Over the next seven hours, each of the Grand Masters gives their testimony. As promised, Hideyoshi Takenaka and Chika Ueno give accurate and factual testimonies, devoid of embellishment and frippery. While they cannot avoid implicating the five Red Scarves, their involvement is subtly downplayed. The combination of an honest and humble testimony and their efforts to dress correctly garner both Hideyoshi and Chika a lot of respect from the senators, and they return to their isolation cells, if not confident of a favourable judgement, then at least a fair and reasonable judgement.
The other three testimonies are less successful. Tsubaki Moto, indignant that she was forced to surrender her samurai armour and her custom‑made twin asymmetric katana, was recalcitrant during her testimony. It took a lot of work, but she eventually told the whole story, making sure to shift as much blame onto the Red Scarves as possible. Ryoichi Nakano fared no better. With his patchy testimony, and with the senators frustrated by his lack of co‑operation, they find that Ryoichi cannot be trusted except where his testimony agrees with others, effectively making it useless.
However, contrary to Hideyoshi's prediction, Ryoichi's testimony wasn't the worst: that dubious honour goes to Kaede Himura, whose testimony started badly, and went downhill fast. Not only were the senators unimpressed with Kaede wearing jeans under her cut‑price kimono, they found the Tsuchi‑dojo leader impossible to take seriously. But it was when Kaede switched tactic to seduction that her testimony fell from awful to disastrous. After just fifteen minutes, Kaede was judged to be in contempt of court, and her brief testimony was rejected in its entirety.
With all the interrogations complete, the five senators begin their deliberations. While the senators debate, the Jades are moved from their isolation cells to a holding area. At one end of the room, Hideyoshi and Chika regroup to discuss the possible outcomes.
"How do you think we'll fair?" Chika asks.
"Hard to tell," Hideyoshi admits. "My testimony went smoothly, as did yours I assume, but without knowing how the others fared, I don't feel comfortable making a call right now."
"I know what you mean," Chika sighs. "My hope is our testimonies earn us some leniency. I expect us to be sanctioned in some way, but it wouldn't surprise me to find some of us are sanctioned more than others. What I fear most though is what the Senate decides about the Red Scarves."
"I understand your concern, but I doubt the Senate will do much about the Red Scarves," Hideyoshi assures. "We should focus on ensuring our own future."
"Or beginning to plan my move to Jade Creek," Chika replies. "Though, to be fair, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing," she adds with a subtle smile.
"You're lucky to have the option," Hideyoshi remarks.
"You have that option too," Chika reminds. "I'm sure Hanna and Rob would be happy to help you find a place somewhere."
"Maybe, but I wouldn't want to impose," Hideyoshi replies. "I know Hanna agreed to put the whole mess behind us, but she stopped short of actually forgiving me. I've seen what she's like when she's angry, and quite frankly… she scares me."
"She is a formidable woman," Chika recalls.
"While I've not seen her fight, Rob did tell me she's a naturally very gifted hand‑to‑hand combatant," Hideyoshi informs.
"I think you're worrying too much about it," Chika assures. "After all, they invited both of us to their wedding next week."
"True," Hideyoshi admits. "Though I fear we won't be able to make it now."
Meanwhile, Tsubaki and Kaede are at the other end of the room, also talking about possible outcomes.
"My testimony was a disaster," Kaede admits. "None of my usual tricks worked."
"Given what your normal tricks are, I'm not surprised," Tsubaki replies.
"Like you did any better," Kaede retorts.
"You'd be surprised," Tsubaki informs. "Although the whole time it felt like all they wanted to do was demean me."
"Did you push as much blame on the Red Scarves as possible?" Kaede asks.
"Of course," Tsubaki confirms. "Though I fear with your testimony being a disaster, it's the bat and the otter against me, and I don't like those odds."
"Ryoichi won't be of any help?"
"Since when has he ever been of any help?"
"Good point."
Tsubaki and Kaede share a moment of silence.
"Any thoughts on what the otter is hiding?" Tsubaki asks.
"No idea," Kaede admits.
"She's definitely hiding something," Tsubaki guesses. "I get the feeling it might be something to do with those infernal Red Scarves."
"Well, she is our emissary to the Scarves," Kaede reminds.
"And that wolfman is their emissary to us," Tsubaki adds. "Neither choice I understand."
"Who would you have picked?" Kaede asks.
"I wouldn't have picked anyone," Tsubaki explains. "The Red Scarves are a threat to the Jade Alliance, and I would see them crushed beneath my boots. But if I had to choose for diplomacy, the hare or the badger would make a better choice than the wolfman."
"I wouldn't pick Rob," Kaede informs. "That vixen girlfriend of his is a liability. Also, she's a right bitch. I'd rather have Danny."
"Only because you want another chance to seduce him for one of your detestable 'sessions'."
"You should really open your mind to new experiences."
"Not the sort of experiences you enjoy."
"Your loss."
"Enough of this nonsense," Tsubaki decides. "We need to think about the future of the Alliance."
Kaede thinks for a moment. "Do you trust Hideyoshi and Chika to look out for all of us?"
"No," Tsubaki answers with confidence. "They may act all diplomatic, but let's face it, they'd love to see us fall. It's obvious they don't like the way we run our dojos."
"You don't like the way I run mine," Kaede replies. "Why would you be fairer than them?"
