Three days later at midday, at a neutral location on the border of the Midorioka and the Hokorioka, Tsubaki Moto impatiently awaits the arrival of Kaede Himura. Typical. I make the effort to get here on time, and that perverted pika is yet to show her face. Tsubaki checks her watch. Five more minutes, then I go in and pull her out by her tail. Even if she is f‑

Tsubaki's train of thought is interrupted by the sound of an approaching engine. A few moments later, a tan‑coloured utilitarian off‑road car with no roof emerges from the heat haze. Tsubaki squints to try and make out who the sole occupant is, but the brightness of the sun and the distortion of the heat haze make it almost impossible. Soon though, the jeep is close enough for Tsubaki to recognise Kaede.

The jeep slows as it approaches, halting ten feet away. Kaede kills the engine, then hops out of the jeep and approaches Tsubaki.

"About time," Tsubaki growls.

"Sorry I'm late," Kaede apologises. "I was a little… tied up."

"For a moment, I thought you were talking about one of your myriad perversions," Tsubaki replies.

"I was," Kaede admits. "It's actually‑"

"Not interested," Tsubaki interrupts. "Why did you call me here?"

"Because I have an offer you may be interested in," Kaede explains. "Want to get your revenge on Maria Shanmao?"

"Don't ever say that name in my presence again!" Tsubaki barks.

"Aw, you scared of an ickle kiddy‑cat?" Kaede mocks.

"Still your tongue, you pathetic wretch!"

"I'll take that as a 'yes'."

Tsubaki hesitates. "If you must know, I have some… concerns when it comes to that olive‑furred childwoman. I left her for dead in Shang Tu, and yet…"

"I have a score to settle with her as well," Kaede reminds. "These 'wonderful' facial scars? Done by her. She almost ruined my ability to seduce people!"

"There's more to this world than shagging your way through its population," Tsubaki replies. "Especially with the twisted methods you employ."

"I bring pleasure to them," Kaede boasts. "What could be better than that?"

"Mindless stupor isn't what I'd call 'pleasure'," Tsubaki dismisses.

"You just don't know how to have fun," Kaede teases.

"If that is what you think, then so be it. Back to business. You can guarantee my revenge on that infernal lynx?"

"I can go one better than that."

"Explain."

"I have a contact," Kaede begins. "He's new to the area, but he's got this stuff that‑"

"Drugs. It's always drugs with you."

"This is different."

Tsubaki looks at her watch. "Sixty seconds."

"It's a mind‑control virus."

Kitsune dammit. "Thirty seconds."

"I'm serious."

"I'm done. Goodbye."

"Tsubaki, wait!" Kaede pleads. "I can prove it works!"

Tsubaki halts mid‑turn. "Will this involve one of your perversions?"

"It doesn't have to…"

Tsubaki pauses for a moment to think. "I fear I may regret this, but… OK. I will give you one chance. But the instant I see something I don't like, I'm out. And you better pray I don't kill you as I leave."

"Believe me," Kaede assures, "you won't want to leave when you see my demonstration."

Two hours later, with Tsubaki smuggled into her inner sanctum, Kaede opens the hidden doors and announces, "Welcome to my own private chemistry lab!"

Tsubaki looks around Kaede's compact laboratory, noting the sheer variety of chemistry equipment adorning almost every surface. "So, this is where you brew your malevolent potions."

"All of my best concoctions have come out of this lab," Kaede boasts. "Including the one I used on that hedgehog, and tried to use on Danny Brock, the other one I want to get revenge on."

"So long as I get the childwoman, you can do with the other what you like," Tsubaki promises.

"Excellent!" Kaede grins. "Now, where did I put that vial?"

As Kaede searches, Tsubaki grows restless. "I don't have all day."

"Here it is!" Kaede announces, reappearing from behind a bench with a small vial of crimson liquid. "This is the Kage Byōgenkin. This is the key to our revenge on Ma‑ the childwoman and her badger friend."

"It's a vial of food colouring."

"Koketsu ni irazunba koji wo ezu," Kaede dismisses. "Come with me, and I'll show you just how effective this stuff is."

Five minutes later, Tsubaki and Kaede stand in Kaede's inner sanctum with one of the lower‑ranked members of Tsuchi‑dojo.

"For what purpose have you summoned me, Sensei Himura?" the ninja asks, bowing in respect.

"You are to experience the honour of one of my demonstrations," Kaede informs. "Sensei Moto has expressed an interest in a compound I have procured that will aid her in her next mission, but she refuses to purchase said substance without proof of its efficacy. Are you willing to assist in providing such proof?"

"Absolutely, sensei," the ninja agrees.

"I'm glad to hear that," Kaede smiles, inserting a syringe into the vial and drawing out a small amount of liquid.

"S‑Sensei?" the ninja asks, suddenly a little nervous.

"Relax, ninja‑kun," Kaede assures. "No harm will come to you."

The ninja remains wary, but rolls up his sleeve regardless. Kaede then injects the dose directly into a vein.

"Now to wait a few seconds," Kaede informs Tsubaki.

At first, nothing happens. But just as Tsubaki is about to declare she's no longer interested, the ninja stiffens, shaking slightly. Tsubaki watches with scepticism as the ninja's irises transform from their natural viridian to a vivid crimson.

"You changed his eye colour," Tsubaki comments.

