A/N And here we begin the second chapter to Shisui's story. Please don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed the story. Constructive criticism is also welcome as it helps me improve and refine my writing skills. Thank you and enjoy the story!
"M-master Shisui, which area of Lescatie would you like to visit first?" Marisa asked timedly.
Shisui looked from the balcony that oversaw the whole of Lescatie, and was rather impressed at how this city almost rivalled Konoha in terms of appearance.
In the distance Shisui could see a tall bell tower, some kind of temple and a very large park not too far from the Palace. The park looked beautiful, plus it would be a nice place to relax and unwind for a bit, especially with the recent events he had been going through could help clear his mind somewhat.
"How about we visit that park?" Shisui suggested.
"C-certainly! I shall escort you there immediately Master Shisui." Marisa replied apprehensively.
The mid-day sun was rather pleasant along with the short walk. Although he did secretly wish that the townsfolk would stop staring at him.
Shisui and Marisa had finally arrived at the park. Wasting no time Shisui immediately sat down on the grass and allowed himself to stare into space.
He them remembered what Sariel had said about this world`s life force. Spirit Energy if he remembered correctly. Shisui had been curious as to whether if he could still perform ninjutsu in this new world.
Standing up, he did the snake, ram, monkey, boar, horse and tiger seals all in quick succession.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Shisui cried out as a large fire ball emerged from his mouth and into the sky.
Shisui couldn't help but smirk at the massive fireball he had just created, which not only proved that he could still use his ninjutsu, but he had created a small crowd near him and Marisa.
"Whoa did you see that?" One spectator asked.
"Yeah, how did he create a spell without a wand!?" another asked.
Suddenly a figure emerged from the crowd. It was a blonde haired woman a few years older than Shisui wearing a more advanced version of the guards armour and a huge broadsword that was currently sheathed.
"You must be the newly appointed hero Shisui Uchiha correct?" The woman asked sternly.
The crowd muttered silent but reverent murmurs.
"Hero?" One crowd member said.
"Will he be the one to finally defeat the Demon Lord?" Another asked hopefully,
"I am indeed Shisui Uchiha. What is your name if I may ask?" Shisui asked.
"Vermut Rosnair" Vermut answered coldly.
"I see you are also a practioner of kenjutsu I see?" Shisui commented.
"Kenjutsu? What is that?" Vermut answered with a face of genuine confusion.
"The art of utilizing swords in combat. It is one of my specialties along with Genjutsu." Shisui explained.
"Ok." Vermut answered nonchalantly as she began to leave the area.
"Vermut-san. May I ask you a favour?" Shisui called out to the blonde.
"What is it?" She spat out.
"I'd love to have a friendly spar with you please." Shisui requested.
Vermut scanned this guy. In all honesty she currently had nothing better to do, and Lady Wilmarina was currently preoccupied with other matters.
Feeling that it woulnd't be to big of a deal and also because it could help sharpen her swordswomanship more, she came to a decision.
"Fine. I accept your challenge" Vermut announced as she unsheathed her sword.
"Thank you" Shisui smirked as he unsheathed his new sword as well.
Vermut dashed at Shisui at an almost superhuman speed and attempted to strike him.
Only... she slashed through thin air.
"You are good no doubt." Shisui praised Vermut as he relaxed against a nearby tree.
"However..." he added as he disappeared from view.
"You lack tactical strategy." Shisui stated plainly as he reappeared from behind Vermut with his sword by her neck.
"What? How did you?" Vermut muttered.
"And that could get you killed in battle. Always observe your surroundings. There are many trees from where I could emerge from." Shisui advised.
Vermut gritted at her helpless situation right now, how could she, a member of the Holy Knights and one of the finest knights ever produced in Lescatie, be defeated so effortlessly by this...boy who was barely breaking a sweat.
"Tchh fine, you win Shisui." Vermut spat out, especially snarling at Shisui's name.
Shisui released his sword from Vermut's neck and offered her a handshake.
"Thank you for this sparring session Vermut-san. I hope we meet again in the near future." Shisui said happily.
Vermut on the other hand, was less than happy. She had been bested by a teenager who looked as pathetic as that red haired knight that used to be a serf to Lady Wilmarina's family.
She had to admit though, she did admire his respectful demeanor and sense of honour.
Reluctantly she shaked his hand, and walked away from the garden without a single word.
Shisui was rather confused about her demeanor. No to put it more accurately her demeanor reminded him very much of some of the shinobi back in Konoha. It was something he always disliked about the life of a shinobi, how it always seemed to rob most people of happiness.
And Vermut showed very subtle yet obvious signs of someone who was being sapped of that happiness.
Brushing aside those negative thoughts Shisui turned his attention back to Marisa, who looked completely amazed.
"Marisa-san. Let us continue our tour shall we? I'd specifically like to see that temple." Shisui requested politely.
(Some time later)
"So this temple, is actually called a Church?" Shishui asked.
"Yes Master Shisui. It is where the citizens of Lescatie come every Sunday to worship and give praise to the Chief Goddess." Marisa answered as they neared the oak doors.
