The Brooklyn Chapter of the KuroRyoshi was an endeavor undertaken by Neji’s Uncle Ndukwe in 2005. The Kuro historically operated from their headquarters in Harlem that they had held base at since the 60s, however changes to the BackSide, among other growing demonic threats lead Ndukwe “Duke'' Okalu, a Sword Saint of the New York KuroRyoshi to take action. The Kuro categorize their swordsmen with 4 ranks; Trainees, the youngest and most inexperienced; Kenshi, Swordsmen on their way to veteran status; Kengo, the strongest and most capable of the organization; and Kensei, reserved for the few who have reached soundness of blade in both body & mind. Duke was one of a handful to achieve the title of Kensei in his time, One of the only others being the founder and head of the New York Chapter of the KuroRyoshi. A man shrouded in mystery, only referred to by the name Mr. Alafi. Fearing more frequent demon attacks in the heavily african populated Brooklyn, Duke decided to found the Brooklyn chapter under the nose of Alafi, creating a headquarters, a charter, and a vault, the three major components of starting a base for the Kuro to operate. Due to the Okalu man’s lineage to the famed Samurai Hitora, the Head Council of the organization decided not to reprimand Duke for acting without their consent, thus legitimizing the fledgling Chapter, much to Alafi’s chagrin. The Chapter was operated and run by Ndukwe up until his mysterious passing in the spring of 2018, where leadership duties were passed onto Alexandre Ogunbawo, Duke’s protege and a rising star in the Organization. It was this Kuroryoshi that Neji was on his way to meeting. The one without his uncle there to guide him. The one with Lex, and a whole bunch of new Harlem members pumped in by Alafi to keep an eye on him. Neji was curious to see how Lex continued to maneuver, having half of his Chapter being double agents for a competing branch of the Kuroryoshi.
Neji parked his bike outside headquarters and made sure to keep a low profile upon entering. The Brooklyn Chapter Headquarters were located underneath a Bodega in Utica. The shop operated as a front for the organization, and the correct words spoken to the clerk got you a key to a secret passageway behind a stack of canned peas. Neji was a Trainee, and most of the training he endured under his uncle, Duke was done off site. So for the most part, he hadn’t had many reasons to come to HQ. Since his Uncle died, Neji devoted himself to his search for Hyoukiri and the plan to kill Thanatos. Lex had given him enough leeway to where he’d only had to check in via email or text. That phone call earlier tonight was the first time he’d heard Lex’s voice since December. It was April.
The base had an auditorium for meetings and conferences, that was where everyone was tonight. Neji didn’t want to be “early” so he decided first he’d swing by Lex’s office and snoop around for some clues. Unfortunately the moment he took the detour, he was grabbed by the arm and dragged to the meeting by Reba, who seemed to have materialized out of nowhere.
“Where the -” Neji said startled
“Hell did I come from? You’re not the only one who’s been uptown ninja boy. Come on, Lex is starting.” Reba said, pulling Neji along to the meeting.
The Auditorium was not unlike an ornate theatre hall. Lacquered wood furnishings on the seats and tables, red velvet for the cushions and carpet, overlooked by a set of large mezzanines. Neji and Reba made their way up to one of the seats that overlooked the rest of the hall, making sure to be away from any unwanted attention from the multiple seasoned hunters down below. Even at home base, recently, with all the new faces the Brooklyn Chapter had received, it wasn’t clear who was trustworthy.
The Auditorium was decorated with banners emblazoned with various symbols. Some were Samurai Kamon, indicative of the houses the members' ancestors served under, others were african religious symbols. Deities, Adynkra and the like. At center stage stood a hazel skinned man with shoulder length dreadlocks and striking slender features undercut by a well groomed beard that spanned his whole jaw. His 6’5” frame cut an imposing figure as he playfully swaggered towards the microphone. Long time Brooklyn Chapter members were gleefully cheering their leader, whilst others cheered, but with less fervour, and others simply remained silent.
“Aight, settle down folks. It’s a lot of shit to get through tonight.” Lex spoke in a warm commanding tone, think a military man, less drill instructor, more wisecracking sergeant “First things first. I spoke to Akin from the London Chapter.” Lex continued softly, almost as if to relay some good news.
The entire auditorium was hanging on his every word.
“We agreed on halting any transfers for the rest of the year.” Lex rushed through the sentence like he was trying to escape a bank he just robbed.
