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.
The tavern was Ushio Kenshin's favorite hangout whenever he needed to kick back and relax. While it may not hold a candle to modern establishments of its kind, it did provide satisfactory service. The drinks were good for their time and it had a nice and relaxing atmosphere. Of course, when people got drunk, things can get a little rowdy and out of control. Kenshin had lost count how many times he had been dragged into a bar fight, but he enjoyed every single one of them. To him, it was just how things worked. It was the natural order of things.
Kenshin rarely, if ever, went out drinking alone. To go to the tavern without his friends was just sad and pathetic. Only losers went drinking alone. It was way more enjoyable to go out drinking with friends. So, here he was, sitting at his usual table with Takada Hideyoshi, Sasuke Takeda, and Kayu.
Kenshin and Hideyoshi went way back. They were childhood friends who met during their elementary school days. Hideyoshi got picked on a lot for being a nerd, but Kenshin swooped in and helped him out. They became the best of friends since then, and they were inseparable.
When they ended up in this world, they stuck together and became the Dynamic Duo. They became the Armored War God of the Ultimate Hammer Gridon and the Armored War God of the Ultimate Cutter Kurokage. Their legendary exploits spread far and wide and all their hard work paid off when Totaku Chuei hired them to become her new retainers.
It was the lucky break they needed to survive. The money they got from collecting bounties for capturing bandits was getting low and a source of stable income was just what they needed. Plus, they had a home when Totaku invited them to stay with her.
Hideyoshi ended up becoming Totaku's new advisor and strategist, working alongside Kaku. They got along famously. As for Kenshin, he had the distinct honor of becoming a general, working alongside Ryofu Hosen. It gave him a chance to get to know the stunning redhead better. Unfortunately, Ryofu's heart was set on the Armored War God of the Ultimate Sword Gaim aka Nagata Oda.
They met Kayu sometime later when Totaku invited her to join her faction. Originally, Kayu had been a bandit that tried to rob Totaku. Unfortunately, she had not chosen her target wisely as Totaku was guarded by Ryofu and Gridon at the time. It was Ryofu who ended her attempt to rob Totaku by beating her. It was not even a fair fight as it was so incredibly one-sided due to Ryofu's Herculean strength.
Normally, Kayu would've been executed for what she attempted, but Totaku showed the bandit mercy. She saw that Kayu's attempt was not driven by greed, but desperation as the woman had not eaten in quite some time and needed money for food. Totaku extended a hand to Kayu, inviting her to join her faction. Touched by her kindness, Kayu accepted and became a member of the To Faction.
It took some time for Hideyoshi and Kaku to warm up to the former bandit. Kayu did not blame them. After all, she did try to rob Totaku whom they cared about a lot. Eventually, they became friends and they all became close like family.
A lot of things happened since then, like Totaku being made Empress, Chojo taking her hostage to take control of Gridon and Kurokage, and using the poor girl as a scapegoat for her crimes. Totaku's reputation was in tatters so she decided to serve Nagata as a maid.
Now Kenshin, Hideyoshi, and Kayu were working for Kosonsan. They enjoyed an adventurous lifestyle from time-to-time so things weren't boring for them. Plus, they were together. Technically, they were not officially serving Kosonsan as they were self-proclaimed mercenaries, but as long as she was paying them then they would continue to work for her. Totaku also went with Hideyoshi to serve as his personal maid while he worked under Kosonsan. It was a position she was happy to take since it meant being close to the man she loved. Hideyoshi was happy about it too. Too bad that Totaku could not come to the tavern. She could not hold her liquor very well, plus it was not really her scene.
Sasuke Takeda was their most recent addition to their merry little band. He was hired by Kosonsan when he revealed he was an Armored War God. He came out of nowhere and showed what he could do. Impressed, and maybe a bit desperate, Kosonsan hired him to serve her.
Sasuke gradually grew closer to Hideyoshi, Kenshin, Kayu and even Kosonsan. He proved to be a trusted comrade and a capable fighter. Sasuke was not just badass as an Armored War God, but he was good on the flute too. His music drew girls to him like bees to honey. It was so beautiful, so amazing, so alluring, and almost hypnotic. It was like magic and his music could cast a spell on anyone who was listening. It just made them want to stop what they were doing and come listen to him. It was how Sasuke made money when he ended up in this world. Even Kenshin was impressed by how easily Sasuke could attract a crowd with just his music. Kosonsan also enjoyed listening to him play on his flute. It was very relaxing.
Sasuke was also good at holding his liquor which made him the ideal drinking buddy. He pretty much matched Kenshin when it came to drinking contests. Hideyoshi abstained from such contests since he did not like being inebriated. He liked to be able to think clearly. He took the role of the responsible individual in their group and the voice of reason. The only time he got really drunk was when he wanted to cope after a particularly bad night. Still, he could drink and only stopped when he got a bit tipsy.
While hanging out at the tavern, they would exchange stories and tell jokes. Basically, they would talk about anything, like how their day went and what they had done in the past. Any topic was on the table and nothing was taboo.
Kenshin once asked Hideyoshi what it was like banging a loli. Hideyoshi did not smack him, knowing it was a joke, but it was not something he was willing to divulge while sober. He did divulge a little, but he never went into much detail. He just said it was 'great' and that was it. Hopefully, Totaku would reveal more to Kayu so she could dish out back to Kenshin. He was curious. He wanted to know.
Right now, Kenshin was complaining about the 'lucky bastards' with harems while drinking his troubles away. It was his way of venting.
"Damn that Baron guy! He's banging Sousou's two hot generals! I bet he's banging his lieutenants too!" Kenshin whined before taking a gulp of wine. He hated guys that surrounded themselves with hot babes so easily. It was infuriating.
"Kenshin, just because he surrounds himself with attractive women, it doesn't mean he takes advantage of them for sex," Hideyoshi reasoned.
"Oh yeah? What about Nagata?" Kenshin challenged. "Didn't Ei send you a letter about Nagata making a harem with his subordinates?"
Hideyoshi frowned back at Kenshin.
"Please stop reading my mail, Kenshin."
"Well, you're not denying it, are ya?"
"Gaim is powerful and women are normally attracted to powerful people," Kayu stated. "It makes sense that his officers would all fall for him."
