Rise of Otosan Uchi

After the battle of Shamate Pass, Kanpeki allows Dairuko’s forces to retrieve her body and retreat, although there are few survivors. As he meets with Bayushi Nitoshi, some Chuda and their tainted creatures attack the village of Oiku without his knowledge, rounding up hundreds of men, women, and children, butchering and raising them en masse, or binding them to Oni.

Infuriated, Kanpeki confronts the Chuda over these unsanctioned actions. The Chuda claim because they were denied the ability to raise the Lion fallen from the Shamate Pass battle, their forces needed to be replenished somehow for the upcoming siege on Toshi Ranbo. Kanpeki realizes he cannot win without their support, and declines to punish their leaders. This inaction outrages some of Kanpeki’s untainted troops, who think he has sacrificed far too much to placate the Chuda and the tainted. Chief among them is Daigotsu Geiko, and he and a handful of like-minded troops abandon the front.

Kano’s army, still blocked from moving back to Shamate by Scorpion forces he thought would be his allies, is surprised when a sizable force appears at his rear, flying the banners of the Crab Clan. Kano meets with Hida Toranosuke, the commander, who tells him he intends to go through both Kano and the Scorpion if needed to reach the capitol. Kano offers to join forces instead. This new, far more formidable force, convinces the Scorpion troops to withdraw, allowing Kano to finally make his pushback to discover his sister’s fate

The ritual planned by Nitoshi to evacuate the Imperial family is taking longer than anticipated, and Nitoshi sends word ahead that he cannot delay the push to the capitol long enough. Moto Taigo gathers what forces are available to him from the Imperial Legions and leads a desperate offensive against Kanpeki’s forces to try to buy the time needed. Taigo and the Imperials fight ferociously. 

At the height of the battle, Moto Naleesh appears suddenly on horseback, charging into the fray. Taigo rides out to meet her, and the excitement the Imperials initially feel at her arrival turns to horror as Naleesh suddenly turns her blade on the surprised Shogun, mortally wounding him. She begins gleefully slaughtering members of the Legion, and their ranks quickly falter. Those who do not die in the fighting retreat to the city walls. Taigo is killed by Moto Daigoro, who flays him and strings his remains up on a war banner. Naleesh kneels before Kanpeki and vows her allegiance, to the surprise of even Nitoshi. 

Arriving at the walls, Kanpeki and his forces enter the city, where they make quick work of any of the remaining defenders on their way to the palace. However, before they can reach it, a terrific explosion rocks the Imperial Palace. Kanpeki explains to a confused Nitoshi that he had been warned the Iwekos might try to escape the city to the Colonies through a Goju agent, and the Chuda had provided him with a scroll of corrupted magic that would disrupt it, but it appears to have had an unexpectedly powerful result. 

Kanpeki enters the palace, finding piles of dismembered and burned members of the Iweko’s entourage. Frustrated, Kanpeki orders Naleesh and Daigoro to scour the city for any trace that they might have escaped. When they are alone, Kanpeki reveals he knew of the ritual, and that Nitoshi was the one who planned it, as the agent was a Scorpion corrupted by the Goju. Revealed, an amused Nitoshi ridicules Kanpeki for failing to capture the Iweko despite knowing of his plans. He draws his sword, and the two duel. Nitoshi manages to injure Kanpeki with a blow to the side, but he is outmatched by the tainted and powerful Spider leader, and Nitoshi is killed. Kanpeki takes the Steel Throne and orders the city to be burned to the ground.

In the Crane lands, Daidoji Akeha, mourning the death of her son who fell in battle during her guerilla campaign, returns to Kyuden Doji. Upon arriving, she is shocked to see that Doji Meiji, a relatively unknown minor functionary, has managed to take into custody Makoto’s son, and convinced a large group of other minor nobles not sent to the Colonies to support him. She manages to escape an attempt to take her into custody but is unable to retrieve the heir to the Crane Clan Championship before being forced to retreat into the countryside. However, her son Nio surprises her by successfully managing to get Makoto’s nephew safely into their camps.

Meanwhile, the Crane duelist Kakita Shinichi, along with his good friend Shiba Kakei, has been tracking the corrupted Spider duelist Daigotsu Atsushi to avenge the death of Shinichi’s brother Daitsu. They enter Shamate Pass searching for him, only to discover a man named Hiruma Tetsuya guiding an injured princess Iweko Miaka. Miaka explains that the Jade Champion was attempting a ritual meant to allow the Imperial Family and their retinue to transport across the Empire to the Colonies, when Miaka’s betrothed, Bayushi Karayudo, was revealed to have been replaced by a Goju shapeshifter. It somehow interfered with the ritual at a critical moment, resulting in an explosion that engulfed the Jade and Emerald Champions, her brothers, Empress Ayameko, and many of their staff, outright killing many others.  Miaka awoke and managed to stumble out into the streets of the city in a daze, where she encountered Tetsuya, an old friend, who helped her and several others escape the invasion.  

