“In the year 2228 while the Northern Kingdom of Reino Del Norte's main forces were fighting in its final campaign against the southern Kingdom Nohol Del Norte the Northern Kingdom was betrayed by its greatest General Gaisear Triste. Notable for his conquest of the Eastern Kingdom Antisuyu, Gaisear would take his most loyal soldiers and attack the poorly defended capital city and ransack the Kingdom, slaying the sitting monarch Francisco Rey and Katherine De’Dios. Taking their only child, their daughter Belleza Rey, by force after killing her parents, Gaisear would make himself King. What did he do next?” The teacher asked as he looked around the room frowning at the lack of people raising their hands.
“!” Kanashi threw his hand up so quickly you’d think he dislocated his shoulder, his foot tapping excitedly on the floor as he tried not to blurt the answer to the question aloud.
“No one?” The teacher asked, looking around the room once more, gazing through Kanashi as if he didn’t exist, his frown growing deeper and deeper.
“I know…” Kanashi muttered under his breath, hand waving in the air.
“Yes, Kanashi?” The teacher asked with a sigh.
“Gaisear would then quickly take hold of the remaining army of the Northern Kingdom and quickly join the main force of the Northern Army fighting to the south of the Chickamauga planes, those soldiers while knowing of Gaisears usurping they also knew if they retreated they’d be massacred from behind so they had to hold firm until Gaisear arrived at the battle field. Upon doing so he’d conquer the Nohol Del Norte ending the 4 year long campaign in a single week.” Kanashi said as if reciting a textbook.
“Yes, very good. You’re surely the son of professor Sarumalder.” The teacher nodded with another deep sigh, rubbing his tired eyes as he flipped to the next page of the book, the only one in class to follow his lead being Kanashi. “Now then what was it that Gaisear did after conquering the southern Kingdom?” He asked, turning back to the class.
“!”
As if one command Kanashi once more shot his hand up in the air waving it at the teacher with a wide smile.
“How about we give someone else a chance.” The teacher muttered under his breath. “Ishmael in the back, what did Gaisear do after defeating the southern kingdom?”
“Dunno, don't care.” Ishmael grumbled, scratching the bits of green plant from under his long pinky finger nail.
“Care to take a guess?”
“Hmmm, Shit dick and balls.” He huffed with a giggle.
The rest of the class erupted into laughter except for Kanashi who kept his hand raised, foot tapping on the tile.
“Care to correct him, Kanashi?” The teacher asked with a sigh, turning to Kanashi.
“Gaisear would form the Spanish Empire and be Emperor of the island himself, he would have a child with Belleza however both her and her child of unknown sex would die in childbirth, and King Gaisear would in turn-”
“The first bit was enough, stay on topic.” The teacher frowned, shaking his head, flipping a few pages in the textbook and clearing his throat with a cough. “Let’s move onto chapter 26, the Empire's revolution.” He said.
Kanashi quickly obeyed flipping to the chapter in question and skimmed the first few pages before the Teacher began. That’s an outdated theory, that’s just plain wrong,, that’s misspelled…” He thought with a frown.
“!”
Suddenly being struck in the back of the head with a jolt of searing pain, Kanashi whipped around to see what had happened. Blood trickling down the back of his neck, and a small red pebble on the floor behind him.
“What the hell…” He growled rubbing his head and feeling the warm blood spread across his fingers.
“Huhuhuhu.” The soft laughter came from Ishmael and Ruben who sat across the classroom in the back. Both looked at kanashi as they failed to cover their laughter with their jackets sleeves.
“...” Kanashi shot them a glare, the nastiest he could muster, his blood shot sanpaku eyes with crystal clear blue eyes working overdrive. However unfazed the men only grew in laughter.
What am I supposed to do here? He wondered, Frairk had said to punch somebody in the nose when they bully him but in this situation how would he do that? Walk across the class room and punch them in the face? Wouldn’t they see that coming and wouldn’t that be him assaulting them instead of defending himself? And there were two vs only one of him, maybe he could take out Ishmael who was rather skinny but Ruben was a football player, he’d surely crush Kanashi with his build. The other only option is…
“Knock if off retards!” Kanashi barked at the two boys whose faces quickly turned into scowls.
“What's going on now?” The teacher asked, whipping around from the black board and glaring at kanashi.
“Ummm,ummm.” Kanashi didn’t speak, he only rubbed the back of his head, his hair damp with blood.
