The Campagna Adventures

Chapter 41-The Vow

After visiting the weapon's shop, Alexander took Phil to get a dress uniform for the ceremony, and other formal occaisons in the future.  The uniform consisted of a Kimono and a Hakama, in various smaller parts.  Although the more typical sandals were replaced with matte combat boots.  The whole outfit was a dark navy blue, similiar in color to what ancient Shinobi would have worn to blend in at night.  The outfits' overcoat had a small crest on either side of the front and a much larger one on the back.  This crest consisted of an Aura Sphere with a white trim surrounding it.  On top of the Aura Sphere there was an ancient depiction of Reshiram and Zekrom chasing each other, swallowing each other's tails.  In the depiction Reshiram had black eyes and Zekrom's were white, giving the legendary Pokemon's image a resemblence to the Taijitu.

"Alexander, what does this crest mean?"

"It is the symbol of the Aura Shinobi, what you have been training to become this whole time.  As you know, they are the mostly highly trained warriors we have.  The symbol is inspired by ancient family crests from the region of the world our kind emerged from.  Part of the ceremony will be for me to present the overcoat, or Montsuki Haori, to you and to help you don it.  One of the smaller crests will be attached to your usual trench coat's right sleeve afterwards."

"What else should I expect for the ceremony?"

"A lot, and I do mean a lot of well wishing.  Denusho, as your original teacher will have a part, as will his father, Sensei and Grandmaster Jotishu, who will talk more directly of your accomplishments, such as leading the attack on the Team Domination base and going toe to toe with powerful Dark Users.  Finally, I will speak on how you have grown during your apprenticeship to me, mentally and physically.  Then, I will ask you to take the oath of the Aura Shinobi, after which I will present you the Montsuki."

"What is this oath?"  Phil inquired.

"The oath is this, 

I vow to be a man of honor,

To fight evil in every form everywhere,

To never give up and never say die,

To protect those weaker than I,

To aid the poor, the widowed, and the orphaned however I can.

I vow these things on my honor,

And my honor is my life.

This is a very serious oath, the breaking of which is punishable by death, banishment, or life in prison.  If you are considered to have broken this oath, you will be put on trial, where you must explain your actions, and how you believed they were within the oath.  If they are determined to be within the oath, you will be released.  Knowing you for as long as I have, this has always been your inner moral code."

"You are right about one thing for certain.  I have always fought for those weaker than me."

Later that evening, most of the village had gathered in front of a small raised, wooden stage just outside a grove on the edge of the settlement.  Some people had even come just to see the ceremony, including Granpop Lewis, a few of the men who fought beside Phil at the Team Domination base, and over a hundred of the current one hundred and sixty-four Aura Shinobi, who had come to see the young man joining their ranks.

The short trees swayed in the wind, which was creating quiet whistle as it blew through the trees.  Soft green grass cushioned the feet and rears of those in attendance.  The crashing of a waterfall could be heard, muffled by the distance.  The sun had nearly dipped beneath the snowcapped mountains when the wind stopped.