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The woman with an eerie aura gazed upon the capital of Li Province, as the moonlight reflected over hair silky black hair. Her hand rose up as she dropped it down, signalling for her men to arrive. Masked men with hoods arrived in the darkness that befell the capital. The female smirked as she dropped down the gates, quickly incapacitating guards as she signaled once more for her men to survey the area. The female then took out her coat and cloaked her presence from the townsfolk.

"Head towards the palace and incapacitate the Oda Commander." she said as the men she dispatched quickly took to the rooftops. The female then proceeded to walk through the streets, unnoticed.

--

Meanwhile, inside a bar, Seryl and Seifuku were having a good time as they drank together. The only problem was, the only drunk present from the two of them was Seryl. But suddenly, the drunkard regained his senses almost instantaneously as if being reborn in a new light. The brunette gazed outside as he heard silent marching. Seryl's intuition and hearing were very sharp to hear and detect enemy movements. Which was why he was made a general by Raiji himself.

"Hm.. Seifuku, follow me." Seryl, in a serious tone he spoke as he gave the younger male a stern look. "Be vigilant and quiet as we proceed." Moving apart the cloth hanging from the exit, the male made his way outside. Seifuku followed quickly due to the seriousness the male had shown. The two quietly proceeded outside as Seryl quickly surveyed the area. The male's adopted ability from his Pyroar genes have alotted him to slow down movement. Three silhouettes quicklt darted across the shadows. Seryl's pupils dilated in surprise, as he looked at Seifuku and nodded.

"Understood, Master Seryl." Seifuku said as his uncovered eye glowed a vibrant gold, quickly darting across the building they crossed from. "They're still there. Shall I take care of it, my lord?" The young male asked as he readied his gloved hands that sparked with both black and dark blue electricity.

But before Serly could give an answer, the male inhaled deeply as his chest was filled with air, eyes grew bigger as the male readied to release the breath he held.

"RRRRRAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!"

An exploding voice shook the very foundation of the alley as numerous men came flying from outside the shadows, squirming in fear as they landed on their faces. Seryl then tilted his head as he raised his foot and slammed it across one of the men's backs. The henchman gave out a painful cry as the sadistic grin of the Vice Commander shone, canines as sharp as a lion's, bore into a human face.

"Well, save me the trouble. What exactly do you think you are doing with your auras flaring? At this time of night? You don't look you're from around here." the male asked with a cold voice.

"I-It's nothing! J-Just a stroll!" one of the men exclaimed as they feared for their comrade who was helplessly knocked out by the powerful stomp.

"Oh?~ You know, I wouldn't mind killing you right now. So, spit it out before I.." Seryl then put more pressure on his foot as the male squealed out once more. An agonizing scream that struck fear into his comrades as they tried to reach out to help, but their hands were halted by a sharp katana blade, held by their tormentor. "Well.. You're quite the selfish bunch. Can't you see your little friend here is suffering? This is a really nice road. It'd be a shame if I splatter it with his blood." The male asked, seeming emotionless at what he was doing.

Just then, a foot had kicked Seryl's leg off of the winded out person. It was Seifuku, who gave his superior a glare.

"I'm sorry, Master Seryl. But you are currently off-duty, I am the legal officer to question these people. Stand your ground." Seifuku said with a glare, his amber eyes narrowing slightly on his higher up.

"Seifuku, it's just good fun. I--" But before he could finish, Seifuku had interrupted.

"Stand.. your.. ground." The male growled as his canines grew longer with each word he uttered, his amber eye slowly fading into gold; an indication that he had been irritated at the action, like his family members, these signs were not to be taken lightly.

Seryl then sighed as he placed a hand on his hip, rolling his eyes in the process. "Fine, fine."

Seifuku then turned to striken males as he placed his palm onto the wounded. A bright blue aura enveloped his fingertips as he rearranged his broken ribs and gave his body new life once more. The henchman woke up as he was surprised that the pain had all but withered from his body. With a grateful look, the male kenlt as he placed his fist onto his palm and bowed. "Th-Thank you, my lord!" he exclaimed as his comrades were surprised at the officer, despite knowing they were intruders.

