“Only victory matters.”
– Matsu Yoshino
After having lost
the War of the Rich Frog, the Lion have a need to regain their honor and their pride. It falls upon the
shoulders of Ikoma Otemi to inspire a clan of warriors who have lost faith in themselves. Otemi knows he is
not the bold, unpredictable warrior that Matsu Nimuro was, the man who set an example for the ages. However,
his keen analytical mind has seen the answer. Nimuro’s eldest son, Matsu Yoshino, is still only a boy, not yet
suited to assume the mantle of leadership. However, Otemi has seen the potential within Nimuro’s fiery heir.
He has arranged matters so that the boy will undergo his gempukku ceremony years earlier than normal, and
assigns the boy as an honorary member of his personal guard so that he may gain insight into the workings of
the Clan by observation. Ostensibly, this is so that Yoshino will be prepared to one day rule his clan.
Despite his young age, Otemi is certain that Yoshino will soon prove the shining example the Lion need to
restore their morale.
