Whistling as he walked down the black tiled floor hallway was Shikinori Kazuki, his mood like that of a child frollicking through their new toys on christmas morning. With a little bit of a hop in his step he couldn’t help but fail to contain his joy.
The Shikinori clan was the offspring of the Soutou clan, in a similar way the Sarumalder were to the Aragon of Iboria.
At some point long long ago a Soutou clan member named Norishiki Soutou was born, and though he wasn’t chosen as clan head for the next generation he was given the new surname of Shikinori and an estate of his own by the Soutou clan's head and his father. From which he built up the modern Shikinori clan.
Though their relationship had always been positive much like that of distant relatives it wasn’t until the doing of Kazuki that the Soutou had truly taken a true interest in the Shikinori.
“If you keep up the good work, you might just become the sixth power in place of the Kageki.” These were the words which had put Kazuki in such a joyous mood, words which were said under the breath of Soutou Raizen. They were not a bribe or falsely given compliment but a true thought. That is how Shiniori Kazuki interpreted the words which Soutou Raizen had muttered and why he was in such a fantastic mood.
Kazuki had worked hard to get where he was now he had studied his Idol Soutou Raizen long and hard. He analyzed his ruthlessness, his cunning and ability to do things without remorse only for his own gain. It was those traits which Kazuki had forged his entire self image around. But he also saw the flaws in such an image, as such he also studied the ways of others who had the traits which Raizen lacked such as charisma and the ability to hold everyone's attention as the life of the party.
With this carefully crafted and perfect image he would become the perfected Raizen, he would ascend to a position in which he could make the Shikinori more than just the child of the Soutou but an equal able to stand alongside them. And perhaps in the future, the two clans could merge into a single clan under the Shikinori Kamon crest.
Though of course before these great ambitions could be attained he still had much to do. First of which was to create his own pawns which he could begin to move about the board. Children of his own blood which he could manipulate like extensions of himself. However as of the current moment he lacked a wife, something he was somewhat ashamed to admit due to his nearly 30 years of age. However in all of those years he’d simply been too busy to pursue love or rather in this case an valuable asset.
It was possible for him to arrange a political marriage, however with that would come the chance of accepting someone else's pawn onto his own side of the board. The last thing he needed was to involve himself with another family's drama and political interests as such he planned to take a wife of a lower class.
Over three thousand years ago the clan System of Edoland had been established, though no longer a true legal ranking it was still something highly valued by those clans who ranked high in the list, to keep their blood pure and prevent any contamination. In this ranking there were seven distinct grades.
The Imperial line such as late Touda and current Iwagura clan were the only members of the 0 Grade.
Those in the first Grade were direct descendents of the Imperial line with a very few exceptions such as the recently promoted Sosaki.
For example within this line were the Hojo clan, who descended from the late Misogi and Asuka clans, two of the original five clans which were the child of the Touda. Another example is the Soutou who are the descendants of the foreign noble Soto family of Iboria and Kusunoki of the original five.
The Shikinori would be in the second grade. Those who descended from a Grade One Clan, going down further you had the Grade three, those which the likes of Hojo Mitou came from being a part of the Suwabe clan. These are clans who might not directly descend from a grade one or two clan but are connected to them through some other way or might have been promoted from a lower rank. Generally these are the default choices for a Grade One or Two clan to marry into. Though with this comes the issue of the grade 3 clans own thirst for power. While it would be standard for Kazuki to take a wife from the grade 3 clans, it very well could be a poor move on his part.
Next was the Grade Four clans, the lowest of nobles. Those which have been promoted through hard work and achievements from the lower ranks. An example being the Todoroki which Nordon is a child of or the Sosaki before being promoted to Grade one. Standing second to lowest were those in Grade 5. The bottom of the barrel who are only slightly better than a commoner. The Taishi clan which the Hachibuto Akatora descends from. While it was possible for Kazuki to marry someone from this rank they’re even more hungry for power then the grade 3 and 4, though it’s worth noting that they also have much less power then those grades and the risk would overall be less likely to realize.
Kazuki however planned to choose a wife from the grade 6 clans or rather those with no clan at all, the commoners. For Kazuki this could be both the safest and most dangerous of his choices. While they would have zero political power and their thirst for power little if any at all the risk of him being shunned by his peers for the choice was very real. For Kazuki to marry a commoner it could very well prevent everything he wanted to achieve not only in his life but after it. But that was a risk Shikinori Kazuki was willing to take.
