>First Thread:
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/2424210/#2424210

>Previous Thread(s):
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=A%20New%20Mutant%20Quest

>Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/r4mTphVV

Finals are over and I'm on break. Let's do this shit.

>>3115513
I'm honestly not sure what to do, I really want to make her blush buts it's very difficult
>Leg sweep, but we try to princess carry her

>>3115513
Backing >>3115743
glad you're still alive fungus

>Combat Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>DC16
Best of three D20s please.
>>3115850
Why would I be dead?

Rolled 18 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3115862

Rolled 14 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3115862
How's it going boss?

>>3115874
Noice, y'all want to roll again for a possible twenty or keep this in fear of rolling a 1?

>>3115891
Pretty great. Been keeping up good habits and got the phone numbers of a few cool classmates before the semester ended.

Rolled 12 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3115862

Rolling closed; writing now.

>[X] Sweep her only supporting leg off the ground and catch Ren-Run princess style.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>Combat Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 18 + 3 = 21
>Success!

There's no benefit in letting her hit your fertilizer factories: just as you will never let her live down the double chain whip catch, she will never let you live down getting kneed in the nuts. Besides that, she could use one final humiliation to make her submit.

Your grin widens ever so slightly.

Miss Bitch's face is going to light up like a light-bulb.

Pulling your hands out of the serrated blades of the Japanese girl's chain, you lift your right ankle by Ren's supporting one and use your overwhelmingly superior strength to sweep her planted foot off the ground with a small nudge of your lower leg.

Ren-Run's eyes widen as she begins to fall down almost sideways in the air.

You wrap your left arm around the bitch's upper back and your right around the backs of her knees, stopping her from hitting the ground.

The official third-in-command's face turns a bright crimson red as you lift her up.

A smug, pleased hum rumbles in your throat.

Cute little bitch gave you the exact reaction you were hoping for.

>[ ] "Don't ever do that again; I won't catch you next time."
>[ ] "Three to fucking zero!"
>[ ] "Are you done now?"
>[ ] "はい, 姫様?" (Romanji: "Hai, hime-sama?", Translation: "Yes, princess?")
>[ ] Kiss her on the forehead, it'll embarrass her so fucking much.
>[ ] Drop her, it'll hurt less than the fall while also being hilarious.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3116083
>[X] Kiss her on the forehead, it'll embarrass her so fucking much.

>>3116083
This this this >>3116107

>>3116107
This but whisper Japanese into her ear

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3116219
so both
>[X] Kiss her on the forehead, it'll embarrass her so fucking much.
and
>[ ] "はい, 姫様?" (Romanji: "Hai, hime-sama?", Translation: "Yes, princess?")
I like that, going for the Japanese too

>[X] Kiss her on the forehead, it'll embarrass her so fucking much.
>[X] "はい, 姫様?" (Romanji: "Hai, hime-sama?", Translation: "Yes, princess?")

An opportunity like this is something you can't pass up. Seeing the cute little bitch light up like the star of a Christmas tree is extremely cathartic. Behind all that shit talk is the adorably innocent Ren who has no inkling on how to deal with this kind of thing, which is prevalent in Ren-Run's behavior whenever it pops up.

You lean your head down towards Ren's and plant a firm kiss on her forehead.

The Japanese girl's body turns stiff in your arms.

Laughing, you move your head to the side of the bitch's.

"はい, 姫様?" you whisper into her ear.

Ren-Run stiffens even further in your grasp before going limp.

You pull your head back and stare into your third-in-command's soft brown eyes.

The cute thing blinks.

"Reyes-sama?"

Blinking back, you raise an eyebrow.

"Ren?"

She stares blankly at you for a moment.

"D-did something happen? I don't remember how I got here...in...your...arms."

Your lips flatten into a thin line.

Despite how adorable Ren is right now, you can't forget about Ren-Run: she is her or a part of her after all. Strange that she can remember what Ren can but Ren can't remember what she did. Whether or not she could appear at any time or spawns in response to certain triggers is a mystery to you. Either condition presents a possible problem in their position as your third-in-command. Ren might be obedient but Ren-Run is resentful of you.

>[ ] "We were talking about Run and you kind of went crazy on me."
>[ ] "You and I were talking about just how great it was killing your sister; she was a massive bitch."
>[ ] "Wait, you don't remember having breakfast with me? I guess I can't fault you: unconsciousness can erase short-term memory."
>[ ] "You fainted. Figured I'd take you outside so you could breathe and you woke up, like, an hour or half of one later. Do you feel better?"
>[ ] "Ren, I can't have you as my under-boss. Certain complications presented themselves while you were unconscious. I do trust you but I can't have you in such an important positon right now."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3116442
>You don't remember how we ate breakfast together?
>I think you and your sister may have collapsed in a single body, with the transformation from one state to the next being brought on my emotional stress and/or the utterance of eachother's name

>>3116442
This >>3116538

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8).

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "You don't remember how we ate breakfast together?"
>[X] "I think you and your sister may have collapsed in a single body, with the transformation from one state to the next being brought on my emotional stress and/or the utterance of eachother's name."

Best to test the waters first before you really dive into the issue.

"You don't remember how we ate breakfast together?"

Ren glances down at her stomach and looks back up to you.

"I don't but I do feel less hungry."

A curious hum rumbles in your throat.

Ren-Run really can remember what Ren does and Ren can't remember what Ren-Run does.

Whether she likes it or not, she's gonna find out what exactly is up with her sooner or later.

"I think you and your sister may have collapsed in a single body, with the transformation from one state to the next being brought on my emotional stress and/or the utterance of each other's name."

The Japanese girl shoots you an odd look.

"...Reyes-sama, I mean no offense, but that sounds...ludicrous."

You stare blankly into Ren's almost judgmental brown eyes with your demonic slitted red on black ones.

In a world where you and dozens of other crazy things exist, this cute little secretly psychotic bitch is telling you the idea of her having multiple personality disorder is ridiculous. Just yesterday you told her you were a third eyed soul eating predator yet she can't believe this. Either she's stupid or just willfully ignorant in hopes of maintaining what little sanity in the world she hold dear.

>[ ] "...Nevermind."
>[ ] "Run, get the fuck out here."
>[ ] "I should hit you for that but I'll hit the other you instead."
>[ ] "Ren, you do realize I am a nigh-immortal horned mutant, African-French-Mexican-American with some Spanish thrown in there, self-made orphan, former unintentional yet intentional serial killer, son of a man who had no right to be as ungodly skilled as he was, soul eater and astral perceiver, Kingpin of crime, and a fifteen-year-old who looks he's in his early twenties, right?"
>[ ] Drop her, she deserves to feel some pain for her naivety.
>[ ] Lower her down gently, you are carrying her like a princess.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3117076
>[ ] "Ren, you do realize I am a nigh-immortal horned mutant, African-French-Mexican-American with some Spanish thrown in there, self-made orphan, former unintentional yet intentional serial killer, son of a man who had no right to be as ungodly skilled as he was, soul eater and astral perceiver, Kingpin of crime, and a fifteen-year-old who looks he's in his early twenties, right?"

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3117076
Late, but this >>3117091

File: kazlist.png (391 KB, 600x669)

391 KB PNG

>>3117203
That entire Kojo line reminds me of shit like pic related

>>3117217
someone make one for kojo "mercs fatty boombalatties" reyes

>[X] "Ren, you do realize I am a nigh-immortal horned mutant, African-French-Mexican-American with some Spanish thrown in there, self-made orphan, former unintentional yet intentional serial killer, son of a man who had no right to be as ungodly skilled as he was, soul eater and astral perceiver, Kingpin of crime, and a fifteen-year-old who looks he's in his early twenties, right?"

You must dispel the ignorance before it reaches real coon nigger levels of which the Japanese girl will never return from.

Clucking your tongue, you let out a sigh.

"Ren, you do realize I am a nigh-immortal horned mutant, African-French-Mexican-American with some Spanish thrown in there, self-made orphan, former unintentional yet intentional serial killer, son of a man who had no right to be as ungodly skilled as he was, soul eater and astral perceiver, Kingpin of crime, and a fifteen-year-old who looks he's in his early twenties, right?"

Ms. Not-A-Bitch blinks.

"...You're fifteen, French, and....you murdered your parents, Reyes-sama?"

You widen your eyes.

That last bit was something you haven't told to anyone but Marcus. Either you're getting comfortable around Ren or you just made a colossally retarded move imparting personal information unintentionally. For the sake of your ego, the former is the definite reason.

A nod and small hum confirm your words.

"My mother was a Creole with native French and Ghanaian parents." You frown. "I killed her coming into the world and my father after..."

Ren stares with concern in her eyes as you drift off.

"Reyes-sama, are you okay?"

Peering deep into the Japanese girl's eyes, you furrow your brow.

You've already come this far but now is not probably not the right time to pry into that problem of yours so soon after the previous one.

>[ ] "..."
>[ ] "No, not now at least."
>[ ] "...Yeah, just old memories is all."
>[ ] "We were talking about you and your crazy, remember?"
>[ ] "...Forget I said anything, like what I said about Marcus."
>[ ] "I made you kill Run...I wonder if it hurt you as much as realizing killing them hurt me."
>[ ] "My mom and dad are dead because of me; almost everyone I ever cared about is dead because of me...How long do I have until I kill Marcus?"
>[ ] Drop her, you want to be a dick to feel better about being an asshole.
>[ ] Lower her down gently, you are carrying her like a princess.
>[ ] Hop somewhere else, in front of a confused as fuck rookie is not the place to discuss anything personal about yourself
>[ ] Write In.

>>3117287
>[ ] "No, not now at least."
>[ ] "I made you kill Run...I wonder if it hurt you as much as realizing killing them hurt me."
>[ ] "We were talking about you and your crazy, remember?"

>>3117287
this >>3117384

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "No, not now at least."
>[X] "I made you kill Run...I wonder if it hurt you as much as realizing killing them hurt me."
>[X] "We were talking about you and your crazy, remember?"

The guy behind you likely can't hear you, lying is of no use when it's so obvious, staying silent accomplishes nothing but awkwardness, and keeping all of it in isn't going to do you any good. You're gonna vent a bit and go back to the subject at hand.

You shake your head.

"No, not now at least. I made you kill Run...I wonder if it hurt you as much as realizing killing them hurt me."

The Japanese girl's eyes widen.

Raising an eyebrow, you tilt your head.

"We were talking about you and your crazy, remember?"

Your third-in-command's eyebrows narrow as she scowls.

"The fuck are you doing talking to me about that while I'm like that, you asshole!" Ren slaps one of her hands against your cheek and flinches. "Fuck!" She begins rubbing her slapping hand with her free one. "Your skin is soft but your face bones are hard as shit."

You blink.

"Oh, it's you."

It seems like your theory might have been somewhat right.mn

Ren-Run scoffs.

"Yeah, it's me, dumbass; I'm always me." She grins. "Now, can you let go of me or are you going to cry more, like a pussy, about your mommy and daddy?"

Closing your eyes halfway, you slide your arms out underneath the Japanese girl's body.

Ms. Psychotic Bitch lets out a yelp as she hits the ground before snarling.

"The fuck!? I feel the exact same things I do, jackass!"

You roll your eyes.

