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In the center of the Valley in between the peaks of Mt. Hakurei sits a large, open expanse where the members of my Band of Seven are free to relax, train, and do as they please in their spare time. The area serves as both a recreational area and a training spot for my Band of Seven, and hosts any of our battles that are not important enough to be held in the White Dragon Arena.

A grassy plain, surrounded by only a few small homes with the Village de Bankotsu at the head of the valley, the Valley is your basic mountain village. The icy peaks surrounding it offer stiff training, and a stunning view to all the residents of the demonic mountain, Mt. Hakurei.

The door to the Villa de Bankotsu slid open, and in it stood the leader of the Shichinintai. His great sword was slung over his shoulder, and he had to dip the blade behind him to fit it through the old-style Japanese entryway. The jewel on his forehead glimmered brightly as the sun shone down upon him, and as he turned his eyes skyward, Bankotsu knew that the day was perfect for training.

'Where's Jakotsu when you need him?' he wondered idly, none-too-worried about the absence of his friend and partner. He would just have to train by himself today. The resurrected man turned to the path before him that lead into the valley and followed it to the center, where the ground was still scorched from the explosives of the young demonslayer his group had employed as their fourth member a while back.

Bankotsu found himself gazing strangely at the scarred earth with a sense of pride. The boy certainly had been training hard. The undead warrior stuck his great sword in the ground before him and began a series of stretches. Why he stretched was more a matter of habit than anything else, since his resurrected body was in no danger of damage from doing battle cold. After all, the warmth of humanity had left his bones some time ago.

His stretches concluded unceremoniously, and with that he stood straight once more and drew his Banryuu from the ground. It was time to practice a technique...an old one, that had long since slipped his mind. But his sword had not forgotten, and neither had his body.

'All right, here we go!' he steeled himself, leaping into the air in a great bound. His eyes trained on an invisible target below, he waited until he reached the peak of his trajectory to unleash the first one.

"Dragon Hammer!" he cried out, firing the powerful wave of demonic energy surrounded by a whirlwind elemental force that crashed into the ground where his 'enemy' once stood, tearing the Earth below him asunder. As the resurrected man fell, however, he revealed to no one in particular that this trick was not yet finished.

Using his control of the wind, Bankotsu pushed off an invisible barrier and flipped over the head of his 'opponent and unleashed another powerful Dragon Hammer wave from the backside, this one more deadly than the last. It was a routine that continued over and over, each blast growing more powerful and accurate than the last.

His power was reawakening, and so was his skill. In time, perhaps, his Band of Seven would be whole again. Bankotsu, for one, could not wait.

The Leader of the Shichinintai halted his training as the voice of Takemaru reached his ears. The wielder of S'ounga, Takemaru was a worthy warrior to fill a space on the roster of his Band. Much like the rest of the new Band of Seven, his abilities and fighting skills were top notch, but it was his loyalty to the group that made them all invaluable.

Each served him in their own manner, but more than that they all served each other as brothers. That was the meaning of the Shichinintai; to care for and protect your comrades, and to live without regret. Together the seven of them would take from the world what they wished and leave the rest for the weak. The leader of the Seven landed, Banryuu's hilt balanced over his shoulder.

"What's up?" he asked with a hardy smile. Bankotsu looked around the valley, then back to the resurrected warrior standing before him.

As the resurrected warrior waited for the answer from Takemaru of Setsuna, a familiar energy and voice drew his attention from behind. His eyes widened and he smiled, turning to greet the newcomer to his village.

"Hey Sephiroth!" he called out, sticking Banryuu into the ground at his side. The mercenary walked towards him and stopped a few feet away, listening intently to the message the dark warrior brought. Or he should say, the proposal. It was a shame that the man had left before they had a chance to speak, but Bankotsu was pleased to see him just the same.

'Man, right to business as always,' he thought as he watched him go. 'I wonder what's going on out there to make him come looking to hire a mercenar...oh yeah!' Bankotsu turned his attention quickly back to his comrade Takemaru and moved to his side.

"Sorry about that, he's an old friend," he explained before sticking his sword back into the ground. "Back to your report?"

Bankotsu swore as he read the letter, unable to believe that they had come this far North to deliver it. He picked up his sword and laid it over his shoulder, before clasping the shoulder of his comrade.

"If they're willing to come this far North then my gut tells me they'll have no qualms about coming this far North to attack our mountain if the time comes," Bankotsu smirked, his eyes dangerously narrow. "Guess it's time to remind everyone why the Band of Seven is the greatest team of mercenaries in the world. What say you?"

The leader of the Shichinintai paused and waited for his teammate's response, curious as to whether or not Takemaru would share his enthusiasm for battle.

Bankotsu laughed, clapping the warrior on the back, "That's the spirit!" His outburst was somewhat uncommon, but for this lonesome warrior the feeling of being surrounded by friends once more was one he found thoroughly enjoyable. Still, his acceptance of Takemaru's offer would be made plain. "You've got my permission to join this Tournament, but if you enter I hope you're fine with finishing second!"

The commander of the Shichinintai drew Banryuu from the solid earth and pointed its massive blade skyward. Would it again have the chance to taste the blood of his enemies?

"It's been too long, Takemaru," he whispered, his eyes glazing slightly as his eyes scanned the length of "his baby". "It's time for the Shichinintai to make its mark on the world once again."

"May the best man win...or the guy with the biggest sword," Bankotsu teased, placing his sword over his back. "I'm making a stop at the Emperor's Gardens to meet with Sephiroth, and then I'll come to Costa del Sol and meet up with you there. It's gonna be one hell of a show!"

The leader of the Shichinintai watched his comrade go, before starting his trip down the mountain, Hakurei. This tournament carried the promise of competition and a great treasure for the victor. It would be well worth his time.