“Ishmael, Ruben, why are you laughing? Did you do this?” The teacher asked with a hiss.
“Tch, no way why would he get in trouble for messing with a fag like him?” Ruben asked with a hiss.
“Well Kanashi, did they do this to you?” The teacher asked Kanashi.
“Ummm.” Kanashi felt his heart pound in his chest and throat clenched tightly.
“Well? Don’t lie to me, did they or did they not hit you in the back of the head with something?”
“They did….” Kanashi sighed, feeling shame and self loathing well up in his stomach.
“Fucking lair!” Ishmael barked, jumping out of his seat.
“Ishmael, Ruben, outside now. I’ll speak with you in a moment, and Kanashi you go to the nurse and get something done for your head. We don’t want it contaminating the classroom”
“Yeah with aids from all the men you fuck!” Ruben yelled as he left the room with Ishamel behind. The class laughed at their comment while looking at Kanashi who felt his bottom lip quiver.
“Go now.” The teacher said,
“Yes…” Kanashi muttered, grabbing his things and leaving the classroom, the door shutting loudly behind him with a clack.
“Nice going snitch!” Ishmael yelled out to Kanashi as he walked down the hallway, his back facing them.
“We’ll get your ass at lunch, just wait!” Ruben laughed.
“Great…” Kanashi sighed. “And this is the only class I liked.”
# # #
Kanashi walked through the cafeteria, a ham and turkey sandwich with white bread, lettuce and tomato on his plate along with a small bottle of soda, Dr. Spicy to be exact, he preferred it to the chalky and tart taste of Radrick Cola.
Looks like the normal spots taken… He frowned seeing a mob of girls crowding around where he normally sat, a small table too small for more than four to sit at in the corner of the cafeteria away from everyone else.
Why can’t they just find their own spot? I always sit there, I have since freshman year. Well it’s not like I can do anything about it. He sighed, turning around.
“Watch where you're going, shithead!” A voice yelled as Kanashi turned around, as a man who he’d bumped into pushed him to the side.
“Sorry!” Kanashi yelped as he was shoved into the wall with a bang. A few girls a table or two away giggling at his misfortune..
“H-hey!” Kanashi called out nervously to the man as he walked away.
“What!?” The man asked, spinning around with narrowed eyes. He stood taller than Kanashi by two heads, and was thicker than Ruben by almost two times as much, a super super senior surly with the full beard of black course and curly hair he wore.
The few people who heard and saw the commotion turned around and looked at both the man and Kanashi waiting for something to happen.
“You got something to say?”
“Y-yeah I do.” Kanahsi nodded nervously.
“Then go out and say it, quit wasting my time.” The man said, walking over to Kanashi.
“I just wanted to say sorry!” Kanshi said with a shallow bow.
“Pft, whatever boy, just stay outta my way and watch your tone.” The man huffed, turning back around after rolling his eyes and walking away.
“Nice going douche.” A hippie said from the table next to Kanashi.
“Shut up bud monkey.” Kanashi growled.
“Who the fuck you calling bud monkey?” Another man next to the hippie asked, turning around.
“Yeah you want us to show you what us bud monkeys can do?” A 3rd asked from across the table standing up with a growl, box cutter in hand.
“No, sorry. I’m good!” Kanashi yelped, waving his hands.
“Then get outta here.” They said in unison before erupting into laughter as Kanashi turned around a slunk away, throwing his lunch in the trash as he walked out the cafeteria door into the scorching sun outside. “I wish I had friends…” He muttered with a sigh.
# # #
Waking up with a grunt Kanashi opened his eyes, wet with tears which he wiped away, looking up he saw that he’d fallen asleep on the bench outside the casinos front entrance, Kenji next to him. Both on lookout duty in case any Toumeikan member of note approaches. “I need to stretch my legs, they hurt.” Kanashi muttered standing up and walking across the sidewalk into the empty road with a stretch.
“Wanna go for a walk too?” Kenji asked excitedly, his eyes lighting up.
“No we have to watch the Casino-’
“Yo Kanashi.”
That voice, the inflection, that carefree attitude and tone as if the world belonged to him and him alone, that was the voice which belonged to the man Kanashi wanted to see the most of all and the one he wanted to avoid like the plague.
However,
[Zenkai!]
