Intro: Alright the explanations comes here!
Disclaimer: I do not own Touken Ranbu and Cardfight! Vanguard and other material which came from the said Game/Anime, they are owned by its original creators. The making of this story and this story is made for the fans and the writer XD. Although the plot and some changes in the story are from me ^_^.
Chapter 38: Duties and Roles
Kon coughed to call their attention "I will not be emphasizing this certain failure I was speaking of, instead we will be tackling of one of the reason why it did end up in failure as respect for him, it will only depends on your master if he wishes to tell everyone about it."
"I want to tackle it last as it is the most important, hence the duty of Saniwa will be tackled last, for now let us go on for the duties of the guardian, and the role of us Konnosuke" Kon smiled as he gives his spot light to Mina.
"I see, then for the guardians." Mina looked at the direction of the four at the row of the Wakizashis "The guardians' role aren't just for anyone, they are chosen. They can be chosen by the Saniwa but in this case I knew you would be vital so I asked for your help instead, also regarding Aichi's personality he wouldn't even do that." Which they can all understand. As they all once again looked at his direction, and he did notice it.
"The guardians are not that of a vital role to be honest some Saniwa doesn't even have guardians, also their terms differs to Saniwa to Saniwa, some call them as defenders, supporters, or in some cases guides, they are kind of like substitute, if the Saniwa is busy or tired, they can go to the front lines or the expedition for them."
"The guardians are like pipe fox guide, though they have their advantages and disadvantages. For the guardians they can help with the fight and guide but they don't have one hundred percent command on the toudans, they also don't have the ability to carry things like pipe foxes or figure out the whole area themselves nor have the ability to teleport them, the ones with those ability are Saniwa and the foxes, they can also come or don't come in expedition like the Saniwa's."
"I don't' know if Aichi has told you guardians about it but the toudans can go with or without guides as they will only just need to get the resources needed, since those area that you will be going to will be rich in those. In other words your focus will be obtaining only resources. Sometimes you can find Koban or gold and we can definitely use those!"
"The Guardians if you have remembered, that I told you that there is an age bracket the same as the Saniwa, though I will elaborate a Saniwa better later, guardians show potential as early as 15 but usually it is 16 since the body is developing and so is the power, 2 years of training is sufficient since at the age of 18 is the age of maturity, the body and the power. The ones who showed potential can be chosen as Saniwa or guardians, but there is a catch, the guardians doesn't have the ability of the Saniwa, the ability to give human form to tsukumogami."
"Guardians have the ability of divine ability but only to the extent of using talismans. As for the one I've mentioned regarding the borrowing of power, since you can be a substitute you can borrow about 30 percent of their ability with a link. This 20 percent depends on how powerful the Saniwa is for example, in other words if the Saniwa is powerful in those 0 percent they can use powerful spell. The Saniwa can't give up to 40 especially half of it or 50 percent. For how to do that and how can it be enabled I'm deciding not to tackle it yet. The reason is, you haven't showed your potential yet, you are indeed exposed to Aichi, but I still can't see it, once you have showed of some I will teach you along with Aichi on how to use it your divine abilities."
"Aside from the fact that your roles are basically of an assistant Saniwa, you have the duty to protect them, especially their identities and of course this also applies to your identities. That is why I decided to give you the title of the guardians aside from being only a support. We need to keep this a secret from normal people." Mina noticed the expression of the four guardians adding some questions and answers as to why Aichi was acting up again.
"Although you can't come to the battlefield with the Saniwa unlike the Konnosuke, hence what is the point of being a guardian or protecting the Saniwa, well the answer is simple we don't know when there will come a time when an enemy tries to attack the citadel, or even dare to try coming in this era, we need to be careful and as precaution that is why we need to train you for additional man power."
"For everyone, our enemy is called The Historical Revisionists they are enemies who want to alter the course of time, meaning change history, and change this current era, no one knows why but it's their goal that is in the open and that is to change history. Also there are the Kebiishi they are not literally enemies but they protect the flow of time, either enemies or us as long as someone tries to break the laws of time, they will do their duty to eliminate them to preserve time."
"Wait, if there are Kebiishi they can just do the job for us, why not let them do it?" Kiyomitsu asked.
"Good question, the reason is that, Kebiishi are foreign creatures too, their appearance are inhuman, even their voice doesn't sound normal. Kebiishi won't just pop out when they noticed us especially the enemy, they will only come out when the timeline is already really out of whack, meaning they don't care for the smallest changes. Besides it's better to act than do nothing, we are humans and we must help defend our own, hence that is why we ask for you sword warriors to aid us, to not change the course of history."
