Kannon's Path

Hiroshima, Japan. The year is 18XX.

The land of Hiroshima was rebuilding but at a minimum pace with many innocent villagers losing their families and fields having been destroyed as well as members of cultist group hunting them down and murdering the adults while enslaving the young.

Which now leads us to this....

It was the dead of night, the wind whistle gently and the grass moved with elegance and delicacy. From a far distance, two men on horses were arriving as an enormous residence that appeared abandoned and worn out from its exterior design.

The two men stopped their horses with one of them getting off their horse and thoroughly inspected the residence exterior, showing discomfort.

The man took off his hood, revealing himself to be Tatsuya Toudou, the younger brother of the deceased and decorated samurai, Shinjiro Toudou, who was on a journey to seek justice for the death of his brother and protect whatever remained of Hiroshima.

The other man carefully got off their horse, their face revealing the said-to-be dead Lord Eikichi Suou who was admired and respected by the people of Hiroshima for his humility and care.

Born from the legendary familiy of the Suou's, and like his ancestors, Eikichi kept his families legacy on while standing by their code.

He led an army that was to stop the enemies of Hiroshima but unfortunatly was ambushed and attacked with all of his men, including his childhood friend Shijiro, dead in front of him and even as he liberated many parts of Hiroshima, he never forgot that day and how he swore he would find the ones responsible for the damage that they have caused.

Tatsuya continued to scope out the area while Eikichi knelt and stared at a pendant. He looked back the day before when he met an old accompolice.

FLASHBACK

Eikichi and Tatsuya arrived at a destroyed village which was burnt but after investigating the area, they were fortunate to learn that the villagers had known of the attack and evacuated beforehand, via a letter that Eikichi found.

And as they were about to continue on their journey, they heard a familiar voice.

A voice said "Lord Suou?"

Eikichi stopped and when he turned around, he came across a flail looking man who was happy when seeing them both. The man then ran to them and hugged Eikichi.

The old man said, "My boy!"

"Tanaka?" Said Tatsuya, speechless. His expression changed to joy upon seeing their old mentor. "It has been so long!"

Tatsuya hugged Tanaka.

Tanaka was Eikichi, Shinjiro and Tatsuya's mentor when they were younger and were responsible for learning them the way of combat along with mastering numerous stances.

"M-mentor?" Eikichi said, also speechless from seeing his mentor.

"Yes, it is I my former student." Said Tanaka. He then looked around and said, "It is not safe for us to linger here any longer, come."

Both Eikichi and Tatsuya followed Tanaka, unaware that they were being watched from afar.

At an abandoned dojo, Eikichi explained to Tanaka what had happened and what he and Tatsuya have been doing during these dark times.

"I see..." said Tanaka. "You seek for the ones responsible for the deaths of those we called allies... Well I am relieved to see that you've prioritised other matters as well. It thanks to you that the people have believed in hope once again."

"I fight to protect those that cannot protect themselves... I am disgraced at how I failed in that purpose." Said Eikichi, regret in his voice.

Tanaka stated, "Ah but that is alright. You cannot expect the world to entrust with the greatest responsibility of protecting everyone... And you are not to blame my boy..." He stood up, using a stick to walk with as he sat beside him. He continued, "It is those responsible for these heinous actions!"

"But still..." said Eikichi.

Tatsuya sat there, staying quiet. Tanaka looked at Tatsuya and seeing his expression, he said, "Tatsuya."

Tatsuya looked at Tanaka and asked, "Yes?"

"How have you been my boy? It has been long since I had seen you come to my home in a long time." Said Tanaka.

Tatsuya pathetically answered, "I-I... I have been busy."

Tanaka questioned Tatsuya saying, "Busy you say? Regarding what?"

Tatsuya answered "Regarding... Regarding..." but he could not bear himself to lie any longer and truthfully said, "Nothing..."

"And why is that?" Asked Tanaka.

