"The gigantic tree's leaves swayed back and forth, some petals fell and made a slight blanket that covered a part of the artificial pond beneath it.

Rocks were on the edges of the shallow water, they gave the place a feeling of serenity.

Couple that with the 3 story pagoda behind me and the small bridge that connected it to the exit of this... Weaboo or whatever 'japanese culture obsessed person' term applies to it, eco chamber and it definitely made me feel nostalgic.

'Nothing like a sword fight under the cherry blossoms...'

My father cultivated one, as fickle and frail as they were, he had made it work in the hot tropical climate of Brasil.

I still remember how he explained it:

'These trees... They're pathetic son. They bloom only one to two weeks every year if the climate is right.

But yet we cultivate them, we help them, make them grow.

I took upon myself the responsibility of catering to and nurturing it, as did my father, as did his father before him, and as did his father before him when he brought it from Japan.

This tree is the symbol of our family roots, where we came from, who we were, and who we are.'

My pace was a leisurely one, the familiarity in this alien scenario was welcome and I'd certainly enjoy it while it lasted.

The creaking of the wood bridge's planks beneath my feet and the slight sound of water flowing was calming to me.

But that calmness, that peace, was disturbed by the sound of water splashing to my sides.

In front of me, an enemy had landed, its fall so potent the concrete beneath it was displaced.

It was a UG. The long tri-toed legs and the body that looked like it was based on a modern tank turret ring made me a now very annoyed man.

I fucking hate those things.

Glancing to my sides showed they had sent three of them, fully outfitted in their red and black color scheme.

I sighed and unheated my sword, taking upon myself the stance imparted to me by my father.

'This tree is now more than 300 years old, three-hundred-and seventy-eight, to be exact. It has surpassed the average life expectancy of its species by a large amount. It is due to our family's catering, due to our help and protection, that it can lead a prosperous existence today.

Son, listen to me well, we are strong people. This cherry blossom has only lived for so long because we were there. We were there to feed it, we were there to protect it, to shield it from harm.

It is our duty as the strong to protect the weak. In return, they help us in other ways whatever those may be. This tree gave us a place to teach, learn, and meditate for generations, that is a fair trade. However, if no compensation is given, if no trade is made, then they are leeches. Undeserving of anything but the harshest glare and the most firm denial of their pathetic requests.'

His words struck me as odd, but I'd come to understand them well in the future.

Chūdan-no-kamae was the first stance I was taught, it is balanced by nature, offering plenty of both offensive and defensive options.

Chūdan-no-kamae was the stance I took against my opponent.

Those damn UGs.

-But enough exposition, copy my stance. Come on."

I'd woken up much earlier today, and decided to enter the metaverse. Pedro was waiting for me because as soon as I entered, he was standing nearby and looking at me.

'Come - he said, beckoning me over - I know exactly what you need.'

And here we were. He had decided to start teaching me Kenjutsu, as he had learned it from his father, who ran a school of the same art in Brasil.

He taught me the Chūdan stance first.

Whenever I asked him why he was teaching me, he'd simply say that my fighting was piss-poor and that if I wanted to survive the horrors of the metaverse I would gladly take his lessons.

I don't know exactly what he meant by 'horrors of the metaverse' but it is a place only limited to a common consensus' imagination.

Pedro had me go through both the Hidari (left) and Migi (right) - referring to which foot is in front - versions of the stance, stating that even if I was left-handed and my method of using the Katana was unconventional (since Samurai were only right-handed) I would still need to learn the more conventional stuff.

He'd also made me utilize the Katana with my right hand directing it, stating that since I was left-handed, I could put more power behind my strikes that way.

From there we glossed over the other kamae:

Gendan-no-kamae:

Gendan is considered a variant of Chūdan and therefore possesses a deceptively more defensive posture, which is in fact intended to create opportunities for deflecting blows and striking at opponents. The footwork was the same, however, I would be pointing my sword downwards, at the ankle or knee level of my opponent.

Jōdan-no-kamae:

It is the most aggressive of the five, with the sword being raised above my head, the tip pointing back and the blade being upwards. Deflecting or parrying attacks would require more effort due to its open nature.

Hassō-no-kamae:

Yet another aggressive stance, the blade is kept pointing upright with the guard by my shoulder.

Waki-gamae:

This one's a more devious stance, revolving around hiding the length of your blade with your body to lure an opponent into striking distance.

It is more of a bluff technique, in which I point my sword downwards and behind me, exposing only the pommel of it to my opponent.

Expanding my repertoire of techniques is never a bad thing but goddamn this is tiring.

