Chapter 1: Man and the Abyss
“...Mankind has always strived for strength, as that was the key to survival.
When man made the sword, they poured their future into the blade itself…”
Kneeling outside of a burning home, a bloody young boy simply froze,
watching it all burn down. The boy’s brown skin glistened with the shine of
his own blood, illuminated by the flames that danced upon the house before him.
“Hinging the future of themselves and those after them on the foundation of
bloodshed and violence…”
The boy’s red eyes were filled with tears, stinging and wretched. A cut over
his eye and lip persisted, as a scar rested over his heart, and he held onto his
left arm, hiding it but unintentionally.
“This would be the foundation of the world, resulting in the gun and its
decendants to remain irrelevant to its competitor. However, the result
remains…”
The youth, focusing his breathing, forgot the world around him. The only
thing he could truly feel was one promise… one sentence.. All as he held a
katana in his hand.
Boy: I.. will…kill them..!
“Humanity… cannot escape its own sins.”
_________________________________________
7 Years Later…
On a gentle spring day in a bustling city, people were going about their
business. Men and women went to work, police officers guided children
across the street as they made their way to school. Things were just… normal.
A bit further away, near the industrial train tracks, a car pulled up to a
warehouse.
It was an old school car, one that looked like it was straight from world war
two. Sitting in the back of the car, a young white haired man, no older than
18, rested against the leather seat silently with his eyes closed. On his
shoulder rested his katana, propped against him, while a book rested on his
lap. The title on the cover read “The Black Goat” by Uta Okumura.
But then-
Driver: Er, mister! W e’ve arrived.
With a slight raise of his head from its resting position, the young man
opened his eyes, looking out the window to see the warehouse. The driver
looked at the young man with a cold sweat running down his cheek. He tried
to speak, but not a word left his mouth. As the youth stared out the window,
the driver tried to spring a conversation to interrupt the silence.
Driver: S-So, that sword you've got there… you a Swordsman or
something???
The young man softened his gaze and answered vaguely.
Nanashi: …. Yeah.. somethin’ like that…
The driver raised an eyebrow. The young man was well dressed, head to toe
in expensive, well fitted clothes under a dark long coat . He definitely looked
odd, but not so much that he stood out.
The young man had short white dreaded hair and primarily wore black and
red, and his red eyes were piercing, almost like knives aimed at a victim. A
beauty mark was under his right eye as well, but the most notable thing on
him were his scars. A cut over his left eye and another over his lip, it made
him easily identifiable. But to the driver, he was nobody. Just a young
swordsman who wanted to come to this particular location
Driver:...
Nanashi:.... Thanks for the ride…
Opening the back passenger door, the white haired swordsman steps out,
facing the warehouse with harsher eyes. He stared hard at the infrastructure,
grasping onto his sword and sliding his book in his jacket’s inner pocket as he
walked forward, coat billowing in the wind.
The driver watched the individual walk on, noticing that his left arm. It was
wrapped up in some kind of thick cloth, raising his curiosity about the
mysterious youth who paid him to drive here.
Driver: Who in the hell.. Is this kid..?
______________________________
Inside the warehouse, yakuza gangsters stood around, chuckling and
watching as something unfolded.
WHAM!
“Gaugh!”
THUDD!
A man with a scar over his right eye stood over the fallen body of a teenage
boy, smirking with a gun in his hand. A teenage girl cried out for him as
another boy watched in fear.
Teenage Girl: HAIJI!!!Haiji: N-Nnngh… Mimi…
Yakuza Captain: You took that hit well kid. Good on you. It’d suck if I
knocked you out with one hit.
Squatting down, the gangster grinned a bit.
Yakuza Captain: Who knows, I might’ve had to entertain myself with your
little girlfriend there.
The boy tried to sit up, his hands were bound however. With a frustrated
grimace, Haiji strained his voice to yell out at the man.
Haiji: Don't you touch a hair on her head! You shitty sorcerer!!!!
Yakuza Captain: Now that’s interesting. How’d you know that?
As the yakuza leader tilted his head, Mimi felt her jaw clench in fear. The
second boy, far more afraid than his bleeding friend, blurted out in an
attempt to help his friend.
