The Figure Behind The Bush

A couple of days later,

"That's it! Now imagine your arms extending. Yes, just like that."

"UarrrghhH~!" Kazuichi let out an exclamation as his ballooned-up arms started constricting and pulsating, resembling the heart as it pumped blood through the arteries.

Currently, he is practicing how to use his full power as a Synthesis Blood Art user. Theoretically, he should be able to use all the other Blood Arts but he was having a hard time even using the Project Blood Art— the same Blood Art that Arisu used.

"You're doing it wrong." Arisu let out as she heaved a sigh. "Don't strain yourself thinking too much, just let the virus take over," Arisu advised, handing Kazuichi a bottle of water.

An exhale left Kazuichi's mouth as he took a brief glance at Ayaka who was comfortably switching between Blood Arts. As a Dement Hybrid and a Synthesis Blood Art user as well, it was clear that Ayaka was more talented than Kazuichi in terms of control.

Apparently, it hadn't been a long time since Ayaka became aware of Blood Arts and now she could effortlessly switch between the three main Blood Arts as if it was nothing. Then again, she could already subconsciously do it back when she lost control and ferociously attacked Kazuichi— and that incident helped with her overall control over her Synthesis Blood Art.

Synthesis Blood Art is the culmination of the three main Blood Art: Project, Encompass, and Detonate. So far, these were the only four Blood Arts currently known to the world.

Grunting, Ayaka made her muscles balloon up in size, and then she twirled in the air while transforming her arms and legs into blades. Before she landed, her arms hardened, and an explosion was heard when she brought it down. Those were just the basics of each Blood Art, but Ayaka performed it with a smooth transition.

Heaving a sigh, Kazuichi got up and continued to practice. This was going to be another day of training under the intense instruction of Arisu who didn't even give Kazuichi a break. It was all under the pretense of preparing for the worst-case scenario.

"You have a stronghold under you, you have to get stronger." Arisu simply told him.

In hindsight, it wasn't even Kazuichi's doing that he had a stronghold under his name. After all, it was Arisu who did all the work. Arguably, Kazuichi owned the property where the stronghold was located, so he couldn't really say anything.

"It's easy, you just have to embrace your wild side." Ayaka winked at Kazuichi. She was done training for the day.

As soon as she sat down, Amaya waddled towards her and gave her a bottle of water. "Thanks," She muttered.

Now that they had been traveling for a couple of days, they finally reached the outskirts of Yamanashi Prefecture. At this point, they have less than a day's worth of travel before they cross the border, and then they'd be Tokyo-bound.

Kazuichi could already smell the Tokyo air from afar, and he couldn't wait to get back to his place, lay down on the couch, and stay there until he died... or something like that. Just the thought of returning to his usual lifestyle enthused him.

Geh~!

"What are you spacing out for?" Tris asked, pressing her right palm on Kazuichi's face and causing him to flinch.

"Nothing." Kazuichi shook his head.

A soft smile appeared on Tris's face. She could tell just how hard Kazuichi was working on his abilities, and it made her want to cheer him on until he mastered it. Then again, she couldn't say it outright since that would just make her feel a modicum of embarrassment.

"I've already prepared dinner. We can eat now before retiring for the night... or are we going to travel at night again?" Tris asked.

Last night, she couldn't get any sleep, that's why she felt rather sleepy today. If they were to travel at night, then she'd really be in trouble. She could already feel a headache coming up.

Yawn~! Just thinking about it made her yawn, and she infected Kazuichi with it as he yawned as well.

"That's it for today, Kazuichi, let's train again tomorrow. It would be our final training since our next session would be at your stronghold by then." Arisu reminded him. It didn't show on Arisu's expression but she was just as excited to get back to the stronghold and get some rest on Kazuichi's soft bed. Just thinking about made her face redden.

Once again, the group gathered around the bonfire that Kazuichi set up an hour or so ago. There, a couple of canned goods were cooking, and on top of the bonfire was a pot of rice.

"Let's eat," Kazuichi let out when the delicious scent of rice wafted in the air, causing his stomach to grumble.

Although they were just eating the usual canned goods and beef jerky, the meal tasted even better with the presence of rice. The group enjoyed their dinner together with the thought of arriving at Kazuichi Stronghold the next day. Tokyo was just on the other side of the fence, so the conclusion of their adventure seemed more real than before.

Skrsksk~

Shkshsh~

From afar, Kazuichi picked up movements, and it caused him to turn around, towards a couple of bushes that were neatly lined up adjacent to the main road. At first, he thought it was an animal. After all, it would be weird if there were zombies lingering around when they have Amaya the Canary with them.

The rustles of a certain bush became even more evident the longer Kazuichi stared at it. Arisu and Ayaka picked up on it as well, and they cautiously stopped eating while keenly observing the undergrowth.

"What is it?" Amaya asked when she saw everyone looking at the bush.

With a gesture, Tris asked her younger sister to stay quiet. Just then, Kazuichi stood up and quietly approached the bush.

Fwoosh~!

A figure emerged from the bush, all bloodied up in the form of a human. He struggled to pull himself forward, but thanks to his adrenaline, he didn't squirm in pain while doing so.

"Hinokami?" Kazuichi asked, instantly recognizing who it was.