桂 Kei-Ma

❝Knight (桂). This was the prominent designation his esteemed Sensei had distinguished him as all those years back. One of the key vital placements found on the shōgi board. Strong, valuable, and subtle. A piece whose impending attacks are the trickiest to pinpoint. It starts off at the back of the game board. Silent and concealed. Safely tucked away behind the pawns and bishop or rook, tactically protected by the lance and silver general. A carefree unworried agent, needless to advance upon any troubles. Yet being one of the most significant players on the board, this never lasts for long. It will eventually develop into an indispensable fundamental piece in every game, if you’re playing correctly.

This was what his life had slowly integrated itself into. A knight who‘d once found himself exempt of any confrontation of trouble; a child, free enough from responsibilities to able to lay back and stare up at the clouds; safely guarded behind his sensei, father, and numerous other shinobi in konohagakure. But as the game kept unfolding, and time kept hastening, the excruciating game continued to eradicate players out, forcing new ones to grasp their place in an unending endeavor to protect the King.