Kage is Kira

The Longest single chapter I've wrote so far. Beware headaches.

NOTE:

"Doryaaaaaaaaaa!": normal talking

"Charge!": special case

'Darn!': thoughts

GWA HA HA HA! : Giant creature speech

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

Please… read and review

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In times of war, there's a profession that is always hot in demand. That profession is mercenary work. To put it crudely, one needs only his life and some muscle as capital, so they say. Some talent in killing will also help. In large scale battle; in a collision between two great armies, no matter how adept the commander, fact is, at least 60% of the total number of soldiers from both forces will die. To wage a long campaign, an expeditionary force needs to replenish its ranks from time to time after each battle in order to keep the edge in numbers. But to constantly ask reinforcements from a distant HQ are inefficient and too time consuming. Not to mention the risk of the reinforcements being attacked mid trip, diseases, availability of supplies… A popular option is to temporarily bolster one's forces by hiring mercenaries. These mercenaries are quite costly, and truth be told, unless they get paid, they are far from trustworthy. But they compensate that with unique, field tested knowledge of warfare, the kind that one doesn't get in regular military training, and above all: they are expendable and they work.

The village of Sakai was ablaze. Its inhabitants were escaping as mercenaries and bandits poured in.

"Burn! Burn it all! Take all their food!" A mercenary light an entire house ablaze with his torch. Another kicked the house door open and went inside, a scream can be heard soon after. The granaries doors were being smashed open and the mercenaries were quick to take everything inside.

Yzak and Dearka observed all this from the cliff top. Dearka frowned. "Isn't this a bit too much buddy?"

"I don't care." Yzak seen enough though and turned around. The Mercenary Boss he had hired looked at him, awaiting his instructions, and payment. The Water Knight grumpily handed a bag filled with gold bullions. "As before, take the supplies. Send some men to send them running towards the Archangel. The rest of you come with us."

The mercenary smiled sinisterly upon seeing the gold bullion and left to give the instructions to his henchmen.

"I can't believe we're reduced to hiring these lowlifes…" Dearka gritted in annoyance.

"As long as I can avenge Master Veia, I don't care if I'm to become a demon damned for Hell."

Chapter 20:

Military Pledge

Somewhere in the forest, outside Fort Archangel

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Tolle jumped away as Kira's Tetsuga Tenshou nearly rip him to shred by a hairbreadth. "Oi! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Yes." Stone cold faced Kira replied nonchalantly with equally stone cold tone.

"Oh I see… wait, what?" Toille's expression changed drastically from a nervous smile to a horrid gasp.

"Katon Goukyaku no Jutsu!"

Tolle ran for his dear life again as Kira angrily sent a fireball his way which accidentally grazed Tolle's behind. His ass on fire, Tolle ran around in circles, screaming, searching for water. Milly also jumped into panic and quickly looked around searching for water.

"Oi, kid, are you pissed or something?" Mwu sweatdropped.

"Yes I am." Kira barked angrily, turning sharply to Mwu.

Mwu jumped from his seat as if Kira can burn him with his eyes. "Wow, before you burn me or send razor sharp shockwaves my way, I didn't come up with the Shadowguard idea."

"No, of course not. But how the hell they suddenly get their hands on so many Kage's outfit? Even ones that matched their size!"

Mwu raised his hands, signing he doesn't know.

Still pissed, Kira gritted his teeth and turned his attention back to Tolle, who had put out the fire from his ass,

"Oi! Kira! This is too much you know!" Tolle looked at Kira incredulously.

"Too much!" Kira barked angrily. "Goud Veia broke my arm, nearly tore my lungs inside out, bash my skull god knows how many times to stone cold floor, sent three-not one-but THREE iceberg sized dragons at me, and you think your ass on fire is already too much?"

Tolle gulped and start thinking more thoroughly and looked at Kira and get the message.

Kira sighed exasperatedly and spoke more calmly. "This is the scale. The levels of how things are being done if you're gonna step in my shoes. I don't want to do this either, but since you guys are so eager to die…" Kira tightened his grip to Shiki and growled. "-then let me teach what a close brush to death feels like!" And with that, Kira sent another Tetsuga Tenshou towards Tolle and Milly. The couple jumped away to different directions. But Kira quickly sent a "Katon, Karyuu Endan!" chasing after Tolle again.

Tolle is officially in panic. "Whoa, timeout! TIMEOUT! THIS IS WORSE THAN MWU'S TRAINING! TIMEOUT! AAAAAAAAAAHH!" But the fire dragon mercilessly chased after Tolle, and after a moment of cat and mouse game, the fire dragon clasped its flaming jaw upon the poor boy and exploded in a brilliant pyrotechnic display. "Mama, I'm flying…" Half conscious, and half alive, Tolle was thrown off sky high, charred head to toe with his ass is on bigger fire than before, and landed head first right next to an equally half burned and bruised head to toe Sai, who had tasted a training session with their new hellish trainer earlier.

Sai, lying head's down, his charred ass, which awhile ago was on fire, jutted upward in pain. He looked at Tolle who had suffered the same miserable fate. "I missed our old instructors…"

"Yeah, me too…" Tolle nodded in pure pain.

Milly looked nervously at his boyfriend's condition, and then looked, with pleading puppy dog eyes to Kira.

"Since you're one of my close friends, I suppose I can cut you some slack…" Kira sighed and for a moment, he looked a bit out of it…

Milly sighed and smiled in relief… until Kira declared: "I'll give you a headstart, run. Like, right the hell now!" The high pitched sound of Shiki charging to full power erased Milly's smile and she ran like a bat out of hell.

The echoes of Milly's scream, followed by a series of shockwaves and explosions can be seen and heard from the fort. The soldiers on the front gates nervously cold sweated at the spectacle.

"Captain Kage's Shadowguard. An elite fighting force trained by Kage himself. There was a time when I'd probably envy them to death but…" The soldier nervously gulped as a few more explosions occurred followed by howls of sheer terror and pain. "I think I'll pass…"

A few hours later…

Kira, donning his mask, along with a very nervous Mwu dragged the severely beaten and burned Shadowguards. Kira put on the full Kage disguise, but the other Shadowguards did not. While not in combat, they are only permitted the suit so everyone can see their faces. When in battle, they may adorn only the mask, but not the headband unless stated otherwise to differentiate them with the real Captain. That is the rule that Kira, under the stern advice of Natarle, had set.

"The men are not that troubled with the fact their Captain is masked. After feats like yours, you're privileged to have your own… eccentricities. However, the soldiers must be absolutely clear as to who is in charge, a clear chain of command must be maintained and who they refer to in times of problems. And since in your case your garment is your identity, therefore, I believe you must set a very strict rule to your Shadowguards regarding what they wear." Against a more laidback ideas from Mwu, Kira personally agreed with Natarle's advice. And so only the real captain Kage is allowed to wear his full Kage disguise 24/7 with headband on.

"Medic!" Kage roared. The medical squad run quickly in a hurry and quickly lifted the three wounded Shadowguard units to the stretcher while Kage watched.

"You did a bit much… but you did the right thing. They had to be pushed about this hard in order for them to get stronger." Mwu tapped Kage's shoulder several times as a sign of support.

"…" Kage's anger subsided, replaced by this miserable feeling. "What have I done Mwu-san? I don this mask to protect them. But instead it actually inspires them to jump into greater danger."

"This is their own choice of their own volition. When they are already dead set on doing this… it's all up to us to prepare them, if the idea is to ensure that they survive. And not just physically." Mwu sighed exasperatedly. "I've seen these cases before. Soldiers that enter the army for vengeance. They're not in it for glory, they're not in it for the fun or whatever… they're in it for blood. The tendency that happened afterwards was… they want more blood. Eventually, either you die a hero, or you survive long enough to become the very thing you despise."

"…I guess I've crossed that threshold a long time ago…"

Mwu chuckled. "No. You haven't. I'm sure of it."

Kage looked at Mwu. "How can you tell?"

"It takes one to know one." At this, Mwu's playful eyes vanished. The man is still smiling, but his eyes are cold lifeless blue eyes that wouldn't be out of place from a corpse.

Kage stopped midway, greatly unnerved by the sight.

"Sai!" Suddenly, a girl's yell distracted them both. Fllay rushed in and came to Sai's side. "Sai, are you alright? You're getting all burned and beaten like this…"

"Aaaahh… Tolle… looooook… an angel is heeeere… I'm iiiiin heaveeeeeenn…"

"Mr. Argyle sir, PLEASE don't fall unconscious! If you do, you'll go to real heaven!" Mikhail Coast was desperately trying to keep his patients alive. "And Ms. Allister, I understand that he's your fiancé but PLEASE don't encourage him to talk, I think he dislocated his jaw!"

"You let that Doctor off huh?" Mwu frowned.

"Many of us are still wounded from the previous ordeal. And he did patch me up during the Veia ordeal. At the very least, he's a true doctor and a good one at that, and Fuji vouches for him. We need all the medical help we can get."

"Is it alright? You're entrusting your friends to him?"

"It's okay. He's still our prisoner and gets treated as such, but he may not leave the fortress. You could say his cell is simply enlarged. Besides…" A black murderous aura blared from Kage's being. "If he so much as to hurt one strand of their hair, I'll hunt him down to the ends of the earth if I must."

Mwu shivered for a moment. But then he smiled and clamped his hand on Kage's head, ruffling it. "Talk like that but you still beat them halfway to death."

"YOU!" They turned around and saw an angry Fllay. The girl stomped angrily and grabbed Kage's collar. "How could you do this to him you bully!"

"…" Kage gave a silent reply. For a moment, he began contemplating a response.

"I mean… I mean…! Look at him! He's just about to die there!"

"And he will be again." Kage replied coldly. "It won't happen just once… or twice… he will be in death's door many times. As long as he chose this path, this is the reality of what's going to happen." The girl was clearly horrified at the answer. Kage ignored the horrified expression and continued. "You only have two options; option one: you talk him out of this. If you can't… second option is don't get in his way."

The girl gritted her teeth and tried to find a way to retort that statement. Sadly, she couldn't. "H… How could you… do you know who I am?"

"Yes. I do. And I don't give a damn." Kage knew exactly who Fllay was referring to. George Allister, her father, who happens to be one of the Alliance's ministers. The man, as Prayer told him, was Harlbarton's close friend as well. That was one of the reason most of the soldiers let her move around the fortress undisturbed, to the chagrin of a more stern officers (cough)Natarle(cough).

The redhead looked as if she was on the verge of crying. But Kage's remained indifferent. Removing Fllay's weak grasp from his collar, the ninja left her behind and start moving towards the refugee camp, with Mwu quickly followed in tow. "(Shiver…) Did I just felt the climate of north pole flowing from you? That was cold kid. Especially to a hot babe like that." Mwu shivered as he asked rather nervously.

Kage didn't answer.

"You realize she might report this to his daddy, right? And his dad is practically our boss, ya' know. He could, what… I don't know… reassign your friends or something…"

"God willing." Kage stopped and looked at Mwu matter of factly.

Mwu also stopped to think. Then he chuckled as realization dawned. "You want that didn't you?"

"Maybe if I pushed them hard enough, who knows? Maybe they get fed up and then they'll ask to be reassigned somewhere… a clerk or… a desk job… or… something… but…" Kage nodded exasperatedly. "Who am I kidding? I'm their friend. Known them for years. Once they got their minds set on something, they just go."

"Well, they certainly can't reassign you. You're the Hero captain."

Kage didn't respond to that, turn around and just keep walking. But one can feel the atmosphere just got gloomier by a few notches.

"Ahhh…" Mwu suddenly realized he had said something wrong and decided to remain quiet.

Meanwhile, at the Refugee camp, most of the civilians were being tended by the soldiers. Neumann and Jackie were responsible for distributing rations to the civilians. As Kage observed the situation some of the civilians were tired and shaken even though it's been around two days since they first arrived here. It couldn't be helped. Kira and his friends knew the feeling too well. He walked amidst the crowd and saw Neumann was getting ready to distribute the food. He saw Kage and Mwu approaching and quickly saluted.

"Sir!"

