Hi everyone! I have been occupied by my latest fic and my beta reader was busy with his own life, so this update was much later than expected. Sorry, sorry.
Enjoy this more ganger aspect of Ichika's life and review!
IS 17 The Banquet of the Kings. Part 2
In modern day Japan, it is a society where women rules and men bow to their every whim. The World now looks forward to the development of Infinite Stratos, a weapon that brought women to power only a decade ago. A weapon that turned the thousands of years of male dominance in history to shame.
It is a bright world for women…A dark time for men.
However!
Even now there are those who have not yet given up!
There exist men and women who still dream of the age of honor and bushido.
These men and women continue this sacred ritual in the form of gangs and groups of delinquents.
They wage war between one another to conquer territories ,spread fame and to gain fortune. These are the only remnant of perhaps the spirit of Sengoku era and idea of might is power…Not that the IS equals power.
In this kind of era the modern world will naturally have individuals that stand on higher ground than others. A hand full of men or women who were given a title or nickname that reflects their might and capability. Those who are exceptional among the masses.
For some time there where three such individuals.
These three where called Denseshu no SanShogun, the legendary Three Shoguns.
However…Not even a year ago, a change occurred…One of the great three fell from grace and was defeat by a new hero.
That hero was given a title to match the former three heads and now stands as their equal.
And now…The three met again in the same place, at the same time.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who gain the name of her distant ancestor as a title.
Yoshida Hide, who gain the title of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
And finally…Orimura Ichika, who gain the title of Doukugan Ryu, the second Date Masamune.
A meeting between them is never fated to end quietly, for meetings among heroes are meant to end with an epic event.
(Ichika POV)
The three of us were still staring at each other.
We were surrounded by a small army of thugs and gangster with wooden swords, steel pipes, metal bats, and even chains. They all wore…unfriendly outfits such as biker jackets with spikes and had aggressive hair styles like Mohawk, or bald with spikes. They had several tattoos to show that they are not afraid to go against the society's version of normality.
By a single glance, they can make any grown man worry, however…These three warlords are not everyday men and women.
Normally people turn to look at things that startle them or cause them to feel uneasy. They get alarmed by sudden appearances and any arrival that is a threat to their physical and mental health is evaluated immediately…However these three warlords and one bodyguard had their own version of level of threat.
To them, an army of thugs are not equal to a single gang leader, a warlord in this Era of Rival War Lords.
They didn't even glance that the army…Just continued to glare at one another. Their fists were clenched tightly and their stances were firm. They each know that the real threat in this entire shopping mall is standing in front of them.
They dared not to make the first move…In a one on one; perhaps he who strikes first may have an advantage. However in a three way battle royal, against foes that nearly matches you perfectly in terms of speed, skill, power, experience, will, and endurance it is wiser to counter or react to another's first blow, then to expose oneself in an opening act.
(Other's POV)
"What…What are they doing? Also! Who the heck are they?" asked Ran as she used her brother as a meat shield.
Chifuyu narrowed her eyes as she watched the flags held by the group of thugs.
"Orimura sensei…Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't that the mokko (clan symbol) of the Oda family?" asked Yama-pi.
Chifuyu nodded as she too agreed.
"Yeah…The Sakura petals of Oda clan…The symbol that brought the new age of war to Japan roughly 500 years ago."
"But why is a group of gang using it for?"
"It is the mark of Oda Nobuyuki's group, The Owari Faction."
Rin spoke for the first time in long time.
Her usual cheerful and confident tone was replaced with sharp edge of a soldier and she and her friends all got into a fighting stance. They are now surrounded by thugs, but they were all representatives and teachers. They can take them on no problem…Well, beside Dan and Ran, but Dan was trained briefly by Ichika and Kojuro in their middle school days, so he is fine.
The training for self-defense and multiple scenarios was drilled into the girls head for years; however Rin and Dan were unusually serious.
"Ara? Rin-san don't tell me you are nervous because of a bunch of thugs? You did received a training for this kind of situation correct?" asked Cecilia with her noble lady taunt to relax the Chinese girl into their usually banter, however the twin tailed dragon goddess refused to banter back.
"This is the group that Oda Nobuyuki used to command…It has been a year since his duel with Ichika, but these guys used to rule the other gangs with an iron fist…A true follower of Oda Nobunaga's Tenka Fubu, the Unification of the World with Military Government."
She was correct.
These thugs may be what people view as scums of the street, but they are all proud retainers of Oda, the Owari Fraction of Nobuyuki…Well in truth former boss Nobuyuki since Ichika beat him in a duel.
