Hey- Normal talking

Hey- Kazuto's inner monologue

'Hey'- People thinking

(Hey)- Inner circles mean places or time skips

~Flashback~


{Queue Song: ""}


(A weeks later)

"C'mon Eugeo." Kazuto whined out, "is that really the best you got?"

"That's *huff* easy *huff* for you to say since you're *huff* a champion." a very tired Eugeo tries to argue.

"But we've only practiced for ten minutes" Kazuto says blandly.

"Really!?" Eugeo asked surprised.

"Yep" he said with a sweatdrop. 'Quite frankly, you lasted longer than what I'd expect. Although, it isn't much.'

"Cool cuz I'm tired."

"That was only the warm-up Eugeo…"

"No way! You must be kidding!" He only received a blank stare in return. "You're a slave driver!" he exclaimed in exasperation.

"Nope. You're just lazy."

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"No!"

"Yeah!"

"Grr." "Grr."

"Hm. Anyways, I want you to run around the dojo for thirty minutes. There'll only be a ten minute break after you're done with the exercise." hearing Eugeo's low grumbling, he smirked. "~Don't make me add twenty~"

"You…" Eugeo pointed at him with a twitching finger, "you're enjoying this aren't you!"

Kazuto turned away from him, hiding a smirk. "~Twenty minutes~"

"Grr. Fine…" Eugeo whined as he started his laps while cursing his mentor in his mind.

Feeling a tug at his shirt, Kazuto turned around to come face to face with his little sister/cousin.

"What is it Suguha?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How come you haven't trained me yet? I want to learn too!" she exclaimed with pout, only to receive a pat on the head.

"You're still too young Sugu. I want you to play and enjoy your childhood." he said with a strained smile. 'I've learned the hard way that they don't last forever...'

Seeing Kazuto's faraway look, Suguha looked on in worry. It was no secret that Kazuto would leave at random times to go with his other group of friends. For what, she had no idea. She just felt that there was something out of place. Call it a sister's intuition!

"Hey *pant* sensei *pant* I'm dying! " Eugeo moaned out on the floor.

"It's only been two minutes Eugeo." Kazuto said with a twitching eyebrow. "And besides, what have I told you about calling me Sensei!? We're the same age goddammit!"

"~I don't know. It looks like you're starting to have gray hairs.~"

"That's it!" Kazuto shouted in outrage as he turned to his sister. "Hey Sugu." said girl turned to him with a questioning look. "How about I show you how to hit a vertical slash with your opponent on the ground? Eugeo here will help in demonstrating it. ~Isn't that right Eugeo?~" Kazuto finished with a predatory smirk as Suguha followed him with a bright smile.

"W-wait a minute Kazuto." Eugeo said as he tried to back away from the madman. "Let's talk about this...we're both reasonable adults here right? So we can come to an agreement! What do you say?" he asked with a strained smile.

"Ah." said Kazuto with a glint in his eye, "You forget one thing Eugeo...~we're still twelve years old~. So, come and take your punishment like a man!"

"N-no. NNNNOOOOOOOOOO! S-STAY AWWWAAAYYY!"

If one were to get close to the training room, they would wonder where the shrill screams were coming from.


(A few minutes later)

"And that, little Sugu, is how you perform a perfect vertical slash. I must say, you learn quickly." Kazuto said with a satisfied and proud smile.

Beaming at his praise, Suguha smiled with a blush. "Thanks big brother!"

"So..." turning to address the boy in a fetal position, Kazuto's smirk grew twice its size. "What did we learn Eugeo?"

"T-that you're a sadistic bastard." Eugeo said with small tears welling up in his eyes. He then shrunk back when he saw Suguha get close to him.

"There there." she said as she patted his head and gave it a small kiss. "Is that better?"

"Umm..." seeing Kazuto look at him with a glare, he gulped down his reply and gave a small nod and a smile.

Trying to change the atmosphere, Eugeo remembered something crucial.

