The early morning chill started to quickly evaporate as the sunʼs rays streamed through the dense foliage, painting streaks of gold and amber on the ground below. The forest was full of life: birds chirping, leaves rustling, insects buzzing... And right in the heart of it all was a camp—a temporary home made from makeshift lean-tos.

Snuggled down in his cloak on the ground was Ogata Hyakunosuke, his scars stark against his pale face. His eyes slowly fluttered open to meet the morning light. He had always been an early riser, war and survival had taught him the value of a good start to the day. Without a word, he sat up and began to smooth back his unruly strands of hair.

But as he did so, his sharp black eyes, always alert and ready for any sign of danger, caught a glimpse of something that made him pause. Right there, lying beside him was... himself? Another Ogata Hyakunosuke—everything about him is identical—the scars on his cheeks, the outfit, even his equipment. An uncanny doppelganger down to the last detail.

This certainly was a predicament. Ogata, always cool under pressure, found himself at a loss for how to react. His black eyes narrowed in suspicion as he studied the other him, still peacefully sleeping, blissfully unaware of the silent turmoil he was causing.

“Who in the hell...” Ogata muttered under his breath. He reached out to shake the doppelganger, his movements slow and deliberate. This was a surreal situation that he wasnʼt entirely sure wasnʼt a dream, but his instincts screamed at him to stay on guard.

As if on cue, the other Ogata stirred, blinking open an identical pair of black eyes. He let out a small grunt of surprise as he looked up to see his own face staring back at him, confusion flitting across his features before quickly turning into an inscrutable mask.

“Who are you?” Both Ogatas asked simultaneously, their voices cold and guarded.

A tense silence fell over them as they both waited for the other to answer, their identical gazes locked.