Hokuto No Ken X Akame Ga Kill: Retribution Of The Heavens

by Ocotaku

Posted for posterity, I foolishly destroyed something I should not have. I finally found the harddrive that held the files, some of them where early drafts so I had to rewrite about 30% of the story.

6. Chapter 6

(The Bandit encampment)

Screams of agony spilled out into the air as Rijad could barely restrain his fury as a medic attempted to treat his mutilated hand, "Augh! I swear I'll get him when I get done with him. I'm going to sell him to the most limp-wristed, effeminate homo I can find!" He hollered fighting back the pain as the medic wrapped up his hand.

"You're lucky he didn't kill you, we all got off pretty easy considering what that man is capable of, even so, we lost six men, and you're injured. It's going to be a hard sell trying to claim a six-foot-tall vagrant with a hero complex made your hand explode on an insurance claim." Franklin explained as he sat at a nearby table sipping coffee.

"Ah shut it, Franklin! Why the hell didn't you do anything?" Rijad demanded.

"What was I supposed to do? Bore him to death with spreadsheets, taxing, and financial reports? Just thinking about it makes me wish he killed me." Franklin smoothed his brow in annoyance.

"I'm curious as to how he was able to perform such feats," Franklin raised the mug to his lips; taking in another sip. "We may be dealing with an imperial arms user, it would explain how he was able to kill in such a manner."

"Can't be, no Teigu can make a man blow up." Rijad shot back, "Maybe he's like one of those Rakshasa Demons? From what I've heard they can stand toe to toe with a Teigu user."

"Teigu or not, he's a man we would do well to avoid," Franklin warned as he lowered his mug.

"However," Franklin spoke, his voice dripping with devious intent.

"However what?" Rijad replied.

"We should take advantage of the opportunity that has presented itself to us."

"Which is?"

"While you were busily blundering into the bushes I noticed that man had companions with him, another girl and a small boy. Although that man could be quite the prize if we were able to subdue him, the real targets are the girl and the boy." Franklin explained.

"We can double our profits by nabbing those two, another young woman in the prime of her life and a small child. We might not be able to sell him for labor, but there are plenty of people in the capital willing to pay for him for other...reasons."

Rijad stroked his beard, his jagged grin indicating the wheels in his head starting to turn, "Heh, you a stone-cold evil bastard you know that Frank?"

Franklin lowered the coffee mug as he shot Rijad a knowing look, "Hmmp, money is money, and I don't care about what our clientele do with the product, it's all business to me. Best case scenario, we bag all five of them the worst case; we'll make do with the two girls and the kid. But that girl with the headphones..." Franklin seemed to be trying to remember something.

"You know her?" Rijad asked.

"Not sure...she seems familiar, I recall one of my former employer's father was a local governor. I only met him once briefly on a business trip, but I remember one of his servants resembling her, the only difference was she had short hair back then.

Someone assassinated him shortly afterward, I'm not sure if she's connected, but it would be one hell of a coincidence." The accountant chuckled.

"I guess it would. Perhaps there is a bounty we could collect on." Said Rijad.

"All the more reason to go after them," Franklin turned his gaze towards a group of men playing cards to pass the time. "Hey, Mandrillo! I want you to pick up their scent and track them, set up a trap, and wait until nightfall."

A lanky, seven-foot-tall man rose from the table, his body covered in shredded cloth and old leather his rust-colored hair oily and spiky. He wore a pair of mechanical periscope goggles that seemingly shifted on their own autonomously from himself.

"Aye Franko! I'll make sure I keep my 'Eyes' on them...especially those little girls! Oh! I call first dibs on breaking them in!" The weasely man said, his tongue lolling out of his mouth as saliva dripped and pooled onto the floor.

"As long as you don't kill them like last time do whatever the fuck you want with them," Rijad ordered.

"Hehehe...I can hardly wait! Maybe I'll do 'em both at once, then take turns, then make the guys watch before I kill them! Oh! There are so many options to choose from!"

With great excitement, Mandrillo tore off into the woods at high speed; intending to catch up with his target. "Ugh...if he were not the best tracker I ever had I would have killed that freak years ago." Rijad lamented.

"Freak or not he does his job...sometimes," Franklin replied.

"Yeah, well you know the old saying, 'You get what you pay for.' I mean I'd love to kill him. But he's got some weird-ass kung-fu he picked up from the east, finally got a use for him aside from peeping on girls".

"I'm assuming you have the plan to take down our targets that's not 'throw all of our men at him until he's worn out.' Franklin chortled.

"Well...that IS phase one of my plans," Rijad answered.

Franklin let out a labored sigh as he rubbed his temples. "But phase two? Let's say I got a little something, something saved up for just such an occasion." Rijad smirked.

"What is it?" Franklin asked.

"Something I managed to keep off the records on account of the fact we never needed it till now."

"I don't like where this is going..."

"Oh, don't worry your little head about it, we just found it abandoned in an imperial testing facility we hit a few months back."

"By the gods Rijad! When did you manage to do that?"

The slaver gave him a sly smirk. "Now Franklin...I'm not just some simple-minded hick, I've been doing this far longer than you. I know how to be resourceful."

"For your sake, I hope you know what you're doing," Franklin responded.

"Ohhhh...I know exactly what I'm doing, when I get my hands on him, I'm going to make that bastard suffer for what he done." Rijad threatened as he remembered his encounter with the man with seven scars.

"Don't you mean 'when I get my Hand on him'?" Franklin quipped back.

"SHUT UP!"

(The prairie leading to Joyou)

As the foul creature known as Mandrillo sped through the twisting meadow path, his enthusiasm was bearly containable, "Oh boy! I can't wait! Can't wait! I haven't fucked a thing in a month! I hope you girls are ready 'cause I got a month's worth load of pent-up sexual frustration with your names on it!" He shrieked as he tore through the bushes; snapping and smashing through trees and branches with great anticipation.

Picking up speed, he catches a whiff of another scent, "What's this? Hmmm..." His movement comes to a crawl as he investigates the new smell, "Is that...oh my, my, my! Is that the scent of females I detect?" His toothy sneer reaches ear to ear as he contemplates his next action, "What's the harm in having a little appetizer?"

Further down the path there lies a cottage, it sits in a sheltered section of the nearby forest secluded by trees, rustic in appearance. A stone fence lines the area; closing off the part where crops grow.

It is a peaceful home, a warm place with years of memories accumulated within its walls. Outside this home, a man tends to his daily chores. Carrying tools and various other assorted items as he prepares for the day's end. The sweat from his brow trickled down his face soaking his rough beard.

"Hun! Have you seen Shelly?" The man calls into the house.

"I sent her to fetch some water for tonight's dinner," she should be back soon." An older woman was wearing an apron with brunette hair done up in a bun answers.

"Please tell me you gave her something to defend herself if she runs into a danger beast?" The father asked somewhat annoyed.

"Oh she'll be fine, she's a smart girl."

"Honey...smarts don't mean much if you're unarmed."

"You worry too much, what's the worst that could...happen?"

"What's wrong?" The man asks as he notices a large shadow looming over him, turning his head he is greeted by a lanky, disheveled man. It's labored breathing unsettling to all who could hear it.

"Can I help you with something?" The man asks.

The man remained silent as he looked down at him, he smiled at the father. His yellowish-stained teeth were emitting an overpoweringly offensive aroma. His mouth opened as drool dripped from his fangs dribbling down his chin. "Why yes, you can help me...tell me...when is your daughter coming back again?" The man spoke.

The husband was put off by the question, his unease rising as the degenerate leaned closer...far too close for comfort. "frankly that is none of your business, now I'd suggest you go before I make you!" The man warned.

Mandrillo began to cackle as he backed away, "...heheheheheHEHEHAHAHAH!" His twisted laughter continued growing more unhinged by the second, "HAHAHAHAHAH...no...I think I'll wait right here for her..." He exclaimed, "I guess I'll just help myself to your wife in the meantime," he said as moved past the husband towards his wife. Her eyes widened as she backed up into the cabin.

"You stay the hell away from my family!" The man warned as he pulled back with a hatchet in hand ready to strike.

"You're getting in the way of my fun...piss off!" Mandrillo sneered as iron nails popped from his glove's fingers, in one brutal swipe of his arm he plunged it into the husband's chest. His wife is watching in absolute horror.

"AUGH!" The man screamed as the arm twisted inside him before it was pulled out, leaving a spraying wave of crimson painting the ground.

"DEAR!" The woman screamed as she rushed towards her beloved.

"Tch...I wanted to keep him alive long enough so he could watch...hard to get off when there is not an audience." Mandrillo mocked as he wiped the blood from his hand on his pant leg.

"Honey? Honey? Wake up! Don't leave me!" The woman pleaded as she cradled her lost love.

Mandrillo hunched next to the woman as he gawked at her, the periscope goggles adjusting on her as they whined and grumbled. "Oh...looks like you don't have a daddy no more." He taunted, "Don't worry," His hand cupping the woman's chin. "I'll be your daddy for a bit!" He laughed as he pushed the woman down and tore at her. Her pleadings and screamings were unheard.

An hour later a younger woman approaches the cabin, not a care in the world as she hoists the bucket filled with fresh water. Unaware of the fate that awaited her. "Jeez...this thing is heavy, I hate having to get water every night." The girl complained as she walked towards her home. As she approached, she saw crows circling the area outside her home.

"What the?" She whispered to herself as she grew closer, noticing a murder of crows pecking at something. "W...w...no...Mom?...Dad?" She drops the bucket as its contents spill on the ground. Rushing towards the bodies, she screams out to them. "MOM! DAD!" She wails as she receives no answer to her cries.

