When the Crab attempted to strike an assault in the heart of Crane territory and take siege of Kakita Palace, Daidoji Uji, a Crane Samuria was forced to defend his homeland with a small force of Crane, Phoenix, and Dragon. After obtaining higher ground, Daidoji Uji was forced to retreat as the Crab overwhelming numbers and superior tactics. As the Crab calvary marched on, they burned the Crane villages as there way on to Kakita Palace as they advanced. Lion forces led by Matsu Tsuko, have sided with the Crab, and with the aid of samuria-ko, Shiba Tsukune, slained a leading shugenja charging the Lion Champion, and the Lion had to rethought there sidings.

One of the darkest hours of the Crane, came to light, when Shinjo Yasemura had appeared to the north with a large force of calvary, flanking the Crab with mighty force. Crane and Lion agreed to a truce and have struck the rear of the Crab, forcing the Crab to retreat.