Tides Of Protomis LXII
Minoru casually lifted himself from the destroyed wall of the building, dusting the debris off his Hakama, as he grasped his blade from the pile beside him. Shortly afterward, he focused on the city and the opponent that charged at him. Zhao was ready to continue his assault, and Minoru prepared to stop it. The swordsman bent his knees and twisted his body, right foot forward, left foot back, and blade facing downward.
"This one may be an issue. It looks like he's gotten stronger than back then. It'd be smart to end this quickly. And eject these heretics from our capital."
His defensive stance apparently did its job, with Zhao's oncoming swipe stopped in his place, His dao braced against the Steel of Minoru's blade. Something followed by the man jumping forward and swiping, launching Zhao away. The latter stopped mid-air, focusing on Minoru as he leaped from his place, drawing his blade back. Zhao continued his charge regardless as he brought his sword over his head. Within moments, the two were within the other's reach. Zhao let out a downward slash as Minoru sent a strike at his stomach.
The blades intercepted another once more, sparks flying as they hummed from the impact. With grunts of effort, they began to push forward, an attempt to break through their opponent's guard with pure strength. However, the difference became clear as Minoru's body flashed red. Zhao and his blade alike knocked back.
Zhao stopped himself mid-air and let his eyes begin flying around as he searched for his opponent, who he found had disappeared from his previous place. He looked to his right, left, and behind him, and then he looked up to see Minoru descending upon him, ready to bisect his opponent. But Zhao was quick in his avoidance, weaving out of the way and landing a kick into the small of Minoru's back. With the man flying forth as a result. He would twist mid-air, landing on the glass walls of a remaining skyscraper. Soon after, beginning to run up it. Zhao would quickly move to follow, landing and beginning to run up as well. It only took a few moments for them to reach the roof of the building. It was here that the monk and apostle stopped, re-taking their stances.
Now, the two were left staring at one another once more. Both tried to predict what their opponent would attempt. Neither was willing to give up. Especially with the people one of them had left waiting at home. Minoru was the first to attack, his body flashing red as he launched a flurry of swipes. Something that certainly didn't bode well for Zhao if he was hit. It was no wonder he attempted to move out of the way of the first, aimed to his left. He jumped to his right but found that the blade changed direction, leaving a slight cut on him. He found the same happening with the next attack and the next. Eventually, a pattern became apparent. One that he hoped to break, he leaped back, putting his blade in front of his body, prepared to defend against any attack he might take. His eyes moved across his opponent, looking for the movement of a limb, even the twitch of a muscle. In front of him, Minoru did the same.
"I'm still at a disadvantage in terms of reach… That blade is much longer than mine. So he can't be as quick to strike if I can get close enough. But he likely realizes that himself, I won't be able to do that easily. Not to mention the bursts of speed and striking power that happen when his Qi flashes… I need to figure out how that works so I can prevent it."
Zhao sprinted forward, blade in hand. With Minoru swinging at him within moments of entering his blade's range. Zhao was quick to leap above the strike, ascending beyond his head and bringing his Dao down on Minoru as if he planned to cut him down the middle. Minoru, unwilling to take the attack, shifted his steel, setting up a horizontal guard above him and stopping his attack. The man pushed his blade, leaping forth as well. Shoving Zhao away, the monk landing on his feet about 20 feet away, skidding, and kicking up dust and debris until he came to a stop. Zhao looked down at his own body and took notice of something. There were only minor cuts on his body. Minoru looked down at his body, noting that it was the same for him.
"He's strong… Though I'd expect that from an apostle."
"The fact that you were able to grow so fast is impressive, I'll give you that, Heretic. But that just proves that you are a real threat to us. Now die!!" Minoru stated. No sooner did a light red violently swarm around Minoru. The size and luminosity intensified as he bent his knees. Zhao continued to watch him, expression unchanged… Until confusion became visible on his visage when the man took his following action. He placed his nodachi back into its hilt… That was until, for a moment, the glow grew to encompass his hilt, and he stated the words.
"Guren Ryu- Shinku Senkō(Crimson Flash)"
Minoru flashed forward at a speed that made Zhao's eyes widen even more so as he began to swiftly draw his blade.
"Battōjutsu?!"
Zhao was quick to put on some kind of defense, prepared to jump out of the way, but he found that the man simply moved past him… Only to discover that he was now in front of him once more. And, but a moment later, in front of him. By now, his eyes moved around as he shifted his attention over and over. By now, the monk could only catch glimpses of his opponent… How many times could he use that technique in succession?!
"He's running circles around me. If I don't stop him now, it'll be a problem… The moment he strikes, I'll use it."
Eventually, Minoru would flash toward the man's back, ready to swing once more. However, Zhao swiftly turned around as he released his grip on his dao, letting it fly out of his hand and knocking it up. Minoru raised an eyebrow but continued forward regardless, unaware of what was to come. Zhao brought his palms forward as the man drew closer. In the final split second, his hands shot toward Minoru's.
"Guo Art - Redirection!"