"Damn it! I'm so jealous! I bet he has orgies every night!" Kenshin exclaimed in jealous anger. Nagata's officers were all very beautiful. There was Kanu with her long black hair, Bacho with her tomboyish charm and great legs, Chou'un who was just so mysterious, Ryuubi who was energetic and cheerful, and finally Ryofu who was just so sweet.
Kenshin could already picture it. Nagata intertwined in a pile of soft, nubile flesh. The girls would be ready and willing for him and let him do whatever he wanted with them. He imagined Nagata doing the girls, their bodies all covered in sweat in a middle of a hot orgy.
He couldn't help but feel jealous, especially since Ryofu was part of Nagata's harem. He hated the fact that Ryofu had fallen for Nagata. It broke his heart to learn that the girl he was crushing on had already given her heart to somebody else.
Did Ryofu enjoy riding on top cowgirl style or do it doggy style? Either way, it was probably very, very hot! Nagata probably made her scream his name whenever they fucked.
Lucky bastard!
It was hard for Kenshin to accept but overtime he was able to get over it and move on.
It also helped that he had a dummy of Nagata he could stab during the period.
"I doubt he has orgies every night," Hideyoshi rebutted. Nagata would need rest and a good night's sleep.
"Do you really want a harem so much?" Sasuke asked Kenshin.
"Yeah, it's a man's dream! Women are like GoLion! The more there are, the better it gets!" Kenshin answered shamelessly. That sounded stupidly sexist.
"Are you saying I'm not enough to satisfy you, Ken?" Kayu asked, giving him a playful glare.
"Kayu, you're hot! You're smoking hot! But I think it'll be more fun if we have like maybe one or two or even three more girls joining us!" Kenshin answered honestly and without shame. He was thinking of going back to that brothel in Son Go with Kayu. Some of the girls might be up for a good time for the right price.
Hideyoshi cautiously pulled the bottle of wine away from Kenshin.
"OK, I think it's time to cut you off, Kenshin. You've had a bit too much," Hideyoshi advised.
"Come on! I'm not even buzzed yet!" Kenshin whined as he reached for the bottle but Hideyoshi held it out of reach.
"Your lips are starting to get loose. No more drinking," Hideyoshi told him firmly.
"Fine, Mom!" Kenshin huffed. "You're a fun sucker, you know that?"
"Someone has to be the designated rider, and you know what happens if you ride a horse drunk," Hideyoshi reminded.
As Hideyoshi and Kenshin continued to banter, Sasuke decided to bring something up.
"So, while I was traveling, I heard that you three saved To province. Care to give me the details?"
Kenshin grinned. Oh, he was waiting for a chance to brag. Hideyoshi rolled his eyes while Kayu smiled, amused.
"Oh, you want to hear about that?" Kenshin asked as he smiled proudly.
"Yes," Sasuke affirmed. "I mean, second-hand accounts pale in comparison to a tale told by the one who experienced it."
"Don't be too sure. Sometimes the storyteller will exaggerate and embellish," Hideyoshi remarked.
"When have I ever exaggerated?" Kenshin shot back, offended. Hideyoshi adjusted his glasses and gave Kenshin a deadpan stare. "Just let me tell the story, alright? This is the best story ever, Sasuke, and all the best stories are ones that are true! This is the epic tale of how the Heroic Kurokage liberated To from the evil clutches of the white-clad pinecone heads...with the help of his sidekicks."
"And so it begins," Hideyoshi groaned. He was nobody's sidekick and neither was Kayu.
Kayu kicked Kenshin's leg under the table for calling her a sidekick.
Sasuke listened with rapt attention as Kenshin started his tale.
Sangokuden Armored War Gods Saga: End of the Armored War Gods
Co-Written By: Ten-Faced Paladin and Kamen Rider Chrome
Beta Reader/Editor: Busterleader92
Chapter 22: The Liberation of To Gaiden
"So, there we were, on a path back to To province. This was the place where we first met Yue and Ren. It was where we had our chance to be heroes we were meant to be. What called us here? Was it fate? Was it destiny? Nobody knows."
"Actually, we just dropped by to check up on the place," Hideyoshi interjected.
"Hey, this is my story!" Kenshin snapped. "Don't hijack it!"
"I'm just trying to give the facts," Hideyoshi defended. "Continue."
"Anyway, so there we were..."
"It's been a long time since we were here. Wonder how much has the place changed since," said Kenshin. After Totaku was made Empress, she left somebody in charge to run To province.
"Not much, I assume. It's just a small province," Kayu shrugged.
Hideyoshi noticed something was off about the place.
"Do either of you notice something different about this place?" Hideyoshi asked. There should be people out and about, either doing errands or enjoying the day. There should be children out playing. But there was none of that. The street was empty. It was like a ghost town. The place would've appeared completely abandoned if he did not see people peeking through their windows at them. It was like they were hiding.
"It's not as warm or welcoming as I remember," Kayu answered.
"Something's not right," Kenshin observed.
Kenshin's guess rang true as a group of guards came to confront them. There were ten of them and they were clad in white robes with hardened expressions on their faces. They were also armed with spears, which made it clear that their intentions were less than friendly.
"Halt! You're coming with us!" one of the guards in white robes ordered as he and his fellow guards pointed their spears at the trio.
"Why?" Kenshin asked. As far as he was concerned, none of them had done anything wrong. They had just arrived in town to see how it was and found it depressing.
"Do not ask questions! Come with us!" the guard demanded as he pointed his spear threateningly at Kenshin.
"Do you know what an innuendo is?"
"Come with us, now!"
Kenshin would not have any of that as he grabbed the spear and wrenched it out of the guard's hands.
"Hey, we're gonna ask questions if we want! Now what the fuck is going on!?" Kenshin demanded as he snapped the spear over his knee.
Hideyoshi facepalmed as the guard glared angrily at Kenshin. Kayu just chuckled at Kenshin's reaction to being threatened. He never respected authority outside of Totaku's and reacted aggressively to threats.
"How dare you!?" the guard shouted as he reached into his robe. Kenshin, Kayu, and Hideyoshi were surprised when they saw him take out a SengokuDriver and strap it on. The rest of the guards with him also strapped on their own SengokuDrivers.
"They got Drivers!" stated Hideyoshi, alarmed as the guards whipped out and unlocked identical Matsubokkuri Lockseeds.
[MATSUBOKKURI!]
"Yeah, I can see that, Hideyoshi," replied Kenshin as their group watched the white-robed guards lock in their Lockseeds.
[LOCK ON!]
Kenshin scowled as he saw them use copies of his signature Lockseed.
