Island Valley of Peace

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #29
@Sea ​

Chorh-Gom Prison
Two weeks. Two weeks since Tai Lung was escaped from the prison. Two weeks since the wolf pack made their way to Jade Palace. The warden, Vachir, had been in a long downward spiral. The shame and failure had taken over the king fun warrior. The booze was his only solace, drunk alone. Akira did not wish to partake. Yet, he did wish to partake on the future of the island, partly because he caused it. The land did not have long. With a move that would shock even La Spada if she saw Akira do it, for it was wildly off his cold self, Akira revealed himself and offered an alliance. A growth served by a sense of duty.

Muramasa was the calling card, stabbed in the waning ground. A card which forced Vachir out of his drunken stupor and widen his eyes.

[Vachir] “T-T-That’s Lord Muramasa! T-t-that must mean you’r-”​

The rhino was interupted by Akira, who confirmed who he was by his words. The assassin noted it was he who led the wolves - Vachir knew the secret passage could only open to Takeuchi. Those words struck a chord on the Rhino. His drunken face said it all - anger took him. In front of him was the culprit. Yet, Akira was not fazed, and his words came. The last of his words, about the prophecy, forced Vachir to widen his eyes again, this time in a flashback.

A flashback which made him repeat the words once told to him.

[Vachir] “Master Flying Rhino once told me: ‘One day, the decision you make will determine this island’s fate. Let their heart guide your decision.’”​

​

[Vachir] “I have felt your heart, Takeuchi. I will help you.”​

Akira’s heart was felt. The rhino stood up. Comically, he fell backward a bit, using the long stick he had to balance himself. He was still a bit drunk. The rhino had a new sense of purpose. Master Flying Rhino’s words were stronger than his anger for the jail breakout. What’s more, the Rhino knew the prophecy well - he knew what Takeuchi stood for. They would save the island.

The Rhino would go down the icy mountain with Akira. He’s listen to the story of Akira’s plight so far, particularly how he met the wolves, if Akira would tell. At the bottom of the ravine, at the base of the mountain, Akira would see something grand.

Around five hundred rhinos were below, half of the original thousand prison army. They had an army. They had a captain. They just needed a general.

 

[Sea]

VoP #30
@Ichimonji ​

Vachir spoke, though his words cut off by Akira’s words that continues on. His thoughts quickly confirmed by the boy’s assertion in his words – cut and dry. Straight to the point that the Rhino can immediately recognize what is going on including the boy’s identity. For a moment of time Vachir reacted angrily but despite his drunken stupor he managed to withheld himself till the end of Akira’s words.

Silence took over for a moment. But soon Vachir spoke after some considerations. He spoke of his master, a flying rhino whom prophesize Akira’s decision whom will determine the outcome of the island and its denizen’s fate. And he would seemly choose to believe in his master’s words that he would help Akira. A pirate and a marine working together towards a common interest, not a common sight to see. While he succeeded in acquiring yet another ally, Akira did not truly put the same vested interest in the alliance that Vachir did. Not in the sense of betrayal. The boy despite acquiring help from him, only place a basic level of trust onto Vachir. That he will do what it takes to defeat Tai Lung, and for Akira, not just Tai Lung but also Kai. However, nothing is said from his thoughts. He knew the inhabitants of the island is religious, some to the point of zealotry like the pack of wolves, but Vachir is unlikely to be of that point.

Sheathing Muramasa back into its sheathe, the boy continues to keep his face hidden from view through his clothings. There is no need to give information to anyone for the time being. The rhino stood up, though his drunken state would cause him to fell back. Only using a stick to help stabilize him standing up. And they would depart from the prison and out to the snowy mountains pass. Answers and questions are thrown back and forth but in Akira’s part the only answers his willing to indulge are more towards the time spent with the wolves but nothing else. Yet he did make mention of a bull, Kai whom has escaped his prison and too threatens the Jade Palace. Though the origins of his prisons weren’t made specific to Vachir.

At the base of the mountain, an army of rhino could be seen spotted upon their way to the Jade Palace. Perhaps this is what remains of the prison guards. Dropping down onto the base of the mountain, a loud thud as Akira lands upon the ground, breaking the impact by only bending his knees for a moment before standing straight up – with Vachir. Without much thought, the boy unsheathes Muramasa once more, showing its red blade identity to the rest. Like Vachir they would know the blade well. It is their mythology and religion. A call.

“You should tell your men to head to the Jade Palace. Whether is it Tai Lung, or Kai or anyone else. We are taking back the island.”

Akira words were clear. This wasn’t a takeover by pirates, or World Government or anyone else. It would make sense to the boy considering his past. Akira’s life came from the destruction of his home. But with Vachir, Akira also made a point to him, much like the wolves, just more direct. He did not believe himself to be Takeuchi, the ancestor that has been harped by Oogway and even the wolves to be a reincarnation. Thus he would better take Akira not as Takeuchi but a different person entirety. The same way he told the wolves, it would be better to merely call him as ‘Raven’ than anything else. Though unlike the wolves, Vachir is less likely to follow through things like the wolves does.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #30
@Sea ​

Chorh-Gom Camp ———> Jade Palace
An army. They had a captain. They just needed a commander. The two arrived at the camp, overlooking the expanse that held the army atthe foot of the snowy mountain. A horn introduced their approach. Warden Vachir commanded such prescence. He too was a martial arts master, tutelage of a martial arts sage in Flying Rhino. The army was bruised but not beaten. Their will followed the Warden’s, and while the latter was drunk in depression, the army had not moved. Until a young man took command.

Akira, dubbed Takeuchi, walked forward. His blade was unsheathed and flung into the air dramatically. The red blade shined in the sliver of sunlight that began to break through the horizon by sunset. The visible faces of shock from the army was everywhere.

[Vachir] “WE ARE IDLE NO LONGER! LADY MURAMASA CALLS YOU! WE SHALL TAKE BACK THE ISLAND!”​

[Army] “AWOOO! AWOOO!”​

A two syllable cheer came from the army. Roused by Muramasa’s reveal and impassioned by their captain’s words, the army joined in a battle cry. A battle cry that would shake the mountain while. Over the next hour or so, the army prepped for the journey to Jade Palace. There were many questions, many speeches, until the army was confident and roused, ready to go. Vachir did not mention Akira was the one responsible for Tai Lung’s escape - that would plant a seed of distrust. Instead, Akira was portrayed as a savior, as the two apprentices were in the island’s lore. A savior who wielded the sword of legend. One who saved the island with the other apprentice who held the blue blade.

Vachir called the two strongest and fastest horses for him and Akira. The Warden Mounted his own at the head of the army, waiting for Akira. Before they set off, a scout, send hours before even Akira came out of the prison, reported in.

[Scout] “Report! Tai Lung and his army have finally breached the perimeter! To think they could breach the Jade Palace in only two weeks!”​

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[Vachir] “Calm down, son. Tell us. What happened to the king fu masters in the Palace Tower?”​

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[Scout] “T-T-they retreated inside the Dome of Meditation! I-I-I don’t know how long they can last. And... something else! T-T-There is a green plague that has taken over the Palace! Utter destruction!”​

​

The scout hurried with the report. Vachir’s eyes widened. To think they had defeated the legendary army of Jade Palace. With no time to waste, Vachir gave the order, and the army set out at full speed.

