Meeting a Strategist [Satsumaru/Open]

[Amakusa Takehiro]

[OoC: Yoshiyuki Satsumaru first, then if anyone wants to join after, they're welcome.]

Out and about and observing his territory, Takehiro was trying to make sure everything was okay within the many villages. He figured he'd check up on every village at least once a month, and he'd try to do this personally, so any repairs or changes that needed to be made, he could see first-hand and get a good estimate of how much it would cost to make them.  This seemed to be the best way of going about things, since it also showed the people the Daimyo cared for them.

At the north of Totomi, near the border to Shinano, Takehiro heard within a village talk of a man who'd assisted the Takeda in the battles of Kawanakajima, and that recently, people had begun to see him around. Naturally, Takehiro's curiosity was piqued, as he sought not only numbers, but skill among his ranks. So he sought out for the man, following every rumor he heard to try and see if he could get a hold of him.

"Yamada!" He chirped, stepping into one of his local taverns. "I trust you've heard some of the rumors circulating around here of late?" He approached the bar, offering the man a smile. He just let out a chuckle, before continuing to clean some of the cups. "What? Don't tell me you believe those stories; rumors are rumors, my lord! For all you know, you could be on a wild goose chase." The Daimyo simple shrugged, laughing himself. It could be true, but it could not. He figured he might as well take the chance, as there was very little to lose, here. "You know me, man. But they say he helped the Takeda in the battles of Kawanakajima. That means he has experience, and experience is something I'd like to have in my ranks."

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

Rather abruptly a small group of villagers dispersed from amidst a crowd. Some formed a circle, masking whatever incident was in the center, while others scurried from the scene with hushed whispers. A few gasps could be heard, but for the most part, a silence gripped the crowd.

In the middle, a tall man stood firm, and emotionless gaze held on his otherwise youthful and handsome visage. Crimson streams fell from the katana still held firmly in his right hand, dripping on the soft earth below. Nearby, a young woman was bowing profusely, though the black-garbed man didn't seem to pay her any attention. His strange red eyes were fixed on the fresh corpse splayed out on the ground, a small puddle of blood growing by the second underneath it.

He wasn't fond of such displays, or the attention they brought, but this one could not be avoided...

"I apologize for the disturbance," was all the man would say, addressing no one in particular, but leaving it open to the frightened onlookers to accept as their own.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

It didn't take long for Takehiro to notice the crowd that was forming, what with the noises they also seemed to be making. He would look over, before turning to Yamada to see if the man knew anything. The barkeep shrugged, evidently clueless, so Takehiro would approach. Gently pushing the crowd aside, the man frowned upon seeing what the big deal was.

"Now I don't know the context of the situation," he began, stopping for a moment. He noticed the woman bowing her head, and maybe that had something to do with it. "so would you be so kind as to explain yourself? Don't want to rush judgment without knowing the details." The Daimyo appeared calm, his glaive sitting on his back. If he really needed to use it, he would, but he doubted it.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

The incident at the marketplace had the whole body of the Totomi militia on alert, much more when it was announced that a new daimyo took over the whole province. The headquarters of the militia was filled with activity, and the newly-appointed head of the militia had his hands full of every detail of the villages. More so when all the people of Totomi were wondering what a child could do about the current situation. But Ichimura Ryunosuke, the current head of the militia, did not mind the criticisms hurled against him. So long as he was doing his job.

The day saw Ichimura Ryunosuke patrolling around the town with some of the militia, disguising as shoppers in the marketplace. The news of the daimyo visiting a village near the Takeda border alerted the militia of the moves of the neighboring province of Shinano, but Ryunosuke thought also that as long as he was patrolling this place, more that his secret could be spilled. But since he cannot disobey the Amakusa, he still patrolled the village.

As Ryunosuke was moving towards another shop to look for someone suspicious, he saw someone running towards the east. Naturally it meant something happened or was to happen, and so he rushed towards the direction, and he saw a crowd of people circling something. He then drew his gun-blade, being alert of everything that might happen. Moving through the crowd of people, he saw a man, holding a bloodied katana, and another man, sprawled to the ground, a puddle of blood forming all round him. With a clear voice that can be heard by the crowd, Ryunosuke said, "What's the meaning of this?"

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

Satsumaru raised his eyes from the dead man on the ground to the two men standing. One looked like somewhat of an authority figure, and given his instinct to question Satsumaru without hesitation or fear hinted that he was an authority figure. The ronin was unfamiliar with Totomi's governing figures, so it was entirely possible this man was a prefect or governor of some sort.

With slow, deliberate movements, the red-eyed warrior cleaned his blade and sheathed it to show that he meant no one else any harm. Clearly, and understandably, these people were rattled.

