Hanzo Hattori

4

The night was too quiet. Too still—even for Iga. Kaede’s home was still burning when Hanzo reached the hill. There were no signs of battle. No body. Only scattered herbs, a dropped amulet, and a few drops of blood on the stone threshold. – Where are you, Kaede...? Was she taken as a hostage? Had someone discovered who she truly was to him? Was she dragged to an enemy camp—or was she still alive, hidden in some dark corner of the land, waiting? Hanzo clenched his fists. For the first time in years, fear crept along his spine. Not for himself—but for her. He knew he had to find her. Because if she was truly gone… nothing else mattered.