Il Cielo dei Tre Regni

by Lunar Wave

Hongou Kazuto carries a great burden. He's the so-called Heavenly Messenger that is supposed to lead this country of chaos to peace. While he's not truly certain he's the Heavenly Messenger, there is no doubt that he is one loved by the Sky: the Heir of the Vongola. Kazuto/Harem.

22. Discussions

Il Cielo dei Tre Regni
by Lunar Wave

Disclaimer: This story borrows the setting and characters of the Koihime†Musou series and borrows multiple elements from Katekyo Hitman Reborn. I own neither series as they both belong to their respective owners. Also, considering Koihime†Musou could be considered a fanfic of the Three Kingdoms, I'd like to say I don't own anything related to the stories of the Three Kingdoms.

-()-

Discussions

-()-

"Ahem. Let's start this meeting!" The Shimon Heiress, Mikoto Kozato, announced.

"Ooh? What's the agenda?" The Millefiore Black Spell Heiress, Iris, asked.

"Probably the same one as last week." The Cavallone Heir, Damien, joked. He was then pelted by a pebble. "Dammit!"

"Language." Iris scolded.

"Now, now, there's no need for you to police speech among friends, Iris~" The Millefiore White Spell Heir, Aster, laughed.

"If we're play-meeting, then we'll do it properly." Iris replied easily with all the grace that the group knows.

"This isn't play!" Mikoto scowled, seemingly half tempted to throw more pebbles if they keep treating this as unimportant, "This is a genuine problem that we need to solve!"

"I don't think so." The Vongola Heir, Kazuto Sawada, shrugged.

"That's because you don't take this seriously enough!" Mikoto harshly rebuked the boy. "Why is it that, despite how you are, you only have us as your friends!? This meeting wouldn't need to happen if you would just make more!"

"You make it sound worse than it is." Kazuto scoffed. "I just don't have the time to do so."

"And what exactly is eating your time up, that you don't have the time to find people that could potentially be your guardians?" Mikoto scowled.

"Huh?" Aster dully raised his eyebrow, "Oh? Is this what this is about? But if you're criticizing Kazuto, surely that means you've begun yourself, Mikoto."

"Of course I have." Mikoto proudly replied. "What about you, Aster?"

"I don't need to." Aster cheerfully replied, "There's no guarantee that the Mare Ring will pass on to me properly, after all. At best, I and Iris will just be glorified treasure keepers for them until a ring bearer becomes worthy~ The Mare Ring is not like the Vongola or the Shimon, after all."

"We do have a proper friend group though among our subordinates." Iris nodded. "If the time comes and we need our own… Funeral Wreaths, then we'll have people to do so." Iris sighed, "Although, if it were up to me, I will definitely change the name of that."

"Dad's just being silly~" Aster laughed.

"Sure, rub it in, all of you." Kazuto muttered.

"Why don't you have any? You aren't exactly a socialite, but you do talk to people." Damien pointed out.

"Between studies, kendo, and Reborn? I don't exactly get that much time to myself."

"I personally think you're smart enough to be the boss. Why bother studying more?" Damien pointed out. He then got hit with another pebble, "Why!?"

"Just because you have low standards for yourself, doesn't mean others should lower theirs for your sake." Mikoto frowned.

"You probably should stop that before he gets a concussion." Iris told her.

"You do Kendo, so you should have your clubmates! And Reborn's not that shy of making you try new things to see if you can click with other people either. So why…"

"Consider the current climate of the world." Kazuto sighed, "Not many people have any fighting experience or the discipline for it. Especially not in an out-of-the-way town like Namimori. I'm more surprised that most of my Father's Guardians are from there, but I guess he already took up all the good talent."

"More accurately, it's probably your dad's crazy guardian that either sucked up all the strong people, or made them go underground." Damien muttered.

"Ah, yeah, I suppose. Namimori is his stomping grounds, after all." Kazuto winced. "Anyway, I just don't think any of my friends back in Namimori is suited to the life of the Mafia."

"That's what I'd say about your mom, and she seems to deal alright." Mikoto frowned.

Kazuto laughed, "With a protector like Papa? Please, she doesn't need to adapt to the mafia. The mafia has to adapt to her." Everyone chuckled at that, "Anyway, I applied for one of those rich high schools, St. Francesca Academy, this time. Maybe I'll find someone there."

"You're leaving Namimori?"

"Like I said, there's no one in Namimori that I think would be happy with our lifestyle."

"Why doesn't Reborn just recruit a few hitmen for you? Maybe someone from the Vongola Family's lower ranks."

"Most people in the Family prefer Yoshiko." Kazuto sighed.

"Foiled again." Damien sighed. "Maybe Yoshiko should just become Vongola Undicesimo if you keep being this choosy with your Guardians."

"I'll gather them as I go." Kazuto frowned. "I thought you all knew this already."

"That's the problem, now isn't it?" Mikoto frowned. "She's already starting to gather her Guardian candidates, while you're still stuck at 0."

"Ah, so that's why Mikoto wanted this meeting." Iris nodded. "That is a problem."

"Yeah, if Yoshiko becomes Undicesimo, we'll lose our buddy on the table." Aster pointed out. "It would feel wrong to have these meetings without all of us."

"Maybe Damien can be left out, but not Kazuto." Mikoto nodded.

"Hey! Just because my family doesn't have a super special awesome magic set of artifacts doesn't mean we're not just as important! Don't forget that we have the largest family in all of Italy."

"One of the largest." Iris corrected. "And third most powerful, overall."

"Vongola, Millefiore, and Cavallone. The three most powerful mafia families in current-day Italy, no, the world." Mikoto said, looking at each, "If anything, it's my family who is out of place here…"

"Don't be silly, Miss I-Have-Pseudo-Telekinesis." Damien scoffed, before getting pelted by another pebble.

"Mikoto!" Iris exclaimed.

"Last one, I promise." Mikoto replied, "Anyway, we know you're not particularly worried about your Guardian situation, Kazuto, but we are, and everyone else is."

"Yeah. Thanks anyway… Although, what exactly did this meeting accomplish?" Kazuto asked.

"…" Mikoto was at a loss for words.

"I guess this really was a play-meeting." Iris cheerfully said.

"DON'T CALL IT THAT!" Mikoto said, despairingly.

On that round table in the garden of Vongola, five chairs were arranged around it. This little sanctuary was where the five most influential heirs of the dark underbelly of the world speak and chat, play games, and laugh. Their status quo, their little playground, if Kazuto fails to gather Guardians… they might have to disband, or at least start inviting Yoshiko into this. It would just feel awkward and off, replacing Kazuto with Yoshiko. None of them particularly minded having Yoshiko here, but Kazuto leaving would just create a hole that none of them was particularly sure she can fill.

On some level, Kazuto knows that delaying gathering Guardians is causing far too much conflict than he's comfortable with. But he knows what he knows. His intuition is telling him to wait. That someone better will come. And it'll all be fine in the end.

-()-

"I think we should disband."

No one was quite sure who said those damning six words. Was it Kazuto or Sousou? Maybe Sonken? Or maybe someone else entirely. It didn't matter in the end; the memory of whose voice said it was quickly drowned out by the implications as everyone processed it. Every lord had their own piece to say about it.

The loudest, of course, is Enshou.

"Disband?" She asked, incredulous to the suggestion itself. "We've not won anything except an empty capital! Should we not be charging through Heishuu?"

"There are no tracks that lead anywhere in that direction." Sousou replied, "Even if sorcery was used, why would Toutaku retreat to Heishuu?"

"Umm…" Touka hesitantly raised her hand, "Isn't it likely that Toutaku retreated to the western capital instead?"

"Possibly," Sonken admitted, "but with no clues pointing in that direction, we gain nothing from it."

"Then why not send scouts to both before being reckless?" Batou asked patiently. "It's not as if we are hurting for time."

"It's harvest season." One lord rebuked, "Any time spent here is time that our soldiers are not spending helping on the farms."

"Some of us have the presence of mind to not take every able-bodied man with us." One lord scoffed.

"What did you just sa-"

"Enough." Touka interjected. "Don't provoke each other! We're trying to discuss, remember?"

The man sulkily sat back down. Kazuto sighed in relief. If he had been the one to stop the two, he feels like he'll just get dragged into the fight instead.

"Anyway," Kazuto coughed. "So scouts are a good suggestion, but has any already done so?"

"Is there any point in doing so anymore?" Sousou asked, "Now that disbandment is being considered, there's no reason to keep going, right?"

"What Sousou speaks is true. If people are going to leave, then there's no point in continuing anything." One lord scoffed. "Sorry, but I'll be leaving as soon as possible."

"Shouldn't we try a bit harder!?" Ryuubi asked, "Just giving up now, without even finding the emperor…"

"There's simply nothing to gain anymore, Ryuubi." Sousou mockingly replied. "No army here came to gain nothing… or at least, no smart warlord did."

Ryuubi glared at her for that remark, but Kazuto simply sighed, before putting his hand on Ryuubi's, to keep her calm. He too wanted to disband, but this just feels like a bunch of people starting a project yet quitting without even trying to finish it. But it's clear why they want to leave. The capital was the main goal of most everyone, not glory, or fame, or duty to the empire. Control the capital, control the empire. But with the capital ransacked and empty, without even the emperor, there's really not much to gain in controlling it anymore. It honestly just annoys him. At least his reasoning is that there's a chance that Toutaku is a good person, so he has a moral reason as well.