"Unlike the current you, the other you doesn't complain about the littlest things."

The Japanese girl stands herself up, dusts her clothes off, and crosses her arms.

"Of course I don't, I know how much you hate that."

Humming, you stare into Ren-Run's glaring eyes.

It's far too off-putting looking at a familiar yet stranger's face. The pleasant, submissive Ren you know is completely alien to the bitch in front of you. Fact you could go so long without knowing makes you wonder what other mental illnesses plague your already fucked up crew.

>[ ] "Did my arms feel nice wrapped around you before the cold, hard ground introduced itself to you?
>[ ] "I will tease the absolute shit out of Ren if you ever bring up my parents again."
>[ ] "So, is it safe to call you Run now or do you want me to stick with Ren-Run?"
>[ ] "You want another kiss on the forehead, princess?"
>[ ] "Go back to Ren, Ren-Run."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3117632
>[ ] "So is it safe to call you Run now, or do you want me to stick with Ren-Run?"

>>3117668
>This but with a forehead kiss and calling her princess
I think we might have to defrost the ice queen

>>3117688
Yes, this too
also nice dubs

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "So is it safe to call you Run now, or do you want me to stick with Ren-Run, princess?"
>[X] Foreheaed kiss her again.

Ren being the opposite of Ren-Run is confusing and nonsensical. The bitch standing before you is undoubtedly the Yin to Ren's Yang, making her Run. It doesn't matter if she identifies as both existing together as one person. Ren described Run as her opposite and her bitch side is exactly that.

A grin spreads across your face.

"So is it safe to call you Run now, or do you want me to stick with Ren-Run?" You lean in and peck the Japanese girl on the forehead before leaning back to see her crimson red face. "Princess?"

Run looks away and grumbles.

"Ren-Run's a stupid fucking name, so I guess I'll take mine."

You let out a laugh.

"Nice to meet you again, Run."

The renamed Run spits to the side.

"Fuck you, you killed me."

Biting down the urge to laugh again, you shrug.

"Yeah, I did."

Run turns to glare directly into your eyes.

"Do you have any idea how traumatizing that was?"

You make a thin line of your lips and shake your head.

"If it was anything like what I mentioned earlier, maybe, but I don't really understand traumatization beyond being an inflicter of it."

The Japanese girl snarls before turning away from you again.

Seems like the bitch is out to play and your princess is in another place.

>[ ] "Sit down with me."
>[ ] "Let's talk about it together."
>[ ] "Want to go out while you're out?"
>[ ] "I'm not sorry for what I did. Don't care much about either of you to give a damn yet. I do like you having you around though."
>[ ] Pinch her cheeks, she needs to take it easier.
>[ ] Kiss her on the cheek, oh boy this is gonna piss her off.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3117876
>Hug her from the back
>Kiss her cheek
>nuzzle into her neck
>Let's talk about it
>Want to go out while you're out

>>3117876
Sorry for taking so long, I'm watching AvP

>>3117876
>[ ] "I'm not sorry for what I did. Don't care much about either of you to give a damn yet. I do like you having you around though."
>[ ] Pinch her cheeks, she needs to take it easier.

>>3117876
>[ ] "I'm not sorry for what I did. Don't care much about either of you to give a damn yet. I do like you having you around though."
>[ ] Pinch her cheeks, she needs to take it easier.

A bit early but I'm stopping for the day. Got dinner to make and it's gonna take a while to cook, eat, and clean up. See y'all tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I'm not sorry for what I did. Don't care much about either of you to give a damn yet. I do like you having you around though."
>[X] Pinch her cheeks, she needs to take it easier.

No use trying to talk it out when you don't really care all that much about Ren & Run yet. Ren is warming up to you, but Run is still somewhat of massive, although cute, bitch. Maybe one day you'll talk about it and make amends, but today is nowhere near that day.

"I'm not sorry for what I did. Don't care much about either of you to give a damn yet. I do like you having you around though."

Run looks to you and scoffs.

"Like a shithead psychopath would ever really be sorry about anything."

A mischievous smile creeps its way onto your face.

The Japanese girl raises a cautious eyebrow.

One moment, your hands are at your side; the next, they're pinching both Ren & Run's adorable little cheeks.

"Who's a cute little red light-bulb? Who's a cute little red light-bulb?"

Run's pink face turns a crimson red as her body begins to tense.

"Y-you!"

A coo escapes your lips.

"You're so cute even when your angry."

The Japanese girl's body relaxes as she unfolds her arms and blinks her brown eyes at you.

"...Reyes-sama?"

You blink back.

A pattern is starting to form in your mind and in Ren & Run's behavior. Bringing up painful shit or her craziness causes Run to pop-up while making her feel embarrassed lets Ren take the reigns again. You're not sure which personality is the original considering both protect one another in some way.

>[ ] "Now do you see the craziness which is in you?"
>[ ] "Welcome back to the land of the sane."
>[ ] "...Yes?"
>[ ] Let go of her cheeks, this one doesn't deserve teasing.
>[ ] Continue pinching her cheeks, she's a good cute girl.
>[ ] Rub her pinched cheeks, they're probably hurting.
>[ ] Pat her on the head, she a good girl.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3118522
>[ ] Let go of her cheeks, this one doesn't deserve teasing.
>[ ] "Welcome back to the land of the sane."
>[ ] "...Yes?"

Voting closed; writing now

>[X] Let go of her cheeks, this one doesn't deserve teasing.
>[X] "Welcome back to the land of the sane."
>[X] "...Yes?"

It may be fun to tease Ren from time to time but she doesn't deserve it as much as her bitch self Run does.

You let go of the nice girl's cheeks.

"Welcome back to the land of the sane."

Ren raises her hands to rub the sides of her red face and stares at you silently.

A curious hum rumbles in your throat.

"...Yes?"

The Japanese girl turns away, hiding her blushing face.

"I don't remember why you pinched my cheeks."

You let out a small laugh.

"Because you were being a different kind of cute I don't find adorable."

Twiddling her thumbs, Ren faces you again.

"Was I rude, Reyes-sama?"

You nod.

"Extraordinarily."

Ren bows her head.

"Forgive me, Reyes-sama, I'd never intend to dishonor you and will never do so again."

An unsure 'ehh' escapes your lips.

"Don't think you have much of a choice in the matter but I forgive you nonetheless."

Your third-in-command lifts her head up and pauses for a moment.

"...So, my sister lives on in me, Reyes-sama?"

Raising a hand to your chin, you let out a small hum.

You're completely unsure whether or not to affirm Run is alive in her mind, making her believe well and truly she's Ren, or dismissing those words so the girl doesn't potentially go mad obsessing over it. Of course, you don't know how she'll take it but you never know.

>[ ] "You could say that, I guess."
>[ ] "Not so ludicrous anymore is it?"
>[ ] "It's just an alter: it's not your sister, but it is you masquerading as her."
>[ ] "...The real question is are you really Ren or are you a personality alter of Run's?"
>[ ] "If you're asking if you have her soul, hate to break it to you, but you've only got one in that body."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3118642
>[ ] "If you're asking if you have her soul, hate to break it to you, but you've only got one in that body."
>[ write in] "But, I cannot tell if you swap souls when you swap personalities or if your souls combine. Something to figure out over time."
[ ] "Not so ludicrous anymore is it?"

>>3118642
Backing >>3118655

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "If you're asking if you have her soul, hate to break it to you, but you've only got one in that body."
>[X] "But, I can't tell if you swap souls when you swap personalities or if your souls combine: something to figure out over time."
>[X] "Not so ludicrous anymore is it?"

Right now is not the best time to affirm either personality over the other just yet. Dispelling whether or not her and her sister's essences are one is exactly the right time now, though even if you're unsure.

A frown makes its way onto your face.

"If you're asking if you have her soul, hate to break it to you, but you've only got one in that body. But, I can't tell if you swap souls when you swap personalities or if your souls combine: something to figure out over time.""

The Japanese girl hums.

"...I act like nee-san whenever I hear her name."

You let out a confirming hum of your own.

"Not so ludicrous anymore is it?"

Ren shakes her head.

"No, Reyes-sama, no it's not."

You watch as your third-in-command looks down at herself.

Whether or not she feels happy, sad, confused, or conflicted is a mystery to you.

>[ ] "How do you feel?"
>[ ] "C'mon, sit down with me."
>[ ] "Want to spar until everyone wakes up?"
>[ ] Kiss her on the forehead, it's comfort teasing.
>[ ] Pat her on the head, it'll make her feel better.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3118817
>[ ] "How do you feel?"
>[ ] "Want to spar until everyone wakes up?" Grin. "By the way, I caught your sister's kusarige twice. You should have seen the look on her face."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "How do you feel?"
>[X] "Want to spar until everyone wakes up?" Grin. "By the way, I caught your sister's kusarige twice; you should have seen the look on her face."

You need some clarification and could use some training.

"How do you feel?"

Ren looks back up.

"...Not quite myself."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Could be finding out about the craziness and could possibly be Run popping up in her mind. It might be a problem if it grows to the point she shuts down because of it. But, for now, you should focus on making her forget about that and train before the big day starts.

"Want to spar until everyone wakes up?" You grin. "By the way, I caught your sister's kusarige twice; you should have seen the look on her face."

The Japanese girl blinks and lets out a small laugh.

"I would like that very much, Reyes-sama." She pulls back her arm to rein in her chain whip. "Shall we begin or do you have any conditions?"

Yet again, you let out a hum.

>Welcome to the first instance of A New Mutant Quuest's Training Mode! Like so many other things relating to questing, I have no idea what the fuck I'm doing, so be rough yet patient with me until I get the faintest sense of what I'm doing and how I should be doing it. Training is no substitute for real combat especially for Kojo considering his ungodly strength renders any sort of simulated training moot. But, you can gain specialization in certain combat aspects (Premptive Countering, Defense, Grappling, groundfighting, ect.) by training and potentially create your own unique style. Kojo already knows Apex Fang, an atrophied unique predatory knife fighting style valuing critical strikes above everything else; Dan's CQC, Disparos De Reyes Banditos, and good general innate/developed combat skills, but that doesn't mean he can't find a way to adapt his styles into a strange new gun kata + knife + CQC fighting style. Of course, you'd have to dust off and become a master of all three to really do this. Starting from the ground up can lead you to improve in aspects and later combine them to make your own style after you've gotten a decent grasp on them. You can also try experimenting with your powers in this mode at your own risk.

>[ ] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Defensive Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Strength Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Scent Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)

>>3119199
>[ ] Strength Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)

>>3119199
>>3119208
Or if their is a dispute or if str isn't ctron
[ ] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)

>>3119199
This >>3119208 >>3119209
Let's see where this goes

>>3119209
*Or if the strength training doesn't include control

>>3119210
It's morning, I tried. That was a vote to save time when I won't be at the computer. You voted for both the things I said and unless you meant literally all my words, I think we are only able to pick one.
I just want to solidify our basics before trying harder stuff.

Y'all can do two in one and a single roll in the other.

i blame the 4channel crash for the slowness

>First Strength Power Training Roll (Power Control)
>+3 Modifier
>No set DC
Best of three D20s please

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>3119382

File: 1452621580110.png (175 KB, 480x368)

175 KB PNG

>>3119385
STOP DOING THIS TO ME YOU FUCKING SITE REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

>>3119387
You can roll again seeing as how low on rollers we on, bruh.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3119382

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3119382
I leave for a minute and everything goes to shit, just like life.
Hopefully I'm not fucking unlucky.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>3119437
Thank fuck Fungus

>>3119559
Seems about right for my luck now.

