The sun rose on yet another day over the town of Edo. The villagers woke up and got to work on their chores for the day. Some started smithing, others worked the fields, and some simply lay passed out at the bar waiting for the owner to come by and wake them from their undoubtedly lucid nightmares. Above one of those bars, a man stood and strapped on his weapons and gear for the day. He slid a hand through his hair, grimacing a bit. He walked over to a bucket of water, kneeled, and dunked his head in it. Pulling back slowly to avoid splashing everything, he slid his hair back and worked in the curves that he had become so fond of so many years ago. He let the water drip a bit more before standing and making his way to the window and opening the panels to reveal an almost idylic version of a village before him.
Kenzo rested his elbows on the sill, letting the newly risen sun dry his hair for him. Below, people wandered to and fro, including one degenerate person being thrown out the front door by the owner of the establishment that Kenzo had stayed the night in. Kenzo took in the sights, trying to get a read on the place as best he could. Edo was a fairly large town, one that had made him question if he had actually taken a wrong turn and ended up in Kyoto instead. Looking towards the center of the city revealed a large house that was akin to a small castle which was the main building of the Yakuza leadership. the walls were smalll but sturdy with a heavy metal gate that blocked easy passage into the area. Looking in the same direction revealed several members of the Yakuza making their rounds, their blue and white hakama's easily identifying them as members. There were about 4 of them, stopping to help someone set up their fruit cart. Kenzo narrowed his eyes at them, slapping the window sill slightly as he pushed off back into his room.
He walked over to where his overcoat was hanging from a hook, reaching into the inner breasat pocket and pulling out a single parchment. He leaned against the wall, unfolding the paper and giving it yet another read, probably the fifth time he had actually looked at the thing.
Wanted
Members of the Yakuza Clan, based out of Edo.
For the crimes of:
Murder
Theft
Extortion
Kidnapping
Possession and/or use of Illegal Drugs
Arson
The penalty of these crimes is: Death or Capture
Bounty: 200,000 Mon
Bonus: High ranking members of the Yakuza will earn a bonus payout of 400,000 Mon.
A wanted poster from a few towns over, posted by the local militia there on order from their lord. Edo wasn't too far away, and it had the potential to be an easy bounty...or so Kenzo had thought.
He folded the paper up once more and placed it back inside the pocket before donning the jacket himself. He had been in this village for a few days now, and so far had been unable to figure out a way to carry out his job with the least amount of blood and death possible without himself either being captured or dead by the end of it. Sure, he could start running up to these Yakuza bastards, who so far were not exactly standing up to their reputation as thugs and murderers, and start swinging his sword like a mad man, but it wouldn't end well for him. He had already seen a couple of the higher ranking members wandering around and the bonus was more than worth the effort needed to at least attempt capturing them.
If he couldn't figure something out soon, he would have to resort to killing a couple and taking something as proof of the deed. He wouldn't have time to take the entire head, and a simple ear or finger wouldn't do it. Maybe their Hakama? He would have to slice a big enough chunk off to display the Yakuza colors but maybe that could work. Regardless of proof, Kenzo didn't want to resort to killing if he didn't have to. With that mindset, he opened the sliding door of his room and made his way down to the bar below.
He stopped long enough at the bar to fill up his canteen with water, and walked out onto the beaming streets of Edo. Kenzo simply took the time to take a walk, peering into alleys and down streets to get a better feel of the place. He had scouted the entire city when he first showed up, but it was always better to have a fresh mental map in place just in case. Even during his little jaunt through the streets, Yakuza members were thick with their presence. Patrols of 3 or more would pass by him on a regular basis. According to a couple of the locals he had asked, the color of their Hakama indicated their rank. Apparently there weren't many officers, and there were a couple who didn't wear the standard colors of their faction.
