Kenji's feat was one which deserved reverence, an action and show of strength that no one had the right to scoff at. He had proved himself to the world itself as a legendary figure, one who could compete with the greats when he reached his peak of power.
However Kenji was far from the only one to repel the Tsunami. No, three others had also done the same, their actions equally successful.
The first to do so was Chiba Iwainu. Still resting on the trash filled beach he had no intent to desert the strays.
Seeing the Tsunami off into the distance and having heard the broadcast his stone-like muscles swelling with power. Like the snapping of steel cables his body continued to swell, each muscle growing until every single strand or fiber was visible. In his large meaty and calloused hand he clutched his cleaver like weapon.
Said cleaver was of no particular interest, a crudely made tool made of cheap metal meant for preparing meat and the like. But in the hands of Iwainu this knife became a weapon capable of clashing with Supra grade weapons.
This however wasn’t due to magic, in fact Iwainu had little to no magical abilities at all. He could not use magic nor see it clearly. He was simply born with this unfortunate quirk. His dark gray skin, massive size and coal black eyes are also products of his unnatural body.
Iwainu wasn’t born to the same race as the majority of those who lived in Edoland. No, he belonged to a small tripe of people who had lived on the island long before those from the mainland had settled. Iwainu had been born as a member of the Inujin tribed, a tribe named after thai worship of the Great Wolf God [犬神].
His specific tribe being that of the [Ponya] the Stone Dog, and his true name [Shta] simply meaning large. When born his appearance quickly led to mass confusion and hysteria. Two separate and wildly conflicting theories being created to explain his existence.
Iwainu was either an avatar of their God [Inujin] or a demon sent by the Dark Bear to test their faith. After much internal conflict no clear consensus was made. So a proposition was held, Iwainu was allowed to live with the Ponya tribe as long as he never hurt another human. A simple rule which would prove the reason for his existence if kept or broken.
At the age of just one Iwainu wandered into the snowlands and tamed a wolf which guided him home.
At the age of two all the wolves of the area could be called to his side with a simple whistle.
By the age of six Iwainu could defeat most men of his tribe in wrestling.
At the age of Ten Iwainu had become the strongest man in his Tribe.
At the age of Twelve Iwainu amassed a pack of wolves nearly thirty members in size.
At the age of fourteen he killed a brown bear which stalked the village with his bare hands.
At the age of fifteen he could cut down great Elder trees with a single fell swoop of an axe and build cabins in a day.
Completing his chores before the clock had struck noon Iwainu would often journey into the wild, the deep snow and frigid cold. There he would discover the truth of life, that all things had a single common feature. A [Soul].
With such a realization it became clear to him that there was no difference between an ant, wolf and human. That all beings were of equal worth in the universe.
However Iwainu had also witnessed the cruelty of nature, the natural food chain. That the world was an eat or be eaten world. And as such he would no matter what to protect what he loved.
As he reached the age of manhood the two sides which the village had taken on Iwainu grew more radical and distant. His power and ability to charm wolves clearly being the proof of being the avatar of the Inujin to some. While the others thought that it only proved his demonic nature, that he could easily slaughter the village if he truly desired to in a single afternoon. The divide grew larger, only more internal conflict rising.
However what led to the death of the Ponya tribe was not a civil war. No, what destroyed the Ponya tribe was the actions of a company.
In the middle of the night during the cold season of the northern island of Edoland there was an unnatural fire which took the Ponya village.
People fleeing from their burning homes were shot dead by mercenaries armed with heat enchanted armor and riffles. Having been hired to clear the Ponya tribe to make the land available for a beachfront resort the mercenaries had been offered a hefty some. So much money that they nor their grandchild would ever need to work another day in their life.
However this dream was one which would never come to pass as emerging from his home with a roar that shook the snow itself was Iwainu, soaked in burns and blood.
With a swing of his arm he crushed a mercenary as if he was hit by a train. Grabbing another he crushed his skull like a grape. Bullets bounced off his thick gray skin and fire merely tickled him.
In a few minutes the armed mercenaries were wiped out, cleanly massacred by Iwainu. However rather than being grateful for his heroic deeds the remains of his tribe turned on him. Watching the violence and power he was capable of they tried to slay him themselves. Still in a berserk state, Iwainu, who could not see red or blue, easily massacted the remaining villagers. Even those who had tried to argue that he was a hero.
When he came to nothing was left and he could only scream to the sky in anguish.
In an attempt to atone for his sins he tried to slit his belly, but the knife broke upon hitting his flesh. When he tried to shoot himself the bullet bounced from his temple. When he tried to drown the tide always brought him back to shore safely. When he tried to freeze his body temperature never dropped.