Seifuku placed a lone hand on his shoulder. "Please, tell me. why are you here?" he said in a very benevolent voice. The henchmen looked at each other as they nodded. They gave the same gesture by their tortured comrade as they bowed in respect.

"We are sent by the Rakuen Imperial Court, by the Emperor himself." the male said, a saddening look on his face.

"Hm? The Emperor? What does he need in our province?" Seifuku asked quite puzzled.

--

Metal greaves quickly raced onto the path towards the path towards the Oda palace, a female taking cover at one of the statues. The two guards stationed to guard the palace gates have been vigilant ever since Raiji had returned. The female then showed herself, limping and in pain. She knelt in front of the guards as she coughed and squealed in a very dramatic fashion. The guards were surprised as they quickly approached the female and took her by the arms as they created a support for her.

The two guards helped the female up the stairs and onto the front doors and they opened it for her, revealing an empty lobby. As they did, the female instantaneously healed her feigning injury as she knocked both guards with a chop from her metal gauntlets. She then sighed as she fixed her hair, then raising her hand as numerous men followed her lead.

The look of determination in the woman's eyes was intesifying as she ran across hallway, trying to get to the throne room.

--

"... To assassinate the warlord, Raiji Kizu." the male said, as he looked down on the ground. "We used to be troops for Lord Raiji, but we were pulled during the Assault of Jinye Gate. During the coalition against the demon lord Yami, we were called by the emperor as manpower. Lord Raiji gave us to the emperor, much to his dislike." one of the henchmen said. "We were part of his elite contingency."

"Ah so that's why cousin was angry during that coalition." Seifuku said, shaking his head. Then his eyes widened at a split second. "Wh-What?! Raiji-sama is.."

"We'd better hurry then. It's only a matter of time before.." Seryl, once more was interrupted by a soldier under the night patrol as he knelt and placed his fist on his palm, bowing his head.

"Master Seryl, Master Seifuku, we've just received word that suspicious men have surrounded our barracks!" the male said, head still bowing.

"Damn it!" Seryl exclaimed, as he sheathed his blade. "Contact Master Simon, we must apprehend those who dare trample on Lord Raiji's land." After he had given the soldier an order, another one came and did the same gesture as the first.

"My lords, Mitsuko Yoshida has infiltrated the royal palace with men of the Imperial Court!" the soldier reported.

"Ngh..!" Seifuku gasped out, as his eyes twitched in irritation. "I'll go and alert Master Chen and Mingzhi, Seryl-senpai please go with Master Kashikoi to aid Lord Raiji. We will defend the barracks." Seifuku said, as he turned around and followed the soldier towards the council room to inform the two strategists.

"You're giving me orders now? That kid.. and for me to get Meki-chan, that's troublesome. He's up on that mountain, doing meditation or whatever. It's a barking task." Seryl said, scratching the back of his head. He then turned his gaze on his captured men. "Hm, for the time being, all of you will be placed in the dungeon once Lord Raiji has created a sentence for you." Seryl then snapped his fingers as they were chained onto the ground by magic chains which erupted from the very ground itself.

"He knows magic!" one of the captured men excalimed as his wrists were being restrained.

"Get some men over here and escort these people to the dungeon. I'll deal with them later." Seryl said as he took off to find the unparalelled strategist.

--

Inside his bedroom, Raiji was sleeping soundly, trying to keep his injuries and wounds from opening up once more. He had hoped to get some rest, after the failed ploy against Yami. His bandaged arm was pricking at him, feeling a bit strained after exhausting his sword arm which disabled him from wielding his katana with precision. The warlord sweat heavily as he opened his eyes to the sound of the racket outside. Then a soldier barged into his room. The male creased his brows, as he glared at the soldier.

"You best have a good reason for this." he said, throwing the sheets away as he stood up from his bed.

"Mitsuko Yoshida of the Imperial forces has infiltrated Li Palace, my lord!" he exclaimed as he gave a respectful gesture of bowing.

"Hmph.. I see. I knew the Imperial Court would make their move sooner or later." Raiji said, his arm hanging from a cloth rest which was wrapped onto his shoulder. The male approached a cabinet as he opened it, revealing his elegantly designed armor.

