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Even with the completion of their defences, there was still anxiety in the air. His men lined the walls of the fortress, looking out towards the horizon, waiting for any sign of the grand army that was set to march on them.

The new archer cages were strong and sturdy, and could even survive a shot with their superior bullets, so musket balls did not stand a single chance.

The cannons lined the frontwards wall, and when they were all loaded with Takeshi’s cl.u.s.ter shot, they created a blanket of fire that covered the entire battlefield. It was truly the most well protected spot on the entire fortress. Had they had more time, they would have been able to cover all the walls with them, and be rendered almost invincible.

A new set of thick gates had been erected, supported by numerous metallic braces. It was not something that could be passed through easily. It would require quite the amount of fire to burn through it, especially since it had been made out of green wood.

And so, when the others were anxious, he held a degree of confidence. He did not dwell on anxiety, and the approaching days passed with nary a displeased look on his face. The preparations had been observed, and now it was only the process that must be confronted.

He stood, on top of those city walls, alone, in the early hours just before dawn. Any moment now the sun would peak its golden head over the horizon, and let all around it know of the coming day, unphased by the wars that go on around it. Regardless of whether a loved one had been born, or had died. Regardless or whether there was not a single person to look at it, and appreciate it. Every day it would continue to do the same.

The men observed his need for silence, and left him to stand on the wall by his lonesome, as they coveted other areas, staring out across the rolling plains, with flickering torch in hand, walking up and down every now and then to keep the cramping muscles at bay.

A whisper of wind flickered out from nowhere, and tussled the tufts of his hair that were beginning to grow back. He closed his eyes, and opened his mouth, surrendering himself to the pleasant sensation, as his heart filled with a sense of expectancy. And when he opened them once more, the plains were no longer so empty.

At first it was but a single mounted horse that made its way over the brow of that distant hill. And then behind it were yet more horses and their riders. In orderly ranks they flowed forward, a great mass of men.

Soon four-legged beast unveiled some bipedal movement, as the procession of infantry began forward. Some holding their spears, and some equipped with their muskets. Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.

His fingers clasped around the hilt of his sword, as his heart beat began to quicken, and he reassured himself, taking a deep breath to allow the calm to return.

GONGGGGGGGGG GONGGGGGGGGG GONGGGGGGGGG

A few moments later, the men saw them too, and rushed over, fl.u.s.tered, beating the large plate continuously. The soldiers rushed from their posts to congregate towards where they thought the noise to have come from.

Their shouts began to fill the once still morning air as well. The people below were stirred, and the soldiers that had been sleeping rushed to dress in their battle attire. Their movements were rushed and erratic, expending energy inefficiently in furious action. Despite all they had done to ready themselves, they were still unable to remain truly calm when the moment came.

With all the pandemonium going on around him, Gengyo continued to look forward in silence, with a wide smile decorating his face. The mon of the Matsudaira clan mon was raised high, and fluttered proudly in the wind. By now, their lengthy baggage train had come into sight as well, looking as though it contained enough food to keep them going for a lifetime.

But he had expected as much. They would not be able to pull such an easy victory as to merely survive, and wait for the enemy’s food to run out. This was a man who knew exactly what he was doing. Though he held no belief for the cause he fought for, he would still pursue victory, for the shame of defeat was not something he could bear.

"They’re here?" Jikouji joined his side a moment later, still dressing himself in his armour as he hurried to assume his post.

Merely standing next to Gengyo - and entering that small sea of tranquillity that surrounded him - was enough to calm the old man, as he sucked in deep breaths in order to steady his breathing.

"As we expected them to, they have come. It will be an interesting day, Jikouji." He professed lightly, thinking neither of victory nor of defeat, but merely the moment.

"It will... I’m sure it will. What orders do you have for the men?"

"Tell them to be ready. That is all. I will continue to watch from here a while."

"Should you not also get ready? It would not do for the commander to be seen doing battle in nothing but a kimono."

"Haha, perhaps, but not quite yet. I wish to see the man who I am to fight."

Sensing that he would not budge on this matter, Jikouji shook his head in silent exasperation, before laying his hand on the hilt of his sword, realizing that he was shaking.

’What am I doing? Am I afraid? After all the battles that I’ve fought? Truly? That cannot be the case. I cannot remember the last time I felt fear in war. Perhaps... Perhaps its because I truly care for this outcome. Perhaps it’s because I want to see the world that this boy is attempting to lure in.’

The army continued to march forward, step by well timed step. Both generals were aware that this was a mere show of discipline. Gengyo maintained his smile as he looked over their transition into well ordered ranks, lining the length of their walls, well out of reach of any of their weapons.

The Red Feather men were anxiously watching and waiting, continually looking toward their leader, waiting for orders, but he continued to stand there stoically, merely observing.

The great ordered mass of eight thousand men stood staring back, with their supply train sitting comfortably behind them, well out of range of any danger that might occur. They planted flags into the earth, forecasting their mon for all to see for miles around. They were warriors of the Matsudaira clan, and they were proud of it.

The army began to ripple, as the forces parted in the middle, allowing space for a single man to walk forward. Unhelmeted, in full battle attire, Matsudaira rode proudly on his brown stallion.

He trotted forward unflinchingly, showing no fear even as he passed into the range of the cannons and the rifles. This was why his men respected him so. He did not allow fear to limit his actions.

He knew he would not be shot. This unknown commander that had appeared out of nowhere – he was an honourable man, if nothing else. They had not found the corpse of a single civilian left in his wake. He held enough power to slaughter the people en mass, and perhaps that might have even been a better course of action, if he truly wished to deal a hefty blow toward Imagawa.

He held a flag bearing his mon in his left hand, flying it high, as he closed the distance, until he sat alone just below the wall.

"ON BEHALF OF THE DAIMYO IMAGAWA, I MATSUDAIRA MOTOYASU HAVE RODE IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT HIS JUSTICE. I RECOMMEND YOUR SURRENDER, AND I SWEAR ON MY HONOUR THAT YOU WILL NOT BE MISTREATED, AND WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE THE LORD SO THAT YOU MIGHT BE JUDGED FAIRLY." He spoke slowly and clearly, but loud enough so that even his men could hear him for far behind.

The citizens of Okazaki were immensely quiet, listening to this declaration. They began to whisper to one another, suggesting that such an offer was too good to refuse, and in the face of such an army, it would be the sensible thing to do. But not a single man would dare to suggest that to a Red Feather soldier.

He was left to dwell in silence for a while, without a single word of response, and he parted his lips once more to hurry along the process.