No sooner did Minoru find himself being thrown out of the way, Although he continued going forth regardless. Coming to a stop behind Zhao's back.
"What?! How did he… No matter!!!"
Minoru regained his composure as he turned and rushed Zhao again, his body flashing red. Something followed by him cutting him across his back time and time again. Followed by a wound-up kick smashing into the small of his back, Rolling him to the other side of the roof. With the monk's blood staining the ground as he did so. Minoru began making his way toward the boy, looking down upon him, the contempt in his eyes clear.
"Do not test me, boy… Do not forget that you're facing the final master of the Guren Ryu and an Apostle of Ardam… Your paltry skill is nothing to me, especially not with what I've done to get here."
Part B
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February 7th of 1960. Nagano
Within a stark white room, lined with four beds, there lay a small infant, a child of brown hair, sitting within the arms of a woman with a similar shade of hair, which went down to her back… It was clear that she did not have long for this world, given how her eyes seemed to grow empty. Something the others in the room took note of, given their silence… Even so, she still kept her blurring gaze on the child regardless, letting out her last words.
"Minoru…Grow strong, my son."
Only then did she close her eyes in what was undoubtedly her end. It was an unfortunate sight to accompany Ito Minoru's birth. But, it was hardly the only one. Minoru Ito was born to a man known as Ito Akira, his father. He, himself, was a descendant of one of the Former 15 Clans that made up Yamato's Kamujin (Divine Blades). The elite Proto-Human warriors who served the Emperor and the Imperial Court for centuries. Though they lost power when the Emperor removed their influence, as they had with the other noble families, they continued their tradition of Learning their family's martial art, which focused upon fast, wide strikes… Unfortunately for the young boy, he would share the fate of the other children of their family. His parents not seeing him as a child but a simple tool to pass on the Guren Ryu…
Something that was made especially clear one winter night. Within the snowy forests and valleys that characterized the area around them, there sat the Ito manor. The large building had the architecture one would expect from when it was built. It was here that every member of the clan lived. Within the courtyard that laid inside the walls stood a tall, well-built man, with his body draped in a black Hakama. His face was stern, if with a touch of disappointment. But most notable, however, was the Nodachi gripped in his right hand and the blood which leaked from the blade and stained his cloth. Though he had a small scratch on his arm, one which hadn't even managed to break the skin.
The one who stood against him had it much worse. On the ground was a chestnut-haired boy who looked no older than 12, laid on his stomach. Though he wore similar clothing, it was in a much worse state, riddled with cuts and stained with red liquid as well. The same which dropped from the cuts on his body. His breaths were labored, even more so as he attempted to lift the blade that lay beside him. He looked up at the man above him with a pained expression. But the one he returned had not even a bit of sympathy.
"Is this all you have?" Akira questioned.
It was dead silent. The boy did not move, did not respond. Instead, he only continued to let out more labored breaths.
"If that is the case, you are no son of mine." Akira declared, turning on his heel, and swiping his blade, removing most of the blood. Before placing it back into its scabbard. Silently turning on his heels and beginning to walk away, for some time, the boy looked on until he succumbed to his injuries, and the boy's face fell into the snow.
His training was brutal. His age did not matter to those in the Ito Clan. Whether it be with his father or sparring with his siblings or cousins. And as he grew older, it only became a downward spiral. But, the Brutality did not stop there. As expectations for his strength increased, the training increased and got even more challenging. The rest of his family did similar things, as they cared about power over all else. This was kept from the public eye, as one would expect. Although they didn't have much political power, They still had a reputation to preserve.
But, there was one who kept his will afloat, his younger half-brother, who, along with himself, steeled himself so that they could go stronger and change the family they found themselves raised in… But, as his scorn grew, he eventually decided on what needed to be done. Years passed until….
August 17th, 1978.
Though the ito manor looked the same for the passersby who came across the dirt path, simply another remnant noble family, the same could not be said for the inside of its walls. Within the building was a hakama-wearing youth with a head of brown hair stretching down to his shoulders. The expression on his face, one clearly burning with rage, And stained with blood… He shared something in common with his blade at his side, the cloth on his body, and the hardwood under his feet. The house was dead silent, with the only sound being his slow footsteps on the creaking wooden floor as he strolled out of the manor's front door. Then, the crunch of the grass under his feet. Though, he was not alone. A boy who bore a resemblance, with the exception of a head of indigo hair, rather than the brown of his father's. Though he may have worn the same clothes as the one in front of him, the shirt was gone, with his upper body covered in cuts. The chest, stomach, and back alike, nothing was left undamaged. Hidden behind the wooden panel doors was Ito Tsuyoshi.
The boy tightened his grip on the Nodachi in his right hand as he watched Minoru leave. His face was twisted in anger as he took notice of the casual expression on Minoru's face. How could one look so calm after doing what he just did?! It was heinous, unforgivable! He gritted his teeth, attempting to hold the flow of anger back. But, the more he thought about it, the harder it got… Until the dam broke, he could no longer hold his rage back. The man was quick to grasp the blade with both hands. He bent his knees and leaped forward, bursting through the wall with his sword poised to strike.
