Warning: Torture and brutal stuff in this chapter. (It's feudal fantasy Japan after all)


It was late night by the time Wolf had returned to the shrine.

He stepped inside, peering around and grabbing his belongings, storing them inside his basket. He looked up, staring at the various idols he would leave behind.

And then Wolf realized something.

There were more than idols then he remembered making.

Rising to full height, he inspected his handmade collection, cautious gaze peering at them. Although he was unsure which one was the odd one of the bunch, he knew that some trick was at hand. Silently, he reached into his pocket, producing a spare Snap Seed pod that he had brought over with him.

Pressing his thumb and middle finger together while the pod was in hand, he opened it.

*Snap*

Its sound radiated outwards, an illusion shattered before his very eyes as one of the idols disappeared, small trails of light dying in the air as a figure was revealed. Wolf rushed forward, grabbing them by the throat and readying his blade in an instant, the sharp end forward.

"H-Ha!" A scream, wide and terrified yellow eyes peering into his own.

The neck he held was that of Shoukichi, the traveling merchant.

Yet she appeared changed, her features more akin to a beast than a human, or more specifically, a Tanuki. A pair of raccoon-like ears were atop her bob hair, a leaf in between the two sensory organs. Her legs, although still retaining the skin of humans, were covered in an almost outer shell of fine fur. Finally, a fuzzy brown tail could be seen behind her, completely still with fear and agitation.

Wolf let go.

Shoukichi retreated, yet ended up corning herself like a wild animal as Wolf stood in front of the entrance. "G-Get away from me!" She yelled, voice panic-stricken.

He stared at her, "Shoukichi... I'm not going to hurt you."

"L-Liar!" She yelled, hands holding out against the corner. "I saw ya! I saw ya kill that Tengu, you murderer! You hate monsters, just like the rest of the Amanomiya clan!"

Wolf blinked, realizing that even her accent had changed, her voice harsher and melodic. He paused for a moment before decidedly sitting down, now cross-legged as he looked up at her. "I see... so you're a monster as well. Much like that Tengu from yesterday."

"Yes! Isn't that-" Shoukichi seemed out of breath, "A-Are ya going to kill me?"

He quickly realized that she was shaking, her body language indicating fear and dread. Wolf simply shook his head, "No. I have no reason to."

"T-Then... why?"

Wolf slightly tilted his head, "Hm?"

She closed her eyes, her teeth gritted and fists closed. "Why didya kill that innocent monster!?"

The question was a bit of a surprise for Wolf.

Innocent, such a rarely used term.

"..." He was silent for a few moments, "Because she tried to kidnap a child."

"But she wouldn't have hurt him! She just wanted a husband."

Wolf raised an eye at the mention of husband, but kept on topic. "Then would he have returned to the village?"

"I-I mean, no but-"

"And what of his grandmother? The villagers believe that the Tengu was taking him to be eaten."

"Nobody would have had to die-"

"If she had not tried." Wolf simply finished. If there was one thing Wolf knew, it was that actions had consequences, much like how his own in the past had weakened the vital defenses of Ashina and opened it for the inevitable invasion of the Interior Ministry.

Shoukichi was quiet, eager to finally change the subject before her eyes spotted his artificial limb. She blinked, "Is that- I thought ya didn't-"

"I don't. It is a prosthetic." Wolf answered vaguely, hiding his left arm beneath his straw cloak. "But that is not important. I have many questions for you, Shoukichi, if that is even your name. What are you, and why are you here?"

She sighed, taking the leaf off her head. "That's my real name. I am... what ya call a Danuki."

"A Danuki?" He knew the term, a Tanuki Yokai. He supposed it made sense, seeing her similarities to the actual Tanuki creature.

"As for my purpose, well..." She seemed hesitant to tell the next bit, "I was tryna help boost business in Dokoni, and get the people to start accepting monsters."

"Accept monsters?"

Shoukichi shook her head, "You're really gonna make me explain." She then looked straight narrowing her eyes, "Get this in yer head Sekiro, most monsters just wanna live peacefully with humans!"