"You did good enough, now go back out and try to rest a bit more before school.
Remember, you've got all the time in the world in here but not out there."

I nodded my head at him, too tired to conjure any words.

Did I ever make it clear how much he outclasses me in swordsmanship?

Because he was kicking my ass left right and center, by the end of it all he still looked ready to beat me up 10 times over.

Seems like I still have a long ways to go before I can reach him if I ever do.

_______________________________________

We had all met up on the roof after classes, I guided both Shiho and Ann to our """hideout""". As soon as we entered, Ryuji spoke and got straight to the point.

"Looks like we're all here." His eyes portrayed an anxiousness I couldn't help but rival.

"M'kay, let's get goin'!"

Morgana decided to slip into the teacher role once more: "Hold on, it's still too early to go to the palace."

"But why? Don't we just gotta steal that Treasure thing?"

"Don't underestimate the dangers of that palace. We need to prepare."

"Ain't that persona shit we got enough to deal with it?"

"That's exactly what I mean when I say don't underestimate it. You'll die if you mess up in there.

So again, we need to prepare before we head in."

"But... how exactly do we do that?"
Ann was the one to speak this time, raising a valid question.

"It's not exactly an easy thing to prepare for Morgana..."

Shiho said, supporting Ann while doing so. Today she'd decided to sit next to me instead of Ann. I was sat on one of the spare chairs, as was Ryuji, while the rest of us sat on the tables... Shiho had decided to sit uncomfortably close to me.

As in, if I leaned my head to the left I'd get a lap pillow type of close.

"I'm glad you asked, Lady Ann. - Morgana's simping managed to bring me out of my thoughts - First, we'll need to find better equipment for all of you."

"You talkin' about weapons? Oh, I know a kick-ass place!"

"Why the fuck do you know where to get a strap, dude?"

"I-It's just replicas alright!? And I also kinda like weapons...."

"Ah, fair enough. My bad bro."

"We'll let Ryuji handle that side of things then. The only other thing to do would be to stock up on medicine. Fatigue is unavoidable in a Palace..."

"And where can we get medicine?"

"Don't worry, I know just the place.
I hope you look forward to it, Lady Ann!

Now then, Ren and I have some business in Yongen, so let's head off for today!"

"... Uh, what business...?"

"Just come with me! I won't be able to get close enough by myself!"

Ryuji went off on his own and I got up to follow after Ren, but Shiho and Ann grabbed my arm and asked me to stay so we could hang out a bit.

_______________________________________

We decided to simply walk around Shibuya, I discovered rather quickly, however, that window shopping in the underground mall is one of Ann's favorite activities.

I had to try out dozens of clothes and combinations, and most of them made no sense to me.

Who knew purple and green fit well together? I still like red more, of course.

Shiho, Ann, and I got to bond over this whole thing, and by the time we left, I felt like I knew them a whole lot more in all honesty.

_______________________________________

In the next of preparations, I went with both Ren and Ryuji to choose what model gun I wanted.

Curiously enough, there was a politician, preaching outside of the station to anyone who'd hear. While Ryuji brushed him off, I made sure to remember to come back here one of these days and talk to him.

You never know when politics may be useful, and he seems like the guy who'd give you the time of day.

Ryuji lead us through the Shibuya crossing and off into an alleyway on the left where we found a pretty rundown store called 'Untouchable'.

"This is it. Pretty legit, huh?"

Seemingly unalarmed by its state, or anything else, he stated it with the utmost confidence.

That's exactly why Ryuji is not put into a leadership position.

"This seems very sketchy, you sure the guns won't fall apart?"

"Right? To be honest it'd be pretty scary to go in alone..."

As soon as we entered, we were met with an overall cramped place and a guy manning the counter who had greying hair, not really giving a fuck about anything.

Ren asked him for recommendations and the guy just brushed him off completely

"I dunno, just buy whatever looks interesting to you."

"Ugh, some customer service..."

In all honesty, I expected Ryuji to get shot or get told to fuck off.

Imagine my surprise when the guy actually started doing his job in a half-decent manner...

"Fine, whaddya want? An automatic? A revolver?"

I answered before Ryuji and Ren could say something.

"What kinda revolvers you got? I'm looking for an older model. Maybe something like a New Model Army. If you got some engravings I'd like that as well."

"Yeah, I got something like that..."

He got a case from under the counter and put it down, opening it for me and showing me the revolver.

He carefully cradled it in his hands like it was a baby. It was the 1875 model and he made sure I saw every detail.

It had an ivory colored grip, a beautiful navy blue, almost black body, with silver "blackleaf" style patterns engraved throughout, even in its smooth cylinder that seemed to be bigger than normal.

