Three days later, on the day of the hearing, Hideyoshi Takenaka is the first to arrive at the Gotoshi Senate building in Mizutani. Owing to the severity of the situation, he is wearing an unadorned black silk formal kimono over his usual slate‑grey bodyglove. It's still early in the morning, and half an hour before the hearing is due to start, but moments later, Chika Ueno is the second to arrive, her usual leotard and leggings concealed by a steel‑blue silk formal kimono with a simple and elegant geometric pattern.
"Ohayō gozaimasu, Takenaka‑san," Chika greets, bowing respectfully.
"Ohayō gozaimasu, Ueno‑san," Hideyoshi returns, bowing also. "I am glad you are able to meet me early."
"With the future of the Jade Alliance potentially at stake, I feel it's only proper we make all the efforts we can to ensure its survival," Chika replies.
"My thoughts exactly," Hideyoshi agrees. "I've been thinking a lot about who's going to be the biggest liability, and I fear it's Nakano‑san."
"Ryoichi?" Chika asks in disbelief. "I would have thought Tsubaki would be the biggest liability."
"While Moto‑san is indeed a worrisome presence, I think she's more a threat to herself than the Alliance," Hideyoshi theorises. "Her attitude will almost certainly put her in contempt of court, and her short‑lived testimony would be discarded. Similarly, Himura‑san will put herself at a similar disadvantage."
"But with Ryoichi, his apathy could drag us all down without him being found in contempt," Chika finishes. "I see what you mean."
"All five of us have committed the same crime, and we've kept it hidden for half a year," Hideyoshi continues. "Our best strategy is to be forthright with the facts, and humble in their delivery."
"I don't want to incriminate Xander or his friends," Chika admits.
"Nor do I," Hideyoshi agrees, "but it's unavoidable. However, as they are not citizens of the Gotoshi but of the Origin Kingdoms, the Senate can do little to affect them."
"But what if they're banished, forbidden to return?" Chika asks. "I don't want my wolfie to be unable to visit me."
"As the Red Scarves' emissary, he may be given special dispensation," Hideyoshi assures. "The Jade Alliance semi‑peacefully co‑exists with the city‑states because hundreds of years of toil and bloodshed have forced both sides to adapt for their mutual survival. However, the Red Scarves are an unknown quantity, and it'd be too easy for them to upset the balance and turn the Gotoshi into a warzone, whether they intend to or not."
"Our ongoing negotiations tell me they're not the sort of organisation to deliberately destabilise a region," Chika informs. "Their relationship with the Origin Kingdoms parallels the Alliance's relationship with the city‑states of the Republic."
"That is reassuring, but it never hurts to have the right protections in place," Hideyoshi replies.
"Speaking of which, we're no longer alone," Chika informs. "Kaede's here."
"Should have known you two would get here early," Kaede greets with a cheeky smirk, her simple vanilla cotton kimono not quite hiding the fact she's wearing jeans and boots underneath.
"Himura‑san," Hideyoshi greets, electing not to bow. "I must express my disappointment at your casual attitude towards what is a very serious hearing."
"Believe me, I'm just as worried as you are," Kaede winks.
"You don't look like it," Chika opines.
"That's the point!" Kaede chuckles. "If I don't look worried, then the Senate knows I'm not intimidated by them."
"As distasteful as I find your attitude, your reasoning is sound," Hideyoshi admits.
Chika makes to respond, but is interrupted by the arrival of the forth Grand Master. "No‑one intimidates Tsubaki Moto!" the tanuki asserts.
Hideyoshi looks Tsubaki's outfit over. "Only you could attend a formal hearing in samurai armour, Moto‑san," he observes.
"I am a warrior," Tsubaki states firmly. "I should look like one."
"Then why do you normally wear such a skimpy outfit?" Kaede asks teasingly, referring to Tsubaki's usual white bustier and miniskirt.
"I'm not answering that question," Tsubaki dismisses with finality.
"Are you wearing it underneath?" Kaede continues.
"Do not think that being in a Senate building means I won't gut you for your impertinence," Tsubaki growls.
"I'll take that as a 'yes'," Kaede smirks.
"Enough," Hideyoshi commands quietly yet firmly. "We need to be united to prevent the Senate tearing us apart."
"They wouldn't dare," Tsubaki asserts. "They know that taking us down would leave a power vacuum."
"And whatever takes our place could result in disaster," Hideyoshi agrees. "Still, we shouldn't give the Senate an excuse if we can help it."
