Our History - Ninjara's Story
Ninjara tells a tale related to his college and the art it teaches. In chapter two, he recalls how this tale and the school's signature technique related to his life as a student.
Heyo. Yeah, decided to take a break from Master Mummy and try some Ninjara this time. You might be wondering why I don't write… well, anything anymore. The short answer is that I feel embarassed at my old uploads and some of the wording I chose. Also, a lack of time and motivation. But I'm old and wizened enough that I don't care if people call my stories cringe or overdramatic anymore, I'd just like to express my passion for the game and its characters in a way that the game itself cannot do. So, enjoy, and if you thought it was cringe, well, that's your opinion, bud. C'ya on the flip side.
There was once a time where Japan was not what it is today. Instead of CEO's, we answered to Daimyos and Shoguns. Instead of slaving away for your next assignment, you'd spend most of your days… fishing, picking rice or whatever else you could do to survive in those times.
But, no matter who ruled, no matter who you were and no matter what kind of person you are… Everyone feared and revered one thing.
Yokai.
Mythical creatures of a long-lost age, taking all kinds of shapes, sizes and what they would do. Some good. Most bad. All usually used to explain things people did not understand at the time. And though it seems impossible for you to imagine now, one phenomenon also had a yokai story because people did not understand it.
Let me tell you a story about the Emperor and the Tenaga-Oni, the Long-Armed Demon.
There was once a time where brigands used to roam the lands. To combat this, the Emperor and the lords of the land set out troops of soldiers to combat criminals.
One time, a samurai AND a commoner worked together to ransack a treasury. They both were caught, and justice was to be delivered. The court decided the samurai was to be punished dishonorably, whereas the commoner was to be publicly humiliated before his equally humiliating punishment.
The commoner, shocked by this news flash, ominously warned the daimyo after the samurai's punishment that, should the same punishment not be given to him, he would cast a horrendous curse across the land. Thinking it was a bluff, the man was given an even more excruciating pre-punishment. But as the blade for his final punishment met his neck, the commoner's head floated off and cackled eerily.
Days later, the daimyo responsible for the criminal's punishments was posessed by the spirit, transforming him into the Tenaga-Oni, who declared war against the Emperor and single-handedly tore through any army sent to stop him. Any low-life trying to pledge allegiance to the Oni was also met with an attack.
One day, the Emperor's son approached the Demon, armed with the best sword money could buy. Instead of aiming it at the Tenaga-Oni, however, the Prince aimed it at himself, declaring he would redeem Japan's honour. When the Prince's body hit the ground, however, the Tenaga-Oni simply laughed and continued as if nothing happened.
Hearing all the awful things the Tenaga-Oni had done, the Emperor felt ashamed and decided no one, not even the most dishonourable human, should have to suffer from the Oni's wrath. Needing a warrior with a way to surprise the demon and disable its infinitely stretching arms, he retreated into a monastery and trained his mind, finally finding a technique to defeat this foe.
This technique was quickly passed onto a group of hired spies and assassins. Yes, you guessed it correctly: Ninja. The monastery's guards already came to report the Tenaga-Oni approaching, and a plan was concocted. The demon tore through the sacred doors, licking his lips and salivating at the thought of wiping out the root of the injustice he suffered.
It was then the assassins performed the sacred technique on him, and with their well-aimed blows, Japan was finally rid of its deadliest demon ever recorded.
Now… You probably think this story is not true. By all accounts, I cannot confirm or deny your thoughts. Who knows? Maybe this scroll describing the technique was just devised by a scumbag ninja who fought against brave, honourable men with ARMS in order to do what he was paid to do. But that is not the point of this story.
The point of this story is that, should a villain using their ARMS- and the powers they get from the ability- for nefarious purposes rise? We will be there.
The thought that people deserve hope, justice and peace is conventional. The way and by whom those things are secured do not always have to be.
To be continued….