Welcome to the next chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, but before starting the story. Let's answer some reviews:
Rider126: Thanks for that. He will have another weapon in the future, but that will be revealed later along with something else. And yea, I think that him having a divine weapon such as Ame-no-Nobuko would be a little much.
Sonic: Thanks.
The Immortal Swordsmith
As promised, it was around tomorrow evening with Kensei riding on top of Yu-Long in his large form similar to as he had done before. And just like at that time, the two of them were alone soaring through the clouds out of view from the people down below. Though Kensei was riding on top of Yu-Long dressed in the same cloak, which has been enchanted to hide his presence, it could be seen that he was visibly jumping up and down almost unable to contain his excitement.
"Huh? Are you that excited, I mean you haven't stopped doing that since almost an hour ago?"
Yu-Long questioned not in irritation, but out of wonder.
"I'm sorry, but I just can't help it," he said in a cheerful tone that a kid would do and say. "I'm getting a clue to the location of everyone on Hagun Island and I may also be getting a brand new sword from this swordsmith."
"You know, if I didn't get the chance to know you, then I would've said that it was weird hearing that coming from you," Yu-Long replied. "I guess that it's not that weird considering the kind of person you are. But, I wonder what kind of person this swordsmith is to have the trust of the Chief-God."
"Have you ever met a swordsmith like that?"
"I can't recall ever meeting one before. There was never a need for me to encounter one," Yu-Long replied. "But, I know that if ones affiliated with gods, then they must have been heard about in some legends. Can you think of a swordsmith who's that famous?"
"I mean, I can think of several…even these days there are at least a couple of normal swordsmiths, but the ones that come to mind first are Gorō Nyūdō Masamune and Sengo Muramasa," Kensei answered. "Those two are the ones who people tend to think about first whenever asking about swordsmith, they're most famous for forging a holy and demon sword respectively. I think that at least one of the two swords is still around somewhere inside Japan, but no one knows their precise location."
"Hmm, is that it?"
"No, there is one more, even more, famous swordsmith, but no one around the other clans around Japan has ever encountered him before. If they did, then they certainly never told anyone about it."
Kensei answered honestly.
For most of his life, he was told several stories about the figures in their faction by his mother and grandfather. It was also a basic lesson that all the other kids had heard several times. During those times, a lot of them learned things about the Shinto Faction, as well as, the legendary figures who were well-respected and memorable due to all their previous exploits.
"So who was this swordsmith?"
"Oh, his name, Ama…whoa!"
Kensei was unable to give his answer to Yu-Long as he dove downwards suddenly without warning causing the ten-year-old riding on his back to brace himself. It was then that the jade dragon has returned to normal balance causing his passenger to let out a calm breath.
"What was that for? If you want to do tricks like that in the air, then give me a warning first."
"I'm sorry about that, but we made it to our destination."
Hearing that from Yu-Long caused Kensei to look down and noticed that they were above a town, which was a little further from Kibou Town. A lot like it, there was a nearby forested area nearby that looked thick enough for a person to get lost in if they didn't know where to go. Aside from getting a clear view of everyone on the ground from the sky, Kensei wanted to look for a place where the two of them could land without getting seen. Though he did see an alleyway that the two of would be able to land without being seen, but the problem was that Yu-Long wouldn't be able to fit.
"Yu-Long if we want to land, then you'll have to shrine, while I jump down."
"Alright."
Yu-Long had agreed without worrying about how the landing would impact him from this height. If he were to get even the slightest bit lower, the height would be able to injure or kill a full-grown man, but due to the conditioning training that Kensei had undergone combined with him learning how to strengthen his physical abilities by using ki. There was also the fact that he was able to handle the landing from an even greater height yesterday at the mountains without flinching.
Moments later, as planned, Yu-Long has shrunken down into his miniature form and went inside of the cloak and wrapped it around his neck. At around the same time, Kensei started to fall towards the ground and focused his senjutsu on strengthening his leg to brace himself for the impact. Soon enough, he landed on the roof of one of the buildings near the alleyway before jumping down and landed in it.
"Well, that went well."
Kensei said as he stretched his legs after jumping on the ground like that.
Soon enough, Kensei stepped outside of the alleyway after putting on the hood to cover his face just in case any of the people who knew him spotted him out; or if anyone who was somewhat related to Hagun noticed and had recognized him from all his matches. Before arriving here, he was given the details by Xuanzang and as such, he knew the locations where he was supposed to meet and headed in that direction. It was in the same direction as the forest, which he could tell was giving an odd feeling since he was now using senjutsu to see if he could sense anything off coming from there.
"Hmm, I see that you're getting used to using senjutsu."
