Flashes of armor glinted in the morning sun as a sea of Zhou soldiers flooded the plains before Shin’s army. Thirty thousand strong they were, though that seemed paltry against the rumored sixty thousand bearing down on them. Cries rang out among Shin’s ranks – whether in awe or fear or both, none could say. Now, we have Kingdom 776 Spoilers, so let’s jump into it.
Their young general was unperturbed, gazing out with steely resolve. He would throw his right wing at this oncoming tide, break it upon the rock of his men’s skill and fervor.
The greater central force would have to wait its turn; once the right was shattered, Shin would pivot his forces and crash into the enemy’s core like a hammer upon glass.
Shin’s eyes blazed as he surveyed his forces. When word came of Riboku’s retreat, the men stirred for battle, eager to join the hunt. But Shin calmed them with an upraised hand. “We few are more than enough for this task,” he proclaimed.
His voice rang out across the fields as he addressed the soldiers. “Today we shall trample the laughter of sixty thousand Zhou and more! We will crush their right wing then pivot to smash their center from its flank.”
At the mention of Riboku, bloodlust rippled through the ranks. “If he is there, we shall claim his head!” Shin declared. “But we know not where the snake’s nest lies. Depending on events, we may bypass the Zhou to initiate a direct strike on Hanjo itself!”
Kingdom 776 Spoilers
The noose was tightening. Gakushou and Fuuon saw it plain as day – Akou’s army had one target in their sights: Riboku. Yet still, the blows rained down as Akou drove his forces onward, pressing closer and closer to the commander.
Cries of alarm rose up, but Riboku was unmoved. At his word, Futei’s calvary burst forth in a desperate bid to stem the tide. But Akou’s troops were a swarm, vastly outnumbering their foe and uncaring of these new attackers. Futei pleaded with Riboku to withdraw while they still could, but Riboku would not be swayed.
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They would have Akou’s head this day or die in the attempt. With no other choice, Futei threw himself into the melee, blades clashing fiercely even as his unit was battered relentlessly.
They struggled valiantly to hold the line, buying precious time for Riboku and praying it would be enough. The battle hung on a knife’s edge, and both sides strained toward victory.
Fuuon’s blade clashed yet again with the unconscious Akou, his body fighting on even as his mind drifted in blackness.
How had it come to this? Trussed up before Ousen, beaten and broken. Akou could scarcely believe his enemy’s words – Ousen sought to build his own kingdom with Akou as his subordinate. Madness! Yet Ousen dismissed the current kingdoms as insane first. What lunacy, that Akou’s home was demolished by Qin, now he must fight for them to survive. Better to swear to Ousen instead.
Akou scoffed at such a method, questioning the strength of loyalty derived from threats. Ousen conceded the point and apologized for his clumsy overture. He vowed never to raise a hand to his own men. Then once more he extended the offer – join his cause. A long road awaited them both.
In the present, Akou’s body continued its unconscious battle. Fuuon looked on, confounded yet pressed to aid his general. The strange events of this day still remained unclear.
With a mighty blow, Akou sent Futei sailing through the air. As Futei’s men reeled, Akou roared his declaration – “I am Ousen’s right hand! I support the greatest man in China and will not fall so easily!” He commanded his army to ignore him and slay Riboku now, while Futei’s unit was on its last legs.
Seeing the tide turn, Gakushou cried he would take Akou’s head himself and pressed Riboku to retreat. Riboku acquiesced, ceding the central battle’s fate to Akou as he withdrew his forces. Sensing opportunity, Akou rallied his men – do not let Riboku escape! Victory was at hand!
From afar, Ousen and his adjutant observed Riboku’s withdrawal. Immediately Akou dispatched riders to notify the Hi Shin unit.
When word reached Ten, she acted decisively. Calling for Shin, she prepared to divide their forces. Riboku was vulnerable and Akou was giving chase – the time to strike was now!
