After Deku recovered, Torin told all of them that they couldn't stay at his cave. He liked his privacy. That was just fine by Tsuyu...if she could have successfully left.

Torin still refused to take her back to Green Village. Deku tried to persuade him to no avail. So, finally, he said he'd take her back himself.

"Uh...I don't suppose you have another magic map," he said.

Torin muttered something about useless whippersnappers. "No. You think magic maps grow on trees? Why don't you use the one I gave you before?"

"Well...uh...it only points to me," Deku said.

"That's because you're the holder now!" Torin said.

"Then what's the use of using it?" Deku asked.

"You and your troublesome questions. Don't you have any imagination?" Torin grumbled, "Well, if it'll get you to leave, I do have something that might be of use." He went to a chest and pulled out some boots. "Back in my training days, I used these to get around with to help people. You ever hear about how he saved people?"

"They say he was always first to the scene of the disaster!" Deku beamed, "And he would be gone in an instant."

"Yes, well, that's a little trick he learned from me," Torin said, "These are 7 League Boots. They'll carry you anywhere around the world in the blink of an eye."

"Oh.... Wait, why didn't you give me those before?" Deku asked, "I would have found the 8th immediately and not had to worry about monsters."

"Because, you idiot, they're magic. And you can't use magic, can you?" Torin hit him in the head. "But now that you have the SOL, you should be able to use them. Of course, your tolerance to magic is going to be weak until you can actually use the SOL for protection, so you might want to take it slow." He shoved the boots into Deku's hands. "Now go! I'm tired of you all."

"I thought you were going to train me!" Deku said.

"I believe in learning on the task," Torin said, "That's how I trained the 8th. Toss them into the river, that's what my parents always said. Either they'll swim or drown."

"But, uh...don't you hate people?" Deku said.

"What's your point?" Torin said, shoving him out the door, "You and your party can go find a problem and solve it. There's plenty around right now. Then come back, and I'll tell you how you did it wrong."

"Is that really how your trained the 8th?" Deku was flabbergasted.

"As I recall. 'Course he had the 7th too. You sure aren't the luckiest lad, are you? Bye." Torin shut the door.

The other three looked at him. They were waiting out front.

"So, I'm guessing he said no," Tsuyu said.

"Nifty boots," Ochaco said.

"Given his nature, I'm surprised he waited this long to throw you out," Fumikage commented, "I must find my Roc, Shadow, before it wreaks havoc on the woods."

"Are you sure it hasn't already?" Tsuyu asked.

"Normally he heeds my orders or else sleeps, but he might grow restless after so long. I prefer not to find out," Fumikage said somberly.

* * *

"Well, the goods news is, Tsuyu, we can take you home first," Deku said, after he explained his new "quest" to them.

"Sure.... Do you know how  to use those?" Tsuyu said.

"Sure," Deku said, "I mean...no...but don't you just put them on?"

"7 League Boots are really rare, Deku," Ochaco said, "They used to be more common for wizards to have, but the fay who made them are no longer around. They're like an ancient relic."

"Did you say fay?" Deku said.

"Yes, fay, elves...both, possibly," Ochaco said, "Those are the only people with that kind of crafting magic. I doubt even our friend Momo could make those. They look kind of normal though. I think you just put them on and take a step."

"Oh, okay," Deku said.

[Anyone who read the Two Princesses of Bamarre should be shaking their heads right now.]

He put on the boots. They laced up the front.

"I had a thought," Tsuyu said, "How do they work? Do they phase you through things like fairies? Or do they make you really fast like elves?"

"I think it depends on who made them. Different ones do different things." Ochaco tapped her chin. "The mages at my guild would sell their whole homes to get their hands on these."

"Well, if they don't make you phase," Tsuyu said in her usual matter of fact tone, "then don't you think using them in the woods might be a bad idea?"

Deku had already stood up. "What do you  mean?" He inadvertently took a step--and he shot forward at the speed of a lightning bolt and smacked into the first tree in his path. Luckily, he hit it with his arms first so he only broke both of them and not his face...but still...

"Oh, my goodness. Are you okay?" Ochaco said.

Deku started screaming in pain in response. Though he was almost more frightened than in pain.

"That wasn't too good," Fumikage said. He walked up and pulled the boots off Deku. "These are dangerous."

