A new army

After countless apologies and clearing misunderstandings, I was summoned to the military camp to get familiar with the army the shogun gifted me.

"General Akaal, you have arrived" The soldier standing guard at the entrance of the military camp greeted me.

"Good morning, I heard the military summoned me"

"Yes please follow me" He entered the camp and we went through the large camp with many men still training.

That is to be expected as we are in the middle of a great war that will determine their god's fate.

After walking a little while, we arrived at an army standing in a field waiting for something.

The army consisted of 2,000 men divided into 4 groups with one captain each commanding it.

"Did the shogun really trust me that much to give me such a considerable army?" I scratched my head in worry.

"Though I do not know the almighty shogun's foresight, I believe in her decision so you better not let her down general Akaal" The soldier who guided me left, leaving me looking at the stationary army.

After organizing my thoughts, I step forward to the front of the army.

"Ahem, attention!" After waiting for a while, some soldier grumbled a little at their new unknown general who still hadn't arrived, but hearing that voice, all of them instantly fixed their pose.

All the men looked at Akaal, some were confused by who was this teenager who called them.

"Greeting, I am your new general from today on granted by the Reiden shogun herself" The announcement shook all of them but almost all of them recovered from their shock and stood silent.

But some were doubtful of such a thing, they were expecting an old wise man who lived decades, not a teenager that barely passed 2 decades.

Out of suspicion, one man raised his hand.

"Sir! I hope not to be rude but are you truly the general appointed by the Shogun herself?" This sentiment resonated with some and others took the same gaze of suspicion.

"It seems some of you are doubtful of my abilities which I can agree with because of my young age" Akaal admitted truthfully and continued.

"Then how about this. A duel to clear your doubts, bring me your strongest men among you" After hearing the challenge, one stepped forward, the one who raised his hand before.

"What is your name soldier?"

"Sir! my name is Akamine Nobuo"

"I'll be sure to remember the name, now come draw your blade" I moved my hand to the sheathed of my blade as he drew his sword.

The one who strikes first is the signal to commence the duel, this is the tradition in the people under the banner of the shogun.

After both locked their eyes on each other, Nobuo was the first to strike first.

"Haa!" I raised his blade and swung down.

"Click" The sound of metal click resonated and the blade Nobuo held, was cut in half in an instant, the blade spun around the sky.

Without Nobuo being able to react, Akaal drew his blade again and pressed it against his neck.

Feeling a cold blade against his neck, Nobuo's eyes widened in shock, and slowly lowered his sword to realize the blade had been cut.

"How..." Nobuo said unconsciously, after knowing the clear winner of this duel, Akaal withdrew his blade and looked to the shocked crowd.

"Is this enough to convince you that I have truly attained recognition of the shogun?"

Without needing an answerback, he sent Nobuo back to join the army.

"Ahem, now that you've seen my abilities, I hope no one will doubt me anymore" All the soldiers silently agreed.

After talking a little about himself and what he expected from the soldier he dismissed them all as Akaal did not get any order to be sent out by the shogun but that will soon change.

~Tomorrow morning~

After doing his daily exercise plus added leg training for his second move he received an order from the shogun.

"Go to the East to take on a rebellion force, any method can be used but she would like to convert all the rebellion force back into their force" Akaal read out the letter he received.

"Isn't this a bit excessive for an army this big, then again the shogun doesn't seem to trust me as of yet so I understand" I burned the letter I received into the stove.

'Maybe this is a trial set by the shogun' I scratched my chin lost in thoughts as I went to the military camp to tell my army about the order.

Coming to the original spot where I had seen the army before I saw they were already waiting, it seemed like a messenger already informed them about their new order.

Walking towards the front of them, they straighten their backs with a resolute face.

They are going to the battlefield, facing an infamous rebellion group, and they expect death from some of their comrades but they promise they will die in honor.

Akaal smiled at the sight, he expected to be given a rookie army but they were trained well, which will give him one less thing to be worried about.

Akaal was given a horse for his status and after gathering the supplies they were given, they set out as the families of the men waived them goodbye and prayed to the shogun to give them her blessing for survival.