Post by Kuma on Mar 29, 2015 1:47:12 GMT
Prologue
“And now, I said, let me show in a figure how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened: --Behold! human beings living in a underground den, which has a mouth open towards the light and reaching all along the den; here they have been from their childhood, and have their legs and necks chained so that they cannot move, and can only see before them, being prevented by the chains from turning round their heads. Above and behind them a fire is blazing at a distance, and between the fire and the prisoners there is a raised way; and you will see, if you look, a low wall built along the way, like the screen which marionette players have in front of them, over which they show the puppets.” Extract of Plato’s Allegory of the Cave
Sakurajima Island, Japan, 2 weeks ago
Over a smooth volcanic boulder, Reiji Fukuma is sitting in deep meditation. The stillness of the air around him, as not even a drop of wind is blowing, is eerie. For almost a full week he has been coming to this isolated sector of the island he owns to ponder about something so dangerous and risky he never thought about until now. He never wanted to do it again, but the circumstances were about to force him.
Months have passed after the events in Orasul Sange, where his current pupil, Gen Shishioh, was sent by him to rescue a young girl. It was a trap; someone or something managed to overwrite Reiji’s memories and created the false request from a false individual. The Old Master managed to, at least, discover the falsehood of the memory through deep meditation, but couldn’t remember the truth.
This trap managed to wound his pupil to such a degree that even months after the events he was still convalescent, barely able to live under the constant pain he suffered from the wounds. Reiji tried everything, but these wounds were beyond his ability to cure and even his contacts couldn’t do anything. There was only a remaining possibility to cure Gen, but he didn’t want to think about it as the cons were way larger than the pros, even if it worked.
Yet, not knowing what else to do and knowing he was responsible for his student’s fate, he decided to do it. The “ritual” he wanted to perform…. Was not a ritual at all, as mysticism wasn’t involved. As humanity usually tagged things they cannot comprehend as magical, Reiji did the same with this “Trans-Dimensional Circuit” As one of his comrades of the old days called it. He knew the theory behind it, but he didn’t fully grasp it
But for this “Ritual” he would need people to help him. Reaching out to his contacts in the BHA, JHWAB and Inazuma he sent an add requesting helpers for some handiwork on his island. He would pay them in metallic and through training, knowing that his reputation as a Martial Arts Master would bring enough people or at least good enough people for the task. He added Gen’s name under his, so if any friend of his student want to give a hand they could assist. Reiji considered that Gen really needed to make friends, as he himself learnt back in the old days to do.
He went back to his house, one room being occupied by Gen and every conceivable piece of medical equipment to help the young Spirit Boxer. Reiji lifted a tatami panel revealing a safe; he pressed the combination in the panel and opened it. A small wooden box without any decorations was resting inside the safe. The Old Master opened it revealing the fabric covered interior and six “Medals” inside of it. All of them had the same size, 5 cm of diameter and had different metallic colors and kanji on each. All of them where:
衝撃 (SHOGEKI) 熱 (NETSU) 平和 (HEIWA)
北軍 (HOKUGUN) 毒 (DOKU) 神 (KAMI)
He knew he would have to use them, even if he didn’t want. He knew he was being selfish, putting the whole world at risk to save one single person, but he knew that his friends from the good old days would have done the same for him…
Coast Opposite to Sakurajima Island, Japan, Present
-No! NO! NOOO!- The screams reverberated in the whole tent with a disgusting high pitched voice.
Mamoru Iyana was screaming as he clutched to his cell phone with all his might. A regular person would have at least cracked the screen, but Agent Iyana was not only a disgusting individual but he also was weak, especially after his last meeting with Reiji Fukuma, that left him a bit wobbly on the legs. The JHWAB “Agent” was a joke, he got what he thought was a cushy government position thanks to his father’s influence and had a rough awakening about the Hidden World.
He always considered himself to be better than others, as his family was more important and honorable than the others. Discovering that he was but a speck of dust in a much larger world, a world he didn’t understand and scared him shattered his pride and turned it into fear and horror. Truthfully Iyana represented the worst of humanity, greedy, self-important, prideful, coward and creepy. And now, thanks to Karma, he was receiving news he didn’t like and most assuredly would bring great pain to him
-I won’t do it, I just can’t! He is a monster who deserves to be locked in that island!! You told me he is a prisoner and that he shouldn’t receive people!- He kept shouting at his interlocutor, who keep talking in the same quiet tone
-Agent Iyana, please understand, the higher ups are allowing this…better said they are agreeing to Fukuma-dono’s change of conditions about his self imposed exile.- The voice kept the same tone. –I think you already met Fukuma-dono, do you think we are keeping him prisoner? He is making us the favor of not moving so we can keep a closer watch on him, if he ever wanted he could leave the country and in fact he did it twice in the last six months….under your watch.-
Iyana tried to articulate another angry rant but he started mumbling. Reiji Fukuma left the island twice? HOW!? WHEN!? Those questions filled the disgusting little man head as he tried to talk.
-Speechless? Well that will teach you to understand it, Fukuma-dono isnt a prisoner, he is a VIP, so you will leave whoever goes towards the island unimpeded as Fukuma-dono requested.- The man in the phone left a brief pause to let Iyana confirm receiving the orders, but as he got no response he added. –Understood?-
-Yes…sir…- *BZZT* The communication was cut from the other side after hearing Iyana’s capitulation. The Agent threw the phone to the corner of the tent filled with rage and frustration. After his defeat months ago he wanted revenge against Fukuma for treating him like dirt. He was an Iyana! A member of an important family! He was better! Those things were in his head as he started plotting his next move.
With his hand he crumpled the paper his superiors sent to him. The ad that Fukuma had posted in the BHA, JHWAB and Inazuma’s Internships boards:
“To all martial artists and mercenaries, I, Reiji Fukuma, am offering a week long internship in Sakurajima Island, as I require your help for certain tasks I’m about to embark on. Alongside me is my pupil Gen Shishioh, but certain circumstances stop him from helping, thus I made this request. You will be paid in cash depending on your collaboration and you will receive training directly from me. Please come to Sakurajima Island at the dawn of August 25.”
The date is August 24, and the time is midnight. Soon many interested parties will come to Sakurajima, but unknown to them the disgusting JHWAB agent Mamoru Iyana will try to stop them.
Chapter 1: Sailing to Sakurajima
Dan looked out to sea. It was a calm night, moon bright on a relatively flat sea. He moved slowly down the beach, staring out. He couldn't see the island from here, but it couldn't be more than a dozen miles or so. This was as close as he could get to the island without attracting JHWAB's attention. He had heard of Reiji's offer and the situation surrounding the island from Sid. He should be there too. He had never had a chance to fight Gen or Sid in Osaka. He relished the opportunity. And if this Reiji guy was as strong as they all said, maybe he'd have a chance to try controlling the avatar state again. He could feel the power shift within him, like the beast knew its name and was responding to his call.
He shoved the thought down like he always did. Best to just ignore it. He would go to the island. He would punch Gen and Sid. He would learn some moves from Reiji. He would collect a paycheck. He got ready and dove into the ocean, swimming with speed that would put a motorboat to shame.
A man dressed in a long brown cloak looks up at the night sky as he is riding on a decent size boat. He was staring at the stars, trying to count them. Even though he knew it was pointless, he still enjoyed the activity. It was a good way to past the time as he was approaching Sakurajima island along with ignoring the cold. Even with his long brown coat the man couldn't help but to shiver a bit. He just wasn't used to this kinda temperature. Back home, this kinda weather would have broken a record for Jose.
Jose looks down to take one more look at the add that was sent by the famous martial arts master, Reiji Fukuma. The assignment was to assist Reiji Fukuma and the reward would be training from the great master himself. Jose was in Japan in search of training under a master and thanks to him being a member of the BHA, Jose was able to get his hands on the add. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity, Jose asked to take the assignment. The BHA provided Jose with a method of transportation, which was the boat that he is currently on. The captain of the boat informed Jose that they should be there soon enough. Jose thanks the man and goes back to counting the stars.
Middle of the Ocean. On the Way to Sakurajima Island
The night air was a bit chilly as the Last Gunslinger, Crow Cementerio, headed to an island where not only Gen Shishioh currently was but also Gen’s master. A man Crow felt could finally give him some answers. The Rail-gun had left a harbor in Japan not too long ago and after paying off a fisher-man for his boat and some directions was on his way to a place called Sakurajima Island. The Last Gunslinger gazed at the stars seeing so many in the night time sky reminded him of growing up in Rayo Rosado; his Gramps, Buho, would tell him stories about Gunslingers of old while they gazed at the stars. Thinking of his Gramps reminded the Gunslinger of why exactly he was so determined to get to this island.
A Week and a Half Ago, Death Vegas.
The Gunslinger stood in his garage/workshop staring at a mass of notes pinned to a board with various color strings connecting them all. Certain notes stood out because they written in bright red marker including one that had BLACK STAR KILLER written on it. Since his adventure in Romania where he teamed up with Uber Priest Jericho, along with several other heroes, Crow had learned some something revelations regarding the infamous BH serial killer. The most important one being the Black Star Killer was using Gunslingers’ techniques and was using them with expert level meaning this was someone who was trained by a Gunslinger. With each new clue Crow discovered, regarding why his town and the Gunslingers were attacked, more questions arose and he was starting to unravel. The workshop was a complete mess with gun parts, motorcycle parts, and more toss about. There was a belt like contraption that featured spools of wires and two dagger like knives. Attached to the belt was another note which simple read; for Haruko. “The Black Star Killer Jericho talked about. The Man in Black Beatrice mention. Falken Degraiz. And more, their all pieces of a puzzle that don’t fit together. I feel like there are chunks missing. Like I forgot the most important parts.”
Before Crow could become even more frustrated over all the various clues, a knock at his front door startled him. The Gunslinger stumbled from the workshop to the door tripping over various things in the room as the knocking got more persistent. “I’m coming I’m coming! Just wait!” Crow threw open the door with a disgruntled sigh to see a surprised Toni Sociere. “Toni? What are you doing here?” The Cat Eye Witch blushed bright red as she stared at Crow, who was shirtless his cowboy hat titled slightly on his head and a bit sweaty from working in his workshop. The girl nearly passed out as her mind drifting slightly elsewhere (someplace more intimate) as she stared at Crow. It wasn’t until the Gunslinger started snapping his fingers in her face that the Self Proclaimed Future Wife of Crow came to. “Toni? Are you okay? What’s up what are you doing here?” Toni blushed as she realized she must have drifted off and quickly stepped into Crow’s home shocked about how messy it was. “Oh yeah. The BHA posted a new job and I thought you should see it. Didn’t you mention you know someone name Gen?”
Crow was walking away when he suddenly snapped back around, “The BHA posted a job about Gen! Don’t tell me it’s another bounty from his parents again! I don’t think I could go through that again.” Toni was a bit confused as she took out the bounty, “Um I don’t think so. It seems like he needs training.” The Rail-gun snatched the paper and began to read Reiji’s ad not once, not twice, but at least five times. Crow focused on the name Reiji Fukuma, he had heard that name before, and he vaguely remembered his grandfather mentioning someone named Reiji a few times. As to the details of those conversation that was fuzzy but if there was a chance that Reiji knew Buho Cementerio maybe this man could answer some of Crow’s questions. However it seemed that Gen needed help and Crow had promised the Hot Blooded Boxer’s sister he would look after him. “Thanks Toni for showing me this. I really owe you one. I got to get packing right away for Japan.”
Crow began to frantically move around his place grabbing items to pack for the trip, including his signature revolver Quicksilver which Crow immediately holstered, meanwhile Toni was blushing again from Crow gratitude. “Oh Crow you are welcome. It’s was no big deal. You can pay me back any time maybe by taking me out to dinner sometime.” Crow was oblivious to Toni. The Cat Eye Witch then remembered something. “Wait Crow I almost forgot. You can’t just go and take this job. The BHA already gave it to someone else. I never really heard of him but his name is Jose. He is a Bronze Star but that’s all I really know about him. The BHA even gave him a boat and everything he is probably already on his way.” Crow stopped in his tracks a bit, “I don’t care if this Jose guy took the job or not. I don’t care who else took this job. I’m going to this Sakurajima Island whether I have to swim, run, or fly. Neither the BHA nor the JHWAB are going to stop me!” Toni was a little surprised and impressed with Crow’s determination. “Um what make this Gen guy so special anyway? How do you know him?” Crow was booking plane tickets to Japan on his phone when he turned around a super charged confidence in his eye. “Gen is my friend. And as my gramps use to say to me; the quality of a man’s character is judge by how he treats his friends no matter if that friend is a stubborn ass or delicate wall flower!” Crow smirked as the payment for the tickets went through then turned to Toni, “Toni I’m going to be gone and I’m not sure how long. Do you mind house sitting for me?”
