Kaze no Stigma:Volume1 Chapter3

Chapter Three - A Battle with the Past

1

Kazuma stands alone within the darkness.

Deep in the night, a dead silence shrouds the park. The usual wanderers who occupy the park usually are nowhere to be found, perhaps chased away by some unknown method.

Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen(港見丘公園) , 法蘭西山(French Hill? From the previous translator)--- This place may sound nice, but due to the dense vegetations, it is a scary place that one would not think of as a park. This place seems gloomy even in the daytime, and at night, one is likely to meet with mishap.

At the top of the hill, Kazuma leans lightly against the tree trunk, resting motionlessly.

Due to his black jacket, one would not notice his existence, even if he is just standing in front.

Just like an experienced hunter, Kazuma became one with nature.

”---------------!“

His eyes open without warning, his body shivers due to his unconstrained happiness and fear.

”Here already----“

He mumbled. An unusual heat came through the park entrance, coming straight towards him.

Even for someone whose senses are not as sharp as Kazuma’s also should not fail to notice this sign. Because the shining energy waves in the dark is so scary, it gives one the impression of daybreak.

If one may consider Ayano this evening to be the sun, this can only be described as a supernova’s explosion.

The other party does not show any intention of hiding his existence. Instead, as though he is boasting it, he walks with ease as a king would.

As ”he” steps into the plaza, his line of vision shifted to Kazuma without hesitation, who is standing under the shade of the tress.

”……Am I late?”

”No----- the timing is just right.”

Kazuma answered as he emerged from the shade. He walks out without a care. There was a statue symbolizing a loving mother and her child(”慈愛母子像”) between them, unsure whether it is just a coincidence, or Kazuma using it to mock the situation.

”Let us begin then.”

Kazuma declares the beginning of the battle calmly.

”So you…… are unwilling to sit and talk this over……?”

”He” questioned hesitantly.

Perhaps “he” already knew the answer, the tone slightly resembles one who have already given up.

As expected, Kazuma answered tauntingly

”Let me answer with my power------- “father”!! ”

Kazuma released blades of wind as he said this, and Genma let out flames in retaliation.

Both sides have things they cannot lose, the wind and flames fought against each other furiously, this may be the only way for the father and son to communicate upon meeting after four years.

A silence shrouded the residence. As Genma walks on the corridor alone, it felt like an abandoned house with no one in it.

Up until now, most of the members of the family have gathered at the Kannagi residence. Every single one of them, as though afraid to be found, breathed quietly, yet too scared to stay alone, gathered in the main hall, just shivering.

There is a basis for their fears, for the strongest in the branch family, Masato, and the two that is rumored to rival even the main branch together, Shingo and Takeya ,were murdered one by one, everyone was scared, afraid that the next one would be themselves.

Though Genma called them cowards for that, not everyone is as powerful as he is.

“I am late”

Genma kneeled before Jugo’s room, and upon receiving permission to enter, slide the paper door open, and came in moving in his kneeling position and stopped kneeling before Jugo, who showed deep hatred in his eyes.

”…… you are here really late.”

(You old sly fox, running away on your own.)

Jugo said, without even bothering to keep his unpleasant thoughts to himself.

”By the way, where is Ayano?”

Genma asked, as though nothing happened, pretending not to hear his words.

”She was too noisy, so I sent her out.”

Jugo’s voice sounded even more displeased, several minutes ago, he just pacified Ayano, who would possibly go to the hotel where Kazuma stays and set it in flames in her rage.

”This is something that cannot be helped. She had been in such close terms with Masato after all.”

Genma made comments looking as though he has nothing to do with it, making Jugo furious at his actions.

”Oh, I can’t tell that you were so lenient. Since you were so concerned about Ayano, won’t it be better to calm her down earlier?”

When Ayano was making a big scene shouting and screaming, Genma turned to one side as though nothing happened, and left his seat mid-way. And to be so thick-skinned to come back once she finally calmed down, anyone would grumble about it, even if it wasn’t Jugo.

”That was because I had to give instructions to everyone in the clan. At the same time I wanted to hear the reports from the Fuga clan.”

Genma did not want to mention these, as they were of no relevance, its fine to just ignore these things, Jugo knows this very well as well. So he stopped questioning about it, as there were other matters requiring discussion.

”So what do you think? Most of the people in the clan believes Kazuma did it----“ [or you prefer Most of the people in the clan pinned Kazuma to the crimes]

”To kill Masato and Takeshi without Ayano noticing, then show himself purposely before making his escape. And as he makes his escape he spots Shingo and Takeya and continues to kill the both of them at the same time. Even though it is possible considering the timings……… it is still to difficult to be done.”

”Hearing you say that makes me feel much better. I almost thought I was the only one normal.”

Hearing such words from Judo, who don’t usually mock others, Genma shows a smirk on his face.

”That is because everyone feels insecure. Compared to some unknown enemy, they find it easier to think that Kazuma is back in Japan for revenge.”

“… Does Ayano feel insecure as well?”

”She just lost her rationality due to Masato’s death that’s all.”

Genma brought the issue across faintly, it is a critical period now, there is no time to bother with that stubborn girl.

