Seeing Funaho grimace in pain, Azusa glowered at him. “This young lady must not be sullied by your filthy hands.” He realized after he uttered the words that this was similar to the time the pirates attacked the colony and placed him in the same predicament. Now he was playing the old bat’s role. I was a child who could do nothing back then… Funny how people like them are always doing the same thing, Azusa thought wryly.
“Run, Azusa-sama!” Funaho’s heart-rending cry resounded in the air.
Azusa smiled at her, just like Seto once did. “Are you worried about me? Thank you, Funaho-dono.” This time, he consciously said similar words and glowered at the pirates. He wondered if his aura was as threatening as the old bat’s. “Surrender.”
The pirates were indignant that Azusa did not understand the position he was in, and closed in, jeering at him. They were the ones who did not understand. The moment one of the pirates reached Azusa, the sky flashed! For a few seconds, it was as bright as day.
“Wh-what happened?!” When the leader yelled, his visual field blurred from being blinded by the bright light, he received a call on his communicator.
“Your ship has been subjugated by Kirito-dono, the esteemed ship belonging to the Crown Prince of Jurai. I recommend you surrender, according to Galactic Law…” It was Jijii’s voice. He and Kirito had subdued the orbiting pirate ship. He sent a different message through the Master Key. “Young Master, I’ve rescued Funaho-sama’s father.”
“Good…”
The pirate leader had just learned his own ship was taken over in a span of a few minutes. In a panic, he tried to use his last hostage, Funaho, as a shield. But in the brief interval when his mind was occupied by his ship, all the minions who were supposed to have had a hold of Funaho were knocked out cold, and the hostage was nowhere to be seen. “What’s going on?!” He looked around and saw Azusa and Funaho, hand in hand, with their backs to him.
“I-I’m sorry I caused trouble for you, Azusa-sama.”
“You can be surprisingly reckless, coming after us by yourself.”
“I read the note you left behind, and I couldn’t contain myself. If I were to lose both my grandfather and Azusa-sama, I…”
“I’m sorry I caused you sadness again. But please be happy; your father is safe.”
“I-Is that true?”
“There’s no doubt about it.”
“Th-thank you…Azusa-sama!” In tears, she leapt into his arms. She had become overcome by emotion at learning that her father and grandfather were alive, but for a fourteen-year-old girl in the Kamakura Period [1185-1333], she might as well have professed her love out loud. Knowing this, Azusa hesitated at her bravery but put an arm around her…
The pirate leader, stunned at the situation that seemed to have resolved itself of all danger, realized that Azusa was inattentive. Beside himself with rage, he broke into a run, transforming the serpent’s body and the last head into a giant ogre-robot. “H-how dare you!” The robot stood up and started to walk towards Azusa.
Embracing Funaho, Azusa chuckled. Just like Seto that day. The moment the robot took its next step, it fell apart, and the pirate leader riding within gasped and tumbled towards Azusa. Azusa gave the man, practically soiling himself with fear, an icy stare. He told him he spared him because Funaho-dono’s father was still alive.
The people he rescued from the pirate ship had been put into stasis, so luckily, they lacked memories of their capture. However, to undo all the various effects of mind control, they needed treatment for a while on board the occupied ship. Azusa intended to continue his journey once they were all home safe and sound. However, after several days, he still remained at Asumi’s residence.
“Young Master, we should depart soon. You know about needless contact with a primitive society…”
“I know. But I cannot leave this place until Funaho-dono’s father has finished treatment.”
“That’s true, but…”
Azusa justified remaining on Earth, not as an excuse to give Jijii, but to rationalize it to himself. He had pretended to have gotten over her, but he could not deny his emotions. Needless to say, having embraced Funaho during the battle with the pirates made it worse.
However, he knew that he could not stay here forever. He could not separate the newly reunited family and take Funaho to Jurai. For Earthlings, who could only live for several decades, a life cycle in space was far too long. He could take Funaho to Jurai and have her receive physical enhancement and lifespan-prolonging procedures, but it was impossible to offer that to her family remaining on Earth. That meant Funaho would never see her family again.
“Mitsuki, what should I do…?” Azusa had no answers.
It was then that an incident took place.
Azusa was walking along a mountain trail alone, when a pirate soldier appeared before him. “Crown Prince of Jurai, Azusa-dono, I presume?”
“One of the remnants of the pirates? You people never learn.”
“I apologize.”
“Are we doing this here, now?” Azusa grasped his Master Key in his inside pocket.
“Of course not. I would be no match against the Crown Prince of Jurai. But we have taken someone precious to you.”
“What?!”
“You know our demands.”
“All right… I surrender.” They continued their matter-of-fact conversation while Azusa felt profound shame. There were more pirates. He thought he had become strong enough to protect those he loved, but reality was harsh. His inexperience had been driven home to him.
The pirate approached Azusa and extended his hand. “Now, your Master Key, if you please… I know that you can use the ship’s power through it.”
Handing the Master Key over, Azusa said, “If you were able to send spies to Jurai… Are you from the Shank Guild?”
“Yes, you’re right. Now that we’ve cleared that up, can you come with me?”
It would have been simple to defeat a pirate, but he could do nothing in a hostage situation. As directed by the pirate, Azusa transported on board their shuttle, and they took off towards the pirate fleet. “What are you going to do to me?”
“Realistically, we’ll use you to negotiate with Jurai.”
“I am in training. My life or death is none of their concern right now.”
“Is that so? But they might change their mind with this kind of negotiation, don’t you think? Jurai is a society supported by blood relations. I doubt they would leave you to rot.”
“Family doesn’t mean we all get along,” Azusa replied. “There are a few I’d like to punch in the face.”
“Enough talking for now. Even without the ship’s power, you’re still enough of a threat to us.”