Scared T een: W-W e found out f-f-from police records! Y ou’re The
Th-Thunder Fist Shimura! Y-You’re responsible for that city block in District
11 being completely destroyed!
Shimura gave the kid a dead stare.
Shimura: Yeah? What of it?
Haiji: It was you…
Shimura: Hm?
Haiji stared hard at Shimura, allowing hatred to leak from his face.
Haiji: My parents were shopping in that district! They’re friggin dead
because of you and your lousy gang war!
Shimura: Really now? I had no idea.
The rest of his goons began to chuckle, prompting Shimura to stand back up
with his hands in his pockets.
Shimura: To be honest, I’m not sorry for that.
Haiji: Ngh?!
Shimura: Their deaths were caused by their own actions. If they had gone the
extra mile and stopped in District 13, they’d still be breathing. They were just
in the wrong place at the wrong time. Not my fault.
Haiji began to seethe, his anger reaching a new height.
Haiji: I’ll kill you..! You bastard!
Shimura raised an eyebrow and chuckled.
Shimura: Oh? You’re gonna kill me? That’s quite the threat. Y ou sure you’re
gonna be able to carry it out?
Haiji only growled in anger, resulting in Shimura looking to his left to see the
other boy, bound and knelt.
Shimura: …Cuz I don’t think you’ve got the strength or motivation.
Haiji: Huh?
With a lift of his arm and a point of his first and second fingers, Shimura
points directly at the frightened boy, firing a bolt of lightning through his
chest.
Haiji:!!!
Mimi: NO! IYASU!!!
Without a sound, Iyasu’s eyes went blank as he flopped to the ground,
lifeless.
Shimura gazed back at Haiji.
Shimura: There’s a start.
Haiji: NNNHH! IYYUAAASUUUU!!!
Hearing Shimura chuckle, Haiji glared at the man with tears in his eyes. He
spat as he screamed, only able to inch toward Shimura with his chin.
Haiji: I’LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR I-
THD!
Placing his foot on the boy’s head, Shimura smirked cockily.
Shimura: You’ll what? Shoot me? Stab me??? Y ou ain’t gonna do shit.
Haiji: Nghhh!!!
Shimura: The only thing you’re gonna do is lay there. Lay there and watch as
I pop your girl’s head like a balloon.
Mimi: Ngh!
Haiji: YOU BASTARD! LEAVE HER ALONE!
pointing his fingers at Mimi, Shimura grinnedShimura: Get stronger, fool! Power is the only thing that matters in this world!
SWSH! SHHHK!!!!
Swiftly, a familiar figure appeared, slicing off the hand of the yakuza, causing
him to step off of Haiji and clutch his wrist in pain.
Mimi: ?!
Haiji: Huh?!
Shimura: NGH! AAAAGHHH MY HAAAANDDD! AAAAAGH!!!
“If that’s all that matters… then I guess that means you’re weak too.”
Y akuza Grunt: Huh?! Where’d he come from?!
Y akuza Grunt B: I dunno! He just… appeared!
Standing with his coat billowing, the white haired teen from the car outside
stands with his sword in its follow-through motion.
Shimura faces the boy with rage, gritting his teeth. A vein popped out on his
forehead as he yelled at the boy.
Shimura: Ngh! You little FUCK! Who in the HELL do you think you are?! The young man turns slightly, looking the yakuza down with dead eyes.
Nanashi: …No one….
__________
Meanwhile, within a regal yet feudal room, 12 Men and W omen sat around a
table. Their identities were hidden behind paper screens, as a young adult
man with caramel colored skin and frizzy green hair stood relaxed. A sword
rested at the man’s hip, as a smile rested on his face, his eyes hidden behind
his bangs.
Crabby Old Man: Yuto Mori… do you know why we called you in today??
Yuto tilted his head with a playful smile.
Yuto: Naaaah. No clue man. You diiid cut me away from some alone time
with Shi-chan, sooo Ima need y’all to wrap this up.
An old woman shouted in irritation.
Old Woman: Such insolence! Your priorities are misplaced Sanomori!
Yuto: Insolence? Sorry but I think you’re the insolent one.
The woman growled in anger, but the head of the circled table rose his hand
and silenced the room.