Her tears of distress flow as she falls to her knees, shaking her parents waiting, hoping for a reply that never comes. "POPS! OPEN YOUR EYES! It's me, Shelly! Come on! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TEACH ME HOW TO HUNT!" She pleads as the body remains silent. She screams as she grabs her mother. Her clothing ripped, and her body shredded.

"MAMA! WHO DID THIS?! PLEASE WAKE UP! I...I don't know what I'm going to do...I...cannot. As the girl spiraled into despair, she felt a presence behind her.

"Oh my, my, my! Well, aren't you pretty stacked for a girl your age!" The girl felt something warm and wet lick her cheek as a putrid stench filled her nostrils. She turned her head her, eyes widened as his long prehensile tongue shifted and slivered about on her face. She screamed as she shot up from the bodies and ran from the cottage into the field.

"Heheheh...I love it when they run." Mandrillo mused as hunched down like a frog and shot out his tongue towards the girl.

It sprung out like a catapult; slicing into her leg "Ugh!" She yelled as she tumbled down a small hill into a heap. She groaned as she tried to get back up, rolling on her back she stared into the sky as clouds overtook the sun. Mandrillo was upon her; he leaped onto her battered body as he clasped her hands to the ground taking away her movement.

The girl shivered and quacked as she gazed at the man, unsure as to what he was about to do to her. "Why? Why are you doing this?" She pleads.

"Why? I'm just killing time" Mandrillo snickers as his tongue slices open her blouse and he forces her legs open. The girl shakes, unable to move. Her fear was overwhelming, "Hey..." Mandrillo draws closer to the girl's face, "This your first time?" He asks.

The girl slowly nods her pupils shrivel as she feels something hard rub against her crotch. Mandrillo smirks as he licks the girl's face. "Don't worry the first time is always a little...PAINFUL!" The girl screams in agony her pleading falls on death's ears as her nightmare begins.

(The forest path leading to Joyou)

Chelsea let out a forced yawn as she tried to downplay the annoying situation she's gotten herself into, "Ugh...It's nice to finally talk to someone who does not communicate solely in monosyllabic grunting, but did it have to be these two idiots?" She complained to herself as she walked beside the two new additions to the party.

"That was so cool! how did you do that?!" Ieyasu asked, his eyes wide as he grilled Kenshiro with childlike excitement.

As she glanced away from Ieyasu's obnoxious antics, she momentarily caught Sayo scowling at her, "Humph!" Sayo responded turning her nose upwards.

Chelsea had the urge to say something condescending in response but opted to refrain, thinking back after what happened during their last argument.

(Earlier in the day)

"What's the matter, little girl? Can't take a few jabs?" The auburn-haired girl taunted.

Sayo shot her a glair, "You're starting to piss me off you know? I'm tempted to plant one between your eyes!" She warns.

"That's how you thank someone for saving your life? Threatening to kill them? How ungrateful."

"Saved?! All you did was hide in a bush! Your dad did all the work!"

"For the last time, he's not my dad! I don't even know him!"

"If that's the case, why are you wandering alone in the woods with an older man you don't know? Seems rather suspicious."

Chelsea's face went beet-red as the realization of what Sayo said sunk in, "W...W...We're not doing anything like that!" She stammers out.

No insult was off-limits as the girls traded verbal blows, the scene resembled something out a playground argument as the two girls bickered. Ieyasu and Taki backed away lest they get dragged into this vortex of idiocy.

Annoyed by the arguing, Kenshiro's patience wore thin, "Enough!" Kenshiro spoke out with a commanding yet soft voice, both girls instantly took notice as Ken approached them, "Continue your petty squabbling, and I'll erase your memories of the last few years!" Ken warned as he stared at Sayo.

"W..What?" She said bug-eyed at the absurdity of the threat.

Chelsea giggled as she watched Sayo twist in the wind, "Hehehe...I would not test him if I were you, he tends to make good on his threats!" She snapped back as she sucked on a lollipop.

"And you..." Ken turned his attention to Chelsea. "If you continue to antagonize her I will make sure anything you eat for the next week will taste like dirt!"

"C-Can you do that?" She said wide-eyed, "You wouldn't dare do something so cruel!" Chelsea shouted back at Kenshiro.

"Would you like to find out?" Ken coldly replied as he cracked his knuckles.

Chelsea took a step back with a look of dread on her face, she knew what Ken was capable of and decided it was within her best interest not to test him, "I-I'll be good." She said sheepishly.

"Good girl...let's go." Ken stepped off towards the forest path, Ieyasu and Taki breathing a collective sigh of relief as they followed behind.

(Present time)

The overcast sky gave way bathing the land in the light once more. As the smothering hold loosened its grasp, A calming breeze blew past through the group belying the tension that was bearly containable between them.

Hoping to break the ice Ieyasu looked to Kenshiro, "So...where you guys heading?" He inquired.

"Joyou," Ken replied.

"Joyou huh? Damn, we're off course. Those jerks were hunting us for two days on top of separating us from Tatsumi."

"Tatsumi?" Chelsea asked.

Sayo turned her gaze to Chelsea, "I guess you could call him our 'fearless leader' We lost track of him the first time they attacked us, I just hope he's ok," she spoke with a sorrowful tone.

"Don't worry about it Sayo! Tatsumi's the strongest in the village; he's got to be halfway to the capital at this point!" Ieyasu reassured his longtime friend patting her on the shoulder.

"What's he like?" Taki asked.

Ieyasu kneeled towards the boy, "He's cool! He's strong, kind, and always wants to do the right thing, and he shares the same dream we have, to become legends and save our village!"

"Wow...he sounds...boring," Chelsea did not mince words with her lack of interest.

"Says the girl walking around with the belligerent mute." Kenshiro showed little reaction towards the slight barb Sayo flung at him.

"Well, you just have to get to know him; once you see how cool he is you'll lose your head over him!" Ieyasu joked.

"It takes a lot to impress me." Chelsea snickered as she looked over at Kenshiro, "After what I've seen him do Tatsumi's got a tough act to follow."

The group shared a hearty laugh aside from Kenshiro as they continued their stroll, "So...why are you guys heading to the capital?" Chelsea asked.

The two paused as they looked at the headphoned bedecked girl, their faces taking on a grim look, "Well...we're heading to the capital to join the imperial military." Ieyasu responded.

Chelsea glanced over to Kenshiro; the two exchanged a concerned look. "For what reason?" She asks.

Sayo gazed downward with a troubled look on her face, "Everyone...everyone in the village depends on us, the last few winters were brutal. We've been unable to grow crops, and the taxation from the government is draining us dry, we're hanging by a thread."

Ieyasu jumping into the conversation further elaborated on the plight his village faced, "If we can get into the military and make some money, we can send it back home, and the other villagers won't have to suffer."

Not wanting to draw attention Chelsea subtly nudged Ken in the side, seizing his attention, "Should we tell them, you realize they're not cut out for this right?"

Ken's eyes shifted towards the assassin, "If that's what they want, we cannot stop them." His voice was emotionless and indifferent.

"Ken...they're going to get killed! You were there, they cannot make it on their own!"

Ken narrowed his eyes slightly, "Would you have them go back to their village?"

"They already lost one friend, maybe it's best they just head back before they lose everything. If they all die then no one's saving their village, it would all be in vain!"

"I see no issue with them traveling with us for a time," Kenshiro said.

Chelsea paused as she pinched the bridge of her nose slightly irritated, "Ken...look I just don't want anything else to happen to them."

Quirking his eyebrow in reaction to Chelsea's sudden empathy he remarked, "You speak from experience?"

Chelsea blushed slightly in response, "Idiot...I...know all too well the loneliness that comes from losing someone dear, I just don't want them to follow in my footsteps." Her voice was melancholic as she spun a lock of hair around her finger.

Peering into her eyes, Ken felt the profound sorrow this girl kept locked away in her heart. She was like an open book, every page written with remorse, every sentence a new misfortune, every period a violent climax that leads to more pain.

This world stole her humanity and forced her to adopt the skills of assassination. Witnessing the atrocities committed by the empire and their wanton destruction, How they relished in the pain and anguish of the innocent.

These actions were unjust to a man who had suffered in the post-apocalypse, he had seen humans slaughtered by the thousands for a jug of water and a few bags of rice. But in a world that does not warrant it, such cruelty is indefensible to him.

Even if it was not part of his destiny if the north star was unable to guide him, he made a silent vow to the group before him he would bring light back to this world so that they could smile once more.

The silent promise he made to this group, he would keep and see through to its conclusion, that was the promise he made to not only them but to this new world he found himself in.

As the group entered the open, sprawling field, Ieyasu turned his attention toward Chelsea, "So...what are you listening to?"

"Hmmm?" She responds.

"I've never seen headphones this far out in the country; it's something I only see rich people wear. What kind of music do they have in the capital?" He asks.

"What? These things?" She points to her headphones, "They've been broken for years..."

"Then...why are you wearing them?"

"Oh, I use them to ignore people who won't stop talking to me," Chelsea explained as she directed her gaze forward.

"Well that's kind of anti-social don't you think?" Ieyasu pointed out.

He received no reply.

"Oh...I see." Ieyasu crossed his arms as it finally sunk in.

Kenshiro led the group forward his pace slightly slower than before, he remained fully alert, and every sense was at its highest point. Kenshiro patrolled the area...knowing danger could come at any moment.

As they continued onward the sun descended into the horizon as the evening breeze brought in a brisk chill, "Hmm you think we should set up camp?" Ieyasu said.

