Super Shinobi X(Cross):
The Story #1
Disclaimer: Characters from Shinobi series and Sekirei series are the rightful property of their respective owners.
Note: Wow, really sorry about the late update. Been super busy but luckily Spring Break allowed me to get a good chunk of this chapter done. Again a lot of setting up, but things will clear up almost completely next chapter. I didn't want to rush it too much, but at the same time I'm not sure when I'll get some more time to work on the next chapter which is the part I want to get to very badly. I'm sorry if this chapter has really low quality, which means I may edit it with more character depth at a later time.
Even so, I hope it will still be enjoyable. I'm very grateful to those who support this story and wish I could have kept up the solid updating pace I once had, but real life has been kind of hectic. I'll never forget to thank those who support this story with all my heart. I know it's not the typical flavor of most Sekirei crossover fics out there but I hope it remains unique in it's own way.
Chapter 14
Unknown
Karasuba gazed at the sky trying to find direction among the tall grasses that sprouted skyward, higher than even her head. She moved about almost blindly to escape from here. She had already taken an impressive leap a few moments prior to find a landmark but none greeted her. She felt naked without her nodachi. The golden sun was dipping behind the horizon. She growled in frustration.
"Where are you?! Jirou!" She called out in anger. She knew it was a dream, just like the many more previous ones she shared with Jirou.
"Calm yourself...anger clouds the mind of sound thoughts." The Shinobi's voice made her whirl around, catching sight of a flash of white among the golden hues of the field. She stomped over to him, but he vanished with the sway of the grass as it moved with the wind. This little game went on for awhile longer as Karasuba snarled and rushed to get to the Shinobi, merely being led in random directions. She would leap high to try and catch sight of him, but a bird's eye view didn't avail anything with the grasses as tall as they were. Going on foot allowed her to catch the flash of white much easier.
She broke out to a clearing, a good amount of tall rocks jutting outward from the ground like fangs from a beast's maw. Her eyes caught a glint from the dying light of the sun. Her nodachi was pierced into one of the jagged rocks. She scanned the area carefully for signs of a trap. Remaining cautious, she made her way towards the rock and leaped up to the nodachi. On closer inspection, she saw the blade was notched with scrapes and rust along it's surface. It was not the pristine weapon she had come to know and favor.
"Karasuba." Jirou's voice said. Her shoulders stiffened. She never did like how he could catch her off guard so easily. Her grip held fast on the hilt of the nodachi, but the blade seemed so frail that she thought it might break if she released it from the stone. She willed her raging thoughts to cool, taking a few calming breaths. She glanced towards him. The Shinobi was three rocks away from her, though not garbed in his usual gear for combat. A pure white gi adorned his body as he sat crossed legged in meditation, eyes closed and face peaceful. His ninjatou remained sheathed by his side.
"Tell me...how did you do it? In actuality, it should have been impossible! You...!" Karasuba was fully facing towards him, but bit on her tongue. If it came to moments like this between themselves in the dream, he would always tell her to reflect upon what she had witnessed with her eyes and mind.
"Give me a straight answer, Jirou. In our fight, how was it...I closed off my aura, yet you were still able to sense me somehow...your reactions were fast enough to defend against me even as I went speeds Humans would be unable to see and use power few Humans could guard against...but you were able to do all those thing. I want to know how and why" Karasuba was glaring.
"You know I will never tell you such a thing outright. Simply giving you the answer would be a waste regardless, if you do not understand some of the underlying principles. One must also gain knowledge by one's own merits, which is actually more precious and impacting than merely being told something is the way it is and leave them at that. But today is not a lesson. Quell your anger and let your mind be at peace. Reflect on our battle, see where it was that your defeat was inevitable." Jirou's face was ever calm.
"Inevitable? You arrogant piece of...!" Karasuba was cut off by Jirou.
"Enough. It is easier if you merely face the facts. You were defeated by a Human. Defeated by someone you deemed inferior. If you are not willing to learn from this loss, then so be it. But you will have to learn it eventually or you will never be able to progress further as a warrior. Winning and losing go hand in hand. The true victor is the one who is able to learn from loss. It is you who became too arrogant in your power, Karasuba. Now reflect on that battle, see where it was you lost your way." After saying those words, someone caught their attention.
"This place...? Tis not familiar..." Tsukiumi made her way out to the clearing, staring in wonder until she caught sight of both Karasuba and Jirou. Jirou she already perceived as no threat, but Karasuba was a different matter.
"Thou art the Black Sekirei!" Tsukiumi brought her hand forward, beads of water swirling around her palm. Karasuba snickered.
"What's this? Another Sekirei in the same dream? Don't tell me you too...another reaction?" She pulled the rusted nodachi free from the rock. Despite the tip breaking off from the blade she aimed it at the Water Sekirei unafraid. Her words caused Tsukiumi to pause.
"Reaction...thou deceive! This be...a reaction? Nay...to him?" Tsukiumi pointed towards Jirou, who still remained in meditation.
"Yeah...He's an Ashikabi after all. You didn't know? It's certainly not me! Only a faulty Sekirei might swing that way! But if you want to fight...I'll oblige!" Karasuba took a battle stance.
"Hold! To combat thee wouldst be quite a test of skill...but I'll destroy this filthy monkey first! Tis I that shalt be most great amongst Sekirei, but by no Winging!" Tsukiumi declared as she distastefully glared at Jirou. She refused to be winged, something deeply ingrained within her. She shot a torrent of water towards Jirou with great speed. Karasuba followed the blast as it continued towards the Shinobi, who did not dodge or defend. The water didn't even hit Jirou, being diverted as if it hit an invisible wall in front of his location.
"No effect...?" Tsukiumi gasped. Jirou's brow furrowed for a moment and his head turned ever so slightly.
"More visitors...how strange." He remarked. Tsukiumi tilted her head in confusion before starting to look around, which Karasuba was already doing. Some ruffling in the tall grasses later revealed Yahan. She froze upon seeing Karasuba.
"Shit...MBI's Dog? Where the hell is this place?" Yahan drew her knife reflexively. Karasuba chuckled.
"Oh, another one reacting? Never heard of this happening before...but let's be honest, you'd be dead six ways to Sunday if you think you could try and attack me with a toothpick like that!" The Black Sekirei said smugly.
"Yahan-san, Tsukiumi-san...that's enough. No conflict need happen here. Bolster your aggressions." Jirou spoke calmly. Yahan took a step back as she saw Jirou.
"What...the Assistant Manager, Musashi-san also...? Wait, you're an Ashikabi then! My Ashikabi!" She put the pieces together soon enough. To have both Karasuba and Tsukiumi here as well also made her realize that Jirou possessed great potential as an Ashikabi if his dream was bridging them all here.
"So it would seem...now then, you may as well join us too, Kazehana-san." Jirou opened his eyes now, looking skyward. Kazehana floated down along with the wind.
"So you found me out, Jirou-kun. Oh, and hello Karasuba...it's been awhile." Kazehana spoke as her gaze went to Karasuba.
"Kazehana...now this is interesting! To think a lush like you would have another reaction...I guess you could say a more powerful one at that?" The Black Sekirei said. Kazehana chuckled softly.
"I admit...I didn't expect this. Especially now. He helped me to see past that, though...but still, I...well, I guess it doesn't matter since this is how it is. But I don't get why it's so strong...from an Ashikabi who doesn't wing Sekirei." The Wind Sekirei spoke.
"Jirou-onii!" Kuusano had also appeared from the tall grasses and towards the rock formations, Ikki and Matsu no far behind.
"Kuu-chan...and Matsu-san and Ikki-san as well." This Shinobi muttered.
"What's going on here? I've heard of twin Sekirei appearing in one dream at the same time, but why so many?!" Matsu exclaimed. She shrunk back as she saw Karasuba.
"Oh crap!" She hid behind Ikki.
"Matsu...and another little birdie that escaped me. Jirou's been busy, I see." Karasuba smirked.
