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When Jubei was a child, his sister and parents were murdered by the Yotei Six.
Clan Matsumae found him, made him into a samurai over the course of 16 years, only for him to find out that his life had been a lie: his sister had survived. Yet she was not who he hoped she would become.
She was a butcher, one called the Onryo by the people of Ezo. A ghost, some said. A murderer in the name of revenge just like Lord Saito.
They had just attempted to kill the Dragon and Spider, yet failed. Now they were back at Castle Matsumae, regrouping.
Jubei smoked as he looked at the sun. His daughter sat next to him, looking up at him.
“Why do you not like Atsu?” She asked, curious.
“It’s not that I don’t like her,” Jubei said, “we just have…issues. She’s just so…reckless. When me and her tried to kill the oni for the first time, that recklessness got many Matsumae prisoners killed. Innocent lives lost, because of her. It’s like her revenge is all she cares about.”
Kiku was listening, but Jubei didn’t know if she truly understood. He didn’t think she truly understood war, and the thousands of deaths it caused.
“Just do something for me, Kiku. If I die on the battlefield, and Atsu lives, I want you to tell her that I said this: ‘I know that revenge is important to you, but you’ve let it rot you from the inside out. It’s all you care about, and it’s only hurting you. Once Lord Saito dies–and believe me, he will; you need to let it all go. Throw aside your katanas, yari’s, odachi’s. Plant a farm, hunt animals, forage for mushrooms like we used to. But don’t hurt another soul. Find your peace.”
Jubei snapped back to reality and realized that his daughter probably wasn’t going to remember all that. He supposed he would tell her when he got the chance.
But then they got busy, staging the dragon’s execution, the attack on Castle Matsumae, being captured, being rescued.
Then, Jubei died.
At his home, in the final battle with Lord Saito. His death would bring an era of peace to Ezo, and that’s just what happened; only his sister dealt Saito his death.
Barely breathing, Atsu by his side, he croaked out: “Be..at…peace…”
In the aftermath, Kiku remembered some of what Jubei had told her to say. Yet she didn’t tell her aunt. Her aunt did cast aside her weapons, but on her own accord. She continued foraging, hunted with her rifle, and grew some flowers. She wasn’t reckless, and wasn’t bitter. She found her peace, just like Jubei wanted her to.