[Chikamatsu Kiyoshi]

     It'd been more difficult than he'd expected to find the time for training. Though, to be honest, that was only a half-truth. If the training had been in the village, it would have been easy. Instead, he'd had to convince Arashi and Takato that, yes, he simply had to trek through the Demon Desert and to the western border, alone. They'd acquiesced, though he was sure he was being tailed, and that Yosen had sent ANBU ahead, as well, though he hadn't seen anyone.

     Otherwise, he recalled having said, it wouldn't be real training. Kiyoshi chuckled to himself from underneath the linen wrappings that were keeping the whipping sand from his mouth. He'd recited some line from the Katsue, about real strength coming from the desert, from adversity, from struggle.

     Whinging aside, he'd left the village in able hands - and it was only a few days, besides. And while he was planning on training, the bulk of the things tucked into the bag slung over his shoulder had nothing to do with it. Ultimately, he'd come with an ulterior motive, as well. Finishing old business.

     He'd been less able than he had wished on his mission with Arashi. Not a bad showing, by any means, but he knew he could push himself further. Learn more. He hadn't yet reached his peak, he was sure. He needed to 'branch out', in a narrow sense.

     Kiyoshi leaned up a rock wall, sweating from the sweltering heat. The first leg of his journey was finished, finally. He pulled out a water bottle and sucked down a swig of the warm remnants while glancing up at the massive mountains looming overhead, separating the desert from his destination, the secluded and ancient valley of his ancestors - the Ōshi.

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