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.

-()-

Amid War

-()-

In a dark, secluded location, Ukitsu is continuing with his experiments. Saji watched idly, bored out of his mind.

"So where's the girl?" Saji asked.

"Still chasing Chousen. Although, at this point, I should call her back. There's no meaning in chasing after that one. While Chousen's strength is real, the knowledge that one holds will not do anything to our cause."

"Will you?"

"Do you want her brandishing her power in our lab?"

"Your lab. I've no part in your worthless experiments." Saji rolled his eyes, "And no. Let her rampage on her own. You'll just push the responsibility of replacing the things here to me."

"You do have the brute strength for it." Ukitsu smirked.

"So what is our objective? Other than killing Hongou, which you refuse to do."

"I'm doing all I can to see where his resources are. The ability to fly, the ability to spread flames, those are not natural skills. His flight seems to be linked to the boots on his feet, which shows that he has connections. There is no way a boy his age could have made those. And if we can track those connections, we may have an idea of what we are dealing with. There's a chance they'll arrive in this world somehow if we ignore them. Unfortunately, the only other new information we got, his revealed true surname, Sawada, tells me nothing. Which is a surprise considering he went to such lengths to hide it." Ukitsu frowned. "I'll stick to referring to him as Hongou."

"I'll do the same. A worthless change of surname for a worthless person."

"Verily." Ukitsu nodded, "However this Reborn is an even trickier target."

"How?"

"Without a surname, we are left searching blind. However, the hint from our ally indicates that he is Italian and that he's a hitman."

"A hitman…"

"And if he's a hitman, then that means he has a means of receiving hits. That is what I'm looking for now."

"A roundabout method. As usual for you."

"Say what you will, but I have seen more success than you."

"I'd have 'seen success'" Saji said mockingly, "if you let me do anything."

"Do what exactly?"

"…" Saji glared.

"Until we know where Reborn is from, we cannot target Hongou. We can aim at his life with assassins, but our intervention in the Toutaku Alliance has clearly raised his and his friends' alertness. So we can't do that until he has relaxed, or in an environment where no one can save him."

"Fine, but the first chance I get, I will take his life."

"If it will make you stop hounding me on killing Hongou, fine."

Saji smirked. "I'll take it."

"But! One chance." Ukitsu warned. "One. If you fail, say goodbye to you being anywhere near Hongou. You'll either be my gofer for the rest of time or be assigned as far from Hongou as possible. So you better make your one chance count."

Saji grunted in acknowledgment. "Why don't you want to deal with the bastard? You know he has to die anyway."

"What do I care for a pebble when our aim is a mountain?"

"When that pebble trips you over, I'll look at you and laugh."

"I'm not foolish enough to do so. Hongou will receive his due in due time."

"So, aside from this Reborn, what have you been so busy about?"

"Rumor has it that Sousou has left her home base…"

"Rumor?" Saji scoffed, "Since when do you act on rumors?"

"Indulge me." Ukitsu dryly replied.

"No. Get to the point."

"Fine. I intend to poke a few holes into Sousou's mental defenses. To make it easy for us once we start the final stages."

"And why is it so important that you strike at Sousou?" Saji frowned. "I don't see you interfering with Ryuubi and Sonken."

"Sousou's Gi was the winner of the Three Kingdoms."

"Hardly. Sousou's Gi was taken over by another. It was not that Gi won, it's that the other two lost to Gi's successor."

"Nonetheless, I'd like a few ins. Make things easier for when we execute the plan."

"Did you not try this with Son Go? Is that not why you had Sonken dead?"

"I'd rather not put all my eggs in one basket. And, unlike Sousou, Son Go has too many ready successors to inherit the position of ruler. But Sousou is alone. For all intents and purposes, Son Go is just a backup plan."

"And Ryuubi?"

"Hongou and Reborn are there. Need I say more?"

"And if history diverges?"

"It won't." Ukitsu laughed. "This world is largely predictable in how it will go. And if it does try, we'll be there to correct it."

"You and your intricate plans. But fine, I'll leave it to you." Saji stood up from the pillar he was leaning on.

"Ah, wait, Saji. Seeing as you want to ruin Hongou as much as possible, why not do a delivery for me?" Ukitsu smirked, pulling out a scroll.

"Who?" Saji frowned, as he caught the thrown scroll.

"Enshou."

-()-

Sei hummed a tune, as she idly sat on the roof of the building. How she wished she can have a serving of menma at her side, but she doesn't have the luxury of ditching work at this point. After all… she's the only Guardian left behind. In terms of security, she's the last line of defense, as the representative of the ruling lord, the Rain Guardian Candidate, making her the security of their home and the emperor herself. The city they live in is protected by the city garrison, led by the Guard Captain (the name eludes her). Finally, there's Kousonsan, their nominal superior, as the current protector of Yuushuu itself.

"Sei-san?"

"Yes, Paitan-sama?"

