The Triumphant Return: New World Order

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

Fujimoto Shiro, or the Prophet Raiden, decided the time was right, packed up his belongings, and started to head back to the place where his months-long bender had started; Kumogakure. His traversal had lasted for quite a few hours before he began to reflect upon his adventure and his decision to return to a place he briefly called his new home. He was wild eyed, dirty, and followed by a handful of his closest squirrel friends. He was, however, alive. And he felt alive in the fullest sense of the word. He was hungry. His food had run out the previous day, but he was determined to make it back to civilization soon. He was thirsty, but his canteen had been dry all afternoon. The fire in his spirit raged on despite these struggles.

His walking staff provided the support necessary to carry on, and he eventually reached the looming gates. They would have been quite intimidating if this had been his first time seeing them, however he calmly strode up to them not quite knowing what to expect. He certainly did not believe he would receive a warm welcome what with his abrupt departure. Perhaps his mentors had begun a search for a missing child matching his description, or worse perhaps they had begun a manhunt. Regardless, he was hoping they would greet him with some understanding, glad he had finally come back. Little did they know of the stories and lessons with which he would regale them.

He stopped at the foot of the gates within the pass, calmly resting upon his staff. He pulled out his pipe, packed it, struck a match, and lit up. He laid down his staff, sat, and calmly puffed his pipe in a relaxed state almost in meditation waiting for the action to happen.

MFT WC = 302
Read Profile for brief update on story. I have rejoined the game, and my character has taken a radical new direction. Anything in my Profile is for RP purposes and not to be taken too seriously. Also, as a note, my character never left Lightning Country. Totes not a traitor.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

Fujimoto Shiro had been waiting two whole days for someone to come by and see what he was up to, but with no avail. He would, however, continue to wait. In the meantime he began to write his first holy text; The Gentle Hand: Book of Truths and Prophecies. *Okay,* Shiro thought, *how to begin this timeless text. I got it!*

"The First Hexagram -

The Judgement: The heavenly reach transcendent success. Transcendence is furthered by perseverance.

The Image: The overlords are ever-present, all-powerful, and always watching. The superior man continues toward heavenly transcendence through untiring industry."

*That will serve them well,* he thought. After spending an hour pondering and writing this first universal truth, a merchant came out of the city gates. Shiro did not know the man, but perhaps he could spare some sustenance to get him through the next day. He had a feeling he would continue to wait for awhile. No matter, this simply gave him more time to unravel the mysteries of the universe. "Hello good traveling merchant. Have you any food and drink to spare a destitute young man?"

"Get off your lazy ass and get to work if you don't want to live in poverty. I don't give handouts," the man replied brusquely. He was wearing a simple tunic, brown pants, and a paddy hat. His bushy brown beard was grizzled from a distinct lack of bathing, and his clothes were slightly tattered. The man had obviously fallen upon hard times. The smell of alcohol emanated from his breath as he harangued the young self-proclaimed prophet.

"You see, sir, I am the Prophet Raiden. I have just come back from a spiritual quest, and I have a universe of truths to share. May I exchange one of these truths for some bread and water?" Shiro handed the man the parchment which he had just inscribed his first hexagram, confident the man would not refuse his request.

The merchant immediately threw the paper back at Shiro. "You take me for some kind of fool, you nut?! I don't have much to spare, but I take pity upon you young one. Here, take a portion of my loaf and down my canteen if you'd like. I'll be making my way along the river soon, so there won't be any shortage of game, berries, and fresh water." The old wino broke off a quarter of a loaf of bread he had stored in a backpack and offered the boy his canteen. With unexpected celerity, Shiro devoured the bread within a minute and guzzled the entire canteen. He knew it would be a long wait until another such opportunity came about. "By the way young one," the merchant said taking his canteen back, "the name's Tanaka. If we ever cross paths again, I'll listen to your story if you allow me to tell mine. Also, you owe me some pocket change. But, I must be on my way. Toodles!" And with that the merchant with a familiar name had departed down the path. Shiro picked up the thrown parchment, dusted it off, and put it at the bottom of his paper stack. Today would be a long day, filled with writing.

Just doing some character development. Feel free to read my Profile before replying. Might help give some context.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

And so he continued writing.

"The Second Hexagram -

The Judgement: The earthly achieve through cooperative persistence. The transcendent does not lead for they will fail.

The Image: The earth is in a condition of ever-giving perseverance and support. The superior man with breadth of character will support the universe."

