The morning sun shines brightly as Kenasai's boat socks at Buredo Island. A slight fanfare could be heard in the distance. Kenasai looks beyond the crowds, wondering what it could be. He looks out the window of his boat, staring at what appeared to be a large scale arena for some sort of event. A loud noise echoes from the deck of the boat, then a loud voice yells out, “Kenasai! You have got to see what's going on in the town! It looks like a festival is going on! It could be a lot of fun!” It turned out to be Saya jumping up and down with excitement. Kenasai thought to himself (It sounds like an interesting event, maybe I really Should go check it out.) He replies, “Alright Saya, let us go check it out together.” She smiles at him, gripping his arm with her hand, pulling him out of the back room and down the ramp, all the while, he's screaming, “W-Wait, At Least Let Me Change Out Of My Pajamas!” The town was abluster with attractions such as food stands, clothing stalls, carnival games and Odd miscellaneous attractions. This was clearly a special day. The two came into contact with a group talking about some sort of tournament. This caught Kenasai's attention, exciting him quite a bit. He could finally test out his skills. The two had arrived at the entrance of the arena where the registry was located. A surprising turnout for the entries came in at a whopping thirty eight. Kenasai and Saya were numbers thirty nine and forty respectively. The two were in the same bracket, but on opposite ends of the left twenty. The competition looked fierce, but Kenasai had no intention of losing. The fanfare rang loudly throughout the arena. Three matches had occurred before Saya's match against a man named Truna Vicen, who was moderately bulky and wielded a nodachi. Saya prepared her sword stance, ready for Truna to strike. He began taunting her a bit since she was a bit on the short side, but she merely ignored it. In fact, she dealt a blow to his ego by ridiculing his back scars. “Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame!” she yelled. Provoked, Truna swings his nodachi downward, leaving Hina to counter with her side step technique. She sheathed her weapon, walking away from Truna as he slowly collapses unto the arena floor. She looks at Kenasai who was standing at the arena corridor which led to the resting area for the combatants. She squeels with a loud, “Ken~” She leaps at him giving him am a tight squeeze. She looks up into his eyes and asks, “Did you see my match Ken?~” He pats her head stating that she did well. Before the two could separate from one another, a jab in Kenasai's back from another combatant knocks Saya to the ground. Kenasai turns to see two men, one of a solid muscular build and one with a sickly physique with long scraggly hair. The two were a pair of bounty hunters that had entered the tournament to capture pirates when they're weak. The aura eminating from them was enough to give Kenasai a good unnerving. The two walk passed Kenasai as he helped Saya to her feet. He saw that the smaller of the two was in the next match. Kenasai told Saya to go rest up. She wouldn't want to miss what was about to happen in the later matches. She agrees, all while looking a bit worried. She hadn't seen Kenasai this rattled before. It was right to give him some space at this time. Kenasai watched the small man as he stared down his opponent. The size difference was unreal. He was battling a half giant, so how could he ever expect to land any critical blows? That's what ran through Kenasai's mind, but he had no idea just what would happen in a mere instant. Without so much as batting an eyelash, the half giant falls to he ground with a large X shaped gash carved out of his chest. This had to be the work of a devil fruit. That was the only explanation for that type of raw power. The larger muscular man spoke in a hazy tone barely loud enough for Kenasai to hear, “He doesn't have a Devil Fruit, if that's what you're thinking. He's a speed type swordsman. The combination of his Speed and sword technique are what make him unbeatable. Well, at least for all of you.” Kenasai asks, “What is that supposed to mean?” he stands silently in place for a brief of moment, before he utters, “I mean I'm the only one who's capable of defeating him. Compared to me, he's like a toddler.” his body started to eminate a malicious aura, almost like some sort of a demon. Kenasai would have to combat against these two monsters, hopefully before something bad happens to Saya. The two didn't stand a chance as they were now. Another two rounds went by, and finally, it was Kenasai's turn to fight. His opponent was