Since she left Japan to go back to China, she hasn't heard what happen to them. She is actually surprised that they are still not disbanded and absorbed by the remaining factions.
One of the thugs pointed his steel pipe to Ichika and the other warlords.
"In the name of Oda! We are here to grind your bones to dust! Prepare yourself Doukugan Ryu!"
(Dan's POV)
"Oh shit…That is the worst thing to do. What the hell is that guy doing? He is disturbing the tension between the three of the ShitenOh." I muttered as I nervously observed his friend's reaction.
Good thing is the three inhumane people over there weren't tearing down the building, but he can clearly see that the three were slightly…Very slightly aware of the group of thugs.
"Hey Rin…"I asked one of my old friends, and the girl in love with my dense conquering friend Ichika.
"Yeah?"
"What is the most likely thing that will happen when those three including Miya-san realized that there is a group of minions here to disturb their 'Banquet of the Kings'?"
Rin didn't answer me for few seconds, but when she opened her mouth I suddenly wished I didn't ask.
"Most likely…Most likely the thing you are thinking of."
"Oh…Well I'll be damned."
"What are you two talking about?" Asked Charlotte as she got a very worried look on her face. The gentle Bishou no Otome, the Maiden of Faint Smile looked worried, but her worry was misplaced…She should be more worry for the thugs over there.
"Yeah! Onii! You better answer me!" demanded my little sister, but unfortunately her wrath was not the biggest pain and misery in this world right now…The danger rank of Ran being angry was right now under 5th place and dropping fast.
"Well…Whenever these bosses of rival gangs meets it always ends with a bang and lot of injuries…Why will this be any different?"
I just wish that I wasn't so correct.
(Ichika's POV)
What was that? A fly? No…It's a man.
What is he doing here? Threatening us? Me? That is silly, he is clearly just a thug, they are the dime in the dozen. But however their interference was very rude.
"It seems…We have guests."
"So it seems…" relied Yoshida Hide as he turned very so slightly to look around him, but his posture didn't became any less hostile.
"By the looks of it…"
"…Oda…O..wari…Fac…tion." Answered Honda Miya as she crouched very low to spring into action…either fighting us or to defend Ieyasu from the thugs.
Hide was first to break the tension by slowly relaxing his shoulder. He glared into my eye and I understood.
'Even if we must shed blood here, let us do so after dealing with these guys.'
And I agreed and so did Ieyasu.
While it is not normal for retainers to join in a banquet of the lords and kings, there were many records of most trusted retainers joining the banquets in many cultures.
Retainers who proven themselves sometimes even receives gifts or a drink poured by their lord…It is a gesture of great trust and honor. These retainers sometimes are assigned to guard their lord during these feasts and sometimes serve as entertainment by demonstrating their power and skills. However…They are only supposed to be there when they are summoned to do so.
Their suddenly appearance does not bold well…However these three are kings reborn and as kings they follows the idea of 'Kings words are meant to be heard by all people.'
It is only appropriate to greet the people who has come to hear the words of their king before jumping to punishments.
Hide turned to face the army of thugs and smirked broadly. He picked up his bottle of fine sake and turned to the army.
"I welcome you, loyal retainers of Oda! Why don't you step up to receive a drink from me! This sake will serve as your blood as do not shy away!"
Hide was ever the charismatic leader. He was being rather generous to bunch of interlopers.
However some people are just born dumb and this fool to just call out to me will demonstrate on what is not an 'ok' when speaking to an ambitious warlord who was given a second name that is Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The thug sneered as he quickly moved his hand to his pocket. It was done so quickly that some of the girls didn't notice it, but some did like Cecilia and Laura, of course the teachers saw it too. The man draw out a small curved knife and threw it at Hide.
Hyunn, the sound of knife flying through the empty space could be heard as it met its target.
"KLANG!"
The sake bottle in Hide's hand was shattered to pieces and the remaining sake spilled all over Hide's cloth.
I could only shook my head side to side at their foolishness and Ieyasu gasped and hid behind Miya's leg…a wise decision.
What that fool now has done has doomed them all. I can hear the gasp from Rin and Dan from the side line…They too know of what will happen now.
How tragic…It will be a one-sided slaughter.
Hide lowered his head and stared at the wine scattered on the ground wordlessly. The thugs and retainers of Oda laughed in derision. Their jeers and taunt were perhaps demeaning, but they are not the same loyal retainers of Nobuyuki. I can tell and so can the other warlords…It seems after my victory over Nobuyuki a year ago, they fell from grace…Fell very deep indeed.
"Did you hear what I said wrongly?"
