Kengan liner, 7 hours till arrival
Kazuo:*wait...is that the one who was with the Kure Clan earlier?*
Their approaching assailant had an ear to ear grin and kept their hands in their pocket
While Akiyama continued chewing out the two competitors, (y/n) was able to see past her smaller frame and spotted the Kure member approaching them as he placed his right hand on his knee and used it as support as he stood up
Akiyama still didn't know there was someone walking up behind her so she thought (y/n) was blowing her off again
Akiyama:this isn't over, (y/-!
(Y/n):I would move.
He glanced down at her as he put his hands into his pockets and locked his eyes on the approaching hooded figure as Akiyama turned and recognized the Kure from earlier as well as she backed out of the way meanwhile Lihito started perking up
Lihito:huh? What's going on?
He had no recollection of who was approaching them as they stopped less then a foot away from (y/n) but only measured up to about his abdomen as the taller foreigner looked down in a mix of mild disinterest and boredom
(Y/n):get lost, you're not the one I wanna see unless you can tell me where Raian is.
The Kure clan members grin grew wider as they clenched their fists
(Y/n) noticed and in response started taking his hands out of his pockets but before they'd been fully removed his smaller adversary threw a right straight towards (y/n)'s stomach as he dodged to his opponents left
Kazuo:*wh-what?! But why attack when we're all grouped together?!*
The Kure member threw a left jab and as (y/n) swatted it away only to realize his opponent had swung their right elbow upward towards his jaw as (y/n) leaned his upper body back to dodge but while (y/n) was leaned back the Kure member jumped up onto his slightly arched upper thigh and raised their left fist
Kazuo:he's so fast!
The Kure member attmepted to hammer fist (y/n)'s face as (y/n) grabbed their wrist and attempted to perform a wrist lock but the much smaller frame of his opponent allowed them to slip through his grip and jump off his leg and land perfectly back by (y/n)'s comrades
Akiyama:*(Y/n) must've really angered the Kure clan if they were going to send an assassin after him.*
She quickly looked to Lihito as if saying "do something" as he snapped out of his confusion
Lihito:you! I get it now, you're one of those assassins!
He lunged at the Kure from behind and spread his fingers apart to use his Razors Edge as he took a downward swipe towards the Kure
The Kure member began turning around to react to Lihito's attack as (y/n) shoved his attacker to the side and slammed his foot into Lihito's face sending him flying into the guard rail and severely denting it outward
Kazuo's face contorted in shock as (y/n) both saved his attacker from an attack in their blindspot while also injuring Lihito
Kazuo:*WHY WOULD HE DO THAT?!?!*
Lihito was flat on his ass with a busted nose that was gushing blood all over his mouth, he was clearly moderately dazed from getting kicked in the face by someone larger and heavier then himself
As the dazed fighter looked up he saw (y/n) lower his leg from the picture perfect side kick stance, however (y/n)'s eyes looked like he wanted to tear Lihito to shreds
(Y/n):you interfere with another one of my fights and I won't hesitate...
The next words he spoke came from a place of deep anger and despite coming from a friend, were spoken with absolute authority and command.
(Y/n):I'll kill you.
Lihito had received a minor concussion from this blow and at first was struggling to comprehend sound, especially speech however, the malice behind these words made it all too clear to Lihito.
Lihito slowly and deliberately nodded his head so that (y/n) saw he'd understood
In both the wild and in martial arts, there's an unspoken rule about fights that all creatures and fighters need to know. DO NOT BUTT IN.
