Later at the blacksmith's

The scent of burning coal and molten metal permeated the air as Hidemaru and Leopold approached the unassuming structure of the blacksmith's shop. Traditional paper lanterns hung outside, their glow casting a gentle ambiance over the courtyard.

Upon their approach, a robust man with forearms scarred and strengthened by years of work at the forge ceased his hammering. He looked up, immediately recognizing Hidemaru.

"Hidemaru-san,"he greeted warmly, bowing slightly. "Kono hito wa?" (Who is this person?)

Hidemaru reciprocated the gesture. "Kore wa Leopold Lafleche. Watashi ga kimi ni tsuite hanashita gaikokujin no Assassin da. Kare wa koko de no katsudō ni tekiō suru tame ni soubi no chōsei o hitsuyō to shiteimasu." (This is Leopold Lafleche. He's the foreign Assassin I told you about. He needs adjustments to his equipment to adapt to the activities here.)

Leopold, unfamiliar with the language but sensing the introduction, extended the pouch of gold coins Hidemaru had given him earlier. "It's not much," he began in English, looking to Hidemaru to translate, "just enough to start out with."

Hidemaru translated Leopold's words, and Hiroshi gave a hearty laugh. "Shinpai suru koto wa nai," (No need to worry)Hiroshi responded, waving off the gold with a smile, "Anata wa Hidemaru-san no tomodachi naraba, watashi no tomodachi desu." (If you are a friend of Hidemaru, you are a friend of mine.)

Feeling the camaraderie in the air, even without grasping the full conversation, Leopold nodded gratefully. Through gestures, translated exchanges, and Hiroshi's evident craftsmanship, it became clear to Leopold that he was in the right hands for his upcoming mission.

Leopold then placed the gold pouch onto the table

"I need a new wrist blade. Something that fits the culture atmosphere."

Hiroshi, having understood the universal language of the Assassin's tools, nodded as he picked up the pouch and weighed it in his hand. His eyes, experienced and sharp, shifted from the pouch to Leopold's current wrist blade, evaluating its design and wear.

After a few moments of consideration, Hiroshi said, "Wakarimashita. Nihon no bunka ni awaseta mono o tsukurimasu." (Understood. I'll make something suited to Japanese culture.)

He walked over to a cabinet and retrieved a delicate wooden box. Inside, there were several designs and sketches of wrist blades — some traditional, some innovative. One particular design caught Leopold's eye: it resembled a tantō, a traditional Japanese short sword, but had been modified for the wrist mechanism.

Hiroshi followed Leopold's gaze, a smile forming on his lips. "Kore wa Nihon no koshinretsuna dezain desu. Sono subete ga kinōteki de, dochira mo kakushi yasui." (This is a contemporary Japanese design. It's functional and easy to conceal.)

Hidemaru, standing by Leopold's side, translated, "He says it's a modern take incorporating traditional Japanese aesthetics. Not only is it efficient, but it also blends seamlessly with the local attire."

Leopold nodded in approval. "That's the one. Let's proceed with that design."

Hiroshi gestured to a table laden with materials and individual components of the kote. Richly dyed fabrics lay beside plates of lacquered bamboo and ornate embroideries.

"These are the components we use to assemble the kote,"Hidemaru explained, picking up a piece of material. "While we have some pre-made sets for immediate needs, we find that custom-assembling them ensures a perfect fit and design alignment, especially for our Brotherhood members."

Leopold's eyes were drawn to various color panels. There was a deep indigo fabric, another in bold crimson, a muted forest green, and an obsidian black panel embroidered with silver cherry blossoms.

Hiroshi, picking up on Leopold's need for something understated, sifted through several components on the table. After a moment, he drew out a slate grey fabric with a subdued herringbone pattern, which seemed to resonate with the weaves of Leopold's robes. Additionally, he presented metallic ornaments crafted in the image of a falcon – a symbol of focus, determination, and swiftness.

Alongside the fabric, Hiroshi also presented a selection of metal clasps and adornments. Among them was a sleek, elongated falcon emblem, its wings half-spread in a state of readiness.

"Kore wa anata ni aimasu ka?" (Would this suit you?) Hiroshi inquired, placing the falcon emblem atop the fabric.

Leopold, though not understanding the words, got the gist from Hiroshi's gesture and the context. With an approving nod, he said, "It looks suitable."

Hidemaru, facilitating the conversation, elaborated, "Hayabusa wa tekishita shōchō desu – subayai, seikaku, itsumo keikai." (The falcon is an apt symbol – swift, precise, and always vigilant.)

"How long will it take?"

Hiroshi paused to assess the materials and design intricacies. After some thought, he finally looked up, "Yakusoku dekiru no wa, mōshikashitara yoru made desu. Fukuzatsuna shigoto wa arimasen ga, kore wa taisetsu na aitemu desu kara, issho ni yaritai to omoimasu."

Hidemaru promptly translated for Leopold, "He says he can have it ready by evening. It's not a complex task, but given the importance of the item, he wants to ensure it's done meticulously."

Leopold nodded in understanding, "That's fair. We can return by evening then."

After expressing their gratitude to Hiroshi for his craftsmanship and dedication, the two Assassins made their way out of the blacksmith's workshop. The rhythmic clanging of metal on metal faded into the background as they stepped onto the busy streets.

As they walked side by side, the bustling market scenes of Japan unfurled around them. Fishmongers yelled out the day's catch, fabric sellers displayed vibrant textiles, and children ran about playing games. Amidst the thrum of activity, the underlying tension was palpable, reflecting the changing times and the struggles that Japan faced.

Hidemaru turned to Leopold, "While we wait for your wrist blade, there are other matters we can attend to. The Templars' reach is growing, and gathering intelligence on their next move could be crucial."

Leopold nodded, pulling his hood further over his face to shield his foreign features from prying eyes. "Lead the way,"he responded, eager to immerse himself in this new and complex world. The two Assassins blended seamlessly into the crowd, their minds focused on the mission ahead.