Hide's words were calm, but clearly, the intent and tone changed. The only ones able to detect this change were the two that drank with him before. Hide was pissed off…Good thing was that he wasn't angry at them. Also this is a banquet from the three of them with Miya invited. Any disrespect done to her is disrespect to all of us.
"I said, "this sake will be as your blood," right? Since you dare to spill it onto the ground, then inevitably…"
Hide's body released a cloud of 'Dou' ki as his battle aura was deafening.
"Death is your answer."
I too turned to face the group of thugs and so did Miya. Miya urged Ieyasu to go stand with my friends…I agree because next to Chifuyu-Nee, she is at the safest place in Japan.
Before Ieyasu can go over to my sister Hide roared out a question.
"Orimura! Tokugawa!...This is the final question of this banquet."
The little girl and I turned to look at the broad back of the second Toyotomi Hideyoshi. His aura was rolling of his flesh like fire as the intensity increased.
"…Are kings meant to be lonely?"
His question was simply and yet its deep meaning was impact unlike any other. I answered his call with my own.
"No…A King is never lonely."
"Yup yup!" answered Ieyasu as she nodded. It was nice to see that all three of us realize and agree to that at least.
"GOOD! THEN LET US CLEAN THIS PLACE OF THESE FILTH AND HEAD HOME! WE WILL WAGE WAR ANOTHER TIME! ETERNAL THRONE TOKUGAWA! DOUKUGAN RYU ORIMUA ICHIKA!"
I nodded and so did Ieyasu as she ran to my sister.
Hide, Miya, and I charged at the army before us fearlessly…This will be a nice way to pass time.
I first ran into a group of three large thugs. One of them tried to punch me with a right hook, but I duck under it and rammed my elbow in to the lower right side of his stomach which caused him to lose his breath and bend lower by the force of my blow. I did an upper palm strike to the man's chin and effectively knocked him out.
The second man came at me with brass knuckles on his fist. This is more dangerous than the last one, but…(I ducked under the punch and ran my right hand around the offending limb and redirect the blow and locked his arm around his back)…nowhere near a threat.
I kicked into the back of the man's knee and brought him down to his knee and did a simple chop to his neck. He will stay down for now.
The last one was more cautious…Or perhaps scared. Either way, it was meaningless as I am planning to kick his ass. This one was wearing a Mohawk and a loose, cut up pants and a t-shirt with a rock band on it. He was nervous, but surprisingly he got into a sport karate stance. It may seem like a formal stance, but it was more spread out and he was lightly hopping, getting warmed up for a fast movement.
"Kouma Shin! A Student of Fujimura Karate Dojo! Here I come!"
I answered his brave call with my own.
"Orimura Ichika! Assistant instructor of Katakura Dojo! Accepts your challenge!"
The brave thug dashed into close range with a fast sliding step. He start off with a side kick with his front leg to gauge the distance and my reaction. I simply stepped back to avoid the attack and settled for observing him more.
The Mohawk wearing thug switched his stance from right to left and did a suddenly turning kick to my side, but I used both hands to block and grab onto the kick. Shin had a surprised look on his face on how fast I was and I smirked as I twisted his leg which forced him to follow me twist to unbalance and dropped to the floor. I quickly drag his feet to me and pulled him toward me. His body dragged across the floor and got into my range to stomp him.
"Well fought, Kouma Shin!"
Then I sent him to dreamland with a vicious kick to the rib.
That was three down and counting.
On my right I saw Yoshida Hide running at a large group of men fearlessly. He drew back his large fist as he ignored the blows done to him by bats and kicks. He simple punch the closest man in front of him and sent him into another group of men behind him. Hide's attacks were simple as it was basic attacks and blocks from Karate, however one cannot deny how perfected his basic were. His stances were firm and solid as he punched another man across the air.
"OOOOHHHHHHHH!" roared Hide as his 'Dou' aura shrouded his form into a raging storm of war god as he punched and kicked many men into the table, the windows, and other people.
"WEAK! I HAVE NO NEED FOR WEAKLINGS! ONLY THE STRONG ARE NEEDED FOR THE JAPAN I ENVISION!"
Suddenly, with speed that should be impossible for his large frame Hide dashed and rolled across the field to palm strike and elbow many thugs into unconsciousness. With his power and unknown speed, he was a living tank. His simple push and tackle in his rush was enough to knock many people away.
Hide drew back his fist and got his stance into a front stance. A basic among basic. He blasts his fist forward with a perfect twist of his hips to bring out tremendous power.
"Keshi Gomufera (Eraser Blow)!" roared the giant tyrant as his fist blow away a group of thugs to the other side of the café. He didn't stop as he followed up with a powerful elbow to the man behind him and did a swift and powerful front kick to send another man into the air.
"ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!" roared Hide as he rapidly punched men from left to right as he mow through them like a lawn mower to a patch of grass.
"Toyotomi Hideyoshi, meet your end!" roared an assailant as he swung a metal bat from Hide's exposed back.
Hide spun around ("Oniharite(Demonic Open Fist Slap)!" )and nailed the destructive palm strike to a man's stomach with a loud 'Kyah.' The blow was fast, but it was at same time very quiet. Only experience fighters managed to see it, but from the back of the victim exploded out a small gust of smokes or ki. It seems the very force of Hide's ki traveled through his target's body and crushed his inside.
"KKAAAHHHHHH!" screamed out the victim as he hurled out all the content of his stomach and he simply rolled into a curled position…and was knocked out while drooling and peeing his pants.
"OOHHH! NOT ENOUGH!"
Hide grab the nearest thug to his right and used the man like a battering ram as he swung the body around to smash other people away. He used his impressive physical power to lift the man like a tool and actually threw him with one hand over his shoulder.
"AH!"
"GAHH!"
"SAVE ME!"
"HE ISN'T HUMAN!"
Hide didn't even look at his fallen victims as he shoulder charged a large thug with beefy fist and unkempt facial hair. The tackle sent the man crashing against another man.
Hide followed up with an elbow blow on another man's chest and blocked an attack from a wooden sword with his hand. Hide spun inwards to knee the wooden sword user in his stomach and backhanded the man to the floor. The sickening sound of his jaw being dislocated was heard, but it soon drowned by the sound of bones breaking by Hide's attacks.
The Second Toyotomi was relentless as he used a brawling style with hints of Karate and Muay Thai to strong arm the group into submission. Some of those thugs were as big as Hide, but they were proven useless as Hideyoshi crushed their morale with overwhelming power.
"WELL? ARE THERE ANY MEN HERE THAT ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO FACE ME? I HEREBY DECLARE…I HAVE NO NEED TO WEAKLINGS IN MY VISION FOR THIS NATION!"
"KLANG!"
A brave thug who was behind Hide actually managed to slam his steel pipe on Hide's head…Hide turned around slow to look at the brave soul. His head was bleeding slightly as a trail of blood trail down side of his face. The second Toyotomi Hideyoshi smirked at the brave fool.
He actually seemed impressed. One could almost expect the brave bastard too live until with a mighty roar Hide slammed his back on the poor bastard and crushed him to the wall behind him.
"Keshi Gomu o Oshi (Eraser Press)!" Hide declared as he walked away from the wall hurling fists at another poor victim.
Behind him was the poor man… dented into the solid wall.
"…I can't feel…anything…" muttered the thug as he peeled off the wall in not so funny manner.
A red ki of 'Dou' flared up as Hide stepped over another fallen warrior.
"IF YOU WANT TO DIE THEN COME AT ME YOU WORMS!"
His roar of challenge shook the very foundation of the café…By the way I am not paying for the damage.
Hide went on a rampage was he bashed and crushed anyone in sight. Those poor fools…They were being crushed by the most physically powerful man in Japan.
I shook my head side to side as I dodge a swing from a steel pipe. I dodged the enthusiastic attack from another thug with weapon by moving left and right with the smallest movements. My stance was compact and small, but it was nimble and fast.
"CHESTOOOO!"
I punched the crap out of my most recent attacker with a classic Karate punch and redirected my attention another attacker from my right. The man was holding a wooden sword in a formal form that showed his training and He swung at me with impressive power and form.
"Oga Mituke! 4th Dan of Kuzan Itouryu! I am here to take your life!" shouted the man, but I didn't even answer him as I dodge his latest strike and rush into his guard. He is mine now.
"Good bye student of Kuzan Itouryu…" I whispered to his ear as I buried my hand into his gut.
"Kazoe Nukite(Counting Overarm Stroke!)!" I roared as I unleashed another Karate style sword hand technique. This sword hand has 'count down' as it used all five finger and slowly count them down by a finger as they attack the soft part of the body with accurate attack. The index or the middle finger digs into the opening in the shoulder or the stomach as it uses pressure point theory to attack the enemy.
"1!"
"2!"
"3!"
"4!"
…The man fell down as each strikes brought him closer to unconsciousness.
I didn't even bother to look back at the 4th Dan of Kuzan doujo as I retaliated from another attack from my back.
This time it was just a normal thug as he came at me with no style and a metal pipe in hand.
I didn't even use any special skill to beat him down…Just redirected him with a Jujitsu trip and toward Hide's Barrage of punch and elbows.
