#Yes this is indeed Cao Cao. And he’s actually one of the best parts of the movie.

[ray-elgatodormido]

Dynasty Warriors Movie Live Ray Reaction. I’ll upload some more highlights. Order not guaranteed.

Also forgive me if my pronunciation is scuffed in these.

[thessaliadpdx]

Interlude: Field Marshal Zhuāngyuán Rallies the Troops. Chuntian Cao Gets the Girl. Master Yuanyuan, Ahem, Third Master Shen, Gets His Fourth Apartment.

Unbeknownst to Shen Yuan, he was the subject of much concern. Back at the Shen Family Estate, Da-ge smacked Er-ge upside the head. An embarrassment to the Shen Family name! Little Brother was raised better than that! Baba would have been disappointed! Mama would have cried! 

Er-ge drooped and nodded in agreement. “Yes, Da-ge. I’ll go over and apologize as soon as he will see me.”

The Brothers Shen worked themselves into a froth about their family’s Yuanyuan getting a roommate. They weren’t the only ones. The other residents of the Shen Family Estate were also deeply concerned. Upon hearing that Shen Yuan was to have a long-term houseguest, Steward Zhuangyuan fretted about Shen Yuan being deprived. Master Yuanyuan, ahem, Third Master Shen couldn’t possibly accommodate a long-term guest in his cramped, pokey little apartment! (Shen Real Estate Agent: “Pokey? It’s 360 square meters with four rooms!”) In Steward Zhuangyuan’s opinion, Master Yuanyuan only picked it because it had decent light. They should have rented another apartment in the same building and made it into a studio. 

Steward Zhuangyuan recollected the effort required to make for Master Yuanyuan’s, ahem, Third Master Shen’s current apartment passable. Only two years ago, it had been a struggle. The Shen Family employees had done their best, but the steward still felt it barely up to standard for a Shen. Thank goodness Master Yuanyuan was so biddable. Steward Zhangyuan remembered when the frighteningly tiny young master had first come home, barely larger than a grapefruit. He remembered all the hospital stays thereafter. Everyone did, and they worried about Master Yuanyuan so, counting the months until the next time. So far it had been two years, but everyone still held their breath.

Master Yuanyuan was the last reminder of the late Madam Shen, the artistic genius and gracious mistress. (Steward Zhuangyuan declined to remember all the times she screamed and threw oily paintbrushes at her husband’s head. He usually deserved it.) Master Yuanyuan, unlike his older brothers, was a gentleman, a scholar, and an artistic genius in his own right. (Steward Zhuangyuan also declined to remember all the times Master Yuanyuan screamed and threw ink brushes at his father and brothers when they denied him things they perceived as for his own good. They usually deserved it.)

At the very least The Young Master had needed a studio, a study, an office, a game room, a master bedroom and a guest bedroom for that questionable friend of his. (Shang Qinghua: “Hey! I’m a nice guy! I didn’t know he was sixteen when he read my book!”) Master Yuanyuan, as sweet and good-natured as ever, kindly suggested that he could tutor students in the dining room, and place bookshelves against the wall. He also suggested that the living room also be used for gaming, movies, and music. 

Upon hearing that, First Master Shen gleefully called the Chairman of Hangsong to send their latest TV, something experimental. Six people from Shen Construction marched into the apartment. Four reinforced the living room wall, added a wall mount, and installed a 250cm television. Two wired the room for the TV, added a home theater sound system from Onsuhi, and a GM6 with the lastest games, some of which were review copies. The two grinned at the other four. Testing was an essential part of installation, right? 

Auntie Chu had found the tiny 20-square-meter kitchen marginal, at best. The appliances were old and shabby. (If the refrigerator could talk: “Hey! I’m only two years old and I cost 6899 yuan! Rude!” The stove just cried, greatly aggrieved. uwuwuwuwu) Auntie Chu nodded her head firmly. She knew what to do. Meals would be delivered every day from the Shen Estate, and new appliances must be ordered.