"What should we do, my lord?" the soldier said, still quite shocked about the turn of events.

"Tighten the defenses in the main hallway, have the men from the barracks pursue these imbeciles, I shall circle around with my elite troops to create a pincer attack." Raiji said as he placed and strapped on his armor, grasping his sword with his non dominant arm as he flexed it slowly.

"There's a problem, sir." the soldier said.

"Hm?" Raiji raised an eyebrow, seeing that his orders were clear. "Are you resisting my orders?" he asked, a bit irritated.

"Suspicious men have surrounded the barracks, they are in constant battle." The soldier said, seeming a bit sad to say the bad news.

"No matter. Call upon Jin and my brother, tell them to spread rumors that I have fled the province and leak information that I have used the bridge to the northwest. We shall scatter these fools from my land." Raiji said with conviction as he stepped near a bookcase, pulling one from the shelf as it moved to reveal a secret corridor; before entering, his strapped his katana onto his waist. The warlord took a torch as he lit a way downstairs. "I leave this task to you. Li Province is in your hands, if you do not carry this order, we will have lost our home." Raiji said, without looking back as he continued his way back.

A fist vehemently slammed onto his palm as he bowed. "Yes, my lord! I shall carry out these orders even if it costs me my life!" the soldier said confidently, as he turned around and raced to carry out his orders.

"As expected from my elite troops." Raiji commented, as the bookcase slowly closed, leaving his room dark and empty.

--

After a several minutes, Yugana and the others have received the soldier's orders from Raiji. The older brother seemed surprised that his brother would still attempt to drive them out himself, despite his injury. Yugana then nodded as he saw the soldier off to inform other miscellanous officers to join in Raiji's plot to the northwest. Yugana then turned to the younger boy hastily practicing his tactics and strategy on the maps.

"Jin." he said, as he approached him. Although, the male who was practicing on the maps gave him a cold glare, Yugana was at a lost of words on how he should respond.

"Only Lord Raiji can call me that, you address me as Simon, my lord. Do not take this personally, my lord, I owe Lord Raiji my life and therefore Jin is a sacred name only he can call me." Simon said, as he continually moved the pieces on the map board, rubbing his chin on how to proceed and formulate a plan.

"I understand." Yugana nodded, acknowledging his fault. "Although I'm sure word has reached you of the Imperial court's invasion of Li Province." he said, feeling quite embarrassed that his brother has more privileges than him regarding his officers.

"Wh-What?!" Simon exclaimed, slamming both palms onto the table as he stood up. The young officer took his double-edged trident as he marched towards the exit of the tent. "We must hurry to his aid, at once! Our lord's life is danger!" he exclaimed, as Yugana took ahold of his arm, to which he struggled and tried to escape. "H-Hey! Let go of me, Lord Raiji is in danger!"

"You rash fool, stay put. Did you underestimate our lord so much, that you deem him to not be able to fend himself off?" Yugana asked coldly, with a slightly irritated face.

".. My apologies," Simon said, as he calmed down after seeing reason from a wiser figure. "So, what should we do?"

"We carry out our orders, we spread the rumors about Raiji knowing of their plot and retreating. Then, knowing my brother, he plans to use this as an ambush, hiding his forces within the thick trees that the northwest bridge provides. We shall gather our men from the barracks, gather all officers stationed in the vicinity. We will aid his ambush with a pincer attack." Yugana said, rubbing his chin as he pondered over this predicament.

"Amazing, my lord, I still have much to learn." Simon bowed as he gave the general a serious but confident expression.

"You panic too easily, Simon-kun. Being that you wish to follow in brother's footsteps, as a tactician, warrior and strategist, you must know these things are dealt with delicate care. Disorientation is an unforgivable sin to that who walks the role of the strategist. You are the foundation that builds the battle plan, the battlefield is yours to command. To crumble like that, is your very end." Yugana stated, as he took up his rapier-katana.