The poor thug was sent flying as Hide didn't even notice his elbow smashing the guy away…No surprise there because the guy got hit from the elbow when Hide was pulling his fist back for a punch to another guy face... Such an embarrassing defeat.
"…You didn't have to hit him that hard…"I thought about the guy who I condemned to such ending and did a silent prayer for the unnamed thug.
Voosh!
"DIE! DOUKUGAN RYU!"
No rest for the wicked…
I spun to my left and blocked a low kick from a thug with a crazy spider web tattoo on his face (xtenchix: For those interested it's called a Charlotte's Web.) and had to parry a punch from the other side by a man with a piercing all over his face.
"…Well damn…Where the hell did you all get that from?"
Instead of answering me the two men glared and sneered at me as they tried to force their way into my guards.
"KILL YOU! I'll kill you Doukugan Ryu-SAN!"
"I am going to kick your ass! I bet you think you are all that but you are not!"
The one with piercing suddenly pulled out tonfas in his hand and the other one pulled out a stun gun.
Unfazed and uninterested, I didn't even bother with their answer and slid back to get some distance.
The tonfa user had some skill as he came at me with tonfa swings and jabs. He spun his weapon to deflect my own attacks and used them well to block my more dangerous blows. The Spider tattoo came at me with his stun gun, but I simply did a slashing chop on his hand holding the weapons and grabbed his hand and twisted into a lock.
As the man howl in pain the tonfa user attacked me again, but this time I had meat shield. I blocked a few hits with my new shield and kicked the man to his friend knocking them down.
I dusted the dirt on my shirt as they got back up from the floor.
"You guys are persistent aren't you? Well?( I did the' come one' gesture)...Come on."
They came at me at once so I simple jumped into the air and did a double front push kick and nailed into their chest.(Fangking2: I actually learned how to do this in my dojo and it is hard as hell.)
(xtenchix: but bloody awesome, you've got to admit that.)
I didn't gave the two thugs a chance to get back up by grabbing the nearest thug to my right and did a simple shoulder throw from my Judo class and roughly and unsafely throw my make shift weapon on top of the two men on the ground.
Three more down…More to go.
I check on my left and this time I saw Honda Miya living up to her nickname as the Strongest Woman in Japan. She was silent as a ghost and her movements were just like that…silent as a ghost. She slid and wove into her enemies' movements by matching their rhythm. She was devoid of injuries as she dodged all attacks aimed at her.
Her weapon was her long and toned leg as she kicked the men around her from low kicks to the knee to middle kicks to the chest and finally high kicks to the shoulder and the head. Her movements were fast and graceful as she nailed one by one with her deadly kicks.
She was flexible as a snake as she bent her legs and body into complicated form to attack at the unexpected moments or opening in the enemies' guard.
Her kicks were not only fast, but were also powerful. While legs are more powerful than arms her kicks were leaving shock waves and indented marks on her victim's body. She was like a storm as she kicked all moving targets around her with no restrain.
She suddenly got into a stance with her hands raised to cover her head and side. This stance also made her bent lower to the ground with her legs shift and turned to the back stance.
Suddenly she unleashed a torrent of kicks from all direction as she used everything from the tip of her toe to the top of her knee in a barrage of lightning fast kicks.
"…Shin Sepuu San Un Tou Kyaku(Whirlwind Cloud-Breaking Kicks.)" she silently declared as she finished her spinning torrent of kicks and death. She looked around the fallen bodes that were very much alive…they just wished they were dead.
"…Weak…but many." The tall girl muttered as she back flipped to dodge a swing from a wood baseball bat.
"You no good bitch! I oughta beat the fuck out of you and rape your ass! You damn slut!" shouted the thug with the bat as he swung wildly at the silent War Goddess.
Miya narrowed her eyes as she dashed to the bat wielding thug. She stared into the man's eye and she suddenly spun around and turned her back to him in a low bent stance. Like a lightning she back kicked the man's weapon and himself into the wall…The wooden bat by the way as shattered into two pieces and splinters flew all over the floor.
"…Weakling…Shouldn't talk Big."
Miya was hopping and jumping around as she round house kicked and snapped kicked from multiple directions as she fend off any guys from approaching her. She was truly living up to her second nickname as Second Coming of Orimura Chifuyu…And that by the way is a compliment that I don't give anyone easily.
Miya is really one of rare woman that I respect, however I can never see her as a romantic interest. The reason for that is, because she is summiting to Ieyasu. Chifuyu-Nee will never bow to another so I refuse to bow to a girl that already serves another. While that is the case, it doesn't stop me from respecting her and able to relate to her. Miya and I were really alike how we are so powerful and yet serve and fight for another person.