Iwainu was unkillable, not even his own hand being able to defy his unnatural strength. Wandering the northern island of Joshima it was a Hachibuto of the Toumeikan who’d found him. One which offered their hand when Iwainu was lost without purpose or a reason to continue on. The hand Iwainu took in a cruel and ironic twist belonged to the same man who’d lead to this tribe's massacre. Hisakuni Sougen.
His life flashing before his eyes Iwainu stood waist deep in the sea's warm salty water, the incoming wave deafening like the crashing of cars.
Raising his metal cleaver over head he waited until the wave was close enough to feel his breath.
“!”
Swinging the blade down his arms roared with strength, muscles warping and veins coiling his slash divided the wave and fling it backwards, the water which he had been standing in clearing for meters around.
The wave which had been repelled by the great force had its course of direction forecable changed, now flying back towards the ocean in two separate tides. Though before long they too crumbled and died out far into the distance.
“...”
Looking down at his hand Iwainu watched as the cleaver withered away, turning into dust which danced through the air and fell down to the water which had begun to pool back to his waist.
“...”
His attack was one which needed no name, form or style. A simple wing of his cleaver paired with immense physical strength giving him such a feat.
“Sore…” He muttered.
? ? ? ? ? ?
“Now this Norosuke doesn't look good…” Sighed Sosaki Ryoku, staring at the incoming Tsunami from the top of his tower.
“...”
Hojo Norosuke stood to the right of Ryoku looking at his master intently and without comment.
“To think that the Vulracious Emperor would attack the Orochi Kingdom so brazenly, how troublesome. But I must say his actions have certainly helped us in the end, so I can't complain too much. But if this Tsunami lands, it's seriously not gonna be funny.”
“...”
“Would you take care of it for me, Norosuke?” Sosaki asked with a shrug.
“Of course.” Norosuke answered immediately. Then with a silent and gentle leap yet one full of immense power he flew from the buildings top far into the distance.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Gracefully fluttering through the air, his coat flapping behind him like a cape he landed atop a nearby skyscraper. Though one which was barely 1/3rd as tall as the Sosaki Tower.
His legs full of enhancement bounced off the roof the moment he touched it, not so much as his foot print left on the tile.
Landing atop the next building Norosuke continued his journey, leaping gracefully from one to another he quickly bounced across Tousen in only a matter of seconds.
Hojo Norosuke, known to most as the Green Dog, was the loyal guard of Sosaki Ryoku. Also known to only some as the Cursed child of the Hojo clan.
The grandson of Hojo Juichiro, the half brother of Hojo Burosuke and son of Hojo Noritoki. Noritoki per his father's Umajirous command took two wives. His first Masume Norihime mother of Hojo Burosuke and second Akami Satoko.
The [Akami] clan and their name would pertain were cursed with black sclera, much like the 8 ball fracture of one's eye. Due to this they suffered heavy prejudice being nearly wiped out as demon spawn. However, sensing the Akami clan's potential the Kageki clan took them in and made them a branch of the Kageki through marriage. Though interbreeding of the three great clas was long standing imperial rule in a show of pity and good faith the Hojo used the Akami as a legal loophole.
However despite being a member of the Akami clan and due to years of their genes being watered down through intermingling with the Kageki Satoko's eyes were normal colored. So was her son Juichiro and his two sons Juemon and Kashitarou. The latter being the father of Norsuke, the only one to inherit the black eyes of the Akami.
Due to this from the day of his birth Norosuke was an outcast, one who despite having the genes of the Hojo, Kageki and Akami flowing through him, granting immense power was shunned by the Hojo.
The only one to show him kindness and treat him like a true friend despite his eyes was the young Sosaki Ryoku. As such Norosuke pledged to him his loyalty, devotion and strength.
Upon reaching the age of eighteen Norosuke abandoned the Hojo, leaving behind his name and joining the Sosaki Corp.
From then on he’d become known as the Green Dog, the sword and shield of Ryoku. And this was one of the rare scenarios in which he needed to be that sword.
Unsheathing from his side his great long and black Odachi, one longer than he was tall Norosuke brandished his weapon of choice. It’s ominous pressure and aura a warning to those who saw it that death was soon coming.
The name of said blade being [北条: Kitasuji] a Manga ranked treasure of the Hojo clan which Hojo Asara had gifted Norosuke as sign of friendship. Though the loss of such a blade was not too great a loss on the Hojo clan as no one could wield such a weapon. Far too long and thin it was something only a giant could use. Yet Norosuke with his otherworldly strength and dexterity proved a perfect match for the weapon.
Finally falling to the beach his landing made sand shoot up into the air like the landing of a missile, not hesitating for a moment he instantly took off into the water like a torpedo. The tide splitting under his speed let him run across the coarse sandy floor.
