The Following events take place nearing the modern day, over the course of a few weeks [ largely to fit travel ], and detail the talks and proposals between the Imperial Fire Country and the Land of Tea, in the shifting political climate.
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A letter rested upon the table in the private OASIS apartment of SENKAKU, the man otherwise known as Hatake Masahiro. Correspondence from the Land of Tea, the broken seal of their Daimyo lain upon the envelope. It was an official invitation to the Capitol, to discuss matters in person. The invitation Masahiro had worked feverishly alongside three others to secure. A chance to discuss the recent political changes in the world, and their shifts since he had returned. To bring a sense of normality to their nations' ties, perhaps even to cement them together.
Though as Masahiro looked over the letterhead again, his eyes caught the formality by which he had been addressed.
"Emperor Hatake." He mused.
Even a few years after the fact, the weight still sat awkwardly upon the Hatake. Emperor, Daimyo. The words tasted bitter in his mouth, they chafed his lips as he spoke they, and while he knew it could one day pass onto his shoulders, he never truly expected it in his life. It made his new life difficult, he reconnected with the few people he truly wanted in his life, and the one strand he wanted the most he had to play a social game around, due to the organization of OASIS and their perceived neutrality. He didn't spend too much time in the capital, however, he preferred his small apartment in the OASIS Complex and the anonymity that donning the mask of SENKAKU occasionally afforded him. Worse yet, he still felt that he had betrayed Sonyo by waiting to reveal the truth to her, and feared that it could damage their relationship.
But it was out now, if ever he were unmasked while he worked with OASIS, his position among them would be jeopardized. No matter the financial backing the Fire Empire contributed to the organization, in 'Charitable Donations', even before the Emperor found the truth in who ran the outfit.
He placed his fingers upon the mask of SENKAKU and sighed.
"Well, good friend. Looks like I cannot leave who I am behind, at least for a little while. The tensions between nations grow, and I'll do what I can to maintain peaceable solutions." Masahiro, Emperor of the Lands of Fire, said behind a sigh.
Adorned in a more regal outfit than the man found comfortable, he made to exit his apartment and headed for the main causeway of the OASIS Complex. His heart heavy and his mind settled as he mentally reviewed the territory maps he had spent weeks discussing and pored over with his top advisers. He spoke with the Board Members and briefly with NIGHTINGALE which regarded the nature of his boarding at OASIS and his journey abroad.
As the Flame Emperor left the OASIS Headquarters, he outstretched his arms and let the winds of River Country wash over him, the mountain air brisk. His retinue appeared in short order, all in response to the summons he placed before he crossed the threshold. Guards, courtiers, and 'friends' all. He sighed at their arrival, a step too far to go back now, but, as he had told the Ghost of Konoha, there is an Honor in Duty, a oneness and completion. Something Masahiro had to rekindle in himself and a matter pressed to be corrected, for everyone involved.
The days of travel to Tea didn't particularly tax any member of the parade, as the procession took first the roads to Takumi, and then the sea-route through the Hanguri Gulf. Arrival into the lands and traversal was different. The general feel of The Land of Tea was calm and reminded the travelers of home, temperate forests, birds called, and a calm sea-wind blew across the few open fields. As Masahiro and the men and women in his guard had arrived across the peninsula from Degarashi Port their journey to the Capitol made way through various locales and met challenges and faces that questioned the purpose of an Imperial Power in the neutral territory. Ultimately, the journey remained successful, and the Emperor would arrive in the Port Capitol of the Land of Tea, where he presented his invitation to council with the Daimyo of Tea.
It was as Masahiro remembered it here, calm, collected, and it moved perpetually, over things minor and major. The towering structures of the Tea were a testament to their nature, and the Hatake insisted to his retainers that craftsmen of the Flame must study under alongside those of Tea for the renovation of the palace, were he to live in it.
As the Tea Daimyo's own retainer appeared before Masahiro and his procession to bid them further, the Hatake bid his retinue remain behind as he first began discussions.
"It is good to finally meet, in something more than just prose and calligraphy. Though, your penmanship is excellent." Masahiro remarked.
