Akagai's Rising Sun

by Cynical049

As the sun rose over the mountains, it showered the castle town with its blinding rays. Overlooking the town itself, a young boy sat in the garden, focusing intently on his breathing. Each breath was measured and focused. Nothing could disrupt his concentration, except for... "TAIYO!" Notes: This story is about an OC Samurai. The Samurai and Land of Iron are heavily rewritten.

4. Chapter IV: Evaluation and Departure

Chapter IV: Evaluation

-Outskirts of Sorashima, Tsuya Province-

Lord Miyani sighed as the first light of dawn had barely begun to show itself. His daughter, Azumi, and twelve other samurai retainers accompanied him. They had been traveling for several days through the Land of Iron. They passed by a few other provinces in their journey to the Tsuya Province, purposefully masking their intended destination so Azumi wouldn't guess who she was facing.

Lord Miyani's brow creased as he thought of his daughter. She was incredibly sharp despite being unmotivated to complete her training and her general air-headed and unfocused nature. It was likely that she could guess who she was facing based on the location of where they'd be dueling. During their brief correspondence regarding their arrangements, he expressed these concerns to Lord Akagai. The man had assured him that Azumi wouldn't be able to figure out the location until the very last moment.

He took a glance back at Azumi. Her eyes were closed, her head lolling comfortably against the carriage window as she dozed, seemingly untroubled by tomorrow's prospect. They had explicitly avoided the capital. The retinue of a clan lord would definitely attract some attention. Better to be discrete until the Evaluation tomorrow. Once they reached the outer walls of the Akagai estate, he saw two figures before him. They wore non-aligned clothing; nothing about them gave away their clan affiliation. Yet, he knew precisely who they were.

"Lord Akagai, Lady Ayane," he tilted his head in greeting. The pair gave the same nod back.

"I trust you had an enlightening journey, Lord Miyani," Lord Akagai asked, an apathetic tone perforating through his voice. Lord Miyani struggled to hold back a smile. He and Lord Akagai had butted heads many times before. Call it a difference in their beliefs.

"Oh, indeed," Lord Miyani retorted, gesturing towards his sleeping daughter. "We've had the most riveting discussions about the fascinating intricacies of cloud formations and the proper technique for drooling on carriage windows."

Lady Ayane stifled a laugh, her golden eyes sparkling with amusement. Lord Miyani was momentarily distracted by their unusual hue before mentally chiding himself for his lack of focus.

"She does seem to be enjoying her slumber," Lady Ayane mentioned softly, stifling a laugh as she watched the girl doze. She was very cute. She had noticed the lord's fascination with her eyes. She sighed mentally. She was used to people stopping to marvel at her golden eyes. It didn't make it any less frustrating, however.

As Lord Miyani exchanged greetings with the Akagai, Azumi stirred. Her eyes slowly opened, and her cyan eyes fixed on Lady Ayane's golden ones.

"Pretty," she murmured, her tone flat despite the compliment. Lady Ayane's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by the girl's blunt observation before a radiant smile bloomed on her lips. She supposed she was fine with children staring at them, however.

The conversation moved to more mundane matters as the Akagai led the Miyani to their chambers for the day without revealing its location in relation to the duel grounds. Lord Miyani glanced around, stifling his awe at the impressive feat the Akagai had done. The entirety of the Eastern Estate was devoid of clan affiliation. They had covered over the Akagai symbols, artwork, and murals with wooden paneling. Effective for covering any identifiers, easy to remove, and it didn't ruin the decor of the estate. Very impressive.

Their arrangement itself was plain yet had an air of elegance to it. The tatami mats on the floor were clean and well-maintained. An arrangement of flowers adorned the center of the room, a testament to the Akagai's refined tastes. Lord Miyani noted the meticulousness with which their hosts managed their home; it carried a warmth and coziness to it, a stark contrast to his own clan's cold and decaying compound. The walls bore the symbols of their clan, a white drifting cloud amidst a sea of blue. The Akagai were always considerate of their guests. They had even given their retinue rooms of their own rather than just one barracks.

"Apologies, Lord Miyani, but I'm afraid I must go prepare breakfast for my children," Lady Ayane bowed in apology as she departed to the main manor.

"I'm afraid I must leave as well. If I don't start with the morning's paperwork, I'll never leave at a decent time." Lord Akagai and Lord Miyani shared a pained look. While not horribly difficult to deal with, paperwork was still a tedious time-consumer. "I trust you to settle in fine, and if something is troubling you, let me know."

The Akagai had bid farewell as the sun finally began to rise. He saw sudden movements throughout the estate. Akagai servants bearing no affiliating clan marks began to move throughout the day. The Akagai really do deliver on their promises. With a lazy stretch, Azumi yawned, her cyan eyes fluttering open. She cast a groggy look around the room, seemingly unimpressed by the surroundings. Lord Miyani could almost see the cogs turning in her mind as she took in the lack of clan iconography.

"Father, why is everything... bland?" she asked, her nose wrinkling slightly at the lack of decoration. "Did we travel to the Land of Beige?"

Lord Miyani suppressed a snort. The Land of Beige was a fictional land that Azumi used to describe the most mundane and boring things. It was a clear sign of her disinterest, which did not bode well for the coming Evaluation.

"Discretion, Azumi." She sighed in response to his words.

What could be the issue with me knowi— is that a hummingbird? she mused as she saw the fluttering of its wings dance across the estate. She watched as it drank the nectar from a blooming plant, mesmerized by the small bird's antics. As she watched the bird, Azumi sighed softly, her eyes losing focus. Struggling against the pull of sleep again, she planted her palms on the tatami mats and pushed herself into a sitting position.

"Father," she drawled, her voice tinged with amusement, "I think the clouds are calling my name. "

She paused, tilting her head slightly as if listening to some unheard melody. "Did you hear that? I think that one shaped like a serpent just challenged me to a staring contest. It would be cowardly to ignore it, don't you think?"

"Don't go further than the Eastern Gates, Azumi, am I understood?" She could hear the stern tone in her father's voice.

Azumi nodded absentmindedly, her mind already clouded with the sights she intended to explore. Pushing herself to her feet, she smoothed out the creases in her silk kimono and adjusted the hairpin, keeping her dark strands in a high ponytail.

Stepping out into the sunlight, Azumi took a moment to let the sun wash over her, warming her skin and chasing away the remnants of her drowsiness. She walked through the estate, fresh air wafting from the air, filling her senses. Looking around, she marveled at the blossoming cherry trees that framed the walkway and the small stone lanterns that stood sentinel along it.

The pathway led her through a series of gardens, each carefully prepared with a sense of tranquility that differed greatly from the dull nature back home. In contrast, every leaf seemed to fall in its appropriate place, and every stone had been arranged with purpose. The Akagai weren't just considerate hosts but masters of their domain.

The path continued forward as she followed it until she found herself in a secluded grove of cherry blossoms that waved lazily in the wind. She smiled as she found her spot. Azumi flopped unceremoniously onto a patch of grass, not caring if it stained her kimono. Her father would probably scold her later, but that was a problem for Future Azumi. Present Azumi had a very important cloud-watching session to attend.

She saw the patterns in the sky and watched as they changed and morphed into others…

…A coiling snake…

…An angry lady…

…A happy dog…

…a one-winged bird…

…She didn't notice as time began to slip by, nor did she notice as another figure soon came to the same grove. The winds shifted as they carried a new scent towards her.

Is that cinnamon? She crinkled her nose at the foreign scent. Cinnamon was a rarity in the Nawashine Province, yet she could still, if only barely, identify it.

"Has the sky begun to season itself?" she wondered. "I don't remember clouds having a scent…"

Then again, she had some difficulty remembering most things. Remembering took too much effort; it was easier to forget.

"Hello?" A soft and polite voice called out to her. Her eyes leisurely drifted to the figure. It was a boy with maroon hair and matching eyes. He wore a bland yellow kimono with a divided black hakama. Her eyes raked up and down his body. He was clearly a samurai. He had a lean figure and the typical dress of a samurai, although he did seem to lack a weapon with no katana on him. Most of all, she could tell from his breaths. Each inhale had intent behind it, and unlike her father's clumsy breathing, this boy had structured breathing. He definitely had some powerful lungs.

Looking back up to his awaiting eyes, she remembered he had greeted her, "Oh… hello…" she responded.

-With Taiyo at dawn-

Right as dawn had glimmered through his window, Taiyo's eyes opened. He looked to his left and saw his katana. It sat in its plain white scabbard as the sunlight bounced off it. He refocused his vision back to the ceiling. Taiyo thought about this day. Evaluation. Six days had passed with no events, just rest and basic training.

Taiyo shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Not now," he spoke to himself, "You can have an existential crisis after breakfast."

He swung his feet off his bed and went through his morning routine. He donned a non-aligned yellow kimono and hakama. As he reached for his katana, he hesitated. He remembered Mora's voice, reminding him that a samurai must be ready for battle immediately. But another voice, softer and gentler, advocated that maybe he could afford to be just a thirteen-year-old boy on his last day as a Koshi.

With a small yet rueful smile, he left his sword where it lay. He pulled his hair into its usual ponytail, allowing some wayward bangs to cover his forehead as two larger bangs framed the sides of his face. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of his room and was immediately assaulted by the scent of miso soup and grilled fish. He smiled as he could hear his mother's humming from upstairs. Taiyo made his way into the kitchen, where his mother was moving about with the practiced grace of a seasoned chef. She turned at the sound of his entrance, the morning light catching in her stark black hair tied in a loose bun.

"Good morning, mother," he gave her a soft smile, to which she gave an identical one right back.

"Good morning, my little rising sun," Ayane said, her smile widening slightly at the slight blush on his cheeks. "I trust you slept well?"

"Yes, Mother," he replied, his sharp ears picking up on the sizzling sound of fried fish and the comforting boiling of miso soup. Bringing his hands together in front of him, he bowed slightly before moving towards the table.

He heard a small, high-pitched yawn behind him. Turning around, he bit down a small laugh as he saw Moni with her natural bedhead. Her normally straight hair was coily and tangled everywhere. The young girl gave Taiyo a slight glare, knowing he forced himself to stop laughing.

"Morning Taiyo, morning Mama," the usual excitement that carried Moni's was replaced by grogginess.

"Morning, Moni," Taiyo greeted, failing to suppress the chuckle in his voice.

She looked at him for a moment, running her hand through her matted hair, seemingly debating something with herself, "Taiyo, can you—"

"I can brush your hair, Moni." As the eldest brother with two younger sisters, he had become accustomed to helping them braid and brush their hair.

The moment the words left his lips, the six-year-old's eyes lit up with her signature excitement. She bounded towards the bathroom to grab her ivory brush as Ayane laughed lightly at her daughter. While she bounced away, Taiyo sat down at the dining table and gratefully accepted his mother's generous spread of grilled fish, rice, pickles, and steaming miso soup. Moni had come racing back, carrying her favorite brush, a gift from Mora.

It was an elegant brush made from ivory with soft bristles and the Akagai Clan crest emblazoned on the back. He was met with a delighted squeal as the little girl scampered over and seated herself cross-legged. Taiyo began to work his way methodically through Moni's tangled locks. The young girl closed her eyes, enjoying her elder brother's gentle ministrations. His little sister began to hum softly under her breath as he worked, the soothing sound coinciding with the rhythmic brush strokes served to further calm Taiyo's nerves.

As Taiyo went through Moni's hair, Ayane looked at the scene with a simple smile. She felt complete during these quiet mornings. A sense of warmth always gathered in her heart as she watched her children together… well, most of them.

Reika, she thought in worry. She thought she had squared the issue away after she talked with her eldest daughter. After asking her why she hadn't greeted Taiyo during his arrival, Reika told her that she had a gift planned for him as an apology. After hearing her reasoning, she allowed Reika more time to finish her gift, but she was toeing the line. If she waits any longer, she won't have the chance to give Taiyo his gift. These last few days are fleeting, and soon, Taiyo will leave for Konoha. She looked back down at her plate, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath as she calmed her nerves. She needed to trust Reika on this, so she would. Looking back, she smiled lightly and saw how Taiyo almost finished Moni's braid.

