Chapter 47
Trails Of Strength
Itsuki is *shocked* as he says
"I couldn't even sense them!" Dai says
"They couldn't have gotten that far!" Kenji rushes outside as he screams
"HANA!" Itsuki and Dai both rush outside but Kenji is gone and Dai is *shocked* and says
"Where did he-" Itsuki suddenly grabs him and jumps onto the roof as Ice covers the ground and the front of the house and Itsuki looks into the air and sees Kenji floating over the village surging with his ice and Itsuki notices Kenji's freezing the entire village as he screams
"HANA!" Itsuki says
"He's going to hurt people! Dai, we need to do it again" Dai walks over to Itsuki and grabs his shoulder as he says
"It's been so long since we've done that" Dai starts surging with his fire as Itsuki puts his hand in the air and lightning slams down on top of them
At the same time Kenji surging with his ice even harder freezing more of the village and creating a dome of Ice around him as he thinks
"I don't know who you are, but I promise you I'll find my sister. And when I do-" Suddenly Itsuki and Dai slam into the top of the dome causing all of their elements to clash flying across the sky and Itsuki surges with his lightning as he says
"Kenji, you have to stop your hurting people!" As Dai surges with his fire and says
"Calm down, we're going to find her!" As there pushing against Kenji dome it's suddenly launched away sending it flying outside of the village and as Itsuki and Dai are falling out of the air they see as Kenji's dome slams into the ground creating a mountain of ice around it and there *shocked* as they land on the ground and Dai says
"If we had made him hit the ground we would have destroyed the village!" A voice from behind them says
"That's why I intervened" They turn around and see Kenzo standing behind them and Dai is *shocked* as he says
"When did you get here!?" Kenzo says
"Around the time my library started getting abnormally chilly and I heard screaming for Hana, would one of you like to explain to me what happened?" Itsuki says
"We were all at home when suddenly the door flew open and we all were taken down before we could see who opened it and as we all got up Hana was gone and so was whoever attacked us. And Kenji went berserk and his ice started surging as he started trying to freeze the entire village" Kenzo says
"That's not what he was trying to do" Dai is *shocked* as he says
"Do you not see the village!? There's ice everywhere! What else could he be trying to do?" Kenzo says
"He may not have controlled it properly because of his heightened emotions, but that move is for sensory. It can be turned into an attacking move, but that is not what he did. He was just trying to find Hana" Itsuki says
"I wish to find Hana as well, but even if it wasn't his intention him freezing these houses anymore would have caused them to collapse and freeze the people inside. Especially if we we're successful with bringing him down the way we planned" Kenzo *laughs* as he says
"Good point" Kenzo walks in front of them as he sees Kenji walking towards them and Kenzo says
"Hana is still in the village, calm yourself Kenji" Kenji looks at Kenzo as he says
"We need to find her!" Kenzo says
"Look around, look at what your pursuit of her has done. I know you wish to find her, but look at what is happening!" As Kenji looks around the village he sees people homes and business are frozen and starting to crumble as he looks through a window he notices people *cowering in fear* and Kenji is *shocked* as he says
"I didn't mean too...I just wanted to get her back" Kenzo grabs his shoulder as he says
"I know, but you must remember other people have people they care about as well. We will find her, but not this way. You must release the village" Kenji steps back and puts his hand on the ground pulling all the ice from around the village back into him and Kenzo says
"Kenji, I'll find Hana. Just go home" Kenji says
"But-" Kenzo says
"Do you trust me?" Kenji says
"...Yes" Kenzo says
"Then please don't let that trust waver now, just go home. I promise you I will bring her back" Kenji says
"Alright...I'll let you do it, but please find her quickly" Kenji turns around and walks back towards Kaito's house as Dai follows him but Itsuki turns to Kenzo as he starts to walk away and Itsuki says
"Wait Kenzo!" Kenzo turns around and says
"Yes?" Itsuki says
"Would you ever consider taking on another student?" Kenzo says
"You've become very strong on your own, are you sure you're in need of a Sensei or are you just scared you won't be able to accomplish what you think Kingsman wanted you too?" Itsuki says