"I see our timing was impeccable...but not in our favor." Kochou's monotonous voice sounded. She stayed well away from Karasuba but her emotions were schooled in the ever calm she displayed.
"Enough." Jirou commanded and rose to his feet, sheathed ninjatou in hand. His eyes opened.
"Matsu-san, Kochou-san...what do you make of this?" He leaped from his rock and landed near Kuusano, who hugged his leg.
"The genes of an Ashikabi...some resonate with them more strongly then others. Jirou-san, you might have the highest potential compared to others." Kochou spoke up first and despite her calm look, her cheeks were red from blushing. As in vivid dreaming, the reactions of a Sekirei were more intensified in feelings. Often a Sekirei who experienced the dream of reacting to their destined Ashikabi who bolster and increase their efforts to locate said Ashikabi. Jirou could realize the stronger reactions in the Sekirei that knew him the longest: Kuusano, Ikki, and Matsu. There was a need to be closer to him, but Jirou kept them at bay, the three realizing that they hit an invisible wall or force.
"Jirou-onii!" Kuusano called out desperately. Jirou shook his head.
"I'll dispel this...it's better you knew my answer now then prolong it any longer. Mutsu-san, come out as well." He called to the tall grasses close to his left and Mutsu appeared from the brush.
"This is the first time I've had a dream like this...but I guess it tells me you truly are my destined Ashikabi without any shadow of a doubt." Mutsu replied, stepping past Jirou to lean against one of the tall rocks in calm comprehension.
"Mutsu...heh, a lot of us Single Digits have reacted then. And to the same Ashikabi of all things. Interesting." Kazehana remarked. Mutsu had the trace of a smile on his lips.
"Regardless, he has offered me my own freedom. For that I'm grateful." He said to the Wind Sekirei.
"Your...own freedom?" Kazehana seemed puzzled.
"That's right. He doesn't assert Sekirei to follow him by forceful Winging. No, he gains their respect instead slowly but inevitably which makes them almost as loyal as Sekirei winged. It's quite remarkable, truth be told." The male Sekirei continued.
"Akitsu...how is this possible?" Jirou was looking towards the tall grasses, and sure enough the Scrapped number Sekirei showed up.
"Jirou-sama...I...felt you...here..." She spoke between breathes. She seemed to have traveled a long distance unlike the other Sekirei. Her kimono was ripped and torn, the fabric riddled with patches of grain and dirt stuck to it.
"Aki-onee...your forehead...!" Kuusano pointed. Mutsu's sharp gaze was on her also.
"Nothing there..." He muttered. Akitsu's hand froze over to a fine sheen of ice, smooth enough to peer at her reflection. She had to touch the bare skin there with her other hand to make sure that the person looking back at her was, indeed, her. Her eyes widened ever so slightly, and although her face was passive there was a slight quiver to her lips.
"Do not dwell on it, Akitsu...this is a dream, where the rules of reality do not hold sway but nor do they comply to the real world on a whim. I did not expect such a strong effect like this in scoping for Karasuba...despite bridging your selves to my dream, it matters little. I won't wing any Sekirei so long as this game continues." Jirou leaped back onto his rock.
"I've mentioned it to Mutsu once in passing and I was planning to tell the ones who reacted to myself, but new additions must be accounted for as well. I have a distinct advantage over MBI because they cannot track me like other Ashikabi precisely because I've not winged any of you." He rested himself upon the rock again.
"I am a master of stealth...it has allowed me to act as the cancer to infect the body that is MBI. To lose that advantage in moments of pleasant passion would undo what has already been put in motion. Know that I hold love in my heart for you all despite being a race of aliens. Please do not mistake it for the romantic and emotional love most of you yearn for...but all I can ask is patience and understanding. Please...for I am only one person, one man...if not for this Sekirei Plan, maybe I could show my care more freely, but for now...I'm sorry. But deep down, most of you already knew this was the way of things. Right, Matsu-san?" His words alluded to knowing what her, Kochou, and Kazehana had been talking about beofre his fight with Karasuba. Something like that should not have been possible. But none could dwell on it as the world faded away for everyone, but Jirou remained perched on his solitary rock among darkness.
"I will rid this affliction from Sekirei...but Zeed must also come to pass, for they hold affliction over Humankind itself...and after that...? Hmmm...when my time comes, it will be another shadow who succeeds me...another Shinobi...my clan has survived after all." His brow furled slightly.
"This is for the best. I wish it didn't have to be such a hard decision...but I have my aim perfectly now. Miya-dono...I know this is the right decision. The Sekirei will not be playthings, even for myself!"
Unknown
It was near pitch black, a shaft of light showing a floor of scarlet red rug. Another shaft shown on an empty but decrepit and tattered throne, it's stone back carved with the shape of a Z.
"Zeed...great master, what is your command?" A Fushin Ninja bowed low to a figure that stood only partially in the light by the right side of the throne with back turned to his subordinate. This figure was garbed in a black robe bared with golden blade like designs shown in circular patterns upon the fabric. The full garb was closed by a golden obi. Arms rested together within the wide sleeves, hands obscured from view. The wild hair that nearly reached down to the floor glinted silver.
"Leave at dusk and do what it is the Fushin were most well trained in. The target will be Maison Izumo, it lies in the Northern City of this Shintou Teitou. Your enemies will be many but it matters not for you are no longer of mere flesh and blood. No matter the appearance, they are not Human...test them, even if it means your death for you can simply be rebuilt. Go!" No other visual queue was necessary and the orange clad ninja rose without word and leaped into the surrounding darkness.
"Those of the shadows...will not be there. Heh...the Sekirei will fend for themselves for they have the skills...but do they also have unwavering conviction? We will see..." The figure muttered as his gaze turned towards the continuous darkness, a glow of a yellow orb shining from where the eyes would be located. A touch of red and the ivory of horns jutting out from the mask were revealed partially by the shaft beaming down in a nearly empty room.
"Sekirei as a race are fine to toy with, but it will be you...I'm sure he will want to meet you again...Musashi, Jirou!" A cruel laugh followed.
Maison Izumo, Within the Northern City of Shintou Teitou
Karasuba groaned, her eyes opening towards sunlight and an unfamiliar room.
"Shit...I lost...to a Human." She tried to raise herself up but felt exhausted. Then she saw Miya sitting in seiza by her side.
"You're awake." The Landlady spoke softly after a moment. A small wooden bowl was by her side, and she took a damp cloth and applied it to Karasuba's forehead.
"Hah...so he let me live so you could mock me then?" Karasuba snarled. She grabbed the cloth off her and sat herself up.
"You know that's not the reason. That's not the kind of person he is. You already believed yourself near invulnerable to any living being other than myself, but he showed you otherwise. You thought you would be peerless until the fight with Yume..." She was interrupted.
"Shut up! He's a Human, physically impossible to match us! How the fuck did he even think he would win, let alone believe it! Hardly any attack I used could get through his defense...ugh, to be venting on you of all people. I'm sure you already know." Karasuba scowled.
"Indeed. I could only speculate that he seems to know exactly what his opponent will do and exactly how to defend in such a way that he is never winded, no matter how powerful the strike or how fast it is executed. You've realized that, I'm sure?" Miya answered calmly.
"Yeah...something like that is beyond anything I've ever seen physically, even from other Sekirei who are physically more powerful then him could not contest with me hardly in the slightest. What they thought they could defend, they couldn't. Have you asked him about that ability? His incredible defense?" Karasuba could concede to that. Such a skill that could defeat her she could respect.
"Only that it was something passed on to him through training with his teacher. He's never said anything further, and I doubt he would ever elaborate." The Landlady said.
"His teacher? Do you know him?" The Black Sekirei was curious.
"No. But I can tell you his teacher has been dead for a long time." She said.
"That's it? Guess he really isn't one to elaborate further if he doesn't choose to..." Karasuba sighed. She thought back to the dream she had with Jirou. Anything she sought from him, she could not have if he didn't allow it.