Then what was the point? Why have colors if your leaders don't wear them? Seemed kind of redundant to Kenzo but then again he didn't fly any colors save his own. His walk took him past several different places, including the market and even what could be classified as the 'poor' district. Even Kenzo had to admit, Edo's poor district put other village's rich districts to shame. After having spent some time here, Kenzo had to concede that he was having misgivings about this entire bounty. For the most part, he hadn't seen the Yakuza do anything that would consititute a crime, especially to the scale written. Then again, it could be because this is their base of operations and it's the one place they want to be serene and peaceful.
Walking a little further brought Kenzo to the front gate of the Yakuza headquarters, for lack of a better word. A large building a simple step down from an actual castle, and while he couldn't see inside the building he could see around to their yard through the gate, where there sat a single tree, maybe orchard or something akin to that. It seemed like a couple people were standing around it. Without a doubt they had to be some of the higher ranking members of the Yakuza, or at least directly related to them.
Kenzo took a few moments to peer at the gate and surrounding structure. He could try to climb his way over but everyone would see him the moment he tried. The gate was locked so walking right in wouldn't happen without some kind of extenuating circumstance. He could try to lure them out...set fire to a building perhaps? Mix some sake with a burning rag and you have yourself a fire in a bottle. It would draw attention, but would it get those high priced people out from behind their safe walls? Kenzo scoffed to himself and walked away from the building. A fire that would draw their attention would have to be huge and have a massive risk of hurting innocent people. He wasn't willing to do that just yet.
It was only a few steps later that Kenzo's stomach protested it's own gripes, having forgotten to eat anything for breakfast and immediately regretting that decision. A short walk later and Kenzo was sitting at a table with a bowl of hot vegetables in front of him at some restaurant. It wasn't much, and he would have preferred some kind of meat, but it would do him well enough. He was only halfway done his meal when people started yelling outside. At first he thought it was because someone had drawn a sword and was about to do something stupid, instead he glanced out the window to see several Yakuza members running past.
He placed his money on the table and left for the door, exiting and nearly getting trampled by yet another patrol of Yakuza running past him with their hands on their blades. Several civilians were running the opposite direction, and Kenzo managed to grab one of them on the way past. "What's going on?" Kenzo asked quite bluntly.
"We're under attack! Soldiers with naginatas and katanas stormed in and started killing everyone!" The man shouted before shoving Kenzo and running further away from wherever the fighting was happening. Kenzo stared towards the danger for a moment, and saw his opening. The leaders, if they were worth any of the praise he had heard some of these towns people claim, would rush out to help with the situation. In that confusion, he could slip inside and find anyone who didn't go out with the party, subdue them and get them out of Edo. With that in mind, he made like the frightened villagers and ran towards the center of town.
A few moments later and he was at the gate of the main Yakuza building. Almost on cue, the gate swung open and several heavily armed Yakuza members charged out of the building. Before the gate could close, Kenzo whipped through it and drew his Katana expecting to fight some guards left behind. Instead he was greeted with nothing as the gate slammed shut. Not even a single blue and white hakama there to greet him. Were they all gone? Or were they so assured of their safety that they didn't bother with some form of security? Regardless, now would probably be his only chance to scope the place out if nothing else.
He ran forward, katana in hand and burst into the main lobby of the building. The moment he did, he was greeted by the sight of a white haired woman who stared him down as he nearly froze in place. She was armed, her capability not quite evident by her stance or apparel but her eyes spoke volumes. She would cut him down if he made the wrong move, or at least she would try to. Wait...white hair and armed? Makoto's bodyguard? Asuka, if he remembered correctly. Skilled according to the stories, well past the point of being able to subdue her easily. He didn't have time for a prolonged fight if he could help it, there had to be someone else here worth grabbing.
"Fujiwara-san." Kenzo bowed. "I bring word from the fight, more mercenaries have joined the attackers. Makoto-sama and Yoshiro-dono are under heavy attack and require your assistance." He had no idea if this would work, but his blade was already out if it didn't.
