Fan Fiction ❯ Yotsuyu: Lotus Blade ❯ Ryuzo's Sidearm ( Chapter 4 )

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Yotsuya - Chapter 4 "Ryuzo's Sidearm"
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April 1616 - Edo "Geisha District"

Ryuzo - Dammit, Geisha here Geisha there...Where in the hell are the prostitutes!?!

???? - Sir Geishas are artists. Not prostitutes.

Ryuzo - Shut up Kento. I am horny as hell.

[Ryuzo grabs a Geisha and kisses her]

Geisha - Sir I am not a sexual toy please reframe from viewing me as such.

Ryuzo - See...see. WHERE ARE THE PROSTITUTES?!?

Kento - Will you never learn sir?

Ryuzo - I think not, but maybe after I find a good whore or two.

Kento - Sir sex is fun spiritual enlightenment, not just run of the mill pleasure.

Ryuzo - Enough you make me feel like I am at war again.

Kento - Sir you should make our way to Sajimasa's estate sir.

Ryuzo - Kento you are such a party pooper. I'll be off.

Kento - Yessir.

Ryuzo - Why do you keep calling me "sir"? And don't you dare call me Jubei again.

Kento - Sir then I don't know what to call you.

Ryuzo - Good point. Hmm...I like the name...Ryoshi...nah Ryuzo.

Kento - Ryuzo Takasuki?!

Ryuzo - Hell no...Ryuzo Adachi. Idiot.

Kento - Master Ryuzo don't leave your sword.

Later at the Sajimasa estate.

[Masajino Sajimasa, Master of the Daisho Ken Clan]

Masajino - Hello Master Adachi.

Ryuzo - Just call me Ryuzo, Saji.

Masajino - Ryuzo, hmm...anyways. Ryuzo, Master Tokugawa will be pleased with the
young samurais we have rised.

Ryuzo - May I see them?

Masajino - Ryuzo, yes you may. Follow me.

[Walking in the halls they continue to talk until they get to a door to a dojo]

Ryuzo - Is this the place Saji?

Masajino - Yes.

[Masajino opens the door and hundreds of young samurai stop and greeting Masajino]

Ryuzo - Holy shit, Saji. What the hell is this?

Masajino - Boys this is Master Ryuzo Adachi. Master of the Ranga Yokaido Bushin Style.
He is the representative of Master Ieyasu Tokugawa; show him what you
have.

Ryuzo - Masajino, these boy are only 10 through 13.

Masajino - You're point?

Ryuzo - I wasn't finished with my training until I was 18. These boys are too young.

Masajino - I know but I excelorated their training. Some of them can even beat you.

Ryuzo - Let's be serious. Hello Ranga Style here.

Masajino - These boys study the Hyozanryuu. Matter of fact I'll show you. Kuzemitsu.
Come here.

[A boy runs over that looks familiar]

Kuzemitsu - Yes sir.

Masajino - This is Kuzana Saizuchi's son. Kuzemitsu Saizuchi.

Ryuzo - So you also know the Yokaido Bushin?

Kuzemitsu - Yessir, my father is a Master of the Kyouji Style.

Ryuzo - Hmmm...So Kuzana was an Oni as well. Anyways go get two bokken so I can test your
skills.

Kuzemitsu - Yessir.

[Drums play and the class of boys sit in a circle around the battle arena]

Masajino - Well two swordsmen with lot of knowledge of the Yokaido Bushin. How shall this
unfold.

[Kuzemitsu and Ryuzo ready themselves]

Masajino - Hajine, Shikkinsho!

[Kuzemitsu disappears]

Ryuzo - The Shino Zatoichi...how interesting Young Master Saizuchi.

[Ryuzo Disappears, but you hear some cloth in the wind]

[Sounds of impacts and Kuzemitsu falls down quickly gets up and disappears again]

[Suddenly two people stop in the middle of the arena with bokkens clashed together]

Ryuzo - I am surprised young master Saizuchi. You are using the Genki Style not Kyouji.

