Last Chapter, Summoned by the elderly shinobi, Sayuri, Sora came to her world to save it from the looming darkness of the Four Fiends, which coincidentally included the Heartless. Seeing them was nothing special, and yet, Sora's recent run in with death made him look back on his history with the Heartless...
...and break loose for the first time in years! After his many adventures involved him losing more than he won, Sora finally snapped, blaming the Heartless for causing the trouble they're so renowned for, constantly assaulting and devouring people and their worlds. After taking his time away from his friends, especially during the events of Kingdom Hearts III, Sora finally had enough, and wanted to brutalize all in his path for never truly learning their lesson.
Mindless as they were, the Shadow Heartless surprised Sora when he was at his breaking point, and forced him on the cement while a massive amount of them gathered up into a Demon Tower, the enormous coiling and serpent-like Heartless collective of Shadows.
Fortunately, before they could devour the broken Keyblade Wielder's heart, Asuka appeared and saved his life!
Asuka's reunion with the visitor in the store revealed much as she learned he was summoned by her Grandmother, Sayuri, to protect their world, but Sora's depressed state convinced her the poor hero wasn't really up for the job since he has nearly reached his sanity's breaking point. And so Asuka tried to calm Sora down with the fact that everyone, like him, has a duty and their own choices, especially Kairi, who he remembered did everything she did because her choices were hers alone.
Motivated more than ever to see Kairi again, Sora accepted Asuka's advice, and decided to follow his heart, just as Kairi followed her own and eventually asked Aqua to train her...
Kagura Hearts
Chapter 4 ~ Toppling the Tower
Still on the rooftops, Sora and Asuka stood back up and looked at each other. Asuka then asked, "This person…who are you planning to apologize to?" Sora then answered, "Someone special, who I didn't give enough credit to…MAN I forgot her capabilities. She was able to transcend death to find me, twice, and even if her skills with the Keyblade are different, she holds more untapped power than I can even imagine. And despite what was done…"
Sora smiled at Asuka as he continued, "...Kairi probably would have saved herself and saved me in seconds. She's amazing!"
Asuka giggled and said, "Sounds like the convictions of a true Futomaki Fan! I'm going to enjoy teaching you, step-by-step, how to make Futomaki once we're finished here!"
Sora and Asuka then approached the ledge of the rooftop, but before anything happened, Asuka had to ask, "...hey, so out of curiosity, how did you know I was Asuka?" Sora then answered, "...the handbag. You were using it to carry your groceries, and on it, there was a Keychain with your name on it. Plus, Sayuri said your name while we were on the way here."
Sora and Asuka then saw the Heartless rushing to where the Demon Tower was, forcing the two to hurry back…
In the area, the Demon Tower grew taller, into something of a wretched and coiling existence, which twitched and squiggled with every Shadow that merged with it…
Sora and Asuka suddenly surprised the Demon Tower with a swift combined blade attack, literally circumcising it! Sora then said to Asuka, "It's cute seeing self-designed things like that keychain, you know? I guess I should have mentioned that was one of the reasons I liked exploring other worlds…Keychains, Membership Cards…Magic Lamps…the worlds have surprises and treasures I never expected, and will treasure for the rest of my existence." Asuka then said, "I guess the Lamb is no longer Lost in the Barnyard. Welcome to a new world, Sora. I'll do my best to watch out for you…just like Granny did for me!"
The Demon Tower then reached over to the duo and knocked them away, then released several Shadows from it's body while sinking into the ground!
The Shadows then rushed at Sora and Asuka, who killed every single approaching Heartless with their blades!
"I wanted to ask, but what's with the club? It looks like some sort of Key." Asuka asked. Sor happily answered, "This is a Keyblade. Shape and Form, it's all in the name. There's more to this too, like for instance…-JUMP, NOW!"
The Demon Tower then popped from beneath Sora and Asuka, trying to gobble them up by surprise, while Asuka yelled, "GEEZ, HEARTLESS PERVERTS! THEY LOOKED UP MY SKIRT!" Sora then said, "Let's teach'em a lesson with one of the Keyblade's special abilities! Magic!" Sora then rushed towards the Heartless, surprising Asuka with his recklessness, but surprising her with a swift Magical Spell that left the Tower on fire!
"That's my Fire Spell! Fortunately, the Harmful Spells don't hurt friends and allies of the wielder. There's a lot more to show you too." Sora said. Asuka however said, "Well since we're showing off, allow an honorary Hanzo Academy ninja to show you a few tricks of her own!" Asuka then rushed to the Demon Tower and like a pair of scissors, she chopped right through the middle of the Demon's torso! As it reconstructed itself, Asuka bragged "THAT was my Dual Slash technique, touching my blades together, then swiping away twice the power of what a single Katana can cut! And trust me, that's an accomplishment!"
Sora smiled and said, "You're quite the Ninja, Asuka, but this thing is no ordinary Heartless. Riku and Aqua were Masters when they encountered these things in the Realm of Darkness, and though it's weaker compared to its completed form, that Demon Tower, it nearly killed them. We can't underestimate it!"
The Demon Tower then spun its worm-like body around and threw several hungry Shadows at Asuka and Sora, forcing the two to dodge, but they were still caught by surprise when the Shadows suddenly flew up to them, tackling them behind while merging back with the Demon Tower!
