Dragon Island

[Fox]

Dragon Island

 

[MajinRyukami]

Hōrō Ryūshima - Azure Temple Ruins
Deep within a River Valley on Horo Ryushima, is an old temple ruins. One must simply follow the river into the valley to reach it. A long extended corridor of pillars can be found within the temple grounds. The waters come up to the knees. As one reaches the valley's center, a small clearing with a single shrine is there. This location has been Ryukami's favorite training ground for generations. And is usually discreet enough that others will not intervene.

"So today's the day, huh...?" He thinks as each of his steps ripples through the Azure Valley. His hands nested firm in his hakama pockets. Majin walked alone, heading directly into the valley. "I know I told him to meet me out here, but I shoulda' been more specific." He exclaims, taking a sudden drag from the cigar pressed firmly in his lips. The Dragon of Kojima had come here to meet Ryoma. To formally pass the title of Oyabun to him. In the last five "Transitional years," Majin had not formally made him a leader. This was mostly to complete a few previous mundane jobs that were not suited for Ryoma. And to get his affairs in order. Truthfully, he had long since known his little brother had the strength. And the Intelligence to see it through. But there were rules to these things. A system to follow. There are many moving pieces to appointing the next in line. And many more who wanted the position for themselves. Of Course, these were thoughts for Majin to worry about. As they weren't important. The Decision had been made. It simply needed to be stamped. In Open Combat. The Only Language most Ryukami had ever chosen to speak. There were a few others who had come to challenge their leader. To take his position. Each one had been put on their backs. For no Ryukami would ever follow the weak. It was one of the ways the clan's hierarchy stayed intact. It quelled the many branching families within the clan to know that the one who stood above had the power to back it. This fact kept most tempers in line. And Ego's in check. Of Course, neither Majin nor Ryoma had any issue reminding anyone who had forgotten their place. It had been a long time since the two had wholly tested that against one another. Sure, they had fought together. And had trained here and there. But a Battle to determine a definitive victor? "Heh...Something always seemed to just get in the way..." Majin mutters aloud as he passes through the grey Tori Gate leading toward the entrance to the shrine ruins.* 'Well. No reason to head any further. This is where I told him we'd meet.'* He thinks, grabbing hold of the cigar and pulling it from his lips. A cloud of smoke escapes into the air. He takes a clean breath of air and then returns it to his mouth. The smoke sent a surge of calm through his body with each pull. He pulls at his left and right arm, stretching, then kneels left and right to stretch his legs. He would wait, however long he had to, until Ryoma Ryukami appeared. Today was the Day he would formally become Lord.

The Man had come unarmed. Leaving everything but his body, mind, and spirit behind. For an occasion such as this, all other trifles were meaningless. They would simply muddy the purity of what was to come. Even Majin knew this was what Ryoma would be thinking, too. In a world full of deceptive shinobi. And cowards. They had to stand as the true measure of courage and strength. Even when faced against one another. Otherwise, why would anyone else follow them? Or respect their words? If they could not be the example?