Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let us answer some reviews:
Awayuki: Thanks. Though, you haven't told me about an OC yet.
Hellspam: Thanks, I'm happy to hear that you liked the chapter. There will be more revealed about Zane and Hisui in future chapters, I promise you that. Her nickname for Kensei is really cute and I will make the next chapter as interesting as possible.
Guest: I like the idea of a descendant of Lü Bu to be in his harem, thanks for the suggestion.
Rider126: Here it is.
Life on Hagun Island
Located in Paradise, the capital on Hagun Island built as a small industrialized metropolis that acts as the prime location for any form of business for Taro and built in the middle of the island. Paradise also acts as the residents for those who pledged their alliance to Taro. Inside this capital, there were restaurants and locations where all his partners can rest before the start of the next round of the Gehenna Tournament.
However for those who live in the small residential areas built for their captors forced to either fight for their own amusement or farm for their food; there were small shops where they could buy a number of goods, but all of the locations were at various hidden spots so his business partners wouldn't feel disgusted by their presence in their luxurious locations outside of the arenas.
The attitudes of those residing in these areas are the exact definition of high-class and snobby.
Inside of one of the main hotels built on Hagun Island, Paradise Hotel, there was an advance training room built on one of the lower floors of the hotel. Sitting on the ground was Mason, who stretched his arms with a smirk on his face after recalling the last seconds of his match from this evening when he used one of his poisoned plants from his Arbor Field to poison Alice.
"I hope that dopey looking bitch is suffering right now."
Mason said in a snide tone as she drank the glass of juice placed next to him.
He showed no remorse at all about how he poisoned Alice using one of his plants, it wasn't much of a surprise as him and his brother have done a lot of cruel things to the other captives on this island to prove their worth. Neither of them regretted essentially sold themselves to become honorary members of Hagun Island's Gehenna Guards.
"I wouldn't doubt the survival skills of those worthless maggots," a voice familiar to Mason called out as he placed his glass back on the ground. "Just look at all the others who survived despite all of the harsh conditions here. And if memories serve, there is a couple of Youkai in their area who specializes in something called Senjutsu I believe."
Standing before him was a blonde-haired young man the same age at him and the same facial features as Mason. His older twin brother, Jason. Posted in front of him were various targets with dents in each of them using a sharp projectile and each of them was perfect shots. Jason carried a bow made completely out of golden light in his hands.
"But, do you know the difference between us and them?"
"What would that be?"
"The difference between us and them is," making an instant motion, Mason directed his attention towards one of the targets that have yet to have an arrow piercing it and created an arrow of light after making a pulling motion of the bowstring. He released the string firing off the arrow hitting the bullseye in an almost flawless manner. "We have what it takes to survive and made the right decision needed to survive. Living in leisure like this for just the price of turning against all of the other filthy maggots living in the residential areas."
"Because we're the Hunters, not the Hunted."
"It doesn't matter what happens, even if everyone in those little Residential Areas dies," Jason said as he willed his bow away. "We'll still be the ones standing on top."
"Damn, right."
"Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~"
The next morning, Claire was inside the kitchen keeping breakfast for both her and Kensei, while she hummed a song to herself with a smile plastered on her face. She was preparing just eggs and bacon, as it were just some of the essential things that all of them were given, but it was better than nothing. Claire glanced towards Kensei, who stood on his feet with his hands placed together in a meditative stance.
After getting up at around the same time as Claire, he started talking about getting back into his original fighting style taught to him by his mother. And standing in that still posture, while making his mind go blank was the first method that he had to fulfill before going onto the next step. Claire watched as he continued to stand there and it caused her to look down in shame.
After watching how hard Alice fought during her match against Mason and couldn't help, but think about all the times that she was waiting home for them to return. At times they had either minor or serious injuries caused by their matches. It made her feel useless just doing nothing, but farming with the others who refused to fight and rely on Kensei and Alice.
Even though, both knew that Claire could hold her own in a fight against all the monsters in Gehenna; Kensei, on the other hand, didn't want her involved. Claire knew that he was just being protective of her, but―
"I can fight too."
Claire mumbled to herself in a low tone.
She held her hand out and gathered a mass of demonic power, it was colored silver holding the kind of brilliance that would cause someone to question if it were the power of a Devil. It shaped into an orb around the size of a basketball and it held the kind of quality that someone would expect would from a High-Class Devil.
Claire stared at the orb of demonic power with careful eyes as memories of what she learned from her mother and her peerage to get it like that. Claire lowered her eyes as the memories came back, then what occurred afterward and dispersed the orb.
"…." Claire breathed in and out as a terrible sense of foreboding came to mind, then she slapped both sides of her cheeks a couple of times in an attempt to snap out of it. "No more terrible thoughts, all of them are fine. Kaa-san is fine, she is strong and she has her peerage with her. Tou-san is with them, so everything will be alright. I'll introduce them to Nii-chan and Alice-nee."
Claire smiled attempting to reassure herself that everything will be alright, but she couldn't help but have this terrible feeling welling in her chest. Wanting to take her mind off of it, Claire went back to cooking breakfast for Kensei and herself.
Meanwhile, Kensei remained in a meditative posture focusing to the point where it felt as if the world outside was motionless and silent. It felt as if he was diving into a darkness that seemed almost like an abyss that could only be found at the bottom of the deepest ocean. As Kensei continued to go deeper into this darkness, he could almost feel a mystifying warmed originating from a single source within himself from his spirit, in other words, his life-force. It was something that flowed in all living being, but it was an important part of the techniques utilized by his family.
Kensei felt himself coming closer to this light source, but he was being restricted by something and it didn't take him long to realize what it was.
