“I must admit it is a very unusual proposition you have just made.” Aisika, head of the Wakaida clan and Daimyo of her province, regarded her visitor with both bemusement and fascination. “An ocean expedition seems quite the endeavour for a young man like you, especially for one who already spent his funds to merely reach Japan, Hiraku…” The industrious young red panda who she had granted an audience embarrassedly scratched his head. “That is why I came to you, Wakaida-sama…” “Imagine the exotic treasures and stories we could trade with the people that live in the seas beyond our coasts! Our own people are so set in their ways, but if only they knew what they were missing!” The eager explorer was getting rather fired up now.
“And in exchange for my investment, my humble province is to get priority access to this new exotic trade route you aim to set up?” Aisika leaned forward, an intrigued smile on her lips. “Others would call you a fool, however, you may be right about the close-mindedness of my peers. As for me, I know my roots lie beyond these lands, and I am not shy of a little risk. Very well, I shall deliberate on how much I can afford to sponsor your escapade. Return here tomorrow and I will happily discuss the details, Hira-kun~” “My deepest thanks, your grace.” Hiraku threw himself to the floor in gratitude. “You will not regret this, I swear!” Full of enthusiasm, the young man stood up and hurried out of the mansion.
But Aisika had barely the time to address her two guards and assistants when a loud crash sounded from the hallway. In his enthusiasm, Hiraku hadn’t been watching where he was going, tripped over his own feet and managed to knock over an expensive vase on the way down. Hiraku could barely speak from embarrassment. “W-w-w-wakaida-Sama, for-forgive me, th-this is all my fault! I’ll promise I wi-” The daimyo, looming sternly over him now, interrupted him with merely a raised finger. “Silence. You made a good impression on me, so I’m willing to forgive a foolish mistake such as this.” Despite her strict tone, she sounded oddly motherly towards the red panda. “However… Yuki? Guiying? Seize him~”
The two petite kunoichi were on him within the blink of an eye. Hiraku did not get the chance to protest or apologise further as Guiying, the fellow red panda, quickly stuffed a spare sash into his mouth and bound it in place with another. Meanwhile, Yuki, proving surprisingly strong for his diminutive size, tied up his arms and legs with expert speed.
“Well done, you two~” Aisika smiled with a slightly playful tone to her voice. “Now, take him to the gardens~ I will be along shortly to explain to our friend how much trouble he’s in…”
