Void Genius

(A/n: Honestly, no excuse lmao. I'm back with this once again, updates are monthly, I don't know which day tho. Just a chapter a month or more, maybe, I don't think so. Anyway, enjoy, also, I'm in the middle of like technically rewriting shit, it makes it better ig. Currently, the prologue is done, while the rest are not. I should be done by next week or the next after that. Peace.)

Edo Japan Arata Hiroyuki is referred to as Hiroyuki. Reincarnated Arata Hiroyuki is referred to as Arata. 

…

The Chronicles of Arata Hiroyuki. Date of issue: May 13th, 1921.

Diary Log 2, Day 487, Year 1860.

'About a year has passed since I started to teach Okita Souji. They have shown an incredible amount of talent in the way of the sword. It is important that in any capacity and once able to, they are to get as much experience as possible.'

…

The fast attack my daughter sent wasn't something I'd be able to block. As it zoomed toward me, I began to reminisce, about her journey from having just picked up the sword to now. It made me incredibly proud of her. As my only child, it was obvious she'd have to learn the sword. Even if it wasn't conventional for the daughter to learn the sword.

…

Rika Okita, my wife, passed away soon after childbirth. She was able to hold Souji but died later that day as childbirth put too much strain on her. A woman with a fiery passion and personality, same as her daughter. Souji's looks also came from Rika, she was a younger version of her mother. That became apparent as Souji grew older.

My love for Rika then and now is still the same, not once wavering. As the news came to me, my world crumbled and everything began falling apart. My daughter was just born and her mother passed not too long after. As I was in no condition to do anything, my family took action. It was all a blur for me but at that time, they made sure Souji was okay. 

During that time, my brother in all but blood was made aware of what happened. As well as the parents of my wife. They were devastated when they heard the news. Rika was also an only child and was loved immensely by her parents. The parents were inconsolable just like I was.

My brother knew how much Rika meant to me and rushed over once he heard the news. When he arrived, it was a day after he was informed. He checked in with me and tried to console me. I was grateful for him. With him, I found the strength and put my best effort to persevere through this tragedy.

…

The attack hit and my mind was cut off from my sad reminiscing. When the attack landed, I was hurled to the ground. Souji's expression changed into one of guilt. She likely did not mean to do that and as strong as she made the attack. She sheathed her sword and went to help me. This performance once again showed how extraordinary she was with the sword. 

With such ease, she dispatched me with just one blow, and while not being a great swordsman; I'm decent with the sword and would be considered just above average. Her skill for the sword was extraordinary and was only refined by the teachings of my brother. His teachings made her to be even more skillful and a force to reckon with.

Even if my daughter could beat me easily, she hasn't been able to beat her mentor. Not for the lack of trying, she has tried numerous times but continues to fall short. The main factor is experience that she doesn't have as he has much of it. Still, he's said that once she gets the experience, she would be able to win against him.

...

It was unfortunate that until now, no action from the Emperor or Shogunate was taken about our forced opening. The letter detailed, from the Shogunate, a call for Samurai and/or Ronin to form a group. The group would quell the unrest the opening caused in Kyoto. The recipient of the letter said he'd go before saying a few probable causes of the unrest.

Among the possible causes, one stood out from the rest, a mention of a potential rebellion. The state of Japan was in a precarious state, he said. Due to that, certain people had wished to do something as the Shogun and Emperor allowed this to happen without any action. Stating that this wouldn't happen in the first place if the Emperor took action.

After his explanation, he wished for Souji to come along with him to Kyoto. An opportunity for her, that is if I didn't mind. I had some reservations about letting Souji go with him; Although, he would be along with her to Kyoto. With him around, there isn't anything for me to worry about. My worries quelled, and I expressed my permission to allow her to accompany him.

As I mulled over my thoughts, I turned to the window. The sun was close to setting and it was just getting a little dark. My brother bid me farewell and went to inform Souji. He left and the door closed with a resounding noise. I turned to my desk filled with paper, sighed, and sat down once more. I winced when I sat down, pain from my body all around.

I remember the spar earlier against my daughter and the end of it. When she unknowingly went full strength and roughly hit me. While I knew she didn't mean it, it was still hurting. Seeing as anything would make the pain come back. I decided to turn in for the day and head to bed. 

…

While walking to his house, Arata began to think about his discussion with Souji. Being relieved that she decided to accept and go with him to Kyoto. Arata had much to do, preparations that needed to be sorted out, making sure things went according to history, and much more. Reaching his home, it disappointed him that Hiroyuki left the house with minimal things.

Despite that, he had arrived home when the sun was setting and the shops he planned to go to were already closing or closed. Not much could be done at this state currently and decided to get everything ready tomorrow. After his preparations would be done, they would start their journey to Kyoto. 

Looking out the window of his home, an almost full moon shined. It seemed that his journey would be sent off with a full moon. He headed off to bed and began thinking of his family before falling asleep. Another dream occurred, he was in this white void once again. The blue light from before was present and seemed closer than before.

As he headed toward it, the light stayed the same distance, not even getting closer. It didn't seem like it was moving away, but rather, he was the one not moving. Even though it felt like he had walked a good distance. Despite this, he awoke with the same question as before, why was he there?

'Will this be a common occurrence!?' He questioned in his mind, not truly knowing that it would be. The list of questions he couldn't find an answer to continued to grow more. It was frustrating as the pile of questions only got bigger and bigger. He stood up and shook off his thoughts before getting dressed for the day.