(No wonder it took me longer to heal my injuries. Since I forced myself from using the Amagiri-ryū, I could barely harness my ki like I used to anymore. At most, I can channel it into a weapon and use the basic techniques of the Amagiri-ryū.) Kensei felt that it was a sense of irony after the lack of effort he put into using ki for the first time. Hahaha, for someone that the adults in the Amagiri Clan once called a prodigy, for me not to be able to use my ki is kind of pathetic.)
Kensei laughed as he left from this self-induced meditative state, and started relaxing his muscles.
"I need to fix this."
"Fix what?"
Kensei opened his eyes wide at the sudden yet familiar voice, then flipped over the other end of the couch from his former position and got into a prepared stance. Once Kensei looked and saw that it was Alice, who was staring at him with her usual blank look, including Claire who stared at him with the same look as Alice causing him to become embarrassed.
"Well, that was hurtful. Am I that scary?"
"Alice?! When did you get back?!"
"Hmm, just a while ago. Though, I didn't expect to get that kind of welcome home from you."
Once Kensei recovered from the shock the received after coming from the meditative state of mind, he let out a slight sigh and glanced towards Alice.
"That was a natural reaction, you never sneak up on someone who's coming out of a meditative state like that…especially, someone who hasn't mastered it yet. Besides, my mother did the same thing a lot so I react in that manner whenever someone manages to sneak up on me."
"Well, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
Kensei stared at Alice with a curious look on his face. Even though she looked the same as before, it was her complexion that caught his attention. Alice didn't have her usual pale complexion, it was a bit more normal compared to before.
"Alice. You don't look sick anymore…you look better than before."
"Oh," Alice said as she started throwing her fist into the air several times. "I feel better than I ever had before…can't you tell that I am more energetic."
Kensei stared at Alice as she continued to throw her fist into the air, then started to perform various motions in an attempt to look energetic…at least that was how it looked to him. Though he couldn't help but agree with her as he hadn't seen her move around like that before. Hisui had done an amazing job in healing Alice by using her Senjutsu.
"I came along with her."
Another familiar voice entered the room, as Kensei turned his head and noticed that it was just who he thought that it was. It was Rui who smiled at him with a kind look.
"Hey, Rui."
"Hey, Kensei-kun."
"Wait, where's Hisui," he questioned in a confused manner. "I thought that she would be here teasing Claire."
"…huh."
Claire said that last part with a deadpanned look and tone, but the three of them stared at the look on both Alice's and Rui's faces causing them to somewhat figure out what was on their mind.
"…it's Hisui's turn to fight this time, isn't it?"
"Yes, it happened right after she finished the second treatment this morning," Alice replied. "Since yesterday all of the matches as started to become more difficult than they were before."
Both Kensei and Alice, and to a certain degree Claire wore a grim look as it was the first time that they would be able to watch Hisui in a fight, and so neither of them knew what she could do in a fight. However, Rui started to make a confident look on her face even though she was still worried about her roommate and best friend.
"Guys don't worry, Hisui has been fighting in the Gehenna for much longer than both Ken-kun and Alice-chan," Rui informed them with her tongue sticking out. "Don't forget, both her and I had been kept on the hellhole for at least a year before either of you arrived."
Hearing that from Rui caused some sense of relief to form in their chest, but it ceased after a holographic screen had displayed the visual of the arena. In the display revealed Hisui wearing her usual expression as she started to walk around the field that she was sent in for her match. Kensei was somewhat familiar with the location as it looked similar to a place that he went to once with his mother.
"I think that place is near Kyoto…where I first met…."
[Now! For the next battle, we have our longtime contestant.] The announcer called out interrupting his thought. [Among the rare species of Nekomata, the Nekoshou, Hisui!]
Hisui walked through the streets that looked like a replication of a location inside of Kyoto, she wasn't dressed in armor like everyone else, it was just simple light clothing that was easy to move around in. Hisui used Senjutsu to locate for any nearby presence of her opponent and she did sense a disgusting aura closing in on her location, but she could tell that it wasn't walking to her―it was running towards her.
"I think that I've sensed this before. I believe that it is a…."
Crash!
Blowing through one of the building was a three-meter tall monstrous disgusting ogre with a single horn coming out from its forehead with red-colored skin and carrying a thick metal black iron club that she recognized as being a kanabō (Metal Stick). The red ogre aimed its iron club towards Hisui, who used her natural reflexes to move out from the trajectory of the ogre's weapon.
"…an Oni. And I believe it is at least above low-class strength."
Hisui said to herself as she landed on the ground.
As soon as her feet touched the ground, the oni faced Hisui and continued charging at her swinging its iron club around with enough force to cause wind pressure. Again using her natural cat-like reflexes, she was capable of avoiding the attacks, but the pressure caused by the attacks pushed her backward. Hisui knew that she couldn't handle a head-on attack from these attacks. The oni amassed aura of a demonic nature into its arms and buffed up its muscles, then swung its iron club horizontally causing Hisui's facial expression to turn grim.
"Oh, no!"
Hisui made a couple of hand signs and using some kind of jutsu that formed a barrier in front of her, however, it didn't last for a second as it crumbled away as if it were just bits of glass. The attack slammed into Hisui into her stomach causing her body to be thrown crashing into the ground and spat out blood from her mouth. Before she knew it, two more onis, one with black skin and the other with blue skin. The red oni later attacks with the rest of his brethren raising all of their spiky iron clubs and then―
Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Smash! Smash! Smash! Smash!
All of them started letting out a barrage of attacks at the downed Hisui using their iron clubs causing the ground to become unearth and causing dust to gather around the oni who started to crackle in laughter from the brutality of their attacks. The crowd stared at the scene to a confused look on their faces.
"Is that it?"
"I thought that Nekoshou was supposed to be a lot stronger than this."
"What a weak ending."