"...." Simon fell silent, thinking about what his master had said. It was true, to be a strategist, you must be calm at all aspects. To be as rash as that, can be his utter end. The battlefield is shaped by the strategists, without them, even capable warriors of might could fall easily if all they know is regulation and sheer force. It take an intelligent man to take over the battlefield and make it his own. This was the goal that Simon wished to serve, and with Yugana's words of encouragement. Simon grasped his fist, as he looked towards the horizon with a determined look.

"You all know the plan, men! Divide yourselves into to two forces!" Yugana's raised arm was still standing as he saw the men corralled into a straight formation. Hundreds of men wielding bows, swords and spears looked highly upon Yugana as their morale bolstered. "Our lord is danger, and we must act accordingly to his strategy! Team Alpha, I want you to reinforce Lord Raiji's ambush, take the caverns to the north to reach him. I shall leave you to his command." The soldiers nodded as they gave out a response of agreement.

"For the rest of you, divide yourselves into three! The first group will aid in the defense of the barracks, the second will drive out the intruders from Li Palace, the third will secure the civilians' safety. For the first and second groups, it is paramount that you spread the rumors as you fight, I want you to put up an act that our lord has escaped, and give them the exact location: the bridge to the northwest. Especially for the second group, my intel serves the leader of this invasion is none other than Mitsuko Yoshida, I expect her to be with the assassination squad, they should still be making their way towards Raiji's bed room. Yoshida must know of Raiji's position! After the third group has evacuated the civilians, follow the orders I gave to Team Alpha and aid the ambush. Carry out your orders! Move out!" Yugana shouted as his raised arm was swung to the side, the soldiers quickly running outside of the camp and to follow their orders.

"Simon-kun, I know that this is your post, but I wish for you to do something." Yugana said, walking over to the awestruck young male.

"What is it, my lord?" Simon said, a bit astounded after Yugana had roused the men's spirits. He could have never done such a thing like that. Although his battle speeches were fine, Yugana's words have really struck into the men's morale. He had another person he looked up to. To see that Yugana was this versatile in his orders, he only wondered how Raiji would have given his battle speech.

"I need you to contact our cavalry unit. I wish to rid Yoshida from this land, she has been a nuisance ever since our army joined the coalition against the Conspiracy. I want you to end her life, despite Raiji's protests." Yugana said, giving the male a cold stare.

"B-But.. I couldn't.." Simon said, a bit hesitant at this plan.

"Yoshida will sooner or later succeed in her assassination, the more times she'll try, the less time our lord lives. I do not underestimate Raiji, but in time, Yoshida will be able to decipher our movements and strategies, she can read through us like an open book. We need to end her here, and ensure this is her final attempt. You wish for our lord's safety, right? Then you must do this for his sake, and for the honor you have as his officer." Yugana siad boldly, attempting to silence any hesitation from Simon.

".. I.. I understand!" Simon shouted confidently as he placed his fist on his palm, presenting it to Yugana as he bowed, the male turned around as he took up his double-edged trident and quickly headed towards the direction of the cavalry unit.

--

Rushing footsteps entered the main hallway as the female named Mitsuko took out a shield and sword, bashing and stabbing enemies everywhere. Her assassins helped her in forcing her way into her target's room. After a few minute of fighting, the woman overpowered the men that had protected the hallway leading to Raiji's bedroom. The female looked satisfied, gazing at the blue embellishments of the well-designed door, she took slow steps towards he target's bedroom.

"Finally, this tyrant's rule has come to an end.." Mitsuko said as she kicked the double doors down, and readied her bow and arrow, preapring to strike down the bulge underneath white sheets. Time seemed to slow down as she took her shot, and hit the white sheets. But there was a problem, no blood had poured from the sheets. She raced over to the bed as she took out the sheets protruded by her arrow, as she looked in confusion.

Just then the contingent of men Yugana had sent barged through the doors. Mitsuko then was startled as she gave a high pitched gasp at the ambush.

"Where is your lord!?" Mitsuko asked, angry to see that he had not finished her mission.

"That not in our place to say, you will die here now, Yoshida Mitsuko!" one of the men shouted as they were interrupted by a soldier, part of the ploy they were doing. The soldier knelt at his high ranking officer as he bowed in gesture for respect.

"My lord, Lord Raiji has requested all troops to evacuate Li Province, he is abandoning the town capital!" the soldier exclaimed, as he shook in fear, putting on a show for the imperial assassin.

