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@It's all over, folks!

Kojiro was SURE he had the crab, but a sharp sting against his face let him know other wise. Kojiro sheathed his katana and bowed to where he thought Kagae was. "Thank you for the duel, Kaiu-san. May we have another opportunity to duel in happier circumstances."

Kojiro would straighten and stand motionless until someone lead him out of the way or gave him orders otherwise.

@ Iaijutsu Duel:

As Kojiro would swing, he would miss Kagae by a hair's breadth, and in return be delivered a minute slice upon his cheek; not deep enough to scar, but enough to lose with.

"And match!" Benjiro would call, raising his hand to signal the victory. "Kaiu Kagae wins, and advances to the next round." Benjiro would turn to Kojiro, waiting for a few moments to see what he would do, before continuing: "Bayushi Kojiro, you can return to your tent."

As Kojiro would remove the blindfold, and Benjiro was looking at him sternly. Towards the back of the crowd, Soshi Maru would be there, rubbing her reddened cheek, almost looking frightened. As she went to leave as well, Benjiro would turn and hold up his hand in her direction. "No, you stay."

Benjiro would then place a hand on Kagae's shoulder as he went to address his fellow Crabs. "Do not feel shame over any victory, Kaiu Kagae-san. Do the Hida feel shame over dispatching an Oni crippled by the ingenious traps laid out by the Kaiu? A handicapped opponent is not a defenseless one, and victory must still be earned, as you have done so here. You, more than any other samurai gathered here, should know this."

WINNER: Kaiu Kagae

Bayushi Kojiro gains 1 point of honor for letting Kagae go first; loses 2 points of honor being an accomplice to a heinous crime; gains 3 points of honor for giving a truthful report that harmed his own standing. A net gain of +2 honor points.

"He's right, Kagae-san. I'm not sure if you noticed, but he came THIS close to still beating you," Hogai would respond.

"And you didn't think either one of us had a chance," Kaori would also say, crossing her arms over her chest. "Or do you still think that to be so?"

As Hogai gave her a questioning look, Kuni Raicho would be seen walking back up to the gathering.

"I managed to stabilize the Daidoji guard. Apparently this peasant had knifed her and took her sword. I've had the security bolster their watches at the gates; we got sloppy, and this is unacceptable."

"Agreed." Benjiro would say as he looked to her, nodding.

"Kagae won?" she would ask, looking to the Crabs speaking to one another.

"Indeed. It's your turn for the next round."

"Well, only Mirumoto Sozen and Matsu Seichiro are left. Why they haven't figured this out yet and stepped forward, is beyond me. They just don't make bushi like they used to, do they, Benjiro-san?"

Benjiro would not acknowledge nor respond to Raicho's observation, but Mirumoto Sozen would begin making his way through the crowd, to the dueling area. "I'm here, I'm here!"

Matsu Seichiro, you're up!

Seichiro slowly walked to the dueling area, feeling vulnerable without his armor on. It reminded him of the time he lost his eye, but quickly shook it off. He stood withing 5' from his opponent, and bowed to Mirumoto Sozen.

Awareness/Iaijutsu roll TN 5=11


Seichiro wishes to learn Sozen's Reflexes, if possible

"Thank you, Susumu-san," Denbe smiled slowly as the fact that he'd actually won a duel caught up to him, and to the Mantis' kind words, he bowed respectfully. "Thank you for this."

The Hare moved aside, and finally let himself relax. He did not know if he had any hope yet against the Unicorn, much less Kojiro or the other two, but one duel was done and he could stand tall. Denbe let out a sigh, and watched the next duel.

But it was not the duel that would stick in his mind.

The Hare grasped at his sword, throwing a panicked gaze around for any further sign of assault... but long before he could near the man, he had been dealt with, and no other threat appeared. No, no planned attack or conspiracy after all. Just one man. And revenge.

"Kojiro-san...?"

The Hare blinked in disbelief.

He'd cut a peasant girl down for such an infraction? Kojiro? It didn't seem possible at a glance... but the longer he looked, the more he reminded himself over and over. This man was a Scorpion. Perhaps he had been genuinely friendly and in many ways honorable, but he would always be a Scorpion. And yet, he confessed. To protect his clansmate? Was it a lie because he had something greater to lose?

It was hard not to doubt him now.

The man had seemed a friend, but what was that if not the opposite of everything his father had taught him? To protect the innocent and helpless. It meant nearly as much to him as his place as a Hare, even if he had no doubts other samurai would have looked down on his giving so much respect to a ronin background.

Much like they could afford to a peasant girl.

In solemn thought, Denbe turned his thoughts inward, absently watching Kojiro walk off and the Dragon and Lion approach each other.

@ Iaijutsu Competition:

Sozen would keep his hands on the hilts of both his blades; his katana on his left hip, wakizashi on his right. He would wait, seemingly calmly. Seemingly confidently. And he looked content to wait this out.

Sozen's Agility/Kenjutsu roll vs TN 10 = 38

Seichiro, go!

BOOMing die:

Seichiro stays put, keeping a steely gaze on his opponent.

Reflexes/Iaijutsu @ TN25= 31