Strategist is the 103rd chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
Ka Ryo Ten realizes that she was in the Ryo Fui Faction's headquarters, and freezes up, unsure of how to act. Some officials ask those that brought her to explain why she was brought there, looking younger than expected, and they hear that the Shiyuu had sent her to them as a substitute, with a letter of recommendation that is passed to Shou Hei Kun. Shou Hei Kun reads it aloud to the room, and orates that the Shiyuu had asked them to raise "this genius" she had sent into a strategist.
At Shou Hei Kun's instruction, Mou Ki brings her to the room next to his. There, he asks her if there was anything she would like to know about, and after Ten declines the chance to ask, begins questioning her and asks her if she was a spy of the King. He tells her that her blowpipe would not hit him, surprising her with his knowledge of her capabilities, but judges from her reaction that she had indeed come without knowing anything at all. He tells her that she made the correct choice in coming there to become a strategist, and lets her know that there was no political coloring in the institution. Back in the main hall, Shou Hei Kun lets Sai Taku know of Ten's actions as part of the Ei Sei Faction, and shares his belief that he had obtained a good piece.
Their conversation steers to the intelligence of Kyou Kai and how the appearance of promising young people made Sai Taku happy. As thanks for his efforts in Yan, Shou Hei Kun lets Sai Taku know of his interest in Shin, a young man who had already saved the King on numerous occasions, and also already obtained the rank of a 100-Man Commander despite beginning as a servant, the piece he desired to obtain the most.
Characters
Qin
- Royal Palace
- Ei Sei Faction (Mentioned)
- Ei Sei (Mentioned)
- Shin (Mentioned) (Image)
- Ka Ryo Ten
- Shou Bun Kun (Mentioned)
- Ryo Fui Faction
- Ryo Fui (Mentioned)
- Shou Hei Kun
- Sai Taku
- Unnamed strategists
- Unnamed servants
- Sei Kyou Faction
- Sei Kyou (Mentioned indirectly)
- Ei Sei Faction (Mentioned)
- Clan Shiyuu
- Kyou Kai (Mentioned) (Image)
High Points
- Kyou Kai gives Ten's messengers her letter of recommendation.
- The Strategist Academy of Qin is shown for the first time.
- Ten is accepted to begin the training.
- Shou Hei Kun, Sai Taku, and Mou Ki know that Ten is allied with the Ei Sei faction.
- The acceptance rate of applicants as strategist is only 1 in 100.
- Mou Ki knows that Ten is a girl.
- Shou Hei Kun shows his interest in Shin.
Trivia
- Shou Hei Kun is one of the first in the series to recognize Shin's talent.