Battle of Oshu
The Battle of Oshu was chronicled as one of the largest night sieges in the history of Rokugai. Oshu's city had no walls but the castle itself was tall with its tiered walls. The walls have not been breached before but that all changed on this day. But not for the reasons one would suspect.
The siege of Oshu was being led by Tado Shizu with Yatturo Kishu and acting as co-commander in the battle responsible for all cavalry. Asai Shinrin the provider of the resources was greedy in a way, he provided the means to create the siege weapons at such a rapid rate for the battle but wanted the glory due to the resources he was putting into this siege more or less saying he is the reason they would win this battle.
"Why don't we just attack now?!" Yelled a voice that came from a curtained off area of the field outside of the city of Oshu. It wasn't a war tent in the normal sense but it worked as a war room where there were partitions made of sheets of paper on wooden sets to keep eyes away from their activities but words and yelling can still be heard along with some shadows. Guards blocked off the entrance that was also blocked temporarily by a similar partition.
On the inside was Asai Shinrin yelling at Tado and Yatturo who was sitting on their knees on cushioned seats with Yatturo sighing hearing all of the Yelling Azai was doing, it was surprising how much air Asai had in his lung for such an old man. Asai was a man past his 50s with wrinkles and the front of his hair gray contrasting his brown medium hair. HAsai was wearing a gold robe that was combos with armor pieces to make himself shine and look the part of a 'Shogun' he calls himself.
Having enough of this Tado puts down his cup of tea that he was drink with a sigh, he was in his 30s at the time with black short and spiky hair bull horns were on an armored headband he wore the horns colored red while his armor was red like fire with cow heads for shoulder pieces. His breastplate had a small red flame design to symbolize his colors.
Tado then focused back on Asai. "It is almost night already Asai! If we wait now and attack when its fully dark we will have an even playing field! They could surprise us under the darkness!" Tado was concerned about fighting during the late evening the shift in lighting could blind his troops as they advanced on the castle.
"Bah! It means nothing if we attack now and claim the first wall of that blasted Castle! They are in a disarray now is the perfect time to attack them!" Asai shouted, he made a good point due to the fact the clan head of the Satori's had just passed away that might make the troops in the castle be in disarray.
"Even so we can't take chances and give the enemy an advantage, we rushed here within days, there is no way they got themselves reorganized, a few more hours wouldn't hurt!" Tado shouted standing moving toward Asai. "Listen Asai! If you want to run right in there go ahead but we need to work together here and be careful. This is just the start of the war and we must take small steps not waste everything at once!"
Asai was angry but stared at Tado before sitting down staring at the map of the castle they were able to obtain, it showed the layout of the three walls and where the gates were. "Fine I will listen to your advice! Do you have a plan for out 'night' attack?" Asai ask but it sounded more of an order.
Tado who was the true leader of the coalition tightened a fist but relaxed himself sitting down. "The walls are the biggest obstacle. We need to penetrate them first if we want to have a chance to succeed. Your siege weapons will be used to bust down the gates and bring down the walls of the first tier then we will move in with our army with your... Battering ram to take down the gates on the next tiers, if that fails or somehow the batting ram is destroyed we will scale the 2nd tier walls with rope and hooks."
Tado looked to Asai who listened silently- Wait he was sleeping with a snooze making Tado angry. "Oi gramps! Wake up!" Asai jumped looking around. "Are you going to pay attention or what?!"
"I am! Take the 1st tier wall then the 2nd and then the 3rd... Right?" Asai stated making Tado sweat drop and sigh. "Just follow our lead and focus the siege weapons on the gates." As Tado spoke, Yatturo was staring at the two unsure about this alliance just as Tado had such feelings. This was a shaky alliance to begin with and it was showing in their meeting. They had the numbers and equipment but their were not all of the same mind.
They heard the movement of the partition making them turn their heads to the arrival of a messenger running in carrying a scrolled up piece of paper aiming to give it to Tado. "L-Lord Shizu! A message from Sokudo Sattori!"
Tado's eyes widen a bit as he took the message and slowly unrolled it to read the message eyes moving left to right quickly then puts the message on the table. "What does it say Tado?"Asked Yatturo.