Present Time
Crow remembered Toni letting out an ecstatic squeal with hearts in her eyes as she promised she would and for him not to worry she would take great care of his place. Crow wasn’t sure if that was supposed to be a good thing or a bad thing. The Last Gunslinger had his hands in his jacket pockets as the captain of the small fishing boat he had rented steered the ship towards Sakurajima Island. Crow wondered who else had taken this job, why did Gen’s master need help training the Spirit Boxer, who was this other BH that took this job, and could Reiji hold some answers for him.
Leaning against a support beam, the martial artist Sid Renen lightly hangs onto the side of the boat as it made it's way toward the island where 3 others were headed toward. Ever since he had helped Gen at Alcatraz and rescued him with the others in Osaka, Sid was getting rather impatient waiting for Gen to fight him. So when he saw Reiji's ad in Inazuma advertising training, the martial artist decided to come here to make himself both more powerful, and perhaps finally get Gen back to fighting condition. He had even told Dan of this island's location, so perhaps he could punch the pink dude in the face as well.
Dang it Gen! Why must you always get either kidnapped or injured before we can fight? This will be one of the last times I will help your hyperactive ass out. Though this Reiji dude is supposed to be really powerful...so maybe I can get some powerful techniques out of this after all. Sid thinks to himself. Regardless, he waits patiently for the boat to arrive at their destination.
-Sir multiple signals in the water, what do we do?- A member of the monitoring crew asked Agent Iyana as many blips appeared in their radars.
-Send in patrol ships; sink whoever is trying to get to Sakurajima. Don’t leave any of those boats afloat, understood? - Iyana almost screamed the orders, spitting as he spoke.
-But sir, we can’t do that, we would kill the crew, maybe they are fishermen that crossed the buoy barrier, it was a very dark night. - The monitor tried to speak some sense to the disgusting agent, but he received a slap in exchange for his troubles.
*SLAP* Iyana wasn’t strong, but the monitoring crew member was almost as weak and the impact whipped his head with a violent movement as his cheek started to swell up.
-Are you talking back to me? To your superior officer? - Iyana pushed him off the commlink and grabbed it himself.
The young crew member was sitting on the floor surprised in Iyana’s transformation, since the last time he went to the island the usually arrogant man was shy and barely spoke to the crew located in the southern shore of Japan monitoring Sakurajima. Most of the people in the crew knew or at least heard a bit of Reiji Fukuma’s reputation and they tried to not to laugh after seeing the pitiful state Iyana was left after the visit, but something changed. The disgusting coward he knew had snapped away.
-Calling all patrol ships in the Sakurajima Coastline, code 913, search and destroy every intruder to the waters, priority red.- Iyana roared through the commlink, almost deafening every patrol communications officer in the process.
The small and wicked Agent wouldn’t allow it; nothing would go right for the monster in the island if he could help it. –I’m superior…I’m better…from a better lineage...better blood…my father is the Minister…I’m from a better family…- Iyana mumbled as he smashed the commlink against the console, so nobody could use it again to stop his orders.
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A patrol ship with blinding lights moved until they locked over Dan, the ship blocking the path to the island. A man from the boat shouted with a gutural, growl-like voice –Stop right there! You aren’t allowed to visit the island by governmental law, go back to the shore!-
Dan would have a hard time looking at them man, as the spotlights would surely blind him considering his position. The Martial Artist in the Pink Gi wouldn’t notice that whoever was talking to him didn’t look like a human; he looked like a humanoid turtle with multiple eyes. Surely a Kappa or some variant of that legendary creature, working for the JHWAB
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Another boat was stopped halfway to the island. The patrol boat that stopped it was gaudily painted with red and golden flames and had a lot of art painted around, almost like a Dekotora (Japanese decorated trucks). It had neon lights over it and black light under it, dyeing the sea in violet glow.
From above it, standing on the roof of the cabin a tall and imposing African american man in a karate gi with a black belt shouted at the boat that carried Jose, the Geokinetic Bounty Hunter. –You there, the fool in the boat! Get the hell out of this waters before I sink you with my fist…you have 10 seconds!-
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As Crow remembered the past a pair of wings flapped over his location, slowly descending upon the boat’s tip until he landed without swaying it.
At first he could seem a creature, but upon a closer inspection one could notice the being that landed seemed, at least superficially, human. Using traditional clothing and a Khakkhara, with a red tengu mask and wooden geta, yet the thing didn’t match that humanity was the giant pair of wings on his back.
He removed his mask, his hair falling over his face, with a traditional Japanese haircut. His face was child-like almost girly, but he was clearly a man from his voice, that event faint was grave enough.
–Sorry, but you aren’t allowed to sail in this waters, I require that you go back to the shore you came from. - He spoke with gentleness and respect, but there was a firmness hidden behind his words.
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Finally a fourth patrol ship intercepted another boat in route to Sakurajima, this time a man dressed in a strange uniform, akin to a military officer from the 19 century. He had claws, pointy ears and a mane of dirty blonde hair. His eyes were piercing blue and in contrast his cloak was crimson. He was standing over the railing with perfect balance.
-You’re entering a restricted territory, you need to turn back and leave M…Sir- He left a second of pause as if he invited Sid to reply. His face was undisturbed and one of his clawed hands rested over his belt, as if he used to support it on a sword, but now, nothing was there.
Dan had no idea how long he had been swimming. He of course didn't bring his phone on his little swim, so he couldn't check that, and he had never had a watch. Eh. He could use the exercise. Stretch his knee. Work off his nervous energy. Just then, a dark knight was far too bright. Dan blinked and stopped to tread water. He brushed a strand of wet hair out of his eyes, but it didn't help him see. "Stop right there! You aren’t allowed to visit the island by governmental law, go back to the shore!"
Some sort of boat. With the lights in his eyes, he had a hard time piecing together anything about it despite the fact that it had spotlights. And boy did it have spotlights. He briefly considered blowing them up, but that put the growly grouch on the boat at risk. Instead, he'd pop up and have a word with him. He still needed those lights out of his eyes. He ducked underwater and put on a burst of speed. Within a second, he was behind the boat. Within another, he lunged from the water, landing lightly on the deck. His readjusting eyes picked up on a strange, reptilian figure hunched by the lights. Weird. Ever since Osaka, he couldn't get enough of it. "Look... I don't want a fight." He lied. "I don't want to hurt you." That was better. And about all he could say to the stranger for now.
Jose was staring at the giant man and wonders if he could reason with him. Fighting was out of the question for Jose for a couple of reasons. One, there was no earth for Jose to use and two, he was just a rookie when it comes to martial arts. Jose could tell that the man on top of the ship with the golden and red flames was easily a much more skilled fighter than himself. Jose was never a good speaker and doubts that anything he says would be convincing to such a large imposing man. But maybe there was some hope for Jose's peaceful approach. After all, the man is wearing a gi with a black belt, which meant that he trained under the guidance of martial arts for many years and hopefully that meant that the man also learn it's philosophy as well. From what Jose has been told, martial arts was not only a way to improve a person's body, but also their character as a whole. Yet again, depending on the man's personality, obligations, or even the discipline that he learned under, this could end up being a bad move on Jose's part.
Jose shouted back at the man, while at the same time maintaining a respectful tone, "Excuse me sir, but I thought I was allowed to enter the island if I have the proper permission from the BHA?"
The flapping of wings altered Crow to the agent’s presence, the Gunslinger turned slowly keeping his hands in the air to show a friendly and non-threatening presence. He was a bit surprise by the appearance of the agent, not the wings as that was fairly common in the Hidden World, rather the child like appearance of the mysterious newcomer. The old sea dog who was piloting the boat came out, he was grizzled and even more weathered than his boat. “What the hell is going on here? Turn back to the shore we came from! I don’t know who you are you freak but I been sailing these waters for generations! So how about you get the FUCK off my boat!”
Crow bit his lip nervously he didn’t need this fisherman’s temper causing a fight with an unknown opponent, especially since Crow was the one at the greater disadvantage being on a small boat in the water against an airborne opponent. He tried to diffuse the situation his hands in the air the whole time. “Hold on Old Man. Go back into the cabin. I’ll deal with this.” Crow returned his focus to the winged boy. “Listen partner I don’t know who sent you, what agency or organization you work for, I don’t even care how you manage to find us out here. I’m Crow Cementerio also known as the Rail-gun. I’m with the BHA Artemis Branch. And one of my friends is on that island and in need of some help.” Despite his passive approach Crow’s voice took a serious and near threatening tone. “If you think for a minute that you or whoever sent you is going to stop me from getting to him. You are going to be facing a powerful storm the likes of which you never seen!”
While Crow hoped his promise would get the winged child to back off it seemed the salty fisherman was not as patient or understanding. “I don’t care who either of you are! The only reason I agreed to this was because the money was good and it was supposed to be no trouble! So how about the two of you get the FUCK off my BOAT!” Crow’s eyes widen as the old man suddenly picked up a harpoon gun and took aim at the winged intruder. “Nooooo! Don’t!” Crow began to lunge at the old man to stop him but he was too late, the fisherman fired the harpoon as the winged agent’s back.
Sid looked at the random hitchhiker that appeared on his boat, raising his eyebrow slightly. -You’re entering a restricted territory, you need to turn back and leave M…Sir- "Renen. Sid Renen's the name. And just why the hell should I believe what you have to say? I was invited here by some martial arts trainer dude. How do I know you have any actual authority here, and aren't just a bandit trying to steal my money?"
He certainly looked suspicious. Didn't police officers have to wear a uniform or something? This dude certainly didn't seem to be wearing one. Might as well see what this dude says before he has to knock some sense into him with a steel boot. He had come too far to just give up now...especially after he already paid the boat driver to take him there and that he couldn't get his money back if he decided to quit now. Plus...this guy wasn't going to be hostile...right?
-You better leave Pink-san, or you will be arrested for trespassing against JHWAB regulations.- The Kappa smiled creepily, or at least that seemed to be the expression of his hideous reptilian face.
-And don’t worry about hurting me. - As he said that spheres of water rose from the sea floating around the Kappa like baseball sized liquid marbles. –You aint have the stones, but I’m going to cause heckuva trouble to you Pink-san.-
With that said he whipped his hand forward with an undulating motion, launching six out of 12 spheres directly at Dan, all of them aimed to non-vital spots, but with enough strength to knock out a grown man.
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-Funny you say that boy! I’m from the BHA and I was hired to defend the island by some government spooks, so I ain’t buying that boy! - The tall and imposing man in the Karate Gi jumped from the cabin roof and took a really exaggerated martial arts stance.
-You want to keep talking; I can hear your excuses, but in the end I’m going to punch your face in….so take out those fake permits and I, Goemon Williams, will make you eat them!- The karate warrior identified himself. If Jose happened to follow the martial arts world he would know the name.
Goemon William was a Japanese/American Karate Prodigy who created his own franchise of dojos in USA, but after losing a bet against an opposing master and lost the chain of dojos. He vanished into Mount Fuji 5 years ago, some saying he hid out of shame, other that he was training to get his empire back.
Either way he was a world class fighter in mundane human standards, how strong could he be if he was in the Hidden World it was unknown…
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The winged man expression didn’t change from his pleasant and gentle smile, not even when the harpoon flew towards him. He only raised his free hand and made a curious gesture the tip of his index and thumb joined while the other fingers were extended, like a Buddhist painting.
-Please, I do not want to resort to violence, the JHWAB is adamant on trying to solve this kind of conflicts- A translucid golden cube suddenly appeared trapping the harpoon inside it, floating 3 mts over the sea.
The Winged Man bowed. –My name is Jin Hikari, I serve the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Bureau and I deeply apologize for the intrusion to your boat esteemed captain, but I must ask you to return back to the coast, where you will receive a reward for your efforts to help the government in this matter.- He then turned to Crow.
-Please return to the coast with the boat, I would hate fighting a member of the BHA, as the JHWAB and the BHA always collaborate, is not my position to hurt our organization connections by being overly aggressive.- Even if he maintained his calm tone the last word carried a dangerous amount of inflexion.
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-Mr. Renen, I do not care who invited you, but I have been asked to stop anybody from entering this island. I’m employed in the Bounty Hunters Association and currently working for hire of the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Bureau.- The man used his, seemingly clawed, hand and flashed a badge that identified him as a temporary agent of the JHWAB.
He jumped from his position and landed in Sid’s Boat with a magnificent mid-air display of acrobatics. He barely rocked the boat, showcasing inhuman agility. –My name is Callis Nomene and if you don’t desist on your intent to go to this island, no matter what issue has brought you here I will have to defeat you and take you to the proper authorities as I was instructed.-
His sharp blue eyes exuded seriousness and his red cloak waved with the early morning wind. He seemed ready to fight if Sid didn’t backed out.