(Before we know the true identity of our enemy, feel free to be angry as much as you want!)

His thoughts were blunt, even though it is difficult to say such things to Jugo.

”Compared to these, the problem still lies with Kazuma. No matter what, his actions are too suspicious. Maybe he is in cahoots with the enemy!”

“That is true. If he really didn’t do it, he should come and explain everything. It couldn’t be that he is afraid we might kill him without hearing him first right? Leaving you aside, he should still trust me a lot.”

”Indeed.”

Genma can only give a bitter smile to Jugo’s mocking remarks, as he has done nothing to deserve Kazuma’s trust, so he has no way of rebutting his words as of now.

”However, the only one who can capture Kazuma is me.”

”…… Shingo and Takeya are really killed by Kazuma?”

”Even though this is just a speculation, I believe the murderer is someone else…… Perhaps it is the person whom Ayano saw! But Kazuma defeated the two of them beforehand. From the marks the wind blades made as they grazed the ground and the position of the bodies, they were definitely lying on the floor when they were attacked.”

Genma said faintly, but it sounded like boasting in Jugo’s ears. If Genma’s assumption was true, Kazuma has already attained strength that rivals the main branch.

”You seem really happy, Genma. If that is so, why did you abandon Kazuma back then?”

Jugo finally asked the question that he has never asked for four years. He was always wondering about it.

No matter how bad Genma is at expressing himself, even if no one can understand what he is thinking, Jugo was able to come to realize that Genma actually loves Kazuma a lot.

”I was born as a Kannagi, lived as a Kannagi. I was not allowed to choose any other way of living…… This is the same for my son as well.”

”So that is why you threw him to somewhere you can’t reach? For him to choose a path he desires? Even so, there was no need to leave him all alone! What if he starved to death by the roadside.”

“Hmph…… What are you talking about? He is my son.”

”Sigh---- So that’s it.”

He had no strength to continue asking about this boastful statement, after Jugo finished talking about some unimportant matters, he returns to the main topic once more.

”So, can you defeat Kazuma?”

Genma did not reply, instead he fixed his eyes upon Jugo, those eyes were more convincing than any words can be, as though saying “there is no way I can lose.”.

”I understand. I shall leave you to this matter then! When will there be results?”

”It should be settled by today. To put so much time on that kid will only make our real enemy take advantage of the situation.” [actual text was more of “to put so much time on that guy will only let our enemy 得寸進尺”, literal translation: “give him an inch, he takes a metre.” I cant think of a proper phrase to rephrase that.]

“-----I am looking forward to your performance.”

Genma, without reply, showed his respects[or bowed, not sure which to use], and quietly left the room, intending to nab his son with his very own hands.

2

On the sixty-seventh storey of Yokohama LANDMARK TOWER, in the hotel “ROYAL STREET” closest to the skies, Kazuma was leisurely enjoying his dessert.

Be it a threat or a coax, Kazuma intends to squander off all the cash he obtained by any means possible, no matter how evil or horrendous the methods it may be.

However, as though to mock this sadistic decision, his hand phone rang, Kazuma shows an irritated expression, looking at the hand phone on the table.

“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“ [feel free to put in some other expression for a phone ringing ~.~ or input your favorite or some funny ringtone here, actual text sounds something like dulululululu~]

Staring at constantly ringing hand phone, he curses himself, why did I forget to set it to voice mailbox. Even with that said, he cannot just switch his phone off now.

“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“

The monotone ringing continues, Kazuma did not pick up the phone, instead he begins to think of the people who knows his number one by one, trying to avoid reality.

“Duuuuuuuuuuu-----“

”Ahhh! It’s so noisy!”

He finally gives up, and presses the receive call button.

”Who is it?”

Kazuma does not bother to hide his unhappiness, he uses a very rude tone, sent to the ears of the person at the other end through electronic waves.

”Watashi(It is me in japanese)” [no idea how the exact way he answer this.]

The other party sounds even more rude, Kazuma regrets his decision to pick up the phone from the bottom of his heart, as this is the voice he least want to hear in this world.

“Oh, Mr. Watashi? What a weird name. Did we meet somewhere before?”

”Quit joking around with me”

Even though Kazuma tried to joke his way around this, the voice in the phone sounded just as arrogant as before. Kazuma takes a deep breathe, and prepares himself to duel with the man who abandoned him in the past.

”It has been a long time. I wonder if I can still call you “Father”?”

Genma’s voice caused memories of the past to automatically reawaken. I was still Kazuma Kannagi back then, who was pathetically weak.

Back then, I could never defy my father, only mindlessly listening to father’s orders to continue training, even though he knew I had no talent.

“You lost?”

It was not a question, nor a verification. It was an unbelievably calm sentence that surpasses anger and disappointment, one that would deal a great blow upon the pitiful loser.

“You lost to some twelve year old girl?”

The voice repeated. As though it was said purposely.

”……I am……Really sorry……”

The boy placed his forehead on the tatami, squeezing out a very weak voice. The man did not answer, and just looked at the shivering boy with ice cold eyes.

”……So be it. It was a mistake to even want to train you to be a En-Jutsushi .”