*Perfect!* Shiro thought as he finished his second hexagram. One of his squirrel friends nudged him with its head and pointed up toward the sky. As Fujimoto Shiro gazed upon the heavens he saw a giant, technicolor thumbs-up shoot across his field of vision. *The eternal Judhaks'inos-awa Jefferspin must be pleased,* he thought. "Come, my forest friends. You must be weary from our travels, but I have a quest for you. Go forth, follow the path of that old man who passed us. He is going toward food and water. Rest, eat, and drink. Come back to me after your relaxation, and bring with you resources and friends. We shall make merry together." And with that, the squirrels departed off down the path chasing after the old man who had taken off not too long ago.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

After a couple hours of meditation, Fujimoto Shiro decided he would write once more. This would give him something to do while waiting for his squirrel friends to return.

"The Third Hexagram -

The Judgement: The beginning of growth reaches high success when persevering. Growth is hampered by excess, but it is abetted by cooperation.

The Image: Chaos and storms beset the traveler at their path's beginning. The superior man brings order to the chaos."

*Another hexagram complete. Hopefully I will be able to produce copies for the Bibliotheca Conscientiae,* the young man thought. Fujimoto Shiro, penning his work under the alias Prophet Raiden, wanted no more than to spread his word across the lands. He looked to the sky hoping to see another vision, however none appeared. Feeling a bit disheartened, he turned toward the path the old man and his squirrels had taken and saw a dazzling sight. Many hundreds of miniature people, all just a few centimeters in height, were marching down the road making a ruckus. They were having a regular fete across the road and carried on toward the horizon. Shiro could see they were wearing odd clothing. Some were bound in metal armor of exotic origin, some had pointy ears, others seemed a mix between man and beast. Nonetheless they all engaged in the revelry to an equal degree.

All except for one, a pointy-eared miniature man dressed in all black. All the other little people told Shiro that the sad, small man's name was Scott. And nobody trusted Scott with anything. They refused to associate with Scott. When Shiro asked why, one miniature person who seemed to be a doctor of some kind responded, "Cuz Scott's a dick!" And off marched the massive band of miniscule travelers. Surely this must have been another blessing from the highest of alien overlords, Judhaks'inos-awa Jefferspin. He must surely be proud.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

Another hour passed since the Prophet Raiden's latest vision. He had spent this time reflecting upon his past before his months-long spiritual journey. He had been so foolish beforehand, but now he knew the truth; at least as much of the truth as the alien overlords had shown him. His next hexagram would serve to caution against ignorance like in his youthful follies.

"The Fourth Hexagram - <i></i>

The Judgement: The knowing sage does not seek the ignorance of youth. Like an oracle, the sage answers the question once and remains silent.

The Image: The water slowly rises at birth from the old mountain and finds form with time. The superior man builds character in their thoroughness of all they affect."

Upon the completion of this hexagram, two of Shiro's squirrel friends returned. Only two. They offered to him a handful of berries and a dented, old military canteen. They had apparently found this along the riverside, abandoned years ago. Perhaps they had stolen this off someone, but the likelihood of that would be almost nil. That would just be ridiculous! Regardless of origin, he drank from the canteen. Thank Judhaks'inos-awa Jefferspin the squirrels had the foresight to fill the canteen with fresh water. He nibbled on a few of the berries, and looked at the squirrels to see if they would eat them as well. They shared one berry, and Shiro was confident that his friends had not poisoned him. He scarfed down the rest of the berries with haste.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

Another spark of divine inspiration struck Prophet Raiden's brain. Two more hexagrams began to flow forth from brain, to hand, to paper.

The Fifth Hexagram - <i></i>

The Judgement: Patience and self-control in the face of uncertainty leads to fortune. The insurmountable obstacle becomes nothing.

The Image: The clouds give way to rain for those who wait. The superior man enjoys bountiful reward when patience is given.

The Sixth Hexagram - <i></i>

The Judgement: Conflict to the bitter end brings great misfortune to all. Just compromise of the opposing forces instead brings fortune.

The Image: The sky floats ever higher while the ocean sinks down. The superior man solves the causes of tension before they dissolve unity."

*I am pleased with these. I think it may be time to take a break from writing and focus on reflection,* Shiro thought as his two squirrel friends left to return to their comrades. He waited for the ink to dry on his two new hexagrams and stowed them away with the rest of his paper. He would continue to wait for a friend, or at least another concerned human. This was time well spent, and he did not regret his choice. The sun had brilliantly beat down upon him, but he had persevered. He sought to continue his meditation and hope for more inspiration. It had become obvious to him that the alien overlords were pleased with his work. It was only the beginning.

