Struggle on the Docks

Criminal Activity

The call for recruits had certainly brought in all sorts. Knight Commander Maxim idly wondered just what kind of unique individual would show up on his doorstep next. For now, he had business with someone more level-headed. Making his way through the narrow halls of Ago Manor, Maxim knocked and entered the office of Tanahase Muramatsu.

In truth, he'd come to discuss the matter of his new castle. The pensive expression on his Bugyō's face stopped Maxim short, however. He hesitated but a moment, then asked instead how things were going in a general sense.   It was nothing serious, according to Muramatsu. The ports of Ago had recently been inundated with a variety of bizarre goods; things like monstrous bones, hides from strange creatures, and pottery displaying unearthly vistas. None of it was illegal, as such, but this many unknown items suddenly arriving in his town made Muramatsu understandably anxious.   For Maxim's part, his mind went directly to that big Matsumoto Black Galleon moored in their port. With all the activity about the Dreamlands lately and Matsumoto Ooawagaeri's own eccentricities, the two could hardly not be connected. Indeed, Muramatsu shared the same view. There was someone, a trader aboard the galleon, whom he was supposed to meet. He couldn't even pronounce her name, however, and the Matsumoto Group hadn't made any overtures toward setting up a meeting.   In that case, suggested Maxim, perhaps they should go take a look themselves. The ship was anchored in their port, after all. They could call it a routine inspection. Muramatsu was more hesitant. Such an action could be seen as aggression against an allied group. Although the Matsumoto Scion had, admittedly, forfeited many of those rights when he separated from the Hashinara Clan. After some consideration, the Bugyō agreed.   Maxim called for Kashirin, who was never too far away, and asked her to collect Shishikura Makiko and Ōgon no Hakuhen. Those two would accompany him for this "inspection." If any of them caused a scene, there would be punishment for all. This request seemed to surprise Kashirin. At least, the last part did. Hakuhen was...well... With an unpleasant laugh, Kashirin vanished to do Maxim's bidding.   Some short time later, the Knight Commander and his Bugyō proceeded down the winding roads to Ago's port. There, they found Makiko waiting for them. The masked former Tea Bucket was withdrawn as ever, but loyal to a fault. As for the other one... There was no sign of Hakuhen's shimmering golden bulk.   Maxim felt an ill sensation creeping up his spine. As if in answer, a commotion suddenly broke out further up the docks. It was difficult at this distance to determine what was happening, so the Knight Commander bid his companions to stay at the galleon. He proceeded alone (or as alone as Kashirin ever left him) toward the ruckus.   As Maxim drew closer, he heard what sounded like a physical fight; flesh on flesh and the thud of a body hitting the ground. Then there was a high-pitched scream. A damsel in distress? Maxim's knightly training kicked in and he quickened his pace. Pushing his way through the wall of gawkers, he arrived at a bizarre and unfortunate tableau.   On the ground was, not unexpectedly, Ōgon no Hakuhen. In his arms, pinned to the wood of the dock by four powerful limbs, was none other than Netabi Shigehisa. The gentleman tactician screeched once again. Apparently it was his voice, and not a damsel's, which Maxim had heard. With a roll of his eyes that could have capsized the nearby ships, Maxim told Hakuhen to break it up.   The golden man did not obey immediately. Instead, he welcomed Maxim, his Brother. This weakling had been professing his task of teaching Maxim how to be a man, so Hakuhen had put it to the test. How such a flimsy sort could every pray to teach anything about manliness, the ninja simply could not fathom. Maxim repeated his order. This time, there was an edge to his voice which brokered no hesitation.   Hakuhen released Shigehisa, whose head bounced against the wood before he scrambled to his feet. Beneath the shining mask that served as the ninja's face, he was perhaps blushing. Maxim was most obviously not pleased. The Knight Commander first told Shigehisa to go wait at the Black Galleon. He'd join them for their inspection. With a bubbling of gratitude, the other took his leave.   That indignity gone, Maxim turned his attention back to Hakuhen. That had been a test, the Knight Commander explained, and Hakuhen had failed. Badly. Hadn't he been told not to make a scene when Kashirin fetched him? In response, the big ninja could only rub his golden hands together. Where he was from, that wouldn't really have been considered a scene. It was a ninja's duty to vet those who would aid their master, after all.   Maxim shook his head. What kind of shinobi were the Kōga Ninja training? Hakuhen would have to learn the customs of this land, and quickly, if he didn't want to incur his master's wrath. Sheepishly, the big four-armed man agreed. He'd be more cautious in the future. At Maxim's order, he headed back to the Black Galleon to fall in line with the others.