Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 13, 2011 19:47:05 GMT -5
Kenpachi shook the rain off of his hat. He was in a foul mood. Nothing helpful had been obtained all day. There was not a single clue as to where Sanjuro could have drifted off to. Kenpachi took his pipe out. He took to smoking lately. It did little for his stress, but it kept his hands busy enough. The Pheonix's plan was sound and the safest course of action. Kenpachi hated it, safe was for courtiers not for bushi. "Since we're offering advice, I suggest heading to the Lion lands. We do not know where its lair is. These things do not usually move very far, unless they are chasing something. Drawing it to a Crane Stronghold, is not very effective. No offence, Mitsouko, but most of your kin are not acustomed to dealing with supernatural foes, many will die if it attacks. The Matsu have more soldiers, and with the Kitsu close at hand, perhaps they have heard of this creature from thier ancestors. At the very least, the closest Crab embassy will be in with the Matsu. It's a very...sparce place to stay, and the Crab admire that. It is better to be proactive, and to not choose the safest course of action. I spent years chasing this sort of thing. The Magistrates will be here soon. I don't want to set a feast for this thing. I suggest a quick ride to the Matsu. If it does not follow you, we know where it might be. If it does, even better because then we'll know for certain where it is."
Kenpachi tapped his pipe and took another long pull. "It's not up to us to kill this thing. It's up to those that carry that burden. It's better to keep as short a leash as possible on it for when they do get here. We save more lives that way."
Hirotomo raised an eyebrow. "It sounds a great deal like you're suggesting we use ourselves as bait, Father." he said in a curious mannor. "Actually, yes. Good summary, Hirotomo. Bait is safe enough as long as it stays out of the water. Just don't go for a midnight swim."
"It's up to you, Mitsouko." Kenpachi said rolling up his maps. "It's likely you won't get any answers with your kin though. You have to risk a little for that."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 13, 2011 23:12:35 GMT -5
Daidoji Ryo didn’t hide the contempt with Kenpachi’s words, even if his voice was grave and paced as always, a hint of irritation was apparent.
Not particularly, one caravan was entirely devastated in one night and they weren't exactly at the side of the river. But the decision of being a bait or not should be from the man who said that is likely to be detected if he goes there. If we don’t have yet the Jade Magistrates, isn’t it expose more lives to evil? Anyway, if a Daidoji need to talk with a Crab, I know where I can find them.
Mitsouko took Kenpachi remarks as offense as well. But she tried to swallow her temper. He was friend; he was sour about everything right now, and trying to get the things done the faster he could. She knows everybody was trying to do the best possible, though. Nobody there was in a good night.
Kenpachi-san, I do appreciate your advices. With all due respect, if I was in need of brute force, I'd search amongst our neighbors. I’d also like to say Daidoji are so good soldiers as Matsu are, but in fact Daidoji are best in succeed when few number and raid attacks are needed. Our men are good at choosing the right moment to attack and not stomping like thugs. And, remember, your own son was trained as one. But what we need here that Crane cannot immediately supply is a skilled shugenja and Jade Magistrates. I do agree we should go to get some clue of Sanjuro's location, but not to ask them soldiers. Anyway, after the discussion about the possession of the province, I don't think Lion would be gladly help in such issue. Kosaten Shiro is the better option right now. From there, I will be able to get a better mobility, without depending on hosts. Like the saying in the Tao, “To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.â€
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 13, 2011 23:58:11 GMT -5
"And I proposed to lure it nowhere, Kenpachi-san, merely to start a fight with it when it is to our greatest advantage." Agasha Shodai countered. "The beast will be fought HERE, on the shores of the land that allowed it to spring to its foul mockery of life. But to fight a monster of this nature, we're going to need more than the bag of Jade powder that you shared with Hirotomo-kun or the ten fingers worth that I have. In this, your comrades in the Jade Magistrate will come in very handy. But..."
