The afternoon sun filters through the trees surrounding the small stream, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor. The gentle sound of flowing water mixes with the distant calls of birds as a lone figure sits on a smooth stone near the water's edge.

Ryoma, crown prince of Hoshido, stares into the current with a pensive expression. His long dark hair, tied in its characteristic high ponytail, shifts slightly in the light breeze. In his hand, he loosely grips the hilt of Raijinto—the legendary sword passed down through Hoshidan royalty for generations. The weight of responsibility presses visibly upon his broad shoulders as he contemplates his next move in the ongoing war with Nohr.

The prince's keen ears catch the faint sound of footsteps behind him. Though his posture remains relaxed, his fingers tighten imperceptibly around his sword's hilt. Years of battle experience have honed his senses to detect even the subtlest disturbances in his environment. Without turning, he calls out in a calm but commanding voice that carries the authority of one accustomed to being obeyed.

"Whoever you are, show yourself."