Treachery of the Daimyo

Kanto and Akashi are twin brothers, born into the proud and ancient samurai family, the Kusunoki. Their lives diverged when Kanto revealed that Akashi had the power to manipulate the sacred power of the tama, and was thus shinobi, whom all samurai are honor-bound to kill. Akashi was driven from the family to live as an outcast. As told in the first book of the Kusunki Chronicles, Pride of the Samurai, both brothers, one samurai and one shinobi, ultimately played crucial roles in defeating rogue daimyo Matsudaira Ayata and his barbarian allies.In the peace following the victory over Matsudaira, the lives of Akashi and Kanto have diverged even further. Kanto has risen high in the ranks of the samurai, controlling conquered lands and fellow samurai. Akashi has become powerful among the shinobi by founding a dojo to train them to fight with the supernatural power of the tama. But the peace is tenuous, maintained by a delicate balance of power, and the seven daimyo who rule the land maneuver against each other behind the scenes for advantages that will tip that balance in their favor. When Kanto becomes the center of one such plot to change the balance Akashi must again confront his conflicting loyalties, and choose whether to involve himself in the affairs of the samurai. No matter his choice, however, both brothers will suffer tremendous losses and grief, as told in the second book of the Kusunoki Chronicles, Treachery of the Daimyo.