There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” said a blonde haired woman sitting at her desk. A man with slicked back hair came in with a report in his hand. He wore a scar over his left eye. “So what news do you bring of,” asked the woman. “General Shimizu has recruited a new member, Madam,” said the man. “Who is this new member?” The man placed the yellow envelope on the Commander’s desk. “Ryuzaki Takuya. He is 18 years old and currently attending Sekka High School.” “Sekka High School? That’s a good school.” “Professor Kaidou suspects that he comes from a long line of oni slayers. He wrote it in detail in his report.” “Thank you, you may leave if there are no more matters.” The man with the scar left the room. “Ryuzaki. I think we use to have another Ryuzaki,” the Commander thought aloud.
“Shimura!” called Saiyou as he entered the laboratory. “Oy Saiyou, where were you,” said Shimura as he came out of another room. “I looked in your office and no one was there.” “I was somewhere else.” “I thought you were still skulking around after what I said,” Saiyou retorted. “Never mind that. That Digger guy is somewhere in the demon world like the rest of the oni.” “Hmm. Only a handful of people have entered the demon world usually through ritual. None of our people in the network have attempted to do so in the last century.” “You planned to go anyways.” “It’s a good excuse to test out my new device.” “Oh?” “Basically, it acts as a portal to the demon world without the use of magic circles and incantations.” “Are you gonna use it?” “Why not? If it fails, we’ll crack a couple of ancient spell books and work the mojo.” “Ok. Let’s go tomorrow,” said Saiyou. “Dude! Not so rash! You can’t just leave without letting the Commander know. And you most certainly cannot abandon your post as General,” shouted Shimura.
“I can handle it,” said Saiyou with no worry in his voice at all. “This is a serious mission. We will be walking on dangerous grounds.” “The less people the better. I do not intend to lead a battalion to conquer some foreign land. I’m just gonna crush some guy named Digger.” “That’s just sending out a message for war! If you’re gonna do that, I’m gonna take some risks as well,” said Shimura and pulled out his cellphone. “Who are you calling,” asked Saiyou. “Takuya,” answered Shimura. “What! That kid has no skills. I’m not here to babysit,” complained Saiyou. “You were the one that recruited him, not me. Take responsibility for your actions.” “Why do I have to watch over him?” said Saiyou rolling his eyes. “He’s officially recruited into the organization and we are in charge of him.” “The Commander actually approved?” said Saiyou in disbelief.
“Hello, Takuya? I’m aware of your schedule and you have a winter break. We’re gonna invite you to our little party,” said Shimura over the phone ignoring Saiyou’s comments entirely. “No we did not!” shouted Saiyou in the background but, Shimura paid no attention. “Shimura, I’m not sure I should tag along anymore. I mean, I’m not really a professional and yet I’m always in your missions,” said Takuya over the phone. “Think of it as a camp. You’re getting first hands experience with us. I think you’ll do well on this mission,” assured Shimura. “I don’t know, Shimura. Saiyou wasn’t too pleased the other time.” “Oh him? Psh. I’ll handle that guy. Give me an answer by tomorrow ok?” Shimura hung up and turned to Saiyou. “Get your sword polished,” said Shimura. “Shut up,” said a disgruntled Saiyou and left the laboratory.
The Commander stepped into laboratory and lightly knocked on the already open door. “Shimura-kun?” she said. “Oh Madam. How may I assist you?” said Shimura. “I would like to have a talk with you regarding Ryuzaki Takuya. Your report about him seems very exaggerated. An 18 year old who already knows how to kill oni? He’s too young and inexperienced.” “Well, it came naturally for him. He doesn’t fear anything,” explained Shimura. “He shows a lot of promise.” “But you listed him as part of the next mission; a journey to the demon world. That’s ridiculous! I’m outraged that you can suggest such a thing. It’s like sending a toddler on a battlefield,” the Commander reprimanded. “A journey to the demon world is already a high level mission, I understand, but I have total confidence that Saiyou and I can handle it along with Takuya,” smiled Shimura.
“Shimura, do you think I’ll approve this decision and let you go on a suicide mission with your best friend? I still have qualms about sending you two to the demon world. And approving of your portal research in the first place!” “I made it, why not use it? I think it’ll prove to be very useful,” said Shimura. “Shimura-kun. No one has entered the demon world since our forefathers. I am not going to risk lives just to try out a new invention.” “Madam, I’m sure you know who Saiyou is,” said Shimura. “Don’t press your luck,” said the commander pursing her lips. “Ranked first seat in the Elite Force consisting of only 5 seats. He can fight an army and still make it out alive.” “If you are going to bring Takuya with you and fail this mission, losing your title as Professor is not the only consequence,” said the Commander now leaving the laboratory. “I assure you that our success rate is well above 100%,” said Shimura assuringly. The Commander stopped and turned around. “What makes you so sure, Professor Shimura?” asked the Commander. “That’s because Takuya is our trump card,” responded Shimura confidently.