a youthful martial artist whom was about Kenasai's age. He humbly bowed to Kenasai, as Kenasai nodded his head in respect. The match had begun and almost immediately, the man started pushing Kenasai back with flurries and low strikes. He hadn't even gotten the chance to react, almost as if he was waiting for the right moment. He quickly drew his sword, performing a mad dash slash technique. The attack sent him flying out of the ring with little to no effort whatsoever. He sheathed his sword while noticing the two from before standing at the doorway. He walks passed them without saying so much as a single word. He continues on into the resting area where he sees Saya sitting uncomfortably as other men attempt to flirt with her. Kenasai eminates a menacing aura that makes them all flee in terror. Saya could sense Kenasai was uneasy. She asked him, “Ken… Ever since we met those two guys, you've been acting… strange…” Kenasai puts his hand over his swords pummel. He took a moment to clear his head before he responded. He said to Saya, “Those two are dangerous… The small guy took out his opponent with such speed… I can't even imagine what the bigger guy can do… He said that compared to him, the little guy was like a toddler…” Saya reaches for Kenasai's face with both hands, placing her hands on his cheeks. She then smacks him with both hands, instantly snapping him out of it. She says, “It doesn't matter how strong they are. Because I know that you'll always be stronger. There's nobody that can stop you when you get serious. That's what Daddy said at least.Besides, you have a Devil Fruit ability now right?” Kenasai covers her mouth, glancing over each shoulder to make sure nobody heard her. He turns back to say, “That's enough Saya, you have to keep that between us… I'll be sure to win.” Some time passes, until the final match of the first stage was over. The remaining twenty will fight the next day. Kenasai, Saya and the two Bounty Hunters made it through to the next round. Kenasai and Saya were now free to enjoy the night together with a beautiful food spread presented to the fighters who made it passed round one. Saya was having a blast, but Kenasai's gaze was fixated on the Bounty Hunters. The smaller one turns to look him in the eyes, creepily grinning with a soulless gaze. Kenasai looks down at his plate to see something carved into it. It said, (Meet Me Outside) He stands up from his seat, making his way outside. He looks around to see nobody. A door closes behind him, immediately catching his attention. He turns to see the larger Bounty Hunter, slowly walking toward Kenasai. He says to Kenasai, “There is a secret to my companions speed…” Kenasai is shocked at this sudden information. The large man continues, “His blades are made of an extremely light weight alloy that make reduces the overall carry weight, but in return, his weapons are extremely fragile. He has nothing if his swords are broken, so you break 'em, you win.” He walks back inside, leaving Kenasai with numerous questions. The top of which being, Why would he bother telling him that? Kenasai leaves the party to find a library, so he could try to find out more about the lightweight alloy. He found one in the outskirts of town, which was luckily open, but not for much longer. Kenasai asked the librarian if she had anything mentioning the lightweight alloy or lightweight weaponry. She said she'd check around, which also gave Kenasai a second to survey the shelves for himself. He couldn't seem to find anything on the alloy anywhere. Suddenly, the librarian came out of the back with an old book labled, The Delicate Metals. She assured him this was exactly what he was looking for. He returned to his ship with the book, binging it from cover to cover. Saya bursts through the door, screaming, “What the Hell were you Thinking leaving a cute innocent girl like me with all those boozers!” he stops reading for a moment, replying, “Saya, if any of them flirted with you, they'd be dead right now…” she replies, “Cause you'd kill them if they ever flirted with your fiance~” he replies, “No, cause you'd cut them to pieces if they so much as tried. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm researching something at this time.” she leans over his shoulder attempting to see what he was reading. He stated, that if things got out of hand during the tournament, this might be the only way they can come out on top. Saya was too drunk for any of his words to sink in, and passes out on one of the hammocks instead. He chuckles, as he resumes his research. Morning came, and it was now time to head to the arena. Saya was in the second match, while Kenasai was in the fourth. Between their respective matches was the short bounty hunters match, which neither of them wanted to see. Kenasai asks Saya if she could head there alone. He wanted to do some last minute training before he went to the arena. She nodded in agreement, running off toward the arena. His late night studies made it possible to defeat the short bounty hunter, but it's not gonna be easy. He'll have to apply what he learned in the book with his combat style. The focus shifts to Saya, who makes it in time for the first match. The taller bounty hunter approached her while she was still in the crowd, silently muttering, “I hope your friend took what I said to heart… There really is no stopping my companion.” she turns around, glaring at him. In a cold tone, she responded, “Don't underestimate him. He's been through too much turmoil in his life to be stopped by some low class thugs like you two.” A sharp chuckle rings from behind the tall bounty hunter, it was the smaller bounty hunter reacting to her little outburst. He gets up close to her, whispering in her ear, “I'm going to break your little boyfriend, and when I do, I'll be sure that they barely recognize him…” he backs away from Saya, speaking a bit louder, “Nobody can beat my Speed! Might as well pack it up, cause we've already Won!” He starts walking through the crowds while cackling like a mad man. The tall bounty hunter says to Saya as he walks by, “For your friends sake… I hope you're right.” He continues moving forward into the crowds til he couldn't be seen anymore. Saya also made her way into the arena's rest area, ready to fight in the next match. The fanfare sounds, signaling her and her opponent to enter the ring. She sees that her opponent is another woman who was quite curvy, dressing in skimpy attire. She was a swordswoman just like Saya. The scene cuts to Kenasai kneeling in a field just outside of town with several broken boulders surrounding him. He stands up using his sword as a sort of cane to help him maintain balance. He says to himself, “It's not perfect, but I can at least get one to execute, but its still got a way to go from being perfect. I'll have to hurry to Saya soon i'm sure shes almost done with her match.” The scene cuts back to Saya, who is struggling in her match against the seductive Miss Jolene. Saya's blade clashes against Jolene's, as they push against each other to knock each other off balance. A sudden burst of pressure knocks Saya back. She gets back up off the ground, glaring at her opponent. Jolene had used some sort of ability to send her flying, when in fact, it was a Wind Dial that sent her flying. Saya cleared her mind, getting into a prepared stance. Jolene launches toward Saya, unaware of Saya's counter attack. Saya swings her blade, sending out a wind based projectile, which broke the Wind Dial that was stored in the Guard of Jolene's sword. Jolene now terrified, surrenders. Saya had now made it to the third round. Meanwhile, Kenasai is wrapping up his training, since his match should be soon, since the Small Bounty Hunter was just after Saya, and if his match was as fast as the last one, then Kenasai needed to hurry. Back at the Arena, Saya was waiting in the resting area, where the Tall Bounty Hunter once again came to talk. He said to her, “You're a pretty talented swordstress. Your fighting style and your friends are fairly similar to one another. You must have a bit of history together.” she nods her head. Afterward she starts saying, “He's been training with me for a long time… I'd say about twelve years. My dad is the one who taught us…” a momentary silence between the two occurs. Suddenly, a hand comes down on the tall man's shoulder. It was Kenasai's, and he looked a mess. Saya looked up at Kenasai as the tall man loomed over him. Kenasai's eyes glare up at the tall man, as he says, “You'd best stay away from Saya, or I'll have to kick your a**!” The tall man who was usually stoic formed a small grin. He says, “Having something to fight for is a great source of strength. Especially when that means you have nothing else to lose.” The tall man walks away. Kenasai realized it right away, that man knew exactly what transpired in Kenasai's past. Saya clings to Kenasai, shedding a few tears. Kenasai pats her head the way she likes, telling her, “I know Saya… Nothing they say will make a difference. We'll be the ones who come out on top.” Kenasai looked over to the arena entryway, only to see the smaller bounty hunter staring at them. Kenasai and Saya started to walk toward the arena. Kenasai glared at the man as they passed one another. It was time for Kenasai to pass round