Shinichi promises to take Miaka to safety, but the group is set upon by Atsushi, now totally deranged by his taint. In the fighting, both Tetsuya and Kakei are killed, and Atsushi is destroyed.  Unsure of what to do, Shinichi takes Miaka south, away from Toshi Ranbo, when he encounters the armies of Akodo Kano and Hida Toranosuke. Miaka relates the story of the ritual to the two of them, and Toranosuke wishes to press on to attack Kanpeki, but Kano manages to dissuade him, insisting they must take Miaka to the relative safety of the Crab lands.

The combined forces arrive at the edge of the Shinomen. Hida Toranosuke and Iweko Miaka personally negotiate with the Naga leaders and prove they do not have hostile intentions. Qamar agrees to safe passage for the army through the Shinomen but rejects any overtures at an alliance,  concerned about disharmony with the Ijathilu and his allies. Minoko proposes that, if the Naga agree to a defensive alliance only, she will take the human refugees with her and follow Kano to the Crab lands. This offer placates Ijathilu’s faction enough, and Qamar agrees to come to the alliance’s defense if attacked, but no more. Zenathaar and a small group of like-minded Naga express a desire to accompany the humans in their war and, with Dashmar’s support, Qamar reluctantly agrees. Many of the Kitsune refugees refuse to leave the Shinomen, however, and Minoko leaves them behind, telling them they are on their own.

Kano and Toranosuke arrive back at the Crab lands and are informed that Kisada is delirious and near death. Arriving at his bedside, Kisada expresses his regrets to Toranosuke and the gathered daimyo of the Crab families that his brother Renyu, who ventured into the Shadowlands after his disgrace at the First Seal battle, is likely dead, and that Kisada himself has no children. Renyu has a daughter, still young but Kuni-trained, and ill-prepared to lead a Great Clan in a time of crisis. Kisada publicly names Toranosuke his successor as Champion until a suitable inheritor to the Hida bloodline can be raised. He then dies that evening.

After the funeral, a distraught Miaka contemplates jigai. She blames herself for failing to realize Karyudo had been corrupted and for the deaths of the rest of her family and so many of their close attendants. Toranosuke chides her for her selfishness, and Kano convinces her that she must be the one to take the throne in the Iweko name, and act as a rallying point for resistance to Kanpeki's rule. A reluctant Miaka agrees, though states she will not be Iweko III until Kanpeki is defeated.

In the Dragon lands, word of the events at the capitol is carried by traveling monks that Higaru is using as an information network. Shikei is distraught over the news of Naleesh’s apparent loyalty to Kanpeki and enters a secluded period of meditation to search for answers. Attendants discover he has disappeared a few days later, leaving a simple note declaring he has had a vision, and is abdicating his position immediately for another purpose. He names Togashi Higaru as his successor and urges the Clan to maintain his policy of isolation. The other daimyo of the Dragon, after some debate, chooses to honor Shikei’s wishes. This does not sit well with Togashi Noboru, who is advocating for aggressive action against Kanpeki, and he makes his displeasure with the decision loudly known.

In Isawa's City, the three remaining members of the Elemental Council debate the best course of action for the besieged Clan. The Master of Air proposes trying to form a pact between themselves, the Dragon, and the Unicorn, but Isawa Koiso rejects this, citing the incidents at Nanashi Mura and Treacherous Pass in order to dismiss their potential as allies. Both argue their cases to a frustrated Isawa Shunryu, when an elderly attendant enters to serve them tea. Drawing a dagger, she plunges it deeply into Shunryu's neck, shouting that the Phoenix lands would be Yobanjin lands again. Koiso immediately vaporizes the attacker, but the chamber and the city are sent into a panic, as everyone is shocked by this inexplicable infiltration of Isawa's City. Attempts to treat Shunryu fail, and he shockingly undergoes a horrifying transformation into a Nameless One, as it's discovered the blade was tainted and specially prepared by the Goju, which allowed it to be concealed so effectively. An enraged Koiso declares that the Phoenix can never bend their knees to Kanpeki, and that they must stand alone. She also declares a pogrom against the Yobanjin that have been trying to take Phoenix lands in the far north that Kanpeki promised them, vowing they will be utterly wiped out. 

In the Colonies, Isawa Hibana is brought a young man, one of the members of their refugee group named Shiba Tamashii. Barely past his gempukku, Tamashii's family were killed during the exodus across the Dragon mountains and through the trek to the Colonies. He reveals he has inherited the soul of Shiba, proving it by relating to Hibana and to revered military commander Shiba Tetsunori personal stories of encounters they had with Shiba Tsukimi years ago, when Hibana was a child, and during Tetsunori's first military campaign with the now-deceased Champion. Tamashii insists he must return to Isawa's City, and Tetsunori vows to accompany him. Asako Shino, the headstrong younger sister of the fallen Master of Water, who was another refugee that developed a close bond of friendship with Tamashii before his transformation, joins them in their quest, uninvited, much to Tamashii's chagrin.

