You must be registered for see images
Kazumi had spent several days wandering around the markets, getting to know each of the sellers and their wares. She passed the Senju clan multiple times as well, and as it was assumed, selling mostly wooden high qualityt goods. The senju known for their wooden craftsmanship. To Kazumi however, the merchants and market sellers from the Senju clan goods looked to be regular people, not out of place from the other merchants and peddlers around the district. Though, Kazumi guessed that to survive this long in the territory without having been found out yet they would have to be experts at hiding their business to do with overthrowing the Shogunate. A week later, Kazumi walked up to one of the Senju peddlers and inspected his good.
Ah yes can I help you Ma'am? Ive seen you stop by several times before, anything particular you're interested in?
Kazumi paused, it was time to be tactful.
Hmm well I'm looking for a present for my sister, it's her birthday and I've heard that the Senju are the best at wood crafting! So I thought I would come directly to you. Perhaps this beautiful table
Kazumi said gesturing to the table in the corner.
Ah well yes, we Senju take pride in our work, and have been blessed with great land that produce beautiful trees. Unfortunately we have had to cut back on productions due to certain... reasons..
The seller said while eyeing one of the Black Ones outside his shop that passed the door.
Hmm perhaps this was a chance to gain some info Kazumi thought.
Forgive me for prying, but what reasons were they? Surely wood of this quality and nature would be a blessing to keep?
It was innocent, but inquisitive. Kazumi wondered if he would take the bait. He did.
Well this land once belong to our entire clan, everything from the peninsular up to the great stone land border. But since the collapse of the freehold we were stretched thin. And so after deciding to move down south we took up the land on the peninsular here. But then things got real messy...
He sighed as he went and poured some tea.
The Shogunate took his army and forcefully took some of our lands. Saying that it was for the Greater Good and that he needed the land to be used to start taking back the rest our the empire.
The merchant Senju spat on the floor at the mention of the Shogunate.
This was all very interesting, so they had a motive, but did they have plans to go through with anything. Kazumi was thankful that the bitter rivalry towards the Shogunate was getting this man to talk. She just needed to push a little more.
But what can you do though? Theres not much hope fighting against the Shogunate. They have powerful samurai warriors and Black Ones. Not many people can fight against them. They even kill shinobi!
Kazumi spoke in hushed tones leaning forwards to the merchant. Appearing sympathetic to his voice like layered honey. A skill Kazumi had perfected in her years with her late Husband.
The merchant looked around quickly as he shut the windows to his shop and closed the door. Kazumi was looking at him quizzically as he did so, wondering what was to happen next. She wasn't worried about her safety, but was more focused on getting the information she needed. Sure this merchant was sympathetic to their cause, but he wasnt the mastermind.
I can see your a lady of impeccable taste, with such a keen eye for oppression and the smarts to know what rightfully should be done.
There was a bit of a mad glint in his eyes now as he whispered softly, the lights almost reflecting the mood seemingly dimmed.
Did you know, the Senju are descendants of once powerful shinobi? We actually still have a few of us that practice the art. We have a skill thats been passed down for generations which actually involves this wood you see around you. See we have the ability to actually create and manipulate wood...
We opened his palm to show that a small block of wood seemed to grow from his hand, expecting Kazumi's surprise. Feigning astonishment behind her confident eyes, she placed a hand to her mouth as she gasped.
But, you must be in danger if they are looking for Senju!
Bah, My lady, we hide well, and although I may be only a small part of our clan, those that have greater strength are hidden very cleverly within this village.
Kazumi's eyes narrowed towards the man. It was time to get the final piece of information she needed.
Looking quickly to make sure the windows shut, she whispered to the merchant, each word layered with sugar and honey to cinvince him of her sincerity.
Please, where are they? I wish to give them my support! surely they could use allies and money?
Hmmm
The merchant drew away slightly, perhaps her words werent exactly what was needed?
Well, I shouldn't, we really should keep this within our own clan, but allies are always helpful and no doubt they'll be needed to overthrow the Shogunate.
Kazumi breathed a sigh of relief internally.
Go to this hotel around the corner. Ask for Akito Shizuo, he is the head of our shinobi. He is the one that is co-coordinating the plans.
The merchant pointed towards the east end of the city.
Kazumi bowed her head towards the man and drew her arms together in her sleeves. Hurriedly exiting the shop, she headed towards the hotel in the end district of the city, the lights somewhat dimmer, and almost vacant. There was noticeably less presence of the Black Ones here, Kazumi guessing the reason why Akito had chosen this area. She finally came to a small tea house with a sign above that said Hotel, and walked inside. There was a little old lady dressed in an emerald green and brown designed kimono.