"Engravings... - He said, a hand swiping above the revolver like he was cleaning off dust - Give you no tactical advantage whatsoever."

All that with the pretty steep price of 100.000¥.

Shit...

I got just about enough on me for that and the train... So fuck it. Why not?

"Want something else? Maybe an automatic?"

"Dude, why are we talking about cars now?"

Ryuji has to be the comic relief of the group, I refuse to believe anything else at this point.

"Listen, this here's an enthusiast shop. My regulars'll be mad if I let a casual like you hang around."

"I'm not a freakin' casual! I bought shit from here last week!"

"Huh, can't remember you.

Anyway, are either of you two looking for something?"

It was Ren's turn to talk as I was still marveling at how empty my wallet was.

"Something that looks real."

"...Oh? You guys plannin' a nice big bank robbery or somethin'?"

"Th-That ain't it! We just like how they look is all."

"Anyways... You shoulda said before you two're enthusiasts. I'm always up for helpin' fresh faces."

Nice way to say you don't give a fuck if you don't know.

"Some precautions first though

Don't go around pointing 'em at other people. Keep 'em in a bag or something if you're outside.

Oh and don't let the fuzz catch wind of you having em. I don't need them coming around here."

"We know that stuff already."

Ren spoke and Ryuji and I nodded.

"That right?

-he smiled-

Now, if you look closely, you'll be able to tell these're models. Real guns feel... different.

Maybe someday I'll show you the real good stuff though- if you got the guts for it, of course.

But for now, you get the beginner selection. Just sit tight, I'll bring 'em out."

As he walked away, Ryuji turned to us with a smug look on his face and a quiet laugh left his lips.

"Heh, we did it, boys."

Ren and I looked at each other and then back at him.

"Shut the fuck up."

________________________________________

When we arrived at LeBlanc, a haughty regular kept harassing Boss about the current state of the store. After a little back and forth, he finally left.

"Sheesh, what a pain."

"Yeah, the random guy thinks he can tell you how to run your store or something."

He sighed and ran a hand through his grisly hair, I was easily able to tell that he had a tough time not lashing out at that customer.

"Well, anyway, I'm gonna lock up for the night."

Ren and I both went upstairs after bidding him goodbye.

"Why don't you two clean that desk up? We can make some tools for the palace on it."

I shrugged and decided to go with it, Ren did the same. We cleaned the desk with admirable speed, and in turn, Morgana taught us how to make lockpicks.

I'm definitely using this outside the metaverse someday...

Everything was done, and Ren decided to set up to go to sleep.

He went downstairs to change his clothes, while I just changed 'em upstairs.

Laying down on the bed felt refreshing, and I knew we were going to the palace tomorrow so it was even better.

But as I reveled in the feel of the thin covers my phone buzzed.

I went to check who'd messaged me, and it turns out it was Shiho.

(IM) Shiho: Hey, we're going to the palace tomorrow, right?

(IM) Y/N: Yes. We got everything set up as well.

(IM) Y/N: We'll likely meet up in the hideout after school.

(IM) Shiho: Ah, alright then.

(IM) Shiho: Wanna hang out later? Like, maybe friday if we have some time available?

(IM) Y/N: Sure, sounds good.

(IM) Shiho: Alright then... Good night!

(IM) Y/N: Good night!

________________________________________

"Good morning! C'mon, hurry up and get to class!"

Limp Dick Lord Kamoshida stood at the front gate, waving all the students in.

He saw both me and Ren had stopped to look at him, and his mood soured immediately.

"Good morning."

The smell of his breath was awful, he did not know how to brush his teeth.

"Good morning." Ren replied, I never said anything.

As we passed by him, he made sure to whisper a threat to us.

"That admirable behavior won't do you two any good when you're expelled."

I glanced at him and shot back a remark immediately.

"If we get expelled."

"When you get expelled."

________________________________________

"...Well, That wraps up homeroom period" Said Ms. Kawakami.

She looked at the two of us and cleared her throat.

"L/N-kun, Amamiya-Kun. A word with you two, please?"

We went to talk in the hallway, it was currently very empty aside from this one really cute girl that had red eyes and brown hair, even a slightly tomboyish style to her.

"There's something I'd like to ask you, boys. It won't take long."

Ooh, I see where this is going...

But as she was about to ask us, Kamo-fucking-shida opened the door behind her and left a room, with a cute, red-haired, red-eyed girl that also had a red ribbon in her hair and another school staff member.

The councilor, if I'm not mistaken.

The student with the ribbon seemed to recognize me, she respectfully nodded at me and said: "Thank you again."

Then I remembered, she was the girl from the train. The model student or whatever.

