2 Chapter 1: The Beginning

Chapter One: The Beginning

East Blue

Unknown Island

The sun was rising on a peaceful filled with noise of the quite rumbling of the ocean and chirping of sea gulls flying across the sky. Two adults, one being a beautiful middle-aged woman and an aged man world quietly sitting on the porch sipping their morning tea and enjoying the atmosphere of morning. "Today's the day I have been dreading for nineteen years Hayato." Sighs the woman to the elder.

"We made this promise to him several years ago Ayame, Saito has reached his 19th birthday and we both agreed if he has completed the training that we prepared he may leave home and begin his dream!" This elder is Amagiri Hayato the patriarch of the once famous Amagiri Clan and one of the most respected but feared swordsman of his generation. Standing at roughly six feet tall with long silver hair the feature trait of an Amagiri clansmen and a long beard adorning his fierce features and piercing violet eyes.

He's wearing a green yukata under a black haori (a traditional Japanese thigh-length kimono-style jacket, commonly worn by men) with golden borders with a zigzag pattern, and zori (flat sandals) with white tabi (toe-divided socks). Although he has aged and presents as a man in his twilight years at one glance you can see that he is a fierce warrior that has been though countless battles with an all-consuming aura. The woman just sighs sadly in response without challenge. She is Amagiri Ayame Daughter-in-law to Hayato and wife of his only son who has passed Gin. She is rather short at a height of roughly five feet tall sporting midnight black hair that cascades down her back and beautiful features that would naturally attract attention anywhere she would go. Clothed in a beautiful purple floral kimono with silver accents she bears a motherly aura that brings a brightness to whomever nears.

"I'm just worried that's all, he has never left the island, and although he is quite knowledgeable about what he will face out there its still frightening thinking about my baby leaving." Hayato turns to face her and loses his normal adhortative bearing for a moment, knowing the thoughts of his deceased son racing through his daughter-in-law's mind. "He's prepared and we really have no reason to make him stay, you have witnessed his talent yourself he's a prodigy when it comes to battle even though we don't share that with him, and although he might be naïve to the nature of this world he has the right mindset and with the guidance we have given him we should have no worries." "After all he is my grandson, kekekeke" chimed the old man showing revealing his pride.

"Alright lets go see him, he is know doubt all excited no need for me to ruin it" Ayame replies showing a beautiful but reluctant smile as they both rise from the positions to go see the one person that has become the world to the both to them.

In the area adjacent to the traditional home is spacious area of land that looks like a small slice of paradise. There's a small pond surrounded by beautiful flora of all colors, sizes and shaped and including beautiful cherry blossom trees spread throughout the area. Next to pond there's an aged cherry blossom trees that looks like its been growing forever branching out over a part of the large pond with limbs so thick and strong that it looks like it could never be brought down. On one of the limbs there is a young man lounging staring out enjoying the picturesque scene of his home and the gorgeous sight of the sun rising from the ocean that looks like it goes on forever. He's average height standing at about five foot 10 inches tall with bright silver hair hides the right side of his face and is loosely tied into a side ponytail.

He possesses sharp features and yet has relaxed ocean indigo eyes with a gleam that can't repress his excitement. He is very handsome wearing a long, grey, fighting-style kimono with a simple black sash and long purple scarf wrapped around his neck. Resting upon his lounging body is a katana. From just a glance at the weapon one can tell it truly is a treasure. Its scabbard is black as the midnight sky, the tsuba is a brightly polished silver finished off with a dark purple hilt. This young man is the youngest member of the Amagiri clan and its heir Amagiri Ayame.

Saito sits up and stretches he body and does something that would make anyone do a double take. After standing up on the ledge he walks to the main body of the tree and places his foot on the vertical side and walks down the ground as if he was just talking a stroll down a road. If one looked closely at his feet you could see a purple glow flowing from his body to the tree seemingly like an adhesive attaching him the tree. With a skip in his step Saito heads to his home with a smirk on his face. "Finally, today's the day I get to leave!" shouting to no one in particular.

All his life he has never been allowed to leave the island, not because he was prisoner or being protected from some vicious world that would harm him, but to learn from his mother and train under the tutelage of his grandfather. Don't misunderstand he loves his family more than anything they are all that he has and he's grateful for that.

