A few days have passed since the Fujimura Clan came to the Manakin Village and there has still been no luck in finding Beezlebub. All members having been searching high and low but he is nowhere to be seen. Even Jacob, Maria and Eric have been info gathering and they know the place better than anyone.
"Still no luck?", asked Maria.
"No. How can such a feared man be nowhere to be seen.", thought Suzuki.
"Well he has to be quiet so he won't be found but I know he will make his move soon.", said Keiichineko.
"True. We will have to be on top guard, Master Suzuki.", warned Shinki.
After a long day of trying to find Beezlebub they all sit down have something to eat to refill their energy.
"Hey Eric! Why are you living here in the Manakin Village instead of the Human World?", quizzed Suzuki.
"You can't ask him something like that, Suzuki.", whispered Maria as she pulled her face close to his.
"Oi! Stop getting close like that!", exclaimed Anna.
"Nya~Jealous Anna.", teased Keiichineko.
"I'm....I'm not!", stuttered Anna.
"Sorry Suzuki.", blushed Maria.
"I don't why you're apologising but okay.", Suzuki doubted.
"It's okay, Maria! I will tell them.", said Eric.
"Really!", Jacob said in a surprised tone.
"Yes. It all began 40 years when I was a leading researcher in the magic behind the Manakins and the red ash that is equivalent to that of Mana. I came here with my here with my team of researchers but then disaster struck us.", began Eric.
"Disaster?!", gasped Suzuki.
"Yes. The Nova Kingdom struck!", revealed Eric.
"The Nova Kingdom!", yelped Suzuki.
"They caught wind of the research we were conducting and wanted to destroy it and kill us. We were also keeping a Manakin that they were after as well. I was lucky to survive it but my team didn't. All of our hard work and efforts went to waste and all of my friends fell to them. I felt hopeless. I lost everything. However, I didn't want to mope around forever! So I took a stand and tried to recreate the work that me and my team had created!", Eric told.
"Amazing! Did you recreate it all?!", beamed Suzuki.
"I am nearly there. Then, finally my friends will be able to rest.", smiled Eric.
"So what was the research about?~nyaa", asked Keiichineko.
"I can't reveal much but all I can say it's a very powerful item.", Eric hushed.
While they were enjoying their time, there was a powerful blast outside. All of them rushed outside to see the commotion and saw a broad looking man with a powerful grin and strong grey hair standing in front of the explosion. All they could hear is the screams of innocent and guards shouting "Village Leader!".
"What is all of this?!", sputtered Suzuki.
The mysterious man sensed that there was demon spirits near them and used a Speedstar to get close to them. As quick as an eye blink, the man was there and up in their faces. He quickly drew his sword and tried to cut down Eric. Both Maria and Jacob stood there in shock as they were about to witness the same thing that happened to their parents. However, Suzuki jumped in the mix and used his 'Rise: Deluxe!' and sent him flying to the side. Without hesitation, Suzuki let the Rise power dwell all around him.
"I....I.....", stammered Eric.
"What's the matter, Grandad Eric?!", panicked Maria.
"Maria! Jacob! Get Eric out of here! Hebi and Anna you guard them! Me, Shinki and Keiichineko will sort this out!", commanded Suzuki.
They all agreed and went to do there requested tasks. The Mysterious man got back up and spit blood out of his mouth. With a crazed look in his eyes, he grabs his sword once more and used a Speedstar to put them off guard.
Already predicting this, Keiichineko uses his 'Two Point Slash' and sends off two sound wave like energy slashes and sent him flying back once more. Shinki gets his 'Enraged Beast: Cerberus' ready as the man was back for more. Shinki let the attack rip but this time the man evaded the attack with a Speedstar. Ending up behind him, the man quickly moves his way to the front and slash down on a fazed Shinki.
"Shinki!", shouted Suzuki.
"I'm fine, Master Suzuki.", replied Shinki while holding his chest.
"That was very noble of you.", said Keiichineko.
"Well thank you! I don't do things underhanded.", responded the man.
"I wouldn't say that though since we don't know what your intentions are.", disagreed Keiichineko.
"Hahahahaha! I guess so! I take it that you guys are the ones who are trying to sniff out Master Beezlebub.", stated the man.
"What's your name?!", declared Keiichineko.
Elsewhere Jacob, Maria, Anna and Hebi are taking Eric far away from the battle as he was still in shock. As they were running away, they saw a buff old man walking towards them with scars all over his body and a long grey moustache.
"What the hell is that old man?!", said Hebi in a shocked tone.
"He is the Village Leader! Hiroki the Fifth!", Jacob pointed out.
"He's related to the statue guy!", jabbered Hebi.
"Hiroki! It's him! The one we tried to protect all of them years ago.", yelled Eric.
"You don't mean....!", paused Hiroki.
"My name is....", said the man.
"Vincent Gray!", disclosed Eric.
".....Vincent Gray!", grinned Vincent.
*Thank you for reading this chapter of 'Mysterious Ways!'. If you like this chapter please leave a like and vote to show your support! It seems like Eric knows the person destroying Manakin Village but how? Will Hiroki be an important role in the upcoming chapters? Find out next time!!!!!!!
PS I have updated the Character Descriptions 4 so you can know more about Hiroki the Fifth.