Named for their swift abilities and attacks, the clan of the Thunderbolt – Kaminari – were known for loyalty to the Daimyo of their township. They were well-established and highly affluent members of the community. It was not uncommon for boys from the village, ambitious and full of life, to become students in the family’s dojo. The Daimyo’s own son was a pupil at said dojo. The Kaminari were well-known, and generally well-liked.

It happened, however, that the leader of the community was an aging man. He had been close friends with Hareta Kaminari, the head of the clan, for a good many years. When his death became public, it was Hareta who spoke of his friend’s greatness and strong leadership skills. Hareta was also the one who announced that the Daimyo’s son would inherit his title and position with his father’s passing. Grumbling erupted here and there in the community, but no one would protest the decision of the late Daimyo. He had been a wise man in life, and would be respected as such in death.

It would seem that this wisdom had dwindled in his final years, since his son was just about the worst man for the job, so to speak. He was quick to violent outbursts, despite having been trained by Hareta’s dojo masters. Rather than preserve resources in times of need, he hoarded what the people had to himself. Greedy and spoiled, he left everyone in the village on a sour note when he went to Hareta for guidance. They felt betrayed, for how could their beloved sensei support such a brat? How could he ignore all warning signs, and go so far as to supply his children as personal guards for the young Daimyo? It made no sense, and trouble left alone will stir itself up.

The people planned a rebellion for weeks, and word spread. The Tokugawa, seeing an opportunity to rid themselves of another power-hungry Daimyo assisted the efforts in secret. Bandits, hungry for whatever they could easily steal, hovered in the mountains around the village in wait. The Kaminari were rich, and anyone could profit by pawning their stolen goods. The attack was simple: a riot by night. The townspeople stormed the compound, fire in hand, while bandits crept through the house, killing at will.

Hareta-sensei stood his ground in the dojo, fighting to the end as his children were dragged off. Despite surrounding the property with his best pupils and instructors, his family could not be saved. He died as he lost everything, and the roof of the dojo, weakened by fire, collapsed over his body.

Each of Hareta's children would face a different fate, some known, others not. His eldest, Ichiro, would be impaled in front of the dojo. His only daughter, Sachiko, was to be dragged off, beaten, and raped. His young twin sons would be seperated. Yuuki was stabbed and taken for dead, and his brother went missing. All of the Kaminari would face a harsh destiny, and recovery would prove a long road for each and every one of them.