The room erupted into thunderous booing. The London Chapter of the KuroRyoshi was the main branch of the organization. It was the branch with access to the best resources, fanciest facilities, and most heavily stocked vault. It was also where plenty of New York Kuro member’s family units were located, and many of them would jump at an opportunity to be around their support systems again.
“Yes, I know, I’m sorry, what a shame, you’ll have to actually do ya damn jobs here. How horrible.” Lex chided through the crowd’s booing. “My friend, will you shut up there!? I’m still talking!” He bellowed in his Nigerian accent.
The crowd began to settle once again.
“London isn’t taking any new members, because ya boy and the high council are in talks to open up a Tokyo Chapter” Lex said with gusto.
The room erupted into chatter.
“Yes, Kunle?” Lex responded to one of the members in the front row with a question.
“I know I’m speaking for everyone here when I say… ‘The fuck?’. Alafi been saying for years Japan ain’t no place for a black swordsman-.” Kunle tried saying before being interrupted
“Japan has demons, we hunt demons. Thanks to that absolute mess in Shibuya last year, most of the best Hunters in Japan are out of commission. They’re desperate. We’re gonna use that desperation to build a home base on their turf.” Lex said confidently. The room once again abuzz with his every proclamation.
“A Japan branch huh… You transferring?” Reba said jokingly while nudging Neji.
“I’ll pass thanks.” Neji said dismissively. “They’re not big on potheads”. He continued.
“You speak fluent Japanese, you’re an absolute raging otaku, and you won’t move to the mecca of your hobbies cuz of weed?” Reba said disgustedly. “And you keep saying you’re not addicted…” she muttered.
“Shut up!” Neji hissed angrily.
“I’m sure many of you are wondering how the Minamoto feel about all of this.” Lex said coldly. “Rest assured, we won’t see any trouble from the Japanese occult community. Especially since we’re gonna sort out a little… Issue the ‘Moto have been having some trouble with.” Lex said while dimming the lights and pointing towards a screen that seemed to materialize out of thin air.
The room was still abuzz with chatter. The hunters knew this meeting was going to be important, but this was more excitement than they were usually blessed with. Normally it’s just damage reports and obituaries.
“This brings me to my next matter of business.” Lex said, pointing towards the screen, which seemed to be showing a group of 3 black clad figures surrounding an asian swordsman wearing an expensive looking suit, and subduing him. As the footage played, there was visible discomfort among multiple members.
“Neji, you don’t think that's…” Reba said, trepidation lining her every word.
“Shut. Up. Reba.” Neji muttered violentlyPc“Oh don’t look so surprised! Yeah, y’all know who that is. I know alot of you niggas is friends with these lil naruto lookin ass fools from uptown.” Lex said angrily.
Neji felt a deep pang of concern mixed with anger wash over him. How could Dante be stupid enough to go after the Minamoto? Why wasn’t he contacted? Did he know about Neji’s plan? Dante Harris-Kingsley, the grand master of the Bronx Ninjas or as he preferred them to be called: The Network, was Neji’s friend and mentor. Dante and his clan of urban ninja maniacs are a wild card in demon hunter circles because they keep the Bronx safe and clear of demons, to the point where no other Hunting authorities are needed, but they’re known to do reconnaissance on other occult groups to steal and sell information. Neji spent time in the Bronx over the previous summer and much of the fall training with the Bronx Ninja, expanding his repertoire to the current dirty combat he now employed. Neji was definitely among one of those Lex was chastising for fraternizing with the Ninja, because as all could see; Lex was playing a clip of them attacking the head authority on all things Japanese in the Occult & Criminal underworlds.
“See, I don’t care who’s company y’all niggas keep outside of these walls, but in here, in this organization, we are bound by heritage and blood. That makes us family” Lex continued sternly. “We’ve been given a job, and we’re gonna carry that job out. Because we’re professionals with a reputation to keep-”
“This ain’t right Lex!” A hunter from deep in the crowd stood up and challenged. “We’re KuroRyoshi! We hunt demons, not Ninjas! Since when did we do the Minamoto’s dirty work? You think just cuz you’re fuckin the princess that makes us her private army?” The young man said angrily.
The crowd was in an uproar. Lex didn’t let the attack on his character phase him as he responded.
