Chapter 8

This town is weird. Let me tell you why: First of all, almost every product here comes from one of two sources: Either Kawakami or Kuki.

First of all, Kawakami City is how this place is called, the school is called Kawakami Academy... Hell, even the river is called the Kawakami river.

If that were all I would be okay with a little city pride. But no, I saw a water bottle called "Kawakami Water". There's the Kawakami temple over there and more. What about Kuki? Well, Kuki Hotel, Kuki Restaurant, Kuki Bar, Kuki Phones. Yeah, Kuki and Kawakami have put their names on everything. And it's kinda annoying.

Anyways. I found something that makes me kinda angry, not gonna lie. The moment I left the city, the feather stopped working, so I can't triangulate shit. I just know it's 'inside the city' and nothing more. That's... probably the main reason why I am upset right now.

I don't know how to look for the fragment of consciousness of Ishmallah. I know it's a feather, but it's still alive and can think, so maybe it will be like Venom or something. What was it? Oh yeah, a symbiote. So yeah, maybe it does something like that.

As I ponder, cross-legged on the tallest building in the city. A sudden voice interrupts my thoughts. The owner of the voice is male, a low baritone, smooth but powerful. "Well, well, little baby. You can't sit on top of the Kuki Corporation building. I suggest you leave and sit on the ground with the little chickens like you."

"Hoho. That arrogance is going to cost you one day, lucky for you I don't care that much about the words of an ant. Now leave, I am thinking." I wave him away without even turning to look at him.

"Oh, the little baby wants to peck? My name is Hyumu Hellsing. Butler of the Kuki Corporation. And you can't sit here. Move now or I will move you myself." Argh, how annoying.

I stood up and look directly into his eyes. "Listen, butler, I am busy thinking, leave before I beat you up," I did say I was frustrated. Now I am getting annoyed.

"How arrogant is the youth is it not? I shall move you then. Get ready little baby chicken, here I come. Genocide Chainsaw" He mutters as he jumps and performs a sidekick. That's his Genocide Chainsaw? What a grand name for a silly kick.

"What's with the people of this city and shouting the name of their techniques?" I ask stopping his kick with my feet. Making him bounce away in surprise.

"What? So you are stronger than what you look like."

"Oi, oi, that's an insult, right? I look strong! As strong as I am! Bu- Huh? Wait, wait. Kuki Corporation you say? Hm. You'll do. Yep. Say, how about I meet your bosses? Is there a way for me to do it? The head of the Kuki Corporation I mean. Not your... Uh, cleaning bosses? Sorry man, I don't know how butlers work. I mean, I do, but not how... You know what, I am gonna shut up now." I scratch the back of my neck in embarrassment.

As I ask my question his eyes go from serious battle lust to an annoying eye roll along with a huff. "Normally we wouldn't allow anyone just to randomly see the head of the Kuki Corporation, but I have a feeling you will just smash your way through. I will call a meeting, for now, please wait at the door on ground level." He said bringing a phone from his pocket.

"Hehe, alright! See ya!" I say and jump from the building. As I let the air resistance move my hair freely I feel three presences. Three presences, unnatural, they felt ancient but new. Looking towards the building I just jumped I see three teenagers looking at me with wonder from one of the windows.

I fall in front of the building without a sound or even a single indication that I was not here before. As I wait in front of the building with my arms crossed I can see several butlers and maids. Everyone here is battle-ready. Most, however, seem surprised to see me, which is weird since I can hear from their own earpieces the warning that I was coming.

Everyone puts a serious face soon enough. A team of butlers comes out of the building rolling a red carpet. While hundreds of butlers parade around. I see, I am surrounded.

"Fuhahahahaha! Ageha Kuki has arrived!" What a grandiose voice.

"Ooh!" As I clap the newcomer. Probably the boss of the company if she's the one walking down on the red carpet, or the quality of the clothes, the pose, or the pure confidence she radiates.

It's a young adult, Ageha is a pale-skinned young woman with waist-length silver hair, piercing amber eyes, and a cross-shaped scar on her forehead. She is wearing a white sleeveless coat and white pants. Black shoes of course.

"Yeah good entry, but too much white," I say after a round of applause.

"I see, it seems that no matter how strong a peasant is, they're still peasants who do not understand the pureness of the color. But a peasant can be taught! And can learn everything to be a better human!" She exclaims as every butler looks at her in honest adoration.

"Hm? Peasant? Girl I was royalty. We invented all that shit you rich types do. I just don't really care about these things. Just, a question though, why are we talking outside? I expected to go to a meeting room or something." I ask with a raised eyebrow.