Spinning around with a slash aimed straight to slice into the throat of the suddenly appearing Jinen Lutece was Kenji, his body dripping with sweat and eyes trembling as he felt the overpowering aura of what the thing was that appeared behind him then so suddenly, as if teleporting appearing out of thin air.
“!”
Raising his index finger Jin caught Kenji's blade mid-motion, and as if it’d hit a wall of steel it offered no chance at resistance.
“Kenji, Jin he’s an ally!” Kanashi yelped aloud quickly trying to separate the men.
Kenji pulled his katana back with a slight tremble, if Domushi had been able to break his confidence in his own strength if even for just a moment then Jin had shattered that. It was as if he was starting at a smoldering volcano ready to erupt at any moment something he couldn’t possibly stop from happening. Yet upon seeing Kakashi's reassuring and awkward smile he clenched his teeth and resheathed his sword to his side.
Jin, paying no mind to Kenji, turned to Kanashi and quickly looked him up and down. Kanashi almost blushing from embarrassment as Jin's brow raised in reaction to Kanashi's distinct appearance change. His right arm was now black, so black it made the darkest black look like it was bright in comparison, his face too was adored with a nasty long scar which ran from his jaw up to his cheek almost to his eye. Perhaps most shocking of all however was his increased strength and his aura which writhed with controlled power which made Jin smile as if appreciating his own work.
“You’ve grown.” Jin said, patting Kanashi on the left shoulder roughly.
“For sure.” Kanashi said with a wince, Jins pat enough to make him want to yelp in pain.
“And you are?” Jin asked, turning to Kenji who still fingered his Katanas handle nervously purely off instinct.
“Tatekayaiba Kenji.” Kenji answered his voice firm with no hesitation in it. “Retainer of Kanashi.” He finished.
“Retainer huh…” Jin muttered raising a brow he looked at Kanashi who shrugged with a toothy straight smile in response. “Well you’re certainly a strong one aren’t you now.” Jin hummed, nodding his head. “You looking for work? I’m sure El-Saber would love to have you” He might go easy on me for a while too if I bring a big fish like this in. He thought as if hatching an evil plan.
“He’s complicated.” Kanashi interrupted before Kenji could answer. “But that’s not important right now. What’re you doing here?” Kanashi asked. To be specific about where they were, it was in the middle of the street in front of the Karatino Casino, Nordon and Akatora were inside, ironing out some more fine details of the Tiger Salamander Pact.
“What did you want more time alone with your buddy here?” Jin asked with a sly grin.
“N-no!” Kanashi corrected with a growl. “You’re just early is all.”
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“Well, I needed to check the way points, and I must say good job on that. I'm sure Nordon placed them but you stuck it out with him so that’s what counts.” Jin said with another proud smile patting Kanashi on his left shoulder once more. Though what hurt far more than Kanashi's shoulder in that moment was his soul. As if desperate for air his throat opened and his mouth strained. The reason for that feeling being exactly why he didn’t want to see Jin yet, because he’d have to tell him he left the Venator Society, something apparently Nordon had yet to tell him himself. I almost feel like this is worse… Kanashi thought, biting his lip.
“Ah-!”
The sudden gasp made both Jin and Kanashi look towards its origin however Kenji kept his eyes trained on Jin, his hand still struggling to not reach for his Katana out of habit.
Who stood across from them exiting the casino was Ubaru Yuko, her eyes bright and a smile spreading across her face.
“Jinen Lutece!” She screamed as she, with a single rabbit-like leap, somehow managed to travel straight in front of Jinen, her eyes sparkling. “You’re even more handsome than the pictures!” She laughed, poking his stomach which had the outline of abs against her fingers.
“Please don’t touch me.” Jin frowned, smacking her hand away, “You’re too young for me.” He added with a sideways frown.
“Wait, it's not like that!” Yuko yelped, shaking her head, “It’s just… not everyday does someone get to see the strongest! The Drakelord Jinen Lutece, strongest alive, the perfect organism, peak of magic #1 Pillar God the list goes on!” Yuko said, her eyes shining brightly.
“Everytime someone lists those out they seem less cool.” Jin muttered, pushing his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose slightly. “Anyways, where’s Nordon?” He asked, turning his head to the casino's front entrance. “And why are we in front of a casino and why do you have a tattoo on your arm?” Jin asked Kanashi with a raised brow.
“...” Kanashi swallowed harshly, though Jin had no ill intention behind his words it felt as though when he asked them he also pressed a gun to Kanashis head. He opened his mouth but once more hesitated a dry rattle coming out of his mouth for a moment.
