Hiroto Adachi, A 25-year-old samurai riding on his rowboat started his journey to travel around the world.
"Where should I go first?" Hiroto said to himself while holding a map.
“Hmm, this country seems interesting maybe I'll be able to find some clue here in this country," Hiroto thought to himself as he pointed his finger at a country on the east side of the map.
"The Land of Nozomu huh?" He expressed with excitement.
Hiroto immediately started paddling towards his destination without delay.
Hiroto took two days to arrive at the Land of Nozomu. Upon his arrival, he hurriedly got off his sailboat.
"Man, I'm Famished." Said Hiroto, while rubbing his growling his stomach.
"I wonder what kind of food they have here in this country. Well, I better go and check it out." Hiroto said to himself.
He went looking around to look for a restaurant to fulfill his empty stomach.
Hiroto then arrived in a town full of Minka houses. As he was on his search, He noticed something about the townspeople that lived in the country. They seemed pale and skinny. Children were malnourished. People are suffering from extreme ravenous.
While Hiroto was walking and curiously looking around at the Minka houses the townspeople were staring at him and whispering at each other.
"Look at that guy, wearing a kimono and a hakama. I wonder where he's from." The man stated.
"Look at his katana! Wow! it looks expensive."
"If those guys find out about him. He'll be dead."
"Look at that guy. I better not approach him or get near him. They might think I'm with him. I might get involved in some mess."
"Yeah, it'll be best if we stay away from him."
"How reckless of him looking like that wearing kimono and a hakama. Those guys will probably think he's a threat. But it doesn't matter anyway, He will be dead as soon as they find out about him."
While Hiroto was walking and scrutinizing the town. He overheard the conversation of the townspeople. Hiroto wondered why the townspeople were curiously staring at him.
"What's with this place? Haven't they seen a foreign in their country before?" He thought to himself. "Why are they skinny? With that extreme ravenous, They could eat a horse!"
Hiroto then, Began approaching the townspeople to ask them directions to a nearby restaurant for him to eat. But as soon as he Approached, people avoided him.
With great fear and anxiety of the people. They immediately hurried and entered their homes and at the same time closing their doors, leaving Hiroto quite shocked by their measures.
"What? is there something wrong? I was just asking for directions," said Hiroto with utter confusion.
Hiroto Began Knocking on the door of every Minka house that he sees, Desperately asking the townspeople for directions to a nearby Restaurant.
"Hmmm? maybe, people are intimidated because of me! hahaha, wow! Am I that strong to look at? hahaha." Hiroto bragged proudly while scratching his head.
"Imbecile! It's not you that we're intimidated of!" The man said aloud while he was inside the house.
"If you can just tell me the directions, then I'll be on my way." Said Hiroto with a polite voice.
But the man suddenly was unresponsive. Hiroto's face wrinkled with disappointment as he left the man's house and went to the next house.
But every time Hiroto knocks on the houses he goes to, People were still being unresponsive.
Hiroto continued to knock on the houses he could see to ask directions at the nearest restaurant. but every time Hiroto knocks on the door the people were still Uninterested in him.
"I just want to know where I can eat." He said aloud.
"Hey! Come on! I was just asking for directions, It's not like I would rob you or something." Hiroto added.
"What's up with this country? People are so unkind." He thought to himself.
Because of Hiroto's exhaustion and extreme hunger, he decided to take a rest, and he laid down on the floor.
"What should I do now? I'm hungry." He said to himself.
Hiroto then closed his eyes, Thinking of resting for a while because he was fatigued.
Moments after, suddenly, An old man approached Hiroto and talked to him, he said. "Allow me to escort you to a nearby resto-bar."
Upon hearing the old man, it woke Hiroto and suddenly got up with excitement and relief.
"At long last! Someone with a good heart. Won't you be intimidated by my appearance as well, Old man?" said Hiroto.
"It's not you that we are intimidated of, you Imbecile! said the old man. "But for that, I cannot further explain it to you." He added.
"Why is that? It seems that the people here have been going through a lot of trouble lately," said Hiroto.
"......."
"We are in a hurry, yes?" Said the Oldman with a serious face. "So, we must move."
"But we cannot go further with you looking like that. You must change your outfit. Otherwise, I won't be able to escort you to your destination." the old man stated.
"I'm afraid I may decline the offer, For I am a samurai, Wearing a kimono and Hakama is part of my pride being a samurai," Hiroto explained proudly.