"Good," Kaede smiles. "The virus has taken hold."

"Will his fur colour change next?" Tsubaki asks mockingly.

"Ninja‑kun, you are now under my total control," Kaede instructs, ignoring Tsubaki's question. "Do you understand?"

"Absolutely, my mistress," the ninja responds.

"Good." Kaede pauses for a moment. "Ninja‑kun, jump on the spot until otherwise instructed."

The ninja starts jumping on the spot.

"Excellent," Kaede smiles. "Now stop, and walk around the room like a chicken."

Once again, the ninja obeys without question.

"I love playing with them like this!" Kaede giggles.

"This is pathetic," Tsubaki growls.

"I am in full control of his actions!" Kaede affirms. "Surely this demonstration is proof?"

"Farmyard animal impressions?"

"It's still a demonstration."

"Give me control."

"What?"

"Give me control."

Kaede sighs in resignation. "OK. Ninja‑kun, stop what you are doing. You are now under the full control of dai‑sensei Tsubaki Moto. You will obey her orders without question."

The ninja stops and turns to the two sensei. "Affirmative, my mistresses."

"He's all yours," Kaede informs Tsubaki.

"Very well." Tsubaki turns to the ninja. "Slit your own throat."

"What‽" Kaede exclaims in shock.

"If I did that, I would no longer be able to serve you, my mistress," the ninja replies.

"Self‑preservation remains intact then," Tsubaki concludes.

"Thank the spirit of the kitsune!" Kaede sighs in relief.

"Kill Kaede Himura," Tsubaki orders.

The ninja unsheathes a pair of kama and dives at Kaede with intent to kill. Kaede reacts on instinct, drawing her tekko‑kagi and doing her best to block the attacks. "Tsubaki! What on Avalice? Stop this insanity!"

"Now this is a demonstration!" Tsubaki grins wickedly. "The control is so complete! He'll attack his own dai‑sensei without a moment's hesitation!"

"Tsubaki!" Kaede barks.

"Fine, I'll call him off," Tsubaki sighs. "Ninja‑kun, cease."

The ninja immediately retreats from Kaede and sheathes his weapons.

"Kaede, you have done something I never thought you capable of," Tsubaki compliments. "You have impressed me with your demonstration."

"My demonstration‽" Kaede retorts. "You told him to kill me!"

"I needed to see how effective the mind control is," Tsubaki calmly informs. "And now that I've seen it, I have a better idea than mere revenge. We can use this on the childwoman and the badger and use them to help us not just get revenge, but also to destroy Kasai and Mizu!"

"Destroy Kasai and Mizu‽" Kaede asks in disbelief. "Are you crazy‽"

"You saw the leniency they got at the hearing, even though they caused a lot more damage," Tsubaki reminds.

"I know, but‑"

"Kaede, I may not approve of what you get up to in private. In fact, I find it abhorrent, doubly so that you show no shame or decorum. But there is no doubting that we are both far better suited to ensuring the future of the Jade Alliance. That fool Hideyoshi and his lapdog Chika think they can be diplomatic with the Red Scarves, but we know the truth. We know that the Scarves would turn on us in a heartbeat and destroy us, and we know which five would lead that charge."

"They… They would?"

"Of course! The Scarves have a monopoly in the Origin Kingdoms, and they've seen how thoroughly we sacked Shang Tu, a feat they have never accomplished. Do you really think they'd let a force as powerful as us survive? Or would they lull us into a false sense of security, then crush us when we let our guard down?"

Kaede thinks for a few moments. "I hate to admit it, but you're right. We need to think about the future of the Jade Alliance. However, we should see if we can turn Hideyoshi and Chika to our side first."

"Did you know Chika is dating one of the Scarves that defeated us on Tenshijima?" Tsubaki informs.

"What‽" Kaede gasps in shock. "That traitorous bitch!"

"Still think we should negotiate?"

"Absolutely not!"

Tsubaki extends a hand. "Then we have an accord."

Kaede shakes the offered hand. "Y'know, we should celebrate our alliance," she suggests, moving in close to Tsubaki. "And I have just the thing in mind," she adds, smiling alluringly.

Tsubaki pushes Kaede to the floor, draws a katana, and rests the tip on Kaede's neck. "Cease this behaviour immediately!" she commands. "I will never succumb to your temptations!"

"Fine," Kaede relents. "It's clear you're not interested in having any fun whatsoever."

"Not when you are the purveyor!"

"You're just afraid," Kaede smirks. "It's a pity you're not willing to experiment: we'd be amazing," she adds with a wink.

"One more word in that vein and I will cleave your head from your body!" Tsubaki barks.

Kaede sighs in defeat. "OK, I know when I'm beaten," she sighs, gently pushing the blade away from her neck. "From now on, all business. I promise. Though I must ask: if you're not interested in sex, why dress so provocatively?"

"I'm not answering that question," Tsubaki growls, sheathing her katana.

"Thought so," Kaede replies as she gets back on her feet. "Oh, by the way, we need more Kage Byōgenkin, thanks to your aggression."

"That vial looked to have more than adequate doses."

"Which are now soaking into my carpet."

Tsubaki looks behind Kaede to see the shattered vial on the floor, the serum staining the carpet. "Ah."

"Also, you're paying for the new carpet," Kaede declares. "And you're not skimping on the quality."

"If I must," Tsubaki concedes.