Paths of Escape | |||
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Ren |
! | ||
Shiba Senko Soldier |
... | ||
Ren |
Heh. That's the last of them. They won't be following us anymore! | ||
Jin |
Ren. | ||
Ren |
Huh? | ||
Jin |
What in the name of the gods are you doing? | ||
Ren |
What do you mean? | ||
Jin |
This is the mansion of the leader of the Shiba Senko! I'm sure I told you that we should remain hidden and watch their movements first. Instead, you have just strolled into the heart of their mansion like you own the place! | ||
Ren |
Did I? Oh! Ha. So I did. | ||
Jin |
I have no intention of getting in your way. I just want to know what you're thinking. | ||
Ren |
Well, defenses are like an apple tree. If you shake the trunk, things start to come loose. | ||
Jin |
Come loose? | ||
Ren |
Like, for example, the location of Sumeragi. | ||
Jin |
Ah! | ||
Ren |
Look at all this fuss. They're freaking out, but there are areas they're not willing to abandon yet. That's a clear sign there's something important that needs extra protection. I mean, it didn't work this time, but the logic is solid. Am I right, or am I right? | ||
Jin |
I...see. | ||
Ren |
I know that whole thing with your sister makes you a little antsy. With the doom and the imminent murder and whatever. But like I said, I've got your back, man! Leave the thinking to me! You're not exactly—er, I don't mean to criticize, but—the most...ninja...of ninja, if you catch my meaning. | ||
Jin |
You're not in any position to point fingers. | ||
Ren |
Well! Anyway, did you feel that energy before?! That must be the Carn...Incarn...Discarn... The Discarnate Power! Yeah! Got it right that time. Whew, that feels good. | ||
Jin |
Yes. Yomi's power has grown quite a lot. Tch, "Demon Calming Ceremony." What they are really doing is increasing her power by pouring Chakra into it. The corruption inside of her is expanding rapidly. When I came across her the other day, it was clear that the corruption was uncontrolled and eating away at her. There's no mistake... The Shiba Senko and that old codger from the Kagomurasaki are plotting to force her power to manifest! At this rate, Yomi will be—! | ||
Ren |
You know, you're not what I pictured at all. | ||
Jin |
What do you mean? | ||
Ren |
When I found out you were a monster who killed his entire family, I kind of expected more—I don't know—psychotic muttering or something. Maybe some gross facial hair... You've got none of that. You've even resigned yourself to being killed by your little sister. I can't deny that monsters come in all forms, but... | ||
Jin |
None of that matters. All you need to do is lend me your strength. | ||
Ren |
Well, since I'm lending you my strength, the least you can do is tell me about what happened. I'm guessing there is some kind of backstory behind this whole thing? | ||
Jin |
It has nothing to do with you. | ||
Ren |
Psh... Monster...? More like conversation killer. I'll have you know, it's very childish to shut me down just because I wanna know a little more about you. | ||
Jin |
... | ||
A moment later... | |||
Can't you move on? Do you have to kill him? | |||
Yomi |
In Wadatsumi, killing one's own family is considered one of the gravest sins. It's a disgrace. My clan and I were utterly humiliated after the incident. That's why I must kill him, or else neither myself nor the members of my clan can move on. The past must be settled. | ||
You have your burdens as head of your clan, and I have mine as Greed Dike's General. That said... I don't mean to speak out of turn, but it seems to me like you're trying to find a way to move on without killing your brother. | |||
Yomi |
Wha—?! Of course not! | ||
I don't know how much my words are worth, coming from the General of a country who once invaded your own, but I'll tell you this: You can't move on if you're stuck in the past. Sometimes you just have to push through the humiliation in order to move forward. I don't know anything about the path you're headed down, but...I think it'd be nice if our paths joined at some point. Maybe then we could, um, maybe—ahem—be f-friends? | |||
Yomi |
Friends? | ||
Well, um, I apologize if the notion offends you. It's just that...because I've been in the army since I was young, I haven't really had the chance to make many friends. Ah, but I'm not young anymore! | |||
Yomi |
I know. It's just your face. | ||
We're close in age, and our responsibilities are similar, so I only thought... Never mind. Just forget about it. | |||
Yomi |