"Truly?" Wolf asked, yet thought back to the Tengu and the Ushi-Oni. One had attempted to kidnap, and the other had helped a group of bandits. The only exception so far had been Shoukichi, but even she conducted herself in a dishonest way, using illusions to create a false front and interact with those in the village.

Could any of those truly be considered peaceful?

Wolf kept his doubts.

"But I guess it doesn't matter now. I'm on info-gathering duty." Shoukichi bemoaned.

"Info?" Wolf tensed up, "For who exactly?"

"I-I-" Shoukichi seemed fearful once more, "After I saw ya kill that Tengu, I sent word to a hidden Shinobi village. T-They're after ya now."

"... I see."

From Wolf's experience, the involvement of other shinobi groups meant nothing but trouble. Nightjars, Lone Shadows, and even Rats, all had their own techniques and methods, forcing Wolf to adapt and counter their styles.

It seemed things would get complicated again.

Wolf slowly stood up, grabbing his basket, Shoukichi watching him. "W-Well?! A-Aren't ya angry at me!?"

He was slightly taken aback by her outburst, but did nothing to show it, shaking his head instead. "No. Nothing can be done about it now." Wolf hoisted the basket over his shoulder, "But for your sake and mine, it is best we never see each other again. If you follow me from here... then I will not hesitate like before." Shoukichi knew what he insinuated, her face turning pale as ice.

"T-This is- You'd really-" She brought an arm to her eyes, rubbing the tears from them as she shakily sighed. "A-And to think that I wanted ya as my damn husband..."

Wolf, for once, had thought he misheard.

"... What?" He simply asked.

"Ya heard me!" Shoukichi yelled as she lowered her arm, "Why didya think I was trying so hard to get ya dependent on me!?"

This was all new to Wolf, her 'confession' being a situation that the shinobi had never dealt with before. A husband? Him? He knew next to nothing outside of being a shinobi, much less a husband. Ironically, it was times like this he wished for Lord Kuro's guidance, for the boy to tell him what to say or do. But he no longer had that luxury.

So instead, he relied on his own decision making and spoke the truth.

"Forgive me... but that was foolish of you." Wolf slowly stood up, his face emotionless. "I could never become your husband."

And although that fact was clear since the beginning of the conversation, his admittance seemed to have an impact on the beast girl. He watched as Shoukichi's raccoon ears flopped, her eyes wide and the life in her tail seemingly dying out.

"Farewell, Shoukichi."

Wolf left the shrine, leaving the stunned and sorrowful Danuki on her lonesome.


Dokoni village was on high alert, lanterns hanged up to illuminate its perimeter.

Most had stayed inside, while any folk who were eligible to fight had taken to the outside, armed with whatever farm equipment they could muster. Furukabu kept a hand atop his sheathed katana, wearing the chest piece of his old samurai armor as he stood watch at the mouth of the village.

"The outsider! He's back!" A lookout announced.

The news stirred the village as Wolf walked underneath the watchful gaze of the decrepit militia. Furukabu was the first to come up to him, a somber look on his face.

Wolf simply spoke, "It is done."

"... I understand." He then turned around to the rest of the curious villagers, holding his arms out. "Back to your homes everyone! The bandit threat has been absolved."

A wave of relief seemed to instantly wash over the atmosphere, but the villagers stared at Wolf, whispering amongst one another. They turned to leave, taking their equipment with them. Furukabu turned back around, "I must apologize. Many are simply exhausted, but all of us can rest easy tonight thanks to you." He then took notice of his left side. "Huh, you're arm...!"

Wolf nodded in confirmation, holding it up to flex the bone like digits, inner mechanisms coiling. "It is a prosthetic, and...-" He tried to banish the thought of the horrific fiery vessel, instead picturing an old carver with a fondness for sake. "-... it was given to me by a good friend."

"A-Amazing." Furukabu responded, hand grasping his chin to get a better look at the arm. "I don't believe I've ever seen such a device before, not even from the western barbarians. But that is not all I am impressed with."

