Two days later, the Grand Masters begin their first full day under sanction.
In Mizu‑dojo, Chika Ueno awaits a response from Senator Akiko Saito about her request to attend Red Scarves HQ just outside the Origin Kingdom of Shang Tu. Included in that request is enough time to attend the wedding of Hanna and Rob Skarlett, but Chika didn't include that reason in the request, a mistake she only realised when it was too late. So, when the phone rings mid‑morning, Akiko's queries aren't unexpected.
"Ohayō gozaimasu, Senator Saito," Chika greets.
"Ohayō," Akiko returns. "I've looked over your request for leave to attend Red Scarves HQ, but it seems you've added an extra day at the beginning without giving a reason?"
"My apologies senator," Chika replies. "I did indeed neglect to explain I've been invited to the wedding of two friends of the Red Scarves envoy Xander Lykos."
"A wedding?" Akiko asks. "Let me guess: this would be… Hanna Skarlett and Rob Stiil, correct?"
"Correct, senator," Chika confirms.
"By rights, I could refuse the whole trip because of this omission."
"Senator, I‑"
"You can go."
"I… um… what?"
"You can go," Akiko repeats. "You may be under sanction, but that doesn't mean I have to deny you everything that isn't strictly business. Plus, it wouldn't be right denying you some quality time with your boyfriend," she adds, ending with a slightly cheeky tone.
"I… How…?" Chika mumbles in surprise.
"I saw the twinkle in your eyes when you spoke about him at the hearing," Akiko explains.
"It was that obvious?" Chika asks, her tone betraying a hint of nervousness.
"It was to me," Akiko confirms. "Why the nervousness?"
"If you've guessed, others might have, and there are those I'd like to keep this information from," Chika explains.
"Your secret's safe with me," Akiko assures. "I do have one favour to ask in return, by the way. In return for the permission to attend the wedding, that is."
"Of course," Chika agrees.
"I want you to gather intelligence about the organisational structure and combat capabilities of the Red Scarves," Akiko explains. "Don't worry, I'm not asking you for compromising information: I just want to be prepared for all eventualities."
"I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that… but I guess I have no choice," Chika acquiesces. "I'll gather what I can."
"Excellent," Akiko replies. "I'll put all this in writing and send you a copy: it should be with you before evening."
"Arigatō gozaimasu."
"Shitsurei shimasu." Akiko ends the call.
Chika returns the phone to its cradle. You pushed your luck a bit there Chika: you're fortunate to get away with it.
In the heart of Kinzoku‑dojo, Tsubaki Moto deactivates her wiretap. I knew it was a good idea to get this in place four tsuki ago. Mizu‑dojo, your days are numbered. I will walk through the ashes of your destruction, and the blood of Chika Ueno will run down my blades.
Meanwhile, in her inner sanctum in the heart of Tsuchi‑dojo, Kaede Himura is bored. Laying naked on her sofa, her legs draped over the back and her head hanging off the front, she's barely paying any attention to the cartoon on the television. Pastel‑coloured magical ponies… whatever will they think of next? Why am I watching this anyway? May as well‑ Oh yeah, already flicked through all the channels, that's how I ended up on this. Shame no‑one's showing that one with the hedgehog and his chipmunk girlfriend; I quite like that one. Shame it only lasted two seasons.
Kaede yawns as she reaches for the remote control, intending to turn the television off. However, she stops when she sees something that piques her interest. Did that chimera just… Is that mind control? It is!
Filled with a renewed sense of purpose, Kaede turns off the television, rolls off the sofa, and heads into her personal chemistry laboratory, where she roots through the many drawers and cupboards until she finds what she's looking for.
"Ah, there's the vial I got from Arata Bando!" she exclaims, holding a vial of crimson liquid in her hand. "I wonder if his claims are true? What was it he called this again… Ah yes, the 'Kage Byōgenkin'. Problem is, I need a test subject… I have an idea."
Kaede leaves the lab and enters her bedroom to get dressed, taking the vial with her. Once in her regular tunic and jeans, she hides the vial in her cleavage, then approaches the main door to her sanctum. After taking a moment to ensure the hidden vial isn't showing through her tunic, she opens the door.
"Oh… Hello. Wasn't expecting four of you boys," she greets the quartet of guards stationed outside her sanctum. "Want to keep me company for a bit? I'm bored."
"We're under strict orders not to engage in any form of social interaction with you," the lead guard replies.
"Because of the rumours, no doubt," Kaede sighs. "It's true that I used to be somewhat… experimental in my younger days. But I'm nearly thirty now, and what with the whole sanctions thing, and some other things… In short, it's time I cleaned up my act. Plus, let's be honest, it's easier to make sure I don't get up to crazy shit if you can always see me, right?"
"She's got a point there, boss," comments one of the subordinate guards.