Will close rolling and update when I get back from buying a new phone because I fucked up my current one.

gonna be fucking hilarious and amazing just how much kojo is going to massively fuck-up

>>3119582
The 11+3 is gonna happen, right? you did say this >>3119437

>>3119586
I didn't say a re-roll, I just meant you should roll again since we were low on rollers.

don't worry about the fuck-up it's going to be hilarious

>>3119681
Forgot, rolling closed; writing now

>First Strength Power Training Roll (Power Control)
>+3 Modifier
>No set DC
>Rolled 1 + 3 = 4
>Critical Failure!

For all your insane strength and skill, you have an imperfect control of your physical power and have yet to find a way to apply it in combat beyond just beating the shit out of people. The most you've ever really done with your biological abilities was learning how to hop everywhere and flicking air at people hard enough to make them feel the actual flick. You can probably make some progress trying to weapon what little you already know.

A smile spreads across your face.

"Go long and swing at me fast; I'm going to try and deflect your whip without even touching it."

The Japanese girl slightly raises an eyebrow before nodding.

"As you wish, Reyes-sama."

You walk into the middle of the street while your third-in-command strolls to the end.

Ren, brandishing her whip, spins around to face you, simultaneously swinging her kusarige in a wide arc.

A rush of excitement washes over you as the steel thorns shear through the air. Taking a deep breath, you outstretch an arm and, for the first time in a long time, you tense all the muscles in the limb; the air surrounding your arm pulses, sending a subsonic boom rumbling throughout the street. You feel the bones in your forelimb crack, tendons rip, and muscles stretch.

Exhaling in painful exhilaration, you beat your arm to the side Ren's chain whip is in mid-swing of, causing an actual ear-damaging sonic boom to thunder out into eternity.

You watch in satisfaction as the whip is sent breezing in the wind before blinking at the side of the neighborhood you beat your arm at.

The run-down buildings are lurching back, forward, and just straight up crumbling with shattered windows and chasms running along their facades as if a massive bullet were shot through them.

Ren is attempting to rein in her thrashing whip as she turns to gape at the destruction in progress.

One of the scouts you posted on the corner rooftops of the neighborhood lets out a panicked cry before the building under him crumbles a bit forward.

A long thoughtful hum rumbles in your throat.

Either you can try to stop the neighborhood from crumbling, let it crumble, and/or just continue training with Ren.

>[ ] "Did anyone else see Luke Cage fuck up our street?"
>[ ] Stop the buildings from falling, it's as if you just 9/11'd half a quarter of the neighborhood.
>[ ] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Defensive Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Strength Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Scent Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Write In.

>>3119876
>[ ] Stop the buildings from falling, it's as if you just 9/11'd half a quarter of the neighborhood
>[ ] "Did anyone else see Luke Cage fuck up our street?"

>>3119876
This >>3119944

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Stop the buildings from falling, it's as if you just 9/11'd half a quarter of the neighborhood
>[X] "Did anyone else see Luke Cage fuck up our street?"

It'd be incredibly irresponsible for you to not clean up your own mess, which isn't your mess: it's obviously Luke Cage's. You'd never intentionally demolish part of your own neighborhood. This is your problem because you're a responsible member of the community, underworld and overworld.

Sighing, you turn to the collapsing buildings and begin to work on salvaging what you can.

You manage to somewhat reset all but two crumbling building in the span of half a minute.

Jumping down the shuddering roof of a collapsing building with a scout in hand, you land back in the middle of the road.

A blank look makes its way onto your face as you glance from Ren, to the bleacher, and down at the dark skinned scout in your arms before looking at all three.

"Did anyone else see Luke Cage fuck up our street?"

The scout in your arms nods his head in contrast with Ren's blink and bleach man's raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, I saw that nigga shoot his black ass through the buildings." He clucks his tongue. "Just like a bitch ass Harlem nigga to go around breaking shit and running off before anyone can beat his bitch ass."

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat as you set the man down.

Bleaching boy slowly nods his head.

"Come to think of it, I did see a flash of yellow breeze by."

You turn to Ren and see her staring at you in surprise.

The Japanese girl sighs.

"...I saw a black man fly by, Reyes-sama."

You slightly narrow your eyes before shrugging it off.

Not exactly the answer you wanted, but it's the attitude you're going for.

Screeching gears turn your attention away from your third-in-command to the warehouse gate.

The sheet of galvanized steel opens to reveal a black giant, a Colombian teenager, a middle-aged Japanese man, and your best friend along with a few grouchy yet cautious looking adolescent gang-bangers.

All of them walk out and stop to stare at the destruction you caused before turning their eyes on you.

You blink at the small crowd of your inner circle plus underlings.

Oh yeah, you effectively mimicked the sound of a gun going off by beating your arm hard and fast enough in a direction.

>[ ] "Ah, you're all awake I see. Now that you are, we can get a head up on the day."
>[ ] "It was Luke Cage, ask anyone here and they'll say the same thing."
>[ ] "Go back to bed, you're going to need to sleep off those hangovers."
>[ ] "...Any of you up for some training?"
>[ ] "I'll pay for it later."
>[ ] "...What? What?"
>[ ] "...Yes?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3120306
>It was Luke Cage
>Anyone want to train
We should build a dedicated training center with our ludicrous money

>>3120306
this >>3120449
we totally dindu nuffin

Getting late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning.

one to ten, how big and funny of a fuck up was that 1?

>>3120561
a 7

>>3120561
A solid 7 or 8 definitely

>>3120561
Pretty funny 6.5-7

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "It was Luke Cage, ask anyone here and they'll say the same thing."
>[X] "...Any of you up for some training?"

Like many other young men with brown skin, you didn't do nothing.

A smile makes its way onto your face.

"It was Luke Cage, ask anyone here and they'll say the same thing."

Marcus shoots you a look while Cuda laughs before your best friend turns to the direction of third-in-command.

Ren blinks and nods her head.

Groaning, the all too serious man turns his judgmental gaze back to you.

You laugh until a familiar pressure in your chest kills your glee.

Once again, you've disappointed your best friend, you piece of shit.

A self-loathing sigh escapes your lips.

"...Any of you up for some training?"

Itsuki and Cuda nod their heads while Marcus and Jesus shake theirs.

"I would be honored to spar with you again, Reyes-sama."

The black giant laughs.

"Hell yeah!" He beats his chest with his free fist, which is not clenching onto a LMG. "Let's get to it boss!"

You stare at the weapon over the man's shoulder.

Maybe they could use more fitting weapons.

>[ ] "Put that down, we're not going to fire rounds while some people are still sleeping."
>[ ] "Itsuki, get your sword. I could use the danger."
>[ ] "Wait, Cuda, do you know Dan's style?"
>[ ] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Defensive Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Strength Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Scent Power Training (Power Control Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Write In.

>>3121581
>[ ] "Put that down, we're not going to fire rounds while some people are still sleeping."
>[ ] "Wait, Cuda, do you know Dan's style?"
>[ ] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
We managed to get off with dindu nuffin, but it won't work twice. This is better.
>Once again, you've disappointed your best friend, you piece of shit.
Look bro, our power is like that. It's kinda hard to practice safely with all these buildings all over the place in NYC

>>3121607
Once we get rich we should head to upstate NY or something to test our limits.

>First General Combat Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>No set DC
First of three d20s please.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3121688
I'm scared

>>3121688
best of three, i mean

Rolled 3 (1d20)

getting bad roll out of the way

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3121688
time for the actual roll

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4 KB JPG

>>3121711
>>3121712
I don't know what I expected.

>>3121712
>>3121714
i'll let one of you take the last roll

look on the bright side, you didn't roll a one

Rolled 7 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3121688
Curse you work!

Rolling closed; writing now.

>[X] "Put that down, we're not going to fire rounds while some people are still sleeping."
>[X] "Wait, Cuda, do you know Dan's style?"
>[X] General Combat Training (Combat Skill Roll X3, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>First General Combat Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>No set DC
>Rolled 12 + 3 = 15
>Automatic Okay Success

You've let your best friend down more than you ever should have in one day, which is letting him down at all. Permitting the LMG would make you even worse of a tard than you already are. Forbidding it is your responsibility and the wise thing to do.

"Put that down, we're not going to fire rounds while some people are still sleeping."

Barracuda raises an eyebrow at you.

"I wasn't gonna shoot at ya, boss." He grins. "I was just gonna try beatin' you around with it."

You let out a laugh.

"Like you could fucking touch me."

The black giant clucks his tongue.

"Boss, I'm a mothafuckin' ex-Green Beret; I can land a solid blow on yo ass." He sets his gun down by the warehouse wall.

Smiling, you widen your eyes a bit as a thought strikes you.

"Wait, Cuda, do you know Dan's style?"

Barracuda nods.

"He taught my black ass and we fought one another all the fuckin' time, so I kinda know his style."

You let out a curious hum.

Maybe you can find a way to brush the dust off your skills with him as a training partner in place of Marcus. Some other time, of course: your basics could use some improvement right now.

"Alright, Cuda, Itsuki, and Ren, come at me all at once from different sides when you're ready."

Marcus sighs as the two men get into position.

"Try not to make a racket. We'll go back inside and assure everyone too hungover to stand we're not being attacked."

You nod your head as your best friend and Colombian enforcer walk back into the warehouse along with their small pack of boys.

For the next forty-five minutes, you dodge, parry, block, counter, and catch blade whips, punches, kicks, and surprising high-jump kicks courtesy of the ever so stereotypical badass Itsuki Kenji. A few manage to get by and actually hit you, much to your surprise and Cuda's delight.

Not quite good but not really bad fighting.

>[ ] Continue, you can do better than this. (Second General Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Switch to Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X2, +3 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Switch to Defensive Training (Combat Skill Roll X2, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Try Strength Power Training again, you can do it...maybe. (Power Control Roll X2, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Throw your hat in Scent Power Training (Power Control Roll X2, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Write In.

>>3121816
>[ ] Switch to Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X2, +3 Modifier, DC18)
Let's switch it up a bit

>>3121816
this >>3121918

>>3121918
Ditto

>First Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>DC18
Best of three d20s please.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>3121995
>g

Rolled 19 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3121995
Here's the low roll

Anyone want to try to roll a twenty or should I close rolling in fear of a one?

Rolled 13 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>3122089
Sure I'll risk fucking it up.

Rolling closed; writing now.

>[X] Switch to Preemptive Counter Attack Training (Combat Skll Roll X2, +3 Modifier, DC18)
>First Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll
>+3 Modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 19 + 3 = 22
>Success!

>(1/2)

General combat skills are essential and above everything else, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't move beyond the basics. Dan taught you and Marcus how to spot the tell tale signs of attacking movements and how to appropriately respond to them: with a brutal, swift preemptive strike of your own to a vital area, setting your opponent off balance for a ruthless barrage of blows or taking him out entirely depending on the spot hit. Defense is for when you can't attack and attacking is a proactive defense, a fact far too many "fighters" fail to realize. Understanding advanced concepts or how to use skills like these properly can make up for a shoddy foundation so long as its strong enough to support them.