His old eyes then glinted with a hint of sharpness.

"You're a shinobi, aren't you?"

Wolf looked at him for a moment before finally responding. "I am." He spoke quietly, "How did you know?"

Furukabu gestured to the dark. "You handle your katana like a master, yet choose to strike when the sun is down." His head drifted toward the houses. "And back when the bandits came to our village, rather than proudly declaring your name for a chance of renown, you stated your demands and left it as. Your ways... they are without honor." Furukabu shook his head, "But I have now learned that is not a bad thing. For what you lack in honor, you make up in the respect you carry and give to others, let none other question that."

The shinobi felt a rare feeling of pride blossom beneath his chest, yet he did not show it, instead choosing to bow his head with his expressionless face. "Then I was glad to be of service."

"Hm." Furukabu smiled before it slowly disappeared, "But I suppose... that you are the last."

Wolf was confused, "What do you mean?"

The Elder looked away, nodding his head to the mountainside. "Long ago, hidden shinobi villages used to reside within the mountains, and local daimyos would recruit the services of their inhabitants. But word across Amanomiya land is that it is no longer humans that inhabit these villages... but demonesses that suck away people's souls. Up until now, you are the only man I have ever witnessed who applies the way of the shinobi."

It was an odd story, Wolf unsure what to even make of it, but he did know one thing.

Shoukichi had contacted one of these villages, and they were after him.

He needed to leave.

Wolf knelt down and taking off his basket. "I have also come to return the sacks of food you entrusted to me."

Furukabu blinked, "But-"

"Take them." He insisted, pushing the basket forward. "It would be too cumbersome to bring them with me. I must travel quickly."

"You're leaving?" Wolf nodded in confirmation, "Where will you go?"

Wolf was silent for a moment, "... I am unsure."

"Then perhaps I can finally offer assistance." Furukabu gestured, "Wait right here, I'll be back."

The shinobi nodded, Furukabu running into his household at the end of the path. He returned after a few seconds, holding what appeared to be a golden ornament of some sort. Furukabu handed it to him, Wolf looking down to inspect the item. It was a golden circlet, separated and thin at the top, he felt the back of it, realizing what it was.

"This is-"

"A kabuto crest." Furukabu proudly patted his worn cuirass, "I used to have a full set of armor when I was still a retainer, but those days are long behind me, and harsh times forced me to sell off most of it." He pointed at the object in Wolf's hand, "But I still held onto the crest after all these years. It was... sentimental to me."

Furukabu then shook his head.

"But its true use will be what you can find with it. Do not speak of what I'm about to tell."

Wolf paused before nodding, prompting Furukabu to continue.

He pointed to the river, "Beyond this stream goes deeper into Amanomiya territory. If you go straight and follow down the first road you find, you will come across a mountain that is populated with sakura trees."

He then leaned close, whispering the next part.

"If you scale it by the southside, you will come across a hidden field. My lord, Totetsu Amanomiya, resides there."

Wolf was surprised, "You would entrust me your daimyo's location?"

"Not just entrusting, I am vouching for you." He then gestured to the village. "Look around you, Shinobi. Our village is poor and our fields are even poorer, and as I speak, other neighboring clans have taken advantage of our stagnation, launching raids against our borders. Even our lands, once free of the monstrous menace, have been slowly overtaken. The Amanomiya clan has fallen far from grace ever since my lord had to step down as head of the family."

Furukabu turned to Wolf.

"Offer servitude to Lord Amanomiya, it would definitely be worth your effort and time."

Wolf considered his options. Truthfully, Furukabu's offer sounded tempting, seeing as he had no better idea in mind, but to fall under the servitude of another lord... and for it to not be under the command of his father for the first time.

It was jarring.

"I will consider it."

Furukabu nodded in understanding, "Alright then, I suppose that is all I can hope for then. If you wish, you can sell the crest for a few sen, it should catch a nice price if you find the right merchant."