"Just Jirou, huh? I could ask him more about his teacher if I so wanted, but that's not a priority of mine. He has kept you alive as a growing experience for yourself, and has told me to tolerate you. Of course while you're here you'll be under my watch and rules. You have no say in the matter." The Landlady spoke evenly. Karasuba bared her teeth.
"Oh really? I might not have weapon but neither do you...and I can still rip out your throat with my teeth!" Even with her hackles raised, Karasuba didn't phase Miya, who gave a lilting chuckle in return.
"I admit even Jirou-san has taught me something to improve myself. My martial prowess has improved without the use of a sword though I prefer it much more. I'd like to see you bite out my throat if you can't reach it. Face it. You have nothing to use, a dog with blunted teeth as it were." Miya remained stoic as well. Karasuba never liked to back off though, lunging at the Landlady only to be pinned to the floor a moment later.
"You really don't believe me?" Miya dug her knee into Karasuba's back painfully. Karasuba wouldn't give her the satisfaction of groaning in pain and instead snarled defiantly, but soon calmed down.
"Alright...I can see where I'm beat...I never thought I could ever face an opponent without being armed with at least knife if it came down to it, but I can't fight unarmed. Jirou this and Jirou that...it sucks, being like this. I don't get how you stuck with it in your first relationship. Takehito wasn't even an Ashikabi." The Black Sekirei admitted in a subdued voice, her face void of emotion. It was the first time Miya ever saw this from someone like Karasuba, whom Miya knew exceptionally from their time in the first Disciplinary Squad. That was probably the time they were the closest to one another, like siblings almost.
"Humans still have things that they can teach us and not the other way around, despite all of our powers. We've many things to discuss, Karasuba, but it can wait for now. You've a rare opportunity...if I were you, I would take it." Miya dismounted from her, rising to her feet.
"Annoying..." Karasuba growled.
In Matsu's little room, both her and Kochou's eyes opened in shock. Both stumbled up from their futons and fixed their glasses upon their faces. They took a few seconds to look the other over.
"Did you see it, Matsu-san?" Kochou regarded her fellow Information Sekirei. Matsu nodded.
"A dream of reaction...but it's pull was very strong. Usually it's a means of bridging an Ashikabi and Sekirei who are quite far apart for a time, but nearly all of us were in close vicinity to Jirou-tan. What really strikes me is Aki-tan's appearance...that should not be possible when she can't be winged...or maybe...? Matsu fell silent after a moment.
"You're right...yet somehow...was it Jirou-san who possibly caused that whole effect? That even a Scrapped Number could show up? It seems absurd, but maybe Akitsu-san can indeed still react in some fashion despite her condition. Regardless, we already know of her fondness for him...hmmm" Kochou became thoughtful as well. The shuffling of the curtains showed Kazehana entering.
"You two...you saw it right? Last night?" She spoke excitedly, though no amount of surprise could be hidden from her gaze.
"Dreamed it, but yeah, we were there alright. Kara-tan I could would have expected, but Tsukiumi, Yahan, and Aki-tan? Never." Matsu confessed, standing to her feet.
"We don't have much time to discuss it right now. What with all the sparring that will be going on after breakfast. I have to help Miya-tan this time for my shift...ugh." Matsu shifted out of the room dejectedly.
"It will be hard...Karasuba is basically under house arrest here. The Landlady can hold her in check, but that doesn't mean things won't possibly get messy." Kochou mentioned.
"Yeah..." Matsu sighed. But she knew Miya would hold more sway over her. She was more powerful then Karasuba after all.
Akitsu stared at the ceiling in thought. She knew the Sekirei Crest still adorned her forehead. It was as Jirou said, it had all been a dream. Yet she wanted to believe otherwise. She wanted to have been winged by him there.
"Jirou-sama...what was that? Was it really...?" She murmured softly to herself.
"Aki-onee...are you okay?" Kuusano was staring at her now.
"Yes...but it's been a long time...since I've not seen the crest on my forehead. I was...really hopeful, that it was real." She rose to a kneeling position, forming the mirror surface of ice in her palm as she had done in her dream. The Sekirei Crest was still branded there.
"I see." She lowered her hand as the ice dispelled from it.
"Aki-onee...are you sad about what Jirou-onii said? He said he loved us...but won't wing us. Does he think we can't help in our own way?" Kuusano spoke softly but seriously, a hint of confusion in her tone from what Jirou had told them, seeming contradictory. Akitsu remained silent in thought for a moment.
"I think...it's hard for him. To make that decision...to keep impulses in check...lesser people could not wait as long as he has. That...lack of discipline, it could have made things worse...Jirou-sama can do more unbound and free from this game." Akitsu thought about the scientist that had caused her no become a Scrapped Number, no longer able to know a true Winging nor her true Ashikabi. Because of that lack of self control, he caused problems for himself and for those around him like herself. A part of her was sad that Jirou did not act on such impulses, but she could not blame him for not either. He was doing the best he could with what he had available to protect Sekirei and keep them from forceful Winging, which may have just been worse then death if the forcing Ashikabi did not give the forced Sekirei any form of freedom by show of love and affections.
"You're also saying...it's good that Jirou-onii ignores our affections? Our feelings?" Kuusano spoke more firmly. Akitsu shook her head.
"I...that part I don't like either...but all I can do is stay by his side and serve him as best I can...for he saved me that day...in more ways then just physically." The Scrapped Number Sekirei began to stand up.
"Jirou-onii can be frustrating...but he is reliable. Kuu-chan will have more patience, like Aki-onee. Jirou-onii will come around!" Kuusano seemed to perk up.
"Are you ready for it, Kuu-chan? Today we spar. It's in the rotation." The Scrapped Number mentioned.
"Yes...Kuu-chan will do her best to impress Jirou-onii!" Kuusano chirped. Akitsu felt the same in mind though she didn't express it verbally.
"Tsukiumi scowled deeper then usual. She stood upon the rook with arms crossed.
"You look angry. Something you want to talk about?" Kagari asked. He drank some iced coffee drink from a can as he sat on the roof, looking towards the sky.
"Tis nothing. Ye be a Sekirei...yet thou doesn't participate in sparring like others, nor have I seen thee in a Sekirei battle. Why?" Tsukiumi changed the subject, not wanting to even think about her Ashikabi. She would have never expected it to be Jirou, though a part of her was grateful as well. He was not like so many lecherous Ashikabi that tried to force wing Sekirei. He left them free reign, yet on another hand, she had to ponder if he was more cruel then any other Ashikabi because he refused to let them be winged. It was all quite confusing for her since she already had many preconceptions about Ashikabi in general, most if not all lowly in nature. She didn't want to think on it. So long as Jirou kept his word, he was no problem for her.
"Meh...its just not one of my things. I feel there's more problems with having to find the right Ashikabi and all." He lied. No need to reveal to her that he was Homura by the use of his fire techniques.
"Away. Solitude means little with thine presence here." The Water Sekirei spoke curtly, not wanting to hear anything about Ashikabi. That was what she wanted to avoid but wasn't very well versed communing her feelings on it with others.
"Oh...sorry to have disturbed you. Have a good day Tsukiumi-san." Kagari said. In a way it rather hurt, for he had feelings for the Water Sekirei. Feelings he knew he shouldn't. Constantly he chalked it up to his strange circumstances. He knew no other Sekirei to have unstable powers like his own. When not under the guise of Kagari but Homura, defeating her had caused a rivalry he didn't want anything to do with. He left, shaking his head to dispel his tempestuous thoughts.
Yahan merely watched as Jirou performed his chores out in the gardens with Miya. She had not known the man for very long. True, she knew that Sekirei reactions weren't always instant, but she would have never thought Jirou would be the one. It just didn't seem likely.
"The White Ninja...but also an Ashikabi who will not play the game like any other..." The small display of Hotsuma and Hibana had opened Yahan's eyes to some of the great potential inherit in Humankind. Most would never know or realize it.
