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It was a warm summer day when Goemon decided to take Jigen to the park. He had struggled to strap himself into the baby carrier harness but once he got it on and secured the baby into it, it felt pretty secure. The straps were snug against his body, allowing him the ability to move freely. Plus Jigen could be placed forward facing or with his front to Goemon's. For the trip to the park, they had opted to have Jigen facing the same way as Goemon. At the moment, the little boy was waving his hands at the birds and giggling.
As Goemon strolled down a path he came across a vendor selling ice cream. Jigen bounced vigorously in the carrier making grabby hands.
"I suppose a treat should not go amiss," the samurai mused. He purchased a blue popsicle and held it carefully to the boy's mouth. Jigen let out a high pitched squeal as he tried to bite the cold treat.
"Goemon Ishikawa, give up the child and you might walk away from here unscathed," a low voice commanded from the trees.
Goemon merely closed his eyes and commented, "I wondered when you would work up the courage to make your move."
A group of men dropped from the trees surrounding the man and child. Each held a gun trained on the samurai. "I will only say this once more, give up the child."
Goemon darted forward to jab Zentetsuken's hilt into the man's stomach. He whirled around to avoid a shot from one of the cronies. Kicking his foot into another one's face, he was acutely aware of the giggles coming from his infant friend. However, when a gunshot came particularly close he unsheathed Zantetsuken. Goemon quickly dispatched all the men until there was only one left.
"What do you want with the child?" He demanded. The other man clamped his mouth shut. Goemon ran his sword's edge against the man's neck. A bead of blood dripped down. Goemon repeated his question.
"W-we know that's Jigen Daisuke. The boss, he figured if we could get ahold of him then we could train him. Ya know, use him as our own secret weapon. That or sell him off."
Goemon's eyes narrowed fractionally. He drew back Zentetsuken before striking the man's head from his body. Blood flew everywhere. "No one will ever touch him," he hissed.
He craned his neck to look at the quiet child. Blood had sprayed across the child's face. Jigen looked up at Goemon and his eyes crinkled as he grinned widely. He cooed happily. Goemon sighed, relieved that he didn't seem traumatized. Of course not. This was Jigen. Jigen wouldn't be upset by this.
He flicked Zantetsuken to remove the blood before resheathing it. So much for their nice day at the park. Goemon tensed as Jigen let out a shriek. The boy began sobbing noisily as Goemon frantically tried to soothe him but to no avail.
"Jigen, my friend. Tell me what troubles you," Goemon pleaded. Jigen cried and pointed at the ground a few feet away. Goemon looked to see the smashed remains of the blue popsicle.