Clan Finals

Sporting Event / Competition

It was time for the final match; that which would determine the victor of the clan portion of the Mōri Clan Tournament. The Hashinara Clan would be facing the Ryūzōji Clan and each of the Cardinal Generals had managed to make it to watch. All, that is, except Hashinara Yoshitakatomo. Instead, the Daimyō had a sobering announcement for her* generals.

---

Something had befallen the Hashinara outpost in the Dreamlands. Some kind of plague. Yoshitakatomo would be traveling south, to the Caves of Life in search of a cure. In the meantime, she* would be closing the portal and thus cutting off communications. The risk was simply too great that this Flowering Mind might spread into the earthly realm as well.   Naturally, the assembled Cardinal Generals were all stunned by this message. Aotsuki Tsukamoto, in particular, raised a mental complaint. Before any answer could come, Yoshitakatomo's side of the "line" went dead. The portal had been closed.   That might have been the worst of it, but some other generals had their own problems to deal with. Maxim, for example, returned to the tournament stands only to be confronted by an irate Nagasone Kotetsu. The hapless Knight Commander had promised he'd be back to join Kotetsu and his other companions for lunch, but had not followed through. Certainly, he had good reason, what with all the things that had happened with Oyau Kamui and the Black Toad Inn. Even so, Kotetsu's time was precious.   The smith had been considering joining Maxim's cause after her current project, but was now reconsidering that option. That gormless foreigner had lied to her and wasted her most precious resource: time. Kotetsu had already been hesitant to agree to join Maxim for lunch, and to have spent so many hours waiting for him was nearly unforgivable. The Mōri project was not going to accomplish itself within its deadline.   Maxim made his best apologies, but it was clear this slight would not be mended with words alone. Eventually he managed to win a bit of favor back by offering to send several technicians over to Kotetsu's current forge after the day's match. That, and a promised audience with Aotsuki Tsukamoto, at least mollified Kotetsu enough to take the edge out of her voice. Her eyes lingered on Aotsuki, far away in the crowd. It seemed she had some interest in the beautiful young Daimyō beyond his mere association with Maxim.   Meanwhile, Ryūzaki Sanosuke was dealing with his own sudden trouble. A woman he'd never seen before, wearing scandalously informal clothes and wielding a thick hunk of wood, was suddenly in the midst of his group. From their own places in the crowd, Aotsuki and Fubuki could recognize this hellion as Amanozako, daughter of Susano'o and Goddess of Heavenly Opposition.   Sanosuke had enjoyed no such pleasure(?). That didn't stop Amanozako, whose aggressive questioning led the Silver General down the paths of how he'd become Susano'o's Champion. Before the other could even find his feet, she'd handed over an elegant scroll bound with an ivory comb. That, at least, Sanosuke recognized. The comb was a symbol of Kushinadahime, a lesser goddess and wife of the Storm God. Was this a message from the divine?   Amanozako seemed to suggest as much. Her father, Susano'o apparently, had expressly forbidden her from coming down to Earth and meeting the new champion. As they'd learned in Aotsuki's recent snafu, Izanagi-no-Mikoto deeply disapproved of such things. Still, Susano'o had said, when Amanozako did go to Earth anyway, she should deliver this scroll to Sanosuke.   With appropriate reverence, Sanosuke untied the crimson thread holding the comb in place and unfurled the scroll. Inside was a message from someone indeed important and written for his eyes only. After finishing the last line, he bound the scroll again and stored it on his person. That would certainly be something to think about. For the moment, anyway, Amanozako seemed content to stay. She was but one new addition to Sanosuke's entourage, along with that blasted monkey, Saruyoshi Ennosuke. Wait, he'd come along from the Inn? Why was he in Sanosuke's box?   Questions for another time, as Mōri Motonari and wife Kikkawa no Myōkyū were just then preparing to announce the coming match's fighters. On the Hashinara side, Musashibō Benkei and Shōta would be facing Yagyū Jūbei and Ryūzōji Kagetada from the Ryūzōji. Except yet another thing seemed to have gone amiss.   