Chapter 11: Seperation
EXT. SHIROGANE – COURTYARD – NIGHT
Lanterns flicker across bloodied stone. The surviving Yamatsuki warriors return—limping, sweating, alive. The air is quiet, heavy with smoke and mourning.
Hirai stands at the gate, arms folded. His gaze sweeps across the returning group.
Then—
Hirai (quietly):"We lost fifteen."
(beat)"But we didn't lose the town."
He looks to Ryu.
Hirai:"Walk with me."
INT. SHIROGANE HALL – PRIVATE ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
A warm brazier crackles in the corner.
Ryu stands, arms crossed.
Hirai:"We followed your plan, and it worked."
(beat)"You gave us a chance when most men would've walked away."
Ryu (cold):"I didn't do it for you."
Hirai:"I know."
(steps closer)"But I'd be a fool not to thank the man who made my son live through his first battle."
(beat)"…Even if he barely walked out of it."
Ryu doesn't reply.
Hirai (low):"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Ryu:"Your clan's safe—for now. My job here is done."
(beat)
"I don't stay where I don't belong."
EXT. SHIROGANE – TRAINING GROUNDS – LATER
A group of warriors sits near a fire, bandaged, eating in silence.
Yamatsuki Warrior (awestruck):"He broke a man's spine with his knee. Didn't even draw."
Warrior 2:"He killed at least twenty by himself. I saw him break a sword. With his hands."
Another:"Did you see his eyes? Cold. Like he wasn't even angry. Like killing's just… normal."
Third (shaking his head):"I've seen beasts tear men apart. But this was… a beast pretending to be a human."
They go quiet as Ryu walks by.
Yizo (gentle):"You see it now, don't you? That boy carries more than fear."
Ryu:"Most people break when they see death. He didn't."
Yizo:"He shattered. Then picked up the pieces. That's rarer."
(beat)
Ryu:"He still flinched."
Yizo:"And you didn't? Once, long ago?"
(beat)
Ryu:"That part of me died."
Yizo:"No. It just fell silent... like me."
(beat)
Yizo:"Maybe that's why we were bound, you and I. Both of us were fire once. Now we're trying to remember how to warm without burning."
Ryu says nothing. Just walks.
Yizo (soft):"You threw him to safety. And didn't say why."
Ryu:"He didn't need to hear it."
Yizo:"No... but perhaps one day, you will."
Kumo walks up silently. Stops. Watches Ryu.
Kumo (quiet):"You always sit like that?"
Ryu:"Trees don't judge. People do."
Kumo sits beside him.
Kumo:"You saved me."
Ryu:"You fought."
(beat)
"Then you froze. Then you fought again. That's how it starts."
Kumo watches the stars.
Ryu:"You're alive. That means something."
Kumo:"Not enough."
(beat)"I've made a decision. I'm leaving Shirogane tomorrow."
Ryu (raises an eyebrow):"Running away?"
Kumo (firm):"No."
(stands)"I'm going to train. Alone. I'll become strong enough… to stand beside you."
Ryu (studies him):"You planning to tell the old man?"
Kumo (smiles faintly):"I know him. He'll understand."
(beat)"…Even if he won't say it."
EXT. SHIROGANE GATES – EARLY MORNING
The sky glows with the first embers of dawn.
Ryu walks down the east path.
Kumo, dressed in traveling gear, steps through the west gate.
No words.
No ceremony.
Two silhouettes parting ways.
Yizo (inside Ryu's head):"Hah. The kid's heading straight into Hell Forest."
Ryu (calm):"I figured."
From a distance two young men was looking at Ryu walking away.
Yamatsuki Scout:"He didn't even take payment. Or food."
Other Scout:"Didn't sleep either. Just vanished."
They go silent.
Scout (quiet):"Do you think he'll come back… if things go bad again?"
Other Scout:"…If he doesn't, the Empire should pray he never walks into their walls."
They return to their post—silent, reverent.
EXT. HELL FOREST OUTSKIRTS – LATER
Kumo kneels under a twisted tree. He opens his bag—and finds a bundle wrapped in cloth.
A note.
"You won't become strong by mimicking me.You'll become strong by becoming yourself.— Hirai."
Inside: scrolls. Techniques. Stances. Warnings.
Kumo breathes in—then smiles.
He ties back his hair.
Unsheathes his blade.
Kumo (whisper):"This time… I won't freeze."