Eh, so I'm finally back again. Nvr imagine that I'll be back on this one so fast mainly b/c of the fact that I tend to be uber slow in writing new chapters. Anyway, I guess you guys still remember the previous chapter, right? Basically in case you guys has still yet to decipher Hiroshi's role in the story, everything will be out in the open here. ;)

X X X

Bushin Kaiden

Bushin no Otoko: Chapter 2 – Road Of Fate

"Kazuma, so in the end you failed to make it out alive..." sighed a middle aged man as he saw the news on television, "Both of us step onto the same path, but yet our fate differed so vastly. If only our roles are reversed. After all, you're the one in charge of the technology. I'm just only there to act as a minor assistant not worthy of the government's efforts."

"Father Kanegawa!" exclaimed an elderly nun as she rushed into his room, "A young child has just collapsed in front of the porch. A couple of the sisters are looking after him right now. But what shall we do for him? Should we call the police?"

"Calm down Sister Haruno," replied Kanegawa, "Lead me to the boy first."

X X X

Kanegawa was nonetheless shocked at seeing the boy lying in the bed. It wasn't so much of the frail state he was in, but rather the very fact that he recognized who he was. Although they had never met personally, Kazuma had actually sent him a photo of his family a few months ago. He could never forget that very face of innocence in that sole child. The face of Hiroshi, the pride of Kazuma and Yuriko.

X X X

Hiroshi didn't know how long he has slept. All he felt was a feeling of profound loss as the cruel reality taunted him without any form. All that he could register in his mind was that very feeling of hurt that no one in this world would be able to heal. Then he felt that very same rage again. However there was a marke difference. Although that very primal feeling was still there, Hiroshi actually felt a certain calm from within. It's as if that very rage was coexisting with that feeling of calmness.

No it isn't a sense of serenity. It's nothing more than a cold state of emotion. The very presence of a frigid anger akin to that of a calm beast preparing for the kill...

X X X

"I see you're awakened," commented a middle aged man with dark hair and spotting a moustache.

"Where... am I?" asked Hiroshi as he looked around, only to see his surroundings akin to that of a church he had seen all the while on television.

"I know what happened to your father and mother. I saw everything in the news," sighed the man in a resigned manner.

"You.. know my parents?" asked a wide eyed Hiroshi.

"Yes. And my name is Kanegawa,"

"Why are you keeping silent?"

"Hiroshi, do you know what your father had done to get himself killed?"

That very question instantly plunged Hiroshi into a state of emotional turmoil. On one hand, he wanted to hate his father for what he had done to implicate his family. On the other hand however, he just coudln't bring himself to do so. The joyful memories with Kazuma; Hiroshi knew without a doubt that it had never been a lie. Kanegawa seemed to know what Hiroshi was thinking as he continued.

"Nuclear technology in the weaponry aspect. I think you should have known it by now," he said sadly.

"Kanegawa-jisan. Please tell me what you know about it. I just can't see my family dead without the entire truth being known to me..." replied Hiroshi quietly.

"I remember that day where I first met Kazuma. We were friends in the same university. No sooner after he has graduated, the government actually gave him a scholarship to study abroad. At first I didn't see anything wrong with that. Kazuma was a straight A student in case you never know that. However, I have always sensed something was being wrong with him after a particular meeting with the government officials. I didn't know what was going on at that time, but having a would-be overseas scholar meeting high ranking officials seemed really fishy to me. I tried to ask him, but he refused to answer.

Then he left for America and spent two years there. After he returned, he was a changed man. I can see within his eyes that he had carried a certain guilt during his scholarship trip. No sooner after he returned, I was asked to be one of his assistants in a certain project. That person in charge was a certain Yamamura Ryuji. You should know him by now at least through the various news report. That man was a hawk to say the least. He has never believed in coexisting with other major powers. What he wanted was a Japan that would rule the world in every sense apart from the literal sense.

By the time i realized it, it was too late. Kazuma has been acting as a spy under the guise of an overseas student in order to gain top secret information on the current technology on nuclear weaponry. But that doesn't mean he was willing to play along. The best evidence would be the fact that he had never shared the data with anyone around him, be it in the lab or otherwise.

I could see that he was struggling and I knew that he had never wanted the plans for needless ambition to take place right from the start. That was when he confided in me. He knew that it would put me into trouble, but if he bottle everything up, he's afraid he might go insane from the continual pressure.

It was then that I understood the fact that right from the start, Kazuma had accepted the mission whole-heartedly. But it seems that fate had other ideas. Seeing the happy lives of those around him, Kazuma started to question a lot of what-ifs should Japan reached it ambition as the new nuclear super power.

That was when I told him straight to do what he think will be right. I've expected him to destroy the data and that's what he did. After that, he ran away without any trace. The government knew what he did and due to the extensive nature of the data, there would be no way they can retrieve everything needed.