“Ne, Takuya. You’re pacing up and down an awful lot today. I’m getting tired of hearing your footsteps,” complained Takuya’s grandfather. “Shimura invited me to join another mission and I don’t think I should go,” answered Takuya. “And from what Shimura said, it looks like I’ll be gone for more than a day.” “Sounds like a risky mission.” “Jii-chan, isn’t it risky every time?” “Whatever you do, don’t forget that charm,” stressed the old man. Takuya’s grandfather shuffled out the room and closed the door behind him. Takuya took out a Swiss Army knife that he purchased recently out of his drawer and flipped out the blade. He flipped the blade back in and placed it back in his drawer. Takuya then placed the lion amulet from his desktop into the drawer next to the knife.
The very next day, Takuya pocketed his Swiss Army knife and tied the amulet to his belt. He took out his single strap backpack and packed in gauze, rope, and a lighter. Making his away across to the kitchen, Takuya reached for two bottles of water in the refrigerator and plain white buns from the pantry. Upon leaving, Takuya dressed in his new black coat embedded with a white fur hood and put on a pair of combat boots. Shimura was waiting in front of a green hooded deli with Saiyou. When he saw the two, Takuya greeted them. Shimura drove until he reached a telephone stand. There was nothing particular striking about the telephone stand except that it stood in the darkest of places.
Shimura walked up to the telephone and dialed several numbers. “Password?” said a voice. “Nobunaga,” replied Shimura. The pavement began to shift and reveal a staircase leading downward to darkness. As the trio walked down, the spiral of stairs led them to an elevator with one button. The elevator sounded with a “ding” and doors opened revealing a man in a black suit. “Morning,” said the man and walked past Shimura and Saiyou. The three stepped into the brightly-lit elevators and watched the doors closed. “You better hold on tight,” said Shimura who now gripped on to the metal bar. “Why?” asked Takuya. Immediately, the elevator made a drop and shuddered before making a horizontal movement. Takuya nearly lost his balance and stood awkwardly as the elevator continued to speed in unimaginable directions. “What’s with this!” shouted Takuya as the elevator began to tip itself in a 45 degree angle. He dangled off the metal bar like a marionette as the elevator continued to tilt further and further. Saiyou stood firmly as if his feet were super-glued to the ground. Shimura leaned on the bar as if gravity took no toll on his body and didn’t flinch a single bit. Poor Takuya’s hands were growing sweaty by the second and the elevator suddenly jerked back to its upright position. It let out a “ding” again and the doors opened. Takuya laid sprawled on the floor. Saiyou stepped over Takuya’s body without a care. Shimura helped Takuya up and Takuya turned to see the new world he had just entered.
The white tiled floor was shining with sunlight filtering through the large glass windows of the building Takuya had entered. There were rows of marbled desks seated with people receiving phone calls and filing papers. “Everyone stand!” boomed a voice. Everyone stopped working and stood from their place. “Good morning, General Shimizu and Professor Kaidou!” everyone shouted and bowed down. “Good morning everyone. You may resume with your work,” ordered Saiyou. Everyone continued with their usual pattern as if nothing had interrupted them. “Your tea, Mr. Ryuzaki,” said a receptionist politely. “Thank you,” said Takuya taken by surprise.
As they made their way passed the aisles of desks, they reached a pair of double doors that led them to long hallway. As they walked passed the many rooms, the three had reached another elevator. This time, it only made a downward trip to Shimura’s laboratory. “And here it is guys,” said Shimura proudly as he motioned to a large frame standing in the middle of the room. It looked exactly like the metal detectors at airports. “This is the portal device you were talking about?” said Takuya amazed. “Made it all by myself,” said Shimura proudly. “Where is the weaponry,” said Saiyou impatiently. Shimura gestured them to a room further in the laboratory. It was a mini-arsenal equipped with guns and blades. The daggers and shuriken were attached to the walls from top to bottom while rifles and pistols hung on the racks on the opposite walls. Shimura pulled out a large chest and opened up to see piles of grenades.
“Takuya, you’re our grenade man,” said Saiyou flatly as he took Takuya’s backpack and started tossing in the grenades. “Ehh!” shouted Takuya in disbelief. “You make me seem like a artichoke farmer tossing his goods into his bag! Why am I in charge of it?” “You don’t expect us to carry them when we do most of the fighting,” answered Saiyou. “What if they explode on us?” “You are a mean person, Saiyou. What if they explode on me,” cried Takuya in a corner.
Saiyou and Shimura packed ammunition into their vests and belts. Takuya helped himself to some small knives. Saiyou took his two trusty shotguns and slid them inside his long coat. He took a revolver and shotgun from the racks and handed them to Takuya. “For me?” said Takuya surprised again. “You know how to put in ammo, right?” said Saiyou. “Uh, I think so,” said Takuya. Saiyou tossed him some ammunition and slung a machine gun and 0.5 caliber rifle over his back. In addition to that, he also slung a large sword over his back. Shimura did the same as well.
“Is this all you have?” said Saiyou with a disappointed expression. “It took me a lot of trouble to get this mission approved and our green light came with limitations. No machine guns or unapproved firearms,” said Shimura. “I tried my best.” “You would think that they want us to be well prepared on stranger lands. Clearly they want to get rid of us.” “Orders are orders.” After loading the necessary weapons, the three stood in front of the metal detector-like frame. “So ... how does this work?” asked Takuya. “Watch and learn,” said Shimura with a smile.
