[Muramasa Uemon]

flight, on dragon's back

---

Through the tumult, a small window of opportunity arose, which was seized by Utsuwa and their fellow Jashinist.

A flick of his finger saw Tsuki skittering away back towards himself, staying near the outskirts of the chaos so as not to get trampled. Yamata followed after, though much more sluggishly due to its mass and Uemon's own caution.

Before long the rabbit darted past the boy who made his way towards the barn, rounding the corner and drawing even more suspicion. The wanderer wasted no time in commanding the small rabbit onto its scroll, then did the same with Date and paused to form a single hand seal. Two puffs of smoke emerged with the Hikin Fūinjutsu...

...and when he glanced up from the parchment, he saw the youth. Wide-eyed and staring at his crouched form with a mixture of fear and confusion. "A witness..." Uemon thought, returning his stare. "He is not much older than Kota."

The wanderer gave the matter some thought, considering the darker option... then raised a finger. To place to his own lips in a shushing gesture. He placed the scrolls back in their holsters, threads emerging from his free hand to once more reattach to the large serpent puppet, then he beckoned it to himself with more haste. Snaking its way down the village road with growing momentum. Uemon rose, gave a final glance to the child, then dashed past him.

Hopping atop Yamata's large neck, funneling  chakra into the soles of his feet to help him stay balanced, and using chakra threads from all ten fingers to command the beast faster. Amidst cries and shouts, they made their getaway.

Leaving behind blood, fire, multiple villagers in varying states of injury, and utter bewilderment. "That boy was the only one who saw my face..." He thought, bidding Yamata to speed up as the people of Akamori lagged behind the large puppet's wake. It did not take long for them to climb the hill and enter the forest. "...perhaps it is for the best, in the end."

Another deed to his name— more reason for his enemies to the north to fear him. As he rode the puppet, he could hear some strange muttering coming from within, but mostly disregarded it as he focused on putting distance between them and the village. Soon enough the faint chakra signatures in his head vanished from his sensory range.

Uemon had Yamata continue to move for at least ten minutes after, just in case. "Alright." He said, halting the great beast and directing it to lay flat. "I believe we are safe..." Another flick of his finger and the hatch opened.

Giving Utsuwa timeto peek out, if they wished. "...for now, at the least." He said. "Can your brother walk?"

---

[Kyodai Utsuwa]

Sequestered inside the profane puppet, Utsuwa could do little in the gloom but pray. Prayers of protection, of gratitude, of promises of future service. It seemed that making use of Muramasa had been the correct choice, even though the method of his aid was less than ideal. But perhaps there was wisdom in this; after all, even Jashin sought to use the Bijū to spread understanding of suffering, and the necessity of His blessing. Perhaps this was acceptable, so long as they did not stain their own hands or soul.

The hatch opened, and Utsuwa was only too eager to emerge at least partway out of the evil thing.
"My legs have been broken," Kyodai Jun answered from where he lay, his broken and abused body largely immobile. But his voice was flat and calm, clearly not bothered by the numerous bruises, broken bones, and cuts on his person.
"Indeed; though 'tis naught that can not be remedied by a splint and some time. I shalt see that this brother mine can yet walk this day." Utsuwa offered with a smile. The pain would be too much for an unfaithful to bear, but it was of no concern to those like them.

Utsuwa briefly realized that they had left their tengai-gasa behind, and frowned. Well, it was not as though it was a difficult thing for even someone like them to acquire, but it was still unfortunate. It felt right, shielding their identity behind the wicker grille, so that more attention would be brought to the symbol of Jashin around their neck.

"Thou hast done us and Jashin a service, Muramasa-dono. Though ye yet remain heathen and sinner, mayhaps we shalt lend an ear to thy travails." Utsuwa was still seeking some way to draw Muramasa to Jashin. Displays of Jashin's blessing had been insufficient, and he was too careful to risk directly attacking at this time, and too absorbed of his own pride to submit to education.

Utsuwa turned their gaze to the horizon. "All is as Jashin-sama wills."