The crowd of betters stared at the scene with a look of disappointment on their collective faces.
"Hehehehe."
The crowd stopped their talk as they heard soft laughter coming from the arena, as the smoke cleared it showed Hisui beaten and battered with blood coming from certain parts of Hisui. Though she continued to laugh at all of the Onis as they stared down at her battered body.
"As I thought, they couldn't capture any oni who could utilize Youjutsu and instead chose to pick the easiest ones to capture."
Hisui continued to laugh as she stared at them with a condescending look on her face.
"Grrrr!"
The red oni raised its foot and stomped on both Hisui's legs, but it couldn't feel any physical resistance from the attack. After the red oni removed its foot and saw that her legs started to vanish away as if it were mist, revealing that it wasn't Hisui it was just an illusion created using Youjutsu.
"Hello, red, blue, and black oni!"
A sudden voice came from nearby causing all three of them to turn towards the source, it was several three 'Hisui' who were sitting at a small concession stand waving their hands at the oni. All of them channeled demonic power into their iron clubs and fired off a shock wave them destroying the concession stand and leaving a small-sized crater showing off the aftermath of their attack wiping out the three 'Hisui'. Afterward, a purple poisonous mist started to surround the area and trapping the oni in it.
"…."
The three Oni started to cough as the mist started to affect them as it entered their system before either of them could react more and more clones of Hisui started appearing around the oni. Seeing them, the oni started aiming the clones using their iron clubs as if they were in a panic. Though the more they moved around, the more the poison started to travel throughout their bodies and started to spit out blood from their mouth. Seeing that all three of them were weakened from the poison, the real Hisui came out from the shadows, but she continued to conceal her presence.
"Step One, distract opponents using an illusion. Step Two, use the poisonous mist to weaken them. Step Three, use illusion to make the opponent move around and spread the poison across their system," Hisui mumbled to herself as she held her hands apart from one another. "And Step Four…attack."
Hisui breathed out and started to combine the powers of both Senjutsu and Youjutsu into a single concentration of power; it continued growing until reaching a size that was much bigger than Hisui herself and fired it off at all three of the oni. The attack made contact with them, there was a large explosion of power that covered all three of their bodies and blew away the poisonous mist. Once the smoke cleared, it revealed that their bodies were all blown away causing the crowd to screen in wonder.
[What an amazing display of power! I wouldn't expect anything from our veteran.]
Hisui sighed letting a breath of relief, as she wiped out a bit of sweat from her brow after all the power that she just let out.
"What an annoying crowd," Hisui sighed out. "I need actual practice off this stupid island. I want to see you again Kaa-chan."
Once her match was over, Hisui left the arena dressed in her 'normal' clothing and started heading to Residential Area B. Standing in the middle of the street waiting for her were both Rui and Claire; Rui stood there with a smile on her face, while Claire looked away without letting Hisui see her face.
However, her roommate/best friend was the first to speak up to before Hisui could say anything.
"That was an amazing match Hisui," Rui started with a compliment causing Hisui to become bashful. "You just had to see the look Kensei-kun's face when he saw your illusion flung into the ground and pummeled. He looked as if he was prepared to break into the arena and save you if I didn't stop him."
Hearing that confession from Rui caused Hisui's face to turn red from surprise and being overcome by emotions, she then placed her hands on both sides of her face.
"Ahhh~ I didn't think that I meant that much to Ken Ken," she replied as she swayed her body from left to right. "I can't wait to see him and receive my prize. Though, why is Claire here with you?"
"Ah, I don't know. She just followed me here and said that she wanted to say something."
"Hmm, what did Claire want to say too little o' me?"
Hisui questioned as she stared at Claire who remained turned in the other direction without letting the green-haired nekomata see the expression on her face.
"I wanted to thank you for helping Alice-nee like and that she has gotten a lot better than she was before," Claire had said in a bit sincere tone. "…also the match…was just a little awesome."
Hearing that from Claire caused a sudden feeling of happiness to fill up Hisui's chest, to the point where she ran to the gray-haired younger girl and wrapped her arms around her. It took a second for Claire to react to what just happened and she started making attempts at pushing away from Hisui while gaining a blush on her cheeks.
"Wh-What're you doing?!"
"Awwww~ Claire-chan when you're like this I can't help, but want to hug you."
"G-Get off of me!"
Claire was finally able to push the affectionate Hisui off of her causing the older female to stumble backward in a hilarious manner.
"Ah, don't be like that Claire-chan. By the way, where is Ken Ken…is he with Alice or Zane?"
"All three of them, they're at the playground where the other kids are at."
Hearing Claire's answer, Rui nodded her head in agreement and all four of them started heading in the direction of this 'playground' on Hagun Island.
Located in Residential Area C, a place near Residential Area B, which was where both Hisui and Rui lived with one another. In the area, there were several participants in their late teens including several children taken from their homes due to their special abilities whether it was a sacred gear or not. The area itself looked similar to the place where Kensei, Claire and Alice lived, but the so-called 'houses' were a lot bigger since the teenagers required a lot more space and the homes were maintained due to each of them saving a lot more money due to them being there a lot longer than anyone else.
Built near the middle opening of this residential area was a small 'playground' where the children who didn't want to fight or were too young to grow their food went to play.
"Here try and catch this!"
One of the boys kicked a handmade ball in the direction of a group of children who crowded around one another with their hands held out. As soon as it came close enough one of the girls caught it in their hands with a bright smile on her face.
"I finally caught it!"
"Then run!"
Hearing one of the older teens shouting that out, while sitting on the ground, the girl who caught the ball started to run away with it as the other children chased after her. Arriving in there were the three girls; Hisui, Rui, and Claire who smiled as they saw the younger children playing around as kids should.
