TMNT キングダム (TMNT KINGDOMS) || ブック 1: Leonardo

Prologue

     "All living souls of the universe derived from a single being: Amenominakanushi. Possessing all known powers from all the heavens, the All-Father created vast realms. Many of these worlds became the homes of many species and souls–his beloved creations. Unable to focus his attention on protecting all of his worlds, he tasked his direct descendants and their future lineages to oversee specific realms.

     These descendants became Kings and Queens of their own worlds and Gods to the planets they protected. With each passing of a ruler, their next of kin would be blessed with the power of the celestial Gods.

     Only one lineage was blessed with the direct power of Amenominakanushi. This lineage, known as Hamato, became the Kings of Kings. Each new ruler would be marked by a symbol on their upper arm (天国), if deemed worthy, constituting them the next All-Father.

     Unfortunately, this meant that Amenominakanushi's children were scattered across a multitude of universes. In hopes of rejoining with his family, he fabricated a powerful relic known as the Chi no Ibutsu (血の遺物). When his children died, all their souls would be brought to this relic, where they could be reunited and travel to the afterlife together. However, such a powerful object came with a steep price. A dark being of extraordinary power felt the creation of such a relic. This being, known as the Dākurōdo, consumed by anger, jealousy, and rage, traveled across extensive galaxies just to find Amenominakanushi. The Dākurōdo knew combining the blood of the current All-Father with his own within the relic would give him all the powers of all the universes and all the heavens. With this power, he could destroy all Amenominakanushi's creations and all of his children, banishing them to the Netherworld.

     A horrible and damaging war arouse. After centuries of battle between Amenominakanushi and his children and the Dākurōdo, the dark being was banished to the deepest parts of the underworld. Fearing his inevitable return, Amenominakanushi entrusted the relic to the Hamato lineage, his most powerful children. With the relic hidden away, Amenominakanushi disappeared.

     Unknown to the many lineages of the All-Father, the Dākurōdo, constructed followers of his own. His descendants, the Oroku family, were charged with finding the relic and discovering a way to free their father from his torturous prison. The Dākurōdo, named Masutāshureddā, would one day be freed to continue on his quest to destroy all traces of Amenominakanushi's creations."

     Miyamoto Usagi shut the book and placed it on the bedside table. Four young turtles sat on a large, elegant bed, hunched over, eagerly listening to Usagi's tale. Although they had been taught the story of their heritage multiple times, the recital gave them much excitement.

     Their world has been without a King- an heir of Amenominakanushi -for years. Not long after the turtles' birth, the last King was stripped of his title. His betrayal of Usagi, the King's Hand, marked his soul for the dark pits of the underworld.

     "When do I get those powers?!" Raphael asked, standing up from the bed and shooting his arms in the air. "I want to fight Shredder myself!"

     "Me too!" Mikey shouted, jumping up with his brother.

     "Settle down."

     Miyamoto Usagi: the King's Hand. An immortal being tasked with choosing and guiding the next worthy heir. It is believed by the people of the Hamato realm that he was hand-chosen by the Amenominakanushi himself.

     "I hope that only your brother Leonardo will be burdened with such a task." Usagi turned to the young turtle. "We have been without a King for too long. I will not be able to offer any of you the necessary amount of training. By the time you four turn fifteen, you will have to be ready."