(Y/n) scoffed as he started turning back towards his opponent who hadn't made a move while (y/n) ordered Lihito, the Kure just waited there with that same wild grin
(Y/n):what're you standing around fo-
Once he'd fully turned towards his opponent, in an instant they'd slammed their left heel into the far right side of (y/n)'s mouth splitting his upper and lower lip going straight up to the edge of his nose and directly down to his jawline
Kazuo:*a kick like that right to the face?! Even someone like him would feel that!!!*
As (y/n) was falling while off balance, a sinister grin started creeping across his now bloody mouth as the Kure member went to instantly follow up their kick with a right straight to the face
Lihito:*he can't dodge that! (Y/n)'s this guys target, but I-I can't help him!*
As their fist closed in on (y/n)'s head, (y/n) grabbed their wrist with both hands successfully and pinned it to his chest as he wrapped his legs around the Kure's neck and right shoulder as his back slammed to the ground, he dragged the Kure member down with him and catching his opponent in a triangle hold
Lihito:*He went for a grapple! There's no getting out of that now, now when there's such a difference between their builds!*
With astounding flexibility, the Kure flipped their lower body over (y/n)'s legs as they went to slam both their feet into (y/n)'s head
(Y/n) released the grapple and tucked his left leg up to his chest and kicked towards the Kure's torso while jerking his head out of the way as the Kure's blow cracked floorboards where (y/n)'s head once was, the Kure tilted their torso around (y/n)'s foot and nearly dodged his blow entirely aside from (y/n)'s foot grazing the stomach are of the Kure's jacket and tearing it open exposing their extremely well defined abdomen
(Y/n) flipped himself up with a grin that mirrored his attackers as he spit blood from his mouth onto the deck as the Kure let their tongue hang out, it was apparent they were both getting enjoyment from this
(Y/n):*those legs aren't bad, busted up my lip from one kick.*
(Y/n) slowly raised his fists as he assumed his stance as the Kure began hopping in place while also raising their fists
However neither fighter advanced, they were feeling each other out, making slight adjustments before their next exchange of blows
(Y/n) shifted his left foot outward by a hair, his opponent lowered their left fist slightly, the Kure tucked their tongue away as they continued smiling
Kazuo:they...they've stopped...?
Lihito cracked his nose back into place as he stood up but kept using the railing behind him as a crutch
Lihito:n-no...a false start can negatively affect both fighters...they're dancing to their own beat right now.
Blood began to build up on (y/n)'s chin from his mouth wound, once enough blood had built up it dropped from his chin and the moment it collided with the ground both fighters lunged in at each other with ear to ear grins
(Y/n) was faster and had a longer reach as he threw a right high kick towards the Kure's head when they suddenly leapt up onto (y/n)'s upper thigh again and grabbed (y/n) by both sides of his head as the Kure pulled their right knee back
Kazuo:he used his leg like a spring board again!
Lihito:that guys way too agile.
The Kure slammed their knee forward as (y/n) blocked with his left forearm and the Kure used the impact to knock themself away creating distance again but as they landed (y/n) was already on top of them throwing a right hook straight for the face
Kazuo:he's got him!
The Kure barely managed to lean to their left as (y/n)'s fist ripped open the side of their hood as the Kure grabbed his compression shirt and reached their left leg around behind (y/n)'s right leg and slammed their own into the back of the foreign fighters knee while leaning back off their feet to pull (y/n) down
Lihito:he was going for a grapple!
The Kure grinned and pulled back from (y/n)'s shirt but to the Kure, it felt like trying to pull over a large red wood tree barehanded, (y/n) didn't budge an inch from the attempted grapple which caught his opponent off guard
(Y/n):grapples along with hit and run tactics, not a bad plan, Unfortunately...
He clenched his right fist and pulled it back
(Y/n):Your too damn light!!
He threw a right straight aimed for the Kure's head and at the same time, the Kure threw a right high kick from their unconventional position and they'd make contact at the same time
Just before impact (y/n)'s punch stopped short as the Kure did the same just before nailing him in the side of the head, they'd both stopped smiling at this point
Kazuo:th-they both stopped short?!
A cold gust of wind came whipping across the deck of the liner as it caught the better half of the Kure's hood
As their hood fell, long straight black hair flowed outward, the Kure was a young girl with an attractive face with several bangs over her forehead and two long lengths of hair drappint over her shoulders
Lihito:A GIRL?!?!
