[center][h3]Shizuyama Wilderness[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Xaltwind] (REL), [@The Irish Tree] (EUL), [@Rezod92] ~[/center]

[u]Relica[/u] and [u]Kerry's[/u] retaliation for the prank left the monk unconscious on the floor while the mother took her child and fled the house screaming.

Several villagers in the secluded settlement opened their doors to see what was going on. But upon seeing [u]Eula[/u] and [u]Kerry[/u] squaring off, they immediately shut their doors and closed their windows. The air swirling around [u]Kerry[/u] was just more evidence that this altercation will get destructive very quick and that all they could do was huddle in their homes and hope they don't get caught in the crossfire.

Even the animals have fled, the tweeting birds flying away and the chittering insects skulking back to their burrows. Now, only the winds could be heard between the feuding taskforce members. 

The stage was set, and all that was left was for [u]Eula[/u] or [u]Kerry[/u] or [u]Relica[/u] to make their next move.

[hr]
[center][h3]Kazenosuke's House[/h3][/center]
[center][b]KAZENOSUKE, DANCING BLADE[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@AzureKnight] (SHI), [@Crowvette], [@Nakushita] ~[/center]

[u]Shizuka[/u] said that he would be going after their fellow taskforce member, leaving Kazenosuke in the care of [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u].

[quote=Io]"[b][color=thistle]He will be safe. Rest assured.[/color][/b]"[/quote]

[quote=Yuki Akamata][color=f7941d]“As for me, I think I’ll head back too the temple as well, I need to recover a bit of energy. It’s been a while since I had to get physical”[/color][/quote]

Kazenosuke chuckled. "[color=indianred]I am very much capable of defending myself, ladies.[/color]" He remarked. "[color=indianred]Although I supposed I don't mind some beautiful company.[/color]"

---

Unfortunately for [u]Io[/u], she was with [u]Yuki[/u] as they escorted Kazenosuke to Terauchi Temple. The trip through the dirt roads were uneventful until they ascended a mountain path and got a good look at a portion of Shizuyama's many shorelines.

The trio saw ships of varying sizes occupying the water, it was the Varjan blockade said to have surrounded the island. The waters were not completely filled, but there were enough that even a small vessel will be easily spotted by any lookout on the Varjan ships. Meanwhile on the land, several thick smoke stacks could be seen rising to the sky. Likely coming from the villages and homesteads hit by the Varjans.

Kazenosuke spent a few moments just staring at the sights before letting out a heavy sigh. "[color=indianred]Say, yokai...[/color]" He called out to [u]Io[/u] and [u]Yuki[/u]. "[color=indianred]Be honest with me, do we... does Shizuyama actually have a chance?[/color]"

[hr]
[center][h3]Fukami Port[/h3][/center]
[center][b]LOST AT SEA[/b][/center]
[center]~ [@Enkryption], [@The Irish Tree] (LIL) ~[/center]

[quote=Alice][center][h2]"[color=6083ff][i][b]AND, I DEMAND TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER![/b][/i][/color]"[/h2][/center][/quote]

The rainbow knight covered his ears and recoiled from [u]Alice's[/u] loud demand. "Alright! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, okay? You're the most awesomest Queen ever and Shizuyama is graced by your blessed presence. You have the island's eternal gratitude and all that." He quickly apologized. "Please don't call for my manager, I beg you! I'm almost Company member of the year and a complaint now is seriously gonna ruin my chances!"

Glancing at the still-dueling [u]Carroll[/u] and the Whimsy blade, the knight leaned towards [u]Liliana[/u] and whispered. "Uhh, are we sure those two are gonna be alright?"

[hr]
[center][h3]Terauchi Temple[/h3][/center]

[center]~ [@Hammerman] ~[/center]

After talking with Musubi, Takeshi left the pagoda with [u]Lunatea[/u]. The Nurarihyon brought news from Lady Kyouko, saying that the Inari had a fleet awaiting to attack the Varjan blockade but needed a friendly port or the fleet will get worn down through attrition. Musubi said she would help the taskforce from the shadows as that was more her thing.