"I'm surprised that those guys let them keep this park up and running."
"So as long as we don't cause any trouble, interfere with their game or attack the Gehenna Guards. We can do whatever we like."
A new voice came to the scene, once they turned around and noticed a blonde-haired young woman who looked to be at least sixteen-years-old and dressed in clothing a lot similar to theirs, there was also the slightest hint of a developing chest under her shirt. After seeing them, the blonde smiled and waved her hand.
"Hello, Abigail-san."
Claire greeted her with a bright smile.
Abigail was what the children would call an "Older Sister" in this area since whenever either of the children needs something, she would be the first person they would ask. She was also the person who spearheaded the mission of building this playground for the children. Abigail even built a wooden swing and slide for the children to play on, but the slide looked as if it were made of plastic instead of wood.
"I can't believe you had the alchemists here turn the wooden slide into a plastic one."
Hisui stated as she and the others followed Abigail to another area where Kensei was supposed to be with Alice and Zane. After hearing that from her Abigail smiled with a look of understanding.
"It was a bit difficult, but I didn't want any of the children to get a splinter while sliding down that hazard and it…," Abigail said before looking and noticing that one of the boys started to give off a mysterious glow with the intent of catching the ball. "Allen, no using your sacred gear to cheat!"
"S-Sorry, Sis."
The child apologized and ceased what he was attempting to do to catch the ball.
"I swear dealing with humans kids who hate to lose at a game is difficult enough, but dealing with kids who use special abilities like sacred gears is difficult."
"You are great at taking care of these kids," Rui said with a look of admiration.
"My mother used to run an orphanage for children like these," she said in a sad tone. "There are also a number of them who were brought here later on…it almost felt a miracle that I got to see them alive."
Abigail though felt disheartened that these children were brought on Hagun Island, a hellhole where children are forced to fight for survival and food. And most of these didn't either know how to fight or didn't want to be with, which is why she was it was up to the older children who were on Hagun Island for much longer to take care of all of them. Though Abigail would want to come up with a plan for getting out of this place, she felt that it would be best to leave the planning to those most capable and would assist them when the time came.
After a lot of walking, Abigail led all three of them to a location near the ocean where there was far more clearer space for people to do their training without interruption or worrying if something broke. The first thing that the others saw was Kensei running in the direction of one of the creatures made using Alice's Annihilation Maker; in his hands was a hiltless bokken (wooden sword) that seemed to have been handmade.
The creatures were three in total created by Alice in the shape of humanoids whose bodies' looked to have been made for offense rather than defense yet their bodies were also resilient. They were listed out as creature (a), creature (b), and creature (c). Meanwhile, Alice and Zane stood on the sidelines staring at him as he charged for the creatures at full speed. The moment that he made it in front of creature (b), it reacted aiming its fist at Kensei without hesitation.
Kensei reacted to the attack by spinning his body around in the air avoiding the punch by a hairsbreadth, then he channeled ki into his bokken and aimed it at the side of his neck. Once the attack made contact a notable sound reverberated through the attack didn't affect the creature in the slightest. Before he could make another attempt creature (c) aimed its fist at Kensei, though just like before he had spun in the air again avoiding its attack at a hairsbreadth. All three of the creatures started attacking him together with Kensei avoiding each of their attacks at a single inch of it making contact.
"What kind of training is Nii-chan doing?"
Claire questioned as she took a seat next to Alice who stared at her creatures attacking Kensei.
"He is attempting to get readjusted to using his families' Amagiri-ryū," Zane answered as he watched Kensei who continued attacking the three creatures from all sides and started doing it in a far more fluid manner compared to when he first started. "It is a similar exercise to someone who hasn't used a muscle in a long time and they train to build it up. Though…."
"Though, what?"
Claire questioned Zane after hearing his response.
"I received training from my family who was descendants of Wayland the Smith to forge weapons such as swords. And even among my family, there was never anyone who could get a weapon correct until trying for either the third or fourth time," Zane revealed as he stared at them. "I don't know much about Kensei's family as I hadn't asked him anything yet considering his situation. But, even among the Norse Pantheon, I've never anyone this suited for combat at the start. I don't know what kind of training he did with his mother, but it's almost as if Kensei is almost completely hardwired for combat."
Hearing Zane's response caused both Claire and Alice to stare at him as he continued to move forward at each of the three monsters, but he was doing so at a much quicker pace. Kensei read the movements of the creatures, he then started dodging all of the attacks as if he'd been doing so for the entire day. He felt as if he entered a single-minded state focusing on just combating these creatures and nothing else as he stood in the center. Kensei let a calming breath exiting his mouth as he focused his ki directly into his wooden sword and stomped on the ground with his eyes shined with a dangerous glint.
"Amagiri-ryū: Zantetsuken."
(Translation: Amagiri-Style: Iron Cutting Sword)
Kensei said in a low tone as he slashed his bokken in a complete circle by spinning his body around and cutting all three of the creatures in a sharp and precise manner, then their bodies faded away into nothingness. Once he had done that, he stood in a straight-up position breathing out as he held the bokken his hand.
"I'm steadily reaching back to my original form."
"Nii-chan that was awesome!"
Kensei was immediately pounced on by Claire who hugged him from his side with a bright smile on her face, he then stared at her with a soft smile.
"Sorry, I was so caught up in this, I didn't notice that you guys had arrived."
He replied as he glanced towards the others noticing that along with her both Hisui and Rui who were waving in his direction with smiles on their faces. Though before he could say anything, Hisui had approached him almost in an instantaneous manner causing him to jump a bit.
"So, I heard from a certain Tanuki that you were worried about me," saying that out loud caused Kensei to blush and glance away from her gaze. "I never thought that I meant that much to Ken Ken."