Chelsea grumbled as she looked around, "I don't want to sleep outside, but we don't have a choice."

"I was not expecting that sort of response, unexpectedly mature of you." Sayo pointed out.

"I can camp out if I have to, it would not be my first time sleeping under the stars you know."

"Well we need to grab something for dinner, we've eaten jack squat for the past two days because of those bastards," Sayo said with annoyance.

"I don't do hunting." Chelsea blurted out.

"There's the girl I know!" Sayo teased.

"Whatever..." Chelsea flippantly remarked as she flipped her hair to the side in annoyance.

Taki with the eagerness befitting a boy of his age wanted to help, "Mr. Ken I can help you guys hunt!"

The others looked at the boy as Ken smiled warmly at him, "You are far too young to be assisting us with such a great task, perhaps you would be better suited helping the women prepare the food."

The group fell silent as Ken felt two ominous presences behind him, the spiritual pressure they emitted towering over Kenshiro like enormous demons.

"Excuse you?" Sayo and Chelsea said in unison, with an annoyed tone. "I'm the best shot in my village! I'm not going to stand around and stir a pot like this dumb bimbo!" Sayo proclaimed as she motioned her thumb toward Chelsea.

"That's right-, wait...what?" Chelsea said with confusion as she glanced over to Sayo.

"Oh boy, you stepped in it now..." Ieyasu slowly backed away from Kenshiro pulling Taki in hand, as the two girls advanced towards Ken with absolutely no fear. A look of anger was carved on their faces.

"look here Mr. Neanderthul, I'm appreciative you saved me and all but don't think for a second I'm incapable of doing anything you can!" Sayo came mere inches from Ken's face as she pointed a finger right at him.

"My Apology-" Ken said with zero emotion, Ken's response only managed to further irritate Chelsae.

"I don't have any problem cooking if I have to, but it's telling that the first job you think we can 'Handle' is making you dinner!" Chelsea yelled at Ken as he stood by stone-faced.

"I did not mean it as such-" Almost like she was tagging out, Sayo jumped back into the fray. As the petty bickering continued, the noise became so tedious that Ken eventually stopped listening, gazing listlessly at the horizon he recalled better times...like when Kaioh crucified him.

(Further out in the fields)

Ieyasu looked around the area as he looked for wild game, "Hmm, sure there should be some deer or something we could catch." The older boy spoke allowed as his eyes swept the area.

Taki looked on silently until he noticed a familiar sight, "Ieyasu! Look! A cottage!" The boy frantically pointed out.

Ieyasu looked over as his eyes widened a little, "Well I'll be! HEY GUYS!" He shouted, "We found shelter for the night!" Ken, Chelsea, and Sayo diverted their attention towards Ieyasu as he waved them to follow his lead towards the cottage.

Chelsea shot Ken a glance, "You think it's safe? Could be a trap-"

"YAAAAAAAAA!" They were startled as Sayo let out an ear-piercing scream.

"Sayo!" Kenshiro yelled out as the two ran full speed towards the group, when they arrived they found Ieyasu comforting Sayo and Taki, tears in their eyes as they shivered.

Chelsea turned away from the horrid scene, covering her mouth in disgust. "What happened?" Ken asked noticing Taki friend in blood.

Taki looked up at Ken, his teeth chattering as he tried to hold back his fear, "I...I just wanted to help, I found a place where we could stay, I ran...then I tripped on them!

The catatonic child extended his finger, pointing it at a ghastly scene. Ken's eyes shot open as he saw a couple sprawled out on the ground, their faces twisted in pain and terror. Their bodies were torn and ripped their gaze fish-eyed and dark, the male appeared to have a hole punched through his chest.

Further investigating Ken stared fixedly at the wounds, they were not cohesive with an animal attack, they were deliberate, Precise, and fell more in line with a certain martial art Ken was familiar with.

It was not a direct match, the wounds were too awkward and unclean, as Ken inspected the gaping hole in the man's chest he noticed something, "The outline of the wound...it seemed almost hand shaped." Ken thought to himself.

There was no way it could be but the similarities were there, "Nanto Koshu Ken." Ken muttered. But it was as if he was looking at a cheap imitation of it, this was a bootleg version of the art nothing more. Even if it were Shin's style there is no way Nanto could appear in this world, as far as Ken knew this world is untouched by the two dueling stars.

But still, it gave him enough information as to what he could be dealing with, slightly turning his gaze to the other victim he looked down at the woman in even worse shape. Even from where Ken stood he could tell the female victim suffered immensely, her clothing ripped to tatters exposing her body; various cuts and wounds littered her torso.

As Ken kneeled next to the corpse he realized it was far worse than he thought, there were tell-tale signs of sexual assault. Using his acute sense of smell he detected an overpoweringly offensive male odor all over the woman it smelled like a combination of semen, garbage, and human waste. Following the stench, Ken directed his attention twenty yards from the scene.

There stood Chelsea with a grim look on her face, "Kenshiro...I found another one." She said with a sullen tone.

Ken's eyes narrowed as he rose to his feet, "Ieyasu...watch Sayo and Taki. They have seen enough." He ordered.

"Yeah...sure Ken." Ieyasu nodded as he comforted the two.

As Ken approached the scene, Chelsea seemed visibly shaken, "She...looks only a few years younger than Sayo...she's just a kid...DAMN IT!" She shouts in frustration clutching her fists.

Ken peers down at the third victim her injuries were consistent with that of the other female victim, Ken kneeled, and his attention drew towards the girl's right leg, where there was a puncture wound. But around the wound was something Ken was not expecting.

Touching around the area he felt a slick substance on his finger, "Saliva..." he spoke softly. Focusing on his finger as he inspects it. Looking towards the head of the girl he notices something distressing, there were bruises consistent with strangulation around her neck.

He found more Saliva around the area of her throat, bruises circling it. He furrowed his brow contemplating what could have done this, seeing there was nothing more he could do, Ken slid his hand over the girl's face and closed her eyes.

Chelsea looked on in silence, watching Ken's unchanging expression; although his face did not show it. She could tell that Ken was incensed, and calmly she walked towards Kenshiro, "Do you think it was one of those slavers from earlier?" She asks.

Ken shifts his head slightly towards the assassin, "Yes...but it appears they also employ monsters that masquerade as men."

Chelsea paused as Ken rose back to his feet, "Slavers and monsters...not much of a difference." Chelsea remarked as she placed her hand on her hip.

"Agreed." Kenshiro replied, "Chelsea...what sort of martial arts do the people of this land utilize?" He inquires about the assassin.

Chelsea's eyes widen slightly as she pops the confectionary from her mouth, "That's a weird question...but the empire has forbidden all other martial arts; consolidating all known fighting styles into one big hodgepodge of an art form called 'Imperial fist'. Must have taken them days to come up with that one." She quips.

Walking away she heads towards a tool shed near the cottage, reappearing with shovels in hand, "Which means the further we get into imperial territory the more cautious we'll have to be, they see you using an unknown fighting style and we will be in a lot of trouble." She explained as she tossed Ken a shovel.

Snatching it from the air his reaction is wooden as he observes the shovel in his hand, "We should probably find a suitable spot to bury them." Chelsea said as she approached him.

Ken looked at the assassin as she started to dig, her face sullen as beads of sweat formed on her brow, "For an admitted killer you are surprisingly compassionate." He remarked.

Chelsea halted before slowly turning her head towards Kenshiro, "I may be good at my job...but that doesn't mean I enjoy it. Is it the same for you?" She asks.

He offers no reply, "Hmmp...your eyes give you away." Chelsea mutters under her breath with a slight smirk.

As the two continue digging Ieyasu carries the older male, gently laying him down next to his daughter, "I sent Sayo and Taki into the cottage after checking it, seemed safe enough." He said while wiping his brow, "I'll go grab the woman and help you guys finish digging ok?"

Chelsea and Ken simply nodded as they went about their work only to be jolted as Sayo came bursting from the front door of the cottage."HEY GUYS! THEY GOT A HOTSPRING IN THE BACK!" Sayo shouted with excitement seemingly forgetting the grisly scene a few moments ago.

Ieyasu & Chelsea gave each other a look before dropping their shovels as they sprinted towards the cottage, leaving Ken behind. Chelsea rotating on her heel faced Kenshiro with her arms casually behind her back, "Hey Ken, you know I used to think there were no such things as heroes or saviors. Someone who defends the downtrodden or a noble white knight saving the damsel in distress, stuff that only happens in fairy tales." She paused as she looked up at Kenshiro. "That was...until a few days ago!"

Her warm smile made Ken take pause, he was not accustomed to people speaking to him in such a manner, it was...refreshing. "Go and rest, it will not take me long to finish here," Ken said.

Nodding she sprints off, as Ken watches her fade into the cottage his expression going grim once more, contemplating what kind of creature is stalking them.

(Inside the cottage)

Kenshiro finished burying the family; after saying a small prayer he approached the cottage, as he stepped through the door the floorboards protested as they settled to his weight, looking around he saw the group working on preparing dinner.

"Looks like they were in the middle of making supper before we showed up," Ieyasu said as he sipped from a ladle.

"It's kind of messed up, but it would be a waste not to utilize any of this." Sayo pointed out.

"Can we sleep here tonight?" Taki asked.

"I don't see why not," Chelsea replied as she looked over to Ken, "We might as well gather some supplies and provisions while we're here, better us than some group of bandits."

As Kenshiro sat down at a table the others soon gathered around, "It's been a while since I've eaten with a group of people like this." Chelsea remarked.

