The shinobi moved forward together.
Hanzo stood at the center of them, blood staining her sleeve and side, both blades held low as she watched Urakami's soldiers gathering beyond the ruined gate. The snow had become darker beneath their feet, mixed with mud, broken weapons, and the bodies of men who would never rise again.
Beside her stood Shigeru.
Yuwa stood on her other side, her weapon drawn and her eyes narrowed toward the enemy. Sana and the other shinobi who had arrived with them spread into the gaps between Minami Kyoto's wounded defenders.
Behind Hanzo, Captain Jiro's soldiers tightened their formation.
They were exhausted.
They were wounded.
They had watched the gates of their city collapse and seen foreign soldiers pour into the streets.
Yet they were still standing.
And now, for the first time, they were no longer standing alone.
"Shinobi," Hanzo called.
Her voice carried through the broken gate and over the battlefield.
"Protect the people behind us."