Four names had been called, but only two fighters stood in the arena. Benkei faced down Kagetada, each missing their partner. Shōta's absence was...well, not entirely unexpected given his recent dealings with clan leadership. Jūbei's absence, however, came as a surprise, particularly to Sanosuke. He wasted no time in calling in a mental message to the absent Kensei. Jūbei replied, but only to say that she was around the area of Inaba Province by now and heading east. She'd grown tired of waiting on Sanosuke's pleasure, it seemed, and had decided to continue her pilgrimage. Now, her destination was the Palace of the Firebird in Mikawa Province far southeast.   With a flare of annoyance, Sanosuke called upon Shigeaki Fujino for in-clan transportation. If Jūbei wanted to be with Tachibana Muneshige so badly, they could just bring him here. Then perhaps she'd be more agreeable. Yet it was not to be. Although Sanosuke was sure he'd seen Fujino here just a moment ago, she was now inexplicably missing. According to the psychic, there was some sort of emergency in Ise Province that the clan Daimyō needed her for. Perhaps that enigmatic message about a plague?   Regardless, it seemed that events were now proceeding of their own volition. Sanosuke dropped his scheme for the moment and instead focused on what was happening in the arena. With both teams missing a member, Mōri Motonari had proposed a solution: each clan could provide a new partner to their champion, or the two present could simply face each other in single combat. The magnanimous Mōri Daimyō would leave it to each clan leader to decide.   Although he wasn't certain about Kagetada's chances against Benkei by herself, Sanosuke knew what he must do. He relinquished the decision to Yoshitakatomo, stating that he'd align with whatever decision his Daimyō chose. Except that Yoshitakatomo was not present. Even her* Sheele was missing from its normal spot in the Hashinara Box. Perhaps it, too, had gotten wrapped up in whatever business was so urgent in the Dreamlands.   With the Daimyō cut out of the network, even Tōdaisen Nobuhara could not speak for the Princess. A murmur went up around the crowd, people looking back and forth, peering about for any sign of the missing lord. As Maxim did the same, he saw something which shot an unpleasant jolt through his spine. There, across from the knight's group in the stands, was a familiar figure. At near eight feet tall, with glowing yellow eyes and the aspect of a shark, Vepar was hard to miss. What's more, she was looking right at him.   Maxim hissed, bringing the unexpected demon to Haures' attention. Although they were nominally allies under Wrath, Haures did not seem any more pleased than Maxim to learn of Vepar's presence. Her hackles raised in a display of feline indignation. Neither she nor Maxim could determine what the other demon was doing in Shimonoseki, much less Earth. Had she been summoned by the woman beside her? Wasn't that the Daimyō of the Shimazu Clan? Or, much more worryingly, had Ira Sathana grown impatient with Maxim's progress and sent another archdemon to keep tabs on him? Such a thing would not bode well for Haures either.   Before any more could come of that, however, the crowd's attention had been drawn back to the Hashinara box. There, in his resplendent robes and owl-faced mask, stood a specter from the grave. All knew of Katsusada Shishauezaemon, the man whose rise to power had been instrumental in the Hashinara Clan's own. Under his hand, the minor family from Central Japan had become a force to rival any clan in the country. And yet Katsusada Shishauezaemon had been killed by a ninja near Ise Grand Shrine. His death had paved the way for Hashinara Yoshiyuki, the previous Daimyō's daughter, to take power. She, all seemed to agree, was much more agreeable.   So it was a startling and very unwelcome sight for many of the powerful in the crowd to see Shishauezaemon standing here now. Accusations of vengeful haunting and illusion came from the Mōri Clan and Ashikaga Shogunate both. Indeed, the specter's appearance seemed to have rattled even the usually stoic Mōri Motonari. He claimed to speak for Yoshiyuki, but the other powers would have none of it. No dead man would speak for a living Daimyō.   Of course, the Cardinal Generals all knew what the others could not. Katsusada Shishauezemon and Hashinara Yoshiyuki were the same person: Hashinara Katamoto. After an inconvenient death, the former lord had remade himself in his daughter's image in order to lead the clan into a new era. Now, as a being which could accurately be called a god, Shishauezaemon was just another extension of Katamoto's power. An avatar.   