Shikōki Island—-
Soren, Sora, and their children all sat at a large dining table towards the back, patiently waiting as night began to fall.
"Where are those kids?" Soren wondered. "I hope that old man isn't making them late on purpose."
"Omariro?" Sora questioned.
"Yes. You know how he is—-popping in and out with no care in the world."
Sora chuckled. "Ahh, the memories."
Just then, Omariro walked through the curtain, with Rika and the others behind him.
"Gossip," he noted.
"Oh!" Sora gasped. "No, not at all! Just commenting on your unique preferences!"
"Yes," Soren agreed. "We find them very interesting."
Omariro sat down, and Soren welcomed the others to the table. "Go on and sit, kids."
Rika and Sōshin sat on either side of Omariro, while Rei sat next to Rika. Nonoka folded her arms, glaring. "You're in my seat."
Rika waved her off. "Just sit next to Rei."
"Ew."
Rei gave her a confused look. "Mmm? Is there a bug on my face?"
"You are the bug."
Sora leaned in to whisper to her husband. "Who is this…unpleasant girl?"
"One of Omariro's new students, Kaidanchō Sunahara's daughter. I believe you can see the resemblance well."
"Yes, the attitude gives it away."
Nonoka rolled her eyes and sat in the seat in front of Omariro, putting her feet up on the table dismissively. "So…can we hurry this up, or?"
"Excuse you, young lady?" Sora replied, offended.
Soren put a hand on her shoulder, chuckling. "She's entertaining, dear. Let it play out. We'll see how humble she is for the training."
Soren looked back at the curtain. "Where are the other two?"
Rika folded her arms. "They're probably being stupid. Gosh, I hope they grow up."
Seiya yawned. "Those two have a lot of strange vibes coming from 'em. Passion mixed with self-destructive tendencies. Never seen anything like it."
"Tell me about it," Rika groaned.
"Speak of the devil."
Zaria and Han pushed through the curtain, sweating. As soon as they saw Omariro, they straightened up, bowing.
"Sir!"
"Children faces worried," Omariro pointed. "Children hiding something."
Their faces turned red.
"Sir," Zaria asked. "Could I…ask you about something after dinner?"
"Yeah, me too," Han added.
"Sit. Questions answered in time."
They both nodded and took a seat, but Zaria's face twisted into shock when she saw Nonoka. "What the—-the hell are you doing here?"
"That's what I said…" Rika muttered.
"Rika, did you invite her just to spite us? Sorry about the race, geez!"
"What? No! Why would *I* invite HER?"
Nonoka put a finger to her lips. "Can you quiet down? Gosh, you're so loud."
"Who do you think you're talking to—-?"
Han narrowed his eyes. "Great. Another woman. This time, a selfish, rude, arrogant bitch of a woman. At least the others are tolerable."
"Watch your tone, NERD, before I rip out your tongue."
Han formed his cube. "Please try it, witch."
Sōshin watched the fight with a curious glint in his eye. "Friend Omariro, is this how friends get along?"
"No."
Omariro tapped his staff on the ground. "Children, sit."
They all immediately stopped fighting, and right after, Han and Zaria took their seats. Nonoka sat up, setting her feet down, while Rika shifted her attention to Omariro.
"Yes, sir…" they replied.
Soren cleared his throat. "Good thing you handled that, pal. Now then, kitchen crew! Please bring out the food!"
Servants quickly brought out plates of steaming food: chicken, sushi, shrimp, steak, and more, while also setting aside drinks for the table. Soren passed a wine glass to Omariro, which was filled with a bubbly liquid.
"Would you like to have a toast, my friend?"
Omariro whacked the glass off the table, sending it crashing into the wall.
"Toast irrelevant."
"I guess not, then."
He took a sip from his glass. "In any case, you all know tomorrow will be the next step in your training. It will focus on your mind, body, and soul. Just as your master did all those years ago."
"Ooh, could you tell us?" Rei asked. "I wanna hear the story!"
"Yeah, me too!" Rika agreed.
"Me three!" Zaria added.
Soren cracked a smile. "Well, if you insist. Pay close attention, now. The information may help you."
