This once little port town was now bursting with citizens and business when only a couple weeks ago it was more like a village, such a rapid change under new management. Of course we spent the day talking to Zexis on our arrival, once we reached the stronghold it was practically empty. His reasoning for it was that since were allies there was no need to defend this side of the town. Which for the most part I can agree with but you always wanna station just in case you never know what kind of plan Chitsu could pull, even as far as crossing into Oda territory. The troops and the rest of our allies with the exception of Onnajo and Kyokuna stayed in the stronghold, they spent their time getting to know Zexis and the future plans. I also think its because Onnajo prefers to sleep in the safety of her own ship, not that I can blame her I feel the same way with my castle nothing is safer than home. That was all that happened last night no unexpected attacks, or anything of the sort which believe me I was happy for. I awake with the sun leering over me I groggily make my way out of my bedroll, looking over the ramparts the town looking as busy as it did last night. I turn around slowly to try and peer through my own blurry vision before scrubbing my eyes clearing seeing all my cramped soldiers sleeping on top of one another. Well after everything that happened they deserve some rest but before long we need to get a move on and meet up with Zexis those Chitsu bastards are not gonna wait on our time. I make my way down the ramparts walking through small spaces and stepping over the sleeping soldier sooner or later the sun will wake them up for me.
Upon reaching the bottom of the stair case the bright green leaves of the trees swish softly into the wind a few leaves getting swept along carried off over the ramparts. "The winds seem to blow in our favor." I say to myself just kind of thinking out loud and I bring my hand up to my chin feeling my newly grown stubble. How long has this been here, I need to end this soon I prefer having a clean shave. A sigh escapes my lips as I continue to walk over my soldiers, heading towards the gates opening them myself slowly and squeezing through the small gap I made. I walk my way down a path and in the far reaches of my sight I spot a rare species, two lovebirds. It's none other than my two favorite ninjas, Fumikage and Kyo enjoying some fruit sitting next to each other laughing. The smile that Fumikage gives off in her direction was enough to warm the heart and her returning it with one of her own could thaw a frozen one. This radiant light coming off the both of them almost seems to bright, I lose myself in my thoughts as I watch them. Their budding romance gives me a reminder of what I once had and even if its not the exact same this time around I'd still be lucky to have her. The image flowing through my mind is that of one of the first dates I had with Shiho. It wasn't really a date but we met each other at a social gathering, a celebration for the alliance between our clans. I had already made my way through the gates and was being welcomed to the gathering, everyone was seated already but I was busy. Right across from myself was a woman with beautiful hazel eyes and light brown hair. It was none other than Shiho.
Just like all the other tales it started with the staring of into each other eyes, normally folks are scared of me and don't look to close but she was a courageous woman I don't think she ever feared anything not even when she lost her life I'm sure she went out swinging that's just who she was she was strong. This is when I knew she was different but when I returned the stare, she would blush ever so slightly perhaps it was my appearance or she could feel something with me. I know for me I felt a sudden attraction, I just couldn't look away I had the feeling of adrenaline running through all the veins in my body. I also had the butterflies fluttering in my belly, Nervousness is what they call it, I had never felt this before her. I was however knocked out of this trance by her father, and this other man who I would later see sat with her. Her father reminded me a lot of my own, he was loud and kind of obnoxious but always had a good heart. You could say that later on I become his pupil in the way of the daimyo, but even then I was a prodigy that would sooner rather than later surpass him. As for the man that sat next to her, would be later introduced as her husband to be of course I couldn't allow to happen because immediately I knew what kind of man he was. He's a arrogant and snide man, but yet he is a coward would do anything to save his life. All he wanted from them was the renown and power that came with marrying her. He was just a ant on my walk to becoming the greatest daimyo.
