Wearing his trademark silver colored samurai armor, his demeanor cool and controlled, Silver Samurai was indeed imposing. Almost intimidating. Almost.

Castle knew this was a gamble. But it was worth trying.

Silver Samurai, to Kibota: "You wanted me here and promised a solution to all of my problems. What is the meaning of this? Why am I here with SHIELD agents and the Punisher?"

Kibota: "I will let Mr. Castle explain himself. He wanted this meeting after all."

Castle: "As far as Yakuzas go, you're pretty tolerable."

Silver Samurai: "Tolerable."

Castle: "Yeah. You don't sell hard drugs, you're not into the slave trade, no porn either. None of the nasty stuff. You don't murder cops or civilians. A real role model."

Silver Samurai: "I am not amused and will not-"

Castle: "Don't interrupt me."

Silver Samurai bristled at the tone. His men were getting antsy. So were the spooks. And Castle's team. The tension was thick.

Sliver Samurai: "How dare you-"

Castle: "You're in deep shit and you know it. It's the reason you showed up. You couldn't afford not to come. You're losing money and soldiers. Your operations are threatened by someone I came here to eliminate."

Silver Samurai: "Natakomi." There was venom in the tone.

Castle: "Yeah. Him. His army of killers is faster, stronger and more durable than anything you've ever encountered and they're kicking your ass."

Silver Samurai: "Say you are right. What then?"

Castle.: "We bring him down."

Silver Samurai looked around: "You're proposing an alliance. To topple that demon."

Castle: "Yeah."

Silver Samurai: "What does my organisation stand to gain from this?"

Kibota took over: "The underworld in our major cities in chaos, because of Natakomi. The streets are drenched with blood. He has slaughtered everyone in his path. One man, a strong leader, could take his place and take over. Bring some order to all this chaos."

Takiguchi: "You have everything to gain from this. You help us rid our nation of this demon, as you rightfully called him, you take his place. We can even help you set up your organisation provided you steer clear of all the 'nasty stuff', like Mr Castle said, and help us stop those who don't share your principles and sense of honor."

Castle knew that Harada fancied himself a man of honor and by appealing to that, it would them getting him on the right side of the war.

Silver Samurai was silent for a while. He was tempted. Castle could sense it. He knew how the criminal mind worked. The promise of power was like the Holy Grail for guys like that. For all his bullshit, Samurai was a mob boss first. And he couldn't turn down such an opportunity.

Silver Samurai: "What is your interest here in this venture, Mr Castle?"

Castle: "Natakomi tried to take over New York City. We stopped him for now. But a lot of people got hurt."

Images assaulted Castle's mind for a second.

Slaves being savaged in a container on the docks.

The children from the school bus. Not to mention some good soldiers dead and wounded.

Castle: "You become a big shot here. Kibota and her people do their duty and rid their nation of a vicious criminal. I stop a threat to my city. Everyone walks away happy."

Warwolf: "In other words, big man: help us, help you. And we can take that bastard down."

Kibota: "For that, we need your strength and your sword to send Natakomi back to the hell from whence he came."

Castle had to admire the female spook. She knew what buttons to push and how to speak Harada's language.

Silver Samurai took a second to think.

Meanwhile, among Castle's allies.

Maverick, whispering: "It's funny."

Domino:" What is?"

Maverick:" I heard of this Punisher guy, like everybody else. All you hear about is his skill in combat, how he's a balls to the wall suicidal nutjob. I finally meet him, and he's playing diplomat with spooks and gangsters. And not nearly as nuts as everyone claims he is."

Nina Price:" He's a brilliant tactician."

Solo: "You have to be. When you fight a war by yourself, guns and guts won't cut it alone. Some brains help sometime."

Domino: "I didn't expect him to be this…human, I guess."

Maverick: "How so?"

Domino: "After Solo got us out of that warehouse, with the kids…I asked him how bad it was. I looked in his eyes. I expected rage, hate, cold hollowness. I saw all that, but there was also a huge sadness. And guilt. He's fighting this hopeless war for a better future and he takes each failure personally."

Maverick: "Reminds you of someone, I guess."

Domino: "Yeah. Nate."

Solo: "Nate?"

Domino: "Cable. He can be so hard and ruthless at times. But then he surprises you with a glimpse of humanity. Castle is a bit like that. "

Frankenstein: "Deep within the monster, beats the heart of a man."

They all looked at him.

Frankenstein: "What? I can do more than just loom ominously, you know. My brain does work. Whoever this brain used to belong to was pretty smart."

Nina Price: "We knew that, big guy."

Maverick: "If nothing else, my life got much more interesting the last few hours." Pause "Wonder what Samurai is gonna answer."

Among the Jury:

Curtis Elkins, Sentry, his ebony features frowning: "There's something about that Miho Kibota."

Screech: "Yeah. She's sexy bad ass. I feel it too."

Wysper: "Down boy, we might have to activate the cooling system in your amor around your crotch area."

Screech: "Jealous? Would you want to the object of my attentions."

Wysper: "Please. These suits don't come with barf bags."

Sentry: "Kids. Quiet or I'll send you home without dessert."

Wysper: "What did you really mean, boss?"

Sentry: "She's not all she claims to be."

Sentry puts on his helmet for a few seconds. "Yeah. I thought so."

Wysper: "What is it?"

Sentry: "You'll know soon enough. I wanna see where Samurai is gonna stand."

After a minute or two of thinking, Silver Samurai turned towards Castle, Warwolf, Kibota and Takaguchi: "All right. I accept your alliance."

Kibota: "A very wise choice, Harada-san. Now, Mr Castle. Why don't you expose your plan?"

Sentry: "Hold it!" He's closing in on Kibota.

Castle: "What is it, Elkins."

Sentry: "I'll fight with you in this war, Castle, because you've been straight with me and crew. Ms Kibota, though…"

Without further warning, Sentry sent a punch at Kibota's head. The punch was to fast and too powerful for any human being to dodge and absorb.

Kibota put her hand out and caught Sentry's fist. Her arm bent slightly to absorb the blow.

Kibota's people tensed up. So did the rest of the people present.

Sentry: "Cyborg."

Kibota, smiling: "Guilty as charged. There a few cyborgs, enhanced soldiers and even mutants in our organisation. Am I transparent enough now, Mr Elkins."

Sentry: "I'm done." And he walked away, back next to his comrades.

Maverick: "Hell of a gamble, Elkins."

Sentry: "Don't tell me that a guy code named Maverick is afraid of a little gambling."

Maverick, smiling: "Touché."

Castle: "Enough bullshit. We don't have much time. We have a war to win."