Their expression were different, each to their own feelings regarding this history thing and such, but they are reluctant to even tell their own feelings regarding this, they have mixed feelings about it, but they just thought that they will see it through.
"The Kebiishi is a mysterious third party that even we don't know where they have come from nor even a little hint of what they even are. We just can't let a third party handle it when they don't even notice even the smallest changes, we thought that they only care about the path changing not the minimal changes of it. Hence it's better to make a move than sit idly by and wait for chances, right."
"Alright back to the topic." Mina coughed once before starting again "The title of guardians is wide it is originally called guardians but some wants to mix things up. The guardians are not literal substitute for the Saniwa as they don't have the similar ability as them, Saniwa's cannot pass down those ability nor share it, their life force is different than normal, they are unique, hence when they use their divine power it is much more powerful, the link that can share only shares the divine power."
"Keep in mind though as it is not an easy feat even if you are substitutes you are also assistants." Mina finishes, and seeing the guardian's reaction she can finally understand, now all that she needs is talk to them to know the full story.
Next is the Pipe foxes role, Kon spoke regarding the Pipe Foxes "The pipe foxes are helpers and guide, we are the ones who make the map, make up the routes in the map, navigate to the unknown area especially to the new ones, it is also our role to teleport you to those areas, it is our unique ability to locate where the enemies will spawn, with our help we can aid the Saniwa so they can detect it themselves that is only if the Saniwa is still not that experienced regarding that. We can also be the one to accompany the warriors in the front lines and expedition, the only one thing we can't do is help with the fighting, since we are navigators. We can also come with guardians and Saniwa, if there is someone going in the front lines, we are required to come." Kon glared at Konnosuke
"But that depends on the Saniwa, if going to new areas we are required as we are the ones who will help navigate them through the whole location, if you want to investigate to an area you have already went to or go to an area where enemies will spawn again it will depend on the Saniwa if they will let us come. Very important note though, we can sometimes be the only one to go in the front lines as support for the Touken Danshi's"
"In other words, we are the eyes of the Saniwa, we are their teacher as we are their guide first and foremost." Kon finished as now it is the time to explain to them regarding about the role of the Saniwa.
"Alright the most important, the duty of a Saniwa." Mina said as she readies herself.
"The Government of the Time, positioned at the top is the Head Saniwa, are the ones that searches for the Saniwa as their ace as they have the ability to manifest the hearts of objects. To awaken the thoughts and heart of sleeping items and grant them the power to fight on their own and to wield themselves. Saniwa's are sent to the past in order to protect history together with the strongest tsukumogami, the Touken Danshi, who are born from the swords that are the crystallization of ancient spirit and techniques."
"Saniwa are unique and they are also rare, at rare occasions they can show up their potential from as very early as 5 years old, sometimes it's 12 years old, though they can't manifest swords yet, but they can use their divine ability, though the usual age is 16 since the body wouldn't be able to carry that vast amount of power since it needs a mature host, the reason they show up at an early age is already a sign that they are Saniwa meaning their divine power is already forming the ability to call out the tsukumogami's. They will then train for up to 2 years that alone is enough since they don't need to learn how to fight."
"If the power fully matures at 18 years old they are ready and can start to bring them, and then head to the battle field. That is the usual allotted time, in Aichi's case his ability were not mature yet as he was just 14 years old and he was already able to bring 11 successful Touken Danshi, which is to be honest a very incredible feat for a Saniwa, since the power is still not fully mature or in harmony with his body Aichi at that time was always almost at deaths door" Mina sadly remembers with the others as they remember the time they thought they were going to lose him. But Mina left out the part with the other power, since they want to fully know what it is first.
"If you have remembered I told you that there is another power in Aichi, another fact that made him special, and another reason of why Aichi is unstable, although that power was also inside him already and they were fighting on who gets to persevere, right now the other power subsided because Aichi's divine powers was successful first, it's quiet but it's there."
"Do you have an idea what this power is?" Yagen asked.
Konnosuke, Mina and even Kon all had a sad expression making them more worried "That is what we are trying to find out, one of the reason I stayed here was also because of that, so I can do something about it, if those power rampaged inside him if they ever do not harmonize inside him, they would be the cause of Aichi's end." Everyone slumped down as if the power was like a ticking time bomb "For now we are trying to figure it out to help Aichi to harmonize the two power to help him, of course Aichi himself is vital into harmonizing it into him, but of course it's not that easy since we have no clue about it." As they heard there was a chance for the two powers to harmonize they were able to breathe, as they also trust and believe that Aichi can do it. As Mina finished this part of explanation she moved back to the original topic.