"Then, I have no reason to prolong this conversation, I'll be on my way then." said the old man.
After that, The old man decided to walk away. And while the old man was walking away, Hiroto shouted "Wait! Old man."
"Okay! I understood, Wearing a Kimono is part of my pride being a samurai, But It would also ruin my pride as a samurai to die of Famine. But that might be a problem, You see, I have been traveling alone for a quite while now, and the only clothing that I have is a kimono and a hakama," Hiroto explained.
"Then Let me offer you an outfit that you could borrow from me." said the old man.
Then both they went to the old man's house and offered him clothes to change. After that, Both of them went directly to the nearest resto-bar.
When they arrived at the resto-bar, Hiroto hurried immediately and sat down at the bar counter, and ordered food.
"I would like to order the most appetizing food, please." Hiroto expressed aloud with a smile and excitement.
Moments after, The Bartender came carrying an Appetizing meal. "Here you go, sir! Your Okonomiyaki." said the Bartender. Hiroto then Vigorously ate the Okonomiyaki to his satisfaction.
"The food is so delicious, the Best meal I've ever eaten." Said Hiroto with his mouthful.
"I'm stuffed! This place offers good food. Okonomiyaki in here sure is Appetizing," said Hiroto while rubbing his stomach.
"Thank you, old man, for taking me here," Hiroto added.
"My pleasure." The old man replied.
After Hiroto finished his meal, He could not help but wonder why the people living here were hungry And why their behavior was unusual. He could not resist himself and asked the bartender about the town. "What's with the people here? they seem startled when I arrived." Hiroto asked.
"We don't want to be involved in some mess." The Bartender responded.
"Alright then, if you don't want to explain it to me. I must be going then." Hiroto replied.
After Hiroto talked to the Bartender, He got up from his seat and asked the Bartender for his bill. In the middle of their conversation, the old man suddenly interfered with their conversation. "I am the owner of this resto-bar, You pay to me." Said the Oldman.
"Wow! so you're the owner of this resto-bar huh?, How much will I pay?"
"2,000 Gold."
" Two thousand?! That's too expensive!" Hiroto said aloud as he was shocked by its price.
"Why would you offer food that is ten times worth from its current Price?!" Hiroto expressed.
"You fool! You should've asked first!" the old man responded.
"Haha. Yeah, you're right. I could not restrain myself because I was too hungry." Hiroto explained. "So how should I pay? or can I just go on my way? Hahaha. Hiroto expressed Humorously.
"You foolish Samurai! In that case, You must work here at the resto-bar to pay off your debt. But, Worry not, You will only be working for three weeks after that, You can leave. Said the Oldman.
"Understood! I must face the consequences for a samurai does not flee from their responsibilities!" Hiroto Bragged and explained proudly.
"That's settled then." The old man replied.
"In a moment, A woman will come here, Her name's Clare, she's my daughter and, she works here. Judging by your Foolishness, you two might not get along together, So you better do your job. I forgot to ask about your name." said the Old man.
Hiroto got excited and stood proudly to introduce himself. I am HIROTO ADACHI! The last me~." While Hiroto was talking, the Oldman interrupted and he explained.
"No need for me to know about your account. You dumb samurai." the old man expressed humorously.
"The name's Imada-Yoichi. SO STOP CALLING ME OLD MAN YOU UNGRATEFUL, DUMB SAMURAI." Yoichi said aloud.
"Okay, Yoichi. Relax. I won't be addressing you as an Oldman. You might even add that to my debt to you, Haha!" Said Hiroto in jest.
Moments after, in their midst of conversation, Suddenly, A stunning woman entered the resto-bar.
"What's with all this ruckus in this fine morning, Father?" Clare said.
"About time Clare, Your timing is quintessential. This is Hirota, He will be working here transiently for the next 2 weeks, A punishment for not paying enough money for his meal."
"That guy?! He looks stupid." Clare said as he looked at Hiroto picking up his nose.
"It's H-I-R-O-T-O, not Hirota!" Hiroto expressed loudly.
"Okay, Hiroto. Try not to be a nuisance, You already have a bad impression." Clare said as she walked towards the bathroom. "You take care of him first, father. I'll go get changed."
After Clare got dressed she immediately went straight to the bar lounge to help her father clean the resto-bar.
It was morning when it happened. And the bar was not open yet, so no one else was inside the resto-bar but themselves.
Hiroto suddenly felt his stomach growling, and he went directly to the bathroom.
