Chapter 11: Copper Forest
As Hue is home to a significant number of skilled fighters, there was a need to adjust the representation of each region in the Gurētofue, the grand tournament. This led the Shirei Kan to realize that appointing just one representative per region would not be enough. Faced with this situation, they concluded that a different approach was needed to assess the force that shaped the land of Hue.
Thus the Kai were created, groups of skilled fighters who were evaluated by an indicator of strength known as Hyōhaku-zai. This indicator is categorized into four levels: A, B, C, and D, which are defined according to the performance of their fighters in the tournament, and in their region. To take part in the tournament, a Kai must have level A and represent its home region. Each Kai is led by a Kyapen, also known as a champion, who is carefully chosen to represent them in the tournament.
Renāto za imōtaru leaves for Dō no Mori with the four members of his Kai, Girudo, where he currently holds the position of Kyapen!
- Don't use your muskets here like you're hunting birds - says Renāto - we've just come to talk.
[Wierd, kyapen candidate / Kai: Girudo]
- hmm... If it was "just" to talk, Shirei Kan wouldn't have sent us to accompany you, legend. The contrast between our blue uniform and this red forest makes us easy targets.
[Rioth, kyapen candidate / Kai: Girudo]
- I partly agree, Wierd. But despite that, we're not afraid of what the chimaras can do, as long as we stick together.
[Tulbs, kyapen candidate / Kai: Girudo]
- Maybe it's not even the chimaras who are attacking us. But whatever it is, why else would we be a Kai?
[Portz, kyapen candidate / Kai: Girudo]
- They represent this region just as much as we do, Tulbs. We're not enemies, but I agree that we need to defend ourselves somehow, if necessary.
Renāto stops immediately and looks at his companions.
- Don't underestimate the chimaras or the creatures who have decided to live with them on this side of the region. If memory serves, Bapinoza died here, and Dereon disappeared after arriving in Dō no Mori to try to help him. I'm not here with you because I want to be, but because I need to put an end to this invisible wall I've caused in Araukaria. Remember those words before you speak any nonsense.
Having said that, the musketeers fell silent and continued their journey. After a while walking through the great red forest, Renāto noticed something different in the air and stopped his walk. He signals a sawed-off fist, and his companions also stop.
- Did you feel that? - says the kyapen, attentive.
The musketeers try to notice something different around them.
- I didn't feel anything unusual, Captain.
- Nor," adds Rioth, "a different breeze. It's quiet.
Renāto takes his sword from his back, unwraps it from his sash, and prepares himself attentively for something unknown.
- ... Exactly.
Suddenly, a rushing wind, shrouded in red leaves, knocks Rioth down and pins him to the ground. A leaf wraps around his mouth and leaves him gagged.
- Rioth! - exclaims Wierd.
All the other musketeers, seized by the impulse, arm themselves with muskets.
- Stop! Use your rapiers! - warns Renāto.
But it was too late. Wierd shoots into the rushing wind, and the bullet, wrapped around Dentō, bounces off one of the leaves that surrounds the wind and hits the musketeer in the shoulder. He leans against a tree, wounded.
- Damn. This wind has a life of its own!
All the others insist on using their muskets, preparing to fire. But they are interrupted by Renāto.
- I TOLD YOU NOT TO SHOOT! DO YOU WANT TO KILL YOURSELVES?!
They look at Wierd, wounded by his weapon, and change their minds. With that, they arm themselves with their rapiers, following the kyapen's orders.
- What shall we do then, champion?
- On guard. Wait for my signal - says Renāto, looking for something or someone in the air of the red forest.
Then a stronger current than the previous one forms behind the musketeers and sets off towards them. Renāto still seems to be looking for the source of the danger, but he looks to the opposite side of the voracious current.
- Renāto! It's getting closer!
- ... Ahá! I've found you - he says, finally plotting a target.
Then, with his vast experience, the musketeer strikes his Hamburupi from below, generating a wave of heavenly slashing toward Wierd.
- Renāto, have you gone mad? - exclaims Portz - No!
However, right in front of Wierd, who was already accepting his fate with his eyes closed, a grunt is heard, and consequently, something invisible seems to be hit, causing the strong current of leaves to stop immediately. The ambient sound of the forest returns to normal.
- Show yourself, Zasshu! - shouts Renāto, in an imposing manner.
Then a hurricane forms in front of the champion, who remains motionless, and attracts leaves to itself until it forms a body. You can see that the spot where Renāto struck the blow remains wounded, with a blue aura around it. At the top, completing the body, a frightening dog skull is revealed.
[Harikēn zasshu(zasshu)
Chariku's Kyapen: Nebarizuo
Kai: Atoretiko Ak]
- You've got a lot of guts coming to this forest, COWARD!
Challenges in the copper forest!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone