Akechi Clan

The Akechi Clan Crest

> *"Men we are loyal to our closest allies, as such we don't tolerate those that betray them. No matter what!"*
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- A line stated to the clan by Mitsuhide when he learned of the Oda clans death by Kiro Oda.

The Akechi clan is one of the clans that strives to master the art they pursue, whether it be warfare, crafts, or literature. Their goal is to hone the edge like a sharp blade, then maintain it and pass it on to their descendants. As such they are experts in certain fields of life. Not quite as militant as the Hayashi Clan, but no slouch either. Warriors under the Akechi value loyalty and thus are quite clam people when things remain such. Yet, show them disloyalty and they make it known that an enemy has been made.

## Traits

* Unwavering Loyalty

The members of the Akechi clan are devout believers in being loyal to those that deserve it. Like family, close friends, lovers. Thus they hold it at high value, so much so that depending how you were disloyal marks how severe your punishment is. In the warring clan era it wasn't unheard of for death penalty to be given. These days that one was only given to Kiro Oda, the man who slaughtered Yuuki Akechi's future wife. Most punishments these days is hard labor for the family for small acts of disloyalty while the bigger ones is being kicked from the clan. Some claim having an Akechi loyal to you is a sign of good luck.

* The Dragon's Blessing

Striving hard to perfect the art of smithing, has led them through many trial and error. Yet it eventually bloomed reward when they eventually were capable of crafting a Dragon Steel Katana. With the right technique, they were then able to begin producing more gear with Dragon Steel quality. With dedication and hard work they are capable of making well made gear from various metals, being so far the only ones in the Republic able to produce Dragon Steel gear.

* Strive For Perfection

Taking their time to master their craft has maybe led to them being behind in certain fields, yet the Akechi make sure that they hone their skill to truly be called masters at their craft. Such as certain arts of battle, craftmanship, literature. A few things the Akechi are willing to claim they perfected, yet as such this has led to taking extra long to expand their influence. As they want each city, each deal, every battle to be perfect.

* Dark Hair + Lightning affinty

Its rather common for most members to have dark colored hair, dark drown to a deep black. However some do have some lighter hair color, but they are few from in between. Most members also find themselves with the affinty towards the Lightning nature. Quite contradicting their slow perfection life style.

* Know and speaks Qigalth

## History

The start of the Akechi clan was for a most part uncontested one. Residing on the island closest to present day Kirigakure their reign of the island went rather unhindered. The only true opposition came from Otome clan but their location put them in a tough spot as they were closer to the sea and didn't have much room to get past any choke holds from the Akechi. They would quickly surrender to the Akechi who would welcome them into their fold. To their surprise the rest of the island had no real contenders against them, some small tribes that when offered peace accepted it. This had meant they had gained total control over the island with as little bloodshed as they could manage. This gave them plenty of leeway to build up their capital of Sekigahara, and utilize the resources that lay uncontested, to build of their powerbase. It also allowed them to begin constructing ships to begin their next conquest.

Around 220, was when they began their attempts at taking their southern island. This came the first actual test of their prowess, as this time they had to invade navally first and their opposition didn't intend to back down. Their defensive location was also not in the favor of the Akechi as they had to try and get their ships through a narrow opening, in order to reach land, while the defenders were able to beset them will volleys of rocks and fire arrows. This had brought down several ships before the Akechi troops were able to touch down on land. The main saving grace was the fact the Akechi had united their island while this one was still under contest. Thus their superior numbers were able to overwhelm the city and eventually capture it, bring the Chosokabe clan into their fold. The damage was done though and it did put a sudden halt to their conquest. It did however give them a good taste of what actual combat was like and how a proper force would possibly defend their attacks. As a notion of respect to their former enemy they allowed to name the city after them.

A couple years of rebuilding went through, but the Akechi would once again launch an attack on the two remaining clans who were already fighting each other. It seemed the two clans aimed for this to be their final fight as both leaders were in the battle, prompting the Akechi to respectfully wait for the conclusion to this battle. He wanted to show honor to his enemies and attacking both of them while they were weak was no way to win a battle to him. Noticing this both leaders would call for a stop and seeing the fate that laid on the horizon, opted to simply make peace with each other and give in to the superior numbers the Akechi clan had before them. As winning this battle meant nothing if they lost the most important one, why sacrifice lives for a cause that couldn't be won? The Akechi commended them on a brave display and gave them praise for recognizing their current situation and not throwing away lives. They would be brought into their fold and with such both islands were under Akechi control.

With control over both islands, the work would go into making sure the other clans knew this was their domain. As such defensive structures were built with the sole intention of keeping invaders out, and making invading a challenge in its own right. This kept out invaders and allowed them to promote their own lands more, improve infrastructure, and improve their cities to be better beacons of authority. This led to the discovery of a rare metal called Dragon Steel, a very difficult metal to work with compared to iron or steel. In fact it was so difficult, that others opted they just sell the unrefined resource but not willing to waste such a precious metal. The Akechi opted to keep trying to smith the metal, it took many attempts even a couple years. The results though was a blade they found without equal, the principles behind how to forge it was quickly taught to the other smiths. Within another few years trying to forge the metal was no longer something considered impossible. This was just in time for the birth of the Water Country.