Would they be too late? What truly awaited them?

 

[Sea]

VoP #31
@Ichimonji ​

The call to arms, he was right. No matter who the inhabitant is, they recognize the blades. Not only that but like the wolves themselves – the swords themselves is truly revered as a divine entity. A certain sense of spirituality. Though seemly not with the same fanaticism that the wolves embraced. But regardless, it is an effective tool to rally the men. Unlike the inhabitants, Akira wasn’t so much of a spiritual person thus understanding the idea of rallying under the banner of a divine entity, a sword no less in this case makes him wonder. So far he has not seen enough of this island history to fully understand and appreciate the weapon’s history that led to such reverence beyond in its use with Kurai Takeuchi.

Sheathing Muramasa back to its sheathe. The boy has no need to carry around Muramasa unsheathed for the time being. Vachir would call for horses to help Akira get to the Jade Palace, with Vachir already prepared and mounted upon the horse. The boy was about to do the same, but before he could do so, a scout appeared before them.

Tai Lung and his lackeys have seemed to make incredible progress for what is under 2 weeks of time, as the scout would mention the breaching of the perimeter which is Jade Palace. Time is running out. But what would seem to be a flicker of hope before Tai Lung would seemly conquer the island carried on with another bad news, an emerald fog taking over the palace. Vachir quickly ordered the army to move at full speed. But the boy did not mount the horse. He heard the report. There are Kung Fu masters left. Which means allies that can help against Tai Lung and Kai, or at least what Akira would believe so. They weren’t just normal soldiers. A vital group of allies, arguably even more so than the army.

“Which direction is the Jade Palace?”

Akira asked Vachir. The boy spoke as he turned around though not before patting the horse on its back to move it away. Once an answer is received, Akira would speak once more this time seemly spreading his limbs.

“Go on Vachir. When you are at the Jade Palace, defeat Tai Lung's army. I will take on Tai Lung and… this emerald plague.”

Soon, Vachir would notice Akira’s transformation into a full fledge Pteranodon. Large but not massive, perhaps twice as tall as Akira’s human size. With the horse, he would conserve much needed energy and stamina. Even though he is physically enhanced by the power of Zoan – one may consider it to be unnecessary waste of stamina. But the boy understood he cannot waste time. With his Zoan, he is much faster flying towards the Jade Palace than the horse and he would likely be there long before the army reaches their destination. It took hours from the port to reach the prison, hours that this time Akira would not have. With direction received, the boy would jump and take off. In his full beast form, the boy would fly towards the given direction of the Jade Palace, he would know when he sees buildings and the green plague. Given his speed, he should likely fly overhead and past the army.

​

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #31
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Mountains
Roused behind the fable that was Lady Muramasa and Takeuchi, the army roared. Valley of Peace would be saved by their abled hand. To Iade Palace the army prepared to go. Two white horses took the front of the ready army, a horse for Vachir and another for Takeuchi. As Vachir mounted the white horse, a scout came running. The Jade Palace Army, in only two weeks, had fallen. A massacre. The green plague took the base of the mountain, and the kung fu masters retreated towards the Jade Palace, to the Dome of Meditation. Tai Lung had them corner, on the cusp of taking the island, and unearthing the Jade Palace Vault.

The Shadow told Vachir to continue their charge. With semblance of a leader, Akira took flight.

[Vachir] “Yes, Takeuchi! Count on us! We’ll take the army with the strength of the rhino! Good luck with your beloved!”​

​

The warden roared as the man took flight. Oddly, the army was not taken aback by the transformation. The legend was real. The army roared as Akira flew over the horizon, drowning out as the pterodactyl disappeared over the sky. Akira would have a good time to think back on the events on the island, from Oogway’s cryptic prophecy, to the painting, to the hieroglyphics in the tunnel, to the meeting with General Kai. It would take two hours, a normal trek would take four, but the Jade Palace Mountain would appear over the horizon. A mountain in the clouds that overlooked the island. Surrounding the top was a village from all sides, rough mountain terrains, and sgiant stone steps leading to the palace at the top.

The sun begun to set over the horizon. The Jade Palace came into view.

In the surrounding mountain, in the first valley, was the most impoverished village. There were slain Jade Palace soldiers everywhere, as well as villagers. Particularly, green veins had taken over the buildings, pulling them into rubble. Where once was a luscious village, now was a rubble wasteland with green plague over it, starting to infect the second valley. The second valley, right around the stairs leading to the palace, held a smaller village. Kung fu dojos were everywhere. This land was also battered by war. TheTai Lung army was here, slowly marching to the steps. The upper army of the Jade Palace was defeated. The green plague began to infect the outer rim.

At the top of the stairs, Akira could see Boss Wolf and a small sect of the best warriors kicking down the gate of Jade Palace. Screams of war erupted. From the sky, Akira could see a large courtyard where various kung fu masters were the final line. The kung fu masters were cornered. Heading the plight was a strong aura, a peacock. Tai Lung was nowhere to be found, though inside the actual palace explosions could be heard.

 

[Sea]

VoP #32
@Ichimonji

The boy flew overhead of the Rhino army, leaving the army to the command of Vachir whom probably makes better of a leader than Akira himself. He did not mind what Vachir did to bolster his own army morale. The boy did not know how big of the battle would be, nor the actual condition and state of the battle at the Jade Palace, only that they are losing. As Akira technically leads the charge – he would be the person to delay whatever he could, protect whoever he could until the army of Rhino would take over. The journey to the Jade Palace is long, hours would go.

The boy took the time to recollect his thoughts, contemplating what has happened so far. The boy did not hesitate to understand his implications in the future of the island. His actions have essentially led to the demise of the island and the inhabitants. All this is his fault. But with Oogway’s words back then. Is this all meant to happen? He trusted his blade like Oogway told him to, though he could also be misinterpreting Muramasa’s intention. Yet trusting the elderly tortoise has so far led to such predicament that either Oogway is completely off or that he expects such events to happen and he let it be for whatever reason. Akira could not understand Oogway. Did he think that letting all these chaos is paramount for the destiny of this Valley? And for Akira as well.

The boy is only still a young adult at best. He cannot see that big of the picture that Oogway seems to be painting. Yet at this point there is nothing else he could seem to do but to follow through the events that have been set in stone for him. Another problem is Kai. Muramasa wasn’t able to hurt him, though he wasn’t using Haki back then. But should such words be true how else would he take down someone that cannot be hurt? The boy continues to contemplate. Should he utilize another sword? No, it would likely break in the middle of a fight. It’s not as unbreakable as Muramasa is. Should he just use his Zoan to fight? It’s more of a complementary style, Akira’s specialty is swordsmanship, even though he possesses strong mastery with his Devil Fruit he does not possessed actual martial arts like those of Rokushiki of the World Government. What are his other options? Akira could not find an alternative beyond his own capabilities. Not only that, but the green fog seems to be something completely out of his hands despite the ‘promise’ he made to Vachir. Can he do something about it?