He began ticking off fingers. "Let us not forget that the Jade Magistrates are attempting to help the Kitsuki deal with the infestation of Bloodspeakers in the lands of the Scorpion and Dragon, the tainted mines and pleasure houses that have suddenly cropped up in nearly every land of the Empire, and that odd Taint-bearing disease affecting the Crab Clan."
"Do you honestly expect that with all this going on, the Jade Champion, Asahina Sekawa, will be able to spare us more than a four man cell? A squad of four cells if we're lucky? And that's ASSUMING he gets the message and can mobilize in time. As a Taisa on the front lines, I have seen entire BATTALIONS vaporized because an over-stretched Chui had no plan other than count on reinforcements that never even got the message that help was needed."
Agasha's emerald and gray eyes looked at Toku Kenpachi and looked into the man's soul and elemental essences the way only one who is capable of understanding a world that few will ever know can. Shodai could see that guilt and fear played heavily on the man's mind; he needed action to get his mind off of things that he was suddenly unable to control. With the power at Shodai's fingertips, it would be easy to enspell the man to calm down.
Instead, the Tensai chose to respect the man's concerns and used words instead. He removed his mempo to allow the Monkey samurai to get an unfettered reading of his face. This situation was too dire for Agasha's little game.
"I know you, Toku Kenpachi... You are not a man that likes to leave things up to chance or sit on the sidelines when there is a fight to be had. But at the same time, I know that you are NOT the kind of a man willing to gamble his son's life or the future of his Clan - or the entire Empire for that matter - on the toss of a die. You don't like my initial plan? Fine. Let us review the situation here in greater detail..."
The Void Master gestured to the encampment. "You and I are both seasoned Taint hunters and know we will need more than scouts and light infantry forces for a fight like this; on that point we are in complete agreement, Kenpachi-san. We are, after all, talking about a beast that undoubtedly took the BEST your Clan Champion, Toku Sanjuro - a man with almost legendary prowess in melee combat I would not want to run into in a dark alley given a choice - and is STILL kicking.
"You also have an excellent point in that even if Mitsouko-san could get us, say, a Gunso's worth of Daidoji Iron Warriors, they lack experience with dealing with oni... But remember that we aren't counting on them to kill the oni. We're calling on brave men in heavy armor that will keep them alive to harry the thing - to get it all riled up and keep it distracted so we can strike it's one weak point: the summoner."
He gestured to Mitsouko. "But as Mitsouko-san pointed out, you have also forgotten something very important, my friend... The Lion Clan just lost control of this river to the Crane a few short months ago. Coming to the call of the leading candidate in the competition to become the next Kakita Daimyo to defend land they feel they have unfairly lost is probably on their to-do list right after 'Defect to the Shadowlands.' And Kami forbid if an ardent anti-Crane believer were to get wind of her presence..." Shodai shook his head. "She already has someone seeking her life and you would have her go to a place where just being Crane could get her attacked? A well-trained assassin could shift the blame at the Lion and start ANOTHER war between them and the Crane Clan."
Then he paused and pointed at Kenpachi. "Now... If a certain Jade Magistrate - the right hand of the Monkey Clan Champion, no less - were to travel to the Kitsu to conscript extra magical help to deal with a pesky oni that has proven most troublesome to deal with..." He looked to Mitsouko. "Now THAT would get the one of the most honorable Families in the Lion Clan itching to assist us, provide us with some much needed magical support AND would minimize the risk of starting a new inter-clan war here, yes?"
He raised his chin; this amendment to his plan should have everything Toku Kenpachi needed to feel like he was reclaiming control of a suddenly uncerain world and save face for both him and Mitsouko-san. "What do you say, Kenpachi-san? Is this more appealing to you?"
