Illusion Connect: Re story · Main story
Chapter 12: Kendama
3 scenes, 140 lines
1. The Way of Tobun
48 linesViolence swirls with compassion,
Patience turns into aggression,
Roots dig deep, flowers bloom and fall,
The weak perished
And the cup dances with the ball.
Saya?
Huh? Sorry, Leader, I must have dozed off again...
Saya... Is something on your mind?
I haven't been back to the Eastern Capital since I left when I was a kid.
The streets may be unfamiliar, but I feel strangely attached to this land.
(The Eastern Capital is Saya's hometown, and she spent her childhood here. This is also where she watched her family die. It must feel weird for her to be back.)
But enough about that. How is the intelligence gathering going?
The people here refuse to speak about the Tobunkai.
That's to be expected. They are the most powerful yakuza family of the Eastern Capital, after all.
It's been 2 hours since when we were supposed to meet, and the Tobunkai still haven't shown up. Just what are they planning...
Instead of waiting, maybe we should...
Do what?
Hah, right.
Let's grab a bite to eat.
I also promised Nina that I would buy her a souvenir, even though I told her it wasn't a vacation...
Leader and Saya have left me to go visit the Eastern Capital! I hate him! I hate him...
They're not going for fun. The Tobunkai sent us a letter to wishing to "discuss important matters."
But what if the "important matter" is a new game by Sintendo? What if it's something huge, like a press conference announcing that Boreruto was ending forever?
Yeah, just those two alone against that strange yakuza family.
I wonder if Leader and Saya will be alright?
Wards, daruma dolls, candied apples...
This all feels like stuff that you could get in Bloomsea City as well.
Well, I guess we really are just buying souvenirs now.
What about this?
(Saya grips the handle of the cup and gives it a shake. The ball connected to the cup with a string leaps gracefully into the air, and Saya deftly catches it with the cup. Concentrating on the ball as she plays with it, Saya lets out a child-like smile.)
Hey little girl, you're pretty good at the kendama!
Ah, sorry for touching the merchandise...
It's fine, really! It's rare for someone to know their stuff. This kendama is completely handmade, you know!
The cup and the ball may be connected by only a single string, but they will never be separated.
It's like the emotions people have for each other! It's the perfect gift for family and of course, loved ones.
Huh? Oh, sorry sir, you must be misunderstood...
I'll buy it!
Hey! Don't jump the gun on this! We're buying souvenirs for Nina!
Oh, it's for the children? I didn't think that two people so young would be married...
Ah! Help!
Who's there? Come and face us head-on!
Kill, in the name of Tobun!
2. Jade in the Shell
51 linesAre those... Radiants?
There's still more coming in. We can't stay for long.
We have to figure out a way to escape, Leader!
I apologize for the excessive use of force, but please, you have no choice but to die here.
?
Hyah!
(A young samurai jumps out suddenly. She holds an old wooden box in her hands, but it doesn't seem to impede her movement.)
Kasumi, retainer of the Tobunkai, at your service! Stand down, troublemakers!
Aw man, the boss is gonna yell at me for slacking off again.
Retreat! Retreat!
We're saved!
My apologies. You two must be the guests from Muscipula.
I should have come earlier, but I ran into some trouble on the way. Please forgive me.
That's alright, but...
Weren't those guys just now saying something about "in the name of Tobun?"
Let's find somewhere else to discuss that.
Please come with me to the lady. Everything will be explained.
It's a shame about these stalls.
Don't worry about it. We will compensate for the damaged goods.
Is there anything else I can help you two with?
Then how about you buy us this kendama as well?
Leader! Now's not the time for that.
Drops the weapons!
These two are guests of the lady. They can keep their weapons.
Drops the weapons!
...
The Tobunkai sure is intimidating. Even their guards are aggressive.
Take care of this blade. Be careful, don't cut yourself on it.
Weapons received. Open the gates!
The guests have arrived, my lady.
Leader of Muscipula and head of the Murasaki family. I apologize for not coming in person to welcome you.
I am Tobun Maki, leader of the Tobunkai, fourth of my line.
You are late. Did something happen?
(Kasumi frowns, perhaps afraid of being blamed. Looking closer, the box in the hands has disappeared. Did she put it away before entering the hall?)
We ran into an ambush by unknown Radiants.
He?
Everyone except Kasumi and the guests, leave us.
...
Must I repeat myself? Do as you are told!
Yes, ma'am.
I apologize for putting you two in danger.
As you can see, I may be the fourth leader in name, but I am treated as just a woman in confinement.
Miss Tobun, we are uninterested in the internal struggles of the Tobunkai.
Let's just get to the point. Why did you invite us here?
Cutting straight to the chase. I like it.
Saya of the Murasaki family. If I were to give you the chance...
to slaughter the hated enemy of the Murasaki family. Would you take it?
3. Bared Sword
41 linesIn the name of Tobun! Kill!
Stop!
Aaaaaaaarrrgh!
Don't worry, Saya! I'm here for you!
You saw it all.
(A Lens sits on the table in front of Saya, glowing with a pale blue light, reminding one of the Special Lens from the previous incidents.)
This Lens is a carefully guarded secret of the Tobunkai.
Touching this Lens will suck you into a Dream; The night that you saw, like you were actually there.
As the next leader in line of the Tobunkai, I must apologize to you.
The Tobunkai obviously was involved in the attack that wiped out the Murasaki tribe many years ago.
At the same time, this attack also directly lead to the death of the second leader of the Tobunkai... My father.
!
Seeing it in person is all you need. I don't need to say more about it.
Are you alright, Saya?
(Saya clenches her fists tightly, her teeth biting her lip. She ignores me and glares at Tobun Maki, repressing her rage.)
You want somebody dead?
In a way, yes.
Keep talking.
Based on my current situation, a revolt within the Tobunkai is inevitable.
If you would be willing to cooperate with me and help me escape my confinement, you would also have your revenge.
If you think that killing the murderer yourself isn't enough to satiate your rage, then we can talk more about it later.
Someone who only knows how to solve things with violence.
The 3rd and current leader of the Tobunkai:
Tobun Sakai.