[MATSUBOKKURI ARMS! ICHIGEKI IN THE SHADOW!]
"Oh, that's just bullshit!" Kenshin cursed as he watched them transform into Kurokages with white scarves.
"So, you were mad because they bootlegged you," Sasuke concluded.
"Those guys had the nerve to copy me! Me! I'm supposed to be the only Kurokage around!" snapped Kenshin angrily.
"Were there really ten guards? It seems a bit too many just to confront three strangers, especially when they had SengokuDrivers and Lockseeds," Sasuke pointed out.
"It was about that number, give or take," Hideyoshi replied with a shrug, not really caring to amend that detail.
"Look, do you want to hear the rest of the story or not?" Kenshin asked, annoyed by the interruption and having the validity of his story being questioned.
"My apologies," said Sasuke. "Please continue."
"So we started to kick all ten of their cracker asses!"
"Henshin!" Hideyoshi and Kenshin called out.
[COME ON! DONGURI ARMS! NEVER GIVE UP!]
[SOIYA! MATSUBOKKURI ARMS! ICHIGEKI IN THE SHADOW!]
The Knockoff Troopers took a step back in surprise as Hideyoshi and Kenshin transformed.
"'Knockoff Troopers'?" Sasuke questioned.
"Well, that's what they are, aren't they?" Kenshin retorted.
Sasuke wanted to point out how hypocritical, and not to mention how ironic, that sounded. Technically, wasn't Kenshin a knockoff of the original Kurokage from Kamen Rider Gaim? Then again, in this world, Kenshin was the first person who took the name Kurokage. So, perhaps, he should be allowed to lay claim to it.
"And the two of you transformed," Sasuke claimed.
"Actually, all three of us transformed," Kayu claimed.
"You as well?" Sasuke asked.
Kayu strapped on Kenshin's GenesisDriver and took out the Matsubokkuri Energy Lockseed.
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY!]
"Henshin."
[LOCK ON!]
[LIQUID! MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY ARMS! SEI, YOISHO, WASSHOI!]
Kayu transformed alongside her comrades, donning the armor of Armored War God Kurokage-Shin. She was still armed with her Kongo Explosive Axe instead of the standard Kagematsu-Shin.
With the To Trio transformed, there was only one thing on their mind.
"Alright, let's kick their fucking asses!" Kurokage declared.
The To Trio heroically engaged the villainous Knockoff Troopers. It was an epic battle between the heroes who fought for good and the losers who fought for evil.
"How did you know they were evil?" Sasuke asked. He did not question why Kenshin was not mad about Kayu wearing the same armor as him. She was likely exempt from his ire for being his friend and having permission to do so.
"They wanted to arrest us when we did nothing wrong and I know a crooked guard when I see one," Kenshin answered.
"Fair point."
"So, all three of us were fighting the Knockoff Troopers. In the middle of the fight, Hideyoshi hit me in the head," Kenshin pointed.
"I said I was sorry! You all looked alike!" Hideyoshi snapped.
"Now that's just racist."
"No, it's not!"
WHAM!
"Ow! Dude! Seriously!?" Kurokage snapped as Gridon had whacked him in the back of the head with his Donkachi.
"Sorry! You all just look alike!" Gridon cried in his defense.
"You know, if I was black, that would've been racist," Kurokage grumbled.
Kayu knew how to deal with the Knockoff Troopers and aimed for their weak spots. She swung her Kongo Explosive Axe, sending the Knockoff Troopers reeling. When she found an opening, she aimed for their belts. One Knockoff Trooper was bereft of his SengokuDriver instantly, causing his armor to vanish. Kayu soon finished off the poor unfortunate soul with a slash of her weapon. She paid the dead man no mind as she went for her next target.
"The three of us kicked major ass that day," Kenshin smiled proudly.
"You also beat them up by using me like a hammer," Hideyoshi reminded.
Sasuke blinked.
"Use you like a hammer?" Sasuke repeated.
"Allow me to explain," Hideyoshi continued the story.
"Hideyoshi, this is my story!" Kenshin complained.
"Just let me tell this part."
Gridon screamed as Kurokage held him by the legs and began swinging him around. His armor was sturdy and quite hard as he bashed against the charging Knockoff Troopers.
"Kenshin! Put me down!"
"No way, dude! We're winning!"
"Just put me the fuck down, asshole!"
"OK, fine! Just brace yourself!"
"What? Wait, no! Stop! Don't you fucking dare!"
Kurokage did fucking dare as he spun around and around before he released Gridon. He went flying like a bullet and knocked down several Knockoff Troopers as he crashed into them. They went down like bowling pins.
"Strike!" Kurokage yelled jubilantly.
"He threw me like a bowling ball," Hideyoshi grumbled as he remembered the day.
"We still won, didn't we?" Kenshin asked and Hideyoshi responded with a glare. "OK, so we beat all those fake Kurokages with our teamwork and might. Of course, that was not the end of it. We wanted to know why they were in To province in the first place."
The To Trio dismissed their suits after they defeated the Knockoff Troopers.
"Alright, asshole! You better start talking! Tell us who sent you and where you got those Drivers!" Kenshin demanded as he violently shook one of the guards. "Answer me!"
"Kenshin, it's no use. He's unconscious," Hideyoshi told his friend and Kenshin let the guard collapse to the ground in a heap.
"Alright, fine! But I'm still pissed! They stole my look!" Kenshin complained.
"Imitation is supposed to be the highest form of flattery," Hideyoshi attempted to placate his friend.
"Well, I don't feel fucking flattered! I'm pissed off! Someone has to answer for this!"
"Maybe you'll be able to find them. They're right there," Kayu said as she pointed ahead. Hideyoshi and Kenshin looked up at the tall 50 story tower that stood proudly.
"How was it that we didn't notice that until now?" Hideyoshi gaped.
Kayu shrugged.
"So, you saw a tower," Sasuke said.
"And ain't none of us have seen it before," Kenshin replied.
"It was suspicious so we decided to check it out," Kayu continued.
"But not before we found out what was going on," finished Hideyoshi.
"So we asked around. Not a lot of people were willing to talk, but we did meet an old man who told us that the new magistrate was the one who had the tower built. He also hired those Kurokage posers to work for him," Kenshin added.
"While we were asking around, we noticed how the people seemed miserable. It was like all the happiness was drained from them. They told us that the magistrate was overtaxing them. That tax money was used to build that tower," Kayu continued.
