Soukei Baku Episode 10: The Finale

Hours later, Jai-Po was standing at the center of the Makato's training room. He sat in meditation on his knees; his eyes closed. Everything was quiet until Katsumi broke the silence. Jai-Po was quite humble with Katsumi since she affiliated herself with Naoki. But when she approached him, Jai-Po immediately stood to his feet withdrawing his katana. Katsumi quickly wrapped her hand around the hilt of her sword as well... unsure of what Jai-Po was going to do. "Katsumi...Oh, I thought you were somoene else." said Jai-Po. "Were you expecting someone else?" she replied. ".........Maybe. What are you doing here?" Jai-Po put away his katana while Katsumi unwrapped her hand around hers. "What did Master Xaohu say to you?" she asked. "Erm...I'm afraid if I told you...you wouldn't be able to handle it." he said as he turned around. "Really now?" Katsumi frowned. While Jai-Po's back was turned to her, she lunged forward while withdrawing her sword. When she came in range, she swung the sword at Jai-Po's mid-backside. Jai-Po almost instantly removed his katana, while spinning toward his left. Katsumi's sword shot passed Jai-Po, while his left arm came around and latched her right arm under his. She found her sword arm to be immobile. Her eyes gazed slowly up at Jai-Po. She never knew Jai-Po carried such speed and awareness. He couldn't have possibly detected her attack. Jai-Po's right arm came around after putting away his sword. His right palm firmly pressed down on Katsumi's immobile arm and shot his right leg behind hers. When the back of his right foot kicked at Katsumi's ankle, he used the momentum to toss Katsumi down on the floor, still holding her arm which held her sword. He held the position a few moments, before Katsumi rolled slightly backward and immediately lunged her body off the floor until her feet landed. The force she used made Jai-Po stand up along with her. She dropped her sword and grapped Jai-Po's right arm. Afterwards, she lifted their arms together above their heads, while she leaped off the floor, placing the bottom of her feet on Jai-Po's chest. Once she kicked off, Jai-Po was sent sliding backward while she backflipped through the air and landed, picking up her sword as she did. Jai-Po withdrew his sword yet again, twirling the blade in front of him. He leaped high off the floor and landed on the wall behind Katsumi. She widened her eyes as she watched him. '...How did he do that...?' she thought. Jai-Po grinned and pushed off the wall leading straight down at her. With his sword curled in his hand, he attacked soon as he got just inches away from her. She rolled on her side, and watched Jai-Po landed on both of his hands as he flipped in the air once again. This time when he lunged, he rotated his body and landed on the far end of the room. Katsumi growled and dashed at him...but then stopped once she watched what he was doing. It was something she have never seen before. Jai-Po held his sword with both hands as his eyes began glowing slightly red. Out of nowhere, a gust of wind picked up around him, flapping through his uniform and hair. She gasped and started to feel the force behind Jai-Po's sudden power. He was clearly different...Katsumi has never seen anyone develop an aura that could be seen...She could sense the source of energy surging through the winds while her body froze. She couldn't move...she couldn't breathe...all she could do...was wait. She even dropped her katana. Soon as she did, Jai-Po dashed forward in intense speed. Suddenly, he appeared behind her with his back turned in her direction. At that moment he was putting away his sword. It was only a couple seconds later Katsumi felt a slight sting on her cheek. Once she looked down, she saw a slight squirt of blood shoot from the small wound he just created. She was in shock. Jai-Po paused for a moment before speaking. "I could've killed you if I wanted to...Like I said...I don't think you will be able to handle it. Master Xaohu and my uncle believes that I have a destiny to achieve...and I will achieve it. I advise you to keep away from Naoki. I don't trust her and neither should you. Our masters think that the Amaretsu clan will try and dismantle us...but I won't let that happen. If you love this clan just as much as I do, Katsumi, then you will understand that killing the entire Amaretsu clan is our main priority. They lie in our very faces...Master Wu-Shin, Naoki, Soukei, and that fool who believes he is richer than everyone. They will all be killed if they dare attempt to erase us!" Suddenly, both Reiji and Ryukaga emerged in the training area. They all seen what happened. Reiji was the first to say something. "I've been longing to do battle with you, Jai-Po...but now I see that you are way out of my league. If what you say is true, then we need to strike first. I do not care about the Amaretsu clan or anyone else. All I know is that this is my home and is the place where I will shed blood before anything. My sword lies with you." Reiji said. Ryukaga on the other hand didn't say anything. Jai-Po's eyes slowly looked over at him. "And what about you, Ryukaga? I know you are friends with Soukei...but if you do not wish to stand with us...then I will have to kill you. This is a very sensitive moment for all of us... our lives are at stake! I don't want to die and