"How are they doing?"

"They're doing just fine. Most of them are more scared than wounded, so give them some time, I think they'll recover just fine."

"…" Kage nodded. With that, he silently took the soup spoon, startling the two soldiers. Kage gave them the look and the two understand.

Neumann banged a wok. "Alright everyone, line up! Meal time!"

The civilians made a line took their plates from Jackie, rice from Neumann. Kage began distributing food. It's a simple curry of carrot, meat and lettuce. The crowd had seen how Kage personally rescued them. So they were somewhat taken back that their savior is serving them food. The first on the line was a bit reluctant and looked at Neumann, as if asking some reassurance. Neumann smiled reassuringly to encourage him. Kage lifted his spoon waiting. In the end, they start moving and have their plates filled. A boy brought up his plate and Kage filled them up. Upon seeing the carrots in his curry, the boy winced.

"Hai… here you go." And with that he gave a lot of his carrots to the girl's plate behind him. The girl moaned.

Kage twitched. "Oi. You should eat the carrots. It's healthy and it's good for you."

The crowd was surprised to hear the masked captain spoke. It sounded so… civil. The boy remained adamant though. "No way. I hate carrots!"

Kage twitched again.

A few moments later, the same boy was walking away from line, sulking and grunting with a mountain of carrots on his plate. The other kids in line quickly made a solemn oath not to question the masked man. The elder ones were simply amused. Regardless, the mood became somewhat brighter. A young man brought two plates and gave one to his grandmother. The old woman was so weak, she spilled her food from the corner of her mouth every now and then.

The ninja frowned and sighed sadly. He had heard of this before. In warring times likes this, refugees are naturally abundant. Even in adequately stocked shelter (which is far from what the Archangel Fortress can provide) at least around 30 percent of the refugees usually died during the evacuation period. Not due to illness or hunger. No. Far worse, they've lost the will to live. How could they go on? Either they're too old or too young. Whatever's left of their lives were taken away, and even if they do return and rebuild, they won't be able to rebuild their life back exactly as before. And who's to say, in age where life were taken away as easily as one can breathe, that they'll survive long enough to rebuild?

Soon, the bowl is empty and fortunately everyone get their share. Once everyone had their fill, Kage motioned the two soldiers to come. "Jackie, can our supplies hold?"

"Well, sure we can. Those reinforcements Canard brought also bring their supplies. Combined with ours, I think we can handle a few extra family mouths just fine for a few weeks ahead."

Kage nodded, but he realized this is nothing compared to what's coming. Soon. "This is not over. Ration the supplies, make it enough for… say… thrice these family numbers. Probably more."

Jackie and Neumann looked at each other, somewhat bewildered and worried. But they understood the order and nodded. "We'll see to it."

Leaving the Refugee camp, Kage and Mwu went straight to the training grounds.

Now the last order he gave to the men, specifically Canard and the other Juppongatana, was to train the men. So naturally, he was understandably surprised… when he saw a whole field of soldiers playing cards, playing dices, and generally lazing about.

"…what… the…" Kage was so shocked he was almost lost for words.

As if expecting the shock, Prayer nervously approached the shocked Captain. "Captain…"

"Prayer… if memory serves, I just gave you guys the order to drill the troops… so why am I seeing them playing!"

"Errh… well… they already did… they're just… waiting their turn."

"Waiting their turn!" The more Kage hear this, the more ridiculous it gets. "You mean like… they…" For a moment, Kage was so confused between being angry and being well… totally lost it. "B… But… why games?"

"Well… it's been three days since the last attack… the men are on hair-trigger and they're really… tense… so… well…" Prayer was somewhat reluctant to speak, because this next bit of news will definitely rock the boat. "Well… Canard… told Balsam… to keep them busy."

"Canard… to Balsam?" Kage paced back and forth in his train of thought.

Prayer understood very well why his captain was visibly upset. "I… well… it's just… this sort of thing happen. And… well… Harlbarton allowed this."

"Harlbarton?" Kage turned to Prayer, his eyes flickering, disbelieving his own ears. "Harlbarton allowed this? Are you kidding?"

"No. He's not fucking kidding." Canard snarled. Followed giddily by Balsam who look, inexplicably happy with himself 'no, wait – Kira Thought – that's completely understandable, I must've looked like an idiot right now.'

"What do you mean?"

"Can you imagine what it'll be like if they don't do this game? After you told them about an imminent invasion, did it ever cross your ingenious fucking mind of how fucking terrified they are?" Canard spared no mercy in his blatant sarcasm. "Desertion, mutiny. This game managed to prevent all that. Not everyone ever killed a Hakutenkun one on one."

"But of all the things they could do to spend their time you have them play games?" Kage frustratingly rummaged his hair. "Why didn't they train?"

"They already did. They simply rest now."

"All the rest in the world won't stop an army of Swordsmen CUTTING THEM APART!" Kage roared the last part out loud. All his frustration for the day exploded into full blown rage. Every soldier stopped playing and turned to their captain. "I fought against Goud Veia with broken arms and lungs, shattered ribs and bones, and he still try to kill me! He even butchered his way through 30 or so of your half dead brothers in arms to do it. They don't care if you're tired or injured or hungry! So if you got time to play, then TRAIN!" Unfortunately, his order doesn't seem to illicit any spirited response. Kage burst away from the crowd, kicking a game that the soldiers were playing.

"Hey that's my game!" One of them whined. Ignoring the whining, Kage angrily stormed off.

Everyone looked at the angry ninja and then turned to Mwu. Mwu gave Prayer a look back. "Well what do you expect? He's in… He's in a very bad mood in the last few days."

Canard shook his head with a snort. "All the drama queen. Well, you heard the fucking man. Let's train your fucking nuts off."

Kage's walk stopped for a moment when again, a flash of images burst into his head. First he saw a village in flames. Then a running villagers through the forest. They were captured. Not one of them managed to get into the fortress. All were captured, killed, and violated. Kage jerked so hard he staggered, again disturbing the game from one of his soldiers. The terrifying images were clear, and look very real. When Kage come to, he suddenly realized his breathing was heavy and elaborate. Cold sweat glistened his eyebrows. When he came to realize his surroundings, he suddenly noticed that everyone was staring at him, confused and somewhat scared. Kage grasped his already messy hair and took a deep breath.

"eehh… Captain? Are you alright? Is your old wounds opening up again?" Prayer approached with worried look.

Kage frowned and turned to Prayer. "Prayer? What happened?"

"What… well… you were like… went rigid and as if you're in a trance or something. You've been like for like 5 minutes."

"5 minutes… huh…" Kage took a moment to ponder those images. "Assemble a squad."

"Sir?" Prayer blinked, completely taken off guard.

"A squad. A small task force to come with me."

"Now?"

"Yes. Now." Kage took the time to emphasize the last part. Kage thought again for a moment. The villagers are in the forest, and they don't have much time. So they need a fast moving unit for a fast bloody raid. "Preferably… ones with horseriding experience… and… archery experts."

"Aye… we do have that…" Now Prayer is completely confused.

Not a moment too soon, a task force of 15 horsemen is assembled. Prayer handed one horse to Kage. Kage looked at the horse for one second, and suddenly, he realized another fundamental setback:

He doesn't know how to ride a horse even if his life depends on it.

And so…

"All comfy back there, boss man?"

"…Lockon… when this is over… teach me how to ride a horse, please?" One can say Kage's mask is quite useful in many occasion, particularly, in this situation, to hide his incredibly embarrassed face. How can he not: he's sitting at the back of the horse while Lockon, the only guy with a formal horse riding training, sit at the saddle. And Kage was supposed to be the one who lead this squad.

"Well… that's fine… now… where to Boss man?" Neil kindly chuckled.

"Into the wilds."

"Right. Hold on! Yaah!" And with Kage on the back, Lockon rode out along with the rest of the squad.

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Minutes later, they've reached the center of the forest, where Kage signaled the riders to stop. Everyone waited for orders as Kage look around the surroundings. Kira try to remember the images of that he saw just then. The surroundings, the forests, the trees, the sky and the Sun's location. Straining, Kira struggled to remember the exact detail. After a while, he pointed to west. "3 miles, straight ahead… that direction."

The men all looked at their captain, dumbfounded. But nevertheless, they followed his directions. Soon, they all stopped and Kage jumped down. Again he looked at the surroundings. Kira sigh a breath of relief. No sign of combat, no blood, they made it in time. No, even better, they're early. He remembered this scenery. In his vision, this place was where the refugees will pass. "Okay. Lockon, you take point. Three guys get to that spot, same with here, here, here, and here."

The soldiers looked at each other, confused. They all looked at Neil, the only other superior officer around. Neil nodded in understanding and approached the captain. "Ermm… boss man… I understand if you want us to go on a hunt… but… what manner of beast are you looking for?" He whispered.

Kage frowned and answered flat. "The kind of beast that has many pairs of legs, ain't going anywhere, and has an eye for money."

The answer simply made the archer expert even more confused as it is. "W… Well… we'll take our position as you've ordered… where will you be?"

"I'll stay right here. I'm the bait, see." Kage found a comfortable rock and sit there for everyone to see.

Neil look startled for one second, but then his surprise faded slightly soon after. "Alright then. You heard the captain."

Then, seconds passed. Seconds became minutes. Minutes passed. Minutes became a few hours… and the sun was already ready to set and the light was dim. The archers were getting restless. Their captain hasn't moved an inch from his spot. Just what exactly is he waiting for? Meanwhile, Kira was getting somewhat restless inside. Those images… the last time he saw them, it worked like a warning. Just like before, his gut instinct screamed that if he ignores those images… something terrible will happen. But then again… he took quite a risk. He just brought out a squad on the whim out of some daylight hallucination. What if it really is just his imagination? Already he can hear whispers.

"Does he know what he's doing?"

"What the hell is he up to?"

"This is the guy who's supposed to lead us?"

Now Kira only felt more miserable. He decided to take it out on a nearby tree. He threw a shuriken and cut an apple down. Slowly he began peeling the apple with his kunai while in his head; questions and confusion continue to wrack his conscience. Is he really qualified to do this? Sure, he defeated Goud Veia… but as he remembered it, it was because Harlbarton was there to help him. But then, his train of thought on the matter was again cut short when he heard footsteps. Lots of them. 'I don't believe this… they really are here.'

Sure enough, not too far from the ambush location, refugees were running for their life. Their conditions aren't that much different from the previous refugees from the Tanzaku village. The refugees burst out of the woods and stopped on their tracks upon the sight of the black clad man before them. They were terrified and start taking a step back. But then, a yell from their back tell them the danger from the back is also catching up to them. A refugee turn their head between the black masked man in front, and an army of mercenaries approaching from behind. Kage nodded and stood up before jerking his thumb to his back. "Go. A few more miles and you'll reach a fortress. We'll take care of them. GO!"

The refugees then realized this man is on their side and they happily ran past the black man. Kage smiled behind his mask as they run to safety. He can also feel the other archers were somewhat surprised. He gave them a signal to get ready. Not a moment too soon, another group of people burst out, but unlike the previous, they are all armed. Mercenaries. Kage smiled again, but somewhat sinisterly. He looked at the surroundings. Unbelievable. Everything he saw… those images… accurate to a second. Down to the last detail. Kage took a deep breath and unsheathe Shiki menacingly. "None may pass. This area is off limits."

The mercenaries looked at the one man. They looked at each other and snorted. With a roar, they charged again. But then, an arrow the size of a spear flew past Kage's shoulder and landed right in front of them, stopping them on their tracks.

"Gentlemen, a riddle." Lockon walked out of cover, grinning ear to ear; finally understanding the Captain's riddle. "What beast that has many pairs of legs, has eyes on money-"

"And they're not going anywhere." Kage finished the riddle by aiming the now transformed Midori Shiki at the mercenaries.

The mercenaries angrily tried to charge ahead, but then one of them caught glimmers in their surroundings. Now they realized they're being surrounded by archers. Worse, their way back had also been cut off.

"Move again, and so help me, we'll open fire." The British Archer menacingly aimed three of his gargantuan Spear arrows at the mercenaries.

