Birds can use weapons in this story, and the loggers never attacked.
Kyoto, Japan, 2016
4 years since Blue left the Amazon
In a mountain meadow, 2 armor clad avians clashed in battle, their talons gripping the moss covered ground, their breath showing ever so faintly in the
Sparks flew as the 2 finely made blades met in a dance with danger, the steel reflecting the sunlight.
The air was still, being sliced cleanly through by the fine sharpness of the blades, of the katanas.
"You've improved, brother", said a fish owl, his head covered by a helmet, armor pads covering the rest of his wings and torso, all in a brown shade.
He swung his sword once more, but his opponent, a blue macaw dawned in similar armor to the owl, but instead in green with red and blue highlights along the rope and rims, with a much larger right shoulder pad, slid under the blade.
Striking the owl with the flat of the blade, "Ryuiji, I had to grow someday", said the macaw in a recognizable voice.
Ryuiji smirked, "Well Blu, I'm sure the Daimyo would be impressed with your improvements", said Ryuiji, to which the blue macaw took off his green helmet, revealing a bird, who's cerulean head feathers were tied back in a braid going down the left of his face.
"Yeah, I can only wonder what the gang back home would think of me, I'd probably be quite the catch if I was still single".
Ruiji gave a hearty laugh, "Well, the girls in these parts seem to love you, after all, you became leader of the Benten Guard and helped defeat the Hojo Clan, Daimyo Oda is proud", finished Ryuji, sheathing his slender katana.
Blu did the same, "Though, I am worried that Shinkuzu and the Hojo Clan will return", Blu shuddered, remembering the evil crane and the reign of terror he released upon Japan.
Ryuiji patted the macaw on the back,"Have no fear, as far as we know, he's gone, dead. Look's not even he could beat you".
Suddenly, a sparrow landed on the mossy ground next to them, before bowing, "Samurai Blu, Samurai Ryuiji, Daimyo Oda cordially requests your presence immediately".
Blu nodded, "Thank you", the sparrow nodded, before taking off and returning to the castle.
"Oh well, guess we have to head back", said Ryuiji, who spread his long brown wings, before taking off.
Castle
Kyoto
Blu and Ryuiji landed in the castle's courtyard, several of the Yari Ashigaru garrison soldiers giving them a bow, their long spears pointing high in the air.
Blu still felt nervous around people, so he just nodded at the soldiers.
Ryuiji slapped him on the back, "Even after 4 years of training, you're still the nerd bird who can barely hold a conversation".
Blu jokingly punched the owl, "Hey, I gave a hell of a speech in the battle with Shinkuzu".
Flashback
1 year earlier
Plains of Osaka
The Hojo Clan, lead by Shinkuzu, has been going on a rampage around Japan.
The mighty clans of Uesugi, Takeda and Date had been steamrolled by the Hojo, who boasted a formidable fighting force, over 50,000 enlisted birds, and and powerful navy.
All that stand between their leader, Shinkuzu the Crane, and the people is an alliance between the Oda, Mori, Chosokabe, Ouchi, Sagara, Ito and Shimazu.
The last three provided the bulk of the navy forces, being able to keep the Hojo from looping around, while the Oda, Chosokabe, Ouchi and Mori provided the army, however it was small.
The ragtag army was made up of poorly equipped men, fighting not for their Daimyos, but for their homes.
Blu has been a samurai for 2 years, and has gained a reputation as one of the best, managing to disrupt Hojo convoys and take many cities.
He is regarded as an almost god like figure, a hero, a warrior.
A force of 1300 alliance soldiers stand on the plains of Osaka, the only entrance to southern Japan, accompanied by a meager 200 cavalry.
Every soldier had a helmet of some kind, and a sword, spear or any other weapon conceivable.
The general of the army stood at the front of the force.
But they stand against 6000 well trained Hojo soldiers, all eager to kill, but leading them was Shinkuzu.
At the front of the Alliance army, was an old Mandarin duck, and a younger one, Yamazu is the older one, and Jochi being the younger one, both armed with Naginata and little armor.
They spotted, flying out of the woods, 2 birds.
A fish owl in samurai armor, and a blue macaw.
Jochi whispered to Yamazu, "Is that Blu Gunderson?", Yamazu shook his head, "No, too short".
Blu landed, Ryuiji landing next to him, right next to the general, "I thank you for showing your army today", said Ryuiji.
THe general scoffed, "This is my army, to join it you must pay homage-!".
Blu interrupted, "I pay homage to Japan, and if this is your army-", he walked in front of the troops, "why does it go!?".
Yamazu replied, "We don't fight for him!", the army cheered, "Home!", yelled Jochi, "The Hojo are too many!".
"Men of Japan, I am Blu Gunderson!", said Blu, confidence lacing his voice, Jochi replied, "Blu Gunderson is 3 feet tall".
Blu laughed, "So I've heard, and if he was here, he would single handedly kill the whole army. But I am Blu Gunderson, and I see before me a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny".
"You've come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What will you do with that freedom!? Will you fight?!".
One man voiced his complaints, "No, we will run, and we will live", he received a small cheer from some men.
Blu nodded, "Yes, fight, and you may die. Run, and you'll live… at least a while".