When the day comes that I overcome my past, perhaps it is possible that we could become friends. I think...that I'd like that. | ||
I...! I would, too! Well then, I suppose I had better start coming up with a plan to renegotiate with the Shiba Senko. You know, so that we can join forces one day. | |||
Yomi |
What about Sumeragi? | ||
That sword exists to clear your path. I will search for a way for us to understand each other, one that doesn't involve swords, armies, or clans. | |||
Yomi |
Leafah... | ||
That's the first time you've used my name, you know that? | |||
Yomi |
Leafah, you're a very impressive grown-up. | ||
W-well, yeah! It's just my baby face that's misleading! | |||
Yomi |
Heheh, right. | ||
Let's meet again, Yomi. | |||
Yomi |
See you around, Leafah. | ||
... | |||
Yomi |
Overcoming my past, huh? In order to do that, I need to meet my brother... | ||
Jin |
... | ||
Yomi |
Meet my brother and...and...and then...! W-wait, what am I going to do then? That's when I'll...I'll...I-I'll...! I will—aaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhh! That's right, I'm going to kill him! I'm going to get revenge for my family! Yes, yes, I must kill him! Hate... Hate, hate, hate, hate, hate! Ngh... What's wrong with me? Why do I feel...so much...hate?! Ngh! Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhhhhh! | ||
Kaguromasaki Old Man |
Heheh. It shouldn't be long now. The Discarnate Power will manifest shortly. | ||
Shiba Senko Head |
The amplifying effect of the Mikaboshi truly is remarkable! It may not have the power it once possessed, but it remains the equal of even the Sacred Stones. Yes... We will keep her hatred seething! The Discarnate Power will manifest any moment now! When it does, a new Wadatsumi will be born! With its first breath, it will swallow the world! | ||
A moment later... | |||
Ren |
Okay, how about a guessing game? Sooo, I'm thinking... Maybe the previous head of the Kagomurasaki Clan was disappointed that the next in line was a girl, your little sister. Just kidding, that's actually a rumor that made it even as far as the Black Star Clan, but if it's true, Jin, then what you did—! | ||
Jin |
Don't say another word. | ||
Ren |
This is super sad. Have you thought about what it's like for Yomi, who has to hate you without even knowing the reason why you did what you did? Have you ever considered how it must feel for her to inherit the Discarnate Power with the weight of all that on her shoulders? | ||
Jin |
I told you not to say another word! I can't...talk about it. | ||
Ren |
... | ||
Jin |
Please, don't ask me about it anymore! | ||
Ren |
All right. I won't. | ||
Jin |
Why? | ||
Ren |
Why what? | ||
Jin |
Why get involved with me? You should stay away. Nothing good will come of this for you. You'll just get hurt. If you have a duty to carry out, and our goal is the same, I will join forces with you. Just don't try and get close to me. Why are you trying to pry into my past? | ||
Ren |
Dunno. Curiosity? | ||
Jin |
C-curiosity?! | ||
Ren |
Well, I was always taught that ninjas are bound by things like fate, rules, tradition, and... You know, all that righteous twaddle... But here you are, breaking away from all of that. Even though it would be far easier if you were to just follow the code, protect tradition, and explain things away as being part of the rules. I guess you could say that I'm...envious. It's not like I'm here because I want to be. That's why I'm curious about you. How did you do it? | ||
Jin |
I've been asked that before. It's not like I'm doing something impressive. I just keep running away. It's truly disgraceful. Feel free to ridicule me. | ||
Ren |
... I'm sensing something. This energy...! It's that Discarnate Power! Is it really so strong that we can feel it all the way out here?! | ||
Jin |
Yomi! | ||
Ren |
Seems like it's fading now, but... | ||
Jin |
There's no time. | ||
Ren |
So it seems. | ||
Jin |
Let's head back to the Shiba Senko mansion. There's not much time left. I'm going to get Yomi out of there. | ||
Ren |
I guess I'll focus on finding Sumeragi. For the demon expungement, and all that. But what are you planning to do after you get Yomi out? | ||
Jin |
After...? | ||
Ren |
If you don't tell her the truth, Yomi will continue to blame you. | ||
Jin |
If it comes to that... I'd rather keep running away. |
← Crossroads in the Devastation of War (Part One)/Episode 2 | ♦ Babel Chronicles ♦ | Crossroads in the Devastation of War (Part One)/Episode 4 → |
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