Further thinking back to what he has experienced, now that he could do so – he also recalled the hieroglyphics on the tunnel. He couldn’t really understand how the paintings managed to paint Kurai’s history so similarly to Akira’s own. It can’t just be a coincidence at this point. Was Oogway really correct he is some kind of ancestor to his disciple? But so what? His ancestor had nothing to do with him presently outside of a blood connection. Despite his lack of emotions, the boy painfully only keeps it up as a mask. This time with no one around, that mask isn’t well kept. His eyes portray a form of nervousness. There is too many questions and too little answers.

Before the boy know it, a mountain appeared on the horizons and before long – buildings could be seen. He is close to his destination he would bet. Continue flying, though not necessarily speaking increasing his own speed. It has been 2 hours or so, no sense wasting even more energy before the fight at hand. Observing the settlements as he flew past, death was abundant – and whatever the green fog is, has seem to be ‘infect’ the buildings similar to the Spirit World that he observed that now turns into a green wasteland. Atop the mountain peaks however, groups of Mink, from dogs to cats of various species along with Boss Wolf could be seen attempting to knock down the gate, though only seconds before the gate fell. Behind the gate stood several others, likely defenders. Behind them the palace – several explosions accompanied. A peacock seemed to be in the lead of whatever Tai Lung’s army has. Should he head straight for the palace and leave the defenders be? The boy took a few seconds. But soon he would dive down.

Aimed for the courtyard, Akira dives onto the courtyard, likely with incoming enemies headed for the defenders. In a single powerful dive bomb attack Akira landed hard in between the both sides but faced at Tai Lung's army – causing a powerful crater as shockwaves explodes in its wake as the boy flap his wings, creating a secondary shockwave that aims to blast away the enemies. Slowly transforming back to his alternate form, the boy unsheathed Muramasa once more, a single blood-stained blade. He didn’t use it as a form of rally, it is a warning. The blade glowed bright red – as Akira’s Haki flowed into Muramasa. A seemly unique feature of Muramasa, that it would glow red instead of the normal black.

Spoiler

Name: Apex Bomb
Rank: B
Description: Akira drops back down onto the ground with his feet and destroy the ground with immense force, generating a powerful shockwave around him accompanying by beating his wings at the same time. (51 Mastery, 51 Strength)

DPR: 120: 5. Town Level + B: +2 = 7. Mountain Level

​

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #32
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Mountains
A war of attrition and the Flower Capitol was losing. The bodies were many. Tai Lung’s army had pushed into the palace, a thought once impossible, taking down a whole island’s army in such a short time. Only the kung fu masters remained, holding the line in the Courtyard before the doors to the palace. In the entryway from the stairs was the special soldiers, captained by none other than Boss Wolf. In the middle of the courtyard, a peacock held two beings underneath its feet, a mantis and a crane. Two kung fu masters of the five stood defeated, grunting in pain.

Akira from the sky could hear the chants to the commander’s name: Shen.

[Shen] “Prophecies mean nothing. We will create our own fate. Starting with crippling this regime! I will rule the kingdom, as was my birthright!”​

​

​

​

Suddenly, the army would gasp. A terrible meteor fell upon the courtyard, forcing the ground to shake. Some soldiers fell, others were slow to get up. The peacock, Shen, had jumped back, leaving his two prey to be blow to the other side of the courtyard. as the dust settled and Akira came into view, the peacock stood in front of his special soldiers. Behind, Boss Wolf leaned into Shen, whispering to his ears. Shen chuckled, before turning to the boy.

[Shen] “Just in time, Takeuchi. We were just about to take over the Capitol. The secrets they have been hiding from the people will be now revealed… even yours.”​

​

[Shen] “Take the rest of the Furious Five out!”​

The peacock pointed over Akira’s shoulders. Three beings tended to the two defeated from earlier. A female tigress. A green long snake. A yellow blue-eyes monkey. The Furious Five were the last line of defense. They slowly stood tall against the invaders. A showdown was coming.

Inside the palace, explosions could be heard. The prominent aura of two, much stronger than the kung fu masters here in the courtyard, brimmed.

​

 

[Sea]

VoP #33
@Ichimonji ​

Before the crash landing, the boy noticed the loud chanting of a single word ‘Shen’. Though the boy wasn’t truly aware of the identity of which. He has no context to the name after all. The names Tai Lung and Kai is etched upon his mind. Is Shen the name of a God that they worship? Or someone else? Yet as Akira finally crash landed, causing the peacock to backed off with the defeated masters – in turn blown away by the impact generated by Akira’s landing. Before long, Akira would notice the re-appearance of Boss Wolf whom quickly leaned upon Shen’s ears with whispers. Yet nothing could be heard. The peacock chuckled and he would speak. Words of conceit and secrecy, all of the island’s secrets would be his. All that he would need to do is to simply take out the remainder of the ‘Furious Five’, though once again such titles are lost upon Akira, the boy could only understand it as the masters that he would expect to be which is further confirmed by the peacock pointing upon those behind him.

The boy looked behind him – crimson ambers glints through the bandages on his face, piercing straight into one’s souls as he looks at the supposed target of his goal, as per the peacock’s words. Indeed, at this point – likely allowing the defenders to be defeated makes it far more easy for Akira to achieve his goals. Yet.

“No.”

A burst of Conqueror’s Haki suddenly emanates from the boy – threatening to knock Tai Lung’s armies’ unconscious with a sudden show of willpower forced upon them. The boy was once weak but became molded into an extension of the might of Spada Pirates, a symbol of the Reaper’s powers – the Shadow that is feared and dreaded by others, his Conqueror’s Haki is proof of that power. And unfortunately for Shen, Akira does not take too kindly towards being ordered around, for the Shadow could only be ordered by the Reaper herself.

Whilst Akira did not immediately attack any of them, preferring to see if he could force the armies of Tai Lung to back off through the use of fear and intimidation with the Conqueror’s Haki especially for those who could still withstand his will. Though considering what he has seen so far it is far less likely they would. Yet perhaps the one time being ‘Takeuchi’ may force them to reconsider however.

“Where is Tai Lung?”

The boy coldly asked Shen instead. He heard further explosions within the castle, a possibility for his suspicion. But he could not immediately confirm without leaving the remaining trio to fend for themselves. Those crimson ambers that looked at the masters now focused upon Shen. He has no hesitation; his answer is clear despite his questionings. No matter how the peacock would try to spin his words, the boy has long decided on what he needs to do. He has no intention of leaving them at this point, not without at the very least taking down Shen and perhaps Boss Wolf. A course of action that for someone from the Spada Pirates is unthinkable. His conscience would not allow it. Similar things have happened before, in Wano Kuni at the Flower Capital – the boy too attempted ways to save another through the guise of usefulness.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #33
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Mountains
Shen. The Furious Five. Boss Wolf. Some familiar, some new. The war had taken a standstill in the courtyard, as the last line of defense stood. Akira landed like a meter, now standing in the middle of the offensive lines. The high ranking officers stood shoulder to shoulder with Boss Wolf, and the peacock Shen led the charge. The peacock master told Takeuchi to finish the job. It was clear, Boss Wolf had whispered. Akira had been the reason Tai Lung was out of his chains, and why the Jade Palace was under siege. Finish it.

No.

A blast of spirit cracked the very walls of the courtyard. Intoxicating. Powerful. Kingly. Boss Wolf and Shen widened their eyes, the former looking behind him. Out of the hundred men that followed, only Shen, Boss Wolf, and the original seven (7) wolves Akira met at the lighthouse remained. With an overpowering spirit, Akira cut them down to size. The Furious Five, Boss Wolf, and Shen were all in shock. Whose side was Akira on?