I will do anything in order to see our clan survive. But you...where do you stand on this?" Ryukaga fell completely silent...He didn't know what to do or what to say. There was so much going on at the time...but he didn't want to say the wrong thing and risk getting killed. He tried to stop himself from trembling and simply nodded his head. "O-Ok...I understand..." he said. "Alright..." Meanwhile... Wu-Shin was sitting in his quarters alone while watching the small statue that was created in memory of his late wife, Susano Shin. He had went over the previous events that had took place earlier that day and felt unsafe. If the tension between both clans began arising then something was bound to happen. He looked over and saw the tea that his servant usually brings him daily. Reaching over he took the urn and the small cup, pouring the tea inside. He took slight sips of it as he stood up from his bed and walked over to the statue. Suddenly, the Yinpochi warrior who infiltrated his room earlier appeared behind him. Wu-Shin immediately turned around and saw the happy smile of the warrior's mask staring at him. The warrior didn't say anything, he simply tilted his head and watched the old man. "I should have known..." he said as he started to reach for his katana that lied on a table nearby. When he arrived to take it, he felt a sharp sting in his throat. The poison the Yinpochi warrior put inside the tea began to take affect. The warrior began chuckling as the sensei began slumping to the floor holding his throat with both hands. "Soukei...I-I'am sorry...Ugh! Argh...! I-If you think you've won...little do you know...! The Makato...will never reign in your precious victory...! Soukei-san...! your destiny... awaits you..." Afterwards, Wu-Shin fell to the floor unconcious. His pulse had stopped...and he died instantly. The Yinpochi warrior smirked as he reached down to pick up the old man. He dressed the man's death by tucking him in bed, making it as if he died in his sleep. He took the tea along with him as he made his exit... Season 2 begins.

Soukei Baku Episode 9: The Gathering

Moments after the tournament ended, the clinic had already bandaged Soukei's wounds. The sunset dawned through the window to Soukei's room. Naoki was there holding Soukei's hand as the boy was asleep. She cursed herself for allowing that to happen to him. She didn't know what was going on with Jai-Po...He injured Soukei critically and almost left him to die. Luckily the doctors was able to patch him up in time of his final breath. Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at Soukei. "Soukei...I-I'am sorry...Please...don't die..." she said. Even though the doctors told her he would be fine, Naoki was still worried. Moments later, Wu-Shin had entered Soukei's room. He looked at his son in the clinic bed and sighed. He walked toward the bed and placed his hand on Naoki's shoulder. She looked at him with watered eyes. "Sensei..." she whispered. As of now she was speechless. "I know..." replied Wu-Shin. He sat down in a chair beside Naoki and looked at his son. Naoki looked at Wu-Shin and noticed her sensei did not shed any tears. He was indeed strong, but she knew he had much faith in his son. "I have seen your fight with Katsumi and noticed you inherit some of the Makato's personal fighting techniques. You and Katsumi were training together without the approval of neither myself or Xaohu. What you did was illegal, Naoki." he said. Naoki gulped and lowered her head. That was the last thing she wanted to hear right now. Wu-Shin didn't want to think about the possibility of his son dying from that dangerous wound...so he kept on that subject. He couldn't believe Xaohu and Osagawa would teach Jai-Po those types of techniques. Only a few people used those techniques...and so far, Jai-Po was the only student at the academy who used them in the tournament. "......Sensei...I..." yet again she was speechless. "There is a clear reason why it is forbidden to fight as the Makato does, Naoki. They represent corrupt power from within. Their technique symbolize power and implements power. We are different than them, for we see honor. You must remember that, Naoki." She nodded her head gently and just had to ask... "Sensei...why is that there so much segregation between us and them?" Wu-Shin sighed and knew this day would come. The day when he would need to tell the reason why segregation was so important at the academy. Little did they know, Soukei heard everything they were saying...pretending that he was asleep. "For years...our clans have been at war with the Makato. They decided to try and take over all they deemed worthy. Our clans wanted to suppress them, and chased them back to their very own temple. There...we did battle. It was the final battle between Takamori Amaretsu and Hsou-Saijin. After Hsou killed our Takamori, he killed his wife. From then on, the clans have been in a constant struggle. Until a treaty had been forged by our clan to stop the fighting. When it was passed, both clans agreed to withdraw from teaching any of you the true reason behind the segregation. It was to forever cease our clans from killing again...But it seems...that Xaohu and Osagawa wishes to continue what their ancestors had been set out to do...which was a clan takeover." Naoki gasped. Listening to the true reason behind the segregation