Fortunately for you and unfortunately for any enemy strong enough to make you rely on actual skill, your foundation is pretty goddamn strong thanks to a lifetime of experience and pure instinct.

You take in a deep breathe as you spare a glance at all three of your sparring partners.

Not quite far, the surprisingly nimble for his age Itsuki is beginning to bend his knees again.

Cuda, by your side, is already launching his punch as he pulls back his other fist to follow-up his current one.

Ren is reeling her chain back after yet another failed attempt to slash you.

It takes you a mere instance to predict their movements before beginning your preemptive counterattack.

You immediately push an open palm into Cuda's face, sending him reeling back off-balance.

Turning to the now jumping Itsuki, you run towards him before he can reach the peak of his jump and catch him by the ankle. A grin spreads across your face as you bend your knees to slide across the rough ground, weighing Itsuki back down to earth with a heavy thud.

You let go of the middle-aged Japanese man and flip from your kneeling position to your feet in the direction of the Japanese girl.

>(2/2)

Ren is staring at you with surprise and impression while she swings her whip back in preparation for another slash.

A laugh escapes your lips before you dart towards her via foot propulsion and stop yourself from colliding with her by slamming your non-propelling foot into the street asphalt, putting you right in front of her.

Your third-in-command widens her eyes up at you before lowering her head in defeat.

Letting out an excited breath, you pat the girl on the head and leave her blushing to gaze back at the other two.

Itsuki and Barracuda are in the middle of picking themselves up when your eyes land on them.

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat.

"All right, let's go again."

For the next forty-five minutes, you perform same proactive defensive attacks to much success.

It's starting to come back to you: Dan's style, the preemptive countering part of it anyway.

>Proficiency Developed/Redeveloped: Preemptive Countering (Adept level atrophied to Beginner, +1 modifier to preemptive counter attacks. Attacking is the best defense and there's nothing better than defending yourself from an opponents attack with one of your own.)

>[ ] Continue, you're getting the hang of it again. (Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Switch back to General Combat Skill(Final General Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Practice Defensive Training, may be inferior but you never know when you can't attack.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Try Strength Power Training again, you can do it...maybe. (Power Control Roll, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Throw your hat in Scent Power Training, one day maybe you'll see with your nose rather than your all seeing eye that does it all(Power Control Roll, +3 Modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Write In.

is my fighting autism annoying or interesting to read?

>>3122350
>[ ] Continue, you're getting the hang of it again. (Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)

>>3122359
I'm digging it

>>3122350
>[ ] Continue, you're getting the hang of it again. (Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)

>>3122359
Fight autism is always nice to read

>Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC18
Best of three D20s please.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>3122648

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>3122648
this time, no single-digits

Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3122648

Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3122648

Rolled 9 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

do not count this roll, this is me testing my luck
I repeat, do not count this roll

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112 KB JPG

>>3122707
>>3122720
>>3122722
>>3122726
>>3122727
I think it's time for me to go to bed and stop rolling this entire thread. Goodnight people.

Rolling closed; writing now.
>>3122726
close call

>[X] Continue, you're getting the hang of it again. (Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>Final Preemptive Counter Attack Skill Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 7 + 4 = 11 (7Eleven)
>Failure!

Made this much progress, may as well keep going.

Smirking, you once again take a look at all three of your sparring partners.

Barracuda is charging towards you from afar, laughing and grinning all the way.

Unlike Cuda, Ituski's already close to you with his arm pulled back.

Ren has switched from a far range to a mid-range distance away to better get a slice in on you.

You take a deep breathe and move your hand to push away Itsuki.

The Japanese man plants one of his heels into the ground before using at as a fulcrum to spin himself around your outstretching arm. Using the remaining momentum of the spin to his advantage, he digs his other foot into the ground and lets his hand ride the force of his pivot into a vicious chop to the side of your neck.

A small grunt of surprise escapes your lips.

It seems like Itsuki's taking a page out of your handbook.

You perform a spin of your own to try and circle around the middle-aged man but you feel a wall of muscle crash into you, pushing you back an inch or two and rendering you unbalanced.

Barracuda's signature hearty laugh fills your right ear.

"I fuckin' got yo ass, boss!"

Groaning, you push the man back just in time to give Ren a clear opening to slash you across the chest, cutting your bloodstained shirt.

This somewhat humiliating process repeats itself for the next forty-five minutes.

A sigh escapes your lips as the three sparring partners are left gasping for air.

You fucked up trying to control your power, did an okay job at the basics, actually relearned something, and kind of just fucked up trying to improve on it.

All-in-all, an okay training session.

Over half of your boys should be awake by now but not all of them.

>[ ] "You all owe me a new shirt."
>[ ] "Cuda, always remember I can merc your ass."
>[ ] "Itsuki, you never told me you were a martial artist."
>[ ] "Alright, that's enough training for one day. Let's go back inside."
>[ ] "None of you are to speak of what happened throughout this almost hourly period."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3123212
>Y'all owe me a new shirt
Our luck's kinda faded

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

>>3123212
>"Y'all owe me a new shirt" Laugh it off. You still got a ways to go and doing this with the inner circles isn't so bad.
For all the talk about weakness and shit Kojo keeps up internally, he still has his own weaknesses (for now). I figure he might be aware enough to acknowledge the irony but enjoy what he's going through. Because the first step to no weaknesses and all the power, is knowing your weaknesses and skillful gains.

>>3124196
by enjoy I mean in a "this training session wasn't so bad, and at least they got a laugh out of it while I got an idea of where and how I stand - I guess I can laugh too" sort of way

>>3123212
>[X] "You all owe me a new shirt."
>[X] "Alright, that's enough training for one day. Let's go back inside."

>>3123212
also forgot this
>[ ] "Alright, that's enough training for one day. Let's go back inside."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "You all owe me a new shirt."
>[X] Laughy laughy laugh.
>[X] "Alright, that's enough training for one day. Let's go back inside."

The surprisingly comfy fancy shirt's destruction must be repaid in full.

A smile makes its way onto your face.

"You all owe me a new shirt."

Itsuki bows as Ren rubs the back of her head while Barracuda laughs.

"申し訳ございません, Reyes-sama. I will acquire a red and black checkered button-up long-sleeve shirt as soon as possible." (Japanese: 申し訳ございません, Romanji: Moushiwake gozaimasen, Translation: "I'm really sorry")

You let out a snicker.

"Alright, that's enough training for one day. Let's go back inside."

Turning to the gate, you walk over and input the door code while Cuda grabs his LMG.

All four of you walk in after the sheet of galvanized steel screeches open.

Marcus, Jesus, and a surprisingly clothed, smiling Alex are already seated in a circle by the round-table with several hungover foot soldiers sitting near.

You walk over with the remaining official members of the inner circle and take your seats on the ground-table.

There's quite a lot for you to go over.

>[ ] "I recruited Bullseye, a world class assassin formerly under Kingpin's employ and now mine."
>[ ] "The Enforcers are now our enforcers. They've got a bit of a good guy attitude but they'll fall in line."
>[ ] "The Tinkerer is going to be our main supplier of high-tech weapons and modifications. We'll still buy from the Bratva but Tink is going to mod the hell out of that shit.
>[ ] "So, Ren's crazy and his a split personality that may or may not be her sister or the real her."
>[ ] "It's time we move."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3124588
>[ ] "First off, I recruited Bullseye, a world class assassin formerly under Kingpin's employ and now mine."
>[ ] "Second, the Enforcers are now our enforcers. They've got a bit of a good guy attitude but they'll fall in line."
>[ ] "Anybody got any questions so far before I move on to the rest?"

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "First off, I recruited Bullseye, a world class assassin formerly under Kingpin's employ and now mine."
>[X] "Second, the Enforcers are now our enforcers. They've got a bit of a good guy attitude but they'll fall in line."
>[X] "Anybody got any questions so far before I move on to the rest?"

No one needs to know about Ren's crazy little head just yet and Tink is best kept a secret for now so no overhearing rookie gets any crazy ideas of getting an Iron Man suit.

"First off, I recruited Bullseye, a world class assassin formerly under Kingpin's employ and now mine."

Alex lets out a saddened coo.

You roll your eyes and return them to the rest of the inner circle.

"Second, the Enforcers are now our enforcers. They've got a bit of a good guy attitude but they'll fall in line."

Looks of confusion appear on your compatriots' faces.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"Anybody got any questions so far before I move on to the rest?"

The blonde minx raises her hand.

You blink at the girl and shoot her a look.

"Put your hand down; this isn't kindergarten."

Alex lowers her hand.

"Who are the Enforcers, boss?"

Marcus nods his head.

"That's what I was wondering."

Widening your eyes slightly in realization, you turn back to the full inner circle.

"They're a team of enforcers who were regularly employed by Kingpin for small street probelms and the like. Most of them are muscleheads but one of them is a gunslinger in the country western sense." A laugh escapes your lips. "You have to see it to fucking believe it."

Your best friend raises an eyebrow as Alex laughs.

"What's up with the devil eyes?"

Briefly, you feel an instinctual yearning and shoot a predatory glance at the blonde girl before focusing back on Marcus.

"Nothing, they just...came out and I don't really feel like turning them off."

The black man hums yet says nothing more.

A few things left you can go over before diving straight into the meat of things.

>[ ] "Forgot to mention, the first task I gave Bullseye was hunting down the rest of the leaders of the Rivals so we don't have to worry about them anymore."
>[ ] "The Tinkerer, a genius engineer, is going to be our main supplier of high-tech weapons and modifications."
>[ ] "So, Ren's crazy and his a split personality that may or may not be her sister or the real her."
>[ ] "That'll be all. We'll talk more after everyone wakes up and gets over their hangovers."
>[ ] "It's time we move."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3125030
>[ ] "Forgot to mention, the first task I gave Bullseye was hunting down the rest of the leaders of the Rivals so we don't have to worry about them anymore."
>[ ] "That'll be all. We'll talk more after everyone wakes up and gets over their hangovers."

Definitely keep Tinkerer a secret for now. He's too important in the long term to rush anything just yet.

>>3125030
This >>3125074

Voting closed; writing now.

Got a family dinner to go to. Will finish writing and update when I get back.

>[X] "Forgot to mention, the first task I gave Bullseye was hunting down the rest of the leaders of the Rivals so we don't have to worry about them anymore."
>[X] "That'll be all. We'll talk more after everyone wakes up and gets over their hangovers."

Honest mistake on your part and Phineas is still best kept as a secret until a relevant time.

"Forgot to mention, the first task I gave Bullseye was hunting down the rest of the leaders of the Rivals so we don't have to worry about them anymore."

Barracuda clucks his tongue.

"Damn! I was hoping I'd get to merc all them niggas myself."

Marcus smiles.

"You're finally delegating important things instead of handling everything yourself; I haven't seen you do that in years."

You smile back and shrug.

"I killed someone the equivalent of a goddamn gnat yesterday I'm sure anyone here could've offed with a well placed bullet. At that point, I should have realized I didn't have to handle every little thing. Guess I didn't want to have a repeat of yesterday, the longest day of my entire fucking life, when I met with Bullseye."

Shooting you a seductive look, Alex lets out a wistful sigh.

