At Watatsumi Island, Blitzo and Moxxie were having lunch, until they noticed Verosika talking to her gang. « All right, here's the thing. Arataki Itto had been framed for stealing and kidnapping some nobody. Of course, we all now that's bullshit. He doesn't have it in him. So, we're gonna save his ass, so he can FUCK my ass! Any questions? »
« You sure we shouldn't involve the Imps? » Vortex asked.
« Fuck them. We can handle a bunch of Japanese dudes. » Verosika replied, before the group headed out.
« You know, I'm kinda curious what this guy may look like. What she sees in him, anyway. » Blitzo noted.
« For the love of Satan, anything you had with Verosika, just please, drop it. » Moxxie groaned annoyed.
« Look, I'm not THAT desperate for pussy! She can fuck whatever she wants! I'm just curious, all right! And maybe we can get him on our side…» Blitzo replied.
« So we're just hiring criminals to the Watatsumi Army, are we? » Moxxie asked with a deadpan expression.
« The more, the merrier. LET'S FIND THIS DICK! » Blitzo declared, as he raced off, followed by an annoyed Moxxie
Xxxxxxx
With some…unorthodox methods, the Imps located Itto at Yashiori Island.
He had white spiked hair with pale red streaks that went down to his back. He had two red horns on his forehead. He also had eyes that fade from red to yellow and diamond-shaped pupils and had pointed ears. His face was painted with red makeup which extended from his upper eyelid to this lower eyelid, and numerous parts of his body, arms and head were also painted with red lines.
His attire was decorated with a number of spikes and spines. He wore a cropped purple top paired with a sleeveless black collared coat decorated around the shoulders with thick purple and white ropes. He also wore a thick black belt decorated with a large buckle resembling an oni mask and grey pants decorated with red and tied on with ropes, as well as shin guards and sandals.
Both Blitzo and Moxxie looked at him from behind a bush, utterly shocked.
« Hey! Who's sneaking around over there! C'mon, show yourself! » Itto exclaimed.
In response to that, Blitzo and Moxxie came out of hiding, with the former staring at Itto's abdominals intensely. « Oh my Satan you can grind meat on those…»
« …Why on earth would I grind meat on my abdominals? » Itto asked confused.
« Questions for later. » Blitzo replied.
« Anyway, I get it. So you're here to bring me in. How in the world did you find me all the way out here? » Itto asked.
« We have our ways. » Blitzo replied.
« Heh, well, whatever... If you think I'm going back with you, you can forget it. I'd walk away if I were you. » Itto replied. « I pack a mean punch, you know. I don't want to hurt any regular folks like you. »
« Nah, we have a proposal for you, actually. » Blitzo replied.
« …You're gonna bring me to Koujo Sara so I can fight her? » Itto asked.
«…No… » Moxxie replied with a deadpan expression.
« How would you like to join the Watatsumi Army? » Blitzo asked.
« That sounds neat, but Verosika said that I can't get involved. For my safety as well as that of Daisuke and Granny Oni. » Itto replied.
« By the looks of things, she seems interested in getting you involved. » Blitzo noted.
« Wait, you've seen her!? How is she!? Is she all right?! Did the Commission hurt her-» Itto exclaimed in a worry, before some voices called him over.
« Uncle Itto! » a kid called him.
« Don't run, now! Careful or you'll fall. » an old woman warned him.
« What's taking you so long? You said we were gonna have a beetle fight today! C'mon, you promised! » the kid exclaimed.
« Ah, y—yeah, that's right, still going ahead! But you see, uh... I've been out here for ages and I still can't find a beetle that I like. Just give Uncle Itto a little more time, m'kay? » Itto replied.
« Huh? Who are they? Are they your friends? » the kid asked.
« Uh, yeah, that's right. I told them not to come, but what can I say? ... They were just too worried about me! Hahaha. » Itto replied. « It's 'cause of a little thing called, uh... prestige, yeah. 'Cause of all the prestige Uncle Itto has. »
« Hell yeah, I mean, have you seen these abs? » Blitzo grinned, before punching Itto in the abdominals, his fist pulverizing as a result. « Jesus Christ…»
« Okay, if you say so. Granny and I will keep heading back now. Don't be too long! » the kid replied, before the two headed off.