"Alright, When Aichi did turned 15 his powers did get a little boost as he slowly stabilizes, since he is near 16 his body is close to maturity, though for his age Aichi is small and thin so we should still be on the alert even if he has acquired a power boost, He already has really made some noticeable things and made him gain the interests of the people in the headquarters, they deem Aichi as special, rare, and unique." Everyone were in awe as Mina continued. As expected of their current master they all thought.
"At the start though I heard from Konnosuke that the other power hasn't showed up until he brought Shokudaikiri though." Aichi remembers something when Mina brought that topic.
"That is also the day I met Kai again." Aichi spoke out which made the others turn to him, as a little flush on his cheeks showed up, which surprised everyone, noticing this Aichi hid half of his face with the sleeves of his yukata.
Mina was always as sharp he noticed Kai's expression, meaning Kai has an idea about it, what power that is, all she need to do is get a chance to talk to him. Vanguard, it has something to do which Aichi's other power, finally they have a lead.
Noticing that everyone had their own kind of thought to Aichi's flush Mina coughed to call their attention "The reason why we pardoned Konnosuke's mistake was because at that time the enemy were already in the move and we understood that he too was in a hurry so find a Saniwa to aid us." Mina said.
"But the others at the Government of Time were keeping them at bay, hence there were not much to worry about." Kon added.
"Though maybe the reason why he was also hurrying was because it's been so long since a Saniwa was born, we thought that the reason was because it was not as dire as it is yet, until thankfully in that one faithful encounter in that accidental encounter we were able to find Aichi, and a very special one indeed" Mina smiled to Aichi as they explain Konnosuke's action.
Aichi smiled as their praise and how they treat him, it was enough that someone cares for him.
"Aichi, the reason why that was a failure, is not your fault, it was because you were not that fully prepared yet and because your power is still not awakening, I also think that the reason that you were weak minded and weak hearted was because you stepped into this too fast, you don't have to blame yourself, because you were really just inexperienced at that time, but you are growing right?"
"You were not given proper training, nor a proper start, you were pushed in it from the very beginning, Aichi, you did all of this from your strength alone, that is something to be proud of and happy!" Mina tries her hardest to encourage Aichi and it was successful.
Mina bows slowly as everyone was surprised "I know that what I did when I tried to make a bluff on taking over the citadel, and I still regret that, somehow I felt that I should also be including this here although you already know the reason to that, but still." As Mina stood up she immediately reverted back to normal because of a certain fox.
But then she turned to Konnosuke "Now! The punishment for Konnosuke." Mina pointed "No… A-bu-ra-ge for a whole week! Did you, the ones in charge of the kitchen heard loud and clear!" Konnosuke was trying to break free and wanted to shout but the talismans were too tough.
"Yes!" All the toudans not just the one in charge of the kitchen answered Mina as she decided to untie Konnosuke though all he could do was froze up in sadness as Kon decided to sit near him while he recuperate "My aburage" a tear can be seen visible from his still closed eyes.
"Now that things are all cleared up, all the toudans may be excused except for Horikawa and Sayo, guardians, and Aichi-kun stay, I have something important to talk to you." As soon as Mina instructed that some can leave the area, they hastily did so and left the room as they have an idea of what it was.
"Alright come forward" she instructed the ones who were left in the room, as they positioned themselves Mina cuts to the chase "Aichi-kun, do you have a bully."
Aichi was surprised this was sudden "W-what…? Where did this come from?"
"Aichi-kun just tell us the truth." Mina doesn't want riddles she wants what she needed, the answers, so she could hastily find the solution.
Aichi slowly nodded "Who?!" Mina demanded a faster answers by putting the question simply to end this.
"M-Morikawa and Izaki." Aichi answered. Miwa, Misaki, and Kai were not that surprised since they know on the very first day that Aichi came to Card Capital. Though Kamui was surprised since he wasn't there at that time where they were still not that close.
"Do they beat you up?!" was Mina's next question, though Aichi was reluctant to answer as he looked at where the four is.
Knowing Mina she won't stop until she has her answer as Aichi nodded hastily, Miwa, Kamui, and Misaki were surprised at what they have found out they didn't know about that part, though Kai knew from when Aichi was a child he was already bullied and beaten up just didn't know that even Morikawa and Izaki does that, thinking of their personalities they were all surprised.