Sayo quirked her eyebrow, "You have friends? What kind of stuff did you do with them?" She asks.

Chelsea sat rigidly, beads of sweat accumulating on her forehead; her pupils shriveled as if something she repressed long ago suddenly resurfaced, "Teammates must get along right Chelsea?" The cottage fell quiet as the awkward stillness set in, "Oh my you're so tense my dear..." The others exchanged confused glances as the auburn-haired girl seemingly went into a trance. "My, my...what a reaction."

"Chelsea?" Sayo timidly called out, "Hey Chelsea!" She calls out once more, only to receive no response, "CHELSEA!" She shouts as she slaps the assassin's shoulder, shaking it wildly.

"I DON'T WANT THIS!" Chelsea spoke almost like it was a defense mechanism.

The girl snapped from her stupor as she directed her attention towards the group, "We had a sleepover...nothing happened." She bluntly stated. Taken aback by her reaction, the others returned to their meal feeling it better to not probe any further.

After finishing dinner, the group discussed what their next course of action should be, as they rummaged through the cottage, "We should probably take some blankets, pots and pans, and some of the food, enough to get us to Joyou." Sayo remarked.

"Should we leave early? Get a head start before daybreak?" Ieyasu asked as he packed supplies into a duffle bag.

"I don't want to risk another ambush, but on the other hand we need to get out in a timely fashion," Sayo replied.

Chelsea filled the group's canteens with water, handing them off to Taki who in turn lined them up in a neat little row next to everyone's belongings, "Good job little guy!" She praises the boy.

"Aunt Chelsea, will we have enough for tomorrow?" The boy asks.

"Well, if we distribute it correctly we should be fine till we hit Joyou unless something unexpected comes up."

As the group continues to pack Sayo notices something amiss, "Hey Chelsea...where's Kenshiro?"

Chelsea turns slightly, "Hmm? Oh, I had him patrol the hot spring for traps, this is a secluded area...lots of places to hide. The last thing I want is those slavers getting a look a the goods if you know what I mean." She answered with a wink.

Outside the cottage, Ken walked along the pool as his feet clunked on the stone surface. His eyes shifted about through the haze that emitted from the water as it lifted into the air, the humidity apparent as Ken noticeably started to sweat. He brushed his arm across his brow his eyes shifted towards the nearby forest, he stood fixed at the tree lining; gazing into them searching for something.

He stares silently, turning his back on the forest and walking towards the cottage, "It's safe." He says appearing in the doorway.

The two girl's eyes light up, "Finally! I can take a bath! I have not been able to get clean since I left the village!" Sayo proclaimed.

"We should take baths in pairs," Chelsea pointed out, "That way, in case something happens we won't all be caught off guard"

"Works for me, well...you coming?"

"Huh?"

"You're taking a bath with me, unless...oh, I see...want to get some alone time with Ken?" Sayo shrewdly remarks.

Chelsea ignored it as the two walked towards a nearby room, "Just shut up and get undressed...I'll join you in a moment." She said unbuttoning her blouse as the door closed behind them.

Ieyasu exchanged a glance with Ken smirking slightly, "Hey, Ken...wanna have a little fun?" He nudged Ken with a sly look in his eye, Ken remained silent, "Come on man, you can't tell me you're not curious."

Ken shifted his gaze slightly towards Ieyasu, "How much do you value your eyesight?" Kenshiro bluntly asked.

Ieyasu felt a lump in his throat as his eyes went wide, "Very much sir." He stammered out.

As Sayo undressed she wrapped herself in a towel and lowered herself into the water, "Ow, ow ow..." She jerked attempting to get used to the high temperature. She lets out a deep sigh as she leans back flexing her arms; her fingers making a loud, popping noise.

Leaning back her mind shifts to previous events from the past few days, her leaving the village, the separation from her childhood friend, and her encounter with the man with seven scars. Even now she could still bearly understand what she had witnessed; for days those thugs followed them...tracked their every movement. Preventing them from even getting a moment's rest, smirking to herself she cannot even think of the last time she was able to go to the bathroom without watching her back.

But in a moment, driven away. Beaten and humiliated, they ran in panic, it sounded like something in an old children's story she remembered the chief would read to the children of her village. A noble hero who fights against injustice. It sounds laughable but where it were not for him lord knows what those slavers would have done to her if the state of that family who owned this cottage were any indication.

As she washed, she detected the sound of dull, damp footsteps behind her, "Wonder what was taking you so long Chelsea, don't try anything funny, just wash up and get out!" Sayo warned.

"Chelsea?" A familiar masculine voice answered.

The girl paused as she realized the person behind her was not another woman, "I was expecting you to be in the bushes or something, why are you-," turning around her heart jumped a beat as she saw the man behind her.

"What's the problem? It's not like this is the first time we took a bath together." Ieyasu said as he stared at Sayo with a big smile on his face.

She instantly took notice as her eyes went wide, "Ie...Ieyasu?! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" She panics as she covers herself.

"Chelsea said she was not feeling well, so she went to sleep early," Ieyasu explained as he stepped through the steam holding a bucket, some soap, and a bearly there towel.

"G...GO PUT ON A LONGER TOWEL!" She shouted as she peeped through her eyes.

"Hey, we got to take baths in pairs right? Besides, what's the point of wearing a towel in the bath?" He points out sitting down across from her.

The boy sighed as he laid back in the water across from Sayo, "Man...this feels great! It's been years since we've taken a bath together huh?" He asked.

"You're too close..." She mutters.

"Hmm? Why are you so embarrassed? Like I said we've done this before."

"That was different! We were eight!"

"Well, it's not like we have much of a choice right? Might as well make the most of it?" He said as he inched closer toward Sayo.

The girl's face grew crimson red as the boy she had known since childhood came closer to her, his eyes giving off a beguiling gaze, "You're rather adventurous tonight aren't you?" She nervously laughed.

"Well...your body is worth conquering." He said with a sly smirk.

Her eyes went wide as she started to grow dizzy, perhaps she was in the bath for too long, or maybe it was something else, "Ieyasu...I can't." She swooned as he gazed into her eyes rubbing his hand along her thigh.

She cooed as his hand went up the length of her inner thigh, "Getting all hot and bothered...you were hoping this would happen didn't you?" He said as his lips inched closer to hers.

This was not like him; he was never this confident, it could not be the same Ieyasu. There was no way this was the same guy who fainted when she gave him a birthday gift a few years back. She had never seen him in this way, The tension between the two was palpable as Sayo felt her body grow warmer, "No...Ieyasu..." she said softly closing her eyes, as her towel started to undo itself.

She waited for his warm touch upon her body; at that moment she readily gave herself to him. Anticipating the moment when they would become- "Boop." She felt a soft finger on the tip of her nose, "W...What?" She uttered as she opened her eyes only to see Chelsea standing in front of her with a large grin from ear to ear.

"Che...Chelsea?!" She said flustered.

"HA! You got a thing for the dorkwad!" Chelsea laughed hysterically, "Heh, heh, I think you made the bath a few inches deeper!"

Sayo was beside herself as she regained her composure, "H...How did you do that?" She asked stunned.

"With this." She winked at Sayo holding a large purse, "It's my Teigu." Her face glowed holding her imperial arm in front of the awestruck girl.

"Teigu?" Sayo asked.

"Yep, it's called Gaea Foundation, lets me take any form I choose. I can be anyone or anything, man, woman, child, or animal, I can even mimic any voice as well. So trust me, I could have made this awkward for you if I wanted."

"How could you have possibly made this any more awkward?!" She asked dumbstruck.

Chelsea's face became emotionless and stoic as she gazed at the girl, "I've struck your hidden pressure point, there's no point in continuing because you're already dead!" Kenshiro's grim, deep, and powerful voice emanated from Chelsea's mouth, as she pointed dramatically at the girl.

"That is...genuinely terrifying," Sayo responded wide-eyed.

"Yeah...so how about a truce? I won't tell Ieyasu you want his man-gravy and you lay off the dad jokes...deal?" Chelsea asked extending her hand towards Sayo.

"Sure..." Sayo reluctantly agreed.

The auburn-haired girl sighed as she sat back in the bath placing yet another lollipop in her mouth, "So...Ieyasu huh?" She smirked.

Sayo turned to her, "I thought we had a truce?"

"Oh we do, I'm just making small talk now."

"It's complicated...I've known him and Tatsumi since we were little, I...I kind of love them both. But I'm not sure if I'll ever see Tatsumi again." She says with a somber tone.

"Sayo..." Chelsea says with a soft voice.

She turns to the assassin, "So what about you and Kenshiro?"

Chelsea pops the sucker from her mouth, "There is nothing between us...he's just a friend I know from my village." Chelsea clarified.

"Really? So you're not related at all?"

"Did you think we were?"

"Well...it just seems like you're both very close."

Chelsea quirked her eyebrow, "Really?"

"Yeah, he's stern but I can tell deep down he cares for you like how a father cares for his daughter," Sayo looked on intently, "How did you two meet?"

Chelsea hesitated for a moment, "Shit...I need to make up something." She pondered to herself, "Well about a year ago he stumbled into our village, we thought he was a random bandit. So the village chief locked him up, around the same time I was out spelunking and stumbled upon Gaea foundation in a cave,

The thing was...it was a bandit hideout, and they tracked me back to the village. Then they rounded up the villagers and demanded I turn over the Teigu or they would kill everyone. Just as I was about to turn it over Ken burst from his cell, almost like he sensed the danger we were in."

