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"Because I believe in Zenok." He stated mildly, reaching back and scratching one of the deep scars that sat behind his shoulder. They always seemed to grow itchy after sleep.

"Dumby. Morojo is working hard on your plan, and he’s moving barrels full of gunpowder. When are we having a meeting so you can explain your intentions?"

"I suppose we’d better do it now. We don’t have much long left, after all."

She nodded seriously, struggling to hide the excited smile that was threatening to show itself, and then she exited the tent to go and inform the others.

Gengyo got up to move from bed, looking at his bare feet, and twiddling his toes idly. It was at that point that he decided against the whole affair, and aborted, once more pulling the covers up to his neck, and sitting back contentedly against the pillow.

"Of course, it’s unbecoming of a leader to be giving instructions whilst seated in bed... But it’s so warm and comfortable." He mused, caught up in dialogue with himself.

Rin was the first to poke her head through the flap in the tent, cautiously entering the room, raising an eyebrow as she saw Gengyo sitting proudly with his covers still drawn over him, not making a single attempt to get ready.

"I don’t think there has ever been a general in history who is as childish as you are at times, Nii-san." She commented, finding a nearby stool to sit on, before dropping some wood onto the embers of the dying fire.

"Childish? How do you mean?"

"Ever since coming back from the temple, you treat everything as though it is a game, and show not even the slightest bit of worry, just like a child." She explained, using a tone as if to scold him.

"Hoh... There is probably some truth to what you say, but don’t you think its better this way? As children, we have that strange little state of mind. And then, as we get older, we suddenly become so serious and miserable. That odd state of mind can’t have just disappeared. It’s just off somewhere else, not being used. It’s like wielding a naginata with one hand instead of two. Both ways of being are us – in unifying them, its possible that we can be stronger. Maybe. I don’t know."

She stared at him in disbelief, never knowing when he was joking or not. "So, you’re saying, the older someone gets the more childish they should become."

He shrugged. "Probably. I don’t really know."

She sighed shaking her head, regretting even asking. "I think it’s just that you’ve become too much of a monk. You give those annoying answers that never really say anything, just like a monk would." She paused a moment, looking towards him, allowing herself a smile. "I’m glad though... To see you smile again. After Masaatsu passed, I did not think we would be able to continue forward. And you only kept pushing yourself harder and harder."

"I know, Rin. Sorry for worrying you. But it’s okay now. We’ll cut this hog up tonight, and tomorrow, we’ll look forward to bigger and better things, so that Masaatsu and Niwa-san have something interesting to watch over."

"Mhmm."

The flap ruffled once more, and in stepped Jikouji and Togashi, in the midst of a conversation that abruptly stopped as they saw Gengyo sitting up in bed so casually. "I think we have the wrong tent." Togashi murmured, moving to go out.

"I would be inclined to agree with you. Apologies, we thought we were going to see our general about a battle plan." Jikouji agreed, moving to leave alongside him.

"Ah, come now, where are you going, Zenok? Don’t you have some swords to set on fire tonight, with your holy aura?"

"I only said what you told me to say." Jikouji stated defensively, taking a seat by Rin.

"Haha, I know you did. How does it feel to know that your voice can inspire fear in the hearts of twelve thousand men? That’s a pretty unique accomplishment, old man. Something to tell the ancestors when you head up there."

"We don’t know for sure whether it did or not. It’s more likely that they’re standing on top of the walls laughing at us."

"Either way it should work to our advantage." Togashi mused.

And finally, the last of them came in together, with Akiko bringing up the rear, and Matsudaira leading them. The glances that they gave Gengyo were as scathing as their peers, but he brushed them all off with a smile, and motioned for them to sit down.

"How are we feeling? Ready to do battle?" He asked.

"Though the battle is not something I will be joining in, I am certainly intrigued. Just how do you plan to tie this whole thing together?" Matsudaira voiced his thoughts.

"Well, I expect that is what everyone is wondering as well. It was only just decided last night, so it felt more appropriate to tell you now, rather than before bed. Very well, here is how it is. We will be following the instructions of Zenok, largely. That will attract their attention, and is what Morojo is currently working on." He began.

"Now, there are only eight boats constructed which is not enough to safely transport our troops. Luckily, that is not our intention. An army will be travelling down that river, but it will not be our own. For this plan to work, we’re going to need the men to donate their armour, and some of their more abused weapons."

"Wait wait, that’s all very well and good, but what’s our intent?" Jikouji questioned, speaking on behalf of everyone present.

"An army of straw dummies, my dear Jikouji. We will light them on fire, just as Zenok said he would. Can you imagine the fear the enemies will feel, as they see men stand, unflinchingly, consumed by pure flames? With that, Zenok will confirmed to be true, and their morale will plummet. The gunpowder filling the lower decks of the sh.i.p.s will be the mere icing on the cake."

"...Gods." Matsudaira gasped, his hand falling from his mouth, as he suddenly realized the true answer to Gengyo’s riddle. "We have enough sh.i.p.s because we don’t need to transport any of the men – that was never the intention. Nor do we need ladders to climb the walls. The gunpowder will do the work for us, and we had only need charge through as though this were a field battle, for the walls will collapse before us!"

They looked from Matsudaira back to Gengyo, trying to confirm whether the man’s conclusion was correct.

"Will the gunpowder truly be enough to cause that kind of damage?" Togashi asked, the concern seeping into his voice. If it did not work as intended, then they would be left, having spent all their cards, without killing a single man.

"Ah... I can answer this one, if you like, Miura?" Takeshi spoke up quietly.

"By all means."

"The walls are sloped to allow them to better deal with force from the outside. But the sh.i.p.s, they’ll be travelling inside the wall, and with the entire lower deck loaded with gunpowder, the force will tear them apart with ease."

That was enough for the bearded man, and he nodded without hesitation. "That sounds reasonable to me. Very good."

"Heh... Very good, that’s for sure. We’ll be able to end this all face to face, fighting them hand to hand. I wouldn’t have it any other way." Morohira growled with grim excitement.

"Aye, it’s time for that bastard to pay for what he’s done for us. I’ve never been the brains here... but this seems to be the best chance we have at winning, and I’m all for it." Rokkaku seconded.

"We’ll have a fair shot, that’s as much as I can promise. The time is finely here, comrades. If we put everything we have into this, and fight even harder than we have in the past, then we can exact our revenge, and claim all the rewards that comes with it. That includes you, Matsudaira. I do not forget the promise I made to you – your clan will have the freedom it desires."

Matsudaira bowed his head deeply, unable to say anything further due to the perceived restrictions of his vow, but the gratitude on his face said more than words ever could. The room descended into silence, as they clenched their fists, and mentally prepared themselves for battle.