Kaede suddenly thought about artificial intelligence. Those programs that beat humans at Go didn't win because they memorized famous joseki, but because their calculation exploded into terrifying possibilities. From "birth" they play against themselves, enumerate outcomes, and refine decisions—so they beat everyone.
He had no formal spear school to inherit—but Shadow Clone Technique could let him spar himself. Like AlphaGo, he could "self-play," iterate, distill experience, and let conclusions shape a spear style of his own.
At the same time, he barely understood how to use a spear, yet his brother had woven him a whole regimen of body endurance skills. He could simulate spear duels off that scaffolding and raise his art.
Maybe he could abandon "spearmanship treatises" entirely—like AlphaGo, skip the lofty classics and return to fundamentals: one step, one response, training pure fighting instinct and win rate.
He had to hurry and master his own craft. The road ahead would be long, but he didn't care. He was a willful child, after all.
Kaede flopped into his chair at the table, grinning. "Pinch a piece of meat and feed me!"
The Third Princess arrived. "What's with you? Something good happen? Why so happy?"
Kaede answered lazily. "Even if I told you, you wouldn't get it."
"Then say it anyway and let us not get it."
"Ever heard of AlphaGo?"
She blinked theatrically. "Aren't those just dogs? If you want dogs named Alpha, I'll fetch ten before dusk."
Kaede let her tease roll off. "Very cute. But my 'dog' does arithmetic, plays Go, and wins at everything I'm not good at."
"Braggart. Why not say your dog can fly?"
Biwako came out of the kitchen with a tray. "What spirit beast now? Kaede, did you wash your hands? Go wash. Where's Aoi? Wasn't she looking for you?" The Third Princess had quietly shooed Shiro to fetch Aoi; the little fox trotted off in a huff.
A little later Aoi returned, face damp, clearly having washed, yet still flushed.
Kaede frowned. "Hey, easy there. You're not sick, are you? Why so red?"
Hearing his concern, Aoi thought he really was still a kid—didn't understand a thing—and blushed harder. "I'm fine, Shishō. Probably just ran too fast."
The Third Princess pivoted. She needed the concert details settled. "What songs do you want to hear tonight?"
Kaede paused—no idea. "I don't really follow that stuff. Aoi, what do you like?"
Aoi shook her head. "I don't know music. Anything is fine."
"You can request songs here?" Kaede suddenly caught up.
"The Second Princess already booked Gianna," the Third Princess said, pleased. "Private performance at the Daimyo's residence. No need to trek across the city."
"Must be nice to be rich," Ennosuke muttered. After dinner he chatted a while with Kaede; the kid fell asleep on the sofa—early rise and hard training took their tax.
The Third Princess watched him sleep and sighed inwardly. Still just a child.
Kaede napped two hours. Waking to an empty room, he pulled out his copied scroll and began drilling Shadow Clone Technique.
After days of trial, he finally produced his first true clone. A few experiments later and the verdict was clear: Shadow Clones were a unity engine.
Around seven, the daimyo's theater hummed with chatter. The Third Princess, Kaede, Ennosuke, and Aoi sat together, several little maids in tow. One person from the other night hadn't shown.
"Little brother, you learned clones fast," said Ennosuke.
The Third Princess squinted. "No wonder you've been quiet—this is just a clone. He sent a clone to placate me!"
The Second Princess whispered in her ear, "Clones share what they see and hear. When they dispel, the original knows—so don't say anything foolish."
The performance began. A blonde singer in dramatic makeup—Gianna—stepped from the band, met the princesses' eyes, took requests, and returned to center stage. She belted three new tracks before slipping backstage for water.
"The three new songs this year are so good. Gianna's incredible," one princess gushed.
Kaede's head popped up from the side. "Huh. That counts? Then I can do it too."
The princess curled her lip. "You? Don't get cocky. I can count 'Happy Birthday' arrangements. You'll be fine."
"At her level I could beat her every minute," Kaede said, deadpan. "No wonder she skipped the public show. If I'd known, I would've washed up and gone to bed early."
"No instruments lying around? Want to perform?"
(End of Chapter)
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