From behind him, in the Shogunate's box, Maxim overheard Ashikaga Yoshiaki give the order that Shishauezaemon was to be killed. Again. At any cost. What's more, Motonari would not accept the "imposter's" word as the Hashinara Daimyō's own. The situation was saved, insofar as it could be, by the arrival of Hashinara Kiyowara. This was the Daimyō's sheele, although many believed it to be her daughter. Regardless, Kiyowara had spoken for Yoshiyuki on more than one occasion. For something a simple as deciding how this match would be fought, the girl's word would do.   For her* part, Yoshitakatomo was pleased to find that she* could still see, hear, and speak through her* sheele even across the barrier of sleep. Although closing the portal to the Dreamlands had severed her* mental link, this meant that she* could still enact her* will on Earth as well as dreams. Kiyowara spoke, giving voice to this will now. Benkei and Kagetada would not be supplied with new partners. Instead, they would face each other in single combat. As Ryūzaki Sanosuke had already acceded to the Daimyō's choice, this settled the matter. The two combatants began to prepare for their battle.   As they did so, Maxim felt a thin presence behind him. He turned to find a bulbous, mustachioed man wearing a helmet that didn't suit him. At first, Maxim thought this upstart was trying to push through his crowd, and prepared to stick his heels in rather than move an inch. It seemed, however, that Matsutada Tadamatsu was here for him. Speaking politely, the helmeted mustache invited Maxim up to the Shogunate's box for an audience. This was strange, but Maxim was not so stupid as to refuse such an offer in full view of many of the most powerful in Japan. He climbed the shallow steps and soon stood in the wooden box.   Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the Shogun, barely spared Maxim a glance and a derogatory snort. It seemed the person who actually meant to speak with him was an adviser. At least, that's what Maxim guessed her function must be. The woman, who introduced herself as Chitosemaru, had been a staple by the Shogun's side for the past few days. Although dignified enough in her own way, there was something about her sunken eyes and lank black hair that put Maxim a little on edge. She reminded him, perhaps, of someone he bore a special grudge against...   What Chitosemaru and Maxim spoke on stayed in the Shogunate's box. Only a nearby orange cat, watching from nearby with piercing eyes, could reasonably tell the tale. And what could a cat say? Still, it seemed that things did not go as Chitosemaru willed. When Maxim descended to his seat again, the morbid woman was wearing an ever-so-slight frown beneath her sunken eyes.  

Part 2

  By this point, the crowd had settled down and a solution had been set for the coming match. Musashibō Benkei would face Ryūzōji Kagetada in single combat. It was a departure from the dual-fighter setup that had served in the clan matches up to this point. However, the decision not to add yet more new combatants seemed to mirror the crowd's own wishes. None spoke a word of discontent.   Both fighters had already taken to the field. Above, in her box, Mōri Motonari stood tall and prepared to announce the start of the battle. Yet something didn't seem quite right. There, on the floor of the arena, were a pair of dolls, one next to each competitor. The keen-eyed could see more details and, yes, each one resembled one of the missing combatants. A soft-knit Shōta and Yagyū Jūbei had inexplicably taken to the battlefield. A few murmurs ran through the crowd and a general air of confusion reigned for a moment. Still, neither doll seemed magical, nor about to influence the battle in any meaningful way. So, Motonari saw no harm in bringing the match to a start regardless of their presence.   The Daimyō and Kikkawa no Myōkyū made it official together. The battle had begun. Benkei seized the first move and dashed across the battlefield. It seemed that she wished to quickly engage Kagetada in melee, and that was a logical enough choice for most of those watching. The wandering monk had shown herself to clearly be a more skilled combatant in the matches previous.   As Benkei reached her opponent, she grasped for a weapon at her side. Her hand came up empty. A stitch of emotions passed over the monk's face as she realized that she'd given Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi to Aotsuki Tsukamoto not long before. A weapon that powerful would have been a great advantage in this fight. Instead, Benkei's hand came back with only a mundane katana. Kagetada had opted for a nodachi and swung it to block with a power that belied her graceful feline form.   