"What a dramatic entrance," said Kiara, Spiritual Queen of Rendo Village.
"Yeah, man, you really had to break the window?" said Fugiama, Spiritual King of Shidare Village.
"Finally, somebody to fight," said Taro, Spiritual King of Kozame Village.
"Hey there, special one," said Ryuu, also known as Ryju's grandpa and Spiritual King of the Great Village.
"Who is this man?" asked Sarata, Spiritual King of Koshin Village.
"How did you get here?" asked Kein, Spiritual King of Jinkawa Village.
"Somebody kill this bug," said Lice, Spiritual King of Morika Village.
"Man, I'm tired," said Louchi, Spiritual King of Osaki Village.
"Who is this man?" asked Gia, Spiritual Queen of Hatsuri Village.
"Can you please leave? You have the wrong room," said Siro, Spiritual King of Zukari Village.
"Aw man, who's this guy?" asked Oriya, Spiritual Queen of Hanrei Village.
"Alright, can I fight him?" said the Spiritual King of Sunae Village.
"I need to get back to my village and see my wife," said Zerai, Spiritual King of Takari Village.
"Hey there," said Tarik, Spiritual King of Nekura Village.
"Who are you, bastard? Go home before I kill you," said Joe, Spiritual King of Taka Village.
"Hey, c'mon, we were talking about something important before you interrupted," said Suna, Spiritual Queen of Tenshiro Village.
"Yeah, what she said," added Lid, Spiritual King of Tsukami Village.
Beside Ryuu sat a man in a suit, katana in hand, eyes sharp—it was none other than Taka.
"Ryuu, should I slice him down?" Taka asked.
All eyes turned to Peter.
"Hello, Spiritual Kings and Queens. My name is Peter, and I'm the King of the Laybirth Kingdom," Peter said confidently.
"Hmph, I've heard of you, Peter," Ryuu said.
Peter's eyes widened. "You… you've heard of me?"
"Yeah, that's right, you bastard. You were part of my rule," Joe said angrily.
"Oh, that's right. My village was under your rule—but not anymore. I freed my people from you, from being slaves," Peter said with a smile.
Joe stood and approached Peter. "You clearly don't know the world's rules. Each of us owns five percent of the world—twenty-five villages each. And we can do anything we want with them, even make people slaves. Our ninjas and nobles deserve everything, while people like you deserve nothing except to serve us. We all do it."
Peter looked at the others. They nodded in agreement.
So that's how you all think, Peter thought.
Joe stopped face-to-face with Peter. "You broke the rules of the world. I can jail you for life—or execute you."
Peter looked shocked. "Why are all of you like this?" he asked quietly.
"Who said all of us were?" Ryuu said, stepping toward them.
"Yeah, we care about our people," Taka added, joining Ryuu.
"Well, except for them," Joe said, pointing at a few, "but you still broke the rules and should be executed."
"None of that will happen," Ryuu commanded.
"But why? He broke the rules—he should be executed," Joe snapped.
"Should I execute you then?" Taka said to Joe.
"Bring it on," Joe replied with a grin.
"Oh really now?" Taka said, hand on his sword.
Ryuu stepped in front of him. "That won't happen either."
"K," Taka said, backing off.
"That's what I thought," Joe muttered.
"This is out of hand," Suna said.
"Yeah, no kidding," Kiara added.
"Let me hear him out. Why are you here?" Ryuu asked.
"I want peace between my kingdom and the Twenty Great Villages. I'd also like to attend the Great Village meetings, to know what's happening in our world. We have our own resources," Peter said.
"No way he can attend," Tarik said.
"Yeah, you're right," Zerai agreed.
"Only Taka is the exception," Oriya said.
"You think you're at that level? Pathetic," Joe said in a mocking tone.
"Please," Peter said, almost begging.
"Deal," Ryuu said.
"Actually?" Peter asked, surprised.
The other kings and queens protested.
"That's not right," Joe said.
"Yeah, he's not even a Spiritual King," Louchi said.
"We should vote," Lid suggested.
"Only on one condition," Ryuu said.
What's he thinking? Taka wondered.
"What is it?" Peter asked.
"We fight—and you have to land a solid hit on me," Ryuu said with a smile.
Everyone reacted the same
"Huh?"
To be continued…