The Rising Tide

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The Rising Tide was a virtual representation of one of Fujibayashi Naoe and Yasuke's genetic memories, relived through the Animus EGO.

Description

Naoe and Yasuke learns of Ise Sadaoki's attendance at an upcoming sumo match.

Dialogue

Naoe and Yasuke traveled to the Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine, where Sadaoki was set to attend a sumo match.

NaoeYasuke

• Naoe: Ise Sadaoki should be here somewhere.

• Yasuke: This looks like a good spot to watch for Ise Sadaoki.

The two waited, while watching the sumo match going underway.

• Yasuke: Fascinating.
• Naoe: We're supposed to be scanning the crowd, not watching the match.
• Yasuke: I have two eyes.
• Naoe: (shushes)
• Yasuke: I should have asked Yaya to join me. She likes wrestling.

Both of them continued to wait, but Sadaoki still did not appear. Naoe began yawning due to not finding anyone.

• Naoe: (sighs) Ise Sadaoki is not here.
• Yasuke: Damn.
• Naoe: At least now you don't have any other distractions. You can go watch the match up close.
• Yasuke: I fear my presence there would be its own sort of distraction.

Just then, an elderly man stood beside and spoke to them.

• Stranger: There are advantages to being at a distance.

Naoe and Yasuke gave a curious look.

• Stranger: When you watch sumo up close, all you can see is might and muscle. But from here, you see the real threat in action.
• Naoe: In the ring, you have to face your opponent head on. You need physical strength.
• Stranger: You know there is more to it than that. You are half this man's height, but you stand there like his equal. Like you could open his throat before he blinked.
• Naoe: I could.
• Yasuke: She could.
• Stranger: Proof there is no realm in which strength alone determines victory.
• Naoe: So who will win the next bout?

The three of them looked back at the match.

• Stranger: The wrestler on the far side. A few years older, a few kan lighter. But he will win.
• Yasuke: They look the same to me.
• Stranger: And yet they are not. He will use his enemy's might against him. He will let the brute charge, then redirect that strength straight out of the ring. When at a disadvantage, one must manipulate all the forces at play to win. Like in war. Or politics. Or this very land.
• Naoe: What do you mean?
• Stranger: Foreigners are coming. The samurai is proof enough of that. But there are still fools here who refuse to recognize the sea change. We are a string islands in a vast ocean of ever-shifting powers. We are not strong enough to turn its tide.
  But if we pivot and ride this tide... we emerge victorious. Just like that big fighter down there.
• Yasuke: You are very confident. But the crowd does not seem to rally behind your man.
• Stranger: They will. When he is the one left standing and his enemies lie below. Picking dirt from their teeth.

From afar, the other watches started talking among themselves upon seeing the elderly man, leaving Yasuke confused.

• Man: (hushed whispers)
• Stranger: Ah. Now I have become the distraction. Please excuse me.

The stranger bid Naoe and Yasuke farewell before leaving.

• Naoe: You aren't going to stay and watch the match?
• Stranger: I do not need to.

Naoe and Yasuke continued to watch the match, while listening to whispers from the other spectators.

• Man: The Shogun! Here? I can't believe it.

The two of them then realised the identity of the man they spoke to earlier.

• Naoe: Was that...
• Yasuke: The unseated Shogun.
• Naoe: Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

The two returned to watching the sumo match, which was won by the wrestler correctly predicted by the former Shogun.

• Yasuke: And he was right.

In the end, the sumo event ended., with no sight of Sadaoki.

• Naoe/Yasuke: Ise Sadaoki missed quite the show.

Outcome

Naoe and Yasuke had a conversation with the former Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, while remaining unaware of his identity until the end. Contrary to what the letter said, the two did not find Ise Sadaoki at the event.