We do not own Koihime Musou or Kamen Rider Gaim. They belong to their respective creators. We just thought this idea would be fun and decided to give it a try. If you like it then that's great. If you don't then we tried. Anyway, come along and let's see what you think.
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: Legends of the Armored War Gods
Co-Written By: Ten-Faced Paladin and Kamen Rider Chrome
Chapter 5: Zangetsu Gets an Apprentice
The Province of Go was peaceful once again. Sonsaku and Shuyu had returned from another successful campaign which netted more land and resources for Go's future campaigns. Everyone was busy with their activities to ensure that the Province would still be running smoothly. Rikuson was working on some smaller issues which Shuyu did not have the time to look at yet before submitting them to Sonsaku. Kannei and the guards were ensuring that everything was peaceful and orderly as they always did. Sonken was working on her lessons for the moment and Sonshoko was just playing with Shokyo and Daikyo, making mischief as small girls usually did.
As usual, Masataka was busy in his office. As the supervisor in charge of the Lockseed Distribution Department, his job was to approve any and all paperwork. That meant merchants asking for more Lockseeds to sell, people applying for licenses to use Lockseeds, and reports of anybody who were misusing them. However, the fact was that he was starting to get sick and tired of it. He was reading one last form before stamping his seal on it when one of his staff members came in with another stack of papers.
"More?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, sir," the girl answered.
"Seriously, where does this paperwork keep coming from? I was just done with this batch," Masataka sounded upset.
"I'm sorry, sir." The servants all knew never to upset an Armored War God. Although Masataka was proven to have a strong temperament and never got angry with someone who did not deserve it, the fact he was an Armored War God made everyone who did not know him personally worried over angering him.
"No, it's fine," he told her reassuringly. "Just put these away into a box for me to look at later. Right now I'm going for my tea break."
"Yes, Zangetsu-sama."
What was becoming something of a tradition, Sonken and Masataka were meeting together in the courtyards or tea rooms simply for the sake of relaxing and having tea. It was a relaxing practice and it would allow the princess and Armored War God to simply talk and release some of the stress that they accumulated during the day. Usually they would comment on their paperwork, officials trying to convince them of some policy or another, or simply people begging them for their attention. Lately, they have been receiving offers for suitors of all things although the number of them dropped sharply when Sonsaku and Shuyu were present in court.
Adjusting his glasses, Masataka entered the courtyard where the brightly coloured flowers collected by the gardeners were blooming with bright colors.
"I almost thought you weren't going to make it, Masataka-kun," Sonken greeted as Masataka came and sat down with her. A tea set and some snacks were already on the table.
"Miss our usual afternoon tea together?" he asked rhetorically. "Never, Renfa-sama." Sonken blushed. She was still getting used to hearing him call her by her true name. Just by exchanging their true names they had become closer. Claiming a cup of tea, he looked to his friend, "So, how have your studies been coming along?"
"There's still a lot to learn," she sighed. "How's your work?"
"I almost feel like burning all that paperwork when I see another stack after finishing one up already," he replied with a frown.
"You sound like you need a vacation," she suggested soothingly.
"Yeah, I guess," he agreed. "Unfortunately, there's nobody I can trust to take over. Nobody else understands the Lockseeds quite as much as I do."
"You should take in an apprentice then," Sonken suggested. "I'm sure there's at least someone you could mentor to take your place in your absence."
"Maybe," he said, unsurely. An apprentice? Well, Shuyu did have Rikuson as an apprentice. Perhaps he could consider taking someone under his wing. He heard a commotion and looked over to see Sonshoko and the twins playing in the courtyard. It looked like they were having a three-way Inves Game. While children could have Lockseeds, the licenses were owned by parents. Children under the legal age were not allowed to purchase them and they could only use them under parental supervision. Also, a child caught using a Lockseed illegally could end up in a lot of trouble. Their families too as they neglected to keep an eye on what their kids were doing.
Sonken watched how her little sister commanded her Inves and couldn't help but smile a little. These little exercises were teaching her the basics of tactics. As the members of the royal family of Go, they were going to become military leaders as well. That meant knowing tactics. Despite Shokyo and Daikyo outnumbering Sonshoko, the youngest of the Son sisters was able to defeat them and claim their Lockseeds.
As Sonken and Masataka continued to enjoy their tea, a servant came bearing bad news. Their expression said it all.
"Forgive me, Zangetsu-sama, but a messenger brought this to us. It is addressed to you," the servant said as he handed the letter. Masataka took the letter and scanned its contents. His brows furrowed and he frowned. The servant gulped and Masataka picked up his cup before downing its entire contents.
"Bad news?" Sonken could guess.
"Yes," Masataka confirmed. He stood up and bowed to Sonken, "Forgive me for leaving so soon but I need to attend to this matter immediately, Renfa-sama." With that said he turned and left the courtyard in quick strides.
"Renfa-neesan, where is Zan-niichan going?" Sonshoko asked as she came to the table. "I wanted to brag about my victory!"
"He's gone to do his job," Sonken answered.
"Captain!"
An armored guard flinched as he heard Masataka's barked command and quickly came to a salute, "Zangetsu-sama!"
Inside the barracks rested many contingents of soldiers. Unlike many of the Go Army who were volunteers or temporary soldiers, the men who lived in the barracks were all from military families, born and raised in tactics, war, and battle. They were the best that Sonsaku had at her beck and call and they were called often with her numerous campaigns.
After Masataka brought in the Lockseeds, the men were trained on how to use the Lockseeds and how to command the Inves which came out. Most of the men only had Elementary Inves, common to the ranks. Only the officers had a Berserk Inves to command, a symbol of both rank and ability. The best at this tactic were split evenly between the Go Army, and a small unit which Masataka had command of to ensure that Lockseeds would not be misused or heaven forbid be sent out of control with Evolved Inves attacking innocent people.
Masataka approaching his commanding officer, holding up the letter he received from some of his scouts, "I've received a notice that several days ago a shipment of Lockseeds was attacked by bandits with all the cargo being stolen. Two days ago an entire village was sacked and everything that was of value was taken as if an army had done it. I hope that you can guess what this means."
"Bandits have learned to use Inves?" the captain gasped.
"Indeed," Masataka nodded. "I want riders, scouts, everyone inspecting the area around that sacked village spreading outward. I want to know where every squirrel, mole, and bird nest is. Leave no stone unturned. Nothing gets through the net and we don't stop until we find those bandits, clear?"