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 14, 2011 0:14:21 GMT -5
Kenpachi took another drag. "I'm not disputing the skill of your Clan. If soldiers need to die, let them be from the clan that has too many." Kenpachi took another drag. "Honestly. How many of you fought anything like this how many of you know how to kill an oni when jade is in short supply? The Shadowlans does not come this far in." Kenpachi spoke each word slowly and clearly. There has not been an incursion this deep for this long for over fifty years. Something is brewing. It is a waste to die without knowledge. I took offence at the same words told to me by an elderly Togashi, my senpai in the Jade Magistrates. Pride is wonderful, but nothing worth dying over. Don't repeat my mistake. It almost killed me when I was younger. The Matsu found out somehow about the depth of the incursions. The Daimyo is unusually aware of these incursions and have been training as such. The Iron Warriors are amoung the Paragons of Battle. They are the finest skirmishers in the Empire. Sending them to fight an Oni, while glorious will kill far too many. The Lion are overly fond of swarm tactics, let thier numbers thin. The Matsu is the largest family in the Empire after all. There is no shame in not having the proper training. We have the Wall, we have the Crab. For many that is enough. Why bother training to kill something you will never see? Go where you choose, but do not take pride with you. Kenpachi rooted around in his backpack. We don't talk about the taint. We don't talk about the Shadowlands. It's the rule. There is no shame in learning though. Read this book. It details the main types of oni you will find. It will tell you thier weakness. I hope it will be useful." Kenpachi scribbled a note. "I still have friends with the Jade Magistrates. This will get you jade if you have need. Jade is not plenteful here. When you put the paste on, swing true. It will not hang on very long. Please don't die. Please don't get tainted. I am needed elsewhere. Kawada needs to go home. The Little Teacher also said, what you do not understand can kill you."
Kenpachi bowed and left. Men would die. Men that could have been saved. Kenpachi supposed the Great Clans did not really care for each samurai to the degree that the Minor clans did. It was thier strength. Each loss was keenly felt. Hirotomo followed him to his horse. "That was...overly blunt." He said in a pained voice. "I don't have time to coddle them. Choose to attack. Finding the perfect time and place to attack a shadow is still attacking a Shadow. Don't let pride get you, Hirotomo. The Matsu school was where I was trained. Why do you think I never made Tensai? I don't trust myself enough. I'm only good in combat at a blunt tool. Daidoji have more variety." Hirotomo fidgeted uncomfortably. He wasn't really Daidoji trained. Kenpachi saddled his horse. "Go where you will for now. I have to gather support for the search. Let her simmer. I deliberately gave her a shock to anger her. Anger is better for her then sorrow at the moment. She's going to be Daimyo soon. If she spent her time moping her duty would suffer."
Hirotomo watched his father ride off into the night. So he angered her so she would not let depression halt her duty. His father was indeed the Jester with a Sword. Hirotomo headed back. He had no idea what he was going to do. His father would find Sanjuro-sama. There was no doubt of that. His father was not happy with his new role. Hirotomo thought back to Sho's words. "We could be looking at a future Clan Champion." The words were ment as off hand praise. Hirotomo did not know if that would become truth. Was that his destiny? Hirotomo did not like that thought. It did not bode well for his Champion if that became reality. Too much happened today. Hirotomo wondered what advice Rinko would give him. He wanted to see her. Perhaps he would ask to train with the Kitsuki. Too many thoughts.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 14, 2011 0:28:57 GMT -5
Agasha Shodai sighed as Toku Kenpachi stormed out, followed by his confused son. The shugenja couldn't help but wonder just how much different this last conversation would have been if he hadn't been playing his game to give Mitsouko-san a chance to know the real him before she faced him as the Void Master and Voice of the Elemental Council.
"There was no harm in trying..." He shrugged at Mitsouko as he reattached his mempo. "How do you want to proceed, Mitsouko-san? I will provide you all the council you can stand, but this is still officially a Crane matter, so I will defer to your judgement."
