The trip to Radasanth had seemed to drag on into infinity as the hours turned into days. Hayate choose to keep to himself mostly not bothering to talk much with the others whom he traveled with. There were four others not including the trader whom they were all riding with. No one that looked like they could be part of Hiruzen’s army but you could never be too carful. Hayate spent most of his time slumped over with his hood obscuring his face.

He let his eyes wander over to a young boy and his sister sitting in the rear of the covered wagon. They looked to be about old enough to start competing in the citadel and judging on the swords at their hips that might be where they were heading. Hayate thought fondly of his two exciting bouts in the arena knowing that if these two would have a good time. Maybe learn a thing or two to take back home with them like he did. The others with them didn’t look like much and Hayate disregarded them almost completely.

The sun was beginning to set on their second day on the road and to everyone’s aggravation they hadn’t yet arrived. Though they could start to see the skyline of the great city in the distance they wouldn’t make it there before dark. Come to think of it, where was Hayate even going? He knew Shinsou had a small place there but the odds that he would be there were slim. If he remembered correctly Lord Osiris should be in Whitevale helping the refugees move into their new homes. But that was weeks ago surely by now Shinsou would be back in Radasanth.

Regardless if he had a plan or not Hayate knew he had to make it to Whitevale as soon as possible and would seek another caravan as soon as morning came. He wondered how they would all react when they say their disfigured leader. He wondered how long it would take before Shina would come over and slap him for being so reckless. But mostly he wondered how long it would be before Hiruzen came for them.

The might of the Shogun of Akashima was astronomical. Hayate hadn’t ever seen it for himself until the other night and couldn’t help but be defeated outright. Hiruzen used some form of aura to boost his speed strength and endurance to superhuman levels. Nosdyn, the Hadian Demon, was the closest person Hayate had ever fought that simply over powered him. But Hiruzen put the demon to shame make even quicker work of the duo.

Was that the reason Yamato is quiet?

Had Hayate lost the worthiness to control the Spirit that guarded the Amatsukami for generations?
Surely not, he had just risked his life to do that very thing.

Why then?