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

Two more days had passed with a few travelers passing by. Fujimoto Shiro attempted to convert these people to the true way, but they did not listen. They did, however, take pity upon him and gave him some more food and water. One elderly woman told him that he reminded her of her long lost grandson. They talked about times long passed, Shiro focusing on his own grandmother while the old woman told him about her grandson.

This boy had died three years ago, but the old woman still felt the sting of loss. *If only she knew the truth of the immortal, reincarnating soul,* he thought. He decided not to voice this thought of his because he did not want the poor woman to feel even more pain having already rejected his attempt to convert her. Shiro and this boy shared a love for adventure, a joy of exploring the outdoors, and a history with puppets. Shiro showed the woman his puppet which had been compacted and laid beside him. "This came to me from hours of hard work with a couple friends. It was one of the greatest adventures I have embarked upon, but it is from my previous life; from before my grand quest. I want you to have it, to remember your grandson."

The old woman began to cry when Shiro handed her the heavy Golem he, Kunashi, and Chigetsu had shaped with their untutored hands. After she had composed herself, she began taking a feast out of her travel pack. "This was originally intended for my lunch with a couple acquaintances, but let's eat now. Why not." She pulled out fig bars, rice cakes, some preserved fish of some kind, and some leftover trail mix she had obviously eaten on her way. She also brought out tea with a travel kettle.

As the water began to boil and as the tea finished brewing, Shiro and the old woman exchanged laughter, tears, and stories of the old times. She even told folk tales like his grandmother did, albeit with a different style. They feasted, drank tea, and hugged each other as she parted ways with the young man. Shiro sneaked a little extra food and a bit of water for his adventure's greatest surprise, but he did not have occasion to reveal that secret just yet.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

Sitting among the gates, Aiko yawned looking at the kid with the staff. He'd been sitting their for quite sometime, undetected, eating, wondering why the child hadn't been let in yet. "This kid could be learning something right now." Aiko thought jumping down. Landing with a thud, Aiko gave his gentle smile.

"Passport?" Aiko asked following standard procedures.

iNPC Tsuyoshi Aiko - Topic Entered

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

*Passport? Oh shi-,* the thought raced through his head. Any form of papers he had lost long ago, but perhaps his story would be enough to get him on through. After all, he never really had a hassle before. "Hello. I used to be known as Fujimoto Shiro. They call me Raiden now, long story. I was an academy student here, actually I had just become a mednin-in-training before I had an experience and needed to do some soul searching. I have come back to let everyone know the truths I have been exposed to. Perhaps my old mentor would be available to vouch for me? Or one of my friends? Does the name Tsuyoshi Junko ring a bell? Maybe Akuro Kunashi?" He had to try something. This could be his ticket in.

 

[Tsuyoshi Junko]

"Hello. I used to be known as Fujimoto Shiro. They call me Raiden now, long story. I was an academy student here, actually I had just become a mednin-in-training before I had an experience and needed to do some soul searching. I have come back to let everyone know the truths I have been exposed to. Perhaps my old mentor would be available to vouch for me? Or one of my friends? Does the name Tsuyoshi Junko ring a bell? Maybe Akuro Kunashi?"


Smiling, Aiko nodded. "Junkos my brother and Kunashis my pupil. My brother has actually been asking around about you. If I'm correct, you have a dream to be a scholar warrior right? Well, the warrior part is today, my brothers holding a Taijutsu class. My advice, you'd better get there quickly and you have some explaining to do." Aiko said with a pause. "It's located in the middle of shinbatsus path, and I wish you luck. You and Kunashis is goin to need it."

Raising a hand, Aiko signaled to open the gates. Hopefully the boy would be quick and Junko wouldn't hurt him.

Entry granted
Topic Left

 

[Tokugawa Hanzo]

"Small world, huh? Well, you do not have to tell me twice!" Fujimoto Shiro decided now was the time to take off. It had been so long since he had stepped foot in the city, but it all came rushing back to him the minute he stepped foot into the gates; crossing the precipice of the unknown back into the safety of his home turf. His months-long quest was now over, but a new adventure was just beginning. "Well, I will see you when I see you. Thanks for the info."

Topic Left, Topic Dead