(Sample chapters)
 

“One hundred pieces of gold for every kitsune head laid at my feet!”

  Umeji Tatsuya finally starts Guardian training under the legendary tengu king Soujou-bou. Though, the Guardian Council has their doubts about whether a former yakuza mobster should be allowed to carry a legendary sword or that Umeji can handle the lifelong commitment.
  Days afterward, refugees flee to Soujou-bou's estate. Umeji and Nakamura discover the pair are none other than the remnants of the Date kitsune clan—relatives to the witch that had repeatedly attacked Umeji and his friends, killed his mob big brother, and left Nakamura magically crippled. Hot on their heels is the oni army the Date duo barely escaped. The army's general, Ibaraki Douji, clamors for 'Death to all kitsune!' as well as bidding to resurrect and claim the title of Shogun.
  Survival of kitsune kind will require Umeji and Nakamura to set aside their differences with the Date clan and to work together to unravel a century old mystery.
  When Ibaraki lays siege to the rural town of Nonogawa, where the legendary katana Umeji carried is lost and he’s blamed for it. He’s determined to recover the sword and stop Ibaraki from taking over Japan.
  The search will lead Umeji to question where his loyalties truly lie and he and his crew will have to venture into areas mere humans don’t dare to tread. What they uncover is darker than anything Umeji saw in the mob.
  Will Umeji prove he has what it takes to be a Guardian before it's too late?
 
 

Themes

Determination

Self worth

Actions and consequences

Found family

  This is the longest sample available.

English kitsune Dragon hope punk oni Magic myth punk Mythological action adventure Japan Japanese folklore Urban Fantasy ex-yakuza tengu