While Hiroto was in the bathroom. Suddenly, a group of men wearing a red Bandana and a mask with a cowboy hat arrived with intense displeasure on their faces. Looking for owner Yoichi.
Yoichi then approached to Allay them down and for them to not cause any harm. But They were apathetic because of their exasperation. Yoichi could do almost nothing.
"Because of your neglection Oldman, I was sent here to remind you of the agreement in this country. Have you forgotten? And for your negligence, You must be punished. Said the leader bandit.
"I have earned nothing yet, Please! just come back some other time," Yoichi explained.
"You dare command me?!" the bandit responded to Yoichi as he pointed the Gun at Yoichi's head.
"You know, the boss said to take whatever I want as a punishment once you resisted." The bandit added.
Then the bandit looked at Yoichi's daughter, Clare, with malicious intent.
"You two! Go and shatter Every table and chair you see in this place!" the leader commanded the two bandits with him.
"I'll be taking your daughter, Oldman." The leader bandit added.
Then Yoichi did nothing for he remembered what he had promised to Clare that if something happened to her involving the bandits, he would just let it go.
Clare did not resist thinking they might harm his father. She immediately came along with the bandits without saying a word. Yoichi just cried and Stood to where he was standing, feeling helpless, trembling with fear and anger at the same.
While Hiroto was defecating, He noticed the sound of the Ruckus occurring in the bar lounge. He immediately hurried. Fretful of not knowing what was Occurring in the bar lounge.
As soon as he arrived, He noticed Broken Tables and Chairs Scattered in the lounge. At the same time, Witnessing Clare and Yoichi in tears as Clare was staring back at his father while leaving together with the bandits.
"What's Happening?! Why are you both in tears?! Where is she going?! Who are those guys?!" Hiroto asked in utter confusion.
But Yoichi was unresponsive to his questions, so Hiroto thought of approaching, But Yoichi immediately stopped him and Grabbed Hiroto's right shoulder.
"I dare You, do not aggravate the situation, Hiroto. Once you show resistance to them. They might return and murder people in here. If you do so, Will you be able to carry the weight of the dead people because of your negligence?" Said Yoichi.
Upon hearing Yoichi, Hiroto decided to go back to the toilet for him to change his outfit.
After Hiroto changed his outfit, He immediately went back to the lounge, and Yoichi was surprised to see Hiroto wearing his Kimono again.
"Then I'll make sure they won't come back," Hiroto responded.
"What do you intend to do? You fool! Why do you have that katana with you?" Yoichi shouted. Hiroto then ignored Yoichi, and he immediately decided to go out and chase the bandits.
As he was on his way, he stared back at Yoichi and said "It is not a samurai's way to just let the vile deeds take place in front of him."
As Hiroto went outside of the resto-bar, he witnessed Clare getting dragged by the bandits. He balled his hands into fists while clenching his teeth. "Release that woman this instance." He shouted with exasperation.
Then, the leader of the three bandits took his Gun and shouted back at Hiroto, "Move an inch, And you're dead."
Then Hiroto drew his katana from his belt slowly, The blade made a hissing sound as he pulled out the katana from the scabbard while fiercely gazing at the bandits with irritation. He Then, lunged forward, sprinting towards the bandits. Triggering the leader bandit with anger and simultaneously pointed the gun at Hiroto's head. Confident that he will hit Hiroto despite the distance of being thirty meters away from him.
He shot with his Gun, targeting Hiroto's forehead. Hiroto tilted his head to his right, dodging the first bullet with ease. The bandit fired again with his second bullet, But Hiroto was able to tilt his head to his left, avoiding the Bullet again effortlessly.
Upon missing his target, his eyebrows are lowered and drawn together Because of anger and at the same time Quivering in fear as Hiroto comes closer. He rapidly continued firing his Gun at Hiroto, yet Hiroto was able to sidestep to his left just enough to dodge the bullets. Hiroto adjusted his grip on his katana, Holding the katana both with his hands, Then he Leapt towards in front of the bandit, slashing the bandit's right arm to where he was holding his Gun, forthwith cutting off the bandit's right arm.
"You little shi~." The bandit shouted in vast pain. As blood flows from his hands. Hiroto immediately followed up with another slash, spontaneously killing the bandit.
The two remaining bandits were astounded and were shivering in terror As they watched Icarus, the leader, being killed by Hiroto with a Hasty movement.
"How could this happen!? Icarus was a skilled sharpshooter, he never missed his shot! He was killed instantly! Even our eyes failed to keep up with his movement." The second bandit, Named Githinji, thought to himself.
