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Takehiro would hold his ground, tugging back on the chain to prevent the woman from getting the upper-hand, though he did also notice the man charging his way. With a powerful kick, Takehiro would send the weight that first hit the woman toward the man's chest, to prevent him from swinging his hammer. In the event he failed, Takehiro would use his superior strength to pull the woman around in an arc so that the hammer would strike her instead, and he would then throw her into the man. Once they were both on the ground, Takehiro would fire a poison bolt into the stomach of either one and allow them to sit there and die.

[OoC: Turning this into our April monthly because we can.]

Takehiro's eyes widened and a tear rolled down his face as Haji reacted the way he did. "No, Haji, you don't understand!" the Daimyo would shout, reaching out with an arm. Just at that moment, a strange sound could be heard, and a metallic object on four wheels, with incredibly bright lights roared by, a strange horn blaring as it did.

And then, Toshi was gone.

"TOSHI?! TOSHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII?!"

[OoC: If anyone wants to hop in later, you're welcome to. But I don't want to put this on hold for too long. It's going to move as quick as we can make it, because training threads are super important for the army.]

"TO GET YOU ALL UP AND ACTIVE, OF COURSE!" the Daimyo chirped, letting out a chuckle. Toshi would smirk, paying little heed to Maki and his act of not falling into ranks. Takehiro saw something in the boy, so he would support him, even if he had any say the brat would be forced into tougher training for his attitude.

"Alright, men! Are you ready to get some work done?!"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"That was pathetic! How about we put a little energy into it?!"
"SIR, YES, SIR!"
"Much better! Now, I've been pretty lax on you lot lately, and while I feel you all deserved your rest, it's time to get back into action! We are surrounded by threats on all sides - the Tokugawa to the North, the Imagawa to the South, the Takeda to the East, and the Kitabatake, across the Western waters! Dealing with situations such as these, you must be willing to deal with any and all threats, and absolutely any time! So, today will be the first day of many, of rigorous training exercises that will transform you all into battle-hardened warriors capable of fending off even the powerful Imagawa forces!"

The men would let out a powerful battle cry at the end of Takehiro's semi-speech, before Toshi stepped in front of Takehiro. The men would continue their cry until the general rose a hand to quiet them. In mere seconds, the cries ended, and the general began his speech.

"This training will be difficult, as I am sure you all understand. But, I urge you, should you ever feel like it is too much, push forward. Nothing will be gained of quitting, but everything may of perseverance." The men all pounded their fists to their chests once, and rose them in unison, letting out a single roar in response to show their determination. "That is what I like to see," Toshi smiled. "Very well! Your first trial will commence here and now!"

The Amakusa leaped from his podium and to the front of the men, where the ranks began. They would be the perfect set-up to begin this trial, which would be tough on them and Toshi himself. Holding up a single hand toward the army, Toshi would begin to explain the details.

"You are capable of fighting under desirable circumstances - well fed and thirst quenched, in weather that is comfortable to the human body - but you must learn to fight in environments that do not help you. Fight when you are weighed down by heavy rains, or when your lips are chapped and cracked and you feel as though you have not had the wonder of water touch your lips in ages. Do these, and you will come one step closer to being the greatest warriors in Nippon."

The men seemed confused with what Toshi asked of them, but it would be simple with a little trial-and-error. The men would be set up at a course, 100 yards in a straight line. They needed to run from one end to the other and then back. The first length would be run with the runner weighed down incredibly by the moisture in the air, as it would fill their clothes and make them heavy, as well as fill up all their armor with water. Then the second length would be run with Toshi stripping them of all of that moisture, and all of that in the air surrounding them as they ran, harsh, dry winds dehydrating them quickly. They would feel as if their skin were to crack with each step they took. And each and every soldier was expected to complete this run.

Takehiro would watch with interest as Brandt tested out his weapon. If all was well, he would find it was easy to wield despite its size, having rather balanced weight and incredibly tough steel. Should the Nord have found it as much to his liking as he said, then the Daimyo would want the man to test it legitimately, rather than swinging at nothing.

