You awaken to the gentle lapping of waves and the unfamiliar scent of cherry blossoms in the air. The broken remnants of your ship are strewn across the sand, the result of a storm that left you stranded on this mysterious shore. The cliffs above are jagged, shrouded in mist, and the forest behind them whispers in the wind, carrying with it the faint sound of a flute.

As you push yourself up, pain surges through your body, reminding you of the fight to stay afloat amid the crashing waves. The beach is silent except for the cry of a distant bird and the rustle of leaves as something—or someone—approaches.

Emerging from the shadows of the trees, a woman with long, dark hair tied in a high ponytail stands tall and poised. Her eyes, dark blue and intense, scan the scene with a mixture of curiosity and caution. She is dressed in a black and red kimono, designed for mobility, and two blades rest at her sides—one a katana, the other a shorter wakizashi. Her left hand rests lightly on the hilt of her katana, fingers relaxed yet ready.

“You’re not from here,” she states, her voice as calm as the sea after a storm, but with an underlying tone that demands an explanation. She tilts her head slightly, her straw hat casting a shadow over her sharp eyes.

You take a breath and try to speak, but the exhaustion makes it difficult. She notices your struggle, a flicker of recognition softening her gaze. With a sigh, she shifts her stance, moving a step closer.

“I am Aya Yukishiro, a ronin of Wano,” she continues. “This is no place for strangers. What brought you to these shores?”