"The magistrate even took young girls to serve him. That was when we decided to investigate the tower itself," Hideyoshi stated.
The To Trio went to the tower and saw the entrance was guarded by a pair of men in white robes. Fortunately, Hideyoshi, Kayu, and Kenshin were all dressed in the white robes they had stolen from the guards that had confronted them earlier. They had their hoods up to hide their faces.
"We came to report back to the magistrate," Hideyoshi informed the guards. They allowed the trio entry. As the door closed behind them, Kenshin, Kayu, and Hideyoshi got out of their disguises.
"That was way easier than I thought," Kayu remarked.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Miyabi. Those guys must be dumb to let us inside without checking us," Kenshin replied.
"No, she's right. That was too easy," Hideyoshi agreed.
"Come on, let's go up there and teach the guy in charge a lesson!" Kenshin prompted.
It was a harrowing climb to the top.
10 stories later...
"OK...we're almost there guys! Just keep going!" Kenshin encouraged as he ran up the stairs with Kayu and Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi was already panting. He really wished there were elevators in this era. That would've made this whole thing easier.
25 stories later...
"Oh God...this is torture!" wailed an exhausted Hideyoshi as he continued to run up the stairs with his two companions. "Why are there so many stairs!?"
"Hustle up, buddy! We're halfway there!"
"Only halfway!?" Hideyoshi yelled.
40 stories later...
The trio continued to run up the flights of stairs, panting, huffing and puffing, sweat soaking their skin and clothes. However, they didn't let the number of stairs discourage them.
"Can't we take a break!?" Hideyoshi yelled as he was lying down against the steps and struggling to keep up as he climbed with them. He was breathing heavily.
"Move your ass, Hideyoshi! We have ten more to the top!" Kenshin yelled.
Hideyoshi let out a very loud groan at that.
"So, you three climbed all fifty flights of stairs all the way to the top?" Sasuke asked skeptically.
"Yes..." Hideyoshi groaned. Just remembering it was making him exhausted. He knew he needed to work out more. Everyone around him kept reminding him. He had always been intimidated by tall buildings because of how many steps it took to get to the top. Fortunately, modern technology in his original world allowed him to do so easily with escalators and elevators. No such things in this era, unfortunately.
"But we still made it to the top. I even offered to carry Hideyoshi up the rest of the way," Kenshin added. "He said no."
"Of course I said no. I still have my decency," Hideyoshi defended.
"Couldn't you all have just flown up there? I know Hideyoshi-san has access to Suika Arms," Sasuke pointed out.
Kenshin, Hideyoshi, and Kayu fell silent. They never thought of that and simultaneously mentally slapped their foreheads.
"Anyway...we reached the top," Kenshin continued the story.
The top...Finally!
"Finally! We're here!" Kenshin cried victoriously as they reached the top floor. He and Kayu looked a bit winded but they were still ready to fight. Hideyoshi, on the other hand, was pathetically climbing up the stairs on his hands and feet. He then collapsed on the floor.
"Thank God...I'm...so fucking...out of...shape!" Hideyoshi wheezed and panted, "I need...I need to lie down...I need...water...I think I'm gonna throw up."
"You really are out of shape," Kayu remarked as she looked at their exhausted tactician.
"She's right. You should work out more instead of sitting at your desk all day," agreed Kenshin as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
Hideyoshi slowly picked himself up and bent over with his hands on his knees. He took off his sweat-coated glasses and tried to muster the scariest glare he could. He aimed his hardened gaze at his friends while he huffed and puffed, "Fuck...you...guys!"
The To Trio stood in front of a set of majestic doors which was decorated by lions.
"Alright, guys. Behind these doors is the bad guy whose ass we are going to kick. Are you ready?" Kenshin asked with determination.
"I'm ready," Kayu stated firmly. She was ready for action with a vicious look on her face. If she were a man, she would have a raging murder boner.
"'Raging murder boner'?" Sasuke repeated, cocking an eyebrow at the odd phrase.
"Metaphorically speaking," Kenshin clarified. "Still hot, though."
"If you say so..."
"Just...let me...catch my breath," Hideyoshi gasped as he took deep gulps of air and stood up straight. "OK, I'm OK. I'm OK." He rolled his shoulders. "Let's do this."
"You sure you don't need to take five, buddy?" Kenshin asked, concerned.
"No, I'm good. Let's kick butt."
"That's the spirit. OK, on three, we kick the doors open dramatically. 1...2...3!"
The Terrific To Trio kicked the doors open.
"Ow, my foot!" Hideyoshi yelped.
"We finally confronted the bad guy who had taken over the place," Kenshin told Sasuke. "Too bad that Hideyoshi here ruined our heroic entrance by spraining his foot on the door. Wuss."
Hideyoshi shot back, "We just climbed fifty fucking flights of stairs! It was torture! I needed a minute to catch my breath!"
"Anyway...there we were, confronting the guy sitting on Yue's throne."
"She didn't have a throne when she was a magistrate."
"Zip it! Anyway..."
"Well, well, well. I've been expecting you three to show up here."
There he was, the new magistrate, flanked by two guards. He was a young man with an impressive muscular build for his age. He wore a sleeveless black tunic with a brown vest and a red sash around his waist. He wore a pair of black slacks and slippers on his feet. Wrapped around his forearms were bandages and he wore fingerless gloves with studs on the knuckles. His black hair was untamed, like a lion's mane, befitting his name.
He had a pair of girls on either side of his throne, dressed in qipao with extremely short skirts, waving fans. In addition, he had a small army of goons guarding him.
"And his name was Shishi Ouin!" Kenshin announced. "Dun, dun, duuun!"
"Also known as Yue-hime's uncle," Hideyoshi added.
They had learned this fact from Totaku herself when they told her about this particular adventure. They were shocked to learn that the sweet little girl was related to such a jackass.
For a moment, Sasuke pictured Shishi with an eyepatch, a scar across his cheek, a mechanical arm and cat on his lap like a typical Bond villain. Also, he imagined the servant girls wearing slave bikinis.
"Are you the new asshole in charge?" Kenshin asked. The guards bristled at the disrespect Kenshin dared show their boss, but Shishi simply smiled in amusement.
"I'm amazed you made it all the way up here," Shishi responded.
"It was not really that hard," Hideyoshi replied as he recovered from his exhausted panting and gasping. "Your guards are not really that smart."