"Of course, we are friends after all and I care a lot about the people important to me," he replied with a smile on his face before leaning forward and kissing Hisui on her forehead causing her to blush a bit at the sensation of his lips on her forehead. "That was for doing a good job in healing Alice for us."
"Ara, Ken Ken truly doesn't understand what doing this means to a girl."
"I can at least agree with that."
Claire agreed with Hisui as she glanced away with a nervous smirk, but caused Kensei to stare at both of them with a confused look. He glanced over at Zane for an answer, who shrugged his shoulders, while shaking his head as if he didn't have an answer either.
""Women.""
Both Kensei and Zane said at the same time as if it were something that they heard older men around them and said a lot. Neither of them knew what it meant, but it oddly felt necessary for this situation.
[Men.]
The combination of Abigail, Hisui, Alice, Rui, and Claire said in unison causing both Kensei and Zane to become overtaken by the girls who stared at both of them with a blank look.
""Scary.""
Both of the boys backed down after feeling overwhelmed by them and backed away with both of their hands held up as if to defend themselves. As all of the younger and older kids stood there with one another, they just started to laugh amongst one another after realizing what they were all doing. Times like this at least made them happy, after being stuck on an island like this with barely any freedom, but it was great that all of them could still come together like this with one another and laugh.
After a while, all of them just sat down staring at the beach from their current position on the sand. Of course, in a group of kids like this, the thought of just swimming to the shores of Japan would have crossed their minds. But, one of the older captives informed them that they tried that before and the barrier around Hagun Island not only kept the outside world from sensing them but it, of course, kept them from leaving without permission as long as those bracelets remained on them.
"You know guys," Claire spoke up to all of them. "My mother was among the 72 Pillars, the Belial and don't forget I inherited our clan's [Worthlessness]. So, if I knew about the composition of these bracelets then I could."
"The thought of that did cross my mind after hearing that you were a member of the Belial Clan," Zane replied as he glanced towards Claire though he shook his head much to her confusion. "Though the guy who attempted to remove the bracelet using magic lived nearby me and I saw what happened to him firsthand. The moment that it feels the slightest bit of interference, then the automatic feedback system will activate and kill us. And I don't ever want to witness that again, especially seeing it happen to a close friend."
Hearing him say that caused Claire to glance downwards as she felt as if she could do something for them even if it was just this. Taking note of the expression on her face, Kensei had reached forward placing his hand on top of her head and started to pet her head.
"I know that you want to do something to help us like fighting in the Gehenna Tournament, but ever since those bastards started to let some of their Gehenna Guards into the tournament. Things will only start to get far more dangerous than they already were before," Kensei informed her in a soft tone. "But, don't worry…I promise when the time comes there will be a time when we will need your help. Claire, don't ever think that none of us believes in your potential as a matter a fact, Zane kept telling me that you will have a great part in this plan that we've all come up with for getting out of here."
"He's right, I believe in you just as much as I believe in Kensei."
Alice added as she placed her hand on top of Claire's head directly next to where Kensei's hand was placed.
"I have to agree with Alice-chan and of course ken Ken too," Hisui said. "I can even sense something else starting to awaken inside of it as if were a baby starting to wake up."
Claire didn't want to admit it, but she felt happy after hearing Hisui say that, though she will never admit it.
"Does she…," Zane questioned, after thinking about the conversation that he had with Kensei concerning Claire, then he recalled her heritage as a Nekoshou and that was the same conclusion that Kensei came up with. "Well, she is skilled in using Senjutsu, so it wouldn't be surprising if she knew about that little detail."
As if knowing what they were thinking, Hisui winked in their direction as if saying, [Our little secret]. After a while, Rui glanced towards Kensei and she was blunt an asked the question that all of them had wondered about him for a while.
"So Kensei-kun, what was your dad like?"
Hearing the bluntness of her question, everyone aside from Kensei glanced at her with a shocked look on all of their faces. Even Hisui who was always so direct and affectionate when it concerned Kensei, stared at her friend/roommate with a shocked look.
"R-Rui-chan don't you think that was a bit blunt?"
"What? It is a bit awkward since everyone is wanting to ask him that question, but no one is saying anything."
Rui said in a matter of fact tone, as she glanced at everyone as it not bothered by their glances.
"Hah…hahahahaha."
Noticing the tense atmosphere, Kensei started letting out a laugh that caused it to lessen as time passed.
"I-Is that why no one was saying anything," Kensei questioned as he continued talking while laughing at the very same time. "If you guys wanted to know that badly you could have just asked me. It's not like I'm trying to hide anything about my family."
Noticing how nonchalant he was being about it, they glanced at once another. It wasn't like neither of didn't know about the fact that it was supposedly his father that had him sent to this island in the first place.
"What kind of person was your dad?"
"If I can talk about him in one word, then it would be serious to a fault," Kensei replied after he finished laughing. "My dad comes from a long line of Samurai and trained in discipline and Bushidō (Way of the Warrior) since he was a child. Though I can never recall him smiling or laughing at all once, he would normally just wear a permanent serious stone face."
Hearing his response caused them to become a bit confused about how he said it.
"What did your mother see in him?"
Rui asked another blunt question revealing that she had no issue with asking him difficult and personal ones of a matter such as that.
"Well, when I asked her if he was always that serious, my mother would just laugh and said that he was a lot like me when he was younger…though, my mom said he has always been stubborn."
"They must have fallen in love at first sight."
Hisui said in a love-struck tone as she stared at Kensei, thinking about how his mother and father met, but what he said next ruined that fantasy.