First Master Shen gleefully did more research. He looked for something modest, and called Chufang Bangshou for a French-door refrigerator, complete with pull-out drawer for cold cuts and snacks, and a pull-out freezer. A steal for 23,000 yuan. Then he called Zhu Rong Stoves, and ordered the four-burner self-cleaning convection gas range with the 50,000 BTU wok burner. He also ordered a fume hood. A trifling 60,000 yuan.

The previous six people from Shen Construction carried in the refrigerator, stove, and hood. An additional seventh person went with to hook up the natural gas. The Head Chef certified in Medicinal Cuisine Auntie Chu lightly walked behind. Finally, several Shen Estate kitchen staff rolled in a couple coolers. Under Auntie Chu’s gimlet eye the Shen Construction workers carefully attached and installed the new refrigerator, fume hood, and stove. 

Auntie Chu pronounced herself satisfied, and waved at her assistants, who promptly opened coolers of prepped ingredients and set up additional burners. Under the famished, yearning gaze of the Shen Construction crew, they whipped up a banquet and laid it before the workers. It was like Lunar New Year and Great-Grandfather’s 100th birthday and the Grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary all at once. They would have to save a year for food this good, assuming there was a place that served it.

Auntie Chu said, “Testing is an important part of installation. Yes?”

Seven heads bobbed up and down like chickens.

Auntie Chu and her assistants left. The original six grinned at each other, then at the seventh. The TV, music, and gaming systems needed to be tested again. Testing, indeed, was an important part of installation.

The 8K 200Hz TV was a beast compared to what any of them had at home. The seventh looked around when they heard a glass shatter. Wow, just wow. 

This was probably going to be the last time they could play, and they all mourned silently.

Next was Auntie Wu. She inspected the apartment with white gloves, found dust, and sniffed at the substandard work. Filthy. (Housekeeping: “She wiped the back of the fridge! Unfair!”) The laundry service left a wrinkle in some sheets. (Laundry: “Hey! The main pressing iron is down! We did them all by hand and on time!”)

Auntie Wu decided that the Shen staff would dust daily, and launder everything at home. The conditions were abysmal. Master Yuanyuan was so brave. Her mouth wobbled. She’d never imagined he’d live this long. She’d been terrified that dust would cause him to have a bronchospasm and die. She had to call the ambulance so many times, even though a doctor and three nurses resided on the grounds.

Driver Siji had donned some old clothes, approached the car service manager and had asked for directions to S University. The manager said that he would have to use GPS. Driver Siji told Steward Zhuangyuan that the manager couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag. (Service Drivers: “Hey! He can’t find his way out of a paper bag! That’s why he doesn’t drive!”) He also found a footprint in one of the floormats. Lazy. (Driver: “Hey! I just went to pee!”)

Driver Siji had decided that they would have one of the Estate staff on site. There would have to be three, for twenty-four-hour coverage. Driver Siji remembered when he used to drive Young Master Yuanyuan to University at age ten. Master Yuanyuan was so tiny, a skinny little bird with thick, goggle-like glasses. Driver Siji had worried that he would trip and break a bone. 

Driver Siji had reported to Madam that The Youngest Master seemed exhausted, and suggested that it might be better for him to stay at home. The fiery Madam Shen said that The Youngest Master would attend University as long as he wished, until he said otherwise. Madam Shen then inquired if Driver Siji needed to be assigned elsewhere. Driver Siji wanted to kowtow in the face of such ferocity, but bowed deeply instead and apologized for his presumption. Appeased, Madam Shen accepted his apology and said he would resume his current duties, as he was the best driver they had. Grateful, Driver Siji wanted to walk backwards to the door, like in an Imperial drama.