"It's not like I've mastered it yet," Kensei stated as he walked in towards there. "There is a limit to how far I'm able to sense and if I were to attempt to sense any further, then it won't be clear enough for a clear read. I wonder if Hisui would be able to do this a lot better than me."
"Hisui," Yu-Long questioned before recalling what he had told them prior. "…ah, you mentioned that she was one of your friends that you mentioned before."
"Yea, Hisui always said that she was far more receptive and sensitive to the ki of other people. I'm sure that you and she would get along, seeing how both your names in some ways mean 'Jade' with your scales and her hair also being jade. The two of you can also be kinda playful at times."
Kensei pointed out in an almost teasing manner causing the dragon wrapped around his neck to grumble a little after hearing those words.
Taking note of what caused the young ten-year-old to laugh a little since it would be the first time that Kensei had an upper hand against the dragon who made jokes at him from time to time. As he continued to walk forward, he noticed that some people were taking some odd glances at him and it wasn't at all a surprise since he was dressed in nothing but a cloak. Of course, there would be a lot of people looking at him oddly, but there wasn't a single person who spoke out about it. Again who would speak up against a person dressed like this?
Kensei continued to proceed forward until he had noticed something odd occur in front of him, which caused Yu-Long to slightly poke his head out, but not enough to reveal himself. In front of them was an elderly-looking man in traditional Japanese clothing such as a black yukata born after a darkish green robe and wooden geta along with a wooden cane, which seemed to be handmade. Kensei was able to tell the old man was hunched over moaning and groaning about something under his breath.
"Oi, what happened to him?"
Yu-Long questioned as he noticed the old man sitting down on the ground.
Without answering him, Kensei started to approach the hunched-over old man, while being able to tell that there were other worried about him but continued on their merry way. Having made it in front of the old man, said old man glanced in his direction showing Kensei a disgruntled look.
"What's wrong, Jii-san?"
Kensei first questioned in a respectful tone causing the old man to let out a sigh.
"I was walking down the street heading to the store and I realized that my wallet had been pickpocketed."
He heard the old man talk about how his wallet was taken from him without his knowledge causing Kensei to get into a thinking position. Based on what he was told, the old man himself didn't know who had stolen it from him let alone when it was stolen.
"Well, if it's just that, then I guess that I could use some of my money to purchase whatever you needed."
"N-No, I need that wallet back," he was surprised by how the old man raised his voice. "Inside of that wallet is the last photo of my late son and wife…it is the last photo that I have of either of them. "
Kensei could tell that the old man sounded a little desperate about finding his wallet, but he couldn't think of an easier way to finding who pickpocketed the old man. He had realized that he was supposed to meet up with this swordsmith first, but he couldn't just ignore the old man in distress.
"Hey, I know that you don't want to turn down an old man. But, you're kinda busy at the moment."
Yu-Long himself realized that Kensei was thinking about assisting the old man, but reminded him that they were on an important matter they had to attend to.
"I know that, but I can't just turn down this desperate old man," Kensei whispered to the jade dragon. "I think that I have an idea of how to find them."
"Oh, thank you! I promise I'll return this favor."
He could hear that happiness from the old man's tone.
"Okay, then let's go."
"Huh?"
The old man questioned not knowing what Kensei was talking about, as he gave a wide grin.
Moments after his encounter with the old man, Kensei had walked around different parts of town at a mild pace as he searched for the people who stole his wallet. As he ran around, he was catching the attention of many people on the streets who had their eyes opened wide about the situation. Kensei could run at a much faster pace to the point where he seemed almost like a blur, but that wasn't what surprised them.
"Now, where are those guys?"
"…uh, young man are you sure about this?"
"About what?"
Kensei questioned in confusion as if not noticing anything wrong.
"I mean, are you alright with doing this?"
"Doing what?"
He was still confused about what the old man was referring to.
As he ran down the street, Kensei was carrying the old man on his back, who had his arms wrapped around him so that he wouldn't fall back. Yu-Long almost felt like laughing about how nonchalant the ten-year-old was about carrying around the older man on his back like nothing, while still being able to run around unhindered.
"I mean are you fine with carrying me around like this?"
"Oh, is that what you were talking about? I'm fine, I'm a lot stronger than other children my age."
Kensei spoke in a confident tone as he continued to run down the street.
[Kensei how do you plan on helping this old man?]
Yu-Long asked via forming a link with his mind without letting them talk without the old man hear them, though it caused Kensei a bit of surprise, he continued.
[Huh, I didn't know that you could do this?] Kensei replied as he continued to look on ahead in front of him. [Well, that aside. I planned on having you assist me in doing that.]
[Huh? What am I supposed to do?]
Yu-Long questioned in confusion after that request was made by Kensei.