Keeping mainly to themselves in this new era, they opted to be silent majority of the time was some members would join the military. They were far enough away from conflict that they had no true worries. That was until the Great War happened, a good portion of Akechi troops joined this conflict as it was also where a friendship was established, the young leader of the Akechi Mitsuhide would meet another man, Byd Oda. The two men got along pretty well when the Oda saved Mitsuhide in battle. As such Mitsuhide greatly respected the man, even though the Oda clan was smaller compared to his. Only having a compound in Kirigakure, yet nonetheless a respect of loyalty was born to this man he considered his friend. As such they fought in various battles side by side, making sure they lived to fight another day when the other made a mistake. Even after several battles loss, they managed to live even when the battle got closer to Kirigakure. Only ending when their commander died and a peace treaty was made. As such Byd would invite Mitsuhide and his family to come visit his, which Mitsuhide would accept.

The relationship between the two families would only grow when Byd's daughter Chie and Mitsuhide's son Yuuki fell in love and wanted to get married. However, such a marriage never transpired as a year later Kiro Oda was reported to have slaughtered the Oda clan and had fled. Mitsuhide was enraged, he had been to busy with the revolution to have visited his friend, and now he was never able to. Yuuki was also rather enraged by this, asking his father to make Kiro Oda a public enemy of the Akechi clan. Mitsuhide didn't even need to take that into consideration and publicly announced that should they ever see Kiro Oda. Being brought back alive wasn't going to happen. It even prompted Mitsuhide to start sending out operatives to find this man's location, of course several events got in the way of this since then. Such as the forming of the republic, which then became a dictatorship, it forced Mitsuhide to pour resources into other matters. Yet the death of his friend and son's fiancé never left his mind.

## Members

While most members are Akechi, they did in the past integrate several other clans into their fold. As such some families have ties to the Otome clan and Chosokabe clan. While this day most take the Akechi name, they do remember the Akechi remember their long trusted allies and aren't ashamed to honor their old family name.

### Otome Clan

The first clan the Akechi battle with, even if it wasn't truly a war with them in the past. They were the first allies they had and as such helped paved the way for the growth of the clan to the island Koyang. They are spoken of in high regard, and its not uncommon for an Otome descendant to be close friends with the leader of the Akechi. An Otome was even one who discovered how to smith Dragon Steel, only to further cement their place in the Akechi Clan.

### Chosokabe Clan

The first true adversary to the Akechi, they helped show them that numbers only got so far before superior tactics. With the Chosokabe help, they were able to improve their military and make their lands even more structurally defensive. Add in their skill with building, and ship building, and the Akechi found an ally that would help them go on to claim the rest of Koyang.

## Techniques

Compared to other clans they don't have much to boast in the way of techniques. As most are taught at a young age to perfect what you set out to do before choosing another craft. Most stick with the same craft for years before moving on to something else, they are able to boast apt defensive techniques and being good builders. Some if they pursue a craft in the shinobi world aren't uncommon to mastering their nature and combining it with another. While they don't have a kekkai Genkai, this hasn't stooped some members from going on to use Storm Release.

Their main concern is their pride on Loyalty. To them this is worth more than gold, as it has before benefited them to have a loyal friend by their side to sometimes help overcome their perfectionist ways. If it wasn't for the Chosokabe or Otome, the Akechi name might not be what it is today.

## Traditions

### Death Before Dishonor

Their motto and keepsake, Loyalty is what many leaders in the past have proclaimed kept them going. As such many choose to die before betraying their treasured friend. Some even opt to claim their own life if they know the enemy has a way to take precious information on their ally, as a way to keep it forever away from the wrong hands. Some even show this by getting the kanji for loyalty tattooed onto their skin, to showcase they have found someone worth being loyal too until the end.

### A Silent Day

A more reserved tradition, as one day out of the year is reserved to remember all those that perished to get the clan to where it is today. It's a way to honor all the friends and family that helped the clan get to where its current standing in the world is. Its a tradition that has multiple meanings depending on who you ask and none are incorrect meanings either. As long as you remember you are doing the tradition well.

### Unforgiven Book

A book one does not wish to enter, in a way similar to the Bingo Book but this is one that only upholds in the Akechi land. Should someone disregard their ways or cause something tragic enough to warrant it,. The clan leader writes the individuals name in a book and this person is banished form the clan's territory. Should they ever show their face within their lands they are too be killed on site. An example is Kiro Oda who ended up in the book after Killing Mitsuhide's trusted friend Byd Oda

## Relationships

**Hayashi Clan-**

The relationship between the two great clans is one of caution, not having a bad relationship but not a great one. Mainly one of keeping to their own business instead of of meddling. To this extent they remain mostly on neutral terms which is probably a sigh of relief to both clans.