A few minutes later…

The ambusher squad returned back to the fortress with the grateful villagers in tow, leaving behind the mercenaries, stripped to their undies, and bundled together in a big circle – also by their undies. Their many pair of legs nibbling around, and they're not going anywhere. One mercenary asked. "How much further are we to the nearest settlement?" The other replied. "9 months at this pace!"

"Nice one boss man. But how did you know they'll come this way?" Lockon grinned as he's observing the now familiar Jormungand crested gold bullion they've gathered from the mercenaries' pockets.

"Gut instinct. Besides… where are you from boy?" Kage tossed the apple he had peeled earlier to a hungry boy. The boy couldn't answer as he wolfed down the apple, but his mother answered.

"We're from the village of Sakai, my lords."

"Sakai… that's village is quite nearby, as these villagers proven themselves, is only a day and a half's journey from here. It's a three day journey from Tanzaku to Sakai, and it has been three days since Tanzaku was attacked. The Bladebanes would prefer to attack the villages nearest to their main target."

Lockon nodded in awe at Kage's insight. But he's still a bit troubled. "But… Tanzaku, Sakai… I take it they're gonna attack every village in the surrounding area before they get here?"

"It's not like they can invade every village. They too are running out of time. It's been 9 days after the battle of Archangel Bay. Funeral days lasted for 10 days and started right after Veia is entombed. Most likely in Carpentaria and that's 3 days from here by ship. So 6 days of funeral games had gone by. We all got 4 days left." Neil listened intently to Kage's explanation, nodding in understanding along the way. "In 4 days, Zaft military can continue their military activity again and prepare, most likely, a punitive expedition. That gives us another 3 days… maybe 4."

"I can see how that'll be bad for us." Neil smiled as he swallowed nervously. A punitive expedition is a force comprised of the best the Zaft army can offer. Usually only summoned when the nation is in state of great danger. And losing one of the pillar generals of the army is a great danger indeed. That will be quite a force to be rightly feared. "But how will that be bad for the Bladebanes? Shouldn't they be happy if they got reinforcements?"

"They betrayed a decree set forth by the Crimson Emperor. As it is, unless they can justify their actions, they'll be treated as traitors and to be killed as such." Kage frowned, sadly remembering Veia's last moments and how devastated Yzak was when he paraded Veia's helmet. "…we're fighting a wounded and cornered beast here. One that got nothing left to lose. They're gonna keep attacking the villages, and they'll do so with impunity." Kage looked again at the pitiful state of the villagers. "Lockon, if you're not too busy…"

"Yes?"

"Take a patrol squad. Scout around the forest borders, but don't go too far away from base. We got lucky on this one… and I don't want to rely on luck when it comes to these things."

"And what about your horse riding lesson?"

Kage glared at Lockon, asking his sanity. "Which one is more important? My dignity or people's lives!"

That was the last straw. Lockon burst into full blow laughter. That's when Kage realized Lockon was just joking with him. But that doesn't change his annoyed look at his laughing form. Once his laughter subsided, Lockon smiled kindly. "You're okay boss man."

"Pardon?"

"You're okay." Lockon repeated, turned around and showed his wide smile.

Kage thought for a moment. He's okay, he said. Does this mean he's okay with this? "You're sure?"

"Hey, if you referring on how Balsam and Canard made you looked like an idiot, don't sweat it." Lockon sighed, knowing the antics of their lieutenant. "Balsam is an ass… But Canard's different. He followed Harlbarton not only out of loyalty, but also because he respected the old man. And the thing about Canard's respect is that you're in for a long thorny road to earn it. I can't tell you how to get past that thorny road, but once you do, you won't find a better person to rely on."

"What about you Lockon?"

"Neil, please. That's what my friends call me." Neil smiled. "Lockon is… my game name. The name I go by when I'm working, if you get what I mean… kinda like how you use Kage instead of… whatever your real name is. And as for me, let's put it this way. I joined the 7th division to do the right things the right way… which is the way I like it. And so far; you haven't disappoint. So I'm saying you're okay boss man." And then Neil pulled out a small bottle from his belt bag. He uncorked it and Kage can smell brandy from the bottle. Taking a good swig, Lockon offered it to the captain who had earned his respect.

Kage's eyes widened at the gesture. And suddenly, he felt more at ease. "Well thanks. But no thanks. I don't drink."

"Well, your loss!" Neil laughed earnestly as he raised his bottle of brandy.

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A little while later, the group reached the Fortress again, and Fuji, seeing familiar faces, immediately told the gatekeepers to open the gates of Archangel. The gates opened as the soldiers baffled upon the sight of the horse riders returning with a full entourage of at least a few dozen families. Kage had a brief talk with Prayer and the little blond proceeded to instruct the civilians to join with the rest of the other refugees. The refugees were glad to see fellow civilians in a military fortress.

Some soldiers were indifferent. But Kage can see the other Juppongatana, particularly one ex member are none too happy about this.

"Are you out of your mind?" And he doesn't spare the volume of his voice either. He made sure that at least a few dozen soldiers will hear. "Do you have any idea how many people you just let in?"

Kage pay him no heed.

"What? You're going to waste more of our supplies for more refugees? And then when there no more food to eat what are we supposed to eat Huh!"

But that was it. Before Balsam can utter another word, Kage throw and smacked a freshly caught whole wild boar to his face, knocking him out cold in an instant. "God, it is official: I hate that guy."

"The feeling's mutual boss man." Neil, grinning wide, tapped Kage's shoulder several times, calming his fuming boss. That's when all the juppongatana noticed that Neil was carrying a deer on his back. And now that they get a better look at it, everyone in the ambusher squad were carrying spoils of hunt: rabbits, goats, few fishes, other wild animals, big and small.

"Make sure you get them to storage. And anytime you're not busy patrolling, go do some hunting." Kage walked away towards the Shadowguard who were waiting in the distance, getting ready to train (aka: getting their ass kicked-again).

"Yessiree." Neil coolly saluted the Captain. This friendly gesture earned a look from the other Juppongatana. Taking notice of the attention, Neil only smiled. "What? I like him. So what?" Ignoring his friends' reaction, Neil flew his sharp gaze to the harbor and he noticed incoming ships far in the far horizon. And if his smile can get any bigger, it will. "Captain… we got more friends inbound."

Kage perked at the statement.

And soon… at the harbor, soldiers crowded around the harbor, welcoming their fellow comrade in arms.

The ships are of the Alliance, two in total. One of them had a rather peculiar looking hole on the starboard side of its hull. The ships carrying additional soldiers, and amongst them, members of the Juppongatana.

"jaa… let me introduce you." Again, Prayer act as the intermediary of this meeting with new faces. "Sven Cal Payang, 10th seat."

The silver haired man gave a silent reply. Rather unnerving, coupled with his stone cold face. But Kage didn't say much.

"Mr. Bushido, 9th seat…"

"This one is pleased to make your acquaintance." The masked man bow down in a very familiar traditional Japanese custom. Kage had no problem returning the favor.

"And this is…" Prayer paused for moment to observe all the tears and snot flowing out of the said juppongatana's face. "Kamina… errhh…why are you so… ehh… wet?"

Crying a waterfall, while his snot playing bungee from his nose, the totally drenched six ways to Sunday Kamina roared. "Sob, Sob… more than that… sob… IS IT TRUE? HARL OLD CHAP Is… (choke-sob-srooot)… dead?"

Kage is having a hard time to keep a straight face. The guy was crying profusely, sincerely, for Harlbarton, no doubt about that. And he feels okay about this guy, even with all the tears and all the snot… except the fact that there's a shark hanging by his ass.

"Bud I… sob… as soon asb I hearb aboud Harl old chab's deathb I'yb…" Kamina profusely swept all his tears and snot in one swipe. "I just… I just couldn't belifb id so I… I…" Whatever the man is going to say was quickly overwhelmed by his incessant and loud crying as well as a flood of tears and more snot.

"He swam." Sven finished it for Kamina. His tone was flat and emotionless, just like his face. "All the way from Thailand. Smashed through my ship along the way."

Those who don't know better would say Sven was joking. But Kage couldn't found a trace of joke from the white haired man's tone. Kage looked at Kamina, incredulously. "You seriously try to swim… from Thailand to Japan? That's logically impossible you know?"

"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM? When children hear my name they stop crying and start laughing. I kick logic to a curb and spit at the impossible!" The man stopped crying, gazed to the sky and even pointed his finger to the sky. "I AM THE GREAT KAMINA SAMA OF THE GREAT GURREN BRIGADE, JUPPONGATANA, the EIGHTH SEAT!"

'And what the hell am I supposed to say to that?' Kage sweat dropped and looked at Prayer, asking a confirmation (is this guy for real?), to which Prayer reply with a nervous smile and nodded. Thinking nothing else to say, Kage pointed to the direction of Harlbarton's tomb. "Harlbarton's tomb is that way."

And before Kage could say anything else, Kamina burst into tears again and ran off, leaving a trail of dust in his wake, and the poor beat up shark behind. The other Juppongatana only shook their heads at his antics.

"Please forgive Kamina's behavior. He is a bit unrefined." Mr. Bushido bowed down in apology to Kage. "I'm sure he will come around."

"Well it's okay." Kage looked at the men aboard the two small ships. "How many men did you bring with you?"

"This one brings 23 good men with him." Bushido answered.

"11. We got hammered hard in Sumatra." Sven stated flat.

Kage looked at Kamina's direction. "And… Kamina-san? I understand it he commandeer a cruiser."

"Well… Kamina does have a battle cruiser… and its 50 men strong. But I think he left them behind in Thailand in a hurry…" Prayer looked at the army record and then hand it over to Kage's outstretched hand.

The record shows every military asset they currently have, as well as assets that they have lost. As Kage understand it, the Archangel Fortress is massive. Massive enough to complement six Flagships: Heavy Battlecruisers class: a well armored, wedge shaped, heavy flagship with 4 Gottfried Cannons for Chaser guns and 20 more of such cannon on each side for side batteries; along with their respective accompanying escort Skirmishers. Three BattleCruisers: Agamemnon, Nestor, and Menelaus were destroyed during the battle of Archangel Bay. Achilles, a black, heavily steel plated Battlecruiser commandeered by Canard just landed the other day together with its escort ship and the first wave of reinforcements. Another battlecruiser, the Odysseus, commandeered by Kyoshiro Toudou and his team, and they, as Kage understand it, is still stuck dealing with Zaft forces in Australian outback, so they will not be arriving any time soon. Lastly, and Kage scratched his head at this in total bewilderment, was Dai-Gurren. It was formerly an old Alliance heavy battlecruiser, hijacked, heavily modified and turned to Pirate ship used by a pirate group called the Daigurren Brigade led by yours truly. But for some reason or another, Kamina and the rest of the crew join forces with Harlbarton, and the ship was added to the army.

Either case, their number is still relatively few, in comparison to the original number when he first came to the fortress. Before the events that lead to the battle of Archangel Bay, the composition of the Alliance army were as follows: 4000 men of the 7th division, 450 men of the 12th division, and 170 men of the 9th division. After the battle was over, more than 800 from the total army are dead, 900 were still heavily incapacitated, 700 must be discharged for being too wounded to fight, and more than 500 will not live long due to injuries. There's only less than half left are combat capable. Even with all the additional reinforcements, they barely made it to 2000.

And then there's the matter of the incoming enemy forces. At most, they probably bring around 5 to 6,000. Added with mercenary forces they are gathering up however… that could mount up to an astounding number. However, in the end, a few dozen additional men are better than none. "Welcome back. Prayer, find a place to lodge the men. Mind you, it's going to be a bit cramped, and it's going to get more cramped in the foreseeable future."

Sven didn't react nor comment beyond a simple nod and walked away silently.

Mr. Bushido bowed down and also went somewhere else.

Kage thought what else needs to be done. "We need eyes and ears. Send out some scouts, find the approaching army and report on their progression."

"Aye, I can do that." Setsuna raised his hand.

Everyone looked somewhat incredulously at the blind boy.

Setsuna merely smiled questioningly as if nothing happened. "What?"