#####

Head Gardener Huayuan had much better luck. Upon first inspection, the shrubbery was cheap and ill-shaped. No flowers brightened the neighborhood. Pretending to be a prospective student’s grandfather, he performed a little investigation of his own. Landscape Supervisor Xiang was a sensible person, a very good seedling. She had a master’s degree in horticulture from Q Agricultural University, first in her class. She picked this job to support her mother back home. After a while, the usually stand-offish childless widower said, “Call me Grandpa.” 

Xiang Hua’s mouth wobbled a little bit, because her grandfather died when she was young, and she missed him terribly. She discussed with the very knowledgeable Grandpa Huayuan the city’s push for water reduction. She also confessed her dream to see wild birds live where she worked. The kindly retiree understood the difficulty of maintaining such extensive grounds with such a tiny budget. Naturescaping was the perfect solution, and letting native plants grow wild created nesting sites and fed local insects, which in turn fed the birds. 

Such a wise and creative person must be encouraged. Grandpa Huayuan and Xiao Xiang discussed favorite flowers, and Xiao Xiang described her collection of orchids in her tiny apartment. Grandpa Huayuan described some of the orchids he’d seen in private collections. He’d even seen the gardens of the Shen Estate. Xiao Xiang sighed. She’d seen a feature article in a floriculture magazine.

A couple days later, the usual seven from Shen Construction had arrived to install bookshelves. The actual job only required three people at the very most, but they slunk off anyway. 

Incidentally, their supervisor reported the information to The Big Boss as ordered. Big Boss Shen had wanted updates on all work done on Third Master Shen’s apartment. Big Boss chuckled and waved his hand. They’re the best we’ve got, he said, and they all work hard. They deserve a little reward. Testing is a necessary part of installation, no?

The supervisor nodded.

Additionally, one of the junior gardeners rode along, holding a basket. He was to meet someone named Xiang Hua, the landscape supervisor. The delivery was of upmost importance. Head Gardener had told the junior that his mission was vital to the Shen Estate Gardens. He was to deliver the basket, and report back without delay. The junior had nodded so hard his chest wobbled. Upon finding Landscape Supervisor Xiang, he thrust the basket into her hands and scurried off. 

Xiang Hua, curious, opened the basket. Inside was a rare orchid she wouldn’t have been able to afford, assuming she could find one for sale. Next to it was an envelope. 

The letter read: 

“Xiao Xiang, I must apologize for my deception. I originally came to inspect the landscaping to see if the environs was worthy of our Third Master. I have not had such a lively conversation with a junior in a very long time. 

Someone with your gifts is wasted here, and should be working in an environment where you can learn and grow. Come and work for Grandpa Huayuan instead. 

Sincerely, 

Huayuan Yuan, Head Gardener, Shen Estate Gardens”

The letter named a salary that was twice what she currently made. It also mentioned that living quarters and meals were provided. Her mother would be able to live there if so desired.

Xiang Hua, a country girl raised on a poor family farm, started to cry. It was a dream come true. 

Chuntian Cao, the lead worker of her construction crew, noticed a young, tiny, pretty woman reading a letter and crying. Taller than most men at 180cm, she lumbered over to see if she could help. Chuntian Cao was a woman of fine tastes and knew a good thing when she saw the Meimei, or Little Sister, in distress. The wet, reddened eyes like a little white rabbit’s rendered Caocao helpless. The callused fingers dusty with a little dirt made Meimei even more of a catch. A hard worker with such pretty features would make for a perfect wife, especially for a plain fisherman’s daughter. She really wanted to give Meimei a hug and eat some tofu, but now was definitely not the time. 

She sidled closer to Meimei and silently offered a hug. “Hey there, Meimei. Why so sad? Some dumbass said goodbye?” She wrapped her arm around a lightly muscled shoulder. She looked down, and noted the delicacy of a collarbone. She dropped her voice. “Does Meimei need someone beaten up?” She rumbled. “I’m good at that.” She didn’t lie. At 90 kilos of muscle from pulling nets then hauling lumber, Chuntian Cao packed a deadly punch. She loved beating the shit out of people who deserved it. Unfortunately, the guys at Shen Construction were well-behaved. She went to bars instead.