"Then I too shall go."

"If no one can guarantee glory, then I won't bother myself."

And, like a cascading boulder, one by one, various lords began pulling out.

"Wait!" Touka cried out, desperately trying to hold everyone together, "Should we not at least aid in restoring the capital?"

"What for?" Sousou asked, "There is no emperor here. No people either. It is actually pretty doubtful that people would even move in as well, with what just happened here."

"The capital is still located at the center, an ideal position for trade." Kazuto pointed out.

"Then will your army restore it?" Sousou asked.

"Ye-" Touka began answering but Kazuto interrupted.

"With what resources? The palace is actually the only place completely ruined, right? And the damage done here is…" Kazuto winced, remembering the path that he took to reach here. "Restoration is impossible."

"Then you know the answer. Unless sorcery could be used to do so, there isn't much that could be restored." Sousou shrugged.

Touka nodded, "I see…" Touka looked troubled, before firming her face. "But we'll still do it even if we can only help so much."

Sousou frowned, not expecting her decision, before turning to Kazuto, seemingly searching. Kazuto, in turn, shrugged, before smiling at Touka. What Sousou said was true, Touka is probably one of the few warlords on this table without an underlying motive for joining, and the only one willing to voice it. She didn't really consider the fame, glory, or honor gained. Just that she'll be helping Kousonsan and doing her duty to the empire and its people. Maybe Kousonsan had come for the same reason, but she's not coming up to support Touka, seemingly just as inclined to let things go with the flow. Same with Kanhyoku, and a bunch of other lords.

Regardless, he'll have to keep Ryuubi from going overboard. There's only so much charity their army could afford to give away before they too will require charity.

"For what it's worth, our army will, at the very least, show respect to the previous emperors and fix their tombs." Kazuto compromised. "Ryuubi, after all, is a descendant, even if far removed."

"Kazuto-kun…" Touka smiled, a sigh of relief escaping her tone, as if happy that Kazuto sided with her.

Sousou had an indescribable emotion flit through her face before, "Then that is just filial duty for your group." Sousou shrugged. "We will serve no part in it. I doubt you need more than your own soldiers for that, yes?"

"It'll still take a decent amount of time." Kazuto nodded, already mentally calculating the exhaustive task. "But before everyone leaves." Kazuto stood up and bowed. "Thank you for your help. It is only through all of your support that we managed to even get this far."

The lords looked surprised at this gesture. Touka quickly copied her co-leader's action, and Aisha and Shuri behind them followed suit.

"Especially to Kousonsan, Kanhyoku-san, Batou-san, and Sonken-san. Your support throughout this campaign is most appreciated." For supporting them during the meetings, because, frankly, it was surprising how easy it is to corral a bunch of disparate lords when famed veterans like Batou and Sonken were there to help them.

"I'm just helping out a friend." Kousonsan smiled.

"I was simply returning the favor." Kanhyoku nodded, amid a blush.

"I did push your group into an unfavorable position. I consider us even." Sonken smiled. "Not only that, but you helped my daughters quite a bit."

"Enough, Hongou." Batou shook his head. "We simply did what we believed we had to do."

"Touken-san, thank you for your aid as well." Touka smiled.

"It was worth it, to see young heroes rise." The old man laughed.

"Sousou-san, however begrudgingly you gave it, thank you as well." Kazuto smiled at her.

"You are a perplexing person." Sousou told him, still searching him.

"Is that so?" Kazuto laughed.

"And what will your group do for food?" Sousou asked.

"We still have our own supplies," Shuri informed her. "We should have enough."

"Are you coming home with my army?" Kousonsan asked.

"When do you leave?" Touka asked.

"I'm thinking tomorrow morning. Gives us plenty of daylight to march out on." Kousonsan smiled.

"Maybe, if we manage to finish up quickly, but no promises." Kazuto frowned. "Touka's new assignment for our army will take far too long for us to finish up in just a single afternoon." Fixing an entire capital… that's a brutal assignment.

"Sorry, Pairen-chan." Touka apologized.

"I suppose so…" Kousonsan nodded, "Then let me help you out with the graves. Rank and file soldiers aren't allowed in those. Just you and your officers."

"Thank you very much!"

"Then I'll be going back to my camp for a bit." Kousonsan stood up. She left the table without another word. "I'll head back here as soon as I can."

"Sonken, Hongou, Ryuubi, before any of you leave, would you meet me later for tea?" Sousou asked. "I'd like to speak with you two for a bit."

"I'm afraid I'll be a bit busy." Sonken hummed, "But I'll send my daughter, Son Chuubou, over. She is the same age as you three. Would that be enough, Sousou?"

"I suppose she'll do." Sousou nodded. "Then I'll be heading back myself."

Sousou and Kousonsan left the room. The only ones left now are the officers of the Ryuubi Army and Sonken and her own officers.

"Well now." Sonken hummed, "I wonder what she wants? Well then, I'll be taking my leave as well."

"Wait up, Sonken." Kazuto stood up. "Can we speak for a bit?"

"Yes?"

"Does your group have the Imperial Seal?" Everyone screeched to a halt. Touka's eyes widened like saucers. Aisha looked warily at Teifu, who looked like she was about to move, whether to attack or run, she's uncertain. Shuri focused her own attention to the other attendant of Sonken, who was also studying Kazuto with a perplexed expression. In the meanwhile, Kazuto simply patiently looked at Sonken, whose face turned unreadable.

"… Why?" Sonken asked, warily.

"You reacted strangely when Enshou brought it up." Kazuto confessed. "Not only that, but you're the one who suggested the disbandment. I just thought it was possible." The outcry might have distracted most people, but Kazuto recognized the voice at least.

"And what would you do about it if we do?" Sonken's face remains unreadable. No, her eyes are roving him, for any hints of an attack, any clue of ambush.

Kazuto sighed, "Just… be careful." Kazuto sighed. "I don't really know how valuable that thing is for the people here. For all I know, it's some super special magic artifact that does guarantee prosperity. But I think it'll probably just attract more trouble than it's worth." He can't make suggestions. He has no right to.

"I see." Sonken nodded, "It's fine, Hongou. We do not have the Imperial Seal."

Kazuto sighed, immediately pinpointing the lie, "If you insist, then it's not."

"... You are skilled in reading people." Sonken pointed out.

"It's just intuition." Kazuto replied. Everyone around him just sighed, while the two on Sonken's side just looked incredulously at him.

However, Sonken just looked more interested, "A powerful one."

"Maybe so." Kazuto laughed. Hyper Intuition is his greatest asset, after all.

Sonken laughed in turn, "Suirei, Raika, come."

And then there was one army left.

"I guess we're disbanding now, huh… I sort of miss them already." Touka sighed. "Not Enshou-san or Enjutsu-san, but…"

"You didn't really need to clarify." Kazuto laughed. "Bachou-san and Kanhyoku-san's group spent quite a lot of time with us, so it's rather sad that they're going."

"Un." Touka nodded and the group went into a comfortable silence, just relaxing from the stress of the meeting.

After a while, Kazuto asked once more, "I know I'm being repetitive, but are you three alright? Anything painful?"

"Kazuto-sama was the one hurt the most, though." Shuri pointed out.

"That doesn't mean none of you weren't." Kazuto pointed out. "I've been thrown around by Earth Flames before anyway, while that was your first experience with increased gravity."

"Honestly, I don't remember it that well," Touka confessed. "It was all such a blur…"

"Probably for the best." Shuri grimaced. "It was suffocating. As if my entire body was collapsing onto the ground." It took almost everything from Shuri to pull out the pills. Aisha herself pretty much forced herself to crawl to his position after the fact as well. "I'm starting to think the arrangement with me holding Master's pills is starting to backfire on us."

"Keep it." Kazuto shook his head. "You girls already made your points as to why I can't be trusted with them."

"It wouldn't be a problem if Kazuto-kun wasn't so reckless…" Touka grumbled.

"But what would happen if we meet that girl again?" Shuri asked. "If Kazuto-sama doesn't have his pills and I'm not anywhere near him…"

"I don't need you to hold onto my pills during everyday life, just wartime." Kazuto pointed out. "I'd like to think that I'm controlled enough during normal days."

"Oh… right…" Shuri nodded, pocketing the pillbox once more.

"And you or Hinari really don't have any reason to be too far from me during wartime, so I think we'll be fine with the current system."

"There's still the problem of the assassin." Aisha pointed out. "We'll have to fight her again. After all, she's aiming for Master's life."

"Don't know why." Kazuto sighed.

"The reason behind the actions of the enemy is often a mystery." Shuri comforted Kazuto. "But, no matter what they say, we know you far more than whatever they say."

"Eh?"

"It's clear that one of the tactics our opponent is trying to do is to turn us against you." Shuri pointed out. "Twice now they tried to say you were a danger to this world. But they don't ever explain themselves. It feels rather suspect, to be honest."

"Maybe so." Kazuto nodded. "That girl is a confusing person." She clearly has a head on her shoulders, but her mannerisms are almost child-like. Towards the end, when Chousen (Kazuto shudders at the thought that Chousen is now a beefy man) betrayed them, she looked hurt. More hurt than what one would expect from a simple betrayal of the organization. Clearly, she and Chousen have a history of some sort together.