"No, my grandfather said the two of them tried to kill each the moment that they first met," he had replied in a nonchalant manner causing everyone to stare at him with a confused look. "My mom wasn't always nice and kind as she is…was, she was called the Demon of the Amagiri due to her callousness and swordsmanship. From what I heard mom blamed dad for intervening and killing a demon that she wanted to finish off, then my dad said one thing mom said about, then the two of them started fighting for hours. Both got tired and fell on the ground, then they just began to meet again and again to fight each other. The perfect relationship for two battle maniacs."
"They sounded like great…uh, friends…rivals."
"You could say both, but my mom never really made many friends from either the other Japanese Clan and even among the Amagiri Clan since no one could handle her former callous nature. The only ones who ever talked to her like a normal person were my grandfather, my father, and another woman her age that she met before meeting my dad…or last least not at first my mom never really considered her a friend."
"You never said what your dad's name was."
This time Zane stated to him with Kensei staring at the sea.
"His names Tetsuo Uesugi. And trust me if you guys were to ever meet him, but don't know his name…you will be able to tell that he's my father. My grandfather used to joke that if I were to ever travel back in time and meet him as a teenager, then we could have passed as brothers."
"Uesugi? Tetsuo?"
Hisui mumbled to herself as if she heard that name before around her, but she couldn't remember possibly since it was when she was a lot younger. Though that name still echoed in her head.
"Kensei," this time Abigail spoke up after hearing him talking about his dad and spoke in a tone befitting an older sister looking out for their younger brother. "There's a chance that your father was the person who had you sent here, to begin with, but you don't seem to resent him at all."
Hearing Abigail's response caused everyone to glance at Kensei with a curious look on their face and wondered what he was going to say next.
"My dad is a hard person to understand at times, but I can't recall a single time where he forgotten my birthday or even failed to send me a present. There were times that he invited me to parties with his partners," he started before making an annoyed look. "Even if there was always a fat annoying pig of a human being who…forget that last part. A-Anyway, aside from all of that, my mom has the utmost faith in my father, which is why even if it hurts me, I'll continue to believe in him even if people say I'm an idiot in doing so."
Kensei made an expression that showed his faith in his father and none of them could find any kind of reason to disagree with him as neither of them met him.
"I understand, there is no one who wants to not believe in their parent and so, I won't say anything else."
Abigail replied as she sent him a warm smile that would make anyone having a terrible day brighten up. Though that mood was spoiled as there was a beeping noise that came from their bracelets, then suddenly a holographic display had appeared in front of them.
"Great, who do they have fighting next?"
Zane questioned as he stared at the screen in front of him.
On the screen, it displayed the image of the current field chose, which was an open field near a forested area, in the middle of it stood Jason, the older brother of Mason and wearing a modified battle outfit meant for an Archer. In front of him was a light-haired girl who looked to be a little younger than him and she wore a scared look on her face as if she already knew the results before the match began, but she continued to wear a brave face.
[Now! Today for this match, we have the oldest of our Dynamic Duo, Mason against a new contender of this little tournament of ours, Lisa!] The announcer called out. [But, today we have a special guest with us! The man who's known as the Blind Swordsman and Commander of the Gehenna Guards Hayashi Namikaze!]
Sitting next to the youthful announce in the chair was an elderly male with long white hair tied in the back using a single ribbon and dressed in a single cloak that kept his lower body and clothing hidden; the elderly man also had his eyes closed.
[If you're worried about us having a blind commentator don't worry, our dear Hayashi can follow everything that happens around him using his hearing that had reached a superhuman level. It is also great for their trainer of both Jason and Mason to watch their match.]
[I only trained those two to fulfill my contract with Taro.]
Paaaaaaa! Chill!
A chilling pressure could felt from next to each of them causing them to glance towards its source―it was Kensei who stared at the image of Hayashi on the screen with sharp eyes. An intense light that looked almost like steam coming from off a pot, Hisui recognized it as the concentration of ki seeping out from his body due to him losing control of his anger. Though it wasn't something that she seemed somehow different from normal ki she hasn't sensed this kind of presence from another
Neither of them, despite being close to Kensei had seen him this angry before and all of it was directed solely on Hayashi.
"It's him…!"
Kensei spoke in such a cold and unforgiving tone that it caused even Claire to shutter in fear.
"N-Nii-chan."
Claire reached her hand out a bit hesitantly, placing her hand on his shoulder causing him to snap out of his state of anger and glancing towards them.
"I-I'm sorry about that guys."
Kensei apologized as the ki that leaked out of him returned inside of his body as he calmed down.
Everyone still looked as Kensei despite him somewhat returning to his normal demeanor, but he continued to glare at Hayashi with a look of anger.
Meanwhile, as they talked, the match had already begun, with the light-haired girl already hiding out inside of the forest carrying a three-pronged spear whose blades gave off a blue-colored light. From her shoulder there was a wound that looked to have been caused by an arrow from Jason causing her to glance around in fear of a next attack may come from, but it would have been worse if she were to have remained in that clearing leaving herself wide open. She continued to focus on her surroundings in case there was a single sound produced by Jason.
Snap!
After hearing a snap coming from a twig from her left, the light-haired girl swiped her spear in that direction, then shooting from the blade was a stream of ice that blew through three trees and there was a shadow that escaped to another tree. This girl's Sacred Gear was an Elemental Sacred Gear named [Glacer Trident], one that lets its user generate and control ice. Landing on another tree was indeed Jason who leaned against the tree with a cocky smirk on his face and crossed both his arms.
[Huh? I didn't expect that a newbie like you would have such a great reaction time. Did someone teach you that?]
Hearing Jason's question caused the light-haired girl to narrow her eyes.
[…stop talking. And just fight!]
She shouted and swiped her trident again launching another barrage of ice attacks aimed at Jason, who began to dodge each of them by jumping from tree to tree. After landing on another tree faster than she could attack, he held his hand out and summoned his golden bow from light. It was Jason's sacred gear called [Staring Gold], just like her's it is an Elemental Sacred Gear that lets him generate gold-colored light to attack his opponent.