"But you're blind." Karren pointed out the obvious.

"I'm not deaf." The boy flapped his hands at the back of his ears. "And lack of sight never stopped me. You guys should know better than the rest."

"But this is scouting. S-C-O-U-T-I-N-G! Don't you need a pair of eyeballs to do that?" Balsam ranted out.

"My ears is as good as Neil-senpai eyesight. I can hear the flapping of a fly's wings from miles away. Surely I can pick up the march of soldiers." Setsuna argued.

Kage rubbed his aching head and decided to cut the argument short. "Enough. Fine. Setsuna you go… and… Karren-san. You go with him. And remember: there are only two things you guys need to find out: the enemy's exact strength, and their next move. No more, no less."

Setsuna nodded, while Karren was a bit reluctant, but also nodded nonetheless.

And soon the crowd dismissed themselves and each man returned back to their own activities, leaving Kage, his Shadowguard and the ambusher squad. Neil checked the shark Kamina left behind. Yet another catch of the day. Neil touched the Shark's fin. "You guys like seafood?"

"Put that in storage." Kage turned to the Shadowguards. Specifically, Mirriallia. "Milly, from now on you go with Neil."

"Eh?" Milly blinked beneath her mask. She looked at Neil, who seems to quickly catch on.

Kage turned to Neil. "Lockon, you don't mind teaching her some of your archery tricks?"

"Certainly." Neil nodded. Indeed, he had seen this earlier and the Shadowguard girl does have some proclivity with bow and arrow. "And maybe I can ask her for a date under the moon while I'm at it-"

The sound of Tolle murderously pulling out his blade stopped Neil's comment short. The boy glared with bloodshot eyes at the sniper. Lockon nervously looked at the angry Shadowguard and then to the female Shadowguard and quickly caught the drift. "Ah… Aso… Hontouni Gomennasai, boyfriend-san. Didn't know she was taken. No interest in caught fish. No stealing; especially girlfriend; that is my principle. Sorry. Please don't bear me grudges?" The British ladies' man quickly bowed down profusely, genuinely apologizing.

Kage signaled Tolle to calm down, and the boy did. Somewhat. Kage continued and instructed the remaining Shadowguards. "You two drill with the other soldiers. See if you guys can pick something up that might be useful in combat." Next he turned to Neil. "As I've said before, organize a patrol squad. There will be more of these refugees coming, and I fear they'll be coming daily from now on. Now go."

"Roger that." Neil saluted the Captain and quickly began managing his men.

In the mean time, Kage left and realized it's almost time for lunch. A quick trip around a dark corner, and Kira walked out, ready to work in the kitchen, as usual.

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War bore many veterans. Grizzled old warriors too tired (and in many cases, too injured) to continue fighting in the field, and they still need to make a living. Farming is right out. The soils in wartime are often trampled by soldiers marching. It's hard and difficult to plow. Whatever seed they sow will either stomped away or crushed. And even if they do manage to get the soil to produce something, more often than not, the harvests are usually taken either by hungry robbers or soldiers. And some veterans didn't even know how to farm. So what to do? Smart war veteran decided to became an operator for other hired swords. They established little towns where Mercenaries looking for work can congregate, and they became its 'mayor'. They provide lodging and information in return for either periodic payment and, in some cases, a cut from their jobs, or both. These veterans knew the best spot to set up shop, and many made a fortune in this business. And when a war has been going for 72 years with no winner in sight, these so called 'Mercenary Town' naturally sprout everywhere like mushroom, even in a neutral country such as Orb.

And Ozma Lee is one such example of a grizzled war veteran. Though at 30 years of age, he's far from old. "No." A bearded man with long graying hair tied behind him spoke in a flat finality, rejecting a large box filled to the brim with gold bullions in front of him.

"We haven't even said anything…" Dearka was taken back, while Yzak seem indifferent. He, Dearka and Shiho had just entered the reception and showed the so called mayor of the Mercenary town the money they can pay for services, and Ozma just refused them flat out.

"It has nothing to do with the amount. Even if you double it or triple it or whatever, I'd still say no. In the last few days, you've done enough for the word to get around. So I already know what you're going to ask, and my answer is no." Ozma, without batting an eye to the treasures before him, pushed back the box of gold to Yzak, signing his refusal. Yzak scoffed and closed back the box and preparing to leave. But Ozma had a few last words. "You're playing with a very dangerous game just for the sake of revenge young man."

The silver haired boy stopped mid walk and quickly turned towards the mercenary Mayor, glaring furiously. "What the hell do you know?"

"Terrible thing; what happened in Archangel Bay. I've been around quite a while and I had my own ears and eyes. They pick things up. Besides, when you see a whole army of Sapphire Bladebanes marching in, your intention is as clear as day. But shouldn't this be a rather busy day for you guys?"

"That is none of your concern. On our honor as Bladebanes and Water Knights we have to defend the pride of-"

"Pride and Honor won't bring back your dead master."

That was a bit too much. Yzak exploded in rage and quickly reached for his sword. But at the same time, about a dozen mercenaries in the room pull out their swords as well and pointed them at Yzak and his group, outnumbering them by at least 4 to one. Upon seeing this situation, the more level headed Dearka grasped Yzak shoulder. "Yzak. Yzak, calm down. This is too much heat." The silver haired boy looked around and, reluctantly, sheathed back his sword. The other mercenaries in the room also pull down their weapon, but they still remain vigilant.

"It's not an insult to say a dead man, is dead." Ozma crossed his arms calmly, not intimidated by the slightest by the rising tension in the room. "Your mistake, young man… your biggest mistake, is that you're acting as if you're still in your homebase. You're making too many enemies on too many sides… and at this rate you'll end up dead."

"I'm not afraid of dying."

"I'm sure you aren't. But let me ask a simple question: what good is your pride when you are dead?" With that, Ozma motioned his men to stand down, as well as motioning the Zaft warriors to leave. "I will not accept your offer. I will not send my boys to suicide. Go take your offer somewhere else."

And with that Yzak and his entourage stomped out from the Mayor's office. Outside, fellow water knights were waiting just outside the office on horseback, but upon seeing Yzak's face being gloomier than usual, they knew the negotiation went sour.

"So I take it, we're not going to receive any additional reinforcement from here?" A wild yellow eyed Water knight wearing a light navy-almost white- Samurai-esque armor with a circle headcrest snarled animalisticly. And yet his beastly appearance shone through. His teeth are nothing but fangs, and his nails look more like claws and his skin is as pale as his hair.

"No Viral. But it's fine. There's still a lot more Mercenary town out there."

"Should we burn this town?" Another Water Knight suggested in a whisper. All senior Water Knights looked at the speaker. "Just in case our enemy thought of the same idea."

Yzak thought about the option for a moment but then decide: "No. This ain't those normal towns and villages we've raided. This is a Mercenary Town; they'll surely put up a fight. We'll waste too much time, and risk losing men. Leave them be. Besides…" the silver haired boy remembered by Ozma said back then about how their invasion is a public secret now. "The words out. And at this point only mad men would sign up with the Alliance to fight us. Move out!"

The other Water Knights agreed with this point and they returned to their army, waiting just outside the town. A whole army of Bladebanes leading tens of thousands of hired warriors were standing by just outside. Yzak, Dearka and Shiho quickly mounted their horses and ride out to catch up with the army. But at the gates of the town, Yzak paused for a moment and looked back at the Mayor's Office.

What Ozma said did give him a lot to think about.

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Meanwhile, as Kage had predicted, in the next 2 days, there are more inflows of refugees coming. Just yesterday, the refugees came twice from two razed villages. Multiple times Kage led a squad and his Shadowguard to go hunting in the woods to support their supplies a little bit. But even with careful rationing, their supplies burns at a ridiculously fast rate and barely enough for everyone. Setsuna and Karren had yet returned from their scouting duty and today, the latest influx of refugees came in droves of hundreds. Even Lockon and his team were hard pressed to protect them this time.

"PULL BACK! PULL BAAACK!" As Lockon yelled the order, he let loose another series of arrows (all accurately hit their target, as usual), just as another one of his men were riddled with arrows from the opposing side. The forest around them is ablaze. The mercenaries sent to terrorize yet another village seems to be brighter than the previous, and they set the forest on fire, they followed the inferno closely from behind while sending hailstorm of arrows. The ambusher squads quickly ran out of place to hide and they had to pull back. Worse, the mercenary purposefully send the escaping refugees in such a way, the ambushers, under order from Kage to protect them, had to break cover to do so. And that's when they became target practice.

"Hurry! This way! Here!" Lockon motioned the refugees to come his way. The refugees run as their life depends on it. That is, until they were suddenly blown to bits by a cannonfire from behind. Neil was taken by surprise and quickly saw multiple wooden mortars being set up in the distance, each manned by three people. "Oh Shit, where the hell did those things come from?"

The mercenaries began battering the fleeing refugees and soldiers with impunity. Many refugees and soldiers were taken out with each explosion. Neil gritted his teeth. "Damn them. Damn those bastards…!" The sniper was about to aim an arrow towards the cannon team, but then, a black blur went past him and ran towards the direction of the barrage. Not long afterwards, a green flash landed on one of the mortar squad and it was instantly engulfed in a roaring green lion shaped explosion. Lockon looked a little further ahead and, lo and behold, his furious captain had just arrived with green armament enclosing his right arm, and a long bow in hand. A forked sword arrow appeared from the holster on his back. Kage placed the arrow and fired another shot. Another mortar squad screamed in horror before the arrow exploded right upon them and the green infernal lion vaporized them to nothing.

A few more blurs of black rushed in, and Kage's Shadowguard caught up with their leader and quickly lend support.

"Kage!" Milly too raised her bow and began firing arrows at the enemies, particularly those who try to disturb Kage. Kage aimed another arrow, targeting another mortar squad. This one is a little farther than the rest. When the shinobi let loose the arrow, alas, the arrow swayed off the target due to wind blowing and went off course before dissipating. Kage gritted his teeth in anger. "Shit!"

The Mortar squad continued their barrage unabated. But the bullets had just flown out of its barrels when they were pierced by a large arrow, and they exploded midair. The mortar squad were still wondering why the mortar bullet exploded prematurely when their heads were literally ran through by a single enormously long arrow coming from the side. Kage blinked and then turned around and saw Lockon who already pulled out another two of his arrow spear and placed them upon the array of strings, ready to be fired. The spears' heads, as Kage noted, were wickedly curved. What's more, it has multiple fletching on its body, but bits and parts of it were selectively torn out before being shot. Lockon shot both of the arrow spears at the same time to seemingly random direction and they, to Kage's disbelief, curved at an impossibly wicked angle multiple times midair, dodging trees and obstacles, before accurately penetrated two groups of Mortar squad by their heads or chests (or both, in some unfortunate cases) in one deadly crisscrossing circular trajectory.

"That's…" Tolle's jaw is on the ground.

"Impossible…" Sai finished the statement.

"At any rate, I think that's it for those bloody mortars." Lockon wrapped his strings back to his glove. "But… how are we going to deal with this fire?"

Kage think quickly. He looked left and right. "Neil… can you see how far the fire goes?"

Lockon narrowed his eyes. "About few miles to the left, same to the right. And they're expanding, fanning out. Quickly. The wind is blowing hard against us, and so the fire is spreading faster to this direction. And I don't think the wind will change anytime soon."

"Okay. PULL BACK!" Kage roared the order, and every soldier left on the field quickly retreated, chased closely by a raging fire behind them. The soldiers and the refugees ran to the direction of the fortress. But midway, Kage stopped. Lockon and the Shadowguards also stopped, looking at Kage, bewildered.

"Boss-man? What are you doing?" Lockon tilt his head.

Kage took a deep breath. "Slice the Heaven, Aoiro Shiki!" And the Green Longbow and the right arm armature changed. The long bow turned into a giant ornate blue sword handle but no blade. The left arm is now covered in a clawed gauntlet and shoulder armor. Kage raised the weapon to the sky.

"Get back…" The Shadowguards who had seen this form in action take another few steps back.