« Hehe, yep I'll be right there. I hope you're ready to lose today! » Itto replied back.
« Your dick must be a gift from God to women…» Blitzo murmured.
« What? » Itto asked confused.
« So who were those people? » Moxxie changed the subject.
« The old lady was Granny Oni. She's the one that took me in and raised me. And the kid's name is Daisuke, I took him in just a while back. They're both like family to me. » Itto replied. « They escaped with me out this way, along with my boys from the Arataki Gang. If I didn't bring them with me, the Tenryou Commission would be knocking on their doors, for sure. »
« If ya join our little army, we can protect all of your buddies. » Blitzo proposed.
« I, uh... Listen, how about we make a deal. You two let me go wrap things up with Daisuke, and once we're done battling beetles, I'll come to Watatsumi island… » Itto proposed. « You can trust me. Why? 'cause I'm an oni of my word. I'll just tell little Daisuke that my friends and I need to step outside for a moment. That way, he won't worry. Cool? »
« Y'know, they can also come to Watatsumi island…» Moxxie proposed.
« Oh thank Archons that makes it so much easier… Alright, but first thing's first, I need to find an Onikabuto to battle with. I've been looking here for ages and haven't found myself a winner yet, so it's time to try somewhere else. » Itto sighed in relief. « Come with me. Saves you worrying that I might skedaddle. »
« So what the fuck even is beetle fighting? Is it like cock fighting but smaller? » Blitzo asked.
« You guys have seen Onikabuto out in the wild, right? Even though they might look menacing on the outside, they're big softies on the inside. Most of the time they just sit there doing nothing. » Itto explained. « But let me tell ya, once the Onikabuto start fighting, they won't let anything get in their way! The grand game of beetle fighting is a match where your beetle tries to flip the other beetle onto its back. »
« Again, sounds like kid's cock fighting from Wish…» Blitzo raised an eyebrow.
« Hey, it's not just some kids game, okay? It's way deeper than you think! I have taken part in more beetle fights than you would believe. At least 800 — I may have even crossed the thousand mark by this point. Anyway, after a while, you can tell a beetle's fighting potential just by looking at its shape, size, and the patterns on its body. » Itto replied. « But it's not just about all the physical stuff, oh no! Your Onikabuto's gotta be in the right headspace as well. If it's not up for a fight or doesn't have the guts, then it's game over. Haha! Boy, are you two lucky you ran into me. When it comes to beetles, I'm the expert that the experts go to! I'll show you all you need to know. »
« Maybe later? » Moxxie proposed.
« You two might think that I'm just tooting my own horns here, but just you wait... I'll make you a beetle expert in no time! » Itto declared. « And by the way, that kid has one tough beetle, we can't underestimate it. We have to find a real lean mean beetle warrior. »
« Since when she was into morons…» Blitzo murmured.
« I mean, she WAS dating you. » Moxxie replied smugly.
« FUCK YOU…. » Blitzo shot back.
Xxxxxxx
After a while, the group was back, with two beetles on their names, one small and one huge.
« Finally! You're back! Can we start our beetle fight now? » Daisuke asked.
« Yeah, sure thing, buddy! But you'd better watch out, I brought a real winner back this time. » Itto declared.
« Don't worry, I'm not scared of your beetle. Go, go, Stripy Ghost! » Daisuke shot back.
« I've got this fight in the bag! Let's go, Nimble Ninja! » Itto exclaimed.
And so, the two beetle fought, but ultimately, it was Stripy Ghost that was victorious.
« Ah, no! My little Nimble Ninja! » Itto despaired.
« Hah! Looks like I win again! » Daisuke exclaimed.
« Dang it, that's my seventh loss in a row! » Itto cursed.
« The beetle champion, everyone. » Blitzo sighed.
« Hee-hee, Stripy Ghost is invincible. Even Uncle Itto can't beat him! »Daisuke smirked.
