The Shadow Shogun Returns

Kenzo staggered slightly, the effects of the alcohol evident in his unfocused gaze. Just as he reached for another drink, a voice called out from above.

"Oye, Kenzo. Don’t tell me you forgot me in just fifty years."

Kenzo looked up, blinking against the light. Perched on a thick tree branch was a broad-shouldered man with a massive longsword slung across his back. A bold, horizontal scar ran across his forehead.

Kenzo squinted, struggling to focus. "Wait... you... you are, uh... who were you again?"

The man laughed, a deep, hearty sound that echoed across the clearing. "Oye, oye, oye... you sure got short-term memory, Kenzo-ya. Back then, you were the strongest swordsman in the whole world. Remember we fought that foreign mechanical potato? Ey! Don’t tell me you’re drunk."

Kenzo's drunken fog cleared in an instant. "Ahh! You... You're Kenji, right? Long time no see!"

Kenji leapt down effortlessly, landing beside Kenzo and resting his hand firmly on the old warrior’s shoulder.

"So you're having a party? Without me? You sure look like an old geezer now. Are you still as powerful as back then?"

In the distant void, the Devil King stirred. His voice rumbled in the darkness, inaudible to others. This presence... it feels like Kenji.

Kenzo grinned, brushing dust from his cloak. "Nah, not as much. But don’t underestimate me. I’m still strong enough to last several hours against Kuroshin."

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "That’s a bit odd. C’mon, don’t overestimate yourself."

Kenzo’s eyes gleamed with an old fire. "I wouldn’t underestimate myself if I were you."

Kenji laughed, dropping his sword into the ground beside them. "Now I’m not here to fight. I’m joining the party."

Elsewhere, Kaminari was speaking with Sumire under the lantern light.

"What did you think I was going to say?" he asked.

Sumire puffed out her cheeks and looked away. "Hmph! Nothing. Forget it. I should stop expecting anything from you. You’re so childish."

Kaminari scratched his head. "Can someone explain? I don’t get what this girl is talking about."

His eyes caught sight of Kenji and his longsword. Suspicion flickered in his gaze. A sword? Here? I’ve never seen anyone carry one except me and Gramps. That means... he’s an intruder.

In a fluid motion, Kaminari reached for Bakura and held it behind him, ready.

Kenji noticed, intrigued. "Oh?"

Kaminari drew Bakura. Kenji responded instantly, his blade slashing toward Kaminari’s throat with shocking speed.

"What a spoiled brat," he muttered.

Bakura clashed against the heavy sword, stopping the strike cold.

"Kaminari-sama!" Kenzo shouted. "Oye, Kenji, lower your sword! He’s a person out of our league."

Kenji’s eyes narrowed in shock. (Even stronger than Kenzo and me? And he blocked my heavy sword...) He glanced at Bakura, now dripping blood. "This sword... I’ve seen it somewhere."

"It’s Bakura," Kenzo said solemnly. "He’s the new Blood Warrior. Kenji, I ask you—treat him with respect."

Kaminari’s voice was firm. "I don’t know who you are, but lower your sword."

"Tch. No need to be formal," Kenji replied, lowering his blade.

Sumire approached cautiously. "Kenzo, who is this guy?"

"He’s Kenji. The three-star criminal you’ve heard about."

Kaminari blinked. "Ohh! I apologize for earlier. I’m honored to meet you."

Kenji sighed. "I don’t care who you are. As long as you’re Kenzo’s friend."

Sumire smiled politely. "Well, I’m Sumire—"

Kenji glanced at her and looked away. "Oye, I’m joining the party."

Sumire muttered, "Such a rude guy..."

Kaminari’s stomach rumbled loudly. "Ahh, Sumire! I’m seeing the god of death..." He collapsed dramatically.

"Kaminari-samaaa! The meat is ready!" a villager shouted.

In an instant, Kaminari sprang to his feet. "Really? I’m coming!" He dashed off toward the feast.

Kenzo sighed. "Not even the god of death can take him if he’s hungry. Let’s go. Sumire, Kenji, come on." He called out, "Hey Raizen!!"

A sleep bubble popped beside Raizen as he stirred. "Ye-yes? Is the party over? Aw man... I didn’t even get to eat one piece."