“So you’d just let ‘em run around taking out Hunters on their own turf? That was in chinatown. They cross that bridge, and it might be one of you that gets pumped full of stars next. I can’t abide by the risk of that happening.” Lex said sternly. “I told y’all man. I told you niggas this little Network is dangerous. Now they’ve just proved themselves to be a major threat. They are to be eliminated on site. Harlem has the same orders. If you don’t like it, the Yamaneko are hiring.” He continued.
“This is bad,” Reba said, pulling out her phone, rapidly texting her contacts among The Network. Only for Neji to put his hand over it.
“Put that shit away!” He said with a stern whisper. “Don’t make it obvious.” He continued.
“If I can let them know, we can strategi-”
“Against the Kuro? Do you fucking hear yourself? Relax. We’ll go uptown later, check things out with Dante, and get some answers.” Neji said reassuringly.
“So, the Japan branch is happening, Minamoto and the ninjas…” Lex said while looking at his phone “Well I guess it’s time for the main event. Some of you are aware of the reason I called this meeting, some of you are about to find out; We have a new member transferring in from the Atlanta Chapter tonight. Yemisi, why don’t you come out here and introduce yourself.” He said as a woman approached from behind the stage.
She was dressed in a rose pink tracksuit with white stripes. The top was unzipped and she was wearing a sports bra in a darker shade of pink. Her hair was done up in box braids Dyed an ornate gold. She was striking. Looks were one thing, but her spiritual pressure was unrelenting. She had a decent stranglehold on it, but anybody with keen ki sense could see clear as day; She already had Contracts.
“Oooh, Neji got a crush? You’ve got your evil eye out and everything. Why don’t you ever look at me like that senpai~” Reba mockingly batted her eyes as she chided Neji for staring, but she was right, even from the mezzanine, he was transfixed.
“Can you please relax, you weirdo.” Neji said, shutting down her jibes.
“Hi everyone! My name is Yemisi Omoaroso! I know it’s a mouthful, but we’re all Naija here right?” She let out a laugh. Her accent was unmistakably Atlanta, but she was definitely raised amongst africans based on how she said her own name. Maybe a strict family? Has she gone back ever?
“Starting today, I’m gonna be working with y’all. Lex said I have to state my credentials, but I mean, ugh, that stuff is so lame am I right? But whatever. I’m from the Atlanta Chapter, I was Chief Lieutenant of their Dreamchaser Division. Oh, and my Swordsman Rank is Kengo.” As she rattled off her bonafides, she generated even more buzz than Lex’s War Declaration on The Network.
“How old are you?” some voice in the crowd yelled.
“Oh 22.” She said blankly. The crowd was shocked.
Being a high ranking Dreamchaser was one thing, but a Kengo? At 22? It was unheard of for hunters younger than 25 to advance past Kenshi. But at only 22 this lady was already the same rank as Lex.
“Yemisi is royalty y’all. I know you know about Segun the Shade. Well, you’re looking at his beautiful baby girl.” Lex praised Yemisi as she blushed and posed playfully. “And you know what that means. She’s the di-rect blood descendant of the Obsidian Samurai himself.” The crowd was in shock. Yemisi, the demon hunter in front of the Kuroryoshi, was the direct descendant of the patron Sword Saint of their organization; Yasuke.
“Yup, I even have his Yoto.” She said boastfully.
“You’ve got the Star Splitter? Here? I don’t feel it at all” Lex said questioningly.
“I keep it bubbled.” She said stretching her arm out. In that moment an exceptionally large Nodachi materialized in her hand. It stood about 6 feet long. Taller than her.
The moment it appeared it sent out a shockwave of cursed Ki. Even in the mezzanines, Reba & Neji had to brace for the wave.
“Oop! Sorry about that y’all. That’s exactly why. It’s a doooozy~~” Yemi said while hugging the sword, playing coy.
“All you trainees. I know y’all feel pretty uncomfortable right now, but this is important for you to experience. This is a Yoto. A cursed sword. Magicians make contracts with spirits and keep ‘em housed in totems. We aren’t magicians, but we make contracts and use totems too, just instead of a necklace, or a fuckin’ DVD player or something wacked out like that, we put em in swords. Yemisi, how many contracts you got?”
“Just the one. It’s served me well though,” Yemi said confidently. She had her sword draped across her shoulders like a lazy baseball player waiting to bat.
“You sure about that? I feel another presence somewhere in this room.” A hunter in the audience said.
