Soukei Baku Episode 4: Old Arrivals

Written by: Rasheem, MC

At the main entrance of the Amakatu academy, headmaster Wu-Shin waited
patiently for the arrival of Osagawa Tenaku. He was accompanied by
Xaohu, who eagerly awaited his friend's arrival.
The three of them knew each other well. Their great grandparents were raised
after the great war with the Amaretsu and the Makato, so they grew up
with extensive knowledge about both clan's histories. They understood that
in the era that produced bloodshed, both clans had their own meaning in
creating everlasting peace throughout the world. Since Hirekuza, Takamori,
and Hsou-Saijin...Wu-Shin, Xaohu, and Osagawa took their places as some of
the best samurai and ninja in the world to date. However, they did not feel the
need to display their historic talents mentally, or physically...for they used techniques
that only the great warriors of old knew. And even though tensions between
them grew, they decided to withdraw from teaching their clans the forbidden techniques of old...
as a way to comfort the decision to end the fighting. If the techniques were ever leaked...
hunger for power can easily be fed.
Osagawa Tenaku led a harsh group of unbelievably skilled ninja assassins.
Osagawa liked to call them...the 'Yinpochi' It was a name that signifies power and meaning.
Only those who knew about the Yinpochi were Wu-Shin and Xaohu. Jai-Po has heard of them...
but doesn't necessarily know the group's title, nor combat practices.
Their name was forbidden to be taught to students. The organization usually picks their
recruits by hand. No one can truly sign-up to become a Yinpochi acolyte, unless approved by
Osagawa himself. This was part of the reason why he decided to attend the annual competition.
He wanted to see who would be fit enough to join such an elite group of warriors.
"Ahh...just like old times, friend." said Xaohu as he and Wu-Shin narrowed their eyes out
into the distance. Their line of sight shot through the evergreen forest of the Gekkai a mile
ahead of them. Wu-Shin paused for a bit as he did not trust Xaohu. Though the treaty forced
them to work together, all of their ideas were opposite. They disagreed on most things,
including allowing the students to take classes in the same building. However, this was soon
passed as the students demanded to take classes with their friends. They felt it would be
best to give the students what they wanted. If they didn't, they feared the students would turn
on them...as well as their opposite clans.
Wu-Shin decided not to reply at all. Xaohu snickered a little, while he cupped his hands together
behind his back. Xaohu knew Wu-Shin did not trust him at all, which made the situation
amusing in Xaohu's favor. He knew he could get under Wu-Shin's skin just by insulting his
family's history. If he wanted, he could bring up the story of Hsou-Saijin and Yhemae of old
times...Xaohu always knew how the story irritated Wu-Shin. He could possibly even
force Wu-Shin to attack him if he made a conversation as such.
"Osagawa is a well respected man of the Yinpochi, you know. He is here to recruit any possible
candidates to join the ranks of his acolytes. Perhapes even...Soukei?" Xaohu said as he smirked.
In his mind, Wu-Shin cursed that acknowledgement. He would never allow Soukei or any of
his students to take part in Makato's branch of warriors. He stayed silent...but his eyes
began twitching just slightly as he continued to stare blankly out in the distance.
"I know you, Master Wu-Shin. I know you despise our people. You think ill intentions of us...
Somewhere in your mind it convinces you to distrust our way of living. The way we fight, the
way we walk...the way we practice and hone our skills in combat. It irritates you, doesn't it?"
Xaohu paused for a bit. He looked over to analyze Wu-Shin. He could tell the man was rather
bothered. With this, he smirked and decided to continue.
"You think just because of the days of old, that we are unjust. That we will stop at nothing and
control the world through force and oppression. Well, allow me to make a counter-argument to
your philosophy, Master Wu-Shin. You think the Makato does not feel the same for your
people, hm? In the end, it was the Amaretsu who called us filth, savage beasts...criminals."
