Saitama is an island nation isolated from the rest of the world. It is a place where children are raised to be warriors from the cradle. It is also a place of untold beauty. Unfortunately, these two aspects have made this quiet nation a target. The Haiku are a race of viking-like mercenaries, willing to work for the highest bidder. Two brothers have taken on the mission of kidnapping children from Saitama. But not just any children. They are tasked with finding the ones with the most potential: the most beautiful or strongest. There last mission is to find a child of noble blood. Kyoshi is the only living heir to the kingdom of Saitama, his uncle being the sitting emperor. At only two years of age, he has won the hearts of the entire country. His father, being the head of the royal guard, leaves Kyoshi and his mother in order to find out what has happened to the nation's children. As soon as he leaves, the Haiku brothers spirit the young prince away. Twelve years later, Kyoshi has grown into the perfect assassin, raised by a ruthless ninja lord, one of the strongest in all the land. Although the young assassin does not know anything about his past, his royal blood makes him arrogant. This causes him to be sent to a monastery where he faces untold horrors. Luckily, he is rescued by an unlikely ally, a passing mercenary who pays handsomely for the child. On their journey, they collect other wandering travelers, including Nerra, a promiscuous senari, and Selena, the woman Kyoshi ultimately falls in love with. But is Kyoshi truly free? As they travel on a mission to assassinate a royal family months' travel away, it becomes apparent that the idea of freedom is nothing but an illusion. Kyoshi must battle demons both real and metaphorical if he wants to survive long enough to return to the only home he's ever known, the ninja ryuha. This story is not intended for younger audiences. It is mature with adult situations including violence, adult content, and language. Also, since it is set in a medieval settings, to include ancient China, some practices may be sensitive for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.