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 14, 2011 8:32:52 GMT -5
That's my fault. People think that can be rude or disrespectful because I am smile too much. Or I cry to much. Or I get in trouble too much. An it includes you, masked Phoenix. I have no intention on ask help to Lion, no matter if you and Kenpachi think they are spilling out the brim or are the paragon of an Ideal Army. If you trust in my skills, support my decisions as I trusted your skills and listened to your experience. And listened Kenpachi's experience as well. Time will tell if I am wrong in believe Daidoji are the best choice...and I am not talking about our elite Warriors. I know them. I fighted by their side. If none of you didn't ever listen about the the Tidal Lanbridge battle and what Daidoji are capable of... Well, forget.
Now I am tired. By the morning I will be back in Kosaten Shiro. I will choose there the men I think are the best choice. Saying so, she also left for a room. Ryo looked at her travel companion.
She is stressed. I know her very well, she is among us since her gempukku. Her anger is short lived. Also her pain. Excuse me, Phoenix-san, Hirotomo-san. Some duties to perform still in this night. Do rest.
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Agasha Shodai
Phoenix Clan Mod
Phoenix Clan * The Void Master * Tensai * Taisa * Enlightened * Paragon of Compassion * Unique
Posts: 783
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Post by Agasha Shodai on May 14, 2011 9:27:14 GMT -5
The Void Master's smile as Kakita Mitsouko tore into Kenpachi's poor behavior and Shodai's attempts to find a diplomatic solution was completely hidden by his mempo. The fire she was showing was something every Daimyo needed to have and it was good to see that despite her normally demure and emotional exterior Mitsouko was capable of being as hard as magically-enhanced katana grade steel.
Shodai allowed himself to be shown to a private room. Mitsouko had confessed that the Crane could not provide shugenja or Jade Magistrates in this endeavor and she'd forbidden him from calling on his Lion Clan contacts...
But she hadn't said anything about his non-Lion ones.
Before calling it a night, the Void Master reached across space and time to contact a few of his more powerful and geographically closest shugenja allies... Isawa Tetsuro - Shodai's first Ishi student - Agasha Agito, Asako Inugami, and Shiba Ame - his three friends in the ranks of the Phoenix Inquisitors, an organization older than the Jade Magistrates and every bit as effective - Asahina Ino and Moshi Kimiko.
Shodai gave a basic outline of the threat and asked them to make their to Kosaten Shiro with as much Jade as they could requisition without it raising eyebrows: this was to be an unofficial request for aid, after all. All six agreed the threat was sufficient to drop what they were doing and they'd be waiting for him at the southwestern gates of Kosaten Shiro in the morning.
This completed, Agasha Shodai finally permitted himself a chance to rest... It was unlikely he'd see much of it for the next week or two.
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Toku Hirotomo
Monkey Clan
Bushi Paragon of Compassion Clan Champion Toturi's Army
Posts: 793
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Post by Toku Hirotomo on May 14, 2011 15:32:45 GMT -5
Well you obviously suceeded masterfully, Father. Hirotomo said to himself as he endured the wrath of Mitsouko. Back to the Crane it was. Sometimes Hirotomo forgot that not all clans were as lucky to have so many alliances. The Monkey was perhaps the most universaly loved clan. Dispite the hard work of courtiers, the Lion and the Crane would not be getting along soon. Mitsouko's reaction was proof of that. Old wounds do not heal quickly. Still, Hirotomo had some idea of what was going on. Perhaps he needed Chiyuki sooner. She was better at dealing with people. He walked to a Crane. "Can you please send a message to Fuzake Chiyuki in the City of Lies? She will be near the Monkry Ambasador. Please ask her to come closer. To Biden at the least. I'll send her another message when I can explain everything. Hirotomo walked away to his tent. He sighed deeply. What was the right thing to do?
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Kakita Mitsouko
Crane Clan Mod
::Daimyo::Kenshinzen::Hatamoto of Crane Clan::Paragon of Duty
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Kakita Mitsouko on May 17, 2011 12:06:02 GMT -5
End of this thread
Sequel: Blood Oath
See you there! ;D
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