"Say, Kazuto." when said person looked at him, he continued. "When will the next Kendou tournament take place?"

"Hm. If I remember correctly, the next tournament is set up to begin in two years. The winner will end up receiving 50 grand and a prize while the runner up will receive a gift and 25 grand." he finished thoughtfully.

"T-that much!?" Eugeo exclaimed in surprise.

"Yeah but I don't really care about the money." Kazuto said dismissively. "I only go for the chance of fighting my rival again."

"Kai Asmotheos right?" seeing Kazuto's nod, Eugeo felt light headed. "That guy was really fast. Well, you both were but I think his fighting style interested me the most."

"Oh!" Kazuto snapped his fingers. "You mean the Vanishing Dragon style of the Ryuuji clan right?"

"Yeah that one. It looked to be mostly focused on speed and tactics instead of brute force."

"Well, thats because it's exactly how you described it Eugeo. Their fighting style is based on a certain speed in which you either have to surpass with your own speed, or be able to stretch out your senses to hear their movements."

"Think you will be able to help me with that?"

"Let's not try to get ahead of ourselves Eugeo. We first have to find a fighting style that best suits your style. Mine is versatile and follows along the line of speed and flexibility. I try to dance around the opponents and try to go for either quick attacks or defense variations that would pit the enemy's strength against them."

"So, in other words, it's like a crow waiting for its prey to tire out right?"

"Yep. Spot on." Kazuto stated happily. "I must say, with that keen sense of analysis of yours, there's no doubt in my mind that you won't be able to break down the structuring of the fighting styles I could teach you since my...grandfather...had an arsenal of kendo styles." Kazuto finished with a small voice.

"You alright Kazuto?" Eugeo asked in worry.

"Yeah. It's just that past events weren't as...favorable to me." he finished with a bitter smile.

He felt a hand on his shoulders as Eugeo looked at him with a small smile.

"For what it's worth, you grandfather was one of the best kendo legends that I have read about. I wanted to be just as good as him in the future. That's why, I want to learn to fight. To protect the one's I care about!" Eugeo finished with passion.

'Thanks Eugeo. I needed that.' Kazuto thought as he looked at the person who is starting to become one of his greatest friends. However, he couldn't let this small opportunity to tease him go away.

"Are you sure you didn't want to learn kendo to protect Alice?" Kazuto said with a cheesy grin.

"H-huh!? Where did that come from!?" Eugeo spluttered as the friendly atmosphere was ruined.

"Haha. Just messing with you buddy." Kazuto said with a small smile. "Although, I wouldn't be sure to dismiss that idea just yet ~right~?" he said with a wag of his eyebrows.

"S-shut up!" Eugeo said as he turned red. "One day, I'll get you back! Just mark my words!"

"Right...should we get on with training then?" Kazuto asked while looking at the clock. "Your lesson doesn't end till one."

"Yeah." Eugeo said with determination. "Let's get on with it."

"Hm." Kazuto smirked as both opponents ran at each other. 'I guess I'll get to gauge your reflexes and battle tactics Eugeo. I'm starting to have and idea of the fighting style that could suit you.'


(A few hours later)

"Bye. See you around Eugeo!" Kazuto said with a smile as he waved at his retreating friend.

"Yeah. See ya later!" Eugeo waved back with a grin.

'Hmm. He's exceptionally skilled. His swinging motions are fluid and he's naturally talented in turning the tide of the fight around. Almost as if he's fighting on instinct alone. Not to mention those analytical skills of his...'

Looking at the retreating form of Eugeo as he starts walking home, Kazuto couldn't help but become excited at the thought that pops out in his mind. 'In given time, he could end up becoming a powerhouse. Can't wait to have another rival! Not only that, but I think I found the fighting style just for him. Who knows? He might surpass my expectations again and become the true successor of the Ittō hebi. Can't wait!'

With the small wisps of wind blowing his hair, Kazuto's mind became sidetracked.

"Heh. Wonder what Shouta and Hizashi are doing…" he mused to himself. 'Knowing Mic, he's probably doing something crazy right about now.'