"And dying in your nests, many years from now, would you be willing to trade, all the days from this day to that, for once chance, JUST ONE CHANCE! To come back here and tell our enemies, that they may take our lives, but they will never take… OUR FREEDOM!", the army roared in cheer, sounding like the beating drums.
Blu raised his katana, "暴君と一緒に!" ( Bōkun to issho ni! Down with tyranny!).
The army replied in chant, "Bōkun to issho ni! Bōkun to issho ni! Bōkun to issho ni! Bōkun to issho ni!".
Blu turned around, facing the enemy army, "CHARGE!", he began to run forward, sword over his head, clasped in his wings.
The army followed, each soldier shouting out his battle cry, the battle field looking like a night sky, the sun causing each blade to shine like a star.
Shinkuzu growled, "FORWARD MY LEGIONS!", he roared, the 6000 Hojo soldiers charging too, roaring their own cries.
Shinkuzu and Blu lead their charges, now only 50 feet from each other.
Seconds later 30 feet.
Then 20, then 10, then 5, then contact.
Flashback end
Ryuiji and Blu stop at the great wooden doors of the Daimyo's throne room, where 2 samurai guards opened the ornate wooden doors, showing a great hall of sorts.
On the walls were banners, depicting past battles, and great leaders.
And on the throne, was an aged eagle, the great Oda Nobunaga, a skilled warrior long ago, but now rules his clan.
The elderly eagle notes the presence of our heroes, rising on shaky legs, "Blu, Ryuiji, thank you for coming".
Blu and Ruiji bowed, getting on one knee, "Our pleasure, Daimyo", they returned.
Oda Nobunaga shook his head, "I wish it could be on better terms, but I have a message for you Blu".
Blu nodded.
"The Daimyo council believes that no foreigners are allowed to fight in our armies, even after your victory at Osaka Plains and the siege of Ijo Nokawa, they want you gone. You are allowed to return during war times, or call for aid, but you are not allowed to simply live here, without providing something. And, as you know, samurai are not allowed to take up any other profession".
The hall was silent for several seconds, "I'm sorry", said Oda Nobunaga, genuine sincerity in his voice, "You have 2 days to gather your belongings, then you must return to your home".
Blu nodded, "Thank you, milord", before leaving the room, and heading to his quarters.
2 days later
In the great courtyard of the Kyoto Castle, the entire army of Clan Oda standing in attention, banners waving high, one sparrow banging the war drums every 3 seconds.
'Dun…Dun…Dun…', in the courtyard's center was Oda Nobunaga, next to a closed chest, Ryuiji next to him.
Blu walked into the courtyard in full green and blue armour, his helmet's mask depicting a demon with his hazel eyes shining through.
He marched across the courtyard, each soldier slamming the butt of their spear onto the ground with each step.
It sounded like an army was on the move, until Blu reached his brother and Daimyo, stopping, the sound of spears stopping instantly.
Blu kneeled down in a bow, showing his respect for the Oda Daimyo.
"Rise, Samurai Blu", said Oda Nobunaga, with Blu rising, silently.
"For 4 years, Blu Gunderson has lived, eaten and fought alongside us. To say it was a pleasure would be a severe understatement, it was an honour. When you arrived here Blu, you were a nervous, weak and dishonourable bird. But 4 years later, you are wearing our samurai armour and is widely considered a hero among our people. And it is with great pride I present to you a gift, as thanks for your service".
The Daimyo nodded to Ryuiji, who opened the chest, using both wings to firmly grasp a long blue fabric wrap.
Ryuiji walked to Blu, untying the rope on the fabric to reveal a shorter version of his katana, but instead of white or silver steel, it was a light blue Wakizashi.
Blu grasped the blade in 2 wings, Ryuiji cordially returning to his place beside the Daimyo, Blu was handed a sheath, which he placed the Wakizashi in before connecting it to his side.
Oda Nobunaga continued his speech, "May your blades strike true in your future battles, and may you find peace when your time comes", Blu nodded, "I will".
Oda Nobunaga smiled, "Then let us say farewell to our hero, and wish him luck in his future endeavours", the soldiers broke into a thunderous cheer, as Blu stood up, a servant handed him his bag, before Blu took off into the sky, moving quickly with his armour on.
"Goodbye Japan", he murmured, "Hello Amazon".
Rio
2 days later
The rain hit the warm ground of Rio De Janeiro like arrows hit shields, with the street's natural heat causing some of the water to evaporate, engulfing the city in a layer of mist, which allowed a cloaked figure to sneak around perfectly.
If you looked at the cloaked bird, you would only see a grey beak poking out of the front, with mist appearing after every exhale.
The figure's talons caught some water with every step, causing a waterfall to appear with every leg lift.
As the figure walked through the rain, he noticed a tarp covering what appeared to be a club of some sorts.
The figure pulled open the tarp to see birds dancing and hear music.
The mysterious bird noticed a cardinal and canary singing on stage, before seating himself at the bar, a toucan noting his presence.
"What can I get you?", the character looked up, hazel eyes shooting through the dark hood, "Mango Juice".
The toucan nodded and walked away.
The figure saw Nico and Pedro fly up to him, "Hey fool, we've never seen you 'round here. Who are you?".
The figure smiled, looking at Nico and Pedro, "An old friend".
Okay, please review the story, thanks.