“That would be a problem. That would either mean someone made a contract without checking in with the brass, or, someone stole a sword from the vault.” Lex said, stroking his beard. “Or Yemi’s lying”
“Ugh! I’m not! I swear!” Yemi said defiantly.
“I know you’re not. Or if you are, you have your other swords bubbled up too. But the question remains… Who else here has a Yoto out?...” Lex said ponderously.
“Reba. Cover for me” Neji said as he got ready to leave
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“Lex set me up.” Neji said angrily, trying to leave. Other hunters sitting in the mezzanine were now staring at him.
“Not so fast, Okalu.” Lex said from the stage. “I know you’re up there. I also know what you got with you. Why not come down and share it with the class?” As Lex spoke, the entire Auditorium was now looking upwards at the Mezzanine. Neji had no choice. He walked down the stairs and through the crowd.
“Give it up for him folks. I meant to throw him his roses earlier, but Neji took out his first demon today. A Shifter Dragon! Can you believe it?” Lex said hyping up his young compatriot. “Neji, do you have it?”
Neji had Hyoukiri in the usual bag he kept it in, but as he approached the stage, he pulled the sword and scabbard out of the bag and held it up high for all to see.
“Beautiful. The Blade of the Black Tiger.” Lex said, marvelling at the blade. Yemisi didn’t seem as amused.
“The Black who? Excuse me, who are you? And why do you have a Yoto? You know trainees aren’t allowed to have them right?” Yemisi said. Chastising Neji like a schoolboy. “And why are you dressed like a Hot topic had sex with a Superdry store.” She continued chiding.
“Relax. He’s royalty just like you, Princess. Neji is descended from the Black Tiger of Mutsu, Hitora. He served under the Date, just like your ancestor served under the Oda.” Lex said, trying to calm tensions.
“Never heard of him.” Yemisi said, eyeing Neji as he walked onto the stage. “Doesn’t explain why he has that sword. Doesn’t he have like, a family vault? Who’s your dad, why did he let a baby like you run around with an heirloom?”
The auditorium fell silent.
“What did I say something wrong? Y’all are acting like…Oh…” Yemisi put her hand over her mouth as she realized her faux pas, and in the split second when she was about to find her maturity, decided to double down on being the bad guy. At least in the face of this challenge to her relevance. “You’re an orphan huh? Oop, sorry. Well, the fashion makes sense now I guess…” Yemi followed condescendingly.
“His uncle was the chapter head before me. He’s got talent, and that blade is his birthright.” Lex said, filling Yemi in.
“Wait, Duke? The guy who died?” Yemisi said, chuckling.
Neji shot Yemisi with a fearsome look.
“Yes. Duke Okalu. The only guy to ever beat The Shade.” Neji said. Wiping the smirk off her face.
“In a practice fight. With no stakes. Plus, my dads still alive. Guess we found out who was the better Kensei in the end.” Yemi said, eyeing Neji fouly whilst kissing her teeth.
“You know, my uncle told me alot about you and your family.” Neji said, his eyes full of the same kind of single minded intent to harm as a man loading a bullet into the chamber of a magnum.
“Neji…” Reba muttered quietly from the Mezzanine in disappointment.
“I heard those two little bastard brothers of yours are why the Shade left you and your mom and went to LA. I heard he got a girl pregnant, saddled your mom with the kids, and got outta dodge to shack up with the same trainee he was fucking.” Neji said flippantly.
In that second Yemi let out a swift sword swing from above against Neji that Lex blocked with his own Yoto.
“I could have blocked tha-” Neji said before being shut down.
“Don’t run your mouth if you not ready to back it up youngblood.” Lex said angrily to Neji. “And don’t swing on someone you provoked just cuz you got back what you gave” He said equally angrily to Yemi.
Lex then separated the two.
“Matter of fact. When Duke used to train me, he’d always joke about how if Hitora fought Yasuke, he’d whoop his ass.” Lex said, as he approached Neji, putting his arm over his shoulder. “And when he was able to beat Shade he proved to me at least one generation of that fight was a point in y’alls favor. I wanna know how this generation pans out.” He takes his arm off and pats Neji on the back forcefully. “Y’all wanna play family feud? Aight! Let’s do it the old fashioned way!” Lex said maniacally as he approached center stage.
“Are you serious? First off all. I’m tired. I just got off a flight, I got shit I wanna do. Plus, he’s a trainee-” Yemisi prattled before being cut off
“Then this should be over quick” Lex said as he threw a charm up into the air.