Asuka then asked, "I'll agree that this monster is strong, but isn't it just a collection of these Heartless?" Sora nodded, "Yes, and when that thing adds more to it, it gets bigger, and THAT'S when it becomes a problem!" Asuka then said, "Well I have an idea that could keep that from happening. Sora, let's destroy the ones that it sends our way! Since the Tower-thing is made up of those little bug-things, all we have to do is be the bug spray and kill the unlatched Heartless! It will grow smaller and smaller, until the Tower is reduced to a small number of creatures we could step on!"
Sora then said, "Asuka…YOU'RE AWESOME! LET'S DO THIS!"
But the Demon Tower slunk into the ground, and like a slinky on the stairs, it came out and back into darkness, all while launching the Shadows at them! They managed a few claw attacks and injured Asuka and Sora with their speed and multiple numbers! The Shadows then jumped into the same spot the Demon Tower slithered into!
"It's scared, so it's changing tactics! Strike the ammo when it comes out!" Asuka advised.
The Demon Tower popped out again and sent it's Shadows flying at the two…
"-STRIKE RAID!"
Sora then tossed his Keyblade at the Heartless and destroyed a good number of them!
The Demon Tower tried again with it's next attack…
"HANZO STYLE: FULL BLOOM!"
Asuka surprised the Shadows by making precise cuts to each one flying towards her and Sora!
As the Demon Tide rapidly sent it's Shadows at them, Sora and Asuka used their techniques and destroyed a good number of the Shadow Heartless until, a few minutes later…
Sora and Asuka's strategy of trimming down the hedges worked perfectly, as there were only 4 Shadows left!
Asuka then said, "Granny sent you on a mission…so I'll leave them to you." Sora nodded and walked up to the scared little Shadows…
"FREEZE!"
To Asuka's surprise, Sora revealed another magical spell that encased the Shadows in blocks of ice, making it easier for him to simply tap the blocks and shatter each one. Sora then said, "As fun as that hack & slash gig was, I think I'm kinda burnt out by this point. It's much easier to just make'em go poof, you know?"
"...Poof? Did-…did you say 'Poof'?" Asuka asked.
Sora gave a confused big-eyed look at Asuka as he answered, "Yeah. Poof. I said Poof. Is it odd to hear that?"
Asuka then let out a loud laugh, never dreaming such a scrawny-yet-tough guy like Sora could even consider using the word 'Poof' when destroying Heartless.
"OK, OK, we should probably get going. Don't want to draw a crowd after all." Asuka said as she tugged on Sora's wrist and hurried back to the rooftops…
Watching from above, Asuka started a conversation with Sora by saying, "So…Granny summoned a boy around my age…I have a lot of questions, but I have a feeling you've been through enough for one day. I mean, if the fight from earlier wasn't convincing enough, I'd say the Halo is a perfect example of how much you've been through." Sora looked up at the Halo over his head and said, "Yeah…it's weird, huh? Accepting a deal to return to the realm of the living by completing Sayuri's mission. Clearly I'm in for a long stay here."
Asuka then said, "Well I'll be happy to help out any way I can." Sora nodded and said, "I appreciate that Asuka, especially after the help you gave me before. That advice…it kinda made me understand Kairi a little better." Asuka then asked, "That advice, huh? Well of course, seeing someone give up…it's kind of scary. You clearly had a good reason to live, but those monsters, I can understand the stress of suffering a recurring joke, ESPECIALLY when it comes to summoning an animal I hate more than anything."
Sora then asked, "I didn't think you hated anything, looking at you, I thought you were some cuddly puppy in disguise as a human, the way you didn't let much affect you, and how reliable you were…S-SORRY! I'm being WAY too descriptive, huh?" Asuka nodded and said, "Comparing a young lady to a Dog of all animals is NOT very polite, Mister!"
Sora bowed several times to earn Asuka's forgiveness until he asked, "So…since I'm staying in this world for the time being, do you have any places around here that I could stay in?" Asuka thought for a while, and sadly said, "...I'm sorry, I don't know any place you could sleep in-."
"-It's a good thing the master isn't above providing for her pets, eh Sora?!"
Renka surprised Sora and Asuka from behind, nearly causing the two to trip and fall over, but luckily, Renka was able to catch their hands and pull them over to her.
Renka then continued, "(ahem) Anywho, Master Sayuri left a few important things behind for you, Mr. Keyblade Master-!" Sora then corrected, "-I've been meaning to tell you, but I'm not really a Master rank, I'm still a trainee-." Renka however said, "NOBODY HAS EVER SURVIVED CARELESSLY USING THE POWER OF WAKING THRICE, DUMMY! OR DEFEATED AN ENTIRE ORGANIZATION OF XIII TWICE ALONG WITH A PROFOUND KEYBLADE MASTER-GONE EMO! (ahem) You saved us all while accomplishing that shit, bro…you've EARNED the title 'Master' as far as I can tell."
Sora blushed at Renka's compliment while Asuka smiled and said, "I agree, you were magnificent! I just wish Granny gave you more than a form in our world to walk in. I'd swear, she would've had a room, or a dorm prepped up for you." Renka smiled and explained, "Well, I do have more to tell you both regarding Master Sayuri, but how about we continue this conversation at YOUR place, Asuka?"
"M-M-M-M-MY PLA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-ACE?!"
"...yeah, your place." Renka said.
End of Chapter 4
Next Chapter...
Sora becomes a student of Hanzo National Academy!