"Brother!" He shouted.
Minoru looked over his shoulder with his expression unchanged. The youth watched as his younger brother took a downward swipe at him. However, Tsuyoshi would find that his brother would dodge the strike without effort, grabbing him by his throat. Lifting him as he threw him into the manor's outer walls. With the palisade cracking upon impact. Now, he lay there as his brother made his slow approach. Lifting his head as the crunch of the grass grew closer.
"You bastard, how dare you carry out this betrayal?!"
Minoru's expression remains unchanged at the slight, simply letting out a response in a calm, if not cold, tone.
"Betrayal? Do you not understand what kind of family this is? If it wasn't me, it would've been someone else… The Ito family loves strength so much, so I am showing them mine and showing their weakness. Survival of the fittest is what they held dear, is it not?"
Tsuyoshi slowly forced himself to his feet as he shakily grasped the hilt of his blade with both of his hands.
"Didn't we say we would change this family from the inside out? What happened to that?!" Tsuyoshi shouted.
"That was when I was still naive…You may not see it, but I do. This family will not change. It must be destroyed and rebirthed. You may scorn me, brother, but I will take up that role regardless… Now then…"
Faster than Tsuyoshi could even react, Minoru appeared in front of him, aiming the edge of his Nodachi at his brother's chest… For some time, they stayed like that, as if Minoru had shown some form of hesitation. But, he'd remembered why it was that he took action. What he'd experienced, what the carrion that lay within the halls did. And how resistant they seemed to change it.
"Goodbye… Brother."
Minoru would soon drive his blade through Tsuyoshi's chest. He stood there for a few moments before he withdrew it, catching him as his body went limp. For some time, he was silent, looking down upon his deceased sibling.
"At the very least… You were respectable. I shall do this much for you, at least."
Some time later, Minoru stood in a clearing between the trees, in front of a crudely marked grave, where he'd put his brother to rest. He found himself wanting to let tears drip from his eyes and stop there, but he did not. After all, this was his choice. So instead, he swung his blade to remove the blood. Putting it back in its scabbard. Turning away from the site of the grave, grabbing a large leather pack that he'd filled with supplies.
On this day, the Ito massacre took place. One of the heirs to the family's head, Minoru Ito, was the only survivor. They did not believe he had killed them, as he had just become of age at the time. This, combined with it being his family. Eventually, during one of his travels, the Kaemerge approached the young Minoru, as they learned about his plans to re-create the Ito clan, and offered to give him the resources to do so… If he joined them. Though he refused to join them at first, he eventually gave in. He spent his time defeating increasingly strong enemies and rising in the ranks.
Until he was noticed by Selenium Ignatius himself, who, taking notice of his strength and Tactical Knowledge, made him the leader of the Yamato Branch. Though he spent much of his time fighting against those who weren't happy with his quick rise, he only rose further. Until he was given a title, the Emperor had created himself. He was to serve as his second in command, Answering only to him. Ardam's first apostle, in 1985. Around this time, he met the woman known as Aina, a noble from one of the clans that predated his arrival.
However, his power would soon be challenged as the 2nd and 3rd apostles appeared. Their very prevalent conflicts of interest were made visible in court and by the gossip, the populace engaged in. Though the only actual conflict that would happen was between himself and House Livert,
1999
In the sandy mountains that surrounded the great crag, Minoru flew high above their peaks, cutting through piece after piece of the storm of rubble barreling toward him. All pieces of said rubble were covered in a red glow. All the while, the wielder of this debris, A younger Amelia Livert, floated with a smirk on her face.
"You may as well give up, First. we all know how this is gonna end." She boasted. Something that was met with a flash of red from Minoru himself as he burst forward through the air, cutting through the rubble in what seemed like a matter of moments…
"But of course… With your loss." He responded.
Something only met by Amelia closing her hand. Something followed by one of the mountains around them breaking down into red-coated debris, and, as she flicked her wrist, going toward the swordsman.
Eventually, his son Hajime was born to him and his wife Aina in 2001… He would begin teaching the boy Guren Ryu at his request. But the boy hadn't got anywhere close to mastery… Leaving him as the art's sole master…
So that was the story, huh… He had no idea why the apostle was so talkative, but, regardless, he would put that question aside. After all, it still didn't change the fact that he would need to battle him, and that was looking to be a monumental task. The apostle had begun walking toward Zhao's body. Stopping just a few feet away from him. It was here that he flipped his blade, the point now facing downward. And he prepared to thrust it through his back. However, Zhao sprung into action, jumping out of the way. The blade only pierced the concrete that the roof below them was made of. Zhao rushed past Minoru, moving to pick up his Dao and tighten his grip on it within his hand. Taking his stance once more while Minoru simply watched.
"I should have cut deeper. If I had, you likely wouldn't be able to stand right now… I'll be sure not to make that mistake again."
To Be Continued