"That's what I was trying to say before. You brought this on yourself, Deku," Tsuyu said. 

"Be quiet, Tsuyu! He's in real pain!" Ochaco held up her staff. "I've been working on my healing magic though, so I think I can help." She spoke some words.

Deku's arms straightened out and the pain receded a lot.... They were still bruised though, but he would take that over broken. "Wow, Ochaco, you're incredible!"

"Uh...thank you..." Ochaco blushed.

"I don't think we'd better use those boots," Tsuyu said, "I suppose I'll just have to walk. I'm tired of this."

"What if you get lost?" Ochaco said.

"Well, I can't be worse off, can I?" Tsuyu said.

"I'm pretty sure you can, Madame," Fumikage said, "Why don't we all just go and find Dark Shadow? Now that we have no reason to stay, we might as well just go together."

"He's right," Deku agreed.

So they did.

Dark Shadow actually found them once they were far enough away from the cave-cottage. He did seem a little riled from the absence, but he eventually calmed down.

They wandered for a long time trying to get out of the woods. Dark Shadow scouted ahead, however, and slowly led them out. But apparently the bird didn't understand the concept of looking for a village, because they were not at Green Village, but out in the country.

"Well...this is not what I had in mind, but I can find my way from here," Tsuyu said.

Deku took out the boots. "Maybe I can use these now."

"Deku, you just broke both your arms," Ochaco said.

"Yes, but this time I know what to expect. I won't point toward anything," Deku said.

"As someone who flies a lot, may I just say, 7 leagues from here, you won't see anything in front of you until you hit it," Fumikage said. 

"Try taking a smaller step," Tsuyu said.

"Tsuyu!" Ochaco hissed, "What if it kills him?"

"Well, he has to learn how to use it, and what is the use of waiting?" Tsuyu said, "Do you want him to just not follow his destiny because you're worried about him? Don't let love blind you."

"Wha-at?" Ochaco looked nervous. "What are you talking about?"

"It's not that hard to notice," Tsuyu said, "but you can't tell him not to risk stuff, and it's a lot safer than the woods." 

Ochaco bit her lip.

Deku already had the boots on again. "Well, uh...here goes."

"Deku, wait, don't!" Ochaco jumped forward and grabbed his arm, unable to just watch this.

"Ochaco, wait!" Tsuyu reached out to yank her back.

"Madame, don't be a fool" Fumikage tried to pull both of them back, and Dark Shadow squawked on his shoulder, trying to keep his hold on it.

Deku took a step before he realized all this was happening, and just like that they all shot forward at an alarming rate.

Somehow, they didn't dash their brains out on a rock, tree, or house as they went flying through the air. The weight of the others made Deku lean to one side, and that seemed to change their trajectory a little bit. A hill came rushing up to meet them, and he pulled his feet up in alarm. They dragged over it and he went sprawling. Everyone tumbled over each other, except Dark Shadow, who very wisely let go. Then they all lay still.

"How...far was that?" Tsuyu spoke first.

Dark Shadow squawked, then said, "At least 6 leagues, you fools!"

"Oh...the bird can count..." Ochaco said.

"Uh...I believe he shares some of my knowledge also," Fumikage explained.

[A league is approx. three miles by certain standards-- or just under or over it. For simplicity, this story will use the 3 mile standard.]

"We went 18 miles in a few seconds?" Deku sputtered.

"18 miles?!" Tsuyu cried, "That's too far for me to walk!"

"I'm so sorry," Deku said.

Tsuyu snorted in annoyance. "Well, it can't be helped. I'll have to find some way back. It's just a day or two by horse, I suppose."

"I think I should wait a bit--" Deku started to kick the boots off because he was afraid if he sat up, he'd take a step by accident, but apparently, the boots didn't know the difference between kicking and stepping, and before anyone had let go of each other, they all found themselves hurtling through the air again. Dark Shadow had only just re-landed on Fumikage, and he squawked in alarm.

Deku kicked frantically, still trying to remove the shoes, but that just equated to more steps. All of them started screaming as they crashed through trees. 

The only reason they didn't die was the boots had taken them sightly upward at first because his feet were up, but as he kept kicking they would angle first down, then up, depending on his original position, until no one was sure which way they were going, but it must have been higher than any house, because they met no resistance.

And the mountains were luckily, very far away, but they would come up to them soon at this rate.