Leading Elder: Now’s not the time to bicker. W e have an important mission
on our hands.
Snapping his fingers, holographic screens appeared around Yuto, who looked
up and gave each one a look. On the screens were countless bodies, cut into
and diced. Blood was spilled everywhere, and Yuto could only whistle in
amazement.
Yuto: whistle That’s morbid. What’s with the dead gangsters?
Leading Elder: These are the bodies of yakuza within three different families.
All from different cities. The Yadojima, The Haruenju and The Uramenki.
All three have the strange commonality of affiliating with sorcerers within
their respective cities.
Yuto: That’s common though, right??? They marry their daughters to
sorcerer men, praying they get sorcerer kids. What’s the big deal?
Leading Elder: The big deal is that this is the connecting thread to the killings
of these Y akuza…it’s targeted, by one Swordsman.
Yuto: !!
Yuto’s eyes widened, his interest flashing for a moment.
Yuto: A Swordsman? He one of us?
Crabby Old Man: As far as we know, and the information given to us.. no…he’s completely rogue.
Yuto: I see… and I’m guessing you called me to clean up the mess.
Leading Elder: More or less.. Swordsmanship may have been the cause of
bloodshed in the past, but it’s created the world we know and live in today.
W e cannot afford for a rogue Swordsman to disrupt the peace we’ve
maintained for the last decade.
Yuto: Yeah sure… that’s what this is about…
Leading Elder: Hm?
Yuto grins, gazing forward and lifting his head to reveal one of his glowing
red eyes.
Yuto: Tell me where to find him. W e got a name on our little vigilante?
The elder fell silent for a moment, before responding bluntly.
Leading Elder: No…
____________________
Back in the warehouse…Blood was splattered all over the interior of the building. Broken bodies and
fallen weapons rested on the ground. Y akuza grunts leaned over the railings
and against the walls, on the floors and with sliced limbs. Shimura was laid
on his stomach, grunting in pain, damaged and defeated.
Looking over his shoulder slowly, the weakened yakuza captain gazed up. He
saw Nanashi sitting on his back, sword sheathed and cold gaze watching the
teenagers mourn their friend. Both were freed from their restraints, bawling
over Iyasu’s corpse.
Nanashi took a look at their faces, narrowing his crimson gaze.
Nanashi: You know…. I never understood it…
Shimura: Huh???
Nanashi: Why you do it… why you kill without remorse… why people like
you take life without a second thought. I never understood that for years…
until recently I guess.
Shimura felt a deep threat the moment Nanashi looked him in the eye. Fear
could be seen on the captain’s face, sweat beginning to run down his
forehead. Nanashi’s eyes glowed with murderous intent, unblinking and
undeterred.
Nanashi: It’s because you feel like you have the right to kill them…am I
wrong? Shimura shivers, gulping as he tries to speak up.
Shimura: Wh-What do you want???! Money???!
Nanashi: You’re a captain of the Y adojima Family… right?
Shimura: Ngh..!
Nanashi: I’ll take that as a yes.
Shimura: WHAT DO YOU WANT??!
Nanashi jabs the yakuza in the ribs with his sheathed weapon.
Nanashi then raised his finger to his lips, speaking stoically.
Nanashi: Quiet down, I was just about to get to that.
Shimura: Nnhhh….!
Nanashi: I wanna know the location of your boss… Where can I find him?
Shimura: The boss???
Nanashi lowered his finger and continued.Nanashi: I’ve got a few questions for him… I was hoping he could give me afew answers…
Shimura: Ngh???
Nanashi: Nothing for you to be concerned with… Now, your boss… Where is
he?
Shimura gulps loudly, trying to interject and deflect the question.
Shimura: No way! No way! I won’t talk!
Nanashi: ?
Shimura: If I say anything, I’m dead!
Nanashi: I think you’re mistaken…
VMMMMMM..!
Nanashi: If you don’t tell me, I’LL kill you…
Shimura looked up, sweating and being gazed upon by Nanashi’s glowing red eye. The pressure from the young man was so intense that Shimura felt as ifhe was being crushed beneath the swordfighter’s weight. His head felt like itwas being squoze, about to pop like a grape, and the man who pinned himdown was shrouded in darkness, as a supernatural pressure weighed upon him.