Dan hesitated. He'd rather not pick a fight with an employee of any government. And JHWAB was one of the big ones. But this was a once in a lifetime oppertunity to train with somebody powerful enough they kept watch around his island. Dan had gotten his ass kicked by guys who lacked the strength to cut this guy's hair. And besides, the guy was attacking him when he hadn't displayed any aggression or made any move of any sort. He was in the right.
And so his blood began to flow as he shifted his stance, ready for combat. His heart beat faster. His muscles tensed. His eyes lit up with joy. A grin spread over his face. He lived for this. He didn't have much room to dodge on the boat, so he instead stuck to deflection. Each water ball met an energy ball head on and was either destroyed or reduced to a harmless splash. Five balls down, Dan was wet but unharmed. The sixth clipped his left shoulder, slamming him to the deck.
Ow. He jumped right back up, acting like his shoulder was in place and didn't feel like an asteroid had landed on it. Well, that was one hand he wouldn't be punching with for a minute. The other found something to do while it waited. Making a fist, he charged, swiftly studying his foe now that he had a chance. Reptilian, shelled. No beak, oddly enough. No body blows for this one. He checked his face, found it populated by two extra eyes on its side. Side of the head then. Four eyes should give it some structural weakness from the extra sockets. He swung a moderately powerful right hook for his chosen target, holding back because he lacked knowledge of his opponent. It'd be harder to plead his case to the JHWAB with a dead agent on his hands.
"Callis, eh? Japanese Hidden World Affairs? Haven't seen a lot of those dudes around." Sid remarks, sizing up the beast knight. This is bad...even if I beat this guy up...he might cry to his superiors and get me tossed out of Inazuma. I already made my deposit on that damn place too! But I want this training...
Leaning against the side of the boat, Sid looks over at Callis. "Alright mr. Nomene...simple question. Why are you driving people away from this island? This Reiji Fukuma dude called us here. There must be a reason that you're trying to keep us away from him, when he was clearly able to distribute those fliers."
Jose didn't like the fact that the man was doubting he was part of the BHA and what was worse was that the man was claiming to be from the BHA, yet had no idea that Jose was coming. Seeing that the man already took a fighting stance and proclaim that he was not going to accept any excuses, made Jose have a slight feeling that he wasn't going to be able to avoid physical confrontation. Jose tries to brainstorm a way to escape this situation without violence and an idea pops into his head.
Jose first readies himself before speaking in a calm voice, "Sir, I'm willing to wait for you to contact the BHA and getting confirmation from the Yatagarasu branch, that I am in fact suppose to be here, under their order. There is no need to rush into a pointless fight if we are on the same side..." With a slight pause Jose finishes by saying "...That is of course if you're actually a part of the BHA."
Crow’s and the salty fisherman stood in stunned silence as the JHWAB’s Agent displayed a small portion of his ability stopping the harpoon in mid-air with some kind of barrier. The old man was about to have a heart attack as he slowly backed away, “You….you….are…a DEMON! Black Wings! And Powers of the Dark Arts! Please Air Demon be gone from my boat! I will turn back I promise!” When Jin revealed that he was an agent with the JHWAB, Crow raised an eye brow something was off. “Hold on Old Man. We aren’t going back anywhere. I paid you full price and I expect a full trip.”
Crow had to approach this situation carefully there were many variables that could not only affect Crow but national policies. What Jin said was true that the JHWAB and BHA often collaborated to maintain diplomacy between the organizations. However there have been some tensions between the various Hidden World organizations. If Crow cross a line here it could mean there would be no going back. Years of trust could be wiped out and cooperation thrown out the window as disagreements could turn into a war between the Pillars of the Hidden World. But he had to see Gen and he had to meet this Reiji. Crow approached Jin with caution, “Listen partner I may not be up to date on my diplomatic polices. But I do know that by our organizations agreement you cannot interfere with BHA business just like I can’t interfere with JHWAB business. So there must be some miscommunication between our organizations or your boss got the wrong information and is mistaken.”
The air was becoming eerily calm as Crow’s cobalt eyes returned a determined gaze at the JHWAB agent, “So I will only say this one more time Mr. Hikari, either let me and this old sea dog through or so help me god. I will make a path through you and any other agent the JHWAB dares to send my way.” Crow began to reach down slowly to retrieve his official BHA license which was located near his revolver. A habit he had begun to show friendly intentions to strangers or should a circumstance come where he would have to use more aggressive means of diplomacy he could react without hesitation. “Now if you wait a minute I will show my official license and we can resolve this matter.”
Agony…sorrow…pain…
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In Sakurajima, as he placed wooden posts in strategic locations for the ritual, Reiji was starting to get worried as nobody seemed to arrive. The Old Master hoped somebody would show up, as if nobody did he would have to resort to his Plan B, something even more dangerous than his original idea.
Yet he didn’t have any more time to waste and with a heavy heart he picked up a satellite phone on his house and dialed a number.
–Yami, I need your help, come to Sakurajima right now.- His tone didn’t allow any negatives to be issued in response to his request.
-Yes uncle, I’ll be there as soon as I can.- Yami Kizuato, the Half Gainen swiftly replied, a bit shocked at Reiji’s tone, something really important was about to happen, surely something risky
The Old Master looked at the sky, a silent prayer trying to ponder if he was doing the right thing, should he put the world at stake to help somebody wounded by his own failures? Did he have the right to do it?
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The Kappa saw the attack incoming and tried to react, his hands moved, but not to protect himself from the blow but in a weird motion as if he was tugging an invisible rope. This strange movement lifted a tendril of water that turned into a shield like shape over the side of his head, blocking part of the blow momentum. Yet he didn’t account for the intensity of a well trained Ki, as Dan’s was.
Even slowed down the punch was pretty strong, managing to push him back, leaving a trail of scratches over the ship’s deck. His head was ringing but seemingly his opponent hadn’t used his whole strength. A bad idea from Dan’s part, at least from the Kappa’s point of view, since the Martial Artist just attacked a government official.
-Pulling your punches youngling? Is a shame I won’t, not after this….- The Kappa laughed with a inhuman chuckle as he did another strange motion.
One of his webbed palms facing the sky and his other fist punching it, at first this didn’t seem to have any effect but Dan would notice that the first rays of the sun, reaching the boa would be blocked by a 5 mts tall water replica of the Kappa’s fist and unluckily the Pink Gi Warrior was the target.
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Callis picked the flier, thankfully his translation spell was improved by BHA magic practitioners and now he was able to read any language, as the arcane incantation casted upon him made everything look like his own language.
-Reiji Fukuma? - He kept reading a bit more and found the next surprising element. –Gen Shishioh? - He looked at Sid with a softer expression. –I know these names, but I wasn’t aware they resided inside this island.-
Callis relaxed his body, diffusing the pressure he was generating. –I was hired to stop people from getting to this island, but I didn’t know that the residents were such esteemed men. Even if Mes Shishioh seems somewhat rude he was once a comrade in arms during a nightmarish battle with undead creatures months ago, he saved a lot of us by taking the full force of an attack.-
The Beast Knight stroked his chin trying to remember the details. –When the mission was finished Mes Fukuma brought us back to Tokyo and then left back to his home with Mes Shishioh, who seemed to be in need of medical attention. I tried to find out their location to thank them, but I haven’t been able to find it out.-
Callis bowed. –Thanks Mes Renen, now I can properly thank them, yet, even as I thank you for providing this information I’m afraid I cannot let you through, as I was ordered by the person in charge of this perimeter to stop whoever tries to pass, even if now pains me considering that Mes Fukuma, requested your presence on his residence.-
The Beast Knight took once again a more combat oriented stance, ready to fight if that was the case, yet hoping it wasn’t. –So Mes Renen, I request once again for you to vacate this perimeter and abandon your current activities or I will be forced to fight against you and I would really prefer solving this through peaceful means.-
Callis resolve to fight was clear on his face, as his compassion and desires to avoid said battle. The Spirit of a Knight burned brightly from within his blue eyes.
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-Fool! You think I, the great GOEMON WILLIAMS, isn’t a member of the BHA?- The giant man searched inside his Gi and pulled his BHA License, identifying him as a Bronze Star Hunter in the Yatagarasu Branch. He put one foot over the edge of his heavily decorated boat and roared at Jose.
-Show me your identification boy, or I’ll sink your boat with you on it!-
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Jin face showed a small hint of discomfort as the captain called him a demon, as if that struck a sensitive nerve on the Half Tengu. His sad smile reflected that feeling, yet he swiftly recovered his composure returning to his placid and serene neutral mask.
-I think you’re wrong, you’re on Japanese soil, thus is our jurisdiction, I may not be one to dabble in politics as well, but I’m sure the BHA cannot interfere in governmental issues, especially when they are related to JHWAB high profile stake outs.- Jin kept talking with the same calm tone, completely recuperated from the moment of discomfort.
-Not to mention this operation has support from the Yatagarasu branch, as we required manpower to fill out some spots in the security details, as an important event is about to happen and we are spread a bit too thin. - The Half-Tengu lifted off the boat as he finished talking, his wings allowing him to maintain the altitude 3 mts above the boat.
-But that shouldn’t of importance to you, the same as your license isn’t of any importance to me, my orders were very clear, sink any vessel going towards Sakurajima, yet I tried to solve this without bloodshed, unluckily Cementerio-san, you didn’t want it that way.- Jin raised his staff over his head and started chanting
KAN JI ZAI BO SA GYO JIN HAN-NYA HA RA MI TA JI
SHO KEN GO ON KAI KU DO IS-SAI KU YAKU
SHA RI SHI SHIKI FU I KU KU FU I SHIKI
SHIKI SOKU ZE KU KU SOKU ZE SHIKI
JU SO GYO SHIKI YAKU BU NYO ZE
As he did wind started to pick up around him, forming a sphere of raging elemental energy…Natural energy. The ocean around the boat started spiking as the powerful winds rocked the boat. Around Jin spheres of wind started to spin and after two rotations were launched swiftly towards Crow and as they moved they turned into spears of Wind.
Dan took an adapted battle stance that took into account his injured arm as the kappa began his own attack. He did a quick scan of his foe. He appeared to be mostly unscathed. Good. Fantastic. Dan's grin shifted into something almost psychotically gleeful. The giant fist of water rising from the ocean just made him happier. Even at his max, he couldn't do crap to that. Maybe his avatar state could take it down, but there was no reason to go that far. He was having fun.
He charged at his foe at fast as he could. With his speed and the size of the boat, he was right in front of his foe in an instant, and he wasn't stopping. Within that instant, his body became encased in a blazing pink aura. Fully embracing the nickname bestowed upon him, he attempted to tackle his foe into his own pillar of water with as much force as he could muster. At full power and speed, that was a hell of an impact, even against water, hopefully enough to stun him and free the water from his influence.
Jose looks at his license and nods his head, "Alright seems to be the real deal to me." Jose reaches into his pocket and pull out his BH license. "You see, here is my I.D." Jose turns his license so the man could see. It had Jose's information of belonging to Artemis Branch and his rank as a bronze star. "Now that we establish that we are on the same team, can you please tell me why you didn't get any information of my arrival." Jose was still a little worried about the fact that the man in front of him didn't get a message that Jose was coming. Jose was also curious about the fact that the BHA was even doing guard work. Usually bounty hunters are just that...bounty hunters. So why did the BHA send people to protect this island from intruders. Was this just another assignment to build trust with another hidden world organization or maybe there was more going on that Jose wasn't inform of.
Jose was still new to all of this. There was so many different things that Jose still has to learn about. Thank God for The Bounty Hunter Show, thought Jose. Jose looks back to check to see how the boat captain was doing and the guy looks extremely nervous. The man's hand was shaking and any minute now he could suffer from a panic attack. Poor guy, must be pissing himself in this situation. It was understandable. The captain wasn't protected like Jose was with the hidden world organization. Jose looks back and says, "Listen, how about I go on your boat and we go to Sakurajima island together. We can cross examine each other all we went on the way. The only thing I ask is that you pardon this man and allow him to go back to the main land."
Sid watched as Callis talked about how he didn't know who was on this island, and how Gen was injured. So he knows how Gen got injured, eh...? Looking back at Callis, Sid just sighs in response to his fighting stance, scratching the back of his head slightly. "I don't want to fight either dude. It sounds like it would turn into a real drag for both of us." Despite Callis's combat stance, Sid still seemed as casual as ever. He really had no interest in fighting this guy in this small of a boat, even less considering that they were completely surrounded by water. Might as well try to talk him out of this.
"However, I have already come pretty far dude. And it would be lame if I had to leave when i am so close. Do you know the reason why people are being kept away from this Reiji dude? From what you've said, it sounds like he can move about freely without this perimeter. So why are you trying to keep people away from someone who isn't exactly trapped here in the first place?" If Sid could stall Callis long enough, he could possibly rocket off the boat and simply swim toward the island. But if he could remove the problem entirely, that would be even better.
