During Inazuma's civil war, as the war between Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island reached a stalemate, the Shogunate had no choice but to issue repeated conscription orders to replenish its troops.
At first, given the Shogunate Army's reputation and the fact that it represented the Shogun's will, people thought the Resistance on Watatsumi Island was merely a minor nuisance. Enlisting would even earn them some military merit-where else could they find such a good deal? As a result, many civilians answered the call.
But as time went on, people realized that the war was taking a strange turn. Not only did very few recruits return alive, but even those who did came back crippled, missing arms or legs.
Under these circumstances, naturally, far fewer able-bodied young men responded. Sometimes, to meet its conscription quotas, the Shogunate Army could only resort to rounding men up.
This made even fewer people willing to enlist. To evade conscription, many able-bodied young men had no choice but to become wandering samurai and ronin. Some turned to banditry to survive, making a living by raiding villages.
War raged across Kannazuka and Yashiori Island, but life was no easier for civilians on Narukami Island itself. Their households had lost their primary breadwinners, leaving only the old, weak, sick, and disabled, who were also periodically robbed by the Nobushi. People were destitute and driven from their homes-this was exactly what those words described.
Meanwhile, the Shogunate Army, which should have been responsible for suppressing the bandits, had no troops to spare because of the intense fighting at the front, allowing roaming bandits to proliferate across Narukami Island.
Among their bases was Jinren Island, directly north of Narukami Island. Remote, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and isolated from Narukami Island, it became the largest gathering place