[Don't dragons have greater senses compared to even most youkai? If this Jii-san's wallet still has his scent on it, then wouldn't you be able to pick it up?]
[So, you plan to continue running about until I pick up the old man's scent from his wallet?]
[Pretty much.]
Kensei replied in their telepathic talk causing Yu-Long to let out a bit of an internal sigh.
[I guess that is better than nothing, but I won't promise anything. It'll be difficult to locate one human scent among the others around here.]
Yu-Long replied as he began to sniff around the area, while Kensei continued to run around the entire area at a quickened pace.
[Wait. Stop here!]
Hearing the sudden reaction from Yu-Long, Kensei had stopped in his tracks causing the old man on his back to fall forward with his chin almost hitting the ten-year-old's head.
"What is it, young man?"
The old man questioned in a surprised manner.
Kensei didn't want to ignore the man, but he was too focused on Yu-Long telling him about the predicament that they were in at the moment.
[Kensei in the alleyway next to you, there is a slight scent similar to this old man wafting from there.]
As instructed, he turned his attention towards the entrance leading into the alleyway right beside him, Kensei had soon stopped near one of the walls and placed the old man on the ground.
"I think that the people that stole your wallet is inside of this alley. So, you just wait here until I come back."
Kensei explained to the old man as much as he was able to without revealing anything else.
The old man just looked at him with a curious look on his face, but he just nodded his head in agreement unable to do anything else about the situation. And just as promised, Kensei started to venture instead of the alleyway in a calm manner not caring at all about what could happen.
[How do you exactly plan on fighting these guys?]
Kensei knew what Yu-Long meant, if the enemies were just normal human thugs, then there wouldn't be an issue for him to take back a wallet for an old man.
"I know how to deal with a couple of humans…it wouldn't be my first time."
He replied in an almost too confident manner causing even Yu-Long to give a wryly smirk.
[You seem almost too smug about that.]
Kensei didn't give a single response as he noticed that a certain smell that made it into his nose and forced him to pinch his nose closed for a moment.
"Well, this is it."
He stopped and made it in front of a couple of older man possibly in their late teens dressed in clothing not out of place for most troublemakers. Most of them were even smoking cigarettes, which coupled with the smell from the dumpster made the alleyway stink even more.
"How can people hang out in a place like this? This stinks."
"Huh? Oi, there's a brat here!"
"What?"
After realizing the presence of Kensei, all the other guys started to take notice of his presence one by one almost as if they were linked to each other. Soon enough, the largest male among them with a nose piercing started to approach Kensei and it displayed the grand height difference between them.
"This isn't a place for kids. So, you should leave."
"No can do," Kensei replied as he stepped on the side of the large male and breathed in. "Hey, did anyone of you steal a wallet from an old man?!"
Kensei's voice echoed all over the alleyway causing everyone inside of it to hear his question.
There was a silence between all of them before one of them wearing a hat on his head walked up and went past the large male in front of Kensei.
"What're you going to do if I said, yes?"
"Then I'll have to ask that you return it. Didn't your mothers taught you that it wasn't nice to steal?"
"Didn't your mother teach you that it wasn't smart to hand around dangerous guys like you?"
The hat-wearing male answered with another question, then started to continue patting Kensei on top of his head repeatedly in a joking and patronizing manner. Before his hand could touch the top of his head again, Kensei had reached his hand out stopped it grasping the hand's wrist.
"She told me that if I saw guys like you picking on someone who couldn't defend themselves to soundly kick their asses."
Kensei answered dangerously as he tightened his grip on the man's wrist causing him to wince a bit, then snatched it out from the child's grip.
"Damn brat!"
Without hesitating, the hat-wearing male kicked Kensei in the stomach causing him to be sent backward landing on the ground. In response to that, the other guys who witnessed it started to laugh out loud enough for the noise to almost echoing along the walls of the alleyway.
"Seriously, did you have to be so rough with the kid?"
"Hahaha, I mean the brat had it coming!"
"Did you hear the mouth on him?!"
"So what if we stole from an old man?!"
Kensei continued to lay on the ground staring into the skies before letting out a slight sigh, then lifted his legs and vaulted himself back to his feet without trying.
"Jeez, this floor is messy."
He stated calmly as he dusted the dirt that stained the white cloak that he had been given, not caring at all about being kicking in the stomach.
"What the hell?"
The male who kicked him questioned as he glared at him with great annoyance.
"Hahaha, did you go easy on the brat?"
"Either that or he's just too weak to injure this kid."
"I mean, they're not exactly wrong."
Kensei thought as he recalled all the hits that he took in the past, which even a grown human male wouldn't at all be able to handle. In response to his friends making jokes at him, the hat-wearing male approached Kensei again this time with his fist pulled back.