Above the island a white object flew. It was easy to mistake it for a plane passing over, but if you had the chance to examine it from up close the mistake would become blatantly obvious. It was a bird, a giant one. And not just simply a giant bird, but a giant bird made out of paper. Of course that could be some crazy art project making its rounds in the sky, however there was also a person sat on its back. A blond man in a simple blue jacket and a priest staff resting on his shoulder. Shinji Kirigiri. A travelling monk who made his trade taking care of spirits, youkai and the like. Though his powers were very real, he was a con man taking advantage of naive people. In this case he convinced a nearby fishing village that the recent storms that took away a few ships as well as the sudden migration of fish were caused by evil spirits living on the island nearby. He already took a part of his pay and was now on the way to the island to sleep for good two hours before heading back and getting the rest of the money.
With a lazy yawn the bird descended towards the island, nearly going for a free fall before stopping just before it hit the ground and dissolving for Shinji to gently land there. He stretched a bit and put on his headphones, just out of habit, not because he had music to listen to. "Let's see what we have here..." he said before he started looking around.
Crow merely smirked a little as Jin prepared his attack, “Fine then to prevent this conflict from causing any more friction between our organizations. I got a message for your boss. I, Crow Cementerio the Last Gunslinger, am not doing this as a member of the BHA. I am doing this because…I WANT TO!” The Gunslinger’s hand began to surge with electrical NE. “I don’t give a damn about your jurisdiction! Or your stakes out! Or the JHWAB! I warned you not to stand in my way! Trust I am more dangerous acting on my own then acting as a bounty hunter! Flecha!” As Jin fired his spears of winds Crow countered with his own attack unleashing a large blast of electrical NE from his hand that collided with the spears causing an explosion of wind and electricity. The waves rocked the boat back and forth as bolts of lightning struck at the water. The old sea captain watched in awe at the display of power between Jin and Crow.
Meanwhile as the wind and electrical attacks collided Crow used the aftermath as an opportunity with short sprint forward he leaped at the cabin/helm window going completely through it. Crow then ran out from the other side while drawing Quicksilver and firing as Jin’s black wings from behind. The Last Gunslinger then leaped up and swung the nigh indestructible revolver at the half-tengu from the back. The old captain quickly took cover as he watched the two Hidden World residents fight, however the old man seemed a bit more focused on Crow and his skills then Jin. The old captain quietly withdrew a black revolver and loaded it with some bullets waiting for an opening.
Side Story: Toni Cleans (Crow’s) House
The Cat Eye Witch was standing in front of the unattended mess that has sort of built up over the years from Crow neglecting to do anything about it. She was prepared for her own battle against Crow’s organized chaos. She held a mop in one hand and a spray can of disinfectant in the other. She had gas mask covering the lower of her face and goggles covering her eyes. As she spoke her voice was distorted through the mask, “Okay Mess this is your last warning. I swore to my beloved that I would look after and take care of his home. How am I supposed to show him that he can trust me if I leave his house in this state? I can see it now Crow will come home from his trip and find his house totally clean. He will be amazed and delighted then purpose to me on the spot.” The illusionist shook herself at of her day dream smiling brightly now even more determined than ever “I swear on my word as Crow’s future wife I will make sure this house is spotless when he returns. So prepare yourself dirt and grime because I am your…….RECKONING!” A dark and evil glint formed in Toni’s eyes as she rushed she charged at the pile of dirt.
Dan desperate tackle was fruitful, in more ways that he could think. The Kappa wasn’t expecting this sudden charge and was unprepared to meet the blazing pink comet head on. The impact between his thick skin and Dan’s Ki sounded like a powerful gong, and even if he had some sort of mystical aura around him, thanks to his proximity to water, this extra defense was brutally shattered.
Dan’s courage was underestimated by the Kappa as he expected the Martial Artist to cower in fear; instead he was knocked off his feet with a loud popping sound as the suction cups in the soles of his feet lost their grip on the deck. –Ugh!- The Kappa grunted as he was pushed over board headfirst. The pillar of water returned to the sea, but he was more than capable to avoid falling himself into the water.
He latched onto the railing of the boat with the suction cups on his palms and jumped over it landing on the wooden deck, he slipped to the side of Dan, surely allowing the Martial Artist to fall into the water, the perfect place for him to attack.
-It’s the end of the line, youngling, you won’t get another chance like…like…huff…huff…huff…- after panting for a moment the Kappa collapsed on the deck, twitching in the floor and breathing heavily, as if he was in pain.
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-Of course my man! - Goemon Williams stern look swiftly changed by a smile as soon as he saw the license Jose carried. –Hop on my beautiful Arashi 3000 and I’ll take you there! Screw the JHWAB, Bounty Hunters must stick together when the push comes to shove! - Goemon extended his hand at Jose as he asked.
–So why do you need to the island, the sniveling bureaucrat in charge didn’t told me or the other BHA member a lot about our mission, he only said we were here to stop anybody from getting to the island…who or what in the world is here, in the middle of nowhere? - He spoke with honesty; he didn’t know at all why they were guarding Sakurajima.
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-Is not the place of Knight to question the orders he receives. - Callis spoke with unwavering conviction, not naïve belief, as somebody who has chosen his own path. In a sudden explosion of movement Callis used the railing to run past Sid placing himself in-between the Master Kicker and Sakurajima with inhuman agility and flexibility.
-And most assuredly the place of a Knight isn’t where he can be fooled or tricked by words.- This time around he was in a full fighting stance, ready to fight at seconds notice. –I ask you once more Mes Renen, turn back or I’ll be forced to wage battle against you, something I do not desire but I’ll do wholeheartedly if needed, such is the path of a Knight-
This time around the Beast Knight didn’t seem to be open to negotiation anymore. His keen senses helped him notice how Sid’s body was readying to spring into action and he reacted accordingly.
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Jin was shocked to see his Kaze no Reiya (風の霊矢/Wind’s Spirit Arrow) was matched by Crow’s hastily launched “Flecha”. The sudden explosion of lighting and wind served as a smokescreen for the Last Gunslinger to move into a more suited position to shoot him, yet the winds where Jin’s friends and they whispered to him. The Half Tengu did an evasive maneuver, moving away from Crow’s bullets.
-I’m sorry for causing you distress Cementerio-dono, but I cannot allow you passage through these waters.- His evasive twirl turned into a full loop as he lunged forward with his staff to receive Quicksilver clashing both weapons. His staff may not be as durable as Crow’s but its magical nature and the coating of NE allowed it to impact against the Legendary Gun without ill-effects.
-And for more obvious reasons. - He gave a small glance to his wings. –You won’t triumph through the skies. - He pressured down Crow, keeping his staff in a deadlock against Quicksilver and pushed downwards with his mighty wings. Once again he chanted and a swirling vortex of wing surged from his wings, trying to ram Crow vertically into the boat, surely ending the Gunslinger and the transport.
-Ryusei-fu Rei (流星風霊/Wind’s Spirit Meteor) - He proclaimed the technique name, still not noticing the Old Captain change in demeanor.
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I can only feel pain… nothing but pain….
I could help… only if you want me to…
You could, but what would it cost me?
Dan found pleasure in the instant of impact, feeling his aura meet another and crush through it like a dam, letting his power flow freely into his foe's chest in a glorious shockwave. His foe lost his footing with a pop lost in the thunder of their meeting. They were both airborne in the instant it took for the turtle man to find footing on the railing, leaving Dan to fly over alone. Shit. The last place he wanted to be was the water. He was accepted the pillar as a target in the hopes of knocking him out on a surface nearly as hard as concrete and getting them both back on deck before he could end up drowned.
Change of plans and trajectory were required. He raised his hand and the power covering his body swirled up into his palm, forming an energy ball that continued to grow as he lost air. His force was drained by the impact, and he wasn't carried much more than ten feet. Just before he touched the water, he drew back his arm and hurled his energy ball. There was a tiny sizzle for an instant when it touched the water. Then it exploded. Dan curled into a ball, guarding his face with his arms and torso with his legs as the water became the pink of sunset an instant before a good amount became steam.
The blast hurled him back and rocked the boat. He fell heavily on the far side of the boat, rolling his feet. His body was steaming, he was covered in bruises, one shoulder was dislocated, and he couldn't be happier. There was a spring to his step, almost a skip, as he moved over to his fallen foe. Even relocating his shoulder didn't wipe the grin from his face, just electing a pained whistle through clenched teeth. Another energy ball flared up like a pilot light and grew to fill his palm. He knelt and put a hand on the kappa's back. "Look, you're hurt. Either I can put you to sleep and let you heal or put your face in this." His orb of destruction hummed with pleasure at the possibility. "Your choice."
Jose was glad that they got that situation over with. Jose avoids grabbing Goemon's hand and raises his own hand, as if he was telling Goeman to stop. Jose then says, "Sorry. I need to do something real quick. Give me a moment." Jose walks over to the captain, "I know you didn't take me all the way to our destination, but here." Jose hands the captain the money he was promise. Jose even added a pretty decent size tip saying, "None of this happen. Okay," said Jose in a stern, but not aggressive, manner. The Captain nods his head. He understands what Jose is saying. Jose looks at the man for a few seconds and says, "Good." Jose then jumps onto Goemon's boat. "I suppose I should answer your questions, but before we discuss business, let me introduce myself. I'm Jose Hernandez. It's a pleasure to meet you, Goemon Williams." Jose says as he offers a handshake.
Jose had no clue who was this bureaucrat in charge and why he or she wanted to prevent people from getting to the island. Jose had a few questions and it seems that maybe he will only get a few answers from the man in front of him, but still, every bit helps. I'm sure I'll learn more once I reach the island and meet the legend himself, Reiji Fukuma. Jose looks at Goemon and wonders what was in store for himself once he gets on the island.
As the Half Tengu’s NE coated staff collided with Crow’s Legendary Revolver a smirk played on Crow’s face. When his Flecha collided with Jin’s Kaze no Reiya the Gunslinger realized he was facing another NE user. Jin made a comment about dominating the skies as he used his mighty wings to push Crow downwards. The Winged Agent of the JHWAB began chanting and released a vortex of wind that added downwards pressure to Crow. “SHIT! I’m going to get blown to the bottom of ocean!” In a last ditch effort Crow began firing his revolver as many times as he could in a horizontal direction to push himself out of the way of the air vortex. It took at least 15 rounds fired in less than .5 seconds but just before he hit the ground Crow was nudged just a faction off his current angel.
The force of the vortex and Crow’s adjusted angle blasted towards the side of the boat and caused him to slam into the railing cracking it in all directions along with causing some internal injuries. The Gunslinger coughed up some blood as he slowly rose to his feet, at the other end of the boat something caught the corner of his eye. A smirk played on his lips as saw a potential opening and strategy to bring the Half Tengu down to earth. However he used a lot of normal ammo escaping the vortex but he had brought some special ammo this time. Using the Trick Crow loaded Quicksilver, faster than a human eye could perceive, with uniquely colored ammo. “You may rule the skies but can you fly in the storms I control!” Crow spun around and fired two shots at the JHWAB Agent.
If one could they would notice that bullets were different than just a regular bullet, they were colored orange and had flame like engraving on them. These bullets were made by Toni and given to Crow to help him grow stronger in his path of justice, using her knowledge of gunpowder and alchemy she had created Balles d'Alchimie. These two were made with a highly flammable composite of gunpowder and other ingredients so that when they hit their target they would explode into small scale fire balls, they were Incendie bullets. Crow smirked a little as used the bullets as a distraction making a mental note to thank Toni later as he ran towards what he saw earlier…a length of rope. The Rail-gun performed a small evasive roll as he grasped the rope and tied a quick lasso. “Okay Partner let’s bring you back down to earth and see how well you down here!” Crow threw the lasso at JIn aiming to either snag his whole body or his foot at which point Crow would try and pull him in with all his might.
Meanwhile as Crow and Jin fought, the boat captain had been growing more and more focused on Crow. It was like the old man was waiting for his chance, but his chance to do what exactly was unknown. He had received his orders to send a message to Crow Cementerio and so far everything had been going according to plan. Crow arriving in Japan, the gunslinger choosing his boat, them being alone as they headed out to this island into the middle of the ocean. However it seemed this JHWAB agent had thrown off the plan entirely and now drastic measures were going to have to be taken. The Master would not like this after all he had given strict orders to leave Crow alive. What was he going to do now? He couldn’t quite expose himself in front of this JHWAB and attacking him would cause even more problems. The boat captain settled on his course of actions and waited for his moment.