The simple and safe option to reach his goal faster would be to marry Soutout Mikami, though technically related it was over five hundred distant. Not only that but she was already deeply enamored by Kazuki. But in doing so he would be betraying the Shikinori, he would not be ranking them up through their own value but using the Soutou clan to do so. Something he couldn’t allow to happen.
Much like Raizenm Kazuki's pride was also great, too great to let him be given such a handout, and while he loved Mikami as a dear friend, for him to marry her would be nothing more then trampling on the clan which he wanted to raise through the ranks based on their own worth.
“Then that’s my next course of action, to find a wife and have children. The game will only expand for me from there…” Sighed Kazuki, rubbing the space between his brows.
Chirp
Chirp
Drip
Drip
“?”
Hearing the sound of electricity crackling and some kind of liquid dripping onto the hallways black tile above Kazuki raised his face and looked straight ahead.
Before him and off into the distance down the hallway he saw the lights had been extinguished, creating a seemingly endless abyss of darkness.
Chirp
One by one the lights seemed to flicker off, the darkness growing closer to Kazuki who felt himself hold his breath.
Continuing to grow the lights one by one flickered off in a straight line towards Kazuki who felt
“...”
Standing on the edge of the growing darkness was a tall and thin figure, one who’s only visible feature was their outline. In their hands was a long and sharp Katana which dripped liquid onto the floor and their glowing slit-like eyes stared straight through Kazuki like a predator would prey.
Frozen in both fear and confusion Kazuki hesitated, the darkness only growing closer to him, with each flicker the figure seemed to grow that much closer until only two lights were left before him.
Chirp
Hearing the 2nd to last light chirp and seeing the figure less than 3 meters away Kazuki forced himself to move and began to channel his aura into his fists, he would deliver a devastating blow to the opponent so fast the man wouldn't be able to even lift his katana above his hip.
Chirp
“!”
“Gurrrrah-ACK!”
As soon Kazuki let out a cry the final light flickered off and he felt two incredibly heavy impacts. One to the core of his stomach and another to his temple. The stench of blood filled his nostrils as his vision blurred and both pain and panic filled his mind.
With that he fell to the ground with a loud thump, his eyes closed.
# # #
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Hearing an echoing sound similar to that of gunfire, Soutou Raizen raised his head from his desk, his eyes sharpened and bottom lip curled downwards into a strong frown.
“...”
Thousands of words worth of thoughts raced through his mind in that moment, but they all seemed to come to the same conclusion.
I’m being attacked.
It seemed like an obvious conclusion to reach but this wasn’t just a suspicion or educated guess. It was a fact, he knew for certain he was being attacked. All of him was, his tower, his employees, his children, his pawns all of which belonged to Soutou Raizen were being attacked. Such thoughts filled him with a rage that made muscles tremble and vision turn red. His aura grew harsh enough that his large office trembled and the glass window behind his back began to crack in the corners,
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Knock!
Knock!
Hearing a casual nonchalant knock at his office's metal door he was only further infuriated and coated his arms in conjured black metal. An imaginary element capable of withstanding the heat of lava and the power of a missile.
“Reeee!”
In a single clean motion he jumped over his desk and into the center of the room ready to intercept the assured incoming attack.
CRASH!
Accompanying the sound of shattering glass behind Raizen was a harsh cold breeze carrying razor sharp shards which flung through the office like flakes of snow in a winter gust. The sudden presence of a beast so great it was as if a Demon Boar appeared melting that snow until it was nothing but vapors of steam.
Though confused, Raizen without pause spun around to confront the enemy's surprise attack, throwing out his right arm coated up the elbow in the imaginary element. His form was perfect, the speed and power enough to kill whoever it struck. If Kanashi was the one who had suffered the blow his ribs cage would shatter and the bones would be forced out of his back like wings, an instant brutal death.
But it wasn’t Kanashi who intercepted the attack.
With great finesse and a casual dance-like motion the one who easily avoided Raizens attack was a tall and thin Kimono wearing swordsman. One who had his Katana drawn in his hand and was covered head to toe in blood which leaked from the loose bandages which covered his limbs.