"Umm, are you sure you shouldn't go after Touka-neesama and Kazuto-san?"

"You're just as important to us, Paitan-sama. And the least defended if I do leave." Sei replied.

"But that means I'm taking away a Guardian …"

"Don't think that way." Sei chuckled. "Paitan-sama, you are the emperor, whether you like it or not."

"I shouldn't have so much special treatment!"

"And? What would you do if those white clothes show up here?" Sei asked. "The reason I remained behind is so that whoever was behind Choujou won't be able to infiltrate this city. I was the one they put in charge of public safety, after all~"

"I know that, but…"

"Whether it be Touka-sama's mother or you, we simply have too many things we need to protect. While I'd love to be there, fighting with the others, I know what needs to be done." Sei stretched. "We can't be everywhere at once, so we need to make the best of what we have to do. Who knows? Maybe I'd get some action myself." Sei teased.

"I see…" Paitan nodded, as she put down her brush. "Umm… I think I'm done with this…"

"Hmm?" Sei looked at the scroll. She then read aloud: "I, Kentei, Emperor of this Country, upon seeing the evidence, hereby pardon Choukaku, Chouhou, and Chouryou of the crime of instigation of rebellion." Sei frowned, "Is that it? I expected longer…"

"I don't really think I need more?" Paitan frowned. "But to think that Chiihou was actually Chouhou… and the whole Rebellion started not because they hated the country but by accident…"

"A series of unfortunate coincidences and alcohol." Sei nodded. "… Would this really be enough, though?"

"… It would help if I had the Imperial Seal but…" Paitan sighed. "I can only make do with my personal seal for now… If… if the other party decides that my seal isn't enough, they can say I don't have the Mandate of Heaven and just ignore this."

"So it's not as legitimate as we'd want it to be…" Sei stored the scroll away, in a special yellow-tinted box. "Wish we could do more… But this is better than nothing."

"I wonder where the Imperial Seal is now…" Paitan sighed. "Onee-sama didn't really say where she kept it, and I don't think she carried it with her when she left…"

"It's either been stolen by Choujou when she burned down the Imperial Palace or with one of the other Lords in the coalition who actually managed to comb through it the palace." Sei replied. "Unfortunately, most of our army at the time was… preoccupied with other stuff. I don't think many of our soldiers even got through the place."

"You know who has it, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Touka-neesan always tried to deflect the topic when I brought it up."

"Ufufu, it seems Touka-sama still has no ability when it comes to telling lies." Sei laughed. "To be honest, we don't have confirmation, but we're pretty sure that Sonken Bundai's family has it… or had it when we parted ways months ago. Where it is now, we genuinely don't know."

"Sonken Bundai… didn't she…"

"Mmhmm…" Sei nodded, not needing to explain. To be honest, neither Kazuto nor Touka could believe it either when they received the news. "To be fair, we didn't know that we'll eventually end up having you in our group, and we didn't have enough sway in the coalition to demand something like that from her."

"You don't need to justify anything." Paitan shook her head. "I know how difficult it is to be a small-time lord in a sea of powerful ones… well, now…" Paitan smiled. "Are we really going to be alright when Enshou comes?"

"Will Enshou come?" Sei asked. "Despite everything, we haven't heard of any actions in their territory, and Enshou's the loudest lord I know."

"I suppose so." Paitan nodded, recalling the proud woman who appeared all those months ago. "Actually, oneesama seemed to like Enshou-san… they even exchanged True Names."

"Huh…" Sei hummed, "Well, I can't deny that Enshou does have a level of charisma that really only pales in comparison to Touka-sama, Kazuto-sama, Sousou, Sonken Bundai, Sonsaku, and Sonken Chuubou… Even if she's rather dumb." Sei laughed.

"Sei-san, it's rude to call her so… And I imagine it's rather hard to rise to her level if she was stupid."

"I'm the one who was once part of her army, Paitan-sama. I know what I'm saying. She's dumb. She got to her level by being born in the right family."

"… I suppose that's what Reborn-sensei said as the inherent flaw of hereditary positions." It has a rather high chance of putting people in power when they really shouldn't have any. And some feel entitled to being in power, even though they have no skills to maintain said power. And… this entitlement can turn to corruption very easily. "… Am… I the same?"

"Hmm?"

"Am I the same? Do I have no right to be in power?"

"Who knows?" Sei shrugged. "It's not like you got more than a month being emperor."

"But… while I was in power, I just lost everything. The eunuchs, the warlords, the capital, the people… Everything fell apart when I was on that throne." Paitan sighed. "I feel like… when I get power, I just get it stolen from me… I guess, the Mandate of Heaven really was lost from us."

Sei silently looked at the frail girl, uncertain and unclear of what the girl wanted from her. Sei wasn't particularly close to Paitan. If ranking, Sei wouldn't even be in the top 10 of people Paitan was close to. "I don't know if you'd be a good emperor; you haven't gone through a full year yet. But from what I see of you, I don't think you'd have been any worse than Enshou. Probably a bit level with Kousonsan-dono, if I'm being honest."