Tado was silent staring at the message then to Yatturo and Asai. "Its a response." Tado simply stated motioning for the other two to read. Yatturo looked to Asai and volunteers to read it aloud picking it up then began to read it.
"Dear Lord Shizu, Shinri, and Kishu,
With the passing of my father I, Sokudo Satori, have taken the place as the new head of the Satori Clan. You have chosen to take advantage of my father's passing and asked for surrender of Oshu. But I will not, this is my home and my father's will still lives within me. If you choose to attack me go ahead but my men and castle is ready for you, if you choose to halt now no one will have to die and we can work on unifying Rokugai."
Yatturo was about to continue but was suddenly cut off by a sudden set of chuckling. Yatturo looked up then looked to Asai who was the source of the chuckling.
The chuckling was uncontrollable judging from the nature of it it seems. Asai could not seem to stop until a few minute of laughing. "I forgot that bastard had a son!" Asai shook his head smirking a bit. "Naive! Like we would stop for such petty and idealistic reasons! If he wanted that he should just simply surrender!"
Tado and Yatturo look at each other just as Asai was standing up and began to walk making Tado become shock and look at Asai. "Lord Shinrin we aren't-"
"No we are." Asai looked back at the two other lords with a devilish-looking smirk. "We already have our plan. We don't need to talk further right my wonderful... Vassals."
Asai then began waving his hand to the both of them who were visibly angry. "I'll see you at nightfall! My Golden Rangers will be ready to storm that blasted castle!" With that Asai left the war 'tent'
Tado and Yatturo were not very happy staring at the partition Asai just walked through. Both Tado and Yatturo look down in silence that lasted for a few minutes. It took awhile but Yatturo noticed the messenger was still there. "What else do you want boy?" Yatturo asked drawing Tado's gaze toward the messenger.
The messenger looked around then back to the two lords. "Lord Yatturo I work under you faithfully and believe this alliance is... Not honorable with how Lord Shinrin is treating the rest of us. He is greedy in all aspects of the word."
Tado thought for a minute. "I will be honest, he does rub me the wrong way especially now. Hes very full of himself and even accidentally revealed his true face." Tado mused then eyed the messenger. "But whats your point in telling us this?"
The messenger was silent for a moment then slowly pulled out another message. "I betted on the chance Lord Shinrin would leave to show you another message from Lord Satori. It was sent to me and members of both of your armies and some channels of the Shinrin army." He hands it to Tado who opens it up to read it.
Yatturo looked to Tado who was speed reading the message then stared at it for a moment. "What does ti say Tado?"
Tado was silent then breathed in a bit. "It says..."
"To all that receive this message,
If you are receiving this message then your troops or army are loyal to you and your cause, Rokugai as a nation is and should be unified by peace and all lords. It should not be in the hands of a few or one. We as people of Rokugai should gather and stand with one another not for the pleasures of one. This is the dream my father the previous head of the Satori Clan wished for.
You can choose whenever or not as the people that receive this letter to stand for the greater nation that will become Rokugai, a unified set of all clan heads, or choose to stand against it and follow the one man and surrender your freedom and identity. Soldiers can't be more than just soldiers, they can't grow or become something else under the rule of a selfish one. But it can grow with a generous many.
Asai Shinrin is one of those said individuals. He plans to kill me regardless if I surrender or not then take control of Tado Shizu and Yatturo Kishu's freedom and force them into vassalage. If the ones that read this hear this gather with your Lord or if that Lord has betrayed you defect, join Lord Kishu or Shizu and fight for unity and freedom.
If you are loyal, fight for what you believe to be right, that is all I ask for whenever or not these are my last words or not in this world after this night has gone. But remember this phrase as least...
May the White Dragon hold Unity and Peace,
I look forward the answer, you the people of Rokugai, choose to give.