Kitasuji raised overhead with both of his hands wrapped around the handle Norosuke leapt into the air before the Tsunami. The wave was close enough to tickle his skin with its breeze.
With sparks of mana colored light green and a sound akin to a whip severing the sound barrier Norosuke swung his Odachi into the Tsunami.
“!”
The wind bending and space distorting the Tsunami which had threatened his master was destroyed. Yes not split apart or deflected but destroyed, the wave reduced to a rain of salt water and fish which fell from the sky in a thick blanket.
Norosuke, narrowing his eyes as he looked around, confirmed to himself that the Tsunami would not touch the Sosaki tower and harm Ryoku.
Before a single drop of water could touch him Norosuke leapt backwards, the sand under his feet turning to shards of glass from the heat coming from his speed.
Jumping atop multiple smaller buildings like a game of parkour he reached the height of a skyscraper and then bounced his way back to his master Ryoku. Landing atop a balcony less than half way up the Sosaki tower. Leaping up to the next black he repeated the process until he reached the roof's top. One which stood above the clouds. His breath was not even the slightest bit strained, and his coat whipped around in the salty air behind him.
“Superb.” Ryoku whistled, “I still have no idea what I did to deserve a friend like you. I’m eternally grateful for it.” He said with a light bow.
“No praise is needed, I only did what I was told. The bare minimum of my loyalty to you.” Noroske said, kneeling down on one knee.
“If you say so.” Ryoku frowned, tapping Norosuke on the shoulder as a signal to stand.
“Well, we should prepare for the next even then. I’m sure it will be an eventful matter and I’ll need you once more.”
“I’ll do anything you desire.” Said Norosuke.
# # #
“How impudent.” A man sighed as the crowd around him panicked fleeing for shelter. If it were any other kind of situation those who ran for their lives without paying attention to their surroundings would have stopped and looked at the sighing man.
He was of below average height though boosted a bit by his thick wooden geta sandals which clacked as he walked along the asphalt road. His bare chest and many thick tattoos were exposed to the salty air through his open front floral Haori. His legs, covered to the shin by Monpe style pants. His sharp eyes were covered by small square rimmed glasses and his upper lip adorned by a short and thick mustache. However his most interesting feature would have been his hairstyle. The sides were long and combed back behind his ears while the top was completely bald except for a top knot coarse black hair.
This man was none other than Susanori Kobe, the current head of the Toumeikan and Susanori clan. Standing behind him to his left and three paces behind was his loyal guard, the Komoso priest Kamotake Kyoso.
Even more so than Kobe, Kyoso stood out like a sore thumb. His face was completely covered down to the collar by a tightly woven bamboo basket. His top was a white Jinabori with a golden spiral pattern going down each side. Underneath which was a white Samue like vest tied closed with a spider lily embroidery at the bottom which slowly progressed into many blue butterflies the higher it went. The sleeves of said Samue were juxtaposed to the vest being pitch black and draping below his hands.
His legs covered by a dark blue hakama covered all the way to his feet which were tied to bamboo slippers with white socks. On his back he held a large red wooden scroll fasted to his shoulders. And finally on his left side tucked tightly to his waist a long and thick bamboo flute.
“...” In response to his master's previous complaint Kobe spoke not a word. He didn’t go so far as to even mature a syllable in response. Yet despite the silence Kobe paid no mind to his servant. Not since the day the two met decades ago had Kyoso never uttered a single sound. A man bound to a vow of complete and merciless silence. Not even if you plucked his finger nails from his fingertips or stabbed his eyes with red hot pokers would go so far as to grunt on the ground. He was always no matter what silent.
“I’m sure Sosaki has some kind of idea as to the cause of this. With his satellites he surly can see even the morning routine of an individual ant.” Kobe muttered under his breath.
If I’m to assume the worst (best) cast scenarios the Orochi Emperors hold on Edoland will have been considerably lost due to god knows what is occurring on the mainland. In that case it could also be possible to dispose of the great nameless greasy pig and clear the parliament's cabinet. That’ll help return things to formulae but that’ll only give the Venator Society an even easier chance to stomp out the Toumeikan… they’ll find an excuse to do so no matter what this point. Instead of letting things heal naturally I’ll use this chance to fill the gaps in myself…
“Hehehehe” A light chuckle left Kobes throat and he leaned his head to the right cracking it loudly.
[Tsunami arrival in an estimated one minute!]
If I fill the gaps in correctly then it’ll be impossible to kill the Toumeikan without also destroying the government itself. When it comes to the other powers I doubt the Sosaki and Hojo will recruit me if I play my cards right. But Raizen will always prove a thorn in my side. As long as he leads the Soutou they’ll continue to cling to the government like they have for the past millennia…
“...”