"Royalty?" She looks at me from my feet to my head and shakes her head. Bitch. "I see. Then there's nothing for you to learn if you can't appreciate the pureness of white even after being born with a noble purpose. As for the meeting. Well, Hume is one of the strongest people in the entire world. He is the head butler of the Kuki Corporation after all. And for someone to defeat him so easy... You're dangerous. So no, we won't be having a meeting in a closed room unless I know you better. I hope this doesn't trouble you, now, you haven't told me your name yet."

She looks grandiose and speaks with purpose. It's as if everything she says is true and the world must listen to her whims. Curious.

"My name... It's Belatsunat, call me Nat if my full name is too complicated for you. I don't think I can tell you why I came here, there are way too many people around us. It is a secret, after all. Tell me then, Kuki Ageha, how can I gain your trust?" I say removing my sunglasses. Fixing my golden eyes at her.

"Humu. Very well. Hume!" The instant she calls, the same butler, Hellsing something appears at her side. He can be fast I guess. "Have Belatsunat do the work of N62 and E83. As for you, Belatsunat, do this and you will gain my trust. I will allow you to meet me alone after that. For now, follow the directions of Hume." As she finishes her phrase she turns around and walks inside the building, with butlers following her pace as they roll the carpet.

"Huh. She's decisive, isn't she? Hellsing." I say looking at the butler that stayed behind with me.

"Indeed she is. She is a Kuki after all. Born to conquer the world. They're almost done with that. Not yet, but almost." It seems he is a Kuki zealot. Who would have guessed it? What? He's butler number 0. And a Hellsing. Shocking. *cough*sarcasm*cough.

You know, I met two Hellsing once. One was blonde and tall as Hume, had red eyes, just like him. He couldn't be in the sun though. The other, well, he wore similar clothes to the butler, but black, and had a big cross in his chest. A man as zealot to Christ as he is to the Kukis. It seems, that despite being in different worlds, things are similar. Curious.

"Alright, so, what now?" I ask hoping to finish this 'test' soon.

"First, here. This is a phone for the workers of Kuki Corporation, it has my number saved on it. First of all, you will do work E83. Otherwise known as beat Kawakami Momoyo officially in front of as many people as possible." He says looking at me straight in the eye.

"Eh? That sounds kinda mean, you know. Are you guys bullying her? I may have to reconsider forcing you guys to help me instead of being a good sport." I say rubbing my temples.

"You misunderstand. Momoyo, otherwise known as the Goddess of Battle has been undefeated for many years now. She has stopped training, she is allowing darkness to consume her Ki. If nothing is done she will become evil and our world will face a crisis. This comes directly from his grandfather, Kawakami Tesshin, the grandmaster of the Kawakami Temple. I have fifty/fifty chance to defeat her. But her defeat must come from someone younger. Like you."

-snort-"Yeah, I am young! pfft! Hahahaha! Alright, you know what, I'll go and talk with that Tesshin old boy. Oh, by the way, I have no money and I wanna eat. Gimme, gimme. Otherwise, I'll probably end up robbing on your town." I say shamelessly giving him my open hand with a come, come movement.

"Ah. It seems you are a little baby. Very well, here you go, now go eat." Aaaand he disappeared. -sigh- alright.

Well... Let's walk around the town then. As the Vikings said: To battle, you must feast first.

As I walk around town I enter a big store, inside it had many stores and restaurants. But the only restaurant that drew my attention was a curry place. Not because of the curry, but the only person working there. It was a middle-aged man, but he felt almost as strong as Hume, however, he's the only person I can feel the darkness within in this town. Well, here is my connection to the underside of this world.

"Welcome to the best curry! What curry do you want? We have..." As he rattles the current curry plates, I check his soul. Hm. The darkness is his own, not completely evil, only sins but he has love within him as well.

"Give me Koko Curry with chicken. Three servings." I say as I sit down.

"Aye, aye!" while he starts cooking. I look at him with my head resting on my palm. "Say, you're a criminal or something like that? I can feel the darkness of your energy. I need contacts."

"Me? No, ma'am, you must be confused. I'm but a simple curry shop worker. I am not even the owner!" He's a good actor. But I am old.

"That so? Those muscles belong to martial arts though. But it's true though, you do not feel that strong after all." -sigh- "Sorry for disturbing a weakling like you."

I see my words having an effect, he's cooking more and more aggressively. "Please, be more careful with the food. I can see why you're not a martial artist, with such little control. What a shame." I say with pity in my eyes.