Sokudo Satori"
Tado stared at the message with Yatturo being shocked with a wide open mouth before they soon heard marching and gathering outside. They both look at eachother just astonished before looking at the messenger who just smiled. "My lords what do you choose? We the men from Kishu, Shizu, and parts of Shinrin loyal to Hana Shinrin have chosen"
Hana Shinrin struck a cord with Tado and Yatturo making them surprised that Hana Shinrin had influence and was against her father's ambitions. Tado only smirked to himself. "That Sokudo kid knows how to move an army." He mused looking to Yatturo who was standing up.
Yatturo stared at the messenger. "Send a message to Sokudo from me to him, we choose the path... To Unity." It was better than being played by Asai, he looked to Tado for his answer hoping he agreed. Tado was sitting in silence still smirking then stood up.
"To Unity!" Tado shouted as he and Yatturo nodded then looked to the messenger. "Send my name to this pact as well!" The messenger nods standing up with a smile. "Shall I send reinforcements to Sokudo while Asai is unable to see my Lords?"
Tado shook his head. "No, Sokudo has a plan if he did this much, we will trust him and his plan and will support him from here with our armies." Tado stated then began to head out of the tent with Yatturo. The messenger nodded having received his orders running out of the tent using the gathering crowd of soldiers to blend in to get to Oshu Castle without being noticed.
Yatturo and Tado saw the messenger run off past them as they left the tent and were met with a huge crowd of their army standing at attention watching their lords seeing what their answer would be. Yatturo and Tado looked at each other nodding. "He knows how to move a nation indeed." Tado mused giving Yatturo the ability to tell the men.
Yatturo stands in front of Tado standing tall. "To all men gathered here! If you have come to see what our answer is then heed our words! We choose Unity!" The men were silence before a loud shout as if there was a victory was made from one of the soldiers then another, the shouts grew and grew as more and more joined. Thousands of shouts were heard so loud it went from the war camps to Oshu castle.
The ancient letter drawn into history books as being the turning point of the war was not simply a battle. It was a letter to Rokugai itself by Sokudo Satori to rally and burn up the spirits of soldiers and the heads of other Clans.
The letter was later sent to other clans that same day to the Tokikawa of the south, The Fukaze to the west, The Mori to the East, The Oda that were the center of trade at the time. It slowly reached and spread to every corner of the broken up nation rallying people together right under Asai Shinrin's nose without him noticing nothing but a very loud noise.
The letter itself was soon dubbed: The Plea for Rokugai and Unity.
The tactic worked to force Shinrin's men against him but no one spoke a word to him, Asai and his Golden Rangers who did not receive the message at all so they were in the dark the entire time leading up to the night attack. The first and last attack on the Oshu Castle walls.
Oshu Castle
Sokudo Satori
"My Lord!" A voice rang out as Sokudo was standing at a viewing platform at the top of the castle over looking the field and city outside the castle walls hearing the loud shouts echoing in the distance. "We got a response from Tado Shizu and Yatturo Kishu!"
Sokudo stared silently with a smirk looking to Tosa who was one of his most trusted ninjas. "Judging from shouting I believe it was success?" He asked Tosa who nodded quickly.
"Yes my Lord! Tado Shizu and Yatturo Kishu along with members of Hana Shinrin's faction have joined you call for unity against Asai Shinrin. From what my ninja reports say, they believe that all three will help during the battle from their side to surprise Asai." Tosa reported.
"What about word to Baku and Terra?" He asked but as he said that someone bursted into the room with a shout. "What do you think you idiot?!"
It was Terra's shout surprising Sokudo seeing him here so soon with Baku right behind him. "Shouting so loudly a bit much Terra." Baku adjusted his glasses a bit it was something Baku himself invented to make him see better.
"Quiet bookworm! Aynways..." Terra grinned looking at his old friend Sokudo who smirked back. "We are here and waiting for your command Sokudo!" Terra shouted.
"The Chie will back up the 2nd wall with our new advanced version of a bow. Terra will follow along with your plan for the 2nd phase is what you call it yes?" Baku asked for clarification.
Sokudo nodded yes. "Good, Tado and Yatturo have joined our side, it seems Hana is in the same boat as well." Hana's name surprised Baku a bit.
"Hana Shinrin? I would never have guessed for her being the family traitor type... How did you..." Baku began to ask but was cut off.