Though Kyoso didn’t speak or make a sound to gain the attention of Kobe his intention was still clearly conveyed and Kobe turned to look at him.
“Kyoso, take care of it.” He ordered.
“...”
Without so much as a nod Kyoso vanished into the distance, sprinting in a straight line he covered multiple miles in what seemed to be only a handful of seconds. Only stopping when he reached the beach his sudden brake caused the sand to melt to glass.
Reaching to his side he grasped his bamboo flute and withdrew it, pointing the blade before him. Then with one hand on the base and the other the front of the flute he bowed his head and stood still for a moment as if giving a brief prayer.
The wave breaching the shore line blew his clothes back with a wrathful gust of salty air but he paid no mind. Not until the wave had nearly reached his very person did he act.
In a single clean motion he cocked the flute back and shifted his hips. Then flicking his hips forwards like a trigger hand being pulled he swung the flute forwards with both hands like one would a baseball bat.
As the wind ripped through the flute a song was played, the sound of the ocean's wrath and the roar of the Tsunami. The harmonious chaos of nature and the cycle of the world. But such cries meant nothing to Kyoso who remained unfazed. [Destruction] his only goal in that moment, filling his head and echoing inside the bamboo basket.
CRACK!
Then with a crack of the air like the take off of a jet the Tsunami was blown apart. As if someone had taken a knife and cleanly sliced the wave in half horizontally the Tsunami was reduced to nothing more than a rain of saltwater and flopping fish.
The wave which had reached over nine meters into the sky became a soft lapping wave which had not even the energy to reach the soles of Kyoso’s sandals.
“...”
As quickly as he’d appeared Kyoso then vanished once more. Returning to the side of his master in only a matter of seconds he came to a graceful stop three paces behind and to the left of Kobe. His flute returned to his side not a single splinter of bamboo misplaced. Not even his breath was audible despite his absurd action.
“Well then, let's begin to head to Sosaki and squeeze the current events from him. I’m sure that the others will be doing the same as well soon enough. Kobe said not even looking at his servant.
“...”
Not affected by his master's lack of recognition or praise Kyoso followed Kobe three paces behind to his left as silent as ever.
Up to now most of the weapons I’ve showcased have been either Supra or Sacer ranked, which are extremely rare despite how common they are amongst the cast.
There are maybe 100 Sidus in the world and 500 Supra. So generally the highest ranked weapon you’ll see amongst the more common fighters is a Magna grade weapon. Despite its seemingly low rank, Magna blades are still super powerful and rare. Buying one would set you back a cool 40 grand.
Sacer are actually rather common and there’s probably thousands of them, but thats because anything “god made” meaning made by a celestial or belonging to them is considered a Sacer. As such they can vary in strength. However the strongest Sacer are truly above a Sidus by many times.
[北条] Kitasuji - The spelling of the real life Hojo clan.
[舗定] Hojo - Store Establish
[蘇崎緑] Sosaki Ryoku - Sosaki is just a cool looking and sounding name while Ryoku is an alternate reading of the Kanji for the color green. He’s maybe as strong as an athlete naturally and has no potential at all in magic. His aura nodes and mana circuits are complete garbage. However he makes more then up for this with his mind which is in the top five smartest people in the whole world. Hence why he was given the name “The man who invents the future.”
[呪助] Norosuke - The first kanji is for curse while the second is a general male name suffix.
[部呂助] Burosuke- Cool sounding old tough man name. For the Suke read above.
[馬次郎] Umajirou - The first Kanji means horse while Jirou is a generic male name suffix.
[綬一朗] Hojo Juichirou - The first Kanji Ju means Ribbon, the Ichirou is a generic male name suffix. Juichirou had two children, Kashitarou was the youngest while Juemon was his eldest son. Juemon married Sosaki Akua thus further tying the Sosaki into the great clans. There’s a ranking system of Clans in Edoland which I’ll probably explain in a side story chapter at some point.
[橿太郎] Hojo Kashitarou - The first Kanji means “Oak” while the Tarou is a generic male name suffix. Man I’m getting sick of typing that out.
[神武虚僧] Kamotake Kyoso - the first two Kanji are for “God” and “Military” while third and fourth are for Void and priest. Both Kanji are used in the spelling of Komuso. Him not speaking is a vow he made with his soul and body literally preventing him from making noise. Even if he tried to scream nothing would happen. His flute-like wise is a contract, as a priest he can’t wield a sword or true weapon so he uses his flute as one. If he did wield a sword he wouldn’t have been able to stop the Tsunami like he did with his flute.
[荒則古部] Susanori Kobe - Susanori means "Ruined" and "Law". The second Kanji mean "Old" and "Section", I just like the name Kobe so there's no real reason behind it.
