2:07 PM

  “So that must be it then…” Aotori muttered as he pushed his finger against the solid blood red barrier which was before him. “How they managed to already evacuate most of the ward before this is truly an enigma, but I must applaud the effort… Though it’s as much of a weakness as a strength. From the inside the barrier is unbreakable without an Anti-Etheral technique- but from the outside this might as well be as fragile as fine china.” Aotori turned to the man who stood behind him, his Joshin and the man he trusted the most- Fuyusai Jingou

  “What do you order for me to do then Aotori-San?” Jingou asked with a lifted brow. He was a man of somewhat average appearance from the outside, standing at 5 '9 his hair salt and pepper colored slicked back neatly with deep dropping eyes under which were small black spectacles straddling the ridge of a flat nose. The most peculiar feature he had however was what defined him without a doubt. Where lips should have been there was only gums and teeth, as if someone had painfully ripped open his mouth and he’d never had it healed, his teeth clacking with each sentence. A clear mask apparatus which pumped painkilling gas through the tubs which wrapped around his temple and jaw line connected to two tanks hoisted to each shoulder blade.

  Aotori sniffed and wiped his hand on his blazer- “Find Hina, the little girl who works under Iwainu as a Joshin. Tell her to broadcast this message across the whole ward [The egg is cracked not from within] that should be enough for the wiser ones to piece together.” Pushing his squared glasses up his face Aotori continued. “Though I must admit this… Jinen Lutce has impressed me- though he will still be killed by Domushi. That’s why I recruited him afterall.”

  2:00 PM

  As Jin snapped his fingers two things happened instantaneously, the first of which was the barrier around Shibuchu ward forming. A barrier made to be impenetrable from the inside, it had only four openings, each no wider than a two lane road and no taller than a street light; they were each placed in one of the four cardinal directions. The 2nd thing to occur was the 4000 Venators from Afurenthos being warped into Shibuchu ward, split into five groups of 800. Those led by the Vice Captains Austin Connery and Fleabius Roach were placed to the north and east opening. Those placed to the south and west were led by rear captains by Tobasco Chille and Duncan Withertree.

  Under the command of each of these four men were 200 hand picked members of the Alpha and Beta Division chosen by Jin and Hayai personally ranked at least Lieutenant to rear commander as well as 1000 members of the Gamma Division donated by Julius ranking at least rear lieutenant. To top it off there were also 2000 Venators Ranked Ensign 3 to Rear Lieutenant drafted at random from each of the nine branch divisions. Their job was simple- to maintain the four openings' security, defeat the Toumeikan within their range and help any remaining civilians evacuate. In the center of Shibuchu ward the final 800 members were from the Theta Division and lead by Rear Captain Medicine-Crow, their task to heal and rescue any Venators or Civilians who were wounded as well as Defeat Toumeikan who entered their territory.

  Over all these 4000 Venators was not a number to scoff at, the Venator Societies main branch consisting of roughly 100,000 combat available members it was 4% of their total power, a heavy sacrifice. The Toumeikan Yakuza who they faced here however had a total of 200,000 members, currently Present in Shibuchu and though only 20,000 of those Yakuza were a true threat beyond being able to swing a Katana or metal bat it was still a ratio of 1 to 5. As such morale was the most integral part of this mission, to keep people moving even against such numbers and give their all.

  The one to succeed in this the most being Omega Division Vice Captain, Felabius Roach who before the east exit stood atop a two story building, his thick frame outlined by the sun and auburn red hair styled into a pompadour like shape with two large strands like antenna hanging before each eye.

  “We stand here today not because we are cursed but because we are blessed, chosen to be part of history to liberate the country of Edoland from the Toumeikan who has cursed it for the past 1000 years we will mark ourselves in history as saviors and heroes in one of the most important battles in the entire world. Here today we fight not just for ourselves or the 130 million people currently living in Edoland. Fathers, mothers, grandparents, sons and daughters we fight not only for them but also the future! For the millions which will come after they will look back to us in this moment and remember that we are their saviors! The Toumeikan fear us- they have avoided the Venator Society since our inception nearly two centuries ago- they fear what we are capable of, they know we are their defeat, their end and today we will show them that! We will paint the streets red in their blood, take them as prisoners and bind them in chains to rot for the crimes and lives they’ve ruined. I declare that whoever of you here today brings me the most Yakuza will, no matter their rank, receive a promotion of two ranks as well as a bonus of triple their payment for this mission from my own pocket. So defend this opening with your life like I will with mine, show the Toumeikan why they feared us, save the future and liberate this country!”