was frightening for her. She didn't know Jai-Po was surrounding by such influence. After turning her eyes over at Soukei, she continued... "...And...Jai-Po...?" Wu-Shin closed his eyes. He knew Naoki and Jai-Po were seeing each other, it showed in her voice. He sighed and shook his head. "They will use him to do it. To take over our clan through mental strategies. It will be unstoppable once their plan is in motion...unless we do something." He then turned glanced back at her. "I know you and Jai-Po are together." Naoki yelped and covered her mouth. At one moment, she started to get up and walk out, but she knew she would have to face it one day or another. "From here on out, Naoki, if you truly care for Jai-Po you need to let him go. The more attached he is to you, the closer he will be to our clan. The closer he is to our clan...the easier it would be for Osagawa and Xaohu's plan to succeed. I don't want to see neither you or Soukei to be dragged into this. It is best if you leave Jai-Po alone, and never speak to him again." "...B..But..." "I said no! You dare disobey me?! If you do not understand then you endanger all of us. I will never allow such horror to devour this clan! Do you understand, Naoki?" Naoki lowered her head as she wiped the tears that formed in her eyes. "...Yes...sensei...I understand..." "Good." Afterwards, they turned back to Soukei and continued to give him support. Meanwhile... Xaohu and Osagawa sat in front of Jai-Po, who stood wanting answers. Earlier, Wu-Shin mentioned something about forbidden techniques and treaties. He needed to know what they knew...or else he would be confused for a long time. His hand that Wu-Shin nearly crushed had been wrapped and bandaged. With that hand at his side, he looked onward at the two people who meant the most to him. "Master Xaohu...Uncle Tenaku...please, tell me what is going on! Master Wu-Shin said that I had been taught forbidden techniques; and he also mentioned something about a treaty...I need to know...please..." Xaohu and Osagawa turned to each other. Jai-Po's uncle nodded at Xaohu as the man turned back to Jai-Po. "Very well. Do you remember Hsou-Saijin in your lesson?" "He was a legendary assassin who led both clans during the war with the Izumi tribes, right?" Both Xaohu and Osagawa turned to look at each other. They smirked and then turned back to face Jai-Po. It was time for him to fully understand. "That is wrong. You see, Jai-Po, Hsou-Saijin was the legendary assassin who conquered the Amaretsu clan generations ago. He killed one of the best samurai of legend, Takamori; and killed his wife, Yhemae. Hsou-Saijin was different. His techniques were deadly and very unique. And as of now, only us three know of these deadly techniques. Your uncle passed them on to me, as I did to you. That is why, Wu-Shin finds your ability to be disturbing. He fears you, Jai-Po, as he fears the rest of our clan. He will stop at nothing from trying to tear us apart, but we won't let him." Jai-Po was a bit speechless. Unsure of whether to take his mentors seriously. Outside of Xaohu's quarters stood Reiji as he listened in on their conversation. He was a bit bewildered; and curious about what they were telling Jai-Po. Moments later, Katsumi appeared just down the hall from Reiji. He looked glanced over at her as she began walking towards him. "What is it, Reiji?" Katsumi asked. Reiji held up two fingers as a way of telling her to stay where she were while he continued to listen in. Osagawa stood to his feet and approached his nephew. He placed a hand on his shoulder and grinned. "In order to prevent this, young Jai-Po, I think it will be fitting if we strike first, yes?" said Osagawa. "...But how...?" replied Jai-Po. "That girl you are affiliated with...what was her name? Naoki is it?" Osagawa said as Xaohu nodded his head. "She is our key to infiltrate their clan. Do not mix your destiny with personal emotion. It is not the way of the Makato. If you wish to keep our clan alive, you must complete this assignment, young Jai-Po. Remember, do not trust them...as their master will probably instruct them to do the same. When the time comes, they will attack us...but if you succeed... they will fail. First, use the girl to get into the Amaretsu's skin. Take the advantage and deplenish their reputation from within. Once that is done, they will have no more morale to fight. Then we will strike and our clan will stay alive. Do you accept, young Jai-Po?" Osagawa continued. "...Yes, uncle Tenaku...I accept. I don't want to see our clan fall to the hands of Wu-Shin. If Naoki and Soukei are instructed to remove us...then I will retaliate!" Xaohu and Osagawa grinned. "Good. Let us proceed with your training. Tommorow, the plan will ensue." Outside, Reiji leaned up off of Xaohu's door and slowly walked down the hall approaching Katsumi. Her eyes looked worried as she watched him. "What is wrong, Reiji...? I-It's Jai-Po...isn't it?" she asked. "I think the Amaretsu clan are going to attack us." Reiji replied. "What?" "Talk to Jai-Po, he will tell you more about it. In the meantime, if they are really going to attack us...then I will be ready for them." With that, Reiji walked off leaving Katsumi behind. Tension rose in the air as Katsumi turned and looked at Xaohu's tainted door to his quarters. She had to confront Jai-Po... she just had too...