Kamoshida felt pissy, seeing as she had a positive first impression of me and subsequently asked if she had met me before.

"Yes, he lent me a helping hand earlier. They both did actually."

"I recommend you steer clear of the likes of them if you have any consideration for your future."

I had to be snarky to him here. This limp-dick thinks imma let him say that about me in front of a good-looking girl? Aw hell nah.

"Might I remind you that you're the prime suspect in the current investigation of the abuse being handed out to volleyball team members?"

His eyes widened and then narrowed again...

"What did you say...?"

"You heard me."

"Sorry to interrupt, but I need to use the guidance office."

"Oh, pardon me." Kamoshida gave off that fake smile so horrendously bad I have to believe it is a genetic condition.
"We should get going too-don't want to get in the way of guiding these delinquents and all..."

Kamoshida and the guidance counselor left without a further word. Weird, I thought they'd question the "Investigation" bluff.

"...Please, excuse us."

"Have a nice day, goodbye now."

The ribbon girl nodded at me and left.

Kawakami looked at us and pointed to the office, signaling for us to enter and take a seat.

"After you."

As we sat down on opposing sides of the table, me and Ren on one side with her on the other, she sighed and I could tell she just wanted to get this over with.

"Look you two, I'm going to get straight to the point: did something happen between you and Kamoshida?"

"Why do you ask?"

We both said at the same time.

"Well there was that little exchange just now, but that's not all...

He gave me a brief lecture this morning, and your names came up. Something about the dangers of a lack of supervision...

*Sigh* I don't mean to pry, but... Just don't go causing trouble, okay?

Oh, and one more thing. -She looked at me-

That girl outside the office-you didn't make a pass at her, did you?"

"Wooow. Really? - I told her as I leaned away from her in my chair and raised my arms - Damn. I don't even know what to say... I am interested, but that's beside the point."

She looks to be really sorry for me.

"I understand... But Mr. Kamoshida has a real close eye on you especially... Apparently, you've been getting involved with Sakamoto-kun. You seem acquainted with Yoshizawa-san as well.

...Maybe you're just naturally drawn to athletes?"

She looks to be talking more to herself than to me in all honesty.

"Sorry, bad joke. That's all I wanted to discuss. You're free to go."

We both left the room and walked back to class, sitting in our places once again.

Wait...

Did she suggest I'm gay?

The buzzing of my phone distracted me from that line of thought.

(IM) Ryuji: So I saw Kamoshida at the school gate this morning.

(IM) Ryuji: He was just standing there, looking at me with that shit-eating grin on his face.

(IM) Shiho: That guy is disgusting, I really don't feel safe with him around the school...

(IM) Ann: Ugh, that's annoying. He's probably mocking you.

Seems like Ann really wanted to change the subject there...

(IM) Ryuji: Honestly, seeing that got me even more fired up about this. We're gonna pull this off.

(IM) Ann: We just have to focus. We're going in fully prepared now.

(IM) Shiho: And we're all gonna be together as well.

(IM) Ryuji: The board meeting's May 2nd right?

(IM) Ryuji: We just gotta deal with him beforehand.

(IM) Ren: I'm ready for this.

(IM) Ryuji: Same goes for me!

(IM) Ann: Me too!

(IM) Y/N: Can't wait to kick his ass in there.

(IM) Shiho: Can't wait to get revenge on that bastard.

(IM) Y/N: Let us know if you're going to the palace Ren

______________________________________

When class ended Ren went to get Ryuji and go to the rooftop, leaving me with gathering both Ann and Shiho.

Ann sat in front of me so I simply told her it was time and that she should go to the rooftop while I fetched Shiho.

"I'll go grab her with you then. C'mon, let's go."

We really didn't do much because Shiho was waiting by the stairs and as soon as she spotted us she slid in beside me and we all walked the steps to our hideout together.

Once we arrived, and sat down, Morgana began once again briefing us on things.

"I hope that you all understand that our time limit is May 2nd."

"We basically just have to go to that castle and steal the Treasure from Kamoshida, right?" Ann asks, trying to get a better grasp of our goal here.

"But wait, what even is a Treasure? I wanna know that before we do anything." Ryuji asked a very important question, after all, how can we steal something if we don't know what it is?

"A treasure is the physical manifestation of the Palace Ruler's distorted desires." Morgana said. Then it is safe to assume the treasure would then be something that the ruler's shadow self is obsessed with, not their outer self.

"So something the palace ruler would really care about? Like, Kamoshida would be a big crown or something?"