"This time I'll clobber you brat!"
He roared as he threw a punch in his direction.
Kensei stepped aside letting the man run past him, then grabbed onto his wrist again and kicked the back of his leg at the same time in a nonchalant manner.
"Argh!"
He let out a loud grunt as he kneeled on the ground with Kensei still holding onto his wrist with a tight grip, which felt as if the circulation of his blood would cease. Without letting him utter a single work, Kensei struck the man at the back of his neck in a swift maneuver knocking him out. As their friend fell to the dirt-filled ground, none of the older males could speak a single word as Kensei started to go through his pockets and picked out a wallet.
"Hmmm."
Kensei started going through the contents of the wallet, but it didn't seem like something that an old man would carry around. After realizing that it wasn't the old man's wallet, he threw it to the ground without looking back and it landed on the owner. He soon started at the other guys and started to count how many there were.
"Ah, I there are nine of you guys…counting this guy, then there's ten."
Upon finishing that count, Kensei held up ten fingers then counted one finger off with a confident smirk.
"That gives you nine more chances, to tell the truth, or I'll make ya regret it."
After hearing that provocation from the ten-year-old in front of them caused veins to be to pop on the heads of the eight men who were left except the largest man. Each of them looked around and picked started to pick of discarded pipes and three of them even had had a metal bat in their hands. Sighing to himself with a bit of annoyance for the young child, the largest man stepped aside as if permitting the others to attack.
And like a pack of rabid dogs, the eight-armed men started to rush at Kensei all at once with their weapons in the palms of their hands.
"Alright, I guess that its time to start practicing my hakkyokuken."
TN: Hakkyokuken is the Japanese translation for Bajiquan.
Kensei stated confidently as he took on a prepared stance as the older armed male started to rush at him. The first one aimed his metal pipe towards the young child without mercy, but due to his moves being that of a novice, it wasn't at all difficult for him to avoid it. In a single motion, he thrust his fist forward into his stomach in a quick manner causing him to gasp as the air left his lungs. His body soon went limp on the ground and his pipe landed on the ground causing a metallic noise.
This time two people rushed toward him at the same time bringing both their metal pipes downwards at Kensei in a strong manner with all their strength. Thinking that there was no way that he could avoid it, they were confident that this could be it. However, the ten-year-old smirked and reached his hand out, and caught both metal pipes in his hands without injuring his hands in the slightest.
"What…."
"…the hell….?!"
Kensei pulled the metal pipes in their hands causing them to fall forward in his direction, then he brought both his elbows forward-thrusting them into their abdomen.
""Gah.""
The impact caused them to pass out, then fell onto the ground next to their friends.
"That's three more…seven to go."
"Tsk."
There were many noises caused by the clicking of their tongues, then came the sound of their metal pipes hitting the ground. At that moment, the rest of them started to reach in their pockets revealing pocket knives that all of them pointed threateningly in his direction. Again, all of them rushed towards Kensei, who didn't look fazed in the slightest, then he kicked the metal pipe into the air and caught it in his hands.
Kensei spun it around in his hand in a skillful manner as the men armed with knives came in his direction, then in a single brandish of the metal pipe, he knocked the knives out of the first male's hands.
"Huh?"
"Should've kept the metal pipes, knives have a terrible reach unless you know how to use it."
Kensei had informed them after thrusting the staff into one of their abdomens, while spinning the over one around in a skillful manner, then struck the other one in the back causing both to fall forward unconscious.
"Five."
The remaining four-armed older males charged in his direction, in response to that, Kensei positioned the pipe in a downward position and rushed towards the group. And at a speed that neither of them could keep up with their eyes, he knocked out all the four of them in a fluid manner and all of them soon fell over. After he finished off the four armed men, Kensei realized that he unknowingly ran past the larger male.
"And there's one left…."
Click.
Before Kensei could turn around, he noticed a familiar clicking noise and he didn't need to turn around to realize that it was a handgun that the large male had pulled out.
"Alright, put that pipe down and calm down."
"You're seriously going to shoot a harmless kid."
"Huh? Harmless," the large male scoffed at Kensei's 'innocent' act. "There's no way that a little brat like you is at all normal, I may be doing this place a service by pulling this trigger."
Kensei couldn't tell whether or not the older male was serious or not since it neither wavered in the slightest and it remained as serious as before. It wouldn't surprise him at all if he were to pull the trigger and put a bullet inside the chamber in his forehead. Not that it mattered anyway, based on the distance between them, Kensei would be able to avoid the bullet before it makes contact with him.
That was the first logical thought that crossed his mind as he dropped the metal pipe on the ground causing the metallic ringing that echoed along with walls.
