Where There's a Will, There's a Way

Would you like some dried sardines?

*hiss*

No? All right...

Hey, Shion. How come you can't seem to get cats to like you?

I have no idea. I can't read their minds. But...

When I was a child we kept a cat as a pet at home and it endured my presence perfectly fine. At least, I think it did.

Huh. Weird.

Ahahahaha! Still having trouble makin' friends with felines, Shion?

Wait, that voice...But it can't be?

Shigure...It IS you.

It IS you, Shigure!

Well, what brings you here? Did you come seeking something from me?

What in the world are you doing here, so far from our homeland?

Huh?

Come on, man! Can't you at least try actin' happy to see me? "Long time no see, brother!" Or somethin'!

Yeah... We are old friends I guess. I should try to talk to him...

*sigh* I shall never abandon propriety to align myself with your cavalier manner and you know it.

Wait a minute, you two know each other?

Hey, Shion. Who is this guy?

We've known each other for a very long time. He, too, is a warrior of the Itto-Ryu school.

A very old friend from back home. He, too, is a warrior of Itto-Ryu school.

Shion was in fact Shigure's uncle's disciple.

So you're kinda like sword-brothers? Since you're from the same school and all.

Hmph, well remembered.

In a sense, but not entirely.

Shigure is a direct descendant of the clan that developed the Itto-Ryu school, so he trained under the present grandmaster, his father. I, however, trained under the school's previous grandmaster, Shigure's grandfather.

Shigure is a direct descendant of the clan that developed the Itto-Ryu school, so he trained under the present grandmaster, his father. I, however, trained under the school's previous grandmaster, Shigure's grandfather.

Oh, I see. Sounds like a complicated state of family affairs, huh?

Oh, I see. Sounds like a complicated state of family affairs, huh?

Well, well! I didn't know you two were such bosom buddies!

What're you two mumblin' about? Hey! Shion! Who's ya no-name friend with the spade for a weapon?

I prefer the term, brothers in arms, myself.

You would do well to retract those insults, Shigure. This fellow is Aldo. I consider him a brother in arms and will vouch for the deftness of his sword arm.

Brothers in arms, you say?

Tch!

Well, whatever. I didn't come all this way for the lowdown on who you're knockin' back smoothies with these days.

Then get to the point. What do you want from me?

Not here. Too many pryin' eyes and ears. Lessee... All right, we'll move to the Karek Swampland. Let's go.

I reckon here's as good a place as any.

Fine. So, what is it?

Well, since you asked so nicely...

It's a matter of state!

......

Look, Shion. I know all about the secret mission you were sent out on. And that you're barred from returning to the East until you complete it.

Look, Shion. I know all about the secret mission you were sent out on. And that you're barred from returning to the East until you complete it.

Believe what you like. I will neither confirm nor deny such rumors.

Then let me ask you this. Miglance VII. Ever heard of him? Real stand-up guy, ya know. And really what the people of this country need. Now, why would anyone wanna put a hit out on a kind and beloved ruler like him, hmm?

What's your point, Shigure? Shion feels bad enough as it is. Did you come here just to taunt him?

I know he feels bad about it. That's exactly why I'm here. To relieve him of this dumb mission.

By strikin' down the wretch who ordered Miglance's assassination together!

Shigure! You disappoint me. I never thought you would stoop so low as to plot treason, let alone dress it in the guise of politics, and offer it to me for the partaking.

Heh, I don't know why I thought you'd say any different. Your duty as a samurai is all you've clung to your whole life, after all. But this ain't somethin' you got a choice in. Whether you're on board or not, I've already got a top-rate collaborator who's ready and willin' to give the old man what's comin' to him.

What did you say?

That's right. I came to these foreign lands in search of a samurai worthy of the job. And it took a while but, boy, find one I did!

What nonsense is this? To find an assassin who could kill my master among our people is nigh on impossible, let alone in this country.

That's where you're wrong, Shion.

Over here! Come on over and say hi!

W-Wait... Akane?

Who the heck is this?

Why are you, ?!

A-Akane...! You?!

You know her too, Shion?

She's my...little sister.

How?! B-But you couldn't be more different even if you weren't related!

Oh, Aldo! You're helping us assassinate our master too? Great! The more the merrier, right?