"Dark Shadow!!!" Fumikage yelled.

"Deku, stop moving!" Tsuyu cried.

Deku smartly followed her advice.

Ochaco tried to cast a quick spell of protection around all of them as they hurtled downward.  Dark Shadow grew much bigger, spreading his wings to work like a parachute...but there wasn't enough time. They were all going to break every bone in their bodies...

They hit the ground and bounced off it, because of the spell working like a ball, but hurtled off at a speed that was still breakneck. And now the spell was gone. Ochaco felt dizzy from the effort of it and the impact.

Deku closed his eyes.

Tsuyu vaguely saw something green coming up to meet them--trees? Uh oh...

But just as they were going to hit the boughs, something reached out and snagged all of them like a net and yanked them in, and they landed on a bed of moss and flowers and dry leaves...hard, but they didn't break any bones.

They were a little bit dazed, but then Dark Shadow started making unearthly noises and saying, "Magic! Magic!" and flew up and away.

Fumikage sat up, feeling a little queasy. "Are we in another enchanted place?"

"You are so fortunate I saw you in time," a sweet, melodic voice answered. Fumikage blinked in astonishment as an almost ethereal looking figure stood before them.

Deku sat up too and stared... "Lady Ibara?"

* * *

Ibara it was. She was the goddess/guardian spirit of the Enchanted Forest, as it was known to humans, anyway. Or the Forbidden Forest. To magical creatures, it had many other names. The last time they'd been here, it was in their direct path to the 8th, and they'd gotten out safely only because Ibara had taken pity on them and helped them on their quest. She wanted the Dark Lord defeated also.

Deku didn't have any reason to fear her. In fact, he was sort of glad...but then he realized where they had to be.

"Are we in the Enchanted Forest?"

"But of course." Ibara gestured around. "Where else would I be? I am glad of your coming too in this instance, 9th holder."

"You...know..." Deku said.

"I could sense it as soon as you came closer, even before on your previous visit," Ibara said, "But I see you now hold the actual flame."

"Yes..." Deku felt awkward. "Uh, I didn't mean to crash into your trees...."

"Not to worry. There are no dryads in the trees at the edge. Too likely to have humans there..." Ibara said, "And you didn't do much damage. I prevented it. But you brought a monster here."

"I...humbly apologize." Fumikage bowed to the ground.

"At least it flew away though." Ibara didn't seem to understand him.

"Where did you say we were?" Tsuyu asked Deku, sitting up.

Ochaco rubbed her head, then covered her mouth. "Uh, I don't feel so good after that spell." She rushed toward a bush.

"Oh dear, let me help you." Ibara produced a plant and rushed to her aid. "This should revive you, young maiden..."

It seemed to do the trick. Ochaco sat up again.

"Uh...Tsuyu, I'm really very sorry," Deku said, "but...uh...we're...dozens of miles at least away from Green Village now...in the north."

Tsuyu stared at him. Then she pursed her lips and stood up. "I need a moment." She walked behind a tree.

"I thought she would be more angry..." Fumikage admitted.

"Oh...uh...that's really angry for Tsu," Ochaco said, "I've hardly ever seen her lose her tranquility, even for a moment..."

"I suppose she is in distress," Ibara said, "but in the meantime, I need your assistance, 9th Holder. This is a fortunate time for you to come. I had hoped that you would answer my vision."

"What?" Deku said

"I had a vision that you would return soon, but this is the perfect day." Ibara raised her hands. "I have something to show you. Follow me."

Given that they had no real choice, they did.

Somehow they hadn't dropped their packs, but Tsuyu's basket was long gone.

Deku found the boots had been pulled off his feet by the same vines that Ibara used to catch them. And she moved through the forest by her vines, it seemed. They seemed to just attach and detach from her hair wherever she went, like she was swimming through the flora of the landscape. It was hard to describe unless you saw it. Sort of like an octopus might use its tentacles but much more graceful and etheral to watch.

Tsuyu was still sore at Deku, but even she had to be somewhat amazed by what was around them. Just looking at these trees, you knew they were different.

Contrary to popular fable, the forest was not exactly more beautiful than a regular one. In some ways, it was uglier, even, for plants grew out at odd, unusual angles, and the coloring of things didn't always make sense or would even change if you looked away for a moment, making it unsettling. Things had a very wild, out of this world look to them that both frightened and transfixed you.