As they gathered around the fire, Akio approached.

"Brother, do you know Kenji-uncle?"

"Yeah... sort of."

A woman’s voice rang out. "It’s been a while since you’ve come here, Kenji."

Kenji turned, unimpressed. "I don’t recognize you, young lady." He greeted Akio. "Hey! You sure have grown up."

The woman’s expression darkened. (He remembers Akio but not me?) She picked up a glass and hurled it at him. "I’m your sister, you dumbass!"

Kenji’s eyes widened. "OHHHH!!! I had a sister? I forgot."

Sumire sighed. (Her again... What did I even do to deserve this?) She turned to Kaminari. "Let’s just eat."

The meat was passed around as laughter and chatter filled the night air.

Kaminari beamed. "Let’s start eating!"

Nearby, Raizen sat alone, gazing into the fire. "A red zone village having a party... rare sight. Anyway, let me eat."

But as he reached for his food, a voice rang in his head—a sharp, echoing tone that froze his hand mid-air.

Raizen... You underestimated me. I knew your seal was weakening. That’s why I sent you there. I have new right and left hands now. Beware the day of the Bloody Moon. It may be your last.

Raizen trembled. (That voice... Kuroshin’s. He isn’t to be taken lightly. The Bloody Moon... a warning? We must form an army and strike the government as soon as possible.)

The rest of the village continued eating, oblivious.

"Kenji," Kaminari called, "I heard you destroyed something recently?"

Kenji smirked. "I tried hunting Kuroshin from behind. Couldn’t find his chamber, so I attacked the wrong place. He sicced the ‘Great Saint’ on me. Guy was strong."

Kaminari looked up sharply. "A Saint? You mean the Demon Saint?"

Kenji nodded. "He couldn’t catch me though. I escaped."

Kenzo swallowed a mouthful. "You’re a three-star criminal now. What’s your plan?"

"Tch. I wanted five stars. That stupid hammer guy gave me three."

"Ever met Kuroshin in person?" Kaminari asked.

"Yeah. Back when Kenzo and I were shoguns. He was ‘Shogun of Justice.’ I was ‘Shadow Shogun of Destruction.’ We served the Devil King. After he vanished, Kuroshin took the throne. He wasn’t a natural fighter—he earned his strength. His only weakness was Hiroshi, the Blood Warrior. The strongest devil we’d seen—after Sensei."

What a cheesy little brat, the Devil King muttered from the shadows.

"Sensei was the strongest we’ve ever known," Kenzo added.

"Can’t imagine someone stronger than Kuroshin," Kaminari said.

"He trained us from childhood," Kenzo said. "Made us who we are."

"Where’s Kuroshin’s hideout?" Sumire asked.

Kenji stared blankly. "Kuroshin what? I wasn’t paying attention to you."

Sumire sighed. "Gosh. Kaminari-kun, ask him."

Kaminari repeated the question.

Kenji shrugged. "He doesn’t hide. Lives in a castle—in Central Kuroshima. Huge place. Like a maze."

Raizen stood. "We should stop wasting time and prepare an army for the revolution."

Kenji smirked. "Raizen the butler. Kuroshin’s left hand. What are you doing here? Go lick his shoes."

Raizen remained calm. "Nothing. He sent me to hunt spoiled kids. I found one."

"Guys," Kenzo interjected. "Kenji has connections. Can you find an army to fight Kuroshin’s government?"

Kenji’s eyes gleamed. "I like that! You forgot Chandra? He’s got a revolutionary army."

Kenzo’s face darkened. "My son died there, you fool."

Kenji softened. "Take your revenge on Kuroshin. Fight alongside your son’s legacy. It’ll hit harder."

Kenzo nodded slowly.

"Who’s Chandra?" Kaminari asked.

"A man with cursed aura—Shadow Manipulation," Kenji replied.

"One of the three even Hiroshi couldn’t defeat," Kenzo added. "Though I bet he’s weaker now."

"He lives in Sinhal, Yellow Zone. Top secret society. We’ll go tonight. It’s already morning. Kenzo, prepare. You and I will go."

Raizen nodded. "Then Kaminari, Sumire, and I will train."

Kenzo’s eyes blazed. "I can’t wait to murder those bastards... and take revenge for my son."

—To Be Continued