The grand hall of Shuri was silent.

  King Tannagork II sat upon his throne, his robes embroidered with golden dragons, his eyes fixed ahead. To his right sat Prince Renshu, the younger brother of Prince Meiji, now absent in Mino. Rows of noblemen lined the hall, heads bowed.

  Then, at last, Lord Hidemasa of Hitachi stood.

  He bowed low before the King. "My son was found burned in the Forest of Kaigen. Not only him—but nineteen others."

  A sharp inhale swept across the chamber.

  King Tannagork exhaled deeply, his voice heavy. "Old friend, I know the weight of your loss. Do not think your grief is yours alone—it is ours as well."

  Hidemasa’s face remained like stone. "Then the perpetrator must be punished."

  From the far end of the room, Lord Renjou Genmo folded his arms. "Ah… So you have found him?"

  Hidemasa shook his head. "Three months ago, they returned from Shuri. At evening, after attending the trials of the savages, they were expected home by morning. Yet, all we heard was that they had been sent on other diplomatic missions in the confining states.

  We agreed. But after three months, two children stumbled upon the horror in Kaigen."

  Hidemasa turned toward Yoshiru the Butcher—his eyes sharp, suspicious.

  Across the hall, Shao Ao, the Chancellor, tensed. Arashi Naran, the Head of the Military, noticed the glance and leaned forward slightly.

  Hidemasa’s voice cut through the air. "My son was mercilessly slaughtered."

  Yoshiru cleared his throat. "I grieve with you, my brother."

  Around the room, murmurs spread. Among the nobles, the title "brother" was a mere courtesy, but it felt weightier now.

  King Tannagork raised a hand for silence. "Is this all, Lord Hidemasa?"

  The old lord nodded.

  Then, Shigen no Rishihito stepped forward. He bowed to the King, the Prince, and Lord Hidemasa before speaking.

  "Condolences, my brother. But this… this is a strange time for any foreign intervention. We have relative peace. Nevertheless—" he turned to the King, "—who stands to benefit from this succession crisis?"

  The room fell still.

  Then Shao Ao broke the silence.

  "Two men. One of whom is… not present here."

  Tension thickened in the air.

  King Tannagork surveyed the room. The seating arrangement seemed disturbed—lords shifting uneasily. At last, he raised his hand.

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  "This court is adjourned. We reconvene tomorrow."

  By midday, Lima and Imei arrived at the Forest of Kaigen. Their horses trotted to a halt at the exact place where the bodies were supposed to be.

  But the ground was… empty.

  Lima’s eyes darted around. "Wait. Where’s the proof?"

  A cold realization hit Imei. "Someone is cleaning up the mess."

  Before they could react, ten soldiers emerged from the trees.

  "Run!" Imei shouted.

  They galloped. Hooves thundered against the ground.

  A low-hanging branch smacked Lima across the face—he tumbled off his horse.

  "Lima!" Imei turned back.

  Lima groaned, waving him off. "Go, you idiot! It’s been good knowing you!"

  Imei gawked. "You’re in soup, and that’s your last line?!"

  Lima rolled into the underbrush as the soldiers charged past him. One soldier slowed, investigating the rustling bushes.

  Lima smirked. He picked up a thick branch and hurled it against a tree—creating a sharp, misleading sound.

  The soldier spun toward the noise, stepping away from his group.

  "Gotcha," Lima whispered.

  As the soldier peered through the brush, Lima swung a wooden club into his head. The soldier crumpled unconscious. Lima tied him up and stole his horse.

  Later, in the Valley of Nakashiro, Imei sat atop his horse, sighing. "He didn’t make it…"

  Then Lima burst from the trees, dragging a tied-up soldier.

  Imei’s jaw dropped.

  Lima scowled. "I see you’re quite touched by my survival."

  Imei crossed his arms. "I was just wondering how I’d break the news to your nonexistent wife."

  Lima rolled his eyes. "Let’s get back to Amonkai. We’ve got a guest to interrogate."

  Meanwhile, Kofi sat cross-legged in Lord Kanzaki’s fortress, rereading the same line for hours.

  "All worldly warfare is based on deception."

  He rubbed his temples.

  Suddenly, Lord Kanzaki’s aide rushed in, holding a sealed scroll.

  "My Lord, urgent news."

  Kanzaki unfolded it and frowned. "Reports claim an army of ten thousand men is gathering near the capital."

  Kofi’s head snapped up.

  The aide insisted, "The Third Unit of the Special Guard estimated their numbers."

  Kanzaki tapped the table. "This is deception."

  The room fell silent.

  The aide stammered. "But, my lord—"

  Kanzaki cut him off. "Numbers are meaningless without purpose."

  He gestured for a map and pointed at the Hill of Tatsuya—a famous battlefield in Tanna’s history.

  At that exact moment, Lima and Imei passed through the hilltops, spotting the moving armies.

  Imei paled. "Lima… tell me you’re seeing that."

  Lima gulped. "Yeah. And I think we should leave before we become part of history."

  They turned and rode away.

  Back in Kanzaki’s hall, he turned to Kofi.

  "Why would they position ten thousand men near the capital? Think like a businessman."

  Kofi’s eyes widened as he did the calculations.

  "A suffocation of order."

  Kanzaki grinned. "Spot on, my boy."

  His aide asked, "What shall we do, my Lord?"

  Kanzaki’s gaze darkened. "We ride for Shuri."

  In the inner courts, Princess Asuna sat still as her maid braided her hair.

  Lord Arashi Naran had sensed danger and advised her departure.

  Her mother entered, embracing her. "Be careful, my daughter."

  A young captain, Aranawa, stood at attention. "We ride for Nakazawa Province."

  With that, they departed.

  Kanzaki clapped his hands. "All I had to teach you, I have taught."

  He rose, retrieving a sheathed sword. His retainers whispered.

  He handed it to Kofi.

  Kofi reached for the hilt—but before he could unsheath it, Kanzaki smacked him on the head.

  "Ow!" Kofi yelped.

  "You may have finished your first lesson," Kanzaki said, "but this sword can only be drawn at the right time."

  Kofi frowned. "What kind of training is this?"

  Kanzaki’s eyes locked onto his.

  "Kongen Heihou."

  The room gasped.

  Kofi felt the weight of the words before he even understood them.

  As Kanzaki approached the door, he turned.

  "I am training you to become the next Hakken Shikikan."

  The room erupted. Some murmured in shock. Others protested.

  Kofi stood frozen.

  A single thought burned in his mind:

  "Me? A Hegemonic Commander?"

  He gripped the sword tighter.

  The storm had begun.

  End of Chapter 20.