The man gave up on the boy without mercy. But somehow, the boy seemed happy despite the man giving up on him.

“You don’t need to practice En-Jutsu anymore from now on.”

The boy was about to faint at first, but his face shined up suddenly. The man, upon verification, said the most crucial sentence.

”Someone who is not an En-Jutsushi, has no need to stay in the Kannagi family.”

”……Huh?”

The smile on the boy’s face hardened. The man continued talking as though it was a natural thing to do..

”From today on, you are no longer my son. Now scram off to some other place!” [or you can use get lost instead]

”……What……Fath……Father!”

”I am no longer your “Father”.”

The man said coldly.

“Get out of my face immediately.”

After saying that bluntly,the man walked out of the room without even looking at the boy.

“Fath….Father! Please wait!”

The man looked down on the boy who hugged his arm emotionlessly, and then anyhow tossed him away. The force of the toss is unknown, the boy almost hit the wall, and was tossed out very roughly.

”Fath….Father! Father!”

The boy was unable to stand up, and can only cry out in pain and misery. He reached out his hand, but was unable to touch anything---- even so, the boy refuse to give up, and continues to extend his arm.

“Father-----!”

The man walked without even turning his head.

There was no one who can reply to this boy who lost everything by now------

"Call me whatever you want”

“How about calling you Gen-chan then?”

“Why did you come back to Japan?”

Ignoring Kazuma’s cheeky words, Genma brought out the main topic.

”I believe the youngest child of the Yuuki family should have mentioned that I came back because “I felt like it”, didn’t you hear him?” [in chapter one the translation was “Must have been for something, I guess.” But I find “I felt like it” a better answer, since the original text was more of “a moment of jolly” or something like “I just felt like it”]

“…… Surrender! It is not too late now.”

“You guys seem to be treating me as the criminal. I have no intention of going down to find trouble with the Kannagi family, but if you guys come knocking on the door, I won’t be merciful.”

The chat seemed like two people talking on their own, or perhaps it should not even be considered a chat! A chat requires people to understand each other----- or at least try to understand----- and then give something like a reaction, but, the phrase “understanding each other” don’t seem to apply to these two.

“Did you think you can win against the Kannagi family?”

”No one will know unless I tried, right?”

Kazuma realizes that he is no longer afraid of Genma like in the past, not only that, from within that stubborn arrogance, a certain sense of warmth could be felt from it.

(This stubborn old man didn’t change a bit…)

He didn’t pay attention to what Genma said at the other end of the phone, indulging himself in his own emotions.

“Kazuma, are you listening!”

Genma raised his voice. If it was four years ago, I might be kneeling next to the phone to beg for forgiveness. Absolute orders and absolute obedience, that was their relationship.

“Huh? Oh, of course I am listening. What is it?”

The sound of deep breathing could be heard from the phone. It must have been Genma sighing!

”I must meet with you. I am going over to you now, is that okay?”

(Good chance)

Kazuma thought, he wanted to clarify one thing. Ever since he heard his father’s voice again after four years.

(I want to know whether I have surpassed that man, have I become stronger than the man who ordered me around in the past. No matter how, I must verify this myself.)

“No, now is not a convenient time.”

Kazuma’s expanding emotions were kept within his heart, without changing his cheeky way of speech, he said..

”Tonight at twelve, let’s meet in Minato-no-Mieru Oka Koen, 法蘭西山(French Hill? From the previous translator)”

”What kind of time is that? The park should have closed long ago!”

“Then no one will come to interrupt, right?”

Upon those words, Kazuma changed his tone.

“So you really want to kill me---- I will accept your challenge then.”

To Genma, I was nothing but a failed product, he won’t go easy even when executing punishment on me, Kazuma truly believes.

“I deeply realized what you took me as since four years ago, but, I am no longer like how I was four years ago, I will not let you order me around anymore.”

”Foolish kid. Fine, I shall let you understand the limitations of your own strength.”

Genma replied arrogantly, even though he knew clearly that his son has misunderstood him, he was unable to choose any other way of replying.

“I shall look forward to it then, “Father”.”

After bidding farewell excitedly, Kazuma ended the call. He switched his phone off immediately and threw the phone at the desk beside him.

However, the phone missed the intented target and rolled onto the floor.

Looking at his trembling left hand, Kazuma gave a bitter smile. His left hand was trembling so much hat he cannot control its strength, but he was not ashamed of that.

(Yeah, of course I am scared, because I am challenging the strongest Jutsushi of the Kannagi Clan.)

He clenches his left fist tightly, as though he intends to trap his fear within. No matter how afraid I am, I must not run away, to truly sever all ties with the Kannagi clan, and to surpass the old me, I must perform the “ritual” of defeating my father, who symbolizes my past.

He does not hate Genma, in fact, now he finds the stubbornness in Genma rather pleasant.

But this and that are two different matters, this is something he cannot give in to, no matter what.

The trembling stopped. With a determination beyond the fear he felt in his tight fist, Kazuma muttered to himself..

”I will not run or hide anymore. Nor will I go easy on you…… Old man.” [A more rude way of calling father was used in this case, so I chose the term “Old man”]

5

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