Hitomi, veteran of many deaths, was more restrained. Though grieving with all, her sorrow centered on beloved husband's all-consuming grief. Composing, she pulled Twenty-Sixth to infirmary, knowing tears help not.
"W-why again… Why?.. – Aya asked through sobs, looking up into his face."
Kenshin had no answer. Words now held bile and cynicism. Absorbed negativity barred consoling; he just held and stroked her small head silently.
"How did it happen? – Aya asked minutes later. Accelerated emotion purge ended hysteria; vengeful fury brewed in grieving mother's chest."
Kenshin briefed all, sparking another grief wave. Late-arriving Makoto wailed too, burying face between Aya and Kenshin, drenching both.
Meyumi and Noriko felt deep sadness without tears. Events resonated with Noriko, whose father died just like Eighth. She felt boundless respect for great warrior fallen protecting family.
"Kenshin… I want Matsuda Yoshio killed! I want his entire line erased from earth! I want nothing grow on his grave for a thousand years! – Aya declared furiously, eyes on Kenshin."
Such words from joyful, sweet girl stunned all seconds. No one expected such malice from kind Aya.
"Matsuda Yoshio will die undoubtedly, as will all Green Palm involved. But if he has innocent offspring—they live. Else, how differ from Matsuda Yoshio?!"
"I don't care! I want them all dead! That bastard didn't think a second of Eighth's mother! No one but you cares for honor! – Aya raged."
"You need rest…" Kenshin sighed, plunging her deep sleep, catching gently.
"Take her to bed, care when wakes. – He told Natsumi."
"What will you do? – Kasumi asked worriedly. Sensing serious intent, she aimed dissuade rashness."
"What else for father but avenge brutally slain child? – He asked resolutely, gazing night-black eyes."
"Gather intel, plan. Charging unknown foe—suicide! – She declared unwavering."
"Normally agree, but not now. Strike decisively so all learn forever: death for harming my Nakayama Family member!"
Chills ran Kasumi; rational mind yielded to battle urge, avenge Family member. First in long, she felt part of something greater than small family.
"I'll go with you! – She declared eyes blazing."
"You won't. – Kenshin replied calmly, plunging her deep sleep instantly."
"Makoto, be good girl, take Kasumi to bed. – He said emotionlessly, passing wife to teary short-haired girl."
Makoto silently carried Kasumi, sniffling to bed. Kenshin not in consoling mood, silently flew up to high wall where all sons waited below.
Stunning news spread among Kenshin's children; they got order assemble. Barely self-controlled, duty bound them.
Kenshin silently scanned gathered sons, sighing sorrowfully at empty Eighth spot. Memories flashed: fast-growing infant. Fresh to world and "patriarch system," he thought child deaths less painful from rapid maturity—but chest pain proved wrong.
Smiling unremarkable Eighth veil shifted to sneering Yoshio; fury seized anew.
"Eighth fell. – Kenshin declared thunderously, unleashing sons' tear floods anew."
"He gave his life for his brothers, and I'm insanely proud of such a son! " said he, feeling at that moment incredible pride and boundless respect for the Eighth.
"But at the same time, I can't help but grieve with you... He's gone, but his killer named Matsuda Yoshio is still alive, and it's time to fix that! First and second teams, be ready, we're moving out in an hour. It's time to show the whole world how much the Nakayama Family values its children, and what vengeance can be like! " he growled, making everyone who heard his fiery speech shudder.
Tears streamed from everyone's eyes in an uninterrupted flow, and besides boundless grief, there was something else in them. The members of the first and second teams were burning with impatience and were ready to rush into an attack on the blood enemy of the Nakayama Family. Everyone else was insanely jealous of them and dreamed of personally plunging a blade into the heart of the enemy who killed their brother.
Having finished his speech, Kenshin headed to the workshop to prepare for a serious war of extermination. He intended to wipe the Green Palm off the face of the earth and kill every single member of that organization. Perfect Memory allowed him to remember absolutely all the information gathered by his sons, and he knew well most of the major organizations located in the territories of neighboring countries.
The fact that the group that had literally occupied the Land of Grass deserved execution—he had no doubt, and he intended to uproot this weed from the Land of Grass, weakened by endless civil wars, in the near future.