He also knows that outside of this island there are dangers that he has to be well prepared for so over the past nineteen years he has soaked up all the knowledge he can like a sponge to help him when he sets out from home to accomplish what he has been dreaming about since he was small. "To find out what happened to the old man and figure out his secrets, here I come world."

All three family members are slowly walking down steps that lead down the mountain where they live to a large structure at the bottom before the sea. One would think there would be a solemn atmosphere due the youngest upcoming departure but instead they were all smile laughing and just enjoying each other's company for the last time in a while. While looking at the structure up ahead Saito mocks, "hey old man, your power is just so weird I will never get over it" his mother giggles while the eldest just hmph's in mock anger, "Brat, what have I always told you, never underestimate a devil fruits power no matter what any kind can become powerful if fully understood and trained."

Saito's eyes flash at that statement because he knows all to well that it's the truth. His grandfather's ability is the power to conjure a Tori gate from the devil fruit called the Geto Geto no Mi. The gates can come in any size but have the power to transport anyone to anywhere the have left another one their gates. Hayato has mastered his ability to what Saito believes must be it's extreme, not only can he travel through his gate, but he is also able to create dimensions within them. This entire island that he calls home is its own dimension.

The island looks normal from the outside except for one giant gate at the beach you can even see the steps that lead all the way up to his house, however the only way to physically enter the island is through the large red gate all other areas would be like running straight into a large impenetrable bubble surrounding the island. As they pass through the gate and reach the beach the atmosphere quickly takes a change from carefree and joy to somber and expectant.

Ayame's tears start slowly run down her face as she faces her son and asks, "Do you have everything? Are you sure you don't want to wait another year?" Saito smiles but in his eyes one can see reluctance, "Mom, don't worry I'll be fine. You know your son is quite strong." "I know, trust me you wouldn't have been able to take one step through that gate if I wasn't confident in your capability to defend yourself, I am just upset to see my little boy go okay." Both giving each other smiles they proceed to embrace to finally say goodbye.

Hayato clearing his throat receives a glare from the upset mother looks down on his pride and joy with a smile says "You have come far in your training and you are finally ready. You have a proper understanding of both the clan's foundation and sword martial arts, now its time to hone them. This world is filled with not only adventure but also conflict and strife it is the perfect arena for you. Go out their follow your own path! Meet new friends! Earn a few enemies! Show the world who Amagiri Saito is and remember no matter what happens home will always be here waiting for you!"

Finally losing some tears Saito bows to the man he reveres then quick embracing him quietly stating, "I will make you proud grandfather." "Good now your boat will get you to where you need to go for now. The ocean is a large place so remember what your mother taught you, I have a few things for you before you depart. Packed are some berries to keep you afloat for a while, but these three things are the most important."

He pulls out a bag and takes out three objects. "First is a transponder snail that is one way with me and your mother, remember to keep in touch. Second is my vivre card, I have already made a copy of yours so I can find you if I need to, but you need mine if you want to come home. Finally, is my gift to you." After receiving all three Saito looks down at the third objects and smiles it's a very small tori attached to a necklace in which he quickly fastens around his neck. Saito gives one more hug to his mother and finally climbs aboard his small boat and pushes off towards the endless sea ahead of him while waving goodbye.

The walk back is quiet except for the sobs of an emotional Ayame. "I can't believe he's gone what the heck am I going to do now?" Hayato to his daughter-in-law and laughs confusing her, "Do you think I am an idiot. I might be old but not dead yet, Saito is the only heir to our family if he were to die all would be lost. I will never allow that to happen! Follow me."

Ayame shocked about her father's previous statement silently follows him through the house to his office. She hasn't been in here for ages, as she steps into the room, she now notices a tori gate at one side of the room with a locked door inside of it. She was always curious about this but never asked due to her believing it had to deal with his former adventures. Knowing that conversations about those times were off limits she stands there unsure of what will come next. Hayato approaches the gate and unlocks the door before heading through he turns towards her smiling. "Welcome to The Network."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Its been several hours since heading out and Saito is calmly sitting at the bow of the boat excitement never leaving his face, he has already picked his next stop and should be there shortly. While thinking about what is to come, he notices something in the water passing by heading towards the direction he came from. It has caught his attention because it is something he has never seen in his life before. A boat resembling a coffin with candles lit on the edges that burn with green fire. The ship is only big enough for one person. At the center is a mast resembling a large crucifix. He clucks his tongue and voices his thoughts, "weird."

avataravatar