DISCLAIMER

I do not own any part of the script or content used in this story. All credits go to Disney for Mulan and its original creation. Additionally, I hold no ownership over the real-life characters which are the volleyball players mentioned. This writing is purely a fan creation, made to satisfy the imagination and dreams of fans. Thank you!

To the images used, ctto. Unedited—Typographical errors on the way, shall be edited soon when the time comes (maybe). This story has a total of seven pages—two for the Prologue and Epilogue, with five chapters.

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In the feudal era of Japan, the nation was divided into four regions, each ruled by powerful clans vying for dominance. The North, a land of unyielding warriors—The region with distant ties with other clans, was governed by the Sato clan—Known as the most powerful clan in the feudal system and the largest army base known the whole nation. To the East, the Takahashi, Shenigawa, and Kakusuji clans wielded influence. In the arid plains of the West, the Suzuki and Tanaka clans thrived. Finally, the South, rich in fertile lands and cultural heritage, was home to the Nasu, Yamanaka, and Watanabe clans, bound together under the banner of the Southern Imperial army.

It was in the South that General Ishikawa commanded the Imperial forces, his name revered and feared in equal measure. His son, Yuki Ishikawa, carried the same weight of duty and honor, a young man already seasoned with the knowledge of battle but has yet to face one. With war brewing against the North, the Southern clans prepared for the inevitable conflict. Reinforcements were required, and the Imperial army's secretary—Haruto Tachibana—issued a decree:

By order of the Southern Imperial army, one man from every family shall report for training and serve the Southern region. This is the will of the clans and the law of the land.

The decree was to be proclaimed in every village, carried by criers on horseback. It was a call to arms that would change lives and leave families fractured in its wake.

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On a quiet morning in a village nestled near the Southern mountains, the day began as usual. Merchants set up their stalls, children played in the narrow streets, and women went about their daily errands. Among them was (Y/N), the daughter of a retired Imperial army. Her presence turned heads wherever she went, her beauty likened to a lotus in full bloom—admired by many but envied by some. Yet, (Y/N) was not one to be swayed by flattery or the endless stream of suitors seeking her hand. Beneath her graceful demeanor lay a spirit of quiet defiance and unyielding kindness, traits that made her stand apart.

As she strolled through the market with her mother, (Y/N)’s sharp eyes caught the bustle of activity. Farmers traded their goods, craftsmen displayed their wares, and whispers of rumors from distant lands filled the air. But for all the noise and movement, there was an undercurrent of unease—an unspoken tension that lingered like a storm on the horizon. When (Y/N) and her mother returned home, the sound of approaching hooves echoed through the noise of the bustling morning. A crier, dressed in the Imperial army’s colors, rode through the village square, flanked by armed soldiers. Villagers gathered anxiously as the crier unrolled a parchment and began to read aloud the Imperial decree.

(Y/N)’s father, a man who had once been a proud retired Imperial army, listened intently. Though age and injury had left him with a limp, he rose from his seat with determination, leaning heavily on his cane. Despite his physical limitations, his honor demanded that he step forward to receive the decree in person. "Father, you shouldn't!" (Y/N) exclaimed, rushing to his side. Her voice carried a mix of worry and frustration as she tried to steady him. The villagers, who had gathered to witness the announcement, gasped at her outburst.

"A woman has no right to interfere in matters of men!" barked one of the soldiers, glaring at her. "Teach your daughter to hold her tongue," he added, addressing her father.

But (Y/N)’s father, undeterred by the soldier's harsh words, straightened as much as his frail body would allow. He accepted the decree with pride, his weathered hands trembling slightly as he held the parchment. Turning to the soldier, he spoke with quiet authority, "My daughter speaks out of love and concern. But make no mistake—she understands the weight of duty, just as I do."

(Y/N)'s heart ached as she saw the strain on her father's face. She knew that he could not serve, not with his injured leg. Yet, the burden of the decree loomed over their family like a dark cloud. If her father could not go, then who would? The answer was clear, though it filled her with dread.

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That night, as the village fell silent, (Y/N) sat by the window of their modest home, gazing out at the stars. Her mind raced with thoughts of what lay ahead. Her father’s pride would not allow him to send another in his place, and she feared the consequences of defying the imperial decree. The war felt distant, a conflict waged by lords and generals, yet its shadow had reached their doorstep.