"Uh...did you say something?" That was Hikari's voice. Yahan went back to her work cleaning the window sills.
"No...nothing." She mumbled. Hikari shrugged and turned to dust one of the lamps, while Hibiki was wiping down the small table nearby where the television set was located. Yahan knew little about the man who was her Ashikabi. She wasn't really comfortable asking others about him either. Those Sekirei who react usually hold romantic feelings for their Ashikabi, but Yahan wasn't sure if her minor intrigue in him was because of her reaction, or the result of his "freeing" them as so called by Mutsu. No Ashikabi was known to be able to do this, or perhaps Jirou did have a special yet unknown power. She wondered about talking directly to him if given the chance. Hard, since he often was in constant company outside of being the Shinobi.
MBI Tower, Tallest structure in Shintou Teitou
Hiroto gazed out at the city. The day was beautiful, the sun shining with only a few wisps of clouds hanging in the sky.
"A lovely day..." He spoke to himself softly.
"It's time, Chairman." A voice said. Hiroto didn't move his gaze for a moment, completely ignoring the person who had spoken.
"You're sure...? That this will work?" Hiroto was skeptical.
"Of course." The voice said again. Hiroto finally moved, his hand raising to bring the crimson mask up towards his face. It was stiff, yet still felt as though it were made of actual flesh. The eyes, though cold to touch and appearance, still seemed moist as if alive. It was quite eerie.
"So confident! Where does it come from? But alright...I suppose it's better then the alternatives. How long do I have?" He asked.
"It won't be long, but I can't tell you either for there are plenty of variables. Relax...you've experienced it seven times already. What would be an eighth time? You do want it, don't you? To once more seize control of what you started?" The voice was cold with logic. Hiroto sighed.
"You are quite convincing. No fault in that logic...but first tell me...why did it come to this? It should have turned out differently! Instead things only got worse!" The Chairman groaned, clenching the mask tightly in his hands.
"That is all in the eyes of the beholder. You will see soon enough that your game will progress faster this way. I'm assured by this, as should you if you but only had patience." The voice mocked again.
"Heh...I suppose I've been getting a little ahead of myself. Alright, fine. I'll play things by your script a little longer. Let's see how amazing your -Greatest Creation- can be!"
Maison Izumo, In the Northern City of Shintou Teitou
Akitsu and Kuusano faced off. They were in the backyard of the inn. With so many Sekirei not allowed to fight inside, sparring became really common for outside so long as any damage done was not on the garden or the actual building itself. Jirou sat in seiza where a wide circle had been made in the dirt to signify out of bounds and for the limits a Sekirei with elemental powers could execute those abilities without reaching said building and garden. Though normally the two were like loving sisters at best in terms of relations, both the scrapped number Sekirei and the youngest Sekirei wanted to sharpen their skills and to impress Jirou if they could. The ground was a little worse for ware since many Sekirei were already done with a daily sparring match among each other. The Single Digit Numbers were obviously at an advantage on a one on one match, though they had to practice precise control and obey the rules, handicapping themselves quite a bit, especially when used to commanding vaster reserves of power.
"Begin." Jirou gave the simple command, and both Sekirei tensed. Kuusano was the first to make an offensive maneuver, the pot with the flower sapling she cared for sprouting thick vines to lash out at Akitsu like whips. Using her ice powers, Akitsu formed claws of sheer white that easily hacked away at the vines Kuusano produced. Though with the mess of vines, Akitsu had lost sight of where Kuusano was. Vines tilled through the soil to get the jump on her and Akitsu leaped away from them but was caught easily since she could not leave the circle without being a loss. Increasing the flow of her own powers, Akitsu froze the vines solid, making them crack away harmlessly like fragile glass. Kuusano came in her view soon after.
"You win Aki-onee..." Kuusano got out through chattering teeth as she held her pot with the sapling in her lap. The frozen vines were in pieces around the sparring ground.
"No, Kuu-chan is the victor. Akitsu, while your control is masterful, your power must remain within the bounds of the circle, which they did not. Take heed also though, Kuu-chan. The enemy does not normally have the limitations that were placed on the both of you. In any other circumstance it would have been Akitsu's victory." Jirou explained and pointed towards Miya's garden, where a light coat of snow had collected on some of the flowers due to Akitsu's chilling the very air, the other Sekirei present had also moved well away to not be frozen as both Akitsu and Kuusano now noticed. Akitsu had been only mindful to not try and do anything to Jirou, and he remained in seiza as a neat circle of snow was around him but hadn't touched him at all to leave the ground still dry.
"I'm deeply sorry for my carelessness, Jirou-sama." Akitsu bowed deeply and recalled the effects of her power as best she could, but the ground was now quite wet from her power still. Kuusano also bowed and took her Jirou-onii's words to heart.
"Well, I suppose everyone got what exercise they could. Those who were the ones to help with..." He was interrupted by Musubi.
"Wait Musashi-san! Don't we get to spar? Musashi-san said we could If Musubi didn't get a chance to spar with the Landlady! She's not here!" Musubi raised her hand almost instantly to get his attention. Jirou did mention that since Musubi was constantly looking for ways to improve her techniques. She would always train with Miya, but as Miya was tending to Karasuba, she was not around. Musubi had done very well in her matches against some fellow Sekirei, Like Kaho and Yahan. Training between Musubi and Jirou was never physical sparring as Miya was his main sparring partner as well so he and Miya would take time to meditate under the tall tree in the garden while Musubi constantly tried and failed since she had bounds of energy and would rather be moving around. A chance to spar with Jirou, and now knowing him as the white Ninja, was a great opportunity in the young Sekirei's mind since it didn't happen otherwise.
"I did say that we would if Miya-dono didn't arrive. Very well..." Jirou rose to his feet and took up his bokken. He was going to ask Mutsu take his place as proctor of the match, but one of the shoji doors slid open revealing both Miya and Karasuba. A heavy silence fell when many of the younger Sekirei saw Karasuba due to her reputation as MBI's Dog.
"What are you all looking at?" Karasuba sneered, and those same Sekirei averted their eyes. But Musubi waved at her.
"Karasuba-sama! Musubi will be sparring with a very powerful opponent! Wish Musubi luck!" Musubi called, earning a soft chuckle from the older Sekirei.
"Of course...good luck. You'll need it, Mu-chan." Karasuba spoke, almost sounding friendly much to other Sekirei's dismay. Karasuba's eyes were cleanly fixed on Jirou. He was the one who defeated her. She wondered if she could glean anything about his ability from watching him fight another.
"You don't spar very often with him, so learn from it Musubi-chan." Miya said also. She had Karasuba were now a part of the group watching as Jirou stood before Musubi, his bokken aimed skyward parallel with his arm as his posture remained relaxed. Seeing that Miya would not take the head as proctor this time around, Mutsu remained where Jirou had been.
"Begin." He said. Instantly the two bowed formally and then Musubi went into her combat stance. Jirou was slower in getting to it, simply observing her for a small moment. His wooden weapon was now aimed at her in the familiar stance others saw him take when sparring with Miya. Musubi was not one for much patience and not long after taking her stance did she rush Jirou, fists flying with speed and precision from her spars with Miya. Jirou did not defend against them and merely slipped around her strikes to evade. Musubi never touched him once.
"I can hardly see her when she moves that fast...how does Musashi-san?" Shigi spoke to Minato. The other young man shrugged, not knowing the answer. Even for Sekirei it was quite a display. Karasuba knew Musubi had been getting stronger, and was pleasantly surprised at the younger Sekirei's immense progress and potential. But it was Jirou who still kept her keen interest for most of the session. She tried to discern in him how he was able to react to speeds he should not have. His eyes were open, but never actually looked at Musubi at all, seeming vacant. Finally Musubi tried to land at hit by springing forward with a quick one-two punch snap in such vicinity a person would be very hard pressed to defend. Especially due to the focus Musubi put behind it in an effort to tail Jirou as he attempted to evade and then defend. Jirou was sent skidding back, bokken broken in half. Musubi halted any offensive after that.