two. Two hours later, Saya and Kenasai were on the ship. Kenasai was napping since he had stayed up for over twenty four hours. Saya was writing a letter to her father. She mentioned in the letter about Kenasai's ordeals and their current situation with the tournament. The darkness of night began to set in. After a few more hours, Kenasai woke from his nap. He saw Saya was asleep next to him. Quietly, he snuck out of the shop, heading to the field he had been training in secret. Once again, the tall bounty hunter seemed to know exactly where Kenasai would be. Kenasai walks up and bluntly asks, “Who are you? Why do you keep giving me cryptic hints? What is your main motive?!” The tall man chuckled as he turn to Kenasai. He says, “I'm the guy who worked under the marine that had your parents executed.” Kenasai's eyes widened upon this revelation. He continued, “These hints are to make you stronger, as per my orderz.” Kenasai dropped his sword, his hands were shaking uncontrollably. He resumed once more, “That's right… My boss is Vice Admiral Knix, the same man who killed your parents. The man who ordered it has long since retired to some far off island, but my partner was the one who devised the plan for faulty weaponry. I've felt an intense hatred for him for killing those innocent people who were just doing their jobs…” Kenasai's hands stopped shaking, instead they began balling into a fist. He continued once more, “That is why I want you to defeat him in this tournament. When he loses, I'll bring him to this field, where you can come end his life. If you don't, I will.” He began walking away. Kenasai had a deep choice to make. Dawn arises; Kenasai had another sleepless night. His training was progressing quite smoothly, but he still needed to create a technique that was solely his. He headed to the arena where he saw Saya. She says to him, “You look awful!” Kenasai pats some dirt off of his outfit, which was riddled with tears. He could really do for a shower, but he had to observe his opponents battle in order to verify whether or not his strategy would work. Saya's match comes and goes, she is now a part of the three way free for all Semi final round. Kenasai thought to himself, (Try saying That five times fast… Three way free for all Semi Final Round, Three way free for all Semi Final Round, Three way free flall---) He then saw the small bounty hunter enter the arena. He looked really angry, glaring around the arena, as if he was looking for somebody in the stands. His eyes lock with Kenasai's, as a drop of sweat falls from his face onto the arena floor. Something was troubling the small bounty hunter and this had left Kenasai puzzled as to what it was. His opponent came to the ring. His size dwarfed the bounty hunters much like his prior opponents. He had a large sword and series of pistols on his belt, he seemed to be a jack of all trades type. The match began, but to no surprise, he was almost instantly taken out, but this was different. He had taken a possibly fatal blow to the head. The bounty hunter’s eyes once again met with Kenasai's. They glared for a solid few seconds, until the tournament directors declared the mans death. The audience was terrified, but they allowed the bounty hunter to move on to the next round due to his contribution to the tournament from the captured pirates. Kenasai made his way to the arena, where his opponent waits in iron clad armor. Kenasai recognized the armor, for it was a Kunomi Brand Armor made by his father. That also meant that he knew the armies weak points from his father's design notes. There was a spot along both the shoulders where the binding pauldrons keep the armor bound tightly, but the joints holding these in place are fairly fragile, so a solid sword swing at these regions would cause his armor to fall apart. The match begins, he notices the blade drawn is one of his mothers pieces, a dual edged five layer folded metal foil model, that used weight and precision as it's assets for combat. His own sword was a six layer folded metal one handed longsword, carbon model. It was solidly forged with his own hands using both the skills of hos father and his mother to make a sword with great reach, solid material and fair sharpness. In a single strike, he cuts through both pauldrons knocking the man on his back, causing the armor to come undone. He reaches for his sword which had fallen out of his hand upon impact with the ground, but Kenasai puts his own blade to the mans chest, telling him to yield. The man conceded, allowing Kenasai to fight in the semi finals. The man on the ground asked how he knew how to dismantle the armor so easily, as