The air suddenly began to condense around the blade guard of the Blue Shiki. The next second, a gargantuan immaterial blade burst out from the empty handle. The blade extends high; everyone within the radius of 10 miles can probably see the towering blue blade, including the soldiers and the escaping refugees who looked at the giant blade in awe. Some of the soldiers in the Fortress dropped their things when they saw a blade that's even higher than the tall walls of Archangel itself.

"DORYAAAAAAAAAAA-!" Kage brought down the giant blade at great speed in a vertical slash, and he literally cut an entire section of the whole forest in front of him, creating a giant and long crevice that split the earth (and by extension, the forest and the sky as well) apart. The massive shockwave from the blade put out all the fire near the vicinity of the cut, as well as effectively separating the intact forest with that which was on fire. Kage panted and gasped and looked like he's about to fall.

"Whoa… now that is…" Lockon whistled in admiration. But the Shadowguards doesn't share the sentiment.

"Kage? Are you al-" Sai's comment was cut short as soon as Kage steadied himself, and raised the gargantuan sword again.

The massive immaterial blue blade appeared for the second time that day. Kage quickly brought down the blade again and slashed it to a different direction. Another giant cut appeared on the forest, creating the second long clearing. Together with the first cut, Kage had created a pair of long lines, angled in such a way; forming a giant V that flanked the forest fire in between the two lines when seen from above, with him at the end of the tip. He cut off the fire right on the edges of the forest fire just right to stop it from spreading any further from that point. The Aoiro Shiki quickly returned to its original form, and Kage sheathed it back as he nonchalantly observed his handiwork.

Neil took another look at the surroundings. They can't do anything to put off the fire, but now they've been literally cut off, and with the wind direction blowing against them, the flame won't spread anywhere else, the danger is effectively contained. The only thing they can do now is to wait the fire to burn itself out. "Well… I guess it could've been worse…"

"Just the same… see what you can do to minimize the damage." Kage turned around and start heading back towards the base, his concerned Shadowguards in tow.

"What do you think boss-man? That's gotta be a few hundred people we just let in." Neil voiced his concern as he followed the Captain back to the fortress.

"That fire just chased out a lot of animals… we're gonna be having a bit difficulty hunting in these parts." But Kage knew he was only putting it mildly. At this point, "next to impossible" is more likely with this amount of damage to the forest. He need to find another source for food. Not long after, the soldiers returned back to the fortress, along with the rescued refugees.

Upon entering into the fortress, Kage quickly noticed a peculiar black and red Cruiser, carrying the flag of a red skull on fire, had just landed at the rear harbor. "Is that a pirate ship?" Milly asked.

"Yeah." Neil smirked coolly. "Kamina's outfit." The answer somewhat frightens the girl, while the boys (with the exception of Kage) were somewhat excited.

On the harbor, the red ship had just make port, the other remaining Juppongatana were also around and Kamina was waiting down below. "Ahoy mateys! You arrived at las-" Kamina's words were cut short as soon as the ship makes port, a feminine figure landed on his face, heels first.

"KAMINA YOU BAKA! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING LEAVING US BEHIND!" A young woman, with the look of an angry demon, with long red hair tied in a ponytail, carrying a long musket, wearing absolutely nothing but a scarf, a bikini (earning the looks from every male present), and a short pants just landed on Kamina's face and start roaring angrily at the bloody headed man on her feet. "BUNK EMPTY, NO NOTE, WEAPON GONE! YOU COULD'VE DIED, YOU COULD'VE GET LOST, YOU COULD'VE GET EATEN BY A SHARK-"

"Actually it's more like the shark that gets eaten." Neil simply uttered the cosmic truth.

"True, true…" Kage nodded in agreement.

"YOU SHUT UP! AND YOU-!" The girl's comment stopped short upon seeing a man all dressed up in black, also wearing a black mask. At his back, Kage's Shadowguard, particularly male ones, frightened out of their wits, took cover behind Kage's less intimidated figure. Kamina used this momentary pause to lift the girl's leg off his head.

Kage used the chance to look at Kamina's cruiser, the Daigurren. There's barely a trace left of the ship's original construction as an Alliance Heavy Cruiser. It has been modified-thoroughly. Two sets of customized triple barreled Gottfried cannons can be seen protruding forward, and a looted Zaft's Isolde Triple barreled long range bombardment cannon were also installed, giving the ship a grand total of a whooping 9 frontal chaser guns. The Isolde was installed at the center of the ship near the base of the bridge, and whilst the customized Tripple Gottfried were placed one each on the forward starboard and larboard side. The ship's side battery, curiously, were lined with only half the amount of guns of the normal Heavy Cruisers. Venturing to even more bizarre, the forward side of the ship were armored with thick (around 60 inch) layered solid steel plates, as well decorated to the shape of a demonic skull on fire, with flames literally burning out of its eye sockets and mouths. The chin of the said skull elongated forward, forming a giant thick blade that can even rival his Aoiro Shiki's blade.

Meanwhile, Kamina's pirate crew peeked from the edges of their ship to get a better look at the black clothed warrior. Noticing the crew, Kage asked. "How many people you got?"

The Girl looked at Kamina. The pirate boss also frowned. "Now, now, then. Before you get the wrong idea…" Kamina raised his head high up and then brought them up close to Kage's face, showing his overly exaggerated-hence comical-serious stern face. Their noses are literally only millimeters apart. "I work for Old-chap-Harl. I DON'T work for you."

"So I noticed." Kage chuckled at Kamina's antics and calmly nodded. "You tried to swim from Thailand to Japan upon hearing Harlbarton's death just so that you can pay respects to his grave, so that kinda speaks volumes of your loyalty to the old man. I certainly don't hate people like that." Kage chuckled kindly, his eyes visibly closed in happy curve, showing the boy underneath the mask is smiling kindly.

Kamina was somewhat taken back at the Ninja's apparent show of kindness. The Pirate boss thought out loud. "What the… this guy ain't as scary as he looks…"

"I'm more than aware that my appearance is scary. Heck, it was meant to be scary." Kage chuckled again.

Kamina flabbergasted as if he had been caught red-handed. "Wha- are you an esper or something?"

Kage blinked. "err… that comment about my being not so scary… was that supposed to be only in your head?"

"AEH? Eh… err… GAahahaaawaaaaaaaaaa…" And with that Kamina realized his big blunder and thus his stern and serious image has officially crumbled.

At this point Kage shook as he chuckled uncontrollably. The red haired girl only scratched her head while giving the 'you suck' look to the downed Kamina. That, and given the fact that Kage's tone was kind and friendly, despite it being whispery and rather creepy, the atmosphere became friendlier and more relaxed. Kage continued. "It's just… I have a favor to ask of you and your men." Kage take one more look at the red haired girl and corrected himself. "…and women."

"It's Yoko Littner yo." The Red Haired girl introduced herself at last. She took one look to nowhere, and then without warning, took aim and fired her rifle. From the distance, Kage pretend he didn't hear the sound of Balsam falling from his ogling post a few miles away. "And I'm Daigurren Brigade's gunnery chief and marksman-woman expert."

"Noted." Kage bowed down politely. "I'm Kage. Shinobi."

"Yes. We know who you are, Black Devil. And you asked us a favor? Another note for you, we are pirates. We don't do things for free." Yoko stated while rubbing her fingers together, grinning mischievously. It's all about money…

"Well, name your price… or better yet, what exactly is your deal with Harlbarton-and then I'll see if I can do better… I guess?"

Kamina smirked. "No such thing, mr. Black Devil sir. He only paid for our expenses and allowed to me do what I want, when I want. We're not exactly the kind of pirate that can hold on to our treasure."

"They have the tendency of being destroyed or squandered." Yoko added while glared menacingly at her cowering boss.

Kage nodded. "I only asked for you guys to maybe take some of these people with you away from here. Bring them to Orb's port and get them to safety. That's all I'm asking."

Kamina looked at Yoko. But the girl shook her head. "I wish we can do that, really. But just before we get here, we saw a whole fleet of Zaft Battlebarges waiting just at the outskirt of the sea around this area. We barely got away."

Kage blinked. "I take it they bear the flag of the Bladebanes?" Yoko confirmed it with a nod. Kage frowned. "They must've gotten there as soon as they've unloaded the troops. So the ocean is a no go."

"Captain!" Prayer was running towards them. His face looked pale, no doubt bearing a bad news.

"What is it?" Kage grunted. They say misery loves company.

Prayer took a quick nod to Yoko and then gave his report. "Our supply won't last long. And with the additional refugees and soldiers that just joined us… even if we ration them…" Prayer looked again at his report to confirm it. "As it is, our food would only last for; at most, a week."

"A week?" Kamina gasped.

Kage was a bit taken back as well, but then again, this is not entirely unexpected. They sent all these refugees their way so that they'll consume their ration, and it worked. Kage rubbed his head, trying to think.

"We have to attack." Bushido spoke up. Everyone turned to the masked man. "Go on the offensive. Take the fight to them." Some of the soldiers present nodded in agreement.

"I don't like this." Neil argued. "It's like we're playing right into their hands! And to go all out is like a desperation move."

"These are desperate times." Sven commented.

Kage gritted his teeth in obvious stress, as his hand massaged his aching temple. He began pacing back and forth while the soldiers began to argue amongst themselves. But before the arguments can go any further, Fuji, the gate guard yelled from the distance, attracting everyone's attention.

"OPEN THE GATES! IT'S KARREN AND SETSUNA!" Fuji took one more look and added: "SETSUNA'S HURT!"

Kage's heart skipped a beat upon hearing the statement.

Soon, the gates were opened, and as expected, Karren can be seen dragging a bloodbathed Setsuna by the shoulder. Everyone quickly rushed towards the two.

"What happened?" Prayer was the first to arrive and quickly asked the question.

Karren made the report. "We spotted the army. Their pace is slow. They're stopping from one village to another to raid them for their supplies. Apparently they didn't bring much for themselves." Karren handed the injured Setsuna to the medical squad. "We got spotted by a half man half beast freak of a Water Knight with a cleaver. The monster spotted us from miles away. Caught us by surprise."

"Karren-senpai… (cough) the numbers…" Barely conscious and bleeding from the cuts (some made by blade, others looks like claw marks) and some bite marks, Setsuna tried to stand, but Karren pushed him back to the stretcher.

"Stay still." By now, everyone had gathered around the two scouts to hear their report. Karren looked at Prayer and then at the tense Kage. Karren immediately moved to the main point of her report. "I think they practically emptied Gamoff. 500 Water Knights. Leading a whole army of 30,000 Bladebanes. Backed by up by more than over 60,000 mercenaries… and counting. They've been recruiting not just mercenaries, but also bandits and robbers, and their numbers are swelling like heck… soon they'll number in 100,000 or more."

Everyone who heard the news is now in total panic. The soldiers began to argue amongst themselves.

"We got to escape this place!"

"And go where? They've cut off the ocean escape remember?"

"We'll have to attack them!"

"Are you nuts? 2000 against 100,000? That's suicide!"

A fleet of battlebarges at the ocean, food supply that won't even last for a week, an incoming invasionary force at least 50 times their number, and worse…the large numbers of refugees they had to care for, while they have almost no means left to procure more supplies. And there's still the plan… which is seemingly crumbling to pieces all around him. Kage's tensely grabbed hold his temple. It began to ache again. Badly. Meanwhile the situation continue to heat up. The soldiers were shouting and yelling at each other in panic.

"We can't attack them just like that!"

"If we remain as we are, the enemy will simply send more refugees at us, their numbers will continue to swell, and our condition will be worse off!"

"Then kick these refugees out! We can't afford to be charitable in times like this!"

"You can't be seriously expecting them to survive by themselves?"

'Stop it… all of you…' Kage suddenly felt his entire body swaying and his head felt so heavy. All the shouting around him began to echo in his ears as if they're coming from far away. 'Don't… don't fall… apart… now…'

"ENOUGH!" Prayer roared. "No use in panicking! We have to think this through!"

"Feh! Why should we listen to you Prayer? You're not the captain!" Balsam retorted.