"You dumbasses! That is Honda Miya! Don't fight her like a pack of meat shields and Surround her! Weapons forward and move at the same time!" Yelled out a thug with a brain…Too bad the three fighters gathered here can't be calculated with a normal brain.
"Not bad…too bad."
Miya grabbed on to the floor with both hands as she started do a hand stand as she spun around to kick all the faces or offending limbs around her. Her attacks were something out of a movie as she flawlessly spun around in a 360 degrees and stood back up…All around her was her fallen victims.
"Not…Good enough."
Wow…As expected of a retainer of the Fairy of the Dark World and the eternal bodyguard of the Tokugawa's Orihime. She just beat down at least ten heavy weight dudes in a few seconds…impressive.
It seems I am low in the term of body counts now…Well it is expected since the other two are using their best art and I am using my secondary arts.
Hide was a fist user and Miya was a kicker. As for me…I am a swordsman.
"Masurao! Open storage! Give me the Shigure!"
My IS is a weapon, but it is a weapon that can carry more weapons. It turned out while it had no more rooms for IS weapons, but I can squeeze in few normal weapons. I actually got my Rokusou, the Six Claws of the Dragon with me at all times. Too bad, because there is no way I am using that in a fight like this.
I felt the weight of a single katana appear on my hand. It was the blue and silver katana given to me by Kojuro, but actually sent by Kojuro's father, the headmaster of the Katakura Dojo.
I drew the sword slowly as the other remaining thugs stared at me. They all know my…(in)famous rumor with a sword.
"Well? Anyone dares to face me?" I asked my attacks with a cheerful tune.
No one? All well…I chose…YOU!
I ran to the nearest man who was holding a wooden sword and slashed at him. In a blink of an eye I was behind him.
Sheeeeee!
I slowly sheathed my sword.
"No worry…I used the back of my blade."
The man was wordless as his wooden sword was sliced into five pieces slowly and was slide off the handle. The man himself fell down, face first on to the cold floor.
Huh…It seems I lack practice…Last time I did this I did it to the point the victim was knocked out while he was standing. I need to practice more at school.
As I idly thought about my training a group of thugs jumped me from all direction.
"DOUKUGAN RYU!"
"THIS IS IT!"
"IF WE DEFEAT YOU WE WILL BE FAMOUS!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
So hopeful these guys…
"SHHEEEEEG!"
"Click!" the sound of metal clinking was heard as silence filled the space.
"Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!"
And they all kissed the floor as I dealt with them without blinking an eye.
This is the standing between the three of us here.
Yoshida Hide is peerless in fists.
Honda Miya is matchless in kicks.
And I am number one in sword skill.
Ieyasu has potential, but she is too young.
The sea of bodies that are coiled and huddled in pain and misery is proof of our might.
I glanced around and saw Hide and Miya continuing to slaughter/play with the remaining members of this army. I continued to look around but no general in sight…This can't be right. If all these thugs were gathered there must be a general among them.
After Nobuyuki's defeat I and many other groups managed to take over the Oda's territories, but Owari team was still intact and maintained their other areas. Along with that, I left behind many of Nobuyuki's old retainers like Ranmaru, Maeda Toshiie and Nobuyuki's girlfriend Nouhime.
Each and every one of them was martial artists that made some name among the gangsters in Japan and were skilled enough to lead a group like this, so where is the leader?
As I looked around I found a sight that pissed me off.
A group of thugs surrounded my friends and held their group. Around them were several unconscious men that my classmates must have knocked out…One of them was foaming from his mouth…Most likely Laura's handy work.
"Heehee…Are they Doukugan Ryu's women? That guy has everything doesn't her."
"I bet he wouldn't miss one or two missing."
"Let's see here…A blond, twin tail, military, a homely sweet one, glasses with boobs, older girl and a red head middle school…Yep, old one-eye has it all made up for him. That lucky bastard!"
"I'll take the blond with the curls!"
"Then the other blond for me!"
"The Eye patched one isn't so bad!'
"Oh man, I'll tap that one with the cold glare. She seems like a fighter…Good in bed I bet."
"…"
They are dead…I will kill them for this insult!
(Dan's POV)
"Oh shit…"
"Onii! Do something!"
"WHAT AM I, ICHIKA?" I yelled back.
They were surrounded by many mean looking dudes. While Ichika's friends managed to beat some of them these guys were relentless and numerous. While they are thugs, they were once lead by that Oda guy that even Ichika respected.
Some of these girls were surprised by the skill held by some of the thugs. The thugs actually used formal Karate to fight back and some used Muay Thai, kicking boxing, and regular boxing.
