something other than the sword?

Where there's a will, there's a way. The skills of a true master, whatever the craft, show the flow of reality, and how one thing becomes another...

See? You can always learn from a master's craft, whatever his skill may be.

(Got it. But boy, a line like that doesn't just roll off the tongue naturally... He seems so smart. Are they really related?)

Listen well, Akane. Many souls rest at the main hall. Among them are likely masters of various crafts who have brought this nation to where it is today.

We ought to pray for their happiness in the next life. You remember what I told you, right? "Where there's a will, there's a way."

Of course I remember!

Good. That is to say...

The skills of a true "craft," whatever the "master," show the flow of "things," and how one "reality" becomes another.

...Huh?

What's the matter? Was it too difficult to understand?

No! It's just different than what you told me last time!

I-Is it now?

Yeah! You said, "the skills of a true master, whatever the craft, show the flow of reality, and how one thing becomes another."

(How can she remember the words so flawlessly when she has no idea what they even mean?!)

I've committed every word you've said to memory, Shion! That's just how important they are to me!

Right. My apologies. I just wanted to see how well you remembered. That's why...

I had to lie a little.

......

Akane?

Wha?!

You would turn your blade against your brother?!

You're not my brother. You're an imposter!

What makes you say that?! I may have made a mistake or two, but I can't possibly remember everything I've ever said. That's all!

That might be true, but...

My brother would never lie to me! Not again!

What I can't forgive you for is saying the brother I knew is dead.

But that is true, even now.

Liar! You aren't dead! You're standing right here in front of me! So why do you keep saying that?!

Akane, you have it backwards.

It was you who saved me, not the other way around. I swore to protect you, which is why I...

Shion.

...Yes.

I will make you a promise, too, Akane. I will never again run from that oath I made.

I remember it all, every single word! So if you lie to me again...you're no longer my brother!

Hmph... So this is as far as I go. If we had made it to the main hall, the others could've helped me.

I can't believe a girl like you saw right through me! I've truly fallen!

Akane!

Shigure! Aldo!

What happened? I thought I saw Shion with you, but...

No doubt this specter thought he could fool Akane. But he picked the wrong person!

You'll pay for that...

How dare you try to impersonate my brother! I'll cut you down myself!

Gck!

It's over. Say goodbye!

Don't be ridiculous. It's far from over...

What's going on?

Just how weak do you think I am?!

It's getting away! I think it was headed toward Inanari!

That thing can take the form of a human, right? That'll make things difficult if it reaches Izana.

Right. Then we'd better get there first and keep an eye out for it!

What're you doing, Akane? We need to go after it!

No. I just...got an idea.

You two go on ahead! I'll catch up!

I'd rather not leave you alone, but...we don't have much time. Will you be all right?

Of course!

Then we're off!

Would you like some dried sardines?

...I will take that as a "no," then.

Now that my business is done here, I should be on my way...

What? Is that...me?

(Heh heh. I thought I'd just lose them in the crowd, but the real Shion's here! This is way too good! Now they can't attack me!)

Whoa! Do you see that?!

Unfortunately, I do! I guess that means we're too late. Here I thought one stubborn mule was enough, but two?!

Guess we'll have to talk to 'em and figure out who's who.

But if we mess up, that specter might put up another fight. What a pain in my...

Shigureee! Aldooo!

Akane?

I know she mentioned having an idea, but...where is she?

Whoa, what?!

Sorry to keep you waiting! Here I am!

Hahaha! A fine idea! Now you can see the specter no matter where it goes!

Oh... You're right! You're so smart, Shigure!

Wait. If that's not the reason you're up there, then what is?

Sorry, I hadn't thought that far! I just... I thought if I swung my sword up here, they'd be able to see it better, Both mother and father in heaven, and my real brother!

Haha! That makes no sense at all. I honestly have no clue what goes on in that mind of yours!

But I admit, you had a good hunch. Akane! Can you see Shion from up there?

You mean the imposter, right? Let me have a look...

Wh-What is that?

You never change...

I see two Shions! But...I know which one is the real one. And which one I need to cut down!

Say your prayers!

Take this!

B-But how?!

I can't take this woman anymore... She's just too much! I'm outta here!

Hahaha! Looks like that specter learned its lesson!

What are you doing? Haven't you caused enough commotion yet?

Hold on now. We haven't done anything wrong! That specter tried to trick Akane, but she saw right through it and drove it off!

Is that true?

That's right! Did you see me, Shion?!

I feel like literally everyone in town saw that...

We really are sticking out like a sore thumb. Why don't we head back to the dojo for now?

You come, too, Shion. There's something I want to tell Akane, and you ought to be present!

You do?

That's right. So let's get moving!

Now then, Akane...

Yes?

You said you wanted to get stronger, didn't you? How did that go?

Ohh, that's right! That's how this whole thing started! I completely forgot, like, halfway through. I could only think about what was going on right in front of me.

You...forgot?!

And you went through the trouble of asking us for advice! Well, I appreciate the honesty!

Still carelessly taking up people's time, I see...

Well, at least she helped pick out the specter by riding that kite earlier.

I understand. I still have a long way to go...

Oh really? I don't recall saying that.

Huh?

You never were very introspective, were you? After what I saw today, I realized you do have a very strong center. One that revolves around Shion.

Me?

You've been trying to get stronger for Shion's sake. You saw through the imposter because of how much you care for him, and took to the sky to show him that strength. No matter what you do in life, so long as you hold true to that feeling, you won't ever go astray.

......!

Yes. I think you're ready now.

For what?

Akane. You can now start training at the Fugen Itto-Ryu Dojo.

What?!

R-Really?! I thought you'd never let me in because I'm so inexperienced!

Do you really mean what you said, Shigure? About Akane's progress.

Yes. She's always been good at the sword. And now her heart's ready to be tempered. The path we walk teaches more than just the blade. That's something I felt more deeply than ever during our journey with Senya.

I can't believe this! I can finally learn how to wield a sword the right way, just like you two!

Hone your blade, and never forget that you do it for your brother!

I won't!

I'm so happy for you, Aka...

Shigure! Please honor me with a duel! Show me what you can do with that sword! C'mon! Hurry!

Akane. You'll need to fight with practice swords for it to count as training.

Hahaha! It looks like there's still so much for her to learn!