Shadows on the Wall

Three days later, thousands of people across the Fire region flocked to Kaen village. Peasants and noblemen alike came to pay their last respects to Lord Kazuma.

A huge procession was conducted with samurai carrying four royal corpses around the village. Women, children and even men cried at the loss of their daimyo.

After the long service, a few nobles and palace residents continued to the Inazuma shrine. Also present for the royal cremation were Kazutaka and Natsumi who had arrived late into the morning. Four bodies dressed in white were laid outside on top of wooden platforms and Natsumi fired a lit arrow for each–setting them alight.

Kazutaka stood holding Kazuo and Kenzo beside him. "Back in the day, one might have mistaken Kazuma-kun and Keiji-kun for twins..." he said, pausing for a moment. "My oldest was reserved and quiet while my youngest was more energetic and outspoken. Alas, that did not stop them from doing almost everything together. Whenever I visited, they would tell me stories about who beat the other at shōgi or horse racing." He smiled and gazed at the rising flames. "My daughters–Natsuhi-san and Kaori-san... thank you for taking great care of my sons." He turned to the two boys next to him. "And thank you for blessing me with two beautiful grandchildren. Until we meet again in a next life."

A dark haired woman in her mid-fifties gave a brief eulogy on her daughter Natsuhi followed by some nobles and servants who had beautiful messages about the royals. Afterwards, a number of people left, leaving behind close relatives and friends.

"Hey... grandma." Kazuo walked up to the middle aged woman. "I didn't see you with grandpa Ryu. Did he not come?" he asked.

"H–He couldn't make it," she said quickly before wiping her eyes.

"Kazuo," said Natsumi, beckoning him. She stood in a small group with Kazutaka, Takumi, Mikoto and Kenzo. "Come this side when you're done."

"I'm coming!" Kazuo turned his grandmother with a look of concern. "Is he alright?"

"He's bedridden for now but I'm sure he will be..."

She's lying. Kazuo saw her eye twitch. "Okay grandma, you'll write to us when he's well." He went over to the group and found a meeting underway. "What did I miss?"

"As we were saying... there's been a change of plans." Kazutaka faced his grandson. "You are to remain here with Takumi-kun and Mikoto-chan until further notice."

"Fine by me..."

Kazutaka and Natsumi were shocked by Kazuo's response. He stood there for a moment, mouth wide open before speaking. "Well, it's settled," he said before bidding them farewell.

Next day, the advisory council announced Kenzo as the Fire region's new daimyo. His inauguration was to be carried out after the mourning–another three days' wait.

Since Kazuo's near death experience, he practiced kenjutsu each day using Raijin and later on taijutsu with Mikoto–who visited the palace's onsen (hot spring) after their sessions.

Takumi, however, spent most of his time with the new daimyo. If they were not reading historic texts in the Inazuma shrine they played shōgi in the royal chamber.

☯

Kagero arrived at Kaminari village on the fifth day just as Kazutaka and Asuka had predicted. The Shadow king was accompanied by about thirty shinobi in black, hooded attire and armed with all sorts of long and short swords. When they reached the main gate, the Shadows awaited his instruction. The gate is sealed shut and we didn't encounter any forces at the border. Were they expecting us? He thought, drawing out a grappling iron and a long rope. "Kagemaru and four assassins, follow me…" he said, tossing the hook up the wall and his assassins did the same.

While the five men climbed, Kagemaru pressed his thumb on the ring finger–the Prithvi (Earth) mudra. He took a sharp breath and brought the gesture close to his face. As he exhaled, a faint red aura surrounded him and he ran up the wall with ease.

Once they had summited, Kagero faced his remaining shinobi. "Wait for the signal." He then stood and scanned the quiet and empty village streets. "How strange. It's as if they knew of our arrival," he said turning to his Shadows. "Well, that makes things even more interesting, doesn't it?"

"Hai, heika!" said four assassins in unison.

[

Around that time, a Battalion kunoichi entered Kazutaka's office and announced the arrival of the Shadow ninjas. "Six of them are currently on the perimeter wall."

"Thank you, Ichika." Kazutaka had been deep in thought with his hands clasped together. "You can return to your post and notify the other Battalion shinobi. Since we have the element of surprise, we will finish them off in a swift pincer maneuver."

"Yes sir!" she said, leaving the office in a rush.

Kazutaka rose, took Kajin and left to join his S-class trio at the rendezvous point. Asuka, Hideo and Shin stood at the school rooftop clad in white, vest armour.

"Lord Sage, it's been long since we saw you wielding Kajin," said Shin.

"The enemy means business," said Asuka, clenching a tight fist. "Having seen how they fight, I'd be wary of those who use shadow projection like Kagemaru and Rina."

"Shadow projection?" Shin furrowed his brows. "What the hell is that?"

"Kinjutsu," said Hideo while scanning the distance with a pair of binoculars.

"You guys are joking, right?"

"I am afraid not, Shin…" said Kazutaka, grabbing Kajin's hilt. "Majutsu is real–"

"Sorry to interrupt but... they're coming." Hideo adjusted his binoculars before facing the group. "Four scattered in different directions and two are headed this way."

"Those last two are probably Kagero and Kagemaru," said Asuka with a slight grin.

"Well then..." Kazutaka signaled to Hideo and Shin. "Let us welcome them."

The two shinobi nodded and left the scene without a word.

Asuka glanced at Kajin. "Will that technique be enough against a projector?"

"I will use whatever it takes to protect this region, even if it costs me my life."

"In that case, I'll go all out too!" said Asuka, punching an open palm.

A momentary silence filled the air until she spoke once more.

"By the way, I noticed Shin doesn't know about majutsu..."

"Unlike you and Hideo, he never had a knack for it. How could I teach him conduction when he used to sleep through almost every meditative session?"

They both laughed.

"I see," she said with a smile. "I'll make it my duty then to teach him."

"Best of luck–" Kazutaka stopped laughing and grabbed his sword.

Below them, two enemies had arrived and stood just outside the main school gate. Kazutaka and Asuka leapt down and went to greet the unwelcomed guests.

[

As Kagero and Kagemaru traversed the empty school yard, several projectiles flew towards them. They dodged the shuriken with ease but before they let their guards down, two more kunai appeared in their place.

While Kagero avoided the kunai, Kazutaka emerged behind him with a sword drawn. The Shadow King spun around and the blade sliced through his porcelain mask. Kuso... Hayai! He lost his balance and jumped into a backflip. After landing a short distance away, his kasa and mask were gone. Kagero could have been in his sixties with scruffy white hair and moustache to match. He had dark brown eyes that were almost black and wrinkles all over his face.

Kagemaru, however, had little time to react as Asuka rushed from his side with a pair of knuckle dusters in each hand. A rapid steel punch connected square onto his mask, shattering it into pieces. Unmasked, he looked to be in his twenties with a well-chiseled face and had a long scar across his dark, left eye.

Four ninjas stood on guard, taking up fighting stances as they faced each other. On one side, Kagero was up against Kazutaka and the other two were next to them.

"It's been ages, hasn't it... nephew?" Kagero smiled as he spun his shadow stick. "You probably know why we're here. Where's the boy?"