The Kanezukai campaign’s final battle has been fought and won. I arrived in the village we aimed to capture and found Risako, and the other Nichiren priests overseeing the campaign, already waiting. The major in charge of our troops said that most opposition was already quite disorganized, thanks to my work in assassinating key personnel beforehand.

After the first engagement, we spotted a few of the enemy’s scouts who needed to be taken out. I made short work of them, leaving them to bleed to death in the village’s alleys, and gaining more admiration from Risako and the major.

By noon, it became clear that our victory was assured. I went back to Castle Noriaibasha to prepare for my next tasks, and to relax in the knowledge of a job well done.

The only dark spot in today has been discovering that my boot-knife has lost its temper and will no longer hold an edge. Also, it would be enjoyable to relax at a bar on my way home today, and sip some well-earned celebratory drink… but dark storm-clouds are rolling in, and I’ll probably just have to run home before the rain drenches me.

This was originally published at The Tales of the Ninja Coder. You may comment here, if you wish, but Ichirō invites you to comment at his humble blog.
ninja_coder: (Default)
( Jul. 9th, 2009 03:32 pm)
For many years now, starting with my time with Clan Iwinaga, I have been largely cast in the role of a city fighter, working on rooftops with my chain and grappling hook. When employed by clans and armies, it's always been other people who fight in the mountains or the forests. Alternatively, there are times when I work on my own projects, and fight with the ninja-to wherever I can. When I was with the Totemo Akarui-gumi, I mostly fought alone; even if I knew Amon was battling other foes somewhere else, I couldn't actually see him doing so.

Over the past two days with the Yaneura-gumi, however, I have been working alongside a man named Teruyoshi. While I've been doing Pagoda Bearer style work with my ninja-to, he has been leaping from rooftop to rooftop, whirling his manrikigusari and grappling hook about. It's quite an interesting change.

Of course, the fact that I also know grappling-hook styles has made me that much more effective in supporting his efforts. We've been working well together. It is refreshing and pleasant.
ninja_coder: (Default)
( May. 23rd, 2009 03:58 pm)

This is the initial WordPress post, that normally just says “Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!”

I could delete it, but it makes a great honeypot for spammers, so I’m leaving it here. Anything that comments on it will be assumed to be a spambot and dealt with accordingly.

This was originally published at The Tales of the Ninja Coder. You may comment here, if you wish, but Ichirō invites you to comment at his humble blog.
ninja_coder: (ninja coder writing)
( Mar. 6th, 2009 11:23 am)
The Totemo Akarui-gumi's association with Clan Higatsuke is about to come its end. It seems Jinsei has presented Lord Jun with the first bill for our services, and Lord Jun is unhappy.

However, we may be able to recover payment from him anyway. I have been engaged in some long-running projects on his behalf. As a result, I am the only one who knows the flaws in the daimyō Tomodachi-no-Tasu's security. His security is quite substantial, and would be nearly impossible for any of Higatsuke's members to penetrate on their own. Also, I have made connections in the house of Lord Sutōpurei, and can kill him with ease.

And we have other leverage, if we need it. We hope it does not come to that.

In the meantime, the Clan Kuruma-no-Danshaku is starting an ambitious campaign, and needs us to clear a variety of enemies. And our old friends, the Daiyokaru Temple, still have their own needs.

It will be good to leave the town of Ningu behind... even if I was looking forward to the manrikigusari battle that awaited me today. And it will be quite good to be free of Lord Jun's frantic and ill-disciplined ways.

And finally, Jinsei has tracked down my own payment. The merchant house accidentally sent it to the home of one of Jinsei's other associates, a man who has been connected with our gumi in the past. This man will bring it to Jinsei, and I will have it tomorrow.

All is well, or will be soon.
Jinsei and I have come to an agreement: Lord Jun of Clan Higatsuke has the mind of a grasshopper, and his impatience and impetuousness will be the doom of his military campaign. For now, we will take his money, but we are trying to find a way to warn him of the consequences of his current course. We do not know if he will listen, but honor compels us to try.

Also, we will stay alert for signs of impending catastrophe, and we are discussing what sorts of missions we will not undertake in Higatsuke's war. For now, though, there are still things we can achieve.

I spent much of today doing increasingly devious and interesting things with my kama in Ningu town. Soon, there will be some ninja-to work to be done with the forces of Nihiki-no-Sakana, which should be quite entertaining and educational. Nihiki-no-Sakana's current ventures are focused in the bayside province of Izumi, where once I operated with Clan Nettobuku; perhaps I can return there in greater triumph this time.
ninja_coder: (Default)
( Sep. 16th, 2008 01:30 pm)
 
For over a week now, I have been seeking a very wily enemy; a skillful ninja in the employ of the notorious Ayamari-gumi. This shinobi keeps popping up at the most unexpected times to harass us – usually, he goes after one of the Nichiren priestesses, and then is gone by the time Bunmei, Jimon or I can respond.

But now... Jīya has spotted him! He is in the lakeside city of Hikone! In the Ātosugijei district that overlooks Lake Biwa. I am on the way, joining battle with him on the rooftops.

He will not evade my pursuit this time! Mokkuro to senbotsu!
 
I should complete the tale of Kīsutoro-sama, the new lord of the Okane-gumi. I was recently sent to show him the error of his ways. I had high hopes that I could slay him elegantly, using the onkīdo attack with the manrikigusari.

But when I arrived at his house, I saw that he is a very paranoid man. Looking down from the wall surrounding the courtyard around his house, I saw that much of the courtyard has been covered in small bells. In other places, there are caltrops. And he has a variety of rōnin and mercenaries guarding him.

I am glad that my training has taught me to look before leaping, but I could see no fast way through the security around Kīsutoro-tono. And I could not afford to spend all night — or possibly multiple nights — perched on the wall, staking out his house and looking for weaknesses.

So when I observed him moving within sight of an open window, I simply threw a poisoned shuriken into his face. Then I left, before one of the rōnin could line up on me with a bow and arrow.

Not elegant, but effective. I only hope it's enough. I didn't have time to make it clear that Clan Nettobuku was behind the killing, so Kīsutoro's successor might annoy us again.
.

Profile

ninja_coder: (Default)
ninja_coder

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Powered by Dreamwidth Studios

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags