Manhattan

Tetsu Hirano had the day off. He slept in relatively late, waking up at around nine thirty in the morning. After that, he spent the day on his computer, reading up on Costumed activity. At the moment, he was checking out Heroes and Villains Online. It was the premier site on all individuals known as 'Costumes', whether they be crimefighters or committers.

The forums spoke of the latest events that reached the public. Whether it would be the destruction of the Black Mark factory in San Paraíso, the Japanese Protectors stopping a weapons trafficking operation in Asia, the Marauding Force pulling off a train heist, or most importantly (to him), the anti-Mist operation that shut down the outpost in Aureus.

Yeah, those six Protectors completely shut those Mist guys down. Makes you think about what they could do with the whole organization.

Dude, let's be real. They could take over the world if they wanted to. It's only because they've been playing nice that we're still free.

That's just silly. They're strong, but not that strong.

Why don't you try to take them and find out?

This was a topic that would come up a lot. Tetsu knew that the Protectors were in it of itself, a superpower. One with jurisdiction beyond that of most governments, able to operate around the world, and possessing some of the most powerful beings on Earth, and certainly the best funding. It's popular online to debate 'Could the Protectors conquer Earth if they wanted to?' on both forums and news discussions.

Tetsu checked the wiki site on HAVO. He scrolled down the list of current Protectors until he found his own alias. Once he saw Shirokage, he clicked it. There was a picture of him in his white ninja suit, armored and completely concealed in his mask and visor. His real name was listed as 'unknown', which he was thankful for, as he doesn't want the public knowing who he is.

The rest of the details were what the public knew of him, such as where the Shirokage was, what his abilities were, his affiliations. They didn't know everything, just what they could learn of him. Now that he completed what he wanted, Tetsu closed the window to the website, and considered what he would do later.

He figured April would be up by now, so he decided to give her a call. Tetsu reached for the phone, and called her. A few moments later, she answered on the other end.

"Hello?"

"I see your awake."

"And I see you're not too busy on Protector missions to call me."

"Good point. Want me to come over?"

"Yeah, that'd be great."

With the plans set, Tetsu left after roughly fifteen minutes. His one-bedroom apartment was close to the one April lived in at Greenwich Village that getting there was as simple as taking a walk, which he enjoyed. Tetsu took the time to admire that sights and sounds of the streets as he moved through the sidewalk. Just as he wanted, being in New York has given him a perspective of another side.

The sun was shining brightly, and everyone had their own business. Little did they know that Tetsu was the Shirokage, and he was honestly happy about that. April's apartment came into sight after fifteen minutes. He knew today was going to be a good day. Tetsu knocked on the door, and after a few seconds it opened. It was Darcy, her roommate.

"Hey, Tetsu. Come on in."

Tetsu smiled and nodded as he went inside. April was soon came of her room, and ran towards him. She looked so beautiful with her long red hair and green eyes. They kissed. He was glad to be back again, to see April and away from the line of his work. April signaled Tetsu to go with her to her room, which meant he she had something she wanted to share with him.

Inside, April looked at Tetsu with eyes that appeared concerned. He already knew what she was going to say. It had been about a month since he told her the truth, that he was a Protector.

"You know, I get worried about you." April said. "The whole 'white ninja' thing is very dangerous, and I can't believe your own dad made you do it."

"He didn't make me do it, the Shirokage lineage was something I chose to follow."

"Like most kids, I looked up to the Protectors, but I never thought of being one. I never thought I would date one, either. Aren't you worried you'll die one day?"

"You see, if I can make a difference, then I have the obligation to do that. It wouldn't be fair if I lived as a 'rich kid' socialite while my family fought to protect others."

"You're hopeless."

Tetsu didn't respond. She always would get worried about his safety, which was reasonable. Tetsu would say he can fend for himself. That's what he was trained for, ever since childhood. April went out in the living room, as he followed behind her. She took a drink of tea and spoke to Darcy.

"We're going out, be back in a few hours."

"See ya."

Tetsu waved Darcy goodbye before they went out the door. They held hands as they walked to her car. It was a Japanese car, a Honda, one Tetsu had seen many times back in Japan. Tetsu took his spot in the passenger seat as April drove. Tetsu spoke again, the privacy makes for a good time to talk about the subject.

"You've never told anyone, right?"

"Of course I didn't tell anyone. That would be mean."

"I had to be sure."

"How long before your next super important mission, hero?"

"Not for a little while, hopefully."

"...'Hopefully?"

"You never know when the world needs you." Tetsu said. "That's what I've learned in life."

"Yeah, you might be right."

On the outside, Tetsu Hirano was a college student from Japan studying in New York. It wasn't known to many exactly what his family is. The Hirano family was actually one of the wealthiest in Japan, owners of the business conglomerate Hirano. Unbeknownst to the greater public, they were also the holders of a legacy that is the Shirokage, and Tetsu was the latest one.

Letting April know about this was a risky move, and one that made Tetsu worry. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, it's that he didn't trust anyone. That's what his father would teach him. But it was something that had to be done, and it was inevitable. Taro couldn't not tell Kaguya, and Tetsu couldn't not tell April. They had been dating for nearly a year at this point, and a secret like that only made things more complicated.

"Why don't we get a burger?" April asked.

"Yes, I could eat."

A few minutes later, they pulled in at a burger place, named Big Kevin's. Tetsu had been there before, he liked it. Had good meals, and it certainly wasn't a McDonald's place. They parked, and held hands once again as they went inside. Both ordered cheeseburgers, while April had a salad on the side.

Tetsu was quiet, as he usually was. Instead he ate his burger, and waited until April was done with her meal before speaking. She finished in six minutes. Tetsu left a tip for the waiter, and they waved goodbye as they went back to her vehicle. Hardly a word was spoken the entire time.

Her car was used, and hardly in its best shape. A far cry from what Tetsu was used to back home, to say the least.

"I could get you a new one, if you would like."

"No." April said. "It's fine."

Tetsu elected not to press further. There was something about her, she would never press for money even though she could. Ever since he arrived in America, he feared that was all the others would do if they knew who he was. Not her, it practically never came up.

"Can I ask you about something?" April said.

"Of course."

"How long do you plan to do this? Is it like your career choice? You'll have to settle down eventually, and pick a less dangerous option."

"I never thought of it, to be honest."

"Come on, certainly you think there's something more than just being a white ninja superhero, don't you?"

"Well, it might be something to consider in the future. I can't just give up now, I feel like I'm only getting started."

"Alright, do what you have to, just make sure you survive."

Tetsu looked at her in the eyes, and nodded.

"I don't plan to die any time soon."

From there, he made a personal vow to survive. He wouldn't let anyone down, that was something he lived by. They continued to drive through the streets of Manhattan until they were back at her apartment. She parked, and the two went back inside. Tetsu opened the door and held it for April to enter, like a gentleman.

They spent the next few hours hanging out, watching movies while sitting on the couch. Darcy was there two, but stayed in her own room to give the two some privacy. Tetsu could never run out of things to watch, just loved movies. They were watching a crime drama called The Family, which details the insides of a mafia. He found that it was funny he could enjoy a movie like this, since the mafia are the kind of people he would be fighting against.

When the movie was finished, it evening. Tetsu decided it would be best to leave. There were things he would like to ask her, but this wasn't the time. Tetsu and April hugged and kissed before he left.

"See you later." April said.

"Yes, I will see you soon."

As he left out the door, he turned around once more to say something that he felt was important.

"And don't worry. I won't die, you can count on it."

She nodded with a smile. "Got it. You better stay true to your promise. I would kill you if you got yourself killed." April said, jokingly.

During the walk back to his apartment, he thought to himself how he was going to stay alive for April. The most important aspect of being a warrior, of being a hero, is sacrifice. If I die protecting my friends and loved ones, then that's what happens. I can't just abandon them when I'm needed. Tetsu decided that he would talk to one of his mentors about it when he got home.

Inside, Tetsu took out his katana. It was known as the Blade of the Kage, the blade the Shirokage used for generations, and the one he is currently in possession of. A beautiful blade, there wasn't a single imperfection to be found. Now he was going to use it speak to someone important.

Tetsu summoned the powers of the sword, and a yellow wormhole appeared in front of him. He stepped inside, and in that moment he was in Sunpo. It was an alternate dimension, one that only those wield of the Blade of the Kage can access. It appeared as a massive floating castle in space. Its architecture was of a tall area, made primarily of wood and stone. The pink cherry blossoms that stood on the grass gardens to the entrance made for a beautiful sight.

He walked through the gardens until he reached the entrance. Two large doors that automatically opened when Tetsu approached it. The hallways were long as Tetsu moved down through them to get to the meditation room. That's where he would find the one he was looking for. Kage.

The doors to the meditation room opened to reveal an old man with a thick white beard and eyes that had no irises, just a pure white gaze.

"So, you've come seeking advice, hm?"

Tetsu sat in the seiza position, a formal way of sitting in Japan. He bowed his head down before looking up again at his mentor.

"Yes, Kage-sama."

"What is it, my student?"

"It's about April. She wishes for me to leave this life because she's worried I'll get killed in the line of duty."

"Ah yes, she was in quite a shock when you brought her here. Are you sure you can trust her?"

"One must eventually reveal their identity to the one they love. My father had to tell my mother, as did my grandfather before him."

"That was a strong word you just used. Are you sure she is the one. Not all relationships work how you would expect. You were sure Kasumi was the one just a couple years ago."

"It is true, but I feel that this could be it. She always stood by me, and understood why I had to do this. She may not like it, but she hasn't left me because of my duty."

"Admirable. A woman who doesn't run away because of what the Shirokage is sworn to do is worth being with."

"And that's why I must survive, for her sake. I don't want her to feel like I failed her."

"So, what is your advice?"

"I need to know what I should do if April doesn't wish to stand by my side. I feel like if I get injured, if I bleed to much, she may leave. She never thought she would date someone like me, and here she is, worried about me every day. I have to live up to her expectations, and prove myself worthy of her concern."

Kage had a faint, barely noticeable smile on his face, but one that Tetsu could pick out.

"If you love her, and she loves you as well, she will stand by your side through thick and thin. That's why I suggest you remain strong, and always put yourself before her."

"Thank you, Kage-sama."

"Now, why don't you meditate on the state of your existence while you're here."

"I will."

The next hour was spent meditating, just as instructed. Tetsu sat, trying to focus on nothing but his inner spirit flowing with the life force. Being the Shirokage was a double-edged sword. He was powerful, but swore to value everyone above himself, and now he must fulfill his promise to survive for April's sake. Tetsu hoped he would never have to make that decision.