"I guess that's what I get for hiring cheap labor," Shishi huffed.
"Alright, enough small talk! Now who are you and what have you done to this place?" Kayu demanded.
"I'm just running the place like I'm supposed to," Shishi answered. "Oh, and please call me Shishi-sama. That's an order."
"Sorry, we don't take orders from rotten douchebags like you. So go fuck yourself with a lemon and suck on it," Kenshin retorted.
"I'm guessing he took offense to that," Sasuke remarked.
"Hey, nobody demands anything from me, especially not respect," Kenshin defended, arms crossed proudly. Totaku never demanded it from him, but he respected her anyway. He also followed her orders because he liked her so much. "So then he sends his goons to attack us."
"It was not something we couldn't handle," said Kayu.
"But then we also had to fight a blind kung fu master!" Kenshin claimed.
The Blind Kung Fu Master was a bald elderly gentleman. He had a long white beard and was dressed in a black kung fu shirt with white kung fu pants and black sandals. His eyes were completely white, indicating that he was blind.
"I am the Blind Kung Fu Master! Face me at your own peril!" the Blind Kung Fu Master challenged.
"Alright, Mr. BKFM! What's your name?" Kenshin demanded.
"I am Yu."
"Wait, how can you be me! I'm me! You're you!"
"Yes, that is what I said. I am Yu."
"No, you're not! I'm me!"
"Yes, you are. And I'm Yu."
"Stop playing fucking mind games old man and tell me your real name!"
"I am Yu."
"Fuck you!"
"You want to fuck me?"
"AAARRRGGGGGHHHH! GO TO HELL! LET'S FIGHT!"
Kenshin and the BKFM had an epic battle that was awesome and cool and completely not made up!
"Wait a minute! That never happened!" Hideyoshi denied. "There was no blind master! You're just making things up! Just like the ostrich!"
"Hey, that ostrich was real!" Kenshin insisted defensively.
"Ostriches don't live in China! Just admit you lost the map!"
"That ostrich stole the map!"
"You were probably hallucinating!"
"I know what I fucking saw! And before you say anything, I was fucking sober!"
"Could we get back to the story, please?" Sasuke asked, interrupting their (stupid) argument.
Kenshin and Hideyoshi stopped arguing and got back to the story.
"OK, so there wasn't a blind kung fu master, but he did send his goons," Kenshin started again.
Shishi ordered, "Take care of them, my goons."
The men in white clothes strapped on their Drivers. Only one of them used a GenesisDriver while the rest used SengokuDrivers with blank Rider Indicators. Realizing what was happening, the two servant girls fled, leaving behind their fans.
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY!]
[MATSUBOKKURI!]
[LOCK ON!]
[LIQUID! MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY ARMS! SEI, YOISHO, WASSHOI!]
[MATSUBOKKURI ARMS! ICHIGEKI IN THE SHADOW!]
The White Cloth soldiers transformed into identical Riders and Kenshin growled in anger as these knockoffs surrounded him with copies of his Kagematsu.
"Oh, look at me! I'm a little girly guard dressing up as a lame knockoff!" Kenshin taunted the Knockoff Commander and Knockoff Troopers.
"Now, my Loyal Knockoff Troopers! Destroy the Terrific To Trio!" King Douchebag Shishi ordered.
"OK, I was not there, but I know he did not say that," Sasuke interjected.
"I told you he'd exaggerate and embellish," Hideyoshi reminded.
"Yes, you did."
"Look, I'm trying to make the story interesting so I'm paraphrasing," Kenshin defended. "Anyway, there we were, completely surrounded but we were not going down without a fight..."
Kayu strapped on Kenshin's GenesisDriver and smiled as Kenshin and Hideyoshi strapped on their SengokuDrivers. Standing back-to-back while facing the horrible horde of Knockoff Troopers, the To Terrific Trio prepared to do battle.
"Let's get dangerous!" ordered Kenshin as they took out their Lockseeds and unlocked them.
[DONGURI!]
[MATSUBOKKURI!]
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY!]
"Henshin!" the Terrific To Trio declared as one as they locked in their Lockseeds and changed into their suits of armor.
[LOCK ON!]
[COME ON! DONGURI ARMS! NEVER GIVE UP!]
[SOIYA! MATSUBOKKURI ARMS! ICHIGEKI IN THE SHADOW!]
[LIQUID! MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY ARMS! SEI, YOISHO, WASSHOI!]
"And like before, we began to kick all of their butts," Kenshin told Sasuke smugly.
King Douchebag Shishi watched as the Terrific To Trio battled his Horrible Horde of Knockoff Troopers.
"Kurokage Rider Chop!" Kurokage yelled as he performed a karate chop, his hand glowing as he swung his arm. The strike caused sparks to explode like fireworks as it made impact. The Cheap Knockoff Trooper was sent flying by the attack and he exploded into a fireball. The Horrible Horde hesitated but a roar from King Douchebag Shishi drove them to attack again, despite knowing how futile it was.
"Kurokage Rider Punch!"
"Kurokage Rider Kick!"
Kurokage was giving the Knockoff Troopers a brutal beatdown. They were no match for his awesomeness.
Back with Gridon, he screamed as he played Whack-a-Mole with the Horrible Horde of Knockoff Troopers. His Donkachi smashed into their heads as Gridon attacked them. Any trace of exhaustion from earlier evaporated as he was being pushed by pure adrenaline. For a nerd, he was very good at fighting as he swung his tiny hammer around. It may not be as awesome as a spear, but it got the job done.
And there was Kayu, clad in the form of Kurokage-Shin. Now she was no knockoff. She had actual skill and strength to use the armor, unlike these posers. She was graceful and violent, not to mention deadly and beautiful. Instead of the default Kagematsu-Shin, she was using her signature Kongo Explosive Axe. This time, the name was literal as each strike that connected cause the Knockoff Troopers to explode. None of them stood a chance against the lovely and powerful Kayu.
Sasuke cocked an eyebrow and looked at Kayu and Kenshin suspiciously.
"Are you both an item?" he asked.
"We're just friends with benefits," Kenshin and Kayu answered simultaneously.
Sasuke was not convinced. The way Kenshin described Kayu spoke of more than just sexual attraction.
[SOIYA! MATSUBOKKURI SPARKING!]
[COME ON! DONGURI SPARKING!]
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY SQUASH!]