Sayo sat wide-eyed as Chelsea spun her tale, "He marched forward fearlessly towards them, I had never seen anything like it. The first batch of thugs attempted to strike him down, but he took them out with little effort. There were ten of them, But just like that," She snapped her finger, "Only the leader remained, their boss put a knife to my throat, he warned Ken to stay back but in a flash. Ken was in front of me and had already placed his index finger on the bandit's forehead." She halted to check whether Sayo was buying her story or not.

"The leader mocked him for the seemingly ridiculous attack, but he could no longer move as he tried to give me a second smile, I still remember the first words Ken spoke to the bewildered thug, 'You...are already dead!" She pauses for dramatic effect.

"Whoa...what happened next?" Sayo asked.

"Well, that thug's head blew up, that's one thing I wish I could forget." She recalls her first encounter with Hokuto Shinken and its effects on the human body, "After that, he just kind of stuck around; we built him a home, and in return he protected us."

"So why are you out here? Why did you leave?" Sayo asked confused.

"Well...a few days ago, Ken and I were out collecting supplies from a nearby town, when we got back some friends of those bandits burned the village to the ground in an act of revenge. I'd never seen him so furious before, he slaughtered every single one of them. He did not even let them beg, he was utterly ruthless,

I'd never met such a benevolent yet vengeful human being. I was more scared of him than I was of the bandits at that time. after he calmed down, we looked for any survivors and we found Taki; we picked him up and left. Now we're here." She stretches her arms above her head.

"I guess all we can do now is find a new place to live." Chelsea states as she looks up to the starry sky noticing an extraordinarily bright star from the north she had never seen before, "What the?" She mutters to herself.

"Hmmm?" Sayo responds.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Well, it sounds to me like you two have a strong bond, it's clear you two care about each other very much, you just don't show it." Sayo said.

Chelsea gives Sayo a cock-eyed stare in return, "Like a father and daughter?" She says sarcastically.

Sayo looks at her with a warm smile, "No...I think it's a little different than that, you just don't realize what it is yet...I don't think you've experienced it before...these feelings." She says as she glances down.

As the gears in Chelsea's head started to turn, her eyes went wide as her face grew ten shades redder," Don't get too friendly with me!" She shouted as she splashed a bucket of cold water on Sayo's back.

Sayo gasped after blushing making a rather embarrassing sound.

Chelsea with a smirk remarked, "Whoa...that was rather mature sounding." She snickered.

Sayo glared at her in return, "Why you..." She retaliates by flinging a bucket of cold water of her own at Chelsea.

The sounds of water splashing and laughter echoed throughout the hot springs as the two engaged in some harmless fun.

The steam grew thicker as they roughhoused in the bath, "Man...they've been in there a long time, you think we should go check?" Ieyasu said with worry as he attempted to look out the fogged-up window, "Uhh...Ken?" Ieyasu implored only to receive no reply as Kenshiro sat in a chair reading a book with a look of detachment as Taki doodled on a piece of paper beside him.

Exhausted, the two stare each other down, "Well, looks like we're evenly matched...let's call it a draw, what do you say?" Chelsae said with labored breath.

Sayo smirks, "Oh...What's the matter already done? That's what you get for underestimating us country girls, we last longer...in a fight!" She says with confidence despite how clearly she's out of breath.

The two started to chuckle amongst themselves, "Look at us, acting like freaking children." Chelsea mused to herself. "But, it's not a bad feeling. Maybe something like this is ok once in a while."

Sayo finally composed herself, "I think we should call it a day, we've been in here too long, probably let the guys have their turn.

Chelsea turns to Sayo, "Man, that's going to be awkward for them, Ken's not much of a talker. As the two stood up from the bath, Sayo's nose started to curl, "Egh, Do you smell that?" She said with disgust.

Chelsea sniffed the air her eyes went wide as she covered her mouth about to retch, "Oh what the fuck is that smell?! It reeks of shit and rotting fish!"

The two looked around the haze trying to find the source of the smell, "I think we should get out and warn Ken," Said Chelsea.

"Agreed, we need to get..." Sayo froze in place as her eyes went wide noticing a large, lanky shape obscured by the steam looming behind Chelsea.

Chelsea felt labored, heavy breathing behind her; Slowly she turned her head back, "

The two screamed as the deviant clasped onto Chelsea, securing his arm around her neck, "Don't move! I'm not supposed to kill you but it would not be the first time I've fucked a corpse or two today!" Mandrillo yelled.

"Damn it! I have nothing to fight him with!" Chelsea thinks to herself, "Sayo! Go get Ken!" Chelsea yells.

Sayo looked around in a panic unsure what to do she ran towards the cottage, "Oh don't get them just yet! I want this to be a surprise!" He chortles as his tongue springs out and wraps around Sayo's chest, pulling her towards him.

"KYAAAAA!" She screams as she is pulled towards Mandrillo

"Egh! God get the fuck off me you revolting freak!" Chelsea protests trying to break free from the human garbage dumb's grasp.

"Hey don't touch me there!" Sayo shrieked as Mandrillo groped her chest.

As the two girls struggled to break free from the pervert's iron grasp, Chelsea felt something jabbing her rear, "BY THE PATH OF PEACE ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" She cried.

"NAY HAHAHA! kidding or not there is going to be plenty of fucking; now bend over and touch your toes! If you don't I'll twist your friend's head off!" Mandrillo threatened.

"Chelsea...I'll be fine," Sayo said as she tried to fight back.

"How can you possibly say that in this situation?!" Chelsea yelled back.

Sayo smirked back at the assassin, "Any second now...Kenshiro's going to-"

"Hey, you!" an unknown voice yells out from the mist, "let the girls go!" The figure steps forward from the fog making his presence known.

"Ie-Ieyasu?" The girls speak in unison.

"Don't worry! Your boy's got this!" He shouts brandishing his ax

"Who's this dipshit?" Mandrillo asks.

The two girls stare at Ieyasu dumb-struck, "H...How long were you there?" Sayo asks.

"I was here the whole time-, I mean I just got here!" He proclaims.

The three gawked at him cock-eyed as the awkward silence set in, "You moron!" Sayo yells enraged, "Go get Kenshiro!"

"But he's reading Taki a bedtime story, I did not want to bother them," Ieyasu explained.

"Are you serious?" Chelsea asked dumbfounded, "What do you see in this twat?" Chelsea asks.

"Not much at the moment..." Sayo glumly responds as she glares at Ieyasu.

"Wow...what a fucking idiot!" Mandrillo said.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing with the murderous rapist," Chelsea mutters.

"Ieyasu...you don't got this, you don't got this at all. Now turn around and GO GET KEN!" Sayo screams.

Ieyasu pauses for a moment as he looks at the situation he's in, pondering the choices available, "Sorry girls, but I can't turn back now, a man has to defend his friends!" He proclaimed.

"We're going to get raped...your friend's going to get us raped...this is serious! Why am I talking about this so casually?!" Chelsea shouts in frustration.

"Ieyasu! This is not the time to play chivalrous heroes, this is serious!" Sayo screams.

As the boy readies himself into a battle stance he charges at Mandrillo determined to save his friends, "Here I come you bug-eyed freak! I'll cut you down in one blow!"

"Hehehehe so you want to fight huh? Well...let me show you a slice of heaven before I send you to hell!" Mandrillo cackles as he whips off Chelsea and Sayo's bath towels exposing their bodies to the boy.

"WHOA!" Ieyasu barked out as he lost his concentration and failed to notice the bar of soap on the ground, promptly slipping on it and faceplanting a few inches from the group.

Chelsea and Sayo are left in stunned silence as they realize they were exposed, "KYAAAAAAA!" They both screamed.

"Don't look!" Sayo wailed as she attempted to cover herself.

"You sick bastard!" Chelsea roared as she also covered herself.

"Heheheh...your screams are music to my ears!" Mandrillo giggled, "You're both such delectable, ripening fruits; I can't wait to sink my teeth into the both of you!" Mandrillo shrieked as he licked Chelsea's face, his long tongue slithering about her face.

"Ugh...gah...no..." She fought back the urge to throw up as his tongue probed her face.

"What lovely breasts you have my dear... not too big nor too small and such a nice shade of pink, you don't see nipples this delectable; I can't wait to nibble on them!" Chelsea sways forward with a slight gasp as Mandrillo caressed her breast, "You're not as developed but you're quite sensitive huh?" He whispered as his hand reached towards Sayo's crotch.

"Ah!" the raven-haired girl yelps.

"Well looks like it's time to start the show...but what's a show without an audience?" Mandrillo asks as he looks at Ieyasu struggling to get back up on his feet, launching his tongue out towards Ieyasu, he has no time to defend himself as the lance-like appendage strikes him in the right shoulder.

"AHHHHH!" He screamed as he felt searing pain going through his shoulder blade soon the pain was too much and he fell to his knees once more.

"Oh...we are so screwed..." Chelsea said with a defeated look on her face.

"Heheheh...figuratively and literally!" Mandrillo answered as he squeezed Chelsea's ass, "Now that we have an audience the main event can begin!" He drags the two girls with him toward Ieyasu as the boy struggles on the ground, "Hey, kid...you got a fetish?" Mandrillo asks.

Resisting the pain he fights to lift his head, "W...What the hell are you talking about you bastard?"

"You know a kink! Something that gets you off, it's pretty normal, everyone's got one. Just some are weirder than others," He smirks as he places his boot on the boy's head grinding him into the ground," I know some guys...some sick twisted mother fuckers! But my kink is pretty normal compared to my friends...what to know what it is?" He asks

"I get the feeling you're going to tell me regardless." Ieyasu shoots back.

