Chapter 1:- Red Samurai
On top of a vast tower, a screen shows news of a mysterious Red Samurai defeating a criminal. The reporter continues to talk and blabber about how the mysterious vigilante is dangerous and should be arrested. Meanwhile, the very same Red Samurai is sitting on top of a skyscraper, gazing across the vast city of Akuza. The city of immense technological growth and the capital of the country Lukia.
"Days are flying by, huh? If I keep living like this, my little budget will be completely wiped out. I need a job and I need a life outside this 'vigilante' business," thought the Red Samurai
The Samurai removed his red helmet, covered with rain helmet to reveal his face. His face looked particularly unhealthy with eye bags underneath his eyes due to the lack of sleep, but the sharp jawline and almost mop-like hair balance out the theme across his face. He went into an alley with fewer human beings than stray animals wandering, and changed into his civilian clothes. He wore a black t-shirt, a red jacket, and black jeans. He unraveled his umbrella and put his Red Samurai suit in his bag, and continued walking. As he was walking, his ID card dropped from his pocket.
It read the name Danso Narahara. Danso continued walking, crossing the maze-like alleys to reach the main road where billboards and towers reached the clouds. He read all the billboards for entertainment until he reached one billboard. It was for a military agency. The billboard was huge, and it was resting on two tall and lanky metal rods. It read:-
"Hiring members for the Dark Mixed Military Squad! We hire Sorcerers, Samurai, Ninja, Medics, and anyone as long as they pass the test!
Please come to the DMMS Headquarters downtown to enroll!"
Danso stood still for a while on the sidewalk, contemplating and thinking. Maybe this was his chance to get a life, or his chance to do something worthwhile.
"I can try for that tomorrow, or maybe later when I have free time," thought Danso. "But I have free time almost every time!" fought back Danso's inner urge to join the Dark Mixed Military Squad. "It shouldn't be that big of a deal. I haven't met anyone who can remotely come close to my strength, so what's the problem then?" thought Danso. "Well then, that's it! I am joining, or at least trying out of the DMMS! Tomorrow!" concluded Danso
Danso's main strength was his swordsmanship skills. Being part of one of the most revered Samurai clans, Narahara, he was trained to be an excellent swordsman from birth itself. As a child, he had to make a pact with the Sword God to limit his sorcery in return for one of the Sword God's Arts. Normally, a sorcerer would advance to the second stage of his Soul Energy output after he mastered the first stage or basics of enhancing the body and regenerating it with Soul Energy, but samurai are stuck at the first stage and in return can use one of the Sword God's Arts. Meanwhile, sorcerers can advance to the second stage, where they receive an ability such as controlling fire or making bombs off of their skin, etc. Then in the third stage, they awaken their abilities, reaching the pinnacle of human sorcery. Danso's sword art was the Sword Art of the Dragon, and he had a sword made out of Holy Steel, which he stole from his home back in the temples of the Sword God before running away from there to reach Akuza.
Danso walked and walked for what seemed like hours, crossing roads, using shortcuts in alleys, and running away or beating up the occasional drunk man in the street. Eventually, he reached his home, a tiny log cabin tucked away in alley number ninety-eight. His house number was seventy-six, and he had bought the house after working for a year. He walked inside his home, and to his surprise, he had a guest sitting on the dinner counter, drinking some carbonated water. The man's name was Hiroshi Yamamoto, and he was the vigilante Ninja Knight who helped Danso and was his biggest rival. Hiroshi was the same height as Danso, near 185 centimeters, and had droopy wet hair. Unlike Danso, who was fit but not too bulky, Hiroshi maintained more of a slim yet fit look. He was wearing a bright long shirt and track pants with his Knight Ninja costume in his bag. Danso leaped at him with his sword, slashing the sleeve of his hand before the man dodged and sat down on the couch lazily.
"Not a good way to deal with guests Danso" complained Hiroshi.
"Maybe I'd deal with guests better if I INVITE them, Hiroshi" exclaimed Danso.
As Danso was speaking, Hiroshi mocked him by using his hands and his facial expressions to look like an old man who is about to die while mouthing the words "blah blah blah". Hiroshi got up and turned towards the kitchen, and when he reached the kitchen, he took a bottle of whiskey from the drawer. Danso tried to halt him, but he failed. Danso sighed and sat down at the dining table with Hiroshi.
"Why are you here, Hiroshi?" questioned Danso.
"Have you heard about the Dark Military Mixed Squad?" Hiroshi interrogated.
"You mean the Dark Mixed Military squad?" corrected Danso.
"Okay, nerd, it is the same thing, do you know it or not?" responded Hiroshi.
"Yeah, obviously, I am going to go there for a job trial tomorrow," responded Danso.
"You cannot go, so find another job," said Hiroshi.
"Why can't I?" questioned Danso.
"Well, the DMMS got popular when they took out one of your villains, the Growler, and they want to recreate the success by capturing two of the finest vigilantes this city has ever seen. The Red Samurai and The Knight Ninja!" concluded Hiroshi.
"You're scared of an organization that was formed two months back? Wow Hiroshi. The all great Knight Ninja is scared of something less trivial than the lizard god, which we defeated one month back," mocked Danso.
"I am not scared, just cautious. When we were facing bad guys, I knew we could win because the statistics say so, but when we talk about these guys, we know almost nothing about them, and the only person we do know about is…" Hiroshi stopped mid-sentence, and there was a deafening silence in the room.
"Finish your sentence Hiroshi" demanded Danso.
"They have Chiro Zanami, Danso," muttered Hiroshi.
The silence became louder as Danso stopped talking, and his face became blank. "Chiro Zanami?, The guy who rejected the Sword God's Arts and chose to pursue swordsmanship and sorcery? The legendary lieutenant of Lukia who saved the country multiple times?" thought Danso. He had despised Chiro, such a great talent wasted, and his actions ruined the Zanami name.
"Alright, it's fine, they won't suspect one of their own, right? So it's best if we both join the DMMS," said Danso.
"I am not taking that risk in enemy territory, I am leaving Lukia and going to my homeland, Ninjaro," exclaimed Hiroshi.
"Why Hiroshi? We have a city to protect?" growled Danso while standing up and kicking the chair behind him.
"Think, Danso. Does this city need us anymore after the DMMS come? Chiro and his squad will clean the city and even the whole country. I am sure I can leave the city in his hands, Danso, even if you think he's a traitor for betraying his beliefs. He saved this country multiple times, and there's no denying that." Confronted Hiroshi.
"But, what about me?" whispered Danso.
"Find something new or use your talents to help others in the DMMS or as Red Samurai. I just wanted to inform my equals for three years," said Hiroshi.
Hiroshi patted Danso on the back and took his items before leaving the house and slamming the door. Danso sat down and contemplated his life, but while he was thinking, his stomach growled.
"I am hungry, I guess I'll go to the Battle Restaurant to get food for dinner," thought Danso. With that, he packed his bag, unraveled his umbrella, left the house, and locked his door, in search of food!