"Rgh.. then there is no point fighting. Hurry, to the bridge to the northwest, that is where our evacuation route will take place, Lord Raiji might be waiting for us there." The officer in charge said as he quickly ran away in fear that he might fight without purpose, but it was working, Mitsuko caught wind of Raiji's location. Waiting for the soldiers to exit, Mitsuko made her next move.

"I want everyone to march towards the northwest bridge, chase down Raiji and do not let him escape!" Mitsuko exclaimed, as she gave out her orders angrily. It seemed she was frustrated that Raiji was informed, she should have not let that messenger go. Angrily, the woman took off towards the northwest bridge, hastily trying to catch her target.

--

At the barracks, the soldiers fought with the imperial assassins, as they were called off by Yugana himself, as he rode on horseback, raising his hand as he striked it downwards, signalling a retreat.

"Fall back! Lord Raiji has abandoned Li Province, we must evacuate! Fall back, fall back!" The male said as the soldier quickly followed his lead, chased in pursuit by the assassins. Yugana smirked slightly as he gazed at the scene. "They're playing right into our hands." Yugana whisphered to himself, as he lead the assassins into a valley filled with trees. He gazed at the cliff as he raised his hand, then closed his fist. At a mere slight of his hand, arrows rained down from the sky as it dropped down onto the assassins that gave pursuit. Yugana smirked as he looked behind him, not a single man was left alive.

"That takes care of that, Yoshida will be in for a rude awakening once her reinforcements don't show up." Yugana said as he roused the men's spirits with a neigh from his horse as the horse stood in a vertical point, Yugana held onto the reigns for support. "Let us go, we will trap Yoshida in a pincer attack and end her life!"

--

Mitsuko then arrived at the bridge, but so no one. Her contingent of men was scarce but could put up a fight, and she was expecting an ambush, due to the circumstances of the soldier's retreat. As she had said to her troops, 'an ambush is less effective once you see it coming.' And she was right, but she had no other choice but to proceed, seeing as Raiji was very well hidden in the trees.

"Archers!" a voice resounded in the darkness of the forest, as arrows rained down upon on the squad. Mitsuko raised her shield and protected her from being hit by the projectiles, she swatted awy any arrows that came close to her men as well. Due to the versatiity of the female, none of her men were injured. Her eyes glowed bright gold as her canines lengthened, giving her human face a tint predatorial look of a beast. Electricity sparked from her, sword and shield as she surveyed the area.

"Attack, now!" the voice resounded once more, as men who wore very distinct and elegant armor revealed themselves slowly, each of them glaring at the contingent of men.

"I-It's.. the Leonhart, the elite army of Raiji! We're all doomed!" screamed one of the men, as his cry of fear shook the others in a constant feeling of despair.

"We should.. surrender.." some of the men uttered as they lowered their weapons slowly.

"No! Remember what the Emperor told you men. Never surrender! We are the ones he chose personally to end this man's tyrannical rule! Stand up and fight, 'til your last breath. For the Emperor!" Mitsuko exclaimed as she took up her sword and raised it high, electricity forming from her hands, as she looked to punch the ground and create a electrical shockwave. But as quick as lightning, a hand gripped her wrist and halted her attack.

A face of despair Mitsuko harbored as her eyes widened at the sight of her target, glaing at her intensely with those cold and emotionless gold eyes. Time seemed to slow down as he held onto her wrist tightly, squeezing it into submission. Mitsuko squealed loudly, as her men's morale dropped even more, due to the sight of the enemy commander being as merciless as he was.

Mitsuko's eyes then glowed intensely once more as she gave out a cry of battle, her green shockwaves of electricity burning the Raiji's uninjured arm. The warlord somersaulted backwards as he held onto his burnt limb. Raiji's left eye twitched in pain as his injured arm acted up, slowly kneeling down in pain.

"Hmph." Mitsuko scoffed as she gazed at the helpless warlord being surrounded by his troops, looking to protect their lord. "Men, look at this worthless excuse for a person. He cannot even fend for himself, cannot even kill a simple man. Driven out of Chang'an by man who relied of sheer force. Is this Raiji Kizu? The tactician expert? He cannot even execute a proper ambush!" The woman ridiculed Raiji even more as her hubris had shown, although increasing her men's morale, she was showing a weak spot.

