The Annihilation of The Four

“Reject, you say? Whatever, but your technique is not special. Your technique is just one of the hereditary techniques within the clan; it's one of the three. When compared to the others; it's fourth rate, at most. Tell me, friend; what gives you a right to call me a reject? A second rate fighter, like you, calling me a reject is so ironic!"

"Oh, how ironic! A son of a whore speaks of irony! You may have the blood of royalty, but it does not change the fact; you were born from a whore! A whore, who tainted our pure blood! How can such an abomination, like you, be born? If there is a god, he really must be all encompassing!" said Kenshin

"I suggest, you do not go further. Royalty or not, it does not change the singular fact here; you are a weakling!" said Hideaki.

"And I suggest you submit. For I am your superior, and this fight does not concern; an illegitimate child born out of a whore. This situation is between the nobleman (Toshiero) and me. Stand down, and I will be along my way, Akiyama," said Kenshin

"You, my superior? By your standards, I am leagues above you. For I am the Son of Isamu, while you are his mere lapdog. By those standards, you are also my dog; like a dog, I must put you in your place, for I cannot allow such disobedience," said Hideaki

Finishing their exchange, Hideaki drew his sword, in which activated his technique. Numerous of slashes came towards him; however, Hideaki decreased his radius; to make sure, he does not hit, Toshiero. With no heads up, Kenshin was caught in the center of the attack. The impact was enough to make him kneel. Covered in cuts, he panted heavily, not understanding what just happened. The attack was powerful, yet so swift!

“W-What is this? I have never seen such a technique, how can this be!” said Kenshin.

"How careless of me, I thought that would have killed you. My output has weakened," Hideaki said, "...that fight did force me to use 'that'."

"...M-Master that was amazing! This is your technique? So strong!" said Toshiero.

"You think so?" said Hideaki.

While, Toshiero enjoyed his Master's display of power, Kenshin could not fathom such a technique. His fury began to build, as he got back onto his feet. It just cannot be possible; for a reject, to possess such power! He is no pure blood! If it was not for his active reinforcement, Hideaki would have cut him in two. A mutt, like Hideaki, able to make him kneel; irritated Kenshin.

"It appears, I forgot just who I was dealing with. You may be a mutt, but you carry the same blood, as I do," Kenshin said, "like your brother, you somehow managed to make the best out of your situation..."

"Oh, you still have some fight in you? If I am not mistaken, your technique's burnt up. How do you intend to continue," said Hideaki.

"My technique has not burnt up completely, but I will not need that," Kenshin said, "However, I am capable of something much greater!"

These ominous words left Hideaki curious, but he did not imagine that the opponent; also possessed the art of realm. Unlike most, Kenshin did not need to use two hands: to activate his realm. Soon enough, Hideaki was engulfed in the barrier; but Kenshin thought, it would be optimal to decrease his effective range, leaving the young Toshiero out of the fight.

Toshiero was finished. There was no need to expend further resources. Not to mention, if Toshiero managed to be useful; he would make his task difficult. The defeat of Hideaki was his priority. Hideaki, did not try to prevent the casting, instead; he coated himself with nullification. It was important, to guard against the effect of the realm.  It would not be long, until Kenshin displayed his skill. 

Most realms are pocket dimensions; which exist within an existing established reality. These pocket dimensions can be large, but it depends on the energy that the user is willing to expend; or whether the user is capable of performing advance realm techniques. 

Unlike most Realm's, the realm of Kenshin is a unique one. Within the pocket dimension, a temple began to manifest; along with animals such as: elephants, tigers, rhinos, and peacocks. It was an extradionary sight to witness. Realms are a manifestation of the user's power and true nature.

Kenshin emerged from the temple, who proceeded to brag, "Amazing, is it not? Within my realm, I have no limitations imposed. As long as this realm remains, I will be able to fight way above the standards imposed upon me. While I am here, I am willing to be a merciful master; shall you concede, my dear friend?"

Gripping onto the sword's handle, Hideaki smirked, "This is not going to go; the way you think it will."

"And what will you do to stop it?" said Kenshin.

At a moment's notice, Kenshin stormed right at him. Hideaki had sheathed his sword, so he was quick, to release a barrage of slashes at him! However, the wounds were shallow. Hideaki did not understand, how could this happen? This led to Kenshin blitzing through his defenses, punching Hideaki's face; in which, he shattered his frontal bone!