After a few moments, Haiji and Mimi could feel that pressure too, unable tomove from their knelt positions.
Mimi: (Wh-Wha…??)
Haiji: What’s this pressure??!
Nanashi:....
Shimura eventually cracked and cried out-
Shimura: ALRIGHT! ALRIGHT!!! HE’S GONNA BE AT A MEETING
TONIGHT!!!!
As if it hadn’t existed, the pressure disappeared. Nanashi stared coldly rather
than his murderous gaze just seconds prior. Drool had ran from Shimura’s mouth, intensely breathing under the swordsman.
Nanashi: …Keep talking…
Shimura caught his breath, gulping before hesitantly obeying.
Shimura: He’s… meeting with the rest of our captains tonight… At the
Goukugo Hotel… I swear that’s all I know…Nanashi silently stared at his downed enemy before standing up with his sword in hand.
Nanashi: Thanks…
Shimura: Hm??? Wait! N-
SLSH!!
In cold blood, Nanashi sliced deep into Shimura’s nape, killing him instantly
with his sword. Not a brush of emotion crossed Nanashi’s face, but he was
met with something unexpected.
Haiji: H-Hey!!!
Nanashi: Hm?
Haiji slowly walked toward the white haired swordsman.
Haiji: Why…?
Haiji grabbed Nanashi by the collar of his red button-up, screaming at the
mysterious man.
Haiji: Why did you do that??! He was mine to kill!!
Mimi: Haiji!!
Nanashi narrowed his eyes. Not saying a word, the scarred individual tried to
understand.
Haiji: That dirtbag killed my parents! He killed my friend!!!
Tightening his grip on Nanashi’s collar, Haiji exploded in emotion.
Haiji: WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE THAT AWAY
FROM ME?!!!!
WHAM!!
Swiftly, Nanashi struck the teen in the stomach with a knee strike, dropping
Haiji to the ground on his hands and knees. Spit and bile ran from his mouth
as he heaved for oxygen. Mimi ran to his side, placing her hands on Haiji's
back.
Mimi: Haiji!!!
Looking down at the two teenagers, Nanashi spoke calmly.
Nanashi: I didn’t kill him to spite you. I killed him because you’re too weak.
Haiji: Ngh!!!Staring up at Nanashi, Haiji gazed at him with hatred. Nanashi continued as
he began to turn away.
Nanashi: That weakness is something that’ll get you and others around you
killed. So don’t get your hopes up on taking on revenge… Not in this
lifetime…
Haiji growls as he tries to move toward Nanashi. However, the swordsman
finished with this.
Nanashi: …And if you still hate me after that answer… Get stronger…. I’ll be
waiting…
With that, the swordsman began to walk off, heading out of the warehouse,
leaving the teenagers puzzled amongst the bodies of the yakuza. Nanashi felt
his mind drift, to a time where he was at one point, weak…
____________________________________________________
On a dark and quiet evening, a young Nanashi hid in a closet, witnessing five
shadowy individuals standing around a dark haired woman. She was
motionless lying in a pool of their own blood on a tatami mat floor.
Nanashi shivered and looked at said woman with tears in his eyes, incapable
of saying a word as the figures stood. On the backs of their hands were a
mark… of three Magatama caught in a circular blaze.
This tattoo had stricken a chord of fear within Nanashi, scarring him deep
within his heart, and haunting his future.
______________
“STOPPING AT HIRAKU STATION!”
“Nh?...”
Opening his eyes suddenly, Nanashi woke up leaned against the window next
to the seat he was in. The swordsman was alone on a subway train, hearing
that his stop was up.
Looking at his reflection, Nanashi gazed at his face, seeing the scars on it.
That few seconds caused Nanashi to narrow his eyes in determination.
Soon, the train rolled on, and Nanashi stood alone in the subway. With
sword in hand, the lone Swordsman ventured onward toward the stairs that
would lead to the surface.
Nanashi: Keep moving forward…
“That’s all you can do.”
_____________________________________
Meanwhile, within the illustrious Goukugo Hotel…
A large board room was filled with men in suits, silently sitting around a
group of three men. Four seats were in place at the table, but only three men
had been present, seemingly impatient.
