Somewhere within a park in Tokyo...
The young swordsman rested on his knees, his eyes shut lightly and the world developing slowly around him. This was one of the few public places in the city that was still green and not entirely urban. Birds sung out their hearts up in a tree that shaded him from the midday sun and bugs went quietly on their away around him. This place, although calm at first glance, was truly alive...
Suddenly, the faint sound of drums caught the young samurai's attention and he opened his eyes slowly. The drums were nearing and there was little doubt some wealthy figurehead was on his way to the park. More than likely, he would be cleared from the area, seen as a threat... Ronin were not adored by the more powerful unless they needed an extra sword.
After a few more minutes of the drums coming closer, they were upon him. Nearly twenty men. Guards, drummers, and then those carrying the large, covered platform, a shadowy figure inside. His voice came out softly and it was clear who it was, "Well hello there young samurai. I am Yoshiro Fujiyama, no doubt you have at least caught wind of me?" The daimyo made a motion and stairs were brought over so he could step down, "You are Osamu Tokushima, yes? The ronin who has been seen around this park every day for the past week..." When Osamu gave no response, it made the young boy smile, his bright green eyes looked much like a cat who was tormenting a poor mouse, "Of course you are. It is true what they say about you... About your silence,"
Osamu stood and gave a bow to the daimyo, "I mean no disrespect great daimyo Tokushima, but, if I am allowed, I will leave this place now," He turned to walk the other way but a soft laughter from behind him told the samurai this was going to be more than a 'hello and goodbye' conversation...
"Come, sit with me. We have much to discuss young swordsman," The daimyo, although small in height and younger than the samurai, looked much bigger from the bulky clothing he wore, no doubt a single piece was worth more than the samurai had ever even seen. After they had both taken a seat back on the covered platform, the daimyo spoke, "I am here to recruit you Osamu. I know you need money, I have money. I need a good swordsman, you are a good swordsman,"
Even though he knew exactly what it was about, Osamu asked, "For what? Why would you require someone with only amateur blade skills? I am sure that you could provide yourself with a small army of men, all much more talented than me," Mistrust was in the eyes of Osamu, as it should be; however, his voice showed that he was pleased to at least have company for a time.
The young leader laughed, covering his mouth like a teenage girl would, one thing he was famous for... "So modest... No Osamu, you are right. There are those more skilled than you. However, none quite as... Trustworthy," He took out a scroll, a signed letter no doubt of the 'Will of the Daimyo of Tokyo' which would allow him to travel pretty much unrestrained, and pushed it towards the samurai, "500 pieces of gold, no questions asked, if you can show me the site of Muttsu Doragon's grave,"
The samurai flinched a little... So it was about the Swords of Six Dragon... Part of him wanted to just leave now, he knew that no one would strike him down in public and he could defend himself from whatever wrath the daimyo would send his way... For a time anyway. However, his gut rumbled as the thought of how much food 500 gold pieces could buy him and the samurai closed his eyes, taking the scroll, "I accept your majesty," The samurai stood, bowed, and waited until the platform stopped again.
"I thank you for your time Osamu... I trust that you will not fail me," He gave a little wave a cheery smile before the ronin stepped down off the platform and the vale was dropped again. The platform was carried away to the beat of a drum...