Shisui gently knocked on the oak doors, which was soon opened by a woman with shoulder length turquoise hair and a set of clothing that to Shisui,
gave an implication that this woman was an important member of the city.
"Hello, how may I help you?" The woman asked softly.
"I would like to see the inside of your temp- I mean church. If that is ok with you." Shisui explained, cursing himself for nearly misnaming the place.
"That is not a problem at all. Please follow me." The woman reassure warmly as she led Shisui through the relatively small church.
"How rude of me, I never asked for your name nor gave you mine ma'am. I am-"
"Shisui Uchiha." The woman finished.
"Yes. How did you know my name?" Shisui asked.
"After your meeting with King Castor. Us heroes were summoned by Priest Noscrim who informed us about your new status as a hero." The woman explained.
"I see. What is your name ma'am?" Shisui asked.
"Sasha Fullmoon."
"Sasha-san. A pleasure to meet you." Shisui beamed.
"Same to you Shisui." Sasha replied.
Sasha showed Shisui around the church, which Shisui was amazed to learn also doubled as an orphanage. The orphans jovially greeted Shisui, and the shyer ones merely mumbled a meek "hello" and went about their day.
Whilst he tried his best to keep a smile on his face, Shisui could sense it again. That same feeling he had when he sparred with Vermut.
That aura of hopelessness.
It had deeply troubled Shisui as he absolutely despised that sombre mood that plagued Konoha during the Third Great Shinobi World War. The same war that claimed both of his parents...
"Shisui are you alright?" Sasha asked worryingly as she noticed that Shisui's face.
The only way Sasha could describe Shisui right now was someone who had been deeply haunted by guilt and trauma, akin to a survivor of a war.
"Shisui." Sasha called out.
"Master Shisui, are you alright?" Marisa asked panicky, placing a hand on the Uchiha's shoulder
Shisui finally heard the concerned voices of Sasha and Marisa. "Yes...I am." Shisui murmured as he came out of his trance.
"I'm sorry Sasha-san, but I believe it's best me and Marisa leave this moment." Shisui announced.
"You just arrived here five minutes ago, please there is no need to-"
"Sasha-san. I don't mean to keep you from any tasks, I need to go complete of my own." Shisui said
"Shisui, please. Stay." Sasha said with a more authoritarian tone, albeit still as soft as before.
Something about this Sasha woman, convinced Shisui to change his mind. Was it perhaps the kind aura Shisui felt from her? He didn't know for sure.
"Alright. I will." Shisui gave up.
"Thank you Shisui, we are having lunch soon. You and Marisa are more than welcome to come join us." Sasha announced happily.
Shisui along with Marisa followed Sasha to the table. The table was relatively large, taking up most of the space of the room, Two seats however, remained empty. No doubt for himself and Marisa Shisui thought.
Shisui sat down by the table and observed the food. It wasn't much, just smoked chicken and rice.
'Chicken and rice, not exactly my favourite. But it is sure as hell far better than the rations I had to eat during missions.' Shisui thought to himself.
"Children, children. Please settle down. I know you are all very hungry right now but we cannot eat first without giving thanks to the Chief Goddess." Sasha reminded the orphans.
Sasha cleared her throat and placed her hands in a praying manner, the children and Marisa doing likewise. Before she was about to begin though, she noticed that Shisui however was the only one at the table who was not praying.
"Shisui, why are you not praying with us?" Sasha asked curiously.
"Hmm? Ah, my apologies Sasha-san. I've never actually...been a follower of a religion before.." Shisui sheepishly admitted.
Sasha raised an eyebrow at Shisui's revelation. 'He's never followed a religion before? How? It's understandable if he's not familiar with the teachings of the Chief God, but to have never been a follower of no God at all? That's rather odd.' Sasha thought to herself.
"Shisui, judging by your name you are from Zipangu right? I'm certain even there you must've previously been a follower of one of the Pagan faiths dedicated to the Inaris or Ryus?" Sasha asked.
"Inaris? Ryus? I'm sorry but I've never heard about such beings in my life." Shisui admitted bluntly.
The entire room was filled with small gasps, no doubt it this was very, very unusual.
'This boy is a rather unusual. How could he have never heard about monsters before?' Sasha asked herself as she analyzed Shisui.
Shisui on the other hand was cursing himself for unintentionally giving away vital information about himself, and judging from their reactions, especially Sasha's, he was seen as an anomaly. Shisui knew he had to think quickly of a good excuse or else risk losing the trust of the others in the room, and potentially the King's if word reached him.
"What I meant." Shisui spoke.
"Is that in the shinobi village where I am from, we successfully kept the monsters out. Which is the reason why I have never heard of such beings in my life." Shisui lied.
"M-master Shisui. I didn't know you were a shinobi. I thought all of them were turned into succubi and incubi?" Marisa asked.
"She makes a good point Shisui, how did your village avoid falling to the monsters?" Sasha now asked.
"My village placed multiple barrier seals around the village to keep the monsters out. And any dissidents or traitors were..." Shisui trailed off, his voice growing cold.
"Dealt with swiftly." He finished.
Sasha gave him a rather neutral look.