Kazumi's eyes darted back and forth before approaching the woman, making sure that they were alone.
I'm looking for Akito Shizuo?
Almost immediately a kunai was pulled from her sleeve pointing towards Kazumi's throat. Kazumi could have easily disarmed and disposed of the woman, but that was not the part she was playing so far. She needed to convince them a little longer that she was an ally, a rich princess from the Desert that was here to help.
Who are you, who sent you!
The woman demanded.
I come as a friend
Kazumi said.
I've come to offer wealth and help to the rightful owners of this land
The woman eyed her suspiciously for a good minute before lowering her kunai. Had she actually been trained in proper combat, she would have noticed that Kazumi hadn't even broken a sweat by the threat, but perhaps the Old Lady put it down to Kazumi being calm in any situation for a princess.
Taking Kazumi into a dimly lit back room, even by the district standards, the doors opened to let a plume of smoke sleek through into the hallway. Bowing and taking her leave the Old Woman said
This is master Akito, descendant of the Senju warriors. He is who you seek.
Thanking her and waiting for her to leave the hallway before Kazumi turned back towards the man who was barely visible in the smoke, she knelt down at the table and bowed.
Akito Shizuo, I come before you to humbly offer what I can to your aid. I believe the right people should own and be in charge of this land.
Just a little longer... she thought
The man now that Kazumi had a closer look behind the smoke, was an older male with shaggy black hair to his shoulders, with scrs across his face that had seen many battle. Grizzled and spotted, his stubbe giving him a darker appearance and that of one being tired.
And what, can a princess of a foreign land offer the Senju to help against the Shogunate?
His voice was almost a growl, broken up the smoke, its gruff exterior covering countless battles and fights he had survived. Kazumi almost pitied him. To have fought for so long only to be undone now by a woman.
She stood and bowed once again, taking note of a few scrolls that were strewn about the room.
Well... I can offer you money to hire more warriors or mercenaries, my own soldiers, even as small as they are are highly trained and skilled, trained my my late husband, as well as valuable information on the trading routes between the desert and the Shogunate.
Kazumi started to pace around the room as Akito considered the offer. Thankfully he didnt seem to notice or rather mind her walking around, and slowly moving closer towards him from behind.
That is an interesting offer. And what exactly would you want in retu-
His retort was cut short byt a swift chop to the back of the neck from Kazumi. With a fast strike she had knocked him unconscious as he slumped forwards over the table his pipe clattering down with a soft trickle.
She had the leader of the Senju Shinobi unconcious before her. part of the mission was complete, however she still needed proof of his attack, or plans. But thankfully after a quick browse through the scrolls, she had found what she needed. A strike plan to break through a section of the Shogunates wall that was least guarded. It was good enough. Tucking the scroll into her pouch, she picked up Akito and moved over to the window. A small crack of light was shining through from the mood outside. Thankfully nothing was noticed yet. Gently sliding the window open not to make a sound, Kazumi awkwardly shuffled Akito onto her shoulders as she leaped through the window. Climbing onto the roof afterwards, she figured it would be easier and safer to go along the rooftops to be unnoticed rather than by foot on the ground.
Leaping from one roof to the next proved more of a difficult challenge than she though, making sure she didnt drop the body, last thing she needed was for him to snap his neck and lose her reward.
Thankfully, no alarms were sounded, nobody had noticed and Akito hadnt fallen to his death. Kazumi was standing on the roof next to the Guildhall where she needed to turn the bounty itself in. The building was open 24hours, one of the good things about the Black Ones is that they were always ready for anything. Hoping down into the alley between the buildings, Kazumi edged close to the street corner to make sure no one was coming. A patrol of Black Ones had just passed, though she doubted any of them would give her trouble. Walking out and swiftly into the guild hall, Kazumi placed down Akito onto the chair and looked towards the Black One behind the desk.
I have here a bounty to collect. Akito Shizuo, leader of the Senju Shinobi threatening to overthrow the Shogun, along with evidence of his plans.
Kazumi reached into her pouch and threw down the scroll onto the table. The man behind the desk briefly looked the scroll over before nodding.
Everything seems to be in order. We will be in contact.
With a swift clap, two heavyily armored Black Ones appeared from behind the curtain that was behind the guild master, and took Akito back behind with them. Taking the document that the guildmaster had signed about the bounty, Kazumi head off back to her hotel room to get some rest.