The charm suspended itself mid-air and began to glow. At that moment, the Shape of the auditorium changed. The seats and their occupants shifted arrangements and organized around the stage. The space in front of the seats began to expand. After a few seconds, the auditorium had transformed into a colosseum.
Space-altering spells were common, but doing them on a scale this small made it possible to have the spell prepared in a charm. As Lex finalized the transformation, he looked towards the two would-be combatants.
“Let’s make this exciting. Loser has Night Patrol. And Neji, well, if you win, I’ll put in a word to make you a Kenshi.” Lex said, winking at Neji.
“Ugh. Night Patrol? Nigga I’m a DREAM Chaser. I don’t do frontside watch, I’m not a fuckin child!” Yemi said angrily, only to be jeered by the Nights Watchmen in the crowd. “I’m sorry, did that offend some of y’all? You'll get over it I'm sure.” she said sardonically.
“Oh right. Yeah you said you had stuff to do tonight. Right?” Lex said with sincerity.
“Yes please, thank god.” Yemisi said, thinking she’d finally appealed to his common sense.“So beat him quick then.” His sincerity was feigned.
Neji slowly began to unsheath Hyoukiri, the moment he did he felt a startling jolt from the blade as a similar wave of cursed ki to Yemi’s from earlier smacked the auditorium. Except this time it was twice as heavy.
"Yeeee Woooo!!!!" Lex said enthusiastically. “Daaaaammnnn!!! That. is. a. KEEPER!” Lex exclaimed in excitement.
Neji takes a look at the sword Lex used to block Yemisi’s strike earlier. His new Evil Eyes sensed something off about the weapon.
“Is that the sword your girlfriend gave you?” Neji poked nosily. Despite having unsheathed Hyoukiri, he wasn’t in any fighting stance.
“Olodo, na real fight you dey enter oo, focus!” Lex proclaimed emphatically.
Just as he spoke, Yemisi charged at Neji with her enormous Nodachi, swinging violently while his attention was misplaced. Her strike connected, to the shock of the crowd. Gasps and screams were heard as Neji’s Kuroryoshi compatriots looked upon his fallen corpse in horror.
“Can I go now?” Yemisi asked, vexed.
“I dunno, can you?” Lex said, gesturing at the supposed body of her opponent.
What was on the ground wasn’t Neji, but a block of wood with the words ‘Heads Up’ etched on it. At that moment, a veritable hailstorm of shuriken and Kunai began to rain down upon Yemisi. A few left grazes and one managed to impale her shoulder, but for the most part she was able to defend against most of the projectile barrage. Neji landed a few feet away from her, Hyoukiri drawn and at the ready. He slowly edged towards his opponent, taking on a Seigan no Kamae, or straightforward kendo stance as he made his move. Yemi responded in kind, first pulling out the kunai in her shoulder,then readying her large blade, pointing it towards her foe in a Kasui no Kamae stance. The two circled each other. Neji wasn’t going to let her use range to her advantage, so trading strikes was out of the question. He could keep probing her with throwing weapons, but those were expensive, and he didn’t want to use too many explosives in a compact arena. If he was going to do this, he couldn’t rely solely on kendo, or cheap tricks. He was going to have to use good old fashioned Ninjutsu.
Neji darts towards Yemisi, baiting her into a straight sword fight. As she swings at his face, he slides on his knees, dodging the strike.
“Never make an honest approach,” Reba said, smiling. “Man, I wish Dante could see this!” Neji was a novice Kuroryoshi only in rank. His uncle being Chapter head meant the training he endured was done privately, and his drills were more intense than anything the average hunter underwent. His sword skills were comparable to most seasoned Kenshi. What made the young upstart stand out however, wasn’t his swordplay, but the tricks he learned uptown.
“Don’t think you can fucking run!” Yemisi said after missing the strike, however, when she tried moving her feet to attack, she realized the ground around her was sinking. Neji had placed a charm which turned the ground into quicksand.
Reba looked upon in disbelief, quickly shuffling through her bag, only to realize several of her charms were missing.
“NIGGA STOP STEALING MY SHIT!” Reba screamed from the mezzanine.
