Yasuhiro scanned the skies, picking out the various shapes of seabirds flying over head. Not all seabirds had proper feathers for fletching so he had to be sure of those he was targeting. There was no reason to take the life of a creature he had no use for after all.

After a short while he finally found a likely target, and raising his bow he let his arrow fly, skewering the bird almost perfectly. It wasn't the only one he would hunt today though, he'd need several more if he was going to have enough new fletching for this trip.

Pregame event Roll 1 Day -3. Kyujutsu + Rnk 2 + Void + Glory Calling 4 raises. tn 40: 10d10ro1o10k5+2 47

The Matsu wasn't the only one at the beach in the morning.

Walking barefeet in the sand, with a wicker-parasol to shield her from the sun, the white-haired woman strolled casually as she admired the view. The sea, the waves rolling in before withdrawing back, the crisp autumn sky above. And of course the exceptional marksmanship of the Lion bushi caught her attention.

Pausing in her walk to take some time to admire the skill, she bowed to the unknown man. "Your arrow flies true and sure."

Yasuhiro hadn't missed the soft crunch of sand signifying the approach of someone and he turned as the Dragon woman spoke up, offering a polite bow in kind to the older woman. Tsk, how is she supposed to give birth to healthy children with hips like those. A slight bemused expression came across Yasuhiro's face for a moment as he heard his grandmothers reaction, though it quickly disappeared behind the mask of his on.

"Thank you, Dragon-sama." He offered after a moment. "The winds seems to be in my favor this morning, some days I would never make that shot."

Utsusemi would have had a few choice words to the honored ancestor had she been able to hear it in the same way Yasuhiro did. But instead, she smiled politely to the Matsu.

"Is that so? It almost seemed to me as if you had a skill with the bow that few others possess. At least I have not seen its like before," she nodded. "Then again, I am no archer," she chuckled, "Agasha Utsusemi, a visitor to this fine city. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Which was likely a good thing, Yasuhiro likely wouldn't want to hear that conversation. Nothing good would ever come of it.

"Matsu Yasuhiro no Koritome." The lion offered in response. "A member of the Imperial marines." There was a small pause as he tried to think his way through how to respond. "I am more skilled with a bow then many others, not t2gat I'm trying to brag..." He pursed his lips, in able to figure out how best to continue. "I've just practiced more I suppose."

"Ah," her smile grew a little, as if it all made sense now. "The Koritome, though a young family, are known for skilled archers. If I may say so, you seem to be holding up that reputation very well, if that shot was anything to judge you by."

"Practice makes perfect, they say. Heavens know that rarely is someone just given the skill and talent."

"Well, it's not the only one I lan to make this morning, so if nothing else you can compare it to the others." A slight smile played it's way across his features. You're not flirting with her are you? Just look at her! If she isn't thirty I'd be surprised.

Yasuhiro closed his eyes for a moment trying not to curse at his grandmother. She got like this around pretty women. "What about your own skills? Is there anything you truly shine at Agasha-sama?"

She tittered softly. "I would be more than pleased to observe the technique of the Koritome, for comparison with the previous shot."

"Me? Hardly anything as impressive as your archery. I was trained for the courts, but my greatest skill is with creating works of art. Poetry, painting, tea ceremony, just to name my favorites, but my sensei said I had a natural talent for almost anything I put my mind to."

The young lion nodded at he set his eyes back towards the sky, looking for another target among the passing birds, it seemed he was at least for the moment in no hurry to take a shot.

"That seems quite impressive on it's own, at least from where I am. None of those are easy arts to master and to be skilled in so many..." In a moment he set arrow to string, drew,and fired, launching the shaft at another distant target. "So, in diversity alone you likely outshine my skill with the bow."

She tipped her parasol back slightly to allow her sight to follow the arrow.

"There are certainly strengths to diversity, as there are strengths to being focused on fewer skills. Someone who maintains diversity might be able to shine more often in different arenas, but one who is specialised will always outshine the others in their chosen skill." Her lips tugged into a brief smile as she tried to glimpse if the arrow had struck its target. "The world would be a poor place with only specialists, or only jacks-of-all-trades."

It had, the chosen bird tumbling from the sky a few moments after it was hit. "You're likely right there, though honestly I can't say I've paused to contemplate such."

"I suppose it's just not my way. "

Utsusemi silently nodded with a thoughtful expression upon her features.

"While I know it was never the way of Akodo-kami to pursue philosophical contemplation in the way the monks of Shinsei do, Matsu-san, there is often wisdom in contemplating the differences in the world. For instance, the bold expedition of Hantei-no-kimi is certain to cause change, one way or another, but it is important that one approaches such potential changes with insight and consideration. Stubbornly digging in our heels and refusing to see what is going on could be... unwise."

"You make a very good point Agasha-sama." the Lion replied with a small smile. "I'll try to keep that in mind, though as a hohei I spend most of my time following orders. Even if I spend the time considering such matters, in the end I am bound to follow the word of my lord."

"Which sometimes means stubbornly digging my heels in... Not that I intend to do that at the moment."

Utsusemi chuckled warmly. "Ah, but do you intend on being a hohei forever, Matsu-san? This city does seem to be the staging grounds for those who aspire to do more with their lives in service to clan and Emperor."

"I don't think anyone plans to be a Hohei forever Agasha-sama." That was the lot in life for some samurai, though Yasuhiro was fairly sure none ever planned for that. "I believe I have much to learn before I am able to take command of a group of men though. So I'm in no hurry."

She nodded with some understanding to that. "Then where would you prefer to see yourself then, if it is not too presumptous of me to ask?"

"In the years to come?" It was something of a personal question, but he really didn't mind. Most people were a bit too cautious of him to take any sort of interest. "Perhaps to become a Gunso?" It wasn't too high a rank but one he would be pleased with.

"Higher then that and it would be less and less likely for me to see the battlefield, and it's there that my skills truly lie." He also couldn't picture himself commanding more men then that. Though he didn't mention that part.

"So to remain on the battlefield and eventually gain command of a smaller group of soldiers?" she replied, making sure she got the gist of it right. Ah, the poor Lion are so lacking in vision... "A noble path, and it is the duty some must do. But there are possibilities such could change with the upcoming expedition, I wager."

"More or less." He offered with a nod. "That's true Agasha-sama, things could change. Perhaps for the better, perhaps for the worse. I suppose it depends a lot on what the Gaijin want. As well as how they seem us."

"Either way, I can't imagine soldiers won't be needed and in number in the coming years."