Once her hair was free of knots, he braided it into a simple braid down her back. Stepping back, he smiled as he grabbed a mirror from a nearby table.

"There," he said, setting the brush aside. "All done. Now you look less like you've been struck by lightning and more like a proper Akagai."

Moni stuck out her tongue as she took the mirror, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. She turned her head to see the braid and gasped, a wide grin on her face. "It's beautiful, Taiyo! Thank you!"

She startled him as she jumped to her feet and hugged him tightly. Taiyo returned the hug, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He gently patted her hair as she settled down for

breakfast. Once they finished eating, Ayane stood and began clearing away the dishes.

"Taiyo," she called over her shoulder as she moved towards the kitchen sink, "Why don't you go take a walk outside? The cherry blossoms in the Eastern Estate are in full bloom; it might help calm your nerves."

Taiyo cringed slightly as he heard the undertone of her voice. Of course, his mother knew he wasn't entirely sure about the Evaluation. He left a giggling Moni with their mother and ventured outside.

-Eastern Estate-

Walking down the main path to the Eastern Estate, he passed by one of the branch shrines spread across the compound. There, he noticed three statues of ancient samurai. They were incredibly well-kept, and their crimson-red armor and katanas gleamed in the sunlight. He knelt before the statues, more out of habit than reverence. The tale of the Ame Guardians sprang unbidden to his mind—his mother's voice echoing from years past.

They were mythical warriors to whom the Akagai traced their lineage. They were the guardians of the Sun Goddess during her Journey of Enlightenment. Within each statue's grasp was a sword, its edges gleaming with an ethereal light that made the steel appear as if it was ablaze. The statues had been crafted in such a way to honor the Sun Goddess; their bodies were positioned in a manner that they were eternally watching over the sun as it traversed through its daily journey across the sky. One was staring at the east, where the sun rose. Another stared at the sky, where the sun reached its zenith. And the last stared at the west, where the sun would finally set.

The Ame Guardians are everything the Akagai idealizes. They have become the standard for what Akagai samurai strive to be. Statues of Ame Guardians were placed in every shrine throughout the Akagai estate as a reminder of her gratitude and their continued protection.

Taiyo bowed his head respectfully in front of the statues. He remembered his mother's words from so many years ago. "When the path ahead is murky or when your heart falters, come to these guardians. They will help you find courage and give you guidance."

He stands once he's finished showing his respect. He walked along the stone path that meandered its way through the sea of pink and white, his mind lost in thoughts of what tomorrow held for him. Would he be able to uphold the dignity and honor of his clan? Would he be able to pass this Evaluation? His feet carried him deeper into the estate as he wrestled with these questions. Then… he heard it.

Breathing. Calm, measured breaths that spoke of practiced control. His curiosity piqued, and he crept towards the source. There was a secluded grove along the path, overlooked by many but lovingly maintained by the caretakers of the estate. The breaths were coming from this sacred grove. Moving as quietly as he could, Taiyo approached. He gently pushed aside the rustling branches of pink blossoms, only to blink in surprise at the sight before him.

A girl in a black kimono sprawled on the floor, slowly covered by pink petals. He hesitated, wondering if he should announce his present. Before he could decide, the girl's nose wrinkled slightly. He froze, realizing the winds had changed, and carried his scent towards her. Deciding to go all in, he began walking towards her.

"Hello?"

The girl lazily drew her eyes from the clouds to Taiyo. He stiffened slightly as he felt her gaze wash over him. She wasn't just staring at him; she was assessing him. She mumbled back a greeting, seemingly unbothered by his sudden appearance. "Oh, hello."

"What are you doing, if I may ask?" He probed gently, not wanting to come off as aggressive. The girl moved her eyes back to the sky, finding it far more interesting than him.

"Watching the clouds pass by. Come to lecture me about proper decorum, Maroon?"

Taiyo raised a brow at the name but didn't mind. He was intrigued by her nonchalant attitude, "No, I came to—"

"Shh," she raised her fingers to her lips without averting her eyes from the clouds. "You'll scare away the interesting ones—the fluffy ones, you know? They're shy…"

"Shy?" He was used to dealing with odd remarks; Moni often made very… imaginative declarations as a child.

"Oh yes, very shy. Why do you think they're constantly changing shapes, Maroon? They're in a constant state of identity crisis. Just look at that one," she pointed to a cloud that, to Taiyo, seemed to like a cat.

"It can't decide whether it wants to be a rabbit or a teapot."

Taiyo furrowed his brows as he stared at it. A rabbit or teapot? That looks nothing like a rabb— actually, now that I look closer…

"I think I can see that now, Cyan," he mused as he tilted his head. She didn't give a reaction to the name he gave her.

Cyan tilted her head, causing some of the petals to slide off her hair, "So, would you like to stay for this existential cloud therapy…?"

Taiyo gave a small, ungentlemanly snort. "I could do with existential therapy myself," He said under his breath.

She hummed as she stared at the sky, eyes glazing over slightly.

"Alright then, Maroon," Cyan started, "sit and stay quiet. Let the sky do its work."

Taiyo hesitated momentarily before settling down in the lush green grass, a respectful distance from her. He looked up at the sky, trying to see what Cyan saw in the clouds.

So he sat, his hakama rustling as he settled onto the ground and fixed his gaze on the clouds just like the girl beside him. She seemed so tranquil, lost in her own world. He envied her slightly. She carried on like nothing bothered her. He wished he could feel like that sometimes. While he will always take pride in the fact that he was chosen by the Shogun, there is also a sense of slight conte— he stopped himself. He drew in a series of deep breaths to calm himself.

"What's the issue?" Startled, he looked back at his unknown companion. She hadn't taken her eyes off the clouds, yet he knew it was directed at him.

"…I can't cloud gaze comfortably with your heavy breathing. Tell me what's wrong."

Taiyo let out a soft chuckle. He could hear no malice in her words, only a blunt request. He had barely met her but already admired her straightforwardness and the ease with which she carried herself. He felt like he could trust her, so he spilled everything to this girl.

First in a trickle, then a torrent. He kept his identity as the heir hidden but told her everything else. He was afraid of going to this new place alone, stressed by the weight on his shoulders with no one to bear it with, worried he'd let down his family and damage its reputation. Cyan gave no inclination she was actually listening, but Taiyo could tell she was. After letting everything out, he paused as he took a breath. The girl sat there, unfazed by his confession.

"…it hasn't happened yet, so why are you worried?" He snapped his head towards her, asking her to elaborate.

"…the future isn't set in stone, Maroon, it's like the clouds above us…" He looked up at the sky above them, noting how the clouds had already changed.

"… it's constantly being formed, changed, and ripped apart. You should be more like a cloud…"

Taiyo's brows furrowed, perplexed by her comparison, "A cloud?"

She paused, a hint of curiosity creeping into her voice. "Or is it more fun to be all wound up like that? I can't remember if I've ever felt so... knotted inside. Is it nice?"

"Not really," Taiyo sighed.

"Then why be stone when you can be a cloud? A stone is rigid and unyielding. It can't adapt to a changing environment, it can only endure. A cloud, however… it is flexible. It becomes whatever it needs to and flows with the wind. It can move somewhere else if it doesn't like where it is. Being unyielding will only cause you to break under stress. Be more airy. Flow with what comes your way, and if something bad happens, don't allow it to wear you down; simply move on like a cloud."

As he listened to her words, his anxiousness slowly left him. Her analogy was simple yet profound. However, he felt like something was missing.

"I never thought of it that way," he admitted softly.

Cyan shrugged her shoulders as if it was common sense. "…Most don't think at all. Too busy fretting over maybes to notice the now."

Taiyo took a deep breath and relaxed his muscles. He let out a sigh that released all his tension. "Thank you."

"…can you cloud gaze in peace now, Maroon?"

He chuckled as he nodded, lying flat next to her as they stared at the sky above them, living in the moment. It was peaceful—so peaceful that Taiyo didn't even know when he fell asleep, only that his mysterious friend had awoken him.

"Wake up, Maroon," she said with a nudge. Taiyo opened his eyes, blinking in the bright light of the setting sun. That was new, he had never slept so easily in broad daylight before. Cyan had stood up and was dusting off her kimono. Taiyo moved to stand, his eyes still bleary from his restful sleep.

"You fell asleep," she said.

"So it seems." He sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Nightmares?" She asked him.

"None, actually. This was one of the most peaceful slumbers I've experienced," he admitted with a small smile.

"Good, see you around then," she began heading toward the Eastern Estate.

He watched her as she left, her figure becoming obscured against the backdrop of the setting sun. A small sense of tranquility washed over him. He remained seated for a few moments longer before returning to the manor. As he walked back, he noted that he felt just a bit lighter, as if an invisible weight had lessened ever so slightly…

As he made his way back to the manor, a small smile graced his face. But as he walked, he still felt bothered. While living in the moment was certainly relaxing, unlike Cyan, he couldn't simply let things roll off him. He wondered what that could mean for him…

-With Azumi-

Lord Miyani was just about to begin searching for Azumi as she walked in through the door. He turned and was about to chastise her until she turned to him, causing him to freeze. He had spotted a foreign look on her face as she stepped into the room. It was a smile. Not one of her usual distant smiles. No, this one held warmth.

"You seem…different, Azumi," Lord Miyani noted with a touch of surprise.

"Do I?" Azumi asked, her smile widening slightly. She looked almost…content. The sight shocked the lord after consistently dealing with her disinterest in anything related to the estate or her training.

"Yes, is there a particular reason for that?" He arched his brow, hoping for some explanation.

"I suppose the clouds were particularly chatty today, Father…" Her voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Chatty clouds? Azumi, what are you—?" He pursued, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, chatty clouds, father. Or, I suppose, more accurately, a chatty sun…" She said, the smile on her face unchanging.

Lord Miyani sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "I worry about you, you know. Your training, your future-"

Azumi's smile turned a little wistful. "The future hasn't happened yet, Father. Worrying about it won't change anything."

As Azumi stepped into her quarters, her smile turned into a thoughtful expression. Azumi had seen the boy's sincerity despite his nerves and could not help but be touched by it. His respect for his clan, his worries about the future - they were all proof of his earnest nature, something that was hard to find amongst the superficial layers of court life. She moved towards her window and watched the setting sun. Tomorrow would be a new day and, with it, a new beginning.

-With Taiyo-

That morning, he was in such a deep sleep that his sense of hearing dulled. He didn't hear three figures creep into his room, two with mischievous grins painting their expressions. The two older ones were blondes while the younger had maroon hair. Both blondes took a deep breath and placed their mouths next to Taiyo's ears as the maroon-haired one covered their mouth and giggled quietly.

There was a brief beat of silence before…

"Time to rise, oh budding lord of the Akagai." The blondes' voices spoke softly into Taiyo's ear, jolting him awake. His eyes flew open in shock, meeting the intruders' mischievous grins.

Taiyo bolted upright in bed, eyes wide and heart pounding. His hand instinctively reached for the sheathed sword by his bedside before he realized what was happening. He turned to glare at the intruders, but the sight of who they were made his stern expression dissolve into an amused sigh. The others joined in as well.

"Kyoma," Taiyo said, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation masked by his usual composure, "I'm beginning to think you enjoy testing the limits of my patience." He couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips, no matter how much he tried to fight it

"Perhaps next time, you could consider a more traditional approach? I hear knocking is quite effective." The deadpan tone caused the heir to the Touka clan to laugh boisterously as the other blonde put her hands on her hips, a smile dancing on her lips. Meanwhile, Moni sat in the back, finally letting her giggles free.

His gaze settled on the other blonde, noting how her amber eyes were filled with mirth. "And you, Seniko? I hadn't realized the Shinkari clan specialized in early morning ambushes. Is this a new form of the Roaring Thunder Stance I wasn't aware of?"

The Shinkari Clan was another member of the Six Border Clans, alongside the Touka and Akagai. The clans that made up the Border Clans had deep ties, so it wasn't surprising that their heirs and heiresses knew each other personally.

Seniko's eyes danced with a mix of mischief and nervousness as she met Taiyo's gaze. She fidgeted with the lightning bolt hairpin, a habit she'd developed when feeling unsure of herself.