"What's wrong Musubi-san? You had the advantage...why not take it?" Jirou spoke up calmly. Musubi seemed confused.
"Eh? But with Musashi-san's weapon broken, he could not put up much of a fight. Doesn't that make Musubi the victor?" At this Mutsu spoke up.
"He hasn't conceded defeat. You need to be more observant...or perhaps too many blows to the head from Miya's bokken has made your memory hazy...you do know he doesn't need a sword, right?" He said. Jirou held a feint smile.
"Perhaps not the most elegant way to say it...when one's own body is a weapon, that person is still a plausible threat." Jirou then dropped his bokken and assumed the same combat stance he used as if he were armed with the weapon still.
"Oh right! Musashi-san would sometimes wrestle the Landlady to the floor...then if Musubi does that to Jirou-san, she is the victor?" She took her stance again.
"If you can, I'll concede." The Shinobi said. That was all Musubi needed to spur into action. Things were not that easy as she grabbed a fistful of his gi, only to have her arm twisted and pushed away from the fabric. She tried again to zero in and land a blow, but Jirou simply side stepped, his leg tripping her and almost making her topple over if her arm didn't shoot out towards the ground to upright her as she back flipped. But Jirou was out of her line of sight. She didn't realize he had leaped over her as she flipped to upright herself as he remained in her blind spot. Using arm manipulation to seize her right arm, he twisted it painfully as his legs once again shifted, sending her face first towards the ground with that arm raised skyward at an awkward angle, his knee dug into her back to keep her routed. Forcing her arm more behind her with leverage of being on top of her, he did this quickly before she could get her barrings and use her strength to try and break free, easier for a Sekirei than a Human when in such a hold. Musubi let out a yelp of pain and tapped the ground a few times to yield defeat. Jirou rose up and helped her to her feet.
"You have improved greatly from the time sparring with Miya-dono, I can tell even having never sparred with you until today...however always continue to learn and to train if you wish to surpass your current limits. Remember Musubi-san, a real enemy would never allow you a chance before trying to maim or kill you. Never underestimate that enemy." He spoke solemnly before letting her go.
MBI Tower, Tallest structure in Shintou Teitou
Takami sighed. She had time to talk more with Jirou and the other Sekirei at Maison Izumo.
"Finally..." She spoke softly to herself. Both Matsu and Kochou were going to do their best to surveillance the point of disappearance for deactivated Sekirei. Not only that, but Jirou would investigate it himself as well. He was cryptic, but he hinted that steps were in place to usurp Hiroto very soon. Takami wasn't opposed to such a thing happening to the Chairman, but a part of her hoped he would come to his senses when whatever happened would happen. There was no denying how dangerous Jirou was, to be able to sneak around MBI. Even with a mass overhaul to the layout in a sparse couple of days thanks to MBI's vast resources, there were still things that could go awry so long as the Shinobi was free.
"Pardon?" The small of voice of Chiho brought Takami's focus back to the present. It was easy enough to enter MBI without question from others due to her status, so Takami kept herself as in character as she could in stoic appearance. Chiho was laid on a stretcher and being led towards Takami's own personal work room. That's where she planned to treat Chiho, since it was in the doctor's ability to do so. The only point in hesitation initially was that Uzume would be winged by Chiho some time very soon after the young Ashikabi made a full recovery and become like other normal Human beings.
The Second Stage. That's what the winging would kick off, Takami was sure. Only Karasuba needed to be winged initially by Natsuo, but the Black Sekirei had made other plans. Takami could still not believe the footage of the fight between the Karasuba and Jirou, which had to be slowed considerably since Karasuba was moving too fast for normal Human eyes to witness. Regardless, Jirou had won. Hiroto had been quiet, and not a single person heard from him for nearly an entire day so far. Still no word from the Chairman came.
"Nothing. Just thinking aloud. Are you excited? This operation will go swimmingly well with me at the head of it. You'll make a full recovery and can live a normal life." Takami smiled, though it wasn't a broad smile in the slightest, merely an upturning of the lips. Chiho beamed.
"Yes! To be able to go outside longer...to walk further...run even...I'm very thankful you came when you did...I can tell Uzume pulls up a brave front but she was worried about me the whole time I was at East Hospital. Now she won't have to worry so much, I'm sure. There will be new hope, and new problems of course...but we can take care of them together!" The young girl said. Takami could admire such hope in a person, even if Takami herself was not so optimistic.
Maison Izumo, In the Northern City of Shintou Teitou
"Tonight, huh? That's fine...I've wanted to meet the Chairman myself, but we'll take care of the Jinki without problem. This is better anyway. Our visors can scope and map out just about anything, so that will be an additional key. You're tied with the Sekirei, Jirou-san, so it should be you that tries to find out where they are being led." Hotsuma spoke. He was looking through various photos taken of the tower and observing them with a keen eye.
"My thanks, Shadow Master. I'll leave everything in both Hibana-san and your capable hands." Jirou bowed in respect.
"There is one thing I ask you to take care of since you have some free time now. I've spoken with the elders, and the head Kobushi-sama would like to speak with you directly." Hotsuma said. Jirou perked his head ever so slightly. That was the man who had been Hotsuma's master. The Shadow Master had told Jirou of how avid of history that Kobushi was. Hotsuma set his visor before Jirou, gesturing Jirou to take hold of it, which he did. An image flickered inside the visor, Jirou realizing that it was almost like a television set. Times here had taught him that cameras and other wonderful gadgets of communication had been born throughout the ages though. The face of an old man greeted him.
"Young man...so, Hotsuma has finally gotten around to letting me talk with you directly. A day of wait is too long for what I've been hearing from them. I'm the Kobushi you've probably been hearing bits about from my former pupil. And you...Musashi, Jirou, correct?" Kobushi was being quite formal.
"Yes, I am him. You've prepared fine warriors to keep the will of the Oboro alight. Both the Shadow Master and his assistant are very skilled. But please...enough pleasantries, what is it you wish to discuss?" Jirou addressed him with due respect.
"A honest and direct man. Musashi-san, there are very few words written about you in the scriptures but those were some of them. As I understand it, you wish to stay and help these...Sekirei out, correct? Not only that, you are considering staying with them in Shintou Teitou even should that silly game of theirs gets resolved, correct?' Kobushi stroked his bearded chin.
"I do. It is good to know that the Oboro exist and prosper in this era. Our clan can continue to thrive uninterrupted by outside influences...the Sekirei are not so easily kept from such dangers for most do not know the way of the shadows. Many are forced against their wills to serve someone whom they do not love..." Jirou explained in detail about what he had learned about the Sekirei as a race, what made them similar to Humans yet vastly different.
"I understand your feelings, Musashi-san. Yet you are under the oath of the Oboro for as long as you live. We as a clan chose to sever the many ties we once possessed out of danger of exposure. I know you knew little about how easy it was for information to be passed and so quickly. I will see if there is something that can be worked out further..." Kobushi cleared his throat and drank from a cup of tea.
"Hotsuma is the head of the Oboro and your current charge. As Shadow Master he is allowing you to stay here and help the Sekirei and he will aid to that end. We of the council have also been evaluating Hotsuma's words regarding you. We are still at an impasse, but I wanted to know a little bit more from the very person himself aside from what Hotsuma has been informing me. Politics have made the title of Shadow Master not the all encompassing force of leadership it used to be but it still holds majority. Ultimately, such a big decision will still be left in the Shadow Master's hands...though you have a rather unique opportunity..." The old man chuckled.
"Yes...the Shadow Master can evaluate me directly. A Shinobi who holds the keys to the past. I'm sure he has told you of my Ninjutsu abilities?" Jirou nodded.
"Yes. He had it recorded via the visor cam. Even I wasn't aware of how powerful the Oboro's Nijutsu really were until I saw what you did. He found the scrolls easily enough. You never mentioned it was written in secret code. Much of which I could only translate few words from but nothing concrete. A good bargaining chip to keep our hands tied. You're very smart, Musashi-san." Kobushi smirked.
