"That's what the legends say," said the little foreign man. "You are ready to sign?"
"Indeed, the mighty Kuno family possesses such funds," said Tatewaki.
"You sign the contract, I give you the box," said the little man, smiling in a way that seemed somehow less than wholesome.
"I will be able to defeat the foul sorcerer despite his magics?" asked Tatewaki Kuno.
"Actually," said the little foreigner. "I was meaning to ask you about that. I've looked over the area and all I've found is four transformation curses, two unluckiness curses, one chaos node, and a handful of Gamma Class Magical Focuses. I haven't been able to find a sorcerer, much less a foul one."
Tatewaki openly scoffed. "You cannot be much of an expert if you cann OOOPH!"
The little foreigner had grabbed Kuno's collar and dragged his head down to eye level. "Don't. Even. Start. You're a mortal of seventeen years life. I've seen your species when you were hairy little things throwing shit to drive away predators. I was present when your little ancestors thought picking fleas out of each other's fur was an evening's entertainment."
Tatewaki Kuno looked into the little foreigner's eyes and noticed for the first time that he had no iris. It was all a smoky red. "Take your hands off me, foreign devil!"
"Well, you got something right at least," said the little man. He released Tatewaki after a moment. "Its simple really. You open the box and it will release tremendous power. Power that could be yours IF you manage to seize and control it."
"And why would it not be?" asked Tatewaki Kuno.
"So we come to the payment?" asked the little foreigner.
"If you are indeed a foreign devil of such power, why do you need payment?" asked Sasuke, conquering his fear briefly enough to interject a comment.
"An intelligent question," said the foreigner. "I'm surprised enough that I'll actually answer it instead of just ripping your intestines out and hanging you with them. Which will happen if you interrupt me again."
"being quiet now," muttered Sasuke.
"It's a symbolic thing," said the foreign devil to the bucktoothed ninja. "Symbols are important when it comes to magic and the functioning of other planes of existence. In my plane of existence, such symbolic references are... think of them as solid like wood and stone are to you. So, Tatewaki Kuno, do you agree to pay the price?"
"If it grants me the ability to defeat the foul Saotome, no price is too great," said Tatewaki Kuno. "The Kuno family has vast coffers."
"It isn't money that's on the line," said the foreign devil, producing a contract and pen.
Kuno's eyes tracked it over, nodded, and signed the document. "Very well then."
The foreign devil smiled and handed over the box, displaying the sort of teeth that sharks might envy. "Open it in front of your enemy then, and enjoy your victory."
Kuno:
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(Posted Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:40)
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