Kuzemitsu - Spent most of my time with Master Hikou Ikawana.

[The two release and disappear again]

In the high speed battle.

[Kuzemitsu and Ryuzo are looking face to face and running]

Kuzemitsu - To-Doushi.

Ryuzo - WHAT!

[A massive slash cuts the ground]

[Kuzemitsu makes a playful smile]

[Ryuzo makes a playful smile]

Ryuzo - Shoujonin.

[Six aerial strikes fly at Kuzemitsu]

[Kuzemitsu's eye turn red and so does his hair]

Kuzemitsu - I, Kuzemitsu Saizuchi, unrelease my Oni. Kajojiki.

[Kuzemitsu the Kajojiki destroys the strikes in the air]

Ryuzo - He can tap his oni?!? Sorry Kuzemitsu training or not I can't let you use your oni.
I, Ryuzo Adachi, unrelease my oni, Tsukegan.

[Masajino watches the high speed battle in horror]

Masajino - The Tsukegan of Kamakura.

[A Black Demonious figure does one massive attack at Kajojiki]

[Ryuzo and Kuzemitsu fall to the ground]

Ryuzo - Hahaha...damn you're good Kuzemitsu. Your father most be proud.

Kuzemitsu - I have seen my father in a year.

Ryuzo - Is that true Masajino?

[Masajino just stands there with his mouth open]

Ryuzo - Masajino you alive?

Masajino - Wha...oh Kuzana came up missing after he left for Kyoto.

Ryuzo - Kyoto...alot of people haven't been returning from Kyoto has of lately.

Kuzemitsu - Strange thing is my father was going to Otsu.

Masajino - Hmm...new info.

Ryuzo - Well Young Master Saizuchi, I am looking for someone from this area.

Masajino - What, you're not the person who is coming to inspect these young men?

Ryuzo - Sadly no, I've come in search of a new Oni in this area. He goes by the
Shogi the Phantom. But the only place I know where all info in Edo goes is to
you, Masajino.

[Kuzemitsu looks away]

Masajino - Well I am looking for that fiend as well. He killed one of my students. Hatate
Yukishiro.

[Kuzemitsu turns around]

Kuzemitsu - Miss Aoi Shihachi is his sister. You can find her in the Geisha District.

Masajino - Young Saizuchi has been searching for this Shogi. Apparently Kuzemitsu and
Hatate were friends.

Ryuzo - Is this so Kuzemitsu?

Kuzemitsu - Yessir. I have tried my best, but to no avail.

Ryuzo - Good, I'll need your knowledge of all of Edo and it's people. Masajino, Kuzemitsu
is coming with me.

Masajino - Well we'll following your advice Young Master Kuzemitsu. You two should go
see Madame Shihachi.

Kuzemitsu - Yessir.

Ryuzo - I'll return with the Shogi no matter what.

Masajino - I believe you Ryuzo.

Ryuzo - We'll be off Kuzemitsu.

Kuzemitsu - Yessir.

[Ryuzo walks out of the room]

Masajino - Kuzemitsu, follow Ryuzo's everyword. He is a great samurai who helped the
shogunate into power. He is a perfect samurai.

Kuzemitsu - I intended to finish my training under a master of the Yokaido Bushin
anyways Master Sajimasa. Thank you for your concern sir.

[Kuzemitsu rooms out of the room]

Masajino - You all should continue training.

[Masajino to himself]

Masajino - Hikou, Jubei, Hideo, and Kuzana. The four Oni's of Akage. Kuzemitsu isn't ready to
fully tap his oni. Ryuzo or Jubei whatever you wanna be called teach him.

Outside of Sajimasa Estate

Kuzemitsu - Master Adachi...Is it true?

Ryuzo - Is what true?

Kuzemitsu - You were once a samurai under Ieyasu Tokugawa?

Ryuzo - I think so.