"Th-that's good, right? Pairen-san is trusted by Touka-neesan, after all…"

"… Yeah." Sei nodded, skirting over the fact that most others (not Kazuto and Touka) view Kousonsan to be a rather mediocre lord. Not bad in any noticeable way, but not impressive either. Still, Sei would pick Kousonsan over Enshou any day.

"Haah… I wonder how oneesama handled all this… No… I guess I know…" Paitan smiled slightly.

"How was Reitei-sama?"

"Umm… she preferred to just let Kei-san, ah, I mean Kashin-san and Kataigou-san do most of the governance while Chouchuu-san attended to her needs." Paitan winced, "I had to work as well, so that's how I learned to handle some of the problems, but… I think she's still a good emperor! And well…"

"You miss her?"

"… Yes." Paitan looked out the window. "I just… I just wish I know where Onee-sama is… I'm worried…"

"I guess that's one thing you can relate with Chiihou, huh?" Sei nodded, hoping to divert the conversation away. She poked enough, and if Yue and Ei come back with Paitan crying, she might get an earful and a ban on menma. Kazuto authorized Ei with the unofficial power to put said ban on her if she ever does go out of hand with her teasing. Cheater.

"I guess we both are looking for our sisters." Paitan nodded, breathed. "You know, when Kazuto-san told me, I… don't think I was that surprised…"

"Hmm?"

"I sort of knew that Chiihou was a Chou Sister… I think…"

"Really?"

"Not really." Paitan admitted with a small smile, "Just a sort of feeling." She paused before continuing, "But I knew that there was something about her. I mean, she only ever said her name is Chiihou, and well… Yue is already hiding with her True Name so…" The example is there.

"Fair enough. It's not like we were trying hard to hide it." Sei chuckled.

"Anyway, if this small thing can help us save Chiihou's sisters then, I'm glad to do it." Paitan smiled.

"We can only hope that it's enough."

A small knock was heard from the door, and the door opened to reveal Yue, with Ei opening the door for her. "We're back, Paitan-sama." Yue smiled, carrying a platter of food.

"I know we're sort of trying to be careful, but still… that was more stressful than I expected." Josho sighed, as she put her sword on Shuri's desk, collapsing on the chair behind it. "How do you handle it so much, Sei?"

"Good work, all three of you." Paitan smiled.

"Just help me clear the desk away so that we can put the platter on it." Ei replied.

"Ei-chan." Yue scolded.

"It's fine." Paitan nodded, as she put away her writing utensils and scrolls from in front of her.

"Handle what, Genchoku-dono?" Sei asked, reaching for one of the snacks.

"Walking alertly, looking for any potential danger from others…"

"Oh! Simple." Sei laughed. "I don't."

"… Fair enough." Josho nodded, as Yue put a platter of food in front of her. "Thanks, Yue."

"My pleasure." Yue smiled. "I'm a servant, after all."

She grabbed a single biscuit from the platter, and looked at Sei, "I suppose a general like you know when danger is afoot by instinct…"

"Well, you have time to learn." Sei chuckled. Since they're the only two members who had some martial training, they're the appointed guards for Paitan, Yue, and Ei. They'll have to split the workload. When the two split off, one of them has to follow, while the other stays. "So how do you think the others are doing?"

"Hmm?" Josho frowned, "Oh, you mean, Koumei and the others. Well, my information says that while Sousou did bring a majority of her elites, she didn't really bring most of her soldiers. So Sousou's forces are probably less in number compared to Joshuu's." Josho bit into one of the biscuits, "However, Sousou's elites are some of the best in the world, and remarkably loyal too. So they'll definitely not be pushovers in the slightest."

"Can they win?" Yue asked.

"If Sousou plays her cards right and something goes wrong at the Joshuu side, yep."

"That wasn't what I was asking. I was asking about Master and the others."

"Ah, right, of course." Josho sheepishly scratched her head, "Yeah, as long as they can defend from all their attacks for as long as possible that they'll give up." Josho frowned, "But there are other things that need to be considered…"

"Like?"

Ei interrupted, "I think I get it." When Josho gestured for her to continue, Ei nodded, "Would his officials listen to our advice? It's one thing if they listen to Shuri and Hinari. But if we're looked down on and seen as just extra muscle, rather than providing exactly what we can provide to them: advice from two of the brightest students of Suikyou, well… that's on Touken, not us."

"Hmm? You make it sound like Aisha, Rinrin, and Ryofu went there to just look pretty." Sei said, amused.

"What those three are there for is to serve as Kazuto-sama and Touka-sama's bodyguards." Ei replied. "If worse comes to worst, those three can bring them back safe and sound."

