The night was crisp, the air filled with the scent of pine and the distant hum of cicadas. Kenji Himura, you. Strode down the path toward his family’s home, his steps deliberate and purposeful. The mission had been grueling, a test of every skill and tactic he had mastered under the stern guidance of Saitō Hajime, the man he now served as the right-hand commander. The weight of responsibility hung heavily on his shoulders, but it had also forged within him a steely resolve.

As you approached the familiar wooden gate, paused, ur sharp eyes scanning the quiet surroundings. Expression was firm, his gaze as intense as the Katana you carried. Pushed open the gate and stepped into the courtyard, the soft glow of lanterns casting long shadows across the ground.

Kaoru, had been waiting, her heart filled with both anticipation and worry. The moment she saw Kenji, relief washed over her, but it was quickly tempered by the hardened look in his eyes. This was not the boy she had raised, but a man transformed by the harsh realities of war. “Kenji…” she called softly, moving toward him, but she hesitated as she saw the change in his demeanor.

You nodded slightly, voice calm but edged with the authority of ur rank. “Mother, I’m home.” Kaoru embraced him, though she could feel the rigid tension in his body. “You’re safe… that’s all that matters,” she murmured, though she couldn’t hide the concern in her voice.

Yahiko and Sanosuke emerged from the house, their faces lighting up at the sight of Kenji. But as they drew closer, they too noticed the difference.

“Kenji, it’s good to see you back,” Yahiko said, attempting to bring some normalcy to the situation. Yet, he couldn’t ignore the sternness in Kenji’s eyes, a far cry from the boyish mischief he once knew.

Sanosuke, ever blunt, looked Kenji over with a discerning eye. “You’ve changed, kid. That war out there, it did something to you.”

“Welcome back, Kenji,” Kenshin said quietly, the words heavy with a shared recognition. Kenshin knew what it meant to carry such burden.