"Such sacred abilities can't fall into just any hands. It's true the Shadow Master has much more politics to deal with in this era...but there are still many similarities that let me know the Oboro have chosen the right path to sustain themselves...perhaps that was why I was sent to this time...to pass the scrolls and knowledge from those days to you eventually. I have been juggling the thought in my mind once I learned more about the Oboro from the Shadow Master. For a while I thought it was perhaps fate that led me to find and help the Sekirei, or perhaps the Gods wanted me to do both?" Jirou adopted a slight mirthful expression. Kobushi grinned.
"Eventually, you may find out. Sekirei, huh? Was it mere coincidence they were given that name for their race...? Sorry, I might start rambling. Good to meet you, Musashi-san. Three Oboro Ninja should be more than enough to assist the Sekirei. When there is discord and evil, it will those from the shadows that stand the best chance. Good luck, you three. Keep those birdies safe!" Kobushi cut the connection and Hotsuma gathered the visor from Jirou.
"Now that that's over with, I want you to know Matsu and Kochou have succeeded in making those Jinki tracking devices, though they still require fairly close proximity to the very objects in order to detect thanks to the low level pulse of energy they often give out when dormant. MBI's doctor, Sahashi-san, has already asked if you could investigate the removal of the Sekirei bodies from the tower so it will just have to be Hibana and myself. Just focus on the Sekirei." The Shadow Master explained. Jirou nodded.
"Understood. Be careful of the Chairman though, since he has one of the Jinki as well. Getting to him will be the easy part, but be wary of external security measures. One moment of carelessness caused me to be found out. Don't let the same thing happen and get that Jinki away from him. He has a detonation device on him to trigger destroying the Jinki. Finding the others around the tower first might be the best option." Jirou offered.
"I get it. Cut the heads off until one remains. One sided since he won't know they are being cut if we don't let him." Hibana chimed in. Hotsuma nodded.
"We'll be prepared. Besides that cellphone you have, I would suggest taking the Sekirei Yahan." The Shadow Master offered. Jirou mused momentarily at the suggestion.
"She is...the one dressed in all black and has dark skin, no? I believed I saw her spar earlier with Shiina...yes, she was able to evade an attack he tried by escaping and appearing behind him from his shadow. An interesting ability. Alright, I'll fill her in since you seem to have faith in her technique." He nodded.
"It will be even more useful at night since that shadows grow longer and wider. She can move even more freely." Hotsuma said.
The City of Shintou Teitou
It was nearing dusk. Hotsuma and Hibana traveled from rooftop to rooftop with their Stealth Dash, closing in on MBI Tower. Matsu and Kochou had the satellites hacked to cover the two ninja being seen from the sky.
"We'll have to be careful about the Jinki when we get them. Breaking one isn't an option." Hotsuma said through his visor radio as he zipped up a skyscraper.
"Got it. We also have to follow through where he couldn't. If we take out that Minaka dude, we can stop this game from continuing forward from the sound of it. I'm pretty impressed that he's kept it from progressing much further though." Hibana spoke up a moment later.
"Yeah. I'm sure a part of it subconsciously frustrates the Chairman. From what Jirou-san described about him, someone like that could stew and let their guard down at a crucial moment, and we will be there to capitalize." They paused a few buildings shy of MBI Tower. They planned to go in from the bottom up. It could be considered pretty tricky, but they were unworried. A security camera might pose a threat to someone without the Stealth Dash technique like Jirou, but this was a mastered technique that Hotsuma and Hibana had access to. Besides the Stealth Dash, there were a few other tricks of technology that they could use that Jirou didn't really have access to which Hotsuma planned to use to good measure.
MBI Tower, Tallest structure within Shintou Teitou
"Now then...let's get started." Declared Hotsuma, readying the device to track the Jinki that was strapped to his wrist. The cover of darkness was their ally as they scaled the fence seamlessly with the Spider Walk and Stealth Dash to bypass the cameras mounted above without being seen. Both ninja broke off from another, Hibana going left while Hotsuma went right. The first order of business would be to check the guard houses located at the corner of the outer complex of the tower itself then proceed to the lobby. Several soldiers would be within these two locations so the two decided to do things the easy way after much observation of the patrol. The Guard Houses were almost never checked physically since they were self sustained. This bit of laziness on the part of the MBI military would be a focal point for the two Oboro Ninja to strike. Both had turned on the tracking devices.
"Remember Hibana, the Jinki could be nearly anywhere. Every square inch we cover will require our attention. We'll rig the cameras so we can move more freely." Hotsuma spoke from his mask radio.
"Right. Scavenger hunt with a dose of killing. Got it." She spoke back to his radio. Hotsuma took to the piping system on the ceiling of the first Guard House. He constantly monitored the tracking device for a sign of a Jinki. Small devices no larger than a medicine pill were shot at the security cameras that Hotsuma could aim for from the vents, flicking them expertly to let the adhesive stick to the side of the cameras and allowing the small device to keep replaying some security guards making their rounds in a constant loop. With his visor allowing him to see floor levels that he was on as well as the locations of cameras, Hotsuma was able to disable all of them. Now the easiest part of his mission could begin.
He crawled through the piping over the locker room. This is where the majority of guards were located. Male or female, Hotsuma could spare no one.
"May you all know peace in the next life, for this was a case of unfortunate circumstances. I'm sorry." The Shadow Master spoke softly and seriously in a small prayer. He kicked open one of the vents and dropped down while drawing Akujiki.
"Hey...!" One of the guards called, only to be sliced in half by the legendary blade. Hotsuma saw the Yin aspect of the soul drawing into the blade, it's edge growing crimson. More guards came rushing by the aisles of lockers. With the Stealth Dash activating, Hotsuma moved faster then what any mere Human could react to in time. Akujiki cut through three more guards in quick succession.
"Who...?!" A few more were cut down at the hips, then others were sliced at the legs and chests with such precision and speed that none realized they had been cut. As they blade of Akujiki became engorged by the Yin aspect of souls and grew sharper, it grew faster in motion from aerodynamics. Hotsuma covered the room by his ferocious speed, leaving no guard any inch of quarter to make a move. The feint trail of crimson and black was all any of the guards could make out. Forty seven guards were dumb struck, their brains only momentarily processing what was going on before their bodies collapsed in pieces. Blood seeped along the floor. The last two had almost escaped from the locker room itself, but Hotsuma was there to intercept them and cut them down. One had been very close to sounding the alarm but Hotsuma put an end to that in a hurry. As Hotsuma stilled and sheathed his blade in a combat crouch, the remainder of guards he cut down fell simultaneously.
"What the...?" The Shadow Master hopped up to the tops of the lockers. He had gotten a feint signal from his tracker.
"Well I'll be..." By a piece of electrical wiring and piping, he used a kunai to dig out a secret compartment in the wall, the size just big enough to put one's forearm in. He carefully disarmed the explosive device by using his x-ray visor to see where the wiring was located. He procured a metal case and had to use the kunai to pry it open by smashing off the locking mechanism.
"This is...a Jinki?" He turned it in his hand, using his visor to scan it. The number 6 was inscribed on it's surface.
"Definitely something powerful remains hidden within. Sekirei related for sure. Their technology is quite fascinating..." He placed it back in it's protective cover. He was about to contact Hibana, again, but she contacted him first.
"Yo, Hatsu-baby...I think I found one of those Jinki. It was right in the control room, integrated into the main desk. Had to fool the explosive device though. How about you? Anything?" She spoke.
"Funny, I was about to mention the same to you. The one I found was in the locker room hidden in one of the walls. This means things could get very tricky, but we will sweep this place as precisely as possible. I'm going to link the security feed with my radio. Have you already done it?" He began to move towards the door that led to the hallway towards the control room, where he could link the security feed with his own. Any who he found was cut down swiftly.