β±β°β±When the great Daimyo of Fire Masahiro Hatake stepped into the immaculate palace he was greeted by the retainer who bowed deeply and respectfully. "My Lord, it is an honor to welcome you to the palace of Lord Chahito. If you were not previously informed, our former Lord Midorihito passed away but a fortnight ago and his heir ascended to the throne of our great nation. His Majesty will receive you in his most marvelous garden." After the formal introduction he would lead Lord Hatake and his cohort to a sliding door just before the throne room and traditional meeting place for matters of foreign relations.
The Fire Daimyo would be met with quite the sight when the massive garden was revealed. In the center of the garden was a calm and gleaming green river with an incredibly aromatic scent. As he was led deeper in the garden towards the river it would become increasingly clear that the river was not water, oh no, but in fact green tea. A massive wooden boat would be revealed to him with Lord Chahito seated in a throne from an exalted position overlooking the river. The boat was filled with dozens of finely dressed concubines. Two of which were seated on the daimyo's lap stroking his goatee. The attendant would gather the fire daimyo on the gondola and personally paddle them to the main boat. When Chahito snapped his fingers one of the women on the boat would retrieve a cup and fill it with the green tea from the river. One of the women on his lap would hold up a mirror to his face as he obsessed over his appeared. He continuously rubbed his eyebrows to make sure that he looked absolutely perfect. The woman who retrieved his tea presented it to him for his refreshment. Once Masahiro would board the massive gondola the women would prepare a table for him with a cup of tea provided from the river. The attendant who transported Masahiro from the palace would speak. "Lord Masahiro Hatake of the Fire Country, I am humbled to introduce you to His Perfect Majesty Lord Chahito." A sinful smile crossed Chahito's lips as he stared down upon his guest. But this mischievous smile quickly faded away for a facial expression of pure superiority. He dismissively stared at his fingernails before speaking. "Lord Hatake, I must confess that I'm surprised to see you in my court considering your lack of birthright to your position as sovereign of the Fire Country." The daimyo had an acute disdain for commoners such as Masahiro Hatake, especially one who managed to attain such a position. It was outrageous!
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It was an excess, to say the least, a far cry from the last time Masahiro had been to the Land of Tea during his tenure as Hokage, when Lord Midorihito had served as the Tea Daimyo, and he had been called upon to settle a dispute and post a cadre of missions from these lands among Konoha. The river of tea was a unique idea and played to their unique status in the world... but, the other habits and peculiarities the Hatake noticed as he wandered amongst the garden were immediate. The lavishly dressed concubines settled for his pleasure and vanity. A sign of his conquests and a faux dominance, signaled by monetary worth, not in personality, in prowess, or actual accumen for combat or strategy. The princeling was young and virile, however, so such a fault could be have been easily overlooked had his hubris not fed into the matter.
He bore himself so far separated from the others, placed upon the river of tea, a lone island that his servants must bear guests to, the be allowed to stand below his countenance, to watch as the young women paw and caress him. As they lavish upon him attentions the standard man may never receive in his lifetime. It was a ploy to jealousy, a command of power, it was a demand for respect.
It made Masahiro grow bored.
The Emperor of the Lands of Fire and Wind bowed graciously to the man who introduced the Daimyo of Tea. But as the Daimyo himself was given a full introduction, he faced him with a now bored expression. Lost was the respect he held in lieu of the man's father, and silent were his lips. He listened without a turn to anger or frustration as the man spoke his own vitriol for the Hatake.
"You find yourself surprised that I am here, as I lack a birthright to hold the title of Sovereign of my nation? Yes, I may be of a humble home, born in the Konohagakure Forest, and my life spent in service as a shinobi. For many years I served even as one of the Kage. Yes, my hands have toiled, but by no means is my blood any less righteous than yours, Lord Chahito." The Hatake said as he sized up his fellow and took a half-step forward, his heels now closer together, but his form relaxed, calm, regal.
He took a deep breath and shifted his shoulders back in such a way that the exhalation shifted his long-vest across his frame and removed all the wrinkles from the fabric. His outer coat furled and straightened, the gold-toned inner fabric caught the light as he relaxed.
