"So why did you rob those bounty hunters seems pretty bold If you ask me." Ajax says lowering his head
Rumi scoffs.
"It's called survival. Not that you'd get it."
"Fair enough." Ajax says exhaling.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Gee, thanks."
"Don't expect an apology." Rumi says.
There's some awkward silence when Rumi steps forward.
She stops just a few feet away from Ajax, arms crossed.
"Who the hell are you, anyway?"
"Ajax Nozami. Surely you just heard me
say it?" Ajax says looking up.
Rumi narrows her eyes.
"Yeah. Ajax Nozami. The Black Viper killer."
She leans closer voice low.
"Tell me how long before the bounty hunters circle back?"
"Beats me probably not too long." Ajax says shrugging.
Rumi sighs, frustrated.
"Great."
Ryizen smirks.
"Sounds like you're pretty screwed."
"So you said you'd be the one to find Nelazaru Kimmegona's sword right?" Rumi says
Ryizen's smirk vanishes. His entire body tenses.
"Because I know where it is."
"These two seem so gullible I bet they fall for some bait like this. I mean. Just look at the two of them."Rumi thinks to herself
Ryizen's eyes narrow.
"You're up to something"
"Wait, you're saying you know where Kimmegona's sword is?!" Ajax says dumbfounded.
Rumi smirks.
"Yeah I do."
"Sweet Then you have to join my Kabukimono!" Ajax declares.
Rumi scoffs.
"Your what?"
"My Kabukimono. My group. Don't tell me I have to explain to you what that means?" Ajax says puzzled.
Rumi glares at him.
"No, smartass, I know what a Kabukimono is."
"Oh. Then what's the hold up?" Ajax asks
Rumi crosses her arms.
"Why should I join?"
"Cause I asked." Ajax says
Rumi rolls her eyes
"Wow. Real convincing."
"Yeah, he's the most convincing." Ryizen says covering his face
Rumi smirks.
"Clearly."
"Hey, it was a good starter!" Ajax protests.
Ryizen grumbles.
"Sure it was."
Rumi glances at him.
"Why are you so grumpy?"
"He hasn't had anything to drink yet." Ajax says chuckling, clearly joking.
Ryizen grumbles again.
"Damnit, I'm standing right here you know."
"But you know where Kimmegona's sword is?? Tell me tell me tell me." Ajax asks immediately, ignoring Ryizen.
Rumi leans back, arms still crossed.
"Yeah, I do. But I'm not just gonna hand over that info for free."
Ryizen sighs, rubbing his temples.
"And here comes the negotiation"
"First off you should follow me. This bar is bad news. And I can uhh show you the uhh. The map. Yeah, the map to help find the sword." Rumi says, stumbling over her words.
Ryizen raises an eyebrow.
"Map, huh?"
He sighs again.
"This had better be good"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Ajax yells.
Rumi rolls her eyes.
"Jeez, calm down."
She jerks her head, starting down the street.
Ajax immediately starts following Rumi while Ryizen grumbles a bit before following
Ryizen sighs yet again grumbling
"Ajax I feel like she's just lying to you. And she has different plans in mind."
Ajax walks down the dimly lit streets, following Rumi.
Ryizen walks beside him.
"I don't trust her. Something's off about this.
"What c'mon she's fine. Why would she lie?" Ajax says walking.
Ryizen sighs.
"Because it's Rumi. When does she not lie? And let's not forget she's a sneaky thief!"
"Whhhaaaattt. Rumi, are you lying to us? Ajax asks, still walking.
Rumi pauses for a fraction of a second,
then turns to look over her shoulder.
"What? Of course not."
"See she's not lying." Ajax says smiling.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, cause that was so convincing"
"Onward!" Ajax declares.
Rumi leads the two through twisting alleys Ryizen growing tenser with each step.
Suddenly, she stops.
A dead end.
Just a brick wall and five armed figures stepping out of the shadows.
Rumi smirks.
"Oops."
Ryizen groans.
"Damnit."
"General Gerald I've brought in a new fresh batch. Rumi says, chuckling.