The two exchanged blows, then, both their phenomenal skill obvious for all to see. Still, they seemed quite an even match. Even when Kagetada tactically switched to a light wakizashi to get the drop on her opponent, she still struggled to land a significant hit. Neither could Benkei wound the Ryūzōji Kensei, even when she brought the full force of her myriad weaponry to the fore.   As the match dragged on, small dramas played out in the stands surrounding. None of these, however, were enough to distract the two warriors from their fated battle. They continued to exchange parries and hair-breadth blocks with neither showing a definitive advantage and yet...After a time, Kagetada began to display an uncanny spike in her swordsmanship. The Neko-Kensei was striking with an accuracy and ferocity which had been all but absent in her previous matches. Slowly, wounds began to show on Benkei's exposed flesh. It was as if Kagetada had been training all her life for this single match and, now, she was bringing the fruits of that effort to the fore.   Even with such an advantage, the legendary wandering monk did not fall easily. Bearing five wounds which would have killed a mortal man, still she stood, unhindered and barely registering the pain. Kagetada's victory should have been obvious, but it was a hard-fought, inch-by-inch thing to overcome the sheer fortitude of her opponent. When Benkei finally did slouch to the ground, it was not her wounds which had ended the fight. No, the monk had placed all her power and energy into a single final attack. When that failed to connect, she simply had nothing to offer. As Ryūzaki Sanosuke had done in the past, Benkei fell into a self-imposed unconsciousness, all her effort spent.   That very same Ryūzaki Sanosuke watched from the stands as his unlikely champion, Kagetada, proved victorious unscathed. The Silver General's hand was raised, ready to snap his fingers to some unknowable end. Whatever power he sought to use was not needed, however, and the arm fell slowly to his side. That was incredible; perhaps he never should have doubted Kagetada even against such an impossible opponent as Benkei. The fight had clearly brought out her true potential.   The crowd, too, was stunned. Many had bet on Benkei as a sure thing. Yet Kagetada had prevailed, an unknown Kensei from a new clan rising to be champion of this entire bracket of the tournament. Now, the victor turned to the Mōri Clan box. The crowd hushed as the Daimyō prepared to proclaim her reward.  

Part 3 (Small Dramas)

  The battle between Musashibō Benkei and Ryūzōji Kagetada was in full swing, yet not everyone's attention was fully on the fighters. Maxim found his eyes flicking time and time again to Nagasone Kotetsu. The smith's strained expression told him that not all had yet been forgiven. Time, it seemed, was most valuable to Kotetsu, and Maxim had wasted it with impunity.   Perhaps he could use this opportunity to give some of that time back. Aotsuki Tsukamoto was not far away. Shuffling through his crowd of generals, Maxim asked Kotetsu if she'd like to take this time to meet with the young Daimyō of Ōtsu himself. In response, the hard lines of her expression softened somewhat. As much as she'd been enjoying the match, Kotetsu opined, she'd rather not have to stick around afterward for another meeting. They were in agreement, then, and Maxim led her across the stands to Aotsuki's box.   Meanwhile, that same young Daimyō was engaged in mental discussion with his wife. He'd left her with a task that morning; something which he hoped would aid in dispersing Tokku-hime's listless feelings. She'd gone above and beyond his expectations. Now, Aotsuki listened with utmost attention and affection as his wife listed out the teams she'd put together using assets from both the Aotsuki Clan and the Biwa Abyssal Fifteen. There were six in all: Dai Namazutai, Kitako Genko, the Lake Biwa Trading Collective, Shirokurodan, the Spring of Wisdom, and the Teisatsu Santai. Covering a variety of applications from demolition to scouting to research, the idea was that Aotsuki could dispatch teams quickly and easily without worrying about the exact readiness or composition of their members.   