"I came here that we might discuss matters of actual import. But, if this is what you wish to open the floor with." He spoke softly, crimson eyes locked on the man.
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For a second, the glittering gold interior of Masahiro's coat shone brightly, in a way that someone could easily mistake it for glare from the sun. But no, it was a seal activating, woven in to the very fabric of the garment. In a breeze of faintly earthy smelling wind, a woman appeared at Masahiro's side; her eyes were a sharp tawny color and her hair was the color of burning embers; she was rather unassuming otherwise, despite her exotic clothing and the giant book tucked under her arm. It took her no time to bow to both emperors, the bow deep and respectful-- she had learned very many things from Wulfram about niceties here south.
After a heartbeat, she straightened again. Though her sudden appearance would probably confuse the rest of the court in front of her, Masahiro would know the reason. He had exited her sensory range, and she had become uncomfortable with the situation. Needless to say, it was probably better she was here regardless. The older woman cleared her throat, eyes narrowing slightly at the puffed up bird of a man staring at Masahiro like he was trash under his feet. With a calm voice, she spoke out calmly but clearly. "Excuse my rude interruption your imperial Majesty, but I have information Lord Masahiro is too humble to reveal-- something that must be unknown and foreign to someone as grand as you, and I do apologize again."
Her expression did not change, but the fainted mischevious ripple glimmered in her eyes; she did so love The Game.
"Lord Masahiro is not a commoner by birth, nearly by upbringing. He is of the third royal branch of the land of fire, giving him more than enough credit to the throne. That is, not to add the many duties he upholded to the people of his country; in service, sacrifice, and in merit. I do not blame the late lord for finding him a much more suitable successor over his selfish and rather unsightly son." A hand pushed a stray strand of wavy ember from her face, her eyes closing to let out a soft sigh. "I do not blame you, for your lack of knowledge-- you can only be good at so many things, and researching doesn't seem to be your court's strong suit." The tone of her voice was light, humorous-- it was only a joke, right? It must be.
Her eyes searched over the concubines in tightly veiled disgust, the corner of her mouth twitching only for a moment.
β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β When you're dead there'll be no grave to remember your nametab-tabYour greed brings your end and there's no one but yourself to blametabtabtabtab
ββββββββββ P A S S I V E S ββββββββββββββββββββ
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2019 9:25 am
β±β°β±He avoided eye contact with the daimyo as he responded to his barb. Chahito continued staring into the mirror and fussing over any misplaced strands of hair "Handsome, beautiful, gorgeous, Evergreen's gift to mankind." He thought as he continuously stared into the mirror and half-listened to his sovereign guest. When Lillian spoke up he looked down at the delegation from the Fire Empire and audibly scoffed. "A woman speaking in court, how quaint." The concubines sitting on him laughed after the one to his left was suddenly pushed off. He pushed her so hard that she fell off the boat directly into the tea river. The Tea Daimyo then snapped his fingers while Lillian spoke. "Another!" As the woman he pushed swam back to the boat another concubine would immediately take her place. The one who did was his absolute favorite and would frequently be of service to sweeten Chahito's otherwise sour mood. Captivated by her beauty he pulled her onto his lap and began intimately kissing her as Lillian spoke. He then lightly pushed her away to speak, the guests would be able to hear the smacking of lips as he did so. "Yes, yes, I'm sure you're all very proud of your peasant daimyo. I was merely observing the...curiosity of his low upbringing before becoming the daimyo of the largest land empire in the world. Now then, Lord Hatake, tell me what matters you wish to discuss." Chahito's tone was impatient and rushed. He merely wanted to get this meeting over with as soon as possible so that he may return to his party.
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"Quaint indeed, if you are a lord of a Nation that views itself as recursive and back-water. Women have sat among the ruling elite of our countries for generations now. Though, I can see your opinion does little in regard to extending belief in that regard." Masahiro spoke in an even tone as he gestured with a singular hand, dismissive of the princeling upon his throne.
