The Shark and the Monster: Clash of the Dark Release

A Start to the Day
A long forest covered hill with a single clear road that ascends to its peek, marked by a small food restaurant, selling everything from freshly made ramen to dango. At the end of the path lies a grave to a once-famous shinobi. Behind the grave, over the side of the cliff rests a grove and a small lake that flows into a river before merging with the ocean nearby.

At the small hillside restaurant, sitting alone at one of the two visible tables was a hooded man. Red hair was visible as were his oddly-coloured eyes. The man reeked of death and decay but he seemed nice enough to those running the restaurant who were happy to refill his tea. "Thanks again, madame." The man said with audible glee. With warm tea in hand, the man took a quick gulp, enjoying the feeling of the warm liquid as it passed through his body to the digestive system.

Kensei had been walking for days and had to sight down, at least for a moment. "Where is Sanji?! He said he would be here by now!" Kensei looked at his wrist as if a watch was there and when he found no watch, he got even more belligerent. "You have got to be kidding me!!"

Kensei, in his anger, happened to notice the tea house. "Finally! A place that I can kick my feet up and relax." Kensei started to head toward the tea house and entered it once he arrived, noticing the hooded man as he took his seat. A young waitress came up to him as took his seat. "Can I get you anything?" she was a friendly woman with a courteous disposition and a smile on her face. Kensei looked up at the woman. "Yeah. I'll have a cup of your finest tea and a side of fresh water too, please." The waitress wrote each word down with diligence and returned to the kitchen when he completed his order, returning with his tea some time later.

"Thank you." he said as he took the tea from her hands, lifting up to his lips to sip some off of the top. "Refreshing." Kensei had a look of satisfaction on his face as he removed his giant sword from his back, set it beside him and leaned back against the wall.