Akane, what is the meaning of this? Explain yourself!

Yessir! I'm helping Shigure with the plan to overthrow your master! He told me all about how you'd be able to come back home if we do!

So, how about it? If you refuse to do it yourself, the job'll fall to Akane. Now, is that really what you want for her?

What sort of plan is this?!

Ahahaha!

It's heartless, that's what it is!

Don't worry, Aldo. Let me handle this.

But Shion, !

I'm ready to do whatever it takes, Brother!

Listen, Akane. Haven't you realized yet? He's at it again.

At what again?

Oh. Oh, no. You don't mean?

SHIGURE! Are you kidding me? This was all just another one of your stupid pranks?!

......

Took ya long enough to figure it out! HAH!

Hey, hey! Watch it, Akane. You gotta be more careful where you're swinging. Almost took my head off!

Next time it won't be almost!

Heh, that's if you can catch me first. See ya!

Wha, ?! Oooh! Get back here, you dastard!

Wow. Is he always like this?

I'm afraid so. He has been like this since we were children. Evidently the years haven't matured him in the slightest.

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out, Aldo, that we Easterners are not all shameless pranksters like that fool. I assure you that we are, by and large, a mild and modest people with a deep understanding and respect for decorum.

Y-Yeah...

Huff... *pant* Whoo, made it back with my head.

I'd hoped at the very least that Akane would adopt this more refined manner in time, but apparently not.

She really hasn't changed in all these years, has she? Ahahaha!

Let us delay here no longer, Aldo. Or we'll never see the end of Shigure's tall tales and practical jokes.

Hold on a minute, Shion. That's not all I came lookin' for you for.

Huh? It wasn't?

Yeah. So you're comin' with me to the Moonlight Forest!

I do hope this isn't the setup for a second prank today, Shigure. I don't have the strength for it.

Shion...

You've lost your nerve!

I...what?

What are you talking about, Shigure?

And you, Aldo. It's all because of you!

And you, Aldo or Aldon't, or whatever your name is. It's all because of you!

What?!

The Shion I know, the Shion you used to be, would've cut down anyone who spoke of betrayin' his master without a second thought. But "You disappoint me"?

Hah! YOU disappoint ME with such a feeble defense of your master's honor!

But it's no surprise when you call a limp-wristed farm boy like Aldo your brother in arms instead o' me!

But it's no surprise when you call a limp-wristed farm boy like Aldo your brother in arms instead o' me!

But it's no surprise when you call a limp-wristed farm boy like him your brother in arms instead o' me!

Am I at fault for any of that?

No, Aldo, you are not. Because I have not grown soft or weak in the first place.

Then prove it.

What do you mean, prove it?

Lemme see you take down a real tough monster, just the two of you. Should be no problem for the dynamic duo you two make, right?

Lemme see you take down a real tough monster, just the two of you. Should be no problem for the dynamic duo you two make, right?

Well... even if Shion won't say that we are brothers in arms, it's that kind of relationship.

Hmph! Brothers in arms? What a joke.

My duty compels me to always be ready for combat. I have no problem disproving anyone who thinks otherwise.

I draw the line, however, at subjecting anyone else to the bother of your stupid antics!

No, Shion, it's fine. I'll do it.

You've saved my bacon on the battlefield more times than I can count. I can't stand by and watch someone question your honor!

Very well. Your concern for my name is much appreciated, Aldo. Thank you.

You done? 'Cause this guy's ready and rarin' to go!

This is our enemy? A formidable opponent indeed.

All the same...

It is no match for the combined forces of Ogre Rancorem and the Itto-Ryu!

You said, it Shion! Let's do this!

Have at you!

There, Shigure, satisfied?

Fine, I'll admit it. You two do make a pretty strong team. But we're not done here yet. Let's see how strong you really are!

This time...

You gotta go against my ultimate Itto-Ryu style! I'll show you what true strength is really like!

No.

......

What?!

Hold on a sec', Shion!

I-I'm actually kinda curious. Maybe I could, uh, learn something from this new style!

Aldo...

You...

Very well. If that is what Aldo wishes then I will comply. I trust his judgment well enough.

Heh. I kinda get it now. Why he's so willin' to call you his brother in arms.