​

[Shen] “W-W-W-What are you doing?! Whose side are you on?! They’ve been controlling you since Day One! Lies of a prophecy! All to keep their secrets, your secret, hidden!”​

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[Boss Wolf] “You did all this! You freed Lord Tai Lung! You can’t take it back now, Raven!”​

Those last words made the Furious Fige widen their eyes and look at Akira. Was he the culprit of all this? Tigress, the leader, had Mantis and Monkey raise their hands at both Akira and the enemy. Who could they trust? The moment was now. After pondering for a second, Tigress did something unexpected, directing her words at Akira’s question.

[Tigress] “Tai Lung is inside. Take the left path and you shall find him.”​

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[Monkey] “What are you doing, Tigress?!”​

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[Tigress] “Master Shifu said we should trust the prophecy. I won’t make the same mistake I did with the ‘Dragon Warrior’.”​

 

[Sea]

VoP #34
@Ichimonji

The burst of Conqueror’s Haki rattled those around him as a powerful shockwave tore through the ground around Akira and the walls around the courtyard – the boy’s Haki forced upon everyone in the vicinity as it quickly knocked out the army around them – leaving only a few strong-willed beings, namely the peacock, Boss Wolf and his pack as well as the Furious Five. The unexpected turn of events for Tai Lung’s men turn the peacock speechless, prompting anxiety as Shen would nervously questioned Akira’s motives, alongside Boss Wolf whom quickly seem to change his fanaticism attitude into someone trying to shift the blame. Or at least that’s what Akira seems to garner anyway. But neither of their words seem to change the boy’s mind, nor change his composure. Both Shen and Boss Wolf seems to not understand anything, and especially for Boss Wolf, his perception of Akira must be completely wrong.

Yet Tigress would speak, after taken a short moment of contemplation before revealing the location of Tai Lung, confirming the boy’s suspicion. Despite her answers, it would seemly lead to doubts about her decision by her peers. But her words are similar to many, trust the prophecy. The phrase has been beating into his ears, mind and heart by this time. Prophecies. The inhabitants of this island held too tightly a trust towards prophecies. Turning his head just slightly back – the remaining Furious Fives would quickly notice the lack of red iris like before – indicating the after use of the Conqueror’s Haki. The boy spoke, though his voice softened in response to Tigress’s words.

“You should not trust too much into prophecies. Oogway made that mistake entrusting all of these to me.”

“……”

The boy hesitated for a mere moment, but underneath his mask – his facial expression remains hard to truly read, only his voice hints his emotions at the very slightest.

“Fate… Destiny… They are not always to be believed. You should forge ahead of your path beyond the ramblings of the old.”

The boy finally responded. Would Oogway prefer that the prophecies be understood and worked towards? The boy does not know. Only that he believes that they should fight for their own, regardless of what fate and destiny has in store for them. That is what the boy believed. The boy would laugh at his own words if they weren’t in such a perilous situation, irony – for the boy gave his own wisdom, twisted that may be. The same way Oogway imparted his wisdom before his own departure. Turning back, the boy purposefully ignored the Peacock and Boss Wolf to respond to Tigress first, aiming to provoke them into anger by prioritising someone else, perhaps even making them feel less significant. Such tactics of course, is something that Akira picked up on.

“Whose side I am on? No one. I am only here to fix two mistakes.”

Akira did not hesitate to answer. The boy has no intention of garnering either side’s favour. But for the Furious Five the implication is there – after all he have dealt with the vast majority of the army. The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

“I freed Tai Lung? No. You freed Tai Lung. Nowhere have I ever mention about saving your leader, only that you bring me to the Chorh-Gom.”

Should Boss Wolf think back – he would find not a single word that relates to freeing Tai Lung from the prison, the closest thing was Akira asking about the ‘Dragon Warrior’ in which his questions were not answered back in the prison. But not one word of saving their leader. The boy has long accepted it is a nothing more than a transaction in which both sides made use of each other after re-appearing from the Spirit World. A rather selfish conclusion, but Akira is neither an inhabitant of the Valley nor a hero. The boy’s goals have been all but his own. But that is a mistake to rely on the wolves – in which he intended to fix.

“You had best stand down before the rhinos arrives.”

Pointing the tip of Muramasa towards Shen and the wolves, they would soon place in the situation that the very Goddess they worshipped now turns against them, the heir turning against his own ‘people’, almost heresy to think of. The boy has mentioned several times himself – he isn’t Kurai Takeuchi. The boy did not head straight to Tai Lung despite getting his answers. While he did not know how strong Shen or the Furious Five is. But he saw the defeat of two of five before crash landing upon them. Leaving Shen essentially undefeated may come back to bite him harder. Tai Lung would have to wait and with that whoever is with him would similarly have to do so. Whether this is merely a safe plan of action or that Akira really intended to protect them is hard to say, but deep within the boy's heart - having seen and experience the invasion of his home the boy understands the pain very well, thus willing to protect the Furious Five along with fixing the mistake. It is incredible that someone whom lived almost half of his life abroad the Spada Pirates maintain such humanity.

Staying behind to face the army first. Akira wasn’t expecting Shen nor the wolves to surrender, thus why the provocation. To force their anger to overtake their mind. He is counting on it.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #34
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Courtyard
The Will of a King. The Will of the boy who bore the prophecy. Here, even in Jade Palace, the prophecy was known, followed, and respected. Master Oogway’s influence was vast, shaping the very ground that now was corrupted, slowly infecting the land. Akira deigned to throw away the prophecy, instead urging the Furious Five to carve their own path. They were dumbfounded. To whom who was given the prophecy, to cast it aside, was surprising, confusing. They were faithful, yet, this one struck a chord on Tigress, shown by the smirk on her face. She was passed over the Dragon Warrior because of a prophecy - make your own fate, huh? The Tigress loved that.

The monkey quickly argued, now that Akira cast aside his birthright.

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[Monkey] “Tigress! This can’t be what Master Oogway prophesied! Master Shifu doesn’t stand for heresy! Are we really going to take his side?”​

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[Tigress] “Do you want to take him on…? Heh! I thought so.“​

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[Tigress] “You heard him! Carve your own fate! I already chose mine! Dragon Warrior or now… they won’t get past this line!”​

Monkey and Mantis comically looked down when Tigress suggested they take on Akira; they were scared. Yet, Tigress was satisfied. One who was not the Dragon Warrior, but would defend her home. They would not pass this line. Those last words were said with conviction, as Tigress got into a fighting stance. The others saw her conviction, and similarly grew to fighting stances. The three remaining of the Furious Five stood behind Akira.

​

Shen gritted his beak. Boss Wolf appeared bewildered, almost unable to understand. He was dumbfounded as to what he heard - one could see it in his face. To fix two mistakes. Akira proclaimed the wolves had it all wrong. Their fanatics blinded them to Akira’s true intentions. When the Shadow explained, it all clicked. From the lighthouse to the base, to the prison, Akira was using them as much as the wolves used Akira. Boss Wolf roared in anger. Akira got what he wanted.

Boss Wolf roared as he drew his hammer, laced with lightning, in response of the rhinos’ approach.