'Something about his realm was different,' Hideaki thought, 'I may have expended my energy against Hanzo, but I know it was not that much. There's no way, I can be affected by the effect of his realm. There is another explanation. Within this realm, he said, he could fight without limitations. Is this why he is stronger? N-No, it's exactly that! This realm's effect must only apply, if he meets the prior requirements of his technique...! This is ridiculous, how can a fighter create a pocket dimension, where he's the only one affected and is granted a power buff!"

'Bullshit, is it not? Another fight, where I put my life on the line, to win. What times, it reminds me of those days. Times, I try to forget, but the truth is...I LOVE THE THRILL OF FUCKING BATTLE!'

Kenshin intended to land another punch, but he noticed, that Hideaki still held the sword's handle. He withdrew and decided to keep his distance. Something about his sword, he did not like. The sword must be the main source of power!

Retracing his steps, Kenshin signaled the animals within the realm; to set their eyes onto Hideaki. They were not like the spirit's of Himari, but they were similar. These animals were difficult to fight against; when considering the size difference, and also that they could not die! It was not optimal, to use his technique against them, instead; he thought the proper way was to shatter this realm!

Hideaki began to put his hand onto the handle, he was intent on using his best attack; to shatter the realm! Kenshin noticed this, he refused to give him a single second of concentration. Instantly, Kenshin joined the assault; which he delivered a kick onto Hideaki's chest. A momentum was building, Kenshin was eager to end him.

The impact of the kicks grew stronger, but this did not deter Hideaki, who was eager to finish this fight on his own terms. Twenty second have passed. His opponent did not let up, he kept delivering kick after kick! Each kick was stronger than the last!

Hideaki does not have to maintain his footing; to activate his technique, but he needs to keep his hand in position. He was willing to take the blows from Kenshin, but unwilling to let the animals grab ahold of him. Kenshin was aware that whatever Hideaki had coming; it would not be pleasant. It was in his interest; to kill him now!

This led Kenshin, to invoke the almighty, as he continued to deliver another kick. Numerous portals began to open around the realm, which pressured Hideaki more. From one of the portals, an enormous fist emerged from the sky, engulfing the area.

It was not enough time, Hideaki was only at the forty-eight second mark. He did not meet the requirements, but this led him, to impose a limiter onto himself. In order, to shatter the realm; Hideaki imposed the limiter: where the ultimate art of his technique cannot be imposed upon specific targets within a realm.

This limiter meant that he too would now be inflicted by his own power, if he chose to use his strongest attack inside a realm; in exchange, he delivered a slash that can cut through heaven and earth...

The powerful cut shattered the realm. Kenshin did not understand, how a mere technique could overwhelm a realm? He tried his best; to keep it intact, but it was futile; the realm was receiving slashes from the outside too! How could these attacks be coming from the outside and inside? That defies logic itself!

'Is this how it ends? Years of handwork and pride, just to be destroyed by some outsider,' Kenshin thought, 'I ascended through the ranks. I gave my family, a good living through my strength. All this they will lose because I could not beat him...forgive me.'

Emerging from the realm, Hideaki emerged in victory. He was injured by his slashes, but Kenshin had the worse of it. Kenshin tanked the blunt of the attack, but his knees, soon gave out.

He faltered to the ground. Hideaki proceeded to sheathe his sword, and walk towards his defeated opponent. He felt pity for him, but also knew that he fulfilled his yearnings. He stood right before him, asking Kenshin, "How was it? Did I give you the fight of a lifetime, my brother?" 

"It was great," Kenshin chuckled, "forgive me, for the earlier remarks, I made against you and your mother. I will not die resentful; I admit, you are worthy of the blood that runs through your veins, Son of Isamu..."

"It breaks my heart, my brother, to have to kill another. You know, as well I do, in battle we are not taught to be merciful. If you live by their rules, you shall die by their rules," said Hideaki.

"And I will not ask for mercy," Kenshin replied, "instead, I ask you; to confront the reality that is..."

Kenshin did not manage to say his finals word, he died. This left, Toshiero curious; he wondered what he was about to say. The young man thought; to ask Hideaki of what he could have said, but he thought, it to be stupid. However, Hideaki could guess; what he was trying to get at.

To confront the reality of his true heritage; but most importantly, to confront his biological father. 

"Master, should we give him a proper burial," said Toshiero.

"It's not like, he would enjoy the kind gesture," Hideaki said, "anyhow, we have more important matters."

"Right, we have to check on the others," Toshiero said, "It will not be long, until the Head sends others here."