« I won't forget this! I'll beat you next time, I swear! » Itto declared. « Alright, Moxxie, you're up. Time to give Crimson Cyclone a shot, maybe it'll end this losing streak of mine. »
« When I decided to join what Blitzo has effectively turned into a terrorist organization… fighting a child wasn't what I had in mind… » Moxxie commented.
« Whoa! That one looks ultra strong! » Daisuke exclaimed. « But it's still no match for you, Stripy! »
However, after a short battle, Crimson Cyclone was victorious. « No, I can't believe it... I lost. »
« Boy, did that one put up a fight. It wiped the floor with Stripy Ghost... » Itto commented. « Heh, I know a real beetle trainer when I see one. Way to kick some beetle butt, partner! »
« Sure, sure. Anyway, here you go kid. » Moxxie handed his beetle to Daisuke.
« Huh, for me? You're really giving it to me? » Daisuke asked.
« Go ahead, take it, Daisuke. When we finally get back to the city, you can show it off to all your friends. » Itto replied.
« But... will we ever be able to go back? » Daisuke asked.
« Of course we will, trust me. I never go back on my word! » Itto promised. « Anyway, I got some things I gotta discuss with my friends here. Go play with Granny for a while, would ya? There's a good boy! »
« You're with the Watatsumi Army, aren't you? » Daisuke turned to Blitzo and Moxxie.
« Indeed. Only God can hear your scream now. » Blitzo declared.
« Is the Shogun here!?» a worried Daisuke exclaimed.
« What? No! » Blitzo shot back.
« Don't listen to him. Nobody is gonna hurt you or your… "uncle"…. You're just gonna have to come to Watatsumi island. Do you think you can do that for me? » Moxxie asked.
« Sure thing! » Daisuke replied.
« Thank you so much. » Granny Oni thanked the two.
« Anything to save a criminal! » Blitzo declared.
« Uncle Itto didn't do anything wrong! » Daisuke protested. « And not only did he not do anything wrong, he also saved my life! He's not a bad guy! »
« I think you should tell them. Don't worry about us. » Granny Oni reassured Itto.
« I guess… Thanks, Granny. » Itto thanked the woman, before turning to the demons. « Come with me, I'll explain everything. »
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group walked off for a while.
« Listen pal. We know ya ain't a criminal. It's the commissions that are some bitches. » Blitzo replied.
« I know, but I really didn't want to get innocent people caught up in this while I'm still trying to solve the real problem here. » Itto replied. « I just wanna avoid conflict at all costs... But it's just not worth it if someone gets hurt. »
« What the FUCK is going on? » Blitzo asked.
« Maybe you don't know because you're outlanders... It all started a long, long time ago with the story of the crimson oni and the blue oni... » Itto sighed.
« You mean the one where the red oni and the blue oni were bros, but the red oni wanted to be bros with humanity, but humans were a bitch, so the blue oni proposed to be chased away by the red oni whilst playing the villain so the red oni could be humanity bro, but then the blue oni fucked off, right? » Blitzo asked.
« Oh, so you already know. Well, that makes things a whole lot easier. » Itto sighed in relied.
« Is any of that true? » Moxxie asked.
« Everything about the fate of the oni is true. The blue oni chose exile, and the crimson oni stayed behind. But the other details aren't historically accurate. Fairytales are nice stories, but there's something they leave out... it's a little thing called the cold, hard truth. The Inazuma of long ago was a dangerous place. If you wanted the Raiden Shogun's protection, you had to have a good relationship with the humans. » Itto explained. « The oni are a proud kind, so it wasn't easy for them to ask others for acceptance. Over time, the oni eventually split into two factions. The crimson oni were friendly with the humans, but the blue oni, they were more stubborn and insisted on keeping to their own. There's no real difference between us. We just paint our horns different colours to show which side we belong to. »
« Why did the blue oni decided to fuck off? » Blitzo asked.
