Fan Fiction ❯ Yotsuyu: Lotus Blade ❯ Ryuzo's Sidearm ( Chapter 4 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Anime-Devil 
Chapter 4 - Ryuzo's Sidearm
comment: The side story of Ryuzo and Shogi the Phantom of Edo.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Samurai / Martial Arts | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.23.2007 | Pages: 7 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 264 | Status: Completed
Chapter 4 - Ryuzo's Sidearm
comment: The side story of Ryuzo and Shogi the Phantom of Edo.
Anime/Manga: Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Samurai / Martial Arts | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 02.23.2007 | Pages: 7 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 264 | Status: Completed
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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"
Yotsuya - Chapter 4 "Ryuzo's Sidearm"
------------------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------
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"