Blood of the Kuroishi

A Great Friend in Need

On what felt like the ninth day but was actually only the second, Reiki lay in the darkness of his cell, struggling to maintain his sanity under the relentless effects of the time-distorting jutsu. He had no sense of time passing; each moment stretched endlessly, filled with a crushing sense of hopelessness.Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. The door creaked open, and a figure slipped inside. Reiki's heart raced as he recognized the familiar face of Juro, his friend from the Kasai Clan."Juro?" Reiki whispered, barely able to believe his eyes.Juro nodded, his expression tense. "It's me. We don't have much time." He knelt beside Reiki, cutting through the chains with a small, concealed blade. "I told you I'd come. But this... this is going to cost me everything."Reiki struggled to sit up, his body weak from the prolonged confinement. "Juro, you don't have to do this. Your clan—""I know what it means," Juro interrupted, his voice low but firm. "My older brother will hunt me down, and the elders will try to kill me. But I can't let them execute you. You're the only one who can stop Haruki."Reiki's eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Juro. I won't forget this."Juro helped Reiki to his feet, supporting him as they made their way out of the cell. "We need to move quickly," he said, leading Reiki through the maze of corridors. "I've secured a way out, but we have to be careful."As they approached a hidden exit, Juro handed Reiki a small pouch. "There's food and a map in here. Head to the forest outside the city. I'll create a distraction to cover your escape."Reiki took the pouch, gripping it tightly. "What about you?""I'll be fine," Juro replied, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty. "Just go. We'll meet again, I promise."With one last look, Juro pushed Reiki toward the exit and ran in the opposite direction, shouting to draw the guards' attention. Reiki hesitated for a moment, watching his friend risk everything for him, before slipping through the door and into the night.Outside, the city was a labyrinth of streets and alleyways. Reiki moved as quickly as his weakened state would allow, following the map Juro had given him. The sounds of alarm bells and shouting echoed behind him, urging him to move faster.Finally, he reached the edge of the forest. He paused to catch his breath, looking back at the city one last time. The sprawling metropolis of Kaentoshi loomed in the distance, a stark contrast to the dense, dark forest that lay ahead.Reiki plunged into the forest, the shadows swallowing him up. As he ran, he thought of Juro and the sacrifice he had made. He wouldn't let it be in vain. He had ten days left, and he would use every moment to uncover the truth, stop Haruki, and protect those he cared about.