"Oh, you know," her voice carried a light nervousness to it, "just thought I'd test out a new esoteric art. I call it Thunderous Wake Up Call. It's still in development, but I have high hopes!"

She gave a small, awkward chuckle as she fiddled with the sleeves of her vibrant yellow kimono. Her kimono bore the Shinkari clan's crest, a white thunderbolt with a crimson outline. He smiled in exasperation. Her hair was tied into two braids that descended over her shoulders.

Kyoma's lip twitched into an amused smirk and patted Taiyo's shoulder affectionately. "You're too easy, Tai." He stated before chuckling wholeheartedly at the sight of Taiyo's disheveled state. It was odd seeing Taiyo with bedhead. He usually kept it well-maintained, clean, and neat, a far cry from the tangled thickets that adorned his head now.

Seniko shrugged her shoulders, "We heard about your Evaluation and thought we'd come to lend some support." Her eyes were soft as she made her way over to Taiyo's side.

"It's a big deal, you know," her eyes widened as she realized what she said, "I mean, not that you can't handle it, of course! It's just, well… you're facing an unknown opponent. For all we know, you could be facing another clan heir or a mandate!"

Taiyo held back the need to point out how unlikely that was.

"So, you know, we're here if you need us."

His gaze softened considerably. "Thank you," he said finally, his words gentle as he smiled reassuringly at her.

Kyoma's amusement turned warmer as he looked at Taiyo, his eyes reflecting a deep loyalty. "No need for thanks, Tai. We're in this together." His reply was heartfelt, the proclamation filled with bombastic support.

Taiyo chuckled, shaking his head at his friend's words before turning to face Seniko, who was silently watching the exchange between the two boys. Her amber eyes were gleaming with quiet anticipation, and Taiyo felt a pang of warmth at the sight. She tried her best to maintain her composure before him, but he could see through her easily enough.

"Seniko," he began, causing her to snap out of her thoughts. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink under his focused gaze, but she did not shy away from it.

"Yes?" She asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she nervously tucked a few stray strands of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Thank you again."

Seniko offered him a gentle smile. "It's okay, Taiyo," she spoke softly, "We're here for you."

"I appreciate you, all of you," he said while Moni clung tightly to him. "However, I would like to at least dress myself privately." He arched a brow over at his two friends.

Kyoma barked out a hearty laugh, clapping Taiyo on the shoulder with an exaggeratedly somber nod. "Of course, of course, the heir of the Akagai Clan would like to preserve his dignity. We'll see ourselves out," he said, winking conspiratorially at Seniko.

Seniko rolled her eyes playfully at Kyoma's antics before turning to Taiyo, her amber eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "You'll do fantastic today, Taiyo. You always do." She offered him a small bow before exiting the room with Kyoma and Moni.

As their laughter echoed down the hall, Taiyo finally allowed himself to relax. The reassuring presence of his friends had lifted his spirits, and he was now ready to face whatever awaited him.

He took a deep breath, looking at the rising sun outside his window. Much as his friends and clan preferred, he decided to face this Evaluation head-on.

With that mindset, he started to prepare for the day.

-With Azumi-

Her cyan eyes woke to the soft wind passing through her winder. She lazed for a moment longer, tossing and turning in her bed. She debated the merits of just remaining in bed for the rest of… ever. The upcoming Evaluation was as interesting as watching grass grow. While her mystery opponent had caught her interest, even that was starting to wane. A week is a long time to wait for something, after all.

I wonder if I can convince everybody that I've caught some rare and highly contagious disease.

She debated the idea but sighed, knowing her father wouldn't buy it. He was too used to her tricks.

With a groan, she dragged herself out of her bed, her hair a complete mess. She lazily turned her head to the window, peering out to the bustling estate.

"Great," she muttered. "I wonder if I can convince them I've forgotten how to use a sword. Or maybe I've developed an allergy to swords. " She tilted her head in thought, toying with the last idea.

"Is that a thing? It should be a thing," she said to herself.

Her thoughts wandered to the upcoming Evaluation as she sighed softly. Azumi felt no excitement or trepidation for what was to come. The idea of dueling or showcasing her skills for some arbitrary assessment seemed pointless to her. She and her opponent would duel like peacocks for an audience. She was already bored even thinking about it.

She turned her head to the door as she heard feet padding against the tatami mats.

"Azumi," came a stern voice, "Your breakfast is ready, then we have to prepare for the Evaluation. Remember your position, Azumi…"

She rolled her eyes at her father's reminder. "I know, father. I'll be right there as soon as I remember how my legs work. It might take a while, but be sure not to wait up."

"Azumi, this is important."

"When is it not?"

"…"

"Thought so," she whispered under her breath. She might as well get dressed; it's unlikely her father will let her sleep in. She moved with a sudden grace that didn't fit her lethargic self.

She pulled out her usual black kimono with the Miyani's crest on its back. She laid it out on her bed before moving towards a small water basin nearby.

While she bathed herself, her mind was cluttered with images of the ensuing battle. She imagined the many techniques her opponent would use against her. Still, without any knowledge of her opponent's move set, it was more difficult than usual. She took a deep breath as she left the basin.

As she began dressing, she kept thinking about the encounter with Maroon the previous day. She wondered if her advice had taken hold. It had made sense to her: People need to stop worrying about tomorrow. This is the last moment you will experience right now. How many people waste these fleeting moments by thinking about the moments of tomorrow? Such a waste of time…

With that, she plastered on her best "I'd rather be anywhere else" expression and prepared to greet the day with all the enthusiasm of a wet cat at a dog show.

-With Reika-

She smiled brightly as she looked down at her work. The past week of hard work had paid off. Now, she just needed to rush off to Taiyo. As she ran from the

-Western Training Grounds, Akagai Estate-

The Western Grounds were easily the most well-kept of them all. It was more like an arena than an actual training ground, which is why it was decided that the Evaluation would be held there. Taiyo kept his breathing under control, reigning his emotions in. Seniko, Kyoma, and Moni were accompanying him to the grounds. He was still mulling over Cyan's words.

"Being unyielding will only cause you to break under stress. Be more airy. Flow with what comes your way, and if something bad happens, don't allow it to wear you down; simply move on like a cloud."

Could he really do that?

"What has you deep in thought, Tai?" He didn't even realize that the others were staring until Kyoma asked him. He sent him a reassuring smile.

"Sorry, Kyo, I'm just mulling over some advice someone gave me," he explained calmly.

Kyoma grew curious, "What kind of advice?"

"To be more like a cloud," Taiyo replied, his voice as tranquil as the morning sun that cast long shadows over the Western Grounds. His maroon hair glowed in the early light, and his eyes looked thoughtful. "To let go and flow with what comes my way."

From the edge of his vision, he caught Seniko's thoughtful gaze. She was silent momentarily, and then a soft laugh escaped her lips. "That's a nice image, Taiyo," she said. "You drifting along like a cloud."

"I don't know, Tai," Kyoma rubbed the back of his head, "You don't really seem like a cloud kind of guy. To me… you're more like the sun." A humorous glint in his eye flashed as he thought about it.

"Fitting for an Akagai, isn't it?" Kyoma laughed as he said it.

Taiyo stiffened ever so slightly. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Kyoma began, gesturing to the sun above them, "The sun is unyielding, right? It doesn't drift without purpose or let others define its path. It stays, endures, and persists." He glanced at Taiyo, his yellow eyes bright with a determined light. "And that's how I see you."

Taiyo stared at Kyoma for a moment with an impassive gaze. His hands went to the hilt of his katana, a small comfort to Taiyo.

"You think I'm unyielding." he finally said. It was a statement, not a question.

"Not in a bad way," Kyoma added, sensing a hint of unease in Taiyo's voice. He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. "The sun is earnest, Taiyo, and so are you."

Taiyo fell silent once more before giving Kyoma a small but genuine smile.

"Thanks, Kyoma," he said softly. Kyoma beamed at him and opened his mouth.

"TAIYO!" Taiyo stilled as he heard his younger sister's voice.

Reika, he thought anxiously before turning. The group turned with him, watching as the younger girl zoomed towards them. He turned to his friends and looked them in the eyes. Getting the message, Kyoma gave him a wink and a thumbs up while Seniko flashed a nervous but supportive smile while they walked towards the stands.

Moni and Taiyo stayed for Reika, watching as she grew ever closer. Moni began to grow a smile as Reika sprinted towards them.

"Tai, it doesn't look like—"

"She's stopping? Yes, I know—Urk!"

Taiyo skidded a few steps back as Moni laughed at the scene. He grunted slightly, looking down at Reika. His eyes narrowed as he saw the wet trail leading down her cheeks. He tried moving down to her eye level, but she was clinging onto his chest too tightly.

"Reika," he kept his voice steady, his kimono rustling as he embraced Reika, "what's wrong."

She mumbled something into his chest, but he picked up what she was saying, "I'm sorry."

Taiyo felt his chest clench as he tightened his embrace.

"Reika, it wasn't your fault; you had every right to be an—"

"I may have had a right to be angry, but that didn't mean I had to take it out on you! Instead of cherishing the time I had left with you, I spent it ignoring you while praying to the Sun Goddess!"

"Reika, I'm sorry—" he didn't get a chance to finish before Reika lightly punched his chest.

"Stop that! Stop apologizing for things that aren't your fault. You didn't have a choice! Father and Mora sprung the choice on you out of nowhere!" The raw emotion in her voice

"Reika, listen to me," Taiyo's voice was gentle but firm, his hands comforting on her trembling shoulders. He held her at arm's length, looking into her tearful eyes. "The decision was abrupt, and I didn't have a choice. But neither did you. And you're right to feel what you're feeling."

"But I-"

He cut her off gently with a shake of his head. "Let's not dwell on things we can't change, Reika. What matters now is that we move forward together. Just like before."

She nodded slightly, burying her face into his chest. Taiyo smiled lightly, patting her back as she clung tightly.

"Taiyo," she whispered, knowing he could still hear her words clearly, "I tried thinking of a way to make it up to you, so I thought of a gift."

She peeled back, reaching into a bag she had on her hip.

"And I hope you'll like it," she muttered as she pulled out three identical objects. He sucked in a breath. It was a set of three Mon earrings, each with the Akagai's crest emblazoned on them. They were simple, bearing only the red sun of the crest, but were made of red agate. It reflected the sunlight beautifully.

"One for each of us. That way, we're always with each other," she kept shifting her eyes from Taiyo nervously as she handed one to Moni, who took it enthusiastically.

"They're so pretty, Reika!" Moni declared, closely examining the earring itself. Reika handed the other to Taiyo. Grasping within his palm, he inspected it. The red stone was polished to a gloss, glittering in the sunlight.

"Thank you, Reika," he breathed out as he fumbled a bit. He pinned it to his right ear, symbolizing the sun rising in the east. Moni and Reika both pinned it to their right ears as well. Reika brought her breathing to heel, steeling herself before staring at Taiyo.

"Taiyo," he looked down at her, surprised at the resoluteness in her eyes. You're going to win."

The statement was simple, but it caused a warmth to spread in his body. He didn't have any words. Instead, he gave her a gentle and confident smile. He would win.

With a final hug, the siblings parted ways. Reika and Moni would head to the Akagai seating while he moved towards the arena.

Taiyo squared his shoulders as he stepped onto the sparring arena. The ground underfoot was parched and uneven as the smooth, stone tiling tapped beneath his soles. His grip tightened reflexively around the hilt of his katana. He could hear the thrum of conversation among the spectators quiet down to murmurs and finally to silence. Most of them were fellow Akagai, with a few Touka and Shinkari clansmen sprinkled throughout the stands, likely Kyoma and Seniko's escorts. However, As he continued scanning, he noticed a crest that narrowed his eyes.

Miyani? So, I'm going up against the Drifting Cloud Stance. He mused with a small smile. He was drawn out of his musing as he heard the footfalls of his opponent.

Taiyo felt his breath hitch at the sight before him. Across the arena from him stood a girl of about his age, her petite frame draped in a flowy, black kimono and hakama. On her hip rested a sheathed sword with a light grey steel blade. A wandering cloud is plastered on the back of her kimono, marking her as a member of the Miyani Clan. And her eyes were as unfocused as ever, looking as if she wasn't even interested in where she was.