The man demanded another woman provide herself for him and Masahiro watched as one approached and took her place amid his lap. The Hatake sighed and motioned to Lilian to present him the map of the Islands, which he would succinctly take from her book as he awaited her further annoyed response to the man. He knew, if he could barely keep a level response, she would soon be at bursting. The Emperor sighed and his eyes fell upon the man's mirror.
Vanity.
"Your father left many gifts to this world, great art, poetry, and a presence for living. But you, dear boy, are not one of his best gifts. Your father may have been incandescent, but he did not pass his selfsame radiance down unto you." An insult, for an insult.
"But, we came here not to speak solely of philosophical matters, or beliefs." Masahiro returned to point.
"I've come to talk about a great many things today, tell me first, how responsive is your military? Have they reported to you, that the Fire Imperial Army has staged forces on the northern border of Tea, alongside our side of the boundary? Or how an Imperial Regiment has been practicing Amphibious assault actions on the beaches of Wind Territory across the Hanguri Gulf?" Masahiro questioned, his eyes shifted between the Tea Daimyo and his retainer.
He knew if one didn't have an immediate reaction, the other likely would. They had been innocent enough exercises, meant to explore different terrains for their armed forces and in years prior would have been done jointly, but in the eyes of a paranoid and provoked leader, this could be a tipping point.
"How steady is your mercantile class in the current airs? Are you aware of the weakness that you face in sending ships through Kanashii Bay or Hanguri Gulf, that if any nation with a stronger naval presence moves into the bays you are effectively blockaded? Tea has no acting Shinobi Class, nor standing Hidden Village, which is how your father and I actually garnered our friendship. He came to Konohagakure no Sato for services routinely during my tenure as Hokage, and opened an alliance with the Land of Fire." Masahiro reprimanded, his eyes taking an iridescent red sheen.
"One you are now quick to snub over the perceived lowborn status of a former Hokage. Do you know you currently stand in the midst of Eight Shinobi? You sent your guards away, but kept concubines and a handful of retainers to keep a meeting to discuss foreign policy through which you have only given insults." The Emperor sighed as his eyes turned to the man's mirror.
"I came in the best of intentions, for all of our nations, Lord Chahito. I come to make an offer of acceptance to you, to extend to you our Militaries and the ability to call upon our unified Shinobi Villages. That our interests, mercantile, military, and accessory might be protected from those without who might seek to use the division between them to their advantage. It was a union your father saw good worth to, and invited me here to discuss at length, even in his failing health." Masahiro chose his words carefully.
He did not want to use Lord Midorihito's own cautions on his son's distates for the people and his view of a unified Nation being more prosperous for Tea Country's long-term survival. Masahiro wanted to implant the man-child in a Mayoral Role, mandating the Imperial Rule, but maintaining his family's inherent ties to the land, without breaking them of their homeland. He knew all too well, that should Midorihito have been so stricken that he faded before his procession arrived for the meeting, his staff had to have witnessed their prior discussions. This placed the Emperor and his kindness in an awkward position already.
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Torture Me Softly
SEE YOUR PROFILE IN ACTION CHICA!
Ephemeral Ozymandias
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Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 7:56 pm
β±β°β±Chahito kept his favorite concubine on his lap as he firmly pushed the one to his left away. She too fell off the banister of the most exalted portion of the hand-crafted wooden boat before plunging into the green depths. His hands wandered over the voluptuousness in front of the fire daimyo with no reservation. However, despite this, he maintained fervent and unflinching eye contact with his allegedly royal guest to a clearly uncomfortable degree. Once Masahiro finished, Chahito's petulant smirk abruptly hardened into a wrinkled lip of pure disdain. The retainer scribbled into his notes frantically to keep the minutes of the meeting and the intricate geopolitical details that Masahiro was able to recite with ease.