Indeed, there was a mission on Aotsuki's mind that this would be perfect for. According to Abe no Seimei, Utsunomiya was an unremarkable settlement at the base of Mount Myōjin in the southern reaches of his domain. Yet Amaterasu herself had been sensing a preponderance of prayers for aid from the place. Something bad was happening there and, whatever it was, it only seemed to happen at night. Aotsuki had learned from experience not to rush into situations he didn't fully understand. Not to mention, it would still be many hours before night fell and whatever dastardly machinations took place. So, in the meantime, the young Daimyō heeded his wife's advice and dispatched the Teisatsu Santai to scout the area beforehand. They would surely be back by the end of the afternoon with information which would prepare him for whatever trial lay at Utsunomiya.   As he ended communications with Tokku-hime, Aotsuki glimpsed a pair of unexpected visitors moving through the crowd to him. It was Maxim and, in his wake, a tall, fiery woman with wearing the garb of a smith. They had planned at points to meet for introductions with one Nagasone Kotetsu. Could this be her in the flesh?   Indeed it was. Maxim made introductions and Aotsuki did the same. For her part, Kotetsu seemed at first interested in Aotsuki's gorgeous aspect. Before long, however, her eyes drifted up behind the young Daimyō to rest on the magnificent bulk of Saitō Dōsan. Maxim thought back to when he'd first met the smith. Then, she'd been impressed with his own stature, naming him someone "worthy of wielding her weapons." If size were her only criterion, Dōsan must be on an entirely different level.   In truth, the Big Man himself had reasons for wanting to meet Kotetsu. He'd had a very specific goal lately, after seeing Parapara Starlight in action: a great guitar, sized for a giant like himself, doubling as an axe. The idea was admittedly strange to Aotsuki, but the young Daimyō owed Dōsan a great deal, and was dedicated to making that dream a reality.   Fortunately, Kotetsu was completely on board with the idea. Indeed, it seemed like she'd be willing to make just about anything for a man of Dōsan's caliber. She even promised to give it priority as soon as she finished her current request from the Mōri Clan. There was, however, one problem. Kotetsu could make the frame with no problem, but the strings of such a guitar were another matter. Making something that would keep its strength, tension, and sound at that size would be impossible with ordinary materials. Figuring out that part of the design would be up to Dōsan and Aotsuki. She'd take care of the rest.   A moment of contemplative silence followed. If steel would not do, then what other options did they have? From nearby, Zinnia the Traveler chimed in with her own opinion: They should just use Gug muscles. The tendons of those beasts had been put to work as a bowstring for more than one dreamborne hunter. According to Sugihara Hidemitsu, the practice of using the remains of great monsters to forge greater weapons was not at all alien to Japanese mythology either.   Of course, to obtain such a thing would be difficult now. The portal to the Dreamlands had been sealed to prevent the spread of some kind of plague. Aotsuki wasn't sure he wanted to get involved in something like that right now. Hashinara Yoshitakatomo probably had it under control, anyway. If only there was something closer to hand that would serve the same province...   From just below Aotsuki's hand, Tsurugi spoke. How, she asked, had she been forged? Another moment of silence followed, this one significantly more awkward. Sure, Aotsuki was something of a father figure to his sheele, but was now the time for that? Then, he realized what she was actually getting at. Tsurugi, or Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi as she was more properly known, had been forged from the blood of the great Yamata-no-Orochi after it'd been slain by Susano'o.   According to Tsurugi, a being as powerful as Orochi would not simply cease to exist, even after being slain by a god. What's more, the great serpent was said to have eight heads. That meant eight spines; a fine number of strings for a massive guitar.   It was a logical idea, but Aotsuki felt a lump of worry growing in his stomach all the same. He'd just fought some kind of "Kamui" monster, been swallowed by an abomination from the depths, and suffered an attempt on his life from some masked karakuri maniac. Now they wanted him to take on the actual Yamata-no-Orochi? It wasn't exactly that he shied away from battle, should the cause be just, but did his life really have to be on the line literally every single day?   