A Brief Report on Clan Tenya

I have now spent two days at Castle Tenya. On the first day, my fellow ninja Ryouji took me under his wing, and showed me the broad outline of the clan's strategy and tactics. He also showed me around the armory. I have been issued some weapons, but I have had much work to do in sharpening, polishing, oiling, and ensuring that they are in good balance. Indeed, that work is not yet quite finished.

However, all polishing and no creeping makes ninjas quite sad, so I have also spent a bit of time reconnoitering in Ōtsu. And there are scrolls full of battle plans to read and accustom myself with.

So far, things have been largely uneventful. I am not yet ready to undertake missions on the clan's behalf. Not yet. But soon, if I am diligent.

Making Progress With Clan Tenya

What I said this morning was wrong. I was given a mission this afternoon!

Ryōji assigned me a pair of tasks. One, I have hardly even looked at, for it will involve a greater understanding of the clan's combat styles and tactics. But the other...

There is a nest of bandits in the forest. Clan Tenya mostly uses the bō staff when doing forest work; we often pose as peasants and travelers, so swords are unwise — they would give us away. And the clan uses an interesting bō style, the Shokubai-dō. It is one of the Three-Headed Dragon styles, so at least a few of the moves are familiar — except that the other Three-Headed Dragon styles I know use the three-sectional staff and the ninja-to, so even the familiar feels unfamiliar.

But I have found the bandits, and scouted out every weakness in their camp, and can slaughter them at any time. Ryōji is putting a few other matters in order, and will observe my final execution of them tomorrow morning.

Before lunchtime tomorrow, I will have proven that I can be a useful member of the clan. This will be good.