"It is likely due to his personality... The treasure is also the core of the Palace. Once we steal it, the palace will crumble and disappear. With us in it or not... I think. Having said all that, we can't really know what Kamoshida's treasure will be exactly."

"And where can we find it?" Ann seems determined, but I have a feeling that she is afraid and wants to get this done quick. Before worse things happen.

"There's no way of knowing that until we go in and find out.

But if I had to guess I'd say it was locked up somewhere in the depths of his Palace."

"Hope it's next to where he's at - begins Shiho - I want to make him pay. Real self or not."

I look at her and raise my hand: "Up top?"

She gives me a high five and in turn offers her lowered hand to me: "Down low?"

I respond in kind and we fist bump afterward. I guess she can count as an honorary bro after that.

Ryuji then decides to continue the conversation:

"Eh, I think I get it now. We just gotta find the Treasure, yeah?"

"Pretty much. - Says Morgana - There's just a lot we won't know until we go in...

In any case, our objective is to find the Treasure's location somewhere in the palace.

Make sure we go about this with time to spare so we can avoid unforeseen circumstances.

... I expect great things from you guys."

"Aww, Morgana, you're going to make me cry..."

"Y/N, shut up please."

"Ok, Ren."

________________________________________

The now almost familiar purple color filled our vision until it was once more overtaken by splotches of red, which revealed a stunning darkness behind it.

It all faded away to reveal the beautiful castle that housed within it a disgusting and irredeemable troll.

And our very reason for being here was to redeem him... I still don't like this.

"But, daaaamn....."

I looked behind me and found Ryuji appreciating the outfits of our new partners.

(He was gawking at Ann's boob window)

"Hm? What's up?" Honestly, with the whole thing of these outfits representing our innermost selves or something, I can't tell if Ann is innocent or playing dumb.

"N-nothing. I-I was just thinking we should choose a code name for you two."

"A code name?"

"Mine can be Nobushi or Nobu!"

Ann asks calmly, while Shiho seemingly didn't mind it one bit.

"I'm Skull, he's Joker, he's Mona, and he's Minuano."

"Minuano?" Ann looks to me for an explanation.

"The cool southern Brazilian wind. Since, y'know I'm Brazilian and all..."

Shiho and Ann looked at me in apparent confusion.

"You're Brazilian?" They said in unison.

"Proudly so. But look, we can talk about how the beaches and Rio de Janeiro is after getting done with this. Sound fair?"

They nodded and we now began to decide on Ann's codename.

"I mean she's got the tail and stuff, so...

Whaddya think, Ren?"

Ren was still.

He had put his focus on this, and by god would he give her the best codename suggestion ever!

"Kitty Woman." He proudly stated, his chest puffed up at such an eloquent name being suggested for our newest member.

"Wait! Is that what you're going to call me from now on!? I'm SO not down with this!"

I couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing, immediately high-fiving Ren without either saying anything.

"No... But for real now... We could call you Lynx. You know, like the Canadian Lynx."

"Well, I kinda like that. Yeah... But I think a name like Panther is better than just a little cat...

- Yeah, and it'll be Cougar when you're 30. I see how this is going... -

That sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?"

"Huh? Why?"

" 'Cause, it sounds more... Ferocious...?"

"She's a cougar..."

See? Morgana gets it. But he is drooling...

"Don't call me that!

- Oh, he struck a nerve there... -

More importantly: Kamoshida!"

Shiho nodded, determined and ready to go.

"Let's kick some butt!"

We crossed the moat and passed the gate...

"All right, let's start fresh and get goin'!"

Ryuji is pumped up for this, as is everyone else.

"It's game time from this point forward.

- Morgana swaps to his teacher role again -

I'll teach you, girls, the basics of infiltrating a palace as we go."

Ren and I stayed back a bit before a bright velvet flash brought our attention to a door that had opened, seemingly out of nowhere.

"My master would like a word with you."

Says a child wearing an eye patch engraved with a V symbol with laurels under it, she also wore what looked like a warden outfit.

Ren looked at me to see if had noticed anything, only to find me staring right at him.

"Well? Go on. - I say as if there's nothing uncommon about this - Don't keep the Devil waiting friend, you won't like what happens if you do."

I wink and turn my back to him, walking to catch up with the rest of the group.

'He is a pretty kind devil, all things considered...'

________________________________________

First update in just about a month.

Sorry for the delay, carnaval is like barhopping as an Irishman, except there is no bar, and the party is just in the street, with some random people you never met.

After that you'll have a party with your family, maybe even your friends.

Honestly, carnaval is something I'm really proud of as a Brazilian.

Anyway, have a wonderful day, night or evening you beautiful fucks!

I should have another chapter ready soon enough.