"Well, whoever you heard that from has obviously never landed an attack on me." Kyouka sighed as she undoes the latches on her chestplate, revealing her large breasts encased only by her tight bodysuit. "Well, that's about all the armor I can remove, unless you also want me to fight in the nude?" She said with a grin as she places her breastplate on the ground. Kyouka then takes her stance, "I'm ready when you are." Her grin widens, and once they start the redhead charges at her. Doing an Iai quickdraw to start of their duel.
"Bold, but risky. Especially if you desire to go into conflict with his family - his mother and cousins." He paused as he walked up to the window. "But it could work..." He paused. "Shogun is a leader of armies. You need to be an undisputable leader of armies - that means crushing all opposition."
Midori chuckles. "I wouldn't complain if you did." As Kyouka attacks, the samurai wheels around out of the way, launching her own downwards slash.
"True, though I've not heard that he's a cruel man. A layabout and a wastrel, but not cruel. If you came so far to see him, it really depends on you what happens now. Though he's not at the castle right now. He and his brothers left earlier."
"Luckily for me, I have the greatest general in Hattori as my vassal." She nods at him. "If I can spark off a conflict between the Kampaku and the empress dowager that leaves them in shambles, the way will be ripe for my ascension. The only remaining obstacle would be Lord Minami, but if we can't negotiate with him, I doubt he'd be able to stand up to you on the battlefield. He has wealth and firepower, but little in the way of manpower."
'That's too bad, I just missed them. But even if he tells me to go back where I came from, the trip was not in vain,' Jian smiled, 'It is a charming island and town you call home, so very different from the continent.' He took another sip, 'And the tea is excellent.'
Kyouka's grin widens, sidestepping as Midori slashed downwards. The redhead then steps on Midori's blade, before thrusting her own katana towards her enemy's chest.
After making the way back, they’re left standing outside and she can tell he can’t quite decide on what to do. Not wanting to push him into anything, her hand touches his cheek, letting her gaze linger on him for a few moments. “I enjoyed myself, regardless. I’d love for you to pay me another visit.” Purposefully vague with her thought, she steps away. “I’ll be seeing you.” Opening the door with her key, she stepped back in, contemplating how today went before heading to the upper floor, wondering if Mitsuri was still up, though the powerful yawn she had meaning she was ready to plop down on a mat and sleep. She still had that court thing to take care of which meant there’d by no time for a late sleep, which was annoying.
Almost missing the ferocity of the first draw, and despite herself, Chitsukiko feels heart skips a beat immediately followed by a sense of serene calm as she watches her mentor flow like water from a dodge into a counterattack not allowing the katana to touch her. She's crudely dressed, but it's clear that the red-head is an expert swordswoman. A fact that smarts when comparing it to the samurai ideal that was her opponent. Her nostrils flared slightly, huffing, as she wrapped her arms around the creasing fabric. Her gaze shifted, watching the foot pressing on the tip of the blade, less focused on the thrust than how Midori intended to liberate her weapon.
Jurobei smiles slightly and nods at the compliment. 'Let her think that she is gaining control over me.' he thought. "Fighting alone against three factions might be too much - you might have to consider an alliance..." He said as he looked out of the window, before turning back to look at the woman sharply. "Once you are an Empress, Shogun and mother of future Emperor, what do you plan to do?" he asked curious about her plans, as well as to measure her potential.
"Good night." Clearly, he's not willing to initiate anything without directly hearing her consent. He smiles, and turns to leave. Mitsuri is in her room, packing up some valuables to prevent the store from being robbed while it's empty.
Midori grins back, enjoying the thrill of battle, simply letting go of her weapon and drawing her shorter wakizashi, slashing up towards Kyouka's throat. Chitsuhiko feels her uncle walk up beside her. "Learning?" He smiles, seemingly always cheerful. If he thinks that his favourite sister might soon die in a duel, he hides it well.
"Indeed, but the question remains: An alliance with whom?" Aya looks at him. "I want to change this land forever, craft reforms to strengthen the shogunate. More important than anything else in this land, I want to prevent another period of anarchy from breaking out. As rulers, we have a responsibility to our people, to ensure that they can live their lives in peace. Once peace is secured, I will focus on law and order, the economy, etcetera." She thinks for a moment, as if coming up with an idea for the very first time. "I will send explorers west, so we can find more of the nanban daimyo. By discovering more of them to trade with, we weaken the power the existing nanban nations have to dictate unequal terms with us. How do you find those plans?"
Preserve peace - naive. He thought but didn't say anything. "Peace, while important, will not last. Stability and strong government, staying out of corruption is more important, After decades of peace, centuries even, the government would become corrupt. Sometimes, conflict is necessary to cleanse the tree." He said, then continued. "The idea with breaking Nanban's monopoly is very good - but we will need new designs of boats... we will need Nanban's technology, to make it happen." He paused. "Do not leave the progress in economy and law for the last." He said, but didn't continue that particular subject.
Kyouka grips her sword sheath, before turning on her heel. Blocking Midori's wakizashi with her scabbard. Once that was successful, the redhead delivers a straight kick toward her opponent's stomach.
"Well, when we gain power, I'll be, of course, willing to listen to my advisors." She bows. "Well, I should let you sleep." The shogun turns and begins to walk away.
Midori backs away quickly to avoid the kick, before rushing in for another attack. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" A loud voice reverberates through the courtyard, and Midori backs out of attack range. A large, middle age man enters the courtyard, fuming. "Midori! What in the name of the gods are you doing? Having fights with commoners in front of the whole clan?" Midori goes to speak, only to be shouted down by the man. "Your father left me in charge of this castle, and I absolutely forbid this travesty to go on one more second!" He turns to face Kyouka, bowing. "Madam, I apologise profusely for this incident."
'I'm sure it pays well in returning customers,' Jian smiled at her, as he finised his cup of tea, 'What do I owe you?' He retrieved his string of coins from his jacket.