"Yes sir! I'll ready the men!" the captain nodded with a salute before he ran to the living quarters and began shouting orders. The idea of the Lockseeds and Inves being misused upsetted Masataka. He had brought them to Go for the good of the land. To hear that bandits had gotten their hands on them and using them to attack smaller villages went against everything he had worked to accomplish. Well, if the bandits were going to play with Inves, then they were going to have to face the consequences.
Inside an abandoned fort from one of Go's older campaigns, there were sounds of revelry. However, it wasn't because of soldiers celebrating a victory, but criminals gorging on the fruits of their bandit base was bustling with activity and not just from the bandits. Just milling about were Elementary Inves from all three colors. They definitely didn't belong there and the bandits definitely shouldn't possess Lockseeds.
"You know, when we attacked that carriage, I had no idea we were going to strike gold!" said the bandit leader, a familiar tall and thin man with a metal cap on his hand. He twirled a B-Class Lockseed in his hand.
"You got that right, boss," a short bandit agreed as he had a Lockseed clipped to his belt. "These things make raiding villages a whole lot easier!" Villages were increasing security with better guards. However, the guards could not handle the Elementary Inves.
"Oi!" the bandit leader called to an Inves. "Get over here and bring me some of that wine!" The Inves obeyed, picking up a bottle of wine and handing it to the bandit leader. "Yeah, as long as we got these things, we're unstoppable!"
"But Boss, what about those weird plants?" the big, fat bandit asked, referring to some strange plants which had started growing since the Inves first showed up. The vines were starting to crawl up the walls and over some of the buildings inside of the fort. They didn't do anything, but they just seemed...creepy.
"Ignore them! They're just plants! The freaks eat them up anyway so what's the harm? Now, I think it's time we had another raid!" the boss bandit grinned.
Masataka mounted his horse as he got ready to go. The scouts had returned and they managed to find the base of the bandits, an old military fort that went abandoned after Go had spread its borders, making the spot useless since it no longer had any strategic value.
Masataka quickly rallied his men and had them all prepare for battle. Time was of the essence and they had to stop the bandits before their Inves went wild or worse, they caused an outbreak of Helheim plants which could infect and corrupt the surrounding environment and cause untold amounts of damage. His men were quick to suit up, all of them wearing dark green armor and bearing flags which sported his personal coat of arms on them. It was his helmet's crest within a circle.
Masataka was insistent on leaving, not even willing to say goodbye to his friends because he knew they were already falling behind the bandits. The letter he had received was a report from one of the villages within Go's territory. A bandit raid had taken place but it wasn't just that. The bandits were all using Inves. The scouts managed to stumble onto it which was how the they managed to find the bandit base. Two villages were victimized and many people suffered for it.
Masataka swore to himself that there would not be a third.
"Let's go! Hah!" The horses galloped out of the palace grounds and out towards the bandits' location. They were in for both a long ride and a battle, but it would be worth it if they could take the Lockseeds away from those bandits and keep any more damage from being done.
The bandits celebrated another successful raid and the Inves were made to dance as entertainment. The plants which grew were also starting to get even thicker to the point they were covering the walls entirely, but they were also bearing fruit. Naturally, the bandits were tempted to try the fruit but the Inves seemed to get very defensive if they got too close. They could command the Inves to step back but the bandits didn't feel it would be a good idea to get between a monster and its favorite food source.
The short bandit scratched his head as he watched some Inves chow down on the fruits, "What makes those things so special anyway?"
"Dunno," shrugged his fat friend. "Wanna see if we can get one?"
"Nah," the short bandit shook his head. "Those things smell awesome, but I'm not gonna pick a fight with a genuine monster just to get one."
The party continued for the bandits, using the Inves as entertainment. They felt invincible with such monsters on their side. The bandit boss himself was already wondering where they could get more Lockseeds so they could try even bigger targets, maybe even try to take the capital. He'd heard the whole royal court was filled with babes…
As the bandit boss counted the loot they had stolen, one of his men ran over in panic. He had been on the walls when he saw a contingent of soldiers heading their way. They weren't just passing through and all the bandits had to do was remain quiet, but the soldiers knew they were there and were coming for a raid! "Boss! Boss! We've got soldiers from the capital coming!"
The bandit boss didn't seem too concerned. They had literal monsters at their beck and call. What could some soldiers do to them?
Masataka and his men rode towards the abandoned base. They knew what they were in for and were prepared for it. Coming within shouting distance of the fort, he stopped his men. He thought he ought to be diplomatic at least and see if any of the bandits would want a stretch of mercy.
"By order of Her Majesty Queen Hakufu Sonsaku and my authority as Armored War God Zangetsu, I am hereby ordering all bandits within the base to surrender themselves and submit their Lockseeds for seizure! Any who comply will be granted a measure of mercy!" he called out.
"Ah blow it out your ear!" a man sneered from inside. "Get 'em!"
The front gate of the base opened and instead of men, Inves ranging from Elementary to Berserker began pouring out and running for the soldiers with killing intent. Behind them, the bandits were also charging with their own weapons, but obviously more than willing to use their Inves as living shields.
Masataka growled and gave the command to his men, "Release the Inves!" Masataka ordered and his men obeyed. Portals zipped open in the air as an army of Inves came jumping out to engage the ones under the control of the bandits. At the same time, Masataka strapped on his SengokuDriver and activated his Melon Lockseed.
"Henshin!"
[MELON!]
[LOCK ON!]
[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]
Hearing those words the bandits started to get nervous. They at first thought that Masataka had simply been bluffing by announcing himself as an Armored War God. Who didn't know about the Armored War Gods by now? Once his armor had fully formed, Zangetsu got off his horse to engage the enemy head on. Zangetsu's soldiers had summoned their own Inves which battled with the bandits' Inves. However, unlike the bandits, the soldiers had learnt how to fight alongside their summons while the bandits just hung back and allowed their own summoned Inves to fight. Of course, Zangetsu was also walking through the battle field and striking down any Inves that tried to attack him. A swing of his blade was all it took to cleave an Inves in half and kill it. As this happened, the Inves' corresponding Lockseed would fly out of a bandit's grip and land in Zangetsu's hand. He put it away in a bag he was carrying before moving on.
Some brave, yet foolish, bandits tried to attack Zangetsu themselves. However, his shield proved to be quite durable as their weapons slammed harmlessly against it. Some even broke if they struck with enough force. He then bashed them with his Melon Defender before bringing out his Musou Saber to slash them across the chest. Blood stained the grass but Zangetsu just moved on as the bodies of the bandits fell, flicking the blood off his sword. The battle between his soldiers and the bandits was a very decisive one but Zangetsu chose to focus on getting all the Lockseeds away from the bandits so they could be dealt with properly.