"I know I have so much more potential inside of me, this cannot be the reason my father saved me. This can not be the limit he saw for me, and since he sees more in me I wish to find it. And your the person that helped my father and brother so hopefully you can help some like me" Kenzo says
"When I first took Kingsman on as a student I saw nothing in him, he was just a boy beaten by the world with nothing left to lose and no faith in the world. But Kenji was the exact opposite, a bright boy with faith in the world and trust in the future. If I had to pick between the two of them on who would become stronger, I'd put my faith in Kenji. With his trusting nature he will learn a lot from the people around him, but Kingsman is closed off and only listens to people close to him. Kenji will learn more than Kingsman and eventually overcome him in strength and abilities, after that the outcome of their battle will be much different than any of their others. I see a lot of Kingsman inside of you, you trust no one that you do not know and only listen to the ones closest to you. I cannot train another Kingsman, he truly would never want me to either. He's not...Fond of the man he became and he would never wish that for you, and training alongside me would only solidify your path down the same road as him" Itsuki says
"But...I just..." Kenzo grabs Itsuki's shoulder as he says
"What has Kingsman always told you?" Itsuki *sighs* as he says
"To never become like him, and to only pursue the things I truly desire" Kenzo says
"You can admire his strength, but there are a lot of things Kingsman does that normal people simply cannot. For one, do not think his isolation is normal. Kingsman keeps even the people close to him at a far distance, Kingsman sometimes takes the distance he needs because he cannot control himself at times. Why do you think everyone is shocked when Kingsman comes to the village and spends more than a few minutes inside of it. Why do you think he chose to build his home on the top of the hill and not inside the village he also built" Itsuki says
"Father likes his time alone, but everyone needs their time alone. Some people are less sociable, that's not an odd thing. Even you spend hours inside your library and we don't see you for some time" Kenzo *laughs* as he says
"You are correct, even I like my time alone away from everyone. But I always come out and spend my time in the village, but how long do you think people can go with zero human interaction?" Itsuki says
"Uhh...I don't know, a week" Kenzo says
"And how long do you think Kingsman isolated himself?" Itsuki says
"Maybe...Two months" Kenzo *laughs* as he says
"Try two years" Itsuki is *shocked* and says
"What!?" Kenzo says
"No one saw Kingsman for two years after the region was built back up, this was around the time him and Kaito had decided that Kaito would run the region" Itsuki says
"Kaito, didn't go up and check on him?" Kenzo says
"He would have, but Kingsman specifically before that he asked to be left alone until he returns and that's what he did" Itsuki says
"What about Akita? Where was she?" Kenzo says
"She never spoke about those two years with Kingsman, but whatever happened during those years made her love for Kingsman skyrocket to a new level. I even heard he tried kicking her out, but she simply wouldn't go. She also knew Kingsman wouldn't physically remove her, but she did say she only saw Kingsman for two months out of that two years and only for a few hours during random nights" Itsuki says
"Hmm...I can understand why father needs to separate himself, he needs to let out everything he's built up to not affect those around him. Just like...Me, I see...If this isn't the path he'd want me to take then I won't. Thank you, Grandpa Kenzo. I guess I just wanted to become a myth like father is outside of the region, I admire how his name can protect people he cares for!" Kenzo *chuckles* as he says
"He isn't only a myth outside of the region, he's a myth within this village right now!" Itsuki is *shocked* as he says
"What!? How could he possibly be a myth here!?" Kenzo says
"When I told you Kingsman isolates himself I was not joking, before all of you came I can count on my hands how many times he actually stayed in the village. Hell, I can count on one hand the amount of times he used to stay here for longer than two minutes" Itsuki is *confused* as he says
"If that's true, why is he showing himself so much now?" Kenzo says
"It should be obvious, he wants everyone to know that you're his children. If anyone is to move against any of you then they will answer to him, honestly I don't even believe half of the villagers know Kenji. As much as I continue to tell you there different, they have similarities in regards to keeping their distance from people. But, the same way Kingsman holds a special place in your heart, you all hold one in his. Honestly, I wouldn't want to be there but we all have our preferences" Itsuki hugs Kenzo as Itsuki *smiles* and says
"I truly appreciate you taking the time to speak with me, grandfather!" Kenzo *smiles* as he says
"Always, if you need to talk you are always welcome in my library. Actually in a few years I'll need someone to step up and take my place in my library as the book keeper, but we'll talk about this later. Go home" Itsuki says
"I'm honored to be considered for the position, but I hope you have a goodnight!" Kenzo says
"The same to all of you" Itsuki is *confused* as he says
"What are you talking about, it's just-" As Itsuki turns around he sees Dai and Kenji sitting on top of the building in front of him and Dai says
"What? You thought we were going to just leave you with this untrustworthy old bastard" Kenzo looks up at Dai as he says
"What did you call me?" Dai *smiles* as he says
"Old...Bastard!" Kenzo *laughs* as he says
"You haven't changed at all...But for you that's not good" Kenzo disappears and Itsuki and Kenji are *shocked* as they start looking around and he suddenly appears behind Dai and Kenzo tries to chop Dai on his neck but without turning around Dai catches his hand and Kenzo is *shocked* as Dai says
"No one ever stays the same after years, you may believe you still know them. But you will never truly understand what they have become until they show you!" Suddenly as the wind blows Dai's body turns into fire and it's blown away with the wind as Kenzo feels two fingers on the back of his neck and Dai says
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"This is no longer your time you old bastard, we are the future!" Kenzo *laughs* as he says
"I'm impressed, you actually managed to catch me off guard. But what will you do next?" Dai moves his hand as he says
"Nothing...You simply are not worth it" Kenzo turns around and throws a punch towards Dai's face but Dai doesn't move at all and Kenzo stops his fist right in front of Dai's face and Kenzo *smiles* as he says
"Maybe I have underestimated who you have become, all of you have a good night" Kenzo walks off as Itsuki jumps onto the roof with Kenji and Dai, Itsuki looks at Kenji and says
"Are you ready to go home?" Kenji is *sad* as he says
"...Yeah, I know Grandpa Kenzo will find her. But it's just...I couldn't protect her, father would never have let this happen! But I did, she's been taken because of my lack of action! And now because I have failed, I must look to our grandfather to fix my mistakes!" Itsuki says
"We were all there, if anything we all deserve credit for allowing this to happen. But I promise when Kenzo finds them we'll get revenge for it" Dai walks up to Kenji and grabs his shoulder as he says
"She's not just your little sister anymore, now she has all of us. And when we find out who did it, I promise they're going to regret it!" Kenji *smiles* as he says
"Thank you...Both of you!" Kenji,Dai and Itsuki all drop off of the roof and start walking but Itsuki notices Kenji is looking at the ground as Itsuki says
"Hey, let's race! After all these years I want to see if either one of you have finally gotten fast enough to beat me yet" Dai is *shocked* as he says
"What!? You never beat me!" Kenji looks at Itsuki as he says
"When did you beat me?" Itsuki *smiles* as he says
"Right now!" Itsuki takes off running before either of them can react and Dai jumps into the air as he uses his fire to propel him forward and Kenji *smiles* as he runs forward but as he's running with every step his ice covers the ground making him slide forward past Itsuki and as they both pass Itsuki, he *laughs* as he says
"So we're using our abilities huh!" Itsuki puts his hands into the air as he travels through his lightning and Dai looks back towards Kenji as he's sliding on his ice and Dai shoots a fireball towards Kenji but a hand made out of water stretches out of the ground and grabs it causing it to freeze as it liquefies and is pulled into the ground and Kenji *laughs* as he says
"I should have known you'd never change, but I've picked up a lot more tricks now" Dai says