It was also that night in the middle of that glorious feast that I declared war in the name of love, a foolish decision on my part I declared war for the heart of a woman I barely knew. All in all it was worth because she ended up being the only woman I've ever loved. "Lord Ishi come on over don't be such a loner!" Kyo calls out waving her hand and upon hearing this I snap back into reality smiling over in their direction. I walk my way towards them and lean up on the tree looking at both of them folding my arms "Fumikage I hope you don't mind I need to borrow your girlfriend for the battle today I wont put her in any danger." I say in a serious tone but just trying to tease them a little bit. Both in unison Fumikage and Kyo's faces light up with a red tint. Fumikage stays silent and turns his head averting his gaze not wanting to look me in the eyes. Kyo on the hander hand bursts out. "I-its not like that Lord Ishi, we-we-we are just really close allies, I don't feel those feelings for this i-i-idiot." She stumbles on her words every once in a while trying to explain herself and I just burst out in laughter before nodding a bit. "Seriously Kyo I need you out there today, Onnajo and Kyokuna will take care of him on the ship, were on the offensive and gonna take them out in one swoop Karu and Waibo will be with us along with Zexis." I explain before leaning off the tree. She nods confirming that she would be there and I nod before walking away making my way back to the town, just to meet up with Zexis. The trail seems pretty long when your just walking it, the flowers around are nice, sunflowers and dandelions. The flow of the wind feels nice against my skin today, and the beautiful scenery so much green and vibrant colors its time like these that I understand scholars the most.
After a few minutes of walking, I finally reach the entrance of the village and I see Zexis immediately already making his rounds. I slowly come up behind him putting my hand on his shoulder "Zexis my friend are you ready for today, we will finally free you from the reigns of the Chitsu once and for all?" I ask him as he turns around with a smile on his face as he realizes its me. "Yeah of course Ishi, I've been ready for the first time in my life I will have freedom after this even with you in charge I still feel free. After this victory we will have a large celebration the town and the stronghold will be filled with drunks hahaha" He starts to laugh after saying all that and he pats me on the back before he continues his stroll and I accompany him as we wait for everyone. A couple hours passed as we walked and talked about everything, the shit that happened with my bloodlust and how I murdered my father. Also about why the dead daimyo is still strung up to the boat, I decided to take him down and remove his head from his shoulders, but before I could the seagulls got to one of his eyes. Still in better shape than I thought he would be I need this to deliver a message. Onnajo was the first to make her appearance as her ship was docked in town. "I Still don't think its a good idea for you to be going without me Ishi, I mean we been through a prison break and everything. Your my leader I follow you into battle until I'm reunited with the gods of the sea that means death" Onnajo complains before she inhales some of her opium to calm herself down, it seems like without it she'd be a worried mess.
"It'll be alright Onnajo these guys are weak we will take their castle and be back tomorrow before you even know it. Besides Fumikage will be here to keep you company it can't be all that bad and eventually you'll be out at sea without a leader, you'll be the leader of your own unit so get used to riding solo my friend." I tell her before leaning against the wall of a building awaiting the rest of our troops in the town square. I notice she puffs her cheek before inhaling more of that toxin like a spoiled child even though she's older than most of us here. She waves her hand storming off somewhere else I just scratch my head and as I turn my head I see Karu and Waibo each with their units and with some of my own. We're taking a small unit of probably five hundred. two hundred for me I'm the spearhead and then one hundred and fifty for Waibo and Karu. We have to infiltrate and conquer from the inside and of course Zexis gets the remainder of the troops to come in as reinforcements if we need them. Kyo will send her message bird if we really need the extra troops. Everybody is still getting equipped and prepped for the battle, I sharpen my katana with a whetstone. I also make my way around town looking for shops to get me another gourd of water, I feel naked without one but I don't need liquor for this fight. Onnajo made a loop around again and this time she took off her holster and without hesitation came over and put it around my waist as I look at her with a questionable look. She quickly inhales before sighing loud and obnoxiously, "Look Lord Ishi I worry about people and I cant help it I want you to have this to bring back to me, I don't need my leader dying out there when I'm not around I'll never forgive myself but I get that Fumikage needs someone to look out for him so just bring it back to me." She says clearly frustrated she has a hard outer shell but she's actually jelly on the inside I almost burst out in laughter but she's the type to lay her life down for her friends and allies loyal to a fault almost. "Alright Onnajo I'll be back I said that already but this could come in handy" I say before turning away mounting my horse looking around seeing everyone ready to go, also noticing morale is high after our victory against Shinjitai. "Men its time lets march and deliver a swift death to these Chitsu dogs!" I shout at the top of my lungs shooting one shot from the flintlock that Onnajo loaned me.