Sighing once more, Sid began to lazily walk toward Callis, his body language not showing any motivation to fight at all. "Ya just follow orders without question? Kinda foolish if you ask me, dude. Especially since I really need to get to that island. What a drag this is..." Looking back up at Callis, Sid stares at him for a few seconds, then shrugs his shoulders. "How about we make a deal? I'll agree to leave this place, no problem. As long as you..." Suddenly, Sid's body tensed up as he slides across the boat, attempting to deliver a fast kick to Callis's chest that had enough force behind it to send him flying off the boat and into the water. "PISS OFF!"
While it wasn't something he wanted to do, Sid couldn't just leave now, not when he is so close. Hopefully he'd be able to give this guy a slight dose of amnesia or something afterwards, or else he'd be running the risk of being expelled from Inazuma for assaulting one of the JHWAB nannies. Why couldn't people just let him do what he wanted, especially when it's just going to meet some old guy for some training?
Shinji walked around a bit apparently checking if there were any wild animals in sight. Though he came here to supposedly exorcise spirits, he was really just gonna take a nap and enjoy some music. Of course if something worth his attention happened he wouldn't ignore it, but as far as he was concerned he had already finished his job and would get the rest of his payment in a couple of hours. As he looked around with a yawn he came close to the shore and in the distance he quickly noticed a ship. He wouldn't have noticed it if not for a strange oddity. There was something flying above the ship and the winds were raging.
It was struggling against some supernatural attack. At first through Shinji just wanted to turn around and go get some sleep but a second later his eyes nearly turned into yen signs. The ship was in trouble. Trouble he could deal with. And then get a nice payment out of the ship's captain. It should be an easy task, who knows maybe he could even make the flying thing a shikigami for himself. Grinning he started creating sheets of paper on the surface of the sea. They were light enough to float, yet also strong enough to hold his weight. Creating one after another he started skipping over them and the ship in the distance.
-I concede your victory youngling…- The kappa lowered his head signaling his defeat as he added in a whisper. -I should have asked for the Shinwa-mura assignment…- The kappa stood up after that and extended his webbed hand.
-My name is Kameko, Third Prince of the Karashogeki Clan, an agent of the Military Department of the JHWAB, may I inquire the name of who defeated me, even in this conditions so favorable for my particular set of skills?- He was honest when he spoke, no ulterior motive could be sensed behind his words.
To dispel any doubt of his intentions he added. –My clan holds in high regard anybody that can defeat us in single combat, I only want your name for the purpose of writing it in our Clan’s History Scroll, the Kame-kyo no Shinwa.-
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-Well Hernandez-boya let’s set sail to the island.- Goemon smiled as his ridiculous over decorated boat cut through the waves. Seemingly its exterior wasn’t the only thing the Karate Master customized as the engine output seemed to be way more powerful than a regular boat.
-So, what brings you to this region Hernandez-boya? I used to come around here when I trained with my master Ichigan Nagare. He always visited this island, but I never knew who lived here, as he never allowed me to visit with him. - He stopped as if he was pondering something and finally asked. –Do you know who are the inhabitants of Sakurajima, Hernandez-boya?-
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Jin almost let out a smile of sinister satisfaction when he heard Crow’s body hitting the railing, but he managed to keep his composure. From a young age he was told to control the urges of his father’s people, killing humans was in their nature, as the Tengu always served protecting the palaces of Great Yokai or even Kami.
His bloodlust had to be controlled, that’s what Eien no Ha, the leader of the Military Branch of the JHWAB had asked of him to allow Jin as a member. Yet he could feel the urge to kill inside of him, building up like pressure in a kettle.
Maybe human eyes couldn’t notice, but for Jin, accustomed to see from high above the clouds down to the ground, Crow’s movements, even if extremely fast, were quite visible. He noticed the engraving in the bullets, yet he barely understood it, guiding his actions more on what his instinct told him rather than logic.
–Kaze no Kazujo (Wind Deletion/風の削除)- were Jin’s words as his NE surged through his wings, spinning behind him encasing the bullets in spheres of wind, or better put lack of wind. This technique allowed him to remove the oxygen from a location for a short period of time.
If he could maintain it for longer than a couple of seconds it could prove to be deadly, yet his mastery over Wind Invocation may never reach that level, as he was a half-blooded Tengu. Yet this time around was more than enough to remove the oxygen from the surroundings of the bullets, canceling their fire effects. The shockwave was as well dispelled by the vacuum created by the lack of Wind.
-Where there is no wind, there isnt a Storm…- Jin couldn’t control it, the bloodlust started flowing freely from him, taking over his NE. Black winds spun around the Half-Tengu, strong enough to divert Crow’s lasso. –This is your last chance Cementerio. - The lack of suffix was evidence of his anger.
–Surrender of face the judgment of Heavens. - As he spoke his NE output increased greatly, seemingly he was preparing for something big. Yet Jin was still oblivious to the Captain and to the newcomer moving towards them from the Island. His bloodlust only allowed him to focus on Crow.
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Callis had experience with this kind of attack before, trying to lower the guard of the opponent and suddenly springing to action, a very roguish way to fight. Thankfully he had experience with this strategy, from his days as a guard in Rigel. Dealing with the Thieves Guilds was good training. Yet this time something was different, back on his world there weren’t any “Martial Artist” at least when it came to fists and kicks.
But what insulted the Beast Knight the most was the slander on his way of living. Yet he tried to ignore that. Sid only got the superficial rundown, not the full fledged introduction. A Knight mustn’t follow orders blindly, what he must do is follow the orders of those who he believes in. Belief and trust are things people gain and the BHA never truly broke his trust before, so he chose to believe in them.
As earlier explained Callis usually dealt against armed foes, with his own weapons, but now both variables were altered and he had to adapt to the situation. He knew from a glance that Sid was more proficient with his legs than his arms, and as the Knight knew, sometimes a strong point could also be a weak point.
Instead of avoiding the kick he decided to use them. With split second reflexes and ever faster decision he jumped as he grabbed the boat side. Mid-air he twisted his body as one of his feet landed against Sid’s sole. He took the momentum from the kick and let it push him backwards, yet he directed that force in another direction.
He twisted his body in the opposite direction turning the backwards momentum into centrifugal force. He spun parallel to the water as he changed hands and launched from below a reverse axe kick aimed directly at Sid’s face, passing right besides his first attack. All of this movement obscured by his crimson cloaking waving around him.
-I’m sorry this situation turned this way. - The apology was the only words the Beast Knight uttered as his heel closed in towards the Kickmaster chin.
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-The old man is going to kill us all! - Yami Kizuato paced in the room as he started cursing.
Eiko Kintategami, Cultural Officer of the JHWAB looked at her couple from bed. Her messy hair and sleepy eyes evidence of being woke up recently by the Half-Gainen frantic activity. Intrigued by the sudden outburst of the regularly collected Yami she asked.
-What’s happening? Which old man? I know more than a couple that could want you dead… I even want to kill you myself for waking me up, is a shame I’m not an old man to fit your description…that sounded wrong, wasn’t it?- The Half-Kitsune tried to cheer up Yami, who seemed distraught.
-I don’t have time for your little jokes Eiko, something big is about to happen and I need to get moving before it does.- The Slashing Demon tone was serious, but Eiko wouldn’t take that as a sign, even more after he mentioned her “trigger” word.
-WHO ARE YOU CALLING LITTLE! MY JOKES ARE HUGE, MY JOKES ARE IMMENSE! - She shouted and added in a mischievous whisper. –Just like something that is also in the room and I know very well. - She thought that some praise could soften him up, but Yami was still in panic. Something really serious was happening.
She stood up with the blanket as her only clothing as Yami got near and gave her a quick goodbye kiss before going towards the door. Equally parts pissed and curious she asked again. –What’s going on?-
To which Yami replied. –My uncle is bringing them back, the reasons he has doesn’t matter, he could doom us all.- And with that he closed the door and quickly left towards the JHWAB HQ hoping to get a portal to move near the Island. If his mother’s message was right his uncle Reiji was about to do something really stupid.
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So, what will be the price?
Price? Nothing, nothing at all…
I don’t believe that, not for a second, there is always a price to pay…
Jose almost falls over from the quick acceleration of the speed boat, but Jose sits down just in time. Jose tried his best to sit down in a casual manner as an attempt to hide the unbalance that Jose suffered from a moment ago. Jose searches the inside of his coat and pulls out Reiji's ad. Jose then offers the ad to Goemon, "Here. This is all the information I know about this place. This ad was sent by Reiji Fukuma. From what I can gather, there are two people on that island. Reiji Fukuma himself and his pupil, Gen Shishioh. However, since this ad was sent to a bunch of different hands, the number of people on the island is most likely going to be higher than two, unless we are the first to arrive, yet even then, we'll still receive even more guests once we arrive. To sum my information up.." Jose takes a small pause as he was controlling his slight frustration over the fact that he was going into this mission blind, "I barely know anything about the island, and I know even less about this assignment." Jose takes a quick breath to gather his thoughts before he continues, "I honestly have no idea what is going to happen when we arrive at the island, but I think that this ad business is a risky move."
Jose looks up at the stars as he finishes, "If the ads weren't carefully sent to the right people, then this message can end up being more than a distress signal for help, it could be a beacon of opportunity to the Hidden World organizations' enemies." Jose knew from experience what happens to one group when they appear weak to their enemies. An attack was sure to follow once one group suspect that their foes are in a position of weakness. Jose looks back at Goemon, "As for the reason why I'm here, it's for the reward for helping Reiji out. I'm here to get a shot at training with one of the greatest masters of the world. I'm hoping that I can gain some good lessons and experience from his teachings."
Dan hesitated at his defeated foe's request. He didn't need his past as a criminal to tell him that letting a cop he had just beaten know his name was unwise. But it was fake anyway, and there was something to be respected here. He took the offered hand. "My name is-" For just an instant he hesitated. "Cheng Xu." He wanted a real name to grace their history, even if it meant the JHWAB could potentially tie him to his past.
He briefly considered putting the reptile to sleep to prevent being followed, but even if he couldn't read people(he couldn't), he could feel there was honesty in his surrender. He was curious about what the Shinwa-mura assignment was, but it was time to leave before he managed to say something stupid and get back on the JHWAB's naughty list. "I assume that means I can get going? To the island?"
Shinji continued approaching, coming closer and closer to the ship as the sheets of paper moved more viciously on the surface of the sea, making it harder for Shinji to balance on them. He did manage to do so and once he was close enough to the boat he made many more sheets to give himself a decent sized platform to stand on.
"Hey! Flock off feather face!" Shinji yelled at the half tengu as he created more paper sheets in the air around him ready to attack with them if the half-tengu made a move. Truth be told Shinji would rather not kill it, a tengu was shinigami material after all. If he continued beating it senseless it would give in sooner or later and become it's servants. Or at least that's how he imagined it.
"Shit!" Sid yells out as he sees Callis using his own attack against him, attempting to deliver a reverse axe kick. So, this guy knew how to fight hand to hand too, eh? It's about fucking time I found someone who didn't use weapons against me like a jackass! Using the backwards momentum he got from Callis's previous kick, Sid twists his body clockwise and places his left foot onto the ground long enough to push himself away from the incoming kick, which still managed to graze his shoulder, dislocating the bone while Sid held back a cringe in pain. He'd have to pop that back into place at some point.
"You're sorry? I was minding my own business! You only have yourself to blame, furry dude!" Seeing a large empty barrel on the side of the boat, Sid dashes over and delivers a hard roundhouse kick to it's side, sending it careening toward Callis. To combo off the object, Sid leaps over Callis and lands behind him, dashing forward to deliver an axe kick to the beast knight's head. With the barrel coming from the front and Sid attacking from behind, hopefully this would lead to Callis getting hit by at least one of them. Hopefully.
The Last Gunslinger smirked a little as JIn countered both his Incendie bullets and the lasso; the Half-Tengu agent of the JHWAB was proving he is no slouch. However it seemed that Jin was growing impatient his output of NE increased dramatically black winds began to swirl around the two and it seemed that the agent’s bloodlust was increasing. The Rail-gun clenched his fist a little he had personally experienced what happens when one let’s their emotions get out of control; the combination of raw Natural Energy and out of control emotions made disastrous results. Ever since Crow unleashed the wrath of the Red Storm of War in Osaka he had been a bit cautious with his own powers however it seemed Jin needed to be dealt with more decisively.
The air began to crackle and spark as Crow’s own NE output increased arcs of electricity peeling off his body. The captain smirked a little he was waiting for this exact moment. “I told you before we started that nothing will stop me from getting to that island. Not you, not the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Burea, not the BHA, not even the heavens. It seems that I should have taken this fight more serious. So Jin you better make sure your next shot counts because when facing a Gunslinger one mistake is too many. Over….” Before Crow could activate Overcharged his eyes widen it seemed that the air and environment around Jin began to distort and twist. The boat, the ocean, the sky, all began to twist and blur together Crow tried to move but it felt like his body was frozen. “Hmmm that is an interesting comment you made about being a Gunslinger Cementerio. However are you truly a Gunslinger that has yet to be seen?” Crow’s eyes widen when someone voice reached his ears; the bounty hunter was shocked to see it came from the captain of the boat he was on. The man seemed to be the only thing that was solid in this world of twisted shapes and distorted colors.