  With that Fleabius thrust his hand into the air, a fist with rippling veins shooting down the arm it was attached to. The sound of Venators- men, women, old and young roared throughout all of Shibuchu, a battle cry like that of a million soldiers with enough courage to attack the sun itself.

  “Sounds like someone’s gotten excited” Duncan laughed as he laid on his side in the middle of the black asphalt road before the west exit of the barrier. His sharp red eyes above a wide thin lipped smirk. His head resting in the palm of his left hand as he leaned onto it. He was thin and long with notable yet dense muscle covered by a blue full one piece combat- like suit.

  “Rear Captain Duncan Sir!” The cry came from a man who ran up to Duncan with a salute. His name Alvorn MacCogal he was of slightly above average height with light green eyes the color of winter grass and reddish blonde hair swept to the side. He wore the same red uniform that everyone else his rank present- lieutenant and below wore. A uniform meant for combat was rose red with a machete hoisted to his side with a black belt and VS written on both the front right breast and across the back in big bold black letters.

  “What’s up?” Duncan frowned, ruffling his dark blue hair.

  “Ummm, what is it exactly that I’m to order the men to do- sir!?”

  Duncan frowned, his right hand tapping the Red spear- 2 meters long before him. “Bring me either 25 evacuees or 5 Toumeikan each- otherwise I’ll shave them bald and place them on recycling service for the next six months.”

  Alvorn gave a start, eyes widened but he straightened once more. “And who will defend the exit then Sir!?”

  “Me and me alone.” Duncan Grinned, “Now go and hit your quota, unless you feel like being bald is in style?”

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  “SIR YES SIR REAR CAPTAIN DUNCAN SIR!” Alvorn yelped, spinning on his heel he sprinted over to tell the other 800 senators who stood around confused about the horrible news. All the while Duncan simply looked beyond them into the distance. “This should be interesting.” He laughed.

  Moving across the map once more now to the northern exit was Austin Connery, his face sunken in and wrinkled except for the large round ball of his nose which was colored red. His hair- white was combed to the side and up in a neat quiff. Wearing a two piece navy blue suit his trusted Walther PPK was holstered to his left hip.

  His large ears twitched as he heard the sounds of clashing already beginning in the distance, a scroll growing across his face. “Courtney.” Turning to his 2nd in command Country Yingar the girl was of average height with a squared black bob and sharp deep blue eyes. Her lips thin yet plumped with red lipstick she was a lieutenant of the Gamma Division.

  “Yes Austin?” She asked, looking at him with her smile- a charming smile, one which when paired with a wink or even caressing of a hand could make the hardest man crumble and spill his guts out.

  “I want a barricade formed to the right and left of 200 meters away, station four men every 50 meters and instruct that no one is allowed to bypass that gap. Not civilians nor even myself. They are to direct whoever comes up to them towards the front opening and if they refuse arrest them on the spot.”

  “What if they attempt to fight back?”

  “Force believed to be required is permitted.” Austin nodded, frowning at the young woman's choice of question.

  Courtney grinned widely and bowed her head lightly. “Of course, then it will be done.”

  “Also Country, you will be placed in charge of the entrance directly while I am to go about into the ward itself.”

  “How far and why would that be sir?”

  “No more than three miles, and to make sure not a single civilian has a drop of blood drawn from them.”

  “If the Yakuza were to rush us?” Courtney asked, raising a brow.

  “Kill them.” Austin ordered.

  “Of course sir.” Courtney bowed once more, her smile wider than before.

  As Austin walked away from the barriers opening, the Venators stationed there rushing to obey his orders a wind blew behind him, spiraling through the air to the north it came upon the south exit.

  “Damnit this is too much!” Tobasco Chille cried out, ruffling his spiky red hair. “How am I supposed to order 800 people!? I don’t think I’ve ordered half as many as that before! This is something for Kodi to do! He’s good with people, not me!”

