DISCLAIMER
The following is a fan-based
FICTION
Bishoujo Sailor Moon + Other series in this story are not owned by me.
Please support the official release.
Chapter 21: Punishment (By Adoption)
P.S. I now have a discord server! Discord .gg/ceBMM2Zz6c
Pxtreon: P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin
Meeting with the so-called 'Commander of the Taimanin' should not be something outrageously scary. Yet, as I arrived to the place of our planned meeting, I couldn't help but feel genuinely 'frightened' as the restaurant was packed with guards.
Tall, menacing, and overall powerful enough for just one to give me serious troubles in a prolonged fight. Still, it wasn't the worst aspect of it. No, it was the bullshit that I was introduced to as I finally met Igawa Shuzen, the father of Asagi and Sakura.
Igawa Shuzen
LV.88
HP: 31000/31000
The guy looked like a normal salaryman. Nothing that could amount to the kind of strength he was hiding, yet he was sitting at the table and exuding a degree of power that I could perceive through my skill. Going there, no mask and no cover, felt like venturing into the lion's den without any cover.
The restaurant was a nice place where to meet with 'strangers'. Even though I knew of him by second-hand experience through what lore is present through the Taimanin timeline and what Shiranui had told me about him. Igawa Shuzen was a mystery if I have to be honest, not much in case of power as one can do a basic gauge of raw strength through his level, HP, and some of the limited feat that were known of him.
He was reputable enough to assert the Igawa Clan as the leading element of Gosha Village after the fall of the Fuuma Clan, proceeded with a moderate effort to reinforce Gosha and... pissed off the hardcore faction within his own clan led by his mother, Hattori Seishu.
Seishu was actually 'gaugable' to a higher level. Not only did she have more 'exposure' within the lore, but her skills were known. Her 'Uho', also known as the Stargazing Ability, was something she learned from Ancient Chinese History. Uho was first produced by King Yu of the Xia Dynasty.
The power granted by such ability was nothing short of miraculous, being quite powerful in the offense, support and even in non-combat situations such as extending the lifespan of the user at the expense of their opponents. Despite the peculiar way the Taimanin was involved at this point, it should be fair to say that Seishu looked to be around 18 despite being in her 90s.
She had control over the 'background deals' happening between the Elders and other clans but... I think that was about to change.
I mean, I intervened in stopping the assassination of the Fuuma children- this actually changed a lot as I rebuffed the order made by Seishu and the other elders to see all members of the Clan assassinated. Knowing how vindictive of a bitch she could get as she went to assassinate her son and then try to do the same with her older granddaughter, I have reasons to feel threatened by stuff I couldn't see in that moment.
As I sat down, I could see that the man was giving me a rather cautious smile.
"So, you are 'Moon Knight'," He greeted quietly. "Sakura told me of you, same for Shiranui-san. I am Igawa Shuzen, Commander of the Taimanin Corps."
I bowed my head, "I am Tsukino Shingo. I am indeed Moon Knight."
His lips twitched, and he waited a moment before offering me... water?
"It has to be a major concession to yield such information. Your true name and identity- I can assure you that no one will exploit it within the village's own private bank of data."
That's a good hope to have, but one I am sure wasn't going to be uphold by all those in charge.
"I suppose so..."
"Now, I believe we need to discuss over the most pressing matter. Your actions regarding the protection of the Fuuma Clan's remnant, and then acquiring the Mizuki Clan's support in sheltering the two Fuuma agents."
"They were children," I argued back, and Shuzen nodded. "Does that amount to anything to the Village's leadership."
"Most of the new members would value that, but the elders are... peculiar individuals."
"More like righfully wary," A new voice came from the room's entrance, and we both turned to see... the one I didn't want to talk with.
Hattori Seishu
LV.97
HP: 44000/44000
That's going to be trouble.
"Hattori-san, this is a private meeting-"
"And you sanctioned this meeting without authorization from the Council of Elders," The woman was indeed her, Seishu. She had extremely pale white-violet hair, with yellow eyes. "Alas, it was decided that I would serve as the representative to truly officialize this... meeting."
Despite Shuzen's annoyed look, the lady took a seat by the side of the table, and then turned her attention to me. It was one of those 'bored but curious kind of glances' that then evolved as the standoff went on for a solid minute. For a moment, I saw nothing that could have suggested that she was thinking much of me, but then I noticed something weird about her eyes.
From the normal yellow gaze, small 'sparks' started to appear and I couldn't help but correlate those to...
Stars?
"Fascinating," Seishu remarked. "Shuzen, this boy- you said that he has an aptitude towards the 'Moon', yes?"