"Lets just say I have some tight contacts with her, it seems Asai's resources are pretty... Vast. Considering your research and message you sent me about my Father." Sokudo stated.
Baku thought for a minute. "So thats how you knew it was Frenil... Makes sense it would come from Asai, he really is a dirty clan head wanting power."
Terra shrugs a bit staring at Sokudo. "Doesn't matter anyways, we will win this battle and make Asai pay! I'll get my men in position!" Terra stated before turning and leaving.
Baku bowed to Sokudo. "I'm sorry for your loss Sokudo but make sure you keep yourself going and be yourself not just your father." Baku reminded Sokudo who frowned but it was happy for some reason.
"Yeah... Thank you Baku, now get ready this will still be a hard fight no matter how the odds are." Sokudo commanded getting a nod from Baku.
"Right away Sokudo." Baku stated then left the room to join up with his special unit he created for the new invention, it was a small mechanized bow with the pack containing the arrows revolving and poking a new arrow once one was taken to make it faster to draw a new arrow to fire with. It was crude in nature and was still in the testing phases but it showed the Chie's Clan smarts in inventing.
For Sokudo he turned back at the field silently clan in his father's white armor with his father's sword at his side. He reached into his robes under the armor to take out a slip of paper addressed to him from Hana Shinrin reading it to himself softly.
"Sokudo,
How are you? Guess... That is insensitive due to the circumstances but I am sending this to you to let you know you have my support. Your father's death... It was due to my father, he used Fernil in the food when they met a week ago my father told me... I was outraged when I heard this and began to make my own faction with loyal people I know behind his back.
Just know we have your back Sokudo, you do your best and I hope you see you soon.
Keep Growing even in Gold,
Hana Shinrin."
Sokudo stared at the small but informative and kind message from Hana Shinrin, its why he took a chance with that message to Tado and Yatturo, if Hana Shinrin was able to move him into action then a letter can move others into action.
Only Sokudo, Baku, and Terra knew of this though, Hana Shinrin being the true hero and spark for unification but not celebrated by the public, only in private with the four of them.
Night has fallen upon the earth, the castle was a light with lanterns lighting up the walls and fields in between Sokudo's plan was in motion and set up with archers on the 2nd set of walls with a combination of Baku Chie's forces. Sokudo's forces were in the 2nd Wall mostly along with some of Terra's men. Sokudo himself was on the frontlines leading his men staring at the gates of the 1st wall silence flowing within the walls as they waited for their enemies.
Asai Shinrin and his forces were gathered along with Tado Shizu and Yatturo Kishu who were still silent about their plan for Asai Shinrin. The Golden Rangers were fired up to take down the Satoris along with their lord Asai Shinrin. Tado and Yatturo's forces shouted but only to hide the fact they were about to turn against Asai Shinrin.
Asai smirked widely staring at the front gates of Oshu Castle. "At last that blasted castle will fall! That wretched old man will finally pay!" Asai shouted raising his sword in the air riding a horse. "Men I will lead the charge! Siege weapons prep to fire upon the gate!"
Tado and Yatturo look at each other wondering what Sokudo plans to do but as the siege weapons began to set up a loud noise was heard drawing the attention of all soldiers and Asai. The front gates were slowly opening as if wanting for Asai and his troops to go in."Naive!" Asai looked at his men with that ever present devilish grin.
"Men! We will forever be known as the first to breach the walls of Oshu Castle! Siege weapons hold fire we are charging in men!" Asai yelled at the told of his lungs before charging forward with Golden Rangers and other soldiers that were loyal to Asai Shinrin charged forward first with Tado and Yatturo nodding charging it after Asai Shinrin knowing this was Sokudo's plan.
Asai's troops quickly went past the gates and into a rather large field in between the 1st walls and the 2nd walls. "Sokudo Satori! You foolish man you will lose today!"
Yatturo and Tado's men outside of the walls gradually began to slow down until stopping once all of Asai Shinrin's forces were inside. Yatturo looked at his Bronze Yaris just as Tados looked at his Red Bulls. "Comany 1 and 2 on me the rest... Take out the traitors beyond the walls!" Tado and Yatturo then moved forward with a fraction of their soldiers inside the walls of Oshu castle the rest turning on Asai Shinrin's men with the help of Hana Shinrin's soldiers.
