Light blue tint with half of a glowing orange orb we call the sun rising over the horizon, as its light shines through my window and onto my face. My eyes blink a few times seeing the ceiling of my room, and suddenly it hits me like a storm, its time to take a trip to the land of Shinjitai rule. I get myself up immediately, rushing on my robes. The loose fitting cloth as always feels quite comfortable and easy to move in. I quickly sweep some of my hair back into a messy bun, as I'm in quite the rush. I grab my Katana and Wakizashi, placing them at my waist a samurai's most personal tool. I open the door out of my room and almost what seemed like flash of anxiety, the expectancy of what's to come. I take those first few steps, down the hall and everyone seems to be convened in main hall of the compound right near the entrance, seems my father is making the final preparations. I make my way down the hall, stepping forward in front of everyone, listening in on my fathers plan, every retainer has a sight of anxiety on their face, this has weighed heavily their minds. I was never in the room for politics but it seems like half of the clan supports my father's decision and the other half disagree. Regardless they will follow him simply out of blind loyalty. "Starting the first day well camp and scout in the woods and forests at the foot of the mountains. From that point we'll start skirmishes and retreat back dwindling their numbers. However we also have a time limit I'm well aware rations cant last us forever. so after a few days well start the big battle and take a castle and make a foothold for supply lines." He explains with a powerful voice enough to echo the halls for everyone to receive the message. "Stratagems to the side I have other news, My son will be entering battle along side you all once again. This time I'm giving him control of his own unit. My retainer Shokunin O Karu, You are appointed to my sons unit as a adviser, develop him into a fine strategist." He explains to the group of soldiers and retainers, I look over at Karu.
He has been one of my fathers long time friends, a man of average stature, bald head and bushy bear, the lines of his face match that of my fathers. They both are about the same age, they must have seen many battles together, even the first time when I became a daimyo he was a mentor to me, almost like a uncle. He was a man of many talents, he did all of my fathers Irezumi. I also believe my father wanted him to do mine, which he did in the future. Not only was he a artist but a true craftsman on the battlefield when it comes to strategy and thinking outside the box, lets just say he is responsible for the revolution of combat in this land. I look back at my father, realizing he is not finished giving his speech. "Along with that It is finally time to give my son his name, that he shall be known as for the rest of his life. You are finally a man you have proven yourself in the rite of passage and you have proven yourself to me. This is war, and you've chosen to step out on the battlefield with your family and your people I couldn't be prouder. I have high hopes for the future you will carve, so from today onwards, you will be known as Ishi Junichiro." He says walking up to everyone grabbing my shoulder looking me directly into my eyes. "Now men its time to move out! Lets take the battle to them Shinjitai dogs!!" The main hall erupts into a uproar. Fumikage who I didn't realize was there the whole time, grabs my shoulder from behind causing me to jump a bit, of course leave it to a ninja to scare the shit out of you. "This awkward do I call you Ishi or Junichiro now?" He questions jokingly and I just look at him before chuckling a bit. "To you my friend it is still Ishi, its Lord Junichiro when formality calls. Haha!!" I break out into laughter while I tell him that. "So you coming out to the battle with us or you staying back? You know we always need someone to watch the house." I question and say messing with him a little bit. "I'm your protector my lord, I go wherever you go, house watching is for dogs and last time I checked I'm with Oda, not the Shinjitai." He exclaims and you could almost see him breaking out into laughter, but instead he just gives a quick smirk.
We're both walking out the entrance, as we split off I throw my hand up instead of giving a wave "I'll see you soon my friend, tell Akio good morning for me." I say as we part ways for the moment. I make my way to the chestnut horse I traded for, there's no reason to give him a name. I wonder what Jizu is doing about right now, probably stampeding his way through the mainland. That was beautiful steed, and one of the strongest a natural bond like that is hard to come by between warrior and animal. I place the saddle on the chestnut horse, brushing its mane, and patting him on the neck. Your a good soldier, carry me through this war and legends will be made of you my friend. I take his reigns and pull myself up onto the saddle, using the reigns to make him gallop ahead, behind me are multiple soldiers awaiting for me to lead the way. Karu on his reddish steed, gallops next to me and looks at me nodding his head before speaking. "What's the plan young master?" he questions with a suspenseful look, almost judging what I'm gonna say not that I blame him that's his job as advisor. "Follow the plan my father set for the time being, rendezvous at the foot of the mountain, knowing were going to Shinjitai, means that were meeting at the entrance of Miwa." I explain starting the gallop towards the exit of the compound, if we rush we can make it there in about a week. I find myself thinking about what's to come as we gallop down the path, my hands grip the reigns tighter, the anticipation of battle and death just something I've always looked forward to, the ability to distinguish myself on the battlefield. Wanting to conquer my enemies, this feeling that I often suppress. A mix of anxiety I'm scared of losing people close to me, seeing their dead bodies scattered across the battlefield, Fumikage is impaled by spears covering a escape route, I lead him to his death is just one fear. My decisions matter if I rush into battle I'll lead people to their deaths. However I love the feeling of cutting through my enemies, I want to be on top I want to unite them under one fist. The thrill of being close to death knowing that your life is on the line, and that someone who rivals your authority isn't strong enough to stop you. The adrenaline that makes a true daimyo, the two people who could pull me out of this were Shiho and Kagashi. Kagashi only because he was related to her, if he was just some random guy he wouldn't stand a chance. This blood lust I wonder if my father or grandfather ever experienced it, or is it just something unique to me.