Meimei plastered herself against Chuntian Cao in a hug and bawled. It was like an idol drama, only Chuntian Cao was the school grass, and Meimei was the school flower. She resisted eating the tofu, but it was really hard. Chuntian Cao waved at her crew and mouthed at them to go on up. They grinned at her and waved back. Xiao Hu, that fucker, made kissy faces. She wanted to gesture back, but her hands were occupied.

Meimei hiccuped, “I just got the best news in my life and I don’t know what to do!” She held out the letter with a trembling hand.

Chuntian Cao read it. “Old Man Gardener offered you a job? He told you to call him Grandpa? I’d never believed it if I hadn’t seen it!” She gave Meimei a squeeze. No eating the tofu, Caocao. Be good. 

Meimei snuggled up and held on tight. Caocao looked up to the heavens and breathed in deep. She sighed, and bit her lip. It was even better when the tofu ate you. She patted Meimei on the head. “Gonna come and work for us?”

“Mmm?” Meimei looked up, dazed.

“I’m with Shen Construction!” Chuntian Cao said proudly. “I’m the lead worker of my crew. Wanna come up and hang out with us? I’ll introduce ya!”

Meimei pressed close enough that the only way she could get closer was for Chuntian Cao to crack her chest open and spread her ribs wide. For such a sugar-sweet armful, Caocao would be perfectly willing to do so. Would Meimei top? Caocao sincerely hoped so.

“Okay,” Meimei said.

Meimei’s name was Xiang Hua, and she ate and gamed with the crew. The now-eight workers knew this was their last chance at testing the systems, so they were going to do their best. Beer, snacks, fried chicken and barbecue were the order of the day, and a merry time was had by all.

At the end of Caocao’s first date with Xiang Hua, Caocao got pushed down backwards on her own bed. Xiang Hua straddled her hips. Xiang Hua said that Caocao was the Meimei, and Meimeis did what their Jiejies, their Big Sisters, told them to.  

Caocao sighed with happiness. Fucking finally. She was so tired of being a Jiejie. Everyone assumed that a 180cm, 90 kilo, plain-faced girl wanted to be a Jiejie. Caocao had always insisted she wanted to be a spoiled little Meimei instead, but no one believed her.

They got married in the Shen Estate Gardens the following year. Mama Xiang teared with pride, then flew back home to the countryside. Caocao cried with relief that her mother-in-law wasn’t going to live with them. Huajie hummed with pleasure when she made her little Caomei apologize with desperation.

Caomei, with the help of a fertility clinic and amazing health benefits, bore two babies by her Huajie. Mama Xiang cried at being Grandma Xiang. Grandpa Yuan cried at being Great-Grandpa Yuan. The spoiled little Caomei had little ones to spoil in turn. She loved it.

Huajie, now Assistant Head Gardener Xiang, smiled with satisfaction--a tigress overlooking her tigress and their little tiger cubs.

#####

Steward Zhuangyuan gathered the senior staff, and cobbled together a plan of action. The apartment had been upgraded as best they could. The winning crew from Shen Construction had moved everything in. Auntie Wu’s staff had put it to rights. Auntie Chu’s staff had stocked the refrigerator, arranged the utensils, flatware, and glassware. They had made meal plans. 

Master Yuanyuan smashed all the plans to bits. Auntie Wu’s staff were only allowed over once a week. She cried into her handkerchief. Auntie Chu’s staff were only allowed to drop off pre-prepped meals for him to cook himself. And that was only every three days. She sniffled discreetly. Driver Siji was only allowed to send someone when called, and only when called. No hanging around the garage, “just in case.” Driver Siji wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

First Master and Second Master commiserated with Steward Zhuangyuan, but there was nothing they could do. The late Madam Shen had made it very clear to the two that Yuanyuan was to make his own decisions, and they were to butt out. Yuanyuan was smart enough to understand what he was and was not capable of, and they needed to respect his wishes. And that, was that.