But in a way, it was beautiful in its own, mystical, untamed sort of way, and Ibara seemed to blend with it even as she was the only distinctly human shaped part of it.

There were pixies around, but though they heard them whispering in their high, flute-like voices, no one saw one. It added to the unsettling nature of the forest.

The humans were all silent and solemn by instinct.

The trees seemed to part, even move, out of Ibara's way. They weren't tied down like regular trees. Sometimes they whispered to each other about the trespassers, in their own tree language that only just sometimes made sense.

"They hope you did not bring the half blood elf this time," Ibara addressed Deku finally.

"Oh, no...they left us a long time ago."

There was almost an audible sigh of relief from the trees.

"I know elves must tinker, but I prefer they leave it out of my forest," Ibara said, in the nearest thing to a perturbed human tone they'd heard her use.

"Uh...Lady Ibara, what is it you wanted to show us exactly?" Deku asked.

"Oh, I think you'll know it when you see it," Ibara raised her hand, "and here we are."

What they all saw was the last thing any of them would have expected: People.

Regular human people.

Both wearing armor, though different kinds, and both leaning on trees, asleep.

"Oh, it looks as though the sprites have found them again." Ibara made a tsking sound. "Even I can't rein them in completely. They do so love to play tricks on humans.... You must do something to get them to go, Respected Holder."

"I?" Deku sputtered, "But...what are they even doing here?"

"As you know, many people get lost in here on chance and some never make it out. But I felt these two were noble-hearted, and I tried to help them leave...but sadly, the knight there is a very...literal sort of person," Ibara sighed, "I don't think he perceives my divine nature at all. It was almost endearing. But he is convinced that he must find the way out of here alone. His companion can do nothing with him...but surely he will follow you, the new Holder."

"You...just want us to convince him to leave?" Deku was a little surprised this was all.

"Yes, and if you do I will grant you a boon," Ibara said, "I can't have them staying here. It's just not...well, safe for them. It makes the trees nervous too, having someone with a sword going around."

"It shouldn't be any trouble," Ochaco said, "And come on, Deku, it's the least we can do. She saved us...again."

"I don't mind doing it... It just seems too easy," Deku said.

"So did getting back to Green Village," Tsuyu said saltily.

There was an awkward pause.

"Right...uh, well, let's wake them up," Deku said.

"I will." Ibara held out her hand, and some kind of pollen or dust flew off of it. "I'm sure this will undo whatever spell the sprites cast on them. They may be a bit startled though..."

As if on cue, the smaller of the knights hopped up like he'd been stung and in a high, effeminate voice cried, "Oh my! I think those pesky sprites have gotten us again, Sir Knight! Sir Knight?! My lord?"

The taller knight blinked. "Squire...? Oh...I see, but I'm sure there's no cause for undue alarm. We've survived the little mischief makers this long."

"Because of myself," Ibara said blandly, "but he refuses to believe that..."

"What an oaf," Tsuyu said candidly.

The knights noticed all of them and jumped.
"Oh my!" the small one reiterated.

"Gentlefolk?" The taller one bowed. "I am humbly at your service. We have not yet encountered any other humans in this strange forest. May I present myself? I am Sir Tenya, and this is my squire, Yuga."

Deku wasn't sure what to do, so he bowed clumsily in response. "Uh, hello... I am Deku...of Green Village."

"Tsuyu, of Green Village," Tsuyu said dryly.

"Fumikage." Fumikage didn't specify.

"Ochaco, of Grave Village." Ochaco curtsied awkwardly.

"Are you also lost in this labyrinth of a forest?" Sir Tenya asked.

Ibara sighed but smiled.

"Uh, no." Deku wasn't sure what to tell him. "The...well, you see, the guardian spirit of the forest asked us if we could help you, because you've been trapped in here for some time."

"The guardian spirit?" Squire Yuga said, excited, "See? I told you it was real, Sir!"

"It's about time," Sir Tenya said, "We have been petitioning it for weeks... Where is the Spirit?"

They all blinked at him.

Tsuyu pointed at Ibara. "Do you not see her?"

Sir Tenya and Squire Yuga looked at Ibara in some confusion.

"Oh, you mean the Woodland Maiden," Sir Tenya said, "Yes, she's been most helpful. But she is not the Spirit. Don't be preposterous. She is clearly human."

