So, Nanako "The Greatest Tryhard" Kurokawa, I want a small, but emotional series of scenes that allows him to confront his failure to stop the PC, and allows both the player and Himself to climb to a higher understanding of Self and The Way.
It would be independent of Floof-Wife. But scenes would vary slightly between No Kiyoko, Public Marriage, and Champion of Keros.
Regardless if it was goading, or gentle diplomacy, The PC would invite Nanako to a rematch [at pc.level5]. 1v1, no allies, no lives on the line, for the sole purpose of testing themselves against the best warrior in the colony.
Nanako would only accept out of politeness and a sense of duty to the den matron, and as such, would hold back considerably during the fight. Losing an action, stopping his unique counter, all for the sake of allowing "The Barbarian/Outsider/Champion" the satisfaction of whatever it is they are after. Win or lose, he offers a few curt/polite words of guidance to improve the players form, but acts somewhat dismissively at the Champion's chosen arms and armor.
After a time [at pc.level6], the Champion returns to learn more from Nanako. This time requesting a more intense bout, less restraint, as mortal harm has it's way of forcing one to learn quickly, or fall. Taking the subtone from the last conversation, the Champion is equipped with a Two-Handed blade, and either all Light, or all Heavy armor, normalizing weight distribution to focus solely on a One-on-One duel, instead of keeping ready for every possibility.
It's exactly like is original fight in floof quest, with all of his skill, and steel, brought to bear. Victory for the Champion will be hard fought, if not nearly impossible. To match someone who has studied The Way for decades is no easy feat, and may even take more than one attempt.
Success earns the warrior's respect, as he spends the next few days teaching his particular stance to the Champion, granting his Blade Block as a stance when wielding two-handed weapons. He even takes time to speak of the traditions regarding duels from his homeland, seeking to ensure the knowledge he imparts is thorough.
After [pc.level7] it would take self reflection on the Champion's part to grow past this point. In fact, it would take the guidance of another warrior far to the south to help the Champion move even higher beyond. To venture beyond the Self with Zo, to attain a glimpse into the Self Beyond Self behind the Silver mask, this insight would be needed before returning once more to Nanako.
And challenging him to a duel.
A real one, not for the sake of training. But for once of self discovery.
For both warriors to put forth the culmination over everything they have experienced, everything they have learned, and everything they are, on the line.
The duel would be to first blood, not to the death.
Both warriors would stand in a field beneath the great tree, naught but simple robes of the Kitsune's homeland adorning them. Nanako, in his stark black and crimson. The Champion, in white and azure.
The stand at the ready, three strides apart, as they each open their minds to the battle before them.
The tree fades into the background. As does any curious onlookers, regardless of how close or distant to the warriors hearts they may be. Even a Trickster is regarded as no more than meaningless noise to be forgotten. There is only this moment, only the earth beneath their feet, only the blade in their hands, only the warrior in front.
[Insert killer Samurai CG here]
Nanako, reflects on each possibility. On each ending.
How each movement, each pattern, each thread in the tapestry comes to an end.
How every movement has a finality.
How breath has its limit.
How at the edge of a blade, there is death.
The Champion reflects on each probability. One each Future.
How every movement, every moment can inspire so many more.
How each movement is merely a journey to the next.
How every spark fuels possibility.
How beyond the edge of a blade, there is life!
A moment.
An Eon, passes.
Neither moves, until the breath of the world sighs through the branches of the tree.
And in a moment, each move to strike.
The moment, crosses possibility and finality.
The moment, begins and ends.
And after The moment, they each stand back to back, having crossed the threshold of what is and is not beyond The Way.
The first to kneel is the Champion, a deep cut to the leg that struggles to maintain their full weight brings them down.
The second, is Nanako, fighting the pain left by a long winding cut on his arm, proud warrior refusing to drop his Blade.
The onlookers rush to the two warriors as the world slowly comes back to each of them, the experience weighing heavily on each of their minds.
After worried looks, angry words, and much fussing from Wives, Mothers, and even a chastising remark from a Lord, the warriors get a moment to share and reflect on the experience.
Nanako and the Champion speak on Everything and Nothing. On the Way and the Void.
And through this sharing of a most intimate moment of The Way, a new Technique is Born Again.
Mushin No Shin
Mind without the Mind
To move beyond Think, and simply Do. To transcend Do, and simply Be.
An Ultimate Technique, allowing a warrior to perfectly counter and respond in kind, to any attack. Not just attacks in melee, not just martial arts, but all hostile action.
Nanako imbues his own foxfire to make ranged counter attacks, using the Principles of Exertion learned from the Champion through Zo.
The Champion could indeed doe the same, if he were bound to Keros, but without such a gift, the energy released through their weapon would likely be dependent on the purity (or lack therof) of their own Soul.
The warriors bow and share Tea with one another as equals, as each reflect on what they have gained from crossing Minds with one another.