"If I were by myself without no one else around, then I would be able to deal with it," Kensei thought. "There are a lot of people passing by this alley plus that Jii-san is still sitting near the entrance. …Though if possible…."
"Now turn around slowly."
Kensei did as ordered and started to turn himself around in a gentle manner with a plan already in mind.
"If I can cast a Fūtan without a chant at the lowest level of power, then I could knock him out without either killing or injuring him in the process."
Moments before fully turning himself around, he motioned his finger in the right manner to release a wind bullet at the armed large male. However, there was a slight distraction that caught his attention.
"Here catch this young man!"
A familiar shout caught his attention as a familiar object was thrown into the air over the head of the large male in a quick manner. It was the cane that belonged to the old man, but the first thing that caught his attention was the slight gleam revealing a metallic inside. Kensei reacts faster than the large male and ran towards the falling wood cane and caught it in his hand, then placed his hand on the bottom portion of it.
"Son of a…."
The large man glanced in the direction of Kensei and prepared to pull the trigger until…his gun was sliced clean in two barely crazing his hand.
His expression finally altered as he realized that the object in his hand wasn't a wooden cane and was instead a single-edged sword. Kensei realized it as soon as he saw the blade revealed in the can and knew that this was indeed a shikomizue, a sword that can be concealed as a walking stick or cane. He later looked past the large male and noticing that the old man was standing at the entrance of the alleyway with his hand held out signifying that he had thrown the cane.
"Dammit."
The large male reaches in his pocket in an attempt to pull out something else to defend himself and Kensei became incredibly shocked. Not by the fact that the large man was pulling out another weapon, but that the old man was now out of his line of sight.
"Argh!"
Kensei turned to the large male who wailed in pain after having his wrist grasped with enough pressure to cause him to wine like a child. The old man was able to appear next to him without making a single noise and without it even being seen by Kensei himself. That wasn't all, the old man wasn't slouching like he had done when he first met him and was instead standing up straight seemingly with the vitality of a young man.
"Hmm, I don't think that it would be wise to attack a child…especially, since you lot caused this in the first place."
His tone of voice was also different from before and was now confident enough to think that it belonging to that of a hardened fighter.
"Oi, Jii-san are you some kind of old master?"
Kensei bluntly asked as he sheathed the shikomizue that he received from the old man.
"Oh, of course, not…well, it depends on the kind of master that you're inferring about."
Despite saying that, the old man threw the larger male using one hand in a manner that resembled a practitioner of a self-defense martial art such as Judo. The impact of having landed on the ground along with his weight being added onto it caused the larger male to pass out.
"I just picked up a lot of things from living this long. Sorry about making you think that I was defenseless."
"Well, you could've fooled me."
Kensei replied as he handed the shikomizue back to him.
"Well, time to look for that wallet."
"You still believe me about that?"
"Yea, you have been playing about being defenseless, but I'm sure that you weren't lying about the wallet."
He stated as he started going through the pockets of the men that he had knocked out without waiting for the old man to respond causing him to smile. Kensei continued going through the pockets of the man until finding a wallet that seemed odd for someone their age to be carrying around. After opening the wallet, he found a picture that seemed more modern, but the people in the photo seemed to come from another era altogether.
"Here's your wallet."
Kensei passed the old man his wallet, which he took with a smile on his face.
"I thank you for returning this to me," the old man stated with a smile on his face. "I was happy when this photo of my wife and child was created. In my time, devices that could take photos such as this were nowhere even close to being invented yet."
Both Kensei and Yu-Long started to notice that the old man's speaking started to become a little odd as if he was just brought from somewhere in the far past into the future.
[Kensei, this old man is starting to talk a lot like old man Sun Wukong and Xuanzang.]
"Yea, I'm starting to notice too," Kensei whispered at a low enough tone for just the jade dragon to hear him. "So, I never got your name."
After being asked for his name by the young child, the old man started to scratch the back of his head with a soft smile appearing on his almost wrinkled face.
"Ah, I guess that it is time for introductions since you passed…Kensei Amagiri."
"Eh?"
Kensei was confused about the so-called "test" that the old man was referring to and he continued to talk without letting the information sink in.
"I tried something a little different in the past with others who wanted to meet me for the same thing. And I always have a little test to decide what they should receive. But, I have to admit that it was surprising when we first met, that little dragon wrapped around your neck is impressing as well."
"Huh," after it finally sunk in, Kensei asked the question that came to mind. "Are you the guy that I was supposed to meet here?"
"My name is Amakuni Yasutsuna, I'm sure that a youngster such as yourself from such a well-known clan should know that name."
Kensei was shocked about the name that was given to him to the point where he couldn't utter a single sound as a slight laugh escaped from his mouth.
