The next day, Tekai woke up in his apartment, and did a few stretches.
Taking a quick shower, and making sure to collect Gil from the tub, Tekai entered the living room, and saw one of his Shadow Clones boredly performing the Dragon Dance, as well as sticking some leaves to himself to practice his chakra control.
"So Dragon Dance can regenerate a clones chakra. This proves that it is a technique that absorbs nature chakra, yet somehow doesn't turn the user to stone. Huh. Welp, good job #1." Tekai praised in between a yawn.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm tired of this shit. Enjoy the memories." The clone pouted, then dismissed himself.
Tekai took a moment to see if there was anything critical, but he didn't learn anything he didn't know. If anything, maybe his ability to mobilize his chakra improved by a measly 0.05%, but it was hard to tell. He had been training this skill for years, and already made the most of what he knew.
But the big breakthrough was that he could store his shadow clones as backup batteries so to speak. Now, he just needed to learn the transformation technique, and he could turn that chakra battery into something small, like a coin or marble. Then pop it, or send it into battle as needed.
It also confirmed his decision to practice the enhanced version of the Dragon Dance with clones. If he pushed too hard and turned himself into stone, wouldn't he feel like an idiot?
As Tekai was thinking up ways to abuse his abilities, and push them further he felt his stomach grumble.
'Hungry. Eat. Grow!' Gil emphatically pressed.
"Yep, me too buddy. Let's find something to eat, then go to the south gate. We don't want to be late." Tekai patted his pokeball, then headed out.
Checking the angle of the sun, and setting his mechanical pocket watch, Tekai figured it was around 7AM, so he had about an hour to kill until he had to meet up with his new team.
From his position in the noble district, Tekai noted that Blackthorn was a tiered city, and that to reach the southern gate, he'd have to travel through the market district, and the commons. This route would have him bypass the other two major areas of the city: the wharf district, and tradesman quarter.
Deciding he would pick up some food in the market area, and save some money from the inflated prices of the noble district, Tekai set out.
Unlike Konoha, Blackthorn had stricter rules, and rooftop hopping or flying on a Pokémon was forbidden unless one was reporting directly to the castle during an emergency.
So he could either walk, or pay a carriage.
Glancing down the hill, the trek from his apartment to the market district was easily a 10 mile journey. Not exactly the kind of thing someone who just woke up and had an empty stomach wanted to jog. Super ninja powers or not, he was sure to be training a lot later in the day, and needed to conserve what energy he could.
Biting the bullet, Tekai walked up to an area where many ponyta drawn carts had congregated.
"Can you take me to a good-reasonably priced-restaurant in the market square?" Tekai asked an old, hunched skinny man, and approached with a coin pouch in hand.
"A young dragon, eh? Please come aboard, all transit is free in Blackthorn for the illustrious Ryu Clan." The old man grinned, showing only a handful of teeth.
"Are you certain? I must insist that I pay for services rendered." Tekai stepped forward, and held out a coin.
"Aye lad, hop onboard, your money's no good here!" The old man cheerfully beckoned him forward.
'This is one friendly cab driver despite it being so early in the morning. What a nice guy.' Tekai thought to himself as he hopped in the back of the open-air carriage.
"Thanks old man." Tekai nodded his head.
"Not at all, not at all." The old man repeatedly bowed his head, and smiled.
He then whipped the reins, and they were off.
Tekai wanted to close his eyes and get a little more rest, but he forced them open and increased his vigilance. Even though guards were stationed on every street corner, that didn't mean they would be of much help in a fight. All of the truly important or powerful chakra warriors were probably sleeping right now, training, or going about their work.
The guards patrolling the streets were likely more for show, or to act as deterrents for low level threats. In short, Tekai felt that he could only rely on himself when it came to safety despite being surrounded by friendly forces. Complacency was how a 'Rising Dragon' found a dagger in the back.
Nodding to himself, Tekai observed his surroundings, and noted the location of a seal shop, and a berry mixer that sold supplementals. He'd have to check those two places out at a later date. Other than that, Tekai didn't notice anything extraordinary in the noble quarter besides perhaps, the Karasarisu clothes shop.
They were the family clan that specialized in silk, and had some truly beautiful clothes on display in the window. Maybe he could gift his new teammates a pair, he knew how much girls liked new clothes.
Glancing in the window, however, had Tekai feel as if his gonads had retreated inside his body as he saw the price.
250,000 ryo was the starting price for a full outfit.