“Well um…” Kanashi tried to hide his left arm with which the tiger paw print tattoo was carved into behind his sleeve but failed to. His internal panic grew.
“Oh yeah you wouldn’t know, would you, Lutece Sensei-Sama?” Yuko muttered, putting her finger in the air.
“I would not.” Jin answered, “And Jin is fine.”
“Well Jin.” Yuko muttered, the name rolling off her tongue with a bit of flavor which she seemed to treasure the taste of. “It’s because Kanashi has managed to pull together an alliance between the one of the Hachibuto of the Toumeikan, Hojo, Soutou and Venator Society.” She said as if listing off her own achievements.
“Is that so~” Jin hummed looking at Kanashi who hid his face in embarrassment.
“Please Yuko, it’s not that big of a deal really… I just happened to get lucky is all.” Kanashi muttered trying not to smile at the praise he knew he hadn’t earned.
“You’ll get used to it.” Jin laughed dryly, “So I take it Nordon talking to this Hachibuto right now?” He asked.
“Yeah, that’d be Taishi Akatora, head of gambling.” Yuko answered with a thumbs up. “He's big, though probably even bigger than you.” She muttered trying to use her hands to measure the two's height difference in her head.
“Well that’d be surprising, but a welcome surprise at least. Though I’m also curious about this Hojo and Soutou alliance as well.”
“Well it's a long story that I’m sure I’ll get to tell you soon.” Kanashi frowned, hiding his mouth with his shirt collar pulled up.
“...”
“...”
“You’re pretty popular huh?” Kanashi joked with a strained smile trying to clear the painfully silent atmosphere a bit. He turned to Jin who’s glasses hid his eyes which looked straight ahead.
“That’s how most people act when they meet me, annoying isn’t it?” He asked, cracking a smile.
“Ah that’s right! Kanashi-Chan and Kenji-San, Nordon-San wanted to see you!” Yuko yelped as a light bulb had just gone off above her head.
“Perfect timing huh? Guess I’m that good.” Jin grinned, elbowing Kanashi in the left arm softly yet still enough to leave a sting.
“Yeah… perfect timing…”
# # #
As Jin, Kenji and Kanashi followed Yuko down into the hidden basement Jin suddenly snapped his finger with a light grunt causing the three to stop and look at him.
“I need to use the bathroom real fast. Yuko, would you know where that is?” He asked, pointing his index finger at the girl.
“Calling me by my name!? Oh you honor me!” Yuko squeaked with a blush before shaking her head and looking around.” But umm, yeah I think there’s one over there right Kanashi-Chan?” She asked, pointing into the distance.
“There’s one down in the hidden basement actually, it’s just down the hallway to the right when you walk in.” Kanashi answered.
“Perfect, I’ll use that one then.” Jin said with a smile, winking to Kanashi.
He’s setting up a waypoint… Kanashi thought with a hint of anxiety spiking in his mind. I hope that doesn’t upset Akatora too much but well… It wasn’t exactly a bad idea for Jin to set one up here just in case of anything, but still it could send the wrong message. But he’s smarter than that… I hope at least.
As the four entered the private staff hallway in the back while offering apologies to the confused staff they made their way to one of the back janitorial closets in which was a secret which door Yuko opened, a dark staircase leading down into the cold basement hiding behind it.
“I feel like I should be the one leading you down here.” Kanashi frowned.
“I’m pretty good at directions actually!” Yuko huffed with a frown glaring at Kanashi who shrunk back some.
“I wouldn't have guessed that.” Kenji said aloud with no shame or hesitation. Even Yuko was more surprised than angry at his comment.
“Like you’d know…” She grumbled under her breath, beginning to climb down the staircase.
Once reaching the bottom of the stairs Kanashi tilted his head towards the side of the hallway which the bathroom led to and Jin nodded his head with a wave. “I’ll just warp back to you.” He said before disappearing down the hallway.
“Wish you wouldn't." Kanashi frowned, rubbing his shoulder. He had too many marking placed on him from other people, his black arm from Kenken, the tattoo from Akatora, the Waypoint from Jin, the scar on his cheek from Satoshi as well as the un-healing gash in his side.
“!”
Remembering the scar on his side Kanashi felt it begin to sting as if mocking him, he leaned to the side clutching it tightly with his hand. Shit! Well If I was you’d I’d be mad too huh Mr. Hakai, now that Jin’s here he can get rid of you once and for all~”
With a forced smile he followed Kenji and Yuko who had already begun to walk off down the hallway and towards the meeting room.