Somehow, Takeshi and [u]Lunatea[/u] were together again, making things a little awkward considering their earlier interaction. Scratching the back of his head, Takeshi could not help but sigh. "Well, I guess we're together again." He remarked. The young lord was looking for something to separate from [u]Lunatea[/u] and escape the awkardness, but decided not to.

"...You know, now that I thought about it." Takeshi started. "Had... everything been [i]vastly[/i] different, I'd definitely consider getting together with you." He flashed her a goofy, yet genuine, smile.

[center]---
[@Restalaan] (GRI)[/center]

[quote=Gringor][color=f7941d]“A moment or instant is enough, can use to block or become hard when enemy charge. So, what I need to do?”[/color][/quote]

"[color=orange]Indeed, that is the most common application of the technique for the novices.[/color]" Nobutada nodded. "[color=orange]Become untouchable for the strongest strikes, before returning to the fold when the enemy is exhausted. Using the technique like that will make you fatigued in a very short time, though. Not very suitable in a prolonged fight.[/color]"

"[color=orange]But I'm afraid calm and hunting will not do. You may be sitting still when you hunt, but you are tense. Alert. Ready to pounce at any moment. No...[/color]" The monk shook his head. "[color=orange]You must be relaxed. Your guard must be down. Your thoughts serene. Thinking of nothing at all also counts, merely basking in the quiet silence.[/color]"

"[color=orange]Look, I know you are enamored with the technique and are willing to brave its difficulty...[/color]" Nobutada continued. "[color=orange]But wasting time here might be detrimental, when you could be learning other things more suited to your style and personality.[/color]"

[center]---
[@Restalaan] (SKA), [@AzureKnight] (HIN)[/center]

(Sorry, but we'll need to wait for AzureKnight to post for this one.)

[hr]
[hr]
[hr]

[center]~~ TAKESHI'S JOURNEY ~~[/center]

*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*

[center]~~ TAKAMORI TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=Teacher And Student]
"Lord Takamori said that his traitorous daughter, Setsuna, is training Varjan archers in Ōmiya. I know this frightens him, even if he tries to hide it. If we don't find her and end this, there may be no stopping the archers, and no hope for Ōmiya Springs. We need to see Lord Takamori immediately."
-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]

[center]~~ SORAE TALES ~~[/center]

*Finish 'Pre-Emptive Strike' to unlock next tale*

[center]~~ TALES OF SHIZUYAMA ~~[/center]

[hider=Whispers In The Woods]
A villager woman remarked to the taskforce member as the latter passed by.

"You better watch out if you're passing Yabo Forest, yokai. It's haunted by angry spirits... Dead samurai, eager to spill blood."

"People go into the woods and never come out. Varjan and Shizuyaman alike! The bodies that turn up have all been killed by Shizuyaman blades..."
[/hider]

[hider=The Other Side Of Honor]
A peasant man eating barbecued meat on a stick was startled when the taskforce member approached. It appeared he has news.

"Yokai! You have to tell Lord Takeshi, there is another samurai noble who survived Sanjo Beach. His name is Lord Tonchiki. He's in his abode southeast of here. If you go see him, I'm sure he would join your cause."

"Err, maybe not. I guess you'll need Lord Takeshi himself to convince him."
[/hider]

[hider=Shizuyama's Freedom]
A villager sitting on some stone steps in the temple stood up when the taskforce member approached. "Yokai, I've heard of a small resistance group gathering in the Imahama Area. I believe they're headed by that shrine priestess that started a fight here not too long ago."

"They're recruiting farmers and fishermen to their cause. Brave, but it'll be dangerous if they're not trained."
[/hider]

[center]~~ LEGENDARY TALES ~~[/center]

[hider=The Heavenly Strike]
"Dealing with these students of the Heavenly Strike was more difficult than we thought. They have already thrown back two of the taskforce. However, the yokai fought them separately and at different times, so perhaps a more cooperative approach would be more fruitful."

-Takeshi Oja
[/hider]