"Hope it doesn't come to that." Sei nodded, "If it does, we'll be seen as cowards who ran away from duty."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Josho lightly nibbled on the rest of the biscuit. "And even if it does happen, we can make up our own excuses. As an absolute last resort? Paitan-sama."

"Fair enough." Sei chuckled.

"Eh?" Paitan blinked, "How would I help?"

"'We cannot afford to leave the Emperor unguarded for so long.'" Josho replied. "Something like that."

"Oh, I see…" Paitan nodded, she biting into the treat in her own hand. "But I don't think Touka-neesan would accept that."

"I suppose not, huh…" Sei nodded. "Touka-sama's such a bleeding heart, after all."

"Well, I hope they're doing well so it won't come to that." Josho nodded.

-()-

"Ahh! This campaign is getting more and more expensive!" Soukou Shiren complained.

"Eika, please calm down." Soujun Shiwa said.

"I'm just saying it as I see it." Soukou dryly replied before she went back to complaining loudly. "We haven't recovered enough from the costly campaign against Toutaku! There are so many reasons why this campaign is illogical!"

"Eika." Soujun interrupted, "We know. Besides, you could've been more persuasive, if you truly didn't want to do this."

"Despite everything, Uncle is still family. And we had a working plan! We would've gotten here before any other army could've come to help them!"

"It is odd, isn't it?" Soujun frowned, "How Ryuubi arrived here so quickly."

"Ryofu was likely their advance force, and the rest are coming along soon." Soukou pointed out. "Sort of like how we did it."

"… Including Kan'u and Chouhi…"

"Yeah. The wandering mercenaries who gained fame for their strength." Soukou grumbled. "Became the whispers of legend during the Koukintou crisis, and grew to prominence as the arms of the Heavenly Messenger and Imperial Descendant. Capable of matching blade to blade with Ryofu, the strongest general of the era."

"And two of our own strongest couldn't even make the Flying General sweat." Soujun morbidly said.

"Don't let aneja hear that, Ruurin." A voice said, as the rustle of the medical tent's door was heard, "Also, Eika, your voice is a bit too loud."

"Shuuran, what brings you here?" Soukou turned to the archer in blue, who frowned at the insides of the medical tent. There were no soldiers inside, so at least that was something. Most of the injured have probably already been sent to a nearby village or resting in their cots.

"If any soldiers heard your rant, the morale would plummet. I'm just kindly telling you to keep it down."

"Fine." Soukou sighed, sitting on one of the sickbeds.

"Also, our informants in Ryuubi's territory has come back. A bit slow in my opinion, but it seems that Ryuubi and Hongou left with a small army to escort a caravan down south. We assume that this caravan is actually the Ryuubi Army. While exact numbers are slim, Ryuubi's army only left with a skeleton force, and there are no movements in their territory that indicate a sortie of a larger army."

"But if Ryuubi and Hongou are here, then their strongest will be here as well."

"Chouun has been spotted in town, but no others. It is to be assumed that all other members of Ryuubi's generals are here." Kakouen confirmed. That means Kan'u, Chouhi, and Shokatsuryou, in addition to the already known Ryofu and Chinkyuu.

"Great, I guess that answers why Ryuubi arrived here so quickly. A small force can naturally move faster than us." Soukou nodded, "Did you tell Karin-sama yet?"

"I was there when the informant arrived."

"Of course." Soukou nodded, "So what do you make of this whole thing?"

"Which?" Kakouen asked.

"Considering we made a declaration of war with Touken, which was probably our mistake…"

"We declared war because it was an easier way to get Touken to enter the frontlines." Soujun pointed out. "Otherwise, we would have had to conquer Joshuu itself, which would be more taxing on us. That's also why we had an advanced strike force attack this base before our main army arrived."

"But since we had to declare war, Touken still had time to call for aid even while fending off our advanced forces. And Ryuubi answered." Kakouen finished.

"That's the thing. I'm surprised only Ryuubi answered." Soukou frowned. "Ryuubi's territory is not right next to Joshuu. If Touken was calling for aid, wouldn't he have asked his direct neighbors?"

"Unless he was direct allies with the lords in question, they would not have come." Soujun pointed out. "Our declaration of war made it clear what we're fighting for, and no one among the lords would deny us that we are in the right. We are fighting for the unjust death of our uncle, after all."

"Ryuubi clearly disagreed." Kakouen sighed.

"What did you Toutaku Coalition people do that Ryuubi is so against us?" Soukou groaned.

"Karin-sama tried recruiting from their members." Kakouen sheepishly replied, "A bit insistently at that. Neesan was there, which escalated tensions. And when Keifa heard of it…"

"Ahh, I see…" Soukou leaned back, exhausted. "Good to know."

"It's not like our side was the only aggressor." Kakouen pointed out, " Ryuubi seemed quick to disagree with Karin-sama, although… I can't say that Karin-sama didn't make that particular rivalry worse. Chouhi seems to have a tendency to run her mouth at Kii and Ruru, but that seems to stem from a sort of perceived rivalry among strong-armed little girls."