"Ah, you couldn't be that Amakuni Yasutsuna, could you? You're not like a descendant of something."
He questioned as he pointed his finger at him.
[Ah, Kensei who is this old guy?]
"There was another more famous swordsmith in legend before both Masamune and Muramasa, it was someone who created the first single-edged sword that would soon become known as a katana. There were some rumors, which states that he was granted immortality due to his continuous and diligent work."
"I am indeed the one and only Amakuni Yasutsuna."
"S-Seriously, I just keep meeting one legendary figure after another."
Kensei replied nervously.
Several minutes later, both Kensei and Yu-Long found themselves in a private residence hidden in the forest that was near the town upon being led by Amakuni. After venturing into the depths of the forest, the two noticed that a traditional Japanese residence large enough to hold a multitude of people. Around it was also many trees, which had been perfectly trimmed as if a large amount of time was spent tending to them. Further away from the house was another building at a distance from the main house.
Amakuni soon led them into a living room, then left to prepare drinks and snacks for both of them, the living room itself also maintained a traditional feel as there weren't any chairs just pillows.
"Ah, this place feels as if it was just pulled out from the past."
Kensei stated as he looked around the place.
"Hahahaha."
He was distracted after hearing that Yu-Long started to laugh at random as if the jade dragon had just recalled a hilarious event. And it didn't take much longer for Kensei to realize what that event was as it had just occurred a couple of minutes ago.
―A couple of minutes ago
"*Sniff* *Sniff* *Sniff* They wouldn't stop bullying me and Jii-chan~"
Of course, neither of them could just leave the armed people in the alleyway, and so, Kensei had the people call the police over to take them into custody. After the police arrived to take them, the ten-year-old decided to act a lot like a scared ten-year-old, while momentarily taking off his cloak so he didn't look suspicious.
"I didn't know what else to do, then someone arrived and came to the rescue of me and my grandchild."
"Did you get a good look at this good Samaritan?"
"I'm sorry, but he just arrived out of nowhere, then left before we could get a good look."
Just as one of the armed men was being taken into the police car, one of them glanced over and shouted.
"That's bullshit, that brat took out all of us…no kid can do what he can do….he must be some kind of demon."
"Uhhh, he's scaring me."
Kensei acted scared and hit behind his 'grandfather' while sticking his head out and sticking his tongue at all the young men being taken into custody. Causing a good number of them to overreact and bare their fangs at him, all while cursing at him. This scene also caused the people nearby to look at them as if they were crazy.
―Present time
"Hahahaha, you sold the act! …I almost lost it after you started to act all scared."
Kensei couldn't help but start laughing alongside the jade dragon who started to roll around on the floor. Amakuni started to walk into the living room staring at the dragon king as he continued to laugh.
"Ha, it's hard to believe that he's among the highest class that a dragon can reach, the Dragon Kings."
Amakuni stated with a slight laugh.
He soon took a seat in front of both Kensei and Yu-Long, they placed snacks and tea in front of them with looked at Kensei who still looked around the area.
"Is this to your liking?"
Amakuni stated as he looked at the curious expression on his face.
"Ah, there's nothing wrong with your home or anything else. This place just feels as if we just entered a new space altogether."
"You can thank a couple of Onmyouji specialists, as well as some youkai who was able to prepare this, but this doesn't hold a candle to space where the youkai of Kyoto live. It's sad to say, but I can't see myself in a modern environment nowadays…this place just feels like ancient Japan."
Amakuni stated as if recalling the old times in ancient Japan with his family and friends, even the trees all around his home looked a lot like they came from somewhere else.
"I guess that it'll be difficult for someone who's lived in an ancient era wouldn't be able to get used to the modern era. The amount of people who know about the supernatural is a little lesser compared to those who don't, while those who don't still maintain their belief in the various gods."
"Ah, but nowadays, I'm almost surprised about the number of devils and exorcists from the Three Faction among Christianity who is arriving in Japan as of late."
Amakuni spoke about a subject that he heard about a lot from the various adults of the Amagiri Clan, as well as a similar talk coming from the members of the Five Principal Clans about that specific subject. After taking a sip of the tea that was brought to him, while Yu-Long started to eat the snacks, and soon after Amakuni took a sip from his tea, he started to talk.
"Speaking about those devils. I believe that our other little informant has arrived."
There was a sudden bright light and presence that caught the attention of both Kensei and Yu-Long who stopped eating for a moment. A sudden shape took form in front of them, what appeared and landed on the table in front of them. What appeared in front of them was a three-legged crow that causes off a sudden presence that almost near mystifying.
"Ah, I see that Amaterasu-sama's messenger has arrived."
"Oh, a Yatagarasu?"