From there onwards, the government has been hunting him down without any avail. They tried to question me and the rest. However it never took long for them to know that we didn't know anything of help. That it's exactly because of that they lets us off. Since we don't know anything, it also means that we wouldn't have any concrete evidence of the project.

However, Kazuma did come into contact with me occasionally via means that would elude the government. The last I see him face to face, he gave me a photograph of him, your mother and you. After that, the local police asked me to inform them should I have any news on his current whereabouts. I know they are lying from their eyes. They knew where you father is right from the start. Hence my decision to warn him. However, this move backfired as the intelligence has traced the call. Damn I should have seen this coming. As for the rest, you should know by now.

Although Yamamura deemed me as nothing more than an annoyance, I believe he will kill me sooner or later. That plus since you're here, the government will trace you all the way. You're a survivor to this incident. There's no way they will turn a blind eye. I don't know what I can do, but at the very least you should stay here until I find a plan to do so."

X X X

"So that boy escaped," commented Yamamura quietly to himself, "He's just a child, but still being able to escape while getting my man killed... it isn't that simple as dumb luck. I should try and eliminate him somehow or another."

"That's a good red wine you've got here, Yamamura-san. Indeed a lover of vintage."

The elderly politician turned swiftly to the direction of the speaker, alarmed that someone could sneak in despite the security. However, all he could see upon facing the speaker was an absolute blank. It was definitely not because the person has no face, but rather his impression of the features has been tampeered with in such a way that he couldn't visualize anything.

"That boy who escaped... it will serve you well if you don't pursue him. I can promise you that if you listen to my words, not only will you live your life out in peace, Japan on the whole will not experience any turmoil..."

Yamamura wanted to snap something back in reply. Just anything. However, his senses were dulling. And he felt that the stranger's words could be wholly trusted. Unable to fight such thoughts, he lapsed into a state of slumber onto his chair.

Well, guess things are going long well. Now what is left will be how that boy will live his life for now...

X X X

"Father Kanegawa!" exclaimed Sister Haruno frantically, "That boy who was here just now... he's gone missing right now!"

"What?" replied Kanegawa with his eyes wide with shock and worry, "What exactly has happened?"

"Well, it seems that he decided to leav out of his own accord," commented Sister Haruno in a worried tone as she handed him a letter, "Hiroshi actually intended this as a farewell message to you. I'm sorry for looking at it's contents first..."

"Let me see the letter," said Kanegawa as he took the letter from Sister Haruno's hands. His eyes narrowed in a sombre fashion as the truth of Hiroshi's intent began to dawn upon him.

Dear Kanegawa-jisan. After hearing your own account of my father's past, I really don't know what to say not how to feel. All I can understand now is the fact that right now, I can't find any reason in living. It's exactly because of this that I can't stay with you if that's truly your wish. Without an aim in life, I will only be a burden to you.

I don't know what lies ahead in my life, but at the very least I will live on. Not because I truly want to, but if I am to throw my life away needlessly, I will be letting my Okachan. She gave up her life to save that of mine. Hence I mist live on even though this very mission has became a burden to me. But yet, it's one that I must carry. Please don't try to go after me. It will never make things better. If there's any chance of redoing the past, I truly hope that my entire family won't end up in this mess right from the start and I could actually call you Kanegawa-jichan without any hesitation.

From Yours Truly

Hiroshi

"Sister Haruno, do you know which direction Hiroshi has departed?" asked Kanegawa in an urgent tone.

"Actually no. I have no idea how and where he has gone. I'm truly sorry for my inattentiveness, Father Kanegawa," replied Sister Haruno in an apologetic tone.

"Never mind the apologies. We have to find Hiroshi fast. There's no way a ten year old kind can survive in the streets out there. Especially if it's Shinjuku."

"I beg to differ, Father Kanegawa. You underestimate that child's ability to survive because you have never seen his nature as a fighter..."

"What..." before Kanegawa could react properly, his mind suddenly entered a certain hazy state. He couldn't think properly save for hearing that unknown person who was quite obviously speaking somewhere nearby.

"Be assured that the boy will be safe. Hear my words and believe them. It's the undeniable truth. As for the person responsible for his parents' death, I can assure you that he won't go after the lad..."

Upon the stranger's words, both Kanegawa and Sister Haruno couls only accept them without any resistance. Without a doubt the stranger was attempting some form of immense hypnosis that couldn't be reversed unless he willed to. These words were the last that they heard before they slipped into a state of slumber.

X X X

Three years later...

"So you're saying that our fighters are being bested by a mere boy?" asked a bald middle aged man with numerous scars across his scalp.

"Well, yes Oyabun. When that boy appeared before our men, he would issue a challenge to them. If they won, then the boy will do their bidding. However if that brat ended up as the victor, then they will have to give him their money and valuables. At first few times, he was underestimated from what I understand. After which his opponents would be wary of him. Regardless of the mentality though, the brat actually ended up being the victor rather easily. His fighting style seems to be combination of what we've seen in other fighters within the district so far. I don't know how he learned them, but it's likely that he managed to combined everything he has experienced or witnessed all the while. It may sound absurd for me to say this, but it appears that the brat might be a case of self schooled fighter."