"Well I'm not. But I-" Prayer looked at Kage, perhaps hoping for some support, but then he suddenly realized the said Captain was rigid and trembling.

The Shadowguards realized too late that Kage was swaying, his breathings were pacing and elaborate, and his head felt like they can just fell off his neck any minute now. They start calling his name out of concern, but Kage's head was spinning, his vision was all skewed up, and his ears couldn't hear a word they say. Suddenly he felt something swelling up at his throat and his hand quickly covered his mouth as he went on all fours. He choked up blood, slightly mixed with his vomit, and in one fell swoop, all the built up stress finally resulted in the ninja collapsed right then and there.

"CAPTAIN!"

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Kira opened his eyes and realized he's lying in bed, inside the Captain's office.

"Kira!" Milly hopped happily from her spot. "You're awake at last!"

Kira turned his head and saw his surroundings. Milly was the only one in the room, but he can see two black silhouette waiting outside the door. He quickly recognized them both as Sai and Tolle. He looked at himself and realized he's no longer masked, and he's wearing normal civilian clothing. Kira frowned, trying to remember what happened. Alas and alack, he cannot. "Milly… what happened?"

"You collapsed. You gave us one heck of a fright, Kira." Milly's explained.

"I collapsed?" Kira grunted, and then he finally remembered: Karren's report, the naval blockade, the ridiculously large number of enemies coming their way, their rapidly diminishing supplies… All this information flushed back in and his head ached a little, earning yet another grunt. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours. Mwu-san gave us some Shinobi medicine. I wonder did they work. He put some re-ally questionable material in there…" Milly raised a foul smelling bag from the medicine pot.

Kira chuckled. "Well I feel a bit better, so I guess it worked. Sorry to made you all so worried."

"OI! You can't get in here!" The sound of Tolle yelling from outside attracted their attention.

"Even I can't get in here?" Canard's ferocious tone replied. "Out of my fucking way, cadet."

A moment later, Tolle was pushed away and Sai fare no better, and the Lieutenant of the 7th Division kicked the door open, revealing Kira and a tense Milly. Behind Canard, Prayer had just arrived in a hurry and looked somewhat horrified of the situation.

Canard, for the first time, gazed upon the Captain without his disguise. "Damn. You looked like wimp."

Kira chuckled in resignation. "I guess I am." Milly worriedly looked at Kira and Canard. The brunette Japanese thought for a moment and asked. "What are you here for?"

"Guess."

Kira do have a good guess. "Milly. Leave us alone. All of you."

"Capt-" Kira raised his hand before Prayer can finish. Prayer looked with concern and then nodded and pulled Tolle up before motioning the other Shadowguards to leave the Captain and the Lieutenant alone.

Canard closed the door behind him and turn his attention back to Kira. "…you can't even being fucking honest with your so called trusted elite, can you Kage?"

Kira looked at canard, wondering what he meant.

Canard snarled, getting annoyed. Is this boy was playing with him or he's just dumb? "How long have you not been sleeping or take so much as a fucking timeout?"

And when Canard pointed it out, that's when Kira realized that, indeed, he had not been sleeping at all.

Canard start listing things with his fingers: "Most of the time you became Kage. Morning you mop the floor with your fucking Shadowguards' asses during their intensive training. After which you immediately joined Neil's fucking patrol hunt or supervising the drilling of fucking troops. During breakfast, lunch, and dinner you became that chef, the fucking errand boy, as well as managing food rationing. In your so called fucking spare time you look after the refugees. At night, you underwent your own fucking intensive training. You barely fucking eat, you barely fucking sleep… I'm more shocked of the fact that only now you collapsed."

Kira was getting more and more depressed.

"Well I don't give a flying fuck if you're trying to tire yourself to death, but you really need to get a fucking grip and sort the fuck out yourself."

"I'm no good, am I?" Kira finally spoke.

"What?" Canard paused and looked at Kira.

"I really am no good as a captain. I guess… this isn't… I can't do this… I… I was just trying to live up to Harlbarton's expectation… but… I can tell you know… these men won't follow me. I… I'm just no good." There. He finally said it. The thought that has been swelling at the back of his mind, the conclusion that has been eating away at his mind finally flow out of his mouth.

"You don't fucking mean that." Canard growled.

"I think I do. I can't… I can't keep these men together the same Harlbarton-san did. I… I can't be Harlbarton-san. I… They don't trust me. I maybe the 'hero captain' but…"

"FUCK!" Suddenly Canard kicked Kira off the bed, by the head.

"Oi! Hey! What do you think you're-"

"ARE YOU A FUCKING RETARD?" Canard roared angrily, cutting Kira right off. "OFF COURSE YOU AREN'T HARLBARTON YA NINCOMPOOP! YOU TWO FUCKERS ARE WORLDS APART!"

"Eh?"

"When did he ever say to you to become another him? Those fuckers, the current 7th Division were originally followers of Harlbarton's and his policy. If they don't want to follow you then SCREW'EM!"

"Screw'em?" Kira gasped incredulously.

"Kage! Or Kira, or whatever your fucking name is… uncork those holes you call ears and listen!" Canard pointed a finger to Kira's nose. "…you have to form your own 7th division!"

Kira's eyes widened. "Form… my own… 7th division…?"

"That's right." Canard took a deep breath and began his explanation about the 7th division. "As far as the history goes, the 7th division is a militia unit, and thus, we are a rather fickle division. Our men came from various backgrounds. But because of their varied origin, there has been no single valid method to manage this army. This is not the regular army with their standardized training and all that fucking crap. Our division's roles changed each time the captain was replaced. Sometimes we became infiltrators; sometimes we became long range support; and sometimes we became frontline troops AKA cannon fodders… That's where we get the moniker of being versatile: we are a jack of all trade, master of none. But the most important point here is this: our membership is not permanent. We came because we volunteered and we stood to gain something. The moment we felt we no longer get what we came for, we leave. It happened all the time, even in Harlbarton's reign!"

Kira kept listening.

Canard continued on. "But the one thing they respond more than anything else, is strength. Not just the strength of one's muscle, but also the strength of the character. The character Kage, the Black Devil already has the strength of muscle. And truth be told, it already HAS a strength of character."

"But that wasn't good enough." Kira exclaimed. "They still don't trust me, and… today I think I just blew it."

Canard gritted his teeth in pure rage and again kicked Kira by the head again. "YOU ARE THE DUMBEST DUMB PERSON IN THE WORLD! Have you not been FUCKING LISTENING to me? I TOLD YOU. 7th Division CHANGED as their Captain changed. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND-DON'T YOU FUCKING GET IT?"

Kira jerked at Canard's declaration.

Canard continued his speech. "When we first met I told you your attitude's all fucking off. What I meant is, you had the strength of character-why didn't you try to use that strength to change this division as you see fit? That's why I'm pissed. You didn't try to change anything! You're too afraid to take actions just because you're too afraid of losing men-well HELLO! NEWSFLASH: WE are your god-damn UNDERLINGS! You are the fucking BOSS! YOU DECIDE! NOT US!"

Kira stood mesmerized as every word Canard yelled sink into his head.

Canard panted and gasped, catching some breath after the ranting. "Harlbarton gave you, not me, not Prayer, YOU, the god-damn position of Captain. HE GAVE YOU the power 7trh Division under your beck and call. And you being halfhearted about it is what pissed me off more than anything else!" Canard grasped Kira's collar and yelled to the boy's face. "YOU'RE A CAPTAIN GOD DAMN IT! SO START ACTING LIKE ONE. THIS IS YOUR DIVISION, and if they don't fucking like it, and they can just FUCK OFF!"

Kira was stupefied on the spot, but his eyes looked as if they underwent a realization, an epiphany. Something inside him clicked. "Canard, unhand me… and wait outside. That is an order."

The lieutenant felt something had changed in the boy before him and let go before leaving Kira alone with his thoughts.

Long moments passed, and the Captain's office door finally opened again as Kage walked out, carrying Shiki on his back. Outside, he saw Mwu, Murrue, Natarle, Sai, Fllay, Milly, Tolle, and Canard were all waiting for him. They all looked at the Shinobi and realized something's different about him. The Shinobi now gazed upon them with eyes so deep and mysterious, and yet so full of clarity of purpose and no more room for doubts. What's more, Kage now exhibit this… aura of both dread and awe. Never before the Shinobi disguise changed its wearer so much that even Mwu had a hard time recognizing that young waiter chef boy from Amaterasu in this man before him.

"Errh… kiddo… are you okay?" Mwu hesitantly asked.

"I'm fine." Even Kage's whispery tone seem like intensified to a frightening level. "Canard, gather the men. I'd like to make an announcement."

"That won't be necessary. They're already being gathered." For the first time since a long time, Canard seems to actually having a time of his life.

"Already?" Kage perked.

"Balsam. Seems like he started it again. The Punishment Logue." Canard's smirk couldn't get any wider. Oh, a good show is coming.

"Natarle Fukutaichou, if memory serves, have I not expressly forbidden that activity?" Kage glared at Natarle, and the usually calm and stern woman suddenly found herself flabbergasting under the ninja's fierce gaze.

"I… well… I… I guess… I… Oh God I…" the nervous, stammering Natarle could barely finish her sentence under Kage's glare, until finally Murrue had to calm her down.

"Well I guess we didn't get that fucking memo." As it is, it seems only Canard can keep his attitude straight and give coherent report. "The soldiers are gathering on the fortress grounds down below. You better hurry the fuck up."

"Fine." With that final word, Kage made his way past the stupefied soldiers to the fortress ground, followed by a giddy Canard.

00000000000000

"Unhand me!" a Zaft prisoners were being kicked to the center of a circle by Balsam.

The Zaft prisoner was surrounded by Alliance soldiers. But unlike before, some of them still remembered Kage's orders of the said activity being forbidden.

"Well come on men! This is the Punishment Logue!" Balsam tried to incite the other soldiers by lifting a sword.

"BALSAM!" Prayer roared angrily. The blond boy stomped into the center and stood between the prisoner and Balsam smug figure. "What do you think you're doing?"

"It's the Punishment Logue. I think the men need some encouragement before the storm."

"That activity is forbidden by the Captain. He already decreed a severe punishment to whoever participates and instigates this activity."

"Oh really? And what is the severe punishment? Lemme guess: no ration for a week? Solitary confinement?" Balsam sarcastically replied.

"No." Prayer retorted. "Execution." He finished rather menacingly. The soldiers were unnerved upon hearing it. Unfortunately, Balsam doesn't seem to be intimidated whatsoever.

"Hah! I doubt he had the gal to even do that. He fainted out of fright just by hearing the enemy's coming!" Balsam purposefully made his voice louder so that everyone heard him. "Is that the sort of guy that should lead us?"

Prayer realized that Balsam is once again trying to discredit Kage. "He defeated Goud Veia! Single handedly! You didn't even do anything but annoying our backs, cowering like a coward you are when we had to gang up on him!" Prayer accusingly (and rightfully) pointed back at Balsam.

"You know, I'm starting to wonder the authenticity of that claim. There's only story. From you, his number one fan, and from some other delirious and traumatic sources." Balsam chuckled sarcastically.

But that was taking it too far for an insult. Prayer exploded in rage and charged at the smug soldier giving him a good punch hard in the face. "DON'T YOU DARE TRY TO BLEMISH THAT YOU LYING GOOD FOR NOTHING OF A SCOUNDREL! CAPTAIN KAGE IS A BILLION TIMES BETTER THAN YOU!"

Balsam ignored the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "BUT LOOK WHAT HE'S DONE NOW! THE ENEMY IS BEARING DOWN ON US, HE EXHAUSTED OUR SUPPLIES AND MEN FOR USELESS HUMANITARIAN EFFORT, AND NOW WE'RE TRAPPED IN THIS GOD DAMN, ZAFT INVESTED, HELLHOLE!"

"I just heard about enough of this." Kage's whispery and slithering voice cut the argument short. Suddenly, everyone realized a black figure had just appeared out of nowhere, right behind the two bickering soldiers.

