No one really disagreed with Old Man Kou’s suggestion so that day some of the elderly women of the village gathered up some strange dry food balls the size of peach pits and of similar color to sesame seeds. Thus Hikari and his hand bound Henrikan captive were off back to Hikari’s village. The travel was fast on account of the food balls that while convenient were obscenely bitter on top of tasting like bad sake, but they did their job in keeping the pair fed along their journey. A few escape attempts a day were made in the first few days of travels, yet every time Hikari could simply cultivate his energy and catch the Henrikan in the blink of a gold and scarlet eye. By the fourth day the Henrikan seemed to calm down on the idea of escaping and started talking instead, though most of it was some attempt at trickery or manipulation the extremely disciplined Hikari was never going to fall for. It'd only be about halfway through their journey that the Henrikan would say anything of note. “What are you getting out of this? What's in this for you?” The Henrikan asked with sincerity “What do you mean what's in it for me?” Hikari responded in confusion. “I mean how do you benefit from this work you're putting in, extra food, glory, daddy's approval? It's not like you people to give out rewards to motivate anything.” The Henrikan followed up as they walked. “Well that's the difference between us Muryowa and you outsiders, you do things only because you're being forced to do them by those no better than yourself in rightful truth. We do things for the good of everyone, because they need done and those who are capable work with everyone to get it done. We work together because we are humans, we don't pretend to be wild animals who compete against and eat each other.” Hikari lectured in turn as their footfalls continued down the stone path trail. “Men are animals, we're just animals that think we're smarter than we really are. Except Muryowans maybe, you people act exactly as dumb as people are. If we were in a real country like Henrika you could have made this trip in half a day with a car. Instead we're stuck walking around like it's the stone age.” The Henrikan chided sharply. “Yet you do not have one of these cars with you now do you? We Muryowa always have our rightful cultivation though, and that's fast enough to catch you every time. A deer is an animal as well, yet it does not kill and consume everything around it, it does not beat the other deer to its will, they simply eat what the land provides and maybe wrestle occasionally to settle differences. The difference between humans and deer is that humans can shape the world to provide ample food, and that we may talk to settle our disagreements. Anything else is theft, theft of the hunted deer’s life or theft of the wolf’s rightful meal.” Hikari answered in confidence. “You got it all wrong, that deer fights for everything it has. It fights to eat its fill of grass before the other deer can, it fights for its right to mate with as many other deer as it can and deaths happen all the time, it fights off the wolves to survive, and when it can't fight anyone. Something else kills it in their fight, life is fighting and stealing, the survival of the strongest. Just because humans can talk doesn't mean we don't fight, this debate right now is a fight with words instead of fists, blades, bullets, or bombs. And it's a fight you aren't winning.” The Henrikan elaborated further. “Then I am only losing your fight by refusing it outright.” Hikari retorted with a smile, though both men were confident in their own way that they had won this debate. After that the days passed and the pair were finally at Hikari's home village of Seitōnatochi.
Hikari’s mother would open their door and greet them with a surprised look. “I expected two men back, but this isn't what I imagined. Where's Shinzo and who is this foreigner?” Hikari mother demanded as Hikari's father walked to the door. “Shinzo is still at Kibatani working out the problem, this man is the root cause of it.” Hikari answered before being interrupted by the Henrikan glaring at Hikari’s father with the madness of hate burning in his eyes. “So it is you, you're the son of bitch who humiliated my mentor Agent Fulton and embarrassed all of Henrika by talking to that reporter.” The Henrikan hissed before he himself was interrupted by Hikari's father laughing in bold boisterous way Hikari had never heard before. “I only learned what a reporter is well after I spoke with that man back then, but that news amuses me greatly. You people deserved to be embarrassed even more than you were, seeing as how you're back to your old stunts again already.” Hikari’s father reprimanded between laughing and catching his breath. “So are you going to trek to Henrika again?” Hikari’s mother asked his father. “No, Hikari needs to do this. I don't know if he's truly ready for it but I didn't know that about myself as a young man back then either. But son, I've somewhat failed you as a father I'm afraid. I've sheltered you far too much and if you want to be a truly great cultivator that needs to change.” Hikari’s father answered as he placed a hand on Hikari's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. Hikari doubted himself, his father, this idea, everything, yet his father's words rang true in his heart. If his father before him could do it, then he himself must do