Although Abashiri Prison has strained Sarasa's spirit, she must somehow survive more intrigues and gain allies before returning south. Back in Sanyo, a heartbreaking story unfolds as the rebels risk espionage to unseat King Ukon's harsh magistrate Momonoi.
Sarasa's ploy to distract King Ukon's magistrate from attacking her allies has succeeded, but she must pay the price in tragedy and strife. Her arduous role as Tatara causes her to question her identity as the dawn of a critical battle approaches.
Sarasa's ploy to distract King Ukon's magistrate from attacking her allies has succeeded, but she must pay the price in tragedy and strife. Her arduous role as Tatara causes her to question her identity as the dawn of a critical battle approaches.
At last, Sarasa's journey as come full circle. Having begun with a haphazard scheme to save her people from the Red King's destruction of Byakko village, Sarasa has now reached the point where she can bring the fight to him. If only she knew who the Red King truly is! On the eve of battle, Sarasa and Shuri are reunited. Both have survived horrible trials and face dire futures, so there is no reason to hold back. Finally, they can express their true feelings. Yet how can they keep their secret identities hidden from each other if they will soon be crossing swords?
At last, Sarasa's journey as come full circle. Having begun with a haphazard scheme to save her people from the Red King's destruction of Byakko village, Sarasa has now reached the point where she can bring the fight to him. If only she knew who the Red King truly is! On the eve of battle, Sarasa and Shuri are reunited. Both have survived horrible trials and face dire futures, so there is no reason to hold back. Finally, they can express their true feelings. Yet how can they keep their secret identities hidden from each other if they will soon be crossing swords?
At last, "Tatara" and the Red King have met in battle. The fighting was fierce, but the revelation of their true identities proved to be the most devastating. Now they must find a way to carry on and fulfill their destinies.
At last, "Tatara" and the Red King have met in battle. The fighting was fierce, but the revelation of their true identities proved to be the most devastating. Now they must find a way to carry on and fulfill their destinies.
Sarasa and Shuri meet in the battlefield, and are devastated to learn one another's true identities. Sarasa runs away to Kazuno, reunites with her mother, and reaffirms the sanctity of love. But what path will she choose now...?
Sarasa and Shuri meet in the battlefield, and are devastated to learn one another's true identities. Sarasa runs away to Kazuno, reunites with her mother, and reaffirms the sanctity of love. But what path will she choose now...?
While in Kyoto Shuri runs into his beloved sister, the Great Sister of White, as well as his old teacher and rival, Hiiragi. Sarasa continues to form aliiances and gain strength. Although Sarasa and Shuri are apart, they remain close in each other's hearts. Meanwhile, someone wants Shuri dead--but who?
While in Kyoto Shuri runs into his beloved sister, the Great Sister of White, as well as his old teacher and rival, Hiiragi. Sarasa continues to form aliiances and gain strength. Although Sarasa and Shuri are apart, they remain close in each other's hearts. Meanwhile, someone wants Shuri dead--but who?
Sarasa is engaged in a naval battle with the Royal fleet, but dolphin suicide torpedoes are being deployed against her Shikoku allies to devastating effect. Hiiragi's assassins infiltrate Sarasa's Suzaku flagship as she and her crew are pushed to extremes. Sarasa also learns of Shuri's deeds in the North and realizes the he is no longer the Red King of old, but more the Shuri that she loves.
Sarasa is engaged in a naval battle with the Royal fleet, but dolphin suicide torpedoes are being deployed against her Shikoku allies to devastating effect. Hiiragi's assassins infiltrate Sarasa's Suzaku flagship as she and her crew are pushed to extremes. Sarasa also learns of Shuri's deeds in the North and realizes the he is no longer the Red King of old, but more the Shuri that she loves.
A curfew law has been passed in Kyoto to suppress the rebellion. Sarasa's ally Ageha seeks to destroy King Ukon's senior officials, while Asagi, the real Blue King, gains Sasara's trust and leads a daring asssault. But while Sarasa and her forces are gaining ground, their enemies' secret plan could turn the tide against them!