"When you were still so small, up to now, nothing changed, up until that time…" Kai spoke remembering the very first day that they have reunited when he mentioned that time.
Aichi bit his lip as he nodded slowly this time "Aichi, you are that kind huh…" Mina sighed heavily "To the point that you became friends with your own bully, because of Vanguard." Mina noticed the changes, vanguard has a vital role in his life too.
"Then what Horikawa said was true then, you were struck with fear that time. Aichi, did you know that the reason why they were about to do that to him" she meant Morikawa at this point "Was because they were protecting you, they saw fear in your face Aichi, you might have not shown it in your expression then, but they knew very well the various faces of fear."
"Especially in Sayo's part" Mina is trying to ease him as he noticed Sayo's anger.
"If you didn't stop them they might have already did that." Mina placed a hand on Aichi's cheeks "Do you know the reason why I acted like that earlier" Aichi nodded as he understood, it was that embrace.
"If I told you to stop befriending them, you won't agree right?" Mina said as Aichi nodded making her sigh once again which the others did too even Horikawa, Sayo though just looked at Aichi who was smiling, which confused him at the same time curious about this master.
"Alright now that that is cleared up onto the next." Mina glared at Miwa "Miwa starting today I don't feel like accepting you to be a guardian."
Miwa was surprised knowing that expression he has he wanted answers "You reacted when I spoke about guarding the identity of the Saniwa and you as guardians. One of the reason why he insisted was maybe because of whatever you fed into his head."
Mina knew those behavior even though Miwa was trying his hardest not to show it "Everything is all play and games huh… Aichi-kun's safety is my priority as is with his identity."
"At this point I don't even know if a punishment will do it, maybe I should just do a memory wipe." This has turned into something really serious and amusing at the same time "Kon-san, what do you think?" Mina asked for Kon's suggestion regarding the matter.
"A memory wipe is the best option if you ask me." Kon said as his tone has changed from his much calmed one.
"Mina-nee I'm sorry please let me explain! I … I really enjoy it here, with everyone!" Miwa said as he tries to plead his hardest.
"Maybe another chance Mina, you can trap him here until it's stuck in his skull." Kon said as his voice becomes scary as he speak.
"With pleasure Kon-san" Mina hastily bound Miwa while she took Konnosuke to Aichi "Here, brush his fur." Aichi is now carrying Konnosuke in his arms as he noticed the unruly hair.
Looking at Miwa, Kamui and Aichi knew that something not good is going to happen to him, while on the other hand Misaki and Kai thought that he deserved this for his mind games.
"Looking at you two you really seem like you are meant to be, I mean look at the color" Mina noted as he continued to look at Aichi with Konnosuke which they all agreed as they all look at them "Though he always has his eyes closed" as soon as Mina said those though Konnosuke slightly opened one of his eye.
"Alright you can go now, I'm sure that they have started preparing dinner too just do what you want until that time." There has been a lot of sighing from Mina today.
Before they left though Aichi called out for their attention as he bowed to Miwa, Kamui, Misaki, and Kai "I know we haven't known each other for a long time, but, thank you very much for being friends with me, enough to being my guardians."
"Please teach me more about vanguard so the next time we aim for the national I can be able to win even just one match, I know that I am not strong yet but please, take care of me." Aichi said as he stood up with Konnosuke wagging his tail.
"Oh my…" Mina was surprised as she mutters.
"Then you better teach us too about being a better guardian too" Misaki smiled.
"Of course we will aim to be strong too, all of us both vanguard and saving history!" Kamui was now pumped up.
"Just don't hold us back" Kai spoke which surprised them, even his choice of words, but they know that is just his way as they sigh but turns into a smile.
"Please take care of us too!" Mina and Konnosuke said in unison to say to everyone.
"Us toudans too!" Horikawa added while Sayo nodded only.
"And me too!" Kon said which surprised them.
"Though I am not always here, but I will regularly visit, orders from the head Saniwa, to make sure that everything is going well, and helping make sure of Aichi's condition!" Kon said as he wags his tail in delight at the warm and fluffy scene in front of him, with the addition of the confused faces and surprises from them.
Outro: The idea about the Kebiishi is not my idea, it was from a friend, and I am really really thankful I asked her opinion regarding this, I am very thankful thank you thank you, Sleix!
How Mina explained the role of Saniwa in the first part is from the touken-ranbu fandom.
I'm very sorry for my lack of vocabulary and wrong grammars and wrong spellings, but I hope you like the story nonetheless, and thank you for everyone's continuous support!
Thank you for reading! Please review or pm for any suggestions or problems on the story.