"Cyan?" he breathed out. The name appeared to pierce through her fog of disinterest, her eyes suddenly focusing on him. A faint flicker of recognition flashed in her eyes.

"Maroon," she murmured, her voice carrying an air of detached amusement. "Funny how we keep crossing paths. Almost like the universe wishes for us to meet over and over."

"Perhaps, though I doubt you'd believe in any sense of fate or destiny," Taiyo stated with a small smile.

"Don't know," she replied, her gaze drifting to the stands before smirking, "But I might believe in the universe's sense of humor."

"Azumi Miyani and Taiyo Akagai," announced Master Kasai, an aged Akagai samurai that proceeds over the western grounds. His voice echoed through the audience, resounding with authority. "Your evaluation will begin shortly."

-In the Stands-

Kyoma raised a brow as he watched Taiyo and Azumi speak to each other with some familiarity.

"I always thought that the Miyani heiress was kept from the public eye?" Seniko murmured.

Kyoma hummed in agreement. Seniko's statement wasn't incorrect.

"She was. Due to the fear of the Miyani's Drifting Cloud Stance going extinct, its last user was kept out of most social gatherings, which is why we've never seen her before, Seni." He elaborated.

She frowned, her amber eyes narrowing slightly.

"I never understood how it could go extinct if there were at least instructions on it. Did the Miyani never write down its forms?" She muttered.

"From what I've heard, the Drifting Cloud Stance is not something that can be simply written down and taught," Kyoma unhurriedly replied. "It's a unique technique that relies heavily on instinct and improvisation as well as a mastery over one's own speed. It's not something you can master simply by reading instructions or watching others perform it."

Seniko tilted her head, her eyes still trained on the pair in the arena. "So, it's something that needs to be inherited?"

"More like passed down from master to apprentice," Kyoma corrected with a nod. "But with the decline of the Miyani clan, there's been a lack of suitable candidates to inherit the technique. That's why keeping Azumi safe and isolated was of paramount importance."

"Yet she and Taiyo clearly know each other enough to give each other nicknames," Seniko noted with a slight frown.

Kyoma nodded,"That they do. Wait… didn't he say he got advice about being like a cloud?"

Before she could respond, Master Kasai called for attention, forcing them to put their speculations aside for now.

-Akagai seating-

Reika sat alongside her family at the upper part of the stands. Her brow furrowed as she wondered how Taiyo knew this girl. She turned to her father only to see his face pale as his mother giggled beside him.

"How on earth…?" he trailed off. His whole plan was on the basis that Azumi and Taiyo would never meet until the match. Considering they've never met beforehand, they must have met during the Miyani's one-day stay here. His head dropped as he realized how close the plan was to failing. He felt his wife patting him on the cheek, trying to console him.

"It's alright, Rin, even the best of plans can unravel," she smiled at him. There was a small rustle as someone else came into the Akagai section.

"Mora!" Moni squealed as she ran to hug her. Mora laughed as the girl ran up to the Mandate and hugged her.

"Sorry, I'm late, Moni. I had to pick up an order at a friend's shop," she smiled back. She saw Reika, and her smile withered slightly. The girl was likely still mad at her. However, while not a full opening, Reika did nod her head in acknowledgment. A smile bloomed on her face.

"Mora, you're just in time!" Ayane chimed, gesturing to the arena. "Taiyo's about to begin."

"Can Taiyo win, Mora?" Moni looked up at her, maroon eyes peering into Mora's black eyes.

"If he's smart about it, Taiyo can beat anyone, Moni."

Mora's words were backed by confidence, and her gaze was unwavering as she watched Taiyo intently. The young samurai stood tall and poised, his calmness clashing with Azumi's aloofness.

-Arena-

"Now, show respect to your opponents," Master Kasai shouted sternly. Taiyo and Azumi tilted their heads at each other before setting into their stances. Taiyo moved into the standard First Form of the Eternal Sun Stance, keeping his footwork simple but fluid and adaptable. Azumi didn't even bother getting into a stance; her arms lay limp at her sides as she just stared bemusedly at him.

"Here are the rules of engagement. Firstly, this is not a battle to the death. The aim of your match is to disarm your opponent or make them yield. One of the aims of this Evaluation is control. Both of you are wielding real katanas. A single mistake or loss of control could result in someone's death. A samurai is only justified in taking a life when they have made a conscious decision to do so, never by mistake." He left that sentence to linger as he stared at both combatants.

Neither gave away anything; Taiyo's eyes retained their calm demeanor, while Azumi's only showed a faint amount of focus. Kasai smiled inwardly.

"Secondly, once the match begins, any attempt to leave the confines of this arena will be seen as an act of surrender. Lastly, the techniques employed must be of your clan's style or esoteric arts of your own creation. The use of ninjutsu, genjutsu, or foreign taijutsu will lead to immediate disqualification!"

With the rules laid down, Master Kasai moved to the edge of the arena.

"Are the rules clear?" Master Kasai asked strongly.

"Yes," replied Taiyo, his voice echoing in the fallen silence in the arena. Azumi merely inclined her head slightly.

"All right," Master Kasai announced, his thunderous voice reverberating throughout the arena. "With the opening done, it's time to start the evaluation." He raised a hand, signaling silence in the stands. "When I lower this hand...the match begins."

The two stared at each other, maroon meeting cyan. Taiyo's keen hearing picked up the soft whisper of Azumi's blade scraping against its sheath as she swiftly drew it out, her movements barely noticeable. Her disinterested gaze didn't waver as she raised her sword in a ready stance.

Master Kasai's hand dropped.

Azumi burst into action, surprising everyone, even Taiyo.

As she suddenly appeared right before him, Taiyo swung, aiming to disrupt her first strike. Just as the blade was about to make contact, she shimmered out of existence as the katana swung past her.

Taiyo barely turned in time, his hearing picking up the echoes of her steps. He swung at her form, only for it to harmlessly pass through her again. Another small footstep made itself known behind him. He didn't bother striking, deciding to bounce away in an instant.

He landed a safe distance away, quickly regaining his stance. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched Azumi slowly walk towards him, her body swaying in a manner reminiscent of the clouds she so heavily emulated.

"She's... fast," Taiyo said to himself, his gaze honed in on Azumi, trying to pick up any clues from her movements. But it wasn't just the speed that was troubling. Something about her movements was slightly off-kilter, like she was always a half-step out of sync with the world around her.

For all his calm composure and keen senses, Taiyo was clearly having difficulty keeping up with Azumi's erratic movements.

And there's another issue… his gaze drifted to her sword.

-Miyani Seating-

Lord Miyani smirked at the Akagai's heir's troubles.

Drifting Cloud Stance, Fourth Form: Bleary Haze, he thought with pride. A technique where Azumi rapidly changes the tempo of her attacks. She might halt her attack suddenly in the middle of a swing or drift closer to her opponent, suddenly exploding in a burst of energy. These speed fluctuations are unique to the Miyani and must be taught directly. The shimmers left behind are afterimages from the sudden bursts of speed.

-Up in the stands-

"Taiyo's in trouble," Kyoma muttered, squinting at the battle. "He's struggling to track Azumi's movements."

Seniko nodded in agreement, closing her eyes for a moment. "That Drifting Cloud Stance... it makes me nauseous just looking at her movements."

"I'd imagine it's worse for Taiyo," Kyoma noted, his face turning into a frown, "Not only is he looking at her erratic movements, but he's also hearing her irregular footsteps.

-Arena-

Taiyo straightened himself, shaking his head to clear the fog in his mind, but it did not help much.

"Oh," Azumi drawled, glancing at him, "how sturdy."

Taiyo didn't respond. Instead, he drew in a breath, feeling the warmth in his muscles.

A faint smile formed on Azumi's lips as she slowly circled him, her cyan eyes flickering with a hint of curiosity. She lowered her sword, raised her free hand into the air, and quickly brought it down in a swooping motion. She dashed in, her form already in a single-handed swing.

She's committing.

His arms were already moving, raising his blade in defense.

However, the blows never connected. Instead, Azumi had halted her sword centimeters away from his block. She struck then and there with a lazy smile, but it was odd. The move was maddeningly calm and slow. Enough so that it made it awkward for Taiyo to block. Despite the slow movements, her blows would still cause significant injuries.

Her erratic movements were troublesome and very difficult to predict. Taiyo's eyes narrowed, his muscles tense with anticipation. Azumi's erratic style was throwing him off balance, her actions defying logic and expectation.

"You look confused," Azumi observed, her tone light and airy. "Don't worry, I'm confused too. Half the time, I don't know what I'm doing until I've done it."

She gave a small exhale, the sound at odds with the intensity of their duel. "Isn't that interesting?"

Her words were punctuated by another swift attack, this time a series of slow, deliberate strikes that seemed to defy the laws of momentum. Each blow, though unhurried, carried a weight that contradicted its apparent lack of speed.

Focusing on defense is not the strategy. He shifted his feet into a more narrow stance. While trying to read her movements is the long-term strategy, it won't matter if he loses in the short term. All the while, her face retained its distant expression. Taiyo forced back a swell of frustration in his throat. He didn't know why, but he wanted to force her to react and break that aloof facade. He needed to rattle her calm, to hold some kind of ground against her confounding technique.

His mind raced, flicking through his own clan's sword forms. None seemed effective against Azumi's unpredictable style. His eyes narrowed in thought, then flicked back towards Azumi with renewed determination.

Eternal Sun Stance, Third Form: Blazing Hue!

His grip tightened around the hilt of his katana, and with one swift motion, he stepped forward.

"Huh," Azumi's head tilted once more as she stared at Taiyo's new form. It didn't last long as Taiyo closed the distance, his sword mid-thrust. Azumi dashed back, allowing the blade to harmlessly pass in front of her. Taiyo didn't give her a break and kept pushing, piercing through her ghostly images with pragmatic precision. Taiyo cut through another afterimage as she danced around him, her blade swinging through the air.

Yet Taiyo was persistent, his blade flashing through the air with a bright gleam.

Clang!

Sparks flew as Azumi's eyes shimmered. Taiyo finally parried one of her strikes before delivering one of his own. She moved back with a small tilt of her head as Taiyo's blade soared past her, barely missing its mark.

"You're getting faster," she murmured as her eyes slowly began to light up. As Taiyo kept the pressure, he noticed that Azumi's body seemed to start having some vitality. Where before, her movements were lethargic and drifty, they now became more animated yet still retained their cloud-like movements. It was like watching a cloud build up before a storm, picking up energy even as it floated with seeming aimlessness.

Drifting Cloud Stance, Fifth Form: White Sea

His attacks were beginning to prove ineffective as she became far more elusive than before. Her already maddening movements became more obscure as the sounds of her motions caused his mental haze to grow. It was getting harder to focus. Taiyo let out an exhale. He'd never seen someone float like Azumi did on the battlefield. It seemed like the Third Form would fail to rise to the challenge as well.

Azumi kept shimmering from view, the afterimages left behind being continually cleaved by Taiyo with methodic precision, yet it seemed it amounted to nothing. Azumi looked not even tired at all. Instantly, she closed the distance again, her blade soaring with a surprising speed. It was fast… too fast.

His eyes widened before he leapt back a short distance, keeping his eyes focused on Azumi. His hand drifted to his shoulder, and he felt a small, wet sensation there before a stinging pain emerged. She broke through, the slow movements passing through his guard like a mist.

They weren't consistently slow, either. The slashes were always an everchanging tempo. He looked down, his gaze locked onto the thin line of red that now stained his pale orange kimono. It was a shallow wound, but it was enough to make one thing painfully clear: Azumi had drawn first blood.

Taiyo's maroon eyes met Azumi's cyan ones, where an uncharacteristic gleam of curiosity sparked. His cool facade faded, replaced by a warm smile.

Azumi tilted her head in confusion, her black tresses swaying.

"Why are you smiling? I just slashed you?"

"Because you actually look immersed in this battle."

Azumi paused, her blade still poised in mid-strike. Her eyebrows furrowed above her eyes as she studied Taiyo and his smile.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, her voice retaining its airy tone but with a note of curiosity tinged at the edges.