A curfew law has been passed in Kyoto to suppress the rebellion. Sarasa's ally Ageha seeks to destroy King Ukon's senior officials, while Asagi, the real Blue King, gains Sasara's trust and leads a daring asssault. But while Sarasa and her forces are gaining ground, their enemies' secret plan could turn the tide against them!
Allies from all over are gathering at Tatara's base camp in preparation for a massive assault. Meanwhile, Shuri has a plan to establish his authority in Kyoto and deplete his rivals' funds. On a reconnaissance mission, Taro finds information crucial to the war effort. All the while, a battle between Tatara and Shuri is imminent!
Allies from all over are gathering at Tatara's base camp in preparation for a massive assault. Meanwhile, Shuri has a plan to establish his authority in Kyoto and deplete his rivals' funds. On a reconnaissance mission, Taro finds information crucial to the war effort. All the while, a battle between Tatara and Shuri is imminent!
As war breaks out in Kyoto, Taro races to warn Sarasa about Project Pomegranate, a secret plan launched by Hagiwara. But a traitor has betrayed Taro to the Yaro-Gumi, Kyoto's feared elite police force. With the truth of Project Pomegranate still a mystery, the forces of Sarasa and the Red King ride into battle against one another, not realizing that, in doing so, they play into Hagiwara's hands!
As war breaks out in Kyoto, Taro races to warn Sarasa about Project Pomegranate, a secret plan launched by Hagiwara. But a traitor has betrayed Taro to the Yaro-Gumi, Kyoto's feared elite police force. With the truth of Project Pomegranate still a mystery, the forces of Sarasa and the Red King ride into battle against one another, not realizing that, in doing so, they play into Hagiwara's hands!
War will determine who wins control of Japan--but the bonds of love and loyalty will decide the nation's future. As the battle reaches its climax, will Shuri pursue his destiny as king or trust Sarasa's dream of democracy? When placed on the throne of Kyoto, will Asagi turn on Sarasa? And when Sarasa is forced to choose between her love for Shuri and her loyalty to her comrades, can she make the right decision?
War will determine who wins control of Japan--but the bonds of love and loyalty will decide the nation's future. As the battle reaches its climax, will Shuri pursue his destiny as king or trust Sarasa's dream of democracy? When placed on the throne of Kyoto, will Asagi turn on Sarasa? And when Sarasa is forced to choose between her love for Shuri and her loyalty to her comrades, can she make the right decision?
As the war for Japan rages on, the battle reaches the Royal Castle itself. Sarasa penetrates the castle's defenses to confront the traitorous Asagi. Shuri, wounded and crippled, pursues Sarasa even though the chase may kill him. Ageha descends into a labyrinth beneath the castle to stop a deadly mechanism designed to destroy them all. And King Ukon, now a pathetic, desperate shell of a ruler, grimly awaits Tatara's arrival!
As the war for Japan rages on, the battle reaches the Royal Castle itself. Sarasa penetrates the castle's defenses to confront the traitorous Asagi. Shuri, wounded and crippled, pursues Sarasa even though the chase may kill him. Ageha descends into a labyrinth beneath the castle to stop a deadly mechanism designed to destroy them all. And King Ukon, now a pathetic, desperate shell of a ruler, grimly awaits Tatara's arrival!
Sarasa has led her army to victory, faced down King Ukon, and won the hearts and minds of her people. Now, in the final hours of battle, her actions--and Shuri's--will decide Japan's ultimate fate. Sarasa began her quest in Tatara's shadow. The time has come for her to step into the light, speak her real name, and accept her true destiny as the woman who will lead Japan into a new age of peace and freedom!
Sarasa has led her army to victory, faced down King Ukon, and won the hearts and minds of her people. Now, in the final hours of battle, her actions--and Shuri's--will decide Japan's ultimate fate. Sarasa began her quest in Tatara's shadow. The time has come for her to step into the light, speak her real name, and accept her true destiny as the woman who will lead Japan into a new age of peace and freedom!