The alarm had come quickly inside of the shared home, and it did not take long for most of the Yakuza members to make for the battlefield. They needed to protect their villagers, and it was her father and brother who led the company this time. The both of them had left, leaving Asuka behind to watch over the rest of the village. She would be needed just in case some of the warriors made it passed the yakuza. She believed, however, that would not be the case. She sighed softly before a man came into her sights. She furrowed her brows slightly as he spoke. Makoto and Yoshiro were in trouble?
"Find Shigeru and tell him to keep an eye on the villagers. Tell him to make sure no one gets inside," were the only words she left him with. If she left the place unattended to... she didn't want to think of the consequences. She left him seconds later.
Kenzo watched Asuka leave, staring at the door as it closed for a moment before sniffing and wiping his nose slightly. "That worked." Kenzo whispered to himself as he turned towards the rest of the building. There was at least one more person in here. Shigeru, a lieutenant of the Yakuza if memory served and potentially an easier target than the bodyguard to the Dono's son. Without any more hesitation, he jogged through the building searching every room as he came to them when suddenly he heard the sound of some sort of stringed instrument. Kenzo made his way to the back, exiting the building to reveal a single tree with a man sitting below it and plucking away at a koto. Seeing as there seemed to be no one else in the entire building, this had to be Shigeru.
The man's back was turned, the music was muffling any sound Kenzo could make, and there was no one else around to see him. He pressed forward carefully as he flipped his katana around so that the handlle was facing towards his target. He wanted him alive, then he could haul him out of here while whatever was happening elsewhere in the village was wrapping up. He could steal a horse and be long gone before anyone realized they were missing. Kenzo got within a few feet of Shigeru, who seemed to be blissfully unaware of his presence as he plucked away, and Kenzo readied his strike.
Suddenly something pounced from the tree like a cat, tackling Kenzo to the ground who rolled with the surprise hit and managed to throw whatever it was off of him and get back to his feet. Shigeru turned immediately at the sound to see Kenzo in a battle stance and his blade back at the forefront in his standard style. Kenzo looked over to see someone else, standing from being knocked over. There was a slight smile on the man's lips as he realized he had stopped Kenzo from attacking Shigeru. Kenzo simply swore to himself, he didn't have time for a prolonged fight because there was no telling when the other Yakuza members would be back. He didn't have a choice though, he either left with Shigeru in tow, or he left with nothing to show his efforts. He would be hunted if he stayed here, so with that in mind he charged at his intended target blade at the ready.
He was going to get paid no matter what.
Kenzo rested his elbows on the sill, letting the newly risen sun dry his hair for him. Below, people wandered to and fro, including one degenerate person being thrown out the front door by the owner of the establishment that Kenzo had stayed the night in. Kenzo took in the sights, trying to get a read on the place as best he could. Edo was a fairly large town, one that had made him question if he had actually taken a wrong turn and ended up in Kyoto instead. Looking towards the center of the city revealed a large house that was akin to a small castle which was the main building of the Yakuza leadership. the walls were smalll but sturdy with a heavy metal gate that blocked easy passage into the area. Looking in the same direction revealed several members of the Yakuza making their rounds, their blue and white hakama's easily identifying them as members. There were about 4 of them, stopping to help someone set up their fruit cart. Kenzo narrowed his eyes at them, slapping the window sill slightly as he pushed off back into his room.
He walked over to where his overcoat was hanging from a hook, reaching into the inner breasat pocket and pulling out a single parchment. He leaned against the wall, unfolding the paper and giving it yet another read, probably the fifth time he had actually looked at the thing.
Wanted
Members of the Yakuza Clan, based out of Edo.
For the crimes of:
Murder
Theft
Extortion
Kidnapping
Possession and/or use of Illegal Drugs
Arson
The penalty of these crimes is: Death or Capture
Bounty: 200,000 Mon
Bonus: High ranking members of the Yakuza will earn a bonus payout of 400,000 Mon.
A wanted poster from a few towns over, posted by the local militia there on order from their lord. Edo wasn't too far away, and it had the potential to be an easy bounty...or so Kenzo had thought.