it as well. That night everyone had a fine meal of tempura fried vegetables, spicy tofu and rice, and a healthy pour of homemade sake. All the while Hikari told stories of his and Shinzo’s adventures, the journey over, Old Man Kou, Kibatani Village, hiking in the mountains, how the Hunting Tribes aren't actually extinct, everything. Even the Henrikan though his hands were still bound was fed well and given some sake in recompense. That night he didn't even try to escape, though it might have been because he was too drunk to do so. Everyone else in the house slept well, trusting that Shinzo's natural charisma would carry him through his own challenge especially now that the Henrikan wasn't there to keep stirring up trouble. Awakening the next morning came late to Hikari and the Henrikan alike, by the time they did so the sun already fully burned yellow in the Eastern sky. A note, a fully loaded pack, and two bowls of rice porridge would be waiting for Hikari in the family room. The note told him to get a move on now that he's gotten the full rest he needed. Hikari would then move to the guest room and awaken the Henrikan by untying his feet from the bed. “You people might be primitives but you know how to wine and dine a guest at least. Of course I'd have been happier with some port and a juicy steak.” The Henrikan mocked as he stretched his legs awake. Hikari would just remain silent and tie up his arms again in response. Then he led him to the table where the two ate their breakfast, although the Henrikan was being purposely difficult and eating his slowly which annoyed Hikari greatly. Further reading the note Hikari was guided to go to the city of Suichokunōjō to the West and board a ship to the Grand Daion Khanate. Hikari took his Henrikan charge and left the house, passing the fields he'd wave to his mother, father, and little sister before lingering a moment at the last line of sight he'd have with his home he'd have in who knows how long. “Ahhh~ the little dirt farmer is already home sick. We can always go back and have your father, the closest thing to a real man in this country, do your job for you.” The Henrikan mocked obnoxiously, yet with an annoyed sigh and jerk of his bindings Hikari would pull the man along, again frustrated that this moment of introspection was cut short by this animal of a man.
The distance from Seitōnatochi Village to Suichokunōjō was similar to that from Seitōnatochi to Kibatani Village, the difference being that going to Kibatani lead Hikari and Shinzo Eastwards into the interior of Muryowa and up in elevation. While the journey to Suichokunōjō City would take Hikari and the Henrikan Westwards to the coast and down in elevation. Though much like the journey to Kibatani Village, the food they could carry only lasted a couple days, even less than what Hikari and Shinzo could carry because Hikari was the only one with a true traveler's pack. Yet thankfully unlike the travel East, going West kept the pair traveling past wet rice farmers who especially upon seeing Hikari's charge would simply let them stay the night and send them on their way after a couple meals and some food. This made travel infinitely faster and easier than what it was when traveling to Kibatani. What did make travel more difficult would be after four days in, when intermittent rain storms would plague the land. Even though he made a dozen more escape attempts and continuously mocked him during their travels, as they walked Hikari would make a point to gather rice straw wherever he could and begin to weave the Henrikan a Takuhatsugasa hat. “You don't expect me to wear that itchy looking thing do you?” The Henrikan asked in confusion as they walked between rains. “You'll catch a cold otherwise.” Hikari answered as he worked his fingers and walked. “Why do you care? A cold never killed anyone or kept them from marching.” The Henrikan asked in response. “I care because unlike you I can see past the fact that you've done nothing but frustrate me and try to subjugate my land. Because you're still human, even if you act like an ugly beast, you're still a human and therefore still my friend.” Hikari responded in what the Henrikan saw as a disgusting level of earnestness. “That's pathetic, I tried to have you and your brother shot a couple weeks ago. Gods know how many more would have died if my plan succeeded, and then we would have made a puppet state of your murderers and you're still enough of a dumb sap to call me your friend?” The Henrikan asked, disgust and contempt thick on his voice. “Well you did just tell me part of your plan you swore was top secret, so clearly you can't think that differently.” Hikari answered with an unbearable look of smugness plastered across his face. “Damn it! Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn.” The Henrikan cursed under his breath realizing he played exactly into Hikari's trap, though in reality there was no trap. Hikari was nowhere near tactful enough to pull off a verbal trap like that, all that exchange was, was a happy accident as the result of true earnestness the likes of which the Henrikan was never before exposed too or trained against. A day passed and Hikari finished the Takuhatsugasa and fit it to the Henrikan’s head; it wasn't his best work on account of walking with a captive and weaving at the same time. Yet it worked well enough to keep the sporadic rains off the Henrikan, and though he wouldn't admit it, he was grateful for it. Days passed and nothing of note happened during their trek before the pair crested a hill and the sea came into view along with the tiny dot on the horizon that was Suichokunōjō City. With a day's further walk the pair would make the outskirts of the city. Yet the city was like nothing really either of them have actually been before. Clay brick skyscrapers the size of the giant cedars of the Ōgasanmyaku and greater, by far the biggest buildings he had ever seen and then some. While they were only half the size of the skyscraper in Henrika at best, what stood out to the Henrikan was the lush greenery that covered them almost completely. That paired with the elaborate patterns of crossing grids and complex rain collection systems that made themselves more apparent as the pair came closer. “I've always heard stories of the sky farms and the great cities but you can't appreciate how amazing they are until you see them up close.” Hikari stated with upwards looking wonder. “This is kiddy stuff compared to Henrikan cities, but I gotta admit this is definitely interesting.” The Henrikan added trying his damndest not to sound impressed when he was. “Oh please, we've all heard stories about the old cities, how they needed to steal food from their neighbors just to function and served as seats of imperial power. This… this is something far better, it feeds thousands of people on its own merit alone.” Hikari chided back. “Fine it's impressive, but it'd be more impressive if most of your country didn't live like a bunch of shit farming medieval peasants.” The Henrikan snapped back but softly. As the two entered the city past noon the streets were packed with people walking to and from homes and farms to hobbies, social spaces, and whatever else they fancied on account of having finished their own farm work for the day. A great wood and hihiirokane made trolley zoomed past the crowd on gleaming hihiirokane rails, the thing loaded with passengers. “Where in the hells do you get your electricity from? I don't see any solar panels, no power plants, or water wheels.” The Henrikan asked as he looked all around. “Something to do with all the earthquakes we get and our hot springs. I watched a special on TV, and a traveler installed a power system in my village; that's how we have a tv. But I don't actually know how it works really.” Hikari answered as he scratched the back of his head. “Ah geothermal, makes sense a bunch of primitives would luck out with that.” The Henrikan responded as they walked. Though it appears word about what Hikari was doing had traveled faster than they have and the whole time they were in the city they were plagued by people questioning onlookers or approving passerbys. One of whom would be the same handsome and honey voiced man Hikari had seen regularly on TV. “Well if it isn't the wandering legend and his beastly captive. If I can get an interview with you for my broadcast I'll treat you to the best dinner in Suichokunōjō City.” The honey voiced man asked Hikari. “I’ll give to you freely what you give to me freely.” Hikari smiled and responded, having always secretly wanted to be on TV. The phrase itself was a common one, essentially stating that both actions two parties were to engage were mutual gifts or aid and not trade. “Then I'll give to you generously my friend.” The honey voiced man responded with a smile in turn. The man would lead the pair to a trolley which zipped them across the city faster than horse’s gait and would stop before a great building with a great shining hihiirokane beam tower and dish on top. They'd be led into the building where Hikari would give an hour long interview about what he was doing to the whole of Muryowa while the Henrikan made a brief cameo before being locked in a storage closet for safe keeping before both were treated to a great meal. Barbecued and fried vegetables, several varieties of noodle soups and vegetable broths, curry and rice, spicy tofu, all manner of fruity sweets, and plenty of wine, from sake to fruit wine. The feast was a great one which brought the entirety of the television production volunteers and their various crops and homemade foods together. It was the best meal Hikari ever had and the Henrikan was treated just as well, minus the fact his leg was tied to the table and he wasn't allowed anything even remotely usable as a weapon. In fact the meal was so great the pair both got drunk and ended up having to sleep in the TV production building. Though it worked out fine as in the morning the pair would eat a light breakfast of rice noodles and some sort of sweet grape sauce that was left behind for them by the TV volunteers. The two would then head to the meager docks where they would catch a Daion ship docked and being loaded with donated food. “Excuse me friend, I'm on a quest to deliver this Henrikan back to his homeland and I need passage to Daion. Could we take passage on your ship?” Hikari asked kindly and earnestly in a way that was bolstered by last night's generosity. The captain of the ship, a middle aged tawny skinned Daion man with a long thin black moustache would smile and bow to Hikari. “Of course my friend, after how much food you give to us for free I'd be happy to take you and your captive.” The captain answered in a similar earnestness.
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