Kazuo:A GIRL?!?!
(Y/n) completely lowered his guard as he stood upright, perhaps because she was a girl or because she was clearly younger then himself
(Y/n):a girl, and a runty one at that. I'd have caved your skull in if I hadn't notice, your scent gave it away.
The Kure girl stayed quiet with the same unbothered expression, (y/n) didn't look like he enjoyed being on the receiving end of the silent treatment though
(Y/n):What the hell do you want, the old man send you after me?
He leaned down towards her as another drop of blood fell from his chin down onto her abdomen
The Kure girl suddenly smirked as she planted her right leg behind (y/n)'s head as he noticeably tensed up bracing for an attack when the girl leaned in closer
Kure girl:I really wanna have your babies.
All the spectators reeled back in shock from that single statement and even (y/n) was surprised but to a more reserved degree
Kazuo:WHAAAAATTTT?!?!
Lihito:WHAT'D SHE SAY?!?!
(Y/n):...hmm?
Meanwhile in the main dinning hall, Reiichi was looking around for his hooded relative, Erioh was on the far side of the hall conversing while all the other clan members of Reiichi, Hollis and Horio were seated at a table together while Raian was still being locked in their room
Reiichi:has anyone seen karura? She's been wandering off a lot lately.
Horio placed his hand on Reiichi's shoulder
Horio:don't worry, she's fine. Youth always wants to explore.
The Kure clan all shared a tight bond amongst each other, so it was natural for them to worry about their siblings and relatives even if they're more outlying in the clan similar to Raian
The Kure clan, they are by far the most influential clan in the entire region. A legendary league of assassins notorious throughout the criminal underworld.
Reiichi:I understand being the four of us with Raian and grandfather but...shouldn't Karura be a different story? She's still a student, wouldn't it have been best to let her stay home.
Hollis:she asked grandfather, so of course he'd let her come along.
Horio chuckled to himself, he found their unwarranted concern, at least in his eyes, entirely unnecessary
Horio:you all shouldn't be worried about her. Karura is a genuine monster and the last thing we should be worrying about.
Reiichi:She's a kid and I've never seen her fight before.
Horio:let me put this in an easy way to process. If everyone in the clan outside of us, grandfather and Raian were to go up against her, karura would slaughter them all in an instant.
He chuckled seeing their reluctant acceptance of the information
Horio:she's a deviant even by our clans own standards, so don't underestimate her...but with how grandfather tends to worry regardless, maybe someone should go and look.
Meanwhile back on the main deck of the ship, karura was still clutched onto (y/n) after her sudden request
Karura:I knew you'd keep getting strong and stronger! grandfather told me that it's the duty of the main bloodline to leave behind strong heirs!
(Y/n) still looked mildly confused while his comrades were completely flabbergasted
Karura:I never forgot, you're gonna be the strongest! That's why I want you to be my husband! My name is Karura! I'll remind you of it as many times as I have to!!!
She spoke proudly despite the topic being something vaguely resembling something like romance with a slightly demented glint in her eyes
Lihito pinched his forearm and squinted from the pain
Lihito:yeah...I guess I'm not in a coma or anything. Is this a...proposal?
Akiyama adjusted her glasses but it couldn't hide her sheer shock at the situation
Akiyama:but...but why just propose out of nowhere?
Kazuo:th-that's what I wanna know.
He raised his hand to try and get their attention
Kazuo:u-um...excuse me, young miss? Do you think you could explain-
Karura:MAKE A BABY WITH ME!!!
Kazuo was feeling very overwhelmed at the situation at hand
Kazuo:*It's like she's totally blind to us, when she first came after us, (y/n)'s the first and only person she payed attention and only when Lihito attacked did she even glance any of our directions.*
Kazuo Yamashita and his companions were all inexplicably confused by the sudden proposal, but the one confused most of all was...
