Heyitsjiwon

The Last Bastion: Bunker Chicago

And the only reason he stopped at a several hundred was because he got knocked unconscious by a bullet, which took off his left cheek and left him hospitalized for a few weeks at which point the war was over.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ryuu picked up the book and opened it. The very first thing he noticed was the use of a cipher to encode the content of a part of the book. He had read of people who made such intricate codes and ciphers that they could be considered to be their own language. Thankfully, Ryuu could make some semblance of her writing. It looked like she recorded each transaction twice for some reason, but he could not understand why. However, all the other information was spotless and organized. The ledger began with a summary of Ryuu's holdings and then progressed to show some of the valuations of the entries. The most curious part was her repeating some of the transactions.

Ryuunosuke couldn't help but smile. He then said out loud "Meticulous, the numbers and the details about each transaction. Your ledger leaves nothing to the imagination. However, I find it interesting. That at some point you seem to record two entries per transaction. There must be something you are trying to do. I doubt that you are just recording things twice for the sake of spending time. Still, there appears to be much more complexities that I cannot determine yet because of your special writing system. I must say. Who or how did you learn of this system of creating two entries? I can see that you truly are quite an expert at what you do, and it makes me curious. I have seen older ledgers from past years that were created by Tenzen-san, but he did not have a system like this. Thus, I have to wonder. As the apprentice of Tenzen, how did you learn this?" This woman in front of him was without a doubt someone whose mind was attuned to the world of commerce and numbers. However, why would the branch family decide to send this woman to him when she obviously is an invaluable asset to their finances? Ryuunosuke was wary. The branch family in recent years have been consolidating their power, so the fact that Hana had came from the capital... Ryuu couldn't help but suspect some sort of trap or plan. He wanted to find out exactly why this woman had decided to come here when her skills could easily find her a nice position in any city or under any lord.

Ryuu then added "Excuse me for asking so many questions, but may I also ask. Did you come here willingly, or do you come purely on the basis of Tenzen-san's order?"

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ryuunosuke shook his head at Kanaka and said “There is nothing that you should be apologetic of. After all, a negotiation implies that both parties were trying to come to a compromise of some sort. What was happening here was not a negotiation. You are free to go, Kanaka, if you wish, but once again. There is nothing for you to be sorry about. Just please, next time, have the maid interrupt if there is something important that you wish to talk about rather than just sit right outside the room.” After this comment, Kanaka left the reception room. Then his next guest arrived. Much to his surprise again, the visitor was a young female. This day was just strange and he could not tell if it was strange in a good way or a bad way.

To top of all off, the woman then simply placed a letter in front of him with the seal of the branch family brazenly displayed in front of him. Ryuu took the letter since it appeared to serve as an introduction for this young woman, opened it and read it. After a minute, Ryuu put down the letter and thought “So, old Master Tenzen claims that he is too old to travel and not too old to work? Very well.” He then turned to the woman before him and said “I am Mitsumine Ryuunosuke. You are Hana-san, correct? Tenzen-san spoke well of you in the letter. I welcome you to Genrouuchi. I am sure that you have had quite a journey, and to consider that you traveled alone. I am shocked that Tenzen-san did not have people to escort you. Is there anything that you wish to talk to me about or request, Hana-san?”

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Skylar, my character is already in the reception room.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

It was almost perfect timing that Ryuu's uncle and former regent had entered the room. It somewhat defused the awkward situation. Now was not the time to continue to talk with Touka. A respite was needed. From hearing his uncle's advice, Ryuunosuke nodded and said "Yes, I suppose meeting them at the same time will be fine. Will someone please go and bring them to the reception room? I will see both of them at the same time."

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ryuunosuke's right eye brow was slightly raised. The young woman had implicitly insulted Ryuu, but he would not take it personally. Rather what interested him more was the fact that she did not say what she wanted. It appeared that she only came to see exactly who Ryuu was and what type of person he was. Essentially, he was being studied by this woman and what she saw was not to her liking. Although he tried to make himself a likable figure, Ryuu knew that there was realistically no chance that everyone he met would like him. It just so happened that this person was one of them, which was unfortunate. However, he would rather die before he changed who he was.

Ryuu maintained his eyes on Touka's eyes and replied without blinking "Very well, if there is nothing that needs to be discussed, then this audience is over. If you wish to rest before continuing your journey, then feel free to stay for a bit longer. However, there are other matters that I must attend to." He then finally broke eye contact with Touka and said out loud so that the waiting servant could hear "Bring in the next visitor who requests an audience and remove the table that has been set up." Ryuu then looked at Kanaka and said "Kanaka, if you want, you can keep the silks. After all, it appears that the gift is more befitting to be granted to you." He broke eye contact with her, and then just said "Now, if none of you have anything that must be discussed, then you are all dismissed."

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Hmm, I'm looking for a solution that isn't constrained to picking 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th. I mean this is an open-ended problem. Come on people! I want some creativity!

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

The first major decision to make... oh dear. This should be interesting.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Ryuunosuke could not help but sigh a little. This day was going to be rough. He could already tell. Ryuu walked back to his mat and sat back down in seiza position. He then said "Well, if we all are here, then let us at least take the opportunity to eat together. There’s no need to let the food get cold or go to waste.” He then turned his head back to Touka and continued to say “That is if you do not have anything you want to speak about only with me, Hakurou-san?”

The events that had just occurred were… unexpected to say the least. His first visitor is a young lady, who came from a clan historically known to be very spiritual. However, Ryuu had felt this weird aura coming off this young woman, and this aura has been amplified ever since Kanaka had arrived. The arrival of Kanaka was surprising as well. She was a very strong, independent younger sister. Therefore, the only reason that she came to see Ryuu was for relatively important matters. It was a bit embarrassing that he could not really take care of his younger sister due to her decision to join the miko at the local shrine. In fact, that was one of his regrets growing up. Only if he had been stronger, then she wouldn’t have to have been subjected to such a life. She only did this so that she could support her weak brother, a shame that constantly plagues him to this day.

Still, there was something going on in this vicinity that Ryuu could not fully perceive. However, at this point, he reasonably assumed that what he was experiencing was the radiation of spiritual will from very spiritual sources. Ryuu knew why Kanaka is able to perform this kind of feat, but this Touka girl… she was someone or something to be cautious about. There was much more to her than what meet the eye.

Heir of the Mitsumine Clan

Oh, my question should be worded better. What parts of the territory do the Mitsumine have direct control over? Cause each of the vassal clans technically govern their holdings. For example the branch family oversees the capital currently. I'm curious as to what the main family has direct control over once you accoint for the vassals.