"Well," Taiyo murmured, "I feel like you're actually enjoying this."

She looked at Taiyo with a newfound interest, her cyan eyes sparking with something akin to amusement.

"I'm enjoying this?" she echoed his words.

Taiyo nodded, a faint smile still on his face despite the pain from his injury.

"Yes," he replied simply, "I think you are. There's a light flickering in your eyes."

Azumi chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully as she contemplated his words. A delicate hand ran through her black tresses before resting on her hip.

"Interesting... and why does that matter?" she muttered under her breath, the airiness in her voice replaced with contemplative seriousness.

"It matters because you've spent this entire day looking like you'd rather be elsewhere," Taiyo explained, his eyes softening a bit. "I was worried I wasn't good enough to force you to try in this match."

"Why do you want to make me try?"

"Well… I like seeing the spark in your eyes," Taiyo admitted. "It makes them lively and reminds them that you're not just going through the motions. It shows me that you're here, in this moment with me, not dreaming of being somewhere else. Wasn't it you who told me to live in the moment rather than to think about somewhere else?"

For the first time in her life, Azumi felt her cheeks heat up, if only for a moment. She glanced back at him, "If you're repeating my words, then have you decided to be more like a cloud, Maroon?"

Taiyo felt his smile grow ever so slightly. "I have not."

With narrowed eyes, Azumi felt the resolve in his voice. "Then what have you decided to be like?"

"The sun."

"The sun?" she murmured, taking a close look at him, her eyes roving over his form. Slowly, an amused smile tugged at her lips.

"I suppose I could see that. You are very…warm and sincere."

"Warm?" Taiyo questioned.

"Yes," she nodded, "warm."

I don't think I'm getting an elaboration, Taiyo thought to himself, amused.

"However," she spoke again, "I have wondered something about the sun, Maroon."

"And that is?" He spoke back, a brow rising in curiosity.

"Just what does the sun think of clouds? Are we a nuisance, blocking your light? Or do you appreciate the occasional shade we provide?"

Taiyo's brow furrowed, his eyes fixed on her form. However, a slight haze seemed to surround her.

Wait, haze? he wondered before realizing what was happening.

-Up in the stands-

"Elemental Focused Breathing," Seniko muttered. Kyoma nodded as he glanced down at the

sword Azumi was holding, noticing the haze coming off it and spreading across the arena.

"Yes, and she seems to be channeling it into her katana," he noted, as the haze thickened.

"Caught you off guard there, didn't I?" Azumi mused through gasps of air.

Taiyo chuckled lightly but nodded in affirmation before correcting his stance once more. "Indeed, you did."

"Good," Azumi said simply and without any trace of malice but rather something akin to admiration. "Because I wouldn't want you to get bored."

A light dusting of pink dusted Taiyo's cheeks at her statement, his gaze never leaving Azumi's. There was a newfound respect in his eyes for her - as a fellow samurai of Iron, a warrior, and perhaps even a friend.

"Trust me," he replied with a small smile. "I'm far from bored."

Azumi let out a smile before taking a deep breath and focusing the chakra into her lungs. The breath in her lungs quickly cooled before snaking out to her muscles in fluid movements.

Taiyo sheathed his blade with narrowed eyes while entering a wide stance, his grip on his katana tight.

-Akagai Seating-

"The Sixth Form?" Rin spoke with narrowed eyes. Ayane turned to her husband with a raised brow.

"Is something wrong, dear?"

"The Sixth Form: Flashing Sunrise is a… unique approach for Taiyo to take. I think that the Second Form is the better tactic."

"I disagree, Lord Akagai."

Rin turned his head to Mora, her eyes focused on the battle below.

"And why is that, Mora?"

"Well," she chuckled lightly, "So far, what we've seen from the Miyani is extreme control over speed fluctuations, am I correct?"

"Indeed," Rin acknowledged, his eyes scrutinizing the fight below. "So far, that's been her primary advantage."

"All the more reason for Taiyo to use the Flashing Sunrise," Mora argued, her black eyes sparking with excitement. "It's unpredictable, and its quick-draw counters will keep Azumi on her toes."

"It's a high-risk strategy," Rin noted, his gaze hardening. "If he mistimes his attack..."

"Yes," Mora agreed, a small grin tugging at her lips, "but I'm certain Taiyo recognizes this. We must have faith that Taiyo knows what he is doing."

-Arena

Azumi smirked before exhaling, a cloud of mist flowing from her movements. Taiyo's eyes widened as Azumi flashed in front of him, her sword poised for a strike.

He bent down and tensed before drawing his blade in a fast, wide arc. The blade made contact with Azumi before she burst into a massive cloud of haze. Taiyo bounded away, re-sheathing his katana.

Where? His eyes flicked from left to right, catching nothing but the mist.

"What's wrong?" Azumi's voice echoed from every corner of the room, filling his ears.

"Come on, Maroon, surely you can handle this?"

Taiyo gave a small smile, clutching his katana. "Fine then," he murmured, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. Her footsteps filled his ears as they echoed in the mist. The headache from before returned with an angry vigor; it felt like his head was going to split in two.

Don't focus on her footsteps, he thought, mind racing rapidly; focus on everything else, the rustling of her clothes, the sound of her breaths, everything else.

Seniko stared into the mist, unable to see inside.

"Kyoma, this level of Elemental Focused Breathing…"

"Yes," he nodded, his eyes focusing intently on the battle he couldn't see, "Azumi really is a prodigy."

"But Taiyo can win, right?"

"Of course, he can!" Kyoma yelled, scaring the nearby spectators while his own clan members sighed, "Anyone can win anything; it's all a matter of using every tool at your disposal."

"I wish we could cheer for him," she muttered.

Kyoma nodded. The Twelve Clans were united under the Shogun, but that didn't mean they were fully unified. Some clans despise one another, and publicly showing favoritism in front of clan heads, even among clan heirs, was considered bad etiquette.

"He knows," Kyoma asserted firmly, his hands clutching the railing in front of him, "even if we can't say it, he knows."

Seniko nodded, her eyes quickly locking back onto the battlefield. Sparks flew among the heavy mist as Taiyo and Azumi kept exchanging blows.

Azumi's blade bit into Taiyo's katana, the sound echoing across the arena. Azumi flew back, her smile having simmered down from before, but it was still there, with small tugs at the edge of her lips.

As she shuffled in her mist, Taiyo drew in another breath and exhaled, small, red wisps of heat erupting from the corners of his mouth. Taiyo felt the rush of a sizzling yet calming heat funneling into his lungs. As Azumi closed in, Taiyo drew his blade in another arc, burgundy red flames coating his sword.

"Sixth Form, Esoteric Art: Brilliant Sunrise!"

Azumi's eyes widened, the red flames reflecting in her cyan eyes. She bounded back, escaping the blistering heat from his slash.

"Too slow, Maroon," she teased calmly, her voice still echoing, "but you missed."

"Not necessarily," Taiyo remarked, "I hit my target all the same."

She blinked in surprise, her eyes flickering from left and right but still spotting nothing.

"What—" She jumped away the instant she felt a lick of heat near her. Taiyo's blade only barely missed, severing a few strands of her hair.

"How did…?" she murmured to herself. How did he see her? The mist should've… her eyes widened. The mist had been thinned, but how? She drew in a breath, but Taiyo dashed in.

"Absolutely not," he declared, slashing at her with surprising energy.

This was the sight that treated the audience once the mist was thinned out enough.

Seniko's amber eyes glimmered with joy, "Is that…"

"Elemental Focused Breathing," Kyoma cackled.

"It… different from your fire, Kyo," she noted.

He grinned a toothy smile, "Of course! The Touka clan's flames are from our passion! The Akagai Clan's flames are from their hearts!"

Reika's eyes widened, fixated on her brother's katana.

"Wow," she breathed out, mesmerized by the flames.

"Uh-huh," Moni murmured, just as captivated.

Rin gave a small smile, his shoulders squaring in pride as Ayane's smile widened, carrying a sense of melancholy. Her little Rising Sun was already so advanced.

Mora, however, had a wide, flamboyant grin on her face. This was it, the culmination of all she had taught him!

"Now win it, Tai," she murmured quietly.

A harsh clang filled the arena, drawing everyone's attention back to his flame-coated blade steaming against her mist-emitting katana.

"You," she breathed out, admiration tinging her voice, "You used the heat from your sun chakra nature to evaporate my mist!"

It was the only possible solution. No fire nature below A-Rank Jutsu could evaporate her mist so quickly."

Taiyo gave a small grin, "Yes, I did. No more hiding!"

She bounced back, her eyes narrowed with a hint of excitement. But Taiyo proved faster, already in front of her in an instant. Another vibrant clang rattled the arena. Azumi let out a breath; she had barely raised her sword to block it in time. Her eyes caught sight of her trembling hands. She was out of time; her stamina was already running low.

She leaned down, her left leg dragging all the way back, "Fifth Form, Esoteric Art: Multi-Layered Mist!"

She appeared behind Taiyo in a flash, her sword poised for a strike. Taiyo's eyes snapped up, his body already twisting, his stance shifting to the Third Form.

The arena was filled with the sounds of multiple clangs and ripping clothes. Taiyo dashed in, uncaring of the injuries he received. Flinching back in surprise, Azumi's eyes focused on his body, layered with cuts. He thrust his blade forward, meeting Azumi head-on. The arena fell silent as the two young samurai stood frozen, their blades locked together. Taiyo's maroon eyes stared intently into Azumi's cyan ones, both sets wide with a mix of surprise and exhilaration. Taiyo's blade twisted with a flick of his wrist, intent on disarming Azumi.

In a moment of quick instinct, Azumi twisted her katana just enough to send both swords flying. Her eyes clenched as she felt pressure on her arm and sudden weightlessness overcome her. She found her face planted into the ground, Taiyo above her, her arm in a painful lock.

The arena fell silent as the dust settled, revealing Taiyo pinning Azumi to the ground in an arm lock. Both combatants were breathing heavily, their clothes torn and singed in places. Azumi's face pressed against the ground, her free hand twitching slightly as if debating whether to tap out.

"Yield," he breathed softly.

Azumi bit her lip. For once, she didn't want a fighting session to end. Master Kasai watched closely, ready to end the match as soon as someone gave in.

Azumi wriggled underneath him, trying to break his bind, but to no avail. Taiyo felt his vision blurring. The cuts across his body stung, and he could feel warm blood seeping through his torn kimono. As he tried to maintain his hold on Azumi, his muscles screamed in protest. He felt his grip loosen while the world slipped from underneath him. His body thudded against the floor.

Azumi stared at his body in shock. Were his injuries…?

"The match has ended! Azumi Miyani is declared the victor!"

Silence filled the arena as Azumi kept staring at Taiyo's body. She couldn't help but feel a pit of disappointment. The first fight she's ever remembered enjoying, and it ended in such an inglorious manner? She couldn't keep the frown from tugging at her lips.

"Taiyo!" Two figures raced past her. She didn't care; she kept staring, even as Taiyo was lifted to the infirmary. A few more beats passed before Azumi stood on shaky legs, and her expression fell back to her natural detached appearance.

"How bland," she murmured, walking to her father.

-Infirmary-

Taiyo's eyes fluttered open, greeted by the worried face of his cousin and mentor hovering over him. He tried to sit up but winced as pain shot through his body.

"Easy there, little cousin," Mora said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You took quite a beating out there."

Taiyo blinked, his mind still fuzzy. "How long?"

"Three days."

His eyes widened, "What...happened?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

"You passed out," Mora explained, her usual playful demeanor replaced with concern. "It looks like your sensitive hearing ended up working against you."

Taiyo's brow scrunched. Worked against him? "What do you mean?"

"It looks like the disorientating effects from the Drifting Cloud Stance were amplified," she explained, "the violent tempo changes, her afterimages, and her footsteps all built up inside you until you collapsed from nauseousness and a lack of equilibrium."

Taiyo gave a soft groan, feeling embarrassment rush through him, "So…I lost then?"

"You did," Rin agreed, entering the room with Ayane, his tone gentle but firm. "But losing a battle does not mean you've failed the evaluation."