"That was a long and hard day."

You suppress the urge to groan before turning back to the rest of the inner circle.

"That'll be all. We'll talk more after everyone wakes up and gets over their hangovers."

The members of the inner circle nod their heads and rise to go about their own business.

Alex stretches herself out as she stands, letting out a pleased moan.

"Guess I'll go help those boys upstairs." She grins. "I'll make them forget all about their morning headaches."

You rise from your seated postion to take hold of the minx's shoulder before she can walk away.

Turning her head back to face you, she stares into your demon eyes expectingly.

"Finally going to join in, boss?"

You stare deep into her eyes.

Alex blinks.

"Boss?"

...

...

>[ ] "You. Are. Mine."[/red
>[ ] "...Alex, you finally caught something."
>[ ] "...You smell like shit."
>[ ] "...Apologize to Ren."
>[ ] "...Nothing."
>[ ] "..."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3125850
fucked up on the goddamn brackets, goddammit

>>3125850
>YOU ARE MINE
>apologize to ren

>>3125850
This >>3125889

Late, will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

what y'all thinkin'?

>>3125996
I'm thinking the pace of this buildup is pretty okay. Slow, but not too slow. I expect events to kick in and speed up a bit further once one or two crucial events happen. Also maybe once we improve the soul stuff, we could have a better grasp of whatever the fuck is wrong with Ren, or kill the Oni in Itsuki's sword.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "You. Are. Mine."
>[X] "...Apologize to Ren."

Her body is yours now; she is yours now. You cannot tolerate anyone else laying claim to what is yours or letting her give that body to anyone else but you. If someone were to lay with her, you would kill them or take them in turn.

You are above them all, and they must know what's yours is yours as is them and all that is theirs if you will it.

>[X] "You. Are. Mine."

The Minx's eyes widen.

"...Uh, okay, boss; I'm flattered, turned on, and...scared."

You slowly relax your grip on the girl's shoulder.

"...Apologize to Ren."

Alex rapidly nods her head.

"Okay, okay, I'll go do that right now." She immediately turns to your under-boss' direction and scampers off.

A clucking tongue emanates behind you.

"Happening again huh, Kojo?"

You let out a sigh before turning around to face a somewhat concerned and somewhat amused Marcus.

The black man shakes his head.

"Swear you were fucking a quarter of the gang before you finally managed to stop. You do know some people are going to be mad they're not getting a morning lay anymore, right? Either you're going to have to hire some hookers or end up fucking, like, a third of the gang."

Groaning, you look down at yourself.

Sating your innate urges using the gang bicycle was a bad idea.

>[ ] "Don't you fucking judge me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to control my primal instincts? A day doesn't go by where I don't think of killing someone and...eating them....or fucking them...logically not necessarily in that order."
>[ ] "I'll have a talk with the Bronx pimps about it when I meet with Zebra Daddy again."
>[ ] "...Sorry, I woke you up this morning and demolished part of the neighborhood."
>[ ] "At least I'm getting some, you...fucking celibate."
>[ ] "Why didn't you stop me?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3127152
oh godammit, i forgot to remove the choice check

>>3127152
>"Don't you fucking judge me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to control my primal instincts? A day doesn't go by where I don't think of killing someone and...eating them....or fucking them...logically not necessarily in that order."
[ ] "...Sorry, I woke you up this morning and demolished part of the neighborhood."

>>3127152
This >>3127172
Marcus is the one person Kojo would ever admit shit like this to, right now. Not sure if there ever will be more in the future or not, but Marcus is absolutely based and I hope that if he ever dies (he better not) or if Afungi kills him off (and you better not you fungus-fucking /fa/ggot), then he better have a really amazing death scene.

Voting closed; writing now.
>>3127206
>Marcus is absolutely based and I hope that if he ever dies (he better not) or if Afungi kills him off (and you better not you fungus-fucking /fa/ggot), then he better have a really amazing death scene.
That largely depends on you guys.

>[X] "Don't you fucking judge me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to control my primal instincts? A day doesn't go by where I don't think of killing someone and...eating them....or fucking them...logically not necessarily in that order."
>[X] "...Sorry, I woke you up this morning and demolished part of the neighborhood."

You really don't want to hear it from Marcus right now.

Looking up from the ground, you scowl.

"Don't you fucking judge me. Do you have any idea how hard it is to control my primal instincts? A day doesn't go by where I don't think of killing someone and...eating them....or fucking them...logically not necessarily in that order."

The second-in-command widens his eyes.

You let out another sigh.

"...Sorry, I woke you up this morning and demolished part of the neighborhood."

Marcus blinks.

"You want to eat people?"

You tilt your head side to side.

"Eh, I feel the urge to; the smell of blood makes my mouth water and it tastes pretty fucking delicious."

Marcus raises an eyebrow.

"Is this a mutant thing or a third-eyed soul eater thing?"

You shrug.

"Could be one thing or could be both: blood's got a lot of energy in it."

The black man shoots you a look.

"Okaaay, just try to abstain from that shit. I don't want you to go on a crazy cannibal rampage."

You cluck your tongue.

"As if I'd ever lose control of myself to that point."

Marcus laughs.

"Hey, man, you fucked Alex and Ren."

Groaning, you shake your head.

"Just Alex and it was deepthroat."

Your best friend scrunches his face.

"I do not need that image in my head."

A scoff escapes your lips.

"Nothing you haven't seen before."

Marcus groans.

"Don't remind me."

The sound of slapping flesh against flesh echoing throughout the warehouse breaks you two out of your conversation.

At a side of the room, a scowling Ren has once again slapped Alex's blushing face.

You sigh before making your way to them.

Alex turns to you with surprise still in her eyes while Ren scowls.

"Boss, Ren's...different."

'Ren' scoffs.

"Thought slapping you made you want to eat me out, whore. What? You like nice girls who treat you like shit rather than mean ones?"

The minx smiles.

"I don't mind either, Ren-sama, you're just acting weird."

Growling, the Japanese girl slaps the opposite cheek on Alex's face.

"Don't act cute, bitch, get down and bow your head" She grins. "You like being on your knees, don't you?"

Alex purrs as she nods her head before beginning to follow her superior's orders.

You let out another sigh.

If it's not one thing, it's the other.

>[ ] "Oh just fuck already...I mean don't...Please don't; I don't need that right now."
>[ ] "Run, Alex; Alex, Run. She's Ren but a gigantic bitch."
>[ ] "Ru-...Ren, calm down. There's no need for this."
>[ ] "Alex, you don't need to bow.
>[ ] Pinch Run's cheeks again, you need to switch her back before Alex realizes what's going on.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3127292
>Alex, stand up
>Pinch her cheeks, call her cutie pie, whatever it takes
Man, we've already got some great boss fights lined up

>>3127292
This >>3127383

>Man, we've already got some great boss fights lined up
What did (You) mean by this?

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3127447
Our inner circle, when someone attacks us, will make for some awesome boss fights we even have the two stage boss fight

>>3127494
Oh you mean for enemies and not for Kojo. Gotcha

>[X] "Alex, you don't need to bow."
>[X] Pinch Run's cheeks again, you need to switch her back before Alex realizes what's going on.

Ren's little mental disorder should remain a secret, and the nice girl should be out instead of the bitch.

"Alex, you don't need to bow."

The blonde giggles as she bows her head to Run.

"I want to."

Groaning, you look up to the Japanese girl.

Run is smiling smugly as your eyes meet hers.

"Looks like she's my whore now, Reyes."

You narrow your eyes and raise your hands to her face, pinching her cheeks.

The Japanese girl blinks at you as her face turns a rosy red.

"W-why do you keep doing this?"

An adoring coo escapes your lips.

"Who's a cute little red light-bulb? Who's a cute little red light-bulb?"

Run grits her teeth.

"I-I'm not- I mean, I am cute but-" She snarls "Fuck you."

You move the girl's crimson pinched cheeks around in circles.

"Aww, so cute I want to snuggle with you."

Run shuts her eyes, relaxes, opens them again, and blinks.

"...Reyes-sama?"

Smiling, you let go of Ren's cheeks.

"Calmed down have you?"

The Japanese girl stares at you before slowly nodding her head.

"Yes, yes I have, Reyes-sama."

Alex rises from her kneeling position to stare at the both of you in disbelief.

You may have stopped Run from outing Ren, but all you've done is raise more suspicion.

>[ ] "...What? What?"
>[ ] "Don't speak a word of this to anyone."
>[ ] "Ren, would you like to apologize to Alex?"
>[ ] Rub Ren's red cheeks, you may have pinched them a little too hard.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3127619
>[ ] "...What? What?"
>[ ] "I'll tell you guys later, don't give me that look."

>>3127619
>What what
>I'll tell you all later

>>3127619
>Oh, and rub Ren's cheeks

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...What? What?"
>[X] "I'll tell you guys later, don't give me that look."
>[X] Rub Ren's red cheeks, you may have pinched them a little too hard.

Secrets that may inhibit communication or accepted behavior between colleagues need to be either revealed, dismissed, or accepted so everyone can go about their duties: It's better for the group as a whole to understand just what the hell is happening with Ren so they can ignore her out of character behavior and focus on the big things. Like many other things, Run will eventually become a common everyday fact in their lives, but, for now, you'll let it stay a secret.

You shoot the blonde a look.

"...What? What?"

Alex blinks, points to Ren, scowls, points to you, points from you back to Ren, smiles, and turns her pointing hand into an open one with a look of disbelief on her face.

Sighing, you roll your eyes.

"I'll tell you guys later, don't give me that look."

The blond lowers her hand and pouts before seating herself on one of the nearby Bratva crates.

You turn back to Ren and see her cheeks still a rosy red.

It seems like you might have pinched them a little to hard.

Raising your hands back to the Japanese girl's face, you gently rub the crimson flesh of her face.

Your third-in-command jolts and blushes a deep red as your personal assassin hums.

A minute passes until you take your hands off the not-so-crazy girl's face.

Ren gulps and bows her head.

"T-thank you very much, Reyes-sama."

You smile.

"You're welcome."

Turning back, you see the members of your inner circle spread about the warehouse.

Lot of time to kill and things you can talk about with them.

>[ ] Walk over to Marcus, he is your boy.
>[ ] Get over to Jesus, he could use a check-up after yesterday.
>[ ] Turn back around to Alex and Ren, you're not finished here yet.
>[ ] Make your way to Barracuda, he was disappointed about the Rivals.
>[ ] Find Felon amongst the piles of unconscious bodies, he's a bitch but his ability is useful.
>[ ] Go to Itsuki, the man has said people have come for his sword before and he seems to know something about the supernatural.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3127999
>Check up on Jésus
>And Cuda
>Then itsuki
We should find something to do with our time/money

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Get over to Jesus, he could use a check-up after yesterday.
>[X] Make your way to Barracuda, he was disappointed about the Rivals.
>[X] Go to Itsuki, the man has said people have come for his sword before and he seems to know something about the supernatural.

>(1/2)

The immediate potential problems should come first before relaxing chats.

You look over to the Colombian teen sitting on a Bratva crate and start walking.

Jésus' eyes follow you as you trek all the way towards him.

"Hola, patrón." he says in his usual monotone at the same time you arrive.