Meanwhile Hibana had already scoured the first guard house, only finding Jinki #2. With the security feed patched to her radio, a quick message would be sounded by another security guard in the tower to maintain communications.
"Report Guard House #2." A voice called.
"This is Guard House#2, all secure. Nothing new or unusual to report at this time." Hibana replied in a professional and clipped tone.
"Roger." The voice responded afterwords. Hibana already knew how the guard detail worked from her and Hotsuma's careful observations of them, so as long as she replied in the usual fashion that things were fine, the two Oboro Ninja could move with little restriction. She bypassed most security measures outside with little hitch.
"Well, hello." She said as she used the Spider Walk to ascend on the outer part of the tower's lowest levels. Her device sounded with a small ping. Her search led her nearby to a stone gargoyle.
"That makes it almost too obvious...if there was ever some construction going on." The Kunoichi remarked, noting the pronged tail of the gargoyle pointed like an indicator to the next Jinki's location. Hibana ended up digging out Jinki #7 at this location and undid it from the explosive mechanism.
"Neat!"
Maison Izumo, Within the Northern City of Shintou Teitou
Karasuba looked at the bokken with bemusement. She could admit there was some nostalgia when sparring with Miya, making her think of her younger days for a moment before her mind snapped back to the present.
"Geez, so I got to score one point just to take a walk outside of this stupid inn? Treating me like an invalid and a prisoner ain't going to make me one, Miya." Karasuba scoffed.
"What did I tell you this morning? Your under my rules now, so I choose what you can and can't do until Jirou-san believes you have learned and accepted from your loss." Miya said in a calm tone, like a mother scolding a child. Karasuba huffed.
Fuck it...just draw and let's get this over with then. I'll smash your head in!" The sky was like a blood orange in hue. The Northern City had the least amount of skyscrapers and other tall buildings compared to the other "cities" and got the most sunlight, or what was left of it when dusk came before giving night full reign. Most of the other Sekirei were doing there own things inside. No one to watch or interfere. Or so they thought. Keen hearing was the only thing that saved them. It went unnoticed since it blended so well with the sky, the orange color of four massive kites. Seven Fushin Ninja fell from the sky to surround Miya and Karasuba. They struck with their massive swords, but the two Sekirei were used to crowd fights such as this though they were not given the most optimal time to strike the enemy.
Even armed with bokken, Miya disarmed her first attacker by splintering her bokken against the hand of one. It was able to remove only a couple of fingers, but made the Fushin Ninja's grip slack enough for Miya to pry it free with her monstrous strength. The heavy blade was used to slay the mechanical warrior soon after. Karasuba evaded a strike and did the more brutal method of disarming her opponent. She stabbed the bokken through the optic lens to blind the Fushin Ninja and twisted the weapon out of it's hand before decapitating it. Instinctively the two went back to back to face the remaining five as they converged quickly in an attempt to overwhelm them. Relying too much on technology to expand their powers over the continuous and evolving training that the Oboro kept to master both body and mind, the Fushin Ninja were not nearly as threatening by comparison. More Fushin Ninja scattered upon the roof of the inn, tossing small hand bombs to rattle the structure of the old building.
"NO!" Miya was as fast as a blur as she went slashing at the enemy descending on the roof. It is the place she cherished along with her late Husband, Takehito. The building could be salvaged, but the innocents inside like Minato or Shigi might not be as lucky. She was thankful when the other Sekirei inside were rushing out to see what was going on. Unfortunately, only to be thrust into a war they didn't expect. Inside, Matsu and Kochou felt the small tremor but did not realize what was going on
"Who the heck are these guys?" They heard Uzume's voice out in the hall before a crash of glass sounded. The two Information Sekirei had to look as sounds of a struggle ensued. Uzume was fighting with one of the Fushin!
"Surveillance of our location and the surrounding areas is still up...how did these people...get here?" Kochou pondered, seeing no unusual signs from the view of the Satellites.
"Those orange uniforms...didn't Jirou-tan fight someone like that on the airship?" Matsu pondered aloud. They concealed the room with the false wall panel. They would be pretty useless in a physical fight. But they were not sure if they could hold the guise since the inn was starting to rattle by explosives and their wall panel was flimsy as is so it wouldn't prove much of a barricade.
"Oh crap..." Matsu uttered as the wall and curtain were cut down, an orange garbed Fushin appearing. He raised his heavy blade upward, but was struck by lightning and sent flying through the wall.
" Hikari-chan, Hibiki-chan! What the... Matsu-san and Kochou-san...? This is where you both lived?" Minato's face peered around the corner as he Hikari and Hibiki stood protectively on either side of him.
"Thank you for the assist, Sahashi-san!" Kochou bowed before looking towards Matsu.
"I hate to say it, but we should evacuate, Matsu-san." She said to her fellow Sekirei.
"...right!" Matsu seemed hesitant but complied. They couldn't provide the support for Hoptsuma and Hibana anymore. It would be up to the two Oboro Ninja as far as MBI was concerned.
Meanwhile, Tsukiumi was using her water based powers in one hand to put out the fanning flames that were taking down the inn's structural integrity while her other hand was used to attack the Fushin on the premise.
"Knaves! Thou believe thee superior?!" She sent globs of water smacking into them but they were still quite resilient.
"We'll assist you, Tsukiumi-san!" Kaho and Kuruse bared their weapons and attacked the Fushin. Steadily the number of Fushin were dropping, but more replaced them, falling from the sky as if they just appeared out of thin air. They descended ferociously and without a shred of fear. They were tougher to take on compared to the typical Zeed Soldiers, but were still not proving much match to the powers of the Sekirei as a whole. But to their mechanical minds that was okay; they would serve as distraction for something their great leader had in mind. No need to know the why.
Kagari was planning on leaving to go to his "work" but the front door had been splintered apart as Fushin strove forward to attack. He had no use but to dispatch them with his fire abilities, but had to be careful not to burn down the inn from the inside out, though the Fushin already gave him little opportunity as they still stood regardless of their metal bodies ablaze. It allowed Kagari to see the cybernetic creatures more fully.
"Man this is bad." He uttered. A part of the ceiling fell, almost catching the Fire Sekirei, but a large vine caught it.
"Thanks Kuu-chan." He said gratefully, seeing the child Sekirei using her powers to will the sapling to try and hold the inn together. She smiled. Akitsu was helping to defend her as Fushin tried to swarm Kuusano.
"Be careful." Akitsu said simply.
"We all need to be." Earth spikes burst from the underneath the floorboards of the inn to pierce the Fushin Ninja unaware. Mutsu appeared around the bend in the first floor hallway, Kazehana with him.
"Damn...I didn't think something like this could occur in a million years...to Maison Izumo of all places. We've got to drive them off from here..." Kazehana had a serious glint in her eyes. Zeed had all but appeared overnight as if a phantom made real. As if giving the message not to be trifled with.
"No argument here...but they keep appearing as if from the sky. Can't you do something about that?" Mutsu interjected.
"I could whip up a tornado but who knows how much damage that might do...fire tends to get spread to other areas when wind is involved, unless your friend there can localize the effects as much as I try to do for the wind." Kazehana mentioned as looked towards the hole that use to be the entrance to the inn. The Fushin were quite powerful, though they were not doing too much damage to the Sekirei themselves so much as they were to the structure of the building itself. She spied Musubi, Uzume, and Ikki among the fray.
"I can...but what exactly should we be aiming for? There's no big specific target to strike this time like that airship." Kagari crossed his arms. Matsu and Kochou made their way down along with Minato and his Sekirei.
"Their not hacking into our system or the satellites, but somehow or another they must be creating some kind of illusion...think about it, no police, no MBI military, or Fire Fighters have come to investigate at all." Kochou was explaining with Matsu.
"Yes. It's like, no one can see in from the outside. Not even neighboring homes are trying to do anything." Matsu agreed. She turned to Kazehana and the others.
"That little idea you had that we overheard...I say go for it. Maybe we can retaliate better this way." She offered.
"Oh what the heck! One perfect storm coming up!"