The Terrific To Trio delivered their finishers, taking out the Horde of Horrible Knockoff Troopers. The Horde exploded around them, fireballs erupting all over the floor. None of them made it as they were destroyed.
Kurokage even collected a nice little prize as the Kurokage Commander 'dropped' his GenesisDriver. Kurokage picked it up to remove the Genesis Core and Matsubokkuri Energy Lockseed.
"Heh, score."
But their battle was not over. Asshole Overlord Shishi stood up from his throne and clapped mockingly at the Terrific To Trio.
"'Asshole Overlord'? Wasn't he 'King Douchebag'?" Sasuke interrupted.
"He deserved another insulting nickname," Kenshin retorted, shrugging.
So, Asshole Overlord Shishi mockingly and sarcastically applauded the Terrific To Trio's victory.
"So you've beaten my minions! Very good! Now, let's see how you handle a real challenge!"
Asshole Overlord Shishi strapped on his own GenesisDriver and whipped out his Grapefruit Energy Lockseed.
[GRAPEFRUIT ENERGY!]
"Henshin," Shishi growled like a constipated lion.
[LOCK ON! SODA! GRAPEFRUIT ENERGY ARMS!]
And Asshole Overlord Shishi transformed into Armored War Devil Kagemusha.
[GRAPEFRUIT ENERGY SPARKING!]
Kagemusha aimed his Sonic Arrow skyward. He fired hundreds of energy bolts, indoors. Normally, they would pierce the walls and ceilings. However, instead of ascending like the Terrific To Trio expected, the energy bolts homed in on them.
There was nowhere to run and the three of them were hit by the energy bolts. Sparks exploded violently off their armor before they went down. Smoke wafted off their suits as they groaned in pain.
Kagemusha stepped toward the Terrific To Trio, strutting confidently as he had beaten them with a single blow. Now he was picking who he should kill first.
Should he start with Kurokage, or maybe Kayu? No, he decided to pick Gridon. After all, why not? It really did not make much of a difference. He was planning to kill them all anyway. He might as well start with someone, right?
Asshole.
"Wait, but doesn't Hideyoshi-san have the Xuanwu Lockseed?" Sasuke asked. "Why didn't he just use that?"
"Didn't think we needed it," Hideyoshi answered, regretfully. That day was a painful reminder that he should use his most powerful Lockseed more often. It would've made the fight easier.
"Well, hindsight is 20/20."
"Do you guys mind?" Kenshin demanded, annoyed that his story was interrupted. "I'm about to get to the good part."
Kagemusha picked Gridon and held the edge of his Sonic Arrow's blade to his throat.
"Any last words?" Kagemusha asked like a typical villainous asshole.
"Yeah. Suck my sweaty dick, asshole!" Gridon snapped.
"Did you really say that?" Sasuke interjected.
"I was caught up in the moment," Hideyoshi defended.
"But then something shocking happened!" Kenshin claimed.
Kurokage and Kayu were not able to save their friend, but then help would come from the most unexpected of places in the most unexpected way.
All of a sudden, the wall exploded. Wood splintered and debris littered the floor. Kagemusha was knocked off balance.
And right there in the middle of the floor was a giant metal watermelon.
"Guess who decided to drop by," Kenshin challenged.
"Who was it?" Sasuke asked curiously.
"Knuckle," the To Trio answered.
Knuckle's head popped out of the top, his visor was red like watermelon flesh.
"Hey, guys! Need help?" Knuckled asked.
"Where the Hell did you come from?" Kurokage demanded.
"Oh, I was in the neighborhood and decided to drop by," Knuckle said. He then turned his gaze to Kagemusha. "Hey, it's you!"
Kagemusha grumbled as he climbed to his feet. He glared at the Armored War Gods. He was confident enough that he could beat them, but he was angry because Knuckle had just blown a huge hole open in his wall.
That wall was expensive!
[COCONUT ARMS! HEAVY DUTY MUSCLEMAN!]
Knuckle performed an Arms Change as he switched Lockseeds. The Suika Arms Armor Part disappeared as Knuckle landed on his feet, clad in his A-Class Coconut Arms Armor Part. The Terrific To Trio got back up and regrouped with their newly arrived ally. They stared down Kagemusha who was trembling. Was it out of anger, fear or maybe even both?
Meanwhile, Kurokage removed his Rider Indicator. He replaced it with the Genesis Core he had picked up and snapped it onto the Rider Indicator's space.
"Time to take this to the next level!" Kurokage declared as he activated the Knockoff Commander's Matsubokkuri Energy Lockseed.
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY!]
Kurokage then locked it in the Genesis Core.
[LOCK ON!]
This caused his Matsubokkuri Arms Armor Part to fold back into its pinecone form and rise up to fuse with the identical Matsubokkuri Energy Armor Part. Both Armor Parts fused to create the Jimber Armor Part.
[MIX! MATSUBOKKURI ARMS! ICHIGEKI IN THE SHADOW! JIMBER MATSUBOKKURI! HA-HA!]
The Jimber Arms adorned by Kurokage was the same shape as the ones worn before by his fellow Armored War Gods. The front of the Jimber Matsubokkuri Arms was dark brown and decorated with a pinecone pattern with his personal symbol on the left side in silver. A new addition had been added to his helmet: a crest shaped like a jumonji yari. In his hands, the Kagematsu-Shin appeared.
"Alright, asshole! Let me show you how the real Kurokage is supposed to fight!" Kurokage declared as he twirled his weapon. The four Armored War Gods stood together, staring Kagemusha down, challenging him.
Kagemusha growled in frustration. He was so close to victory only to have it ripped away. Well, desperate times called for desperate actions. He took out a talisman and then slapped it on his armor. It glowed and vanished, the characters on it absorbed into Kagemusha's body. He then roared as he felt a surge of power. His muscles bulged as energy erupted from his body like a Super Saiyan. He even had the hair which magically appeared on his helmet. It was like a golden and spiky lion's mane, or Super Saiyan hair.
"I'LL CRUSH YOU ALL!"
"Making a 'Dragonball Z' references?" Sasuke asked Kenshin.
"With how his hair was, he looked like a Super Saiyan," Kenshin insisted.
"What's 'Dragonball Z' and what is a 'Super Saiyan'?" Kayu asked. She did not get the reference.
Hideyoshi leaned in to whisper to Kayu.
"Just something from our world. It's hard to explain, even if I tried."
"It's my story. I'm telling it my way," Kenshin persisted.