[Boss Wolf] “You’re no Takeuchi! You’re an impostor! An impostor who has no right to that blade! You tricked me once, but no longer!”​

​

Boss Wolf roared, his pack roaring behind him, the seven. The anger was palpable. Boss Wold barked accusations, almost to reason his mistake in trusting Akira. He took a step forward, but Shen raised his hand, stopping him. Boss Wolf had fallen for Akira’s trap. Yet, Shen kept calm and collected. A more powerful and battle tested aura surrounded him. The peacock looked unto Akira and sized him up, speaking to Boss Wolf to calm him.

​

[Shen] “Calm yourself, Wolf. Think. You’re no match for him. He wants you to attack blindly. No… I will take him on. You and the pack take out the remaining Furious Five.”​

​

Shen gave out his plan. Boss Wolf gritted his teeth, before nodding to his men. The pack intended to run around Akira to get to Tigress and the Furious Five. If Akira deigned to intervene, Shen would stop him. Tigress ended up clashing with Boss Wolf, while the other seven wolves fought the two remaining kung fu masters of the Furious Five.

Shen was not done. As he took a fighting stance, he proclaimed with confidence. He spoke of a dark spirit, that which infected the land and the world.

​

[Shen] “As for you, human. The prophecy says you will defeat the dark spirit. But you see, what is darkness? It is this place, this controlling Tower that subjugates the people! Whatever you do, it is written in stone.”​

​

[Shen] “By the time you deign to finish me, Tai Lung would have already taken the treasure: Twilight’s Edge. Then, this rule willl fall!”​

​

 

[Sea]

VoP #35
@Ichimonji ​

The boy’s words quickly hit the Furious Five hard, some would deem his words to be heretic. It would make sense given the influence Oogway has, or rather the beliefs that the inhabitants have perhaps cornered themselves with. Doubts surrounds Monkey, but for Tigress she did not see the same way. Instead Akira’s words somehow manage to inspire someone to make their own decision, outside of these prophecies. It is not the first time the boy did so, at the very least – somewhere in the Grand Line, a boy raised by the wolves too, seemly follow in what Akira did in his own way. With renewed valor Tigress decided to continue putting her life on the line, she would defend the palace from Tai Lung’s army or what’s left of it, the other three Furious Five whom managed to get through the fight so far relatively scathed.

On the other side of the spectrum, Akira’s words instead enraged Boss Wolf, whom cannot believe what he heard. In a roar of anger, the Boss Wolf calls him an imposter with no rights to Muramasa. But his anger is what Akira wanted, the rest of the wolves follow suit, letting their emotions took control. Things almost went well. Just one more push he would succeed. He would further taunt the Boss Wolf to try and take his Goddess away from the imposter, but before he could say so – Shen stepped up, raising his hand to stop the wolves. Only the peacock stood calm, possessing more understanding than the wolves, perhaps worthy of being a commander of sorts Akira suppose. Shen’s words immediately managed to temporarily calm the wolves down, before giving his order that he would take on Akira whilst the rest should defeat the remaining Furious Five.

The wolves would move to surround, but for the boy – the wolves aren’t a problem to him. At least for the moment. He would have to leave the wolves to the Furious Five. The peacock however, will be his problem. For as Shen would took on a combative stance – confident that he would be able to take on Akira. As he readied himself, the boy listened to Shen’s words. Referring the prophecy in which he would defeat the Dark Spirit, but instead he would quickly refer to such entity as a tower that subjugates the people – an evil structure or symbolism to its people, per his words. Shen also made sure to inform that regardless of the result of the battle, Tai Lung would have achieved his goals, Twilight’s Edge. The prophecy aside, Twilight Edge is a name that Akira recalled. It is the sister blade of Muramasa. Oogway told him to believe in the swords, Muramasa and Twilight’s Edge. The boy cannot be sure what Tai Lung’s goal is, or what are the intentions of the swords. Muramasa has yet to react up till this point. The name – Twilight’s Edge did not seem to cause any reaction nor the fact that the two swords would more than likely meet each other. Perhaps Muramasa has placed her trust onto the boy? In that sense of believing the heir would set things right. Or that perhaps the sister swords are at odds with each other? There is no guide to be had, no indication. A strange twist of irony that the boy expects some form of reaction. Nevertheless, the boy would respond to Shen. But as he did so, the boy sheathed Muramasa back into her scabbard, and walked towards Shen slowly.

​

“You can save your attempts to change my mind. I will just have to get rid of him after you’re six feet under.”

The boy did not speak much; he would not expect Shen to understand darkness. The boy knew what evil, what darkness is. He has seen the incarnate of that. An evil. A Devil. Whatever Shen says, he nothing more than an attempt to change his mind on what should be the correct action and decision to take. With the lack of blade nor weapon pointed towards Shen, it may likely confuse the peacock – perhaps even taken upon his belief of arrogance that Akira exudes over him. Overconfidence. But make no mistake, the boy is anything but that. Behind his actions held monstrous killer instincts. A trap to lure Shen under false pretenses? Or the boy is that confident that Shen meant no threat to him? How would Shen react to such a bizarre action to take?

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #35
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Courtyard
A magnanimous statement by the one dubbed Takeuchi. The confident, or arrogant, boy walked with unnerving calm, leaving the Goddess sheathed. While the Furious Rive engaged in battle, Shen and Akira seemed to be engaged by fate. Here, in the courtyard, the two would clash. Meanwhile, inside the palace doors, the sound of banging continued, now beginning to calm. Akira had made his choice, to hold the line here. To hell with the consequences.

Come get these hands.

​

[Shen] “Six feet under? Hahaha! Talk all you want! Prophecies don’t just end when foretold... they end when someone stops their story.”​

​

[Shen] “I‘ll end your story today!”​

​

Shen’s aura exploded. Unlike any foe Akira has met, this one was the real deal. One whom would be called a Plague or even a Mayhem with the Spada Pirates. The haki crackled around his body as it enveloped those white feathers. Suddenly, Lord Shen pushed off, disappearing from his position. All around Akira was after-images of Lord Shen, numbering in the dozens. An after-image technique, this one had something else: clones made of feather. Even if Akira could keep up with Shen’s speed, he’d find he’d lose Shen in the dozen real clones.

Suddenly, the ground rose, like a pillar. From above Akira, cloaked in the dozens coming from him, came Lord Shen. A downward flipping kick laced with Haki came down, like a whip, destroying the ground and all below it. A shockwave, the tenant of kung fu, came with the attack, able to pass through any blocks.