The man frowned, "His name is Moon Knight-"
"Boy, I want to make this clear to you," The woman flatly interrupted, ignoring the rising irritation visible on Shuzen's face. "Your actions, which you may think were done out of nobility, have clashed with the duty and reputation of the Igawa Clan."
She stood up, and I did the same, thinking she was about to attack me as I could see Shuzen tensing up and readying to battle.
"Mother, this is not-!"
Before he could finish a sentence, a large wooden log slammed on the table, almost breaking it and... surprising us both as I had no clue on what was going on.
"In a normal instance, I would require a duel to death. A simple brat that thinks they can put on a mask and humiliate the clan I have invested decades to build- I would not let this slight go unpunished," Seishu stated dryly, then smiled viciously. "However, you have something that may change your fate. Only if, of course, you can pass this simple test."
She picked the log, then had it set on the ground a few meters away from the table and then, she hurled something at me.
I reacted fast, catching the cylindrical item and realizing it was a scroll of sort. Pausing over it, I glanced quizzically at the woman and she had her arms crossing by her chest.
"If you can read the scroll and use the instructions, then your punishment shall be lessened to something less deadly and more acceptable for your survival. If not, then I will go forward with my initial plan."
"Mother, this is a violation of my authority!" Shuzen snapped, angrily glaring at his surviving parent. "This is a dispute between Gosha and Moon Knight, not the Igawa Clan."
The woman scoffed, rolling her eyes. "The moment the child stopped our loyal servant from accomplishing his task he became a troublemaker for the Igawa Clan. Not only that, but his actions have slandered my standing with the Elders' Council."
There was a tense pause but... Shuzen's lack of response after this confirmed that Seishu had leverage on the situation, so I unrolled the scroll and read the paper as a notification window appeared between me and it.
Warning! Skill Book's recipient detected. Skill contained: Uho 'Nurikoboshi' (Willow Inn).
Required Attributes: LVL = 20 - ATK = 250 - INT = 150
Current Attributes: LVL = 33 - ATK = 330 - INT = 194
Accept Skill? Y-N
I couldn't recall which one this was, but as I allowed the Skill to be 'imparted', I felt my mind filling with a reminder of what this was all about. Uho worked as a 'dance', involving several particular steps to take in the middle of a battle to produce any of the powerful abilities. The one I got was...
DING! New skill acquired!
(Uho 'Nurikoboshi') - Use SPs to summon a Deformed Demon Viper to strike once at your opponent. Price: 100 SP per hit.
That's expensive. And yet... I could see some value with it within the right occasion. As I closed the scroll, I glanced at the log, my eyes 'mapping' the precise pattern to follow and- I started with a jump, then another and... another. Five more times, and the 'constellation' was done as an nebolous-skinned snake manifested from my shadow and rushed to slam itself against the log.
-12654!
That's a fucking lot of damage.
Before I could turn to see their reaction, I found myself suddenly pulled in a hug, spun around and then pressed against a relatively flat chest.
"YES! I KNEW IT!" Seishu exclaimed giddily, utterly flooring me while her son's jaw hit the table.
"Mother?! What is the meaning of this!?"
"This is all proof I needed! This child- this brat- he shall be my sole heir to the Uho Ninja Style!"
...THE FUCK?!
AN
So, it's time of confessions in regard to the size of the chapter, the overall 'attitude' of it, and how I had to change the plot while writing because-
Recently, I got hit by stress in a different way that unusual. Kind of like burnout, but I can still think and write, I just have brain fog. I caught a cold, I feel fragile and so I am in a bit of a spit. There's also the fact I have to close the Pxtreon due to stuff I explained in the Discord Server (and I invite people to check it to fully understand what happened). Still, anyway, I am still writing, I am just doing it for free from now on as I focus my work on producing a book to around January-February. More info in the Server, again.
END CHAPTER GAME STATS!
Name: Tsukino Shingo
LVL. 33
Age: 10
EXP: 360/490
Title: Princess Serenity's Otouto
Money: 3.649.000Y
HP: 3850/3850
BP: 50/50
SP: 745/745
MP: 150/150
ATK: 330 (643,5)
DEF: 232 (452,4)
INT: 194 (378,3)
LCK: 45 (87,75)
PASSIVE SKILLS
(Gamer's Body) - Your body follows game logic.
(Gamer's Mind) - Your mental factors follow game logic- your thoughts are protected by this skill's effect.
(Human Being - 10YO Child) - You are recognized by laws and people as a child due to your young age. Add a +25% ATK Boost to Sneak Attacks, +45 SP/min Recharge, Add a -75% Price Reduction to Learning-related events.
