Tetsuo was the last to arrive at the castle gates, a slight he hoped Lord Ito would not take as an insult. Loyalty and devotion to one's master was the key building block to any man, but sometimes there had to be exceptions. [i]Untended personal business is loud professional business[/i], Tetsuo's father had once said. This last thought made the old man halt abruptly; how old had his father been when he succumbed to a sudden chest pain? Forty? It was a bitter memory, and Tetsuo could not recall the man's face. 

Noticing that his soon-to-be companions were staring at him beneath the open gate, Tetsuo immediately regained his stone-faced posture and marched onwards. As he came into speaking range, the aged warrior started to pull at the arms of his kimono. His companions looked on curiously. Four subtle and quick tugs reduced the sleeves to mere rags, revealing his scar-covered arms. 

"Aki, Hensai!" He barked.

Two armoured samurai standing beside the gates ran forwards. One held a spear, the other a sheathed tanto and wakazashi. Neither of these weapons looked of any notable quality, but they served Tetsuo well most of his life - save for the spear which required regular replacement. As they approached, Tetsuo snatched the tanto from its sheath, grabbed the knot of his iron-grey hair and started hacking away. Some of the townspeople stopped in their daily toils to glare at the sight. When he was done, he sheathed the tanto, and went on to secure the two swords to his belt. Finally he grabbed the yari, and held it aloft in one hand to judge its weight. A few seconds passed before he smiled, and dismissed the two samurai who had borne him his weapons. 

Looking less like a noble warrior, and more like a crazy beggar, the newly disheveled Miyasato Tetsuo smiled and bowed his head to his companions. He disapproved of the woman who had the audacity to name herself a warrior, but these were strange times. He would tolerate her presence because Lord Ito had selected her for the task, and besides, the Princess would require a female tender. However, should battle be joined, he would ensure this foolish woman was as far away from the action as he could place her. The last thing any of the group would need was a weak link in a defensive chain. 

"My name is Miyasato Tetsuo. I am honoured to be considered worthy of fighting besides all of you - should the need arise, of course," he lied. 

Things were not so bad though. This Toshiro character was from the south, and looked to be an able fighter - but time would tell. Matotsuru was young, and Tetsuo found him to be reckless on the Testing Grounds, but he had plenty of vigor. Should things come to drawn swords, Tetsuo was half-confident they could defy a group of bandits three times their number.