Who is Ngirozi Shinji (Kokusei)? (1)
This is how the mortals at the camp describe him as:
A grown up child. Someone who is forced to deal with grown up issues, instead of enjoying his childhood.
This, they prove by his brittle nature; something he can't cover up by acting.
Furthermore, he is someone who wants a lot of attention, because he doesn't want to be ignored.
However, this makes him easy to use.
Although he is the most secretive person about his goals, they can tell he is a child chasing unrealistic dreams in adult flesh.
"An idiot who can be exploited easily."
"An oblivious fool who knows nothing about the world."
"An ant in a jar who knows nothing about the cruelty of the world."
***
Meanwhile, Shinji stands in front of the crowd, which decided rest for the day. Slowly, he starts to hum to himself, while his right foot taps the ground.
He wants to say the word, 'please', but the only time he said that was to preserve a life —his.
After a few minutes, a horse faced veteran notices him, and asks loudly for everyone to hear: "Is something troubling you, Shinji-kun?"
Muttering gibberish to himself in his mind, he addresses the group with a detached mien:
"I have something 'interesting' to show you. Please, follow me, gentlemen."
The mortals give each other inquisitive gazes; as they all guess that by 'interesting', Shinji is probably referring to his artistic works. Although most he has shown them isn't pleasing, they have to follow.
Since, he is the one they want to be their new leader, they have to follow some of his requests. Also, agreeing means they have a reason to use against Shinji when they need him to do something.
Meanwhile, Shinji is delighted that he has taken all of the warriors with him; although he is not showing any expression.
Slowly, he follows the direction with faint Rei usage signals.
»»»Rei can only be sensed by other Tama-Artists when used, similar to guns —you don't know who has them, unless the trigger is pulled.
After 20 minutes, the group arrives near a river where a bloody battle is taking place. The Bushi are battling a group of stage 2 muscle pumas.
Currently, 17 Tama-Artists have lost their lives, and seven others are on their last legs.
Upon seeing the mortals, katsura's face ignites with hope, as he jumps backward to dodge an attack.
"You came in time! Hurry up and help us!"
Some idiot mortals are about to help, but Shinji stands in front of them. Forthwith, his arms spread, signalling them to stop.
Looking at the sky, he talks to himself: "Miyato-dono was poisoned. One of the Bushi asked for him to be killed, because he could rival most of them in strength. Here we are... trying to save the ones who murdered our hero."
His words were truth, but he omitted who poisoned Miyato for the Tama-Artists.
Turning back, he viciously slaps a person who is about to help.
Slap!
"You piece of chimpanzee crap! Can't you see what's before you? Those Bushi are our slayers! No matter what we do, we'll always be harassed by them! Only first grade idiots! No! Brainless, poop-brained monkeys who don't see what's before then, will step to help! I tell you this, because the Bushi consider you lot, worse than animals! They don't eat you for dinner, but they kill you to feed the beast they're going to use as dinner!"
Seeing another idiot wanting to help, Shinji slaps him in the face. Simultaneously, Katsura loses his footing, inciting the muscle puma's claws to break his armor.
"Kill that stupid scholar and save me!"
Would they do it though? Isn't this why they need Shinji alive?
Seeing their hidden smiles, Shinji acts oblivious, slapping the man who walked toward him; whether the person wanted to support or kill him, he didn't care
Taking a step forward, he gives the group a piece of his mind:
"This is what you low-lives are good at! Always trying to suppress the weaker one among you! Your vision is diluted; you only look at the ground, instead of the sky! One day, you'll end up in the ground, there's no point in looking at it!"
The group halts, taken aback by Shinji's words. Nonetheless, he continues, his voice full of valor:
"Have ambition; dreams of gold! I know you're asking how we can have dreams of gold, when we're suppressed left, right and center. That all can change today, and tomorrow will be brighter!"
The man Shinji slapped first spoke up, his face flustered, "What are you trying to prove here? Your words are just as useless as trying to keep water in a container with holes."
Shinji's response is another vicious slap:
"Stop being hopeless! We are humans; hope is our trump card! Do you know why people prefer fabricated stories to reality? It's because fabricated stories make them envision someone they can never be, yet someone they desperately want to be like."
A second passes, and the mortals nod pleasingly. They all had the idea of fighting back hidden in them, but they didn't have someone as charismatic as Shinji to lead them. With the Main Character in the forefront, he can take all the blame, when something goes west.
For centuries, the Tama-Artists in Kurenai Village have treated mortals as slaves, striking fear into their hearts. On the other hand, the mortals passively accepted their fate, like their ancestors before them, because they lack someone who can take the lead.
Every great revolution needs a leader, and an intrepid person as Shinji is the best candidate.
Although some might be killed in the act, the potential reward is worth it: freedom.
They know that freedom is an intangible force; a feeling that can't be grasped, but only sensed. Furthermore, they know that as long as they feel suppressed, they aren't free.
Despite the chances of being enslaved again, a minute of freedom is worth it.
Seeing some men step forward, Shinji rallies them:
"Chopping wood starts with only one hit, and a great tree goes down in several hits! Once we are done with them, we will go protest at how the Tama-Artists violated our rights!"
—You'll be dead by then, for the crime of trying to use me.
______
(1) kokusei is Shinji's original name, he changed later in his life, meaning the one born from shadows or dark matter.
Shinji is the opposite of that, meaning divine matter, and Ngirozi means, angel.
In his youth, his name meant: the angel born from the shadows.
Currently, his name means: tthe angel of divine matter.