"Good to know." Soukou sighed. "So now what? What did Karin-sama and Keifa want with Shan? I want my Shan time…"

"The siege engines are starting to get problematic, and because of our quick march, we don't have our own. Keifa has proposed a plan to Karin-sama that could help with that."

"Then I hope it succeeds." Soukou nodded with a sigh, knowing that she won't be getting her time with the girl.

"That's good and all, but can you both leave?" Soujun smiled, "While I'm happy to listen to your complaints, this is still the medical tent, not the meeting tent."

"Alright. We'll get out of your hair, Ruurin."

"That's all I ask."

-()-

Silence filled that meeting room as the officials of Touken's court looked disgruntled. The Hongou-Ryuubi Army isn't doing that much better. It's been a week into this war, and, honestly, things were going rather smoothly, which is in itself, a bit unnerving. In Kazuto's opinion, Sousou is not showing any of the same ferocity that she showed during the Alliance. But the biggest issue that Kazuto is facing is the complaints that Touken's officials were levying against them. None significant enough to cause a rift between Touken and them. Touken himself is pretty much silently laughing, hiding his grin behind a fist. Because the subject is rather pointless. While it might seem hilarious from an outside perspective, in Kazuto's point of view, it's just exhausting.

"Touken-sama! This is clearly an attempt at taking over our army!"

"That's not right!" Touka complained. Kazuto already lost count of the number of times Touka had to exclaim that over the past week. That's counting the fact that he even thought of keeping count in the first place.

"We don't want your army!" Kazuto interjected. "Our territory can barely even hire more than what we already have! You can keep them!" They weren't rich enough to handle that many soldiers.

"Then what are you doing with that wh-" Kazuto merely glared at him, and the official coughed, knowing he almost stepped over a line that shouldn't be crossed no matter how annoyed he is, "I mean your minstrel? Why is she singing and dancing for our soldiers?"

"Your soldiers wanted some entertainment, so we gave it to them," Kazuto replied. "It's just a thirty-minute performance. It didn't even last that long."

"They're properly paying too, which is weird." Shuri laughed a bit hollowly. "It's almost a good thing that Sosou-san isn't here. He would've been pushing merchandise…"

"More money for us, I guess." Rairai laughed.

"It's great!" Denden agreed.

"Bijiku, Bihou! You betray us for them and now you're fleecing money off of us?"

"We betrayed no one! You guys were stinky old men who didn't want us around anyway!" Rairai replied.

"You said we were too inexperienced!" Denden pointed out, "So we went somewhere we can get experience!"

"I would've allowed you to join even so, Bijiku, Bihou." Touken smiled. "Probably on the same level as Kanyou."

"E-excuse me!?" Kanyou asked. "I've been with you for years, Touken-sama!"

"There's a difference between recruiting someone from outside Joshuu compared to recruiting someone from an established family here." Touken chuckled.

"… Fair point." Kanyou slightly sulked.

"Nope! Staying with niichan!" Rairai replied to Touken's invitation.

"Staying~" Denden echoed.

Touken laughed, turning to Touka and Kazuto, "Truly you two are capable leaders, to inspire such loyalty among your subordinates."

"Would be helpful if the two didn't ditch work to hang out with Rinrin and Chiihou every so often." Kazuto teased.

"Ah, that's mean!" Denden pouted. "Niichan is mean!"

"Touken-sama! Don't encourage them! They'll take more and more of our talent then…"

"Calm down." Touken huffed, "The Hongou-Ryuubi Army gain nothing from our alliance, while we gain their help. Can you deny their achievements on their first day of arrival?"

"It helps that they have Ryofu." Kanyou pointed out, warily looking at the Flying General. Ren, hearing her name, turned to them in confusion.

"But of course!" Nenene proudly puffed her chest. "Ren-dono is the most amazing person in the world!"

"Ignoring the proud kitten." Kanyou chuckled, to which Nenene hissed, "The Ryuubi Army also helped us deal with the more… troublesome members of our enemies."

"More like they don't like the sight of our catapults as it starts throwing rocks all over the place." Kazuto laughed. "Also, since the rocks are all over the place now, their horses can't advance so easily anymore." Which definitely curbed their ability to attack. They may not be boulders, but the landscape has definitely been altered ever so slightly from the barrage.

"It also means we can't really charge them ourselves." An official pointed out.

"That's fine. We don't have the cavalry for it." Kanyou waved off the concern.

"Are we going to run out of rocks soon?" Touka asked. "We've been using them quite a bit for attacking…" It's not like they have a quarry.

"We're properly replenishing it." A Touken official replied shortly.

"Not fast enough. We'll eventually need to be frugal with our catapult use." Shuri pointed out. "Especially if our goal is to stall them out…"

Hinari nodded, "We have three catapults facing Sousou's camp. The number of rocks needed to use them efficiently would be…"

"You don't need to tell us what to do, outsider." A harsh official snarled.