Wolf nodded, pocketing it in his baggy trouser before looking back up. After a few moments, the two of them silently bowed before turning away from each other. By the time Furukabu had returned home, he turned around, noticing that the shinobi had completely disappeared. Turning back around, he entered his house, looking around before knocking three times against the side of the door.

His granddaughter arose from her hiding spot beneath the floorboards.

"Grandpa! You're back!"

Furukabu knelt down to reciprocate. It had been a long worrisome night after all.

"I-Is it safe?"

He smiled, "Yes, Little Samurai."

The Elder stood back out, looking out the window and into the pitch-black night.

"A shadow watched over us tonight."


Morning had come.

The shinobi kept traveling, not even stopping once. The foliage was never too thick, but many obstacles still laid in the way. Occasionally, Wolf would have to scale over obstructing boulders and long ravines, leaping from tall branches in order to get across. Lack of sleep would have affected lesser men, but not Wolf. He was used to staying awake for long periods of time, his perseverance tireless. Owl and Lady Butterfly were to thank for his fortitude, often forcing his child self to stay awake for days on end. It was strict and inhumane training, but it had its merits.

An hour passed, and he hadn't even stopped once until finally seeing a clearing, arriving at a paved trail.

He paused for a few moments before coming to a decision.

Wolf followed the road.

Immediately, he felt as if he were exposed, out in the open for anyone to strike first. His sandals loudly clicked atop the stone, the only sound besides the rustling of wind and leaves, reminding Wolf that he was alone once more. Yet admittedly, this form of solitary travel wasn't all too unwelcome.

He was used to this.

Wolf wasn't sure how many minutes had passed since he started walking down the road, but pretty soon, the clacks of his sandals now replaced with the loud roars of a rapid. Looking forward, Wolf spotted what appeared to be the remains of a bridge, the platform shattered and fallen into the frothy water below. Oddly enough, the water was not shallow, giving no possible reason for its turbulence.

It was almost as if some unnatural force was behind its rushing tide.

He looked around, trying to see if there were any other way across. The river was too wide, meaning that no branch was close enough for him to leap or grapple to the other side. He looked up and down the river to see if there was another bridge possibly, only to be disappointed. Silently, Wolf contemplated if he would have to swim.

A voice called out.

"H-Help!"

Wolf perked up, realizing that a girl was calling for aid. He rushed to the side, looking to see a figure on the rocky shore. Yet their appearance gave him pause, Wolf's hand naturally drifting atop the handle of his katana.

It was a girl lying atop the riverside, donning a priestess's outfit, yet that was the only part that was remotely human, as a large green shell weighed her petite body down. Her arms and legs adorned cloth-like fins, with prayer beads wrapped around her arm and neck. She called out again, struggling to get back up. "Somebody, please!"

Slowly, he cautiously approached her with his prosthetic hidden behind his cloak, the monster catching sight of him as her eyes widened.

"Eek! A human!"

Suddenly, she seemed conscious of how she conducted herself, pulling the hem of her translucent kimono down.

"Oh, this is terrible! A human has found me, and I cannot even hide within my shell!"

Wolf raised an eye, admittedly confounded at the rather unusual sight. Yet did not drop his guard, hand clasped around Kusabimaru. "You are a monster?" He questioned. The monster spotted his katana, color draining from her face as meek dramatism left her form.

"Y-Yes." She answered, face upside down and lip quivering. "I-I'm what you would call a Umi-Osho."

The shinobi had suspicions regarding the water, turning his head to the rapids. He then turned back, knowing the magic monsters possessed, Shoukichi as an example. "This water should have no current, yet there is strong rapid. Was this your doing?"

She shook her head, "N-No. Lady Kaiyo, my mistress, caused the water to collapse this bridge. I am here to simply maintain it."

"I see..." Wolf mused, "Then I will be leaving." He turned around, only for the Umi-Osho to call out.

"H-Hey, are you just going to leave me like this?"

"Yes." He brutally responded.

She seemed completely taken aback, "And you... don't want to do anything else to my helpless, vulnerable self?"

There seemed to be some hidden intention behind her dialogue, yet Wolf couldn't exactly figure it out.