However the captain seemed to be peeling off his face, a disguise, as he revealed himself. Before Crow stood a man in his 50’s who appeared to be a bit taller than Crow with white hair and mustache goatee combo. “I’m sure you have lots of questions right now so I will get to the point young man. I ask you to recall back to the harpoon I fired at that winged intruder earlier; while he may have stopped both of you had no idea that in left trace amounts of a powerful hallucinogenic in the air. While dormant at first it was waiting to be activated by a certain level of NE output something both you and that JHWAB agent triggered.” Crow’s eyes widen he was frozen in this spot listening to this strange man’s explanation. “I’m not entirely sure what the Tengu is witnessing now but I’m sure he is trying to understand as you are. If you are wondering who I am that is not important right now what is important who has sent me. My master has taken a particular interest in you starting back in Kobe with that girl he has been observing your development and while he is fascinated I am not.”
The Gunslinger slowly found the strength to speak even if he felt like he was going to puke,
“Was….this…all…a…trap?” The mysterious messenger was shocked Crow could talk. “Hmmm now that was impressive the payload I use to incapacitate you was enough to make a normal man go insane and render someone from the Hidden World paralyzed for at least a few hours. The will power and fortitude it would take for you to even speak must be exhausting. If this was truly a trap you would be dead by now Cementerio. No this is merely a way to deliver a message, a warning of sorts. My master has big plans involving you Cementerio. However you are nowhere ready to face him let alone me, in fact if you tried to face any of the Acolytes of the Black Bullet you would be killed instantly.” As the Gunslinger began to regain control of his limbs ever so slowly his eyes widen he couldn’t believe half the information this man was saying however he wasn’t about to get more answers. As a newcomer arrived to the sight the air began to become less disturb breaking the paralyzing hallucinogenic, because of the paper flying around.
The Acolyte turned around shocked to see someone had found their boat, “Damn it! Another complication to the plan. Never mind I delivered my message to you Cementerio. Now I have more important matters to tend to.” The Acolyte smirked a little as he pulled out a detonating trigger, unbeknownst to Jin, Crow, and Shinji he had placed a few sticks of dynamite in the bottom of the boat enough to create a powerful explosion. “Good bye Cementerio. I hope the next time we meet you are much stronger.” With that the Acolyte pulled the trigger on the detonator.
Goemon suddenly stopped the boat as he shouted -REIJI FUKUMA!!!!!- His face showed so much surprise and shock his eyes seemed to be about to pop out his face.
The Karate Bounty Hunter started shivering with barely contained emotion. He grabbed Jose by the shoulders and started shaking him as he shouted –THE MASTER OF FISTS! THE LEGENDARY MARTIAL ARTIST!! THE CREATOR OF MY MASTER’S STYLE!!! THE YAMAGOROSHI KEN!!!! HE LIVES IN THIS ISLAND!!!!!? I WAS BLOCKING THE PATH OF PEOPLE HE REQUESTED COMING!?-
Goemon stopped his rant and started breathing quite fast, too filled with emotions to talk, at long last he could meet Reiji Fukuma and maybe he could complete the training Ichigan Nagare left for him. –We are going full throttle boya!-
If last time seemed fast then this time surely broke the sound barrier or something. The sudden and powerful acceleration inclined the boat 45 degrees backwards… Goemon was too excited to care about physics at this point.
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-Yes, you can leave Cheng Xu, my clan will remember your victory and when the time is right some might try to avenge my defeat at your hands. It’s a matter of honorable competition, so I beg of you not to ignore their challenge. - He spoke with a much more formal tone than before as he bowed as left with his boat, leaving Dan in the middle of the ocean.
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-The problem that your business is illegal Mes, and it’s my duty to stop those who try to break the law. - Callis disliked the sensation of hitting Sid, in fact he disliked any kind of attack connecting to the enemy, his enhanced senses weren’t limited to smell and hearing, but everyone. He could feel the ripples of force through the enemy body thanks to it, it almost made him sick.
Sid wasn’t going to stop even after losing a shoulder, Callis knew the kind of fighter he was facing, his instinct as a warrior was developed enough to allow him reach that conclusion. Sid launched a barrel towards him and the Beast Knight did something he disliked doing. With a quick swipe of his arm he used his claws to slice the barrel, yet that was only a decoy.
The Kick master jumped behind Callis and unleashed a swift attack aimed to Callis head. The Beast Knight tried to do the same thing as before, use the railing to jump outside the boat and return, but this time around he lost precious time slicing the barrel and was caught mid movement. Instead of getting the boot to his head it landed with a crunching sound on his side.
2 ribs cracked or worse was the result of Sid flawless maneuver. Callis, that landed heavily on the deck after the attack rolled away and quickly reincorporated into a fighting stance. Sid was one of the most skilled individuals he had to fight since he arrived to this world, yet it was not only skill but conviction, why was he fighting so hard?
-What is in that island? What is so important you would fight the authorities?- The Lost Knight asked as he shuffled to the center of boat, keeping his guard up and his eyes locked on Sid. He tried not to show his pain, trying to breathe deeply to focus and block out the jolts coming from his side.
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Jin felt the effects of the hallucinogenic dust. Even with his inhuman heritage boosting his resistance it was too much, whoever made it was pretty good at his job. The Half-Tengu tried to talk but his muscles started to feel numb. The paralysis was taking over his body, slowly losing the ability to control his extremities.
-I…ca…-
The JHWAB agent fell to the murky waters of the ocean with a loud splash, slowly sinking as his tensed up muscles and soaked wings pushed him down. If somebody didn’t save him he would die in a watery grave.
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-Everything is in place. - Reiji whispered to himself as he finished installing a small shrine mounted on a post. If somebody could track his movements across the island and locate the shrines he installed from above they could notice a perfect Pentagon with the Volcano on its center.
“I can sense people coming… fighting… nearby but I can’t help them now, I need to do the finishing touches” He thought as he focused his mind on the task at hand. A pair of Kanji started shining on his right shoulder (衝撃) and orange energy like flame slowly moved from that location towards the shrine.
Slowly these flames were absorbed by the medal inside the shrine. The kanji on it ( 熱) started glowing with a red light and emitted heat. “Perfect, now all 5 are active, I must move Gen into the Mountain. There is no turning back now…” He looked at the volcano as he wandered if he was doing the right thing… but that doubt was erased by his guilt.
His failure when being deceived months ago was the reason Gen was dying. This couldn’t fail…he couldn’t fail again… Not again…
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Back in Tokyo Yami Kizuato stormed into HQ with such frenetic expression nobody even tried to ask him what happened. Even more reasons to stay away was that he was clearly angry about something as around him stuff was being sliced in half without him needing to think or focus his powers… better said he was so pissed he didn’t control them anymore.
The Slashing Demon kicked the door off a room labeled “Invasion Detection Room” and entered like a human hurricane. The only one inside was an old man… a really old man. Long white beard, balding head, but he kept a spark of youth on his eyes. He seemed to be drinking a bottle of green tea while typing on an old computer. Both his hands had strange contraptions, seemingly helping him type.
-What brings a high-and-mighty Military Agent to my humble abode Kizuato-kun? - He didn’t seem perturbed by Yami’s current demeanor. –Cut the crap Keisanki! – The old man looked at Yami again, this time with a strict glare. The Slashing Demon almost took a step backwards from the amazing pressure the old man suddenly exuded.
-Keisanki-dono…sorry… But I don’t have much time! Where are the “Forgotten Devices” I need to check something. - The old man, Shinpi Keisanki, looked at Yami in silence, thinking about the Half-Gainen Request. The silence was unbearable, Yami tried to speak, but Keisanki gestured him to shout up.
-The machines you are looking for are behind the wooden door to my right. - Yami bowed and went towards it but he stopped when Keisanki added. – Next time I catch you screaming like that I’m going to flood the Mahokeiro with a package of your “finest” moments caught in video… like the incident with the bathrooms 5 years ago. Nobody knows who did it…. Nobody but me.-
A shiver ran through Yami’s spine. Nobody messed with Shinpi Keisanki, he was the resident technology wiz…quite literal. He was one of the minds involved in the creation of the Mahoreiko and he didn’t make empty threats.
The Half-Gainen quickly removed his worries about Shinpi’s warning as he searched for an old piece of equipment. Yet the search was made simpler as something started to Bip.
BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP- BIP-BIP
Yami found the device “Gainen Space Particles Detection Device”. Whatever the reason was…Reiji Fukuma just opened a door to the Gainen Space. Nothing good could come out of that.
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Why can’t you accept the generosity I offer?
Because I don’t trust fuckin’ generosity… There is always a catch.
Well, you might be right, but I promise that it won’t make your condition worse.
Can it fucker… I already got somebody promisin’ me a return to full health, I don’t need another…
He will fail… and you will die… take my offer and survive…that’s what is important…
If you said this to me a year ago I would have accepted. But survivin’ is worthless without livin’
Suit yourself, my offer is still open, but it has an expiration date… Talk to you soon…
Dan couldn't help a massive grin at the kappa's words. "If they're as tough as you, I'll accept their challenges in a heartbeat." He saluted and lunged off the boat, aura crackling with excitement, turning him into a pink torpedo as he lunged into the sea once more. And again, he was alone with his thoughts. It wasn't abnormal for him, but this was somehow different. The emptiness of the ocean, the calmness of its depths. He wasn't lonely, just alone.
As such, his mind wandered across these waters. Were there more people to stop him in the ocean? If there were, could he hope to get past them? He was already worn down. What lay in wait for him on this island? It must be serious if the JHWAB was so intent on keeping people off of it. Should he even be going? This island had one of the planet's strongest beings, and he was just a lonely fighter from China. He could be walking right into the mouth of hell. Dan shuddered a little. The water must be getting colder. He kept swimming.
When the boat stopped, Jose would have been sent flying into the water had he not have superhuman level strength. What had happen was that Jose was lifted off his chair, but luck was on Jose's side as there was a handle next to him. Jose was able to grab the handle just in time to prevent him from being launch from his chair. As Jose tries to relax himself from that sudden stop, Goemon begins to shake him, and Jose begins to feel slightly light headed. Jose didn't even have a chance to tell the man to calm down as he rants and then begins to experience a some type of panic or anxiety attack. Jose gives him a few seconds to calm down.
Good. Now maybe he won't go crazy on the boat's accelerator's lever, thought Jose. –We are going full throttle boya!-
huh? "Wait a sec-" as Jose was attempting to tell Goemon to give him a moment to recover, the boat blasted off the enough speed and force that Jose needed to grab the handle next to him again as fast as he possible could or else he would have been left behind in the water. Jose's legs were no longer inside the boat, but hanging in the air as Jose had both hands on the handle.
Jose tries to pull himself back in, but as soon as he almost succeeds, the boat creates a sonic boom, and the drab throws Chase's legs back into the air. Jose continues to hold on as he yells,
"SLOW DOWN!!!"
Yet Goemon wouldn't be able to hear Jose as his words were too slow to reach Goemon's ears.
The Lighting Gunslinger managed to react, with immense willpower he sent a charge of electricity running through his nerves, forcing them to react. The sudden discharge caused his legs to push downwards and when they sprung back up Crow was launched off the boat. The explosion caught him mid air and flung him across the waves, like human stone skipping.
The cold water and the shock from the explosion finally stopped the effects of the paralyzing hallucinogenic and the Cowboy of Storms regained control over his body. He remembered seeing the Half-Tengu Jin fall to the ocean but he couldn’t see him now. –Damnit! - He muttered as he dived under the waves.
Heavy leather and boots weren’t ideal to be submerged in the ocean, but Crow couldn’t take them off right now, it would take too much time, something that in the moment he didn’t have in spades. –Where the heck is he? - He wondered as he looked around the murky oceanic water. Feeling the need for oxygen he kicked up towards the surface.
Crow resurfaced and looked around hoping to find some clues about Jin’s location, like floating objects, yet he noticed another thing, Shinji floating over the ocean. –Hey you up there! Did you see where the winged man fell?- The Last Gunslinger didn’t have time to chit-chat as every second counted if he wanted to find Jin before the JHWAB agent drowned.
Yes! His foot made impact, and he was actually showing signs of slowing down! Sid knew he was fighting a skilled warrior, especially after how easily his opponent managed to counter his initial attack. So landing a blow like that pleased Sid greatly, but he attempted not to show it in his face and went back to acting casual after Callis's queation. While he talked, he couldn't help but wince whenever he moved his shoulder.