A quick call to Seimei confirmed Aotsuki's fears. She was quite optimistic about the idea that they could track down and slay what remained of Yamata-no-Orochi. Worse, she seemed absolutely enthralled by the idea. As expected from the great onmyōji; she wouldn't pass up a chance to battle one of Japan's greatest monsters. Aotsuki argued, at least, that they should explore other options, but soon withered in the face of Seimei's rare enthusiasm. Eventually, he agreed to set the newly-formed Spring of Wisdom on tracking down the serpent for a hunt.   Maxim and Kotetsu took their leave then, and the battle between Kensei was beginning to wind down. Far across the stands, however, a new vignette was just beginning. It started with Tōdaisen Nobuhara, who called Fubuki to ask about her* "antics" earlier that day at Wakigami Castle. Fubuki, who hadn't been to Wakigami all day, understandably found this question a bit strange.   After some back and forth and a few veiled questions, it came to light that someone claiming to be the Black Blade of Doom had been proclaiming his return at the castle. What's more, this "imposter" seemed to look just like Date Masamune. Ooawagaeri, in his many forms, had been known for strange and uncommunicated strategies in the past, so Nobuhara had simply taken this instance as another of those. Upon being informed that this was not, indeed, the true Black Blade, he buried his face in his hands.   A number of questions shot through Fubuki's mind. Was this the same Date Masamune, The White Blade of Hope, who had been pursuing her* since that ill-fated expedition to Date lands? He'd recently been sent to Tōdai-ji by the Daimyō's schemes. Had something happened there? How would Fubuki find him and settle this?   That last query, at least, received an immediate response. No sooner had Nobuhara realized his mistake than a boisterous voice boomed out through the mental network. Date Masamune was broadcasting to everyone that he was returned from the dead; resurrected after his death against the Toyotomi forces, and would be assuming his post as Cardinal General once again.   The true Black Blade had, for one reason or another, kept her* own identity a secret ever since that death. To those not closely acquainted, the Matsumoto name was more legend or history than fact now. So, it would seem, few would question this "imposter's" claim. Their own leaders had come back from the dead on more than one occasion, after all.   This would not do. Fubuki transformed her* appearance into that of a girl with nondescript features and then called out in the mental network. Seizing upon Date Masamune's claim that anyone in trouble need only call him, Ooawagaeri* did exactly that. Soon enough Date Masamune had arrived in the stands. His handsome face a glowing picture of concern, his armor a benighted shade of black, he asked how he could help.   Ooawagaeri* played her* cards close only to begin with. Soon, a true accusation was leveled at this false Black Blade. ...Only to be parried with sincere denial. It seemed that this Date Masamune truly believed himself to be the Black Blade, returned from the dead. Had he been brainwashed somehow? A quick check found a spell of illusory memories cast over the hapless man. This must have happened during his visit to Tōdai-ji, which could only mean that one of Ooawagaeri's foes had placed a scheme into motion.   Not to be outdone, Ooawageri* called upon Jigenmaru as proof of her* identity. This did not have the desired effect. Instead, the Black Blade of Doom was incensed. He'd been searching for Jigenmaru ever since the blade went missing when he fell in battle. If they were not in a crowded place full of innocents, he claimed that he would take the weapon back by force.   Ooawagaeri's* eyes shifted to the arena. Indeed, the two fighters had finished their bout. Surprisingly, Ryūzōji Kagetada was proclaimed the winner. Flicking back to the stands, Ooawagaeri* saw what she* hoped to. Kitakura Kanjūrō and Masuda Kita were there representing the Date Clan. Their attention was on the final match, and so they did not seem to have noticed their "Daimyō's" presence at Ooawagaeri's* side. Then she* would make them notice.   No sooner had Benkei's unconscious form been removed than Ooawagaeri* took to the arena floor herself*. The Black Blade of Doom: Date Masamune followed. He would not, it seemed, turn down a rightful challenge. A quick spell lit fireworks that burst over the scene, drawing all eyes. Soon, everyone was looking at Ooawagaeri* and her* foe.