Hiroto then, Gazed at Githinji with Murderous intent with his eyes turning white, His pupil narrowed, and his eyebrows lowered and drawn together with anger as he walks closer to him. As he Grips at his katana tightly, drenching with blood. Githinji was intimidated, He took a step back at the same time he took his Gun from his belt and pointed it at Hiroto.
"Don't Come near me!" He shouted while trembling in fear.
Hiroto Ignored his warning as he continuously approaches Githinji.
"Go! Get out of here! warn the king about this samurai!" He shouted to the third bandit with him.
Upon hearing Githinji, The other bandit ran and fled from the scene.
Hiroto then, Grabbed the right arm of Githinji Tightly. With an immense Grip. Githinji then shakily dropped his Gun. Trembling, Because of fear. Hiroto immediately impaled Githinji's Lower chest, in the bottom of the rib cage, killing him in mere seconds.
During the battle, Clare Found herself helplessly stuck in agitation during the fight scene. For a moment, She managed to witness Hiroto killing the bandits.
She suddenly fell to her knees because of fear, Covering her ears and closing her eyes at the same time.
With all the commotion, She was unable to endure and she fell unconscious.
Moments after the commotion, Hiroto noticed Clare was unconscious. Upon seeing her, He Then carried Clare on his shoulders and went back to the resto-bar, Leaving the dead bodies of the bandits he just killed.
"What the hell just happened?!" said Old man Yoichi with utter confusion.
"I killed two Bandits. The other one fleed." Hiroto explained.
"What!? Were you even apprised of what you have done!? You have put this country into a bad situation, Hiroto!" said Yoichi.
"Why is that? I'm not a fool to just let the bad things happen in front of my eyes, especially since I know that I can fend them off." Hiroto explained.
"May I ask once again, What's happening in this country? who are those guys?" Hiroto asked.
"Those are what we call Bandits. They come here and take sixty percent of our fortune, our food, and our products. The reason why people here in the land of Nozomu are skinny and pale-looking. It is because the people suffer from hunger." Yoichi explained.
"Do you fear them without trying to fight them?" Hiroto responded.
"It's because we are unable to. We lack manpower, Weapons, and Courage. We once tried resisting. We forged weapons, We built guns. Yet, we failed on fending them off. We were being monitored. Once we show them resistance, they murder some of our people. The reason why we are unable to defend ourselves. So we give them what they ask to maintain peace. But now, It seems vague because of your negligence." Yoichi explained.
"What I witnessed, Was not the kind of peace you seek, was it?" Hiroto replied.
"The peace we seek can no longer be attained, What happened, happened. We better draw up for they will be coming back for our heads, especially you, Hiroto." Yoichi explained.
"I'll stand by and face them myself, I'll be here at the resto-bar, You guys better hide yourselves," Hiroto replied.
After Hiroto said this, Yoichi was worried and doubted Hiroto if he could trust him but upon witnessing that moment he immediately trusted Hiroto.
So Yoichi agreed with Hiroto, then he ordered Clare, and the bartender to go along with him. With great terror and agitation, they immediately hurried themselves to flee from the scene leaving Hiroto by himself at the resto-bar.
Moments later, four bandits arrived outside of the resto-bar.
A bandit ordered to his fellow bandits that he should go alone inside the resto-bar first, for the reason that they thought Yoichi and Hiroto might be planning some sort of scheme.
As the Bandit entered the resto-bar he immediately saw Hiroto near the counter sitting all by himself staring at him with intense bravery written all over his face.
"This place is no longer safe. We have surrounded you, samurai," The Bandit stated.
And then Hiroto slowly lifted his Katana and simultaneously pointed at the bandit while blood is dripping on the Katana and while grinning at the bandit.
"You can't intimidate me," Hiroto said.
The bandit immediately took his gun from his belt and pointed it at Hiroto.
And then Hiroto immediately grabbed the spindle of the chair next to him and hit it on the right side of the bandit's elbow to where he held his gun, while simultaneously tilted his head briskly to his left to keep the point of the gun away from his head.
Due to the intense force of the blow, The bandit accidentally pulled the trigger of his gun, yet it was not able to hit Hiroto. Hiroto then adjusted his grip to his Katana, Holding the katana both with his hand, then simultaneously slashed the right leg of the bandit causing it to bleed and be amputated.