"Ya see dude, I told ya before. There is a powerful martial artist on that island willing to make me stronger. If ya haven't noticed, I rely on mostly my speed and physical strength to fight. That's kinda hard to use when you're up against bastards who can shoot lasers out of their eyes and shit." Sighing, Sid places his hands behind his head. "And well...i kinda already paid for this boat to take me here, and i am flate broke. So I am not going to waste my time and money on this when the island is right fuckin there!"
Shinji grinned as he saw the half-tengu fall into the water and disappear beneath the waves. It might seem cruel for him to do so but Shinji couldn't care less. He wouldn't find himself shedding tears if the tengu died, but more importantly he saw a great opportunity in this. As the bird man slowly sank Shinji sent out many tiny bits of paper right after him, diving in and slowly forming an egg around Jin, making him float up to the surface. He might have lost his chance to get a nice slab of cash out of the captain of the ship, but he was still confident that he could make this being his shikigami, especially now that he pretty much saved it's life.
Just as Shinji thought that to himself Crow emerged and asked him about the half-tengu. Some more papers rose to support Crow and soon allow him to stand on them and Shinji just nodded towards the egg. "Right there. But don't get any ideas, i call dibs on him." he told the cowboy with a somewhat greedy and fanatical gleam in his eyes.
Chapter 2: Accidental Arrivals
-WHAT!?- Goemon didn’t hear Jose pleas to slow down and he kept driving forward with the boat almost reaching a perfect 45 degrees angle, making it quite difficult to really see where he was going.The Massive Karate Master leaned to the side to be able to look what was coming, but it was a bit too late. His Deko-Boat hit against a rock. I didn’t receive much damage as the vehicle was greatly fortified, but gravity and inertia did some effect on Goemon and would surely do something to Jose.
Goemon Williams was flung off the steering wheel and flew in an arch over the rocks landing heavily on the sand, headfirst. He was trapped, with only his legs, at the height of the knee, sticking out the beach. It would be Jose’s responsibility getting him out before he choked to death.
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-I can respect that, as I have also threaded the path of the warrior. - Callis popped the bones of his fingers, as always using his claws left his hands a bit numb. –And I feel sympathy for you economic plight, yet I cannot let you through as I was tasked to stop people doing that.-
The air around Callis changed, up until know he was surrounded by the aura of a warrior, but as the fight had progressed the feeling around him changed, from warrior to beast. His sharp faction seemed to be tensed as an enraged animal.
-The only way you are getting to the island is through me Mes Renen…- He took a strange stance with both arms hanging loose on his sides as if he was ready to run. –Show me the strength of your resolve if you are so set on this road.-
-I’ll show the conviction I have on mine. - The Beast Knight charged forward, his claws scratching the railing and the boat interior creating screeching sound and sparks. He was running unnaturally low in a weird angle with the ground, with his back almost horizontal to the deck.
Callis eyes were now white, as if he had lost control, but the focused expression of his face showcased that he didn’t, at least for now. The sudden increase in speed was astounding, using his body to its limit almost scrapping the speed of sound, but the speed itself wasn’t the important part.
It was the sudden acceleration, almost unnatural. Callis used his flexible joints and muscles as a spring, almost like flicking a finger but with his whole body, putting his inhuman strength to work as he launched himself towards Sid.
In such a limited space the only choice any regular warrior would have was to try to avoid the charge or block it, but the sudden speed was a way to counter the ability of the opponent to react. This was a technique he developed for his trademark Gemini Duo Style, but this time around instead of swords he was using his sharp claws.
If he succeeded on connecting he would launch both claws in a cross pattern, like an X over Sid’s chest. It was a lethal technique, it pained Callis to use it, as any other technique from the Gemini Duo, that’s why he let the Beast take hold of him when he did it… it was easier to withstand if he did it by instinct.
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Reiji left the cave in the middle of the island after placing Gen inside of it, lying on stone slab. He could sense several Ki signatures and other similar energies around the island. 3 were extremely close. He decided to meet up with the closest that was arriving to a beach nearby his location.
The Old Master reached the coast before the incoming Ki user arrived, he could see his gaudy pink Gi from afar and wondered who the hell that man was. Still any help he could get would be good, as the ritual could be difficult to perform if he didn’t have enough people.
Reiji sat over a boulder in the beach waiting patiently for Dan to arrive. He heard the crash of Goemon’s boat not far from his location and after welcoming the Pink Gi fighter he would check if somebody survived the crash.
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Yami walked through the HQ towards the Teleportation Room. Nobody wanted to even ask him what was wrong as sounds of slashing surrounded him and small slices appeared in nearby objects as he passed by. He was known for having a short fuse, considering his family that wasn’t a secret.
As he rushed through, somebody, surely without a minimum of common sense, waited for him. It was Shin Bushitora, a colleague in the Military Branch and part of another family with several members in the JHWAB. The young man was dressed in full traditional clothing and was carrying some paperwork.
-Hey, hello Kizuato-san, how’re you today? Are we still up for the spar next Monday?- He asked politely, anybody who knew Shin also knew that he seemed to be a different person when he was on the field than how he was on the office. It was like a switch that turned on and off depending on him having his sword.
He didn’t stand a chance against the pissed off Yami who knocked him out cold with a single punch as he shouted. –GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY SHIN!- Yami reached the room where usually the Omnyo experts in teletransportation where, but what he found made him punch a wall.
-Out to Lunch-
-Goddammit! Now how the hell I’ll get to Sakurajima on time?- Yami started cursing like a sailor until he was interrupted by somebody who said. –I think I could be of assistance…-
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HEHEHEHE You really think that the old sack of bones… that the fossil has-been will save you?
I knew you were an idiot, but not to this degree… Take my offer now and live…
I would live, but it wouldn’t be me who had the fuckin’ steerin’ wheel ain’t that right?
Dan plowed through calm water like a torpedo with an island in its sights. The cold sapped the life from his muscles and invigorated him all at once. His mind was as cold and clear as the streams that fed this ocean, focused on the island before him. It was so close. It was with much joy that numb feet met gritty sand. He stumbled from the surf, a soggy mess seeking a spot to rest. He drug himself towards a nearby boulder. He yelped and fell down as what her thought was a part of the boulder moved.
It was a massive man, body clad in a loose sash and white pants. Dan was muscular, but this man made him look like Alvin, with a chest as wide as a redwood and shoulders and a head shaped like a mountain. The mountain wasn't topped with snow, but it was trimmed with it, a razor sharp beard covering the man's neck. Dan snapped to attention made sloppy by fatigue, bowing deeply. "Uh... hello. Sir. Reiji Fukuma?"
Jose couldn't figure out a way to tell the crazy man in front of him to slow down, but as Jose brainstorms to come up with a solution, he also takes the time to silently pray for a miracle to occur, and to Jose's surprise, his wish comes true. Before Jose could even finish his thoughts, the boat comes to a quick and sudden stop, and Jose finds himself going head first towards the top of the boat, where Jose's body bounces off the hard ship and preforms a dozen or so awkward flips. During this short time frame in midair, Jose struggles to regain control over his body, and lucky manages to make a few voluntary movements to help rebalance himself. Now, Jose finds himself landing feet first and doing a few rolls before coming to a stop with his head in the sand.
Jose lays down for a while, giving his brain a chance to relax and settle down after being violently thrown against his own skull. Once Jose's brain went from a pain level of 8 to a 3, Jose begins to pick himself up and look around. Looks like I'm finally here. Jose turns around, trying his best to ignore his new headache in the process, to see a pretty funny image of Goemon's legs sticking out of the ground. Had Jose not just experience a boat crash, he might have been in the mood to chuckle at the situation, but instead Jose just walks over to Goemon and ask, "Need some help?" Jose doesn't hear a response from the man in the sand, so Jose begins to think that Goemon might have been left unconscious due to the previous impact.
Jose quickly grabs Goemon by his expose ankles, and pulls him out of the sand.
Sid watched as Callis turned into what appeared to be a feral beast, complete with white eyes and a sudden change in fighting technique. While before Callis was meticulous about each move he made, now the Beast Knight seemed to have foregone all sense of technique in exchange for a drastic increase in speed and strength. So this guy really was some sort of animal dude!
The limited space of the boat prevented Sid from reacting on par with the drastic increase in speed, so he did the one thing that could react fast enough. Reaching to his side, Sid pulls out a long, shiny katana sword from it's sheath and holds it in front of his chest. A faint white glow eminated from the blade, drawing only a small amount of strength from Sid's injuries. The blade only manages to stop one of Callis's strikes though, while the other tore across his chest, ripping part of his shirt and producing a large cut in his chest.
Muffin his cry of pain, Sid grins slightly as he uses the momentum from Callis's strike to grab him by the arm that struck him and pull him close. "Nice...fuckin strike, you animal. But I have something up my sleeve too!"
Raising his other hand, Sid attempts to plunge the now brighter orange blade into Callis's left leg. With the addition of the cut to Sid's chest, the blade had more energy to draw from, and thus glowed with more electric power. Should the blade connect, Callis would experience a large electric shock that would hopefully damage his body, and snap him back into normal state.
The Gunslinger slowly stood up on the bits of paper that Shinji had created to bring Crow out of the water. The Rail-gun was about to thank the new comer for helping him out of the water. The Paper Master revealed Jin being cocooned in similar bits of paper as talking about dibs on him. Crow voice took a casual tone but from the look of his predatory (hawk-like) eyes one could tell he was not to be trifled with. “Listen partner thanks for getting us out of the water just now. But I can’t have you claiming dibs on that one.” He causally pointed towards Jin, “Because you missed the disagreement earlier I will fill you in. That guy with the wings you are calling dibs on, is a member of the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Burea. I’m a member of the Bounty Hunter Association. And while I may not agree with the policies of both sides I rather not have a war break out between the organizations over me allowing you to claim one of the members like some damn trophy.”
Despite just having his confrontation with Jin and the mysterious assailant Crow was more than confident he could fight this new guy should push comes to shove. “Besides if you accomplish whatever you are planning on doing to him. You will be the one facing the wrath of the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Burea. And of course they will put a Bounty on you and I will be sent in to face you to capture that bounty. So how about we avoid all that you put that Tengu down and save the fisticuffs for another day.” With that Crow pointed back to the island, “Not too far from here is Sakurajima Island, where a man by the name of Reiji Fukuma needs help for a friend of mine. I already wasted enough time dealing with the tengu so how about you me and him calmly go over there and met with Mr. Fukuma. After all I have some questions as to why the JHWAB is so determine to keep anyone from going to that island to the point where they would risk another Great Hidden World War.” Crow calmly offered a hand out to Shinji as a token of peace but was ready to strike like a viper should the Paper God slap it away. “So what will it be partner?”
"Easy there." Shinji told Crow with a sheepish grin on his face. "You make it sound like i'm gonna rape him or turn him into my slave or something." Shinji said. "Not like i'd be taking him against his will or as a trophy. I just want to make him my shikigami. It's his decision to accept or refuse. There's something in for both of us and i did save his life, he could do at least that little for me." Shinji explained as the paper cocoon opened up to let the Tengu out. "And huh? Why should i come along? I was actually just gonna take a nap and get easy money for it. What's in for me if i tag along Yankee?" Shinji asked as he looked at Crow's hand with a rather skeptic expression on his face.
-Yes young man I’m Reiji Fukuma, welcome to Sakurajima. - The Massive man walked towards Dan with a serene expression on his usually fierce face. Weirdly, surely a result of his years of training, he didn’t even move the sand as his stout frame stepped on it, almost as if he was weightless.
He extended his hand, Reiji didn’t like reverences and he preferred a firm handshake over a sniveling bow, to him nobody is greater than other. –I’m still waiting for the rest of the people who signed up, you may follow me or you could follow the path behind my back and dry up, there are some towels.-
Reiji didn’t even ask Dan’s name. Maybe he considered names to be secondary to a person physique, as it told much more to the Old Master than a name ever could. Or maybe this time around he knew that this time around not knowing the names of the people he might put in danger was for the best.
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*DEEP BREATHING*
Goemon Williams felt the chilly morning wind enter his lungs, air so sharp and cold that he felt as if he was born again. His majestic hair was messed up by the impact, completely covered in sand, almost as a breaded steak.
-OH NO! OH MY GOD!- The Karateka BH had almost a sixth sense when it came to his hair and he felt the mess it became. He started muttering insults as he gesticulated but soon he remembered he wasn’t alone and inhaled deeply tried to calm himself.
-Sigh…my hair. - Goemon whispered sorrowfully and stood up. He bowed to Jose. –Thank you Boya, you got me out of a tight spot. We should better look for Re….
The Martial Bounty Hunter froze half sentence as he felt the incoming Ki. –C-c-cant you feel it boya? Fukuma-dono is nearby- Jose would surely feel it as Reiji’s Ki transferred to the ground with each step he took, almost as if the sand itself was drenched in power.
