A sudden dizziness came over the young Byakko as Tetsuyaiba released its control over the boy's body, signifying that the battle had finally ended... By this point, any surrounding villagers had long since escaped, and the only remaining beings were those of the Toraono Clan, and those affiliated with the demonic blade. Yanjirou's mind allowed itself a moment of serenity before returning to the task at hand. There were still several things to deal with, and a very important decision to make.
This was the first time that Yanji held the fate of two sentient beings in his hands, and the burden of others relying on his judgement was great, but it must be done. He could not simply leave the two to their own devices, only to allow them to revert back to their old, monstrous state. Taking a deep breath in, the boy approached the two. Each step took an eternity, the duo growing closer and closer until finally they laid beneath him, battered and broken. Neither could resist him now, and it was finally time to make the choice. Heart racing, Yanjirou gripped Onimaru by its hilt, sticking it into the ground and placing his sandal atop its blade. Surely this was the right choice... The beast had likely hurt, even killed, so many before this encounter. He couldn't be allowed to live, it was too much of a risk.
"No..." Mumbling to himself, Yanjirou pulled the daikatana from the dirt. He sighed; the more he thought about it, the more he realized there
was no right answer. This blade - spirit rather - was simply doing what he believed was necessary. Probably... Regardless, even he did destroy the blade, there were still countless other innocent spirits that would be destroyed along with it. Him.
"Onimaru..." The boy paused, talking directly to the blade which he now held eye level,
"I need you to remember who spared your life today. Not only did your sworn enemy defeat you and your vessel, but a boy - that you assumed to be weak and feeble - defeated you as well. And now, despite your insults, I am sparing you. In exchange for my kindness, you will swear fealty to me, and become one of the many souls held within Tetsuyaiba. Whether you willingly accept me or not..." Hoping to add to the impact of the statement, Yanjirou allowed the spirit a moment to understand what he had said.
"I will say one thing though. To all of the spirits I now control. Should you ever feel my ability as a master is inadequate, challenge me. We will fight, and the winner claims both my body and the vessel of the rest of the souls. While the other is condemned to serve their new or old master." With this final condition, the boy could feel his gauntlet begin to shake violently. A clear sign that his words may have riled up the spirits within, and a reason for the boy to worry about getting caught up in the moment.
"Now then!" He would just have to distract them from what was said before they take advantage of the state he's in...
"I suppose I'll be taking you now.." The boy wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to take Onimaru, but it seemed that Tetsuyaiba took the reigns and led the way. Gripping the hilt with both hands, Tetsuyaiba's flesh began to stretch over the blade, filling the cracks and chips until it had fully covered the shimmering metal. Not even moments after, it would begin to recede back into the gauntlets, the form of the blade turning into nothing but air as it did. Once the process was complete, the gauntlets quickly took the shape of Onimaru, having completely assimilated him.
"Guess that works." Yanjirou mumbled, turning back to Kuro and smiling.
There were many reasons for the boy to be happy in this moment, he'd just accomplished what could very well be his greatest feat, toppled a foe that not even Kuro could defeat at his age, and learned to wield one of the most powerful weapons in the Toraono Clan. It was clearly a good day, and it was only going to get better. Now he could claim what he'd come to the Undersea for, the famed contract that practically made the Byakko branch of his clan. As he approached the altar, Tetsuyaiba reverted back into its original blade state, this time with a sheath that the boy fastened to his belt.
Upon arriving before the beautifully crafted scroll, the boy bit his thumb in preparation for the oath and unraveled the contract. Inside, there were a multitude of names, each with a remark after the signature. Before signing his own name in the first open space, Yanjirou noticed Kuro's name.
"There couldn't be a truer statement..." The boy thought, perhaps a monstrous appearance came with monstrous strength? Forgetting that - for now - the boy signed his name and looked to Kuro, awaiting further instruction or some sort of reaction from the scroll.