"I don't approve of what you get up to in private," Tsubaki corrects. "I have no quarrel with how you run your dojo."
"What about Ryoichi?"
"I wouldn't trust him to fry rice, let alone protect the Alliance. But that's mostly because he wouldn't bother doing anything meaningful."
"So, it's up to us."
"Looks that way."
An hour later, the Senate has finalised their judgements, and it falls to Senator Akiko Saito to deliver them. The five Grand Masters are escorted back to the room in which they gave their testimonies, and line up facing the five senators.
"We have talked at great length about how to adequately sanction all five of you for your treaty violations," Akiko begins. "We have considered all your testimonies, your general attitudes, and the roles you play within both your dojos and your home city‑states. It has been very difficult to work out appropriate sanctions, especially given the fact that disbanding even one part of the Jade Alliance would leave a power vacuum we do not want to risk leaving. Understand that you do have the right to appeal the sanctions should you wish to do so."
"Just get on with it already," Tsubaki mutters.
"Moto‑san, if I was you, I'd keep my lips sealed," Akiko cautions. "You're already on a knife‑edge as it is."
Tsubaki curls her lips in a subtle snarl, but says nothing.
"As stated, you all have the right to appeal," Akiko continues. "Just be aware that if you do, it may backfire, and your sanctions may be increased. And for two of you at least, you really don't want that."
Tsubaki and Kaede exchange concerned looks.
"Dai‑sensei Chika Ueno, owing to the strength, thoroughness, and honesty of your testimony, combined with the humility it was delivered with, we have decided to be lenient. Your dojo will remain in operation and you will remain in charge, but you will be placed under permanent supervision. You are forbidden to leave Mizu‑dojo without express written permission from myself. Additionally, all dojo activities must be approved by the supervisors you will be assigned. This will proceed for a complete calendar cycle of five years. Do you accept these sanctions?"
"I accept," Chika bows deferentially. Thank the spirit of the kitsune! I was expecting a lot worse.
"Dai‑sensei Hideyoshi Takenaka, owing to the strength, thoroughness, and honesty of your testimony, combined with the humility it was delivered with, we have decided to be lenient, though a little less so than with Dai‑sensei Ueno," Akiko continues. "You are under the same sanctions as her, for the same period, except that you may not leave Kasai‑dojo under any circumstances. Do you accept these sanctions?"
"I accept," Hideyoshi bows deferentially. My apologies for missing your wedding, Hanna and Rob Skarlett. May the spirit of the kitsune guide you to eternal happiness.
"Dai‑sensei Kaede Himura… I'm afraid you've given us no choice but to be harsh," Akiko continues. "Your testimony was a disaster, and your decision to wear jeans under a cheap kimono speaks volumes. It is clear you haven't approached this trial with the seriousness it deserves."
"I know, and I offer my most sincere apologies," Kaede replies, hanging her head in shame.
"We accept your apology, but that will not change your sanctions," Akiko continues. "You will be confined to your inner sanctum in Tsuchi‑dojo, and you will surrender full control of your dojo to a proxy appointed by Senator Daichi Maki until we can be sure that you are fit to resume your duties. You are forbidden from leaving Tsuchi‑dojo under any circumstances. Additionally, you are forbidden from attempting to interact with those appointed to enforce these sanctions. Whether the rumours are true or not, we are painfully aware of them, and we refuse to take any risks. Do you accept these sanctions?"
"I… I accept," Kaede sighs in defeat.
"Dai‑sensei Tsubaki Moto, despite the surprising quality of your testimony, your attitude and general disdain has worked heavily against you," Akiko continues. "Also, the fact you felt that arriving in samurai armour was appropriate concerns us greatly. You will be confined to your inner sanctum in Kinzoku‑dojo, and you will surrender full control of your dojo to a proxy appointed by Senator Katsu Nishimura until we can be sure that you are fit to resume your duties. You are forbidden from leaving Kinzoku‑dojo without express written permission from Senator Nishimura. Do you accept these sanctions?"
"Do I have a choice?" Tsubaki asks.
"Yes: accept the sanctions or spend the next twenty‑five years in a high‑security prison," Akiko explains.
"Then I accept," Tsubaki relents.
"A wise decision," Akiko remarks. "Dai‑sensei Ryoichi Nakano… you left us with a quandary. While patchy, your testimony is suitably in accordance with both Takenaka‑san's and Ueno‑san's that we cannot discount it. However, we equally cannot rely on it. Not knowing what to do, we debated this for a long time, and eventually, we decided to give you a choice. You can either agree to work with us, Takenaka‑san, and Ueno‑san, in which case you'll be sanctioned identically to Takenaka‑san. Alternatively, if you choose not to work with us, you will face the same sanctions as Moto‑san. What is your decision? You may request up to twenty‑four hours to think about it if you so choose."
"I will work with the Senate, Takenaka‑san, and Ueno‑san, and I accept the sanctions," Ryoichi decides.
"Excellent," Akiko smiles. "As of this moment, the sanctions described are in full effect, though obviously, you all have implicit permission to be in this building, which will last until you leave. You will now be returned to your isolation cells overnight, and in the morning, you will be escorted back to your respective dojos. Know that any violation of your sanctions will result in you being removed from your dojo and interred in a high‑security prison for twenty‑five years. We thank you for your co‑operation in these matters."