Once dressed, he made his way through the house. Reaching the kitchen, he realized he didn't know what to do. Rather, how to make any kind of food with this kitchen equipment. Despite being of Japanese heritage, he preferred American kitchens. He made his way to the Okita house.

On the way, he admired the buildings and surrounding area. It all matched the pictures and artwork of his homeworld's Edo period Japan. No one beside him was up, it was early and the sun was just barely visible. He knew the shops he needed to go to weren't up open and wouldn't be open until later. 

So to pass the time, he headed toward the Okita house as they were probably up. Katsujiro had a habit of waking up early since he became the head of his family. Souji, on the other hand, is the complete opposite of her father. She isn't a morning person and prefers to get her sleep.

Unfortunately, that's going to change when they arrive in Kyoto. Arata knew what the Roshigumi and later the Shinsengumi would require of her. She would be a teacher and was to be very strict. At least, in his world's history of events, here it was likely that would not come to be.

Hiroyuki existed before Arata came to this world, and that changed everything. He was a teacher and many students of his were known to be great swordsmen. Those students would then bring more changes to the history he knew. Among the students, a certain Okita Souji was on that list.

She was bound to be a Heroic Spirit after her exploits in both the Roshigumi and Shinsengumi. A core figure in the groups and from the schools of Edo, there she would've been called up along with others. Such as Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo, other core figures, she would be with them.

That was the way history would go and be recorded. It was in his world and this one, albeit with some differences. Although, in this world, most of that wouldn't occur. She was Arata Hiroyuki's student and hadn't entered a school of Edo. Due to that, she hadn't met Kondo or Hijikata in her younger years.

'It's due to my existence, everything that she would've experienced is not anymore. In the end, it all ends up to me. My students, my life, and everything that I am.' He thought to himself after getting breakfast at the Okita mansion. His troubles would only continue to grow.

As he came out of the house, the sun was now up. A small amount of people were out and shops were now starting to open. Pain hit him in the side, it was the same as before. It hadn't healed yet for a reason he didn't know, yet he felt it would dissipate soon. The shops he needed weren't open so he headed home.

The blacksmith room interested him, he didn't have the time previously to check it out. Hiroyuki performed routine maintenance on his student's sword and his own. For the latter, it was unnecessary as it wouldn't degrade in durability. Although, its performance only continued to drop as time went on.

Hiroyuki didn't know the reason and stated his ideas in the diary. Arata on the other hand, knew why it degraded in performance. The sword was a divine construct, a sword of the gods, mystery empowered it. Mystery was prevalent in ancient times when the Age of Gods existed.

An event during the Age of Gods had caused many to die, humans, plant life, and even the Gods themselves. This started the downfall of mystery and the Age of Gods. As time went on other events happened which caused even more deterioration of mystery. In the present, mystery was a speck compared to what it was.

Despite that, it still existed and is the reason why the sword hadn't disappeared. As Japan's Gods involvement lasted even after the Age of Man started, a sword was created. It was to help their people and was passed to an unknown swordsman. As time went on, the sword appeared to who it considered worthy.

Unfortunately, as mystery waned, it couldn't keep its sentience. It had to stop appearing to people who were worthy and it was heard as a legend. The last holder before its sentience disappeared ensured it would be passed down in a swordsmen school. Centuries passed and the school was destroyed and the sword lost.

Hiroyuki would find it and record the story in the diary. At the current moment, Arata entered the blacksmith room. An unknown feeling resonated within him, he pulled out his sword. The blade shined and looked in great condition as always. After doing some maintenance which was just a formality.

It was now noon, and the stores he had to go to were open by now. He exited the room and headed to his bedroom, picking up his bag of money. Once he had it, he left the house and went his way to the stores. The first stop was a carriage riding company, it was vital, Kochira Co. was the name.

"I'm asking to be heard! What do you mean you have none?!"

As Arata walked in, a man was currently yelling at an employee. The employee was trying their best to calm the man down. 'It seems like they might not have any. Katsujiro should have one always in case of things like this.' He thought as he headed toward another employee.

"Good afternoon, and welcome to Kochira! How may I help you?" They had a smile on and wore the uniform of the company.

"I'm here to have a carriage ready in a couple of days," Arata spoke and expected the same thing that the other man got.

"Unfortunately, we have none available at the moment, the earliest one is within a few days. At the moment there is a waitlist, if you wish to be put on, may I take your name?" The lady grabbed a list and was ready to write.

"Actually, I believe the Okitas have a reserved carriage. I have their seal of approval to use it, as the head's daughter is coming with." When he went to the Okita's house, it wasn't only for breakfast. He asked Katsujiro for their official seal as he would need it in the current situation. After speaking, he brought out the seal.

The employee's eyes widen before putting down the waitlist. She grabbed the seal and inspected it before speaking. "Ah, one moment. I must check with the one we have to ensure it's real. If it is, then you'd have the carriage set in a couple of days. Please, excuse me." She bowed before turning around to head to a back room.

As I waited, I turned back to look at the man and the other employee. The man had a fierce look and was tall compared to the employee. The fierce man continued to yell before a hand was put on their shoulder. It was a man with a stern look and wore glasses. They seemed to know each other, and the stern man spoke.

"Calm down, Toshizo, enough harassing this person. It seems we will be late to the gathering. I'm sure they will understand, we'll continue to look for one."

The stern man continued to speak to the tall man, and Arata's eyes widened at the name. He knew who it was, Hijikata Toshizo was in front of him, and most likely Kondo Isami was as well. Two more core members of the future Shinsengumi had appeared and he couldn't believe it.