"You talk to much, you should watch your back more" Suddenly Kenji's hit in the back with a fireball making him fall onto the ground and Dai starts *laughing* as he's flying forward but suddenly a giant ice wall shoots up out of the ground making him smash his face against it and dropping to the floor and Kenji gets to his feet as Dai does and Kenji says
"You tried to miss direct me with that fire ball just to try and hit me with another from the side, you keep using the same tricks I guess you really haven't changed" Dai says
"You're still just using Ice walls how is that changing!" Kenji steps up to Dai but suddenly lightning slams down between them electrocuting them both making them fall onto their backs as Itsuki lands between them and says
"What the hell are the two of you doing!?" Itsuki looks at them both on the ground as he says
"This is a race not who can trick who, focus or I'll make you focus" Itsuki calls down lightning and as he disappears his lightning is taken off of Kenji and Dai as Kenji is *laughing* while still on his back and thinks
"You're starting to piss me off!" As Kenji's starting into the air he suddenly sees fireballs shoot into the clouds and Kenji looks over and sees Dai shooting fireballs into the air as he slowly gets to his feet and Kenji gets to his feet and also starts shooting his ice into the clouds splitting the sky and as there doing this a voice from behind Dai says
"Maybe you should let Kenji freeze the clouds and then throw a sun to flush me out" Dai looks back at Itsuki and says
"Your actually kind of smart" Dai turns back around and starts charging a sun but he says
"Wait-" As he turns back around Itsuki kicks him in the chest pushing him onto Kenji knocking them both to the ground as Itsuki puts his foot on top of Dai's back pinning both of them to the ground and says
"Honestly the both of you are fun to bully, and since I've already beaten you in the race and a fight. How about we call a truce?" Itsuki moves his foot off of Dai's back allowing the both of them to stand up and as they do Kenji walks up to Itsuki and Itsuki clenches his fist but Kenji wraps him in a hug and Itsuki is *shocked* but as he looks up towards Dai, he sees as the wind is blowing Dai turns into flames and is blown away with the wind and suddenly he hears Dai's voice behind him say
"I let you express yourself in an aggressive manner, but now it's my turn" Itsuki turns around and tries to punch Dai but Itsuki realizes he can't move his arms and as he looks down he sees that Kenji has turned into pure ice pinning his arms down to his side and Dai punches Itsuki in his face launching back and sending him slamming into the ground and Itsuki says
"Aren't you supposed to be an honorable warrior, what's honorable about fighting someone who can't defend himself?" Dai says
"We started this fight off normally and you were simply outsmarted, so now you pay the price" Dai walks up and grabs Itsuki by his face pulling him up as he says
"But since you felt the need to go all out I will as well" Dai opens his hand as a small sun appears and Dai pushes the small sun onto the ice and the sun is coated in ice as it's pulled into the ice and it slowly floats up towards Itsuki chest and Itsuki says
"Dai, I promise when I get free I'm going to-" As the sun gets close to Itsuki he is *shocked* and thinks
"Woah, the pressure and heat this thing is giving off is crazy!" Dai *smiles* as he says
"I respect you Itsuki, so I know I don't have to hold back as much" Suddenly the small sun quickly starts moving all around Itsuki and Dai's fire surges all around him and as it does multiple of the small suns start circling Dai and Dai says
"I will tell you, this is going to hurt" All the small suns start flying into the ice and start quickly moving all around him and Dai says
"But I know you can take it" All the small suns stop moving as they start to super heat and Itsuki feels overwhelming pressure on his chest and Itsuki *cries out in pain* as he screams
"DAI STOP!" Suddenly a hand grabs Dai shoulder from behind and says
"Enough!" Itsuki looks up as he sees Kenji standing behind Dai and he thinks
"Good, I can't believe this dumb ass was really going to kill me!" Kenji says
"Not here, it'd destroy the entire village. Let's take it into the air" Itsuki is *shocked* as he says
"What!?" Dai *smiles* as he says
"All right" Kenji stomps on the ground creating a giant pillar underneath them pushing them extremely high into the air as Kenji says
"Now you can do it" Dai walks over to Itsuki and pats him on his head as he says
"Any last words little guy?" Itsuki *panics* as he says