well as read the attack. Kenasai replies, “Well, I know them because my Parents were the ones who forged them for you.” The man was in shock, he had taken off his helm, to reveal his thick brunette hair, as well as his pencil thin mustache beard combo. He claimed to be an old friend of his mother. He found the execution of his friends to be disgraceful upon the marines, showing that they would execute people if they so much as cross them. Kenasai invited the man to the ship, but only after he checks on Saya. They withdrew into the area's rest area. Saya hugged Kenasai upon entry into the rest area, stating how amazing his battle was. His years as a blacksmith had begun to help him out in combat. This could be precisely the technique he needed. He says to his guest, “Lets go to my ship. I can fix up your armor for ya.” the three skipped the banquet and enjoyed a nice meal on Kenasai's boat. Well, Saya and Kenasai's guest did, Kenasai was fixing the armor he damaged earlier. Before it was too late in the evening, Kenasai finished the equipment, actually improving on it. The ornate was more showy than it was prior. It also had a more so pearlescent shine, with light gold trim. The pauldrons were now bound with extra buoyant fibers, as well as an outer layer of chain mail to keep the fiber from being torn. The fibers would also provide some comfort as it wraps along the inside of the shoulder of the armor segment. The weapon was also polished and coated in an non rusting coating. His guest was impressed. He had never seen such a well adjusted reforge before. Kenasai blushed a bit. His guest stood up from the table, admiring his armor. He turns to Kenasai, telling him that he needed to talk to him in private. The two went out to the deck, where he unloaded even more truth for Kenasai to accept whether he liked it or not. He said, “Kenasai, have you even been to the land of Wano?” Kenasai responds, No, I have not, but I've always wanted to go there, it's just too dangerous in the new world for us at this time.” He responds, “Your mother and I, well we were born in Wano. Your father, who was a pirate at the time, sailed there with his crew, which is when he met your mother and I.” Kenasai was shocked by this revelation. He continued to listen, “He managed to get your mother and I to join his crew, but well, those two fell madly in love, deciding to settle in the West Blue, opening a forge and having a family. I remained with the pirate group for some time, til I heard what happened to my friends… I spent years in chronic depression, and basically became a paid fighter. Hell, had I known they had an amazing son, I'd have come here sooner.” He bows his head to the ground, shouting, “Forgive This Old Fool!” Kenasai pats his back, stating, “I don't blame you for what's happened in the past. I grew up this way Because I was alone. I had the time to read and improve on my parents schematics, and now You're here when I needed something to drive me forward.” His guest looked up with tears in his eyes. Kenasai stood tall with the light of the moon shining behind him. He continued, “When this tournament is over, I want you to visit the shop at Las Camp for me. I asked the townsfolk to rebuild it while I'm on my adventure. I'm sure my mother and father would love it if you visited their graves as well. Either way, they can use more capable fighters in case the Marines make a comeback.” His guesy wipes the tears from his eyes, then rises from the ground. He extends his hand outward for a handshake. Kenasai returns the favor, shaking his hand. The pact had been made, so now there was nothing from stopping Kenasai from sailing the seas. The night went by, as the morning sun arises. Kenasai and Saya were in the middle of prepping for their battle with the bounty hunter. Kenasai altered Saya's weapon last night as well, making it lighter weight without the loss in durability. Kenasai's weapon was dyed a fiery orange with a bit of a gold fade, with rune like scribes running down the center of the blade. The Guard was a Dragon design with the tail connecting to the torso, as the head flows down the base of the blade about three inches away from the guard itself. The Grip was lined with thin padding and red dyed silk. The Pummel was a Sapphire jewel at the end that belonged to his mother, while the dragons eyes were the ruby studs his father wore at one point, now obvious to Kenasai that it was from his pirate days. He sheathed his weapon. Kenasai then dons his new coat, which was all black, with his red Japanese Robe and Black Pants with the Silver Trim beneath. He was one hundred percent ready to end this bout once and