The bandit boss even tried to attack Zangetsu with his Inves, a Kamikiri Inves which was a considerably higher threat. Alas the Inves fell from a strong Melon Squash attack which caused the bandit leader to fall over in fright. He tried to get up and grab another Lockseed to use, but halted when the tip of the Musou Saber was pointed right at his Adam's apple. It caused him to gulp, nicking himself on the weapon.
"Yield!" Zangetsu ordered with a demanding bark. Diplomacy hadn't worked so he had no choice but to use force. Still, if the bandit boss chose to resist then Zangetsu had the right to cut him down. He wasn't going to shed a tear over the death of one foul bandit.
After the leader surrendered, it didn't take too long for the surviving bandits to do the same. With the bandit gang defeated and the survivors rounded up along with the Lockseeds they possesses, Zangetsu decided to do some investigating. His fears were confirmed as he saw vines covering the inside walls and wrapping around the buildings of the fort with ripe Lockseed fruits growing from them. It was a miracle that the bandits didn't even attempt to eat the fruit, but perhaps the presence of the Inves around the fruit discouraged them. He could see a lot of the plants growing and growing quickly like weeds. This was an issue that needed to be dealt with immediately. If the bandits kept recklessly letting Inves come and go, eventually they would have attracted a mob of them looking to feast on the fruits.
"Zangetsu-sama, what are your orders?" the captain of the soldiers asked.
"Take the surviving bandits back to the capital to be judged," Zangetsu ordered his men. Although the bandits were all guilty, they still had the right to be judged and tried in Sonsaku's court. "Light the torches and burn this place to the ground."
"Hai, Zangetsu-sama!" the men obeyed, a group dragging several bandits away as a few others lit up some torches to burn the foreign vegetation. The Lockseeds were recovered and would hopefully be sold properly the next time. This just meant Zangetsu needed to increase security on all exports. They couldn't afford to let the wrong people get their hands on Lockseeds and cause trouble for everyone else.
Walking past a Lockseed vine, he plucked a pair of fruits off before the men could begin burning them. The two fruits flashed before transforming into Mature Lockseeds. One was a pink/red one which was reminiscent of a raspberry marked with L.S.-19. The second was a green oval-shaped fruit which was covered in spiked, marked with the black lettering L.S.-20.
"Interesting," Zangetsu nodded as he turned back to see the bandit's base beginning to go up in flames. This was a dark side to the Lockseed Distribution Department. Sometimes Zangetsu had to get his sword stained in blood just to make sure there was peace. He didn't have to like it but like many things in this world it was a means to an end. The bandits had been the ones to start this and would be forced to take responsibility with their lives. Sonsaku would be the one to judge them and knowing her she would give them a punishment befitting their crimes.
The bandits were brought back to the capital to be judged and Sonsaku brought the hammer down hard on them all. Illegal possession of Lockseeds, banditry, and the deaths of a number of innocent people. All of the surviving leader types of the bandits would be facing the executioner's block no doubt. The rest would suffer the dungeons. Any swag that the bandits had unfortunately had to be burned as well for fear of the seeds spreading from them.
"You've done well, Zangetsu-kun," Sonsaku praised Masataka after the last of the bandits had been removed. She had been given a full report and knew that Masataka had dealt with the problem. The bandits wouldn't be causing anymore trouble for a long, long time.
"Thank you for your praise," Masataka nodded. "I just wish it didn't cost two villages to stop them."
"As unfortunate as it is, your actions have prevented the fall of more villages in the future," Sonsoka consoled him. "As much as I understand your desire to save everyone, you know that is impossible."
"I can't help but feel some responsibility for this," he added regretfully. He had brought the Lockseeds for the sake of Go's prosperity. The bandits, however, used them for their own greed and hurt so many people. This wouldn't have happened if he hadn't introduced the Lockseeds in the first place.
"Masataka," Sonsaku spoke softly, causing Masataka to look up at the soft mention of his real name. "You are not at fault for this. You could not have foreseen this."
"I still should've," he insisted. Lockseeds and Inves were dangerous, he knew that, so he should have had more contingencies in place should undesirables get their hands on them.
"The fact that you feel guilt and responsibility shows that for all your power you are still a good man." Sonsaku smiled sadly. There were officials who would rather not accept their faults and place the blame elsewhere. Masataka didn't. He took part of the responsibility and accepted it. "I know I made the right choice when I made you the leader of this new office."
"I am honored," he bowed.
"By the way, you and my sister have grown very close in recent months. I was wondering if you could grant me one simple request."
"What is your request, Your Majesty?"
"Would you become Renfa's advisor?"
"Renfa-sama's advisor?" Masataka blinked. He had been offering advice and insight to Renfa when she had questions for certain issues which she had. He never really considered being an official advisor though. Being an Armored War God and the one supervising the Lockseed Distribution Department was as far as he saw himself for the time being. "I...I hadn't really thought about it. I'd offer her advice from time to time but…"
"You seem more than qualified to me," Sonsaku smiled. "Renfa-chan is still headstrong and can be impulsive sometimes. Knowing she has cooler heads like Rikuson and yourself with her would set me at ease."
"I will...consider it," Masataka relented. It seemed like a huge deal and a big step up in his career. It also meant spending more time with Sonken. However, the position of advisor came with obligations and he didn't want to spend time with Sonken out of obligation. He offered his advice as a friend knowing how she would soon rule a kingdom once Sonsaku stepped down. He could understand. Sonken was still young and needed guidance. Sonsaku was really trusting him to do this sacred duty.
"Please do," Sonsaku nodded. "At the very least, it will get you to train an apprentice so you can get out of doing your paperwork." An apprentice? Sonken had mentioned that earlier. If Sonsaku wanted him to become an advisor to Sonken while she was gone until the day Sonken would take over, having someone to handle his day to day duties would be a good idea.
Night fell on the palace as people turned in for the night and the night shift of the guards began their rounds. Unbeknownst to them though, a cloaked figure had slipped onto the grounds, working masterfully around the guards and the paths on the palace as if they knew them like the back of their hands. None of the guards saw the figure moving and they never had a clue that they were even there.
Masataka sighed as he sat back and enjoyed the cool night air around him on one of the balconies the palace sported. His paperwork had only piled up while he was out on his raid on the bandits and he had been fighting it ever since. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and he just had to take a break.