"Dai, think about this. If father comes back and sees I'm not here you're going to be in trouble, think about how mom is going to react" Kenji *smiles* as he says
"Don't worry about it, I got that covered" Suddenly an arm pulls itself out of the ice and Itsuki is *shocked* as he sees a clone of him come out of the ice and Kenji says
"Go ahead Dai!" Dai grabs Itsuki by his face and throws him into the air as all the suns start to super heat and Itsuki is *scared* as he screams
"DAI STOP!" Itsuki closes his eyes as he feels that overwhelming pressure once again and the ice around him cracks from the pressure but suddenly the pressure disappears and Itsuki opens his eyes as he sees Kenji and Dai standing over him as there *laughing* and he looks around as he sees there on top of the giant Ice pillar and the middle of the pillar turns to water carrying them all back down to the ground and as the rest of the pillar liquefy and flows into the ground as the ice around Itsuki washes away and Itsuki gets to his feet as Kenji says
"Now we can call a truce and go home" All of them start walking as Dai *laughs* and says
"So that's what you learned to do after all these years, piss yourself!" Itsuki is *irritated* as he says
"Nobody was about to piss themselves!" Dai *smiles* as he says
"I couldn't tell how you were screaming, Dai stop! Dai no!" Kenji *laughs* as he says
"Does it matter since I beat both of you" Dai says
"We never finished our fight, you didn't beat me!" Kenji opens his mouth but as he sees Kaito's house and he notices Kaito sitting on the roof with Hana on his shoulder eating ice cream and everyone is *shocked* and they rush up and jump onto the roof as Kaito takes Hana off of his shoulder and Kenji hugs Hana as he says
"I was worried about you, I'm glad you're safe!" Kenji lets go of Hana and stands up as he hugs Kaito and says
"Thank you Uncle Kaito, but please tell me who took her!?" Kaito says
"I did" Kenji,Dai and Itsuki are *shocked* and Kenji let's go of Kaito as Dai says
"Why!?" Kaito says
"You're father taught me testing people is very necessary after they've gained power, and doing that as there off guard is a true test of there power and control over it" Itsuki says
"So you tested us and made us come look for Hana around the same time we were looking for you?" Kaito says
"Exactly, and you all have decent control over your elements even in emotional state. Even you Kenji, you didn't try and tear apart the village looking for her but you did try and use your element and the after effect is what caused the damage. But you still need more emotional control, even when you lash out you must be aware of your surroundings and the people you put in danger" Kenji says
"I know, but everything happened so suddenly it's like my mind just went blank" Kaito says
"That is life everything is sudden, but we must take time before we react. Even if it's two second we must take time" Kaito drops off of the roof and goes into the house as Kenji picks up Hana and drops off the roof with Dai and Itsuki walking into the house as well and Kenji,Itsuki,Dai and Hana all sit on the couch and watch TV as Kaito walks over to the stairs and looks up them and Itsuki notices his hesitation but Kaito closes his eyes and starts walking up the stairs but with every step Emi and Akemi's voices echo louder and louder as he makes it to the top everything goes silent and he walks to his bedroom door and puts his hand on the knob but he hesitates as he *starts to tear up* and he slowly opens the door as he looks down at where Emi and Akmei's bodies layed and Kaito gets down on one knee and thinks
"I...Am sorry I wasn't able to save either of you, but Akemi I must thank you for giving me a truly once in a lifetime joy. Emi, thank you for being that once in a lifetime joy. But I must thank you both from the bottom of my heart...For dealing with me, Akemi I know you always thought I was a handful and Emi if you could talk I know you'd agree with your mother. But thank you for our time together" Kaito stands up as he walks over to the bed and he lays down in his bed as he closes his eyes and he reaches over and feels the emptiness of the bed and he *tears fall out of his closed eyes* as he says
“I’m sorry Akemi, I know I've failed you" As Kaito is laying in his bed and he feels a presence hug him as he hears Akemi’s voice whisper
“It’s ok Kaito, I forgive you. We forgive you, please be strong. If not for you then for the children you now care for” Kaito wipes the tears from his eyes as he says