…that was FIVE TIMES his annual salary! AND the same cost as an A-rank mission!
Literal articles of clothing were more expensive than a missing nin Jonin's head.
It was so sick, yet so reflective of the human condition. Where inanimate objects held more value than life.
"Kuh!" Tekai verbalized, feeling as if he could spit some blood out of his mouth.
"All is well back there, young master?" The driver asked in a concerned tone.
"A-all is well, cabby, thank you for your concern. I was simply startled by the price of the clothing is all." Tekai recovered, and wiped his chin of any saliva he had spit out during his exclamation.
"Ah, the Karasarisu." The old man nodded in a sagely manner, yet remained silent as he continued directing the coach.
Tekai felt as if the old man was going to go on with his monologue, but in the end, he just kept moving the cart forward in silence.
Tekai didn't know if he should feel disappointed. On one hand, he wanted a peaceful quiet ride, on the other hand, the more he learned about the clans under the Blackthorn, the better.
"Say, old man, you know anything interesting about the Karasarisu?" Tekai asked, and at the same time, dropped five silver coins-each one worth 100 ryo apiece-down next to the old man.
He wanted some juicy info, so he was willing to splurge a little for it.
"It does one good not to gossip about such matters, the checkpoint between districts is coming up, I wouldn't want any trouble." The old man firmly said, yet his hand scooped up the ryo, and hid them beneath a blanket as if nothing had happened.
The carriage clattered forward for another minute, and joined a line heading towards a gate.
Separating each district were jutsu resistant walls, and the only way through was via a gatehouse.
It was here that Tekai saw a man in a tiki mask with a Second Grade Official's token hanging off his waist.
Based on his headwear, Tekai marked him as a man of the Ohrot Clan.
Standing next to the Ohrot man, were three other retainers. Although they didn't have any rank tokens, his instincts identified them as threats. Based on the token, the Ohrot man had the equivalent power of a Special Jounin, and the retainer guards were giving off the vibes of seasoned Chunin.
Tekai gathered all this information in a glance. Their attire, and confidence were 40% of the equation, but his animalistic bloodline made up the other 60%. The instincts of a dragon were keen.
While Tekai was thinking about the gatehouse guards, and assessing their potential, the old man moved the cart to bypass the line.
This somewhat alarmed Tekai, because everyone else had been stopped and briefly searched.
"Fourth Grade Ryu Official coming through!" The old man loudly proclaimed, and whipped the reins harshly.
The tiki masked man leered down at Tekai from atop the gatehouse, and he felt an energy pulse in his token. A second later, the energy passed, and the masked man lost interest in him.
The moment had passed, and after a brief bout of silence, they had stopped in front of an absolutely tantalizing smelling establishment.
The old man then leaned back, and spoke in a hushed whisper.
"Now about those silk-weavers. Nine in ten Karasarisu are born female, and the men are so pretty, you can't tell the difference. It's because of their feminine outlook on life that they have become such successful designers. Beware their temper however, they have been known to cacoon stray men they take a fancy to, and well…" The old man pulled tightly on his collar, and looked around all red in the face.
"Thank you for your wisdom, old man." Tekai said, trying to keep a straight face at his funny display, and departed from the ride.
"Anytime, young dragon, any time. Search out Old Jin the next time you want a ride." The old man smiled toothlessly at him.
Tekai was about to enter the establishment, when a thin, dark-purple haired, tan man dressed in all black samurai plate armor roughly accosted Jiro alongside three goons, and slapped the ponyta to the ground.
"Neighhah!" The horse-like Pokémon cried as it fell down.
"You've got some nerve returning here after what you pulled." The man barked, a Fourth Rank Official's token dangled boldly on his hip as he approached.
"Arf!" A houndour following behind the man barked in agreement.
His three compatriots spread out around the carriage, and began to poke and prod around the seats as if they were searching for something.
Tekai frowned at the way the ponyta and the old man were being treated. He didn't like to see someone who had acted towards him with such courtesy getting tossed around.
He considered stepping in, but he didn't want to flaunt his status like some two bit punk. At the very least he wanted to see how this developed. If he was going to stick his neck out for someone he just met, and go against an official of the same rank, he'd have to see what the accusation was first.
"What did I tell you about coming here without any money? You lost a game of Dead Hounds Dice, and were given a week to pay us back. On account of your service and old age, you were afforded this leniency, and you have repaid us in nothing but discourtesy. Now pay up, or face the consequences of reckless gambling." The armored man punched Jin in the gut.