Prayer quickly turned around to see his captain, glaring at the two. "Capta-" Prayer's exclamation stopped mid-throat upon the terrifying sight of his captain. Kage approached them, his cold, emotionless eyes transfixed on Balsam. Prayer moved away, somewhat in fear. He saw among the crowd was Canard, his smile couldn't get wider. 'Canard?' he looked again at the new captain and realized something had happened between them. But Balsam, ever blind to the situation simply picked himself up, as smug as ever.

"You got them all fooled, didn't you captain? What's next? You saved us from one invasion and then you're gonna leave us to be butchered? Well congratulations on you. You might either starve us to death or get us all killed, but as long as your conscience is clean-"

"What for?" Kage cut Balsam's tirade short.

"Excuse me?"

"Prayer told me, you're the one who came up with the idea of the Punishment Logue. So, what was it for, really? Don't tell me it's just to further your personal standing amongst the men." Kage looked at Balsam in the eye.

By now, everyone, every soldier from all division had their undivided attention upon the scene. The Juppongatana and other seated officers from other division were all interested to see how Kage is going to solve this situation. Every ranked officers nearby knew that Kage's statement was the pure truth. But Balsam shook his head. "No. It was for the men. It always has been. The first and foremost reason was to weaken and disable the prisoners. They are Advanced! They have special abilities with them that gave them an edge, even unarmed. The Punishment Logue is to remove that edge. But if you want me to be blunt, it's because we all know, that the most prevalent emotion to grip their heart during combat has always been fear. And there are several ways to curb that fear. Either by sex- which is quite rare in these times- or death and violence."

"In other words… stress relief. That's what this is all about?" Kage summarized all the beautiful words in one common leyman language.

"Well, actually it's more artful… but yes. An oversimplification; but yes."

Kage chuckled snidely at the word artful. He turned to the now frightened Zaft prisoner. Kage recognized him. This is the prisoner who tried to kill him early on. The shinobi unsheathed Shiki and pointed it at the prisoner, who became more frightened as the sharp blade is inching closer to his being. Kage raised the katana and quickly brought it down. The prisoner tensed and closed his eyes in fear. But he felt no pain, and then he realized he was no longer bound. He opened his eyes and noticed that Kage had cut him free. The prisoners stare blankly, questioningly at the ninja.

Kage sheathed back Shiki and help the prisoner to get back on his feet. "Go to your prison and unbound your brethren. I had an offer in mind for them."

The prisoner seems confused, but nonetheless quickly ran towards the cage and did as he was told.

Balsam was somewhat horrified. "Are you nuts? What? Were you expecting them to fight for you in exchange for freedom?"

"Who says anything about having them fight for us?" Kage looked at Balsam in a rather exaggerated surprised motion; as if that was the most ridiculous notion he had ever heard. "I want to do it."

"What?"

"You said it before, that the Punishment Logue is a stress relief. Well… I'm having a lot of stress right now and I need a relief. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to relief some stress." And for a second, Balsam found himself thoroughly dumbfounded. Kage motioned Prayer to come closer and gave him Shiki. "Would you please hold on to this for a moment?" Prayer couldn't help to find himself smiling despite the absurdity of the situation.

Balsam quickly recovered from his stunned state, but still flabbergasting to retort. "B… But you said, whomsoever participate or instigate the Punishment Logue will be executed?"

"Well I am little bit on the retarded side, since I couldn't see the 'noble' intention of this activity." Kage sarcastically made the quotation mark. "So I'm going to try it myself. And Balsam? Pray, once I'm through with this, that my stress is relieved."

"P…p…pray?" Now Balsam started twitching uncontrollably.

"Yes. If my stress had indeed been relieved, I will personally sign a formal apology to you, the inventor of this activity, and then rescind that order forbidding such activity, even if that means I had to step down from captaincy." Kage cracked his neck several times, and then he began to undo his handguard. When it fell, the handguard left a crater in its fall, due to its insane weight. "But…" Kage undo another hand-guard, creating another crater. "IF by the end of my session…" Kage undo his leg-guard and throw it away. Balsam winced as the leg-guard also left another crater. "…I'm still stressed out…" Kage tossed the final leg-guard dangerously close to Balsam, who fell to his back due to the shock. "I will relief my stress… on YOU." Kage finally undo his jacket. When it fell, not only it produced the largest crater out of all, the ground also snapped to pieces.

Cracking his knuckles, Kage entered the cage filled with at least 30 Zaft prisoners, and closed the door; locking it from the inside.

If Canard's smile can get any wider, it will. "Don't you just love the sight of that asshole squirming in the dust?"

Mwu looked at all this, and found his jaw hung low. "What the hell did you just pound into his head?"

Inside the cage, Kage looked at the 30 unbound Zaft inmates, looking at him questioningly. "I will you let you all free."

They were all understandably shocked.

"That is, if any one of you can get past me, and get through that door. All of you can go free." Kage jerked his thumb to the cage door behind him. "And we'll go at this fist to fist, no weapons or super weapons or advanced bloodline allowed. Deal?"

Soon, the sound of battle cry and screams filled the cage. The first 5 minutes, the whole cage shook, and a cloud of dust arise, obscuring the view. The only clues one can discern that something was happening in there, was the sound of bodies smashing, bones cracking, coupled with a chorus of yells and grunts. The next 5 minutes, one wooden bar of the cage was snapped when a Zaft prisoner's head was slammed through it. The head was quickly pulled back in, and amidst the yells of pain and battle, one can hear the sound of how Kage used the inmate as a bludgeoning weapon. Everyone shirked when they also hear the sound a terrible smashing precedes the sound of Kage grunting and howling in pain. But as the third and the last 5 minutes passed, the sound of Zaft screaming in rage or spiriting his fellow inmates began to dim, replaced with screams of mercy begging, exclamation of fear, and, to a lesser degree but no less frightening, howling of delirious devil sighting. The whole ordeal lasted for 15 minutes, and ended when the cage door was blasted off its hinges.

A lone Zaft inmate, worse for wear, battered, and bloodied, walked out of the cage. He took a few steps away from the cage, muttering "…demon…" before falling unconscious. Revealing, behind him, Kage. His clothes were torn apart and his figure bruised and beaten; but he stood victorious atop the piles of unconscious Zaft inmates nonetheless. His left arm grabbed hold of his injured right arm; Kage limped away from the cage and walked out, breathing heavily after being brutalized black-and-blue.

Every soldier in vicinity was unnerved at the sight. Single handedly, with his bare fist, the ninja had actually beat the crap out of 30 inmates; 30 ADVANCED inmates. Although the ninja seem to be in a bad shape himself… and naturally, in a very, VERY bad mood. Kage limped towards the frightened Balsam like a beast looking at his lunch. "After a careful and thorough consideration… and with GREAT personal risk… I hereby decided that your method of Stress Relief is an even worse disease than a cure." Kage turned to the soldiers. "I've said this before out of a whim. Now I'm officially enforcing this: Anyone found participating or instigating this activity called Punishment Logue will be punished severely. Ranging from flogging to execution when proper, under the crime of endangerment to oneself and that of your comrades. And as for you…" Kage grabbed Balsam by the collar and raised him to his eyelevel. "Just for you: If you so much as to speak this bullshit of a word again, I'm going to grab some popcorn, tossed you into that cage and watch as those inmates tear you apart limb by limb. IS THAT IN ANY WAY UNCLEAR!"

Instinctively, every soldier just yelled: "SIR, YES, SIR!". Everyone except Balsam, who, at this point, had long since fainted, with bubbles gurgling from his mouth.

Prayer smiled happily and looked around and saw the other Juppongatana were also nodding in approval while some, like Neil and Kamina, were laughing their ass off, and Canard was grinning ear to ear. Though Prayer suspected that Canard was more into enjoying the sight of Balsam cowering and whining in terror, and finally fainting in their Captain's arms. Canard snarled happily for the first time in ages since he got here. Their captain had finally showed some backbone, and that's one heck of bone. "Now THAT'S more like it."

Kage walked past the unconscious Balsam after he put him down and stood at the center, for every soldier of the Alliance in vicinity to see and hear. Kage briefly kept his sight at Balsam, and his calm glare turned murderous for one second. "The Battle of Archangel bay… was my first participation in a major battle. That was the first time I even lead soldiers… and thanks to my incompetence-don't try to deny it Prayer." Prayer was about to protest but Kage cut him short. "At least 30 good men died, to protect me, because I wasn't good enough. Seung Won, Bernard Sinclair, Hernan Williams, George Earskive, Rahoul Bin Sani…" The audience from the 7th division gasped. Some held back a tear as Kage, having memorized the names of soldiers who died together with Harlbarton during Goud Veia's disastrous break-in, listed their names one by one. "…and Barnaby Dickens. That's all I can remember for now. But there are hundreds more, lying in unmarked, nameless grave because their bodies were so messed, they're beyond recognition. But they were all good men. Brave fellow who defended this half dead brat just to give him a chance to fight again. They won the battle. They are the true heroes. So this will be my only verbal warning to you all. Insult the memory of these brave men again, and it'll be a fight." The crowd gulped in fear as Kage's rage sent murderous chill up on their spine and so they made a silent promise.

Kage nodded and decided to calm things down a bit. "…you think he's right? That I saved these people just so that I can serve you guys on the silver platter to be butchered?" And suddenly, everyone remembered how to breathe again. Kage's tone had also toned down. It's still whispery and dangerous, but it's more civil and far less frightening than before. "I want you guys to start asking yourself this question: Those guys, whose blood run the slopes of Archangel bay red… Why do you think they're here: are they here to kill some Zaft soldiers… or did they actually think they could do some good?"

Every soldier looked at each other, but they're still listening to Kage.

"Whatever your answer is, truth be told, I care not. Each man has reason, their reasons are their own. Thusly, you joined this war under your own volition, under your own choice. But these people… these refugees, they had nothing to do with our war. And yet here they are getting caught up in it. They don't get to make that choice." Kage pointed his arm to the cage where Zaft inmates lay unconscious. "Zaft made that choice for them when they send those mercenaries to their homes, burning, pillaging, and sending them to us. Zaft did so, to attack us. But if I'm going to literally point fingers, I am to blame for all this." Kage jerked his thumb to himself.

"I'm going to make this clear for once and for all." Kage took a deep breath and exclaimed: "I killed Goud Veia. And I'm here to tell you right now: I do not take one jot of pride, or joy, in doing it. By killing Veia, I've brought this ordeal upon us all. And so I decided to make amends by helping these refugees. Yes. For me it's personal. But… we are all guilty." Everyone tensed and start looking at each other. "We caused this. All of us. Not just Zaft, but you as well. We are here because they allowed us here. We are here because they've given to us." Kage start listing things with his fingers. "We hunt in their forest, we traded goods with their merchants, and we live off their lands. Our conflict with Zaft had caused thousands of these people to lose their lives when it consumed their home. We've taken from them. And still they let us be on our way. And now, because of us, they've suffered, and when they came to us for help, are you just going to turn a deaf ear and leave them to their fates? We frown at the immoral actions of others, and yet we engaged immoral actions ourselves… Is that the sort of men you are? What will you tell your children? What will they tell theirs?""

Now every soldier grew tense and somewhat uncomfortable and now visibly ashamed of themselves. Kage continued. "We are not Zaft. We do not attack their villages and throw them out of their homes. I know… some of you think like that." Kage can see some of the soldiers shifting uncomfortably in their spot. "But if we let these people as they are, then we became worse than these Zaft soldiers that had killed all those brave men who died on the battle of Archangel Bay. They would've died in vain… if we throw away our dignity as a human being with acts of cruelty." Kage took another deep breath and continued.

Kage take a few more steps forward and stated. "You are naturals. You are not stronger than the Advanced, you are not faster or smarter… but you can be better than them. You are better than them. But to be better, means we do not stoop to their level. We caused this… and so we must take responsibility and make it right. I can make it right. But I can't do this alone. I need your help. Our… My war is about saving and protecting lives. That's how I'm going to do things. If you choose to leave… then feel free to do so. It's your choice to join us, and so it is also your choice to leave us, always have, always will be. Go back to your family, to your loved ones. And protect them. But if you choose to stay here… with me… let's show the world that we are better people." Kage ended his speech, and silence followed. Every soldier looked to themselves and then to each other, as if trying to see if anyone is leaving.