Many years ago—-
A young Soren and Sora were busy tending to some flowers on the island, with Sora nervously offering one to Soren.
"H—here, Soren. Do you like this?"
Soren rolled his eyes, taking the flower. "I know my father assigned me to court you, but you don't have to act so shy."
"Right…sorry."
Soren finished watering the plants. "I wish he didn't ditch and leave the island to me, however."
"After this…do you want to get some food?"
"Sure. Sounds good."
As they prepared to leave, they saw a large golden light flying forward in the distance.
"Soren? What is that?"
"I don't know! I should inform the guards! Sora, stay here—-!"
Quick as lightning, the light reached the island, and Soren noticed it was a large golden dragon, which swooped down in front of him.
"A…dragon?"
The dragon shifted into that of a young African man with long dreadlocks, tall and fit. Soren watched in awe as golden armor formed around the man.
"No way…could it be…"
Sora quickly hurried over to Soren, and once she noticed the man, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Soren, is that…?"
"It is! It's the Legendary Kaitansha, Omariro Nyugawa!"
Omariro approached them, golden wings stretching from his back. "Which of you is the head of Shikōki?"
Soren quickly raised his hand. "Me…but I'm the heir. My father still runs the island."
"You must do. I seek a Loadout."
"A Loadout? You're already so strong, what more power could you need?"
Omariro clenched a fist. "Power has no limit. Strength drives me, so I can better others, because men don't listen to the weak."
"Well, do you have a Tōshi or Henshōsha class? Those are the only ones that can unlock loadouts."
"I have all."
"All seven classes?"
"Yes."
"Impossible—-!"
Sora leaned in to whisper in Soren's ear. "His level is in the hundreds of thousands, Soren. Did you think he got so high with just one class?"
"No, but…ahh, never mind. Come with me, Mr. Nyugawa. I'll take you to the highest intensity training facility we have: the Third Pillar."
"Good."
Omariro followed Soren as he led him to the mansion in the center of the island. Once inside, Soren showed him around. "This is where the Shikōki Clan lives. Can I interest you in any snacks or anything?"
"No."
"Well. Alright then. The third pillar is this way."
Soon, Omariro arrived in a white room, where an elegantly dressed young lady was busy meditating. As soon as the three walked in, her eyes opened.
"Brother, why do you disturb me?"
"We've got a guest," Soren explained. "The Legend himself."
Her eyes opened wider when she noticed Omariro. "Oh my! Why didn't you say so?"
She quickly sprang over to him, taking his hand and shaking it repeatedly. "Greetings, Sir! My name is Seshina. As the strongest Shikōki in history, I'd be glad to help with whatever you need. What is it that you need?"
"A Loadout," Omariro demanded.
"Oh? Not many can unlock such a thing. I know you are a high-level, but Soren, could you check it for me? I need the exact details."
Soren turned to Omariro. "Jugen-Kōbisha: Hyōteki Sōsa."
A UI popped up over Omariro's head.
〈*Omariro Nyugawa.* Level: 250,000.〉
Everyone gasped, while Omariro just stood there, waiting.
"My goodness…" Seshina realized. "Such a level is impossible for anyone to reach, even the Kaidanchō!"
She straightened up. "Well. With that new information, I believe mastering a Loadout will take you no time at all!"
"Explain the skill," Omariro demanded.
"Of course, of course. See, a Loadout is like upgrading to a stronger variant of your current skillset. When using it, it'll boost your level and abilities significantly, but it costs more energy and focus to use. When using a loadout, you won't be able to use the original skills you had unless you switch back. It's like hardwiring your Jugen for maximum efficiency."
She looked him up and down. "Which is stronger? Your Tōshi Class or Henshōsha Class?"
"Henshōsha," Omariro answered.
"Naturally," Seshina chuckled.
"Yes, sister," Soren confirmed. "I saw him transform into a DRAGON."
"Impressive!" she clapped. "That will be the basis for your loadout. Come, meditate with me."
The scene shifted into a peaceful mountain peak around them as the two sat before one another.
"I want you to focus, concentrate your Jugen energy. I can use my power to draw what's inside you, but only you can form the Loadout."
"Then let it be done."
She extended a hand, and white energy flowed around her.
