AN AOTOSHI GENERAL SAT IN KUNSHU’S ROOM, playing a game of chess against his king. While the two of them played, testing one another, the string quartet was playing through Mozart's 19th String Quartet in C Major, their playing still somewhat mechanical. The previous cello player had been made a firm example of the last time somebody played a wrong note, and they weren't going to risk it any further. As Kunshu moved his pawn once more, the general eagerly took the piece, resulting in Kunshu not only being able to take his knight out with his rook but also put the general once more into check.

"How do you do it every time, your majesty?" the general exclaimed, baffled by his leader's prowess. "I can never figure out what moves you're going to make and why you sacrifice some of your pieces. Right now, I have no idea where to go to save my king."

"You have much to learn about chess," Kunshu said, snickering to himself at the sheer hopeless state of his opponent. "'Chess is a war over the board. The object is to crush the opponent's mind,' as Bobby Fischer once put it. Once you get into your opponent's head, you can easily manipulate the moves they're going to make. Predict the strategies that will form. Make them second guess every pawn they move and make them doubt their pieces."

The door slammed open and the two chess players gazed at the entry. It had opened with such great force that one would think it was hit with a battering ram. Although the object that opened the door was rather large and hit with the force of a cannonball, it was only Shirei, coming to deliver news to Kunshu.

"Shirei, there was this thing invented called knocking," the king of Aotoshi greeted his commander with. "Please study this ritual and apply it to your everyday life."

"My apologies, but this is urgent my liege," Shirei responded.

"Nothing is more important than finishing a chess game," Kunshu scoffed as he moved another piece, putting the general's king in check once more.

"This needs to be addressed right now," the commander said, "I must insist."

"Fine," Kunshu groaned. "We will continue this another time. Dismissed, general."

"Of course," the general said before exiting the room, going through the door which Shirei had come through, crossing him on his way out through the shadows.

"King Yokina announced war on Aotoshi shortly after dawn," Shirei stated as soon as the general left. "He is already preparing troops and enforcing the border. People are talking and getting concerned about the future of Aotoshi."

"There's no need to get your panties in a twist," the king replied. "It's about time that stupid boy went to Yokina to declare war. I wasn't sure if that foolish king would listen, but it looks like they have all taken the bait that I have delicately laid out for them."

"You knew this was to pass, sire?"

"I knew this would happen. You see, Yukan is a simple, hot-headed boy who would find a way to make a war happen. It's the only way for him to kill me, see. Starting a war gives him grounds for murder." As Kunshu continued to speak he grew giddier that his plan was coming together. "This is perfect. I can eliminate that dreaded bloodline once and for all."

"I see," the head of the Aotoshi army said, finally putting together what his higher-up had been saying. "You already have this whole situation planned out. Amazing as always, my liege."

"Enough talk," demanded Kunshu, preparing to set up his plan's second act. "Assemble the troops, Shirei."

The top commander then exited through the door he entered from, closing it behind him, resulting in a crash similar to the one that had happened when he entered initially due to the natural echo of the stone walls and floor.

"So I have been failed twice," Kunshu said, unsheathing the Alpha Blade. "That matters not, as that rat will soon find its trap where it will remain obediently." He began to cackle as he set forth to continue his plan to eradicate the Kenshis once and for all.