Kanashi watched the shifting back of Kenji's Kimono with a frown, the fabric rippling with each movement. He’s normally by my side but now it’s like he’s trying to avoid me… did I do something to make him mad? Kanashi wondered.
As they reached the conference room Yuko opened the door and they were greeted by Nordon who sat alone in the room, his head resting on his chin and eyes focused on the doorway.
“Ah, Nordon-san, Jin’s here!” Yuko said with a wide smile.
“Thank you, Yuko. But I felt him the moment he appeared.” Nordon said, turning his eyes to Kanashi.
“Oh, Um…” Kanashi knew what Nordon was going to say and tried to force the topic to change, even if for a second he just wanted to avoid it a little longer. “So where’s Akatora?” He asked.
“He went to use the restroom.”
“!”
Kanashi felt a chill run down his back and Yuko reacted to the statement as well. If he meets Akatora without a middle man, who knows what will happen!? Kanashi stepped back uneasily and turned around ready to run out of the door but Nordon clearing his throat stopped him.
“You must have a question for me Sarumalder-San, correct?” He asked, each word like a hammer smacking the top of Kanashis head as he heard it.
“N-no I don’t think I do-” Don’t run from it anymore, you’ve already faced your fears twice now, keep going don’t fall back. “No, I do have one.” Kanashi choked out, clenching his hand into a fist and turning around to greet Nordon eye to eye, his face turning red and dripping with sweat.
“That being?” Nordon asked.
“Why didn’t you tell Jin about me leaving the Venator Society?” It rolled off his tongue so naturally and smoothly that Kanashi almost wondered why he felt such fear over asking it before. However that fear quickly became apparent once more as he saw Nordon let his hands rest on the table and his eyes focused solely on Kanashi.
“The reason for me not telling Jinen is simply that I didn’t have the chance to. As you know all calls and messages are being monitored by the Orochi Kingdom and Toumeikan so it was simply impossible to do so without risking not only the mission but also your wellbeing.”
“I- I guess that makes sense…” Kanashi muttered out.
“However, that brings us to a tricky topic…”
“...”
“Which one of us will tell him about that now that he’s appeared?” Nordon's eyes narrowed as he spoke, his pupils constricting on Kanashis own crystal clear blue eyes which trembled.
Kanashis mind screamed at him to let Nordon do it, that it would be the easiest way, surely he could explain it better then Kanashi could right? Not only that but Kanashi wouldn’t have to worry as much about it, he'd just have to bear the reaction; it'd be so much easier. So if that’s the case then why did he reject that fully? Biting his lip he took a breath and came to an internal agreement nodding his head as he spoke. “I’ll be the one to tell Jin myself.” Kanashi said with a sideways smile and trembling pupils.
“Tell me what?” A voice from behind Kanashi came immediately after the decision left his lips.
# # #
“I wonder how much money gets spent and won here a day?” Jin wondered as he looked up at the barren concrete roof and walls. Though to most people they’d see nothing with his [Pure Eyes] Jin might as well be up in the floor himself. He could see the outline of everyone inside the casino as well as the shade of their soul. However even if he knew how many people there were he had no idea how much money they were spending, that was simply beyond him. Maybe that’s why he was fascinated by the question, it was something he didn’t know the answer to already.
“Hm?”
Sensing something ahead of him Jin turned his head forwards down the hallways, his eyes outlining the red flaming soul of someone approaching him, a large person almost a head taller than him and nearly twice as wide, clearly someone of extreme interest.
Jin with his hands in his pockets continued forwards whistling until he and the approaching man came into each other's clear view, yet neither moved out of the way for the other; they stayed in the middle of the hallway marching forwards until they came so close their chests nearly touched.
The man was middle aged with sharp eyes and thick black eyebrows, his hair black and slicked back connected to the bit of finely trimmed stubble around his jaw and chin. He wore a red button up shirt with yellow flowers embroidered into it and under that dark blue slacks with leather shoes.
Jin looked up to the man who looked down at him with trembling eyes yet held his ground.
“Are you gonna move, or am I gonna have to make you?” Jin asked with a sly smile and upturned eyes.
The man stared back at Jin, his eyes almost bursting into flames for a moment before quickly extinguishing. Without comment the man stepped to the side, the action clearly dealing heavy damage to his pride yet Jin cared not.
