Karuzen -- HUNTARR [ CLOSE-UP, CROPPED ]

[[❖▫NOTE:: The following ((below)) is but an excerpt of preliminary draft for foundational decades* of Karuzen/Huntarr's lifestory::]] 

■■■■January 4th 1873■■■■

Augmented by several companies of Koga shinobi and hired rōnin from Honshu, Kenji, Chiyako, Tsutomo and their three, traitor “Ogres”, played the final phrase of the symphony — open, and most brutal insurrection.

The augmentees were from more powerful and eminent strongholds of the Koga Ryu and concerned politicos. With Chiyako’s adroit understanding of political strategy, Kenji effectively placed himself — unofficially, of course — into a position of being the Koga-Ryu’s guaranteed hope of rectifying “the [manufactured] disappointments of Hiroshi and his Ashibetsu hold”.

But make no mistake: Hiroshi, his remaining, steadfast “Ogres”, his close Korean-Japanese and Ainu relations incidentally present, and Karuzen (by now 21 years old, and deemed a truly reliable shinobi, with proven, matchless skill, remarkable talents and incredible powers and by this time, referred-to openly as Hiroshi’s “Second Son” — “Sora kara Jinan” … “Kakataishou Karuzen” ) would not simply let themselves be destroyed.

There would be Hell to pay.

Southern and Central Hokkaido … burned.

Harrowing folktales and bedtime yarns (somewhere between dreamy fable and chilling ghost story) would be told for generations, about how the forested hills of central and southern Hokkaido were frenzied with the wrath of demons and ogres. The tales also mentioned that while those demons and ogres fought, those careless enough to be in their way (or even too close in proximity) would be struck down.

In this hour, both Karuzen and Kenji gladly flung aside all pretense and etiquette…

   … Unbridled fury crashed into an indomitable wrath.

Neither giving way to the other.

In an ever-so brief respite in the midst of their duel — a surcease from constant, harsh ring of angry blades met and lethal sword cuts given, of vicious blows, strikes, kicks and mutually delivered — Kenji revealed two things:

One with fervent purpose, the other inadvertently from sheer drunkenness in his hate.

Kenji:

“Outlander and Freak … I’ve always hated you.

You disgust me.

Your very existence, disgusts me!”

Karuzen:

“I Know.

I’ve known for some time — maybe since my sixth birthday, perhaps further...

… What I’ve never known and only could surmise was … Why?

You never had a true reason to hate me!

And I wanted to show you my heart; that from me, you had nothing to fear!

I could never take away from you, that which is within you… unless you decided to throw that away!

You are as unique and precious to the Universe as I— ”

Kenji:

“No! I’m better than you!

Do not equate me with you!

You see… It was foretold by my Japanese mother and her family — my true family! — that I would have a potentially wonderful and even glorious destiny. But also that it was threatened by the movement of Heaven itself; that a three-legged crow would fall down from the sun, forgetting itself and its place!

Like a drunkard, it would coarsely tread upon my path, thinking it was his to take!

I am meant to rule this land!! Not You!!

As long as you exist, you threaten my path to glory!”

Karuzen:

“So … You’ve opted for a simplistic miser’s interpretation of what your Innen might be…

You threw away everything, for the pursuit of … of power and indulgence!

You chose to renounce your noble father, and his unconditional love; instead cherishing your vanity and unjust anger, thus renouncing all path to Kateienman [ “Harmony of Family/Home” ] … Heiwa [ “Peace” ] … Jūsoku-kan [ “Fulfillment” ] .

Fine — I have no reservations, now…

Come — Receive my blade.

Receive my Wrath!”

Though Hiroshi, his kin, his “Ogres”, and the 60 shinobi loyal to them were thoroughly preoccupied with Chikako, Tsutomo and their escort of 90 elite shinobi, and one-hundred and ninety amoral rōnin [ sent from the mainland by the Koga headquarters, and Kido Koin, Saigo Takamori and Ito Horibumi ] they couldn’t help but be aware of how extraordinary the caliber — and savagery — of Kenji and Karuzen’s combat!

Even among the most seasoned of shinobi and samurai, Kenji and Karuzen’s duel was the stuff of legend... or even fable.

Kenji and Karuzen fought like demons…

  … like gods.