"Money? Here's your money, master Hellgar." The old man reached into his blanket, and handed the coins Tekai had given him with shaky hands.
"500 ryo, you must think this is some kind of joke! You owe 1,000!" The Hellgar clansmen raged.
"What? That's double the agreed upon price! Eup!" Jin said in shock, then yelped in pain as his wrist was gripped, and a grinding sound pierced Tekai's ears. That arm was on the verge of snapping.
Watching such powerful acts of violence over money sickened Tekai.
Taking a deep breath, Tekai stepped forward.
"Release that old man." Tekai spoke with as much authority as he could muster.
"Oi, beat it kid." One of the goons shooed Tekai off, and tried to shove him away.
'Kill. Murder. Absorb!' Gil urged.
Tekai, still keyed in from the deadly kill or be killed Dragons Den experience the other night acted on instinct to having his personal space being violated, and reacted with extreme violence.
Stomping down with his foot, Tekai crunched the goon's phalanges, then struck towards his sternum with an open palm, shattering his chest.
The goon collapsed into a puddle of nearby old rain water, and stared at the sky gasping for dear life.
By the time this had transpired, the armored man had turned around.
His eyes narrowed when he noticed Tekai, he then pointed at the goon, and coldly uttered one word.
"Kill."
"Dour!" The black dog-like Pokémon responded, and pounced on the goon, tearing his throat out.
The fire of violence burned out of Tekai's eyes, and was replaced with confusion, and a fair bit of disgust.
Disgust at witnessing a human being being devoured right in front of his eyes. Disgust at the armored man for ordering his own Pokémon to kill one of his own men. Most importantly, he felt disgust towards himself for being unphased towards such a callous death.
Tekai was alarmed at how easy the man had turned into a corpse. One moment he was there, the next, he had disappeared into a houndour's stomach. He never intended to kill the goon, just teach him a lesson. But that choice was taken from him.
Was life always this fragile?...
"What the fuck is going on here?" Tekai narrowed his eyes, and raised his vigilance.
"My thoughts exactly. My name is Paul Hellgar, and the fact that my subordinate inconvenienced a son of Ryu despite the obvious markings is a sin deserving of death." The man-Paul-said with a deep seated, scorn filled voice, and gestured towards the caped/cloaked attire Tekai was wearing, as well as his officials token.
Tekai blinked his eyes, only now that he had introduced himself, did Tekai recognize Paul, the rival trainer from the Sinnoh anime. In fact, the armored man was young. Possibly only 14 or 15, just a couple years older than Tekai. Although he only wore a Fourth Grade token, Paul must be close to promotion, because the pressure he exuded was nothing trivial.
Paul was one of the titular assholes of the animated series, one who pushed his Pokémon to the extreme, and expected perfection in everything he did.
Although he was an asshole, he got results.
One did not achieve the status as the rival to a protagonist and live as a weakling.
That being said, Paul was a man who did things by the book. One who always operated within the law. He was the kind of asshole like Stannis Beratheon was. He'd kill you with the law.
So far, his interactions between Clair, Zinnia, and Lance had acted about how he expected based on how their characters were depicted.
Based on these observations, Paul should be no different.
"Ah, young dragon! Young master, save me!" Jin cried out as he struggled in Paul's grasp.
Tekai frowned at the development, wondering if Jin had only been friendly to him for this exact moment. After all, Tekai had not directed the old man to this specific location. He had been taken here.
Before he blindly stepped forward to help Jin, he had to do his due diligence.
"This old man was a pleasant conversationalist to me, and he claims you have inexplicably doubled what is owed. Do you have proof that this is not the case?" Tekai looked Paul in the eyes, and refused to be intimidated by the older, stronger boy.
Unfolding a scroll with dramatic flair, Paul held it out toward Tekai, and began to read it verbatim.
"Under this contract, Jin (the debtor) shall be granted one week to pay back the owed sum of:
1,000 ryo.
Failure to comply shall result in seizure of all assets, and the breaking of his dominant arm, and opposite leg.
Signed and notarized: Second Grade, Bugsy Karasarisu." Paul said in an intense deadpan.
Tekai examined the paper, and squinted at it carefully. If this proved to be the truth, then Tekai felt as if he might wash his hands of this debacle, and leave right now. However, if the old man was telling the truth, could he really stand by and watch him take a beating when he had the power to prevent it?
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AN: Read up to ch 30 at: karpqq patreon.com