One of them was actually fighting against Laura-san and was holding his ground!
"KA-POW!"
Thud!
…Wait he is out cold now…That one eyed girl was using Sambo right? That knee and choke was scary as hell.
Suddenly a thug came in for a rush toward Ran and the poor girl was scared off her rocket.
However …I am still a MAN!
I dash in front of my sister to stop the man. The attacker threw a punch and I immediately held my ground to block the punch. There are only few things I can do in a fight like this so I decided to rely on my memory.
I knocked my own arm against his and parried the blow. I spun around him while holding his extended arm and I locked his arm with a push. I pushed my other hand on his back to help with the push
I can do this!
However the man struggled and I couldn't hold him back!
"GET THE FUCK OFF ME TOU PRISSY! I'LL FUCK'N KILL YOU!"
Scary! So scary!
Unknown to anyone at that time Ieyasu approached behind Dan with a smile.
"I guess I can help just a little."
Ieyasu jabbed the back of Dan's leg which force him to bent low which steadied him. Then she lightly jabbed at the right leg to turn it. Following the motion of his body Dan spun around and so did his victim and they lowered to the floor. Dan was on his knee and his attacker as facedown on the floor, unable to move an inch because he had no room to use his strength.
For the final touch Ieyasu jabbed lightly, so lightly he didn't feel it on his rib to make him hop to the side planting his foot on the man's back, finishing the fight.
'That's all." Muttered Ieyasu…The student of Jujitsu and Judo.
Back to Dan's POV
"WOW! Onii since when did you know how to do that?"
"Hey now, I hang out with Ichika for years now. I was bound to pick up a trick or two."
I felt very proud just then. It was the first time Ran ever viewed him in such respectable positive light.
"KISAMA!" came a roar from Ichika.
I turned to look and saw Ichika going in a war path as he destroyed all the thugs that badmouthed his friends(Also his sister) and utterly decimated them with a furious combination of kicks, punches, and slashes.
"HELP!"
"Kao Loi(Muay Thai head grab and Knee attack)!"
"SAVE ME!"
"Ti Sok (Muay Thai Elbow strike)!"
"HAVE MERCY! PLEASE!"
"Sork Kurb(A technique that draws an enemy's punch and spin around them to deliver a powerful elbow strike to their head.)
"MOMMY!"
"DIE!"
In a blink of an eye using Muay Thai alone he destroyed the offenders leaving everyone, but Chifuyu-san in awe. However he was not done as he charged at another group of thugs heading toward him.
"GGUUUAAAAHHHHHHHH!" roared Ichika as he throw himself into the horde and started to bash them down with mixture of multiple martial arts.
POW!
CRACK!
SLAM!
Ichika used a karate styled kick to send one thug to the floor and spin around with a Chinese kenpo steps to palm and punched with multiple gripes and forms. He used chop, palm, fist, and multiple animal fists of Chinese kenpo to aim for the temple, neck, chest, ribs, and noses.
Perhaps it was because he was drinking sake only few minutes ago, his false drunk fist attacks were more realistic today. Like in a scene of a movie, Ichika alone was beating back the thugs with insanely fast punch and kicks.
By the way he was doing this all while holding a katana in one hand…it was dangerous as hell, but masterfully no one was cut down by the twists and the turns.
"Ichika-san! You are so cool!" screamed Ran as she forgotten about her brother.
"…I am so sad…" I muttered as I felt the weight of the world fell on my shoulder.
"You have my condolence…" muttered the man he pinned on the ground."
"Thanks."
No worry Dan! One day, the wind of Spring Time of Youth shall blow for you! (xtenchix: at least I hope for him that it'll do)
(Ichika POV)
I beat down the last of this group, but as I was done, another group that Miya and Hide missed was charging toward my friends in a frenzy attempt to take a hostage, but one of them particular was heading toward…My sister!
"Oh no you don't!"
I ran in front of the charging horde and got into a…Stance that seems like a hybrid of some kind. It seems like a normal front fighting stance, but there were no openings that one can tell at first glance.
As the one that was charging toward Chifuyu-nee entered my range I attacked.
"Boukun no Kobushi!(Fist of the Tyrant!)!"
It was a single, powerful punch; however there was one very special thing about it…it had no rhythm what so ever.
When a fighter fights, they have their own unique rhythm that a master class can notice. It can be simple as twitch of a shoulder or a step. A good fighter can use these rhythms to predict their enemy's next move or recognize the pattern in the style.
What I did was that I used the posture and movements of multiple martial arts and used them at once, which cover any noticeable rhythms.