Chahito stood from his throne firmly and shoved the woman to the floor beside him. He stood behind the front banister and placed his hands together. "Am I aware that I'm in the presence of eight shinobi? Am I aware that Fire Country troops are encroaching on my borders? Am I aware that I have only whores and no guards? Oh, what can I do?! Art I powerless before the shinobi world's demands for submission?!" His voice deepened deliciously and boomed authoritatively as Masahiro drew his full attention. Each question he asked escalated in volume and sternness as though he were speaking to persons at a further distance than Masahiro. Chahito's eyes narrowed on Masahiro's cohort and he dropped his voice's volume as he spoke once again. "Why, I'm delighted you asked..." Suddenly, he clapped both of his hands loudly above his head not once, not twice, but thrice. Instantly, all of the immaculately dressed women revealed bladed fans. The folding of steel could be heard as the fifty or so concubines pointed their beautiful weapons at the eight shinobi. In tandem, two dozen guards from a large door below the throne's perch. They immediately encircled the shinobi with pointed scimitars.
He lowered his arms and tensed his eyebrows before snapping his fingers at his secretary. Immediately, the attendant fired a blue flair into the sky. In mere moments, a full band would be revealed on the shore of the tea river to the left. Dozens of brass instruments and even, somehow, a grand piano along with a myriad of other instruments began playing a very upbeat song as loudly as possible with superb talent. Once the catchy beat was established, the guards and armed concubines began an intricate dance on the boat beneath where Chahito stood but kept their weapons and sights focused on them. "You're in my world now, not your world, fools!" Chahito spoke up over the music with a musical tone in his voice before he began dancing himself. The attendant would then vocalize with a surprisingly buttery singing voice as well. "βͺβ« Lord Chahito's the greatest daimyo of all time! He's greater than his father's prime! He'll dispatch with you, slime! He's our perfect majesty that generations have been leading to! He's the tea country's miracle! Don't you be cynical! Who's our leader?! β«βͺ" The previously quiet and studious attendant focused all of his vocal power into the clearly prepared lyrics.
If the shinobi company looked around them on the river they would see battle boats enter the tea river with even more synchronized dancers and soldiers. A truly grand display of military might completely surrounded and overwhelmed them. Every soldier mightily yelled at the top of their lungs. "CHAHITOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The cannons would then raise into the sky and shoot fireworks that exploded as the song reached its fever pitch. It was becoming increasingly clear as the fireworks illuminated the sky spelling the kanji of Chahito's name that the apathetic ruler did, in fact, prepare extensively for the meeting. Once the fireworks were being dispatched into the sky, Chahito jumped off the bannister and surprisingly managed to stick the landing before dancing along with his guards and concubines. He remained in the center of them until the song ended and the concubines who surrounded him suddenly knelt and waved their free hands toward him. Chahito held his arms out in front of him in a display of his own greatness. "β«βͺ Now I know you're...satisfiiiiiiiiiiiiiiied! β«βͺβ«βͺβ«βͺβ«βͺβ«βͺβ«βͺ" Chahito would sing the finale of the song and the grand show until the music sharply ended.
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The Emperor of Fire relished in the over-dramatized reactions that Chahito embellished upon, it meant that the Tea Daimyo wasn't oblivious to the world around him. He was annoyed at the way he had treated the women at his beck and call, but perhaps there was some hope. He had garnered the man's attention, and this was reflected in his sudden change in demeanor. But Masahiro felt something shift. There was derision in the man's voice that hadn't been there before, a vicious mockery and contemptuousness. His voice lowered as he focused on Lillian and brought his hands up to clap, upon the third clap the concubines drew their fans to reveal they were bladed weapons, and guards filled the room from beneath the throne.
The other shoe had fallen.
Masahiro's otherwise apathetic expression had not changed. He felt the aggression in the air, watched as the forces prepared themselves, and he began to channel chakra down into his arm towards his wrist as he placed his wrist upon the hilt of his katana. Eyes narrowed and prepared for the first movement from any of them.
Snap As Chahito snapped his fingers at one of his retainers, a blue flare went skyward, musicians entered the room, and a swell of music filled the area and Masahiro turned his gaze to Lillian and the rest of their procession.
They had begun a musical number, at least the retainer could sing. Chahito's aggression had faded into pomp, and Masahiro watched, with chakra still primed into his wrist, his crimson eyes danced between the forces of his 'host'.
