“Not a life,” Kaito said. “Not payment. You said a promise was broken. Promises aren’t repaid with death. They’re repaired with work.” He knelt and placed his palms on the soil. “I’ll plant. For every tree your grandfather took, I’ll plant ten. I’ll divert the stream back to its old bed. I’ll teach my village to give back, not just take. Not for one season. For every season of my life.”
The spirit’s light dimmed. The promise was broken by your grandfather’s father. He took more than the forest could give. The price is a life. A willing one. shounen ga otona leer
“The spirit lives in the heart of the Whispering Grove,” he whispered. “You must go. Not to fight. To ask.” “Not a life,” Kaito said
And whenever a young boy came to him, fists tight, asking which monster to fight, Kaito would smile and say: Promises aren’t repaid with death