"No. I do not."

"I don't believe it... you are immune to my blessing."

Immediately, Wolf was on guard. "Blessing?" He then tightened his grip on his weapon, "Speak."

"I-I-" She seemed to have trouble breathing, "M-My appearance and voice, it is not on purpose. It's j-just that when men see me like this, they go crazy with lust... b-but you aren't."

"I... see." Wolf spoke, "Then I have even less of a reason to trust you. Goodbye."

"W-Wait! At least help turn me over, I-I might starve to death if I stay like this." She blinked, "... Please?"

Wolf paused for a few seconds before internally sighing. "Very well then, but on one condition." He gestured to the stream, "Calm the river."

"O-Okay." As if on cue, the rapid subsided, water calming to a gentle stream. "Now, will you help me?"

He nodded, raising his food and pressing his sandal on the side of her shell.

She yelped.

"Kya!"

Wolf raised an eye, the Umi-Osho sputtering.

"D-Don't push so hard. M-My shell, it's sensitive!"

He wondered how the toughest part of her lithe body could possibly be sensitive before ignoring her, pushing his leg forward and tilting her back on her front. She plopped down, a few pebbles flying as she let out a small groan. Slowly, she rose up, turning her head to Wolf.

"T-Thanks, human."

He simply nodded before looking over the river.

"What is your name?" She asked, "M-Mines Kawaguchi Mizu."

"... Sekiro." He responded, "You mentioned a mistress, are you under the service of a clan?"

"Not just any clan, Sekiro, but the underwater sea kingdom of Ryugujo." She pointed a fin downstream, "This river actually consists of seawater because it runs close to an estuary, thus it is in our domain."

"So why destroy the bridge?" He asked.

"W-Well, it was built by the Amanomiya clan, and they are hostile to monsters like me. So Lady Kaiyo decided to have this bridge destroyed to halt their reinforcements and allow other monster friendly clans an easier time to invade this land."

"But what of the others that rely on it? Surely it was not only soldiers that used this bridge?" Wolf asked.

"I-" Kawaguchi paused, "I never thought of it that way..."

Wolf shrugged, "Regardless, I must get across."

Kawaguchi looked at him before looking to the other side. "T-Then..." She seemed timid, grinding a foot fin against the pebbly shore. "How about I help you? You can stand atop my shell and I can bring you to the other side."

"... Did you not say your shell was sensitive?" Wolf asked.

"W-Well, yeah, but-" Rather than finishing, she walked forward into the water. Immediately, Wolf could see how suited her body was for the aquatic environment, fins gently drifting back and forth to keep her head above water. She then dove her head under, her shell being the only part above water now. "H-Here." Her voice spoke, somehow unaffected despite being underwater. "It'll be quick, I promise you."

Wolf looked at the shell for a moment, contemplating. On one hand, she was a monster, and so far most had not given a good impression to him, this could have been a trick, or some sort of trap. On the other, saltwater would damage his clothes without any fresh water to soak it afterward, and if she tried anything, he would be right on her back, a place perfect to land a killing blow.

So he relented, gingerly stepping atop the shell. Her form seemed to shiver for a moment before her flippers went into motion. She was quick, a small wave forming in front of the round green shell. After a few seconds, they arrived at the other side, Wolf stepping off. He turned around, Kawaguchi stumbling out of the water on all fours.

Her face was red, mouth open as she let out a rather hot breath. "Ha..."

Wolf blinked, "Are you alright?"

"F-Fine!" She said a little too quickly, shaking her head and standing up. "All that matters is that I did as I said."

He nodded, "Indeed." He then bowed his head slightly, "Thank you."

A blush formed on Kawaguchi's face, "Ah, i-it's quite alright." Her flipper shivered before she reached into kimono, producing what appeared to be a letter. "H-Here."

"What is this?" Wolf asked, taking the wrapped scroll and looking down at it.

"I-It's an invitation, to Ryugujo."

He looked back up, "Why give this to me?"

