The Monkey's Howl

[Toku Hirotomo]

An older Monkey walked to the gates of Shiro Hida, he greeted the guards with a warm smile, and asked to speak with the Champion. He introduced himself as Toku Kenpachi, with a letter from the Monkey Clan Champion. The Letter was wrapped in steel grey and dark blue silk and smelled strongly of geranium. Kenpachi had a small smile as he watched the mighty Hida Setsuro read his son's letter. His son did what he could not. He was proud of his son.


Champion of the Defenders of the Empire,

As I am sure you are aware, there has been a great deal of turmoil in my clan lately. I wish to inform you that this in no way impeded our dedication to the True Emperor Toturi III. Though many of my brethren in the Minor Clans have chosen the foolish route of supporting a man who by his very actions weaken our beloved Empire. The others may stand idly by, but the Monkey answers its duty. We all know where the future will take us, and with your strong shoulders I have the utmost faith that your determination will take the day. The dedication of the Crab is why we still have an Empire, and I know that we are but few, but the Monkey is honored and humbled to serve by your side. As a final note I wish to relay words my Grandfather once said. What we face is not a god, but a man. And the evils of one man may be righted by another.

Toku Hirotomo

[Hida Setsuro]

After reading the letter, Setsuro sat quiet for a moment with the paper in one hand and his other relaxed upon the table. His thoughts turned to everything that had lead them up to this point, but then he nodded. This nod was to no one in particular, just a nod. For a man who was looking for an answer from the heavens, he had unbelievably just found one in the guise of a man. It had a single minor clan samurai to remind him of what brought hem there and why he did what he did. Virtue, as they say, ran strong through the Monkey.

It was that virtue that lead him to open up his doors to the Monkey Clan, allowing them to serve and march beside the Crab as brothers. Virtue was not duty, but it was certainly closer than most.