"I know," Hideaki admitted, "It is why we will leave the forest. This can no longer be our home."

“Where shall we go then?” said Toshiero.

"Where? I think, it is about time; we return to civilization," Hideaki grinned, "Today, you proved to me that you are ready, for what is to come."

The events that unfolded came to an end. However,  the world does not get put on hold, for anybody. The imperialist still continued their pursuit of extending their empire. They conquered the nation of islands, also know as, Uburaria. This nation was formerly governed by the Five Great Clan's. The nation was split into five regions, and each region was ran by one of the clans. Of course, this would not be sustainable, since among the common folk; there was a man, who refused to live under such rule.

It was this man's brilliance of assembling a military, consisting of the common folk; who were shunned by the Five Great Clans. The common people and those of non-clan origin lacked the knowledge of aura. Somehow, this outsider managed to learn the aspects of aura. It’s unknown, who could have taught him; but with his knowledge and vision, he decided this was his opportunity, to not only diminish the influence and power of these families; but also, to set himself onto the main stage. By commanding 300,000 soldiers, he conquerored the nation. As great as the Five Clans are, they lacked strength in numbers.

Even if their best fighters could fight dozens at once, they were not able to overcome swarms of soldiers at once. This was proven with the Ishikawa, who were wiped off the face of the Earth.

Overtime, the resistance against this great power diminished. The remaining four clans were forced to abide. Some clans even decided to ally themselves, trying to assure their safety and establish good terms with the great power.

However, this was not enough to satisfy the hunger of this giant, who made it his next mission, to conqueror the entire continent!

With the conquest of the nation of Xashil, the remaining countries submitted willingly. The greatest and biggest had been dealt with; but this would not have been possible without the greatest military assets of the Imperialist.

One can simply hold no candle to such monsters. Despite it, just being three of them; one is capable of overthrowing a nation, now just imagine what three in action can do.

There is no greater power than that of the Three Heavens!

Entering the scene onto horseback, every soldier kneeled at the sight of her! Former student of Nawaki Kosuke, enter, the one who left it all behind and her enormous thirst for justice! Behold, Kimura Juri!

“It was a brutal war, they managed to hold their own. All three of us were stationed here, but they managed to drag this out,” Juri said. “As for you people, you are now apart of the Empire. Refusal to comply, or conspiracy against the empire will be punishable by death. Let it be known, if you act out of line; three generations of your family will be enslaved. Surely, I do not have to tell you the severity of this?”

The new subjects did not argue. They knew, they no longer had any hopes of escaping this tyranny. Might is right. Anybody that loses their liberty is the lowest thing that can exist.

“Kimura, how will we manage to establish ourselves here? The King made it sound easy, but this country’s just to damn big!” said Sakamoto.

Sakamoto Ryuzo, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals. A man who is considered to be the right-hand of Juri, whenever the two are stationed together.

“That is not our concern, Sakamoto. Our task is to simply claim the lands for him, and the rest is up to him. Considering the vastness of this country, I would think, he will install a couple of the Polemarch’s. There’s dozens of them, after all.” said Juri

“As true as that may be, we most likely have had some fallen comrades. The Polemarch’s are the fourth strongest assest of our army, but they are a lot less skilled. Hopefully, I am mistaken about their demise,” said Sakamoto.

“While that is a possibility, the casualties could not be that severe. If they are, I am guessing, the next campaign will be postponed for now,” said Juri.

“Another campaign? Just what else can he want? Our empire has gained control of the east, why would we need more?” said Sakamoto.

“Is it not obvious, Sakamoto? The King desires to have the whole continent for himself, but having control of the East gives us the opportunity, to control the trade routes belonging to this nation. It will give us the opportunity, to build up our funding and launch another campaign towards the North and West,” said Juri.

“The North and South, huh? I have heard of those countries and their immense wealth. I understand the vision of The King, he’s trying to take ahold of the nations with the greatest wealth, to keep his conquest of the continent going,” said Sakamoto.

“That is our goal, but I wonder, how long we can maintain our grip onto the world. With the conquest of the entire East, the other nations will not stand idle,” Juri said. “It would be logical, for them, to make allies with the strongest nations nearby."

"That is troubling," Sakamoto said, "but what's there to worry? We have the entire east, except the Kingdom of Rus. They are completely surrounded!"

"Do not underestimate, the greed of others," Juri said, "The beauty of power is that you can bend the wills of others, but that also brings insecurity to others."