Pulling the light bowstring, he generated light arrow and fire off a fast light arrow at the light-haired girl, but she had reacted just in time by swiping her Glacer Trident and forming a wall of ice to block the attack. Though Jason smirked as the light arrow curved in another direction going behind the ice wall and hitting her in the leg.
[Ah!]
She let out a painful cry as she leaned on the ground in pain from the attack, but without touching the light arrow it vanished causing the blood from the wound to leak out. Gritting her teeth, she picked up her trident causing the ice wall to vanish, then directed her next attack at Jason, but she didn't see him again. She couldn't even sense his presence anymore nor did she hear a single noise from him moving.
[Gah!]
The light-haired girl was overcome with several three arrows aimed at her other shoulder, and both her arms forcing her to drop both her Glacer Trident. She held her arms where her wounds were, but after making another attempt at standing up another light arrow pierced her leg forcing her to land forward on the ground. More of her blood started seeping out of her wounds as she continued to move.
"This isn't even a match," Zane stated in a disgusted tone. "He's just toying with her."
"This is just a hunt to him."
Kensei added onto what he said as he narrowed his eyes.
The other girls next to both of them watching the match agreed with their statement, then all of them witnessed as Jason landed on the ground next to the light-haired girl. Jason glanced and noticed that her hand was inching in the direction of her weapon, but he kicked it aside with just enough force for it to be stabbed into the tree that was further away from them. Without remorse, he kicked the girl onto her back forcing her to glance at her with a frightened look on her face.
Stomp!
[Gah!]
The light-haired girl let out a pained cry as Jason stepped on the wound on her leg and directed his next arrow at her heart. She noticing his target and started to fear for her life, but there was a part of her that remained hoping for a method for her to win.
[You know these matches in the Gehenna Tournament can be to the death unless the opponent concedes defeat.]
Jason replied in a cocky tone as he pulled the bowstring of his light arrow, then after biting her lower lip, the light-haired girl spoke up.
[…I admit defeat.]
After hearing those words from her, Jason laughed, then released an arrow just inches from hitting her head.
[Of course. Losers always bow down to the Victors.]
Those were the last words that Jason had said to her as he removed his foot from her as the field that they were in started to vanish. He then started to walk out of the arena in an exit different from the one that the light-haired girl had entered just as some Gehenna Guards started carrying a stretcher for her.
[Wow! That was a brutal match! I wouldn't expect anything less from the oldest of our Dynamic Duo!]
[Yes, the match went as expected. It may sound harsh, but a girl such as herself wouldn't survive in this arena. If she values her life, then she should just quit.]
Hayashi spoke in a tone of apathy showing that he neither cared if the girl had decided to continue fighting in the Gehenna Tournament or not.
"She'll be arriving at the gate in no time. We have to meet her there and tend to her wounds."
Those were the first words that came out of Claire's mouth as all of them stood up and started to head out of the area in the direction of where the girl met to arrive at. From the injuries that Jason had dealt her and since the people who were bringing her back had no intention of handling her injuries, they knew the light-haired girl could lose too much blood on the way.
"I can heal her minor injuries, but I'll need too much time to heal her open wounds."
"I know a couple of people who can heal injuries such as that," Abigail replied. "I also know that the girl lives in Residential Area C, the same as me."
"I'll head over there, it'll be quicker if I run," Kensei replied as he glanced at Hisui, then he directed his attention at Claire. "Claire, I'll have to take…."
"I know, this is an emergency and we don't have time to deal with a petty rivalry."
Getting her permission, Kensei picked up Hisui who blushed a certain shade of red, but she recovered once she thought about their current situation. He charged forward at high-speeds with Hisui in his arms at greater than that of normal humans and covering a great distance in a little amount of time. Before either of them knew it, they arrived at the entrance where the light-haired girl had been placed on the ground as several other younger and older kids starting to gather around her.
"Okay, we'll be there in a…."
Swift! At the same time that Kensei who was carrying Hisui with him, there was another girl who had caught up with him in seconds not only matching his speed; but she caught up with Kensei without her presence known to either of them. And at around the same time, both of them stopped with their feet skidding against the dirt ground. After stopping himself from running, Kensei could tell that the girl who caught up with him had light brown hair and green-colored eyes.
The light brown-haired girl had made it to the light-haired girl first before Kensei or Hisui could reach her.
"Layla," the light brown-haired girl had called out her name as she made it to her. "Tch, it looks as she is still not conscious yet due to blood loss. I won't be able to get Layla to Iris in time and moving her will only make things much worse."
The girl mumbled to herself as she held the light-blue haired girl now named Layla in her arms, then Hisui arrived in front of the two of them with a worried look.
"Let me help her."
Hisui offered to cause the light brown-haired girl to stare at her with a calculative look, but after realizing that she had no ill intent, she allowed Hisui to come forward and use her Senjutsu healing technique.
Hisui held her hands together and placed it on Layla's chest, then covered her body in a shallow light from her Senjutsu and all her bleeding injuries started to slow down.
"This isn't good, I can stop her injuries, but I can heal them like this," Hisui clicked her tongue, but then she came up with an idea. "Ken Ken, can you come here for a second? I need your help."
"Sure, I'll help if I can," Kensei replied as he knelt next to Hisui.
"I need you to place your hand on top of mind, then I need you to release your ki," Hisui started before glancing at him. "I don't know what your relationship with that guy named Hayashi, but I need you to release the same level of ki that you did just before watching that match. I'm sorry, but can you…."
"I got it. I can never forgive nor forget what that guy did."