He suddenly stops and a black aura covers his body. "Hehehe, I want to correct you, missy, I am Gyoubu Shakadou. Former master of the Kawakami Temple. And I am strong!" He exclaims.

"I see, well, keep cooking boy, or I'll punish you. Also, Gyoubu? Like punishment? And Shakadou like Buddha? Ha! Your name is the punishment of Buddha! Hahahaha!"

I am laughing so much I slapped the table. But didn't control my strength and destroyed it. "Woops." When I look at Shakadou I see him looking at me in bewilderment. "I'll pay for it. Just as Hyumu Hellsing about it. From Nat. I'll... Uh, just take the food. See ya!"

Yeah, I am fumbling a lot today. Gotta stop for a moment and meditate. All my energies are fluctuating. -sigh- I haven't truly accepted everything that happened since I... Died? The humanity in me did die. Oh well.

Well, looking at the sun I can say it's probably 4-5 in the afternoon. The day did pass quite quickly today. Arriving at the Kawakami Temple I feel the Ki stronger here. It seems the temple sits in a Ki vein, that's probably why people here get so strong.

I see a few monks sweeping the floor, and I can hear shouts from one of the buildings. Looking through the walls I can see it's that red-head girl directing everyone on the kitchen.

Turning off my x-ray vision I ring the bell on the door of the main building. Steps, slow and steady like a rock walk towards the door. Old, strong, and stable.

As the door opens I see an old man, with his yang energy I can assume that he is over 100 years old. He is bald, but his beard is as long as his arm and his eyebrows are long enough to the point where they go over his eyes. His eyes are closed but he's looking at me, I can feel his shock. It seems that he can understand my power. Finally, someone who can see beyond appearances.

"Yo! I am doing a favor for the Kuki Corporation, can we talk inside?" I ask with a grin.

"Hohoho, sure, uh, mate!" What. I blink. "Let's swag inside!" So he says walking extremely weird towards one of the rooms. I suspect he is swagging.

"I... Uh, okay." I say as I swag inside walking as weird as he is. What? In Rome do what Romans do. Otherwise, they would probably drag you to one of their jails and beat you up. If you're being cooperative despite losing fingers they let you out. But if you were to say something they don't want they would crucify you. So yeah, Romans. I hate 'em. Bunch of thieves.

As we swag inside the building I can feel the happiness radiating from the old man. Hehe. Cute.

"So, wanna cola or something bro?" He says as we sit in front of each other on a floor table.

"Nah, nothing for me. I just ate," I answer waving my hand in negative. "I do have some things to talk about."

"Hm. Alright, let's stop that game then. You said you come from the Kuki Corporation? Then I want proof about that." He says stroking his beard.

"Uh." Yeah, I knew I forgot something. "Oh yeah, here, give me a second." Bringing the phone out, I make a call towards the only number saved.

"Yes? You are calling me quite fast Little Baby." Hume's voice sounds from the phone. "Here, see? He's Hume! I bet you know him!" I say as I hang the phone after hearing Hume's voice.

With a smirk, the old man laughs for a few seconds. "Alright, I guess that's true then. Yes, you must think I am a terrible grandfather for wishing her defeat. But you must understand... Momoyo is the personification of Honesty and Battle, she was born with power above others, and she has stopped training. Right now, the only thing tying her to good is her friends. But friends... Friends will pass away or leave her. Or maybe she is the one who will leave them. Normally I would take her with me to the mountains so she can purify herself, but lately, she's been more aggressive. She's attacking without asking, she's doing things she normally wouldn't. So please, beat her up, and change her world view." He says with a low bow.

"Stop it old man. No need to bow, I was going to do it anyway. Just wanted to know why. You said that she's recently changed... Tell me, it's because of something like this?" I say bringing the feather out. It's shining softly.

"Hmm..." He opens his eyes to look at it more clearly, he has no pupils. "I have felt something similar from that energy from Momoyo, but not herself. But the probability she knows about it is quite high.

"Good, good, good. So, how and when do you want me to beat her?" I say cracking my knuckles.

"In two weeks we will celebrate a Tournament. Momoyo is not allowed to participate because she would steamroll everyone, but we were going to have an exhibition match, now, instead of me... You will fight in my place." His eyes are glinting.

"Thanks, Tesshin. I need that feather, otherwise, it may destroy the world. It's something really evil. If you get more information please, call me." I say giving him my number.

As I leave the building I find myself face to face with the ponytail little girl. "Yo!" I wave my hand.

"Ah! You!! Did you come to beat me up more!! I am Kawakami Kazuko!! Prepare yourself!"