"YOUNG MASTER!!!" This voice echoes into my head knocking me out of my trance of being caught in my head. I shake my head and look over at Karu who was the voice that just snapped me back to reality. "Yes Karu what is it my apologies I was deep in thought a lot has happened recently." I answer him and scratch the back of my head. "Of course Young Master, I was just wondering if its perhaps time to stop, the men are getting tired we've been traveling for hours?" He asks me while replying and I scratch my head nodding and as I do so Fumikage starts to gallop forward he was behind us the whole time. "Ishi, We've gotten reports from the squad my brother's working with and It would seem the Chitsu clan has sided with the Shinjitai, which doesn't surprise me but seeing as your ahead of the rest of the army. Its up to you to push through, if you don't we wont even make it to the Shinjitai dogs." He explains to me and a sigh escapes my lips, this is just what we needed and now I have to come up with a strategy but it should be alright. "Chitsu's area in Miwa is about a few hours from here we should rest before entering that battle. Thanks for the information my friend." I say before raising my hand leading signaling my army to break and lead them to a small field, having my soldiers set up camps. I help out my troops set up their camp what would be a good but quick night we finally find ourselves eating rations in the main camp. The glow from the moon shines over all the camps behind the tree lines. The moon is crescent like the shape of the ornament on a daimyo helmet.
I look up at the crescent moon, hoping for the best tomorrow, at dusk we leave for the battle, were at a serious disadvantage. The first stronghold I believe is up at the top of hill with a curvature, pretty much the foot of the mountain, to get further in, well have to beat it. However once we get past this stronghold we'll be able to have arrows rain from above. This clan is so weak that they need a bodyguard, I should be able to get them to back down, I just hope I wont have to face one person in battle. I never attended this fight before, but I do know before I met him Zexis had been part of the Chitsu clan, and he was prejudiced greatly against just for his skin tone. He escaped when he realized he couldn't please them but at this point in time he might still be trying to win their favor perhaps I could get him to switch sides mid battle which would be a strong turn of the tides. As a strategist, he could overturn our favor we need him on our side that is crucial, but I have to recruit him I can incapacitate him but I cant kill him. He is necessary for the Junichiro force in the future. A essential piece to the shogi board, or as the foreigners say to the chess board. To my left is Karu, and to the right of me is Fumikage. I lean to the right and whisper "Fumikage I need you to be discreet but send a bird to your brother, I need information on Zexis a strategist for the Chitsu, You cant miss him, he has dark skin and white hair, he's rare in these lands." I order Fumikage and then I lean over to Karu whispering. Before I speak Fumikage responds back "Of course Ishi, ill have it done, any specifics you need?" He replies to me asking me for any more details. "I need information to recruit him, anything that makes him tick. I know its short notice but I this is the best course of action even if its a little bizarre, some fights can be won with the brain instead of the sword." I shift back to the right replying to Fumikage. I shift back left whispering into Karu's ear "Karu I need a small group of people to work on this plan tonight, we will use our horses, but we need straw and all the cloaks available in camp to pull this off." I order Karu and he responds with a nod, I have a feeling he know what exactly I'm planning. The thing is that stronghold leaves us at a disadvantage only while they have arrows I need them to use them all, so the plan is to use our horse and straw to make dummies and send them charging castle and before they even realize, we'll march around and cut off their supply lines, and there we can restock on horses and take the fight to them.
This night was definitely one to remember, I haven't been so excited to both crush a enemy in battle and reunite with ally even if he doesn't know he's my ally. This is gonna be the first milestone in my new career, of course I understand plans wont always go as expected but I have a gut feeling this will work. However if it doesn't well come up with something when we cross that bridge. Nothings could make this night better than some liquor but I'm saving it for tomorrow might as well be prepared, this is war after all. I get up from my padding, and make my way over to my tent looking back before walking completely in "Don't stay up too long, we have a important battle tomorrow, Karu your holding down the fort behind the horses tomorrow, your a proven strategist I know you can think on the fly." I look at him as I'm saying this and I turn over to Fumikage. "Fumikage your with me, get ready we have to guide soldiers through the forest and I know your a good tracker. You'll do fine we have to cut off a supply line, and then flank the stronghold." I say to him before I enter all the way inside, taking my kimono off. I lay it down in the corner along with the armor I shall adorn tomorrow. A mixture of plate and wood I like it. I crash down on the futon trying my best to get some sleep with my eyes closed, playing the future battle in my head over and over to the point I dream about it through the night.