After long moments, no one leaves.

The other seated officers stood transfixed and then start looking at the soldiers, and realized no one is leaving. Everyone stays. Mwu and Murrue looked at their protégé and smiled with pride. The Shadowguards smiled widely. Kage also smiled and exhaled a breath of relief. Well, at least he can get that off his chest.

"But sir…" A voice rose among the soldiers. Attracting everyone's attention. "There are only… 2000 of us… how can we protect ourselves and these people against… 100,000 of them?"

"And we only have ration for a week! We can't last long!" Another followed on. The other soldiers also agreed to this point with nod and murmurs. Again they entered a state of unrest.

Kage chuckled beneath his mask. He understood the situation plenty well. They won't leave him, but they're still afraid. Even after everything he had said and done, they're all looking for him for guidance. They're hoping for some sort of proof that they can entrust themselves to him. Strange. Just a few days ago he was so scared and so uncertain about what to do. Now he feels like he can take on 10 Veia for all he cares. "Fine. I'll make a promise with you… no… make it a military pledge, just to be sure."

And suddenly there's a great unrest amongst the soldiers, particularly that of the seated officers. Their relief suddenly turned to frowns and gasps. Military pledge is like a contract that follows the rules and regulation of military bodies. If one made such a pledge and do not deliver, the consequences are known to be strict to say the least. The higher the rank, the harsher the punishment. Kage didn't seem to care to such notion though. "Prayer, if you be so kind and take note."

Prayer flabbergasted and looked at Canard and Mwu, hoping that either one of them can stop this. But apparently, even they were caught unawares.

"Prayer?" Kage called again.

Prayer gasped, and finally prepared a paper and pen. "Yes. Fire away."

Kage smiled and nodded. "Okay. This 100,000 strong Bladebane incursion you're all so scared of… if you choose to follow my lead… I will bring this invasion force down… with only one fifth of our current standing forces… and within five days from now!"

Even someone as reckless as Mwu fell off from hearing the absurdity of the statement. The Shadowguards looked at each other in total horror. Tolle quickly ran towards Canard and grabbed the man's collar. "Oi! Mr. Lieutenant! What on earth did you tell him?"

"You tell me, kid." Judging by his tone, Canard was as shocked and horrified as the rest of them. "Was he always this crazy?"

Murrue shook Mwu multiple times. "Mwu, you have to stop this. This is… this is…"

"This is a God damn military pledge, Murrue… I can't interfere. Let's just hope he didn't promise anything stupider-"

Kage, ignoring the horrified look of his friends, continued on with his Military pledge. "This is my word. And if I cannot live up to it…"

Everyone held their breath.

Kage jerked his thumb to his neck and slit his throat with it before finishing his pledge in one final declaration.

"Off with my head."

The whole fortress lay eerily silent for the remainder of that day.

Kamina dropped his fancy glasses in total shock. "Okay… I retract my earlier statement… he's totally scary… inside out."

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An Empire Divided – part 2:

The decades that follow after the fall of the Crimson emperor's court were counted as the darkest times for the history of the Advanced race. The new government seek to purge all icons of the past, erasing the last trace of the Oni race from the face of the earth and histories. Libraries were burned; edifices of the Oni were destroyed. The term Crimson and Blue Emperor were no longer used. Instead, a body government named Logos was established during this period composed of 12 High Council, former members of the Blue Emperor's court. These 12 ministers split the country to 12 vast regions, and they are the true holders of power in this new court. Their military arms are the Order of Blue Cosmos. The Order has but one goal: to hunt all Advanced down, and kill them one by one. A systematic holocaust that is an all too successful of a campaign. The Advanced race was driven into poor and impoverished slums, not fit for human being to live in in order for them to die a slow death.

It was during this time that an Advanced rose to prominence. A lone travelling warlord by the name of George of Glenn roused his people from one impoverished ghetto to the next. A charismatic, yet humble young man, he was a natural leader, and with his leadership talents, he soon amassed a great number of supporters and followers. First started only a few hundred, than a few thousand, and before anyone realized, George assembled legions of followers, creating a large fighting force. George himself, ever the adept tactician and military genius, managed the Advanced based on their special abilities, placing them in position where they can best use their bloodline limit to a great effect. Not only did he taught the Advanced, who were already thinkers and scholars, on how to better use their gifts for the betterment of their people, the condition they live in demands them to learn to use those gifts to do battle and wage wars. With his brilliantly efficient and effective management, George forged his followers into a disciplined army, teaching them to work as a team so that each bloodline limit complement one another. Yet all this was done in such secrecy, the Order and Logos itself did not realize just how big of a threat these armies have become. To their eyes, George of Glenn's outfit is nothing but a bunch of miscreants of zealots and fanatical brigands. When eventually they did realize the threat and mobilize the Order of Blue Cosmos's army, they were met with an army of incredibly disciplined and well trained, well armed knights, armed not only with superhuman skills, but also their full mastery of their respective bloodline limits. The massive army of the Order of Blue Cosmos was completely annihilated. This was the sign for George to take on to the offensive.

Cities after cities that once belonged to the Advanced were reclaimed, and the people were moved from ghettos back to their homes. George management skills as a natural born leader for its people ensures that every city he reclaimed was left better off than when he first arrived, with its military strong, its infrastructure is built and well maintained, its people fed and clothed. Like moth to the flame, many other desperate Advanced flocked to George joined him. So many people came to George, searching for promises of better future and better life. The number of George's followers swelled like never before… they swelled so much that, George had to merge three cities into one huge metropolitan… named Zaft and George of Glenn, under the demands and adoration of everyone, became the Ruler of this Advanced Haven. Zaft prospered like never before. It became the jewel of the ancient world, and source of envy and anger of the Naturals. The Order of Blue Cosmos launched 4 separate invasion campaign and all of them were thwarted. But unfortunately, George also realized that his army cannot grow any bigger than this. And so he cannot gain an advantage over their adversaries. The two sides enter an era of stalemate and an uneasy peace. And so the era is still in chaos.

It was during such time, that George found ancient mummified remains of a gigantic 'winged whale' creature from an archaeological dig. Inside the whale, was a book written in language older than anything he had ever seen. The book was preserved and after years of research, it is discovered that the characters were Oni, signifying it was written by the Old Gods. Yet for all his intelligence and despite the aid of the brightest minds Zaft can offer, they barely able to translate just bits and pieces of the book. But from these bits and pieces, they were able to conclude that the Onis had foreseen their own extinction. Concerned of the welfare of the younger species, they left behind artifacts of their making for the mortals to use. These artifacts, which later known as the Oni Regalia, were capable of great feats of miracles, as befitting of something created by the old gods and such power can change the course of war-even the world itself. Regardless, there is one entry regarding this regalia that piqued George's interest. Regalia that can create islands-complete with its own naturals resources that can support millions if not billions of people. The natural resources in his lands were nearly exhausted, and they cannot procure more from the outside while his people continue to grow. They'll need to expand eventually. As it is, the tension between the two sides is at a powder keg, ready to blow at the merest sign of aggression. And so, although George's first priority is the welfare of his people, he refused to risk open war. Under his command, Zaft devoted all its resources into finding this particular Regalia.

The search was fruitful. Using bits and pieces of the information they gleaned from the book had allowed Zaft to recover these mighty Regalias from their slumbering place – which is mostly untouched. The Onis had hid them so well through mimicry and magic, disguising them into the most inconspicuous of objects; making it almost impossible to find without information from the said book. Unwilling to use the power of these Regalias, and somewhat frightened by their potential, George had them all hidden away, hoping that it will never be used. After a lengthy search, eventually they found the land creating Regalia. However by that time, the Order had realized that Zaft are hunting Regalias, and that these relics hold great power. In response, the Order began a search of their own for these Regalias. But without the aid of the book, they weren't even closer to even finding it. Despite knowing that their enemy is searching for the same weapon, the court of the Advanced pay them no heed, thinking that even they, the Advanced, with all their strengths and ingenuity, could barely locate a handful of them. How could the inferior Naturals succeed when they don't?

George however, does not share this sentiment. He reminded the court of the days of the holocaust. He reminded them that these 'inferior race' had nearly driven the Advanced Race to extinction. With that in mind, Zaft hastened the study and use of the Regalia and immediately put it to use. And thus the first Artificial Island, the Plant Continent Januarius (since it was coincidentally created in January) was built, and its rich resources and fertile lands bring life and hope back to the people of Zaft. The Zaft Kingdom was then moved unto that island in a mass exodus, officially marking it as the first, and the true capital of the new Zaft empire territory, and George was crowned the first Crimson Emperor of the new Zaft Empire. With this act, George had also decided to bury the hatchet by leaving the Naturals alone to their lands. Although he was the one who taught his people the art of war, what George crave more than anything, is peace. Zaft has become a vast Empire, a mighty one, but alas, with the majority of the society being against them, they have to adopt a tight isolationist' doctrine. But now, with the ability to create new lands and resources as needed, they will have no need to invade other lands for resources. George even envisioned using this Regalia as a bargaining chip to usher a permanent peace between Advanced and the Naturals.

Some of his ministers, such as those from the house of Clyne, Joule, and Zala, wished to use the powers of these artifacts to win the war. Such voices, for the moment, can be silenced. Unfortunately, fate speaks differently. When the Order learned of how the Advanced had harnessed the power to create lands, they grew more infuriated and now became convinced that the advanced are true monstrosities that the world must be rid off. In their desperation, they turn to Black Magic: the Genma. A demonic monstrosities sealed by the Onis eons ago. When he learned about this, George led a cadre of his most elite warriors-all armed with all the Regalia they had gathered thus far, launched an attack to interrupt the summoning ceremony. He managed to stop and kill all the priests related in the profane ritual, but he was unable to stop the portal to the daemonworld to open. Left with no choice, George hurled himself into the portal and closed it from inside. The destabilized portal exploded and George vanished from mortal realm, forever, whilst the Regalia, caught by the ripples of explosion, were either destroyed or sent to every corner of the world, with the Zaft warriors only managed to save but a few.

Angered by the apparent death of their patriarch and emperor, the house of Clyne and Zala decided to go ahead with their initial plan of using the land creating Regalia for war. Unfortunately, while George's use of the Regalia was carefully controlled, the two families' reckless use of the Regalia enabled them to raise 11 more of such continents in one go, but causing it to go berserk until it breaks. But that was not all: the Regalia was created by the Oni not only to raise lands but also to suppress the terrible side effect that occur when gigantic land masses emerged: a destructive tidal wave. When the Regalia breaks, this terrible side effect are no longer suppressed, and continents all over the world were sundered, some lands (such as Mu and Atlantis) were either submerged or/and collapsed, while other lands were forever altered, causing massive destruction to the realm and its Natural inhabitants. The Advanced were not exempt to this disaster. Due to faulty use of the Regalia, the 12 continents were bombarded by unnatural weather disasters, disasters which only subside after a few years had passed destroying much of their own civilization.

With these series of catastrophes, both sides were equally injured, and ironically enough for the first time in long years, the world knew some semblance of true peace, as both dominions focus all their effort to rebuild what they have torn down. Soon, long years have passed since then, where the heroes of the previous war had passed into history and both sides had regained much of their former strength and more. Both sides remain at each other's throat though-both are blaming each other for their loss: the Advanced blaming the naturals for the slaughter of their people, their attempted summoning of demons, and above all; the death of George of Glenn, their beloved Emperor. The Naturals blamed the Advanced for the destruction they've wrought upon the world due to the raising of the 12 Plant Continents, considering them a blasphemy to Nature. With neither side are willing to give in, they continuously building their forces for the confrontation to come. But neither is keen to start a war, remembering the destruction of the previous ordeal, and so this era of Cold War lasted for decades…

…until remnants of the Order of Blue Cosmos performed (this time) a successful demon summoning, and the event of the Bloody Valentine came to pass.

Thus how the war begins anew.

Empire Divided – The End

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Till the next chapter.