The bandit screeched and immediately fell on the floor, the slash of the katana winded him causing him to mewl in pain. As the bandit gasped, he tried to stand up despite his leg being amputated. Hiroto reacted quickly then immediately impaled the bandit, leading to his death.
Upon hearing the commotion, the three bandits outside were suddenly worried about their companion. So a bandit shouted at their companion inside the Resto-bar and asked if he was still okay.
Yet their companion was unresponsive. So they undoubtedly decided to burn down Yoichi's resto-bar with the molotov cocktail that they were carrying.
They immediately threw the Molotov towards the Resto-bar hoping for Hiroto to die from fire or smoke inhalation. But by this time, Hiroto was already aware and overheard their conversation.
He quickly came out from the rear side of the resto-bar through a window.
But, Hiroto is a samurai who does not retreat in any battle. So he plans to kill them despite being outnumbered.
"Quickly! surround this place". The bandit ordered his fellow bandits as they plan to corner Hiroto.
"Both of you go to the back, I'll be observing here, for he might still be inside." He added.
The First bandit gestured to his fellow men that he would pass through the left side of the Resto-bar going to the rear side of it. The second bandit agreed and he immediately decided to pass through the right side so that they could easily corner Hiroto that is currently at the rear side of the resto-bar, Leaving the third bandit at the front side of the resto-bar.
By this time, the fire in the resto-bar grows and spreads rapidly since it is built only of timber.
As both bandits approach, they could only hear the crackling sound of the wood made by the fire.
Suddenly, the glass window shattered due to the thermal shock caused by the fire.
Due to the sound of the shattered window, the second bandit currently on the right side of the resto-bar was startled and pulled the trigger of his gun alerting Hiroto to his current position.
Upon hearing the gunshot, Hiroto immediately positioned himself to the right corner at the rear side of the resto-bar and peeked at the second bandit to see his position.
The bandits were unaware of the current position of Hiroto.
As the second bandit approaches Hiroto, Hiroto gripped his katana immensely and at the same time listening to the bandit's footsteps intently as the sound of the footsteps getting nearer.
When the bandit approached, He was unaware of Hiroto's position so Hiroto immediately grabbed him on the left side of his shoulder, and at the same time, Hiroto impaled the bandit in the bottom of his rib cage with his katana.
"You did well," Hiroto whispered as he patted the bandit's back.
The other bandit named Nolan who passed on the left side of the resto-bar arrived at the scene and was astounded.
Seeing Hiroto unattended with his presence, he immediately fired his gun at Hiroto without causing a delay. He was able to hit Hiroto on the back of his left shoulder.
He followed up with another shot, yet Nolan misses it.
Hiroto reacted quickly, he turned his direction towards Nolan while the dead body of his fellow bandit was still impaled in Hiroto's katana using it as a human shield.
As Hiroto comes closer, Nolan rapidly fired his gun at Hiroto, Yet he was only able to hit the dead body of his fellow Bandit.
As Hiroto approaches, He kicked the rear side of the burning reso-bar to cause intense smoke in their direction causing Nolan to miss more of his shot due to the thick smoke.
The Bandit continuously fired his gun at Hiroto even though he was having difficulty with his accuracy caused by the thick smoke.
When Hiroto approached, he kicked the dead body of the bandit that is currently impaled with his katana towards the direction of the Nolan, Which surprised Nolan. He tried to shoot Hiroto again but he ran out of ammunition and needed to reload.
Hiroto was aware of this as he heard the click sound coming from the gun, so he reacted quickly and slashed Nolan to the body followed by an impale that caused his death.
The remaining bandit currently at the front side of the resto-bar named Rogue was alerted by the commotion. He shouted to his fellow bandits if they would respond.
Upon being unresponsive to him, Rogue realized that he had no chance against Hiroto despite being at an advantage of wielding a gun. So he decided to drop his gun, he kneeled, and at the same time, he raised both of his hands and shouted to Hiroto.
"Spare me, samurai, For I am only a victim of this bad governance!" Rogue shouted to Hiroto.
Hiroto quickly approached him. He reached his hands to Rogue for him to stand up.
"Your life will be spared if you cooperate." Said Hiroto.
"Indeed. I will give you sufficient information about the other bandits, and the supreme leader to your satisfaction." Rogue added.
Hiroto didn't hesitate and immediately trusted Rogue.
After this, Hiroto thought of going to Yoichi's place together with Rogue to discuss Hiroto's plan of attack.
Download NovelToon APP on App Store and Google Play