(Moon Dynasty - False) - Some members of your family are reincarnations to the Moon Dynasty of the First Millenium, while you are not. Receive a +5% ATK Boost while using Moon Magic attacks.
(Healthy Body - LVL.38) - Your Body is the Temple of your Mind. +95% Boost to all Stats. (This skill will evolve the more HP you have.)
(Ethereal Mind - LVL.2) - Your Mind is the Truth of your Body. Unlocks Mana Points (MP): 150/150. (This skill will evolve every 50 INT you have after 100.)
(Physical Endurance - LVL.49) - Your capacity to endure attacks is increased by 49%. (This skill will evolve the more DEF you have.)
(Learning Capacity - LVL.80/80) - Learning-related events have a -80% Price Reduction. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Japanese Master Linguist - LVL.100/100) - You have an absolute understanding of Japanese! Your capacity to learn Japanese-based skills from book has a 100% greater yield.
(English Language - LVL.90/100) - Your capacity to understand basic English, both verbal and written. Current Level allows for Upper High School-tier understanding.
(Language Switch) - You are able to switch Languages among those you know. Current Languages: Japanese (Main), English.
(Natural Scientist (Earth) - LVL.56/100) - Your capacity to understand Natural Science. Current Level allows for Middle School-tier, granting you a +56% ATK Boost when facing animals known to Earth.
(Chemistry- LVL.69/100) - Your capacity to understand Chemistry. Current Level allows for Late Middle School-tier, granting you a +69% Boost to Chemical Production.
(Explosive Specialist - LVL.78/100) - Your capacity to understand Craftmanship. Current Level allows for Starting Explosive Researcher, granting you a +78% Boost to Explosive Compounds' Production.
(Detection - LVL.7) - You can now see some people and enemies' HPs and LVLs. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Bloodlust Detection - LVL.3) - You can now perceive when people are directing bloodlust in your general direction. (This skill will evolve the more INT you have.)
(Fencing - LVL.81/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ Fencing in combat. +50% ATK Boost while using a proper Weapon and Fencing Stance.
(Medicine - LVL.39/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ Medical Knowledge. +39% Effect Boost for Healing Items you consume or create.
(Boxing EX1 - LVL.19/100) - Your capacity to practice Boxing at an Above-Human Level. 136% Boost to your ATK when using the Boxing Style.
(Taekwondo - LVL.94/100) - Your capacity to practice Taekwondo. 85,5% Boost to your ATK when using the Taekwondo Style.
(Moon Knight Mask - LVL.1) - You can now transform the Paladin of the Moon. Current addition to the suit:
-+ 1/3DEF;
-Unlimited Moon Cutters (Throwable Objective- Damage = ATK/10);
-Moon Hook (Max. Range = 23m);
- Small-grade Explosive spheric bombs (Throwable Objective- Damage = ATKx2);
- Moon Blowgun (Long-Range Weapon- Effect(s) = Inflict one of 5 Sleep Token to enemies with equal or superior level; Inflict Sleep Status to enemies with lower level.);
-Fake Moon Sword (Short-Range Weapon- Effect(s) = When in use, you obtain a +25 ATK bonus; A Spirit is currently inhabiting it...);
(Magical Shield - LVL.1/100) - Your intelligence improves your inner magical understanding. Current Level allows for 50BP (Barrier Points).
(Trapper - LVL.9/100) - Your ability to create effective traps. Current level boosts traps' effectiveness by 9%.
(Crafting - Lvl. 49) - Your ability in Crafting is 'Impressive'. You can currently produce easily Items of Rare Quality within the proper resources.
(HEMA - LVL.28/100) - Your capacity to understand and employ HEMA in combat. +28% ATK Boost while using a proper Weapon and HEMA-related Stances.
(Real Estate Touch - LVL.1) - Your ability to get properties at a cheaper rate. Currently offers a 5% discount on property purchases. (This skill will evolve the more properties you own.)
ACTIVE SKILLS
(Sprint - LVL.73) - Use SPs to increase your speed by 73%. Price: 10 SP per Minute. (This skill will evolve the more SP you have.)
(Focus Attack - LVL.31) - Use SPs to deliver a boosted attack. Price: 20 SP per hit. (This skill will evolve the more ATK you have.)
(Focus Defense - LVL.23) - Use SPs to increase your guard's defense by 23%. Price: 20 SP per Minute. (This skill will evolve the more DEF you have.)
(Bulk Up EX2) - Spending half of your Max SP, obtain a 500% Boost on your Stats for 15 min.
(Uho 'Nurikoboshi') - Use SPs to summon a Deformed Demon Viper to strike once at your opponent. Price: 100 SP per hit.