Ronin Letter - #6
From the journals of Kihei, Master Swordsman -
The unthinkable has happened!
I have served in countless armies during my lifetime, fighting in dozens of wars and skirmishes across the face of the Empire. There is no clan who has not tasted my steel. There is no clan whose money has not purchased my blade. They all acknowledge the strength and power of my technique. Though I may be a mere wave man, I am a warrior born and will tolerate no disrespect! I have sworn to spend my life always moving, finding comfort only in the glorious splendor of warfare, constantly testing my blade against the steel of others. It has been magnificent! And yet now, I have found the one thing I never truly expected. The one thing I did not believe existed.
I have found one worthy of my fealty.
Can you imagine the strength and skill one must possess in order to declare oneself the Shogun of the Empire? Such confidence! Such certainty! I have never before encountered such an individual. Never have I met my equal, much less my superior. When I heard of his proclamation, I quickly traveled to meet him, certain that perhaps I would find a worthy opponent.
Of course, such a man would never see a ronin such as myself. I was forced to deliver a sound beating to one of the guards outside his tent before he finally emerged. I smiled, ready to face a true foe. I met his eyesÉ and at once I knew that I could never stand against him.
In all my life, I have met no one that I did not feel I could defeat. I have never tasted regret or fear. I have never met another who was worthy of the honor of my loyalty, who was deserving of my blade serving their name. Having finally found such a person, what else was I to do?
I knelt on the ground before him and swore my eternal loyalty, praying that he would not take my life out of spite and disdain.
The army of the Shogun prepares to march. The Empire will tremble at our might.
Kihei, Master Swordsman
Herald of the Shogun