Taiyo perked up. He'd thought as much, but the loss still burned in him. He wasn't really competitive, but he still had a samurai's martial honor embedded in him since he was a child.

Ayane chimed in, moving to sit on the edge of Taiyo's bed, "The Evaluation was about more than just winning or losing. It was about how you handled yourself under pressure, how you adapted to unforeseen circumstances, and how you represented our clan."

"And you exceed in all of them," Rin affirmed. "You've proved your adaptability and skill and represented our skill perfectly. It was just unfortunate that your hearing acted as a liability rather than an asset."

"Then what's the verdict, father?"

Rin kneeled in front of Taiyo's bed, "You have passed the evaluation."

Taiyo's eyes widened, but before he could open his mouth, Rin held up his hand.

"The Shogun will be coming in five days, and you are to swear fealty to him, just as all other samurai in the Land of Iron had."

Taiyo felt a mixture of relief and nervous anticipation wash over him at his father's words. He had passed the Evaluation, but now an even greater challenge lay ahead - swearing fealty to the Shogun himself.

"Five days..." Taiyo murmured, his mind already racing with preparations he would need to make.

"Don't worry yourself too much," Mora chimed in, a hint of her usual playfulness returning.

"You've already done the hard part. The oath is just a formality."

Taiyo nodded before a thought struck him, "And the Miyani?"

Rin's lips set in a line, "Azumi passed as well, though she refused her victory."

"Refused?"

Rin nodded, "She said she considers the victory incomplete, as she was on the threshold of defeat."

Taiyo leaned back into his bed before letting out a soft chuckle. Yes, that seemed like Azumi. His eyes flickered back down to his father, "Kyoma and Seniko?"

"They said they were staying to see you off, Taiyo."

A small smile tugged at his lips. Knowing Seniko and Kyoma would be there did cause his cheeks and heart to warm slightly.

"Rest Taiyo. In five days, you will become a fully fledged samurai. One day after that, you and Mora will depart for Konoha."

Taiyo nodded solemnly, taking in his father's words. Right, he was ready. He had passed his Evaluation, and he was about to swear fealty to the Shogun and become a Samurai of Iron. He was going to Konoha to become a genin shinobi and be placed on genin teams. His lips tugged down at that thought. It was… a little uncomfortable, but that was par for the course.

He felt a soft pair of lips press against his forehead, "Don't think about it now," his mother murmured, "What you need to do right now is rest, understand?"

Taiyo smiled softly, already feeling his eyelids turn heavy, "Yes, mother."

"Good boy," she nodded approvingly, walking out the door with Rin. Mora followed closely, giving Taiyo one last wink. It was the last thing Taiyo saw before he fell to his own fatigue.

The sun had barely begun to peek over the horizon when Taiyo awoke. His eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the shoji screens. Even when spent, his body still forced him awake at dawn.

"Can't fall back asleep, huh?"

He jolted up as a harsh headache pulsed. His eyes glanced over to the speaker. His shoulders sagged as he sighed; it was Mora.

"What is it with people ambushing me in bed?"

A light laughter hit his ears, "Oh, I think you'll be excited at what I have to offer."

Taiyo raised his eyes to meet hers, "And that would be?"

She grinned, "I'm taking you to Mt. Hiso."

His eyes widened with shock and excitement, "Am I…"

She nodded, "Yep! Now that you're a samurai, you're going to commission your own katana, made of sunlit steel."

His eyes lit up with a rare display of youthful enthusiasm, distinct from his usual composure.

Mora nodded, her grin widening at her cousin's reaction. "That's right, little cousin. It's time for you to forge your own blade, one that will be uniquely yours."

Before Taiyo could question further, Mora tossed him a bundle of clothes. "Get dressed. We leave in ten minutes."

As Mora left the room to give him privacy, he began to change, wincing slightly as his injuries protested the movement.

Ten minutes later, Taiyo emerged from his room, dressed in a simple, yellow traveling kimono. When he found himself outside, he saw Mora standing by with two horses, her ever-present smirk plastered on her face.

Taiyo approached the horses, his excitement barely contained despite his usual composure. Mora was already mounted on her steed, a magnificent chestnut mare. She gestured to the other horse, a dapple gray gelding with a calm demeanor.

"This one's yours for the journey," Mora said with a smile. "His name is Hyosha."

Taiyo nodded, gently patting Hyosha's neck before mounting. The horse shifted slightly, adjusting to his new rider, but remained steady. As they set off, the cool morning air nipped at Taiyo's face, invigorating him despite his lingering fatigue.

"How long will the journey take?" Taiyo asked, his voice carrying over the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats.

Mora glanced back at him, her crimson hair dancing in the wind. "About a six-hour ride. We should reach Mt. Hiso by nightfall if we maintain a good pace."

Taiyo nodded as he urged Hyosha forward. Slowly, they worked their horses up to a walk, then a trot, and then a canter before galloping at full speed. The world soon blurred as the horses reached their top speed, the ground racing below them.

Hyosha barely seemed to strain, his breathing steady even as they pushed harder. Taiyo glanced down at the powerful muscles working beneath the pale coat.

Bred for this… Taiyo mused. Generations of careful breeding and chakra conditioning flowed through Hyosha's veins, strengthening his body and sharpening his senses. Stamina, resilience, and even speed are all enhanced by chakra.

No finer horse breeders or horsemen exist in the Elemental Nations, and no finer horses exist outside the Land of Iron. Samurai mounts were more than just beasts of burden; they were partners.

He could feel it faintly now, a steady hum where his hands rested on the reins—a quiet, living current.

True to her word, they made it to Mt. Hiso within the day, hitching their horses at the nearest station. Mt. Hiso loomed before them, its snow-capped peak piercing the clouds above. At its base lay a bustling village, the air filled with the rhythmic clanging of hammers on anvils and the hiss of hot metal meeting water. Smoke rose from numerous chimneys, carrying with it the scent of molten steel and burning coal.

"Come along now, Tai! Musashi is waiting for you!"

Taiyo raised a brow, "Musashi? I don't recall the name."

She gave a grin as she entered the village grounds, "This is where the finest blades in the Elemental Nations are forged."

He walked beside her as his eyes flickered between the many, many workshops, blacksmiths, and shops. Soon, they reached the entrance to a smith's shop. Taiyo looked around. It was no different than the rest.

He flinched as Mora rapped her fist firmly against the door and yelled out, "Master Musashi! I have a client here for you!"

The only sign of life in the shop was a clattering and clanging of metallic objects, followed by a loud curse. The door swung open, and an old man with white streaks in his otherwise brown hair appeared before them.

"Ah, Lady Mandate!" He bowed his head in respect, before his eyes flicked over to Taiyo and his jaw slackened. "And young lord Akagai! It's a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Taiyo nodded back, a pleasant smile on his lips.

Musashi quickly ushered them in.

The interior of Musashi's workshop was a stark contrast to its unassuming exterior. The walls were lined with an array of finely crafted weapons, each gleaming in the warm light of the forge. At the center stood an imposing anvil, scarred by countless hammer blows yet still resolute.

Musashi led them deeper into the workshop, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "So, young lord, you're here for your first true blade, yes?"

Taiyo nodded with restrained eagerness, "Yes, Master Musashi."

The man grinned, "Good, good! Now, what do you know about Elemental Steel?"

Taiyo blinked, the question catching him off guard. "Only the basics... that every clan uses it to forge their personal blades, and why the Land of Iron is called the Land of Iron. Metals without equal and metalworking without equal. But... I've never really understood how it works."

Musashi let out a deep chuckle. "Most don't, lad. But you should if you're going to wield one." He gestured toward a sword resting on a rack nearby, its blade shimmering faintly in the forge light. "See that? Looks ordinary, eh? That's Blank Steel! Steel in its purest, unaligned form. Useless on its own, but ready... waiting."

Taiyo's eyes narrowed, drawn to the subtle gleam of the metal.

"You see, Blank Steel is naturally exposed to the elements," Musashi continued, "burned in fire, drowned in water, shrouded in mist... The steel absorbs the element and takes on its nature. That's how we make Elemental Steel—every clan has their own."

He turned, pointing to another blade hanging above the forge. "The Touka forge Seared Steel, blades that burn as they cut. The Shinkari have their Zealous Steel, which is light as air but sharp as a razor with a numbing factor. Your clan..." Musashi grinned, his eyes glinting, "the Akagai... you use Sunlit Steel, don't you?"

Taiyo nodded as Musashi moved from behind the counter, put on gloves, and brought out a massive ore and placed it on the counter.

Taiyo's eyes caught the glint of crimson metal threading through the ore. Its rich, molten red color resembled captured sunlight solidified inside stone. The metal shimmered faintly, and heat radiate from it even untouched, as if the sun itself had left its mark.

Taiyo hesitantly reached out to it, but Musashi urged his hand away. "Not yet, young lord. First, I must ask you to choose between the three ores!"

"Three?" Taiyo inquired as the man grunted, bringing out two more ores. They seemed similar to the original, at least visually.

"Come along now, young lord. Once you choose the ore, I will forge it into a masterpiece!"

Taiyo's eyes widened slightly as he looked at the three seemingly identical ores before him. Each one gleamed with the same deep crimson hue, threads of molten red running through the stone like veins of fire. He glanced up at Musashi, uncertainty flickering in his maroon eyes, but the man just nodded at him.

He closed his eyes and let his instinct take over. He reached out and felt the rough stone and metal underneath his hand. When he opened his eyes, he saw that he had chosen the third ore.

The man grinned eagerly, placing the third ore on a table behind him.

"I shall have this finished by the time the Shogun appears at Sorashima, young lord!"

Taiyo's eyes widened in surprise. "That soon? But Master Musashi, forging a blade of this caliber must take weeks if not months."

"For most smiths, yes," the old man chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "For the Land of Iron? Child's play."

He leaned in, lowering his voice with a grin. "For me? Four days, young lord."

Mora placed a hand on Taiyo's shoulder, smiling at his bewildered expression. "Master Musashi is renowned for his speed as well as his skill. If he says it will be ready, it will be."

Taiyo nodded, still somewhat stunned. "Thank you, Master Musashi. I look forward to seeing the finished blade."

As Taiyo and Mora rode back to the capital, Taiyo felt a buzz of excitement. He breathed in and out. Everything was changing so quickly. He gripped the reins, grounding himself. Four more days, then he'd leave.

The days passed faster than Taiyo expected. He rested in bed and spoke with Kyoma, Seniko, and his younger siblings all the while. However, before long, the Shogun's banners darkened the horizon.

The day had finally arrived. The Shogun's procession approached Sorashima, banners fluttering in the wind as they marched down the main road. Taiyo stood at attention alongside the other clan members, his heart racing despite his outwardly calm demeanor.

He could feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders. This was it - the moment he would officially become a samurai of the Land of Iron. The thundering of hooves grew louder as the Shogun's personal guard came into view. Each warrior showcased the pinnacle of samurai skill and discipline. And at their center rode the Shogun himself, his presence commanding even from a distance.

As the procession came to a halt, silence fell over the gathered Akagai clansmen. The Shogun dismounted. His movements were fluid and graceful despite his heavy ceremonial armor. His eyes swept over the assembled samurai before landing on Taiyo.

"Taiyo Akagai. Step forward," Shogun Yamada's voice rang out, clear and authoritative.

Taiyo stepped forward, his heart pounding but his face a mask of calm composure. He knelt before the Shogun, head bowed in respect.

"Taiyo Akagai," the Shogun's voice carried across the silent courtyard, "You stand here today to swear fealty to the Land of Iron and to me as its Shogun. Are you prepared to take this oath?"

"I am, Lord Shogun," Taiyo replied, his voice steady despite the nervous energy coursing through him.

The Shogun nodded, his stern gaze softening slightly. "Then speak the words, young Akagai."

Taiyo took a deep breath, centering himself before reciting the ancient oath:

"I, Taiyo Akagai, do solemnly swear my loyalty to the Land of Iron and to you, Shogun Yamada. I vow to uphold the honor of the samurai, to protect our lands and people, and to serve with unwavering dedication. My blade is yours to command, and my life is yours to spend in service to our nation. My loyalty is bound by Iron and Sun, this I swear, by my honor and my clan's name."

