───

     HIMARI WAS NOT EXPECTING THIS. she thought the shogunate had summoned her to have some tea and biscuits, but no.

the woman was now kneeling in front of ashikaga — who was behind a mesh curtain for some reason — meanwhile the other daimyos and a few selected samurais were present, silently observing.

     himari tried to breathe as quietly as possible, as she could feel the tension squeeze the sweat out of her.

     "lady himari, I've recently heard that you'd added females to your samurai squad, is that true?", ashikaga questioned, making himari nervous for some reason.

     "indeed, my lord. I hope I didn't offend you in any way", himari politely responded.

     "no no, not at all. it's just...don't you think that it's a bit silly?"

     "pardon my slowness, but what does my lord find silly?"

     "perhaps it's the fact that my lady has picked females to join her little army. quite a joke if you ask me", one of the daimyos chimed in, causing the others to burst into laughter.

himari had to momentarily close her eyes from lashing out at them, as she was now in a professional setting.

     the red-haired woman could physically see how ashikaga's wife looked, as her downcast expression had conveyed that she was already used to this.

     "I don't think it's a joke", himari honestly stated, making the chuckles cease.

     "since ancient times, woman have always been below us. it's how—"

     "may I ask why? who made the rules that women are to serve men?", himari boldly questioned, making rumi grip tightly onto the hem of her kimono.

"if I remember correctly, amaterasu — the sun goddess — is a woman. she was said to have embodied all feminine qualities that were embraced and admired. and in the third century, the female ruler: pimiko — can solely advocate as evidence for how women can pertain a good sense of order and perfection".

     everyone stayed silent, as they all listened to the auburn-haired woman.

     himari's brilliant, yet devious, emerald eyes looked towards the front, ignoring all the patronizing stares, as she held no qualms.

     least to say, tōji, sukuna, nanami, and the rest were quite surprised at how poised the woman spoke, with her decorous words.

     "that may be true, but need I remind you that men are the proper rulers of this entire world because we're biologically born stronger and smarter", naoya retorted, making many men nod in agreement.

'holy shittttt!! I WANT TO PUNCH YOUR FACE!!'

"and need I remind you that women can be just as strong and just as intelligent?", himari retaliated, putting on the fakest smile she could muster.

ashikaga seemed to perk up upon that statement, as he raised his hand, signaling for his loyal subjects to hush.

     "you claim that women are equal to men; are you sure that you can support such a bold statement?", ashikaga asked, making himari softly huff.

     "of course, my lord".

     "so any challenge that I throw your way...you'll be able to handle it...is what you're saying?"

himari glanced over at rumi, who was discreetly shaking her head, as if begging her to just shut up and let it be.

"I will surely try my best, if that is what my lord is inquiring about".

"perfect! so we're all here to witness lady himari's proclamation! then I officially present you with a challenge, lady himari. do you dare to accept?", ashikaga grinned, though no one but his official wife was able to tell, from behind the thin curtain.

     "I'd love to listen to my lord's proposition first", himari stated, as she was not foolish enough to take on anything and everything before knowing what was being offered first.

     a low chuckle was heard, as ashikaga's grin widened.

     "question first: would you say that gojō-san, getō-san, tōji-san, and ryōmen-sukuna are the strongest four out of us all?"

sukuna's eyes slightly narrowed, as himari drowned in all the whispers upon the mentioning of the demon king.

the wavy-haired woman internally wondered why ashikaga had mentioned sukuna, but perhaps it was just because the demon naturally fell into the category of being the strongest.

     "I do agree that the four are naturally very skilled in combat", himari replied, making ashikaga clap.

     "good, good! and since lady himari stated that women are strong — perhaps even stronger — how about a duel between the five?", ashikaga suggested, to which many of the daimyos had snickered at the woman's own doom.

     'UHM THE FUCK?! YOU MIGHT AS WELL ASK ME TO DRAG THE SUN DOWN FROM THE SKY AND SERVE IT ON A PLATTER!'

     "or, lady himari could attempt to retrieve the stones from the three precious children", the shogunate offered, making the silence resume.

himari didn't know who the three precious children were, but she assumed that it couldn't be that hard to find some pebbles and present it to the shogun.

     "okay. I'll find the stones", himari casually responded, making her father and maid choke on air.

     "are you sure, lady himari? it might be more than what a woman can handle", ashikaga commented, purposely trying to provoke the woman.

     himari gritted her teeth as her eyes shined with clear determination.

     "I'm sure, my lord", himari repeated, making ashikaga hum.

     "then six months will be the allotted time given. and if you're to fail to present us all three stones, you shall openly apologize for your overly presumptuous claims and accept your fate of being a wife and mother for the rest of your life".

     a sudden realization had dawned upon himari.

it wasn't just her own happiness and freedom that she was putting on the line.

other women who aren't as blessed as she is — to have such a supportive family — will never hear the end of it, if she fails to accomplish such a task.

she was representing not just her own stubbornness and morals, but for the women that have never been given a chance to speak.

the 1500s was a cruel time, but himari was dedicated to her goal of men and women equality.

the woman glanced over once more at rumi, who's entire complexion was almost as pale as a ghost, meanwhile her father had only turned his face away: ashamed.

"I graciously accept my lord's offer. in due time, I aspire to impress you with my fulfilling results".