(With Mic)

"So, tell me about yourself." A voluptuous red head was talking to said person as he looked at her with a charming smile.

"I'm nothing more than the man you've been looking for your entire life baby." Hizashi said with a smooth voice.

"Oh really?" the woman said with a smile and a blush. "How are you so sure?" She finished with a coy smile.

"It's because, I have the brains to know that a beauty such as yourself deserves only the best." Hizashi said as he kissed her hand tenderly. 'Ah yeah! I nailed it!'

"Ufufufu. My my, such a charmer." The woman cooed.

"Yeah. So, how about you and I try our luck and see what comes between us?"

"I don't see why no-"

"Valerie!? Is that you!?" A gruff man shouted in outrage as the now known Valerie paled.

Hizashi, seeing this, decided to step in and defend this beautiful flower from the clutches of the evil man.

"Who are you to use such demanding voice upon this beautiful rose?" Hizashi exclaimed suavely.

"I'm her husband dimwit!"

This made Hizashi pale considerably. 'Ah shit…'


(Back to Kazuto)

'Yeah I can see him getting in trouble alright.' he thought with a smirk. 'Shouta on the other hand...I don't know.' Kazuto finished his thought with a frown as he went back to his estate to train.

Just because he has a student now doesn't mean he can slack off! He has a new reputation to uphold as a teacher now. And besides, it would be a shame if he lost to Eugeo by a single slip-up. His pride is on the line here too!


(Hero Society: Meeting Room)

"Hmm. That kid has spunk." A woman in a dominatrix outfit moaned out.

"Control yourself Midnight! This is a serious matter for crying out loud!" a person shouted.

"Ah you guys are so tense." said Kazuho Haneyama, also known as Pop Step.

"You've seen what that child has done! He's killed a man in cold blood without even flinching!" a man shouted.

"Which were the orders given to him." Eraserhead argued lightly.

"But still!" another voice interjected. "He could have gone another route! I mean look at his eyes! Those are the eyes of a madman!" the man shouted as he pointed at the recording of Kazuto finishing his first mission.

"See, that's what I hate about you goody two shoes. Attack a villain to the brink of unconsciousness and then arrest him, and you're considered a hero. Spill a small ounce of blood, and you're considered a villain. How hypocritical." a man wearing a skull mask mused to himself as he shook his head.

"Shut up Ares! This matter doesn't concern you!" The same man from before shouted in disgust.

"~Ah. But it does~" Ares teased as he smirked behind his mask. "The ones who shouldn't even be here are people like you since he is now part of the Underground. Need I remind you of your place Geko?"

"W-why you!" Geko shouted in indignation as he was about to beat him to a pulp for his insolence. His appearance was that of a man with green hair, blue eyes, a beard, and a scar going down his left eye. His physic is that of a body builder with tan skin.

"That's quite enough now." Eraserhead shouted in repressed anger. "I thought we were dealing with adults here, not idiotic children with a temper tantrum." he finished as he shot Geko a glare.

"He gets the point Eraser." a woman's voice tries to soothe him.

"Ugh." Eraserhead sighs as he shoots the woman a thankful nod.

"And pray tell Ms. Joke." Geko spat in anger. "What would you suggest we should do with the child?"

"What do you mean?" she asks cluelessly. "We do nothing since he isn't part of our main branch."

"But he's too young!" a man with white hair and a bulky build shouts in disbelief.

"Although your wanting to keep the child from danger is remarkable Vlad King, we can't ignore the fact that Eraser here already trained the child because he agreed to join the Underground Heroes." Snipe said as he ended up being the voice of reason.

"And how do we know the kid isn't in it just for the killing and the glory!?" Geko shouted in outrage.

"You sure you aren't just hating because he took your title as being the youngest hero?" Ares teased with a devilish smirk.

"Grr."

'I really hoped it didn't come to this..' though Shouta with a regretful sigh. "He's also the son of Narusaka Aoi and Narusaka Yukito. Also known as Yuki the Black Flash and Aoi the twilight princess."