Neji quickly shifted his momentum from the slide and began dashing back to the now stuck-in-place Yemisi, He opened with a vertical slash that Yemisi blocked. He backed up, dashing in again for a flurry of strikes, only for Yemisi to deflect them all while standing in place. She stabs her sword in the ground, creating a shockwave that blows neji back and solidifies the ground she was stuck in. She makes a jump in order to place where he might be, but for some reason she couldn’t see him; He used substitution again! He was now behind her, holding her in a body lock, getting ready for an izuna drop. As they began to descend, Yemi kicked off of him, only to notice too late that there was an explosive charm on her back. Neji landed on his feet, and Yemi hit the ground violently, bouncing off the wall of the arena.
Yemisi’s foul demeanour earlier, as well as her denigration of the Night Patrol hadn’t earned her many fans. For all intents and purposes, she was the heel in this fight, and every move against her made the crowd burst into excitement. The Brooklyn Chapter was now cheering Neji’s name, venerating their hometown hero against the treacherous new transfer. Yemisi stood up, dusting herself off as she walked slowly towards Neji.
“You fight like a bitch!” Yemisi shouted viciously. “But that’s cool, I know how to handle a bitch right. Lex!”
Lex was observing the fight from an elevated seat that sprouted during the room transformation. He was busy munching on a pocky stick while Yemi called for him.
“What is it? You givin up, Princess?”
“Permission to use the rest of my arsenal.” Yemisi said, her eyes beginning to glow.
“Rest of your- You said you only had one!” Lex asked confused
“I lied.” Yemisi said, materializing 3 more Yoto behind her.
“Do what you want, girl, don’t let me stop you from having a good time. Neji, any requests on your end?” Lex asked jokingly. “Want me to go call Reba? Maybe she can back you up.” The crowd burst into laughter. Reba sank into her chair in embarrassment.
“No thanks. She’d just slow me down.” Neji said, readying his Hyoukiri once again. This time, holding the sword in a reverse grip while lowering his posture.
The three swords Yemisi materialized unsheathed themselves mid air and began to circle her violently. As she raised her Nodachi, all three began to circle the larger blade.
“Try your shinobi bullshit on this!” Yemisi said as she swung the blade downward, shooting all three swords towards Neji.
Neji deflected the swords, flipping and maneuvering as he continued to defend himself. Yemisi darted towards Neji as he was in the middle of fighting for his life against the floating Katanas. She smashes his gut with a kick that sends him flying, as his body tumbled, she followed, slashing at him as he regained his balance. He blocks her strikes as the floating swords return to her side, adding extra blows to her combinations. Neji knew he was out of his depth in a straight forward sword battle against a Nodachi, but 3 regular sized Katanas are another problem on their own, talk less if they’re flying through the air, deftly slicing at you from all directions. Neji threw a smoke bomb and backflipped to safety. While in the smoke, Neji began to hear a voice. “Looks like you’re in a bit of a bind aren’t you Baby Tiger.” Hyoukiri said softly.
“Catboy?!” Neji said aloud as Yemisi maintained her onslaught.
“You’re outmatched kiddo. Let me take a crack at it.” Hyoukiri said again, his voice ringing in Neji’s mind whilst fighting. Causing him to take a strike that knocked him into the Arena wall.
“Absolutely…Not…” Neji said as he began to rise slowly.
The crowd was extremely invested in the contest. Every time Neji got smacked around they would boo viciously.
“I’m not letting you take over. I can still win this.” Neji said as he readied his sword. Neji wondered to what extent Hyoukiri’s powers could aid him without being taken in by them. Despite making use of the strength and mobility boost the contract provided, he hadn’t tapped into Hyoukiri’s ki for any attacks. As he took on a stance, Yemisi charged violently once again, this time swinging one sword, only to let it stay afloat and swing another. This weapon switching swordplay startled Neji, to the point of conceding two very painful looking blows to the arm and back. Yemi kicks Neji’s chest and knocks him on his ass once again.
“Lex. Can I PLEASE go now!?” Yemisi said, enraged at how long the fight had taken.
“I DUNNO. CAN YOU?!” Lex shouted, looking over at Neji’s body on the ground in shock.
To say it was ‘on the ground’ was partially true. By the time Lex was looking, Neji’s body was levitating 4 feet in the air. His dreadlocks began to turn a shining white, and his eyes opened, a bright purple. He went from floating with his back facing the ground to slowly landing on his feet. What stood before Yemisi wasn’t Neji, but a malevolent spirit that had usurped control.