"Maybe I should try to train someone in all this so I don't have to do it," Masataka sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. It was a practical idea. One day he would have to retire and he would need someone to take over. But who? He didn't have any candidates yet and he just wasn't sure if he could but that much trust in someone else leading the department. Then again, all his knowledge about Lockseeds came from watching a TV show. He could show someone else the basics and give them more lessons as time went by. On one hand that meant leaving all the paperwork to them. On the other hand, though...
Maybe he could start with interviews first. That way he could make a better decision. What he needed was somebody responsible and dependable.
*HUFF!*
All of a sudden, he was grabbed in a chokehold from behind. Grunting, he tried to resist and pry his attacker's arms from his throat. Realizing how futile it was, he decided to do something else and stomped his attacker's foot before he elbowed them in the stomach. This stunned them long enough for him to escape their grasp then make some distance.
He saw a woman, wearing a black mask, and looking like she meant business judging by her eyes.
"An assassin...?" he asked. He didn't expect to be a target for assassination, but then again people probably heard how he was important to the Son family and they wanted to hit them where it hurt. Then the woman took out a trio of Lockseeds from her pocket, surprising him. What more, they were the A-Class variety. Well, if that was how she was going to play it, then he might as well oblige. He put on his SengokuDriver and went through the transformation sequence as she started to unlock the Lockseeds.
"Henshin!"
[MELON!]
[LOCK ON!]
[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]
Once the armor formed fully, Zangetsu was ready for battle.
"Appointed by Providence, I am Zangetsu!" Zangetsu declared as he drew his Musou Saber.
The woman unlocked the three Lockseeds simultaneously, causing three portals to open and release a trio of Inves. Zangetsu grimaced at the sight. She then locked up her Lockseeds, closing the portals and preventing wild Inves from coming. The Inves were Berserker State, consisting of a Shika, Lion and Kamikiri Inves. The monsters snarled as they awaited their commands.
"Go!" she ordered the three Inves as they charged at Zangetsu. He brought up his shield to defend from their initial attack before shoving them back. The Inves surrounded him as he stood in place, keeping up his guard. They circled around him as their controller waited for an opportunity to attack. She then gave her silent command and the Lion Inves struck with claws. As predicted, Zangetsu brought up his shield to defend but his side was unguarded. The Shika Inves tackled into him and sent him staggering and leaving him open as the Kamikiri Inves clawed at him. Sparks flew off his chest and he landed against the ornate railing of the balcony. He grimaced. It seemed that their controller was no ordinary person. She was able to direct her Inves with tactics. Well, Zangetsu knew combat tactics as well. It was one of the things his grandfather had drilled into his mind from his long military career.
"If outnumbered, divide and conquer," he recited. "Find the weakness." He glanced at the woman who was directing the Inves. Making her lose control of the Inves might sound tactically sound, but at least they weren't running wild. Three wild Berserk Inves were not what he wanted to deal with. At least he could handle the Inves while they were under her command since they seemed more focused on him while awaiting her orders. The Inves attacked but Zangetsu was ready this time. He threw his Melon Defender and it knocked the Lion Inves upside the head. He then charged forward, landing rapid slashes upon the Shika and Kamikiri Inves before the Melon Defender returned. He then bashed both Inves with all his might, sending them sprawling to the floor.
He then hit the Cutting Blade of his SengokuDriver once.
[SOIYA! MELON SQUASH!]
He jumped at the Kamikiri Inves and landed a tornado kick with the energy taking the shape of a melon slice. The Kamikiri Inves went tumbling before hitting the railing and then exploding.
'So, it's not all a bunch of hot air. He really is a fighter,' the assassin thought.
Zangetsu then moved on to deal with the other two Inves and he knew just the thing. He brought up his Melon Defender to block their next onslaught before bashing the Shika Inves with enough force to send it skidding. He then landed several slashes on the Lion Inves before kicking it in the stomach and then bashing it to the ground with the Melon Defender. The Shika Inves lunged but Zangetsu turned to fire on it before slashing it in the stomach, watching as it flipped awkwardly through the air and landed on the Lion Inves. Looking at the two remaining Inves, he decided to unclip his Melon Lockseed from the SengokuDriver before taking out another which depicted a different fruit.
"Now, let's test this one out," Zangetsu spoke as he clicked the Lockseed to unlock it.
[SOURSOP!]
Zangetsu prepared himself as his Melon Arms disappeared. Above him, a new Arms lowered out of a portal. It was oval-shaped and had numerous spikes all over it, although not as pronounced as the Durian Arms. Reaching to his SengokuDriver, he hit the Cutting Blade and sliced the Lockseed open. The top half was white on the inside, but had black seeds in it. The bottom half depicted a flat club-like weapon which had spiked teeth running along the sides.
[SOIYA! SOURSOP ARMS! TEN NO MICHI O AYUMU!] (Walk the Path of Heaven)
The bottom portion of the arms folded out before it landed on Zangetsu's shoulders, covering his left shoulder with a round shoulder plate. The front portion folded down, but then split in the middle to reveal a smooth gold plating before it rested on Zangetsu's chest, a row of spikes near his collar. A side portion reaching all the way to the top of the Arms folded down onto his right arm, creating a line of armor while the remaining portion unrolled into flat pieces and came down onto his back. The visor of his helmet had turned white with only black specs decorating the edges. His helmet attachment was green with spikes all pointing downwards like quills, but the most noticeable portion of the attachment was the rows of spikes at the edges of the helmet which had black tips, making it appear as if they were teeth of some beast. A splash of juice brought out the weapon depicted on the Lockseed. It was flat, designed like a club and was green with a gold handle. The edges though were razor spiked, making it look like a giant was the Sourquhuitl, Soursop Arms' signature weapon.
'Never knew why the original Zangetsu never thought of using other Lockseeds,' thought Zangetsu as he gave his weapon a few practice swings. 'Might've made him more versatile. Then again, he did get that new GenesisDriver and Melon Energy Lockseed.'
The Lion Inves recovered first and charged with a snarl. Zangetsu was ready before slashing with his weapon, catching the Inves on the shoulder. Not stopping there though, he pulled the Sourquhitl and ran the jagged edge across the Lion Inves' chest, bringing a bellow of pain as well as a shower of sparks.
"Ah, so this blade doesn't cut," Zangetsu nodded before the Shika Inves took the the charge only to get caught in the but by the blade. "It shreds!" he pulled the weapon across its gut, causing another blast of sparks, ripping through the armor that the Shika Inves sported with disturbing ease. He wondered what the finisher for this form would be like. And what should he start with? Squash or Au Lait? Well, he was facing two opponents, so perhaps he should go with Au Lait for a clean finish. So, grabbing the Cutting Blade, he hit it twice.