"I assume you are a man of Totomi. I apologize for this disturbance," Satsumaru echoed to the man, repeating his apology to the bystanders. Even in moments of conflict or tension, he was unwavering in his odd calm and polite demeanor.

Gesturing toward the unfortunate man on the ground, he wasted no time in explaining, "This man was assaulting a young woman nearby. When I caught him in the act, I demanded he unhand her. He refused and took her to the street. When he refused to comply again, I had no choice but to cut him down."

Giving an apologetic bow to Takehiro, the ronin declared, "I am Yoshiyuki Satsumaru, ronin. I may not be an entitled samurai, but I adhere to the code and laws we live by. When a peasant commits a crime against an innocent person, I am as compelled as samurai to punish him. I regret that it ended with his life, but the law dictates worse with less cause, if I were so motivated. I ask your forgiveness if I have caused your people any undue stress."

He sounded methodical and proper in speech, and surprisingly humble and direct. Though he admitted to being ronin, it was fairly obvious that Satsumaru was raised in an upstanding clan of samurai at some point prior to being ronin.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro would listen to the man's story calmly, acknowledging all of the details he brought up. It didn't seem like he was lying. The way the woman was acting, how calm he was, the fact he wasn't running, he didn't kill this man in cold blood. He was also no Maki, he didn't seem to revel in this situation. So, Takehiro believed him.

"Well, Satsumaru -" Takehiro began, lacking an honorific. "- and I mean no offense, honorifics are just not my thing - I believe you. Let's just get this mess cleaned up, eh?" He would usher the people away and pick the body up, before heading out of the tavern. With his head, he would beckon Satsumaru and Ryunosuke to come with him. "So, tell me, Satsumaru," he would start as he began to dig up a grave for the man. "I don't recognize you. And, based on how you're talking, you're not from around here. What brings you to Totomi?"

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

It had seemed that the uproar also attracted the daimyo who Ryunosuke was serving, Amakusa Takehiro. But he also seemed to be calm in analyzing the situation. When the man who had committed the crime uttered his explanation, it seemed that the daimyo understood, and Ryunosuke knew why. If he killed the man without a good reason, he should have ran away from the scene. And since the woman had also not left the scene, it seemed that the woman thought she was safe.

As he saw the daimyo starting to dig up a grave for the man, Ryunosuke stepped in. He said, "I'll do it. It seemed that a good serving of tea would much make the conversation between you and the savior much more intelligible. I will handle the mess while you talk." He then started to dig up the ground using a shovel he had borrowed from another man.

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

"If you don't mind, I would like to dig the grave. I don't like the idea of another man cleaning up my mess," the long-haired mercenary requested, "If I kill a man in single combat and his body requires a burial, it is only proper that I be the one to bury him."

As strange as it was, it was clear from his expression that he was serious. He wasn't a murderer. He was determined to take responsibility for the life he had taken, and - to him - it wasn't fair for local men to dig a grave for a corpse he created. It would make him feel even worse for adding inconvenience to inconvenience.

Satsumaru reached a hand toward Ryunosuke, offering to take the shovel from him, if he were to comply with the long-haired man's request.

Turning his gaze back to Takehiro, the mercenary took a deep breath. Loaded questions, though they were simple and honest enough. "I was born in Kyushu. I came to the East because I was...looking for new opportunities," the strategist answered, "Warfare seems to be my realm of expertise. I became a ronin for hire at a young age, and the Takeda have purchased my assistance in two battles. Minor domains have also contracted me for lesser conflicts, as well. I come to Totomi from Takeda lands for the same reason a leaf finds itself away from the tree: this is simply where my path is taking me."

With a slight shake of his head, he acknowledged, "I have no particular business at hand, other than what you see in front of us."

Gesturing back at the two men, Satsumaru asked, "And who might you two be?"

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro would have protested to Ryunosuke taking the shovel, but it seemed he was adamant about it. The Daimyo wasn't exactly used to being a Daimyo, and he wasn't used to having other people do the smaller stuff for him. Even when he was a general in the Hojo, Takehiro did most of the work and let his men sit back. But these Totomi men, their militia was strong-willed and hard-working. That would take time to get used to.

As Satsumaru spoke, Takehiro listened intently, whether or not Ryunosuke allowed the man to do the digging himself. What caught his ear specifically was that he mentioned he fought for the Takeda, and naturally, the man smiled. If this played out like he was currently assuming, then he was going to be extremely happy. The man the rumors spoke of, this could be him.