"Interesting. Maybe he will be a valuable addition to my fighting club. Try to locate him for me, but do not alert him. Inform me immedaitely once you've got news about him."

"As you wish, Oyabun. But I need to tell you one thing. From the accounts of eye witnesses, the eyes of that boy isn't normal. What can I say to describe him accurately... ah yes, the eyes of a feral beast. That's the expression which the common folks have gotten used to, but yet dare to associate themselves with. You can say in poetic manner that he's no different from a katana released from it's sheath. A blade with the sharpness without peer."

"Good. That makes me even more eager to get him. I have never wanted a dog to be my ideal fighter. Nothing less than a lone wolf must suffice."

X X X

"Ah there you are, young boy," smiled the Oyabun as his target appeared before him in a sake establishment. Indeed as expected by him, the said boy's eyes were that of a wolf unwilling to trust nor compromise. Indeed nothing less than a blade worthy of wielding.

The child approached the mob boss warily as he heeded the gesture of sitting across him. Hiroshi has been hardened by the three years of hardship in the notorious Thirteenth District. In the process of his struggle, he had let go of his own principals as a human being in order to survive. Initially living a life as a petty thief for hire, he managed to see for himself different people brawling with each other day and night. The very feral yet frigid rage he had developed in his life here had shaped into a certain focus which he was able to learn and create his own style of fighting. The cold aspect took care of the learning process while the fiery part of that continual rage gave him the unparalleled drive to force any given opponent into the corner. There was also one significant difference as well. Hiroshi was no longer his name. It's a past that held no meaning for him now. From the moment he chose this path, he had given himself the name that symbolized the existence of victory.

Guy...

X X X

Yep, so the inevitable happens. Hiroshi IS Guy. To be honest if you peeps have noticed certain aspects of his likes and dislikes, you all would have sensed a certain connection somehow. ;) On an interesting sidenote, although the official name for our favorite resident ninja is Guy, in Japanese terms, the correct spelling should be Gai. But then again, I guess Capcom wanted to opt for a cooler name in their own views. It's either that or the tranlsation got warped somewhere. Just some explaining of the Japanese terms from the previous and current chapters. Do take note is because of my sucky Japanese translation, the meaning might seem really weird wording wise.

Hiroshi: Wide-reaching Ambition

Kazuma: Harmonious Truth

Yuriko: Daughter of Lilies

Oyaji: Informal term in addressing a male senior figure or one's own father

Okachan: Informal term for Mother

Okasan: Formal term for Mother

Saba: Mackerel. Normally used in sushi or grilled whole in Japanese cuisine

Tori Karaage: Fried chicken chunks

Miso soup: A common form of traditional Japanese soup.

Ochazuke: A type of simple Japanese dish comprising of cooked rice being submerged in either green tea, dashi (traditional Japanese soup stock) or hot water in roughly the same proportion as milk over cereal with varying types of savoury toppings. The salmon being refered in the first chapter was meant to be of the salted variety. Weirdly enough though, the joint Tiamat and vasili plot faq actually used the term salmon powder. Ergh the two really got me there. :S

Kanegawa: Golden River. This name would be usually translated as a surname rather than the first name ala most of the characters in this story.

Haruno: Spring Plains. In case you all have yet to realize it via their formal job titles, both Haruno and Kanegawa are Roman Catholics. ;)

Yamamura Ryuji: Mountain Village (Yamamura); Second Dragon (Ryuji)

Hiroshima and Nagasaki: You all should know this one. It's World War II history after all. -.-

Gaijin: Japanese term for foreigner. May or may not have certain derogatory overtones. I'm not too sure about that albeit the traditional Japanese mindset actually has a very strong pride in it's own culture and hence by extension, it's own people as well.

Oyabun: Common Japanese term used for mob leaders. Because I'm a total stranger to Japanese gangster culture, I made this term to be a formal address of respect as well. Any input on this area will be the most welcome in reviews.

Kurogawa: Black River. Also intended as a surname rather than a first name by default in Japanese language.

Kuromaru: Erm I dunno how to translate it really. Kuro is black. But I dunno how to translate Maru in English. Chinese, yeah because of the kanji, but English wise, whole thing got me. On an interesting sidenote, Maru is a commonly used suffix for naming ships in Japan. But my real intention in using this nickname was only for shit and giggles. Those who are familiar with mugen should know where the name comes from. Otherwise, let's just say that Kuromaru has always been the symbol of mugen porn. You won't want to know in what ways if you're really squeamish in the weird and twisted ways of Japanese porn. -.-

Guy: Correct Japanese spelling should be Gai especially when being interpreted via the Hiragana format. As has been stated in the chapter, it means Victory.