“Ok, I’ll protect them with my life” Kaito opens his eyes as he hears someone knocking on his bedroom door and Kaito gets to his feet and opens it as he sees Hana standing there and he says
“Yes Hana?” Hana says
“Can I have some candy?” Kaito *laughs* as he says
“You eat so much candy your going to turn into a piece of candy” Hana *smiles* as she says
“I would love to be candy!” Kaito says
“How about we get some juice instead?” Hana says
“Ok, but the last time my brothers had some juice they fell out of their chairs” Kaito is *confused* as he says
“Really?” Hana says
“Yeah, but my father drank his whole bottle and gave me another one” Kaito says
“Well let’s go get us some juice” Kaito and Hana go downstairs and into the kitchen as Kaito pours them both a cup of juice and Hana says
"Thank you!" Kaito says
"You're welcome" Hana grabs her cup of juice and walks back into the living room as she sits on the couch but Dai takes her cup of juice and takes a sip and Hana is *shocked* as she says
“Hey!” Kaito walks over and hands Hana his cup of juice and takes the cup from Dai and Dai is *shocked* as he says
“Hey!” Kaito says
“Since this is all of your first days back in the village I’ll train all of you hard tomorrow” Dai says
“Your training won’t effect me, I’m already as strong as I could ever be” Itsuki *laughs* as he says
“If this is where you stop I’ll pass you up by tomorrow” Dai says
“Pass me!? Even if I hadn’t trained all this time I’d still be stronger than you” Kenji stands up and says
“Uncle, where will we be sleeping?” Kaito says
“There are two beds in Emi's old room, so two of you can go in there. And there's a bed in the spare room, but unfortunately someone will have to sleep on the couch” Hana says
“Can I have Emi’s room?” Kaito says
“Yes” Kenji says
“I can take the couch” Hana says
“No brother, I want you to sleep in the room with me!” Kenji says
"Hmm, you're getting older I thought you'd want more privacy" Hana says
"I do, but I've really missed you so much" Kenji *chuckles* as he says
"Are you sure you just haven't become even more scared of the dark?" Hana is *nervous* as she says
"I'm not scared of the dark anymore!" Kenji *smiles* as he says
"Whatever you say" Kaito says
"Now that their room situation is settled, what about the two of you?" Itsuki and Dai both say
“I’m taking the guest room” They both look at each other and Itsuki says
“I’m getting the guest room!” Dai says
“No, I’m taking the guest room!” Kaito says
“Whoever gets there first keeps the room” Dai turns around and rushes towards the stairs but suddenly he stops moving as he feels a hand pressed against his back and Dai is *shocked* as he says
“What the hell did you do to me?” Itsuki *laughs* as he says
“I touched you and you stopped, have fun on the couch” Itsuki walks upstairs and Kenji *laughs* as he says
"Have a goodnight Dai" Kenji picks up Hana and walks upstairs as Kaito says
"You all are a handful" Kaito walks upstairs and into his room and as he's closing his door he hears Dai is *shocked* and says
"Itsuki! Get back here and let-"
The next morning as Kaito comes downstairs he sees Dai still standing in the same position from last night and Kaito is *shocked* as he says
“Have you been like that all night?” Dai says
“What do you think!?” Itsuki and Kenji walk out of the kitchen as Kaito looks at Itsuki and says
“Itsuki, let him go'' Itsuki looks at Kaito as he says
“All he had to do was ask nicely" Itsuki *smiles* as him and Kaito look into each others eyes but Kenji grabs Itsuki's shoulder and says
"We need to go, let him go" Itsuki *sighs* as he says
"Fine, but next time he will ask nicely or he'll never be released" Itsuki snaps as Dai falls to the ground and Kenji and Itsuki walk out the door and Dai gets to his feet and engulfs in his flames and he rushes them but as he throws a punch towards Itsuki, lightning slams down on top of all of them transporting them to a open field and Dai falls on the ground wrapped in lightning and Itsuki says
“Attempting to strike a great warrior like me is disrespectful” Dai while being electrocuted, says
“Let…Me…Go!” Itsuki says
“As you wish” Itsuki kicks Dai in the stomach sending him flying as he slams through a tree and Itsuki jumps back away from Kenji as he says
“Now let’s see how strong you’ve truly gotten” Kenji *smiles* as he says
“Let’s hope you can keep up, after all these years of wanting me at my best now I'll show it too you” Itsuki *smiles* as he says
"If you're not holding back then I won't as well, hopefully I won't have to restart your heart"