Chapter 16: stick up the bottom.

Okimodo made his way out of the circle of boys and was about to make his way over to his parents when he was suddenly stopped by Guyus.

“Congratulations.” Guyus smiled. “This makes you the first person to pass their rite of passage in one go in five years.”

Okimodo laughed out loud before replying. “It’s only to be expected of me, don’t you agree?”

“I guess I do.” Guyus chuckled. “There’s a girl who wants to give you something, she’s sitting over there.” Guyus pointed across the arena over to where Cheadle sat with her family.

Cheadle who had been watching the interaction between the two suddenly became flustered When her eyes locked with Okimodo’s.

In a flash the former boy now turned young man stood before her and her parents catching them all off guard. He took a bow before them before offering them his name. “I’m Azurai Batari Okimodo, it’s my pleasure to meet you two.”

He raised his head to resume eye contact with Cheadle who giggled uncontrollably before Sheepishly reaching into her bag. Joa and Marble looked at each other and smiled before speaking to the young man.

“We’re really thankful to you for befriending our beloved daughter Cheadle.” Marble smiled and gave Okimodo an approving nod.

Joa gently stroked Cheadle’s hair as she spoke. “Our daughter would like to give you something, isn’t that right Cheadle…”

Cheadle retrieved the container with the moonshishi inside of it before standing up. She brushed her hair back and blushed before speaking. “I’m going to be moving here next week with my parents. I look forward to seeing you in the future.”

“I also look forward to showing you around the island.” Okimodo responded with a warm smile.

She handed the moonshishi over to Okimodo before tugging on his shirt for him to lean down. When he did she kissed him on the cheek before embracing him.

After the two ended their embrace Okimodo nodded a final time to her parents before leaving.

As he walked away he opened the container with the moonshishi in it and sniffed. It had a delicious aroma to it that smelled of meat and various spices. Okimodo’s stomach growled as he made his way over to sit with his parents.

As he neared them both of his parents sprang up to pull him into an embrace.

“Congratulations my son.” Shikimodo was overwhelmed with emotions and a rare tear could be seen forming in his eye. Petra was already bawling out a river, her congratulatory words too much of a snotty mess to be made out.

“Are you finally going to move out now?” Shitari asked with a shit eating grin. “I honestly can’t wait for you to get drafted away so I can finally have some rest.”

“Knock it off!” Shikimodo scolded.

Back inside of the arena itself Shipo watched on as the ground finished restoring itself. As the last of the cracks sealed up Shimpacha walked back into the centre of the arena before continuing on with the duels.

“Number twenty four, please step forward.” Shimpacha yelled.

Shipo made his way into the centre where he awaited the arrival of his opponent. After Shimpacha called for his opponent’s number a plain looking second timer emerged to confront Shipo.

This boy’s name was Azurai Haju Shimpuchi. He appeared unremarkable with the exception of the sword across his waist. Shipo naturally knew him as he was another upcoming prodigy of swordsmanship. While his reputation wasn’t on par with Shipo’s, Shipo still fancied the upcoming battle as a test of his abilities.

“Let the duel begin.” Shimpacha quickly stepped back and waited for one of them to make the first move.

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Shipo nodded at Shimpuchi granting him the go ahead to attack first.

Shinpuchi was wary as Shipo was not assuming any kind of defensive stance but instead simply standing still with a peaceful expression.

“This bastard really is arrogant.” Shinpuchi sneered internally. “You want me to attack first? Fine. I’ll give you a rude awakening.”

Shimpuchi charged forward with his blade drawn. He jumped into the air and swung down with immense force intending to slice Shipo in half. Shipo side stepped gracefully causing Shimpuchi to slice straight into the ground where his sword became stuck.

Shipo then spun around kicking Shimpuchi clean in the jaw. The boy was sent flying into the other boys as Shipo stared him down. With a swift kick to the behind from one of the other youths, Shimpuchi was sent tumbling back into the centre. He stumbled up to his feet and reached around for his sword. Much to his bedevilment he saw that Shipo was standing over by the sword he had left lodged into the ground.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Shimpuchi yelled in a rage.

