Teaser Pilot: The Duel

For the thousand wrongs suffered by Clan Tokugawa, Renshi has challenged Nobunaga Shinobi to duel over this matter of honour. A mist lingers on pre-dawn ground at Central Park in the heart of Neo-Edo.

Shinobi taunts Renshi into attacking. Renshi leaps and Shinobi lazily brings his own sword up to parry the clumsy strike. Renshi deftly reconfigures his attack mid-air and slices along Shinobi's stomache. Chuji and Ryouken, the seconds, watched the Shinobi's bodyguards for sneaky trick. After the duel, Chuji berates Renshi for allowing Shinobi to goad him.

The twins are getting ready for the funeral and are escorted to their car by Hinemuri when Tokugawa Sanzo calls them over. With Hideyoshi being buried today, Sanzo, his son, is expected to become daimyo. He wants them to 'take care' of Ieyasu, the late daimyo's chief confidant and advisor. This man is the greatest threat to Sanzo's leadership of Clan Tokugawa. They agree to discuss the matter after the funeral.

Hirotada, Ieyasu's only son, chats to Renshi about dropping his current girlfirend Toyotomi Fumi and finding a 'mature woman.' Young Hiro needs a woman who can appreciate the quality music produced by the band he and Renshi have.

The funeral is a strictly formal, studiedly ceremonial occasion. There are about three hundred guests outside the Dazaifu Shinto Temple,mostly Tokugawa clan but also noted dignitaries from the city including Shogun General Meiji.

After participating in a formal dances of mourning, the Shin twins split up. Tienshen goes behind the video screen on which will be displayed Hideyoshi's Will and Final Testament to find out what it says. We see the shocked look on her face as she discovers the identity of the new daimyo.

As the funeral proceeds, Hinemuri sees two Nobunaga limos pull up and a woman more beautiful than has ever been seen in Neo-Edo steps gracefully out. She is flanked by Shinobi and another body guard. The crowd parts for her as she carries a single white rose towards the dead daimyo's casket. Hinemuri tries to prevent one of the twins from intercepting her. She lays the rose on Hideyoshi's chest and kisses his cheek before solemnly stepping down from the platform and heading back towards the limos.

Hiro turns to Renshi, grinning ear to ear. "That's her," he says. "O, she doth teach the neon to burn bright! Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! Did my heart love till now? Never saw I true beauty before, no, how."

Yukishen, breaking away from Hinemuri, greets her and thanks her for the respect she pays Clan Tokugawa. Yukishen introduces herself and the woman names herself Nobunaga Hitomi, the grand daughter of the reclusive Nobunaga Oda.

The will is read out. The sick and elderly image of the late daimyo thanks his loyal supporters for their aid and expects that they will support the new daimyo with the same fervour. As he is about to announce his choice for the new daiymo of Clan Tokugawa, Sanzo steps forward to take his place on the platform when Hideyoshi gives the name of the new daimyo as Tokugawa Ieyasu. Sanzo flouders not knowing where to turn before storming out and leaving the ceremony. Ieyasu nods in acceptance of such a grave responsibility.

Later, with the formal part of the proceedings finished, Ieyasu summons the Shin twins and Ryouken. He wants them to protect his son, Hirotada, from any malevolent actions by Sanzo. The twins confess that they were talking to Sanzo about killing him. Ieyasu says that matter is up to their own conscious. He has asked them to protect his son, not him.

Renshi and Hirotada are rocking with phat air guitars at the realisation that their band has the backing of the daimyo himself. They're bound to get that record deal with Clan Fujiwara now! Hinemuri and Chuji simply shake their heads in disappointment.

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