One of the men steps closer.
"Well done. Not every day we get new recruits, especially not from you."
"Hey I'm not seeing any map here." Ajax says not reading the moment
The general laughs cold, metallic.
"Oh, there is no map."
Ryizen grips his sword-teeth gritted.
"Ajax you just walked us into a damn military recruitment trap."
The air cracks with tension.
"So it seems you guys are trying to take the map for yourselves well i can't let that happen!" Ajax says still not processing that Rumi lied.
General Gerald grins.
"There isn't a map you moron, it was a lie!"
Ryizen facepalms.
"Damnit. Told you so."
"Aw what, there's no map? Then why would I even follow her?" Ajax says finally realizing what's going on.
General Gerald smirks.
"Because you're an idiot."
Ryizen sighs.
"Yeah... pretty much."
"So I'm an idiot huh?" Ajax suddenly unsheathes his sword.
General Gerald spreads his hands.
"Well... yeah. You just walked into an army ambush, so yeah. I'd say so."
"And you think this is enough to take me down?" Ajax yells.
One of the soldiers scoffs.
"We've caught more dangerous men than you."
Before the soldier can say anything else Ajax cuts him down with ease.
The soldier crumples. Ryizen whistles.
"Nice. You're pretty badass for an idiot."
"If this is all a lie then. I'll beat all of you!!!" Ajax yells furious.
General Gerald sneers.
"Go ahead. Give it your best shot."
"Jeez the moron can get hot-headed really fast." Ryizen says sprinting into action.
Ryizen dashes in, slashing and weaving. He fights with the speed and grace of someone who's never lost a battle snd has no plans to start.
General Gerald watches, a grim smile on his face.
"Damn... he's good."
"Ahhhhhhhh!" Ajax yells before he runs at the general.
General Gerald barely dodges-his cloak sliced clean through.
"Damn!"
He stumbles back, face pale.
Ryizen cheers-grinning.
"Go for the kill!"
"Why would you lie to me!!! Sword art. Anger overload!!" Ajax yells before he slashes his sword at the general.
General Gerald barely parries in time, arms shaking from the force.
"It was the only way to get you here!"
"I don't care!" Ajax says rapidly slashes his sword at him.
General Gerald blocks but only barely. He's shaking, struggling to keep Ajax's sword back.
"Damnit. You're strong"
"Ahhhhh Sword Art. Anger slash!!" Ajax yells, slashing his sword at him.
General Gerald's sword shatters metal
shards spraying the ground. He stumbles back, clutching a bleeding arm.
"Damn you."
Ryizen whistles-impressed.
"Well. That's one way to handle negotiations."
"That guy Ajax Nozami. He's insanely strong without even knowing the extent of power in this world." Rumi says to herself observing from atop a building.
She grips the edge of the roof, torn between escaping and watching more.
"Mister general, I'm gonna kick your ass over and over again. No one. And I mean no one calls me an idiot unless my friend." Ajax says immediately pointing his sword at him.
General Gerald stares up at Ajax, pale and sweating. He raises his chin defiantly.
"You won. What do you want from me?"
"Hey easy now you might scare the guy to death." Rumi says landing on the ground.
Ryizen blinks then scowls.
"Oh look, the traitor decides to show up."
Rumi rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. I was lying but I'm here now, aren't I?
Truth is I was just uhh. I was testing to see how strong you two were. Yeah that's it." Rumi says nervously laughing.
Ryizen scoffs not buying it.
"Riiight."
"Well did I pass??" Ajax asks
Rumi hesitates then smirks.
"Yeah... you passed."
So I'll uhhh. I'll join your little Kabukimono if the offer still stands."
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"You really gotta word it like that?"
"Yeah of course the offer still stands!" Ajax says cheery.
Rumi just laughs.
"Good. Besides you two idiots would get lost and stranded in no time without someone to navigate you two idiots."Rumi says sighing
Ryizen grumbles.
"We're not idiots!"
"Yeah we're Ronin, get it right!" Ajax says.
End of chapter