"Because you are..." Wu-Shin finally said. His eyes slowly glancing over to Xaohu.
"It is because of your people...that many suffered the ill omen of death! Do not pretend to
play the victim. Makato has always believed in one thing...power. It shows in your technique.
Throughout history, Makato continously suppressed the monks at the ancient temple!
Men who honored and worshipped the glory of living! Who always sought to protect and serve
those who could not protect themselves! The Makato are responsible for the war, and will
always be a wound that cannot be healed!" Wu-Shin argued.
Xaohu smirked and turned to face the distance.
"Do not forget, old friend...who led the attack on the monks. A shame you forgot about
Uzaki Ye'Sagi. Born under the Amaretsu clan, taught in the ways of the samurai...joined
the ranks of the Makato...and became a respected warrior among the superiors. Have
you forgotten already?" Xaohu argued back.
Wu-Shin rolled his eyes at Xaohu and turned back to face the distance in time to see
Osagawa's carriage approaching. Three strong horses, one brown, one black and white, and
the other light brown led the way. Once the carriage pulled alongside Wu-Shin and
Xaohu, the driver stepped down and bowed to both masters before approaching Osagawa's
door. As the door opened, Osagawa stepped outside, along with a Yinpochi skilled warrior.
Osagawa's unique features displayed that he was from a different area.
Exceedingly long dark hair with a pony tail that hung loose at the top, a very sharp beard
that ran from his chin past the length of his neck, a tight black and red tinted uniform
fit for a sorcerer, and brown clogs without the socks.
The Yinpochi warrior wore a mask that had two different faces in the front and back.
On the front of the mask, the sculpture resembled that of a happy face, while on the back
resembled an angry face. The Yinpochi were taught to battle with their katanas depending
on what side of the mask their opponent were facing. If their opponent faced the happy side of
the mask, the Yinpochi warrior would juggle his body from side to side, attempting to confuse
his opponent. This often worked, as the Yinpochi utilized the element of surprised.
If their opponent faced the angry side, their use of the surprise element changes. They
deposit their katana back in its sheathe and use melee combat. At which time the opponent
least expect it, the Yinpochi warrior unleashes his katana, attacks, and puts it away
before the opponent even realizes what happened. By the time they do, however...they
may be dead...They also wore the traditional ninja uniform. The one they wore, closely resembled
that of Hsou-Saijin.
Osagawa, the Yinpochi warrior, as well as Xaohu, bowed to one another in respect.
Wu-Shin simply scanned them both. Bringing a Yinpochi warrior to the academy was
completely confrontational to the laws of this school...atleast that is what Wu-Shin believes.
But really, there were no laws that prohibited a Yinpochi warrior from entering the
school grounds. As long as he or she were not directly assigned under Amaretsu or Makato
as a student. Wu-Shin frowned upon them, and could only watch in disgust.
"Ah, Master Xaohu, it is a pleasure to see you again, my friend." said Osagawa.
"Likewise, my old friend." replied Xaohu. "Your nephew has shown a lot of promise through
his time here. It is safe to say, that he may be the best among the students here...all of them."
At the end of that sentence, Xaohu made sure to glance over at Wu-Shin once he mentioned that
Jai-Po may be better than all the students there...including Soukei.
"Ah, I see. And you, Master Wu-Shin, it is an honor to be in your company again." Osagawa
bowed slightly in front of him. In their time, a full bow meant they showed respect...a slight bow
was an insult to the samurai code of honor. Osagawa smirked as he done so.
Wu-Shin did not take the action lightly, as he turned around and walked away. Just being in their
presence angered him so. If he had a mind to, he would've attempted to kill them.
All three of the Makato descendents watched Wu-Shin walk away. A slight chuckle erupted
between the group, as Xaohu turned to face Osagawa.
"Mind him not. He's been on edge ever since being appointed to headmaster. I'm sure he will
be fine, yes. Let us not waste our time here. Come, my friend, allow me to show you to your
nephew. I'm sure Jai-Po would be very much happy to see you."