"It's a shame that Chousen decided to disappear…" Kazuto muttered.

"Eh?" Touka asked, confused.

"So you met my teacher." Kazuto said, hoping to divert the conversation.

"Umm, 'Met' might be a strong word," Touka smiled, "He was mostly busy instructing Rinrin and the three of us had to leave as soon as we woke up. He did introduce himself though…" Touka then made a cutesy baby-boy voice, "'I'm the Home Tutor Hittoman, Reborn.' He was honestly really cute."

"He's not what we expect." Shuri confessed. "Why is he in the form of a baby?"

"Dunno, and I'm not gonna ask. Just remember that he's old enough to be our fathers and treat him as such." Kazuto replied. "He'll explain if he absolutely wants to. But it seems he wants to properly meet you now."

"By properly meet…"

"He referred to it as an evaluation. Although I think he approved Rinrin." He wouldn't be investing so much time teaching the girl if she didn't meet his criteria.

"Hawawawa… but Hinari's not here…" Shuri muttered.

"We'll explain things properly later." Kazuto consoled. "Besides, he did say when everyone's available. We'll need both Sei and Rinrin there for that."

"But first… shall we go?" Touka asked hesitantly, gesturing out the door. "The graves won't fix themselves."

"Right." Kazuto nodded.

The four members solemnly began making their way out.

-()-

"The boy turned out more competent than expected." Son Bundai chuckled. "Didn't think that he'd have caught on to something as small as that."

"Is he dangerous to us?" Choushou asked cautiously.

"Maybe, but I doubt he is right now." Sonken shook her head. "We're dealing with a boy whose origins are unknown, with abilities that exist beyond our ken, and knowledge that could be useful. More than anything, I'd want him to be our ally."

"Ally?" Choushou asked cautiously. "But he's already stuck like glue with that Imperial Descendant."

"I don't think he's leaving her anytime soon either." Teifu pointed out.

"It's more interesting to see where he could go." Sonken chuckled.

"I'm surprised none of the other army lords complained about his rise. With seventeen lords, one of them was bound to have complained that they were being bossed around by someone lower ranked than them."

"I was surprised too." Sonken laughed, "The plan was to use him as a puppet, you know? A mere figurehead. And technically he was. Most of the decisions on that table was done by the lords. But it was something the boy prompted. He did exactly as he said on his first day: he merely directed the meetings. Outside of it, everyone was left to handle their own affairs. If anything, the most he actually took charge is when he ordered the armies to send in infiltrators to the capital, and he presented it more as a race, a challenge."

"In the end, it was always the lords' decision… So no one was particularly dissatisfied." Choushou nodded, "In the meanwhile, he let the lords also decide where his army will be positioned. When the lords wanted him in the frontlines, he conceded. When the lords wanted him in the back, he conceded. His army's positioning was never decided by himself."

"Put like that, doesn't that make him an impressive commander?" Teifu asked surprised. "How did a boy like that get that much training?"

"To be fair, he didn't get anyone majorly against his decisions, aside from Enshou, who mostly complained with no substance. If Sousou or I had done so, he would probably not have succeeded as well as he did. But as luck would have it…"

"He asked for that vote." Choushou muttered. "That strange voting method."

"Exactly. That voting showed that he is supported as leader by at least half of the group there, or at least more supported than Enshou. There was more to be gained supporting him. And the fact that it was anonymous as well made it uncertain who voted in which direction, so Enshou doesn't even know which of the lords voted in her favor, unless they say it outright."

"Those neutral to the situation, or didn't really care who leads, would at least allow him to do things as long as they aren't negatively affected." Choushou nodded.

"Enshou's the real standout here, as she intended to be leader, so she actively opposed Hongou's decisions. However, as we said, most of the decisions were suggestions by the other lords, that Hongou simply endorsed. She has no way of truly opposing his decisions by referring to him as a neophyte because the suggestion was by the veteran lords."

"And with Sousou highlighting Enshou's failures, most of the lords didn't want to be associated with her anyway, so her oppositions wouldn't hold any weight." Choushou nodded.

"I wonder why no one wanted to volunteer in the first place," Teifu muttered. "You'd think such a role would be sought after greatly."

"No one wants to be responsible for the potential failure of the coalition." Sonken chuckled. "If the coalition had failed, the leader would've been persecuted heavily. In that sense, Ryuubi and Hongou lucked out, having no known family connections in the capital, aside from Ryuubi's distant relations."

"Lucked out?" Choushou incredulously looked at her, "Didn't Yenren-sama consider that when you pushed them onto that role?" Choushou accused.

"And this is why I have you as my advisor, Raika. You know me so well." Sonken smirked. "Hongou and Ryuubi are the least affected by being the commander of the coalition. They simply have little to lose."

"But they gained a lot… fame, power, influence." Teifu listed off.

"Those actually do very little for them." Sonken laughed, "Remember who surrounds the Ryuubi territory?"

"… Kousonsan and Enshou." Choushou nodded slowly.

"Exactly." Sonken nodded, "No matter how distinguished they become from this situation, they'll still be hampered by their proximity to Enshou and Kousonsan. They'll find it rather difficult to grow in their current state. Any growth they get will peter off eventually, unless they manage to defeat the largest army in the empire, Enshou."

"Unless they move to a better location." Choushou frowned.

"True, but how likely is that?" Sonken asked.

"Not very," Choushou admitted. "So, what do you say we do with the Ryuubi Army?"

"I'll confer with Renfa." Sonken shrugged. "There's something I'd like her to do."

"Eh?"

"Enshou will not be happy with the Ryuubi Army. That girl filled with more pride than intelligence will oppose them soon." Sonken smirked.

"The Ryuubi Army will not last long if that does happen." Teifu scoffed. "No matter how amazing their generals are, their strategists, or their sorceries, they cannot overturn numbers so easily."

"And when that happens…" Choushou slowly realized what Sonken wanted.

"Exactly." Sonken laughed.

Their long walk back to their army's base of operations was at its end.

"Wouldn't it be nice if they remembered that they have an ally down south?"

-()-

It didn't take all that much time to fix up the tomb. The most the enemies have done was steal all the valuables. The main damage was in the main palace. So after the four of them, with Kousonsan arriving a bit later, finished fixing the tomb, both Aisha and Shuri soon left them to be alone in the room.

Shuri and Aisha patiently waited outside the grave, as the smell of incense burned within. Indigo flame burned on Shuri's ring, and characters, faces, and other objects flashed on the wall, before fading away.

"What can you currently do, Shuri?" Aisha asked as she looked at Shuri's work.

"Eh?"

"Sorry, but I just don't know what you can do with your flames right now…" Aisha apologized, "Your flame is probably the most versatile of the seven."

"Right now, it's just projecting images on a surface…" Shuri replied. "Although, if I push myself, I can do it on the air. But that would tire me out rather quickly." Referring to the time with Ryofu.

"I see…" Aisha nodded, looking at her own ring, "Mine is simply destruction, so I don't really have much to think about when using my flame for combat. You're much more useful to Master and Touka-sama."

"There might be more that the Storm Flame can do." Shuri pointed out, "Kazuto-sama might not even know all the possibilities. Perhaps you should ask Reborn-san."

"I probably should." Aisha nodded, as a small flame burst from her ring. "I'm starting to get the hang of lighting my ring without focusing…"

"Hawawa… I still need to do so though…" Shuri pouted, "You're progressing faster than me…"

"I'm planning on using my flame for combat, after all. I can't be distracted when facing a tough enough enemy that my flames are necessary." Aisha apologetically said. "Not only that, but it would be hard for me to practice my flame, considering how destructive it is."

"Maybe so…" Shuri nodded.

"Hello, excuse me."

"Hmm?" Aisha sharply turned to the voice.

"Oh!" Shuri exclaimed, "Denhou-san, correct?" Shuri signaled to Aisha that she'll take this one, and Aisha obliged, stepping back.

"Ah, yes." Denhou smiled. "Sorry for startling you. But I recalled that the Ryuubi Army would be taking care of the graves so I chanced that you would be here."

"Is something the matter, Denhou-san? Isn't the Enshou Army leaving soon?"

"A bit after lunch, I think." Denhou replied, "Which means this is my only time to speak with you. Are Ryuubi-sama and Hongou-sama available to speak with?"

"They're busy paying their respects to the past Emperors." Shuri apologized. "I'll pass on a message if you need me to."

"Ah, yes, that'll be fine." Denhou shook her head, "Would you be familiar with Josho Genchoku?" Shuri widened her eyes at that name, "I've been told that a couple of her friends are among your army."

"Yes! I'm her friend. Shokatsuryou Koumei." Shuri nodded.

"Ah, so you're Koumei-chan, then." Denhou nodded. "I didn't mention this to the other armies, but it was Josho's group that got me out of the capital."

"Really?" Shuri asked, "Why did you not mention it before?"

"Because she wanted to speak with the Ryuubi Army first, intending on joining your group." Denhou shrugged, showing that she didn't understand why Josho is doing so either, "She didn't want to be scouted before speaking with your group."

"If this Josho is a strategist even half as good as Shuri, any warlord would want her." Aisha said.

"A strategist?" Denhou widened her eyes, "She was wielding a sword last I saw her."