You raise a hand in greeting.

"Hey, how are you feeling this morning?"

The enforcer stares blankly at you for a few seconds.

"...Normal."

You blink at the man.

"Have you given any thought to what I said yesterday?"

Jésus nods his head.

"I...I'm not sure how I can feel better about myself, patrón."

A small hum rumbles in your throat.

You don't know how to either.

Laying a comforting hand on the man's shoulder, you give him a warm smile.

"Give it time: not everyone can heal in a day."

Jésus looks down at himself and nods.

>(2/2)

Time is something you have plenty of, but, in all likelihood, the man in front of you might die before he can ever love himself. Might be good to pay for a therapist for the lot of your crew and one for yourself if necessary. The past few days have taught you just how fucked up everyone in your inner circle is as a result of your occupational lifestyle.

You slide your hand off the enforcer and make your way to the towering black one.

Barracuda bobs his head in greeting when you get to him.

"Sup, boss."

Raising your hand, you bob your head back.

"Sup, you still disappointed about the Rivals?"

Cuda nods.

"Was really hopin' I'd get to piss on Nigel and skull fuck Arturo; I know that black and white spandex wearin' mothafucka can get the job done, but it's a boring way for all that beef to end. Please tell me you're gonna have another slaughter and soon, boss."

You shrug.

"The Chinatown triads might fight instead of bow, there could be a few straggler gangs resisting our expansion, and the anti-mutant shitheads are likely to make a move on me after I claim the inheritance. You'll get a firefight one way or the other, Cuda."

The black giant grins.

"Fuck yeah, I am! Them chinks are some racist mothafuckas and there's a shit load of small time gangs in the NYC; gonna make me some holes to piss in today."

You briefly give the man a look before letting out a laugh.

Really, you have no idea why you bother worrying about this big black bastard.

You turn to Itsuki's direction and stroll over to him.

The Japanese bows as you approach.

"おはようございます, Reyes-sama." (Japanese: おはようございます, Romanji: Ohayogozaimasu, Translation: Polite "Good Morning")

You raise an eyebrow.

"We already met this morning but hello."

Itsuki raises his head just to bow it again.

"ごめんなさい, Reyes-sama." (Japanese: ごめんなさい, Romanji: Gomen-nasai, Translation: Formal "I'm sorry."

Shooting the man a look, you part your lips to say something but quickly close them knowing his response.

He is far too polite.

>[ ] "That sword of yours, is it alive in a way?"
>[ ] "Could you teach me your fighting style some time?"
>[ ] "Have you ever had encounters with supernatural creatures?"
>[ ] "What martial arts do you practice? That chop hurt like a bitch."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3128569
>[ ] "That sword of yours, is it still alive in a way? When I look at it, I see some fucked up purple shit in it. Nothing like anything I've seen since I got this ability." Hum. "The way it cut me the first time we met, it stung like a bitch. Definitely feels like the real deal."
>[ ] "Have you ever had encounters with supernatural creatures? Besides the oni in the sword, I mean."

>>3128569
>Ever fight something spooky
>What do you practice

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning

scale of 1-10 how fucked in the head is the crew?

>>3128613
>Marcus
5/10, definitely has lingering doubts and other shit that might be plaguing him below the surface, but our bro time with him dropped it from a 6/10 or 7/10, definitely by some significant margin
>Ren
7/10, still seems a bit out of it when it comes to the split personality deal, but must be more to her feelings than just that, her disconnect is deceiving
>Alex
9/10, dis bitch be CRAZY nigga, on top of her odd expertise and cunning (idea to get pimps in line and the will rewrite) and obfuscating sluttiness add to her enigmatic score
>Jesus
7/10, despite his constant stoicism and if what Felon hinted at is any indication – we can't fucking help him right now, so we just have to leave him to heal a bit on his own
>Itsuki
3/10, he has gone beyond anything that may plague him, except for the stresses of being a supernatural target with that sword – definitely one of the most improved people
>Cuda
0/10, big nigga is based nigga; nothing can go wrong, and anything that does go wrong can be solved with some smarts, bullets, and some good healthy family-unfriendly fun

>Kojo
12/10 on the inside, 5/10 on the outside

>>3128613
>>3128661
I'd mark Ren as an eight, but these seem right.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "That sword of yours, is it still alive in a way? When I look at it, I see some fucked up purple shit in it. Nothing like anything I've seen since I got this ability." Hum. "The way it cut me the first time we met, it stung like a bitch. Definitely feels like the real deal."
>[X] "Have you ever had encounters with supernatural creatures? Besides the oni in the sword, I mean."
>[X] "What martial arts do you practice?"

Itsuki does go through the effort to pray in a Buddhist temple to get a hold of that blade. Could just be the energy emanating from it, but it could be alive. You're not really that experienced yet with the supernatural. He probably has some if not more than you do.

You tilt your head.

"That sword of yours, is it still alive in a way? When I look at it, I see some fucked up purple shit in it. Nothing like anything I've seen since I got this ability." A hum rumbles in your throat. "The way it cut me the first time we met, it stung like a bitch. Definitely feels like the real deal."

The Japanese man slowly nods.

"Often, I hear an inhuman voice speak old Japanese in my mind when I wield the blade, Reyes-sama. It may be the remnants of what the oni was, but it may also be a sign of sentience. I do not have the same ability to perceive the supernatural as you do, Reyes-sama."

You slightly widen your eyes.

It seems as though the blade is alive in a way. Maybe you could pull it out or talk with it using your third eye. Could turn out bad or good depending on just how strong the oni's essence is.

"Have you ever had encounters with supernatural creatures? Besides the oni in the sword, I mean."

Once again, Itsuki nods his head.

"My ancestral sword has attracted many throughout my life; other oni, even. I've killed them all."

You whistle.

There really are other supernatural beings in this world and Itsuki's apparently a demon slayer.

"What martial arts do you practice?"

Itsuki does not skip a beat.

"Akido, Judo, and Jujitsu."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Typical Japanese styles yet his repertoire excludes Kendo, Kenjutsu, and, rightfully, Karate.

>[ ] "Can you use the power of the sword or does it just burn the people it cuts?"
>[ ] "Your sword style is entirely improvised, then?"
>[ ] "What kinds of creatures exactly?"
>[ ] "Then what were those high-jump kicks?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3129518
>[ ] "Your sword style is entirely improvised, then?"
>[ ] "What kinds of creatures exactly?"
Bit slow today

>>3129834
Ditto

Daily reminder to institute plan KOJO KNOWS YOU

Voting closed; writing now.
>>3129834
Last minute Christmas shopping probably.
>>3129895
In due time

>[X] "Your sword style is entirely improvised, then?"
>[X] "What kinds of creatures exactly?"

Fact that he's never tried Kendo or Kenjutsu is surprising considering how traditional he is not to mention being from a line of demon sword keeping Japanese men. Either members of his family learn how to use the blade their own way or he never got the chance to learn from the last person who carried it.

"Your sword style is entirely improvised, then?"

Itsuki hums.

"There was no one that could teach me and I had no funds to hire a trainer in my early age, Reyes-sama. It was only after I joined the Yakuza did I attempt to learn Kendo and Kenjutsu, but by then my own swordstyle had been ingrained into me to the point I couldn't learn either. With both styles out of reach, I decided to learn martial arts to compensate for moments when I'd be without my sword."

You blink.

The man is talking as if he had no parents or came from a poor background.

"What kinds of creatures did you kill exactly?"

Itsuki raises a hand to his chin.

"河童, ははきがみ, 口裂け女, 兵主部, 鎌鼬, 絡新婦, 土蜘蛛, 磯撫で, 白粉婆, 野狐, and various oni." (Romanji: "Kappa, hahakigami, kuchisakeon'na, hyōsube, kamaitachi, jorōgumo, tsuchigumo, isonade, oshiroibaba, nogitsune," Translation: "River-child, broom spirit, slit mouth woman, [various warrior noises composing a name], sickle weasel, woman-spider, beach stroker, white face powder hag, field foxes,")

You let out a long drawn out whistle.

Well and truly, Itsuki has seen some shit.

"How the hell did you not kill me when we fought at the temple?"

The middle-aged man sighs.

"I am no longer in my prime, Reyes-sama. During my youth, I slayed countless of those creatures. They stopped coming for me eventually likely due to my reputation, but I fear if one were to come for me in my current state I would fail to stop them."

You let out a small hum.

Age seems to consume all the great men you know one way or the other.

One day, it'll eat away at Marcus and everyone else you know.

...

>[ ] "Which was the hardest to kill?"
>[ ] "So, were you poor or were you made an orphan?"
>[ ] "Fucking hell, you really are something out of an anime."
>[ ] "Can you use the power of the sword or does it just burn the people it cuts?"
>[ ] "What were those high-jump kicks? That's not a grapple like any of the styles you said you know."
>[ ] "Relax, Itsuki, I'm here now. No freaky aborted human whale child demon ghost is going to break your sword."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3130312
>What was the hardest kill
>Can you use the power of the sword
>Could... Could you teach me your style

>>3130312
>>[X] "Can you use the power of the sword or does it just burn the people it cuts?"
>>[X] "What were those high-jump kicks? That's not a grapple like any of the styles you said you know."
Jump good.

Back from a surprise family dinner. Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Which was the hardest to kill?"
>[X] "Can you use the power of the sword or does it just burn the people it cuts?"
>[X] "What were those high-jump kicks? That's not a grapple like any of the styles you said you know."
>[x] C-Could... Could you teach me your style, Kenji Itsuki-senpai?

>(1/2)

From Kingpin's knowledge of Japanese folklore, there are varying versions of the creatures he's talking about. Each interpretation could have their own incarnation or they're all different tales detailing attributes of the one thing. Some range from relatively minor nuisances to absolute bullshit.

"Which was the hardest to kill?"

Itsuki flinches.

"The 磯撫で, Reyes-sama. I was caught by surprise and sunk underneath the ocean along with the ship I was traveling on. I had to cut my way out of the suite I was in as the entire ship was flooded with water and I had but minutes to spare before I ran out of oxygen. Once I was free, I saw the leviathan lurking in the deep." He sighs. "Have you ever tried moving submerged in water, Reyes-sama?" (Japanese:磯撫で, Romanji: isonade, Translation: Beach Stroker

You stare blankly at the Japanese man as you feel the sensation of being completely enveloped by cold and salt sting in your eyes. Parting your lips you struggle to breathe before closing them when you remember you rarely need to anymore.

To die and to bereborn

"...I'm familiar."

Itsuki hums.

"I had to fend off a creature twice or thrice the size of a luxury cruiser while I moved as slow as a tortoise. To prevent myself from being immediately killed, I sunk my blade into it and proceeded to carve away. Unfortunately, the leviathan was wise enough to thrash in an attempt to dislodge me. Having no other choice, I cut it open, entered its body, and dug through the monster until my blade found its heart. I survived yet suffered countless bone fractures, acid burns, several ruptured organs, and muscle tears from enduring the leviathan's thrashing and slicing through its body. I managed to find my way out of its dying carcass but fell unconscious from oxygen deprivation. Days later, I washed up on shore of Matsuura half-dead still holding my ancestral blade in my unbroken hand. I healed however I was never the same after."

You widen your eyes and gape at the man before you.