This skill is also called Mubiyoshi(No Rhythm).
However I called my Boukun no Kobushi.
And this one is…
"Boukun no Kobushi Danmaku!(Tyrant Fist Barrage!)"
My storming torrent of powerful punches which were infused with my aggressive 'Dou' ki was like a wall that repelled all intrusion. All the remaining chargers met a swift end…By my bloody fist.
As the last thug was pummeled by my fist and was launched into the air I relaxed my shoulder and turned around.
"…And that is all. Class dismissed." I muttered to no one.
That were the last of them…I looked around but there weren't any thugs standing as Miya, Hide, and I managed to beat them all down to the floor. They were all moaning and rolling in the floor as their bodies were abused to inhumane level by the three warriors.
Some of those that were first to fall started to get up very slowly, but clearly their battered and broken bodies were nowhere near good enough to even do a hasty retreat let alone a battle.
"Well, that was fun." Said the Toyotomi as he stretched his arms as if this was all a light workout…To him it must be been easier than weight lifting in a local gym.
"…Weak…But fun…" said Miya as Ieyasu walked to her friend and latched on to her taller friend's hand.
"Heehee, Mi-chan is the best!" praised the pink haired master and Miya let off a small smile at the compliment from her lord.
"…Thanks."
I smirked at their interaction and Hide's relaxed form. It seems the heated argument we had didn't affect our fighting skills. That is good! Only time the three of us should fight is when we desire as the proper place to settle things. To fight in a café is like…Well…A common thug.
"My my…You guys made a nice mess out of my underlings."
I turned to the voice and saw a sight I haven't seen in a while.
The girl standing in front of me was a classical Japanese doll like beauty that had long silky black hair and a pale face. She was wearing a pink kimono and was holding an umbrella shade in one hand and a fan on the other.
"My my…this is truly a meeting I have been looking forward to Ichika-san."
"Ah…" I words felt heavy in my throat. Why her…Why did she of all people have to lead this gang?
"Well, Have you been doing well Ichika-san?"
"I have been doing well…Oda Oichi."
The dark haired maiden smile kindly to me, but her smile and grace was hollow as I can feel the killing intent she holds toward me.
I don't blame her as I was the one who defeated her brother…The very same brother that was once my close friend and now in a hospital, unable to move out of the bed because of his illness…The illness which accelerated through his body because of our duel.
"Ara? That isn't good…Someone like you needs to suffer after all."
Her voice was like a soft melody of a string instrument, but the weight of her words were heavier than the pillar of heaven.
(Flash Back)
"Oh good morning Ichika-san!"
"You have to be one of few that my brother speaks so well about."
"Oni-sama…Please be good friends with him."
"Ichika-san! Oni-sama! Tea is ready! Go wash your faces and join me!"
"Mou, you two need to be more careful!"
"Ichika-san…Please be friends for life with my brother. HE needs someone like you to help him in his life."
"Ichika-san."
"Oni-sama!"
'…'
'…"
(Flash back ends)
"Your opinion on the matter is not my problem…Oichi, did you order this attack?"
"Yes. I was hoping to get all three of the so called ShitenOh in one place with no allies to take control of the Japanese gangs, but it seems my gamble was a failure."
"Your decision while dishonorable, was sensible. If only you used more skilled generals."
"…Perhaps I shouldn't have been so hasty and sent Ranmaru-san and Maeda-san like Nou-Neechan said so, but I was too excited…To see you broken Ichika-san."
The doll like beauty looked down and her hair covered her eyes. While I can't see her I can feel her glare of rage and hatred.
"Why…Why didn't you die? I was hoping to avenge my brother here today…I came here to see you broken and my brother's will fulfilled."
I could only stare as the Dai Goten Majou mutter her words of hatred to me.
"So it was for revenge Oichi?"
"Naturally. After all…You are the one who robbed my brother of his dream. YOU MONSTER!"
Her black eyes glared into my remaining eye as I felt the deep hatred she has for me. I have no excuse as she was right…It was because of our fight, Nobuyuki was now unable to fight again…Never again being able to attempt conquering Japan.
And here is another one! This original arc s harder than I thought, but don't worry, after one more than it is Silver G Arc. I know that many people warned me about too much OC, but most OC are needed since I used Sengoku Basara element. I can't just bring in older cast of the show in a high school fic right?
Also to those that might be offended or disappointed I promise to make an awesome chapters for the Silver G Arc in return, but personally I think this banquet arc is important and very special…The next one will explain the mystery that is Oda Nobuyuki and I assure you, these OC are not one hit wonders…I plan to let them appear in the future as important characters.
Please review!