[Shen] “Hidden Arts: Rose Whip Kick!”​

Spoiler: DPS/Statistics

Shen DPS: 101-119: 4. City Block Level + 2 (CoA) + 4 (A Rank) = 10. Large Country Level

Lord Shen

75 x 5 = 375
- STR: 61 (Race: +35, MA: +5) = 101
- SPE: 61 (Race: +35, MA: +5) = 101

- Movement: 101​

- Reaction: 101​

- VIT: 76 (MA: +5) = 81

- Stamina: 81​

- Durability: 81​

- Martial Arts: 100

- Electro: 100​

- Kung Fu: 100​

- Haki: 77 (Race: +7) = 84

- Busou-shoku no Haki: 81​

- Kenbun-shoku no Haki: 87​

​

 

[Sea]

VoP #36
@Ichimonji

Shen’s aura exploded – though seemly out of anger in which Akira could only presume to be that case. Shen is powerful, that much the boy understood – which is why he chose to take him down now, it would be far much dangerous to let the remaining Furious Five to handle him only for him to later stand in his way. Haki envelops his feathers, before he would push off from the ground – and in a bizarre movement – multiple Shen started to appear in the dozens. His eyes peeled to track Shen’s movement, but soon it would become almost impossible to really identify who is who. Not only that, the boy cannot treat the clones as mere illusions, who is to say that Shen have the ability to replicate himself in a physical sense? The boy would only have a few options to deal with Shen’s movements. Wielding Muramasa in reverse grip as the boy unsheathes the weapon, the ground arose like a pillar – pushing Akira upwards before the numerous Shen would descend down. But the boy already moved.

Spinning about himself several times as he started to project a powerful tornado-like gale surrounding the boy, acting as some sort of wind-like barrier that went slices anything when made in contact. Not only that, Shen and his clones would find Akira’s movement act as a vacuum, pulling them towards the powerful gale-like barrier, any clones or Shen closed enough would find the gales slicing into their body with relative ease, and with the clones given that it was made of feathers would likely disperse its form and its feathers grinded to dust.

But in just a second or so later, Akira suddenly stopped for a split second, before immediately spun himself the other way round, generating yet another layer of powerful wind gale moving the other direction. With such a change of direction, the wind gales would ultimately explode as it disrupted the initial barrier, causing all the gales to fire out erratically around Akira, the wind would cut anything around him, pushing them away at the same time while any Shen caught directly by the swirling wind gales would be engulfed by it, swirling around their bodies and cutting every part of the body, Shen would notice the wind gales itself is enveloped with Haki, as wisps of black energy swirls all around the winds.

Spoiler

Name: Autumn Phantom Slash
Rank: S
Description: The next step after Winter’s Breath, wielding the weapon in reverse grip the user spun around many times, generating strong wind gales all around his or herself, creating a vacuum-effect in an area around, sucking in objects or enemies as well as cutting them with the surrounding wind gale. Afterwards, the user stops for a split second and immediately spun the other direction, creating another layer of powerful wind gales, disrupting the first set of wind gales as it collides with each other, It would cause wind gales to erratically explode outwards, cutting any objects and pushing them away from the user whilst enemies caught by the wind gales became engulfed by it and is cut from all around their body as it swirls. [Pic 1] [Pic 2] (100 Shuurin, 100 Strength)

Akira's DPR: 6. City Level (121+, Zoans only) + S: +4 + Invisible Haki: +2 = 12. Large Continent Level

The power of Akira’s wind gales is destructive, as the floor would rip apart from the boy’s attack not just around him but also several metres away, with the erratic motion of the wind gales, walls would become collateral. With this, Shen and his clones should be dealt with swiftly as the boy choose not to determine which Shen is the real one, but rather take them all down at once. If not, he would likely only find the clones quickly taken out. The peacock has the skills and cunningness, but Akira has the power. Such attack should likely force Shen to rethink his own move. Being a bird, Shen has the option to even move himself in mid-air freely, which Akira expects the peacock to back off. Akira needed to see whether Shen possessed any form of Devil Fruit before moving into aggression. Not only that, it is purposefully made as a power move – he wants Shen to realize Akira is at the top of the food chain. And when Shen does, he is but a prey along the food chain – then only despair awaits for Shen.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #36
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Courtyard
The afterimages pecked towards Akira. The clones were numerous, taking over the area. With nowhere let to go, Akira spun, creating a wind tornado. Though the young man would not see it, Lord Shen grabbed on of his clones at the last second and used it as a body shield, shredding it. His own attack did the rest. When the smoke cleared, Akira was unharmed, and while some feathers were dust, others were simply severed, littering the ground and some at Akira’s feet. From behind the pillar, Lord Shen appeared, likewise unharmed. Lord Shen was not impressed.

The peacock quipped, chuckling lowly.

​

[Shen] “Powerful. Yet, clumsy. Your art is nothing more than a power-hungry base. Kung fu is about grace. Tactics. This shows the gulf of our technique.”​

​

With those words, Lord Shen eye brimmed. Suddenly, the feathers right at Akira’s feet would aim to cut his foot, pulled by an invisible thread connected to Lord Shen’s fingers laid admissible the clones. Unbeknown to the boy and point-blank. Graceful. Tactful. The birdman aimed to both make a statement and weaken Akira’s impressive agility by targeting the feet.

[Shen] “Take this! Thunder Lance!”​

With a significant thrust, Lord Shen threw his spear right at Akira’s heart, blackened with Haki. Lightning cracked with it, product of Electro. Like a bomb, it would explode in paralyzing electricity 3 meters wide upon contact with Akira’s body, blade, or around his area. Lord Shen followed, his fingers moving deviously.

Spoiler: DPS

Feathers DPS: 81-100: 3. Large Building Level + 4 (A Rank) = 7. Mountain Level

Thunder Lance DPS: 101-119: 4. City Block Level + 2 (CoA) + 4 (A Rank) = 10. Large Country Level

 

[Sea]

VoP #37
@Ichimonji ​

An explosive burst of wind gales struck all that Shen would come made in contact with, his clones that is. Shredded into feathers, most would vaporize immediately into dusts and bits when they are close to the initial barrier of wind, but several would eventually remain after the second explosive attack. The clash of attacks would ultimately render smokes and dust to arise, but only temporarily as the two would eventually lead to another stand off as Shen is quickly revealed to be safe from the attack. Shen would speak, calling Akira powerful but clumsy, strength yet lacks grace. If Akira had been someone else other than as the Shadow of La Spada he would definitely take offense to that and it would have shown. But the boy care not for how others feel. He chooses to utilize strength over everything else simply because it is easier and more useful in certain situations like this. But what Akira did not know, Kung Fu or not – is the sneaky tactics that Shen employs. With a tug of his hands, an invisible wire ran through the feathers around Akira – in a single swift moment no matter how fast the boy could’ve react, an invisible attack like this was out of his expectations. Before Akira could defend himself – the sharp feathers pulled through his legs, saved only by the power of his Zoan that the wounds lacerated by his feathers only left gash wounds, though not deep enough to prevent movement yet such trickery would leave Akira’s movement slowed, pain blistering from his legs. Akira was caught off-guard as he looked down for a mere moment.

Spoiler

Akira's Dura vs Shen's DPR: 8. Island Level (121+, Zoans only) vs 7. Mountain Level
Result: Somewhat effective

But this is not the end of Shen’s tactics, making use of the ‘back-handed’ tactic to go for the killing blow, a thrown spear cackling in lightning aimed straight for Akira. But the boy was able to react to this one much quicker due to it quite literally done in front of him, meaning to put he could still see what Shen is doing from his peripheral vision, allowing him to quickly change his focus towards his front. In an instant, the boy immediately fired an air blade, coating it with Haki as it fires straight for the incoming spear, powerful – the air blade struck the spear, deflecting it away as it uses its remaining strength to continue its path towards Shen whom is just behind the spear, now exploded away from Akira. In that short span of time, it is more than likely that Shen would simply dodge the attack, and to retrieve his spear at the same time, but regardless of his actions – Akira immediately swung in a cross fashion Muramasa in mid-air, firing two long but very thin air blades following the motion of his sword towards wherever Shen was last seen to be, both coated in Haki as well. Because of its concentrated but thin size and its difference from the first air blade fired, Shen may not be able to immediately visually process what exactly did Akira do, creating a small element of surprise aimed at catching Shen off-guard. But even should it not hit Shen, its length and range may likely just cut any wires that Shen have in place.