"So a power-up talisman?" Sasuke questioned.
"Well, Ukitsu is supposed to be a magician so it makes sense for him to supply his cohorts with magical power-up items," said Hideyoshi.
"So, this is where you beat him?" Sasuke asked.
"And he stood no chance against us," Kenshin claimed confidently.
"Actually, what happened was..." Hideyoshi started to amend.
Super Asshole Kagemusha pounced on the four Armored War Gods. He swiped at them with his Sonic Arrow, sending them reeling. Kurokage was the first to recover as he swung his Kagematsu-Shin. Kagemusha parried the strike and retaliated with his Sonic Arrow, sending Kurokage tumbling.
Knuckle tried to attack him from the other direction, but Super Asshole Kagemusha stopped him in his tracks with several shots from his Sonic Arrow. Kayu jumped in, slashing at Kagemusha, but he quickly turned his Sonic Arrow on her, throwing her to the ground with a bolt.
Gridon swung at Kagemusha with his Donkachi but he dodged the attack. He sidestepped Gridon's following swing then kicked him in the stomach. He slashed Gridon several times, before knocking him to the floor with a punch.
Kagemusha looked around. The space his floor gave him was not enough for this fight. He would need more space. The aura around him flared out and he slammed his palm to the ground. Glowing cracks spread out from under him and the Armored War Gods realized what he was about to do.
"SHIT!" Kurokage cursed.
"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Gridon shouted.
The top floor of Shishi's tower exploded and the Terrific To Trio plus Knuckle were flung out of the building, trailing smoke behind them. They all screamed as they plummeted to the ground below.
Fortunately, Gridon was there to save their lives.
[COME ON! XUANWU ARMS! KUROTAMA NO TATE, GO ON!]
The Turtle Aura Beast merged with Gridon, adorning him in his powerful Xuanwu Arms Armor. As they continued to fall, Gridon gathered up all the water in the air, conjuring river-like streams of it as he spun his arms around and around. He then sent the water to the ground, forming a pool that was contained in an invisible barrier. The four Armored War Gods screamed as they dropped into the impromptu pool with a mighty splash.
Once their fall was broken, Gridon released his hold of the water. All wet, but safe, the Terrific To Trio and Knuckle regrouped.
"How did you do that?" Knuckle asked Gridon in awe.
"I've been practicing," Gridon answered.
Super Asshole Kagemusha descended, surrounded by a flame-like golden aura like a Super Saiyan. He did not even bother planting his feet on the ground as if he was too good to walk on the same ground as everyone else.
"That was impressive," Super Asshole Kagemusha praised sarcastically. "But it does not matter how strong you've become. All four of you will fall here today."
"We'll see about that, asshole," Kurokage growled. "Guys, how about we show this guy what we do to assholes?"
Gridon, Knuckle, and Kayu agreed.
Super Asshole Kagemusha fired his Sonic Arrow at them, which shot energy bolts that morphed into roaring lion heads. The Terrific To Trio and their ally separated as the roaring lion heads came at them. The roaring lion heads exploded when they hit the ground.
Kayu dashed towards Super Asshole Kagemusha and lashed out with her Kongo Explosive Axe. She swung but it was stopped by the aura around him which acted as a barrier. Her weapon got caught in it and Super Asshole Kagemusha simply smacked the female warrior away. She went into a tumble but recovered quickly.
Knuckle and Gridon attacked from behind and swung their weapons at him. Knuckle's Coco Boxers smashed into the barrier as the Xuanwu Spear crashed upon it. Their attacks had no effect as Super Asshole Kagemusha held them at bay.
"HYAH!" Kagemusha yelled as his aura exploded, sending the Ultimate Hammer and Ultimate Fist flying. "YOU CANNOT DEFEAT ME! I AM INVINCIBLE!"
"Oh, yeah! Feast your eyes on these!" Kurokage shouted. "Kurokage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
"'Kurokage Bunshin no Jutsu'?" Sasuke repeated. That sounded like something out of Naruto.
"Yup, that's my Jimber Matsubokkuri Arms' special ability. With it, I'm able to make clones of myself," Kenshin boasted.
"He's not making it up," Hideyoshi confirmed.
"And how did you figure out you could do that and right on the spot?" Sasuke asked Kenshin, curious. As far as everyone knew, Jimber Matsubokkuri Arms was not canon to the Gaim series. There were fan speculations about its special ability, though.
"I'm not sure how to explain it, but it was like the suit was telling me what it could do. It was like it fed the info right into my brain," Kenshin answered. It was weird, like how Eiji Hino figured out that GataKiriBa gave him the power to make clones. It was the only conclusion that made sense, as unbelievable as it sounded.
"Alright, so you made an army of yourself. Then what?" Sasuke asked, wanting to hear the rest of the story.
"OK, so I just did my Kurokage Bunshin no Jutsu, ready to kick all kinds of ass..."
Super Asshole Kagemusha watched as Kurokage flashed and multiple duplicates flashed into existence, brandishing their own Kagematsu-Shins. He counted 10 clones in total and scoffed.
"10, or 10,000, I will crush you all!" Super Asshole Kagemusha boasted.
"We'll see about that! Get him, boys!" Kurokage ordered.
"Yes, Boss!"
Kurokage and his clones attacked Super Asshole Kagemusha. Instead of standing idly, he retaliated. Each strike landed on his target, but he got a clone instead as they vanished in puffs of smoke. They poofed whenever they were hit with enough force, and with his power, he easily destroyed each and every single clone.
But then when Kagemusha was finished, he could not find the real Kurokage. Just where was he?
"SURPRISE, MOTHERFUCKER!"
Kurokage drove his Kagematsu-Shin at Super Asshole Kagemusha but the energy barrier protected him. Kurokage continued to drive his spear forward, determined to break through.
"You still think you can defeat me alone!?" Super Asshole Kagemusha roared.
"It's a good thing I'm not alone! Guys! Now!" Kurokage shouted.
Kayu swung her Kongo Explosive Axe down on Super Asshole Kagemusha. His barrier took the attack but she pressed on with determination. Sweat rolled down her face as she gritted her teeth. Her grip tightened around her weapon until the knuckles turned white. She was very determined to defeat Super Asshole Kagemusha.
Knuckle threw a barrage of punches, pounding furiously on Super Asshole Kagemusha's barrier. Each impact echoed a thunderclap which got only louder the harder Knuckle punched.