So, what's this ultimate style you were talking about, Shigure?

The purest and deadliest form of Itto-Ryu. You'll see why that is soon enough.

Sounds good. I'm excited to see it.

Good. But this ain't the place for it. We'll need to move someplace bigger. I reckon that beach I saw on the way here would do.

You mean the Serena Coast?

That's the one! Well, what're you waitin' for? To the Serena Coast!

All right, I'm ready!

Wait, you got a horse? What...How...Why?!

This is the purest and deadliest form of Itto-Ryu. Mounted combat!

But Shion doesn't have a hors...

Don't jump to conclusions, Aldo.

Where the heck did it come from?

This "thing's" name is Shirayuki. And she carried me here from the East. I usually leave her to run free, but when I call her she never fails to return to my side.

O-Oh.

Now, Aldo, I would ask that you referee this duel.

Uh, how do I do that?

It's simple. You just have to count down the beginning of the duel.

Got it!

......

Go!

Argh! You've been practicin', huh? Looks like it paid off.

Does this mean you won, Shion?

No, Aldo.

To execute this move to completion one must land on their own horse or their opponent's after attacking. If you fail to land on either, then your victory is forfeit.

Oh, I see...

Then it's a draw!

Well done, Shirayuki. You were splendid, as always.

It's okay, Chestnut, you did good too. Real good.

Heh. You've really gotten good too, Shion. I know Gramps would be disappointed...

If you wasted that talent on somethin' all shady like assassinations and whatnot.

Welp, time for me to get goin'. I got sights to see and people to meet in this crazy ol' country here. Maybe we'll see each other around.

Indeed.

I hope we do, Shigure!

Well, that's somethin' I didn't think I'd hear. Now I'm sure we'll meet again after all.

Anyway, Chestnut's gettin' antsy. I better let her run before she bolts.

All right. Stay out of trouble.

Oh, one more thing before I go.

What I said about killin' the old man...

...Hm?

I really am gettin' things ready to make that happen. Keep that in mind when you're out there.

Giddy-up!

Do you think he was serious this time?

Who knows. I've no way of telling. I still can't figure why he went to the trouble of this whole farce in the first place.

Even when we were children he'd turn up out of the blue for seemingly no reason, the good-for-nothing loafer.

Maybe he just, you know, wanted to see how you were doing?

Is that the impression you got? I can't say I'm sure about that. I myself barely care whether Shigure is doing well or not.

But you were still happy to see him and know that he is. Because you're friends.

......

I mean, I have a few childhood friends and we're definitely like that with each other. I gotta say though, it's hard imagining what you were like as a kid at all, seeing as you're so mature.

Well, I was forced to grow up quickly. In fact, I remember the day that marked the end of my childhood like it was yesterday. It was precisely when...

Want some dried sardines, Tama?

Meeeooow!

You like it? Go on, have as much as you like then.

Meow!

Wait a sec'. Where is she? I gotta find her!

Akkie! Get back here!

Huh? Oh, Shion! It's you.

Akkie, don't ever do that again! You can't just wander off on your own anymore!

Oh, I'm sorry.

Why'd you run off like that?

Um, um! I was looking for them. Mommy and Daddy. When are they coming home?

Tch... Damn it, Akkie...

Hey, listen. Okay?

I know it's sad, but Mother and Father... They aren't coming home any more.

Huh?! But-but why?

Because...Because...

Because their home is in the sky now. And they're watching over us way up above.

In the sky? That's funny.

Does that mean if we climb up the big tree next to the house we can go into the sky and see them?

It's not like that, Akkie, it's...

Shion? What's wrong?

Don't cry, Shion! I'm here for you!

Akkie...

No, Akane, listen carefully, okay? Because Daddy's not here anymore, I'm gonna have to take his place and make sure we're okay. But I'll do a good job, I promise.

Whaaaaaat? But I don't want you to turn into Daddy!

Wh-Why?

Because you're way cooler than Daddy, Shion! So I love you more!

Hah! Thanks, Lil' Sis.

Akane. I promise you, until you're old enough to take care of yourself, I'll always protect you, no matter what.

And I'll train and train and become stronger than anyone else to keep that promise!

Hehe. Thanks, Shion! You're the best big brother in the whole entire world!