Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East

Five years ago, their village was destroyed, leaving only Shino Inuzuka, Sosuke Inukawa, and Hamaji-raised like their sister-as the sole survivors. Strangely, both men bear the same peony-shaped birthmark. Elsewhere, Genpachi Inukai and Kobungo Inuta, raised as foster brothers far away, also share the mark. Three years ago, they joined the army and marched north to fight demons, returning forever changed. Now the Imperial Church is hunting Shino and Sosuke, forcing them to track down eight mystical gems and their bearers-or suffer a fate worse than death at the Church's hands.