/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>46512642
Ah, you saw this in Tengu society every now and again amongst the crows. They'd come out to castigate one of their kin or enemies if they felt they'd stepped over a line or had something to gain from it. It was rather crude in my opinion, why use idle chat when a duel would resolve the matter more briefly? More to the point, what use were mere words against someone worthy of their position?

"Sir, would you kindly not speak ill of others? Especially those who aren't present. Who knows what Deity might be liste-"

"Let em' come! I haven't said a word that ain't true right?" The man shouted, turning to the faces of the crowd.

Most of the villagers hide themselves or ducked away, a few winced at the unsightly comments, but a scant smaller group, one of which I took careful note, nodded slightly in agreement. Of course, the Youkai present where just thrilled at the potential of witnessing a human brawl, a surprisingly rare sight nowadays.

"I mean, why else would you be bedding with that Amanojaku wretch huh? Become a little pet of that harlot because playing negotiator and businessman for monsters wasn't doing it for you anymore?" The man laughed, making steps toward Goro.

I could tell what was going on now. The loudmouth fool was trying to goad Goro into attacking him, and by the twitch in Goro's muscles, I could tell he wasn't too far off now. But that was unimportant, because already I could feel the rage building in me and my squad's eyes. Worthy or not, such fragrant acts of disrespect towards our charge would not be tolerated. So again, I made ready, this time going so far as to place my hand on the hilt of my blade.

And again, Goro clicked his tongue and held his chin in his hand.

"Tread lightly my friend. You're setting a poor example for the next generation you know." Goro proffered.

"Ha, 'tread lightly' he says!" the man steps forward yet again, to the extent where I'm not sure I could get a clean cut in. "Let me tell you something, this village is fulla Youkai whore's now, just like all your little friends here. And one day if I live long enough to see it..." the man says, lowering his voice to a whisper "...we'll see all those little half-Youkai bastards of yours on bamboo shoots."

To onlookers, the "One-Inch Punch" seems like a magical act, and although it could be explained with the simplest of physics, I must admit watching it actually performed had an allure to it. That, and the mechanical cruelty of Goro twisting his thumb up into the man's rib cage was a particular flourish I've never heard of.

As the man fell backwards to the ground a puddle of crimson red sprayed and flowed onto the streets and his body went lifeless and cold. A woman in the crowd screamed at the sight, someone shouted 'murderer!', a few Youkai cackled in delight, and Goro, Goro waved the mans shirt, pinched by two fingers in the air, his grin wide enough to be the envy of Buddha.

I turned to the corpse finding instead that, at it's center something blue and stained red weaseled it's way out of the clothing. It was a Kappa, struggling to unbuckle some gear and free herself from some leaking red bags and herbs.

'crap.' she said aloud, before slamming a button on her belt, summoning a set of mechanical arms that quickly shredded the clothing and nimbly allowed her to start running.

I make ready to chase, but before I'm able Goro clicks his tongue.

"You." he points to a single squad-mate. "Give chase and monitor her, but don't follow into the village or any caves. You three." he continues waving to three other wolves. "Check anyone who you don't recognize as a regular. You" he points to the youngest squad member "Alert the reserves, they may be trying to bait our forces away for some other ploy, we need a complete perimeter check now."

Each White Wolf nods without question and immediately makes for their orders without question. I feel a small swell of pride at this, that their feelings hadn't impeded their loyalty, but quickly snuff it. There was work to be done. I make to Goro, who's already fishing through the disguise and the strange equipment the Kappa was carrying around.

"A smear job." Goro stated, picking up a burst blood bag from the clothes. "Pretty typical Youkai plot. Guy gets my goat, I 'kill' him, get embroiled in a whole arrest, and even if my name is cleared our reputation still suffers. I'll give em' a few points for the blood bag, that was a nice touch, but they could've kidnapped and imitated an ACTUAL belligerent if they wanted to fool me and make the charges stick. Still more creative then the last Tengu trick I saw..." He says.

I ignore that last part.