When the battle-boats arrived, Masahiro held his stance and turned his view keeping Chahito and the guards in his peripheral, but the boats at the forefront. An oddity in the manner was that was still no more heightened aggression. Just what was this man's game?When suddenly the cannons fired and the Kanji for Chahito burst into the sky, Masahiro cocked his head to the side, his expression still unbothered. Internally he was confused.
As the retinue which surrounded the Emperor balked and watched the spectacle with varied reactions, some reached for weapons, others pressed for caution. Masahiro sighed. His left hand crossed his chest and brushed debris from shoulders, before he adjusted the waist of his longvest. His crimson eyes locked on those of the Tea Daimyo as the song ended. Such a spectacle, prepared to summon on a whim, resources pumped directly into his virtue of self-importance, and rampant abuse of the women who served to titillate (and act as his immediate defense). Guards stationed on his personal vessel in case of such a meeting. Battle Barges, their artillery cannons loaded with an impressive firework display, self-centered as everything else, but obviously meant to showcase his wealth and active flexibility in this situation.
Masahiro couldn't bring himself to laugh at the obvious complex the man had, himself at the centre, and everyone else after, if at all.
"Were talent and not heredity the key issue, I'd daresay your retainer should be Daimyo. Though as I now understand, your father was correct about your propensity and general disposition of the people. He had hoped to formalize treaties with Fire, before his unfortunate passing, I'm guessing to course correct Tea from..." The Flame Emperor turned his back on his host and motioned to the extreme levels of excess "this madness, the madness you've wrought in such short time Chahito."
"The armies that 'encroach' on your territory, are stationed in the wooded borderland of our nations and in the Hanguri bay. Detachments of your own, albeit much smaller, armed forces, are training with mine already in both locations. As they have for years, as our militaries have done in joint venture. Were anyone actively across borders, it would be the Tea soldiers we actively invite yearly." Masahiro spoke, his voice clear as his voice commanded over the room.
"You did only surround yourself with courtesans, I have a distaste for the word whore but if your kunoichi would accept that from their lord, so be it. I give you credit on a good feint, guarded in plain sight, as a lecher, with a few dozen more guards all stowed below deck." The Hatake chuckled and stared at Lillian. "Perhaps I'll utilize that concept better.
"But you failed to account for the largest issue here. Yes, I only brought a known entourage of eight, and you've seen a couple are no better than "D-Class" in some arts. The greater half of my retinue would be considered no less than "A-Class" Shinobi, capable of great devastation. Whereas your soldiers currently command a numerical superiority, the Shinobi and Fire Imperial Guard command power." Masahiro's red glare continued to investigate the whole of the situation.
His gaze turned outward once again, towards the barges, the band, and every Ryo misspent on an ounce of power and renown the man-child did not live up to.
"You've spent this much money on yourself. Your Ego. How much did you put into the importance of the villages, into securing proper fundus for your city? How much of what you have made as Daimyo has gone into repairs and construction efforts? Societal structure? Do your people eat cake when there is no bread? Is that why you cower in this Ivory Tower, grasping the thin veil of a fading heavenly mandate?"
ββββββββββ P A S S I V E S ββββββββββββββββββββ
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Torture Me Softly
SEE YOUR PROFILE IN ACTION CHICA!
Ephemeral Ozymandias
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Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 3:42 pm
β±β°β±Chahito clapped his hands again as Masahiro delivered his response to the befuddling display. The Tea Daimyo still appeared annoyed as he looked around. He looked at both of the corsairs and behind him before refocusing on Masahiro. After his claps, he walked toward Masahiro before a table was gathered from the room under the throne. It was sizeable enough and some of the courtesans also gathered comfortable seating. The table was placed between Chahito and Masahiro as the more official negotiating table. The retainer unraveled a sizeable world map between them. "If only I had the genius strategic mind of Lord Chahito then I might've been a good daimyo!" The retainer said in humble response to the Fire Daimyo's complement towards him and derision of Chahito. When Masahiro continued his statement Chahito took his seat and visibly waved away the insults that were oh so beneath him. "Madness you say? There's nothing more orderly than what you've just seen. But perhaps you'd understand that if you weren't such a stale dullard!" Chahito was prepared to begin the negotiations mainly to just get this boring creature off his boat.