He folded the paper up once more and placed it back inside the pocket before donning the jacket himself. He had been in this village for a few days now, and so far had been unable to figure out a way to carry out his job with the least amount of blood and death possible without himself either being captured or dead by the end of it. Sure, he could start running up to these Yakuza bastards, who so far were not exactly standing up to their reputation as thugs and murderers, and start swinging his sword like a mad man, but it wouldn't end well for him. He had already seen a couple of the higher ranking members wandering around and the bonus was more than worth the effort needed to at least attempt capturing them.
If he couldn't figure something out soon, he would have to resort to killing a couple and taking something as proof of the deed. He wouldn't have time to take the entire head, and a simple ear or finger wouldn't do it. Maybe their Hakama? He would have to slice a big enough chunk off to display the Yakuza colors but maybe that could work. Regardless of proof, Kenzo didn't want to resort to killing if he didn't have to. With that mindset, he opened the sliding door of his room and made his way down to the bar below.
He stopped long enough at the bar to fill up his canteen with water, and walked out onto the beaming streets of Edo. Kenzo simply took the time to take a walk, peering into alleys and down streets to get a better feel of the place. He had scouted the entire city when he first showed up, but it was always better to have a fresh mental map in place just in case. Even during his little jaunt through the streets, Yakuza members were thick with their presence. Patrols of 3 or more would pass by him on a regular basis. According to a couple of the locals he had asked, the color of their Hakama indicated their rank. Apparently there weren't many officers, and there were a couple who didn't wear the standard colors of their faction.
Then what was the point? Why have colors if your leaders don't wear them? Seemed kind of redundant to Kenzo but then again he didn't fly any colors save his own. His walk took him past several different places, including the market and even what could be classified as the 'poor' district. Even Kenzo had to admit, Edo's poor district put other village's rich districts to shame. After having spent some time here, Kenzo had to concede that he was having misgivings about this entire bounty. For the most part, he hadn't seen the Yakuza do anything that would consititute a crime, especially to the scale written. Then again, it could be because this is their base of operations and it's the one place they want to be serene and peaceful.
Walking a little further brought Kenzo to the front gate of the Yakuza headquarters, for lack of a better word. A large building a simple step down from an actual castle, and while he couldn't see inside the building he could see around to their yard through the gate, where there sat a single tree, maybe orchard or something akin to that. It seemed like a couple people were standing around it. Without a doubt they had to be some of the higher ranking members of the Yakuza, or at least directly related to them.
Kenzo took a few moments to peer at the gate and surrounding structure. He could try to climb his way over but everyone would see him the moment he tried. The gate was locked so walking right in wouldn't happen without some kind of extenuating circumstance. He could try to lure them out...set fire to a building perhaps? Mix some sake with a burning rag and you have yourself a fire in a bottle. It would draw attention, but would it get those high priced people out from behind their safe walls? Kenzo scoffed to himself and walked away from the building. A fire that would draw their attention would have to be huge and have a massive risk of hurting innocent people. He wasn't willing to do that just yet.
It was only a few steps later that Kenzo's stomach protested it's own gripes, having forgotten to eat anything for breakfast and immediately regretting that decision. A short walk later and Kenzo was sitting at a table with a bowl of hot vegetables in front of him at some restaurant. It wasn't much, and he would have preferred some kind of meat, but it would do him well enough. He was only halfway done his meal when people started yelling outside. At first he thought it was because someone had drawn a sword and was about to do something stupid, instead he glanced out the window to see several Yakuza members running past.
He placed his money on the table and left for the door, exiting and nearly getting trampled by yet another patrol of Yakuza running past him with their hands on their blades. Several civilians were running the opposite direction, and Kenzo managed to grab one of them on the way past. "What's going on?" Kenzo asked quite bluntly.
"We're under attack! Soldiers with naginatas and katanas stormed in and started killing everyone!" The man shouted before shoving Kenzo and running further away from wherever the fighting was happening. Kenzo stared towards the danger for a moment, and saw his opening. The leaders, if they were worth any of the praise he had heard some of these towns people claim, would rush out to help with the situation. In that confusion, he could slip inside and find anyone who didn't go out with the party, subdue them and get them out of Edo. With that in mind, he made like the frightened villagers and ran towards the center of town.