"Buranto," Takehiro spoke, brandishing his glaive. He would then hold it horizontally to the ground. "Give me your best swing, right here." This was also to test and see if Kanbe's craftsmanship was growing, or at least in the same ballpark.

Shingen moving out of the way was not something Takehiro did not expect. If the Daimyo of the Takeda were crushed so easily, then he would not have been worthy of his title, and his lands would be taken for the Amakusa. The fact that he could avoid a simple attack was nothing surprising.

When Shingen went for his swing, Takehiro reacted quickly, shooting out with one sabaton to slam into the flat of the ax. There would be enough force behind the kick to shoot the weapon way off its initial course, which would be enough to show that Takehiro was a force to be reckoned with.

Using the change in velocity Shingen would suffer to his advantage, Takehiro would swing his enormous glaive in a wide arc in front of himself aimed at Shingen's waist. This was to get the man to move back or suffer a devastating wound that would be likely to maim him if he did not avoid it. If he did step back, though, Takehiro would step forward and thrust the blade forward.

"Maki, take the others and go with Toshiie. I'll handle these two."

Takehiro stabbed his glaive into the ground, then removed his weights from his ankles. In a powerful heavy, both would be thrown, one toward the man and one toward the woman. Either anklet weighed 600 lbs, and in their weakened state, they would serve as more than enough of a distraction to the two Date officers.

Using his incredible new speed (on top of the distraction, the poison, and the weighted bolts), Takehiro would retake his glaive in his hands and dash toward the two officers. His foot would crash into the man's chest to send him flying back, but before he could get far, Takehiro would thrust the glaive into his waist. He would then rip it out, spin in a semi-circle and slash down at the woman, from her shoulder all the way to her waist.

Toshi and Takehiro both looked at Haji, despair on their faces. Neither knew how to answer the question, though it didn't seem quite so outlandish to them. They both appeared sick and tired, though from what there were no hints.

"Where are we?"
"Who are you?"
"Who are we?"
"Where are you?"

If Haji paid close attention, he'd smell a familiar smell, one he'd recognize from his meeting with Takehiro in Owari.

"No, I am simply a man who took his training seriously."

While Takehiro was proud of his abilities, he knew they were far from being above man. While he could level armies and take out fleets single-handedly, he could still never hope to take on a God. The first he'd met man-handled him, destroyed him. The second sent wave after wave of soldiers to fight him, so while he'd never fought Bishamonten himself, he knew of the caliber of men he commanded. Takehiro was far from their level, even now. But, this is sort of a tangent.

Takehiro had been watching Brandt the entire time, and once it seemed the man was getting the hang of walking with the weights, Takehiro would lead Brandt over to a blacksmith. "Come with me, friend." Assuming Brandt would follow, Takehiro would direct him to the best smithy in his fief.

"Now if I'm going to train you, you're going to need a weapon that can match my own, one that's not quite so unwieldy. I could assume you'd like another zanbato, but if not, let me know. I'll have my smithy, Kanbe, make it for you."

SELLING the following to Yuy Masahiro™ for 5280 Yen:

Rider's Greaves: These greaves are very tough, made of some of the finest steel around. The material on the bottoms provide stability and support in rocky situations. +6 Dex
Power: As long as the wearer has both feet on the ground, they can not be knocked down or away.

Rider's Tasset: This tasset is more cloth than steel, yet still provides great protection for the lower body. +6 con.
Power: When riding the Demon Chariot, the horse and Rider leave behind a trail of darkness that harms any who touch it.