"She studied swordsmanship as well." Shuri replied, "But we are fellow students, under Suikyou."

"Ah, that's a shame. I didn't get to speak more on that, especially now that I'm Enshou's strategist." Denhou sighed. "I wrote down their location here." Denhou pulled out a cloth with a map on it. "Please get to them soon, as I don't want them to be without a roof on their head for one night more. Especially with a sick person in their group."

"Who is with Josho-san?" Aisha asked, noticing that Denhou kept referring to a group.

"I suppose you wouldn't recognize their names, but they're fellow refugees. And they owe Josho enough that they wish to ally with your army as well." Denhou smiled, "Their names are, Chuutaku, who, despite her clothing, seems to be the leader. She's the one who spoke for the group the most often, after all. Bunku, who seems to serve as the manager of the group. Houfu, who managed to shoot an arrow towards that sorcerer yesterday, showing great skill with the bow…"

"Wait, you were watching!?" Aisha asked.

"Ah, yes… sorry, but we judged that the situation was too chaotic for us to appear." Denhou apologized.

"No, it's fine." Shuri shook her head. "But for someone to be able to shoot from a distance so accurately… I know Rinrin mentioned that the assassin was injured by an arrow, but to think it would be one of Genchoku-chan's friends…"

"Anyway, there's the sick girl, Kenkyou, and Houfu's hanger-on, Koukyuu." Denhou finished. "That should be all of them." Denhou nodded, before realizing a single omission, "Also, lots of dogs."

"I suppose we won't mind taking them in." Aisha shrugged, "Especially since they're with Shuri's friend."

"They said they'll stay out there for a while longer. They're out of the way of most routes, so they shouldn't be spotted by anyone heading out home." Denhou smiled.

"Which armies have already left?" Shuri asked, out of curiosity.

"Not many remain, to be honest. Batou-dono, Touken-dono, and many other lords have already left. Enshou-sama is planning on leaving soon as well. Enjutsu-sama too."

"Didn't Sonken's group come here with Enjutsu?" Aisha frowned. "Why is Enjutsu just leaving them behind?"

"I don't know," Denhou replied with a frown.

"Anyway, thank you, Denhou-san." Shuri nodded.

"I'm not going to go to where they are, but please get them in soon. I owe them at least one less night without having to worry about wild animals or bandits."

"We promise." Shuri bowed back.

-()-

Kazuto sighed as he, Touka, and Kousonsan left, having spent a half-hour or so quietly paying respects, or acting like it in Kazuto's case. At the five-minute mark, he ran out of things he has to say to them, and can now only spend the time observing Touka, quietly praying.

"Thanks for being here with me, Kazuto-kun, Pairen-chan." Touka smiled.

"It wouldn't hurt for me to at least see it once." Kazuto chuckled.

"I'll have to say, both of you are surprisingly solemn throughout." Kousonsan chuckled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Touka pouted.

"Exactly." Kousonsan laughed. Considering the usual for being in the Ryuubi Army's presence is laughter, happy voices, and banter, it was indeed rather strange for any of them to have too much quiet time.

"Are you done, Kazuto-sama, Touka-sama?" Aisha asked, Shuri walking back. "Also, thank you for accompanying them, Kousonsan-sama."

"It's fine, it's fine." Kousonsan smiled. "Speaking of, I think it's fine for your group to call me by my True Name at this point, don't you think, Hongou? It's starting to be a bit awkward with everyone around me calling each other by True Names, but only Touka-chan's calling me by mine."

"Is that so?" Kazuto frowned, "Then I'm Kazuto." Kazuto bowed politely.

"Pairen." Kousonsan replied, before turning to Aisha and Shuri, who nodded with smiles.

"Aisha."

"Shuri."

"What about Rinrin and Sei?" Touka asked.

"I already exchanged True Names with Sei when she was under me, Touka-chan." Pairen laughed. "As for the others of your army, I am at least going to visit your place afterward so…"

"Right." Touka smiled. "We'll at least try to see you off tomorrow, maybe we can do it then."

"Actually… I'm leaving after lunch." Pairen sighed.

"Eh? I thought you wanted to leave tomorrow…"

"My generals convinced me otherwise." Pairen shrugged. "So…"

"You don't have to worry about us." Kazuto smiled. "But thank you anyway."

"Eh?"

"You suggested leaving tomorrow so that we could come with you, right?" Kazuto laughed, "You really are a kind person."

"Th-that's!"

"We'll be fine, Pairen-chan." Touka smiled.

"Your group was attacked already when we left you alone." Pairen sighed, pointing out the problem. "I'm worried that you'll be attacked again."

"That will just be worse for an army of mostly cavalry like yours." Kazuto pointed out, "While we humans can adapt fine to being put under that level of gravity, the same cannot be said for horses. Your horses' legs will just break." Unless they were the super amazing horses that the Cavallone Family seems to prefer, of course. And yes, both "super" and "amazing" are part of the name. Damien said so.

"I suppose…"

"We'll be fine." Kazuto firmly said. "Besides, I learned what I did wrong. I should've tried to drag her down to the ground so Aisha, Rinrin, and Sei can try and stab her."

"Ah!" Touka's eyes widened, "Yeah! You should've done that, Kazuto-kun! Then we wouldn't have been uselessly watching from the ground…"

"That is… a good point." Aisha nodded shallowly, now giving an accusatory glare at Kazuto.

"It's something to keep in mind." Shuri nodded.

"Sorry, my bad! It's not exactly easy for me to think on the spot when I'm flying, Aisha!"

"Still." Aisha frowned. "Kazuto-sama should take care of himself better."

Kazuto sighed, knowing a losing battle.

Pairen shook her head before laughing, "At any rate, I'll be leaving soon… and well, I doubt I'll be able to say goodbye later if you're going to be busy clearing up the capital." Pairen smiled. "So, take care, Touka, Kazuto."

"Goodbye, Pairen-chan!"

"Take care, Pairen." Kazuto nodded, seemingly testing out the name.

"Y-yeah."

And with that, Pairen hurriedly left.

"Kazuto-sama, there's something I'd like to talk to you about…" Shuri hesitantly spoke up.

"Hmm?"

"It's about Josho."

"Huh? Oh right! Wasn't she doing stuff here in the capital? She was your primary informant, after all." Kazuto asked. "I knew I forgot something…" Kazuto grumbled. "Sorry Shuri."

"Is she alright!?" Touka asked quickly, worry in her tone. "Everyone in the capital was abducted, right? So…"

"She's fine!" Shuri shook her head, "Denhou-san came over here to tell us about her…"

"Eh, didn't she say she was alone?"

"I'll explain as much as I can!" Shuri said hurriedly.

"Do so on the way to the base." Kazuto smiled.

-()-

"I don't recognize the names Chuutaku, Bunku, or an archer named Houfu." Kazuto frowned, "But if they're Josho's friends, I doubt they're bad people."

"From Denhou-san's perspective, they seem to be the most important members." Shuri shrugged. "But, what should we do? Should we meet up with them first?"

"I'm a bit wary of letting you leave on your own…" Kazuto muttered. "Well, considering that Aisha is our screener, I'll have the both of you go to meet with her… but only after we deal with Sousou."

"Sousou?" Aisha asked, "Ah, I guess we are meeting her for tea, huh…"

"I doubt you plan on leaving us alone for that, yes, our beloved right-hand woman?" Kazuto teased.

"Y-yes, of course!" Aisha nodded.

"Thanks for coming with us, Aisha." Touka smiled.

"Shuri, in the meantime, can you check on how much time it'll take us to complete Touka's assignment? As much as I want to do a thorough job, there's just no point in fixing up a place that has no people. So I want to at least clean the place up. Although the palace is a bit too… unfixable for people with no resources."

"You're being mean, Kazuto-kun." Touka pouted. "And people will be coming back soon too, right?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. Humans are both fickle but at the same time rather hardy in these types of situations. Some people would find an empty capital and think 'dangerous and scary'. Others will just say 'free houses' and move in. But with harvest season coming, I doubt too many people are looking into moving out of their homes right now." Kazuto sighed. "Anyway, just look into it."

"Of course." Shuri nodded.

"To be honest…" Sei shrugged, "I think we'll be done by tomorrow noon."

"Eh? That quick?" Touka asked, surprised.

"As Kazuto-sama said." Sei shrugged, "There's barely anything left. Anything valuable has been looted. Anything important has been stolen. Anything that's neither looted or stolen has been destroyed to the point that they're unrecognizable. The most we could really do is arrange things to be a little more presentable."

"Also, I'd rather not have any of our soldiers work in the palace any more than the bare minimum needed to make the place less burnt-looking." Kazuto sighed, "That thing might suddenly collapse over people's heads, after all. Still, look into it while we deal with Sousou."

"I'm not looking forward to this, at all…" Touka sighed. "Something tells me this will not be a relaxing time…"

"Of course not." Kazuto replied. "But just relax, Touka." Kazuto smiled. "This is teatime, after all, not the negotiations table. We don't have some agenda that we want."

"Not even an alliance?" Shuri asked. "This will be a good opportunity to form one with the other two armies."