Kazuto glared at him, "I do not like your tone, officer. I say drop it. If you didn't want our input, you should've just excluded us from this meeting in the first place."

"We did not agree to you helping us in the first place!"

"Touken asked us. That should be enough." Kazuto shortly pointed out.

"Are they forgetting what we…" Aisha muttered, but Kazuto raised his hand to settle her. Kazuto shook his head to his companions. Now's really not the time for them to speak.

"He did not consult with us with that decision! The moment Sousou decided we-"

"Hoy." Kanyou glared at the man. "Touken-sama is right here."

"Oh, I don't mind." Touken smiled at Kanyou. "But what's done is done."

"I suppose a northerner like you would side with them, huh, Kanyou? You came from Yuushuu too, after all…"

"Sure. Let's dredge up history. As if that would solve our issues." Kanyou scoffed, "Oh, and since you're so willing to drag me in… who was it among us that was like, 'I don't want to join the Anti-Toutaku Alliance! If it fails we'll be the targets of the Imperial Army' or something?" Kanyou pointed out. "Oh yeah, you."

"Didn't see you volunteering either."

Kanyou was unperturbed and moved forward. "And now that the Alliance is a success, you missed your opportunity for glory, so you decided that us younger ones" gesturing to herself and Mifa who was standing right behind Kazuto, "should be left in the keep." To serve as the Ryuubi-Hongou Army's "supervisors" although Touken's wording made it sound more like he's temporarily handing command for the two of them to Ryuubi and Hongou.

"Enough." Touka slammed her hand down. "No more fighting. We don't have time for this! Save it for after we get Sousou to go home!"

A general scowled, "Hah? We'll just let her leave? Do you really think so little of us that we can't kill her?"

"It's the more likely situation." Kazuto interceded, barely holding his annoyance in, "Since all we're doing is defending."

"Then why not launch an attack?"

"That is not the plan." Touken interrupted. "Defend. Let Sousou use up her resources. During the campaign against Toutaku, Sousou's forces were the most elite group in that alliance. More than even Sonken Bundai's. An offense against her will simply lead to more deaths than simply just waiting her out."

"Have you no faith in us?" The official asked.

"In the fight against Ryofu," here Touken nodded to Ren, who merely tilted her head in acknowledgment, "It was Sousou's soldiers who held back the majority of Ryofu's. Ryofu's soldiers, who were comprised of some of the most elite of the capital's men, were held back by Sousou's men. Can you match Ryofu?"

"…" The official looked warily at Ren, who looked back quietly. "… No."

"Then, we'll simply continue as we are."

"Sousou is clearly scared of us!" An official pointed out. "Although her offense on the first day was strong, she's just making worthlessly pointless attacks the last few days!"

"That's right." Rinrin interrupted, "Before Aisha and I got to even go in, they just retreat! The two of us haven't gotten a good fight since we got here!"

"Your job is to guard Touka and me." Kazuto pointed out. "In turn, our collective job is to man the fortress while Touken and the others fight. If none of us see action, that can only be seen as a good thing."

"Oh… right." Rinrin scratched her head.

"But it is troubling why Sousou would go to the trouble of doing so many ineffectual attacks…" Shuri murmured.

One of Touken's officials scoffed, "Maybe she's not as good as you all make her out to be."

"Never underestimate your enemy." Kazuto pointed out.

"Overestimating your enemy can be just as bad, brat." The official pointed out, "We wind up using our resources for pointless things and…"

"Pointless things like the lives of our soldiers?" Kazuto dryly pointed out.

"Don't put words into my mouth, brat! I don't see you putting your soldiers on the line either! Why is your army so small anyway!?"

"We're here to help you, not fight your war for you." Kazuto rose up.

"Enough!" Touken interrupted. "Hongou, please. I am grateful for all your support, but there is such a thing as overstepping your bounds."

Kazuto grunted, sitting down. He then felt a warm hand press into his own.

"As for you," Touken turned to the official, "Would you rather Hongou's Army leave then? They could, after all."

"… No." The man grumbled. Ryofu has been an effective deterrent for the past few days during the lull between catapult volleys.

"Then let's make do with what support they can give us. Unless, of course, you can name an army that's arriving here to help us as well." Touken turned to everyone, who all looked exhausted. "It seems that no one has anything else they want to say. Then let's end this meeting and get some rest for tomorrow." Touken stood up, and everyone started shuffling out the door.

"… Everyone, go on and head to our quarters. I'll… just go on a… patrol of the walls." Kazuto smiled wearily.

"I'll accompany you then." Mifa nodded.

"Thanks." Kazuto nodded.

-()-

"I apologize for the curtness of the others." Mifa told him as they scaled the walls, to the lookout point. In the distance, they could see Sousou's camp.