Shipo smiled at him mockingly as he yanked the sword out effortlessly before speaking. “I could end this duel right now, but that would be extremely boring so I’ll give you a second chance.”

Shipo then harpooned the sword at Shimpuchi who flipped over it and caught it in mid air.

“Forgive me for my embarrassing display.” Shimpuchi said bitterly before charging forward. “I’ll make sure I reestablish myself in the next few minutes.”

Shimpuchi swirled around as he unleashed a high speed attack sequence. Upward slashes, downward slashes, diagonal slashes and all manner of sword based attacks were used in quick succession. Shipo dodged effortlessly before growing bored and deciding to end the fight.

Shipo suddenly became a blur of red afterimages that all encircled Shimpuchi.

“What the…” Shimpuchi had no counter to this as he had never mastered spectrum dash.

In a flash all of Shipo’s after images disappeared and massive shock waves tore through the arena riling up the watchers.

Shipo suddenly reappeared walking away from behind Shimpuchi who had a completely mortified expression. With a sharp click Shipo sheathed his blade and a massive arcing wound appeared across Shimpuchi’s chest. Blood erupted from the boy’s mouth as he fell to the ground unconscious.

Almost immediately two women from the Ionoon school appeared having seemingly anticipated this outcome. One of them performed a short prayer over the unconscious Shimpuchi as several medical utensils floated up from a box she had placed down next to her. Among the utensils were several needles and a thread that moved fluidly through the air as the utensils automatically stitched up Shimpuchi’s wound. After this process was done they picked him up and carried him away.

“After thirty five seconds Azurai Haju Shimpuchi has fallen unconscious. Azurai Batari Shipo has one the battle and is officially a shang rokai from now on.”

“Such magnificent skill.” The clan head stroked his beard as he reflected on Shipo’s duel. “Unlike his brother, Shipo didn’t go out of his way to put on a show. He dealt with his opponent quickly and efficiently with the exception of a few cocky moments here and there. To think that Heshea was so kind as to bless us with so many promising young men these past few years. First it was that genius Ioseph and now the Batari siblings. I can’t help but feel as if this generation will lead our clan to new heights.”

Beside him both Shiadoncha and Bonsai nodded in agreement.

“THAT’S OUR BOY!!!” Both Shikimodo and Petra were jumping for joy while Okimodo watched on next to them with a wide smile.

In a flash Shipo disappeared from the arena and reappeared next to his family.

They all embraced each other with the exception of Shitari who gesticulated in a disgusted manner.

“I’m going to head back home.” Shipo sighed. “It’s best if I return to training immediately.”

“Really?” Petra frowned. “Are you not going to watch the story of Heshea and Ionoon with us?”

Shipo shook his head.

“Hey Shipo.” Okimodo spoke up. “You might not be aware of this, but there’s this thing people do when they reach a milestone in their life. It’s called celebrating and having a good time.”

“Why don’t YOU just have a good time then?” Shipo scowled. “I’ll prioritise my future over senseless enjoyment.”

“What’s that!” Okimodo gasped as he pointed at Shipo’s backside.

“What?” Shipo replied as he examined himself and found nothing. “I can’t see anything…”

“Really?” Okimodo’s eyes widened. “How can you not see the giant stick up your ass. You must at least be able to feel it right?”

Shipo didn’t reply to Okimodo and simply kissed his teeth before disappearing at the next moment, having likely gone back home to jerk off to the thought of getting revenge on Ioseph.

With most of Okimodo’s friends having already attempted their rite of passage he found little to know reason to remain at the arena himself. He turned to look at his parents and Shitari and was about to announce his departure before he heard Shimpacha call out for Bhudboidingas’s number. Okimodo wasn’t friends with the boy as he was widely considered to be bad knews but in that moment a morbid curiosity overcame him. He couldn’t help but wonder what the boy was capable of. Would he really be able to pass his right of passage on his first attempt?

End of chapter 16.