"We have too much to gain, and too little to offer." Kazuto shook his head. "There's just not a good reason for either of them to offer an alliance unless we want to lose our officers." The main advantage that the Ryuubi-Kazuto faction has is, after all, their officers and their flames, that their officers could use. Either way, they'll have to give someone up, unless the other side can accept an uneven trade. "If either of them offers an alliance without some heavy condition, great. But…"

"Yeah, we really don't have much to offer." Shuri sighed. "Then make sure not to make agreements that would be bad for us, then?"

"Of course!" Touka nodded.

"Shuri, don't forget." Kazuto smirked, "We leave you with strategy. We leave Aisha with the army. However."

"When it comes to negotiations…" Touka smiled.

""That's our job."" The two echoed each other.

A boy, who received training from birth to become the head of the strongest mafia family in the world. A boy who is specially trained to deal with the dark side of the world, with officials, both corrupt and not. The girl whose charisma pierces through most stubborn hearts, whose words capture the attention of all her soldiers. The girl who is especially gifted in dealing with the common folk, having grown up among them.

Regardless of the circumstance, neither of them would allow a completely unfavorable situation for their army, their family.

"That's some impressive pride you have there, Kazuto."

The childish voice of Reborn pierced the room, and Kazuto simply gave a wave and a laugh.

"Reborn!"

"So these are your Guardians, Kazuto?" Reborn smirked, as he jumped onto the table to look at the suddenly rigid Aisha and Shuri.

"Reborn-sensei!" Rinrin cheerfully waved, before slumping back down onto Kazuto's lap.

"What happened to her?" Reborn frowned.

"She went all out and tried to heal a lot of our soldiers." Kazuto sighed.

"Avoid doing so unless you need an instant workforce." Reborn frowned. "Let someone's natural healing heal themselves whenever possible. Especially if the injury is something as light as a scratch or a bruise."

"Sorry…"

"Then, let's see the rest of your guardians."

Kazuto nodded. "Then, I suppose I should start with the ones I met first. This is Kan'u Unchou, Storm Guardian. She also serves as our right-hand."

Aisha bowed slightly before maintaining eye contact with the baby.

"Hooh? The one who becomes renowned as the God of War? That will ruffle up Fon's feathers for sure." Reborn snickered. "Can you light your ring?"

"Ah, yes." Aisha nodded, extending her hand, and lighting the red ring.

"Good." Reborn nodded. "She looks like she has a level head on her." Reborn smirked, "Try to curb some of my student's more reckless decisions. That's your duty as his right hand after all."

"Of course." Aisha nodded.

"She already does that. The busybody." Kazuto muttered, before flinching as a gun was pointed in his direction. "A-anyway! Since you already met Rinrin, I'll move on to the next one!" Kazuto laughed awkwardly, pointing to Shuri. "This is Shokatsuryou Koumei. She currently serves the position as Mist Guardian, although we plan on bringing in another member, Houtou Shigen, to share the position."

"Your father's Mist Guardians are a special case, Bakazuto." Reborn scoffed. "Officially speaking, Chrome is the guardian, because Mukuro refuses to take the position. But generally, it's Mukuro who is considered by most to serve the position. If you ask either one, they'll always answer that the other is the true Mist Guardian." Reborn then appraised the girl, "And I don't see anything lacking with this one that would require a second one to fulfill the same role."

"Th-thank you, sir!"

"Reborn is fine." Reborn shrugged. "The Mist Guardian generally is the illusionist of the family. But the top strategist of the era would serve the same role just fine. You just need to gain some more battle tactics that would allow you to escape from a fight."

"Hawawa… I've been working on that…" Shuri muttered.

"Hoh? Like how?"

"I've been trying my hand with a crossbow but…"

"You've been failing? That's fine." Reborn shrugged, "A Mist Guardian's greatest weapon is their mind. And I doubt we'll find anyone more qualified than you. Maybe this world's equivalent of Sima Yi. Regardless, I have no complaints." Reborn nodded. "Although, I want to know. Why are his pills on your person?"

"Eh, that's…"

"To stop me from chomping down on them when I start itching to fight." Kazuto sighed.

"You have a limited amount as is, and your enemies will undoubtedly strike when you least expect it, and it would not do for you to not have your trump card at that time. That is a smart move." Reborn nodded.

"Mrrr…"Kazuto grunted, irritated slightly that no one can really trust him to be patient, but then again, even he agreed with their points.

"You've always been a bit more reckless than even Tsuna. Which is a surprise considering how much you dislike fighting." Reborn laughed.

"Eh? Kazuto-kun hates fighting?" Touka asked, surprised.

"No. I suppose that's not quite right." Reborn shook his head, "The boy hates hurting. Whenever he fights, you notice that he has a furrowed brow? He also tends to clench his free hand as if asking for forgiveness. It's all subconscious for him though, and he himself isn't aware of it." Kazuto reflexively squeezed his left hand. "Another strange imitation of his father."

"… That… doesn't make sense…" Shuri frowned, "Kazuto-sama always rushes into fights."

"You believe that to be an inherent contradiction? Not quite. He rushes into fights because he believes that he could end it quicker. He simply hates waiting for the fight to end and wants to involve himself in doing something about it. In a sense, his recklessness comes, not from wanting to fight, but from simple impatience. Something I want to curb out of him soon. It simply does not do for a leader to be sticking out their necks for tasks that are better suited for a guardian."

"I'm right here." Kazuto pointed out.

"Then learn already." Reborn scoffed, "Stupid student. And you wonder why I call you Bakazuto."

"Guh…"

"Now then, anyone else?"

"I suppose the last one is Chouun Shiryuu." Kazuto waved to the girl, who walked over. "She's… tentatively the Rain Guardian Candidate."

"Hmm… 'Tentatively'?" Reborn asked.

"What he means is that I'm currently serving as the placeholder for three Guardian positions." Sei chuckled. "We don't have a solid Lightning, Rain, or Cloud Guardian Candidate, so I'm currently filling the Rain Guardian position."

"Hmm. Then I won't evaluate you as a guardian yet." Reborn nodded. "Just as a member of Kazuto's family."

"That's fine." Sei nodded.

"Not a bad choice." Reborn chuckled. "You're a lot more laidback than Kan'u but more mature than Chouhi. You'll serve well as a counterbalance for them both."

"Thank you." Sei nodded.

"Now then, the last person here is… Ryuubi Gentoku, correct?"

"Yes." Touka nodded.

"Not a Guardian Candidate, but you are intent on serving alongside Kazuto as a Sky."

"That's right."

"No trace of hesitation. Good. A sky's job is to both bind the family together but let them act freely as well, to do as they have to. Help my student along his own path, girl."

"Thank you, Reborn-san."

"Reborn is fine." Reborn firmly replied. "There is no need for honorifics. And, while I don't mind being referred to with -chan, you all already know my true age, so why bother?"

"Then feel free to call me by my True Name, Touka." Touka bowed.

"True Name?" Reborn asked turning to Kazuto. Kazuto sighed before explaining to him. After he was done, Reborn nodded, "Very well. Unfortunately, I've already given up my own True Name. The only name I have left is Reborn. That is what you will refer to me."

"Is that so…" Touka nodded, "Then please guide us well, Reborn."

"But of course." Reborn nodded, "After all, it will be a shame if Kazuto's guardians don't have at least a solid education."

"Wait… hold on… does that mean that you'll!" Kazuto blinked at Reborn's statement.

"Of course." Reborn smirked, "I'll be teaching your guardians too. After all, I'll be trying to catch you up to speed with what you've missed, so I have plenty of time. And, at the very least, it would be a shame for Shokatsuryou Koumei to fail a test that you can pass five years ago."

"The script that people use at this time is…"

"I can work with it." Reborn firmly replied. "Do you think I've been spending my time back home doing nothing?"

"Please teach us well then." Touka bowed. "Although… you're not going to throw boulders at us, right?" She asked fearfully.

"Hmm? No. I have no physical form, after all." Reborn sighed.

"… That's the only reason?" Shuri said, fearfully.

"Also, my torture is reserved solely for my tutees, my students. In other words, Bakazuto."

"You said it! You said 'torture'!" Kazuto said, in relative despair.

"As my student, you should've already noticed that."

"Dammit!" Kazuto sighed, "Well then, what do you plan to do now, Reborn?"

"Hmm?"

"We're done with introductions so…"

"Isn't the answer obvious?" Reborn smirked, jumping up onto Kazuto's head. "Hmm… not as fluffy as your father's, but it'll do."

"Eh?"

"You'll be meeting up with Sousou and Sonken, correct? The two rivals of Ryuubi. Then let's make sure to make a lasting impression."

"Right…" Kazuto sighed.

"Rivals?" Touka asked confused.

"If we're talking about the three most important figures in this era, it will be Ryuubi Gentoku, Sousou Moutoku, and Sonken Chuubou. The ones who will eventually form their own countries marking this era as the Era of the Three Kingdoms." Reborn calmly explained.

"The Three Kingdoms Era." Touka asked, worried, "What will happen? Why will the empire be…"

"What will happen if the glue that was holding the country together, the Imperial Court, lost all their power to do so?"

"Then the country will fall apart." Shuri reasoned. "With each warlord wanting their own power, they'll try and take control of the entire country."

"Correct. And in that warring states period, those three comes out on top to form their own dynasties." Reborn finished. "They gathered capable officials, conquered their neighbors, and established themselves as Emperors."

"But history is not set in stone." Kazuto warned. "There is no reason to believe that history will flow in the same direction as before. Especially considering the changes that have happened."