"Not your fault." Kazuto chuckled weakly, "The older you get the more stubborn you get about your beliefs. And we're the outsiders; expecting us to be respected is just expecting far too much. It's just…" aggravating? Exhausting? He is at a loss for words to describe how he felt. The same roundabout conversations, the same circular arguments. How many times must he justify his allies, his friends? How many times must he defend themselves from their slander? At this point, they're mostly staying because of the three people here that actually like them: Touken, Sonken Kouyuu, and Kanyou. The soldiers as well, who warmly welcomed them once they saw Chiihou, who they all pretty much knew was Chouhou, but are hiding it because they don't want her to die as well. The small thirty-minute performance that she did really was the least they could do for them. Can't make it longer in case Sousou decides it was the perfect time to strike, of course.

"Has Kanyou told you why she seems a bit annoyed with Touka?" Kazuto asked, hoping to divert the conversation. For his own sake. "Not outright hate, but she occasionally seems to be a bit cross when she has to address Touka."

"I'm afraid that's a bit too personal." Mifa replied. "Nonetheless, Kanyou is a professional; she won't let it get in the way of her work. And like you said, she doesn't seem to hate her. Let's leave it at that."

"Fair enough." Kazuto nodded, turning to the enemy camp. "I'm surprised that Sousou hasn't brought out her own siege engines by this point, to counteract ours…"

"Here I thought you were done talking about how to deal with Sousou." Mifa smiled, "In my opinion, she must not have had time to prepare. The letter to your army was sent out the day we received the declaration of war."

"Just us?"

"That will have to be something you ask Touken-sama. He did not seem to entertain the thought of asking others for aid."

"Can't help but feel he has an ulterior motive." Kazuto silently mumbled, to which Mifa only smiled. Kazuto shook his head, "Anyway, even if Sousou had no time to prepare, surely she could've had her troops make makeshift ones… it has been a few weeks after all…"

"Most soldiers are only ever taught how to make siege ladders. A proper siege engine needs a proper combat engineer." Mifa pointed out.

"I suppose that's something I'll have to add to the list of potential recruits." Kazuto frowned. "Or train up existing members to do so." More modern innovations might be the better path, compared to this man-powered catapult.

"I'll leave it to you." Mifa nodded.

"Uhh, what?" Kazuto said, confused. "Ah, sorry, I meant my group. I don't mean Joshuu…"

"But of course." Mifa nodded.

"…" Kazuto critically looked at her, "What's Touken planning?"

"I've no idea what you're talking about."

"… Fine. Keep your secrets." Kazuto sighed, "I swear, it's like being in the coalition all over again."

"What was it like?" Mifa asked. "It's not often a complete newcomer becomes the leader after all."

"Mostly just a figurehead."

"Not according to Touken-sama. He said that you led those meetings quite well."

"Glad he thinks so. Everything was such a blur to me." Kazuto sighed. "Everyone kept trying to get me to side with them while pushing unreasonable demands. The only thing I can do is to use their own pride against them to put them in advantageous positions." He barely even remembered how any of the meetings went.

"I would've loved to see your skills as a leader in action." Mifa loyally replied.

"Thanks." Kazuto frowned. "Aren't there too little guards on this wall?" Kazuto looked around.

"Hmm?"

"I haven't seen a patrolling soldier for a good few minutes."

"Truly odd…" Mifa frowned. "I'll have someone look into it."

"Did some slack off or something? I know that Sousou hasn't been going all-in with the attacks recently, but that's not a good excuse to stop the patrols on the walls at this time of night…"

"That wouldn't do at all…" Mifa nodded. "If I recall, the ones who are in charge of the guard of the battlements should be General" She didn't get to finish her statement when Kazuto pulled out his sword and blocked a gigantic ax.

"INTRUDER!" Kazuto roared, as he held his ground, unable to move as the girl pressed her advantage. The dim lighting makes it hard for him to distinguish faces but that's what his contacts are for. "Night Vision."

In front of him was a girl, appearing around Yue's age, carrying a battle-ax twice her size, and likely thrice as heavy. Her face is stoic as if uncaring of her actions. Whisker-like markings were on her cheeks. She's scantily clad, wearing basically just a skirt and the sleeves of a jacket over a two-piece swimsuit. So many openings, so little armor…

As she landed, she swung her ax once more, this time horizontally, and sent him flying. He barely glimpsed the girl dodging a bunch of daggers thrown at her, courtesy of Mifa. Ah, he's falling off the wall. But that's really not much of an issue now, as he slammed his ring, blazing orange, on one of his belt boxes and a pair of boots covered his existing ones. He steadily focused on bringing fire to his feet, even as he fell. And, before he landed, he was still. However, he can't just settle back and leave Mifa alone, so he pushed as much flame as he could onto the soles of his feet and he was soon hurling back and he had to consciously stop himself from going far higher.

