Act IV. Part VI.

Toshiko groggily walked out of the dojo with the sheathed sword in hand. Outside waiting for him we're the servants of the house. Toshiko started to walk toward them, and as he got off the stoop of the dojo, he lost his balance and dropped the sword.

…

Toshiko slowly opened his eyes to see Han hovering over his face.

"Master?" Han shouted.

Toshiko raised his hand to push his face away as he got up, "Lower your voice." He said as he squinted his eyes. "What happened?"

"You collapsed shortly after leaving the dojo."

"And grandpa?" He asked as he turned away.

"Shortly after we carried you here, he and the madam left."

"Did they say when they would be ba-"

"I don't think they're coming back- especially him."

A brief silence filled the room…

"Thank you, Han." Said Toshiko with a feint expression as he turned to face her.

He got out of the bed and Han immediately kneeled.

"The branch house heads and the servants of this house wait for you in the courtyard."

Toshiko grabbed a white sheet and wrapped it around his shoulders.

"To the courtyard then," Toshiko said with a stern expression.

Toshiko walked out onto the wooden porch and took a seat with Han who followed him from behind. The wind blew on the sheet he covered his bare torso with. Before him was an aisle made entirely of the branch families and servants standing side by side.

Toshiko slowly stood to his feet, "From today onwards I am the master of this house. I will fulfill our family's duty or die trying. Give me your strength and obedience or leave!"

All the servants in the courtyard had smiles on their faces as they knelt to Toshiko.

"We pledge our allegiance to the new master! Long live master Toshiko!" They shouted in unison.

Toshiko purely responded with a warm smile.

Toshiko turned to his left and Han knelt as he raised the sword over his head. Toshiko grabbed the sheathed sword from him and continued to walk down.

"Long live master Toshiko." They repeated in unison.

Toshiko started to walk down the aisle.

One servant got up and removed the sheet from his body.

"Long live master Toshiko." They repeated in unison.

Another servant wrapped him in a dark-red cloak.

"Long live master Toshiko." They repeated in unison.

Lastly one walked up to him on the aisle carrying a box. Toshiko[TG1] stopped to open the box and inside it was a black belt. He grabbed it and raised it, letting it flail in the air like a flag.

"Long live master Toshiko." They repeated in unison.

He wrapped it around his waist and tied his cloak.

"Long live master Toshiko!" They shouted in unison.

…

Toshiko sat on the floor of a tatami room before a small table surrounded by heads of the branch families.

They all stared at the table in silence with an overwhelming amount of attention. And on top of the table was a black envelope.

"Why don't we hold a contest of sorts among the youths of the houses to decide?" Said Kato.

Toshiko turned to look at him. He was a fairly old man though he looked young for his age despite the character lines on his face. His hair was combed over and was still jet black. He always spoke with a smile on his face and eyes closed. He was always passive despite ruling over the largest branch house – he would either agree with one of the two leaders or just find midground between their decisions. Maybe it was because of his age or that's just the way he was. He was the head of one of two branch families.

"We're not doing that, I'll go."

"I think you should as well to fully fulfill the role of the Tokugawa household leader. I commend you on your decisiveness." Said Sakai with a smile.

Sakai Tadatsugu was a wise man that served the main Toshiko's grandfather and was the head of one of two branch families. But his only problem was that he was too emotional. Despite this, he knew he could trust him and rely on the others to balance out the decisions.

"You- Master I think that is unwise. Though each head of this family served the king under the five families, you are just newly appointed. You need to take account of the house and fully consolidate power." Said Toyotomi.

Normally that would be good advice but because of the person, it came from Toshiko had to think of the motive behind his words. Toyotomi Hideyori was strong, intelligent, and eloquent but he was a ruthless and untrustworthy man. It is because of this that he was stripped of his territory and title as a head. And despite this Toshiko's grandfather acknowledged his usefulness and kept him on a short stick. Toshiko thought to himself.

"Then it's decided…" The three in the room looked at him eagerly. "I will go for the royal selection. Inform my school--"

"Young mast—master this is foolishness!" Toyotomi shouted. "You would rather waste time playing for a position under the king than work for the family?!

"Head Toyotomi," Toshiko said calmly as he looked him in the eyes.

"What happens if you fail to secure the position of black? Wouldn't that shame your forefathers and be a giant waste of time?!"

"Toyotomi!!" Toshiko angrily yelled. "I am the master of this house you will not address me like that."

"I think he was just trying to—"

"Silence Head Kato. I am going to the Isochron tomorrow morning and that's final. Now leave."

The three stood and bowed to Toshiko before they left the room. Toshiko turned to look at the sliding doors shortly after they left and he closed his eyes.

"Grandfather this man will kill me." He said as he let out a loud sigh.

…