Tatsuya answrered "I-"

But Tanaka cut him off as he explained, "I meant it rhetorically... I can understand your position as a person and how you wasted away your training on gatherings and such... But all changed because of one thing."

"Yes." Said Tatsuya, "Shinjiro."

"Ah yes, your brother... You and him very close, weren't you? He was someone that you could look up to and he'd always be there to support you... Or even knock some sense into you... It was sad learning about Shinjiro's death personally... He was like a son... A son that I wish I had...." said Tanaka.

Tanaka began coughing.

"Are you okay?" Asked Eikichi, sounding concerned.

"I'm afraid not." Said Tanaka bluntly, "I'm afraid my time has come."

Tatsuya stood up and went to his mentors side.

"There is much I must tell you Eikichi... Things that I must reveal to you... alone." Said Tanaka, looking at Tatsuya.

Tatsuya sighed and said, "I shall wait outside."

But Tanaka stopped him as he said, "But there is something ELSE that I can tell you both..."

Tatsuya turned around and walked back to his mentors side.

Tanaka coughed again and revealed, "The one responsible for this mess... Is Mayumi... She was behind all that has happened."

Eikichi and Tatsuya were left in shock by what they came to learn. Tatsuya looked at Eikichi and saw that in his eyes was shock but also rage...

PRESENT

Tatsuya looked at Eikichi and walked up to him, placing his hand on his shoulder.

He said "Eikichi?" With worry in his eyes. He then explained, "The residence appears deserted. I am unsure whether your wife is in-"

Eikichi cut Tatsuya off as he said, "She is inside." He then unsheathed his sword and made his way to his home. Tatsuya ran after him, trying to stop him.

Tatsuya stated, "Hold it! We do know for sure if she is-"

Eikichi gently pushed him to the side and continued forward. Tatsuya gets in front of him, stopping Eikichi.

Eikichi said, "Move aside Tatsuya. This does not concern you."

"But it does!" Said Tatsuya as he explained, "That woman is responsible for the lives of those that meant dearly to us. On that day, you may have lost a friend... But I lost a brother."

After hearing this from Tatsuya, Eikichi began reminiscing the past.

FLASHBACK

At the Suou residence, Eikichi sat outside while staring at the sky. From behind, Shinjiro arrived with a bottle of sake in his hands, appearing drunk.

He said to Eikichi, "He-ey Eikichi!" Shinjiro almost vomits but states with a smile, "I'm okay! I'm okay! How is my tea-drinking terror?"

Eikichi asked, "Could you not call me that?"

Shinjiro ignored what Eikichi had said and focused on finishing his sake. He looked inside, hoping there'd be at least a little bit more but fell disappointed from it being empty.

Eikichi then asked, "Do you think it is time to lay off the alcohol?"

Shinjiro bluntly answered, "No... and no!"

Then some servants enter the room with some tea. They hand it to Eikichi and Shinjiro before leaving.

Shinjiro raised his cup and toasted, saying "Let this be the day that we show those runts what we stand for... honour."

Eikichi smiled and responded, "Indeed my friend, for honour!"

Everything then goes white.

BATTLEFIELD - CONTINOUS

Eikichi opened his eyes and stood up, horrified as he found all of his men lying on the floor, bloodied and dead beside him. He then saw Shinjiro who was still breathing and ran to him.

Shocked to see Eikichi alive, he asked "Kichi? H-how?" Then suddenly, Shinjiro began struggling to breath, he continued asking as he said, "How are you-"

But Eikichi instructed him to not speak as he said, "Hey its okay, I can take you back to Hiroshima and there can be someone-"

Then Shinjiro coughed up blood. He then said, "I'm sorry... Please protect Hiroshima... Protect Tatsuya..." Shinjiro smiled before he died in Eikichi's arms.

Eikichi's pupil's shortened, his hands shaking violently and his voice unreadable. He screamed out in agony while holding the dead Shinjiro in his arms tightly.