(Y/n) just kept blankly staring at her
This man. (Y/n) Yu, at the age of 22 this was a first experience for him. Karura Kure had fought and torn open his lip, following this she made a declaration of marriage and the conception of children! To (Y/n) Yu, a man who has never felt romantic or sexual desires to another person IN HIS LIFE. There was only one reasonable reaction.
SHEER ABSOLUTE BEWILDERMENT!!!
(Y/n):*who is this runt? She's got those eyes...she doesn't really look familiar, does she? What's that about making babies? And what's marriage? She's talking about me and her...right? I don't get it.*
Kazuo:*(y/n)'s completely baffled! It's like the hamster wheel inside his head stopped turning!*
While (y/n) was trying to sort through the onslaught of information to work through, Karura was still making her declarations to him
Karura:NOW! LET'S MAKE BABIES! YOUR BABIES AND MINE! THEY'LL GROW UP BIG AND STRONG, THEY'LL BE THE MOST POWERFUL WARRIORS EVER!!!
(Y/n)'s comrades started giving Karura weird looks
Karura:THEN WHEN WE'RE MARRIED YOU CAN TAKE OVER AS THE CLAN PATRIARCH!! THEN WE'LL HAVE A HUNDRED BABIES AND WE'LL BE THE STRONGEST CLAN EVER!!!
(Y/n) suddenly stood upright as Karura stopped her constant declarations to him
He suddenly started chuckling to himself as Karura innocently tilted her head to the side
Kazuo:I...I don't think I've ever heard him laugh before...
Karura:is something wrong?
Compared to her previous attitude she was acting more like an innocent toddler
As (y/n) continued lightly chuckling he suddenly placed his hands on Karura's sides which caught her off guard as she started blushing but instead of doing anything she might've fantasized about, (y/n) just removed her from his body and placed Karura on her feet in front of him
(Y/n):Ka...rla? No, Kar...ura. Hao, I find you amusing.
Despite not being what she'd expected, Karura's eyes lit up like fireworks at being acknowledged with the same youthful innocence
Karura:R-Really?
Kazuo:h-he completely changed the subject...
Kazuo was still dumbfounded, Akiyama had mostly recomposed herself and Lihito had a deadpan stare
Akiyama:he probably doesn't fully understand the situation, but I have no idea what goes on in that head of his.
Lihito:you kidding me? What is he, a middle schooler? Or maybe just a virgin?
Kazuo sheepishly waved at them again as he tried getting their attention as the two odd fighters finally looked their way with (y/n) placing his hand on his hip
Kazuo:u-um...excuse me, would you mind telling us how you two know each other?
He was more asking the Kure girl as (y/n) clearly didn't know her given the fact he's horrible in that department and still gets even Lihito's name wrong
Karura began beaming with excitement as she hugged her former opponents left arm, (y/n) looked down at her confused at to why she was holding onto him
Karura:back when Miss Yu was meant to marry into-
Male voice:there you are, karura.
Karura and Lihito both stiffened up, neither of them noticed anyone approaching but for karura it may have just been because she was too enraptured by Kazuo's representative fighter
Lihito quickly turned as a bead of sweat rolled down his cheek to spot both Reiichi and Hollis standing a few meters down the deck waiting patiently
Hollis:you shouldn't be walking around on your own.
Reiichi:what if you got lost?
Karura let go of (y/n) and slowly looked at her older relatives
Karura:Reiichi, Hollis...
Reiichi:come on, let's get back, grandfathers worried sick about you...hey what happened to your jacket?
Karura began walking over towards the other Kure clan members as Reiichi took off his track suit jacket and put it over her shoulders as he zipped it up to cover her exposed abdomen
Reiichi was wearing a tight black tank top underneath his jacket that highlighted his extremely defined physique with large arms
Reiichi:if you're not careful you'll catch a cold in this weather.