“Thanks bud.” Jin smiled, patting the man on his thick arm before continuing to walk down the hallway.
# # #
I knew he was going to be strong, I expected him to be at least equal to Domushi in strength, however I never would have anticipated that thing, something like it to exist.
Despite being taller it felt as if he was the one looking down at me. His sense of self is like nothing I’ve ever met before.
Even against someone like Domushi who I know to be stronger than myself I’ve managed to hold my head high, to look him in the eyes and claim my position as one to be treated with respect.
But against that thing… even I Akatora Taishi was forced to bow down in my own home and I can’t even feel angry at myself for it. I can only hope that he is truly on my side… Jinen Lutece what are you truly?
# # #
“Tell me what?” Jin asked, tilting his head to the side as he stared at Kanashis back.
“U-um.” Kanashi felt his previous courage melt instantly as Jin looked towards him. When you get more skilled at Observation or even just magic in general you begin to recognize the strength of others to a greater extent, that was something he’d been told before but never really understood. And now that he looked towards Jin he could truly see just how the vast distance between them was. It was like staring at an endless full of boiling blood red liquid and the heat which it exhumed burnt his flesh down to his every microbial composition just from looking at it. He could see why others quivered before Jin so clearly now, and he could only wonder if he should be doing the same. If he told Jin the truth here and now what he wanted to hide would he simply smite him down? No, he knew that Jin wouldn’t do that. No, in this moment what he truly wondered and feared much more than death was if Jinen Lutece would still continue to be his friend after all of this.
No! He thought, shaking his head. I’m gonna tell him!
“I wanted to tell you that I quit the Venator Society.” Kanashi once more said that line flawlessly, the words simply rolling off his tongue and before Jin could even react or he could stutter, Kanashi forced himself to continue.
“When I first got on the Cymba everything was going well, I met these two detectives named Rebecca and Jason who ended up catching me because they’re looking to arrest you but when they found out I wouldn’t do anything to rat you out they actually turned out to be really cool people. Then the Cymba ended up being full of Toumeikan Yakuza and I accidently sent everyone into a panic by using a super strong spell without thinking. I got into a fight with the Yakuza and so did Jason and Rebecca. I beat two of them but then the 3rd was Kageki Satoshi the last member of the Kageki clan and he was super tough, the hardest fight I’ve had to this point still probably. I ended up winning but in the conflict there was a fire that I started without thinking and that ended up suffocating six passengers. I won the fight in the end but cut the boat in half and might have killed Satoshi who also sliced into me with his [Hakai] imbued sword. Jason and Rebeeca helped me save the Griffon and- um the Griffon Pompeii told me they had on the boat because he used spying magic which he wasn’t allowed to but well.. I probably should have kept that a secret but I don’t think you;ll tell him right? Anyways we let the Griffon free and then when I got to Edoland I had lost my wallet in the confusion on the Cymba and ended up in Izumika in Midorigawa prefecture. I got recruited by Kenken and the Izumika police department to fight some Toumeikan who had taken over the city. I joined Otsuga, Naori and Sakashima from the Edoland Venator Society in exchange for a visa and train pass. When the time for the fight came, Kenken died trying to save me from Honeitsu Guro, the cannibal serial killer who I managed to beat but had to sacrifice my right arm for. He cut off his ankle to escape me and then Kenken traded his life for my arm. Then Naori healed me up a bit and took me to fight Chujou Ugoki, the leader of the Izumika group of the Toumeikan. I got my ass kicked by him and so did Otsuga, Naori and then Sakashima ended up getting killed by Ugoki, but in the end Hojo Norosuke killed Ugoki. After that I woke up in the Hojo estate since they’d basically kidnapped me from the hospital and they put me into a corner where they said they’d make an alliance with the Venator Society so I told them about the liberation and then they used that as black mail to try and make me agree to force Soutou Raizen to forfeit his title as clan head to his son Soutou Sosuke. I got super upset and when I left them I met Nordon in Kamitou right after and quit the Venator Society thinking that the only thing I did was make everything worse and screw up the mission. After that I really regretted leaving wondering if that was the right choice so to cope I got drunk, did some things I’m not proud of and when I was getting on my plane to leave Edoland, to run away and start a new life I ended up helping someone who was Akatoras employee who Akatora had sent to watch me. Then Akatora asked me to join him in a pact to unite him and the Venator Society together and I agreed thinking I could make it up to you guys for messing everything up and then bailing. I recruited Kenji on the other side of the country and then on the way back to Tousen I got into more fights with more Yakuza and then me and Kenji broke into the Soutou clan estate and their tower forcing Raizen to make Sosuke the new clan head. I called the Hojo and told them what I did but also before that I rewrote the terms to be more favorable and they agreed to them so now they just need to sign a blood pact. Then I met up with Nordon and brought him here to meet Akatora and well… that’s where we are I guess.” As Kanashi finished he gasped for air, he hadn't taken a single breath during his entire rant and now he could only pant while watch Jin looked at him, eyes obscured by sunglasses and mouth in a straight line.