"You mean the genderbending?" Reborn asked.

"The Chou siblings became simply bards who went a bit too far. And there's… never mind. We'll talk about it later." Kazuto sighed.

"What are you hiding, Bakazuto?" Reborn furrowed his brow turning to Kazuto.

"I'll explain after meeting with Sousou," Kazuto replied. However, notably, he wasn't looking at Reborn when he said that. "Is that alright, Touka?"

Touka frowned, before nodding. "Alright."

"Anyway, what Bakazuto said is true. The future is simply the result of many decisions stacked on one another. Some decisions are more inevitable than others, but there is no such thing as a decided future." Reborn smirked, "That is something Sawada Tsunayoshi can attest to."

"… I don't think I've heard this story." Kazuto blinked.

"Ask him when you get home." Reborn shrugged. "Now then, I believe it's best not to be late, don't you think?"

"Right. Aisha… I was going to take Rinrin but…" Kazuto frowned, as the girl has already retreated to the realm of sleep.

"I could go?" Shuri offered.

"You have your task." Kazuto replied.

"Then I'll take up the task." Sei waved, "Go on, Shuri. I'm sure I can manage here. And it'll be good for a decided Guardian to be part of the representation."

"That's…"

"No." Kazuto shook his head. "The main purpose of the adjutants is to protect me and Touka. Shuri would just become someone else for Aisha to protect. Just come already, Sei."

"This isn't a war council." Reborn chimed in, "There's no need for the strategist, Shokatsu Koumei, to come. This meeting is clearly just a place to size each other up. That's why combatants are better suited to this task. A show of strength. Not only that, but Sawada Tsunayoshi has always brought his Storm and Rain Guardians to his meetings."

"Then, I'll come." Sei nodded, "Sorry, Shuri."

"It's fine." Shuri waved, "As they said, there's not much I can do there. I'll simply look into Touka-sama's task."

"Then the delegation is decided." Reborn nodded. "Kazuto, Ryuubi, Kan'u, Chouun." Reborn then smirked, "And naturally, me."

-()-

In a teahouse that was appropriated by the Sousou Army, on one of the tables, seated four people. Representing three armies total. In that capital, no other army is present anymore, having all left by this point. Behind each of them, they each had their trusted adjutants. No one brought their weapons, as is agreed. Well, no one, aside from Kazuto's Box Weapons, which he still carried on his side. They don't particularly look like weapons anyway.

The one who invited the members sips her tea freely. Sousou Moutoku calmly surveyed the other members from beyond the brim of her tea. Both Kakou siblings sit behind her, although one is a lot more fidgety than the other. Kakouton Genjou has a butterfly eyepatch covering her now missing left eye and is clearly uncomfortable just sitting still. Kakouen Myousai is calmly watching the room, her eyes focused more on the combatant adjutants.

Sonken Chuubou also brought two others with her. Kannei Kouha and Rikuson Hakugen. She's clearly more uncertain of her position in the group, as she is not a full-on leader of her faction. She's just the daughter of the leader. She's not even the heir apparent. Of course, her mother's position is still better than the other two's but she's still, in comparison, not, in any shape, the equal of the two. But still, she came here with a purpose given to her by her mother, and she sends discreet looks towards the Ryuubi Faction. Kannei was on-guard the entire time, silently daring anyone to make a wrong move. Rikuson, in turn, just happily drinks her tea, not minding anything at all.

Ryuubi Gentoku, in comparison, is a bit more wound up. She tries to calm her nerves by sipping some tea. She feels a hand reach for her from her right side, and she extends her right hand to grasp it firmly. Hongou Kazuto is a bit tenser, although his smile doesn't waver. He too drinks the tea, even though he doesn't particularly enjoy it. Growing up with Reborn makes him prefer coffee, after all. Speaking of, their two adjutants sits behind the two leaders. Kan'u Unchou acts similarly to Kakouen, watching the others, even as she sips her own tea. Chouun Shiryuu is a lot more laidback but acts similarly. The last one, however…

Reborn simply stands on a high shelf in the far corner, out of sight of the other armies. As far as the other people are concerned, they only brought Kan'u Unchou and Chouun Shiryuu. It doesn't help that he's taken to disguising himself as a pot. But he's observing everything.

Clearly, he intends to use this event as an evaluation of his negotiation skills.

"So." Kazuto coughed, "I doubt you invited us here simply to have tea with you." The awkward silence has been killing him the entire time.

"Correct." Sousou nodded, "I simply want to know something. What are your groups going to do after this?"

"You're referring to the breaking apart of the empire… now that the Emperor is gone." Ryuubi warily said.

"The emperor lost her power the moment the Yellow Turban Rebellion was finished, not by the Imperial Army, but by the warlords who gained great power and influence at the aftermath." Sousou shrugged. "But it's a surprise that you managed to make that connection."

"Sousou, you are the host. Show some decorum and drop the barbs." Kazuto sighed. "Those sorts of comments are not meant for your own guests."

"Ah, I suppose I must apologize then." Sousou shrugged.

"It's fine." Ryuubi nodded, "You won't mean it either way." Kazuto noted that the wording makes it clear that Sousou had no intention of apologizing anyway. He'll just avoid mentioning it for now.

"… I did not miss this when we were dealing with Ryofu." Sonken sighed. "Those ten days were perfectly pleasant if it wasn't for these two… doing all this."

"These two are just proud." Kazuto helplessly replied, "The big difference is which one is willing to drop it first."

"And that is?"

"Which one do you think?" Kazuto laughed. "And anyway, I'm a bit surprised that your groups are so eager to leave." Kazuto shrugged. "Your groups could easily have stuck around to help with the rebuilding."

"You already know why we're leaving as soon as we could." Sonken replied, clearly hinting to the Imperial Seal, but not outright saying it. "If anything, I'm more surprised that we didn't leave alongside Enjutsu-san… but…" if Enjutsu finds the seal, that would be bad for them too, so they won't even bother.

"As for our group." Sousou interrupted, "we simply decided that there's no reason to remain here. If the capital still had its people, I would certainly be compelled to help, but any aid given to a ruin is help that could be rendered to the living."

"There could still be people who would want to come here." Ryuubi said.

"That's enough, Touka." Kazuto sighed, "It's not like we can talk too much. Because of our supplies, we'll probably be leaving much sooner than the expected three days anyway. It's hypocritical of us if we scold them too much on the matter." Personally, Kazuto agreed with Sousou. Helping an empty capital is just lip service, although Ryuubi did sincerely believe this to be something they need to do.

"But still…" Ryuubi sighed.

"You are dodging the question." Sousou interrupted once more. "What will you do after this coalition?"

"You were the one who distracted us from the question first." Kazuto scoffed. Sousou merely shrugged in response.

"Unfortunately… I have no clue as to the plans of my mother." Sonken winced, "You're already aware that I'm not the leader of my faction. I have no say as to what will happen." Sousou merely nodded disinterestedly.

"The mind of the hero, Sonken Bundai, is beyond ken, I suppose." Sousou sighed. "A shame. I wanted to catch a glimpse of what she has in store." Sonken frowned at the dismissal but cannot refute it. Instead, she just glared. Ryuubi gave her a sympathetic smile in turn, and Sonken only shallowly nodded. Sousou ignored both and focused her eyes on Kazuto.

Kazuto shrugged, before holding out his hand, "Since you brought it up, why don't you go first?"

"Hmm? The same as anyone would." Sousou shrugged, "Consolidate as much power as possible to avoid being swallowed up by the oncoming flood of war."

"… Are people really going to go to war for just that? Power?" Ryuubi grimaced.

"It's naïve to believe that no one would." Sousou scoffed.

"People will die, just because the leaders want to gather territory," Ryuubi argued. "Is that not unfair to you?"

"You are no longer a commoner, Ryuubi. You've already led people to their deaths. Just this past week, how many of your soldiers died for a failed coalition?"

"That doesn't change that this is wrong. Instead of preparing for war, is there truly no way for us to seek peace as an option?" Ryuubi asked.

"If you want peace, prepare for war." Kazuto interrupted. "The only way to dissuade power-hungry people is by having far more power than they can muster."

"Seems at least one of your group gets it," Sousou smirked.

"But that doesn't change that what Touka says is true." Kazuto once more spoke, "To need to fight for power… That is something inherently selfish. We became rulers because our people wanted us there. There's simply no point in us holding power if we push them to fight for our own reasons."

"Did you not already do so?" Sousou scoffed, "This coalition."

"This is different." Ryuubi replied. "We joined this army because we believed it's our duty to end Toutaku's tyranny. People were suffering, so we joined."

"Even though it's not your people? Even though your people died for it?" Sousou scoffed, "That's plain hypocrisy."

"There's no hypocrisy here. We simply considered the people in the capital to also be our people, albeit not ones we rule over. After all, we all live under the banner of the Kan Dynasty. They are people who seemed as though they needed to be saved. So we moved to do so." Kazuto remarked. "Anyone who thinks that we're hypocritical for doing so is trying far too hard to discredit us. Or… have already defected from the Kan Dynasty, only caring for their own needs."

"So you intend to sue for peace? How long do you think that will last? Do you think you'll be able to grow in power like that?"

"We don't need to." Ryuubi replied.