This was unknown to Asai as he was within the walls but the siege weapons and soldiers left outside the walls were killed or captured by Hana Shinrin's soldiers and held for treason.
As for Sokudo he stood tall in front of his men eyes glaring at Asai his signature calm demeanor was not present as Asai and his men charged or horses and foot, Sokudo slowly drew his white darksteel sword using one hand to raise it high. "For Rokugai!" Sokudo shouted before charging ahead of his troops who quickly followed. Just as he did this Baku's forces and the arches on the 2nd wall got to work soon firing down upon Asai's forces surprising Asai.
"W-What in blazes!" Asai was confused there shouldn't have been that many archers yet there were! His eyes wide spotting Baku Chie seeing the reflective glare of those glasses. "B-Baku Chie?! How did he get here!?"
Asai looked around as his men were being picked off around him then suddenly his horse was hit making him fall off his horse. "Gah! Curse you Baku!" Asai snarled getting up back on his feet but was quickly fell upon by Sokudo swiftly as Sokudo's and Asai's troops clashed.
"Archers focus on the center of Asai's troops. Keep friendly fire to a minimum!" Baku Chie shouted to the archers.
Sokudo's sword slashes and lightly chipped part of Asai Shinrin's sword. "D-Dam you Sokudo!"
Sokudo just glared at Asai coldly. "Oh?" Sokudo quickly went on the offensive drawing back then rapidly launching swift strike after swift strike against Asai's blade forcing the man on the defense. "Tell that to my father, this is how he felt isn't it?!"
Asai quickly focused on guarding the strikes of Sokudo's blade being pushed back toward his own men before one of the Golden Rangers began to fight fire with fire with bows. They draw their bows and train their arrows on Sokudo, a couple are taken out but one was fired at Sokudo's head. Sokudo was forced to go into defense using his blade's face to stop the arrow and deflect it making Asai get an opening to start attacking back.
Sokudo was forced to guard but luckily Asai's blade was mainly chipped due to the weak metal it was made up, it was gold in color and probably made with gold which wasn't good for a sword. Sokudo was still forced back though as Asai's men were fighting back due to the combination of free fighting and breaking the rules with bows and arrows at the rear even with Baku's help.
"Your castle will fall and so with the Satoris you naive kid!" Asai shouted as he forced Sokudo back farther and farther their forced begin to fall back toward the gates of the 2nd wall which were kept open then Sokudo smirked forcing a clash with their blades surprising Asai.
"Have you played Shogi Asai?" He asked as they were stuck in a rather long clash.
"Who cares about Shogi?!" Asai shouted feeling like the comment warranted no answer.
Sokudo just watched Asai silently. "In Shogi the pieces I take can be reused or put onto my side, and to win I have to put the king into check." He forced Asai back suddenly with forceful push from the clash.
"And now you fell right into checkmate, you and your traitorous men included." He then whistled with his fingers as suddenly on both sides of the field in between walls 1 and 2 were a set of stones that now began to move upward revealing a secret tunnel one houses Terra as the leader.
Terra shouted. "For Rokugai! Charge!" Suddenly Terra who was on a horse along with the cavalry that was stationed at the last tier of the castled were filing out of this tunnel on both sides of Asai's army surprising Asai and his men quickly flanking him on three fronts as the cavalry charge and crash into the sides of Asai's army.
Asai gritted his teeth looking around as Sokudo was attempting to go in against the distracted Asai. Asai was surprised but one of his soldiers go in the way to block Sokudo's attack but the sword was deflected away and with a swift strike through metal the soldier fell dead in front of Asai.
Asai's eyes widen as more of his soldiers tried to cover for their lord but Sokudo deflected their strikes and sliced them down counting to 5 then 10 quickly and more and more tired to stop Sokudo as she was slowly walking straight to Asai. "R-Retreat!" Asai shouted surprising his men but they all nod as they turned to try and run away but their way was blocked.