News of Naleesh’s betrayal and the death of Taigo send the Unicorn into despair. Shinjo Min-Hee, confined to bed, refuses to believe that the real Moto Naleesh would ever do such things that the impostor must be stopped at all costs before she divides the Unicorn and that they should declare Naleesh dead and pass on the mantle of Clan Champion. However, Min-Hee acknowledges that she is not able to lead the Unicorn at this time, as she is unlikely to ever walk again, let alone ride. With Utaku Ji-Yun similarly unable to lead on the battlefield and Moto Chinua in the Colonies, Min-Hee and the other Daimyo offer the championship to Min-Hee’s most trusted and capable leader, Shinjo Saeki. Saeki vows to bring Naleesh to justice and uncover the truth, or destroy her if necessary.

In the colonies, Otomo Suikihime leads a memorial for those who died during the Siege, including her brother Takama. Suikihime shocks many by openly acknowledging the efforts of the Fudoists during the battle, and revealing that Takama had been one of them. Shortly after, a group of Unicorn outriders brings a gravely injured woman to the Second City. After meeting with her, Suikihime announces the fall of Toshi Ranbo to the assembled citizens. She declares that the injured woman is Iweko Ayameko, the Empress, and is pregnant. Suikihime vows that the Colonies will protect and defend the rightful heir of the Iweko dynasty, putting the Empress under constant guard. The news of her survival, and of a potential blood heir to Iweko Seiken, rallies the Colonials, in particular its Dragon Clan residents, many of whom become ardent supporters of Suikihime, despite their reservations regarding her changing stance against Fudoism.

Arriving at Otosan Uchi, Kanpeki commands that the ancient city will be restored, installs the throne, and proclaims himself Emperor. He begins issuing proclamations such as an end to the raising of Brotherhood temples, and that the Chuda will be granted the land around the Second Pit as their domain to maintain, but restrict their activities to that area alone. He assigns the Dark Moto the task of crushing the rampant banditry and lawlessness that has flourished since the war began, restricting their ‘recruiting’ to only those that they destroy in this task. He offers blanket amnesty to all who will acknowledge him as Emperor and promises the beginning of a new era of peace.

 
When Iweko Miaka’s survival and intention to claim the throne reaches the Colonies, Suikihime and her allies decry Akodo Kano for ‘taking possession’ of the princess, and ‘tricking her’ into going along with his obvious scheme. Rumors that Kano has the assistance of the Naga, still much hated in the Colonies, do little to help the situation. Likewise, when news arrives of the Governor’s claims, Miaka has severe doubts about them, sure she saw Ayameko killed, and that she had not mentioned anything about a pregnancy.

Bayushi Kanahime, through the Kuroiban’s network of agents, informs the leaders of the Scorpion that Nitoshi has died, and she will now lead the Clan in his place to resist his rule, though they lack the power to do so openly. To that end, she orders the governor of Ryoko Owari, Shosuro Takumi, to swear his fealty to Kanpeki, and work his way into a position to subvert and undermine what he can until the time is right.

Kanpeki is surprised when Doji Meiji arrives at Otosan Uchi, claiming to be acting as regent of the Crane Clan until Makoto’s heir is of age. Kanpeki demands his fealty, but Meiji boldly states no honorable samurai would swear an oath to Daigotsu Kanpeki. Before he can be killed, however, he does suggest that many might be willing to reaffirm their oaths to a Hantei Emperor instead. He says the Crane would be honored to resume their role as the traditional political advisors to a restored Hantei dynasty instead of a Spider one, and that many traditionalists and others simply sick of decades of instability following the Scorpion Coup might be inclined to do the same. Ultimately, Kanpeki agrees with this and proclaims himself Hantei XL.

Surprisingly, a man in attendance, a mercenary commander serving in the Spider army, steps from the crowd, demanding an audience. Amused, Kanpeki grants it, only to discover this man is a former Mantis Clan Samurai named Yoritomo Ichido. Kneeling, Ichido pledges his fealty to the Hantei, and shocks those assembled by presenting a gift: the long-lost Ancestral Sword of the Hantei, previously in the hands of the Mantis Clan. Hantei accepts this gift, and, in recognition for Ichido being the 'first' to swear his loyalty to the Hantei line proclaims him the Mantis Clan Champion. He offers to grant him his own family line, but Ichido instead asks to take the old Mantis family name Gusai, in honor of his fallen compatriots in the Sons of Gusai, of which he is the last survivor. This request is granted.

This news outrages the Mantis that have gathered under the banners of Kano and Toraosuke in the south. A furious Yoritomo Minoko vows that the Gusai name is no better than the Shadowlands taint. Iweko Miaka, recognizing that most of the Mantis there look to her as their leader and spokesman, declares that she recognizes Minoko as the acting true Mantis Clan Champion. A surprised and somewhat reluctant Minoko accepts, but only until a proper family heir can be found.

In the Colonies, news of the 'restored' Gusai-led Mantis Clan is met with anger by most, and ridicule by Yoritomo Seiki, the wealthy and popular 'Young Thunder'. Suikihime, acting as Imperial Regent to the Empress, offers Seiki provisional leadership of the Mantis Clan, and full formal recognition when the Iweko heir is of age, in exchange for his promise of loyalty to her. He readily agrees.