Phantom Knight: Knight Of Hinansho Volume 1

 They say you could never come home again. Given the kind of city, Hinansho is, it's understandable how some people can take that statement to heart. It's what some residents would even dream of doing. Yet when you're Harry Kusanagi, Hinansho is in his blood.




He stands inside the home of Kusanagi Manor, he has to give Andrea credit. Everything was just how he left it.



"Nothing has changed sir, just the person who owns it" Andrea pats her charge on the back. It has been over ten years since he has been in Hinansho, ten years since he's been in this home that his parents had built. Harry walked over to the fireplace in the guest room to see the portraits of Daisuke & Mei Xing Kusanagi, remembered everything that both of them fought for in order for Hinansho to have a better future. As he looked at the portrait he promised that he'd never leave the city again.



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Dad always had a thing for the fine arts and he always got a taste for the Quanise Culture. Helped that he spent the bulk of his childhood over in Shin-Quan as his own campaign of becoming as diverse in culture as he could. What made Shin-Quan stand out among the other countries? That was when he first met mom'



The Dojo's designed as a replica of the one that Daisuki trained under. Harry and Andrea, both in their respective training Gi's, conduct in a competitive sparring session. Harry blocked a spinning-heel kick then countered with a punch to Andrea's stomach. She blocked and performed a judo-flip but, like a cat, Harry lands on his feet and proceeds an elbow shot to Andrea's face.



"I see those years away have done you some good. Usually, I'd have you on your back by now." Andrea says after blocking the attack.



'Andrea, you could say, was my first of everything. My first combat teacher for instance'



"Don't be too disappointed, the session's just started, and I can think of another way to make up for it," Harry responds with a grin as the two circles each other in an attempt to search for any kind of weakness they'd like to.



"Don't get too cocky, you have a lot to make up before you've earned that privilege" Andrea teased.



'And you've pretty much figured out the other first.'



Harry assumes a similar stance, cautiously circling until he gives a short cry and launches a furious attack. Launching a barrage of kicks and punches at every angle, it was like a martial arts flick at high speed. And for the first time in, God only knows how long, he has Andrea on the defense.



Andrea studies his expression, it was focused, it wasn't the usual competitive kind of focus she'd see of him but in a pure fight for survival kind of focus. She ducked a punch, countering with a spinning head scissors takedown. Harry stood his ground and blocked a couple of punches. He slams Andrea on the mat, keeping both of her hands over her head grounded with his."Ha! After all these years, finally got you pin-"



He was cut off by a knee to his abdomen, just one more pressure and he'd find himself paralyzed from the waist down. She didn't have to say anything, the smirk she gave says it all.



"Ah. Soooo." Harry leans forward and rests his forehead on Andreas. "Draw then?"



"Fair enough," Andrea says, nuzzling Harry's nose with her's affectionately. "Care to let me go now"

Harry grins, "That depends, care to continue this within our bed chambers?"

"Thought you'd never ask" Andrea purred

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"Where do you find stamina?" Andrea joked while she and Harry lay in the Master Bedroom, basking in the blissful silence that sweeps the manor. Dressed in their respective PJ's as they both embraced each other, with Harry holding her with both arms while Andrea wrapped hers around his waist affectionately as her head rested on his chest, listening to the gentle sounds of his heartbeat.



"I could ask the same about you" Harry responds, resting his chin on the top of her head. Taking pleasure in Andrea's breast increases and decreases in volume as they rest on his rock hard stomach.



She lift her head up and once her eyes lock on with his, seeing those emerald beauties was enough to cause the pricking of his bare skin."Himmelens I missed you"



Andrea smiled, placing one hand on his chest, providing a ruptured gasp as his fingers brushed down the center of her back. "Likewise. BTW, back when we were sparring. I've noticed something different about you"



"Like what?"



"You had a look that read you've just came out of Purgatory and you had to fight for your life to do so" Andrea said



Harry thought back to that, he remembered the sparring match, which triggered a moment in his life where everything that Andrea said was true. He was not the same person that left Hinansho seven years ago. But that experience made him stronger and maintained enough will to separate Andrea from the enemies he had to fight to become what he is."A lot has happened, during my time away"



"No dritt"



"I will tell you all about it tomorrow" Harry said, Andrea smiled and poked him in the chest"I'll hold you to that"



Harry grinned, his hand moved lower and grasped that perfect heart-shaped ass of Andrea's, she shuddered in delight then her hand moved down and grasped something else that caused Harry to make a slight gasp."Nice to know some things haven't changed" Andrea said then shifts her position till she's straddling his waist. Leans down, then the two kissed passionately.