"Then be swallowed up like the rest of the sheep. The flood of war will drown you." Sousou's declaration was met with angered looks from Kan'u and Chouun behind them. In turn, the tension rises as Kakouton and Kakouen glared right back.

"If the flood of war will drown us, then what does that make you? Just another bucket of water in the river?" Kazuto smiled, raising his hand to quell the two behind him. Sousou does the same for the Kakou Siblings "If anything, I'm surprised that you really think we'll be so easily defeated."

"Maybe if you were able to become stronger, you might have a chance. But look at your location. Unless you defeat Kousonsan or Enshou, you will not be able to grow any further. Your own ally and the largest army in the country. An impossible situation for a small army like your own." Sousou shrugged.

"We won't attack Pairen-chan." Ryuubi hardily replied.

"And that's your problem." Sousou scoffed, "Simply put, pretty words and ideals will not move the world."

"But they'll move hearts." Kazuto replied. "The power of words is not to be denied, Sousou."

"Words with no power backing it has no power at all."

"Maybe not, but it's better than tearing the world asunder simply to come out on top." Ryuubi spoke up once more.

"Who said I'll be doing this simply to do so?" Sousou asked.

"Oh, and you have greater plans than just conquering the empire, Sousou?" Ryuubi asked.

"And why should I tell you that?" Sousou shrugged.

"Then this conversation is over." Kazuto sighed. "Let's end it while we're still on amicable terms."

Sousou and Ryuubi nodded, as they slowly sank back to the cushions that they were using as seats. Neither of them was even aware of when they began rising up from their cushions. They both simultaneously began drinking from their teacups, which were refilled by Ten'i. Both of them refused to even look at each other, settling for closing their eyes as they let the calming effects of the tea flow through them, soothing their frayed nerves.

Seeing them calm down, both Kazuto and Sonken sighed, sinking into their own cushions. Neither of them said anything, hoping to not agitate the two. They were clearly still worked up, after all.

Eventually, it is Sousou who spoke up first in that awkward silence. "… Do you think war is necessary, Ryuubi Gentoku?"

"No." Ryuubi replied simply and quickly.

"Even if you ended up not meeting Kan'u? Hongou? Shokatsuryou?" Sousou asked.

Ryuubi flinched at that… and Kazuto opened his mouth to argue. That is an unfair comparison. That it was an invalid argument. But Touka merely squeezed his hand from below the table. She can handle it, she said in her eyes. Just stay by my side. Just promise to keep supporting me. He nodded, squeezing her hand back.

Ryuubi turned back to Sousou and firmly replied, "No matter how many blessings war can grant me, nothing can justify the wanton loss of life."

"To profit from war, yet not want it. That is a hypocritical argument."

"That's like saying I shouldn't help orphans because I grew up with a mother." Ryuubi pointed out.

"And what of you, Sousou?" Kazuto asked.

"War is just another tool for a ruler to use." Sousou shrugged. "I do not dislike it, but I do not enjoy it either. If it's necessary to achieve my goals, then I will use it." Kazuto frowned at the statements. Kazuto saw how proud Sousou is. Just what conditions does Sousou need to use war? Are they great hurdles or mere speedbumps on her road? Kazuto needed time to think. His eyes quickly turned to the other person on that table.

"And, Sonken?" Kazuto prodded the silent girl, who seemingly thought that she was now completely out of the conversation.

"Eh, ah… if I have to choose whether war is necessary or not… I'd say yes." Sonken sighed. "Or at least, there are times, that I myself knew it to be necessary."

"Hmm?" Kazuto gestured for her to elaborate.

"Once, our land was besieged by pirates." Sonken replied, and Kannei flinched behind her. "Certainly, if we laid down arms or never confronted them, the pirates may have simply chosen to just leave. But then we'll be giving up the right to protect our people. That is how I view war. A tool for us to defend ourselves. The ideal world where war is unnecessary may exist somewhere, but this isn't it."

Ryuubi silently nodded, although sad that Sonken didn't share her viewpoints.

"And what of you, Hongou?" Sousou asked.

"My answer is simple as well." Kazuto nodded, "War is unnecessary. Completely and utterly unnecessary."

"Are you going to repeat the same lines that your comrade said?" Sousou scoffed, seemingly suddenly disinterested.

"No. Of course not." Kazuto laughed. "Ryuubi is Ryuubi. I am me." Sousou shallowly nodded.

"Then?"

"War, in history, has been the fastest way of advancing civilization," Kazuto said. "To combat wild animals, our ancestors learned to create spears to hurl from long distances. This leads to humanity gaining access to meat as a food source. However, food is still a scarce commodity. So people fought over it. That is what war is for, a mad scramble for something that one or both sides want."

"Where are you going with this?" Sousou frowned.

Kazuto merely continued, "Regardless of why it started, war itself has always been the driving force for innovation. With more soldiers, comes the need for better farming methods, because most of your workforce will no longer be able to till the fields. To defend yourself from enemy attacks, you build better defenses. To breach enemy defenses, you need better weapons. The faster you can make better weapons, the more of an advantage you have on people who did not manage to get as far as you did."

"And yet you claim that war is unnecessary. I do not see what that has to do with what you just said."

"I'm an idealist. I hate seeing people get hurt." Kazuto shrugged. "Besides, the question is, is war necessary? My answer is no. There is never a time that war will be necessary. Because the same advancements that war has pushed forward can be done without it. People have achieved great things, simply because they were interested in something. War just simply is the fastest way to incentivize people to innovate. But in the end, it just simply isn't something that is needed, just something people wanted. So, war is unnecessary." Kazuto finished.

"I suppose you are right." Sonken nodded, "If put that way, then war is not something people need, but something people want."

Sousou merely derided their remark, "There are things in this world that require war to have been made. You said it yourself. Better weapons, better defenses. Strategies. Methods of dealing with invaders. While it is ideal that no one wages war, the fact is that people will do so regardless."

Ryuubi hesitated, before firmly looking back. "Just because someone wants to have war, doesn't make it necessary."

"Now you're just being pedantic." Sousou scoffed.

"We merely answered your question." Ryuubi smiled back.

Kazuto nodded, and continued, "Then I suppose the next question, and the question that you both mostly answered is this: Do I have to be able to wage war?" Kazuto's eyes darkened at that. "Then the answer to that is simple. If you don't want to lose anything, then yes. If you don't want to be stolen from, then yes. If you don't want to give anything up, then yes. Because this era is an era of war. Anyone who does not know how to wage it will simply lose everything." Kazuto then smiled, although it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "Touka and I rose up from the common folk to help wage war for those who don't have power. The Yellow Turbans. The Toutaku Tyranny. Nothing of what we said is contradictory to what we've done. The thing is, however, there is also more than one way to wage war."

"And what do you mean by more than one way?" Sousou's eyes narrowed at that, glimmering in interest.

"Is this table not warfare?" Kazuto asked, amused. "The soldiers wage war with physical might. The generals wage war by command. The strategists wage war by deception. But for us leaders, the leaders of all those people, our war is fought with ideals, and which ideal will rule triumphant in the end. Conflicting ideals is the biggest reason why wars even happen in the first place, after all."

"A powerful army can trump ideals backed by a weak army, no matter how virtuous it is." Sousou pointed out.

"Maybe on a battlefield, but not on this table." Kazuto raised his eyebrow. "The only weapon you have on hand is your words. So win by making arguments that trump ours."

"You are surprisingly eloquent." Sonken remarked.

"I've lived in this country filled with war for over half a year." Kazuto smiled. "I've had more than enough time to think." And this is the conclusion he came with. And this is his declaration. "The Ryuubi Army will always sue for peace." Ryuubi smiled before facing them and nodding firmly.

"I believe you to be naïve." Sousou scoffed. "Both of you."

"Maybe so." Kazuto laughed.

"I think Sousou-san is too cynical." Ryuubi frowned. "It's because people don't believe in peace that peace can't be achieved."

"You said it yourself, war brings change. To disregard its ability to do so is foolish." Sousou firmly replied.

"We aren't disregarding its ability to do so." Ryuubi interjected. "Just that we won't be complicit to it."

"Throwing a tool away just because you dislike it will be your downfall. As is said, better you have it and not need it, then need it and not have it."

"Are you, once again, claiming that we are lacking in the ability to wage war?" Kazuto said, amused, before turning to their fourth participant. "Sonken-san, please don't retreat again and actually participate in this conversation."

"At this point, I'm just a spectator." Sonken pointed out. "If mother had been here maybe…"

"You are her heir." Sousou rebuked.

"That's my sister." Sonken replied, "I'm just the spare."

"Foolish." Sousou scoffed, "You are the one that your mother considers more likely to inherit." Before waving at the location, "Otherwise, why would she send you and not Sonsaku? Now stop dithering and put forth your opinion." Ryuubi and Kazuto nodded silently.

Sonken breathed slowly, calming her nerves down, "Whether we use war or not, should be left to the situation." Sonken replied, "That's what I believe."

"That's what we all believe." Sousou scoffed. "As they said, even these two naïve fools wouldn't hesitate to wage war if they and theirs are put into the situation."

"Saying we wouldn't hesitate is a stretch." Ryuubi frowned.

"You're certainly mischaracterizing what we said just now." Kazuto nodded, "But we would certainly consider it if the situation arises."