The motherfucker killed the sea's equivalent of godzilla in just a couple of fucking minutes underwater, likely in the deep ocean, and came out alive. At the temple, you fought a shadow of the man who slew monsters like yourself as a past-time and still had difficulty bringing him down.

In all likelihood, if Itsuki were still in his prime you'd be dead.

>(2/2)

You blink and shake your head to reset your thoughts.

"Can you use the power of the sword or does it just burn the people it cuts?"

Itsuki nods.

"I used to be able to manipulate the ebb and flow of the blade's power with intense focus. I'd only use it rarely or..." He cringes. "To show off at oni seeking their kin. With it, I could mimic the exact slice I made in an entirely different direction without moving my sword to ensnare and further damage my opponent. The maximum amount of sword swings I could duplicate were six, more than enough to kill any mortal being with half important targets. Doubt I have the mind or the will to replicate the technique in my current state, however."

Once again, you widen your eyes.

He is just a bag of surprises and tricks.

"What were those high-jump kicks? That's not a grapple like any of the styles you said you know."

Itsuki doesn't skip a beat.

"Improvised surprise tactics, Reyes-sama. You had no knowledge if I practiced any sort of martial arts an I am an aging man so I decided to attack you with aerial maneuvers I had moderate experience with. Considering how close I was to hitting you with them despite my lack of proper practice, I would call them successful."

You resist the urge to narrow your eyes.

If he were any other man and actually intended for his tone to come off as it is, you'd be mad at the not-so-cheeky fucker.

A sigh escapes your lips.

"Could...Could you teach me your style?"

The Japanese man blinks.

"You wish to wield my blade one day, Reyes-sama?"

You shrug.

"Not really but I don't think I'd mind much despite not having a use for it. I'm talking more about your swordsmanship."

Itsuki nods in understanding.

"I could if you wish to, Reyes-sama. Be warned, however, I have never taught anyone and do not understand precisely how to explain my swordsmanship to others."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

That sounds kind of like what you said to Marcus when he asked you if he could be taught Apex Fang. Maybe Itsuki could teach you if you both try hard enough, but it's going to be time consuming.

>[ ] "How do I compare to the oni?"
>[ ] "Used to be an arrogant young man, huh?"
>[ ] "So, were you poor or were you made an orphan?"
>[ ] "You are exactly the kind of badass old man in every shounen anime I have never watched yet somehow have knowledge of thanks to soul eating that fatass nerd for eastern cultures."
>[ ] "One day, I'm going to restore your youth somehow and fight you in your prime. Don't hold back or think of the battle as a spar: I want to see if I can defeat you in a duel to the death."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3130935
>You used to be arrogant
>How do I compare
>Someday, I'll restore your youth and we'll have a proper fight like something out of a Bruce Lee movie
I kinda don't want to bring up his childhood, if he wants to talk to us about it that's one thing but I don't want to be the one to dig it up

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time(UTC-8)

Hope I didn't put in too much weebiness. I just find Japanese folklore and legend to be interesting as all hell. The use of Japanese characters is more for preciseness and my own autism about languages (My dumbass has learned bits of German, French, Russian, and Japanese over the years in attempts to learn the languages but I have yet to know any as much as I do Spanish and English) As for Itsuki, I felt like his ancestral blade had to have some kind of major consequence of sorts on him and his life other than being something he had to constantly worry about passing on. I haven't really hinted at him being past his prime in previous threads so I feel like this is a bit out of the blue.

>>3130962
It's cool, you always need the odd boss fight out

>>3130935
This >>3130960

>>3130962
Itsuki seems like a nice thought out character, and the various language autism you have in the quest gives it a sense of authenticity I love the shit out of. Don't feel bad for it.
>I haven't really hinted at him being past his prime in previous threads
To be fair, looking back, he did subtly give off that impression.

>>[ ] "You are exactly the kind of badass old man in every shounen anime I have never watched yet somehow have knowledge of thanks to soul eating that fatass nerd for eastern cultures."
Kingpin was a weeb? Damn.

Voting closed; writing now.
>>3131305
>Itsuki seems like a nice thought out character, and the various language autism you have in the quest gives it a sense of authenticity I love the shit out of. Don't feel bad for it.
Thank you.
>Kingpin was a weeb? Damn.
He's always had a thing for the far east in the comics. The fatass was a sumo practitioner and affiliated with the Hand. Bound to have watched an anime or two in his time.

>[X] "Used to be an arrogant young man, huh?"
>[X] "How do I compare to the oni?"
>[X] "You are exactly the kind of badass old man in every shounen anime I have never watched yet somehow have knowledge of thanks to soul eating that fatass nerd for eastern cultures."
>[X] "Someday, I'll restore your youth and we'll have a proper fight like something out of a Bruce Lee movie."

The ever so formal and humble man standing before you was once filled with piss and vinegar. It probably shouldn't surprise you as much as it is: lot of older people were feistier in their youth. Sure, Dan stayed the same way but Dan was Dan.

"Used to be an arrogant young man, huh?"

Itsuki almost groans.

"...Yes, I was conceited and foolish in my youth. I regret ever being that callous young man. Many people who didn't need to die wouldn't have if I was the man I am now. My transformation from a hot-headed fool to a composed soldier surprised many but was met with much deserved relief."

You let out a laugh.

In ways, you can relate: from a broken puppet, you became the man you are today for better and for worse.

"How do I compare to the oni?"

The Japanese man doesn't skip a beat.

"You have their destructive power yet forbid their self-destructive mindset, Reyes-sama. Unlike them, you know what it is to be mortal despite your inhuman abilities. Many are foolish to try and rush their enemy with a mighty blow, which leads them open to a precise attack at any point of their body. No amount of improved healing can repair a decapitated head."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

You are still wary of people who have nowhere near the amount of power you do. Just because they aren't strong doesn't mean they can't damage you, and just because you can heal doesn't mean you're immortal. Besides that, major blood loss can render you unconscious and quite possibly kill you, giving enemies an open window to capture you or launch attacks on your operations without you protecting your interests.

Despite Itsuki's experience with those horned bastards, he didn't underestimate you or treat you the same way he did them.

Smiling, you laugh again.

"You are exactly the kind of badass old man in every shounen anime I have never watched yet somehow have knowledge of thanks to soul eating that fatass nerd for eastern cultures." You grin. "Someday, I'll restore your youth and we'll have a proper fight like something out of a Bruce Lee movie."

The middle-aged man smiles and bows.

"It honors me to know you think so highly of my ability and would go to such lengths to restore it, Reyes-sama."

Really, you have no idea how Itsuki could have ever been a young jackass.

>[ ] Walk over to Marcus, he is your boy.
>[ ] Turn back around to Alex and Ren, you're not finished with them yet.
>[ ] Find Felon amongst the piles of unconscious bodies, he's a bitch but his ability is useful.
>[ ] "So, were you poor or were you made an orphan?"
>[ ] "Talk to you later, Itsuki."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3131406
>[ ] "Talk to you later, Itsuki."
>[ ] Walk over to Marcus, he is /your boy/.

>>3131415
Ditto

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Talk to you later, Itsuki."
>[X] Walk over to Marcus, he is /your boy/.

You've learned enough about the Japanese demon slayer for one day; your home boy could use some attendance.

Turning your body around, you wave behind at the enforcer.

"Talk to you later, Itsuki."

A hum resonates behind you as you walk away.

Marcus eyes you knowingly while you make your way to him.

"Keeping everyone in line? Learning more about them, gaining their trust, and pretending you care about them?"

You widen your eyes.

"What brought this on?"

The man clucks his tongue.

"Kojo, I know you; it's what you do."

A familiar pressure pushes down on your insides.

Deceit, manipulation, and delusion are all in your twisted nature.

"...Do you feel like I pretend to care about you?"

Marcus blinks and shakes his head.

"No, I mean I used to sometimes, but I know for sure you don't now. It's just...weird seeing you do that knowing you can be genuine but aren't. Feels like I'm watching two entirely different people. Either I haven't gotten used to seeing you around more or I'm just now realizing how many little shifts in personality you go through depending on the situation."

You hum in understanding.

At times, you do switch from calculating mastermind to petty gangster and to bloodthirsty mass murderer. None of those three things are what any outside person would consider normal or healthy despite their productiveness. It's not necessarily a detrimental thing but it just goes to show how fucked in the head you really are.

>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I was...I saw a vision of a mutant who was the opposite of me. He was weak and pathetic but he was content. The man had friends, a bitch, and...someone like you...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life? I'm starting to understand how he as another person felt, which is an entirely new thing for me."
>[ ] "I care for them in a way. Not the same way I do you but they're important. If any of them died, I'd be the same but...disappointed? The first time I ever felt sadness was literally yesterday."
>[ ] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?"
>[ ] "Isn't that normal? I mean, you act weird sometimes too."
>[ ] "Marcus, I think I hate myself."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3131573
>[ ] "I care for them in a way. Not the same way I do you but they're important. If any of them died, I'd be the same but...disappointed? The first time I ever felt sadness was literally yesterday."
They're valuable pieces after all.

>>3131573
>I saw my opposite in that warehouse
>I can care about people
Man, empathy is infectious

>>3131573
>[ ] "I care for them in a way. Not the same way I do you but they're important. If any of them died, I'd be the same but...disappointed? The first time I ever felt sadness was literally yesterday."
Complete character development doesn't happen in a day.

>>3131593
Except when you're us, then everything happens in a day

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3131595
in complete fairness, self awareness and realizing you had a heart was the only character development

>[X] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I was...I saw a vision of a mutant who was the opposite of me. He was weak and pathetic but he was content. The man had friends, a bitch, and...someone like you...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life? I'm starting to understand how he as another person felt, which is an entirely new thing for me."
>[X] "I care for them in a way. Not the same way I do you but they're important. If any of them died, I'd be the same but...disappointed? The first time I ever felt sadness was literally yesterday."

>(1/2)

Now is as good a time as any to go over that otherworldly occurrence in Owl's place. The squat and the old warehouse weren't exactly the best place to discuss them, however. You already had enough dramatic moments yesterday.

You flatten your lips into a thin line.

"Back at Owl's warehouse, I was...I saw a vision of a mutant who was the opposite of me. He was weak and pathetic but he was content. The man had friends, a bitch, and...someone like you." You frown. "...Am I focusing on the wrong thing in life? I'm starting to understand how he as another person felt, which is an entirely new thing for me."

Marcus widens his eyes.

"Were you tripping balls or going through some kind of supernatural mind melding?"

You raise an eyebrow.

"...The latter, I think."

The man blinks.

"Okaaay, do you really think you understand how that mutant dude felt?"

You shrug.

"I mean, I felt what was his life experiences and thoughts so yeah but not really since I didn't get the full story. The thing is I'm starting to have the same feelings he did; one of them, anyway."

Marcus hums.

"Kojo, I'm not sure if there's a right thing to focus on in life. You told me yourself you do all of this shit to fill the emptiness in you. It's not the best, but it's all you know. I'm just trying to get by like most people here."

A hum of your own rumbles in your throat.