"No one likes a smart-ass kid!" Mandrillo calmly states as he kicks the boy in the head.

"Augh!" Ieyasu screams.

"Well...let me ask you, ya know what 'Netorare' is?" The boy shakes his head nervously, " Well it's your lucky day! Because I'm going to show you what it is!" Mandrillo laughs hysterically as the girl's eyes go wide with fear.

He cackled wildly, grinding Ieyasu under his boot and manhandling the two girls. Mandrillo failed to notice the sound of loud, damp footsteps echoing throughout the hot springs, " Cannot say that I've heard that term before..." A harsh voice came from the Haze.

"Who's there?!" Mandrillo demanded as he looked around, "If you're looking to have a go I don't share!"

The voice seemed to come from everywhere as it encircled the freak, Mandrillo felt a sense of dread as the footsteps grew closer and louder, "But let me ask you something in return...are you familiar with the phrase 'Deadman walking'?" A massive shape materialized from the mist, "Because you're about to find out what it means!" Kenshiro stepped forth from the thick steam staring down the deviant that stood behind the two girls.

Mandrillo smirked as Kenshiro approached, "So you finally showed up, wondering what was taking you so long. But I have to say two young, nubile, naked girls left bare for the whole world to see and not even the faintest hint of a nosebleed." Mandrillo snickered.

"Ethier you have the mental fortitude of a saint...or you're a queer." Mandrillo sneered as his grip grew tighter on the girls, "So let me guess, you're going to demand I let the girls go? You know all that big hero talk bullshit like this twerp?" Mandrillo motioned at Ieyasu.

Kenshiro offered no vocal reply he simply cracked his knuckles in response, "Ohh...so scary...so let me cut to the chase." Mandrillo licked the side of his cheek, "What will you offer in exchange for these girls' safety?"

Ken's eyes narrowed into a razor point as he lifted his hand; directing his finger towards the monster before him, "Let the girls go...and I'll grant you a painless death!"

The bath fell silent as everyone looked towards Ken mystified, "KEN WHAT THE HELL KIND OF NEGOTIATING IS THAT?!" Chelsea screams.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US KILLED?!" Sayo shouted.

"I'm going to have to agree with the ladies, you suck at negotiating," Mandrillo smirked.

Ken remained silent as Mandrillo laughed at the threat, "I assume you're with the slavers, more to the point, you're the man who murdered that family right?" Ken asked.

"Guilty as charged!" Mandrillo beamed, "I had a lot of fun with them...especially their daughter! Oh, she was a tight fit!" "The fiend's wicked grin grew wider as he recalled the memories.

Ken's eyes shot open, "Then you know I'm not going to let you live for the sins you have committed! That and surely you must realize you're nothing more than a distraction right?" He asks, "Your boss knows for a fact you are incapable of defeating me, he sent you on a suicide mission!"

Mandrillo froze in place making the grim realization that he was set up to fail, "Don't talk big! In case you have forgotten I'm the one holding all the cards here!" He threatened as the iron nails popped from his gloves digging into Sayo & Chelsea's breasts.

"Gah!" The girls sobbed as he drew blood.

Ken took a single step toward Mandrillo, "Don't you take another fucking step! Any closer and I'll rip her tits off!" He warned Ken as he gripped Sayo's left breast causing her to wince in pain.

"Agh!" Sayo yelped as tears built up in her eyes.

"You fucking piece of shit! Let her go!" Ieyasu growled as he struggled under Mandrillo's boot.

Ken narrowed his eyes as he stared at the freak calling his bluff, "You know I won't let you leave here alive Mandrillo, consider your options; let them go and you won't suffer, it's more than anything you would have provided. But..." Ken's eyes grew cold, "Hurt one more hair upon their heads and I will make sure you experience the most excruciating death imaginable!"

Mandrillo scoffed at the threat, "You think I'm scared of you? You're wide open! I can take you out at my leisure!"

"Know this, if you let even one bit of your body touch me...you will die!" Ken proclaimed.

Mandrillo's goggles shifted around, looking for a way out. He snickered at Ken, "Kek, Kek, Kek, you're a pretty stoic guy...but let's see how steadfast you are when I do...THIS!" Without warning, he shoves the two girls towards Kenshiro; their bodies colliding with him, "Kyaa!" The girls scream as they grasp onto Kenshiro attempting to keep their balance on the slippery floor.

As their bodies squished into him; he remains indifferent to his situation, "Ken!" Chelsea gasped trying to fight back her embarrassment.

"Kekeke HAHAHA! I give everyone a taste of heaven before I send them to hell!" Mandrill lept back as his tongue lanced out like a fleshy missile toward Kenshiro, The tongue went taut as it reached its target, "GAHHH!?" Mandrillo's eyes went into shock as he could no longer move his tongue.

"What did I just say?" Ken asked.

"Uhh...?" Mandrillo could no longer articulate, the long flesh-colored appendage stretched across the hot spring as it strained. Kenshiro had gripped the tongue; wrapping it around his fist tightly.

"You're not that smart are you?" Ken asked only for Mandrillo to return a startled look on his face, "What did I tell you a moment ago?" Ken asked.

Mandrillo could only sputter out garbled words, coughs, and wheezes in response, "Repeat it..." Ken demanded.

"(You said I'd die if I let even one part of my body touch you!)" Mandrillo garbled out.

Ken nodded as he gripped the appendage even tighter pulling his arm back, "NO! NO! NO!" Mandrillo wailed as his body catapulted towards Kenshiro, unable to defend he braced himself for the sudden impact.

Chelsea & Sayo fell to the ground getting out of the way as the pervert was dragged towards them, Chelsea looked up in shock as the man with seven scars cocked his fist back preparing to strike, "aaaaaAAAAAAAAAA!-," He exhaled.

"-AAAAAAAA YAAAAAAAAATAAAA!" Ken's fist smashed into the scumbag's face with a sickening crunch as Mandrillo's head snapped back, where he hung by only his tongue as Ken held onto it. The man with seven scars gave the fleshy muscle another tug as Mandrillo's head bobbed forward once more while Ken prepared another assault.

"(Wait...Please...No more)!" Mandrillo begged but Ken would hear none of it, "aaaaAAAAATATATATATATATAT-!" A flurry of fists shot out as Kenshiro used Mandrillo's face as a speed bag, " ATATATATATATATATAT-", The fiend's head snapped back and forth as blood, and teeth flew, "-ATATATATATATAT WOAHHHHTAAAAA!" Ken's fist crashed into Mandrillo's face sending him into orbit.

"GYAAAAAAAAA!" Mandrillo screamed as his body shot upwards fifty feet into the air until his tongue snagged; Ken gripping the appendage once more pulled down with furious force sending the scoundrel descending towards the pool with a horrendous crash.

Kenshiro methodically approached the pool as Mandrillo staggered back to his feet, "Wait! Hold on! Forgive me! I was just doing what Rijad asked me to do, I'll never hurt another girl again! I'll become celibate! I won't even masturbate!" He pathetically begged.

Ken towered over the fiend with a grim stare that made his intentions well known, "Remember when I told you I would grant you a painless death?" He asks.

"Y-Yes?" Mandrillo sheepishly asks.

"I lied."

Mandrillo growled in rage as he dashed towards Ken with a desperate attack, "I'LL USE YOUR BLOOD AS A LUBRICANT!" He roared out.

He ripped towards Kenshiro stabbing his arms forward, Ken lept into the air with a mighty jump, "WHOOOOOO!" lashing out, he embedded his fingers into Mandrillo's neck and brutally knees him in the face, "YAHTAAAAAA!"

"AUGH!" Mandrillo staggers back as his goggles fall apart and he clasps his broken nose, "Heheheh... what was that? That bearly hurt." He uses his thumb to pop his caved-in nose back into place. " What was I so scared about? That last hit must have been a fluke! Now that I know you hit like a pussy I'm going to fuck you up like a whore on her first day!"

Kenshiro showed no reaction to Mandrillo's threat, "Kek kek kek, hope your anus is ready because I'm going in...Egh! What the? GAHHHHHHH!" Mandrillo's neck twisted to the right as his beady eyes went into shock, "UGH...GYAAAAAA!" The freak's face begins to split open as he desperately attempts to hold his head together.

"Oh, my god..." Sayo uttered as she watches the horrific sight.

"UGHHHHHHH!" His face blasted open like an overbaked potato as he stumbled backward into the hot springs with a loud splash as the water turned red.

"(Koshu Hagan Ken)!" Ken spoke softly as he turned his back on the hot spring, "Where you're going...there is no pleasure."

As Ken walked towards the group, he grabbed two discarded towels on the ground, "Here." He says as he tosses them towards Chelsea & Sayo averting his gaze, "Get dressed...we're leaving."

"Yeah...sure..." Chelsea said as she wrapped herself in the towel and ran towards the cottage.

"Ow...Ow..." Ieyasu protested as Sayo lifted him out.

"What the hell were you thinking you, idiot?" Sayo accosted her friend.

"I...was just trying to save you Sayo..." He groaned out.

"You don't have to prove yourself to me, you big dummy!"

"Heheheh...*Cough*" He starts to fall over.

"Damn it! He's hurt!" Sayo cried out.

Kenshiro steps towards the pair, "Hold still." He asks as he kneels towards the two.

"What are you..." Sayo's eyes go wide as she sees a green energy radiate from Kenshiro's hands

"Whoa..." Ieyasu mutters as Ken's hands hover over his wounded shoulder.

As the green energy flows into Ieyasu's wounds it starts to heal; slowly the wound closes itself as he felt energy returning to him, "That...feels better than new!" Ieyasu proclaimed as he rotated his arm testing it out.

