Champion of Champions (Day 13 LM)

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi had sent a note a short while before he intended to visit in order to try and secure a visit with Kakita Hajime. While it was a bit short notice and only a few hours before court he hoped the man would have time to see him.

Arriving before the apartments he told the guards in attendance his business and waited for further instructions.

[Kakita Hajime]

Daichi is shown up some stairs and into the topmost chamber of the Tenshu: the castle's war room. There is a large table that runs the length of the chamber, with a short dais at the far end from the entryway. The Emerald Champion sits on a camp stool set against the left wall of the room, his arms folded. Several magistrates are gathered around the table, pouring over documents.

As Daichi enters, Hajime turns his head to take him in. "Good morning, Hiruma-san," he says with a smile. "How can I help you?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

Well, that was certainly a sight to behold. Daichi only let his eyes flick across the table for a moment before focusing on the Emerald Champion.

"Kakita-dono." He offered a deep bow. "Sorry to interupt you when you are so busy. I was just seeking your an opinion on a matter brought up briefly in court a few days past."

"The possibility of a new manor for the Emerald Magistrates."

[Kakita Hajime]

"Ah, yes. Come in and let's hear all about it."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi entered the room, giving a brief bow of greeting to the others that were inside as he did so. "It's a fairly straightforward idea. The River of Gold winds its way across the majority of our great Empire and serves as a vital tool for Transportaion and Travel for many of the Empires people. In the out of the way less densely populated areas of the Empire it is often plagued with pirates though that prey upon travelers during their journeys.

"The Clans and Emerald Magistrates of course do all they can to prevent this, but in some places, we run into projects of logistics. There is simply no place for any sort of force to rest and resupply in order to properly exterminate these threats to the lawful inhabitants of our Empire. So, during our talks Soshi Eiji-san and myself identified one such area that could prove useful for the construction of such a facility."

"On the southern portion of the River of Gold, there is a fork that leads to the Lake of Cherry Blossom snow. It's here in Imperial lands we think a Manor could be built there to host and supply members of the Emerald Magistrates to better be able to police the region. It's easily suppliable form the lands of the Crab and Scorpion both, as well as possibly the Fox and Sparrow. Even the Crane if eventually a road was built to connect it."

[Kakita Hajime]

"And the town supplying the manor would be under Imperial management, or is this a joint Scorpion-Crab condominium, or are the Crab moving in?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

"I see no reason why it wouldn't be under imperial management Kakita-sama." Daichi replied evenly. "It's on imperial lands after all, honestly it would probably benefit from being under control of the Miya if anything."

[Kakita Hajime]

"Reasonable, reasonable. And a different answer than I have come to expect from these Winter Courts. As an organization, the Emerald Office will need to expand to staff such a serious installation. That will be expensive, but, as you say, most likely the results are worth it."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi dipped his head in thanks. "Yes, and I'm moving to find the support from several Clans to help the construction. Hopefully that will help ease that burden."

"As for manpower, I have no idea how the Emerald office usually recruits, but if you have any ideas the Crab can help with that, do let me know."

[Kakita Hajime]

"We take recommendations from sensei, usually. But I would be interested to hear if you have a particular person in mind for a yoriki position."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"If I am completely honest my first thoughts would be of my younger sister Tetsumura Koharu, she is an excellent archer and budding Scout."

"It is of course difficult for me to be completely impartial about family though, and to avoid any possible favoritism. A more appealing suggestion might be Yasuki Ryoichi i think given the chance he could excel "

[Kakita Hajime]

Hajime's smile widened. "Is Yasuki-san aware that he is being suggested for such a role?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Not as of yet no." Daichi replied with a wry smile. "I hadn't considered it a possibility, and to be honest perhaps I'm too accustomed to being in command. AS i give more thought to who might be capable of a task, and less about their feelings on the matter."

He offered the man a polite bow. "You make a valid point though; it's a poor idea to nominate him without consulting him."

[Kakita Hajime]

"Or at least his lord. Not that I am necessarily opposed to the idea. Has been effective in this setting, and much of magisterial work is made of the same skills, though the ability to see clearly for one's self is not to be overlooked."

[Hiruma Daichi]

Daichi nodded. "Looking back on it I see why you asked. Though my mind was moving in a different direction. 'Maybe a tournament could be hosted?' Was more in line with my thoughts then a direct suggestion."

He shook his head slightly. "Still you've taught ne a fine lesson today. Thank you Kakita-sama."

[Kakita Hajime]

"Not at all. Perhaps your sister would be a fine choice. We shall have to have her for an interview. I trust the journey to Otosan Uchi will not be too great a hardship?"

[Hiruma Daichi]

"Perparations will need to be made and certain permissions granted, but once received it should prove no trouble at all." The family home was well away from the Capitol but the financial costs of the trip shouldn't be a burden.

[Kakita Hajime]

"Then we shall have to arrange that. We can most likely get those papers to you later today. There will need to be a pool of applicants, of course, but I am always happy to receive recommendations."

[Hiruma Daichi]

"My thanks Kakita-sama." Daichi replied with a deep bow. "And I understand completely, it is only right that it's on my sister to prove her worth for such a position."