A grey haired man with harsh sharp eyes shook his head. A burn scar rested
on his neck and stretched up to his chin.
Jinken: What’s taking that fool so long…? Did he get lost on the way here or
something???
Jinken Yadojima
Age 38
Captain of the Yadojima Family
A youthful man with clearly dyed blonde hair and closed eyes chuckled. Each
of his fingers bore rings.
Keishi: Heheh, probably got some broad and blew tonight off! Y ou know
Shimura, he’s his own man!
Keishi Yadojima
Age:29
Captain of the Yadojima Family
The final man was gruff, stocky and strong looking. He had black hair and
onyx eyes, along with a goatee and scars along his visible rough looking
tanned skin.
Asuma: Mm.. fool.. He blows off responsibility for his own frivolous
endeavors… He truly hasn’t changed.
Asuma Yadojima
Age: 42
Head of the Yadojima Family
Asuma groans as he sits up, his deep grumbling voice commanded respect.
Asuma: Nevermind.. Let us begin our asse-
WHM!!
Suddenly, the doors of the meeting room flung open, catching the attention
of the three men.
Y akuza Grunt: B-Boss!!!
Standing up in exclamation, Jinken growled in anger as he shouted at the
grunt. A vein popped out of his forehead as he raised his voice.
Jinken: What’s the meaning of this??!
Keishi: Jeez, lay off man. Heh, he’s clearly got somethin’ important to s-
Suddenly…SHK!!!
Keishi:!!!
Jinken:!!!
Asuma:!!!!
Before the room full of Y akuza, the young grunt that entered with fear in his
voice had his head suddenly lobbed off. As his body hit the floor, and his
head rolled, the various other grunts gave shocked looks, as their leader and
captains remained stunned.
Keishi: What the?...
Jinken: What just..?
WHMM!!
In the blink of an eye, someone lands in the middle of the meeting table,
blade drawn and coat billowing from the speed he had arrived at. Blood had
slid its way off of the live blade, as blood spatter lightly splashed onto his coat
and face. His cold red eyes were calm and focused, as he remained in a
position of readiness.
Keishi was the first to notice, one of his closed eyes opened up, revealing their
bronze hue.
Keishi: (How in the…. When did he get there??!)
Nanashi had entered the scene, now deep within enemy territory.
Jinken: The hell?! How did he….
His mind flickered to the hallway, remembering it was closely and heavily
guarded… but unbeknownst to him, the liminal hallways were filled with
butchered and bloodied corpses.
Jinken: How did he get here?! Where are the guards???!
Nanashi doesn’t answer, instead, he looks right at the man who remained
sitting, Asuma.
Nanashi:.... Y ou’re the head.. Right?...
Asuma’s eyes widened, and within moments-
KRASHH!!!
The table was splintered due to a powerful kick from the yakuza leader.
Nanashi swiftly jumped back, avoiding the blow with a nimble movement.
However-
Jinken: BASTARD!
WHAM!!
Nanashi: Ngh!
Being hit in the air back to the entrance, Nanashi grunts from the sudden
force. Jinken had hit him with a punch strong enough to emit a small
shockwave.
As the swordsman flipped and landed, a sea of yakuza stood between him
and Asuma. However, Nanashi and Asuma’s eyes remained locked on one
another, despite the distance. Their staredown was then interrupted because
of Jinken’s sudden command.
Jinken: What are you all doing standing there??! KILL THAT BASTARD!!!
The multiple suited men began to draw their weapons, surrounding Nanashi
and getting ready to attack. One drew a sword, the other a switchblade.
Another one of them put on some brass knuckles, and one even had a gun.
Amongst the countless gangsters before him, Nanashi stood from his
crouched position, standing alone in this fight…. Or so it seemed…
Nanashi exhales deeply, sheathing his weapon, his hand still gripping the hilt.
Yakuza Grunt A: T ch, too late to give up asshole!
Yakuza Grunt B: You’re dead!!!
Nanashi:...Fall from Heaven, Arise from Hell…
Keishi raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Keishi: The hell is he doin’???