Osagawa nodded his head. Xaohu entered the main entrance, making their way down through
the Baku. Osagawa watched the students in the area. Some of them were sparring, others were
eating, some were training, meditating and the like. They all seemed to pay him no mind as they
made their way into the Makato's respective building.
Located inside Xaohu's training room, was Jai-Po getting a handle on his technique.
The walls inside the room were padded down with tan layers of soft fabric. The mat itself was
also tan, but with a rough fabric and texture. A surrounding balcony watched over the main floor.
It was where his students could stand as Xaohu would demostrate and train them with techniques.
With Xaohu on the floor, and the rest of the students standing on the balcony, one or two students
at a time would spar with Xaohu before their school hours were over. All students were able to
spar with Xaohu except Jai-Po. He was only allowed to spar with Xaohu during after hours.
As Jai-Po held his katana in a reverse angle with his right hand, his wrist would rotate back and
forth, he twirled the katana in front of him. He brought his left arm around, with his palm
just above his right bicep. As his right hand wrist rotated back toward the right, he opened his
hand and allowed the hilt of the katana to fall into his left palm. All the while, he pivoted on his
left foot, and hurled his body counter-clockwise. As he came around, his left hand, now holding
the katana normally by the hilt, cut down in a diagonal motion from his top right shoulder, to the
side of his bottom left calf muscle. If he was battling an opponent who made a mistake, they
would be instantly cut in half. This was a technique that Xaohu had taught him. It originated from
the great Hsou-Saijin. In regards of the Makato usual way of handling the katana, switching
from his right to his left hand was a forbidden technique.
The Yinpochi has also been granted the technique. If done correctly, the opponent can easily
become confused as to where the katana will be coming from.
Jai-Po's right foot took a giant step forward, as his left foot took short steps forward. As he done
this, he swung the hilt down with his left hand. The sharp length of the blade cut through the wind,
as the tip of the sword pointed in the direction he was facing. As the katana kept spinning,
he pushed his left arm out to the side. He did this, because as the blade flipped back around, the
sharp end now pointing at his left shoulder, his left arm wouldn't get cut. Instead, as the blade
pointed back down now, and the hilt was back in his eyesight, his right hand came around and
took the katana, now holding it in the desired Makato reversed angle.
He rotated the blade until the sharp end pointed forward. His left palm pressed firmly down on the
bottom of the hilt, and yanked both of his arms backward as his torso faced away from the
blade. If he was facing an opponent, he would have been stabbed viciously through the gut area.
Jai-Po kept on with his training as Xaohu, Osagawa, and the Yinpochi watched him in silence.
A smile crept up on Osagawa's lips as he saw his nephew perform such deadly feats.
Jai-Po was not aware that he was being watched until Osagawa called out to him.
"Jai-Po!" shouted Osagawa.
Jai-Po immediately smiled and ran to bow in front of his uncle.
"Uncle Osagawa, you've finally arrived!"
"Indeed. You show great talent with your skill. How have you been, my nephew?"
"I've been doing well...Master Xaohu has taught me a lot in the past couple of years, I think
I'am truly ready to face the challenges in the annual tournament..."
"Master Wu-Shin would be displeased to see your participation in the tournament, young one."
said Xaohu.
"I do not wish to care what Master Wu-Shin thinks...All this time uncle, Master Wu-Shin
continously disregard my talent inside the tournaments. He doesn't even like it when I speak
to Soukei...or even Naoki...I just want to be able to prove myself to the best of the best here.
It is in my blood to show my true strength as well!"
"Indeed. We will see what Wu-Shin thinks when you show up for that tournament."
said Osagawa. "Ofcourse, if it will be okay with Master Xaohu, that is."
Xaohu smirked and nodded his head.
"Then it is settled. Come, my nephew. Let us see what you have learned." continued Osagawa.
"Yes sir!"