Kensei replied as he clenched Hisui's hand, then closed his eyes as if to relive the events of his first meeting with Hayashi Namikaze. As those memories started replaying in his mind, his grip on Hisui's hand started tightening causing her to winch from the pressure. And the same as before, a great concentration of ki started seeping out of his body from him losing control of his emotions. Using his ki as an aid, Hisui started to quicken the healing of her Senjutsu and Layla's wounds started healing.
"…nnnn."
Layla let out a noise as she started opening her eyes, the first thing that she saw was the brown-haired girl who stood next to both Hisui and Kensei as they healed her.
"Sis…."
Those were the first words that Layla said as she glanced at the girl she referred to as "Sis".
"…I'm glad to see that you're alright."
This "Sis" replied as she placed her hand on top of her head.
As soon as she woke up arriving on the scene was Zane, Alice, Claire, Rui, and Abigail who started to approach the four of them with a worried look.
"That's good we made it on time," Abigail let out a sigh of relief, then glance towards Layla's "Sis" before letting a smile grace her face. "Ah, Maria. I didn't think that she was affiliated with you and your group."
The brown-haired girl now named Maria glanced towards Abigail and stood up.
"Oh, I see that these people are with you."
"No no no, we are just friends who see one another from time to time," Abigail replied. "This is Kensei Amagiri, Alice Evangelista, and Claire Belial from Residential Area A who lives together. This is Zane Wayland from the same area. And the cute Neko is named Hisui and this adorable Tanuki is named Rui."
"Since they…well, you introduced them," Maria replied as she stood up and bowed her head more respectfully. "My name is Maria Lancelot, the descendant of Sir Lancelot."
Maria introduced herself as the descendant of one of the Knights of the Round Table who was later declared the Strongest among the other Knights. Alice and Abigail knew most about the Legend of the Round Table since she lived near the same faction where they originated, but even people who lived in Japan and Northern Europe had heard about those stories of Sir Lancelot. Though before either of them could ask any more question, Maria took Layla in her arms since her injuries weren't fully healed yet.
"I thank you for tending to Layla's injuries," Maria said in a gracious tone. "I will take her home and have a friend of mine to finish her treatment. Though I am in both of your debt and I plan on paying it back shortly."
After saying those words, Maria started to walk in the direction of where their residence was, but Abigail stopped her by asking a question.
"Maria, if I may ask. If you were placed in the same arena as Jason what will you do?"
There was a sudden silence as if the area could sense a tense presence radiating from Maria's body, then Maria faced Abigail and gave her response.
"I'll crush him," she replied. "Though, if someone else happens to do it, then I guess that would be fine as well."
Maria then continued to head in the direction of their home causing Abigail to nod her head in agreement.
"That sounds just like Maria, like Kensei, she sees herself as a protector of those important to her. She follows the Code of Chivalry to the letter."
Abigail smiled as she watched Maria heading off at high-speeds, but she then turned towards Hisui and Kensei.
"I am happy that the two of you helped her friend get better. I don't think that we need to worry anymore."
"Yes, I can also tell that girl had a couple of tricks up her sleeve."
Hisui replied, but Kensei could tell that she was holding onto her hand as if she felt residual pain from when he held her hand too hard causing him to stare at her in worry.
"I'm sorry about that Hisui. I didn't mean to grip your hand that hard."
"It's alright Ken Ken," Hisui replied as she used Senjutsu to remove the pain that remained in her hand. "I'm the one who told you to relive whatever painful memory that guy did to you."
After hearing Hisui say that, Kensei glanced away from her with a sad look, but he later felt someone grabbing onto his hand. Kensei turned and noticed that it was Claire who stared at him with a worried look.
"Nii-chan, I don't want to pry, but what did he do to you that was so bad?"
Claire asked him still with a look of worry on her face but stopped after Kensei placed a hand on top of her head with a soft smile on his face, though she could tell that there was still an incredible pain in his eyes.
"I did promise that I wouldn't keep any secrets from you guys, especially since you guys told me so much about your pasts," Kensei let out a calming breath before glancing towards them all. "Moment after I arrived here on Hagun Island and after having this damn bracelet attached to me in another building. My mom had found away on this island and came to get me out of here cutting down Gehenna Guards without hesitation, then she met that guy…Hayashi Namikaze. The two of them fought with my mom gaining the upper hand and prepared to kill him, but at the same time, one of those Old Devil bastards used me to catch her off guard…and Hayashi had stabbed her from behind using his sword. He killed my mom and those bastards used me to do to it."
A/N: And there goes the fourth chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, in this chapter there was a little intro the certain parts of Hagun Island. First, we got to see the result of Alice's treatment from Hisui. Then, we got to see what Hisui can do in a fight against various Oni, using both Senjutsu and Youjutsu. Later, we got insight in another location on Hagun Island named Residential Area C where there are several older teens where they are care of several children living there and even built a park where all of them can play. There was even some information about Kensei's father who supposedly sent him there in the first place. I wonder where that would lead into the future. We also got introduced to a couple more characters such as Abigail, Layla, and Maria.
Next, there was another match with Jason fighting against a girl named Layla who wields an Elemental-Type Sacred Gear named [Glacer Trident] and lost due to Jason's brutal tactics. We also got introduced to the Commander of the Gehenna Guards named Hayashi Namikaze, and the chapter ends with Kensei telling everyone that Hayashi killed his mother.
So, until next time.
PS: I added a couple of more original characters that will appear in the future: one of them being from a fan suggestion named Lu Lingqi, Sarah and Minako. Also for those who're wondering, Kunou will be older than in the canon. Also, I was thinking about adding Misla Bael to the harem and wanted someone's opinion including Koneko and Kuroka.
Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Lu Lingqi, Mirana, Sarah, Minako. (WIP)