Spoiler

Name: Crescent Moon
Rank: C
Description: The user can generate an air blade with a swing of the sword. (31 Shuurin, 31 Strength)

Akira's DPR: 6. City Level (121+, Zoans only) + A: +3 (Sword bonus) + CoA: +3 = 12. Large Continent Level vs Thunder Spear's DPR
Result: Overwhelms the weaker attack but loses 3~DPR. New DPR: 9. Small Country Level~

Name: Autumn's Reach
Rank: B
Description: By using air blade in such a concentrated and thin manner, the user is able to lengthened the swings of his katana by several meters, thus increasing the range of his strikes. [Pic 1] (51 Shuurin, 51 Strength)

Akira's DPR: 6. City Level (121+, Zoans only) + A: +3 (Sword bonus) + CoA: +3 = 12. Large Continent Level

Having seen how Shen have thus far shown to fight, Akira would just have to be more careful of the possibility of him using such tricks once more, such as the invisible wire. Especially of what the peacock was shooting at him. His movement slowed and his injury may likely change the outcome of future fights later on, but the boy’s focus did not falter. He has a job and he would accomplish it.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #37
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Courtyard
The peacock was pompous, casting a marked difference between a style all-in on power rather than grace and tact. Kung Fu was the latter, with some deviousness from Lord Shen. Akira’s feet learned the lesson. Lord Shen used this opportunity to spear his weapon towards him, the latter likely unable to dodge. Yet, the boy had strength incomparable, swatting the spear away like a toothpick. Akira would see the spear curved down to the ground, obvisouly held to not be swatted out of reach by an invisible thread to its base.

Two airblades came next, and Lord Shen flipped backwards acrobatically to evade. Blood tricked from his wings, as the blades grazed his skin. Akira would see Shen moving his fingers, yet nothing happened - the strings had been cut.

​

[Shen] “Heaven and Sky! Which one do you prefer?!”​

​

Pulling the spear back to him, Lord Shen held it and focused and enormous amount of Electro to it, compacted by armaments haki. The peacock launched it up to the sky above the courtyard. Like before, the spear exploded. This time, the winds caused by Akira’s own airblades aided in the elemental discharge, creating a lightning storm that aimed to rain down on all the courtyard, mainly focusing on the slower Akira. Meanwhile, Lord Shen punched the ground. Like before, when a pillar had rose, an earthquake occurred, sending shockwave to the feet of Akira. Grace and opportunity.

[Shen] “Electro Secret Art: Heaven and Earth!”​

Lord Shen, using his wings and “invulnerability” to his own electricity, flew towards Akira, eyes brimming.

Spoiler: DPS

Thunder Lance DPS: 101-119: 4. City Block Level + 2 (CoA) + 5 (S Rank) = 11. Small Continent Level

 

[Sea]

VoP #38
@Ichimonji ​

The boy struck away the incoming spear, yet the spear did not naturally be knocked away as much as Akira expected of, the string helping Shen maintain some level of control of his thrown spear. However, as Shen backed off – attempting to evade the incoming air blades. Yet perhaps the thinly generated air blades were harder to see that it would grazed Shen’s feathery skin, causing some slight bleeding on the wings. Shen moved his fingers once more, showing similar motions as he previously did with the feathers which caused Akira to looked just about him for a mere moment, yet nothing happened this time round. Perhaps something was cut, a wire likely, this time using deductive reasoning enough to understand what trickery Shen used previously. Shen has more than proven that the peacock was less of a physical fighter, meaning to put Akira should more than likely be able to overpower him relative ease – but Shen uses tricks to put himself at an advantage, the fighting style is understandably logical to utilize. Shen spoke once more, asking what Akira preferred, heaven or sky, yet he would find his question unanswered though the question itself is more than likely rhetorical.

With a string still attached to the spear, Shen retrieve the spear with little effort and started generating electro around it, electrifying the spear as he threw it into the sky, causing an electrical explosion above their heads. Soon, the combination of various wind factors caused by Akira would help create a storm of lightning. Lightning crackles above the boy, and soon rains down upon the courtyard though the lightning strikes primarily focused on the boy. Shen punched the ground, generating a shockwave much like an Earthquake aimed to knock the boy off balance before rushing ahead at him. However, barely moving the boy spun, this time swinging Muramasa alongside his spin as a powerful tornado was whipped out by Akira, black in colour as he coats his attack with additional power. The tornado became a barrier as Akira stood at the eye of the storm. Lightning strikes towards Akira but the tornado was powerful enough to displace the incoming strikes, dispersing them before they would hit Akira. It didn’t just serve as a barrier to Shen’s attacks, but feathers and wires around him would be sucked into the tornado’s shredding power as it rips apart the remnants of Shen’s trickery around him for the time being, the stronger wind force would likely even disrupt his balance in mid-air if he is no longer above ground. The shockwave caused by Shen would find itself countered by the opposing force but the ground ignores the tornado, allowing the ground beneath Akira to shake as tremor aims to knock Akira off balance.

Spoiler

Name: Autumn's Great Wind
Rank: S
Description: The Ittōryū version of Kokujo: O Tatsumaki (Dragon Twister) but with greater potency. (91 Shuurin, 91 Movement, 91 Strength)

Akira's DPR vs Shen: 6. City Level (121+, Zoans only) + S: +4 + Invisible Haki: +2 = 12. Large Continent Level
Result: Akira wins. Attack is 1 DPR higher: Overwhelms the weaker attack but loses 5 DPR
New DPR: 7. Mountain Level (Only for a few seconds since it is dissipating)

However, it would not matter as the main attack that Shen utilizes was dealt with, allowing Akira to quickly focus on the attack on his feet and towards him. The boy did not truly have to deal with it, having remembered Shen’s last known location, the boy leapt off from the ground once he stabilizes himself as the tornado slowly dissipates away. Even though Akira’s leg was injured – slowing him down. He is more than likely as fast as Shen if not still slightly faster thanks to the enhancements granted by being a Zoan user. Making his way quite literally in front of Shen whom has gotten closer due to him closing the distance during the clash of attacks - coming out from the dissipating wind and likely some smoke and dust Shen should more than likely be just outside the tornado’s range and even though Shen’s location wasn’t the same as Akira thought should he be disrupted by the immense wind force, his reaction was vastly superior, allowing him to act on the new information. The boy suddenly lands just short of melee range, his weapon already in the motion of preparing to swing at the peacock. His blade glows red as Akira finally make several swings towards Shen, yet Shen may not realize Akira’s sword would not touch him, barely just a few centimetres away as if Akira misjudged the range. But he would quickly realize that would not be the case, for each swing the boy made, a small thin air blade similar to what caught Shen before would appear as the boy continues to make small skipping steps towards Shen, chasing him should he attempt to back off and continuously swinging and generating air blades around Akira, acting not just as an attack but also as a defensive action that any feather or wire tricks would be quickly cut away if they are anywhere fired or used close to him. The boy would suddenly make a 360 flip as he makes his final skipping jump, making sure the last jump would surely catch up to Shen before landing and sliding forward, making several more final swings before Akira would finally stop with a diagonally upwards strike. At the end of Akira’s attack, a final burst of several air blades would manifest around the boy once more, ending the boy’s move.