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Meanwhile, at the imperial training grounds, Yuki prepared for the arrival of new recruits. His father’s command rang in his ears: "When the rookies come, train them into formidable allies." The responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders, but Yuki was no stranger to the demands of leadership. As the son of General Ishikawa, he had been made and shaped for this role, and he carried it with quiet resolve.

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The wooden bowls of steaming rice and pickled vegetables sat untouched on the table, their aroma filling the modest room of Inoue family's home. The flickering light of the oil lamp cast shadows on the walls, dancing in rhythm with the tension that thickened the air. (Y/N)'s father sat at the head of the table, his face stoic but tired, the weight of age and honor pressing heavily on his hunched shoulders.

"Father! You shouldn't go!" (Y/N)’s voice rose, her words breaking through the quiet evening like a blade striking metal. She leaned forward, her hands trembling as they gripped the edge of the table. "There are many other men out there who can defend the South!" Her eyes were filled with a mix of frustration and desperation, a rare vulnerability that she rarely let show.

Her father, once a proud army who had stood tall among his peers, now sat silently, his injured leg tucked beneath the table. The years had not been kind to him, and his body bore the scars of battles long past. Yet, his resolve remained as unyielding as the mountains surrounding their village.

"This is not a matter of who can or cannot defend the South," her father replied, his voice calm yet firm. "It is about duty. The Southern lord calls, and we must answer." His words carried the weight of a man who had lived his life by the code of honor, even as his physical strength waned.

(Y/N)'s mother, seated quietly to the side, glanced nervously between them, her hands fidgeting with the corner of her apron. She was a woman of few words, but her furrowed brow spoke volumes. She shared her daughter's concerns but knew better than to challenge her husband openly. "But, Father!" (Y/N) persisted, her voice cracking slightly. "You can barely walk without your cane! How can you fight? How can you—" She stopped herself, biting her lip as tears threatened to spill. She knew how much her father valued his pride, and to question his ability was a wound she didn’t wish to inflict.

Her father sighed deeply, placing his chopsticks down with deliberate care. "(Y/N)," he began, his tone softer now, though no less resolute. "You must understand. A samurai does not retreat from his responsibilities, no matter the condition of his body. My leg may be weak, but my spirit is not. The emperor has called for one man from every family, and as the head of this household, it is my duty to go."

"But you're not the same man you were during the last war..." (Y/N)’s voice was almost a whisper now, trembling with the weight of her emotions. "You’ve done enough for this land. Why must you sacrifice what little peace you’ve earned? Why must it always be you?"

The room fell silent, save for the faint chirping of crickets outside. Her father’s expression softened for the briefest of moments as he looked at his daughter. In her fiery determination, he saw echoes of his younger self—a passionate spirit unafraid to stand against what seemed unjust.

"(Y/N)," he said gently, "this is not just about me. This is about our family, our honor, and our future. If I refuse, it brings shame to our name. It marks us as cowards in the eyes of the clans. Is that what you want? To see our family name dragged through the mud?"

(Y/N) shook her head, tears finally escaping down her cheeks. "Of course not, Father. But what good is honor if it takes you away from us? What good is it if it leaves us with nothing but memories?"

Her mother placed a comforting hand on (Y/N)’s shoulder, her touch both grounding and soothing. "(Y/N)," she murmured softly, "your father has made his decision. We must support him, even if it pains us."

(Y/N) turned her face away, her heart heavy with anger and sorrow. She wanted to scream, to shake her father from his stubborn resolve, but she knew it would be futile. His mind was set, and nothing she said would change it.

The meal ended in silence, the tension lingering. Later that night, as Y/N sat by the window staring at the moonlit mountains, she resolved that if her father wouldn’t back down, then she would find another way to protect her family. The thought burned in her mind, a rebellious ember that refused to die.

The call to arms had brought uncertainty and fear into their lives, but Y/N was determined that it would not take everything from them. She would fight in her own way, even if it meant defying the very traditions she had been raised to honor.

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Shameless Plug:

I have two other on-going stories

Heart at Sea - Ran Takahashi

There She Goes - Kento Miyaura

If you have time, feel free to check it out! Lovelots!