The scent of grilled fish and spiced rice filled the air as the group settled around a large wooden table inside Ina Inn. The warm glow of oil lamps cast flickering shadows on the walls, and the low hum of conversation from other patrons blended into the background. The clatter of chopsticks against ceramic plates gave the place a comforting, lively feel.

  Shigen sat at the head of the table, his expression calm yet thoughtful. Kanou Shogun, a man in his early forties with sharp eyes and a battle-worn face, leaned back in his seat, rubbing his chin as he glanced at the young men before him.

  "So," Kanou began, his voice deep but steady, "tell me… what has life been like outside of Tanna?"

  Lima, who had been stuffing his mouth with food, paused and swallowed hard. "Outside of Tanna? You mean there's more out there?" he said, wiping his lips with his sleeve.

  Imei chuckled, shaking his head. "You're hopeless," he said, unfolding a large map onto the table. His fingers traced the edges, revealing six distinct regions.

  "These," Imei said, pointing to each, "are the major powers beyond Tanna: Yao, Formosa, Jinghai, Qilun, and the Western Isles."

  Lima stared at the map, his brows furrowed. "Ohh, now I see," he muttered, nodding as if he had just unlocked the secrets of the universe.

  Kanou got up from his chair and walked over to where the lads sat. Shigen took the opportunity to introduce them.

  "This is Imei," Shigen said with a slight nod.

  Kanou waved dismissively. "No need. I know him well. The last time I saw him was ten years ago, before he was sent to the Northwestern Isles of Tanna to fend off an invasion from Formosa and reclaim lost territory. His maps have been invaluable to me and my officers."

  Imei’s face reddened. He stammered, "I-it was nothing, really."

  Shigen continued. "This here is Lima."

  Kanou greeted Lima with a firm handshake before turning to Sawai.

  "This one’s the funny one," Shigen remarked with a smirk.

  Sawai, who had been slouching, immediately straightened his back, giving the perfect impression of a disciplined soldier.

  Kanou laughed. "You do have the form of a soldier. I might even take you under my wing for training."

  Then, as Shigen introduced Kofi, Kanou paused. His gaze locked onto Kofi’s eyes, his expression unreadable. After a long moment, he asked, "Are you a king?"

  Kofi blinked in shock. "No, sir. I am just Kofi," he said cautiously.

  Kanou stroked his chin, still studying him. "Strange… very strange."

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  Silence fell over the room. Lima and Sawai exchanged wide-eyed glances, recalling how Shigen had said something eerily similar before they left the settlement.

  Lima arched an eyebrow, his thoughts racing. Who are these people, really? And more importantly… who is Kofi?

  Tetsujo broke the silence, raising a cup of sake. "You should try our specialty, Lima-san."

  Lima eyed the dish with suspicion. "What is it?"

  Imei grinned. "It’s Kamon Yaki—grilled eel marinated in sweet rice wine and spices, served over sticky rice."

  Kofi raised a brow. "What exactly is in it?"

  Sawai smirked, nudging Kofi. "A rare blend of exotic ingredients from all over the world."

  Kofi hesitated, but before he could protest, Imei reassured him, "It’s just eel and rice, Kofi. Nothing sinister."

  Sawai huffed in mock disappointment. "Way to ruin the mystery."

  The mood turned light for a moment as they laughed, but soon Shigen’s tone grew serious.

  "Kanou," he said, leaning forward, "I need to discuss what happened seven days ago—the ruling from the Council of Shuri that allowed the Butcher of Lika to raid Kofi’s settlement."

  Kanou’s expression darkened. He put down his cup. "Strangers are not easily welcomed in Tanna," he admitted. "But to issue such a ruling while I was away patrolling the Northern Coast of the island of Haimura… that timing seems too convenient."

  He clenched his jaw. "News had spread about foreigners in our land, but they were unarmed. According to the Laws of Tanna, the worst they should have faced was a diplomatic investigation."

  The room fell into a heavy silence.

  Kanou exhaled sharply and continued. "And to send that man of all people?" His fists tightened. "He is a traitor."

  Tetsujo, his voice laced with fury, slammed his palm on the table. "He murdered Shigen-dono’s men!"

  Kanou’s eyes widened. "What?! That’s treason!"

  Shigen scoffed. "Maybe by the old laws. But the Council now considers itself the supreme authority."

  Kanou exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "Things have changed."

  A moment of silence stretched on until—

  THUD!

  Kofi slammed his fist against the table, making cups and plates tremble. His voice, raw with emotion, broke the quiet.

  "He killed our women and girls," Kofi said through clenched teeth. His breath was ragged, his eyes burning with barely restrained fury. "He drowned them in the river—heartless!"

  Tears welled in his eyes, but he did not care. His shoulders trembled with rage.

  Kanou’s chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly. His expression was grave. He turned to Tetsujo, his voice low but filled with authority.

  "Is what he says true?"

  Tetsujo placed a hand over his heart. "Every word."

  Kanou’s jaw tightened. He walked over to Kofi and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. His voice, though steady, carried a weight of command.

  "Justice will be done," he vowed. "But remember—"Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. I will repay."

  Kofi swallowed hard, nodding slowly.

  Shigen then turned to Kanou. "Tomorrow is the Second Round of the Council’s deliberation. I need to ask you—"

  Kanou raised a hand, cutting him off. "I will stand by your side, and on the side of justice. The fangs of wicked and unreasonable men will proceed no further."

  A collective breath of relief spread through the group. The tension in the room eased.

  Then—

  CRASH!

  Kanou, trying to strike a dramatic pose, accidentally knocked over his own cup of sake. It splashed all over his robes.

  Lima burst into laughter. "A shogun of great justice, but not of great balance!"

  Sawai doubled over, laughing. "We’ll need to get you some training for dramatic effect!"

  Kanou groaned, wiping at the stain. "If you brats keep laughing, I might reconsider my promise!"

  The room erupted in laughter, breaking the tension.

  For the first time in days, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. But as the laughter faded, they all knew—

  Tomorrow, the real battle would begin.