Shampoo
A small, somewhat run-down Chinese cargo hauler sullenly chugged its way across the East China Sea to Japan, diesel fumes billowing from its smoke stacks as it plowed through the rough waves that beat themselves against its weathered hull. It was an ordinary, every-day, workhorse of a vessel; there were thousands like it plying all the seas of south-east Asia and anywhere else that Chinese shipping interests ran.
Duan Nianzu was a scarred, grizzled veteran sailor who had been working on ships like his for decades. Despite pushing sixty, the old captain was a big man whose physique still showed that he had worked his way up from the hardscrabble existence of a common ship's laborer. Despite his age, many sailors in ports across the East China Sea would think twice about taking on the one-eyed brute.
But only the stupidest of those sailors would think any less of him for entering the kitchen with his hat in his hands and speaking to the beautiful young Chinese girl currently busying herself at the stove as if she were an imperial princess.
"Begging your pardon, honorable miss, but we will be ready to dock at Yokohama in a couple of hours, I just thought you would like to know that," He politely informed the blue-haired girl.
"Thank you, captain. This one is most grateful for the assistance that you have rendered in this one's quest for righteous vengeance," she declared in a melodious voice that rang in the kitchen like a bell.
"Oh, think nothing of it; your great-grandmother did me a huge favor when I was a young lad. It is the least I can do," he assured her, sketching a polite bow that was more elegant than many of his crew would have assumed him capable of.
"You can be certain that Matriarch Ke Lun will hear of your assistance; your debt to this one's family shall be considered repaid in full," The girl replied calmly, though she never took her eyes away from her cooking.
Duan Nianzu sketched a second bow, and turned to leave, only to freeze with his hand just about to touch the doorknob as the girl suddenly spoke up again. "And how is Li Meng, may this one so inquire?"
The ship's captain went pale and swallowed hard. "His hand will recover fully, doctor Zhao Yong is fully confident of that. He wasn't sure at first, given how every single bone had been fractured, but they all seem to be knitting cleanly."
"This one is pleased to hear that. And hopefully Li Meng will remember in future not to underestimate a woman of the Joketsuzoku, no?" The girl giggled like a schoolgirl who had just heard a slightly dirty joke from a beloved confidant.
"I'm sure he will! If you'll excuse me, miss Shan Pu..."
As quickly as he could, Duan Nianzu fled out the door, which slammed shut behind her. Indifferent to his departure, Shan Pu took a quick taste from the food she was preparing, nodding to herself before adding a sprinkle more of salt.
'Finally, Japan! Vile red-headed wench... you shall pay for humiliating me before my village! Upon my honor and my life, I will not rest until I have defeated you, or perished in the attempt!'
