Chaos in Japan

Atop Heian-kyo's low city walls, the Emperor had climbed to the highest point and looked down over the groups of little men outside.

As the elite forces of each clan's main bloodline, every army wore armor of a different color. Most wore cloth or leather armor; only the Abe clan's elite troops wore great armor, a reflection of the differences in each clan's strength.

When the Emperor appeared on the walls, the armies did not stir. They were well-trained clan troops and showed him not the slightest respect.

If not for this unexpected incident, they might have gone their entire lives without ever seeing this so-called Emperor.

The commanders of the thirteen armies also followed a strict hierarchy. An Peiyang stood at their head, while the other twelve clan commanders were ranked according to their strength and troop numbers.

Thus, from the Emperor's perspective, the thirteen mounted commanders formed a diagonal line.

Their positions differed, but they shared one striking similarity: all thirteen stared at the Emperor with fury in their eyes. Even those secretly delighted would put on an angry face.

Though they commanded their respective clans' armies, none knew how many spies other clans had planted among their troops.

To sleep with their eyes closed at night, none of the thirteen dared let their guard down, much less look pleased.

"Ahem! Warriors of great Japan, thank you for making the long journey."

The Emperor struggled to look solemn. There were a full hundred thousand troops before him! He had never seen so many soldiers in his life.

At the sight of that dark, sprawling mass, his heart, so smug these past few days, seemed to skip a beat. His legs went weak with fright.

But he could hardly be blamed. After all, he was nothing more than a pitiful figurehead.

At the Emperor's words, An Peiyang was the first to dismount. He offered a bow that utterly disregarded proper etiquette. "We ask Your Majesty to inspect the troops."

Following An Peiyang's lead, the other commanders dismounted, while the hundred thousand soldiers behind them echoed in unison, "We ask Your Majesty to inspect the troops!"

Though none were particularly tall, their sheer numbers spoke for themselves. A hundred thousand voices ringing out together made the Emperor shudder atop the walls.

When the Emperor's knees buckled in fright and he nearly collapsed onto the wall, a few laughs broke through the heavy atmosphere hanging over the mass of troops.

"Hahaha! That coward is our Emperor? What a little idiot. Too funny-we actually scared his legs out from under him!"

"Exactly!"

Everyone began mocking him, but the Emperor did not dare go down and confront them. He could only pretend to remain calm and act as though nothing had happened.

"You are all warriors of Japan, all my subjects. May you return victorious from this campaign!"

After speaking, the Emperor slunk away with his guards supporting him, looking rather as though he were fleeing for his life.

"What a spineless bastard. And he actually dared imprison our clan heads. I'd love to charge straight in and slaughter everyone in Heian-kyo."

Meichuan Neiku spoke with a vicious expression. He was Umechuan Kuko's eldest son and the most renowned warrior in their clan's army.

An Peiyang glanced at the vast city of Heian-kyo. Sooner or later, I'll kill you myself and wipe away my uncle's humiliation. You foolish Emperor!

He glanced at the twelve men behind him, considered for a moment, then spoke. "We'll have to work together on this campaign against the barbarian people."

"You're right, Brother Abe. We'll certainly cooperate."

The moment An Peiyang finished speaking, the other twelve hurried to promise their full cooperation. At the very least, they could not show any dissent openly.

"Then let us advance along thirteen routes for this campaign. If anyone encounters a large force of barbarian people, the rest must rush to support them. No playing games."

Shandao Taizhang was a member of a collateral branch of the Shandao clan. Through his formidable martial prowess, he had forced his way into the commander's position, though he looked utterly honest.

"Haha, of course. We understand that if one falls, the rest are in danger."

As the hundred thousand troops departed, even the dark clouds over Heian-kyo seemed to lift a little.

"Those damned idiots! They showed me no respect at all! Once I reclaim my power, I'll kill them all! Every last one!"

Back in the Imperial Palace, the Emperor angrily hurled the pottery beside him onto the floor, cursing without pause.

To him, this inspection had been a complete humiliation. Those so-called clan commanders had shown him no respect whatsoever.

But for now, he could only smash things here to vent his anger. After all, he was a powerless figurehead.

"Clan head, our men have departed," one of Abe Jinyuan's trusted aides whispered into his ear.

Ever since they had been confined to this tavern, only a handful of trusted aides had been allowed near them each day. Everyone else was stopped by the Emperor's guards.

Even those few aides had only managed to enter after paying hefty bribes, and it was precisely thanks to their presence that things had held together.

Otherwise, Umechuan Kuko would have long since died from the pain. After all, a whole portion of his hand had been sliced clean off.

Although the Emperor later sent someone to treat him, Umechuan Kuko's obese body had still shrunk considerably. His weight loss could be considered a success.

"Ah... When have I, the head of the great Abe clan, ever suffered such humiliation? Even the Fujiwara Northern House wouldn't dare degrade me like this. Yet I've been humiliated by a mere Emperor."

Abe Jinyuan slammed his fist onto the table, his eyes filled with exhaustion and anger. Here, he did not even dare sleep too soundly, afraid the Emperor might secretly slit his throat.

"Go notify the other clan heads. Have them come to my room for a brief meeting."

Abe Jinyuan waved a hand, signaling for the aide before him to fetch the others.

Knock, knock, knock.

"My lord, those kneeling outside have knocked themselves unconscious kowtowing. Should I chop off a few of their fingers to wake them?"

Uraume bent slightly and spoke into Sukuna's ear. Though Sukuna sat cross-legged on the ground, he was still much taller than most people. Only the Special Grade Sorcerer Uraume stood a little taller than the seated Sukuna.

Usually, however, Uraume would not stand all day, instead spending most of the time kneeling behind him.

Hearing Uraume's words, it was hard to believe a woman with such delicate features could suggest something so ruthless.

"Throw them back into their homes. Once they wake up, they can come back to kneel and kowtow. I don't want such wonderful music to stop."

"Yes, my lord. Also, those clan armies have departed. Apparently, they split into thirteen forces and are advancing simultaneously."

"Oh? I didn't expect them to know anything about tactics. It seems I underestimated them before."

Sukuna chuckled. "I wonder how they'll fare against those barbarian people, who now have fine weapons and have spent more than half a month preparing."

"Uraume, go make me something delicious. I've been feeling increasingly tired lately."

Uraume silently rose and turned to enter the kitchen without answering.

"Autumn already. I don't have much time left."

Looking at the withered leaves before him, yellowed and fallen, he suddenly felt sorrow spread through his heart. People said many ancient poets grew especially homesick whenever autumn came.

Though he was neither particularly cultured nor a poet, he still missed his home from his previous life a little. Though he had been an orphan with neither father nor mother, an indescribable ache welled up inside him.

"Whatever. In a thousand years, I'll be able to drink cola and eat delicious fried chicken!"

At that thought, his sadness dissipated, leaving only a little excitement. Cola was the love of his life.

As he thought about it, he drifted into another daze.

"Do any of you know why I called you here?" Abe Jinyuan stroked his goatee, which had shed quite a few hairs lately.

"Please tell us, Clan Head Abe. How would we know?"

Yoshiko Kawashima's face was still deathly pale, but this time she had coated it with plaster dust. None of her trusted aides would bring her lead powder, and she was too embarrassed to ask. After all, she considered it a secret to making women beautiful and had no desire to share it.

"I've already sent my trusted aides to find those Reclusive Masters. It won't be long now. Soon, we'll be able to leave."