for all. The two head to the arena. The daily fanfare echoes across the island. The lines were insanely long. The citizens and tourists were blocking just about every entrance with their sheer numbers. Kenasai and Saya had the opportunity to sneak passed them all, due to a special entryway for the participants. As they entered the room, Kenasai got a good look at the remaining competitors. There were the two bounty hunters, a fish man and an Amazonian. That left Kenasai and Saya. There could only be one victor in this three way battle, but would it be Kenasai or Saya. Either way, neither of them would let it be the small bounty hunter. The round starts; the little man draws his weapon, preparing to launch. Kenasai and Saya ready themselves for his instantaneous strike. The man launches himself at Kenasai at full speed. With all the training he'd put in the past couple nights, he was able to see the mans movements a lot more clearly. He blocks the attack with his blade, giving Saya the chance to strike him. He jams his foot against Kenasai's blade, flinging himself away from her strike. Kenasai got into a stance to prepare a strike of his own. Saya stood between the two, acting as Kenasai's cover while he preps his attack. The man snickers, until it turns into insane maniacal laughter. He holds his blade in a manner that blocks his nose and mouth with the broad side of said weapon, revealing only his eyes. They suddenly bulge as he disappears from sight. Before he knew it, he was in front of Kenasai, swinging his blade, moments away from slicing him, when suddenly, Says pulls him out of the attacks range. Unbeknownst to her, she was still within the attacks range. The slash connects with her body, causing her to lose her to fling from the ring, gushing blood from her side. She mutters to herself as she falls to the ground, “Ken-- asai…” Her body ragdolls unto the ground. In a fury, Kenasai's body began to glow with a bright light. He took two steps toward the small man, disappearing as the man did before. Shocked, the man starts searching around for Kenasai, but to no aveil. Before he knew it, Kenasai appeared above him, standing upon the light particles making appear as if he were flying. Before the man realized it, he had been pierced with five beams of light. The man falls to his knees, as his vision begins to fade to nothingness. He had been shot through the head, both the left and right shoulders, and through his lungs. Kenasai had won the match, but was immediately captured for slaughtering the bounty hunter who had been bribing the committee to let his gruesome behavior slide. Kenasai now sits in a jail cell on the marine heavy Buredo Island. He sat in his cell thinking to himself, (One of them down, just two more to go… Watch your back Knix, I'm coming for you..!) Kenasai began to quietly snicker to himself, all the while feeling concern for his fiance. Footsteps began to echo down the dark jail halls. It turned out to be his parents friend with two marines. The first marine said, “Your buddy has paid your bail. You can leave now.” the second marine unchained Kenasai from the wall. Kenasai is then escorted to the checkpoint, where he reclaims his confiscated items. Kenasai had to ask his friend, “How did you find out I was here? I didn't see you in the stands.” His friend responds, “It was the Big guy from the tournament since you got arrested, you never got to fight him in the end, so technically, I guess you could call him the Champion. He said that the heir of the Kunomi family, had wrongfully been arrested, so he provided the funds to free you. He probably spoke to them too.” Kenasai stares at his blade for several seconds, before asking his uncle, “What became of Saya..?” His uncle puts his hand on Kenasai's shoulder, stating, “She's fine. She asked the same thing when she woke up. You're a lucky man Kenasai.” He started to form tears of joy, muttering, “Thank Goodness...” The two retreat to his ship, where he rests for night. The next day, he spent his time prepping the ship their next journey. Saya was resting in the back, while Kenasai and his new friend were talking on the deck. Kenasai says to the man, “Are you sure you don't want us to take you to Las Camp? It wouldn't be any trouble.” His friend responds, “No need. I'm going to make a few stops along the way. Gonna need some supplies for that shop ya know!” Kenasai chuckled, “Alright, Alright. Have a safe journey.” he replies, “You as well.” The two part ways, leaving Kenasai's next destination open for discovery
Words = 5,115
Post Exp Gained = 102,000
Double Exp = 204,000
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