  Standing to the side of Chille was a tall man, one standing roughly eight foot tall with black hair cut short and an all red combat uniform, machete to his left hip. His name, Kobnar Ulfarch. “Another chille sir?” He asked in his smooth deep voice as he plucked a Chille Pepper from the ration bag- one the size of a small child sitting next to him.

  “Please!” Tobasco barked. Grabbing the Chille pepper pepper which Kobnar offered him. Throwing it into his mouth with a crunch there was a moment of silence that lasted no longer than a minute or two while Tobasco chewed the chille. His teeth grinding it between his molars grinding the spice down into a fresh red rich liquid. “Alright I think I got it now!” He nodded, letting the spicy flavor lather his tongue. “I’m an offensive type with a large AOE attack range, so I won’t do well cooped up in here doing defensive work, so I’m gonna head out into the field myself! Kobnar you’re a Lieutenant rank so you can already take care of this by yourself right!?”

  Kobnar frowned at the question, if Tobasco was feeling overwhelmed why wouldn’t he? There were a whole three ranks between them yet he was being looked up to as if a great commander. “Yes of course, I can.” He nodded with a sniff. “If it’s what's commanded then I will.”

  “Then do that! And put everyone into a four column formation! Make three entrances for people to come through on each side, the right, left and front.” Tobasco commanded as he finished a 2nd chille pepper.

  “Another for the road?” Kobnar asked? Handing a 3rd to Chille who snatched the thing and threw it into his open maw.

  “At least ten!” He cried, grabbing nearly double that amount and stuffing them into his pockets. “If you need me to send a signal into the air, I’ll be here in no more than 3 minutes!”

  “Of course sir, worry not I have it under my thumb.” Kobnar nodded.

  2:07 PM

  While Shibuchu served as ground zero for the Edoland Liberation it was not the only place in which important combat was taking place. The Sanjougou; Three District Lords were still an issue to be dealt with and each lived hidden in their own private estates, 2nd in command only to Kobe and masters of the Hachibuto they were rich in both money and power.

  While the three locations of the Sanjougou were difficult to find it was more than worth the effort, if only a single one managed to escape the Liberation would without question be considered a failure. And so three men were sent to deal with each of the Sanjougou, having departed early that morning before the sun even rose beyond the horizon they had arrived at their designations the moment the cluck struck 2 in the afternoon.

  The Estate of Hisakuni Sougen was the largest and easiest to find of all three, laying across three acres of land with a large wooden and brick wall defending it from any potential invaders as if horseman, shinobi and samurai still ran amok in the country side it was perfect Kingdom for the mad cripled tyrant who ruled the estate. Its defenses,more than enough to repel any normal man.

  But the one who came to lay siege was far from average.

  [炎神鉄破城槌: Siege of Flame Hizeme!]

  In but an instant, an inferno of blistering hot deep red fire exploded upon the estate's front gate. A hole large enough for a semi truck to go through formed as black ash and smoke fluttered through the sky.

  Now entering the state Taishi Akatora, walked towards the main building in the center of the property, various women from as young as high school to as old as having grandchildren sprinted past him, screaming in terror at the sudden inferno.

  But Akatora paid no mind to them, he continued on until he was at the center building's front entrance and climbed up onto the Engawa and to the Shoji door which overlooked the beautiful garden before it. Said door made of fine rice paper like material and Hinoki cypress, the rice paper painted to the utmost fine detail depicting orgies of demons, insects and women in what appeared to be a foul swamp in one of the deeper layers of hell.

  VOOSH!

  Sliding the Shoji door open with a bang and entering the large living room area, Akatora's 6 '6 frame and 400lbs of pure muscle caused the green Tatami mats to crumble with each step.

  “Why why why, isn’t this a surprise.” The voice which said those words was like that of a roaches wings flapping, loud, sharp and ominous but Akatora did not break even a single inch of his stone cold face at it.

  “I was just about to have my catheter changed when you appeared, how unfortunate that my ladies have all left me.” The man named Hisakuni Sougen continued.

  To call him skeletal wouldn’t serve justice, you could see the very indentations of his skull's sutures pressing against the bald grey skin on his head, his neck nonexistent due to being shrunken into his shoulders and back which hunched forwards curling him nearly in half. He wore only a Kimono of black and green, his bony chest which you nearly see his heart pumping blood through his body visible.

  Akatora didn’t respond, he only lifted his hands and let fire burst from them.