Sayo watched in amazement, "Ken...w...who are you?" She asks.

"Who I am is not important...what is important is leaving this place." He calmly states, "Let's go."

(Back in the cottage)

As the group runs into the cottage they scramble to pick up everything they have packed preparing to make a run for it, "Aunt Chelsea what happened? Why are we already leaving?" Taki asked.

"We got to go, kid, we can sleep in the whole day when we get to Joyou!" Chelsea said with haste as she rushed to put her clothes on.

"But I'm so tired and I did not get a bath yet!" The boy cried

"Taki we need to go or we're going to die, I'm not going to sugarcoat it. So get up, grab your stuff, and let's go!" She said as she kneeled towards the scared boy.

"O...Ok..." He sputters out.

"We got everything?" Sayo asks.

"I think we're good" Ieyasu confirms.

"What about you Ken?" Sayo turns slightly.

"I'm...fine..." Kenshiro calmly stated as he held the lion's share of supplies, to the point that only his legs were visible.

"That's not going to work." Said, Chelsea.

"He's the strongest guy here!" Sayo shot back.

"How's he going to get through the goddamn door!" Chelsea yelled back pointing at the mass of duffle bags and backpacks with legs.

"Punch it?" Sayo answered facetiously

"Of all the times now you crack a joke?" Chelsea said with a look of exasperation.

"Fine, fine, we'll redistribute." Sayo relinquished.

(A few moments later...)

"Ok...we good now?" Sayo asked.

As the group made their final preparations, Ieyasu noticed the water in one of the glasses vibrating, "Guys...I think something bad is about to happen."

"Everyone out of the house!" Sayo yells out.

The group storms out into the darkness of the night, the sky is clear, the wind's...calm...it's quiet...too quiet, "I don't like this at all." Chelsea states with a look of worriment, "We're too out in the open."

"Looks like they killed Mandrillo..." Franklin says spying through a scope from a nearby clifftop.

"Oh, my heart fucking bleeds Franklin..." Rjiad says as he lights a fuse.

Massive white flair rockets into the night sky expanding turning night into day, "That's not good..." Ieyasu says with a concerned tone.

The forest around the group lit up as orange lights dotted about randomly throughout the thicket, they zigzagged and blicked into existence like lost souls who had found new prey to torment.

"They got us surrounded!" Ieyasu yelled out in a panic.

"Keep calm! They are trying to frighten us." Sayo yelled out.

"Aunt Chelsea...I counted twenty lights..." Taki tugged on the assassin's skirt with a look of dread in his eyes.

"There's so many of them..." Chelsea muttered, "You must have pissed them off, Ken.

Ken did not respond as he looked around, his eyes focusing on a nearby clifftop. He returned his gaze to the forest, "Get to cover...NOW!" Ken yelled at the group.

The group ran towards the large stone wall by the cottage as arrows rained from the sky, "Crap! I can't even see where they are coming from!" Ieyasu screamed as he dashed toward the wall.

"Just keep going!" Sayo shouted.

Kenshiro moved in front of the volley of arrows that came from the sky, moving his arms in a circular motion clockwise; just as the arrows reached him his arms went counterclockwise catching the arrows and sending them back towards his attackers.

Cries of pain emanated from the forest, as men dropped from the trees, "There goes our archery unit..." Franklin says with a droll expression.

"Enough! Whoever kills that bastard first gets to do whatever they want to those girls for the next week...and a one hundred coin bonus!" Rijad cried out.

"We don't have anything in the budget to warrant a bonus." Franklin pointed out.

"They don't know that...and besides, what makes you think they'll live through this?" Rjiad smirked.

The forest exploded with warcries; the defining noise echoed throughout the night, Dozens of men spilled out of the forest towards the group's positions.

"Heh, I guess you can throw away your life if the pay is high enough." Chelsea muses.

The mass of attackers sprinted towards Kenshiro with reckless abandon, his eyes narrowed as he slowly cracked his knuckles, "How sad...you won't understand unless I kill every last one of you, in that case...COME ON!"

He rushed towards the nearly three dozen strong and clashed with them, fists, kicks, and pressure point attacks shot out all around; the men desperately tried to strike Kenshiro down but every attack failed to hit its mark.

Bodies expanded and bent as the terrifying sound of human beings exploding permutated throughout the night, "AHTA! WOHTA! ATCHO!" Ken cried out as he laid waste to the slavers. Men crumbled to the ground as limbs were separated from bodies and crises of horror exploded onto the battlefield, "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Ken yelled as he dove once more into the throng of attackers.

"He's ripping us apart!" One of the slavers screamed.

"Don't run dumb-ass! We can take him-AGHHHHHH!" One of the thugs shrieked as his body grotesquely twisted and ruptured.

"Holy! No amount of coin is worth this shit!" One of the thugs wavered.

Their line broke as they started to scatter, "Retreat! RUN AWAY!" The men turned back trying to escape the man who was tearing them limb from limb.

"None of you are leaving here alive!" Kenshiro proclaimed as he dashed in front of the scurrying rats.

"Oh god...please no..." The slavers beg

"aaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-"Kenshiro radiated energy as the remaining slavers begged for their lives, "-ATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATATAT-,

-AHHHHHHH WHOAHHHHTAAAA!" The thunderous sounds of Ken's fist reverberated into the night as the last of Rijad's men fell to the ground in bloody heaps until only stillness remained, "DAHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!" He exhaled as his killer instinct finally subsided, "(Honsha Bakuretsu Ken!)" He declared surveying the battlefield.

"Is it over?" Ieyasu poked his head out from behind the wall.

"Holy crap...he killed nearly thirty men...with his bare hands! That's not even counting the archers!" Sayo said slack-jawed.

As the group watched, Taki noticed something unsettling, "Aunt Chelsea! Do you see that twinkling light from the cliff?!" He tugs on her skirt.

Chelsea's eyes went wide as she saw a bright light glowing larger from the cliff as well, "Oh no...KEN!" She bolts from the wall running towards Kenshiro at full speed, "KEN! GET DOWN!" She screamed.

"What?!" Ken's gaze darted over towards the light as it shot towards his position, without warning a massive, deafening explosion rips through the battlefield, "GAHHHHH!" Chelsea screams as she grabs Kenshiro pushing them both out of the way of the blast.

The group watches in abject horror as the blast engulfs the two, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Ieyasu screams.

"CHELSEA! KEN!" Sayo shouts out.

"AUNT CHELSEA!" Taki cries.

The blast propels the two into the air, "Hold on!" Kenshiro yells as he shields Chelsea from the blast.

"Gahhhhh!" She grimaces as the wind bites her face; violent whistling assaults her ears her vision spins as the two tumbles through the air.

Her stomach sinks feeling the force of gravity as the two plummet to the ground at high speed, "SHIT! SHIT!" She panics as the ground rapidly approaches.

"Stay close...I will protect you." Kenshiro calmly stated, throughout this ordeal, he remained calm.

The assassin nodded as she gazed into his eyes, once more she felt his calming presence; she felt safe despite everything. She closed her eyes and held onto him as the ground came into view.

"GYAAAAA!" Ken shouted as he impacted the ground taking the full brunt of the force with it. The pair barreled as Chelsea rolled off of Ken and came to a stop a few feet from him.

"Aguhhh..." Her body protested as it pained, White noise filled her ears as she could bearly hear anything, her vision blurry and distorted as she finally came to, "Ken..." She shoots up, "KENSHIRO!" She cries in distress.

As she looks around in a panic she sees Sayo and the others running toward them, "Where's Ken?!" She pleads.

Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the man with seven scars rising to his feet. Seemingly unharmed from the fall, "No way...you took the brunt of both the explosion and the fall...how are you not hurt?!" She asks stunned.

Ken approached the group, "Something like that is nothing for a practitioner of-"

"Don't you fucking dare Ken!" Chelsea yelled, "Don't ever do that again...don't ever put yourself on the line for someone like me again!" The girl cried out.

Ken remained silent as he kneeled towards the girl overcome with emotion, He silently nodded turning his direction towards the clifftop.

As Kenshiro stared at Rijad's position Sayo turned to Chelsea and whispered into her ear, "The hell were you thinking? He would have been fine!" She asks.

"S...Shut up..." She mutters under her breath.

The group runs back towards the wall, getting to cover as they prepare for Rijad's next attack, "So what are we going to do? The Bastard's got us cornered. We try to move from this spot and he'll blast us to pieces!" Ieyasu says with frustration.

"Think we can sneak by?" Sayo asks.

"It would be very tedious if we could just get close enough to attack without him noticing us," Chelsea said while rubbing her temples.

Kenshiro remained silent as he casually leaned against the wall.

The group's attention was sized as loud audible feedback emanated from the cliff.

"Ahem...what button do I press to make this thing work?" An unfamiliar voice rings out from the cliff.

"You're pressing it right now!" Rijad yelled!

"Oh...well color me embarrassed!"

"Just shut up and give them the ultimatum," Rijad screamed.

"Right, Right, Uh...you there, I'm representing my client Mr. Rijad, my name is Franklin... I'm also his accountant, pleased to make your acquaintance."

The group responded with confused silence, "Uh...Hi..." The group aside from Kenshiro timidly spoke in unison.

"The pleasure is mine. Now then I would like to make an offer," Franklin explained.

"What kind of offer?" Sayo yelled back.

"Well as you can see we are currently in possession of...what's this contraption called?" Franklin asked as he turned towards Rijad.

"Give me that!" Rijad growing frustrated snatches the megaphone from Franklin.