Then sounds of men marching came from behind the assassins, as a flurry of arrows hit several of Mitsuko's men, the remaining scared to death. Mitsuko quickly looked behind her in surprise as she saw Raiji's brother, Yugana leading the pincer attack. Seifuku, his strategists and his generals also showed up.

"I-Impossible! A pincer attack? B-But.. then my reinforcements must be.." Mitsuko had planned for her men to stop them from arriving, as she was prone to a pincer attack. To see Yugana escaping their grasp, must mean they were all dead. Mitsuko was trapped in despair as she quickly noticed that her remaining men dropped dead by the hands of Raiji's troops. Angered, Mitsuko released a battle cry as she prepared to stake her life to destroy everyone with a single attack.

"Okay now!" A voice resounded from behind Raiji's group, Simon who led a cavalry unit had horsemen aiding him in his assault. Althouh Raiji had foreseen this and had erected a wall of black lightning to stop their advance. He had already knew that Yugana planned to kill Mitsuko. But he had other plans.

Quickly as a lightning bolt, Raiji dissipated into lightning as dark as the abyss, took the female by the throat and slammed her onto the ground. It seems his injury was just a feint to have her emotions run wild, this was how calculating the warlord was. Raiji proceeded to kick her with a lightning augmented blow, as Mitsuko was lunged into a tree. With a snap of his fingers, black lightning chains strapped the female onto the trunk as she was restrained. Lethargically, Raiji paced around the female.

"No battle plan, no strategy, weak use of tactics." Raiji said hurriedly in an irritated manner. "You disgust me with your putrid execution. Your mere attempt is a slap to the legendary Sun Tzu. Falling to one of my hoaxes, the oldest trick in the book. If I may quote from him, 'Pretend inferiority, and encourage their arrogance.'" Raiji said, as he glared down at the female who looked helpless as she gazed onto the ground.

"Yoshida Mitsuko, you have been in a thorn in my side for quite some time now. It is time I finish you off here, right now." Raiji said, glaring more intensely as his baritone voice struck down at the female.

"Then why didn't you? Your cavalry had a clear shot." Mitsuko said, giving the warlord a glare of her own.

"I do not gain my reputation if not vindictive. The Imperial court has been overseeing my growing faction, have they not? They fear that my army will one day rule this land. My mere presence is an immediate threat to them, is it not? The Emperor seeks my head." Raiji coherently said as his tone leveled to a more unemotional state.

"..." Mitsuko fell silent as she herself did not want to deny the fact that what they were doing was wrong, seeing Raiji upheld a certain position in the Imperial court.

"I am his minster. The Emperor can use my armies at his command. I do not know why he deems to attack his own ministers. Is this how far this chaos has brought us down? Even imperials like the Emperor seek to put down those in power?" Raiji asked, Mitsuko glaring once more at him.

"You are too ambitious, Raiji. That is why you must be put down! That ambition leads to independence, and you will pursue the land. It is my job to stop warlords like you, even ministers from the Imperial court as well, to dumb down that power, and win the struggle for the Imperial court!" Mitsuko shotued, valianlty.

"Hmph. You are a rash fool. Those without power, can never claim any stake in this land. This war between our own faction, the faction that once bound us together is because of the Imperial court! Those imbeciles could never draw out true genius. Fortune and wealth, that is what those fat swines wish for! The Emperor, he is an imbecile. I will overcome this state of chaos, and seize every opportunity this land has!" Raiji made his rebuttal, strikingly placing Mitsuko's sense of confidence down the drain. "Take her away! I have already decided my next course of action." Raiji said as he saw two soldiers take the bound assassin as Mitsuko complied to her arrest.

"Brother, what do you plan to do?" Yugana asked as he saw his younger brother walk off, in a very serious fashion.

"It three months time, we march our armies towards the Rakuen capital, Chang'an. To the Imperial court, where I will make an example of my strength." Raiji said as his officers saw him off, heading towards palace once more.