Nanashi:...The cycle of life and death… begins from the Void…
A group of yakuza rush Nanashi, ready to strike him, but neglecting the
black energy spilling out of the scabbard. Asuma noticed this, calling out in
realization-
Y akuza Grunt C: DIE!!!
Asuma: YOU FOOLS! DON’T!!!
With a quickdraw slash from his katana, a black energy fired out from the
blade, slicing into the attacking men, as well as the men behind them,
blowing a hole in the far wall of the room.
Jinken: Ngh!
Standing from his stance, Nanashi brandishes his weapon, glaring at the
gangangsters whilst speaking the final words of his mantra.
Nanashi: Tensa Shin’en… (Heavenly Chain of the Abyss)..
The sword radiated a dark energy, an aura of darkness that was sickening and
somewhat hollow. The captains recognized what the truth of their attacker
was. What he truly was.
Jinken: He’s a goddamn Swordsman!
Keishi: Shit! What’s The Order doin’ here??!
Nanashi faces the direction of the captains, his glowing eyes giving
murderous intent. But before he could move, a grunt stepped in front and
held out a gun to shoot Nanashi.
Nanashi:....
Yakuza Grunt F: You little prick!
BANG!!!
Firing the bullet at Nanashi’s head, the goon had no idea that he had made a
mistake..
Nanashi: …
In a split second, Nanashi ended up moving past the gunman, and sliced his arm in half as well as cut through the yakuza. Without a second’s hesitation, a large group charged him from his blindside. However, as he looked in thedirection of the group, Nanashi charged up the black energy on his sword and swung at them from a distance.
Nanashi: Kugetsu..!! (Black Moon)..
SHH SLSH BOOM!!!
A massive explosion blew out from the hotel, being seen from the outside
and catching the attention of citizens. As the smoke cleared inside, bodies
had laid dead and mutilated on the meeting room floor as a hole in the
building illuminated the inside with moonlight. Nanashi began to walk
towards the captains and the family head, eyes cold as ice.
Keishi: This guy… ngh, he's the real deal..
Jinken: That doesn't matter… What does, is killing this punk right here n
now!
Keishi nervously grins as he draws a switchblade from his pocket and readies
himself for a fight. Jinken held up his fists, clearly a hand to hand fighter.
Nanashi: I hear you deal with sorcerers… makes sense.. Considering you’re
sorcerers yourselves…
Asuma: Ngh??
Keishi: How did you…??
Nanashi kept walking toward them, before eventually stopping a few feet
from the captains.
Nanashi: One of your captains was Shimura Yadojima… Otherwise known as
Thunderfist Shimura… right?
Asuma narrows his eyes.
Asuma:“Was..”?
The two captains looked over their shoulders with confusion.
Asuma: You said was… What did you mean by that?... What…..
Nanashi’s sword hand grip tightens before Asuma shouts out at the young
man.
Asuma: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BROTHER???!!!
Nanashi:...
Taking his silence as an answer, Keishi and Jinken rush Nanashi, preparing
themselves for close combat.
Keishi: You BASTARD!!!
Jinken: You’re gonna pay for that!!!!
Nanashi entered a low stance before readying his blade.
Nanashi:
In a flash, Nanashi disappears from sight, causing the two captains to look
shocked. But in a moment’s notice, Jinken turned around to see Nanashi in a
low stance, ready to strike.
Jinken: T ch! GRAAAAH!!!
Holding out his hand in Nanashi’s face-
WHMMM!!!!!
A shockwave of forceful energy blasts out and covers the area behind him.
Jinken: My Thunderblasts are enough to wipe scum like you off the face of
the earth.
A memory of him and Shimura as greenhorned yakuza fledgelings crossed his
mind.
Jinken: For what you’ve done to Shimura.. I’LL END YOU BOY!!
DOOM!
Suddenly, the smoke blows away, and Nanashi stands behind Jinken.
Nanashi: You’re one to talk…
Jinken: Ngh! (He’s insanely fast…!)
Nanashi: If I’m scum.. What does that make you?...yakuza…
Jinken attempts to turn around, but Nanashi was already swinging his
sword. But before it could touch flesh, Keishi came in and deflected it with
his knife. Nanashi noticed that the man’s eyes were opened, and narrowed his
own in response.