"Well, this is the commander of the Totomi Militia, Ichimura Ryunosuke. I'll admit, he's one of the best officers I've got." Takehiro let out a chuckle, patting the kid on the shoulder. "And I am Amakusa Takehiro, the Daimyo of Totomi." Surprisingly, that statement was far from being self-absorbed. Though, there was pride in it. That pride, however, laid not in the fact that he was a Daimyo, but that he was a Daimyo of such a great people.

"You mentioned fighting with the Takeda," he brought back up stepping toward the man. "These battles, would I be correct in assuming they were the battles of Kawanakajima?" If he meant they were smaller campaigns, that might still be something. But to have served under the Takeda banner for those battles meant he did have a good deal of experience, and that he was who Takehiro was looking for.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

When Satsumaru said to Ryunosuke that he would bury the man he had killed, Ryunosuke replied, "If you insist." He then handed the shovel over to Satsumaru, as he understood his intentions. Truly he had a sense of responsibility and respect for the man he had killed, so there's no reason to doubt his words anymore.

He then listened to Satsumaru's words about his birthplace, job, and experiences. He seemed to be a man who goes off to wars frequently, but it was unknown to him if he fought in those battles or kept himself on the sidelines. But, due to his calm demeanor and skill in saving the woman, it seemed to Ryunosuke that both were right. That he was a strategist capable of being on the front lines.

When the daimyo said his name to Satsumaru, he made a slight bow. But he was not agreeing much on being one of the best officers, saying: " I'm really not worth as much as he said. I am just doing my job."

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

With a grin, Satsumaru looked at Ryunosuke and remarked, "Sometimes it's the men 'just doing their job' who are more valuable than those who claim to be doing more."

With a shrug, he went to work on the grave, picking up where the militia commander left off. Each thrust of the shovel was strong and precise. He still took the matter seriously, even amidst a discussion. Rude or not, he couldn't ignore his obligation to dig the grave and stop for conversation. Either way, the ronin had a feeling that the daimyo and his captain wouldn't be offended. They seemed to genuinely understand.

"As for Kawanakajima...I don't think it was as grandiose as the stories make it out to be. Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin are masters of strategy, so every move they make is calculated and full of tests for their opponent. I was in two battles of their Kawanakajima excursions, and only one could really be called a battle," Satsumaru admitted, looking a little regretful, "For the most part, it was a series of probing advances. We managed to take a few fortresses, but aside from those victories we snatched from the Uesugi, Takeda Shingen wisely avoided any pitched battle to retain them. They spent months in a stalemate, but I left within the first. Knowing the reputation of both men, I deduced that it would end that way and chose not to wait around for it."

With a slight grin, he went on to note, "And to take a page from Ryunosuke's book, I was just doing my job. The Takeda contracted my assistance, I contributed to some of their successes, and I was remunerated for it. Hardly anything worth praise, I assure you."

A slight chuckle escaped his otherwise serious face.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro would have given Ryunosuke a look that said everything so he didn't have to verbalize it. Though their time together was short so far, Takehiro held the kid in high regard. He was competent, and capable of quite a bit even without the backing of the army. But, the man wasn't about to get all sentimental right here and right now. Open emotion wasn't his thing.

"Regardless, tales of your work have certainly spread, especially to the fiefs so close to Takeda territory." Takehiro nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "I've been following these rumors of late, and I must say, meeting you in these circumstances is quite the coincidence. But, I would like to make you an offer, once this whole situation is settled and the grave is done."

He wasn't going to talk business over a man's grave, especially as the grave was being built, of course.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke listened intently as to what Satsumaru had done before he came here into this place. It had seemed he had worked for the Takeda, and that in the battles of Kawanakajima. It was a fierce battle between the Takeda and the Uesugi, which had ended with the Takeda taking a few fortresses from the Uesugi. And it had seemed that Satsumaru had participated in the first part of the battle, when the Takeda victories took place. Surely he had contributed to some of those victories, which made Ryunosuke hold him in high regard. With his intellectual caliber and his sense of justice, surely anyone would flock to have his services.

But seeing the grave was being made for the man who was killed that time by Satsumaru on the act of protecting the woman made Ryunosuke halt his words. Out for respect for the man who was dead, he kept silent while Satsumaru was doing his job.

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

"I see..." Satsumaru replied somberly, looking noticeably curious, "In that case, I will see to this task with haste."

And he did, though not in a disrespectful way. The grave took some time, but not too long. Satsumaru was surprisingly in shape, despite not being a stocky man. Once the grave was dug, the black-garbed ronin placed the dead body in the empty hole and covered it once more with the dirt he had moved.

"I regret that I can't place a gravestone here, but I suppose it's unavoidable. He died in an unfortunate circumstance. I will leave it to the people here to determine whether or not he deserves a stone," the ronin concluded.