« Because humans were still wary of oni at the time. The crimson oni always hoped to find a way to live in peace with the humans, but the blue oni kept clashing with them. Humans didn't see a difference between crimson and blue oni. All they knew was that oni were hard to get along with. If things were to continue that way, the oni were never going to get along with humans. And so, the most revered leaders of the crimson and blue oni decided to resolve it once and for all. » Itto explained. « Over drinks, they swore an oath. The blue oni would play the role of evil oni to help the crimson oni integrate into human society. But the blue oni's leader gave two conditions. First, the oni must abandon any prejudice they held against humanity. Every oni was to accept humans in their heart before the humans accepted them. Oni were not to use their strength to mistreat humans but also were not to stand for mistreatment against themselves. Second, the crimson oni were to integrate with human society — but not by trying to please the humans. The oni were to embrace their own honest characters, surging tempers, and awesome strength to win respect from humans. In other words, they were to carry on the oni bloodline while also protecting our oni pride. »
« So what happens next? » Moxxie asked.
« After choosing exile, the number of blue oni began to dwindle, until they eventually disappeared altogether. » Itto replied. « Since I first heard the story of the blue and crimson oni as a kid, I've heard it countless times in my life... Not once did I ever imagine that the blue oni clan had actually survived... »
« What a surprise, the "villain" was a fucking villain. » Blitzo commented.
« It's not that simple. Most people don't pay attention to the colour of an oni's horns. They probably don't even know that blue oni exist. » Itto explained. « But nothing gets by the Arataki Gang. At the scene of the crime, they saw an oni with different colour horns than mine. Still, it'd be strange if the culprit really was a descendant of the blue oni. I can't bring myself to accept it. »
« Why? » Moxxie asked.
« Because they would give up their life before abandoning their pride. I have always respected the blue oni for the sacrifice they made, and I know the aspirations my ancestors had for the future of all oni. » Itto replied. « Our pride does not allow for any wrongdoing. You don't steal from other people, you don't harm other people, period! My guess is that the blue oni was tricked or forced into it somehow. But I don't have any evidence... »
« What about the kid? » Moxxie asked.
« He was the one I managed to save from the ronin after I sent them running from the scene. » Itto explained.
« Ah. That makes sense…» Blitzo commented.
« He was off playing somewhere when they came by and ransacked his house. By the time he came back, his parents had been taken. » Itto replied. « The whole reason I'm in this is to help this kid find his mom and dad again. »
« Well luckily for you, we're here to help! » Blitzo declared.
« So you... Heh, alright! I knew you'd be reasonable, I knew it! I was thinking right from the start — these two fine folks, they're just out here in the pursuit of truth and justice, man. We are gonna get along just great! » Itto said in relief. « I should tell you though, things could get a little dangerous, so be ready for anything. Heh, don't say that I didn't warn you. »
« Oh, we can handle it baby. » Blitzo smirked.
« Alright, then our first job is to investigate where this blue oni is hidin' out. There's a victim of his that saw him up close currently taking refuge at Sangonomiya's camp. I figure we can start by talkin' to him. » Itto explained.
Xxxxxxx
And so, the group searched near Sangonomiya's camp, where they found the victim.
« Yo! You must be Masato? » Itto asked.
« A—An oni!? Oh no, not another one... » Masato said in despair.
« Oh — uh, yeah, not the one that robbed you though. So chill. I contacted you before, remember? I need your help. » Itto requested.
« Oh, right... Sorry, I'm still a bit on edge after the incident. Ahem, so anyway here's what happened. I was just out transporting some goods when a group of ronin suddenly attacked me. It's not the first time that's happened to me. Usually, you just hand over some Mora and they'll leave you alone. At least you don't lose your goods that way. But this time was different. They weren't willing to talk things over, instead, they took my things and then started coming for me. » Masato explained. « I got down on my knees and begged. Said I had a family to care for and that my business is our only livelihood. Then I saw that there was an oni among the group. I thought he was gonna be the one to finish me off. But instead, he stopped the others and told them to let me go. »
« Then what? » Blitzo asked.