Kuzemitsu - Don't you know if you were or weren't?

Ryuzo - I don't remember anything before the raid on Osaka Castle.

Kuzemitsu - Oh...

Ryuzo - Why?

Kuzemitsu - Master Sajimasa said you are a great samurai. But you don't remember what
made yougreat.

Ryuzo - Sorry but my life is a complete blank...all I remember is the Ranga Style of Yokaido Bushin.

Kuzemitsu - We should head off to the Geisha District.

Later in the Geisha District

Ryuzo - Wonder where Kento's silly ass went?

[Flash to Kento in a Red Room with three Geisha]

Ryuzo - Well he'll show when he's needed.

Kuzemitsu - Sir we are approaching the inn Miss Aoi works at.

Ryuzo - Which Inn?

[Kuzemitsu points up]

Kuzemitsu - Kodama.

Ryuzo - Well lets go.

[Ryuzo and Kuzemitsu walk in and are approached by the Madame of the Inn]

Madame - Hello Master Samurai and his young apprentice. May I get you a room?

Ryuzo - Yes, and...

Madame - Something else sir.

Ryuzo - Yes Madame...

Madame - Magano...Nozomi Magano. How may I assist you Master...

Ryuzo - Ryuzo Adachi...I am looking for a girl of yours. Her name is Aoi Shihachi. Is she here?

Madame Magano - Yes and she is free she'll be in your room.

Ryuzo - Thank you.

Kuzemitsu - Somethings wrong.

Ryuzo - What's wrong. She's here we can question her.

Kuzemitsu - No sir she isn't. I heard a conversation in the next room.

During Ryuzo's conversation.

Woman - Aoi, Kuzemitsu is here with an unknown samurai. Something is not right about him.

Aoi - What do you mean? Kuzemitsu is my friend.

Woman - The samurai looks like Ryuzo Takasuki. You must go.

Aoi - Ok, I'll go to the hidden river.

[Aoi leaves]

Kuzemitsu - I know where the hidden river is.

[Madame Magano returns]

Madame Magano - Master Adachi apparently Aoi isn't here.

Ryuzo - No worry; we'll be back so keep the room open.

Madame Magano - Yessir.

[Kuzemitsu walks out and see a shadowy figure moving on the roof]

Kuzemitsu - Sir look...

[Shadowy figure still moving]

Kuzemitsu - It's moving throughs the hidden river.

[Kuzemitsu jumps on the roof and follows]

[Kento walks out of Kodama's Inn]

Kento - Young Samurais are always so willing to fight.

Ryuzo - Oh it's you. Go in this inn and talk to Madame Magano. She is holding a room for me.
Stay here.

Kento - Yessir...

[Ryuzo jumps on the roof and disappears]

Kento - Well more fun ladies.

Meanwhile on the rooftop

Kuzemitsu - Your the one...you killed him.

[Figure throws shurikens at Kuzemitsu and he dodges]

Kuzemitsu - I, Kuzemitsu Saizuchi, unrelease my Oni. Kajojiki.

[Kuzemitsu transforms into Kajojiki and commenses to battle the figure]

Kuzemitsu - You'll never get away from me.

[Ryuzo stands in the way of the figure]

Ryuzo - So well you attack children. I like to have reasons to kill someone.

Figure - Adachi you don't what you got yourself into.

[Figure drops a Flash Bomb and disappears]

[A piece of cloth drops]

Ryuzo in shock - Akage Toyatomi.

[Kuzemitsu returns to his original form]

Kuzemitsu - Master Adachi this is our clans symbol isn't it? What does this mean?

Ryuzo - Apparently we have either a crude joke or we have an Oni on our hands.

Kuzemitsu - Either way sir I don't think that's the last we'll see of them.

Ryuzo - How far is the hidden river from here?

Kuzemitsu - Just beyond the outskirts of town.

Ryuzo - Hurry, lead the way.