"I see. It is relieving to hear that not all humans in Zipangu had given in to the lecherous ways of the mamono." Sasha commented.
Shisui however sensed that Sasha didn't truly believe what she was saying, like she was almost forcing herself to say her statement.
Perhaps it was just his gut instinct, but his many years of ANBU training had taught him to pick up even the smallest of signs when someone wasn't being truthful with what they were saying.
"Anyway." Sasha spoke up to break the silence. "Let us pray now shall we? I'm certain our tummies must be rumbling right now." she said with a slight chuckle.
The orphans, Marisa and Sasha all placed their hands into a praying manner. Shisui not wanting to give the impression of rudeness to his guest did so likewise and closed his eyes, even though he felt rather awkward doing it.
Truth be told Shisui was never a believer in religion. Hell he didn't remember anyone in Konoha who adhered to any form of religion and the ones who did were usually just travelling priests.
No, to Shisui his only religion was his nindo, his ninja way. To him it was his only truth in the harsh and unforgiving Shinobi world he grew up in.
That did not mean though that he looked down on those who adhered to a religious belief. If anything he was happy for those that adhered to a religion as it gave them some form of purpose in life.
Shisui heard Sasha finish her prayer, and he slowly opened his eyes.
"Thank you again for the meal Sasha-san." Shisui thanked the turquoise haired woman.
"You are most welcome Shisui. And please no need to be so formal when addressing me. You are not talking to Priest Noscrim or King Castor." Sasha pointed out.
"I understand Sasha-sa- I mean Sasha." He quickly corrected himself as began eating his food.
Shisui had only just realised something now, he had barely gotten to know Marisa. The poor girl always looked meek and submissive, as if she was mentally broken down again and again by some less than benevolent figure.
"Marisa, I ask of you a very important favour." Shisui requested.
"W-what is it Master Shisui?" she stuttered.
"I ask that you please relax when around me. There is no need to always be so stiff." Shisui answered.
"A-alright I'll try." Marisa stammered.
"Also, please do not address me as Master Shisui, you are not my property. You are a human being with your own thoughts and aspirations." He declared strongly.
Marisa could only stare wide-eyed at Shisui. No one had ever stood up for her. She didn't even know how to react right now.
"T-thank you Ma- I mean Shisui." Marisa stammered out.
For some odd reason, Marisa could feel her chest tightening up at the thought of Shisui. '
'Why, why do I feel like this?' She asked herself to no avail.
"Marisa...Marisa..."
'My stomach feels funny...is this...'
"Marisa!" Shisui half shouted.
"Eh? Oh I'm sorry about that Shisui. It's just that I've never had anyone stand up for me before." Marisa admitted with a weak smile.
"It's alright." Shisui replied.
Turning toward Sasha, he bowed respectfully.
"Thank you for having us over for lunch Sasha. Until next time." Shisui thanked as he and Marisa made their way to the exit of the church/orphanage.
"Anytime Shisui. You and Marisa are welcome to visit anytime." Sasha replied happily whilst waving goodbye.
Meanwhile...
The High Priest of Lescatie Casper Noscrim was currently sitting in his office. And he was anything but happy.
Word had spread like wildfire around Lescatie at how that boy, Shisui Uchiha, bested one of the finest knights of Lescatie Vermut Rosnair with almost no effort.
This had deeply troubled the man. For not only would it be seen as sign of Lescatie's weakness should word reach their enemy states, or worse the monsters. It was also because said hero Shisui was not under the direct control of the Priest. Naturally the boy posed a significant threat since he was an unpredictable wildcard.
Thankfully the situation was not completely out the Priest Noscrim's control, as he had two solutions to deal with that annoying pest.
The first was to try and win him over with promises of power and riches beyond his wildest dreams and in the event he denied his generous offer...
That is where Plan B would be initiated...
To discreetly eliminate him.
Priest Noscrim was chuckling like a madman in front of his desk. Either way, he would come out on top he thought to himself.
"KIRSCH!" The Priest called out.
Within a few seconds the door had opened to reveal a woman with waist length black hair, the standard armour of the Order of the Ice Flower adorned with the Order and a sword currently in it's sheath.
"What is the matter Priest Noscrim?" The woman asked formally, not a hint of emotion in her voice.
"I have a very important task for you Kirsch. Tomorrow you are to approach Shisui and inform him that he has been invited by me personally to join the Order of the Ice Flower, and that by doing so he will have access to anything he had ever wanted." Priest Noscrim explained.
"I see. I shall deliver the message to him tomorrow father. If I may ask what will you do in the event he declines the offer?" Kirsch asked.
"Well then..." The priest chuckled. "Make sure his food packs a little punch to it if you know what I mean."
"I understand. I shall begin my assignment tomorrow morning father." Kirsch replied in a monotone voice.
"Perfect. You may leave now Kirsch." The Priest ordered.
Once Kirsch had left his office Casper Noscrim turned towards the large window that offered an excellent view of Lescatie.
"Shisui Uchiha. You will soon learn who is really in charge here. And if you don't get in line, then you will be snuffed like a candle flame." Priest Noscrim muttered to himself.