He didn't mean to sound callous, but the man was killed trying to abuse a woman. Satsumaru felt it was his duty to see to the life he had taken and clean up the mess he had made, but he wasn't planning on treating the corpse like an unknown martyr. He didn't know the brute's name, nor was he planning on spending the next few days trying to figure it out.

After a moment of silence, the long-haired strategist took a breath and said, "Now, then, let me not waste anymore of your time, Amakusa-sama. What sort of offer did you wish to discuss?"

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro would allow Satsumaru to do as he would. Upon completion of the grave, he agreed that the decision of the stone was best left to the people of the village. Satsumaru had done his part here, and that was enough. Now it was time for business.

"You mentioned the Takeda purchasing your services, so it is clear to me you serve under no particular banner." Takehiro began, musing. "It is also clear to me that you have experience, be the rumors made more grandiose than reality or not. I do not have a capable strategist within my employ, and I sought after the rumors that followed you because of it. I would not ask you to join my army if you are not too fond of allying yourself with a specific force, but I ask that you consider your next employer be our small, but growing army." With that, the man bowed his head. "It would certainly be an honor."

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Seeing the grave was completed, it was time to talk business with Satsumaru. Seeing he has already been released by the Takeda, it was wise for the Daimyo to talk with him about making a contract with the Amakusa. Ryunosuke did not mind much about the man under the grave; he died for his own sin anyways, so he would leave it to the family of the dead to move his corpse to a place more suitable for the dead. The marketplace was not suitable for burying the dead, except when the dead was a legendary figure in the village.

When he had heard the offer to Satsumaru about purchasing his services, Ryunosuke chimed in, saying, "Although it might be for a short time, it would be an honor working with such an experienced strategist like you, and with your sense of justice you would be a great help to us in apprehending bandits in this area, which seemed to be rampant given the former turmoil here."

[Yoshiyuki Satsumaru]

Satsumaru leaned slightly on the shovel, admittedly a little tired from digging the grave. He was in excellent physical condition, but the truth remained that he wasn't a physical titan. He took a moment to consider the daimyo's proposal.

The ronin didn't necessarily have anything planned for the moment, but he wasn't so sure on the idea of being permanently attached to a single force. Satsumaru still felt that he was learning a lot in his travels, by taking on obstacles he wouldn't normally be put up against. They weren't grand or landscape-changing, of course. He wasn't conquering territory or being credited with major battles, but there was another sort of learning in the wide range of tasks he accomplished on a smaller scale.

But...surprisingly, Takehiro didn't demand permanent loyalty or service. Whether he knew it or not, that was the deal-breaker.

"I'm not currently set on anything in particular, so perhaps we could come to an agreement. I could work as your strategist for a contracted period of time. A monthly agreement would probably work best for both of us. If, at any time, you feel like you no longer require my services, you may discharge me. If, on the other hand, I feel that I am better off elsewhere, I have the opportunity to leave after I serve my contracted time," the long-haired ronin proposed.

Giving a shrug, he added, "And if, by some chance, we meet with some sort of great success and it seems like I'm better off tied to your banner, then so be it."

He was honest. His words weren't rude or cold, but held a tone of respectful honesty. Satsumaru didn't want to take a position permanently that neither he nor the daimyo were sure he would thrive in. A contract that allowed easy renewal and cancellation would give them both a place to start.

[Amakusa Takehiro]

Takehiro nodded as the man spoke, understanding completely. He would not ask for immediate allegiance because the Amakusa were a name not yet well-known throughout these lands, and pledging your service to a force you did not know the strength of was something Takehiro himself would not do. He expected a similar sense of reason from this man.

"Of course. Name your price."

Takehiro had enough saved from his years of mercenary work that he could keep the eastern half of Japan fed for a good year or two. Paying one man for work was not something that would be out of his budget. If he felt it was too much, after a month he would end the man's contract. If he wasn't up to par with his cost, of course.

[Ichimura Ryunosuke]

Ryunosuke watched as the deal was being made between Satsumaru and the Daimyo. When this deal would be concluded successfully, the Amakusa would strengthen its power and hold on Totomi for some time, and maybe this would make him a man to be reckoned with. The land of Totomi was frequently debated upon by the Tokugawa and the Imagawa when the Daimyo went into the scene, and the rift might verge towards war; the greater territories would try to sandwich the smaller territory of the Daimyo in the event of such a battle. Also the question about the Kitabatake naval force demolishing by the Daimyo would again be placed on the table when the Kitabatake responds again with another naval force, and the border the Daimyo shared with the Takeda, former master of both Satsumaru and Ryunosuke, was another shaky one. If the Daimyo would succeed, they would not be bothered much about those things. He kept his silence as the Daimyo talks with Satsumaru about the deal; a single word might alter everything.