Occasionally they forgot, but that was for another time.

Finally, the cherished but astonishingly unspoiled Master Yuanyuan moved in, quite pleased with his cozy abode. Only 360 square meters with four bedrooms! Nice furnishings, but not too grand! Having the latest electronics was okay. He was now a solid member of the middle class!

Shang Qinghua, good friend and sponge extraordinaire, hated to break it to his best friend that his “middle class apartment” was solidly in the upper five percent. Shen Yuan’s face fell. The personal services kicked him up to the upper one percent. Black lines filled Shen Yuan’s face.

Shen Yuan’s plan of having a place near the campus that wouldn’t terrify his students failed utterly. His more privileged students, ready to intimidate “Some guy named Shen Yuan my parents forced me to see,” were intimidated in turn by his exquisite manners and knowledge at such a young age. To the manor born, so to speak. After hearing from their parents that he was one of Those Shens, they meeped instead of roared. 

His underprivileged students, in awe at the surroundings, were even more in awe with this friendly Young Master. Their favorite professor in Classical Chinese had referred them, and they had worried they wouldn’t be good enough. Later, they felt honored to be tutored by the nicest rich person they had ever met, a true genius. He was obviously better off than the snooty rich kids at the university, but he didn’t act like it. He was so cool, he’d invite them to game when their session was over. He was even pretty enough to be the school flower of the entire campus! 

#####

That was then, but now Master Yuanyuan had a houseguest. Would Master Yuanyuan finally come home? Please say yes! 

Steward Zhuangyuan received a call, but it was not the call he wanted. Instead of returning to where he belonged, Master Yuanyuan was going to move into a villa instead. A villa! How horrid! 

[miximax-hell]

Hey, guys! It sure has been long since my last new miximax, hasn’t it? The worst part is that I haven’t even run out of ideas--I’m just too bad and lazy to bring them to life properly. That’s what I get for never practising. Don’t be like me. Be like my coworker, who is a 3D artist and has decided to devote one day a week to practising HARD no matter how busy or tired he is, because he doesn’t get to model too often at work and he doesn’t want to get too rusty. Now that’s a good example to follow.

Today’s miximax is a bit of a surprise, as it’s the first time I’m giving a new miximax to a character who canonically got one in the games and the anime. Or, well, it would be a surprise if you hadn’t read my Characters tab, but I’m sure you have ALL done that. So, rather than a surprise, it’s more like an “oh, finally.” ww

While I most certainly have nothing against Shinsuke’s real miximax nor Liu Bei, I think he was lacking something rather important. And, all things considered, I felt like the best candidate to fill in for this position was Cao Cao. The name might ring a bell, but you might not be completely sure about whom I’m talking about. To refresh your memory, I’ll simply say that it’s the guy Zanark first miximaxed with. Yes, when he had that cool Keshin and the white hair. Yes, the evil man.

...Raptors! RAPTORS! NO, RAPTORS! LISTEN TO ME BEFORE YOU COME AND RIP MY NECK OFF WITH YOUR FANGS AS YOU SHOUT, “SHINSUKE WOULD NEVER MIXIMAX WITH THAT GUY.” OKAY?! PLEASE!!

So, as usual, you can listen to me under the cut.

Have you put down your torches and pitchforks, you stereotypical rioting citizens? Yes? Good. Then, let me explain this carefully. I swear it will make much more sense when I’m done.

First, let me explain why I think Shinsuke needed a new miximax and why Liu Bei alone simply doesn’t cut it.

For a second, and even if it’s my least favourite season, let’s think about the first season of Go, when Shinsuke was introduced to us. Even though he’s been consistently used as a goalkeeper in Chrono Stone and Galaxy due to the potential Sangoku and Endou saw in him (and his Keshin), he was a defender when Go started.