"Listen up shit for brains." either you turn over the two girls and the small boy to us or I'm going to use this little old Taizan's Cannon of Justice here to blast your stupid faces off this goddamn planet!" Rijad warns.

As the group comes out from behind the wall Chelsea looks up, "How about we give you Ieyasu instead and you let us go?"

Ieyasu pauses for a moment as he looks over to Chelsea, "WHAT?!" He screams bug-eyed

"No, no, that would be unsatisfactory," Franklin responded.

Chelsea sighs, "Well it was worth a shot I guess..."

"Dude that's not funny!" Ieyasu shouted back.

"We can at least take solace in the fact we're hidden at the moment, no way he can hit us from-," Sayo stopped mid-sentence as another searing white, hot beam of light obliterated the cottage instantly sending splinters and debris tearing in all directions.

She slowly turned her head to the smoking ruins that were once the cottage with her mouth agape, Chelsea casually unwarped another lollipop and slowly put it into her mouth as she leaned back on the wall seemingly playing off the close call, "Ahhhh..." Ieyasu sputters out as pieces of wood fall around him.

Kenshiro still seemed entirely apathetic to the plight they were in, "It's gone..." Sayo mutters, "THAT WAS TOO CLOSE!" She screamed.

"Oh shucks...I missed." Rijad smirked, "That was a warning shot! Now move your sweet little ass out here or I'll shoot randomly!"

"You're going to risk killing the product?!" Franklin asked.

"Frank...I don't care at the moment."

Once more Sayo popped out from behind the wall, "This is because we killed Mandrillo isn't it?" She shouts out.

"What?! I don't give a shit if you killed him or not! I hated that sick fucker!" Rijad roared, he slept with my wife!

"Third wife." Franklin corrected as he busily wrote paperwork.

"Third wife- SHUT THE HELL UP FRANKLIN!"

"Ok that's it we need a plan!" Ieyasu jumps away from the wall.

Sayo with a look of determination in her eyes begins to formulate a strategy to defeat the slavers once and for all, "Ok...here goes! You know how every time that gun fires off night turns to day?" She asks.

"Yeah..." everyone says in unison...aside from Kenshiro.

"Well here is the plan, Ieyasu! I need you to cover for me and serve as my spotter He's pretty close to us so it should be easy to pick him out!" She points to her friend.

"I...I can do that!" Ieyasu exclaims.

She turns her attention towards Kenshiro, "Ken I need you to serve as a diversion, so run back out into the clearing and goad him into firing on you once more!" Ken seemingly ignored her, "Ok! Glad you're on board!" She says with excitement.

"Now Taki!" She turns to the small boy,

"W-What?" The boy asks surprised.

"You just stay there and keep being cute!" Sayo patted the boy on his head.

"Uh...O..ok..." The boy timidly agreed.

"Good!" She postures crossing her arms, "Now Chelsea..."

"This ought to be good..." Chelsea says facetiously.

"You have the most important job...your job is to flank near the left of the slavers and climb that tall hill, once there I want you to sabotage that weapon's power supply. Once that happens I'm assuming there will be a HUGE explosion; more than likely you will have to jump off the hill to avoid the blast. Your job is the most high-risk but I think you can manage."

Chelsea returns a sullen stare as the sucker shifts from the left to the right of her mouth, "Heh..." She smirked as she quirked an eyebrow, a plum of smoke enveloped the girl as the group looked on.

"W-What?" Sayo watches in surprise.

As the smoke dissipated, only a small red-tailed hawk stood in her place, "Wait...what?" Sayo sputters out confused.

The hawk flapped its wings as it soared off into the night; the group slowly tracked the beast as it moved into the distance, Sayo & Ieyasu continued to gawk as Kenshiro calmly looked down and closed his eyes with disinterest.

"Oh my god...she...she was a hawk the whole time!" Ieyasu's eyes went wide from shock at the revelation.

Sayo grimaced as she punched Ieyasu in the face without even turning finally having enough of his buffoonery for one day, "Chelsea! You goddamn coward!" She shouts, shaking her fist enraged at the small bird.

As Chelsea circled Rijad's location she slowly descended toward the trees; making sure to not make a single sound as she deactivated her Teigu, "Sho!" She sighs, "I forgot how much energy flying takes!" She complains as she jumps from the tree; landing into the bushes.

Slowly she creeps towards the slaver camp only to find that it is just Franklin and Rijad, "This will be easy!" She thought to herself as she pulled a needle from her blouse.

Sitting by a nearby campfire Franklin is lost in mounds of paperwork, "Damn that thing uses a lot of energy...I don't see how we will even be able to afford the upkeep on it...I guess it's good all our men died though; that will save us a few cents and we can cancel the pizza party- *Mmmmph!*" Franklin never finished the thought as his life ended at the hands of Chelsea.

"Well...there are two things assured in this world...death...and...you know," Chelsea smirks as she dislodges the needle from Franklin's vertebrate.

"Where are you, little bastards!" Rijad muttered under his breath, "I can't wait to blast you to hell!" He cackled as he looked through the aiming sights of the massive gun, he failed to notice Chelsea had slashed the fuel line that powered the weapons lighting the spilled fuel, "Wh...what's that smell?" He sniffs the air; turning his attention towards the fuel line he spots a small hawk perched behind him, flames shooting up behind it as it flew off.

"Oh, my god..." He trembled, "The Hawks have finally risen! "He screams before the massive explosion engulfs him leaving nothing behind.

"That bitch..." Sayo fumed, "She left us to die! I thought we were getting along too!" The group was caught off guard as the cliff top erupted like a volcano; a cacophony of explosions ripped through the night sky as debris from the slaver's camp rained from above.

"She did it...she took 'em out!" Ieyasu cheered.

Ken lifted his head slightly opening his eyes, "Ho, Ho, Ho...because no one expects the hawk!" a small red-tailed hawk descends from the sky landing on Kenshiro's shoulder, it spoke with a squeaky voice.

"And here I thought you were just an Opportunistic coward!" Sayo said with pride.

Another plum of smoke appeared as Chelsae now sat perched upon Ken's shoulder, "Sayo...I will shit in your mouth if I ever have to use this form again!" She warns as she jumps down from her perch.

"How unladylike!" Sayo shot back.

"Aunt Chelsea, that was so cool!" Taki said with jubilation.

"Well, that takes care of them...what do we do now?" Ieyasu asks.

As Kenshiro left the group to chatter among themselves he looked up to the sky, his eyes widened as he saw a familiar sight, "It cannot be..." He whispered.

"I guess we should just keep going...at this rate, we should-," As Chelsea looked at a map Kenshiro walked past her, "What's wrong?" She asks.

"We shall use that as a guide!" Kenshiro points towards the sky.

With a puzzled look, Chelsea turns upwards, "What are you talking about?" Her eyes shoot open, "What the hell is that?!" The girl panics as she sees a constellation in the night sky she has never seen before.

"What is that?" Ieyasu asks stunned.

"It's...beautiful." Sayo gasped.

"I've never seen such a bright star!" Taki said with his mouth agape.

As the group stared at the constellation it sat in the night sky, seven stars connected into the form of a ladle, the star on the very top...the north star burned exceptionally bright, "It is the big dipper...it has guided me my entire life, and now. It has followed me to this land!" Kenshiro proclaimed.

Far and wide the big dipper made its presence felt, from the very outskirts of the empire to Kyoroch and the Capital itself. Its light shines above all. The populace stared in awe at this miracle. A small boy in a throne room momentarily ignored the suggestions from his obese adviser as his attention was seized by the sight.

from a rustic hideout built into the side of mountains, a rag-tag group of rebels stares in wonderment at the event. A pink-haired girl gapes wide-eyed as another platinum-haired woman with an eyepatch lets her cig fall from her mouth in complete awe, "This is pretty freaking amazing huh?" A busty blond woman says as she nudges a green-haired boy with goggles and a lavender-haired girl with glasses.

Next, to them, an emotionless raven-haired girl with eyes as crimson as blood gazed into the sky next to a man with a pompadour, seemingly indifferent to the event that unfolded in front of her, she returned to snacking on a drumstick as she walked back into the base.

Outside a large church, a massive congregation of the path of peace falls to their knees and weeps as their leader praises the sight as a sign from God himself.

To the ruins of a city, encased in crystal-like glaciers, hundreds of men, women, and children lay broken on the streets, there in the middle...there stands a woman...her icy gaze surveying the carnage wrought by her hand and her hand alone. With her long, flowing cerulean hair and calm demeanor belying her insatiable bloodlust and thirst for battle, she raises her blood-spattered face upwards as she gazes into the sky.

"What a magnificent star...I sense calamity will follow in its wake...I look forward to the chaos it brings!" She smirks to herself as she disappears into a blizzard that has engulfed the area.

Chelsea looked on astounded by the sight, "Ken...you're something else." She thinks to herself as she rejoins the party as they advance into the night, this world...now under the guidance of the stars of destiny and its enforcer...the fist of the north star!

From the mouth of darkness, the sound of footsteps echoes from the pitch silence of the night, he walks with labored, heavy steps, "I think I finally lost them..." The boy breathes deeply, "Sayo...Ieyasu...I swear I will find you...I will keep my promise. No matter what happens from here, I will persevere!"

Tatsumi proclaims as he looks out into the sky gazing at the north star, "A new star...it must be a sign! I'll follow it no matter where it leads me!" He strides off down the path with renewed purpose, "I know we will be reunited one day...so until that day comes, wait for me!" Tatsumi continues, unaware of the destiny that awaits him