Year 2 of Emperor Youmei

The Mononobe and Soga clans' conflict over the adoption of Buddhism finally erupted into open war.

The war was decided when the leader Mononobe no Moriya was shot to death by a lone servant who had infiltrated his army.

Later it was said that this servant was able to get so close to Moriya due to possessing some strange power.

This servant's master was Umayado-no-Miko...

a young noble who'd later become known as Prince Shoutoku.