And I’ll go even further: Shinsuke has always had block hissatsus in every game he’s been featured in, even when he was actually labelled as a goalkeeper (aka, in CS and Galaxy). In fact, in the first game, he doesn’t even learn goalkeeper hissatsus throughout the story--he only gets God Hand at a pretty high level, way after completing the main campaign. Until halfway through Chrono Stone, and having been Raimon’s main goalkeeper since halfway through Go, he didn’t get his first catch hissatsu. And even though he has been in every single Strikers game, he only became able to play as a (reliable) goalkeeper in the last game. Until then, he was nothing more than a defender or a midfielder at most.

All these are cold, hard fact that I simply can’t ignore--blame it on my compulsive behaviour. Regardless of what his Keshin is best at, no one can question that, much like Endou, Shinsuke can function both as a field player and as a goalkeeper, and whether he should play in one position or the other should heavily depend on the situation.

It doesn’t, though.

Shinsuke is strong because of his goalkeeping resources. Sure, his natural abilities help, but those same abilities proved themselves useful in the field as well, so that’s hardly a valid excuse. However, the main difference between Endou and Shinsuke, and what makes putting Endou in the field MUCH more useful than doing the same thing with Shinsuke, is what Endou adds to the team by being able to move freely. Endou is a good player, but, most importantly, he performs roles no one else can perform in his team. He is part of many, many strong hissatsus that can lead the team to victory; he is the only libero the team has, and his natural strength and experience as a goalkeeper make him a force to the reckoned with when it comes to blocking opposing shots with his Megaton Head. In other words, he is not replaceable, as no one can do what he does quite the way he does it.

Shinsuke, on the other hand, while he has the uniqueness of his insane jumping skills, feels quite lackluster in comparison. He can use Kattobi Defense to block opposing shots, sure, but Kariya’s Hunter’s Net or Kirino’s Deep Mist do this too. He can use Buttobi Jump to block shots with his own shot, but he is completely outclassed by Tetsukado bby’s much stronger Dead Straight--and even by his own Kattobi Defense, really. He could use his Keshin to defend in a pinch, but its hissatsu is exclusively for goalkeeping, so Kirino, Kinako or Tobu would do a much better job at it. He doesn’t even have a Soul, so he can hardly compete with Earth Eleven players either. And considering Liu Bei is a goalkeeper, mixitransing really doesn’t help him all that much either.

In order to become a truly relevant defender again, Shinsuke must spice things up big time. He doesn’t just need something/someone as wonderful as his first miximax--he needs even more than that. He needs to kick it up a notch and get on everyone’s level fast and effectively if he is to put up a good fight. And, with goalkeepers as extremely strong as MamoDai (I’m totally not biased here ww) and the fact that they never know with whom they’ll be paired in a match, the more roles Shinsuke can effectively perform, the better.

Now, the question is: having every universe in existence available, why would Shinsuke settle for Cao Cao, who is the direct enemy of Liu Bei, whom Shinsuke comes to deeply admire? (And, most importantly, why give Cao Cao to Shinsuke when there’s a perfectly perfect Zanakurou lying around?)

First of all, let’s look at Cao Cao as an Inazuma character. You can do so too here. If you take a quick look at that page, you can see that, in the games, Cao Cao is a scoutable character. And not only that, but he’s a defender, so we’re doing good so far. ww

Cao Cao doesn’t have any exclusive and super cool hissatsus in the game, but he does have an exclusive and super cool Keshin: Gouriki no Genbu. You’ll remember it, since Zanark made use of it. Quite the odd choice, since Zanark is a forward and both Cao Cao and his Keshin are defenders, but that plays even more in our favour, as it wouldn’t be a good match for Zanakurou either. ww With the extra strength of a historical figure as strong as Liu Bei, and with a second and all-mighty Keshin at his disposal, Shin Cao suddenly becomes a much more interesting option. Good enough to scratch that itch in my head that repeats over and over, “HEY, IF A MIXIMAX WENT EVENTUALLY UNUSED THE ANIME/GAME, YOU OUGHT TO USE IT AGAIN. OTHERWISE, I’LL KEEP HAMMERING YOUR BRAIN WITH THIS NAGGING AND UNSHAKEABLE FEELING OF LACK OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.” Man, ain’t it fun!