Kensei said eagerly as he glanced at the crow with his eyes sparkling as he stared out the three-legged crow.
He has heard stories about the yatagarsu being the messenger of Amaterasu, as well as being who intervenes in human affairs under the orders of Heaven. After noticing his presence, the yatagarsu turned his attention towards the young ten-year-old with an interesting look.
"I see, so you're…Kensei Amagiri."
The yatagarsu spoke in a tone that looked as if he were examining him causing the black-haired child to nod his head in agreement.
"Yes, I heard that there was some information about my situation."
"Ah, of course. As promised, Amaterasu had I and various other spirits around Japan locate all the magic circles used to enter this Hagun Island based on the various imbalance of spiritual power caused due to them. All of the locations had already been written down by Amakuni who was planning on handing it over to you as soon as the other business was done."
"Ah, thank you. Can you also thank Amaterasu-sama for doing this for me?"
"I will, but this is only a correct move," Yatagarsu started as it nodded its head. "This is an incident is a sure sign of disrespect towards Amaterasu-sama as well as the other gods of Shintoism. For others such as older devils to be involved in the trafficking of children from this faction as well as others could result in serious issues with the promise made between Amaterasu and the current Maou."
Yatagarasu brought up something that caught Kensei's attention, but the yatagarsu didn't continue after taking a look in the direction of Yu-Long who continued to eat.
"You don't have to worry about him," Kensei pointed out. "As long as there's food in front of him, I doubt that this dragon cares what happens around him. Besides, he's not going to tell anyone."
Upon hearing that from Kensei, the crow continued his talk from beforehand.
"I'm sure that you've noticed that there have been many young high-class devils joined with their so-called peerages arriving in Japan into different towns. Well, Amaterasu-sama had agreed with the Maou after meeting the one in charge of foreign affairs. An agreement was soon made where the devils were allowed to manage and govern towns that were nowhere near spots that have high spiritual powers or those related to any of the Shinto gods such as temples or shrines, as well as not harming the residences residing in those times. As long as those conditions along with whatever conditions the Underworld gave them to attend a normal school, then those high-class devils would be allowed to remain here."
What Yatagarasu said to them made sense as the powers of the devil could result in negative effects on the spiritual powers found in Japan. Kensei even heard from a certain someone that devils required a special pass to enter the temples and shrines in Kyoto.
"But, why are you telling this to me?"
Kensei asked a question that came to mind as the crow finished his explanation.
"I don't know the specifics or her reasons, but I know that Amaterasu-sama has placed her faith in you. I already finished the job that I was told to do, I just wanted to see the human she decided to believe."
"So, what do you think, Yatagarasu?"
Amakuni questioned as he put his teacup on the ground as the crow faced Kensei.
"I can't think of him much now low alone criticize him since he's still a child who hasn't grown up yet, but I can tell that he has a lot of potential…aside from that I can't say anything else."
"Oh, I thought that you would've said that he was brave for facing these dangerous people alone."
"Well, most normal kids do dangerous things without even thinking about their outcome. That's the point of all of them being at that stage of immaturity."
Yatagarasu made his point causing Amakuni to agree with him, as a child grows up into adulthood, they'll realize the choices made in the past as being due to that immaturity.
"Hahahaha, I can't disagree with you, compared to adults who find their place in the world. Children always see the world as being full of almost infinite possibilities."
Amakuni added causing Kensei to think about it, but the Yatagarasu soon gave off a bright light and looked at the two people (Yu-Long wasn't paying much attention).
"I wish you luck on your journey."
Having said those last words, the Yatagarasu vanished in a flash of light without a single trace of his presence in the room.
"Well, I believe that it's time to get down to business."
Amakuni stated as he stood up from his seat, causing Kensei to glance in his direction as he turned his back.
"I believe that you needed a new sword."
"Yes!"
Kensei said ecstatically as he jumped to his feet in a single motion causing the old blacksmith to smile generously.
"Well, why don't we proceed to my workshop?"
"Yu-Long, I'll be right…and you're asleep."
Kensei realized that Yu-Long had fallen asleep after finishing the snacks that were prepared for them causing the black-haired child to shake his head.
Deciding that it would be better to just leave him there, Amakuni started to lead Kensei towards the building that was built nearby the main house. After the old swordsmith opened the door leading into the building, Kensei was able to tell that there was various equipment meant for a forge. Though there was one item on the wall that caught his attention, which was a long ornate hammer that gave off a holy presence.
"Welcome to my forge," Amakuni declared as he held his arms out in an energetic manner. "It's been a while since I've been in here, there haven't been that many people coming around here a much, but that has given me enough time to tend to my plants and trees. But, Amaterasu-sama did ask that I repair a certain item and I've been preparing several needed materials to repair it."