"Does...does he not see the vines growing from her head?" Fumikage asked in a low voice, "Or does he take it for witchcraft?"

"A very unfortunate curse, yes," Sir Tenya sad, not unkindly, "Which we will do our best to assist with once we get out of here."

[To be completely fair, that would be a form of some ancient curses of legend, turning into a plant. Not usually slowly, but still.]

"If we ever get out," Squire Yuga said, "Does this mean you do not know how to leave either?"

Ochaco stared at them, dumbfounded.

"It's like this every time," Ibara said, in a low voice that only they could hear, "As I said, the Knight is very literal minded. He cannot seem to conceive of a spirit putting on human form. Perhaps it is partly because some of us did use to be humans in nature, until we ascended... Perhaps I was once... I don't remember. In any case, he thinks that spirits are ethereal creatures, and that my claim to be one is a result of a cursed delusion. For all that he's been very kind about it. I almost pity him if he realizes his error."

"I don't think pity is the first sentiment I would have in this instance," Tsuyu said scornfully.

Being this dense was kind of hard to understand for all the magical people, or else just the pragmatic Tsuyu.

"Why don't you just show him your power?" Ochaco asked Ibara.

"Surely you've heard that goddesses cannot just demonstrate our power to a nonbeliever like some quean," Ibara said, shocked, "And...it would be a waste, wouldn't it?"

[Quean: means an unpleasant woman, a shrew, or a prostitute in Middle English. It was not a typo.]

"Judging by what we're seeing, it wouldn't work with this fool anyway," Tsuyu said, "Let's just lead him out and be done with it." 

She said that loud enough for knight and squire to hear, and they seemed off put by her rudeness.

"Well, Madame, I really don't see any cause to be uncivil amongst ourselves," Sir Tenya said, "We would be happy to render any small service you require in return for your help."

"That won't be necessary." Deku held up his hands. "We can just walk together... Uh, Lady Ibara, if you would show us the way out..."

"But of course," Ibara said, "Follow me. If you can..." She moved and the trees seemed to bend out of her way.

"Don't you see that?" Ochaco couldn't help but ask the knight.

"Yes, this forest is very mysterious, is it not?" he said with a straight face, "I will be glad to be free of it. Even if it has been pleasant at times."

"Just keep walking, Ochaco," Tsuyu said, "Don't look them in the eyes. It helps."

"I don't know if we need to be that harsh, Tsu," Ochaco said.

"I am not in the mood to sugarcoat anything," Tsuyu grumbled. She must still be upset.

* * *

Following Ibara, it was a very short walk out of the forest.

But Pixies came up to Deku and seemed to sense the aura of the SOL.

They then shied away from Fumikage. Some of them hissed at him. 

Occasionally a tree vine would try to catch him by the throat or torso--Ibara warded them off with just a glare, usually (a strange expression on her serene countenance), but it didn't stop the next batch from trying.

All in all, thought it took only about 10 minutes, it felt far too long before they came to the end of the trees.

Ibara nodded. "That way will take you out into the world of men again."

"Lady, you should accompany us, now that we are finally free," Sir Tenya said, "We can escort you to a town or village nearby. The Dark Lands are mighty dangerous to go through alone."

Ibara hid a smile. "I think I can manage.... Anyway, I never leave the forest."

"How could you want to live in a place where pixies try to put you asleep..." Squire Yuga shuddered, "And it's so dark."

The trees tops parted over them as if they were insulted.

"Is it?" Ibara said, sun shining down on her like a benediction.

They blinked.

"That was oddly timed," Sir Tenya said, "Sometimes it is almost like the forest can understand our speech."

Tsuyu slapped her forehead.

Deku laughed nervously. "Maybe it can."

"But how could trees understand human speech?" Sir Tenya dismissed it.

"Literal...or just stupid?" Ochaco wondered. 

"Perhaps his ignorance is bliss," Fumikage remarked darkly, "Once you begin to believe in some things, you must believe also in others. If you believe in good fairies, you must believe in evil ones. If you believe in mystical wonders, you believe in horrors also. Let him be."

Squire Yuga at the very least found that speech a little unnerving, but the knight ignored it, or perhaps he was preoccupied.

"Where are you going, anyway, Deku of Green village? With a party of two young ladies and one... I say, what are you anyway?"

"Cursed," Fumikage said.