[SOIYA! SOURSOP AU LAIT!]
The Sourquhuitl flashed with green/white energy before Zangetsu took a running charge at the two Inves who were recovering. Rather than hold the weapon up for a strike though, he allowed it to trail behind him horizontally. Reaching the Shika Inves first, he ran past it and allowed the blade to strike its open side before running faster, causing the sawblade edge to rip through it. The Shika Inves screamed, spinning as a Soursop slice rippled from it. The monster then collapsed and exploded. Zangetsu didn't stop as he swapped hands for his weapon and continued running, reaching the Lion Inves which swiped at him. He managed to avoid the blow and repeated his attack, catching the Inves in the side before running past, cutting through it and causing it to explode like it's ally. Coming to a stop, he faced off against the assassin.
The three Lockseeds used to summon the Inves flew into Zangetsu's hand before he pointed his weapon threateningly at his assailant. His would-be assassin didn't seem too concerned as she stared at him coolly.
Zangetsu spoke, "This is the first time an assassin's come after me rather than Sonsaku-sama. I don't know if I should be offended or flattered that someone thought so highly of me to put a price on my head."
The assassin remained silent, but utterly confident. She did not move, and Zangetsu was ready with a hair trigger to go after her should she try anything. As the full moon hung in the sky, it made for a tense scene. However, the silence was broken by the sound of applause.
"Now that was an interesting show," said Sonsaku as she stepped out of the shadows, clapping politely.
"Sonsaku-sama!?" Zangetsu gasped. What was going on? "Step back! She's an assassin!"
"Oh don't worry so much Zangetsu-kun. Kogai, you may remove your mask," Sonsaku allowed and the 'assassin' took off the mask and smiled at Zangetsu. He didn't understand.
The assassin was indeed a woman, a rather beautiful one at that. She wore a dark violet cheongsam which barred her cleavage, legs, and arms. She wore light purple stockings, but her garter belt was quite visible and she wore silk arm gloves. On her feet were ankle boots with metal toes, made for movement and hard work. Her skin was a beautiful tan and her hair was white, the back tied into a ponytail while the rest hung over her shoulders, making her look enticingly exotic. She was also...very well-endowed, likely the biggest woman he had seen since arriving on Go. She was also mature in her age, not as old as Sonsei, but obviously older than Sonsaku.
"Hello Zangetsu-dono," the woman smiled with a bow. "I am Kogai Kofuku. Adviser to the throne of Sonsaku."
"Sonsaku-sama, what is going on?" Zangetsu asked Sonsaku. He decided to do this face-to-face and closed his Lockseed, allowing the armor to dissolve into particle of lights and vanish.
"Kogai-san has returned from a mission analyzing any and all risk groups in the province," Sonsaku explained. "She was out when you arrived here with us. She has finally returned and heard of you. She asked to test you and see if you were everything they said you were."
"And you exceeded my expectations," Kogai winked. "I look forward to working with you."
It took Masataka a moment, but he managed to recognize Kogai's name. That name belonged to Go's longest-serving general, who served Sonsaku's predecessor and then Sonsaku herself. If he recalled, Kogai had been out pacifying the rogue elements within the province while Sonsaku would go out and expand Go's territories.
"Let's work well together," Masataka nodded. "Although was it necessary to make me think you were an assassin come to kill me?"
"How else to get you to take me seriously?" Kogai smiled. "If you knew who I was, you may have taken it easy on me in order to curry favor or make a good impression."
Mastaka sighed, but nodded. If he knew he was facing off against such a decorated general, he knew that in some way he'd have tried to make a good impression on her. He got along so well with the others in the court and he wouldn't have wanted to make even one member dislike him. Still, he knew better than to hold back or kiss up to others like some bottom feeder.
"I apologize for the disturbance Zangetsu-kun, but Kogai-dono insisted on the ruse and felt the timing after the raid would be perfect," Sonsaku explained. "Knowing your skills, I did not fear for anything bad happening."
"But were the Inves necessary?" Masataka asked.
"I doubt my own combat prowess would be enough against a Messenger of Heaven," Kogai tittered. "Oh, I'd like those Lockseeds back if you wouldn't mind."
Masataka rolled his eyes and tossed the Lockseeds back to Kogai's waiting hands. At the least she was licensed. There was no way a woman who was in her position wouldn't be. But he'd check just to be sure, satisfying any curiosity he may have had. Maybe he'd learn a little bit more about her.
"It's getting late," Sonsaku spoke up. "How about we all retire and we can continue this conversation tomorrow?" Masataka levelled his gaze on Sonsaku then at Kogai before giving out a sigh.
"Very well, Sonsaku-sama," he bowed. "Goodnight, Sonsaku-sama. You too, Kogai-dono." With that said, he left to return to his private chamber to rest. After he had gone, conversation resumed between the two women.
"He's quite a handsome young man," Kogai commented.
"I'd be careful, Kogai-dono. My little sisters are quite fond of him, Renfa especially," Sonsaku advised.
"Well I'll be sure to give her a fair chance," Kogai nodded. "But you can hardly blame me if she does not make a move. A man such as Zangetsu-dono doesn't tend to stay single for very long."
"Oh control yourself," Sonsaku giggled. "How much older than him are you?"
"Not that much older!" Kogai huffed, turning away while crossing her arms. "I can still have any man I want!"
"Yes, yes," Sonsaku giggled, causing Kogai to huff at her.
The next day Kogai's return was announced to the rest of the court. Sonken and Sonshoko seemed especially pleased, seeing the older woman as some kind of role model. With their aunt being a selfish traitor and their mother dead, likely Kogai really was one of the last female role models that the younger girls had. Kogai proved to be especially good with the younger girls, but she had likely known them their entire lives if not close to it. She seemed to act like the silly older sister as opposed to Sonsaku's more serious sisterly image.
Still, the day had to continue for everyone. Masataka included as he was sitting in his office, ready for an interview. Apparently, Sonsaku was sending someone to him that she believed was qualified for the apprenticeship position under him. Not one to turn down the generosity of Sonsaku, he accepted.
As the knock came, he answered, "Come on in." He was expecting a lot. A inexperienced novice, someone trying to get on his good side, someone who wanted to get into a good position, but the last this he expected was to see Kogai come into her office. "Wait, you're the one I'm supposed to be interviewing?"
"Yes, I was recommended by Sonsaku-sama," Kogai answered with a smile.