Hyoukiri, piloting Neji’s body, pounces on Yemisi, slashing at her with motions that couldn’t be followed by someone used to fighting swordsmen. As she begins to attempt deflecting his blows, she tries making use of her floating swords only for them to be grabbed out of the air and tossed back at her. She narrowly avoids the blade that was turned against her, only to look upon her opponent in shock and horror. Whatever was piloting Neji had taken two of her swords, one wielded in the left hand, and the other in his mouth a la Zoro.
“EEW, TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!” Yemisi screamed as she tried willing her blades back to her, however only one returned. Hyoukiri’s cursed Ki was overriding her contracts!
Hyoukiri pounces again, this time with three swords in tow. He begins swinging in an unpredictable manner once again, the extra swords making each body motion even more deadly. Yemisi was able to defend against the blows, but she was feeling a mixture of confusion and rage as she watched her own Yoto be used against her, their inner demons screaming for her assistance.
Yemisi began pooling all her ki into her Nodachi. Sending a shockwave that pushed Hyoukiri back slightly.
“Let me show you why they call this the ‘Star Splitter’” She said, readying her sword for an exceptionally lethal strike.
The cursed ki from the attack was enough to make the lights in HQ flicker. The ki gathering was sending shockwaves and rumblings across the whole arena. Yemisi took the immensely charged up blade and began readying an attack. Hyoukiri was readied up too. All three swords still in hand…and mouth. As they began charging at each other, Lex stepped in, stopping the fight.
“All right, I think that’s enough fun for tonight.” Lex said calmly while subduing the both of them. Lex whispers something to Hyoukiri. “Let lil bro back out, you can rest now.”
Hyoukiri makes an angry expression before losing interest. Neji’s hair turned back to black, and he began to regain consciousness, spitting the blade out of his mouth in confusion.
“Congrats youngblood. It was a draw.” Lex said to Neji cheerfully.
“A DRAW?!” Yemisi protested in shock.
“Yep!. A draw. You couldn’t bring him down without pulling some shit that would leave me paying for repairs.” Lex said curtly as he deactivated the spatial distortion charm, reverting the Arena back to an auditorium. “Neji. I’ll put in a word to Harlem to let you take your Kenshi test. Alafi will be calling. You both have night patrol.”
“WHAT!” Yemisi said enraged
“Na-i-to pa-to-ro-ru! It was a draw. Meaning you both won! But you also both lost. So, Neji gets his Kenshi test, and you both get night patrol. Reba!”
In that second, Reba corkscrew flipped from the mezzanine to the spot right in front of where Lex was standing. Landing in a pose fitting for a Kunoichi.
“Sloppy execution, you show off,” Neji muttered.
Reba pulled a face at him.
“You’re on night patrol too. You’ll be working in a three person team tonight.” Lex said to all three of them.
“What did I do!?” Reba asked frantically
“What didn’t you do!” Lex retorted viciously. “You’re lucky I don’t go to your grandma with that little side business you got. Shut that shit down, I’m serious. You’re jeopardizing lives, you’re lucky I don’t expel you.” Lex was serious. Whatever Reba did, he was mad. Night Patrol seemed like it might be a lenient sentence. Neji was going to ask later.
“This can’t be happening. You can’t be serious. You’re sticking me with two trainees?! Lex haba now, please.” Yemisi said, resorting to pleading in pidgin.
“One trainee. And one newly minted Kenshi, soon to be a Kengo.” Lex said, pulling out a medallion with the KuroRyoshi emblem on it; an Oni with Several swords plunged through it’s head. Neji was confused. He slowly walked towards Lex to receive his promotion medallion. As Lex hands it to him, he pulls him near, whispering something in Neji’s ear. “You been earned this. I just needed you to prove it to the Oga at the top.” Lex made a subtle gesture upwards, to the skybox above the Mezzanine. Neji couldn’t have noticed before, but there he was. Mr. Alafi. The head of the New York KuroRyoshi, “Have fun on Night Patrol y’all. I’m takin’ it easy on you guys tonight. You're assigned to Neji’s neighborhood, Williamsburg.” Lex said aloud, nudging Neji away and patting him on the back.
“Williamsburg? With all the white people?” Yemisi said disgustedly.
“Yep, it’s a regular oyinbo central. Like I said y’all. Have fun!” Lex gestured for them to get to work.
To be Continued.
***
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