Hollis glanced at karura's damaged jacket and also saw the small trace of blood on her shoe from when she kicked (y/n) in the mouth as he turned his head back towards the other group with the same dangerous eyes that every member of the Kure clan shared, needless to say it put a chill down Lihito's spine
Lihito:*That's a mean damn look, but there's no animosity behind it...no, it's like a predator stalking its prey.*
Hollis calmly walked over towards Kazuo and Akiyama and politely bowed his head to them
Hollis:I apologize for any trouble she's caused any of you.
Kazuo:o-oh um...no it wasn't much trouble. No harm no foul, right?
Lihito:*but they've got surprisingly good manners.*
As Reiichi placed his hand on karura's back and started to usher her inside, she slipped away from in front of Reiichi and quickly got behind him as she looked at the foreign man she'd fought
Karura:your first name...can I please have it?
She still had that innocent look in her eyes, she was being entirely open and honest, not loud and crazy acting as she was previously
Lihito gave her a stingy look
Lihito:ooohhh, you mean your groom to be? Monotone Miyazaki, the boring one and breaker of friend's noses.
Karura didn't budge or even acknowledge as Lihito gave (y/n) a false joke of a title
(Y/n) looked over his right shoulder with blood still running from his lip and coating the teeth on that side of his mouth, he had a small smirk on his face
(Y/n):It's (Y/n), (Y/n) Yu.
Karura's eyes began practically sparking in excitement with him speaking to her again
Karura:*I finally got his first name!!*
Lihito:that's Miyazaki with a Z, by the way.
Akiyama:Lihito, she's clearly ignoring you.
Hollis placed is hand on her shoulder as he started ushering her inside as well but karura looked over her shoulder one last time
Karura:(Y/n), I can't wait to see you again.
(Y/n) remained his normal bland self in the face of her enthusiasm but did turn ever so slightly to give a mock salute
Once the Kure's had departed indoors, Lihito wiped the blood from his nose as he muttered to himself
Lihito:I don't think I want to be around when you meet again, psycho.
After a few minutes, Reiichi and Hollis escorted karura into the Kure's group room where Erioh was keeping an eye on Raian from sneaking out while Horio was waiting by Raian
Erioh:welcome back karura.
Raian was lying on the bed his his hands behind his head bored out of his skull while the patriarch of the Kure clan approached his great granddaughter
Erioh:did you enjoy your little adventure?
He sounded like a very doting grandfather who saw all his children as angels, there was no trace of the malice he'd demonstrated during the previous event with (y/n) and Raian
Karura:Grandpa...
Erioh:hmm?
He perked up very curious to hear about what his grandfather had to say
Karura:I've...
She started pressing her index fingers together like a nervous school girl
Karura:fallen for someone.
Erioh's eyes widened to the point they nearly popped out as the information hit him like a freight train
Erioh:Wh-...
This face of blatant shock he manifested after the whiplash of his granddaughter liking someone vanished as quickly as he appeared as he gently rubbed her head
Erioh:well, I'm glad to hear that sweetie.
A pure smile crossed karura's face seeing her grandfather smile as he touched her head
Karura:Yup!
Raian couldn't see his grandfathers face but he knew exactly what it looked like, he was cackling maliciously on the bed behind everyone
Erioh:why don't you tell me more about it later. Go get something to eat first, you haven't eaten yet right?
His granddaughter started giggling at her grandfathers interest, she was completely blind to the initial expression he'd made
Karura:nope.
But Raian just kept cackling with tears in his eyes
Raian:Looks like the runt is starting to notice boys!
Horio:Raian, don't make fun of her.
Erioh:Rei, would you mind walking with her?
Reiichi nodded as karura unzipped his jacket and handed it back to her relative as the brief expression Erioh had on his face returned seeing the torn state of her jacket around the stomach, seeing her damaged clothing made him start imagining the worst
Reiichi and Karura left the room as the seemingly nice elderly grandparent returned to being deadly serious
Erioh:explain this to me, Hollis.