The intruder was Tatakayaiba Kenji, the last samurai.
After avoiding Raizen’s attack the Samurai twirled his katana in his hand like one would a baton and slammed the hilt into Raizen’s temple.
“!”
The strike was heavy and hard, making Raizen’s knees tremble and vision blur. Though not yet ready to surrender he buckled his knees and flicked his waist putting all of his remaining strength into a sudden left jab aiming for the man's liver. If he made contact Kenji's liver would have been popped like a grape, along with his intestines and stomach. Though such an event wouldn’t occur as Kenji swung his right knee upwards before contact was made.
Brushing his knee against Raizens arm Kenji carefully manipulated his foes balance shifting it slightly greater to one side, using that he planted his right leg back to the ground and bounced off with it, spinning clockwise through the air he crashed his left leg into Raizen’s back throwing him forwards and to the ground vomiting blood.
“Gurrrah!”
Raizen, still not one to surrender from such an injury, flipped around ready to launch another attack, however he was only met with the end of Kenji’s katana pressing softly against his jugular.
“Gotcha.” Kenji huffed with a grin.
# # #
Kenji looked down at Raizen, his expression being his usual sharp and blood shot sanpaku eyes above a mouth curved into a wide ear to ear grin. He was covered head to toe in blood, as was his katana. Though none of this blood belonged to anyone other than himself, all of it came from Kenji himself, who’s various wounds had been reopened from his quick movements. His bandages were heavy and hung off his limbs as he stood in the casual night breeze.
“Surrender your title to Sosuke.”
“How many.” Asked Raizen, ignoring the demand to Kenji's annoyment.
“Hey, I’m the one talking her-”
“How many did you kill!?” Raizen yelled, his teeth chattering as his neck and temple were covered in spider web like bulging veins.
“...”
Kenji didn’t answer the question, his expression didn’t change, he just continued to stare at Raizen while his mind raced with various thoughts.
“Maybe Six…” Kenji muttered.
“Huh!?”
“I’ll give you a 6/10, your power and technique are there but you let yourself be blinded too much by your anger. Maybe give it another decade and then I’d be forced to kill you.”
“What the hell are you talking about!? Ranking me!? Another decade!? Who do you think you are!?”
“Ah, sorry I didn’t introduce myself. What a shame of a Samurai I am.” Kenji frowned, shaking his head before clearing his throat with a cough. “Tatakayaiba Kenji, the last samurai.” He said with a shrug.
Raizen grit his teeth hard enough that his molars nearly cracked and his right nostril began to bleed as the blood vessels inside it burst.
“Anyways I didn’t kill anyone, worst case a few might have a concussion or something I dunno nor do I care. Now, give your title of clan head over to Sosuke.” Kenji said, repeating the demand.
“Give my rank over to Sosuke? What the hell are you talking about!? Why would you want that!?”
To this question Kenji once more shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know the complicated stuff behind it but it’s what my boss wants so I’m here to make it happen.”
“Who is your boss!? What does he want and have to gain from this!?”
“...I dont think I’m allowed to tell you that but he’s not a bad guy.”
At this Raizen only seemed to grow in more of a rage. However he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath, his aura calming down some.
“If you want me to surrender my title to Sosuke why don’t you just kill me? If you did, the title would fall to him by default. So why do this? Why pin me here and request it of me?”
Kenji let out an annoyed hum at the onslaught of questions and lightly tapped onto his skull with his knuckles trying to come up with the appropriate answers.
“Alright first off, and most importantly…”
“...”
“This isn’t a request, it's a demand. An order, so get that through your skull.”
Raizen, too dumbfounded to get angry from the non answer raised his brows as his lower jaw loosed somewhat exposing his bottom row of teeth.
“As for why I can’t kill you, it's because I’m not allowed to kill anyone, that's the only rule I was given.”
“...”
“...”
“Hehehehe, BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Raizen erupted into laughter, the kind which comes from the depths of one's soul and makes their stomach hurt.
“Maybe I shouldn't have said that…” Kenji muttered to himself, covering his mouth with his freehand.
“You can’t kill me?! So how the hell are you gonna make me surrender my title to Sosuke? Hahahahaha! What a moron your boss is and you’re an even greater moron for telling me that!”
