Main World, British Continent, New Capital.
In the council chamber deep within the Imperial Palace, the fire burned brightly, driving away the early winter chill. A huge map of the British Continent lay across the broad table, marked in different colors to show the distribution of noble territories, troop deployments, and progress in newly developed regions.
Yutian sat beside the head of the table, his deep purple governor's robes immaculate. A thick dossier lay open before him, densely packed with information on every ninja clan currently registered in the Great British Empire.
"Grand Duke, Clan Chief Shiya has arrived."
An attendant bowed in the doorway.
"Show him in."
A moment later, a burly middle-aged man with a resolute face walked in. He wore a dark gray imperial military uniform, his epaulets embroidered with the silver insignia of a knight, and carried a long, simply fashioned saber at his waist. His steps were steady and powerful, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, and he radiated the killing aura of a seasoned battlefield veteran.
Shiya-one of the first natives of the Great British Empire to follow Toyotomi Yinglang, and the first captain of the Rifle Squad-was now a noble with his own fief and title. Taking his own name as his surname, he had founded the Shiya Clan.
"Grand Duke."
Shiya dropped to one knee and struck his chest with his right fist, giving a regulation imperial military salute.
"Sit."
Yutian pointed to the chair opposite him.
Shiya rose and sat down, his back perfectly straight.
"Grand Duke, you sent for me?"
"Yes."
Yutian pushed the dossier in his hand toward him.
"Take a look at this."
Shiya took the dossier, opened it, and quickly scanned its contents.
It was a statistical report on every ninja clan currently in the Great British