Hollis was standing behind his grandfather and couldn't see his face, but judging by the small amount of sweat on Hollis' face, he wouldn't want to anyway
Hollis:...it's (Y/n) Yu, he's the representative of Yamashita Trading corporation.
Erioh started clenching his fist
Erioh:I see...Jiang's son...
He suddenly began exploding with murderous intent as his skin darkened with a purple hue as veins began bulging from all across his entire body, compared to the previous night when he used his malice to rein everyone in, it was like comparing a origami tiger to the genuine article
Erioh:THAT LITTLE PIECE OF SHIT!!!!!!!!!
Meanwhile walking down the hallway, both Reiichi and karura barely heard the scream of their clan leader
Karura:hmm? Was that grandfather?
Reiichi placed his hand on her back and ushered her forward once more
Reiichi:no...that's just your imagination.
Reiichi:*sounds like he's showing his protective side again.*
Back in the Kure's room, Raian couldn't contain his laughter from Erioh's fury
Erioh:KARURA IS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL!!!!!! AND HE DARE'S TO LAY HIS HANDS ON HER?!?!?! DARE'S TO SECUDE HER?!???!?!
Raian:HAHAHA!!! Ow my sides! HAHAHA!!
Erioh snapped his head around to his grandchildren, compared to the looks (y/n) and Raian had when they almost fought, it was like comparing an ant hill to a mountain
Erioh:I'M SURE YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO!!! KEEP AN EYE ON THAT LITTLE BASTARD!!!! AND IF HE EVER COMES NEAR KARURA AGAIN!!!! KILL HIM!!! DON'T LET EVEN A SINGLE STRAND OF HAIR FROM HIS HEAD REMAIN IN THIS WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!
Raian finally started calming down as he caught his breath from all his laughter, he didn't find Erioh very intimidating
Raian:hahaha...careful there, gramps...you're losing yourself.
Erioh's aura alone had left a large crater in the door beneath him and massive cracks trailed outward across the floor from beneath his feet
Inside the Kure, dwells demons.
Back up on the deck of the ship, no one had really moved but the recent place of events was still at the forefront of everyone's mind
Lihito:I can't believe out of every hottie that's I've seen approach you! The first one you actually pay attention to is apart of the Kure clan!
Akiyama:*that's what he's concerned about?*
(Y/n) didn't seem interested in what Lihito had to say, he didn't even bother turning around to face his group and the wound to his mouth had mostly stopped bleeding
(Y/n):that one, she was strong.
Lihito:that's not an answer! Or are you just some kinda masochist?
Kazuo chuckled awkwardly seeing Lihito so passionate about the topic of conversation
Akiyama:I think that girl looked quite young. You should be careful around her.
(Y/n):hmm? Why's that?
He genuinely didn't understand what she meant by that, he still had no idea what karura entirely meant when she was hanging off his body shouting
As he looked over his shoulder towards (y/n) turned noticeably as he slowly turned his entire body to face them as well, he looked like he'd seen a ghost
Akiyama:because despite the age of marriage being 16, at least for marriage in Japan, it's far from socially acceptable. So you shouldn't be-
She noticed that shocked expression on (y/n)'s face
Akiyama:are you alright? You look pale.
Suddenly a light clapping started echoing from behind them as everyone else felt a chill, someone was standing directly behind them on the guardrail over the edge of the ship less then one meter away
Female voice:Hao, hao! Look who finally noticed me.
The rest of the group was completely frozen and couldn't move
Woman:out of everyone down there...who do you think has the strongest eyes?
Kazuo:*th-that voice...it's the same one from the preliminaries...*
The one (y/n) was looking up at, the one who was standing behind Kazuo and the others on top of the guard rail...
Was Jiang Yu
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To be continued