Now, let’s remember one thing. In this project, the vessel chooses their aura, which means that Shinsuke would have to want Cao Cao in order to miximax with him. Which takes me back to those raptors who almost killed me before I even started talking and their shouting: “SHINSUKE WOULD NEVER MIXIMAX WITH THAT GUY.” As much as I and the itch in my head want it, it needs a certain degree of logic.

Let’s be historically objective for a second here. Winners write history. So they say, and they are completely right. Not to start a fire here, but if the N*zis had won (won’t risk being filtered because of this), we would all be N*zis now, and those who weren’t would be treated like N*zis are treated now. That’s just how it is. But that didn’t happen, and now we see those people as pure evil. I’m not saying that hatred isn’t justified--I’m just saying that things could be extremely different if the outcome had been different. Are we good, raptors? Are we friends? You won’t rip my neck off? You won’t call the cops on me? Good. Then, let’s move on.

Historically, Liu Bei and Cao Cao were, indeed, battling it up during the Three Kingdoms period. The most popular, although fictional, depiction of this period is the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of the 4 great works of classical Chinese literature (the other 3 being Journey to the West, Dream of the Red Chamber and Water Margin). In this novel, Liu Bei is depicted as the hero, and Cao Cao is depicted as the evil villain. This depiction can be seen in Chrono Stone too, as Raimon takes Liu Bei’s side and portrays him as a goody-two-shoes, while Cao Cao is so evil, cruel and tyrannical that Zanark starved for and stole his dark power.

However, prior to this less-than-positive depiction, Cao Cao was, and I quote, “praised as a brilliant ruler and military genius who treated his subordinates like his family.“ Not so bad, huh? And even more so when you consider that Liu Bei was one of Cao Cao’s generals and he betrayed Cao Cao out of the blue--and with great violence, at that. It’s all about points of view, as usual. When war happens, there is hardly ever a battle of light versus darkness. One party is not usually vastly morally better than the other. Chances are that, if war happens, both parties will believe they are fighting for what’s right, and history will ultimately grace the winner by saying they were right. Whether they have ulterior motives or not (and they usually do--greed is practically omnipresent where there’s war) doesn’t change the fact that they believe they are doing the right thing while the other party is wrong.

If Shinsuke were to see that not everything is black and white, which Inazuma is usually all about (”you thought it was pure darkness, but it was me, *+*+*Complex Character Development and Grey Motivations*+*+*!”), and tried to see things from Cao Cao’s perspective, he would probably find a ruler whose wits can compare to Zhuge Liang’s, who is caring and loyal to his people, who was so widely revered that he was given an important title after his death, and who possessed abilities that, according to our standards, are the polar opposite of evil and wrong-doing: martial arts and poetry. He would find that, while Liu Bei is righteous, hot-headed and charismatic, albeit a bit on the overactive side, Cao Cao is reliable, serious, intelligent and strong, although somewhat on the darker side (as depicted in the Inazuma universe, at least). Kageyama showed us that having darkness within you doesn’t make you inherently bad, though, so... there’s that.

Not only is Cao Cao Liu Bei’s polar opposite, but Shinsuke’s, too, and that allows for very, very interesting dynamics--especially when you compare how Shinsuke acts depending on whom he uses upon mixitransing. As such, Shinsuke gets a genuinely evil look in this case, but that’s just to match his actual in-game look and supposed attitude. But, well, those things come into the personality and design sides of this blog, respectively so they are matters I won’t discuss this time.

Okay, raptors, I’m done. If you’re still thirsty after all of that, come and get some of this.