Behind them were Yatturo's and Tado's forces just standing there now fighting blocking the front gates preventing Asai's escape. They raise their weapons shouting. "For Rokugai!" They yelled as they suddenly charge at Asai's men from behind encircling Asai's troops who were wavering and in a panic.
"T-Traitors! M-Men run for the gates we can at least-!" Asai was cut off when his blade clashed with Sokudo's again.
"Theres no escape for lying traitors. You think you can run with a tail between your legs now?! Tosa!" He shouted as suddenly the fornt gates close with Tosa and a group of White Ninjas lined the first walls with bows drawing them and firing down upon the middle of Asai's remaining forces some of them surrendering quickly.
Asai's troops were dropping one by one either from surrendering or being killed as Asai and Sokudo's blades clashed. Sokudo quickly went on the offensive as Asai saw every avenue for escape and chance to win the battle was gone the blade in his hands chipping more and more then a 'tch' sound was heard as his blade cracked then after one more strike the blade was destroyed in Asai's hands making him drop the hilt of the broken sword.
Asai slowly stepped back eyes wide in despair staring at the broken sword below him then looked up staring at Sokudo who was glaring with cold and angry eyes at Asai the man that killed his father. "Asai Shinrin, you are sentenced with the charge of murder, treason, and mistreatment of your citizens. Your rights as Clan Head have been stripped and will be given to your daughter Hana Shinrin."
Sokudo rose his blade. "Sentence is death! What shall be your last words?"
Asai just stared at Sokudo tears building up from the despair that was building up. "I-I'm sor-" Suddenly his words were cut off as in one swift slash Asai Shinrin was cutted down and fell on the grounds of Oshu. Sokudo towered over the dead body of Asai Shinrin silently blocking on his white armor and robes before swinging his sword in the air to get rid of the blood then sheathing his blade.
On this day Asai Shinrin and his Golden Ranger company were defeated with Hana Shinrin now becoming head of the Shinrin Clan. The alliance of clans in this one battle was a testament of how the unity of Rokugai can outweigh any other idea or community idea. Rokugai was reformed a unfied nation with Sokudo Satori named Shogun due to his more public ability to rally everyone to his side and his cunning tactics.
The united Clans of Rokugai was then formed under the Shogun, Oshu became the new center of trade with each clan getting their own land to manage. In the short span of 10+ years Rokugai has kept up the reformed ideals and advanced itself ahead of its time with the only tensions coming from the Uzui north of Bashin's land and Westward with the Forest Raiders.
"And thats how the war more or less ended and Rokugai formed on that same day." Sokudo stated looking up at Robert and Ned before standing who sat there speechless.
"So the death of your father kick started unity of your nation." Ned commented.
Sokudo frowned. "More or less yes, but because he died I was able to reform myself and rally the entire nation. He looked to Robert and Ned. "I know how it is to unify a nation, its a combination of the lords and people. Along with the idea of keeping one's identity and freedom in tact. Asai was trying to demolish that idea and make himself more powerful."
"Is that why their symbol is a Gold Rabbit?" Robert asked.
"Yes, Gold representing the lesson of greed and not to follow it, with the rabbit being Hana's symbol of reform and not to indulge too much. Thanks to her reforming Rokugai was easier to do."
"Arya would have liked to hear that one..." Ned stated before getting up. "I have my trust in you Sokudo, I'll do what you ask."
"I'll try to become a better leader myself." Robert stated as he stood up as well making Sokudo smile nodding.
"Good, we will need to work together if we want to fix things." Sokudo stated then slowly turned to leave the crypts. "Now then that was a long story, shall we go eat?"
Robert chuckled along with Ned making Sokudo surprised looking back. "What?"
"Nothing Sokudo." Ned stated as he and Robert followed Sokudo out of the crypt.
Phew... I know it probably wasn't as detailed but hope you enjoyed this flashback chapter about the formation of Rokugai.
I know it has been a long time but I hope it was worth the wait.
I won't make promises but there will be a next chapter its just beginning. Won't spoil anything now but there will be going back and forth from Rokugai and Westeros. So stay tuned for that.
Like always give me your reviews or comments about story would like you hear your opinions or theories about things.
