(Hong Kong, 1883)
The light of the morning sun dawns itself over the city of Hong Kong. The crowded streets of its populace going about from one direction towards another within these city lights. Massive buildings hanging above the blue skies along with the lively varietals of technological advances, transportation, and banking. The city itself was it's own Victorian England within the middle of Asia. Some would even view it as an utter far cry in contrast between the countless villages across all of China and the bustling metropolis. Though, it wasn' t going to be like any case for one particular Assassin who now found himself mingling amongst the common goers. Quietly minding his own business, exploring in awe at what everything this city could offer.
From there, Kochiya Washi's eyes wander in amazement of everything within his gaze. Never before in his life that he would find himself staring at new sights, be greeted with new smells, or even be granted a chance to experience the grand livelihood of such a place. There was not a single moment in his life that would even bother to skip such an opportunity to be granted such leisure. While it may seem living in Hong Kong could have its own merits of westernization. It not safe to say there are a couple of inconsistencies plaguing the country; especially when it comes to the Qing's backward rule over China that was playing a hand in preventing the tides of progress.
The Taiping rebellion has been over for a couple of years, and ever since the British took Hong Kong during the Opium Wars. Many Imperial powers have been scrambling around for large chunks of Chinese territory. Now, the market was flooded with cheap manufactured goods, putting artisans out work. Foreign steamships sailed up the river bringing in various goods in exchange for coal. Imperial attempts of modernization have failed due to mismanagement and corruption from the Qing government. Even if they did try a hand in new technological advancements such as steamships, they had to finance through foreign capital and hire foreign engineers. Yet, the Qing rulers insisted on the supremacy of their culture, and that there was no need for change.
It didn't take till the Order of Assassins found themselves an opportunity to establish its influence over the country, and seeing how Hong Kong was the perfect place for the eagles to build their nest. It was then that Kochiya himself, a supposed heir towards the Moriya family consisting of a long familial line of Shinto Priests and Shrine Maidens, have been recruited into the Assassins within the Japanese guild out of his own free will in short notice. He was then taught in the principles of protecting human liberty and free thought, while also being disciplined in following a moral code he vowed never to break. To stay his blade from the flesh of the innocent, to hide in plain sight, and never compromise the Assassin Brotherhood itself.
This is where he is now, sitting on one of the many street benches pondering on what to do next. While it was a monumental task for Kochiya to establish the Assassin's reach in China. The problem was, while Templar presence in the bustling sprawl was barely minimal, he wasn't sure where could start given the large complexity of this unfamiliar place, and was short in without a guide to help him understand the important layouts. Though, Kochiya always had his way of tackling difficult problems and how to work around them. Not saying that for a person of his age, some could even say he was always the reliable sort. Someone who knows how to get things done in an orderly fashion.