After finishing his statement, you could hear a pin drop. The looks of the people in the meeting changed to that of shock. At the end of the day, no matter how noble faces, people are still chained by greed.

"What!?" Vlad King paled.

"N-no way!" Geko stated in shock. "There's no way they had a child and didn't tell anyone!"

"Huh. So little Yuki had a child huh? And with Aoi no less! They practically hated each other." Ares mused.

"You mean to tell me..." Midnight started with a low chuckle, giving chills to those around her. "...that Aoi, my best firend, didn't tell me she had a son!? And with Yuki no less!? I mean come on! She told me she had the hots for him, but to not tell me and let me see him!? That''s just cruel!" she shouted in indignation.

"Ha." Ms Joke heaved a tired sigh. "You don't know what happened to them do you?"

"Well yeah! They died in a car crash! What of it!?" Geko shouted as he wanted the meeting to end.

"Not exactly." another voice said in all seriousness.

"Present Mic? Where have you been!?" Vlad King demanded.

"Not now." Eraserhead said in irritation.

"Aoi and Yukito were sent to a mission to try and arrest them." Present Mic hinted to them.

"S-surely you don't mean..." Pop Step stepped back in shock.

"Yes, them." Ms Joke said with a strained smile. "As soon as they were close to capturing them, the building started to break apart. Since there were some civilians being used as hostages, Aoi and Yukito tried their best to save all of them. The problem was that..." she couldn't finish as she broke down crying along with Midnight. Aoi was basically their sister since she went the extra mile to try and make sure that there is life within the organization. She was their small ray of light that helped them move forward.

"N-no. You're lying." Midnight said in a small voice.

"The problem was that they couldn't make it out in time." Present Mic finished with anger lacing his every word.

"S-so Yuki and Aoi..." Ares said in a whisper. Even if he was part of the main branch of the hero society, Yukito tried to befriend him in order to make him forget about his missions given to him. In time, he succeeded to the point that Ares thought of him as part of his family. 'Dammit little brother! And here I thought that you were trying to avoid me...'

"Yes. Yukito and Aoi didn't die in a car accident." Eraserhead said with an emotionless tone. "They were killed by the League of Villains and the heir to the Shiei Hassaikai main branch family."

"No way." Vlad King whispered s he looked at the monitor to see the video of Kazuto taking down his target.

"Poor child." said Geko as he pitied Kazuto.

"Yea-" Pop Step's reply was cut short as a man came running into the meeting out of breath.

"What's the meaning of this Stendhal!?" Geko demanded. "We're in the middle of a meeting!"

Ignoring Geko's demand, Stendhal looked at Eraserhead and told him one simple sentence.

"T-they're back." he finished as he fell on the ground unconscious.

"Shit." Ares summed it all up.


(With Kazuto)

"Come on Big Brother! There's a new episode and I really want us to see it!" Suguha shouted.

"I'm coming!"

Kazuto is seen looking at a picture of his actual parents that was given to him from his adoptive mother.

"I really miss you. Mom. Dad." he whispered as a small tear fell down from his right eye. He put the picture back down and went to meet up with his sister.

'Damn.' he whined. 'It's my turn to make popcorn...'

If he were to stay in his room just a bit longer, he could have noticed that the picture of his parents had a crack right in the middle of the frame.


(Unknown)

Meanwhile, there is a lake with such beauty that the place itself almost looks fragile. The water was able to stretch on for miles on end with trees looking a luscious and healthy green. Truly the epitome of beauty.

A man is seen looking at the moon from a tree.

'So this is what peace feels like' he thinks with a serene smile. 'Just looking at the moon in the night could calm anyone that sees her go by…'

"How disgusting" he sneers.

'Well, it won't be for long' he smirks as he dials a number through his phone.

"Hey it's me." the man says in a monotoned voice. "We need to talk."

""It's about time!" a voice cackles.


Ittō hebi - One sword snake