[center][h1][i]It only feels like the end[/i][/h1][/center]

[right][b]For the Scion[/b][/right]

[i][center]4 months after landing[/center][/i]

"Alright Ladies and gentleman, this is it. Almost a decade since his father broke the Conan's Wheel Record and set a new one. What do you think Eddie?" The other voice on the PA barks, "I tell you, Magnusson and Hafþór and I used to fight tooth and nail to keep up with Victor, the man would set something down, Mag would break it by one, then Hafþór and I would match it or break it, then Victor would come along and set a new upper limit. Back then the World Strongest Man was bonkers. And here we have a whole new crop of kids and young man who are bonkers strong too. And of course no surprise." Eddie Hall gestures at the ground and Jamie throws a arm into the air, pumping up the crowd. The other announcer nods, "There he is Jamie Cole Kanatariio, son of Victor Kanatariio, famous WSM champion. Victor still holds records in most of the events that we've seen. But today, the son may have a chance to break his father's record."

Eddie claps and shouts down, "Come on Scion! Lock in."  Jamie grins and salutes one of his teachers. He settles in getting a good Zecher grip on the Conan's Wheel. Eddie speaks into the mic again, "Victor set the last record at 1529 degrees, people have gotten close but no one has had the hard stamina and power to break it. Closest is 1289, set by Will Tecker 2 years ago. But during interviews Jamie said he's been doing some heavy training. Apparently he took a break off for abit doing that work his publist won't talk about. Sure we all thought Victor and Natalie were trust fund babies until that fight in Basel years ago. But never got it straight. But you can tell Jamie is hungry. He wants his Father's record. Here we go!"

An air horn bleats. Jamie surges, lifting the heavy bar and the huge basket of stones off the ground and begins to walk the circle. Step after step.

[i]Minutes later[/i]

"That's 900 degrees, he's on track. Can he keep going?" Eddie leans forward, "By now, most other competitors would be faltering, but Jamie looks locked in, he's on track to meet his father, I can just imagine the inner gaze of this guy, he can probably see the ghost of his dad walking in front of him. Come on Scion!" Old Arnie himself paces slowly along with Jamie, motioning him to keep going. Other competitors are on their feet hollering for him not to give up.

Jamie is hard locked, nothing matters but his feet stepping, keeping the weight centers. He's got a long way to go.

[b]More time later[/b]

"1280...1285....1290! He just walked right by Teckers attempt and hasn't slowed down! He's on perfect track he could make it!" Eddie hall hollers, "Come on Scion! Don't you dare slow down! Come on! Muscle on! Come on! You're seeing it here, record in the making. Scion Jamie Kanatariio on track to maybe beat his dad!"

Jamie huffs, red in the face, but not once slowing down. In his mind he can see his dad pacing just in front of him, buckled down and just out of reach. But every step lets him catch up.

[i]Moments later[/i]

Eddie screams into the mic, old Arnie inching along with Jamie, old Arnie screaming, "Come on boy 1500...you got this come on!"

Eddie bellow, "1510...1515...I can't believe I'm seeing this...1520..." 

Jamie roars suddenly and picks up speed, huffing breathes.

Eddie growls, "1525...dear god...he's gonna do it! Come on Scion!"

The crowd roars as the degree counter breaks 1530 degrees.

Eddie Hall screaming and bouncing up and down. Old Arnie cheering even as Jamie keeps going, more steps. Eddie almost blubbering, "1550...1555...wait...he's faltering...he's...get medics in there!"

Jamie finally falls at 1564 degrees. A small trail of blood leaking from his nose from where he bashed it on the metal length he'd been holding the whole thing up with. Panting he lays on his side, then throws a hand in the air from the ground, causing the stadium to go crazy.

Eddie and the other Announcer hollering into mics, "He did it! he beat his own fathers record and set the bar even higher! His record stands at 1564 degrees on the Conan's Wheel! I can't believe it, history of the WSM has been made here tonight with Scion Jamie C. Kanatariio setting a new record. I don't know where ol Victor is, but he's probably cheering his son on. Ahhh Jamie's back on his feet! Let's hear it folks. Ol' Arnie himself is out there with the young man of the hour!"

The televised event closes with Jamie red in the face puffing hard as a billows, speaking with Eddie Hall and Ol' Arnie about his accomplishment.

[center][u]The Memorial[/u][/center]

While one portion of the team paid respects to Skye in their way, Ban Kingo knelt to the side, wearing white from head to toe, a replica of his armor, the breastplate that looked like yoroi, but kevlar and plates instead rested lightly on his shoulders, white ribbons on his head, around his arms, with a white kimono under his armor. White being the color of death in Japanese culture.

He knelt in front of the memorial, going through a classic Japanese Buddhist funeral ritual. But with a fairly ancient looking additions.

At one point he stands and with a war fan in one hand, and a tree branch with white paper ribbons on it he did a funerary dance in front of the memorial. Then in another moment he bursts into a Sword Dance, as if defending the memorial from something coming to stop the spirit from making it to the beyond. In the end he kneels once more, and cracks open a bottle of sake. Pouring two cups, sliding one to the memorial and quaffing back the other.

He stays slightly apart from the group, and whispers, "Skye...thank you...I loved you...I would have said but we were busy. Rest well...I seek your permission to return to Japan, return to my family. My debt to you must have been paid by now. But if you ever need me...don't hesitate to call for me, even if it's from beyond the grave.

[right][b]A few days later back in Japan[/b][/right]

Ban sat across from Sam, looking over the orgy of information. All the Amagi Groups closest enemies, and their allies, information on the biggest families as well. There was dirt on the Inagawa and Sumiboshi-kai clans, even a whole section on the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi the traitors. But what surprised him the most was dark dirt on their parent clan, the Yamaguchi-gumi, the largest, strongest and richest Yakuza clan in all of Japan.

He looked across at Sam in awe, "Sam-sensei...you are amazing. I'll have to turn the stuff on the Yamaguchi in, the Amagi and the Kingo clan are members of their Clan, I would never think of trying to back stab them. But, the other stuff, I can use." He smiles.

Leaning back then listens to her provisos and limitations. His hand clenches on his sword grip, "Agreed...I'll take down the smaller clans around here, stomp them out, take back these lands for the Amagi Clan. But I agree, no human trafficking...and as an addition we'll keep drugs and liquor away from children and families as much as we can." He draws his sword and slits open the back of his forearm shallowly, "I swear on my blood and my blade, I'll do right by what you've given me Sam-sensei...thank you." He smiles then reaches across and shakes her hand, "Keep an eye on the newly weds for me would you? Please? I think I'll be busy too busy to come and check on anyone. I have alot of fighting and death ahead of me. The Kingo Family and Amagi Clan have things to do." He stands up and gathers everything up, "Thank you for the meal, thank you for your help. If you need me...for anything...call on me." He bows, nearly 90 degrees, low and respectful for a Japanese gentleman, "Arigato Sam-sensei."

Then with a hug and a smile, Ban vanished.

[i]A few weeks later on the News[/i]

And in international news, rumours of an underworld war in Japan has been proven true, Yakuza groups have been in a state of war all across the nation for months now, a small yakuza clan called the Amagi Clan got into a fight with a southern yakuza clan, but recently the Amagi Clan and their sub families have been pushing back. 

Correspondents across the nation say Yakuza  groups are falling one by one due to a strike team lead by a man with a silver sword.

Yamaguchi-gumi spokesmen have been approached, as the largest and most influential Yakuza in the Nation they only commented that the situation is under control. People in the affected areas have said they feel safe despite regular fights in the streets. 

We'll keep you in the news as things progress.

On to the weather...