« Then they all started arguing with each other. His cohort said that I was sure to retaliate if they released me. » Masato explained. « But the young oni was insistent that they shouldn't lay a finger on me. Things got real heated — I thought they were gonna come to blows. Luckily, they let me escape with my life in the end, and I scrambled to get myself here, where I'd be safe. I never want to set foot outside of here again. »
« So he'll steal, but he won't harm people. Hmph, seems he has some sort of standards. » Itto noted. « Did he say why they were robbing you? »
« ...Surely it was Mora, right? What else could they have wanted with me? » Masato reasoned. « I mean, I can't say for sure. It's not like I asked... But what I did hear them say was, "The goods are worth more than the merchant's life," or something like that. »
« Ugh, that idiot oni... » Itto groaned annoyed. « Do you have any idea where they went after they robbed you? »
« No need to worry, babe. We got this. » a voice called the group.
It belonged to Verosika, who stood with her crew and a Blue horned oni.
« Verosika? What are you doing here!? It's dangerous! » Itto exclaimed.
« HA! That's a good one! » Blitzo exclaimed.
« Easy there, big guy. We handled it. Also got this Oni to chill. » Vortex explained.
« I've decided to stop my life of crime and dishonour. » the oni said.
« Was it hard to get him on our side? » Itto asked.
« I have ways of persuade people. » Verosika purred sensually.
Xxxxxxx
Five minutes earlier….
« You know, the Watatsumi Army could probably support you and the rest of the tribe without the need of robbing people….» Verosika reasoned with the oni.
« Yeah, and probably get ya a better deal with the folks back in Narakumi…» Vortex added.
« You had me at "support you and the rest of the tribe". » the oni turned on the ronins, and started beating the shit out of them, alongside Verosika and her crew.
Xxxxxxx
« Then we killed each and every one of them and fed them to the machine. » Vortex continued.
« And I thought we blue oni had it bad. At least we don't have to stick it in crazy to breed. » the oni commented.
« Hey, that's uncalled for! » Itto exclaimed.
« Hey, at least he ain't crazy enough to rob people. » Vortex raised an eyebrow.
« Fucking touché. » the oni commented.
« So, I see that you tried to get my boyfriend into the Watatsumi Army…» Verosika turned to Blitzo.
« Since when were you into walls of muscles? What did ya even see in me!? » Blitzo asked confused.
« I can change, all right? » Verosika shot back.
« Let's try and not do something that we might regret… » Itto tried to defuse the situation.
« You're right. He's not worth it. » Verosika replied.
« Good luck with her. » Blitzo replied.
« I get the feeling that I won't have to be jealous of you, dude….» Itto commented.
« Not in the slightest. Which is good. » Blitzo replied.
« By the way, the ronins took the parents of this kid I saved, Daisuke. You wouldn't happen to have save them, right? » Itto asked.
« You bet. They're all safe in Watatsumi island. » Verosika replied.
« You're a life safer, honey. I don't know what I would do without you…» Itto sighed.
« Consider it as payment to that time you helped me get used about this shithole. » Verosika winked.
« SO, I'm now officially a soldier of the Watatsumi Army, huh? » Itto asked. « Sounds like fun! Time to repay those damn Tenryou bastards for stealing my Vision! »
« Kinda surprised yer still so upbeat after they stole it… » Blitzo noted.
« I know right? I heard that people who lose their visions tend to become depressed and old…» Itto replied.
« If only getting that Vision wasn't such an issue… » Verosika sighed.
« …Plan. Formulated. » Blitzo smirked.
Xxxxxxx
At Inazuma city, the members of the Tenryou Commissions were on patrol, when they saw Blitzo and Moxxie dislodging several Visions from the statue plaza.
A short silence followed, as the two sides stared at each other.
Then, the two demons raced off, with Itto and countless other Visions they had stolen, as the soldiers chased them, letting out curses and roars of rage as they did.
Xxxxxxx
Many thanks to Inanna for many of the suggestions for this chapter.
I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! Please review so I can know your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions for what is going to happen, so stay tuned! Also, remember to like and follow, if you want!
See you on the next update!