Meanwhile at Adachi-Jisho, Edo

Hideo - So he's here to investigate the Shogi?

Figure - Yessir...he mustn't realize that the boy is the Shogi.

Hideo - I expect more of you than that Yohko.

[Yohko takes off her mask]

Hideo - Don't follow him anymore. We're leaving for Kyoto in two days.

Yohko - Yessir.

Meanwhile at the hidden river

Kuzemitsu - She should be in a house by the side of the hidden river.

Ryuzo - I'm following you Kuzemitsu. Lead the way.

Kuzemitsu - This way.

[The two approach a little river in the middle of nowhere and house right by the bank]

Kuzemitsu - Welcome the Hidden River of Gen-to.

[Ryuzo stands stunned]

Ryuzo - It's beautiful.

Kuzemitsu - This way sir.

[They get to the house and opens the door]

Kuzemitsu - Aoi my love where are you?

Aoi - Kuze is that you?

Kuzemitsu - Yes Aoi.

[Aoi looks behind Kuzemitsu]

Aoi - It's Ryuzo Takasuki.

Ryuzo - No Madame Shihachi, I am Ryuzo Adachi.

Aoi - Kuze?

Kuzemitsu - He is part of the Adachi family of Akage.

Aoi - Why are you here...is it about Hatate?

Kuzemitsu - Yes. Master Adachi is looking for the Shogi.

Aoi - Shogi.

[Aoi began to appear mad]

Aoi - I don't know how many times I have to say I don't know who the Shogi. And Hatate
was defending himself and that demonious woman killed him.

Ryuzo - A woman...

Aoi - Yes, a female of the Yokaido Bushin - Ranga Style.

Ryuzo - Female? Ranga? There is no female of Ranga or the Yokaido Bushin.

Aoi - Well this says different.

[Aoi pulls a cloth with the Akage Toyatomi clan symbol on it]

Ryuzo - Please hand me that Madame Shihachi.

Aoi - Yessir.

[Ryuzo inspect the symbol and pulls the cloth he found out and compares]

Kuzemitsu - They are exactly the same sir.

Ryuzo - Yes they are.

Aoi - Sir...

Ryuzo - No worry Madame Aoi. I figured it out.

Kuzemitsu - Sir, me and were looking for a place to go and we noticed a murder happen.
A woman of the Yokaido Bushin killed a high ranking Tokugawa Officer.
We followed her to the Adachi-Jisho here in Edo.

Ryuzo - No more Kuzemitsu. You and Hatate are the Shogi. I understand.

Kuzemitsu - That's not it sir. I took this from her.

[Kuzemitsu pulls a Tanto that has the Silver Dragon of Shigure Kaneda]

Ryuzo - Well well. The Akage Toyatomi Clan is behind this but they are not truly an
aggressive clan. They have the Onis do all of the work in that area.
I didn't sense an Oni in our opponent earlier.

Kuzemitsu - Neither did I sir, but problem is she fought like she didn't need one.

Ryuzo - Yes that's what concerns me.

Kuzemitsu - Sir she uses your style extremely well. But didn't you create this style?

Ryuzo - Yes, someone close to me in my past had to have taught her Ranga.

Aoi - You're Adachi right sir?

Ryuzo - Yes,why?

Aoi - Hideo Adachi arrived in Edo two weeks ago.

Kuzemitsu - But this female Yokaido Bushin warrior arrived seven weeks ago.

Ryuzo - Hmm...Kuzemitsu. Take Aoi to Otsu. It's a nice village. And give me your
sword. I am going to tell them you died in battle.

Kuzemitsu - Why sir.

Ryuzo - I'll need you soon. Plus your father will have to show up sooner or later.

Kuzemitsu - Yessir. We'll go.

Aoi - Thank you Master Adachi.

[Kuzemitsu and Aoi leave the house]

Ryuzo - Let the Gods be with you.

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Continued in Book 2 - "Graces of Osaka" Chapter 5 - "Hikou's Sidearm"