The City of Shintou Teitou
Jirou and Yahan remained hidden in the the darkness of tall buildings that made up the back alley that Takami had mentioned was the usual place Sekirei bodies would start being transported away. An ally of her's would meet them in time to inform them a little more clearly on the details. But as of now, the two just waited.
"Assistant Manager...about that dream..." Yahan spoke after a while, knowing that Jirou would be aware of what she meant. The Shinobi sighed.
"You've heard my answer already...find an Ashikabi who would have more need of you than I. In order to set your kind free, I must walk a path separate from the Sekirei Plan. Or...are you one of the Sekirei who still wants to fight in that game, finding death without truly knowing life?" He said, his stance one of meditation.
"It's not like that...but many of us believe what the Chairman said. That an Ashikabi and his Sekirei could be together eternally if they participate and make it to the top of this -Battle of the Gods-...I never really knew him personally, few of us did...but we believed him." Yahan grew silent after that. She was sure Jirou was already aware of all this. While getting Adjustments, Sekirei like herself were fed information about the world simply from a television screen. Hiroto was considered a great benefactor for most Sekirei even now. Yahan was never quick to believe things without getting a sample to go off of. So it had been when she met Hotsuma and Hibana, who showed her that they could handle Sekirei with ease. She could blame it on the Adjustments limiting the true power of a Sekirei but that would have been an excuse since it was well documented that Sekirei were superior to Humans in every respect. The coming of the Oboro and Zeed was showing that they were not as invincible to Humans as they might assume.
"I see...you hold on to the words of encouragement the Chairman has expressed to all of you. I've no doubt his intentions in the beginning were for the good, but by whatever means he adopted a policy that should have been last resort. Very last resort." Jirou stood up suddenly and placed his hand upon his weapon but did not take it out of it's sheath.
'A Sekirei...this may very well be Sahashi-san's informant.' He began to move stealthily towards the other side of the roof. Yahan didn't question him, but took out her knife and slung besides him.
"Oh, where the heck is he? Guess he ain't the White Ninja for nothing." Saki spoke aloud to herself. She had her twin swords sheathed on her back.
"Go to her via your technique, Yahan-san. Let's try and keep things as quiet as possible." Jirou kept his senses on high alert. He already knew now that some beings could escape his aura sensing abilities, so he wanted to keep sight of the alley as best he could.
MBI Tower, Tallest structure in Shintou Teitou
"How is the girl?" The masculine voice caught Takami by surprise and she whirled around, only to see a black garbed Ninja dressed similarly to Jirou when he was in his attire. The Ninja was upside down on the ceiling as he peered at her with arms crossed.
"Who...are you? How did...?" Takami covered her arms over the sleeping Chiho. The procedure had been a success and the girl healed, Takami wished her luck wasn't running out. Another voice took her attention though.
"Hey...it's coming from her computer I think. Let's see..." Hibana was probing around the surface of Takami's computer.
"H...Hey!" Takami growled and got her barrings back. How these two got in was not her concern, but she couldn't back down.
"Take it easy, we're on your side. Friends of the White Ninja and all that, so keep your panties on straight." Hibana said as she ended pulling the monitor off of it's base to find a hollow cavity inside the computer itself where she grabbed the Jinki. Even Takami was surprised.
"From your expression, not even you knew it would be there. Then there is only one left...the Chairman himself." Hotsuma said.
"you might want to be careful with your computer. Apparently an explosive is inside the monitor." Hibana tied the Jinki down within her satchel.
"You've gotta be kidding me...damn it Minaka, if that thing went off...!" Takami was starting to seeth. She could have been killed, and she never knew a Jinki or explosive was in there! She was ignored by the two ninja for the most part as they kept their conversation going.
"Cool, what are we waiting for then?" Hibana spoke coyly. He nodded.
"Right. So, is the girl fine now?" Hotsuma acknowledged Takami again, though he already knew Chiho was as his visor provided the answer for him.
"Yeah...she is." Takami could really use a cigarette right now.
"Okay then...well, we've got a Chairman to meet. See ya!" Hibana patted Takami on the back.
"Wait..." Takami looked as Hibana turned to leave. The doctor turned to look at Hotuma but he had disappeared, then she turned towards Hibana but the Kunoichi was also gone. Without a trace, both of them.
"Yep...friends of Musashi alright." All she could do was shrug.
Hotsuma and Hibana were scaling the elevator shafts with ease. They set their visor up to take x-ray and thermal readings to make sure nothing would be amiss.
"Wait...where's the Chairman?" Hotsuma said to Hibana via radio. There should have been a bright colored Humanoid shape if a living person was in there, or a standing skeletal structure revealed to identify a living presence in the large room. Nothing living registered. Hotsuma pried the elevator door opened. Hiroto was there though, seeming asleep in his throne like seat. The two ninja really looked at him. Again the thermal and x-ray vision were used, but to their amazement he didn't register!
"He's...not breathing. No fall or rise of the chest. Hotsu-baby...we might want to play this one safe and careful...sheesh, I'm not usually the one to say that, huh?" Silently, Hibana strafed out into the room but clung to the shadows with her ninjatou prepared to be drawn. Hotsuma was doing similarly. Something was definitely off about the Chairman.
"Get on his right side while I go to the left." Hotsuma ordered. The Stealth Dash allowed them to close the distance in less then a second.
"I see it...hold on." Hibana took one of her tantou and sliced off a band off the gloved hand of Hiroto, carefully catching the item. It was the detonation device.
"Whew...that was close." Hibana made a barely audible sigh and whispered through the radio to stay quiet. Hiroto had been totally unaware of the whole thing.
"The Jinki is close." Hotsuma whispered back. They could find it but something would have to be taken care of first. Without hesitation, he drew Akujiki and stabbed it right through Hiroto's head, right through the ears.
"What?" Hotsuma saw no blood fall. Hiroto's eyes were now open.
"Ow...that's not very nice." Hiroto said. Hotsuma withdrew Akujiki swiftly as used the Stealth Dash to back pedal as Hiroto swung an arm out to strike the Shadow Master. Hibana similarly got away. Hiroto grinned toothily.
"I know my manners seem ill...but if you had just announced yourselves, I could have seen to the both of you with my greatest hospitality..." He stood up to full height.
"Oh well." The Chairman said nonchalantly. He then lifted up his massive desk with ease, holding the object over his head.
"You're...not the real Chairman...who are you?" Hotsuma aimed Akujiki at Hiroto.
"Ah...now your just hurting my feelings!" He hurled the desk at them with great force, but the two easily evaded. Hotsuma pierced the weapon right through his abdomen and brought the frightfully sharp weapon up to cut Hiroto in half from the waist up. The Chairman fell heavily, metal and wiring slipping from his opening. The buzzing sound of circuits quieted.
"A machine..." Hibana muttered. Hotsuma looked at his handiwork.
"The Jinki was inside him, in the side where his heart should be..." Hotsuma took a battle stance as clapping sounded within the room. Then followed by footsteps. Hibana got the Jinki out of the false cyborg Chairman. Hotsuma saw the red face and wild long silver hair of a black garbed person.
"Well done, Oboro Ninja. Well done."
Maison Izumo, In the Northern City of Shintou Teitou
"Heh...is that all?" Karasuba slung the Fushin blade across her shoulder. Apparently the Fushin kite could set up an illusion that not even a satellite could detect through, but was dispelled when Kazehana did her trick by creating a tornado to destroy it.
"It looks like everyone is safe...good." Miya looked visibly relieved. No one was too badly hurt save for some bruises and shallow cuts. Maison Izumo only had one wall standing, everything else little more than rubble.
"Who is this guy...?" Karasuba saw a strange man wandering through the metal corpses of the Fushin, with a red mask with wild hair and a black garb.
"You fight well...yes quite well, Sekirei." He said, seeming almost jovial.
"You are?" Miya also had procured one of the Fushin blades in her hands, aiming it at the man.
"Zeed."
To Be Continued...