"Our best bet is to stick to the facts and deliver them with humility," Chika adds.
"I bow to no person," Tsubaki growls. "And that includes senators."
"Maybe on this occasion you should make an exception," Hideyoshi suggests.
"I also take commands from no‑one," Tsubaki hisses.
"Except that Aquila guy," Kaede smirks.
"That was different," Tsubaki dismisses.
"That reminds me: we need to all make sure the Senate knows the full involvement of Aquila Kawaguchi," Hideyoshi reminds. "Also, don't forget his viperid lieutenant. It was mainly those two that did most of the damage to the Kyuden."
"Them and those 'Elemental Protectors', as they called themselves," Tsubaki adds.
"We're not bringing the five Red Scarves into it," Chika decides. "They are not Gotoshan, and are therefore not bound by the treaty."
"If they're not Gotoshan, the Senate has no power over them," Kaede reminds. "So, it shouldn't matter if we mention them or not. In fact, they'd be the ideal alibi."
"And they wouldn't have been on Tenshijima if we didn't get swayed by Aquila's promises," Chika growls. "The acts may have been theirs, but the blame lies with us."
"You're seriously going to incriminate yourself when you have the perfect alibi?" Tsubaki asks incredulously.
"I'm not going to hide from my mistakes!" Chika declares angrily.
"Enough," Hideyoshi interrupts calmly yet firmly. "We're meant to be presenting a united front here. Let's save the bickering until after the hearing."
"This isn't over," Chika growls quietly.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you're protecting someone," Tsubaki ventures. "What are you hiding, otter?"
"Nothing," Chika lies.
"I don't believe you," Tsubaki replies. "Tell us who you're protecting."
"I'm not protecting anyone!" Chika denies.
"You are, and I'll‑" Tsubaki starts.
"Enough!" Hideyoshi commands. "Please, in the name of the kitsune, stop this bickering!" Tsubaki and Chika fall silent, both staring at each other angrily. "Thank you," Hideyoshi continues a few moments later. "Now, let's not worry about who's protecting who or who's hiding what: we can sort that out later. Right now, we need to work together to ensure the future of the Jade Alliance. Because, let's face it, if the Alliance falls, we're all out on the streets, and targets for anyone who wants an easy reward. Not to mention the power vacuum our fall would leave could be filled with something so terrible the whole of the Gotoshi falls. We all know what's at stake, so let's concentrate on getting out of this with our dojos safe and our pelts intact. Agreed?"
Tsubaki and Chika continue their violent stares a few moments more, but ultimately relent with a mutual "Agreed."
"Thank you," Hideyoshi sighs, relieved. "Now, where's Nakano‑san?"
"Just waiting for you all to stop arguing like schoolchildren," Ryoichi replies.
The other Grand Masters turn in surprise to find Ryoichi laid on a nearby sofa, dressed in his standard camo‑pattern infantry outfit.
"How long have you been here?" Hideyoshi asks.
"I got here about two minutes before you did," Ryoichi explains. "I was hoping to have a nice snooze before the hearing started."
"And you're wearing your normal outfit?" Chika asks.
Ryoichi simply shrugs.
"He's gonna doom us all," Kaede sighs.
"That's something we can all agree on," Chika agrees.
"Don't worry about it," Ryoichi assures. "I'm just gonna tell my side of it, blame it all on Aquila and those interfering Scarves, and then go home and carry on like before."
Chika makes to argue, but holds her tongue just in time. A moment later, Senator Akiko Saito appears from a side door. "Ah, you're all here," the senator greets, electing not to comment on Kaede's jeans, Tsubaki's samurai armour, or Ryoichi's obvious apathy. "Due to the severity of the accusations against you, it has been decided that you will testify in isolation, one at a time. In order that no‑one's story can be affected by anyone else, we insist that you remain isolated during the full course of the hearing. In a few moments, guards will escort each of you to your isolation cells, where we'll make every effort to ensure that you are comfortable. I recommend you do not attempt to escape or communicate with your peers. Any attempt to do so will result in you being held in contempt, and the reliability of your testimony appropriately marked down. Please confirm you understand these instructions."
The Grand Masters all acknowledge they understand.
"Thank you for your co‑operation," Akiko continues as the guards arrive. "Once you're in your isolation cells, we will decide the order of testimony, then send for each of you in turn."
The Grand Masters allow themselves to be escorted to their cells.