No longer feeling threatened, Raizen pushed Kenji's Katana away from his throat and stood up. Brushing off his shoulders and legs he continued to laugh.
“Oi, don’t get cocky now.” Growled Kenji clenching his katana's handle.
“What’re you gonna do about it-”
Raizen couldn’t even finish his taunt as Kenji slammed his knee into Raizen's stomach, the latter vomiting blood and bile. Not done yet Kenji grabbed the man by his collar and then flipped him over his back onto the floor with another crash.
“Geh!” Raizen wheezed, his clothes torn revealing the thick muscle which his skin resented upon.
“I can’t kill you. But there was no rule against hurting you. As my boss once said. Break every bone in their body if you can’t kill them… or something like that I don’t really remember.” Kenji said ruffling his spiky black hair. “But the point still stands, I’ll keep you alive, break every bone and tickle every nerve until you do what I say.”
“That’s not very honorable now is it?” Raizen laughed dryly.
“...” Kenji frowned at Raizens words, the urge to raise his Katana growing stronger.
“Besides, as long as I’m alive I’ll never give my title over to Sosuke, not until I’m dead will that power be transferred. So you did all of this for nothing.”
“....” Kenji only grew more flustered and ground his teeth against one another until he seemed to come to an epiphany, a light bulb clicking on above his head. “One second I’ll be back.” He hummed quickly walking to the offices front door and then slamming it closed with a bang.
“?” Raizen, who felt his body tingle with pain, lifted his head to watch the door as he forced the rest of his body to get up. Standing on his feet shakily he let out a painful cough which came with specs of blood.
I’ll need to have Inurashi heal me… He thought, wiping his brow.
“Alright I’m back~!”
With that announcement and another slam of the door, Kenji reappeared. And over his shoulder unconscious was the body over a woman, one wearing a velvet black dress.
“Alright, now let’s return to the subject at hand.” Kenji chuckled, a proud smile across his face.
“Mikami…” Raizen muttered, recognizing the sleeping face of his granddaughter. What his expression became was not that of blind rage, nor unfiltered laughter but a glare of the utmost serious kind. He had finally begun to take the situation seriously. “What are you doing, Tatakayaiba?”
“Making you admit defeat.” Kenji hummed, walking over to the window with Mikami over his shoulder.
“...”
“This is your granddaughter right?” Kenji asked, patting the girl's butt softly.
“Yes…”
“And she’s your favourite right?”
“...”
“Right?”
“She’s an important piece of my game, yes.”
“In that case, why don’t I use her to help me win this then.” With that Kenji flipped the girl off his shoulder and held her by the end of her dress collar over the window's edge. Only the tips of his index finger and thumb keeping her grounded.
“!” Raizens nostrils flared at this and his eyes narrowed but he kept his calm. “What are you trying to do? You can’t kill anyone so what’s your game here?”
“You’re right that I can’t kill anyone… but they can kill themselves.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“When she wakes up she’ll see me dangling her over the edge and freak out. If she jerks around too much and her dress rips that’s not my fault. It’s hers and she’ll fall to her death. So who’s the moron now?” Asked Kenji, his expression was one of pure smugness.
“Tch, alright Tatakayaiba. While your plan may be ingenious there’s still a fatal flaw. You think I value her much more than I do.”
Kenji didn’t respond, he only stared at Raizen, his expression unchancing.
“I value her yes but she’s replaceable, losing her will hurt not my heart but my plans. But more plans can always be made. Nineteen years is a great loss, but giving my title over would be surrendering to you fourty of my own. I can always have another grandchild, but you will eventually run out of hostages.”
“...” Kenji frowned at this and chewed on Raizens words.
“Jiji…”
Raizens eyes seemed to open, his expression faltering at that utterance which came from the lips of his granddaughter who began to stir.
“Heh.” Huffed Kenji, looking into Raizen’s eyes, his intentions unwavering.
“Jiji” is just slang for Grandpa, think of it like Gramps or Tata.
I feel like Kenji is becoming smarter the more I write him. Which means I guess he’s learning but I also want to keep him wild and crude. I think his actions are still showing that but his dialogue is becoming sharper. I need to watch out for him… he has a mind of his own, it appears.
