Yuan Shao's Conquest of Inazuma
In the final years of the Han Dynasty, the realm was torn by endless strife, as warlords vied for supremacy across the Central Plains. Yuan Shao, born into a prestigious noble clan—"four generations of grand ministers, renowned throughout the land"—commanded a formidable army, with countless civil and military talents at his side. Leveraging the Yuan clan's legacy and his own prowess, he seized vast territories in the north, rising to become one of the most powerful warlords of the age.
One day, as Yuan Shao conferred with his strategists on plans to expand his power, a messenger burst into the tent in panic, knelt with a thud, and gasped:
"My lord… terrible news!"
Yuan Shao's brow furrowed, a foreboding chill creeping over him. He snapped:
"What is it? Speak at once!"
The messenger steadied himself and said:
"My lord, the land of Inazuma, held by Lord Yuan Shu, has been seized by forces led by Kamisato Ayato, Kujou Sara, Arataki Itto, and Gorou!"
Yuan Shao's eyes blazed with fury. He slammed his fist on the table and roared:
"Outrageous! My brother may be less capable, but he is still of the Yuan clan! How dare they act so brazenly!"
Pacing back and forth, his rage burned hotter by the second. His strategists exchanged uneasy glances, their faces etched with shock and anger.
At that moment, the strategist Ju Shou stepped forward, bowing:
"My lord, though Inazuma is far, their actions show utter contempt for the Yuan clan. If we do not punish them, all factions will mock you, and our clan's prestige will be shattered."
Yuan Shao nodded slightly, a cold ruthlessness flashing in his gaze:
"Well spoken, Gongyu. I, Yuan Shao, will not tolerate such provocation! Order: assemble one hundred thousand troops. We march on Inazuma at once. I will crush Kamisato Ayato and his ilk, and retake Inazuma!"
And so Yuan Shao led his army in a mighty march toward Inazuma. Banners fluttered in the wind, and the thunder of hooves shook the earth. Mounted on a fine steed, cloaked in black, Yuan Shao cut an imposing figure. At his side rode fierce generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, clad in heavy armor, blades in hand, their eyes sharp with killing intent.
Back in Inazuma, Kamisato Ayato, Kujou Sara, Arataki Itto, and Gorou quickly rallied their forces upon learning of Yuan Shao's advance. As head of the Kamisato Clan, Ayato wore elegant robes, a long blade at his waist, his expression stern. He addressed the others:
"Yuan Shao's army comes in force, but we shall not fear. We must stand as one to defend Inazuma!"
Kujou Sara, resplendent in golden armor, nodded firmly:
"Well said, Lord Kamisato. I, Kujou Sara, shall give my all!"
Arataki Itto swung his iron mace and laughed heartily:
"Ha! Perfect timing—I've been itching for a fight! Let me take them on!"
Gorou's gaze was resolute:
"We shall follow your command. We live or die with Inazuma!"
Before long, Yuan Shao's army reached Inazuma. The two sides arrayed their forces on a vast plain, and a great battle loomed. Standing at the front of his lines, Yuan Shao shouted across the field:
"Kamisato Ayato! You have unlawfully seized my brother's lands. Today is your end! Surrender now, or suffer the consequences!"
Ayato did not back down:
"Yuan Shao! Inazuma never belonged to your clan. We merely reclaimed what is ours. If you want it back, come take it—if you can!"
At Yuan Shao's command, Yan Liang led ten thousand cavalry in a charge. Mounted on a chestnut stallion, he wielded his blade like a ferocious tiger descending a mountain. Wen Chou followed with ten thousand infantry, roaring as they charged.
On the Inazuma side, Kujou Sara ordered her archers to loose a hail of arrows, seeking to halt the Yuan advance. Kamisato Ayato personally led the Kamisato samurai into brutal close combat with Yan Liang's cavalry. The battlefield erupted in deafening war cries, blades clashing, blood staining the earth.
Arataki Itto could hold back no longer. He roared:
"Brothers, charge with me!"
Leading his men like a black torrent, he crashed into Yuan Shao's infantry. Gorou led a contingent to flank the enemy, attempting to encircle them.
Yuan Shao remained calm, coolly directing his troops in a desperate fight.
As the battle raged, Yuan Shao's strategist Xu You offered a plan:
"My lord, the Inazuma forces are fierce, but their numbers are limited. Split our army: one force continues the frontal assault to draw their main strength; the other flanks around to strike their rear camp and cut off their supplies. Their morale will collapse, and we shall crush them in one blow."
Yuan Shao's eyes lit up.
"Excellent plan, Ziyuan! Do as you say—make haste!"
He ordered Zhang He to lead thirty thousand troops to circle around and strike the Inazuma rear camp. Zhang He obeyed, leading his men stealthily along mountain paths, moving in silence to avoid detection.
On the main battlefield, the fighting raged on. Yan Liang and Kamisato Ayato clashed fiercely, both sides taking heavy losses. Wen Chou and Arataki Itto fought with bloodshot eyes, their weapons clanging loudly. Kujou Sara and Gorou darted across the field, directing their troops.
Just as the battle reached a stalemate, Zhang He's force reached the Inazuma rear camp and launched a surprise attack. The defenders were caught off guard. Flames erupted across the camp, and chaos reigned. When the Inazuma army learned their rear was under attack, their morale shattered. Kamisato Ayato and the others knew the tide had turned against them.
Yuan Shao saw his moment. He beat the war drums, rallying his men:
"Soldiers! The enemy is in disarray! Now is the time to strike! Charge!"
His army's morale soared. Like tigers unleashed, they launched a final, ferocious assault.
Under the relentless attack, the Inazuma forces could hold no longer and began to retreat. Seeing all was lost, Kamisato Ayato and his companions had no choice but to lead their remaining troops in flight.
Yuan Shao watched them flee and laughed loudly to the heavens:
"Ha! Kamisato Ayato, you have fallen to me, Yuan Shao. Let this be a lesson to all who dare oppose the Yuan clan!"
With this great victory, Yuan Shao reclaimed Inazuma, and his fame spread far and wide. His power grew ever greater, making him a warlord none dared challenge. As for Kamisato Ayato and his allies, they bided their time in defeat, quietly gathering strength for the day they would strike back.