A few moments later and he was at the gate of the main Yakuza building. Almost on cue, the gate swung open and several heavily armed Yakuza members charged out of the building. Before the gate could close, Kenzo whipped through it and drew his Katana expecting to fight some guards left behind. Instead he was greeted with nothing as the gate slammed shut. Not even a single blue and white hakama there to greet him. Were they all gone? Or were they so assured of their safety that they didn't bother with some form of security? Regardless, now would probably be his only chance to scope the place out if nothing else.
He ran forward, katana in hand and burst into the main lobby of the building. The moment he did, he was greeted by the sight of a white haired woman who stared him down as he nearly froze in place. She was armed, her capability not quite evident by her stance or apparel but her eyes spoke volumes. She would cut him down if he made the wrong move, or at least she would try to. Wait...white hair and armed? Makoto's bodyguard? Asuka, if he remembered correctly. Skilled according to the stories, well past the point of being able to subdue her easily. He didn't have time for a prolonged fight if he could help it, there had to be someone else here worth grabbing.
"Fujiwara-san." Kenzo bowed. "I bring word from the fight, more mercenaries have joined the attackers. Makoto-sama and Yoshiro-dono are under heavy attack and require your assistance." He had no idea if this would work, but his blade was already out if it didn't.
The alarm had come quickly inside of the shared home, and it did not take long for most of the Yakuza members to make for the battlefield. They needed to protect their villagers, and it was her father and brother who led the company this time. The both of them had left, leaving Asuka behind to watch over the rest of the village. She would be needed just in case some of the warriors made it passed the yakuza. She believed, however, that would not be the case. She sighed softly before a man came into her sights. She furrowed her brows slightly as he spoke. Makoto and Yoshiro were in trouble?
"Find Shigeru and tell him to keep an eye on the villagers. Tell him to make sure no one gets inside," were the only words she left him with. If she left the place unattended to... she didn't want to think of the consequences. She left him seconds later.
Kenzo watched Asuka leave, staring at the door as it closed for a moment before sniffing and wiping his nose slightly. "That worked." Kenzo whispered to himself as he turned towards the rest of the building. There was at least one more person in here. Shigeru, a lieutenant of the Yakuza if memory served and potentially an easier target than the bodyguard to the Dono's son. Without any more hesitation, he jogged through the building searching every room as he came to them when suddenly he heard the sound of some sort of stringed instrument. Kenzo made his way to the back, exiting the building to reveal a single tree with a man sitting below it and plucking away at a koto. Seeing as there seemed to be no one else in the entire building, this had to be Shigeru.
The man's back was turned, the music was muffling any sound Kenzo could make, and there was no one else around to see him. He pressed forward carefully as he flipped his katana around so that the handlle was facing towards his target. He wanted him alive, then he could haul him out of here while whatever was happening elsewhere in the village was wrapping up. He could steal a horse and be long gone before anyone realized they were missing. Kenzo got within a few feet of Shigeru, who seemed to be blissfully unaware of his presence as he plucked away, and Kenzo readied his strike.
Suddenly something pounced from the tree like a cat, tackling Kenzo to the ground who rolled with the surprise hit and managed to throw whatever it was off of him and get back to his feet. Shigeru turned immediately at the sound to see Kenzo in a battle stance and his blade back at the forefront in his standard style. Kenzo looked over to see someone else, standing from being knocked over. There was a slight smile on the man's lips as he realized he had stopped Kenzo from attacking Shigeru. Kenzo simply swore to himself, he didn't have time for a prolonged fight because there was no telling when the other Yakuza members would be back. He didn't have a choice though, he either left with Shigeru in tow, or he left with nothing to show his efforts. He would be hunted if he stayed here, so with that in mind he charged at his intended target blade at the ready.
He was going to get paid no matter what.