The lead guard thinks for a few moments. "It is indeed a good point. And with four of us… OK, we'll join you. But know that if you try any funny business, we'll slap the cuffs on and drag you kicking and screaming all the way to the senator's office. Agreed?"
"You have nothing to worry about," Kaede smiles warmly. "Come on in and take a seat, and I'll bring some drinks out."
The four guards enter and take their seats as Kaede heads into the compact kitchen.
"You'd better not be doing anything funny in there," the lead guard calls to Kaede, who's temporarily hidden from view.
"Of course," Kaede calls back reassuringly, recovering the vial from her cleavage. What I'm doing is a serious bit of science: I need to make sure this stuff works as described, and you're my lab rats.
A few minutes later, with the vial hidden again, Kaede remerges with a tray of five freshly brewed green teas, which she places on the coffee table before taking one for herself. "So, how long have you all been working for the senator?" she asks as the guards each take a cup.
"Seven years, almost," the lead guard answers as he begins his drink. "Are you sure this is fresh?" he asks. "It tastes a bit odd."
Didn't expect the stuff to have a flavour. "It's a new brand," Kaede lies convincingly. "Thought I'd give it a try. What about the rest of you?"
Over the next ten minutes, Kaede continues her small talk, at the end of which the guards have finished their drinks. Unnoticed by them, but noticed by Kaede, the guards' irises have changed from their original assorted colours to a vivid crimson.
"As fun as this has been, we must return to our positions," the lead guard informs Kaede, standing as he does so.
"Sit down," Kaede instructs.
"Yes mistress," the lead guard obeys, retaking his seat.
Whoa… OK, don't get excited. Test this properly. Kaede thinks for a moment. "OK boys… Bark like dogs."
All four guards begin to bark.
"OK, that's enough of that," Kaede decides; the guards stop barking immediately. "Who is your master?"
"You are, mistress Himura," the guards chorus.
"Seriously?" Kaede asks rhetorically in disbelief, pulling the vial from her cleavage again. "This stuff actually works?" An idea strikes Kaede. "Well then boys, let's not waste this golden opportunity," she flirts as she removes her tunic.
Two hours later, Kaede is once again naked and laid on the sofa, but this time she's far from bored. By the kitsune, that session was intense! I think it'll be a while before I'll be able to walk again, that's for sure. And while four at once isn't a record, it's damn close.
Kaede settles down to snooze, but an idea occurs to her. Hmm… It's one thing to use that stuff for a session, quite another to get revenge. I do have a score I'd like to settle with both Maria Shanmao and Danny Brock. Plus, I could have a bit of fun with them on the side. Thing is, it's not something I can do alone. There's no way Hideyoshi or Chika will help, obviously, and Ryoichi is about as trustworthy as a fireguard made of ice, which leaves… crap. Kaede sighs deeply. An alliance with Tsubaki is my only option, but I'll have to tread carefully around her: she makes no secret of the fact she hates the way I live in private. Still, she'd be a powerful ally.
Kaede hears a gentle growl. "I appear to be hungry," she murmurs to herself. "Shame I sent the guards away: one of them could have brought me an onigiri. Oh well, guess I'll have to get one myself." Kaede tries to get up, only to find her wrists and ankles are still secured to the ends of the sofa. "I probably should have asked to be untied before I sent the guards away. Then again, when have I ever been disappointed at a bit of impromptu escapology? Well, apart from that one time. Boy, was that ever embarrassing…"
Meanwhile, outside the sanctum, the guards are recovering from the effects of the Kage Byōgenkin, and their eyes are reverting to their original colours. The leader is the first to shake off the mind control, at which point the severity of what they all did hits home hard. "Lads, I think we just got tricked by Kaede."
"Why did we agree to all that?" one of the subordinates asks.
"I dunno," a second answers. "It was almost as if‑ No, it couldn't be."
"Couldn't be what?" the leader asks.
"Mind control."
"That's ridiculous. And yet…" The leader pauses in thought. "We have a choice here lads. Either we report what happened and Kaede gets dragged off to prison but we lose our jobs, or we never speak of this again. Personally… I'm favouring the latter."
"Me too," the first subordinate agrees.
"And me," the second adds.
"My lips are sealed," the third vows.
Half an hour later, and Kaede has freed herself. Returning from the kitchen with an onigiri, she seats herself not on the sofa, but at her desk. While eating, she writes an e‑mail to Tsubaki Moto, inviting her to a clandestine meeting on the border of Midorioka and Hokorioka in three days' time. The ball's in your court Tsubaki.
In her inner sanctum, Tsubaki's workout regimen is interrupted by the sound of a new e‑mail arriving, the distraction causing her to lose focus and stumble. Growling quietly in frustration, the tanuki stalks over to her computer, opens the e‑mail, and reads it to the end. Typical. An invitation with nothing of substance. I'm gonna go anyway, and if I don't like what I see… Well, it'll be good practice for when I kill that traitorous otter.