Party: Hida Ganko, Daidoji Jinsoku, Doji Natsuki, Yoritomo Shohei. Togashi Amajino
With Amajino taking an interest in the identity of Fade, Shohei remembers he can actually trace a lot of official records. The combined efforts of monk and mercantile samurai lead to a full revelation of the backstory for Otaku Isas, a man disgraced by not attending a pair of duel (due to his scorpion opponent poisoning him). Digging through the notes left by not only Naritoki but also those of his predecessor Matsu Shigeko, the party learns that the attacks of Fade seem to follow a pattern that is in line with his story of needing to supply his men with food.
The group heads to Teardrop Island, learning that everyone assumes Daidoji Jinsoku is now in charge of the Bayushi cartel's remaining holdings, treating the Crane Clan in general with a lot more respect and Jinsoku with quite a level of curiosity considering the honourable Crane duelist truly is an odd horse in the race.
Upon learning of this, Jinsoku wastes no time in staking the claim of ownership for the House of Gilded Lilies (renaming it the Azure Lilies accordingly) and lets out that it will be led by Doji Natsuki's capable hands from the Kikyo house.
Magda, in full propaganda mode, is met on the street and Shohei quickly produces travel papers for her to go see the capital of the Empire, Otosan Uchi, breaking the Unicorn's main draw for the House of Foreign Stories. Magda, in response to the kindness shown, also talks at length with the group about the death of the previous Emerald Magistrate, his lack of interest in the opium issues and making it clear that the man's yojimbo (Ample, to be found in the Crab Caves) may know more about the assassination.
Otaku Genshi, a fierce battle-maiden who recently has been assisting Otaku Naisha in establishing the Unicorn in the opium market, takes ill to this news and seeks to rectify it at the source... by challenging Daidoji Jinsoku to a duel! With weapons not allowed and the duel being largely informal, Jinsoku lets Hida Ganko serve as champion for a wrestling contest. The Crab utterly wipes the floor with the Unicorn, forcing her to tap out in a savage armbar after taking her down.
The group then happily walks to the ferry, where they officially accept stewardship of that operation as well, with Natsuki becoming the main patron for the ferrymen upon seeing their worry about the lack of payment coming their way since the death of Korechika.
At the Crab Caves, the group meets Ample. After the party assures him he can be kept safe and employed as one of the bouncers at the Crane Houses, he explains that the attackers were unicorn clan members, or at least wearing purple, affiliated with Ide Baranato. He supposed it had something to do with the death of Baranato's son (Ide Michikana, Asamitsu's older brother) from overdose and Naritoki's lack of enthusiasm to eliminate the illegal trading of opium. Ample gets a new name (Apple - Ringo) and is sent to the island.
The group is then informed of the seppuku of one Ide Nakatada, an unassuming unicorn shugenja.
When they have an eta check the corpse, they note an arrow wound that severed the muscles in the shoulder of the man.
The group, armed with this information, presents it to Shosuro Hyobu and politely request her assistance in drawing up an order of appearance. With heavy heart and convincing from the party, the Lady of the Scorpion signs the order for Ide Baranato.
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