As the final words left his lips, Taiyo felt a weight settle on his shoulders - the weight of responsibility that came with his new status.

The Shogun's voice rang out once more: "Rise, Taiyo Akagai."

Taiyo rose to his feet, meeting the Shogun's gaze directly for the first time. The older man's eyes were sharp and penetrating, seeming to look straight through Taiyo.

"Taiyo Akagai, you have proven yourself worthy of the title of samurai. Your journey, however, is far from over. You will depart for Konohagakure tomorrow to begin your training as shinobi."

His eyes softened, and the Shogun's hand clasped Taiyo's shoulder, "You may soon wear the Leaf's insignia, but never forget that your soul is bound by Iron, young Akagai."

Taiyo nodded solemnly, "I understand, Lord Shogun. I will never forget my roots or my duty to the Land of Iron."

The Shogun gave a slight nod of approval before turning to address the gathered crowd. As he did, Taiyo felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Mora standing beside him, a proud smile on her face.

"Well done, little cousin," she whispered. "Now, I believe there's one last thing we need to do before we leave tomorrow."

Taiyo's eyes widened in realization. "My sword..."

Mora's grin widened as she nodded towards the edge of the courtyard. Standing quietly with a long, cloth-wrapped bundle in his hands, there was Master Musashi.

As the crowd began to disperse, Taiyo and Mora made their way over to the master swordsmith. Musashi's eyes twinkled with excitement as they approached.

"Ah, young lord Akagai," he greeted warmly. "I believe I have something for you."

With reverent care, Musashi unwrapped the bundle, revealing a sheathed katana. The scabbard was a deep black, adorned with a simple golden pattern that seemed to shimmer in the light.

"Go on," Musashi encouraged, holding the sword out to Taiyo. "Draw it."

Taiyo looked at him for a moment before nodding. He grasped the handle before feeling a rush of warmth fill his body. He felt re-energized and drew it. A brilliant, rich red blade flared out.

Taiyo inhaled, feeling it pulse in his hands.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Musashi said with pride, his eyes gleaming as he watched Taiyo examine the blade.

Taiyo nodded, mesmerized by the katana in his hands. The blade shimmered with an inner light, its deep crimson hue reminiscent of the setting sun. As he moved it, he could feel a subtle warmth emanating from the steel.

Taiyo gave the sword a few experimental swings, marveling at how it felt like an extension of his arm. The balance was perfect, and the weight was distributed just right. He could feel the blade responding to his movements, almost as if it were alive.

"Master Musashi," Taiyo breathed, his eyes wide with awe, "this is... incredible. I've never felt anything like it."

"Put it back in its scabbard, young lord."

Taiyo gave a small look but acquiesced. The moment his hand left the grip, the rush of energy left him entirely.

"What…?" Taiyo croaked out.

"A unique property, young lord," Musashi acknowledged, helping Taiyo to steady himself, "The Sunlit Steel has an attribute where it lends its strength to you when you use it, but depending on your own stamina and chakra reserves, it will burn you out instead. Only a master of the Eternal Sun Stance is able to handle such a blade with ease, which is why," Musashi pointed at Taiyo's other sword, the one Mora gave him, "I would recommend using that one in battle and practicing with this one," he gestured at the crimson sword, "in a training grounds. Practice until you feel you have a strong handle on it."

Musashi handed Taiyo his sword, gently placing it in Taiyo's hands. "Until then, I would recommend wearing both, but using the regular katana as your primary. However, in the case of emergencies, you will always have your true blade to fall back on."

Silence reigned as Taiyo soaked in the knowledge. Tightening his grip on the blood-red katana, he nodded, securing it just above his other katana on his left side.

With both swords now at his side, Taiyo felt a new sense of purpose and responsibility settle over him. He bowed deeply to Master Musashi.

"Thank you, Master. I will heed your words and train diligently with this blade."

Musashi nodded approvingly. "See that you do, young lord. That sword is an extension of yourself now. Treat it well, and it will serve you faithfully."

Just as he was about to leave, he stopped, "Oh, how could I forget. The names."

Taiyo blinked, "Names?"

"Yes, yes," Musashi nodded, "Every good sword must have a name!"

Taiyo bit his lip as he looked down at his waist.

A name, huh…

Two names struck him like a thunderbolt, a small smile erupting from his lips.

He brought out his regular chakra steel sword, "This is Dance. " He then pulled out his Elemental Steel katana, "And this is Waltz."

Musashi grinned, "Very good names, very good names indeed, young lord!"

As they said their goodbyes to the master swordsmith, Mora placed a hand on Taiyo's shoulder. "Come on, Tai. I have to bring you over to your sisters; I have a surprise for you three."

Taiyo nodded to Mora, and they made their way across the courtyard to where Reika and Moni were waiting. The two girls looked excited, bouncing on their toes as Taiyo and Mora approached.

"Big brother!" Moni called out, waving enthusiastically. "Mora says she has a surprise for us!"

Taiyo smiled warmly at his sisters. "So I've heard. What do you think it could be?"

Reika shrugged, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance despite the curiosity shining in her eyes. "Who knows with Mora? It could be anything."

Mora grinned mischievously as she reached into her kimono and pulled out three small, intricately carved wooden boxes. "Now, now, don't get too excited. It's just a little something to remember each other by."

She gave Reika a small grin and pointed at the earrings, "Though it seems someone beat me to the punch."

She opened one of the boxes and brought out a flower. The three siblings leaned in. The flower had white and gold petals gleaming in the sunlight. Taiyo's eyes widened. "A Luminary Lotus?"

"Indeed," Mora nodded, her eyes twinkling with pride. "Three Luminary Lotuses, one for each of you."

"The Luminary Lotus," Mora explained, her voice taking on a storyteller's cadence, "only blooms on the summer solstice. It also needs high maintenance, as it needs 12 hours of sunlight, or it will start to wilt. It's only found in a few places, and the Land of Iron is not one of them. Each of you will have to take care of your own flowers, and when you finally meet again in five years, you will have not just your earrings but your flowers to tie your bond again."

Each of the siblings grabbed their lotus with extreme care as if the slightest touch would cause it to die.

"It's pretty," Moni murmured, her eyes filled with joy and longing.

Reika hummed in agreement, her eyes filling slowly with tears at the implication. She had accepted that Taiyo would leave, but that didn't stop her emotions from existing.

Taiyo himself felt a pang in his heart, both one of affection and pain.

As Taiyo gently cradled the delicate Luminary Lotus in his hands, a mixture of emotions washed over him. The flower was brilliantly beautiful, its white and gold petals shimmering in the sunlight. But more than that, it represented a living link between him and his sisters that would endure even as the vast distance separated them.

"Thank you, Mora," Taiyo said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "This means more than you know."

Mora's usual mischievous grin softened into a gentle smile. "I know, little cousin. That's why I chose it."

Reika was the first to move, carefully placing her lotus back in its box before throwing her arms around Taiyo in a tight hug. "You better take good care of that flower, big brother," she mumbled into his chest.

"I will, so you better take care of yours as well, Rei." He wrapped his own arms around her, tightening the hug on his end. Moni barreled into them, wrapping her own small arms around them.

As Taiyo embraced his sisters, he felt a bittersweet ache in his chest. Tomorrow, he would be leaving for Konoha and embarking on a new chapter in his life. But in this moment, surrounded by the warmth of his family, he allowed himself to simply be present.

"I'm going to miss you both so much," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Reika sniffled against his chest. "We'll miss you too, big brother. But we'll be okay. We have our lotuses and our earrings to remind us of each other."

Moni nodded vigorously. "And we'll write to you all the time! You have to tell us everything about Konoha and your new ninja friends!"

Taiyo chuckled softly. "Of course. I'll write as often as I can."

Mora had left a while ago, giving the siblings their moment. It wasn't until dark that the siblings were separated, and even then, Reika and Moni insisted they sleep alongside their brother. No one really had the heart to deny them that.

The morning of Taiyo's departure arrived with a bittersweet atmosphere. The Akagai compound was abuzz with activity as final preparations were made. Taiyo stood in his room, dressed in his traveling clothes - a simple pale orange kimono with the Akagai crest emblazoned on the back, paired with dark hakama. Dance and Waltz were secured firmly on his waist, both on the left side.

A knock on the door pulled Taiyo from his thoughts. "Come in," he called out.

The door slid open to reveal Kyoma and Seniko, both looking somber despite their attempts at cheerful smiles.

"Hey, Tai," Kyoma said, his usual boisterous tone subdued. "We wanted to see you off."

Seniko nodded, her amber eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "The Land of Iron will miss you."

Taiyo felt a lump form in his throat. He had known this moment was coming, but facing it now made his heartache. "I'll miss you both," he said softly. "Thank you for being here."

Kyoma stepped forward, clasping Taiyo's shoulder firmly. "You better write to us, you hear? And don't let those Konoha ninjas show you up. Show them what a samurai can do."

Taiyo chuckled softly. "I'll do my best."

Seniko moved closer, hesitating for a moment before wrapping Taiyo in a tight hug. "Be safe," she whispered. "And remember, no matter how far apart we are, you'll always have friends here."

Taiyo returned the embrace, feeling the warmth of their friendship envelop him. As they pulled apart, he noticed Seniko discreetly wiping at her eyes.

"I should go," Taiyo said reluctantly. "Mora will be waiting."

His friends nodded, understanding in their eyes. Together, they walked out to the courtyard where Taiyo's family and Mora were waiting.

Ayane walked up to Taiyo, embracing him, her arms wrapped tightly around him as if trying to memorize the feeling of holding her son. "My little Rising Sun," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. You've grown so much, and yet it feels like just yesterday you were taking your first steps."

Taiyo returned the embrace, burying his face in his mother's shoulder for a moment. "I'll make you proud, Mother," he promised softly.

Ayane gave him a gentle smile before handing him a folded red cloth. Taiyo unfolded it, and his breath hitched. It was a red haori with the Akagai clan crest on the back and the Land of Iron's sigil sewn into the shoulders. The rich red fabric seemed to glow in the morning light, a vibrant reminder of his heritage and the home he was leaving behind.

"Mother, this is..." he trailed off, overcome with emotion.

Ayane smiled softly, her eyes glistening. "Something to keep you warm and to remind you of where you come from. No matter how far you go or how much you progress, you are always an Akagai."

Taiyo felt his lip tremble before his mother brought him into another embrace. Ayane pulled back slightly, cupping Taiyo's face in her hands. No words were spoken, but a conversation between mother and son flashed by.

Taiyo nodded, unable to speak past the lump in his throat. He turned to his father next, who stood tall and dignified as always but with a softness in his eyes that was rarely seen.

Rin placed a hand on Taiyo's shoulder, his grip firm but gentle. "Taiyo," he began, his voice steady despite the emotion Taiyo could see in his eyes. "You carry with you not just the hopes of our clan but a piece of all of us. Remember your training, trust your abilities, and never forget who you are."

"I won't, father," Taiyo replied, his voice filled with determination.

Rin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I know you won't. Now go, show the world what the samurai are capable of."

Taiyo turned to his sisters last. Reika and Moni stood side by side, both trying to put on brave faces despite their quivering lips.

Moni broke first, rushing forward to throw her arms around Taiyo's waist. "I don't want you to go, big brother," she sniffled into his kimono.

Taiyo knelt down, wrapping his arms around both his sisters. "I know, Moni. I don't want to leave you either. But remember, we have our lotuses and our earrings. We'll always be connected, no matter how far apart we are."

Reika nodded, her arms tightening around Taiyo. "You better not forget about us," she mumbled.

"Never," Taiyo promised fervently. "You two are part of me. Distance can't change that."

As Taiyo finally pulled away from his sisters, he saw Mora standing by the gate, a gentle smile on her face. It was time.

With a deep breath, Taiyo squared his shoulders and walked towards Mora. He paused at the gate, turning back for one last look at his family and friends. They stood together, a tableau of love and support that Taiyo etched into his memory.

"Ready, little cousin?" Mora asked softly. Taiyo nodded solemnly before shaking his head and looking forward with a calm determination.