"Jugen-Mahōshi: Tamashii no Kakudai."
A fuzzy energy entered Omariro's body, and he envisioned himself in a dungeon floor, facing off against a raid boss.
"What has been done to me?" Omariro asked.
"I'm a Soul-Mahōshi. I drew out the power within you, now it's up to you to figure out your fighting style. Try using one of your Henshōsha abilities."
Omariro concentrated, feeling the air around him. "Jugen-Henshōsha: Ōgonryū no Kikaku."
A powerful golden aura burst around him, nearly destabilizing the room. Sora and Soren stepped back, watching as Omariro flexed his arms.
"Now, the next step?"
"Enemies will appear," Seshina warned. "To unlock your loadout, I want you to both avoid and harness the moves you normally do."
"Explain."
"A loadout is based on your fighting style, but it expands on it. So in a sense it's both similar, and not, at the same time."
"I see."
Large trolls formed from the mountains, holding giant clubs in their hands.
〈Enemy: Shikōki Trolls. Level: 56,000.〉
"Now, show me what you've got!"
As the trolls rushed Omariro, he closed his eyes.
"The Golden Dragon of Tenzen…"
A troll quickly slammed his mace, but with a swipe of his arm, Omariro moved to deflect. Instead, a powerful golden slash erupted from his hand, severing the troll's entire arm.
〈*1st* Loadout Skill Unlocked: Ōgonryū-zan.〉
"Wonderful! Keep going, you've got two more you can unlock!"
The troll tried to grab Omariro with its other arm, but Omariro sliced it to pieces. Another troll grabbed Omariro in its fist, squeezing.
"Hmm."
A massive horde of energy erupted from Omariro. "Begone!"
The troll's grip weakened further and further, and with a brilliant blast of light, a golden shield formed from Omariro's arm, knocking the troll away.
〈*2nd* Loadout Skill Unlocked: Ōgonryū no Tate.〉
Sora watched as Omariro blocked the blows of multiple trolls with a shield.
"Is he even human?" she thought. "Just being so close to someone so powerful…it's unreal…"
Omariro fended off more trolls, using his skills in tandem to cleave through them like paper. Seshina motioned to her brother. "Soren, check his level!"
As soon as Soren used his skill, a new UI popped over Omariro's head.
〈*Omariro Nyugawa.* Level: 300,000〉
"The Loadout has made him stronger!" Sora realized.
"Of course," Seshina explained. "Levels can increase in a variety of ways, one of which is when equipping a Loadout. After all, it is a more advanced version of your original skill. So as long as he uses it, he'll be unstoppable, even with the risks."
She turned back to Omariro, where one final troll was waiting, larger than the others. "Now, let's see what his third skill will be."
〈Domain Boss: Tororu no Kyōsenshi—Sukarukurasshā: Level: 69,800.〉
The Berserker Troll leapt into the air and slammed his club down, shaking the entire arena.
"Sister, is this safe?" Soren worried.
"Of course! Our guest will handle it! Just watch!"
Omariro blocked an attack with his forearm, repelling the troll.
"Foe strong. Skill must be stronger."
More energy bubbled up inside of him, and he could hear Seshina's voice inside his ear. "Release all your energy! Don't try to contain it!"
With a powerful burst of energy that sent all three of the bystanders flying into the wall, a large, glowing entity formed in front of Omariro, destroying the entire room and the troll in one blast.
〈*3rd Loadout Skill Unlocked: Ōgonryū no Kaijū.〉
Seshina merely watched, dumbfounded.
"Wow…I…I've never seen such might—-!"
And with a golden light, the entire room destabilized.
Present Day—-
"Ooh, what was the final skill?" Rei wondered. "You stopped so soon!"
"I'll leave that for your master to explain," Soren chuckled. "Its power is so immense, he had no choice but to contain the fragments of it."
"Whoa," the kids gasped.
Zaria nervously looked at the ground.
"So, that's how you unlock a loadout?" Zaria thought. "I made a huge mistake taking that guy's deal…I should have just asked for Mr. Nyugawa's help!"
She looked at her hand.
"What did you do to me, Shion? What the hell did you do?"
——