The New Winds

Kokyou gets rids of his battle ragged upper kimono dries himself after cleansing the blood out from the previous skirmish. He takes a bow to the judges and another to his opponent this round.

Then, he assumes his stance calmly.

--
D7, LA, Initiative: 5d10o10k4 29

Arriving from the aftermath at the docks himself, Kichiro readies arms himself with a blunt blade and steps out onto the sand.

Eyes focused hard on his opponent. Kichiro finds his center and prepares himself.

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D7:LA R2 Iaijutsu Initiative: 4d10o10k3 6 - well that doesn't bode well

Kokyou raises a bombastic eyebrow at Kichiro's and starts to analyze him thoroughly –– trying not to dress him naked like he did to Mirai. Fundoshi was ok enough.

--
D7, LA, Iaijutsu (Assessment)/Awareness TN25 (15+2 Raises): 10d10ro1o10k6 68
Asking for Emphasis and VP.

Kichiro's eyes are hollow. Expression cold and mind empty.


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D7:LA R2 Iaijutsu Assessment Voided: 9d10ro1o10k4 25
asking for TN

Emphasis both in focus and assessment
4 void remain

With a higher initiative, Kokyou wonders if the Lion would use the force of his Honor in the duel and takes a moment before fully focusing.

--
So. Just found a potential issue. When a duelist goes first. Rolling Focus can be a bummer if the opponent sees the TN afterwards and decides to add the Honor Roll to it. So, friendly question, feel free to reply or not: planning to use the Strength of Honor?

((This is something I may adjust in the future, for now, no Kichiro is not required to answer the request))

Unsure of how the Akodo would respond, he gives the benefit of the doubt and focuses.

--
D7, LA, Iaijutsu (Focus)/Void + 5 Mastery +2k2 Mastery Assessment + 1k1+4 Center + 1k1 VP: 10d10o10k10+13 69

The lion focus dives inward. A piece of himself, his soul, put on the line. An awakened beast erupts within his eyes.


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D7:LA R2 Iaijutsu Focus (With emphasis) + center + VOIDED+ HONOR ROLL + rank 5 mastery: 10d10ro1o10k10+14 89

(No rerolls or extra mechanics. Moving to strike)
_____

D7:LA R2 Iaijutsu strike + center + Akodo tech TN25: 9d10o10k4+10 55

Simultaneously both samurai draw in a flash of steel. Kichiro's blade only barely making the strike against his opponents shoulder a hair before the opponent made contact. An instant wash of relief as Kichiro starts coughing wildly after the judge calls him the victor. The most intense duel of his life proved too much for his composure.

Kokyou did not unsheathe his katana for the Lion. The steel was Kichiro's. He seemed slower in the beginning, and then got faster. Anxiety within Kokyou made him falter, perhaps. Yet, in his mind, that is yet another lesson for what the Fortunes needed him to understand for his future calling.

He bows deeply to the Akodo, saying, "Ye 'ave th' strength o' yer ancestors wit' ye, Akodo-san. Thank ye fer considerin' me skills so high as t' beseech them."

Kichiro adjusts his collar and regains control of himself. He returns the deep bow in turn. "Thank you Kokyou-san. I pray your own ancestors smile down upon you as we graduate. For the warrior spirit displayed at the docks, the compassion offered to chen, I know my ancestors would be proud of you. It is an honor to graduate side by side."

Kokyou is eliminated
Akodo Kichiro advances, gains 12 points, for a new total of 287