When Masahiro began talking about the might of his shinobi Chahito yawned audibly over his statement. "Oh yes, we should all be afraid of you shinobi. If I recall correctly, a bunch of non-chakra wielding soldiers from the UHV crushed all of you. Now you're down to two middling villages." He spoke sarcastically and condescendingly to the shinobi before him. Chahito had an acute disdain of the shinobi and their need to constantly throw their weight around. When he asked his final derisive question Chahito stroked his goatee. "Thus far, I only have sixty-nine personal palaces and resorts. A favored number of a man of love such as myself." Chahito laughed loudly at his naughty joke before his cohort of guards and concubines joined in along with humorous applause from his advisor. Suddenly, the sound of more instruments would be heard as another boat filed with exotic animals and more dancers finally entered the tea river. Chahito rubbed his temples and made the same expression of frustration as earlier. "Stop! Stop, you fools! The show's over, you were late with the animals AGAIN!" He yelled as he waved his arms and stood up from his seat at the negotiating table. The attendant immediately fired a cancellation flare into the air. Chahito stared with an impetuous look toward his advisor. "This is the third time this week they've been late with my animals! Just...throw them in jail or something until the next meeting!" The attendant bowed before issuing an order to some of the guards to alert the city authorities to round up the animal handlers. When Chahito sat back down it was clear that the boatful of elephants, giraffes, flamingos, and more was being quickly turned back around to port where the handlers and dancers who were late to his glorious performance would be apprehended and imprisoned. "In any case, I'm not here to lick your boots. If you want my glorious country's allegiance then I have one requirement. If you don't agree to this measure then you can leave." He snapped his fingers again at his attendant before he pointed a long pointer stick at the map. "Our Perfect Majesty Lord Chahito intends to comply in good faith with allegiance to the Fire Country if and only if you give the Tea Country full access to the Whirlpool Islands." His pointer circled around the islands before Chahito chimed in again. "I don't want the big island Awashijima after Kogarashi turned it and Uzushiogakure into a pile of ash, on the Fire Country's watch, I must add. However, I want full access to the surrounding smaller islands. The volcanic ash from the disastrous eruption on the main island is sure to enrich the soil of the surrounding islands even further in the coming years. I also require the homes of several of the...natives as new property for my fifteenth spa and water resort and first one out of my own territory. I think those isles will do quite nicely." After he made his pitch he clapped again as the concubines brought a giant fan to cool him off and fed him grapes by hand.
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"Those terms can be... amenable. As many of the natives have already been displaced by the volcanic eruptions of the main island, I will readily grant you three such islands. Whose populations have been most affected by the events, and whose families can be readily transferred to other territories within the Empire. There are places among the island chain that I am bound not to entreat upon without representation of the Uzumaki Clan Head." He pulled a scroll from his sleeve and pointed to the map the islands he offered to the Daimyo.
Masahiro had no such demeanor as the Daimyo, the courtiers that came with him came under different pretense. Knowledge of different sections of Fire and Wind's geopolitical data, and of trade structure between their nations. Where the Tea Daimyo had lavished himself, Masahiro was rather conservative. He perked up slightly from his less than interested mood and tilted his head as he spoke to the Tea Daimyo.
"In return the armies and Shinobi of the Fire Empire will protect Tea Territories and ventures, markedly better than during my predecessor's era. Effective immediately, you will become the Governor of the Imperial Flame's Tea Country. Your Palatial estates will be considered personal properties, I will not seek to claim any of your estates for Imperial use, while you still inhabit them." His eyes danced among the various figures in the garden, a thin smirk slowly drawn upon his lip.
The offer took Tea Country as a Vassal State, it allowed Chahito to seek his own glorious ventures, and they both wrought a peaceful alliance out of the end product. The Hatake sighed and brushed silver hair back from his face, over his shoulder. Chahito was a p***k, but he knew how to hold out. If he had traded blows with Masahiro, the result would not have favored him, but the international view would have soured for the Fire Empire.