"Oh, I am sorry to hear that," Sir Tenya said.

Fumikage bowed his head in acknowledgment.

"Oh, well, I'm..." Deku hesitated. But no, if he was going to help people, he was going to have to be honest with them.

"I'm the new holder of the legendary Sword of Light..." he said, "Uh, so, I'm looking for people to help."

They stared at him.

"That's quite an outlandish claim," Squire Yuga said.

Deku nodded. "I know..."

"But it's true. We've seen it," Ochaco defended him loyally, "I was there."

"I sense it to be true," Fumikage said, "Any cursed creature will be able to."

"I myself can see the light in his spirit," Ibara spoke calmly, "but it is faint as of yet.... 9th Holder, you must grow able to use it, for the Darkness will not wait. Even now half your land is nearly covered in it, and it will only grow more. I feel it is quickening."

As if on cue, an ominous chill wind blew through the trees. They shuddered as if it was a hurricane.

The humans shivered also.

"Quickening?" Ochaco repeated.

Ibara looked up at the sky. "The Dark Lord senses that the light has moved on.... He will feel its pulse.... He will try to eliminate you while you are still weak. Every holder goes through this treacherous period. Weren't you aware? You must learn how to use it ever so much more quickly, for it has never been as dark as it is now. I sense that many errors have led us here, and they must be rectified."

She sounded very far away, like she was looking at something they could not see.... As she was a spirit, perhaps that was true.

"The trees remember," she went on, almost in trance, "They've been standing longer than your generation... Take heed, 9th Holder. All things are connected. Whatever mistakes made by man and mystical creatures will flow into the Strength of the Darkness. Whatever peace you make will strengthen the Sword. For it was once called the Symbol Of Peace for all creatures, magical and human, beast and spirit... If that light goes out, the land will perish to the blight, and not even the gods will stop it. Where no one carries the light, there is no reason for it to shine. Remember this warning."

Deku couldn't understand what she meant, but it sounded ominous.

Ibara's eyes cleared then, like she was back on earth. "You must not stay here. To gain strength you will need to go where there is darkness and use the light there. Here we have plenty."

"What was that, sir?" Squire Yuga asked.

"Perhaps she is a seer...?" Sir Tenya couldn't even deny that was an odd thing that just happened.

"Was that a prophecy, Lady?" Ochaco asked.

Ibara nodded. "Call it an oracle... Every god or goddess sometimes gives oracles. As the holder, you will probably get them all directly, but listen even if it comes from an unexpected source. Never ignore the Divine Voice, 9th Holder, for it is the source of your Sword, and you must learn to be in step with it."

"Wait, it is?" Deku said, "Is that where the SOL comes from?"

The wind picked up.

"This place is too obvious," Ibara frowned darkly, "The Dark Creatures can sense you here. Too much of us are in once place now. You must go out where they will not look for you."

"But I need to know more about the SOL," Deku protested, "I cannot even use it enough to fight! Can't you help me?"

Ibara pursed her lips in a very human like way.

"Not now, but here..." she held out her hand and out of it sprouted a...Golden Rose?

"Take this, and I can find you anywhere you go, as long as the rose keeps its petals..." she said, "But it won't last forever. I'm afraid, in the darkness, I cannot promise that at all... You will need the other gods to help you."

"Where can we find them?" Ochaco asked.

"All the gods are one, you know..." Ibara didn't really answer.

"It's not really a question of finding them...but of understanding them... Go now, hurry. The Rose will help you use those boots of yours more safely until you get the hang of them. It's a compass of sorts. But you must learn to use your gifts on your own also, 9th holder. Just like everyone else..." With that she melted into the woods at last, and the trees closed after her.

The winds went still.

Fumikage saw Dark Shadow circling closer.

"We must fly," he said, "I too sense there may be trouble coming."

Dark Shadow cawed in response.

"I think we should believe them now," Squire Yuga said in a small voice.

"You had better come with us for now," Fumikage said, "Until we can get away from here."

Dark Shadow grew to be humongous, large enough for all 6 of them to fit. 

They scrambled on. Even the newcomers made no argument about it, as they felt uneasy also. 

They took off. Soon the Enchanted Forest was out of sight. And only the Rose even proved that the whole encounter with Ibara had even happened.

[And I give you that, Iida stans who wanted him to be in this story. You're welcome!]