Minoru casually lifted himself from the destroyed wall of the building, Dusting his Hakama off, as he tightened his grip on his blade, as he focused his gaze on the city in front of him, and the opponent that charged at him, ready to continue his assault. Minoru bent his knees, as he shifted his right foot back, and pivoted his body.

Minoru: This one may be an issue, It looks like he’s gotten stronger than back then. It'd be smart to end this quickly. And eject these heretics from our capital.

Minoru jumped forward and flew at his opponent. Zhao, though he took notice, continued his charge regardless as he brought his sword over his head, and, as the two got within reach of one another, Zhao swung his blade down, as Minoru sent a strike at his stomach. But with a loud clang, their blades stopped each other once again. Though they would both push, in an attempt to force their opponents away with pure strength. The two began to let out grunts of effort, as the contest continued. But some moments after, Minoru pushed Zhao’s blade away, with the force sending him away. Zhao stopped himself, Mid-air, reverse thrusting as he took notice of Minoru chasing him and landing on the glass wall of a skyscraper. Though it wasn’t as tall as Rizian, it was tall compared to the buildings that surrounded it. Zhao soon began running up the side of the building. Minoru soon landed, following him up. The two swiftly made it to the roof of the building. Tightening their grips around their blades once again, as they got into their respective stances. The two would resume their battle soon after, charging at one another, and launching a fast flurry of swipes at each other, once again, the two were locked in a storm of swipes. However, as Zhao avoided a downward strike from Minoru, hopping to the left, and then away from him, he put his blade in front of his body, prepared to defend against any attack he might take. His eyes moved across his opponent, looking for the movement of a limb, even the twitch of a muscle. Minoru did the same.

Zhao(thought): I'm still at a disadvantage in terms of reach. If I can get close enough that he can’t be as quick to strike. But he likely realizes that himself, I won’t be able to do that easily...There has to be something I can do.

Zhao would soon flash forward, Minoru took notice and swung his blade at the man’s torso. However, as he took notice, Zhao jumped out of the way, before leaping above him, and bringing his blade down on Minoru, as if he planned to cut him down the middle. Minoru, unwilling to take the attack, brought his blade horizontal above him, stopping his attack. He pushed his blade, as he jumped as well, shoving Zhao away from him. As Zhao’s feet touched the ground, he began to skid back, kicking up dust as the roof under him was ripped apart. Zhao looked down at his own body and took notice of something, there was only but one small cut, on his right shoulder. Minoru looked down at his body, noticing that it was the same for him. Though for him, it was the left. The two focused their eyes on each other once again.

Zhao(thought): He's strong… Though I'd expect that from an apostle.

Minoru: The fact that you were able to grow so fast is impressive, I’ll give you that, Heretic. But that just proves that you are a real threat to us. Now die!!

Soon, a light red aura violently swarmed around Minoru. Even intensifying as he bent his knees, and held his blade to his hip once again.

Minoru:Guren Art- Shinku Senkō(Crimson Flash)

Soon, The light grew to encompass Minoru’s nodachi, as he flashed forward, at a speed which made Zhao’s eyes widen. However, the man simply sped past him. His eyes moved around, as he turned his head over and over. Though he could only catch glimpses of the man, he could somewhat track him.

Zhao(Thought): Dammit - he's running circles around me. If I don't stop him now, it'll be a problem… The moment he strikes, I'll use it.

Soon, Minoru flashed at Zhao’s back, as he prepared to swipe him once again. However, Zhao swiftly turned around, as he released his grip on his Dao, throwing it up. Minoru raised an eyebrow but continued forward regardless. Zhao soon brought both of his hands forward, as the man got into close range.

Zhao: Guo Art - Redirection!

Minoru soon found himself being thrown out of the way, Although, he continued going forward, standing behind Zhao once again. This surprised him, to say the least.

Minoru(thought): What?! How did he--- no matter!!!

Minoru regained his composure, as he Turned, and rushed Zhao once again, cutting him across his back time and time again, before kicking him away. Zhao soon rolled away, to the other side of the roof, with his blood splattering along the ground as he did so. Ending up laid upon the ground on the other side of the roof. Minoru looked down upon his opponent with contempt.

Minoru: Do not test me, boy… do not forget that you're facing the final master of the Guren School, and an apostle of ardam… Your paltry skill is nothing to me.

Part B

“February 7th of 1960 in Nagano, Minoru ito was born his father- Akira Ito, and mother, Hana Ito. He was a descendant of one of the Former 15 Clans that made up Yamato’s Kamujin(Divine Blades), Elite Proto-Human Warriors who served the Emperor and the Imperial Court for centuries. Though they lost power when the current Yamato administration took place, they continued their tradition of Learning the Families all using the very same Guren Style, which focused on fast, wide strikes… Like it was for most of the children of his family, his parents did not see him as a child, but a simple tool to pass on the Guren arts…"

One dark winter night, inside of the large traditional-style building, known as the Ito manor, stood a stern man with auburn hair, wearing a black hakama, in his left hand, was a Nodachi. As one got closer, they could take notice of the blood that leaked from his blade, and stained otherwise clean robes. Though he had a small cut on his arm, the one who stood against him had it much worse. On the ground, there was a boy in similar robes, that were cut all over. His breaths were labored, moreso as he attempted to lift the blade beside him. He looked up at the man above him with a pained expression. But the one he returned had not even a bit of sympathy.

