Session 43. (3/7/02)

The war in Hyuga and Lord Chozo's Troubleshooters' adventuring reach their climax in this, the 43^rd and concluding programme of The Stone 3. Following the siege at Takaoka, Mariko has led the remaining 12,000 Iyo troops to a valley near Nojiri, on the route from Miyazaki to Kobayashi, the expected escape route for the Hyugan army if it is driven out of the capital. After a night's rest, Mariko's small army prepares for the arrival of the main Hyugan army. According to Oguromaro's plans the Hyugans will probably flee from Miyazaki at first light today, and arrive in the valley at midday. Mariko's orders are to hold them up until the main Iyo armies catch up and dispatch this threat to the peace of southern Hyuga and the neighbouring provinces. The first thing she does is to send a scouting party with Sugiyama and Komako down the road to get advance warning of the arrival of the Hyugan army. However, they have only been travelling for 10 minutes when they almost walk into an army marching up the road. The scouts immediately turn and run, and arrive back in the valley shouting, "The Hyugans are coming, the Hyugans are coming!" Only an hour after dawn, the Hyugans have evidently slipped out of Miyazaki during the night and marched in darkness to escape. But Mariko, the Troubleshooters and 12,000 extras are waiting for them.

Battle of Nojiri - First Day

Hour 2

In opening skirmishes, Kimori and Sugiyama take many heads, but Mariko and her Hyugan adversary are deadlocked. Kimori and Sugiyama make their usual bet on who will take the most heads.

Iyo 12 Hyuga 40 (thousand men) (Heads: Mariko 2, Kimori 7, Emiko 3, Komako 1, Sugiyama 6)

Hour 3

The Hyugans get a slight advantage, and weight of numbers is on their side, but brave fighting by the Iyo troops keeps the battle level. Sugiyama has an encounter with a L2 bushi, who misses Sugiyama and is felled with two decisive blows. Komako also encounters a L3 bushi who goes down quickly after receiving four hefty punches.

Iyo 12 Hyuga 40 (Heads: Mariko 0 (2), Kimori 3 (10), Emiko 1 (4), Komako 2 (3), Sugiyama 4 (10))

Hour 4

The Hyugans make a massive attack, and only Mariko's skill keeps it from being a rout. Sugiyama weighs in with 6 heads plus an encounter with a L4 bushi, which is over before it starts as the Hyugan stuns himself allowing Sugiyama's Silent Kill to first inflict lethal damage then stun him again before the coup de grace.

Iyo 9 Hyuga 39 (Heads: Mariko 0 (2), Kimori 1 (11), Emiko 0 (4), Komako 2 (5), Sugiyama 7 (17))

Hour 5

The Hyugans have both a tactical advantage and a near 5 to 1 advantage, but Mariko manages to minimise losses. Among the troubleshooters, Emiko is the surprise package, taking 5 heads while rushing round the battlefield healing injuries. Komako has another encounter, this time with a L5 bushi. He invokes his blessings and lands four punches in six attempts, while skipping out of the way of all but one of the bushi's sword strikes.

Iyo 8 Hyuga 39 (Heads: Mariko 0 (2), Kimori 1 (12), Emiko 5 (9), Komako 2 (7), Sugiyama 3 (20))

Hour 6

Mariko starts to make headway against the Hyugans, despite the numerical disadvantage. Kimori and Komako take most heads and both have encounters as well. Kimori takes his L3 opponent out with two swings of his big chopper and doesn't get a scratch. Komako lands a critical hit and breaks his L3 opponent's leg, then renders him unconscious with two more easy hits.

Iyo 8 Hyuga 38 (Heads: Mariko 0 (2), Kimori 5 (17), Emiko 1 (10), Komako 8 (15), Sugiyama 1 (21))

Hour 7

The Hyugans make a massive assault with good tactics and almost overwhelming numbers, and Mariko's only option is damage limitation. The Iyo army is down to its last few thousand. Komako contributes six heads and both he and Sugiyama run into L3 opposition. However, neither Hyugan manages to scratch our heroes, and both go down in three swings of sword or fist.

Iyo 4 Hyuga 36 (Heads: Mariko 1 (3), Kimori 1 (18), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 7 (22), Sugiyama 2 (23))

Hour 8

Finally the main Iyo army arrives, two hours later than expected. Oguromaro takes charge, freeing Mariko to fight hand to hand. She immediately encounters a L4 bushi and wins a fairly close contest with three significant wounds. Sugiyama contributes most heads. Meanwhile, the armies are level.

Iyo 48 Hyuga 36 (Heads: Mariko 2 (5), Kimori 3 (21), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 2 (24), Sugiyama 5 (28))

Hour 9

The armies continue to make little impression on the other, no doubt due to tiredness. All the warrior Troubleshooters contribute to the head count, and Kimori encounters a L4 bushi. Kimori deals with him in his usual efficient manner, the he is dazed by the Hyugans dying blow.