Rider's Necklace: The gem on this necklace is imbued with the soul of the Rider who bore it, their Mon embedded beneath the gem's surface. +3 Spr +3 Wis
Power: This necklace has the power to summon the Rider's demon chariot once per thread. There is no limit to how long the chariot may be used, but once it has been defeated or restored to the gem, it can no longer be used in the same thread

Additionally,

UPGRADING
Kitabatake Katana ‘Ryoku’: This well-made katana bears the Mon of the Kitbatake on the suba. Once wielded by Kitabatake Tokumatsu, it was one of a pair. +5 Str when attacking
Power: This sword can create an illusionary doppelganger to misdirect foes. It is unaffected by event and can be control mentally. This copy last for 1 post per 5 total Spr, but it cannot affect the world. While this power is in effect, the sword is invisible in the wielder hand.

To

Kitabatake Katana ‘Ryoku’: *UPGRADED ONCE* This well-made katana bears the Mon of the Kitbatake on the suba. Once wielded by Kitabatake Tokumatsu, it was one of a pair. +9 Str when attacking
Power: This sword can create an illusionary doppelganger to misdirect foes. It is unaffected by event and can be control mentally. This copy last for 1 post per 5 total Spr, but it cannot affect the world. While this power is in effect, the sword is invisible in the wielder hand.

Cost: 800 Yen
Total Spending/Reimbursement: 5280 - 800 = 4480 Yen

FUSING
Kitabatake Katana ‘Ryoku’: This well-made katana bears the Mon of the Kitbatake on the suba. Once wielded by Kitabatake Tokumatsu, it was one of a pair. +9 Str when attacking
Power: This sword can create an illusionary doppelganger to misdirect foes. It is unaffected by event and can be control mentally. This copy last for 1 post per 5 total Spr, but it cannot affect the world. While this power is in effect, the sword is invisible in the wielder hand.

With

Brand of Kagu-tsuchi: *UPGRADED ONCE*This large glaive is said to be crafted by the gods themselves, being as grand as it is but being almost weightless to the one who wields it. It binds to the soul of a single person, making it weightless to them, but unbearably heavy to almost anyone and everyone else. Anything the blade cannot cut through, it is strong enough to crush. +34 Str
Power: This glaive can become engulfed in flames, dealing fire damage with each swing.

To Make:

Takehiro's BADASS GLAIVE: *UPGRADE TWICE* Two-hand. This glaive is incredibly powerful, being forged by the finest Totomi blacksmiths. Aside from being made with the most powerful steel in Japan, it seems there is a mystic quality to this glaive, binding it to Takehiro's soul. The handle for the glaive alone is six feet, and the blade is four feet high and two feet long. On either side of the blade, the Mon of the Amakusa is etched into the steel. Anything this blade cannot cut through, it will crush. +43 Str. Requires 30 base Str to wield.
Power: 1) This glaive can become engulfed in flames, dealing fire damage with each swing.
2) The blade can create a doppelganger of pure illusion to distract foes. It is not affected by any events, other than the user's own mental control. The copy lasts 1 post per 5 total Spr. Cannot affect the world (i.e. cause harm). While this power is in affect, the user's weapon becomes invisible.

Cost of Upgrade: 1100
Dual-Power Fusion Additional Cost: 900~
Total Spending and Reimbursement: 4480 - 900 = 3580 left in Wallet.

Rather than just sit and let the shroud take all of the damage for as long as it could, Takehiro opted to return fire. Spikes would begin to form on the shroud, and all cannon fire that could be held by it would be. From there, Takehiro would shoot the blanket of darkness outward, looking to impale, crush, and poison all foes outside of it.

With no warning, Takehiro threw his glaive high into the air, the sound of its force ripping through the wind apparent. He would reach down, taking his weighted anklets from his legs, and he would hold them at his side. As his glaive began its descent from the sky, he dropped his anklets, and they would leave massive holes in the ground where they landed. A strong cloud of dust would quickly envelope the entire area, and Takehiro would use this to show exactly what the Daimyo of Totomi was capable of.

With the cloud of dust hiding him, Takehiro would leap into the sky, taking his glaive in his hands. He would spin in the air, gaining momentum, and as he was just above Shingen, he would slam the end of the shaft into the larger man's chest, seeking to crush it and send him crashing into the ground in a single blow if it hit.

[OoC: Weights removed: Takehiro's Dex is 96.]