Kaoru had returned to the shrine at a quiet hour to contemplate how much it had changed from all their hard work without the distraction of a billion people running around.

Well, the paint was certainly fresh-smelling at least, and the baskets overflowing with offerings. It would be quite interesting to know how Kakita Josuke reacted to this evolution, that he couldn't exactly blame, but that still happened outside of his authority.

The Shosuro eventually sat down at the feet of a statue of a Fortune she didn't know the name of, and started taking notes about what she could perceive in the semi darkness.

Not a speck of dust, and hints the heavy statues themselves had been moved to even clean under them. Painting showing equal enthusiasm but unequal talent. An aura of tranquility suggesting the spirits were quite satisfied regardless.

All in all, that it went so well with so little coordination was a miracle in itself.

Uncharacteristically, Jingyi was alone. None of her animals accompanied her tonight. Not within the temple, at least. She didn't roam quietly, however, as her boot steps fell heavily on the shrine floor. Eventually, she found what she was looking for. But, she didn't expect to find anyone else there, so late in the evening.

"Good evening." she bowed politely to the Scorpion. "I apologize if I am disturbing you."

"Shinjo-sama."

Kaoru bowed her head in acknowledgment.

"No worry, I wasn't praying, merely thinking.

This one is Shosuro Kaoru, daughter of Shosuro Nagisa, currently undergoing training as a scholar to eventually become an advisor for my lord.

I must say your showing at the trial this morning was quite impressive. Few could match your skills with a bow on foot, let alone on horseback."

"Shinjo Jingyi." she introduced herself. "You are too kind, Shosuro-sama. I did well in a test of skills I'm very familiar with. But, I doubt I'll have many opportunities to use such skills again."

"Horsemanship? Unlikely yes. But archery? There's a good chance it'll show up again. We only got so much martial-oriented trials so far and a warrior is to know how to use a bow.

I guess you're likely well-trained in melee weapons too?"

"Hai." she nodded. "I believe I am better with a bow, but I can wield a blade. Are there any tests you hope to see?""

"Not really sadly. These tests tend to favor specialist, and I'm more of a jack of all trades, dipping in a lot of different fields of knowledge, but not really great in any.

I feel like ony something on purpose unusual, like a shogi tournament, would allow me to shine."

"I wouldn't be surprised to see something like that." The Shinjo frowned after thinking about it. "I don't believe I would do well in such a challenge. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to excel in every test."

"Due to the diversity of the trials, it's indeed likely each will be won by a different person. I have no idea how the judges will manage to decide one winner from that.

Like, I don't think they have discussions like This one was very good at archery, but this one wrote a very good paper about bushido, so clearly they're must be the champion. Or maybe they do. Dunno.

In the end, it's quite possible each judge will have their favorite, and the rest but an influence war between them."

"And, that's just to choose a champion." she shrugged. "We all have a chance to stand out, regardless of whether we achieve that honor. There are many opportunities here to shape our futures."

"I'm actually not sure what you're referring to. My own impression so far was that, with everyone shining so brightly, it was hard to distinguish a particular samurai to be from the other. Not enough contrast so to speak."

"It's a matter of perspective, I suppose." she said. "I'm sure we're all interchangeable to the people of Tsuma, just another generation of future samurai passing through. But, to one another, I think we'll be more memorable."

"Ah, oh, yes, I think I get it. You're talking about all that we learn and will learn, all the connections that we will forge, by interacting with samurai from all over the empire gathered in this very city for the duration of the tournament.

The 'meta' event so to speak. Everything that happens between the contestants outside of the trial grounds."

"Hai." she nodded. "For some of us, this will be our first experience with members of other clans."

"Was it for you?

I've had some contacts with Crane, Lion and Imperial before. But nothing unusual for a Scorpion. The hands are tied to the body after all.

It is my first time truly meeting with people from minor clans or from further away on the map however. While I may have crossed paths with a few Unicorn in Ryokō Owari, we didn't really get the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion."

"Mostly, yes." she nodded. "There were some from among the Crab clan who I met years ago and one of the Miya more recently, but I've had little contact with anyone outside our lands."

"And so, what is your first impression of the clans you've got to meet 'in the flesh' for the first time?

... Thinking of it, I haven't really make use of this opportunity much myself, spending a lot of time dealing with the Crane as usual. Just made contact with a few minor clans. Some lived up to their reputation. Others also did, but not in a good way."

"A Crane, a Crab, a Phoenix, a Lion." she answered. "A Seppun, too. There were a few others I met briefly, but haven't spoken much with."

"And so, what did you learn from these encounters?"

"There is still much for me to learn." she shrugged. "That's probably true of many of us. But, I still don't know much about the other clans. The Scorpion, for instance, I know very little of."