"W-Well, because-" She reached a fin forward, yet did not touch him, instead feeling around as if tracing some invisible presence before her. "I have the ability to read the auras of humans. I-I'm not sure how to explain it, but yours is distant, almost otherwordly. You're a... very strange human, Sekiro. Lady Kaiyo is always fascinated by such individuals."

The shinobi realized that she was grasping at his origin, which made him wonder how her 'aura-reading' even worked.

"Yet, speaking of Ryugujo, I-I must return there." She slowly stepped back into the water, head still poking through the surface. "You are welcome to come any time you want, as long as you bring the scroll to the shores of the eastern sea."

Wolf slowly nodded, "I will consider it."

She smiled at him warmly, "Goodbye, Sekiro."

Wolf blinked, confused as he watched her swim away before looking at the carefully wrapped scroll. He placed it into one of his pockets, contemplating what he had just been through.

Shoukichi's words came to him.

"Get this in yer head Sekiro, most monsters just wanna live peacefully with humans!"

Perhaps there was truth to her words.

He continued his journey with that thought in mind.


Dusk rose, the sky orange.

Wolf could finally admit that he felt weary after a full day of traveling, his legs demanding some form of rest. The road was uneventful ever since meeting Kawaguchi, but it winded every so often, now beside a tall mountain.

Upon reaching the other side, Wolf could spot a post station, a few buildings on either side of the road. Their interiors glowed with candlelight, outside lanterns providing illumination.

His pace increased ever so slightly as he quickly reached his destination, head peering side to side to look at the tidy buildings. Wolf quickly felt that something was wrong, realizing that not a single soul was outside.

Wolf quickly found out why, stopping to stare at the sight before him.

At first, it appeared to be a sack tied to a wooden pole, yet it squirmed occasionally, two feet sticking out the top. A hole was dug into the dirt, a wooden panel covering it with an opening in the middle. The person's head was stuck through it, muffled groans heard from below. Two guards of unknown affiliation stood next to the wooden pole, jittes strap to their sides and wearing white headbands atop their foreheads, signified with blue emblems.

Beside them lied the decapitated head of a monster, set atop a wooden board beside the gallow for all to see. Limp cat-like ears were atop her head, and her features were stained with blood, her left eye still stuck in mid-blink, a surprised look on her lifeless face.

Lastly was a palanquin, a singular man sitting off it. His kimono had sharp shoulders, black with both sides adorning the same sigil on the headbands. He enjoyed a meal within the carriage, pouring himself a cup of sake and slurping on soba noodles. Wolf blinked before realizing he could hear figures approach, his eyes peered, peripheral vision spotting more of those headbands guards.

Metsuke. Secret Police.

He was surrounded, yet they did not make a move, instead choosing to watch him closely. After a few seconds, one broke away, a heavy jitte by his side as Wolf slowly turned around.

"Papers, please." The metsuke requested.

Wolf did not have papers, no personal documents that could even indicate his existence. His first instinct was to reach for his blade, a few tense seconds passing.

But luckily, the sitting man raised a dismissing hand, the guard backing away to his own business. The seated man then stood off the palanquin, a black kasa protecing his head from the sun as he produced a folded fan from his kimono.

"You must forgive my subordinate's zeal, only traders and merchants are required by Amanomiya law to show their papers." The man walked up to him, a jitte on one hip and katana on the other as all eyes were upon him. Wolf felt a bead of sweat on his forehead, realizing how out of his element he truly was, and how unfavorable the situation was.

What good was a shinobi when he was surrounded and in the open?

The head metsuke then stopped, his brows in a permanent furrow. His beard was cropped, a sharp mustache over his mouth. He seemed to analyze Wolf with a precision that implied his job before turning to look up at Wolf, pointing the end of his fan toward Wolf's left side and gesturing to his covered arm. "My, what an odd device. Is that a real arm?"

"... No." Wolf answered.

"How peculiar." He then walked around Wolf, continuing his analysis. "And your skin... so pale. You do not see much sun, do you?"

"No." Wolf answered again.