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Instinctively Callis reflexes and battle tactics were even greater than when he thought about it as he was always riddled with doubts and morality choices. The Beast Knight unleashed was a foe to dangerous to take lightly and any common fighter would make a mistake sooner or later, leaving an opening big enough for Callis to barge through.
Thankfully, Side wasn’t a common fighter. His stabbing motion was swift and seamless, one fluid motion aimed to the Beast Knight leg. Under normal circumstances the disarmed Callis would try to get out of the way, or even worse freeze on his place after seeing that his previous evasion barely worked.
The unleashed Beast decided to take the attack head on charging its hands with the meager reserves of Mana Callis had inside of him. A faint bluish aura surrounded the Beast’s hands as he tried to execute a blade catch. But sometimes pure instinct isn’t the best way to handle these kinds of situations.
Even with the thin layer of Mana as a shield the electricity coursed swiftly through Callis’s body, stunning the Beast and returning him to reality, there was just one problem (apart from the scorch marks on his hands) The electricity paralyzed and he fell backwards, right in the control console of the small ship the JHWAB gave him.
His back pulled the lever making the boat accelerate towards the island at blinding speed. Callis was barely able to stay inside it.
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Jin was knocked out cold, floating over the spiked ocean in a makeshift cocoon of charms. The Half-Tengu agent would be unconscious for quite some time after the peril he encountered. Hopefully Shinji and Crow would move him to a safer location soon.
Jose was glad to see Goemon was fine, and only suffered some hair issues from the boat crash, but he chooses to not say anything. Who knows what kinda reaction would come out of a man who was so fascinated by his own hair. As Goemon was talking, Jose suddenly feels power traveling through the sand below. Was it an earthquake? No. the ground wasn't moving, but he could feel something unusually.
"Yeah, I'm feeling something, but I can't tell where its coming fro- Wait! Did you just say Fukuma-dono?" Jose couldn't belief that a single man could have this kinda affect with the area around him. But suddenly a question pops into his head. "Hang on. How where you able to sense his presence?" I'm able to feel a disturbance of power through the earth, and considering that Gnomon was suck in the ground, I doubt he has any earth powers of any kind. So, how is he able to sense this energy and who was the source of the energy? thought Jose.
Dan took Reiji's hand, nodding in a half bow again as he shook it. He was glad this wasn't going to be too formal. He had never had a real, formal education of any sort, not even in his martial arts training. "I'm Dan Drake. Pleased to meet you." Damn, as much as the old man looked like a mountain, he moved like a breeze. He glanced down the path Reiji indicated and shook his head. "I'll come with you. I want to meet the others as soon as I can." It had been months since he had seen Sid, who he guessed was kind of a friend. Months since he had really talked to anybody really. At least he wouldn't be lonely on this island.
Sid watched Callis as he tried to catch his sword, smirking at the tactic. That's right, catch my fuckin blade, see what happens! Luckily, Callis didn't have magical rubber shoes or anything else that would cancel out the electricity, and was thrown back into his boat as it began rocketing toward the island.
"Hey! Wait for me, I still need to get there!" Leaping after the boat, Sid sticks the landing and watches the island as it approaches, ready to abandon ship once they got close to land and make one hell of an entrance.
Crow let Shinji explain this whole “shikigami” proposal and while the Paper God made it sound non-threatening and legitimate the Gunslinger still wasn’t buying it however it was not his place nor did he have time to fight over it. “Whatever partner. I doubt the tengu would go along with it. After all I spent several minutes trying to talk him into stepping aside and letting me go to the island. But that only lead to the fight we had.” The Rail-gun could not place Shinji yet, mainly because he had just met him, he could tell if he should trust the Paper God or be weary of him. However in times like these one could not be picky about who they encounter. “As for why you may be interested in that island. Other than sticking it to the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Burea which I am sure everyone has wanted to do once in their life. That island seems to contain some power to it, I can sense it because of my affinity to Natural Energy. I am sure someone like you can too. Maybe there is something there that might interest you. Other than that I don’t really care. My friend is over there and so that is where I am going.”
With that Crow carefully hopped off of the paper platform Shinji created landing on some floating wood left behind by the destruction of the boat. Grabbing a makeshift oar Crow began to paddle himself towards the island, he know it would take some time but not too much longer. However as Crow started to paddle he felt a shockwave ripple through his body like an electrical discharge. He had experience this a few times while in Osaka fighting the forces of the FMY however this time it felt sharper than back then. The ringing in his ears was louder, the taste of cooper stronger in his mouth and his eyes blurred more nearly turning his whole world black. However just like back then just as fast as it came it went and Crow tried to brush it off as he paddles towards Sakurajima.
"Well, i't worth a shot." Shinji replied. "I don't really have a real shikigami yet and getting a tengu for my first one would be freaking awesome." he continue in a louder and far more obnoxious voice, a wide confident grin on his lips. "Could rub it right into my old man's face all day long. Tradition my ass." Shinji continued throwing insults at his father, tradition, "the old ways" and other things like that. He and the tengu floated towards the island right next to Crow. "So, powerful entity you say? Yeah i noticed it but honestly seemed kinda too big to be worth the bother. Any idea what it is?"
MAP OF SAKURAJIMA
Reiji walked over a dune and entered the beach were Goemon and Jose ended up crashing. The Karateka Bounty Hunter fell on his knees as if he was meeting a God. Tears rolled down his black eyes as he saw his master’s master coming towards their location. For somebody who had been around Hidden World circles for a long time the name Reiji Fukuma inspired respect and dread in equal measure.
The Owner of the island was followed by Dan Drake with his quite noticeable Pink Gi. He left no imprints on the sand as he walked towards the Earth Master and Goemon. –Welcome to my island, I’m Reiji Fukuma and I was who hired you to come.- He spoke not knowing that Goemon was in fact hired to stop people from coming. The Massive Master looked at the ship that ran aground with some concern.
-I can’t leave something like this on the beach.- Before anybody could react he walked past them and with a gentle nudge of his knuckles he pushed the ship and slid back to the sea. The only evidence of the contact was the faint imprint of his knuckles on the metal plates. He turned back to them. –So who might you people be? Introduce yourselves and make it fast, we still need to welcome more people-
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The keel Callis’s ship sliced through the waves like a sharp blade cutting through fabric, at full throttle the vessels speed could only be described as dangerously fast. The inert body of the Beast Knight, who suffered quite a shock after trying to pull a shirahadori on Sid’s blade, was pushing down the accelerator with its weight, forcing the ship towards the island at top speed.
If Sid didn’t managed to slow the boat down it would crash against the western side of the island, that lacked proper beaches, instead to receive the newcomers a large series of cliffs made of volcanic rock towered up to 30 mts of the coast and a crash against that wouldn’t have a soft landing on a sand like Jose and Goemon had.
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-Ugh… I know what it is…- Jin weakly whispered as he coughed. He was awake, in fact he had been awake since a minute ago, and he was a bit confused that’s all. The Half-Tengu tried to sit down in the makeshift barge but the weight of his wet wings was too much for him to lift in this weakened state.
-*cough* I know who he is….*cough*- Jin coughed a bit of water before continuing with his explanation. –Sakurajima Island is the home to Reiji Fukuma, one of the most dangerous men in Japan…*COUGH*- This time around Jin violently coughed arching his back in what almost was a respiratory spasm.
Weakly the Half-Tengu added. –He should be kept in the island…away from *cough* others…*cough* he protects….*cough* dangerous artifacts…- Saying that with diminishing voice was the last thing Jin did before falling unconscious again.
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Dansei Kiken was standing behind Yami. The Half-Gainen turned around and looked at the Intelligence Branch Investigator. –You can help me? How?- Yami didn’t know much about Dansei, he only knew he was the one in charge of First Contact situations. The Green Eyed man smiled enigmatically and simply said. –Come along… I hope you haven’t eaten lunch yet.-
5 minutes later…
Yami always complained about the nausea inducing trips through Omnyo portals, but this was a new level of dizziness. He was latched to Dansei’s now armored back as he cruised near the speed of sound over the clouds. The Intelligence Branch Investigator summoned some kind of suit of white and red armor from the green crystal embedded on his chest.
The Half-Gainen smiled through the nausea, at least this way he might arrive to the island soon enough to stop his Uncle from doing something really stupid.
Jose was speechless, he couldn't seem to make a single sound. The man, known as Reiji Fukuma, was exactly as the young bounty hunter had picture him to be, then times a million. The effortless of his movements, was something he could never have dream of thinking was possible. The great master was able to push the boat into the sea, as easy as someone could inhale air, and even then it appear, that he was holding back. As if, the boat was fragile glass compare to the might of his hand, and that he needed to treat the boat with same level of carefulness, that a newborn baby is given.
What should I say? Heck, is there even a proper introduction to present to such a man like him? Looking at Goemon, Jose couldn't blame him for treating the man in front of them like a deity, yet that wasn't going to stop the him from introducing himself. At least that is what Jose would keep telling himself, but every attempt to try and communicate with Reiji, would just be blown away from the sheer light and greatness he would cast with his presence.
After much effort, Jose finally manages to say, "Jose Hernandez..." Even saying his name was hard, after all, his name and existence was like a small rock compare to the mountain that is Reiji Fukama. Slowly, the previously eager bounty hunter, started to have doubts, that he is even worthy enough to train with someone like this.
As Dan watched Goemon's subservient reaction to Reiji's appearance, he just then realized that Reiji didn't like it. Oh, crap. He was stupid, wasn't he? Lost in twisted thoughts and deep embarrassment, he only managed to nod to the others, refusing to meet their eyes. "Dan Drake. Pleased to meet you." He mumbled.
"Whoa there, get the hell off that lever furry dude!" Sid yells, holding onto the side of the boat. He didn't like going this fast out at sea, especially when they were headed towards a fucking cliff! I need to get the hell off this thing! But...if I jump ship now...the furry dude's going to slam into the cliff and die. Ugh, what a total drag this guy is! Leaping off the railing, Sid dives at Callis and places his right leg under Callis's stomach. "Get up, ya cat man!" He calls out as Sid kicks his leg forward, pushing the beast knight's body off of the accelerator. Sid immediately reached for the brake to slow them down...and an idea dawned upon him.
Pulling the brake back, the boat lurched forward and began to slow down. Once they were nearing the cliff side at a much slower speed, Sid leaps off of the boat and, using his momentum, jumps up the cliff face until he reaches the top. The boat was now going at a slow enough speed where it wouldn't break apart if it hit the cliff face, so he wasn't too worried about the beast knight anymore. "Welp...looks like I gotta get the fuck outta here." He says to himself as he begins running on the island, looking for any sign of life.
Before Crow could paddle too far away he heard the sound of Jin regaining consciousness, Crow turned as fast as he could to check on Jin who revealed that Reiji was guarding dangerous artifacts and could not be around others. “What artifacts?! Why is Reiji so dangerous that the Japanese Hidden World Affairs Burea would go to such extremes?” Before the Gunslinger could get any answers out of Jin the Half-tengu passed out again. The Rail-gun placed his ear near JIn’s chest, “He needs help. We need to get him to the island for some first aid. I suggest if you really want him as a shikigami you may want to help.” Crow began to perform some CPR on Jin to get the water out of his lungs. Once that was done Crow hoped that Shinji would move the three of them to the island as fast as he can so they can provide proper aid to the Half Tengu. If Shinji still didn’t want to go Crow would be forced to use his makeshift raft to get there himself.
Meanwhile Crow focused was slightly divided lingering on Jin’s last words before going back unconscious. What were these artifacts that Reiji is guarding could it have something to do with Gen and who exactly was Reiji why did he seclude himself on this island? It seemed like there was all these pieces of a massive puzzle that needed to be put together to understand the individual pieces but he didn’t know how to put them together. It was all too similar to his current dilemma in solving why the Gunslingers and his town were attacked; it was pieces of a puzzle that had yet to be put together. Hopefully getting to the island would be the first step to solving it.
Side Story: Toni Cleans (Crow’s) House Part II
The Cat Eye Witch was covered in sweat, dirt, and grime she was tired and sore. She was a fighting a battle she was determined to win in order to change a status quo that had run rampant for far too long. The battle was against the filthiest of enemies…the mess and chaos that was Crow’s home. Toni was in the midst of cleaning Crow’s house for when he returned. She had been at it for hours and had just now started fighting it back. The first battle in this war, the battle for Crow’s living room, she had won and it was a great triumph. She wiped the sweat from her brow looking around wondering where her next battlefield would be when she noticed the door to Crow’s workshop/garage was open. Despite the sign hanging above the door reading Stay Out! She couldn’t resist after all she was the proverbial curious cat. So Toni cautiously wandered in Crow’s garage and saw the board on the wall with all the clues he had gathered so far.