"Let's go," he said calmly. Mora gave a small grin and nodded. The two began their month-long trek to Konoha, deep inside the Land of Fire.

-Hokage Tower, Konoha, Land of Fire-

The Third Hokage looked at the stack of papers in front of him. He gave a weary sigh, tired. He rubbed his temples, the headache had already set in hours ago. The missives on his desk were a constant reminder of the mounting diplomatic pressure, of alliances to be formed or discarded, of clan disputes and intrigues. Every decision weighed heavily on him. He looked down at the next sheet, his eyes lit up. Perhaps the only thing that could really brighten his mood right now.

A missive from the Shogun of the Land of Iron. He calmly tore the envelope open, but inside, he was delighted. He had come to enjoy the correspondence he had with the old samurai. They seemed to be of similar souls.

As expected, the letter informed him of Taiyo Akagai's near departure from the Land of Iron. He felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Relations with the Land of Iron had always been tentative, filled with intrigue and underlying tensions. But this...this could reshape the entire landscape of their relationship.

The Hokage carefully folded the parchment back and placed it on his desk, crossing his hands over it. His gaze fell into the distance, lost in thought. He had heard the Shogun praising the young boy's potential. A skilled samurai whose strength would no doubt bring the Land of Iron and Konoha together if trained well and guided rightly.

But this also meant an additional responsibility for him as a leader to preserve and protect not just the village but also its diplomatic ties with other nations.

His gaze returned to the parchment as he contemplated how he should prepare for Taiyo's arrival. A part of him felt bad for the boy. Taken away from home so early and suddenly. He gave a wistful sigh as he pondered. Officially, Taiyo would be considered a member of the shinobi within his village, but he knew he had to make sure that Taiyo felt at home in Konoha, making him feel like part of them. That included selecting a welcoming team.

Based on the skill set he was told by Shogun Yamada, he had already chosen the best team for him. Of course, this meant reshuffling some genin to make room. He had hoped that their jonin sensei would be willing to overlook this, but…

A violent knock sounded on his office door, and without looking up, he said, "Enter."

The door opened as a woman walked in, her red eyes glimmering with annoyance.

Folding his hands over his desk, he met her angry stare with a calm gaze. "How may I help you, Kurenai."

"May I ask why you're relocating Kiba to Team 6?" she simmered, her voice sharp and her eyes narrowed. "He's a valuable asset, and he works perfectly with the rest of the team's dynamic. That's why I had requested the members of Team 8 personally."

Team 8 was supposed to be a tracking team. With the combined use of the Hyuuga's byakugan, the Inuzuka's enhanced sense of smell, and the Aburame's parasitic insects, they would've made an unmatched team of trackers. But now that idea was in tatters. She had recently received her team placements. Considering she had personally handpicked the members, imagine her surprise when she found the name Akagai replacing Inuzuka.

The Third Hokage let out a weary sigh, his wrinkled hands clasped tightly on the desk. He met Kurenai's fiery gaze with calm understanding.

"I apologize for the sudden change, Kurenai. I understand your frustration," he began, his voice gentle yet firm. "However, the arrival of Taiyo Akagai presents a unique opportunity for our village. His skills and background require careful consideration in team placement."

Kurenai's brow furrowed deeper. "But sir, breaking up a carefully balanced tracking team-"

The Hokage held up a hand, silencing her protest. "Taiyo possesses exceptional hearing abilities that may prove just as valuable for tracking missions. More importantly, his presence on your team could foster stronger ties between Konoha and the Land of Iron."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This is about more than just team dynamics, Kurenai. It's about the future of our village and our alliances."

Kurenai's shoulders slumped slightly, the fire in her eyes dimming. She understood the importance of diplomacy, but it didn't make the situation any less frustrating.

"I see, Lord Hokage," she said, her voice tight. "But how am I supposed to integrate a samurai into a shinobi team? Their fighting styles are completely different."

"Samurai are, primarily, frontline fighters," The Hokage gestured, "Due to your team's new composition, Team 8 is no longer a tracking team, it is a forced reconnaissance team."

Kurenai's eyes widened slightly at the Hokage's words. A Forced Reconnaissance team? That was a significant shift from her original plan. She took a deep breath, trying to process this new information.

"I understand the strategic value, Lord Hokage," she said, her voice calmer but still tinged with concern. "But I'm worried about the team's cohesion. Hinata is still struggling with her confidence, and Shino... well, he's not the most sociable. How will they adapt to a samurai in their midst?"

The Third Hokage nodded, acknowledging her concerns. He reached for his pipe, lighting it with practiced ease. The sweet scent of tobacco filled the air as he took a thoughtful puff.

"That, Kurenai, is precisely why I've chosen you to lead this team," he said, a hint of a smile on his weathered face. "Your skills in genjutsu and your ability to nurture your students make you the ideal sensei for this unique group. Taiyo may be a samurai, but he's also a 13-year-old boy far from home. He'll need guidance, just like Hinata and Shino."

Kurenai's expression softened slightly. She couldn't deny the challenge intrigued her despite her initial resistance.

"And what of Taiyo's training?" she asked. "I'm not familiar with samurai techniques."

"Fortunately, The Sun Mandate of the Land of Iron has sent us a dossier about his skills, preferences, and overall combat capability. Go ahead, take a look."

Kurenai stepped forward, accepting the dossier from the Hokage's outstretched hand. She flipped it open, her eyes scanning the pages with growing interest. The details of Taiyo's training and abilities were impressive, to say the least.

"Focused Breathing technique, enhanced hearing, proficiency in kenjutsu..." she murmured, her brow furrowing in concentration. "And these forms of the Eternal Sun Stance... they're quite versatile."

The Hokage nodded, taking another puff from his pipe. "Indeed. In addition, I am curious to see how the martial ability of a samurai complements the Gentle Fist of the Hyuga. Both Hinata and Taiyo are both frontliners, essentially."

Kurenai nodded slowly, her mind already working through potential training scenarios. "I see the potential, Lord Hokage. But integrating these techniques with our shinobi style will be... challenging."

The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That's precisely why this team composition is so intriguing, Kurenai. The blend of samurai and shinobi techniques could lead to innovative strategies. Think of it as an opportunity to expand our village's capabilities."

Kurenai's red eyes flickered with a newfound interest. She had to admit, the prospect was becoming more appealing by the minute. "And Taiyo's personality? How will he fit with the others?"

The Hokage smiled, reaching for another document on his desk. "According to the Shogun's reports, Taiyo is described as calm, reserved, and diplomatic. He's known to be gentle with allies and eager to prove his worth. I believe he'll work well with Hinata and Shino. In fact, he may be able to help Hinata with her confidence issues."

Kurenai nodded thoughtfully, her initial anger fading as she considered the possibilities. "I see. A calm presence might indeed be beneficial for Hinata." She paused, then added with a hint of amusement, "And someone diplomatic might even get Shino to open up a bit more."

The Hokage chuckled softly. "Precisely. This team has the potential to grow in ways we haven't seen before. It won't be easy, but I believe you're up to the challenge, Kurenai."

A twinkle gleamed in his old eyes, "In fact, I believe I have just given you the team with the most potential. Wouldn't you like to boast to Asuma and Kakashi about how good your team is? Especially in the Chunin Exams?"

Kurenai couldn't help but smirk at the Hokage's words. The idea of showing up Asuma and Kakashi was certainly appealing. She straightened her posture, a new determination in her eyes.

"Very well, Lord Hokage. I accept this challenge," she said, her voice firm. "When can I expect Taiyo to arrive?"

The Third Hokage smiled, pleased with Kurenai's change in attitude. "He should be arriving in a month. He has just completed his evaluation, the Land of Iron's version of our Genin Graduation, and at standard pace, it will take him a month to arrive here. While that is happening, study up on your future students. I have been told by Iruka that Hinata and Shino are great students; they'll pass their own graduation as well."

Kurenai nodded, her mind already buzzing with plans and strategies. "I'll use this time to prepare. Perhaps I can arrange some team-building exercises to help Hinata and Shino adjust to the idea of a foreign teammate."

The Hokage's eyes crinkled with approval. "An excellent idea, Kurenai. Building a strong foundation will be crucial for this team's success."

As Kurenai turned to leave, a thought struck her. She paused, hand on the doorknob. "Lord Hokage, one last question. How do you think the village will react to a samurai in our midst? There might be some... resistance."

The Third Hokage's expression grew serious. He took a long draw from his pipe before answering. "You're right to be concerned, Kurenai. Change is never easy, and there will likely be those who view Taiyo's presence with suspicion or even hostility."

He leaned forward, his gaze intense. "That's why it's crucial that you and your team set an example. Show the village that samurai and shinobi can not only coexist but thrive together. It won't be easy, but I believe this could be the first step towards a stronger, more united future."

Kurenai straightened, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. "I understand, Lord Hokage. We won't let you down."

As the door closed behind her, Hiruzen looked outside, a small blossom of delight in his chest. Konoha had been in a tough position ever since the Kyuubi's attack, and while their alliance with Suna was still strong after the Second Great War, Suna's strength was gutted.

On top of that, the broader political stage was changing. Whispers of Iwa and Kumo forging alliances and the possibility of Kiri coming out of their civil war soon meant that some changes needed to be made. Securing a solid alliance between Konoha and the Land of Iron was paramount for Konoha's stability and survival.

Hiruzen took another drag from his pipe before sighing and blowing out some smoke. Times were changing indeed.

—

Drifting Cloud Stance Forms

Fourth Form: Bleary Haze: The practitioner unleashes an intense flurry of attacks with differing tempos. This form emphasizes puzzling movement and overwhelming the opponent.

Fifth Form: White Sea: The practitioner advances in uneven movements, seeking to confuse the enemy, obscuring their intent and target. With enough time, opponents tend to become disoriented by the odd rhythm.

—

Roaring Thunder Stance- This stance is cultivated by the Shinkari Clan. Considering that the Shinkari clan is the youngest of the Twelve Clans, their stance is also incredibly young, with only Four Forms to date. That doesn't make it any less potent. Speed is the focus of this stance. The sheer overwhelming nature of this form is blinding like a flash of lightning. Most opponents rarely get the chance to even draw their blade before an explosive strike from a Shinkari swordsman incapacitates them.

—

Esoteric Arts

Fifth Form, Esoteric Art: Multi-Layered Mist: An Esoteric Art created by Azumi Miyani. It is a sword form designed to blur the line between offense and illusion. The user executes a rapid series of sword strikes in overlapping arcs, each layer slightly offset in speed, angle, and timing. These layers of attacks create a phantom mist effect—making it nearly impossible for the opponent to distinguish between real strikes and afterimages or feints.

Sixth Form, Esoteric Art: Brilliant Sunrise: An Esoteric Art created by Taiyo Akagai. Based upon the foundation of the Sixth Form: Flashing Sunrise, this esoteric art relies on a singular, quick, and powerful slash. Taiyo channels all their strength, precision, and chakra into one perfect swing. This can be augmented with Elemental Focused Breathing.

—

Elemental Steel- Elemental Steel is a unique metal only found in the Land of Iron. Blank Steel is the state that the elemental Steel is in before absorbing the natural properties of their element. The blank Steel is exposed to a specific element and absorbs the element before attributing itself to the desired element. Every clan has a variant that they use. The Touka use Seared Steel, the Shinkari use Zealous Steel, the Miyani use Hazy Steel, and the Tokahara use Drowned Steel.

—-

Samurai Equestrian Arts

Samurai are unchallenged horsemen in the Elemental Nations. Mastery of swordsmanship alone is not enough—true warriors of the Land of Iron are also expected to command their mounts with the same precision and harmony as their blades. And while Samurai may be masters of the blade, they are, first and foremost, mounted archers. The ability to enhance their bows with their chakra makes them that much more lethal.

Horses in the Land of Iron are unique, as they were bred through Chakra Conditioning. All animals have a chakra network in their bodies, and through Chakra Conditioning, they can be bred to utilize it, though not to a refined degree like humans. Horses are reinforced through their chakra, allowing them to tank far more impactful blows than a non-samurai's regular horse. This also has the intended effect of increasing a horse's brute speed, making them just as fast as the average Jonin shinobi.