Masataka should've known. However, if Sonsaku believed Kogai could do the job then maybe Masataka should give her a chance, "Alright, let's get started. First, would you briefly tell me about yourself?" One of the most standard interview questions. It was an opening for both parties to get to know each other.
"Well," Kogai brought a finger to her lips. "I was orphaned at a young age, but despite that I was able to work my way up through my studies by myself when I could. I was fortunate enough to work my way high enough in the court to be personally appointed by Sonsaku-sama's mother, Sonken-sama to take charge of the dissident groups, bandits, and other undesirables who were causing trouble in the nation."
"As I understand, you did an admirable job," Masataka nodded, knowing the woman's history. "So you lead an inner campaign while they began their campaigns outside the province?"
"Indeed," Kogai nodded.
Well, Kogai had experience with leading people and handling duties of a leader, "So while you have the experience leading which is needed in this position, do you have experience with administrative duties?"
"Oh yes," Kogai nodded. "You see, I was a minister in the commentary office before Sonken-sama sent out a call for recruits to the militia to deal with dissenters. Administration was the bread and butter of the office. I am no stranger to it. That experience served me well as I made my reports to Sonken-sama and Sonsaku-sama."
Masataka making a note to check Kogai's experience. He knew as much from his studies into history, but he couldn't be sure if it remained true in the alternate world he was living in. Still, if it was true then he was looking at quite the contender for the position. Still, there is one thing which he was just not sure of, "So, as an advisor to Sonsaku-sama why do you wish to take up a role here in the Lockseed Distribution Department?"
"Oh? I thought it would be prudent to have an experienced member of the court to help you," Kogai smiled. "I know the administration of the court quite well and although Sonsaku-sama is backing this new department, I know a number of nobles have been trying to undermine your authority to get their hands on the Lockseeds."
Masataka sighed, nodding. Although he was an Armored War God and proven to be competent, a number of nobles and officials were still attempting to undermine his authority in the department. They never spoke out against him, but they would often state that their Armored War God should be on the frontlines, not being held back in Go. Of course, they obviously wanted to take charge of the department and take advantage of the Lockseeds to hand out to their friends and allies for profit and reputation. There was also the chance that they may be remaining nobles who wanted to remove Sonsaku and wanted to get to the source of the Lockseeds to do it. They hadn't directly challenged him for the position so they decided to use more subtle methods. He guessed Sonsaku had sent Kogai knowing the other nobles would send their own candidates for this apprenticeship position. Once he was gone or retired, his apprentice would be able to take over the department. It was best to go to someone that Sonsaku trusted.
"I won't deny it. The sort of power the Lockseed contains is tempting," he agreed. That was the reason for the laws. However, the supervisor could change those laws and Masataka had no illusions that the nobles gunning for the position would let the laws limiting the most profitable use of the Lockseeds remain where they were.
"Thus why a trustworthy and experienced person is needed for an apprentice," Kogai nodded.
"If you do become my apprentice, that means you will be assisting me with my work, paperwork included. I just find it odd that a decorated general with your reputation would even consider working under someone my age," he told her. He hadn't done half as much as Kogai has accomplished and she was a senior officer in Sonsaku's army. It just seemed odd. True, Sonsaku had recommended her but he wanted to know what Kogai wanted to accomplish. "So, what do you wish to accomplish?"
"My wish…" Kogai leaned back in her seat. "Is to help Sonsaku-sama's ambitions. You've become a cornerstone in that. I also see that you've become a member of our little family too. Call it Nee-san instinct, but I want to make sure you're protected just as much as you wish to protect Sonsaku-sama and her sisters. I've been told that you tend to work yourself too much some days."
'Sonsaku-sama,' Masataka groaned internally. Ever since he dropped the notion of trying to court her, the woman seemed to be acting like an elder sister, telling him to take it easy and offering all sorts of advice while she was in court and not away on campaigns. It seemed Kogai was of the same mindset.
"Alright. If you're going to be my apprentice, let's go on the tour of the facility," decided Masataka.
"Lead the way, Sensei!" Kogai smiled teasingly.
Masataka rolled his eyes as he brought Kogai down to the cellar where the hired men worked on stocking, examining, sorting, and testing Lockseeds which had been brought back from raids into Helheim.
"So this is where you record which Lockseeds were brought back, how powerful they are, what kind of Inves they call if its one of the animal ones, and test any new kinds you discover?" asked Kogai, looking at the men work, eyeing the various jobs they were doing.
"Yes," Masataka nodded, looking over the manifest of the latest loads completed. Although he did notice that as they walked, several of the men stopped to stare at Kogai's luscious figure. A sharp cough from him got the men to stop drooling and get back to work. Honestly, it was like they didn't see women on a regular basis or something.
"Protecting me already?" Kogai giggled. "Oh don't worry. The men can look, but they never get to touch unless I say so."
"I don't mind if they look, but they shouldn't let it get in the way of their duties." Masataka sighed. Honestly, yes Kogai was beautiful and so were many members of the court but they weren't that distracting were they? Well...granted they tended to show a lot of skin and...okay they could be distracting when they wanted to be. Fearing slightly for his productivity, he flipped through the papers and came to a decision.
"Today is your lucky day, Kogai-dono. Today is our monthly journey into Helheim Forest," said Masataka. Masataka had scheduled that once a month he and several men would enter Helheim Forest to pick new Lockseeds.
"Oh, you mean I get to see this mysterious land where the Lockseeds come from?" Koga asked excitedly. "Oooh! And on my first day too!"
The pair moved to an open area of the cellar where usually the testers would work. Instead, empty crates were being piled up and men were preparing for the job. The Lockseed pickers were all dressed in heavy clothes and wearing the scented cloth as masks to make sure the aroma of the Lockseed fruit didn't tempt them. There were also armed guards who were dressed the same as well. "Take one of the cloths and cover your nose and mouth with it," he instructed,
"Any reason why?" asked Kogai as she obeyed, typing a purple cloth around her face.
"Lockseed fruit is extremely tempting to the senses," Masataka explained, pulling out his SengokuDriver and Melon Lockseed. "However, eating it can cause death in humans. Only the Inves can safely eat it without fear."
"Then how does the fruit turn into Lockseeds?" asked the older woman in confusion.
"I'll show you when we get to that phase," Masataka answered before he put on his SengokuDriver and raised his Lockseed. "Henshin."
[MELON!]
[LOCK ON!]
[SOIYA! MELON ARMS! TENKA GOMEN!]
Once his suit was finished forming, Zangetsu nodded to one of the men. He nodded and clicked open a Lockseed he was holding. As expected, the portal opened and an Elementary Inves hopped out. More men opened more portals and summoned more Inves of the same level.