As invincible as Kagemusha believed his barrier to be, even it had limits as it grew weaker with each impact. He had to get the three of them off so he could recharge his protective barrier.
Wait a minute? Three? Where was the fourth one?
Where was Gridon?
"GRIDON SHIELD IMPACT!"
Gridon broke into a run as he charged toward Super Asshole Kagemusha with his shield held in front of him like a battering ram. The Armored War Devil's eyes widened in a panic. He tried to get away but he was pinned down and could not move.
Gridon rammed into Kagemusha, the impact crashing violently into his body. His aura was unable to protect him as it failed him and he was sent flying by the brutal shield bash. Kagemusha was sent tumbling along the ground. His aura faded as his artificial lion's mane wilted.
As the Armored War Gods regrouped, Kagemusha climbed to his feet. He would not be beaten here. He would not be beaten by these idiots again. Gathering what remained of his energy, he pushed the Seaboll Compressor twice, charging up for a powerful attack.
[GRAPEFRUIT ENERGY SPARKING!]
Energy gathered at the tip of his Sonic Arrow as he stretched the string. At the same time, a grapefruit-shaped energy barrier surrounded him, protecting him from any retaliation. As the glow at the tip of his Sonic Arrow grew brighter and brighter, the Armored War Gods prepared their own finisher.
[COME ON! XUANWU SPARKING!]
[SOIYA! MATSUBOKKURI SPARKING! JIMBER MATSUBOKKURI SPARKING!]
[MATSUBOKKURI ENERGY SPARKING!]
[COCONUT SPARKING!]
Both sides were charging up their attacks for maximum damage output. The four Armored War Gods lunged at Kagemusha who released his Sonic Arrow's bowstring. Hundreds of energy bolts shot toward them. Knuckle and Kayu were both hit and knocked to the ground, their suits fading not long after. Gridon used his shield to block the brunt of it, but even he could not withstand it for much longer.
Kurokage decided to use his trump card.
"Kurokage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Kurokage summoned his clones again and they threw themselves at Kagemusha. The beams homed in on the clones and all of them poofed out of existence. Kurokage threw his Kagematsu-Shin and it got stuck to the barrier. It hung there, suspended by the energy field. Kagemusha laughed at their attempt to harm him. There was nothing they could do. His defense was impregnable.
Kurokage grabbed Gridon's arm. Immediately, Gridon knew what Kurokage was about to do and nodded, granting him permission to do it. Kurokage spun around and around, gaining momentum with each rotation before he tossed Gridon straight at Kagemusha. Gridon held his shield forward, aiming for the Kagematsu-Shin. The bolts rained down on him, but his thick shield and powerful armor protected him from them.
He slammed into the Kagematsu-Shin and pushed it all the way through the barrier. It struck Kagemusha in the chest and he yelled out as he exploded. Gridon was flung back by the explosion and he landed on the ground. In a flash, his armor faded.
Kenshin deactivated his own suit and went to help his friend up.
"Are you OK?" Kenshin asked.
"Don't ever throw me like that again," Hideyoshi replied.
"No promises," Kenshin responded, smirking roguishly. Hideyoshi groaned, rolled his eyes, but returned the smile.
They looked to see that Kagemusha had survived but he was not looking too good as his armor was cracked all over. His GenesisDriver sparked dangerously as it had taken heavy damage from Gridon's Shield Impact. The Genesis Core and Grapefruit Energy Lockseed both popped up, separating as they fell to the ground.
Shishi reverted to his civilian form. Realizing he was no match for four Armored War Gods without his armor, especially one that was a Sovereign, Shishi decided it was time to make a retreat. He picked up the Grapefruit Energy Lockseed and took out a talisman.
"You'll all regret this! I'll be back!"
Those were Shishi's last (cliché) words before he vanished.
"And so the Super Asshole Shishi ran with his tail between his legs like a little bitch. The End," Kenshin concluded. He was really proud of the story and it was a good one. Sometimes he would tell it to kids and other times he would tell it to girls to impress them.
"So, what happened to the province?" Sasuke asked.
"We decided to hang around and help out until the residents were back on their feet," Kayu continued.
"We also looted Shishi's stash. It turns out he had kept a lot of the tax money for personal use," Hideyoshi added. "We gave all the money to the people since Shishi stole it from them under the pretense of taxing."
"We also freed the girls he kept locked up for his personal entertainment," Kenshin finished.
"So, you really did save To province," Sasuke smiled, impressed. "You're heroes."
"Yeah, damn straight!" Kenshin raised his cup. "A toast to heroes!"
"Kampai!"
KRC: I did mention I wanted to make the whole thing a Gaiden when I put that idea on my A/N in S512, but things change over time. I had this draft done months ago but was unable to do anything with it. So, I decided it would be told as a flashback from Kenshin's POV. As you can see, he likes to exaggerate and make stuff up. Most of it is true, though. Gridon was the one who dealt the finishing blow even if Kurokage could've just said he was the one who beat Kagemusha. Maybe if he told this story to girls just to brag.
BTW, when Kenshin said "Women are like GoLion", it's a variant of Red VS Blue's Tucker's "Women are like Voltron" line since GoLion was Voltron's original Japanese name.
Fruits of the Trees, Yggdrasil
Jimber Matsubokkuri Arms: This is an upgrade of Kurokage's Matsubokkuri Arms through simultaneous use of the Matsubokkuri Lockseed and Matsubokkuri Energy Lockseed. All his stats have increased. In addition, he gains the ability to create solid clones that he can use to overwhelm or distract his enemies. Kenshin calls this his 'Kurokage no Bunshin Jutsu (Black Shadow Clone Technique)'.
Hideyoshi, Kenshin, Sasuke and Kayu enjoyed the rest of their time at the tavern, but they still needed to return to Kosonsan's manor. She did not like it when they spent too much time away when they had work to do. Kenshin and Kayu got smashed, so Hideyoshi and Sasuke had to drag them back home and put them to bed.
Sasuke enjoyed the time he spent with the To Trio. They were fun to be around and were quite interesting characters. He was glad to have met them. And the story was quite entertaining too. It might be Kenshin stroking his own ego, but the story was not bad at all.
Sasuke returned to his quarters and found a letter waiting for him on his desk. He went over and picked it up. He unfolded the letter and read its contents to see what it was about.
Sasuke's eyes lit up once he finished reading it and he smiled as if he had gotten some very good news.