Amakuni started to head into another room building into his forge, where Kensei began to hear various noises as if the swordsmith were going through several things. As Amakuni continued to look for whatever item he went in there to find, Kensei started looking around the room and could feel that the room was giving off a different feel a lot similar to that of being inside of a shrine. Though there was a long wooden box that has some symbols engraved on the front of the box.
"Huh, this looks familiar…are these Onmyoji symbols?"
Kensei questioned as he started to get a closer look at the symbols on the wooden back, then he reached out his hand and his fingers touched the surface of the box. At the same moment, Amakuni walked back into the main room holding onto a sheathed katana.
"I think that this will do…nicely."
Amakuni started, but his eyes widened slightly after seeing the aura that leaked out of the box after just one of Kensei's fingers touched the box as if something had resonated with him. After noticing the presence of Amakuni, the black-haired child turned around and removed his finger from the box, and apologized.
"I'm sorry, I thought that I recognized the writing on this box," Kensei explained like a curious child being caught touching something in a museum. "Then it started to glow when I touched it."
"Ah, it's no problem at all," Amakuni replied causing Kensei to let out a breath of relief. "That is just a broken item that I was asked to repair. I'll be starting to repair it after a while, but I can't tell when it'll be finished. I also have to forge a katana for the will swordsman in front of me."
Amakuni said the last part with an energetic smile as if looking forward to all the work that he'll need to complete in the future. Though Kensei noticed the katana in his hand and directed his finger at it.
"What's that katana for?"
"I'm sorry, but that katana that I plan on forging for you won't be completed at the appointed time combined with all the materials and metal that I'll prepare for it, I doubt that it'll take a month. So, I apologize for any issue that I've caused due to my issues."
"Personal Issues?"
"I'm a perfectionist by nature," Amakuni declared with a smile as he held the katana towards Kensei. "This child has no name, but it won't disappoint you. For someone like me, a swordsmith who was able to become immortal by just doing what he loved, I started to view the swords that I created as being my children. And to make those children strong, I began to explore the different properties of ores and metals. In all the research into forging swords, I created several powerful children and left them in the care of various trustworthy people."
Amakuni explained as he glanced in the direction of Kensei.
"Among those people, I once met a serious teenage who sought to be a strong warrior, but he could be serious to a fault and sometimes desired strength too much. And another was a female from a certain clan who sought to a higher level of swordplay, she also had a violent streak, but her desires were almost childish."
He continued talking about these two people in his discussion giving Kensei an idea of who they were as it was similar to how others described them. Though Kensei didn't say anything about it and just held the sheathed katana in his hands, then placed it on his left side.
"I'll hand over the information that I received from Yatagarasu," Amakuni stated after realizing that their business was finished at least for the moment. "But, before you go is there any personal additions that you desire for your katana? I learned how to create various ones…how about a holy sword?"
"Nah, I would prefer a normal katana that goes alongside my natural and inherent abilities."
"Oh, why is that?"
Amakuni became interested in the answer that Kensei had given him.
"If I can achieve the same if not comparable feats as those who wield holy or demon swords wielding just a normal sword, then imagine what I could accomplish when I receive one. I don't want to just rely on one special sword, I want to pursue the path of swordsmanship and master the sword itself," Kensei gave out a response, which caused a fighting spirit to practically burning in his eyes. "Of course, if the situation called for it, then I'll wield one."
"Hahahaha! I've only ever heard something like that from two people in the past!"
Amakuni laughed energetically after hearing his response.
"Hah, my mom laugh when I said that three years ago."
Kensei almost pouted after hearing Amakuni laugh at him, then he started to turn in the direction leading towards the exit. After noticing that expression that was on his face, Amakuni started to laugh silently to himself.
"What an unbelievably stubborn, but flexible kid! I don't even need the time to think about what kind of katana for craft for him, I've already seen how he fought when using my shikomizue. Also, for that item to react to him… I guess that is another reason that Amaterasu-sama has so much faith in him."
A/N: And there goes the eleventh chapter of DxD – The Last Amagiri, where Kensei returned to Japan and he met an old man who lost his wallet, then assisted in finding it. There he easily dealt with a small group of normal humans and discovered the old man was revealed to be Amakuni Yasutsuna, a historical figure rumored to have forged the first single-edged blade (tachi) was stated to have become immortal. Kensei will be receiving his sword in the future. Well, that's all for this chapter and the next chapter will the best start the big fight for this arc.
So, until next time.
Kensei's Harem: Alice, Claire, Hisui, Kunou, Yasaka, Lu Lingqi, Mirana, Sarah, Minako, Koneko, Kuroka, Ravel, Amaterasu, Brynhildr.