Sousou just glared at them before muttering under her breath. Kazuto could tell it is about hypocrisy. She then turned back to Sonken, "The point is that is that that statement says nothing about your ideals, except that you're trying to toe the line."

"And what's wrong with that?" Sonken rebuked. "Sousou-san, you are arguing that war is necessary, and in some instances, I agree too. If it will push forward the will of my people, then I too wish for war. Ryuubi-san, you're arguing that war shouldn't be done at all, and in my heart, I agree as well. But pretty words simply won't change the world. But similarly, if the people of my land wish for peace, then I too shall wish for peace. As a ruler, I have to push the ideals that are thrust upon me."

"Is that really the wish of the people?" Ryuubi argued. "From my life as a commoner, I know what people want. They want security, safety, the ability to go on their lives without worrying about what they will do to survive the next day. I've never encountered a time when a person would prefer to go to war over living their life with their families. It's always duty that pushes one to war."

"Ideals that are thrust upon you?" Sousou scoffed at a completely different part of Sonken's argument, "You would allow the common folk to push your choices? You are your own person. You need to stand for your own ideals. What you believe. If you let the commoners push your beliefs around, you would just sink to mediocrity. After all, if the king can just have her ideals be pushed by anyone, how would it push others?"

"Better mediocrity than to ruin the prosperity of my people." Sonken firmly responded.

"And history will simply write you off as a mere footnote in history, overshadowed by your own mother." Sousou scoffed.

"I care not for the history books." Sonken shrugged.

Kazuto sighed, not sure as to what to do anymore. A glint in his eye and he could see Reborn making gestures to a non-existent wa… well, it exists now, now that he transformed Leon the Chameleon into a watch on his hand. Either way, it was time to end this.

"Then we are at an impasse. It seems that no one is interested in listening to each other anymore." Kazuto sighed. "I'll briefly summarize the situation. Sousou advocates that war is necessary. For war pushes change." Sousou nodded, "Ryuubi, and therefore our army, advocates for peace, even if the world goes against our wishes." Ryuubi shallowly nodded. "And Sonken, advocates for neither and wishes to simply echo the voices of their people." Kazuto nodded. "Did I mischaracterize anyone's arguments?"

"""No.""" For the first time on that day, all three agreed at something.

"Thank you for the lovely tea, Sousou." Kazuto bowed, "I believe you'll be leaving soon with Choubaku-san, right Sousou? Then I suppose me and Touka should leave now to allow you to finish your preparations." Kan'u and Chouun quickly stood up, as Ryuubi and Kazuto stood.

"Yes, I suppose so. Thank you for indulging me in my curiosity." Sousou waved them off, dismissing them, intent on finishing her now rather lukewarm tea.

"I'll take my leave as well then." Sonken nodded.

"I have one last question, Ryuubi."

"Yes?" Ryuubi asked.

"Why were you so fixated on Toutaku having retreated to the western capital?"

"Eh?"

"There were no tracks that lead in any direction and yet you seem wary of the possibility."

"Th-that's…" Ryuubi winced, turning to Kazuto.

Kazuto frowned. He tried recalling any time it was brought up, but he's just drawing a blank. He was pretty sure that Touka had not mentioned it before today, though. "… It was a possibility our army considered." Kazuto replied.

"And yet you only saw fit to inform us now, former commander?" Sousou asked.

"It was simply a possibility." Kazuto shrugged.

"Strange that you still didn't bring it up regardless. If you had wanted to rush us into charging into the capital, you would've done so."

"To rush into anything is dumb, and you know that." Kazuto shrugged. "Although I suppose my assessment of you is true."

"Hmm?" Sousou asks, lifting her teacup to her face.

"You are someone who really likes having the last word in." Kazuto cheekily replied, before, grabbing Ryuubi's hand before sprinting out the door, "So I won't let you have it today! Let's go before she says anything more, Touka, Aisha, Sei!"

"""Right!""" The three chorused, sprinting out the door. A single black flash seems to move after them as well.

"Ah, wait, Hongou!" Sonken went after them, "There's something I'd like to talk to you about!" Kannei followed suit.

"I'd love to know where you get your tea leaves, Sousou-san~" Rikuson bowed, before running off as well.

"Eh?" Sousou could only stare out in shock, her teacup having fallen onto the table, tea now spilling on her lap. Ten'i quickly walked up with a cloth to start wiping the girl's clothes.

"… He got you good, Karin-sama." Kakouen chuckled.

"Just say the word, I'll drag him back here for you to scold him!" Kakouton exclaimed.

"I… it's fine, Shunran." Sousou raised her hand to settle the girl down.

She stared at the tea-stained dress, uncertain as to how she should feel. She doesn't feel angry. Nor does she hate what just happened. She should; now she has to get a new set of clothes before they head out. Instead, she feels as if another emotion is bubbling just beneath the surface, counteracting the anger that she keeps trying to bring up.

"L-let's just go." Sousou stammered out, standing abruptly. "I need a new set of clothes."

"I could just get it for you, Karin-sama!" Kakouton exclaimed, but Sousou had already walked out the door, even in her tea-stained clothes.

She has much to think about.

-()-

"Was… was that necessary, Hongou?" Sonken panted, leaning on the wall, propped up by Kannei, who glared at him. Rikuson was lagging behind, leisurely walking in the distance.

"I've dealt with her getting the last word in for two weeks. That was the perfect opportunity to get revenge." Kazuto cheerfully replied.

"I suppose my first impression of you isn't too wrong." Sonken sighed.

"Hmm?"

"Never mind." Sonken shook her head.

"What did you want, Sonken-san?" Ryuubi asked. "You didn't follow us for no reason, after all.

"Ah, right." Sonken nodded, "My mother would like to extend an alliance to your army."

"Eh?" Both Kazuto and Ryuubi was surprised at this. "Umm, let's talk about this back at our base… with Shuri." Touka compromised. "Sorry, we didn't expect either of your armies to extend something like that to us."

"It's just an informal alliance." Sonken shook her head. "Officially, we're still allied with Enjutsu after all, and, unfortunately, your army did step on the En Family's pride one too many times."

"Then why extend the alliance at all?" Kazuto frowned.

"Mother thought that you would make for good comrades." Sonken hesitantly replied, "To be honest, our army doesn't particularly like Enjutsu. So…"

"And what are the conditions for this alliance?" Kazuto frowned, "Don't get me wrong, but we don't have a lot of manpower. We were willing to take part in an alliance with Kousonsan because she's Touka's friend during their time learning under Roshoku. Your group is a bit different. Also, our territories are separated by both Seishuu and Joshuu."

"For now, an alliance of information. Your strategist, Shokatsuryou should have an information network in the country, yes?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny that." Kazuto replied.

"Just share any information that could directly impact our land."

"In turn, we expect the same from you?"

"Yes." Sonken nodded.

"What do you think, Touka?"

"Eh, what about you?" Touka returned, "I don't mind allying with Sonken-san… but if you think it's not good…"

"Aisha?" Kazuto asked.

"I'm skeptical. This situation favors us a bit too much. Normally alliances are done equally unless one owes the other, or at least knows each other well enough." Aisha frowned, turning to Sei, who shrugged.

"I'll leave it to the leaders." Sei nudged it right back to Kazuto and Touka.

Kazuto laughed slightly, before turning to the rooftop, where now a completely out-of-place pinecone sat. One with Reborn's baby face smiling at him. The pinecone merely pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. 'Decide for yourself, Bakazuto,' is what the pinecone seems to say.

"Then we accept." Kazuto bowed.

"Thank you." Sonken nodded.

"We don't have a written agreement, so it's not reinforceable." Kazuto frowned.

"That's fine. It's a situation where we simply share something for the other to handle after all. It's not like you'll take any information from our network and not investigate it yourself, after all."

"Neither Shuri nor Hinari would, I suppose." Kazuto nodded. He turned to leave, but an idea struck. He doesn't have the authority to suggest anything to Sonken Bundai, but to Sonken Chuubou… "Speaking of… about the article in your army's possession."

"Hmm?"

"If at all possible, you should probably try to pawn it off for something else that you need. That thing will probably just attract trouble, so…"

"I'll keep it in mind." Sonken nodded.

"Take care, Sonken-san."

"Take care, Hongou, Ryuubi."

"Goodbye, Sonken-san!" Ryuubi waved.

The group parted ways here. Sonken Bundai and Sousou Moutoku soon led their armies out of the capital, leaving only the Ryuubi Army left.

-()-

And so, the group parted ways. The three armies first clashed their ideals against each other, but no one yielded. Around those ideals, their armies will gather and form kingdoms. And they'll clash with each other again, this time not with words but with might, hoping to swallow the others within them.

The sky gazed upon this world. The chaos of the world matters not. For there is harmony in chaos. For there is harmony in peace. For there is harmony in balance. The three paths that they seek, it matters not to the sky. It will simply take them all in and watch them blossom.

The once prosperous Kan Dynasty, has now, quite officially, been divided.

-()-

Chapter End

-()-

Chapter Release Date: January 24, 2020
Last Edited: August 25, 2020

-()-

Beta Reader: Seraphius.

Oh Dear Lord… there's 35 pages of this. Thirty-five pages of characters sitting around in a circle just talking. Dear readers, I hope you didn't come here for Shounen Action Scenes, cause I'm clearly enjoying myself far more while writing people talk to one another.