The first golden strands of dawn spilled over the high ridges of Amonkai, brushing the towering stone walls with a soft brilliance. The citadel, ancestral seat of the Kurokabe Clan, glistened with the morning dew.

  Kofi stepped out onto the western balcony, his sharp eyes surveying the land with silent intensity. There was beauty here—but beneath it all, an eerie stillness.

  “All warfare,” he muttered, quoting Sun Satoshi from the Scrolls of Veiled Wisdom, “is based on deception...”

  A soft tap sounded behind him.

  Turning swiftly, his hand almost darted to his blade.

  But there she stood—Asuna, daughter of King Tannagork II, her presence both regal and disarmingly human. The same damsel he had seen yesterday.

  They were close. Too close. Kofi bowed low, formal and respectful.

  “You needn’t be so stiff,” she said with a playful smile.

  He straightened, and their eyes locked—intense, searching, both unsure what they were supposed to find. Something stirred, but neither dared acknowledge it.

  Then, crashing in like a bull through bamboo—Aranawa, her personal guard, barged in awkwardly.

  “Oh! Sorry, I—uh—I was just… just checking the balcony's... stability!” Aranawa stammered, clearly flustered by what he’d walked in on.

  Kofi folded his arms. “Seems like the balcony passed your inspection.”

  Asuna's face turned scarlet. “I—I find you... interesting!” she blurted.

  And just like that, she turned and ran, her footsteps like soft drumbeats on polished stone.

  Aranawa looked after her, then turned slowly to Kofi, blinked once, then twice. “I... I too find you interesting...”

  He placed his right hand over his heart, bowed solemnly, and retreated.

  Kofi exhaled long. “What in the world...?”

  Inside the strategy hall, the scent of parchment and ink mixed with the crackle of a fire. Lord Kanzaki, the Hakken Shikikan, stood over a large map that Imei had drawn.

  “So... you—boy of Shigen—you made this?”

  Kanzaki’s voice cut like a blade.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Even the stoic Soji let out a low whistle.

  Princess Asuna, now recovered and perched silently beside a column, whispered, “It’s really informative.”

  Imei bowed. “Thank you, sir.”

  Kanzaki snapped his fingers. “Kofi. My boy. Come here.”

  Kofi approached.

  “Tell me—what is the worst thing you could do... if attacked from all sides?”

  Every eye turned.

  Daisetsu, the Captain of Amonkai’s guards, leaned forward.

  Lima scratched his head, whispering, “Man, I’ve got no clue...”

  Even Aranawa peeked in from the side, still recovering from earlier.

  Kanzaki’s eyes gleamed. “Well?”

  Kofi thought, then said firmly, “Forward march.”

  The room exploded into laughter. Kanzaki laughed hardest.

  “Exactly! That’s the stupidest thing you could do!” he barked. “Good. You’re learning.”

  He cleared his throat and stood tall. “Now. Let me tell you all my plan.”

  Everyone hushed.

  “There’s a matter none of you truly understand. Shuri, while governed by King Tannagork II, has always been the crown jewel of Tanna. But now, it is the perfect target for The Hidden Ones.”

  That name struck like thunder.

  Lima’s throat went dry.

  Asuna gasped.

  Even Imei gripped the edge of the table.

  Kanzaki turned to Asuna. “Child, your mother and Lord Arashi Naran did right to send you away. Shuri is not what it seems.”

  Soji stepped forward. “Why, my Lord?”

  Silence.

  Kanzaki walked to the window. A breeze carried the scent of fried rice and morning fish. He smiled. “Breakfast smells like burnt eggs... someone needs to teach the cook the difference between smoke and seasoning.”

  Everyone chuckled, lightening the mood.

  But Kofi’s mind raced. Then, realization struck.

  “OH! Now I get it,” he said. “Because currently, Shuri... Shuri is a graveyard.”

  Aranawa flinched. “How dare you—!” He turned, fists clenched—but their eyes met, and something in Kofi’s expression made him stop. He stepped back, confused.

  Elsewhere...

  Two men trudged through a dirt path flanked by wind-swept fields.

  “Soooo... when are we arriving?” groaned Sawai, dragging his feet.

  “We’ll get there when we get there!” snapped Tsunamoto, clearly at the end of his patience.

  They were headed to Netsu, a smoky trade town near the River Totsuru, to meet General Gendo the Sweeper, known for “cleansing” rebellion and dishonor with brutal efficiency.

  In Shuri, inside a candle-lit hall beneath the Royal Archives...

  Lord Arashi Naran, former general and close advisor, sat at a long table beside Shigen and Yoshiru the Butcher.

  “This is wrong,” Shigen said, clenching his fists. “Why are we being kept here? No word. No orders.”

  Yoshiru leaned back, stroking his bearded jaw. “If I wanted to conquer a nation with formidable generals—I’d invent a pretext. A precious son, unjustly killed... something to ignite public fury... and convene the Grand Council.”

  Naran’s eyes widened. “Then... you’d use the council to create a new one. A New Order.”

  Shigen whispered, “Only someone filthy rich and influential could do that.”

  Footsteps echoed. A shadow loomed in the corridor.

  Kanou Shogun, head of the Palace Guards, stepped in beside Chancellor Shao Ao.

  Shao Ao's face was cold. “And that someone... is backing the House of Hitachi.”

  Back in Amonkai

  Kanzaki listened quietly to Imei, who was arguing passionately.

  “That means everyone is in danger! Why won’t you go to Shuri, Kanzaki-dono?”

  Kanzaki smoothed his beard, unconcerned.

  Kofi watched him closely, his instincts firing.

  Lima’s mouth hung open. “Wait... is he saying what I think he’s saying?”

  Kanzaki turned with a smirk.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I am the Hakken Shikikan of Tanna... and I never walk into a trap unless I’ve already buried the bait.”

  End of Chapter 22