Akira: Is this all you have?

It was dead silent, the boy did not move.

Akira: if that is the case, you are no son of mine.

Akira turned on his heel, sheathing his blade as he left the boy in the snow. Who looked on as he fell to his elbows and knees.

"His training, Even as he was young, was brutal. Whether it be with his father and mother or sparring with his siblings or cousins. But even then, it was only a downward spiral, the Brutality did not stop. As expectations for his strength got higher, the training increased as well. Which got more brutal as he got older… The rest of his family did similar things, as they cared about strength over all else… This was kept from the public eye, though they didn’t have much political power… They still had a reputation to preserve. Eventually, he had decided on what to do, as his scorn grew more and more, until… "

August 17th, 1978. in the Ito manor. There walked a brown-haired youth, his hair stretching down to his shoulders. The expression on his face was a blank one. He as well, wore the Traditional Hakama, as one would expect. But what stuck out was not the clothes themselves, but rather, the blood that stained them, as well as the Nodachi in his hand. The house was dead silent, with the only sound being his slow footsteps on the wood panels, and then, on the grass. Elsewhere, behind the wood panels, stood a similar-looking boy, Ito Tsuyoshi.

Gripping a blade in his hand as well. Though he may have worn the same clothes as the one in front of him, the shirt was gone, with his upper body covered in cuts. The chest, stomach, and back alike, nothing was left undamaged. His face twisted in anger, as he took notice of the casual expression on Minoru’s face. He gritted his teeth, he could no longer bear the anger. He bent his knees and jumped forward, prepared to strike at him.

Tsuyoshi: Brother!

Minoru’s eyes darted over. As his sibling took a downward swipe at him, he dodged his strike, and grabbed him by his throat, lifting him as he threw him into the wall of the manor. The wall was destroyed as he made impact. The man laid there as his brother made his slow approach. Lifting his head as the sound of the grass parting came closer.

Tsuyoshi: You bastard, how dare you carry out this betrayal?!

Minoru’s expression remains unchanged.

Minoru: Betrayal…? Do you not understand what kind of family this is? If it wasn't me, it would've been someone else… The Ito family loves strength so much, so I am showing them mine, and showing their weakness. Survival of the fittest is what they held dear, isn’t it?

Tsuyoshi slowly forced himself to his feet, as he shakily grasped the hilt of his blade with both of his hands.

Tsuyoshi: Didn't you say that we would change this family from the inside out, what happened to that?

Minoru: That was when I was still naive.You may not see it, but I do, this family will not change. It must be destroyed and rebirthed, and I will take up that role… Now then…

Minoru appeared in front of his brother, aiming the point of his nodachi at his chest.

Minoru: Goodbye.

Minoru would soon drive his blade through Tsuyoshi’s chest. He stood there for a few moments, before he withdrew it, catching him as his body went limp. For some time, he was silent, looking down upon his deceased sibling.

Minoru: At the very least… You were somewhat respectable. I shall do this much for you, at least.

Some time later, Minoru stood in a clearing between the trees, in front of a crudely marked grave, where he’d put his brother to rest. He swung his blade, to remove the blood. Putting it back in its sheath soon after. Turning away from the site as he began exiting.

"On this day, the Ito massacre took place… One of the heirs to the family's head, Minoru ito, was the only survivor… They did not believe he had killed them, as he was only a boy at the time… eventually - the Kaemerge approached the young Minoru, as they learned about his plans to Re-create the Ito clan, and offered to give him the resources to do so...If he joined them. Though he refused to join them at first, he eventually gave in. He spent his time defeating increasingly strong enemies and rising in the ranks. Until he was noticed by Selenium Ignatius himself, who, taking notice of his Strength, and Tactical Knowledge, made him the leader of the Japanese branch. Though he spent much of his time fighting against those who weren’t happy with his quick rise, he only rose further. Until he was given a title the emperor had created himself as his second in command, Answering only to him. Ardam’s first apostle, in 1985. However, his power would soon be challenged as the 2nd and 3rd apostles appeared...With their very prevalent conflicts of interest visible, though He would only clash with the second… "

In the desert sands around Tsugashuan, Minoru flew through the air, cutting through piece after piece of the storms of rubble that glowed a darker red, with Amelia holding her hand out, simply launching more at him as he advanced. As the mountains around her broke down into the rubble she’d flung beforehand.

" Eventually, his son Hajime was born from him, and his wife Aina in 2001… He would begin teaching him the Guren arts - but, this was at his son's request… However, he was still, undoubtedly, the sole master of the Guren arts.”

Minoru soon walked toward Zhao’s body, pointing the tip of his blade at him, he soon thrust at his chest. However, Zhao sprung into action, Jumping out of the way, as the blade pierced the roof below them. Zhao tightened his grip on his Dao once again, as he bent his knees. Minoru’s eyes went to his opponent’s new spot.

Minoru: I should have cut deeper. If I had, you likely wouldn't be able to stand right now.

To Be Continued