The man seemed amused, "What is your name?"

"Sekiro."

"One-armed Wolf." He correctly discerned. "A bizarre name for an unusual man." He put a hand against his chest, "My name is Mezurashi Batsu." He then straightened himself. "Now tell me, Sekiro..." His eyes held a dangerous glint in them, "Are you a friend of monsters?"

Truthfully, he answered, holding his ground. "No, but neither do I consider myself a foe."

To his surprise, Mezurashi smiled. "That... is a good answer."

He then opened his fan.

"What brings you to Amanomiya lands, Sekiro?"

"He can tell I'm an outsider." Wolf thought, keeping his expression calm as he considered for a moment. "... I am looking for purpose."

"Ah, understandable. A farmer is nothing without his land, as a samurai is nothing without a lord." Mezurashi asked, blowing wind into his face. "As for me and my subordinates, our purpose is much more... complicated." He nodded his head to the grizzly scene. "Tell me, what do you think transpired here?"

"..." Wolf was silent, "Forgive me, but I am unsure."

"Very well then, I shall explain." He pointed his fan to the upside-down sack, "This man, like you, was also a traveler. Yet he was not here alone, as he brought with him a wife. She was no ordinary person, in fact, she was not even human as you can see from the ears." He fanned his face, "He had tried to spread false info in this station, using his wife as 'proof' that humans and monsters could live side by side." He closed his fan. "So we came and we fulfilled our purpose, as is doctrine for the Amanomiya clan."

"What will happen to him?" Wolf asked.

As if on cue, desperate shouting was heard, originating from the hole.

"E-Enough, please! You were right, I never loved her, and she never loved me!" Wolf watched as Mezurashi nodded to the guard next to the gallow. The metsuke lifted the sack, exposing the man's head from out the hole. A large cut was on his forehead, with the tip of his long hair now red with dripping blood, the rest of his features bruised and beaten.

Yet the worst was his eyes, not even bloodshot but simply broken, colorless, and dead.

The metsuke untied the man free from the sack, lifting him back onto his feet, taking him to face his wife's decapitated head, Mezurashi spoke out beside Wolf. "Then show us. Take the head and drop it in the hole. Be done with the curse, once and for all."

Like a shambling thing, the man quietly obeyed, shedding not a single tear for his dead wife, possibly because he had run out of tears to give. He picked up the head before taking it to the very same hole he had been hanged over and unceremoniously dropped it inside. A metsuke grabbed a spade and buried the hole quickly, patting the surface. The disheveled man turned around, slouched from exhaustion and pain as Mezurashi nodded to the two metsuke.

"Wrap his wounds, get him something to eat and drink." Mezurashi requested, the two metsuke carrying the man away. He then turned to Wolf, fanning his face once more. "Now, what did you think of that?"

"... It was cruel." Wolf answered earnestly.

"Of course." Mezurashi nodded in agreement, "If there is one thing every being understands, it is suffering. Even the youngest toddler can recognize when another creature is in pain. There is no way more effective to enforce Amanomiya word across this land, that human and monster remain apart."

He turned his head, watching as the gallow was taken apart.

"That is the purpose of punishment."

Mezurashi pocketed his fan.

"Now, I best move on with my subordinates." A metsuke came up to Mezurashi, handing him a scroll. Mezurashi then handed it to Wolf, "Here, your personal documents, I hope you don't mind that I had them filled while we were talking."

Wolf took it, knowing that it didn't matter.

They knew he existed.

Mezurashi climbed back into the palanquin, two of his men lifting the carriage up and continuing on their way. As if on cue, a few doors of the post station cautiously opened, Wolf turning his head to see life slowly return to the station. A proprietress approached him, wearing a simple kimono. Although her front was cheerful, she seemed to do much in her power to avoid looking at where the gallow was set.

"Hello, traveler. Are you looking for a place to eat and rest?"

Wolf turned to her, simply nodding as he followed her, his encounter with the metsuke of clan Amanomiya clouding his thoughts.

Was this what clan Amanomiya stood for? Why go so far, to the point of performing tortures most cruel to keep both human and monster apart?

Just what was the purpose?

Wolf decided he would ask that question to Lord Amanomiya himself... and finally come to his own decision.


"Gisei! Keep up!" The lead foot soldier barked.

"F-Forgive me." Gisei apologized, holding the pole steady, a bright paper lantern hanging from the end of it. The patrol of five walked through the mountain forest, the oppressive darkness only kept back by the lanterns reach.

A screech was heard.

Gisei flinched, lantern swaying. "W-What was that?"

"Monkeys." Another soldier answered, "They frequent this forest, but they're harmless. So stop pissing yourself."

The young soldier slowly nodded, calming his nerves. He turned, noticing bright dots in the dark looking at the patrol. "More monkeys." He realized, much like the farm animals at night back at his family's farmstead.

How he missed the farm.

They marched on, going deeper into the woods. Gisei looked up, realizing two big dots staring down at them. "Is that... a monkey on a tree?" It seemed to be the only explanation for the elevated dots, its gaze seemingly following them.

And then something was swung.

The leader of the patrol was bisected, both haves of his body tossed aside into the dark. Every single soldier froze up, eyes wide and unable to comprehend what had just happened.

Someone yelled.

"Run!"

Whoever did was next to perish, a gigantic claw, the size of a tree trunk crushing the man like an insect. Gisei turned around, hands miraculously still holding onto the lantern. He could feel another soldier run closely behind him, only for him to scream, his voice fading.

Gisei ran faster.

His thoughts were in a whirl, only able to think a single word.

"Monster!"

He leaped over a trench, armor clattering against his body before tumbling over, lantern falling from his grasp. He looked up, crawling forward to hide beside the trunk of a tree. He stayed there, sat in a hunched position, hands clasped closely together as he closed his eyes.

Giant stomps were heard, Gisei feeling the vibrations tremoring from the ground.

*Sniff* ... *Sniff*

The monster snorted, the stomps dying out. A few seconds passed, Gisei raising his head.

A monkey sat before him, eyes blinking at him before looking up.

Gisei realized too late what it had seen, as gigantic clawed digits grabbed his body. He yelped, wrenched from his spot like a doll as he was lifted up before being turned over.

It was an ape of impossible size, its fur like dirty snow and its maw full of unevenly sharp teeth. The side of its bluish face ruptured and opened by a great scar, making its features appear like a warped painting. Yet worst of all were the yellow eyes staring directly down at him, full of both intelligence and fury. It raised him up, its maw opening up as Gisei realized what the monster intended to do to him.

"N-No-!"

It chomped down, killing him instantly and ravenously finishing its meal, bones crunching and blood leaking from its maw.

The Guardian Ape rose to full height, roaring out into the night.


That's our first character from Sekiro who isn't Wolf who has shown up. Not a very refined fellow, unfortunately.

I gotta say, I think out of all the chapters I've written, this one is a frickin roller coaster, not because of action, but more of the themes. We go from soap opera, to MG doctor, to Berserk style torture, and then to don't starve or whatever. This chapter was really a way to get Wolf to consider what he might be getting himself into.

For those who don't know or basically haven't played Shogun 2, Metsuke is like the shogunate inquisitor or secret police, so Wolf has found their Zipangu equivalent, serving the Amanomiya clan.

But I think my favorite part of this chapter was writing Mezurashi Batsu, the head of the Amanomiya Metsuki. I didn't want a conventional "I hate and kill monsters because god/duty said so" feel like the Order in the main continent has, but more of a "I kill monsters, and I do it well because it's my job". This guy doesn't get enjoyment, but he doesn't hate it either. For him, it is simply apart of his life, and I think or hopefully conveyed that well.

As for the torture that was described in this chapter, an interesting fact is that it is actual historical torture that was inflicted on both western and Japanese Christians during the 17th century called 'Ana-tsurushi', Hole-hanging. Kinda fucked up but effective I guess...? Yeah, this is a mge crossover with Sekiro...

Anyways, have a good one!