“...”
“...”
“Ha- sounds you’ve had quite the adventure then huh?” Jin laughed with a smile.
“H- huh?” Kanashi choked out.
“Well… I can’t say El-Saber or Julius will be as forgiving as I am but well… if I had a penny for every time Hayais quit I’d be able to buy a new house it feels like.” Jin laughed softly. “But they wouldn’t give you too hard of a time since your job was really only to set up waypoints; everything else was a big blunder on our part. Honestly El-Saber should be the one apologizing to you for how big of a mess this has turned into.
“W-wait no! I stopped out of line! I did what I wasn’t supposed to! I made things worse by not sticking in my lane!” Kanashi argued.
“Yeah, you sure did and well that’s for sure something to criticize you over. But I'm in a glass house right now so I can’t cast any stones. It’s your own job to punish yourself for that, not anyone else's. Besides, everything worked out in the end didn’t it?” Jin shrugged nonchalantly.
“I-I don’t get it.” Kanashi said, falling to his knees. “I did something wrong right? I’m the bad guy. I messed everything up?”
“Well, I wouldn’t say you’re the bad guy but I mean you sure did almost mess things up. But you fixed them up pretty good with a bonus so we’ll call it even this time.”
“I-I-” Kanashi shuttered his throat dry and tears formed out of the corner of his eyes.
“You’re a member of the Venator Society, Kanashi Sarumalder, your mission was successful, you’re relieved of duty for now.” Jin said, patting Kanashi on the back.
“!”
Kanashi fell forwards grabbing onto Jin's leg and hugging it tightly, sobs escaping his throat, sobs he wanted to hide behind his throat, sobs which he was ashamed to be making but couldn’t contain. Was it okay for him to be getting off this easy? Was it only because he was friends with Jin that he was being given another chance after throwing it all away?
Probably, it probably was but in that moment he sure was happy that he got away with it even if it filled him with shame. Because his life once more had a purpose.
Kanashi Sarumalder was a member of the Venator Society, once more.
Volume 6: The Worst Plan Ever END
Finished 3/30/25 3:10 am
Well 13 months, 3 volumes and 208,295 words (Not counting comments) later and the Tiger Salamander Pact arc is completed! It’s been a journey now hasn't it?
I’m about halfway through Volume 7 which is 11 chapters long so far. I’m both excited to write the 4/5th arc in the Edoland Liberation Saga but it’s also scary because I have to make it right! Everything has led up to this moment. Not just this arc but also all of the Edoland Liberation Saga! The Izumika Incident Arc which is 49,398 words long and the Gods and Generals arc which was 32,362 words long. So in total we’re 3/5th through Saga 3 the Edoland Liberation Saga and at 290,055 words. Holy Moly we might hit 400k words for this saga in total! That would be awesome. Some people might wonder why I seem obsessed over word count, it’s not that I write with the intention of reaching a certain word count. I just enjoy seeing how much I’ve written because I can think “That’s a lot of work and words and I’m proud of it!”
Well last time between the Gods and Generals arc and the Tiger Salamander Pact arc I took a 2 week break, this time I won’t be doing that, I need to pick up the pace alot! I was going to try and upload more but I've been so absorbed in my real life I havent had a chance, since before I post a chapter I normally have to edit and revise it and that can take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much effort I put into it. Sometimes I have to rewrite entire scenes or dialouge and other times it's a few typos and grammar mistakes and I'm done! But I still somehow always publish a Chapter with a few mistakes in there somewhere in the end...
Well if you’ve read all of this thank you for supporting me even with just your view I appreciate it so much! Until next time and the 1st chapter of the 4/5th arc of the Edoland Liberation Saga and chapter 88.