It was quite an enchanting night.

Naitofōru, a happening Meiji Themed Restaurant/Bath House where the waiters and waitresses would dress in the respective attire of that period. A stage play of the Kyoto Rebellion is conducted and two of the patrons that are getting front row viewing of it are the local celebrities of Hinansho: Chun Lai and her husband The Shogun of Hinansho. And the two are enjoying their dinner anniversary.

The restaurant staff acts as if the Shogun himself has just shown up on their doorstep demanding a meal. No doubt if the meal is not satisfactory the staff will gladly slice off a finger. Fortunately for the staff, they provide a performance of a lifetime.


Despite his title, Shogun didn't own the restaurant. The restaurant was really part of one of his wife's passion projects. And she applauded the staff on a job well done, The Shogun, while just as pleased, was even more satisfied that Chun was satisfied.

"Dra åt helvete" Was what the humanoid wall told an uninvited guest who made the misfortune of disrupting their dinner. He glanced at Chun who was more intrigued than angry at their unexpected guest, Kusanagi Harry.

He was blocked by not an army of guards but Sansa herself. A native of Hyrden, whose also Shogun and Chun's personal bodyguard. She's small in height yet pretty fierce. The one person that's preventing Harry from engaging the self-proclaimed rulers of Hinansho. The Shogun stood up and faced Harry.

Naturally, anyone who'd do such a thing would be either upset or annoyed. The Shogun expressed neither emotion, his primary trait is that he never showcase anger. To him, anger causes you to lose control and make a lapse in judgment. He's calm, and that's a dangerous emotion to get in. Chun just remained in her seat, watching on in a manner a theater attendant would watch a captivating stage play then spoke. "Why Harry, don't you look lost"

Anyone who'd dare confront The Shogun, especially upfront, either has some kind of death wish or is seeking to be in the welcome hands of Death's embrace. Harry's the latter. Despite his history with his daughter Sakuya, he's well aware that The Shogun would kill him without a moment's hesitation. Yet he's not going down cowering before the man.

The Shogun examined him, his expression lacked all life, he has seen that look before. It was the look of someone with nothing to lose. "I didn't expect this particular visit, Harry. Yet, given as though we are technically family, whatever that ails you I'm all ears"

"You're no family of mine, and I came here to show that you don't have everyone in this city wrapped around your finger" Harry said

The Shogun laughed like Harry had finished telling an amusing joke." I'm just a business man that has the citizens best interest at heart."

"Tell that to my parents that you've hired someone to gun down" Harry glared

Despite his unfazed facade, that accusation that Harry delivered felt like someone drove a poisoned dagger into his stomach. He and Maikeru had always butted heads over what benefited Hinansho and it's citizens. Sometimes the conversation can get pretty heated. Yet no matter how hot things got, The Shogun would never hit a fellow student of Hanzo out of anger. Clash of morals aside, he respects Maikeru too much to even consider it.

He took the murder of Maikeru and Hui Yin pretty hard, completely shut himself out by using his position as a form of coping mechanism. At least till Chun brought him out of the rut he was in. Now that he's facing the last surviving member of the Kusanagi Dynasty, he deeply regretted not being there for him. And not giving the real killer the slow death he deserved.

Harry, stood his ground, yet he could make out a few key figures in the restaurant. Such as Prime Minister Jagi, whose mind is on two lovely companions on each arm. And a Judge of the Supreme Court, Miyamoto. Anyone whose important is within this place, if The Shogun wanted, he'd kill him on the spot and no law official would touch him.

The Shogun looked back at Chun, his lovely muse, she relaxed in her seat and gave an indifferent shrug. With a gentle smile from The Shogun he swiftly turned and backfisted Harry across the jaw. Sending Harry flying clear across the restaurant, and he crashed into a wall, falling on the ground.

The Shogun instructed Sansa to pick Harry up and bring him on the stage.