Keishi: Not so fast…!
Jinken: Keishi..!
Keishi: Heh, you’re too careless, calm down so we can finish this guy…
WHACK!!!
Kicking Nanashi away, the gangsters had room to breathe. Nanashi recovers
with little to no reaction from that attack. In response, Keishi holds his
butterfly knife in a strange grip, catching Jinken’s attention.
Jinken: Keishi.. Don’t tell me you’re…
A gentle aura radiated over Keishi’s body, giving him an aura of strength about him.
Keishi: Yeah… I haven’t had to use this in a minute… but being rusty with my
sorcery isn’t an excuse…
Exploding with energy, Keishi erupts with power, setting off the sprinklers
and causing water to rain down upon the combatants.
Keishi: Now! Get ready pal! I’m about-
Nanashi: I don’t have time for this…
Keishi: GH?!
In an instant, Nanashi stood side by side with Keishi, his sword drawn again
as he continued to walk past the gangster.
Nanashi: I’m not here for you… so piss off.
KSSSSSSHHHHH!!!!
After a few moments, Jinken looked on in horror as Keishi’
s torso fell from his body, falling to the ground in a geyser of blood. Nanashi pressed forward,
walking toward Asuma who growled with sweat rolling down his brow. Jinken on the other hand exploded with rage as he prepared for another thunderclap attack. But before he could fire-
Nanashi: Mu…
In an instant, Nanashi appeared within the gangster’s guard and readied a
slash. Jinken was unable to fully react, resulting in a look of surprise before-
SLSH!!!
…getting his head sliced off by Nanashi.
Asuma winced at the sight, closing his eyes as he felt nothing but pain.
With a thud, Jinken’s body hit the floor. Y adojima bodies littered the room as
Nanashi stood in the shadows of the totaled setting. His eyes gazed at Asuma,
his cold eyes remaining as Asuma spoke.
Asuma: What do you want…?
Nanashi:...
Asuma: Y ou killed my brother… carved up my family… and butchered my
closest men… What is it you’re here for??? Money??? Revenge???
Nanashi went silent for a moment before answering coldly.
Nanashi:.... The latter…
Asuma: Ngh???!
Nanashi: See.. you wouldn’t listen if I didn’t do this… You’d blow me off as someone who’s undeserving of an answer… People like you do that to the weak.. T o those who can’t force themselves to the truth.
Nanashi clenches his bandaged fist.
Nanashi: I came here.. Not for you… but for answers you have regarding my
revenge…
Asuma: What?....
Nanashi:...The Yadojima Family… has dealt with sorcerers since its
inception…But there’s one group that I want to ask you about.
The look on Nanashi’s face became purposeful, inflicting some form of fear
into the hardened gang lord.
Nanashi: Tell me everything you know about the Amatsu…
Asuma: The….Amatsu..?
Nanashi: Sorcerers with a magatama tattoo… I know people like you interact
with them from your drug deals and Chakratech smuggling. So spill it, I
don't have all night.
Throwing his head back, the older man roared in laughter.
Asuma: So this is what it was all about huh? Didn’t really have anything to
do with us after all..
Nanashi: Not directly at least. Sorry if that’s anticlimactic.
Asuma: Hah, nah… if anything…. It makes my resolve stronger, boy.
Nanashi: Hm?
Asuma then began to unbutton his suit as he continued to speak to the
young swordsman.
Asuma: You killed my friends and family, all just for a lead that isn’t
concrete… I’ll tell ya, if that isn’t the most wicked thing someone could do to
another, I dunno what is…
Nanashi focused his gaze, noticing the man’s composition. He was muscular,
with scars all over his body and a demon face tattoo on his back.
Nanashi: That’s ironic…coming from someone like you…
Asuma smirks as lightning begins to spark off of his body.
Asuma: Say what you will… but I’m sending a demon like you back to the
depths of hell. And trust me, you’ve beyond motivated me….
Nanashi: I see…. (He really doesn't plan on saying anything… good grief.)
The two began to circle one another, looking each other in the eye as water
falls from the ceiling. Both combatants felt tension rising off one another.
Auras rising, with the drop of an inconspicuous water drop, the both of
them dashed straight for one another. With the first attack, Asuma swings for
a quick jab, dodged swiftly by Nanashi who promptly uses his left arm to hit
the muscular yakuza in the abdomen, sending a wave of force through his
back. Asuma coughs a bit before growling into another attack, which the
force of the attack, although dodged, pushed Nanashi back and put him on
the defensive.
As the fighters stepped and stomped to maintain footing in an inch of water,
Nanashi does his best to block the incoming assault. However, the yakuza
leader ducks low, sweeping Nanashi’s legs from under him with a spinning
sweep kick.
CHK!!
Nanashi: !!!
Asuma then cocks an arm back over his head, preparing for a chop.
Asuma: NOW CAN YOU HANDLE THIS?!
Nanashi: Shit!
KRSH!!!!
A powerful chop crashes into Nanashi’s chest, crashing into the ground and
breaking a hole into the floor and launching Nanashi down multiple floors.
Asuma: We’re not done boy….
Meanwhile, now in the hotel lobby, Nanashi slowly gets up on his feet from
such an attack.
Nanashi: Shhit… I got careless…
BOOM!
Landing behind Nanashi, Asuma was bathed in shadow as lightning sparked.
Asuma: You’re tenacious.. I’ll give you that.. But this is the end for you…
Nanashi: (If this fight drags out… I’ll be in real trouble..)
Clenching his left hand, Nanashi turned to face Asuma.
Nanashi: (I have to end this now….)
R TR TR TR TR TR T….!
Outside, it began to rain, drenching the city outside. The pitter patter of the
drops setting an unsteady rhythm for the two left inside.
Asuma began to approach, his lightning intensifying.
Asuma: Your Karma is strong… but you’re one hundred years too early to
think you can kill me…
Nanashi: Oh shut it…
Asuma: Hm????
Nanashi smirks condescendingly, intentionally provoking the angered man.
Nanashi: Y ou heard me, you old fuck. Bite me…
A vein arose from Asuma’s temple, causing the man to get careless and rush
in with a powerful right straight.
Asuma: GRAAAAAH!!! DIIIIE!!!! CLOUD PIERCING GOD FIST!!!!!!
Nanashi then immediately prepared his bandaged left hand as a glowing
mark formed on the palm of it.
Nanashi: Mu….!!
In yet another instant, Nanashi appeared within Asuma’s guard, but this
time with his bandaged hand on the yakuza’s sternum.
Asuma:!!!
Nanashi: Y ou’re done!
SHMMM BOOOOM!!!!!!
A deep, powerful booming sound rung out as a red energy exploded within
Asuma’s chest. The attack struck Asuma beyond anything he had felt before,
and as the energy enveloped him, he saw what was underneath those
bandages. A black arm with mark tattoo markings on the palm and up the
arm.
Asuma: (He… has the mark??!!!)
BOOOM!!!
A massive explosion rung out as the side of the lobby blew outside. Smoke
filled the room and Nanashi dropped to a knee, catching his breath.
Nanashi:... Huff huff huff* God…damn it….
Picking his sword off of the ground, Nanashi sheathed it in its scabbard as he
held his left arm. The young man slowly limped to the massive hole in the
building, standing atop the rubble as he looked down at his adversary. Asuma
laid on his back, an enormous red bruise on his sternum as he laid
unconscious. Nanashi hopped down from where he stood, splashing water
up from his impact. He stood over the yakuza, shadow bathing his
expressions and water streaming down his face.
Nanashi: I will make you talk….
Memories of a beautiful red eyed woman went through his mind. Those
emotions became hollow, but a hint of rage bubbled underneath.
Nanashi: (And I will find them… I WILL avenge her..!)
“Yoooo~!”
Looking over with murderous intent in his eyes, Nanashi came in contact
with a man who was under an umbrella. It was none other than Yuto, who
smiled at the vigilante.
Nanashi: Who in the hell are you..??
Yuto grinned wide and responded in a rather chipper manner.
Yuto: Just a guy who came to see who the big bad vigilante was. I didn’t
expect it to be a kid… What about you???
Nanashi: What?
Yuto: Who are you??
After a relatively long pause, Nanashi answers bluntly but very concisely.
“Nobody…”
End of Chapter 1