Hukama’s forces were spread too thin within Yukai City. Between keeping the sewers guarded and various strongholds within the city, he didn’t have the forces necessary to fight on three fronts.

His captains beamed at their new reinforcements arriving from the southern gate. Ujio felt pride and hope as well. “How many men did you bring?” he asked Captain Kachizuma.

The man bowed in respect, though Sakuraichi was not his daimyō. I have four-hundred archers, six-hundred spears and five-hundred samurai.

“And the rest?”

“Peasant fighters, my lord.”

Ujio nodded, then turned to his commanders. Muji, the giant masked samurai known as the Demon was here. “Now is our time to strike—hard and fast. Much of our strategy will be dependent on my forces besieged at the Western Temple to take advantage of our attack.”

Ujio turned to Kachizuma. “How did you know to come?”

“It was a woman. She—“

“Glided on the wind?”

“Hai!”

Ujio smiled, and Muji stepped forward. “Where is Haku?” the big samurai asked.

“North. She will respond accordingly,” Ujio said. “I have no doubt that she is at the harbor with the emperor. When she realizes what is happening, she will inform Kozuo-san of his new orders.”

“What of the witch and her creature?”

Not uttering the words aloud, those two mercenaries concerned the daimyō greatly. Were they in his employ? Or are they loyal to Hukama? “Muji.”

“Hai?”

“I will harry Hukama’s forces at the base of the Western Temple while he fights our forces holding that position. You will strike the harbor from the south, and find that witch. She belongs to Hukama and she has betrayed me—you know what to do.”

“Hai, daimyō-sama!” Muji shouted orders to his captains and they trotted off.

Are these the consequences of my decisions?

Assassinating the emperor was a treacherous act. He needed treacherous people to do that. The assassin. That witch and her creature. All turned on him. He should not be surprised.

The way of the snake brings backbiting and dishonor. I have shamed myself.

He did not let the regret show on his face. He was doing what was necessary—what Mikuma and Yukai City needed. But… the path he had to tread was one of dishonor, danger and very likely his eventual death.

“Kachizuma. With me.”

The commander of their newly arrived forces stepped in behind Ujio as he made his way into their new makeshift command post. Addressing one of the ninja there, he said, “My wife and daughters. Take them out of the city.”

The ninja bowed and without any more fanfare left the command post to do his bidding. The daimyō had been far too preoccupied up until now and had completely forgotten about their safety.

Another source of shame on his part, knowing he had been worrying about Haku far more than them. He wasn’t fit to be the emperor of Mikuma—but neither was Kurosawa.

I will do what must be done. For my country and my culture.

“No longer will Mikuma be the whore of the world,” he said aloud. He nearly startled himself. He hadn’t meant to say the words where others may hear, but the men around him nodded in agreement and determination to their combined resolve.

He felt proud.