Chun took a sip and stood up to announce to the audience." I hope you've all enjoyed the festivities, ladies and gentlemen. If you thought the stage play was something else, my husband and my Future In-Law are going to provide a Special Presentation"

The room spins as Harry tries to get his bearings, he can feel warm blood running down the side of his jaw. Feeling like he was just struck by a humanoid tank. He felt the back of his collar being tugged and was instantly lifted up on his feet. It wasn't long till he's tossed and crashed onto the ground again. He blinked his eyes a few times, by the time he got his bearings he felt water running underneath him and heavy rain pouring down.

He pulled himself up and was stunned to find himself on an Eiji Era ship that is in the middle of a hideous storm as it rocked in the middle of the ocean. He also notices that he's wearing black attire from that time period. Harry didn't waste no time in figuring out that he's within a simulation that is reenacting a rather favorite story of his Michi no Kenshi(The Unknown Swordsman), a wanderer with no name on a quest of redemption. Despite the new setting his jaw still ached from that sneak attack.

"Good to see that you have some fight in you"

He looked across from him to find The Shogun dressed in dark EiJi Period armor, as he paced the ship. He's completely unaffected by the harsh environments, unlike our hero of the theater play. "Now we can proceed with a little history lesson"

Hatred flashed Harry’s eyes, he reached to his side and pulled out his own sword. He wants justice for what happened to his father and the ultimate betrayal from his mother. The way he sees it, The Shogun was going to kill him anyways but as far as Harry’s concerned he’s already dead. And he’s looking at taking The Shogun with him.


The Shogun’s sword flashes, Harry manages to parry a blow, before he is cracked across the face, and blood begins to flow free1y from his nose.

“Long ago there are two warriors, both of whom share a common belief in justice. Unfortunately their methods differ from one another, which caused the two of them to become locked in a bloody conflict.” The Shogun says, never losing his stride as Harry charges at him, he parry’s a strike and knocks Harry’s legs from under him. While Harry’s sprawling on the ground, The Shogun kicks the sword out of his hand.”The Phantom Swordsman, still holds his rival with a measure of respect. Conflict aside.”

Harry spits blood on the floor and manages to stand up, again. With a battle cry he charged at In a sliding move, The Shogun dodges and cracks Harry in the side, then the legs, then the neck. Gasping for breath, at least one rib broken, Harry writhes on the ground. The Shogun digs the point of his sword into Harry's hand until he releases his grip.


“But he has no choice, he knows he couldn’t reason with his opponent. So he engages The Nameless Fighter in combat. When that moment comes, he could see that his opponent wasn’t as focused as he should be. Because he’s having his own battle within him, that’s making The Unknown Swordsman lose his drive.” The Shogun kicks Harry’s sword away.

Harry once again struggles to his feet. This time without hesitation, The Shogun sighs, runs back and rains blows upon Harry’s now defenseless body. First the wrist, then the back, then the stomach, then finally the jaw.

Harry, hits the ground and lies painfully ”It was the advantage The Phantom Swordsman needed. But his victory was a hollowed one. He could kill the poor bastard right then and there, but he didn’t. Maybe it was out of respect, or because he want his opponent to find that drive again.”

“Cut it” The Shogun ordered and the scene changed back and the two find themselves back on stage, with the onlookers applauding their performance. The Shogun and Harry remain unaffected from the weather environments that the stage play showcased and they remain in their modern attire.

Despite the lack of blood from their duel, Harry still felt like he just been through a fight to the death. He felt The Shogun help him up to his feet. He leaned forward and whispered ”What happened to your father, you’re looking for the wrong individual” The Shogun faced the applauding audience and bowed.

He walked down to return to the table where his wife applauded him.

Picking up what was left of his pride, Harry staggers down the steps. He was going to make his leave till he was stopped by Chun. Harry didn’t want to look at her as his gaze was fixed forward. Yet that didn’t stop Chun to provide some parting words ”We don’t choose the ones we love, you’ll learn that one day

Harry staggers out of the restaurant, trying to tune out the music and the patrons going about their usual. They all thought it was one big show and despite what the show simulated, Harry knew that The Shogun could have killed him and nobody would bat an eye. That was the lesson he produced and Harry got it pretty clear, it doesn't matter if he stood up to The Shogun. To the people, he's just a rich kid, while The Shogun built what he's got.

Despite the tragedy that was brought upon him he has never truly witnessed the ugly side of life, the harsh realities that Hinansho brought. That was the kind of wake up call that Harry had to mull over.

Before he could get an opportunity to, he wasn't but a good block away from the restaurant before he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck and the world around him went completely dark.









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