"Okay, everyone knows their roles. We go in, fill the crates, get out," Zangetsu ordered. "I don't have to remind you all to keep your eyes on your surroundings, don't go anywhere alone, and don't eat the fruits!" seeing nods all around, he nodded back, "Then let's go."
The group entered the portals, their Inves following with Zangetsu and Kogai at the back. Entering, Kogai found herself utterly enchanted by the forest. It sported a mist in the air and numerous trees all covered with vines growing purple fruit. Strange and beautiful flowers grew from the ground, twisting and rising from the ground in exotic shapes and colors. A crystal clear river flowed nearby, gently flowing making for a wonderfully serene scene. There was also something in the air which made it all smell delicious. She attempted to lift her cloth a little so she could get a better sense of it but Zangetsu grabbed her wrist and stopped her, "Huh?"
"Don't," Zangetsu warned her, releasing her wrist. "You don't want to risk being hypnotized by the aroma of the fruit. That scented cloth interrupts the scent and allows you to concentrate."
"R-right," Kogai nodded, feeling foolish. He had warned her before they passed through and she already forgot. Looking around, she spotted the men spreading out the crates before going to the trees and plucking off the fruits to be loaded up into them. The men looked like they were trying to move quickly. "Are you expecting to be attacked?"
"Inves desire the fruits above everything else," Zangetsu explained. "If any of them see us taking so much of the fruit, or see the open portals then they are going to go for it. Even with the Inves here protecting us and my own skills, it can be hard to deal with being attacked. Worse, if Inves eat too much of the fruit they can grow and mutate into new forms and gain new powers, making the battle harder."
"So there is lots of danger is just getting the Lockseeds, much less in using them," Kogai nodded.
"Yes," Zangetsu nodded. "As my apprentice, you need to be ready to go on these trips to make sure everyone is okay, recognize when to leave, as well as tabulate the spoils, gains, and costs of the trip."
"Of course," Kogai nodded, her voice serious.
Once the crates were filled, Zangetsu put his hands in each of the crates. In a flash, the content of each crate had changed into the mature Lockseeds that were most commonly seen.
"Alright, we're done here. Take these back and start testing and sorting them out," Zangetsu ordered the men. He then turned to Kogai, "Kogai-dono, you're coming with me. There's something I need to show you."
"Shouldn't we go back with them?" Kogai asked as the workers and guards stepped through the portals which then closed.
"We have our own way back," Zangetsu said confidently. He had his own Lockvehicle to take him and Kogai out of the Helheim Forest. However, not before he showed her something. "Come on, follow me."
Zangetsu and Kogai stood on a cliff and the woman's eyes widened at the shocking sight before her. Despite being wrapped up in the vines that bore the Lockseed fruits, they were without a doubt ruins, the remains of buildings. Not much could surprise her but she had not expected this.
"What is this?" she asked Zangetsu, hoping he had the answers.
"It's time for a history lesson," he started as he pointed to the ruins. "What you see here are what is left of a great civilisation, much like the one you come from."
"A civilisation?" she repeated. "There were people here?"
"A long, long time ago," he said. "Long before the Helheim Forest came to be."
"What happened?" Kogai asked.
"Not clear but I have some theories based on my studies. I suspect that the Helheim fruits were a product of some research. Perhaps a food source that could grant anyone who ate them incredible strength and power. At first, perhaps, it worked just fine before any ill effects occurred. However, eventually, those who ate the fruit craved more and more of it. They literally couldn't eat anything else. Of course, the fruit itself started to evolve as well. That's when the Inves came in."
Kogai was afraid of what she might hear next. "What about the Inves?"
"The Inves are native to this world but they weren't originally like that," he told her. "Remember how I told you that eating the fruit would kill you? That's not exactly true, but it's a fate worse than death. Those who eat the forbidden fruit become Inves themselves." Kogai recoiled.
"So...the Inves are..." she concluded. "They..."
"They were the people of this civilisation," he concluded much to her shock.
"People! They were people!" she exclaimed.
"They used to be people," he corrected. "Not anymore. When they ate the fruit, they become nothing more than feral beasts. Besides, look how old these buildings are. How old do you think they are? Decades, centuries?"
"Well," Kogai gulped, looking at the ruins. "I would estimate at least that much."
"I think the original inhabitants all passed away some time ago. Any Inves remaining were born that way, which is why I don't fret over the details." He continued, "With all the inhabitants turned into Inves, there was nobody left to control the plants as they grew and spread until this entire place became the Helheim Forest you see before you."
Kogai had to ask, "Does Sonsaku-sama know about this?"
Zangetsu levelled his gaze onto Kogai and answered, "Myself, her, Shuyu-dono, and now you. As my apprentice you are expected to keep this a secret. That is all I ask. What you learnt here today can only stay between us. You can understand the moral implications if anyone were to find out, can't you?"
Kogai indeed could see it. Although she could understand Zangetsu's evidence of the original Inves passing on if the ruins were any indication, some people would insist trying to save the Inves and turn them back to normal. If the Inves were indeed born that way, then there was no normal form to return them to. It wouldn't stop some people from trying though, but it could lead to disaster with people trying to bring Inves into cities to 'civilize' them. Inves weren't civilized and there was nothing human in their appearances either. Sonsaku and Shuyu understood that much. The Inves were nothing more than savage beasts.
"Why share this with me? Why risk it?" she asked him.
"Call it the final test to see if you could be my apprentice," Zangetsu replied. "Can you live with what you've learnt here or can't you?" He then clicked his Sakura Hurricane Lockseed and tossed it into the air before it grew and became a bike. "Come on. It's time we left. Some Inves might've become aware of our presence."
As if on cue, a growl came from the forest, announcing the arrival of several Elementary Inves stalking the pair, eyeing the Lockseed which Zangetsu had in his Driver. Both Rider and his apprentice mounted the machine before taking off into the forest, picking up speed as they went. Soon, they kicked up countless sakura petals before vanishing into a portal back to Earth.
The portal bloomed open and Zangetsu and Kogai exited before it closed behind them. The ride had shook Kogai up but not in an unpleasant way. The two dismounted and Zangetsu returned his Lockvehicle back to Lockseed form. The men were pouring a light sheen of hot oil on the floor where the portals had been opened, burning any seeds which may have escaped. The burn was quick though, meaning that anything that may have slipped out was taken care of. As soon as he was seen, one of the workers went up to him.
"Zangetsu-sama, among the newly picked Lockseeds, these were found," he reported. Zangetsu took them off his hands. One was silver and marked with a dandelion in the centre while the other was green with a tulip in the middle. He had told them if any Lockseeds had a flower-like motif that he had never seen that they would be reported to him.
"A Dandeliner and a Tulip Hopper," he recognized and approved. He instructed, "Put these away in a different crate and leave them in my office." The worker retrieved the Lockvehicle Lockseeds and bowed before obeying the order.
Kogai looked at the workers. Unlike Zangetsu, Shuyu, Sonsaku and herself, they were unaware of the truth of the Helheim Forest. They had not known an entire civilisation had perished nor that the Inves were the descendants of the civilisation which had been cursed by the Lockseeds. Perhaps it was better that way. Like Zangetsu said, nothing good could ever come out of them knowing the truth. Zangetsu sighed and closed his Lockseed, causing his armor to vanish.
"So, do you still want to be my apprentice?" he asked her.
"She accepted," Masataka reported. He was sitting with Sonsaku and Shuyu at a table inside the queen's personal meeting room.
"Of course she would, but did you have to show her the ruins?" Sonsaku asked.
"If I hadn't accepted her beforehand, I wouldn't have even allowed her into the Helheim Forest in the first place," he told her.
"So, you had already accepted her before. Then what would've happened if she hadn't accepted?" she asked.
"I would tell her to forget everything she had learnt about that place, swearing an oath of secrecy with myself, you and Shuyu-sama," Masataka answered. "Knowing her code of honor, she'd rather die than to break a promise like that."
"So, why show her the ruins?" Shuyu asked.
"To gauge her reaction and test how worthy she is my way," he answered. "While I trust your judgment, Sonsaku-sama, I do want to see for myself how worthy they are personally." Shuyu nodded in approval. Loyalty was one thing but blind loyalty without question was another. As an advisor, it meant questioning your master's orders and provide alternative suggestions. A ruler who could not take that advice because they did not like it, or an advisor who did not advise for fear of risking their position did not deserve their roles.
"So, how did she take the news?" asked Sonsaku.
"She was, as you both were, shocked by the truth," he said. "I know I was when I learnt it myself. However, it something that needed to be told. Only those in our positions must know. Otherwise, anyone who comes after will not understand the dangers of dealing with Lockseeds. That is why I insisted on so many regulations and bureaucracy on their sale and use. That is also why I had all the plants that appeared on this side burnt to the ground." Yes, Sonsaku and Shuyu had heard that he had the entire bandit base torched. Hearing how the plants could spread and transform people into Inves, it made sense why he had them burned.
Masataka knew the dangers of the Lockseeds, the consequences, even showed them what had happened to the last civilisation who had consumed the fruit and become consumed themselves. However, despite it all, he shared the truth with them and also showed them that while the Lockseeds had brought one civilisation to ruin, they could still help their world to prosper. Learn from the mistakes of the past so that they did not become repeated in the present so that the future would be better. He wanted to be sure that Sonsaku knew the reality of the Lockseeds before they would begin trying to use them in her kingdom.
"So what is Kogai doing now?" asked Shuyu.
"My paperwork," Masataka grinned. "It's my first break in a while. I plan to milk it for all it's worth."
Sonsaku smiled. There was still something else that needed to be addressed, "Zangetsu-kun, as you are an important member of this court, I think you might need a bodyguard."
"Excuse me? A bodyguard?" questioned Masataka.
"Shuutai, you may enter," called Shuyu. The girl stepped into the room and Masataka couldn't help but notice how cute she was. She had long dark hair and was wearing a headband with a metal plate on the front of her forehead. She had vibrant maroon eyes and was wearing a short, maroon qipao with two slits on the front. Her sleeves were short and she wore black gloves that reached up to her elbows and black boots that reached up to her knees. She wore forearm guards and shin guards as well. Around her left thigh was a leather band holding throwing knives. Hanging from her back was a sword that was as long as she was tall.
"Zangetsu-kun, allow me to introduce Shuutai Youhei," Sonsaku introduced the girl.
"I was told I would be serving as your bodyguard, Zangetsu-sama," Shuutai greeted with a bow. She was blushing a bit as she looked at him. "I hope to serve you well."
"Sonsaku-sama, is this really necessary?" asked Masataka.
"Well, you were attacked by an assassin only recently," Sonsaku reminded.
"That was Kogai-dono and you know it," Masataka deadpanned. "Besides, shouldn't you require a bodyguard? After all, you are the Queen of Go."
"I have plenty of bodyguards so I can spare a few to protect my precious sisters and officers," Sonsaku smiled. "That privilege has also extended to you, Zangetsu-kun."
"Hai, I understand," Masataka nodded. He couldn't argue his way out of this. He should feel flattered. Sonsaku saw him important enough to require a bodyguard. While he could fight he would still require some protection. Standing up, he bowed to Shuutai, "I am in your care, Shuutai-dono."
"Eep!" Shuutai uttered on reflex, blushing before she recomposed and said, "I will do my best to protect you, Zangetsu-sama!"
KRC: What's this? An original chapter not based on any of the episodes? Well, sooner or later were gonna have something original for you guys. I mean, we can't always follow the anime but we can set it as canon for this fic. Call it our creative liberty. Now, the past of the civilisation and the Lockseeds was basically just my own personal theories and while they may clash with what has been established in Gaim's canon, I'm running with it. It's possible, in a way. Anyway, as for Kogai, well, she's gonna be used to deal with all of Masataka's paperwork. She's just starting out so she has to do it from the bottom up. BTW, just to clear up, Sonken Bundai is the mother of the Son Sisters. Sonken Chubo is the daughter named after her, also known as Renfa.
TFP: Well, we decided that since season two didn't involve Go all that much, we would bring them in. We see more of Masataka's activities and his efforts to use the Lockseeds for the betterment of the kingdom. We also see a little bit more of him as a person. Kogai also appears sooner than in canon, returning from her missions to keep the peace in the province, but now she's got a new task ahead of her. Can she survive the paperwork of a position like hers?
Fruits of the Tree, Yggdrasil
Soursop Arms: An A-Class Lockseed which adorns the user in a spiked defensive armor. It isn't as jagged as say the Durian Arms, which limits the defensive power aside from blocking blows. The main weapon of these Arms is the Sourquhuitl, a blade styled like the powerful weapons of the Aztec Jaguar warriors. It does not cut like a sword, but in fact is swung and drawn back like a sawblade. As stated by Zangetsu, it does not cut but instead shreds. A slightly unusual weapon, but not one to be disregarded.