Kasumi tensed immediately, thinking of the Twenty-Fifth. A terrifying thought of possible consequences from a strong enemy visited her mind, but she banished it and pressed closer to Kenshin, sharing his worry.
Until evening, Kenshin couldn't settle, distracted only by loving wives. Hitomi, Natsumi, and Aya even climbed the roof seeking their beloved husband. Eventually, he returned home, as persistent Makoto wouldn't stop trying to climb. Barely reaching middle academy student height, Kenshin plucked her from the wall and carried her inside.
Only late evening brought Kenshin the sons' grief-filled "call." At telepathic range's edge, structuring their chaotic emotions mixed with thoughts took time. But Team Three was in trouble—no doubt.
"Hitomi, prepare to receive wounded. – He commanded and flew from the room instantly."
"Ichiro, ready Team One, we deploy in a minute. Third, be ready to support" - Kenshin ordered, taking position atop his castle's highest point.
In under a minute, First Division led by Ichiro took position behind Kenshin, all awaiting orders impatiently. Each knew something extraordinary happened and was ready for any threat.
Minutes later, another signal from the Twelfth came, and Kenshin nearly buckled. He'd hoped till the end, like last time, all would survive. But the Twelfth's brief report paled him.
"Father… Eighth… He…" - The Twelfth said haltingly. Heart torn by immense sorrow, delivering such news worsened his pain. Thoughts and emotions in chaos, he mustered strength for the essentials.
"Follow me. – Kenshin commanded coldly and leaped from the roof, flying toward the empathic signal. Ichiro, shocked by father's behavior, followed on ground with heavy heart."
Not twenty minutes passed before Kenshin met Team Three and scanned all sons head to toe.
"Where's the body?! – He growled angrily, barely restraining actions."
"F-forgive us, father! – The Twelfth said and fell to knees weeping. Others followed, foreheads to ground, overwhelmed by guilt."
Kenshin burned with absolute, unquenchable fury without target, breathing heavily: - How did it happen? Who did it?!
"It was Matsuda Yoshio of the Green Palm group! He wanted to execute three of us, but… But Eighth let us go, and…" The Twelfth said, barely holding hysterical sobs.
Hearing of his three sons' "execution," Kenshin's rage took physical form. Uncontrolled psionic impulses wreaked minor apocalypse in fifteen-meter radius, snapping trees and driving stones deeper.
Team One members led by Ichiro barely contained emotions. Strongest desire: meet Yoshio in battle and tear him to a thousand pieces.
"Rise. – Kenshin commanded Team Three. He barely controlled himself but wouldn't snap at innocent sons who followed his teachings exactly."
As the Twelfth stood, Kenshin approached, silently placing hand on head, reading last day's memories. He skimmed irrelevants quickly till finding Sakamoto Hide's discovery and pursuit.
Seeing Yoshio, Kenshin nearly lost focus; desire to tear him barehanded exceeded even Keiji's death.
Reliving that moment personally, Kenshin couldn't hold tears, watching son's face alone with monstrously strong foe. Naming by numbers was to soften loss pain in battle, but futile—even rare contact with Eighth didn't dull losing flesh-and-blood son.
"We're returning. – Kenshin ordered coldly, grabbing wounded Twenty-Sixth and soaring skyward homeward."
"Be ready to avenge your brother. We deploy in an hour" - He messaged Team One, their eyes igniting.
By fortress walls, Kenshin somewhat composed, sighing sorrowfully at Aya losing second child. He dreaded telling her, remembering her grief after Keiji.
Landing, Kenshin spotted rushing Kasumi and Hitomi. Aya and Natsumi trailed; barely glancing at Aya's worried tender face, he recoiled.
"Baby, what's wrong? – Hitomi asked son worriedly. Noting no reply, eyes hidden, she looked to Kenshin."
"Take him to infirmary, check others on arrival. – He replied, then eyed Aya noticing his reaction. She halted mid-step, afraid to advance."
"Eighth fell…" He said voice trembling, embracing Aya tightly.
Tears poured from her eyes instantly; Kenshin siphoned 80% emotions, preventing hysteria. He struggled too in grief, but pregnant wife's well-being trumped his torment; gritting teeth, he endured doubled sorrow.
Hearing, other girls froze in disbelief. Natsumi, Aya's best friend, rushed hugging from behind. Kasumi hugged Kenshin, burying face in strong neck, soaking with tears.