Even if Shen is in mid-air, Akira's form despite not suited for long flights still allowed him to utilize his wings to glide and make sharp turns, as well as using little arm power to maintain flight with short burst of movements with the wings to do almost the same kind of movements original to his technique. A blend of graceful movement-like dance as well as a bit of trickery to catch Shen off-guard at the start, each swung and air blade infused with Haki, a dangerous attack at close range, even with Shen’s ability as Electro, the attack would more than likely be devastating to deal with given Akira’s greater physical strength, and that while his movement is slowed, his swings aren’t.

Spoiler

Name: Autumn’s Dance
Rank: S
Description: The user jumps as he swings his sword around him horizontally in several arcs, combining both normal swings and thin air blades (See Autumn’s Reach) to achieve multiple attacks in a single jump. Each swing of his sword as well as firing an air blade are erratic and random, thus making it harder to define the range of the attack to dodge. The motion of the swing as well as the air blades are enough to cover the user’s back with a couple of swings as well – allowing the user to both attack and defend at the same time. This would continue into several smaller jumps and even flips into the user as the user continues to swing – until the user stops into one last set of swings and air blades, and then finishing the move with several air blades around the user with the final swing. A technique most suited for dealing with a group of enemies. [Pic 1] (91 Strength, 91 Shuurin)

Akira's DPR vs Shen: 6. City Level (121+, Zoans only) + S: +4 + CoA: +3 = 13. Moon Level

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #38
@Sea ​

Jade Palace Courtyard
The master of trickery and King Fu wounded Akira. The boy, showing his dexterity, responded in kind. A second tornado came to deal with the twin attack. Shen curled a smile. The boy was being backed into a corner. A corner where the fox hails. Pulling his spear back to him, Shen prepared for the inevitable counter-attack, the peacock’s eyes glowing red with a premonition. Yet, the body was too slow. The boy came with speed and strength only available to one who has an animal within. As the strikes came, Shen jumped back again again, swinging his spear in an attempt to parry.

Suddely, the peacock‘s back hit the way. Akira shouted with might, and Lord Shen poured all his haki and strength into one thrust, using the wall to propel himself forward like a drill. When the dust settled, Lord Shen was seen whole behind Akira, panting. The peacock turned, victorious. He had aimed to strike the boy’s abdomen. Suddenly, the peacock’s eyes turned to confusion, as the white body began to darken, to feel hot. In a shocking development, blood splurged from Lord Shen’s body; Akira had made a direct hit.

With a loud thus, the peacock’s body hit ground. Words came next, wavering and clinging on to consciousness.

​

[Shen] “L-L-L-Looks like your ugly power art wins… O-O-Or does it. D-D-D-Do you f-f-feel that? W-W-Wasted time on me. Tai Lung has breached the Vault. ”​

​

[Shen] “H-H-How’s that f-f-f-for a development, future boy?”​

​

With those words, Lord Shen’s head fell. Unconscious. Not too far off, Tigress and the Furious Five had dealt the final blow. The wolves and Boss Wold weee captured. In the valley below, the roaring of an army could be seen. Tigress looked over the edge. The Rhino army had arrived, barreling against Tai Lung’s army, overwhelming them by sheer surprise. They had picked up the pace when Akira left them.

[Tigress] “No time for moral victories! You must continue ahead, Chosen One! Find Master Shifu! He was guarding the Vault! I hope the worst has not come to pass…”​

Words to describe the obvious. Lord Shen was not wrong. Inside, a strange aura could be felt. One sweet. One the complete opposite of Muramasa. Akira had made his decision. He was late. The Vault had been opened.

 

[Sea]

VoP #39
@Ichimonji ​

The boy moved and swings quick, perhaps greater than Shen could reasonably follow and beat. For that, swings and parries aplenty as both Akira and Shen would continue to attack and defend themselves as Shen would find himself pushed back towards the corner, though eventually Shen would be backed against the wall and in that moment Shen put his entire power into one last strike – with his feet the peacock uses the wall to propel himself as he dives forward into a single thrust as Akira makes his final jump and final swing, a single motion – the boy saw the incoming thrust and he would swing against the spear.

In a flash, the duel ended just as both of them passes through each other. Shen would turn, but the boy only finishes his swing and left in motion of it. Shen confidently presumed his victory, but the boy made a direct hit – Shen’s perception of his body made him aware of what happened as warm liquid gushing from his body as cold starts to overtake the peacock. A single light cut across the boy’s waist – a sign of martial prowess despite not being as strong as Akira on the physical level. Soon, he would fall towards the ground, despite his delirium however the peacock is still able to speak coherently. Mocking the lack of grace and art in his own fighting style – Shen made sure to let Akira know that his decision would be considered a bad one. He would refer him as the future boy before Shen would finally fall, leading to one of the pieces of Tai Lung’s army to fall. The boy has a minute to process quietly, his very first reaction was to gently touch the grazed wound that Shen left on his waist and he would remember the trickery played on him that led to his injured leg. He never seen martial arts up till now. He would have seen a fair few fighting styles but none he knew has something similar to what Shen displayed so far. Though he has yet to seen much of others. Perhaps this valley has something different from what he has experienced so far, in terms of not just culture but their combat even with the wolves he dealt with previously has a different style of combat than Shen.

Not just that, but Shen made a point about the decision that Akira chose. By choosing to fight the peacock, he has taken a path not expected of someone like Akira. Someone like him should have taken the most obvious route ahead. Cut the snake from its head. Had he decide to take Tai Lung head on first he may have stopped the whole thing. Or it may not. Choices. The boy knew the path he took is never easy. He may be young but he isn’t completely unwise to be ignorant of the consequences of his actions. Perhaps in his heart, he knew that his choice is wrong but he could not leave people to their possible deaths. Akira’s choice wasn’t sensible nor logical from a certain point of view. It was a choice made from his feelings, his humanity from what he would have left scarred from his past. A path that no villain may likely understood. The boy clenched his fist. His heart and mind screaming to him that he made a mistake. Possibly the worst one since he steps foot in this valley.

Then. The female tiger would speak – urging Akira forward. Referring him to the chosen one. A name or title that Akira never believed to be, contrary to Oogway’s belief and as with Shen whom would call him as a ‘future boy’. But no matter. He did not have time. He took too long with Shen, and the boy knew. He would quickly have made his way into the Jade Palace itself, past the courtyard now that the situation has finally come under control. His heart slightly sank, that his mistake would likely compound into something that even Akira cannot amend. Anxiety swirling into the boy’s heart. His emotions not easily read, but his mind wanders for a little. A little out of focus as he contemplates quietly. Soon, the boy would finally head into the palace, an aura permeating from within – different. The boy would follow this feeling, this aura that would be sensed so easily – and he would see what’s before him. An opened vault. Late – the ‘Chosen One’ is.