Iyo 48 Hyuga 35 (Heads: Mariko 3 (8), Kimori 5 (26), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 6 (30), Sugiyama 5 (33))

Hour 10

As the day ends, neither army can make headway, and it is with relief that they withdraw to their temporary camps as darkness falls. Mariko, Kimori and Sugiyama send the Hyugans to bed with a parting message, taking 7 heads each (Sugiyama's seventh being a L4 encounter which is again decided by the Hyugan stunning himself and falling over where Sugiyama can use Silent Kill).

Iyo 48 Hyuga 35 (Heads: Mariko 7 (15), Kimori 7 (33), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 2 (32), Sugiyama 7 (40))

Battle of Nojiri - Second Day

Hour 1

The day begins with Oguromaro engineering a resounding success against the Hyugans. Kimori helps most with 5 heads.

Iyo 45 Hyuga 30 (Heads: Mariko 2 (17), Kimori 5 (38), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 3 (35), Sugiyama 3 (43))

Hour 2

Oguromaro continues with another small gain.

Iyo 44 Hyuga 27 (Heads: Mariko 1 (18), Kimori 1 (39), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 4 (39), Sugiyama 3 (46))

Hour 3

The armies are stalemated again, but Kimori and Sugiyama chip in with 6 heads each, maintaining Sugiyama's 7 head lead in their contest.

Iyo 44 Hyuga 27 (Heads: Mariko 3 (21), Kimori 6 (45), Emiko 0 (10), Komako 2 (41), Sugiyama 6 (52))

Hour 4

Another big success for Oguromaro and the Hyugans are looking weak. All the Troubleshooters contribute, and Sugiyama has the biggest fight of the day, with a L5 bushi. Suprisingly it's all one way traffic as the bushi is unable to hit Sugiyama, and falls within three rounds of fighting.

Iyo 42 Hyuga 22 (Heads: Mariko 5 (26), Kimori 4 (49), Emiko 1 (11), Komako 5 (46), Sugiyama 7 (59))

Hour 5

Oguromaro's leadership provides a slight gain, but it tips the balance to a 2 to 1 numerical advantage. Kimori and Komako get five heads each, but Sugiyama equals their combined total with an amazing 10 heads! One of Komako's heads comes from an encounter with a L4 bushi, which involves a lot of swinging and missing, but Komako prevails, taking only a couple of wounds.

Iyo 42 Hyuga 21 (Heads: Mariko 1 (27), Kimori 5 (54), Emiko 1 (12), Komako 5 (51), Sugiyama 10 (69))

Hour 6

Superior numbers, good generalship and stalwart fighting results in a big reduction in the Hyugan ranks. Komako bashes eight Hyugan heads and Mariko meets a L4 bushi who, despite being a master swordsman, only penetrates Mariko's defences once. Mariko's tanto however scores four times.

Iyo 40 Hyuga 16 (Heads: Mariko 3 (30), Kimori 2 (56), Emiko 0 (12), Komako 8 (59), Sugiyama 3 (72))

Hour 7

Another hour brings more heavy casualties to the Hyugans. The Troubleshooters do their share with 20 heads, Kimori just pipping Sugiyama by 6 heads to 5.

Iyo 37 Hyuga 10 (Heads: Mariko 2 (32), Kimori 6 (62), Emiko 3 (15), Komako 4 (63), Sugiyama 5 (77))

Hour 8

The Hyugan general stages a late rally, but still loses 3,000 men. The Troubleshooters again get 20 heads plus two encounters, for Mariko and Sugiyama. Sugiyama's L3 foe swings and misses twice; Sugiyama lands two blows then gets a critical hit for maximum overkill. Mariko has a much longer fight with a L4 opponent, but again her defences are too good and her lighter but more consistent hits with her tanto end the fight in 4 rounds.

Iyo 36 Hyuga 7 (Heads: Mariko 5 (37), Kimori 6 (68), Emiko 2 (17), Komako 3 (66), Sugiyama 6 (83))

Hour 9

The Hyugans are finally overwhelmed and routed. Barely 1,000 escape the slaughter. Mariko heads the Troubleshooters' contributions with 10 followed by Sugiyama with 7. The Battle of Nojiri is over.

Iyo 33 Hyuga 1 (Heads: Mariko 10 (47), Kimori 5 (73), Emiko 1 (18), Komako 4 (70), Sugiyama 7 (90))

In the final reckoning, all the Troubleshooters are recognised for battle honours. Each receives a silver piece for every head taken and a gold piece for every encounter. Mariko gains extra On for commanding the in the early stages, and Sugiyama won his bet with Kimori. Komako receives a 350% increase in pay and On, Mariko 400% and Sugiyama 500%. Sugiyama is also awarded a superior sword (again), while Kimori and Emiko are given class 9 armour.

Over the next few weeks the whole of Hyuga is pacified and Hoshina Oguromaro sets up a regional government. Borders are reopened and in some cases realigned. Hoshina Jyusu goes north to Oita and sets up another regional government there. The Troubleshooters go with him but stop near Nobeoka for an important occasion. Kimori is married to Suzuki Mitsumi, with all the Troubleshooters in attendance. However, the ceremony is barely over before a messenger arrives and the Troubleshooters are ordered back to Matsuyama, being told, "Lord Chozo has an important mission for you." The five heroes never ignore Lord Chozo for very long, but for now the festivities continue.

Find out what happens in series 4 of The Stone.

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