Empty can rattles the most, Masahiro couldn't help but contemplate.
"Governance will ease your overall burden, allowing you to focus on your new endeavors in the Whirlpool Islands. Otherwise, I assume your overall role in governance should change little, aside relegating to the will of the Empire. Had I another wish in you immediate court, your retainer..." Masahiro motioned to the humble man "I would ask appointed Lieutenant Governor or liasson to the Empire, he has a humble demeanor and is loyal to your people."
The Emperor pointed to four points on the map, three undeveloped locations and one city with military importance to the defense of Hanguri Gulf and Kanashii Bay. He tapped twice on the city.
"The Empire will establish a military presence in these locations. Naval and forward operations outposts, until such a time as we can install proper base infrastructures. Considering the long-established history between our militaries, joint operations should fold together with minimal fuss. This presence secures our newly jointed borders against invasion or blockade in the Bay and Gulf."
"In keeping with Foreign Relations, the pacts with the Hojo and Nanbara islands will remain. Their neutrality will be assured." Masahiro cautioned.
ββββββββββ P A S S I V E S ββββββββββββββββββββ
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ββββββββββ J U T S U - U S E D ββββββββββββββββββ
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Quote:
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 11:28 am
β±β°β±The princeling listened with pleasure to the terms outlined by Masahiro. He gleefully twirled his goatee and leaned back in his seat and thought quietly to himself. Beautiful, with the Whirlpool islands I'll easily be able to set up new farms and plantations. I'll quickly turn a profit around and it'll be just what I need to pay down the debt from my palaces." Chahito knew that the massive amount of volcanic ash would surely be increasing the fertility of the already quite fecund archipelago. Who says that it is impossible to bounce back from a tragedy? He fantasized about the money that would pour in from such a venture and the possibility for massive volcanic hot spring resorts for his personal use. Chahito listened just enough to understand that he would be made governor of the country as a subordinate province of the Imperial Flame. There would be a complete imperial military presence in the Tea Country which also behooved him. "I require a significant portion of your forces assigned to the capital to garrison this palace in case the plebeians ever take up arms against me." Chahito needed such a military presence to double which would be more than enough to bolster the security of his place in the regime. He said between grape feedings as he waved his hand for more vigorous fanning. Chahito also retrieved the tea-leaf shaped personal fan from his coat pocket and gently waved it on himself. He also considered the proposition of naming his retainer as the lieutenant governor. "You've been a faithful servant, I name you, Isao Yamada, lieutenant governor and my heir until a...legitimate son is born to me." Chahito was aware of the immense volume of b*****d children that he inadvertently conceived. He was not yet married and with the regular assassination attempts on his life, he considered this a wise decision. He was also satisfied with Masahiro's commitment to leave his personal properties alone. "Yamada will attend every imperial council meeting and I'll attend ones that are of interest me. However, I'll be the only leader representing the Land of Tea during all public events and festivities." Chahito had little interest in the prospect of spending too much more time with Masahiro and the other governors unless he needed to necessitate a business deal personally. Meanwhile, it was clear that Yamata felt immense relief at Chahito's cooperation with the deal. The debt he new daimyo had already racked up in such a short time was enormous and he predicted that public resentment would soon follow. Despite this, Yamata was immensely loyal to Midorihito and the well-being of his dynasty including Chahito. "I'm honored my Lord, I shall serve you well." Yamata bowed politely and was already beginning plans on what to do with his new post once the pact was enacted. "Your terms are acceptable to me. I accept them, Emperor Hatake." His tone was clearly flippant. Chahito would then abruptly sign whatever was necessary to facilitate this without much consideration. "If there's nothing else then I've got matters of festivity to attend to." With a devilish smile he would grope several concubines before wrapping his arms around them and walking across the boat. Yamata called for the smaller boat to be prepared for Masahiro and his cohort to leave. He would also stay in case there were other last-minute matters to iron out.
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