"Flying?" This was the first word the girl had uttered. Kazuto supposed that's a reasonable reaction to seeing him standing in midair. Her surprise was not a good enough opening, however, as she dodged a bunch of daggers. His roar had been heard and soldiers were starting to converge to their location. The girl frowned, as she forlornly looked at the catapult nearby. A quick scan by Kazuto revealed that the other two catapults were both hacked at and the only one left remaining is the one that was close to them. Regardless, the girl ran towards the wall and jumped off, using her ax to slow her descent by stabbing it into the wall of their fort.

"She's escaping!" Kazuto called out, but, by that point, it was already too late. He grumbled as he landed right next to Mifa, who only raised her eyebrows in surprise to see his descent.

"She cut her losses quickly…" The maid(?) sighed, as she put away her daggers.

"She did what she needed to." Kazuto frowned, pointing at the wrecked siege engines.

Mifa frowned, looking at the carnage. "Tomorrow will not be easy in the slightest."

"We need to assess the damage." Kazuto frowned.

"Master!" Rairai came over, hastily carrying her weapons, a pair of tambourine-chakrams. Denden was just behind her, her own weapons, her tonfa, in her grasp. Kazuto's still mildly traumatized by his father's Cloud Guardian, so knowing a member of his Family is wielding tonfa is rather disconcerting to him.

"Mifa, go to Touken and tell him about what happened here." He then jumped down to where Rairai and Denden are, "Rairai, Denden, check the catapults! See if any can be repaired." The two bowed and quickly made their way to the catapults. Spotting the familiar black hair, he called out "Aisha, with me to the supplies store!"

"Understood!" Was the quick reply of the woman, and the two of them moved.

He's not going to be getting much sleep tonight, he guessed.

-()-

"Impressive work, Shan." Sousou hummed, as the night raider kneeled before her.

The night raider, Jokou Koumei, True Name: Shanfuu, could only frown, "Shan didn't get all…"

Jun'iku scoffed, "The mere fact that they let you destroy so many at all is just proof of how lax they were in their defenses."

"Nonetheless, it worked." Sousou nodded. "That is all I can ask for."

"… Chouhou is here." Shanfuu reported.

"Hmm?"

"Guards talked." Technically they said Chiihou, but their familiarity with Choukaku and Chouryou means that they knew what her True Name is.

"So she is." Sousou frowned, "Why they bothered to bring her here is a problem, but if we defeat Touken, we can secure her ourselves. We don't need to worry about it." She's been holding out on calling Chouhou to her side, wanting the Ryuubi-Hongou Army to approach first, but it's clear at this point that they have no intention of being the ones to do so. If the Ryuubi Army manages to retreat, then that's that, but she'll take any opportunities she can get. "Any other notable members you heard when you were around?"

"… Ryuubi, Hongou, Kan'u, Chouhi. Bihou, Bijiku."

"I don't recognize who Bihou and Bijiku are, but as for Chouun, we already know that she's been left behind in their territory." They can't consider invading Ryuubi's territory to force them to return. Enshou's literally a big wall there.

"Couldn't we make Enshou attack their territory?" Kakouen asked, "Enshou's still nursing a grudge with Hongou if I recall correctly."

"I could goad her into it." Sousou shrugged, "Reiha has always been rather simple. Give her bait and she will lap it up. But I'll need to see her face-to-face and any time spent with her feels like years being removed from me."

"Fair enough." Kakouen chuckled. "So the plan is set for tomorrow?"

"Not quite yet." Sousou frowned, "Rushing is just as bad. Right now, they're on high alert. No. What we need to do is… Yes…" Sousou smirked. "We need to pressure them. Drain their morale. Until they have no choice but to either send Touken to the frontlines or surrender."

"As you wish, Sousou-sama."

-()-

Kousonsan Hakukei sits on her white horse, staring at the plains. On the other side is a big giant army. Honestly, she could scarcely believe her eyes.

Kousonsan grimaced, "Send a message to Chouun." What they do with this information, she doesn't know, but…

She breathed a bit as she pulled out her sword.

"Enshou has come."

How the loudest army in the country managed to hide this preparation for so long, and move their army this far without being spotted, she couldn't understand, but…

"That's bigger than what she had during the Coalition." One of her subordinates pointed out.

"She brought her entire army." That's... not a good thing.

-()-

Chapter End

-()-

Chapter Release Date: September 11, 2020

-()-

Beta Reader: Seraphius

Chapter 3 of the Joshuu War Arc! Hello everyone. Honestly, I don't have much to say as a post-credits so… I'll just reiterate my review policy!

I do not reply to review questions. This is to avoid my fingers from typing spoilers into the text box. However, if you were to directly contact me through PMs, I am likely to see it within the day you sent it, even without the PM Alerts being a thing. You can also add "Please Answer" or some variant of that to your question in your review, and I'll do my best to answer. Be wary of spoilers, when you do, of course.

Stay safe! See you next week!