Throughout your entire life, crime and violence were necessary to subsist. The lengths you've taken them insure you thrive instead of survive like you used to if you could even call that living. People like Cage, Spider-boy, and the scaly mutant wouldn't be able to understand. Not a single memory in your mind can recall a day you weren't a criminal. To live was to kill, fight, steal, and abuse; those who didn't do any were raped, killed, robbed, and exploited. The rare times you dreamed you saw an ocean filled with blood of people you stepped over with their bodies floating on the surface bloated, rotten, and bare of all they had.

>(2/2)

Life is Death and to live is to die or devour others.

"I care for them in a way. Not the same way I do you but they're important. If any of them died, I'd be the same but...disappointed?" You shrug. "The first time I ever felt sadness was literally yesterday."

Your best friend sighs.

"Well, at least you're making progress." He blinks. "I really should be more freaked out about how you don't feel emotions the same way everyone else does but you had none when we first met, so this is somehow better yet worse."

Raising an eyebrow, you tilt your head to the side.

"Worse how exactly?"

Marcus breathes in through his teeth.

"The old you wouldn't be having this kind of crazy drama and the current you is a clusterfuck of issues."

You untilt your head and groan.

"Don't act like the old me was more pleasant to be around."

The black man clucks his tongue.

"I never had to worry about pissing the old you off and getting murdered by him on a whim."

A deep pain engulfs the center of your chest.

It hurts you to know how much truth there is in his words.

You really are that much of a piece of shit.

>[ ] "...Marcus, the moment I had no use for you, the old me would've killed you."
>[ ] "...Everything would be so much better if I just died back then."
>[ ] "Do you think...if I see a therapist I'd get better?"
>[ ] "That...really hurts, you know?"
>[ ] "I...I would never hurt you."
>[ ] "...I'm sorry."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3131788
>[ ] "...Marcus, the moment I had no use for you, the old me would've killed you."
Now we would feel bad after.

>>3131788
Man, I'm shit with this kind of stuff on one hand I don't want to lie to Marcus but on the other hand going out and saying that we would have killed him doesn't seem like the right thing to do
>I'm sorry Marcus

>>3131788
Merry Christmas Fungi

>>3132032
Thanks, man. Have a merry Christmas or happy holiday or whatever the hell you do near the end of the year. If you do nothing, have a happy new year.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>[ ] "...Marcus, the moment I had no use for you, the old me would've killed you."
>[ ] "...I'm sorry, Marcus"

>[X] "...Marcus, the moment I had no use for you, the old me would've killed you."

He's right about the present you, but he's overlooking the fact the past you was just as capable of killing him only with even less thought to it.

You let out a sigh.

"...Marcus, the moment I had no use for you, the old me would've killed you."

The black man parts his lips, closes them, raises a hand to his chin, hums, widens his eyes, and lowers his hand.

"Yeah, you would've."

Nodding, you hum back.

"Abuelita, Dan, my dad, you, and maybe mom if I hadn't killed her when I was born. The moment any of you stopped being useful, I would've killed you all, chopped you up, put your bits in a bag, and threw you in a dumpster."

Marcus outstretches an open hand.

"Okay, okay! I get it: the old you was worse."

You frown.

"An understatement but accurate."

Marcus returns his hand to his side.

"...You really don't like thinking or hearing about the old you, do you?"

You nod.

"I was alive but dead and killed almost everyone precious to me" You sigh. "Every time I focus on who I was or try to recall that mindset I had, I feel like...I'm dying. I stop thinking, feeling emotions, and everything goes cold. It happened back when we chatted with Silvio and stopped by the old squat."

Marcus blinks.

"I knew something was wrong with you back there. You used to stare at that mirror for hours on end when you weren't staring at me. Sometimes, it looked like you were staring at a complete stranger trying to read your own face."

You let out a small hum.

"Had nothing better to do than keeping watch and trying to see if I ever made the same faces other people do sub-consciously like they do. I mostly stared at you to try and get a read on your emotions. Got good at reading them but couldn't really understand them and you know how I was feeling wise."

Marcus widens his eyes slightly and nods but says nothing.

There's a lot you haven't told him about the old you, a lot you don't want to. Maybe the old you's little quirks are nostalgic to Marcus but they make you remember how you were.

You might be a piece of shit now, but you'll never be that puppet again.

>[ ] "Aren't those personality shifts you were talking about normal? I mean, you act weird sometimes too."
>[ ] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?"
>[ ] "What do you miss most about the old me?"
>[ ] "Marcus, I think I hate myself."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3132204
>What was the best/worst about me
Man, how did we become a fucking human being

>>3132207
We became an MC. If we didn't Kojo would be some C-B tier xman villain.

Late and got christmas partying to do. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)
>>3132219
i feel strangely offended right now

>>3132223
Not that anon, but would it help lessen the sense of offense if you compared Kojo now to the Kojo in the diner?
Because cop kicking diner Kojo would have been that villain.

>>3132255
Yes, yes it would and yes early concept Kojo would've been that villain. Let's pretend Kojo was only like that because he was hungover from the party the other night, which he was and is now a good justification for his foolish behavior when I think about it.

>>3132219
Yeah, Kojo would have been a "eat puppies for fun villain" rather than a "I'm trying to provide for the people around me" type villain

>>3132292
Well, he's some of the former and a bit of the latter. He does everything so long as it benefits him.

>>3132204
>What was the best/worst about me

>>3132223
Oh I didn't mean anything by it, just that comics tend to underutilize most villains. At best he'd have been a regenerator fight with wolverine or a slightly smarter rhino for Spidey.

Voting closed; writing now.
>>3132617
Ah, I see. Neither did I. I could totally see someone else writing Kojo as just some generic supervillain with super strength.

>[X] "What was the best and worst things about the old me?"

It's a mystery to you what anyone would find your old self's most beneficial or detrimental qualities to be. You weren't exactly a person back then and someone would have to actually known you to judge them. Marcus is the only one left who knew your old self.

"What was the best and worst things about the old me?"

Marcus hums.

"Best, I'd say the old you's dependability: I could always rely on you for protection and not have to worry about getting my throat slashed, which I'm now seeing as something I should have been worried about."

You nod.

"Every time you ran home with someone chasing you, I contemplated kill you after I killed them."

Marcus blinks.

"Well, that's...good to know?" He sighs. "As for your worst, I'd say the whole extremely rational emotionless puppet thing. Now that I'm looking back on it, I really should have taken that more into account. Sure, it was creepy but it was also a sign you'd fucking murder me and I was too distracted by the creepiness and being alive to care."

A confirming hum rumbles in your throat.

"You were far too comfortable with the old me."

Marcus nods.

"Starting to see that now."

A sigh escapes your lips.

He's starting to see the truth behind the old you, but it doesn't feel good at all.

>[ ] "Aren't those personality shifts you were talking about normal? I mean, you act weird sometimes too."
>[ ] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?"
>[ ] "Marcus, I think I hate myself."
>[ ] "...I'm sorry."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3132729
>[ ] "I'm sure if I didn't have you, I would have been worse off. Keeping you around and alive for how useful you were was the closest I had to showing appreciation, in that empty state."
>[ ] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?" Laugh, then stop laughing. "No, I'm serious. Being made aware of exactly how I am back at the old squat, made me start noticing the issues everyone else has. You think it's worth a try, once I seize Kingpin's money?"

>>3132729
>>3132741
>>[X] "I'm sure if I didn't have you, I would have been worse off. Keeping you around and alive for how useful you were was the closest I had to showing appreciation, in that empty state."
>>[X] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?" Laugh, then stop laughing. "No, I'm serious. Being made aware of exactly how I am back at the old squat, made me start noticing the issues everyone else has. You think it's worth a try, once I seize Kingpin's money?
I like these.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I'm sure if I didn't have you I would have been worse off. Keeping you around and alive for how useful you were was the closest I had to showing appreciation in that empty state."
>[X] "Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?" Laugh, then stop laughing. "No, I'm serious. Being made aware of exactly how I am back at the old squat, made me start noticing the issues everyone else has. You think it's worth a try once I seize Kingpin's money?

>(1/2

You were pretty fucked up back then but you would have been even worse if you never met Marcus, Dan, and Abuelita. Human emotion was completely incomprehensible to you before they came into your life. If not for them, you wouldn't have ever become the man you are now or have context to the emotions you felt after you woke up.

"I'm sure if I didn't have you I would have been worse off. Keeping you around and alive for how useful you were was the closest I had to showing appreciation in that empty state."

Marcus frowns.

"You didn't know what appreciation even was. Every time I said thank you, you'd stare at me for a while."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"I heard it said before I just didn't know what it meant. The freaked out look you gave me always messed up my idea of thanks. Seemed like a word for confirming your submission than appreciation, which I really didn't understand."

Your best friend widens his eyes before closing them and sighing.

"I'm sorry for bringing up the past." He opens his glowing blue eyes. "For me, most of my happiest memories are from the back then. But for you, that was the worst period of your entire life. Hearing you talk about how you used to be and how you feel whenever you try to figure it out is putting a lot of things into perspective."

>(2/2)

Turning your eyes downward, you let out a sigh of your own.

"Do you think if I see a therapist I'd get better?" Raising your gaze to Marcus, you let out a throaty laugh that sucks in the black man before stopping. "No, I'm serious." You frown. "Being made aware of exactly how I am back at the old squat, made me start noticing the issues everyone else has. You think it's worth a try once I seize Kingpin's money?"

Marcus blinks at you and shrugs.

"I don't know, man. Your best chance is to find a heavy duty OG therapist used to handling people like you, which may as well be trying to hunt a unicorn. Maybe one of those celebrity therapists or therapists for celebrities can help you out." He raises a hand to his chin and hums. "I think I heard of this one guy who was a counselor for capes and an advocate for mutant rights on a TV before."

A memory or two that aren't your own flood into your mind.

"Dr. Sean Garrison, host of Therapeutic Talk."

The black man lowers his hand.

"That's his name; you've heard of him?"

You shake your head.

"Kingpin did."

Marcus raises an eyebrow before widening his eyes.

"Oh yeah, you ate his...soul."

A confirming hum rumbles in your throat.

Sean could be of help with you and your crew, but he could out you to the caped douche-bags who's problems he also listens to.

>[ ] "Forgot to mention this, but Ren has dissociative identity disorder and might actually be the other Yamizake twin who I made her kill. If she starts acting like a bitch, you know she's flipped; just pinch her cheeks, call her a cute girl, pat her on the head, and baby talk her and Ren will go back to normal."
>[ ] "Aren't those personality shifts you were talking about normal? I mean, you act weird sometimes too."
>[ ] "Is the soul eating thing really weird? Am I just too used to crazy shit to care?"
>[ ] "Do you feel like you need a therapist? If I can admit it, you can."
>[ ] "Marcus, I think I hate myself."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3132899
>[ ] "Is the soul eating thing really weird? Am I just too used to crazy shit to care?"
>[ ] "And aren't those personality shifts you were talking about normal? I mean, you act weird sometimes too."
>[ ] "Speaking of personality shit, I forgot to mention this. Ren has dissociative identity disorder and might actually be the other Yamizake twin who I made her kill. If she starts acting like a bitch, you know she's flipped; just pinch her cheeks, call her a cute girl, pat her on the head, and baby talk her and Ren will go back to normal."

>>3132924
Ditto, but let's try and keep Ren-Run on the DL, also Marcus has glowing blue eyes?