Lightning Country, Daimyo Palace.
As the Daimyo Palace of a major country, the entire estate covered an enormous area. Pavilions and towers, upturned eaves and green tiles crisscrossed one another, refined yet elegant. Rare flowers and exotic grasses lined winding streams, making it seem like a paradise on earth.
In a rain pavilion at the center of the estate, wisps of white smoke drifted from an incense burner. A maid brewed tea nearby while two men dressed in splendid robes sat kneeling across from each other at a Go board.
Neither man placed his stones quickly. As they captured and set down pieces, one of them stroked his beard and smiled. "It has been a long time since we played Go together, hasn't it? But as the daimyo of your country, with a war still raging outside, is it really appropriate for you to be leisurely playing Go with me?"
The Lightning Daimyo rubbed a black stone between his fingers, his gaze never leaving the board. "They are nothing but a rabble. If you are afraid, then return to your Land of Fire."
"Hahaha... If I were afraid, I would not have come looking for you at a time like this."
The Fire Daimyo laughed heartily, but quickly reined it in. "Still, do not underestimate those ninja. As far as I know, they have already taken quite a few of your cities, haven't they?"
At last, the Lightning Daimyo raised his head to meet the Fire Daimyo's eyes. Though they were daimyos of two different great nations, they had a fairly good personal relationship. Otherwise, they would not have been privately playing Go together.
But personal friendship was one thing; their positions were ultimately not on the same side. The moment the other man opened his mouth, he had vaguely