Chapter 3 - importance of traditions , Japanese blue ocean strategy

The group removed their helmets which was foldable so it became one square block of
steel that they could put in their suit pockets. The extra armoured suits were
replaced with a similar suit to Chen. ( wearing an armoured clothes would
invariably turn any meeting into an hostile one ) . Ogedai left Chen and prepared
to pack, satisfied that Chen would join them purely for revenge and Chen was
furious that he was so predictable but also joined in the packing.

Within an hour they were on the private flight to Shinjuku. On the plane , each
member settled into their usual routine. Khen was co pilot and was in the cockpit
with an experience gentlemen who was bemused with the attire of his clients but he
was paid generously to concentrate on his job. Ogedai immediately began watching
his favourite old western movies. The other woman Em was diligently polishing her
bow with the same care as how a sniper treats her gun. Borte was chatting amicably
with Chen who was quite close to her inspite of the earlier incidents.
“ Borte , if I would have asked you to come with me and zo , would you have? “
subtleties were out of the window now.
“ Oh chen why would I? In this group, I finally have the respect and power to live
my life. You men don’t understand how good you have it, always looking to do. More
even if it destroys your environment.
This isn’t true freedom borne you cannot ever leave the organisation. You can never
tell Khen to go to hell.
A low chuckle could be heard from the cockpit
But my dear chen, every human in this planet has someone else they cannot tell to
go to hell. Even the kings won’t disrespect the other kings/ priests or the army
general, because they need each other. That is the entire basis of international
relationships. In fact I would wager that diplomats helped prevent more wars and
deaths than armies did. Mutual destruction is a valid basis for friendship at the
highest level.
Over here? I am more free than anyone else in the planet. My only loyalty is to the
group. Think of us as the aristocracy. We enjoy more freedoms but the price is that
our tribe is much smaller and powerful. One cannot just walk away. This is why
presidents have life long protection, because their state secrets are extremely
valuable information .

Also I am curious , what was your end goal? You do realise we know the heads of all
the major telecommunications and transportation right? Maybe a couple of centuries
ago , you would have made it. Now? We can map every single person on this planet.
But we don’t cause most of them live boring lives and their only use is to pay
taxes. But we could if we wanted to.

And yet you couldn’t find who poisoned zo “ Chen’s eyes hardened behind a wall of
tears
I am sorry chen, she said for the first time with a remorseful voice. Even ogedai
turned down the volume out of respect. , Em looked up from her bow. We do know who
did it chen but we want to know how

Who was it?

Khen came out of the cockpit and locked eyes with Chen. “ it was a samurai. Why
else would we go to Japan.”

The plane barely skimmed the ground before the group hoped on to the empty field
before taking off again. In a later official report, the pilot would cite fog
conditions to make the emergency descent. On the ground, an SUV was waiting,
“Welcome back to Japan! The driver said cheerfully while giving a bow. I am here to
take you to the hotel.
“ Hello kozu! Always great to see you. How’s the missus ? “ Khen had already
climbed into the passenger seat.
Oh she is great! She found a group of other ladies who go on a weekly trip to
another sushi bar. This separation has been great for our marriage.
Em chipped in “ oh thats wonderful kozu! Space is important for any relationship.
Did you pick up any new hobbies in the meanwhile?
Oh I am retired now. It gets upsetting in strangling people who are your grandkids
age. Speaking of which , borne dear my youngest son is still unmarried and you do
seem like a nice girl. How about I set up a a date between you too?
Borte squealed “ a date within five minutes of landing into Japan? It must be nice
to know I still got it!
Kozu looked around “ and my dear chen why so silent? is zo not joining us?
Chen replied tersely “ a samurai poisoned him”
Oh such shame. But due to our friendship I will be joining my wife in her sushi
crawl so I won’t be called in to fight against you.
Khen grabbed his shoulder warmly “ and that is why you are an ubermensch !

Arriving at a local meat processing plant, the group were dropped us by a waving
kozu. The plant was the perfect place for the hideout since no one would bat an eye
twice if someone walks out with blood on their clothes. Also the stench was another
repellant.
A pretty woman in a beautiful kimono waled out. while her smile radiated warmth,
her eyes were constantly scanning the visitors
“ Welcome ! Follow me please, the masters are about to have their tea.” She then
gave ogedai a bigger smile which was returned by a reduced scowl by ogedai, before
turning around and walking into the building.
Borte looked accusingly at ogedai “ you never looked at me before”
“ Well perhaps if you wore a kimono “ he managed to get out before em gave him the
well practised elbow to the stomach.
Khen put a light arm around chen and strode towards the entrance. They followed the
woman through the rows of pigs and cows strung up on the ceiling before getting
into a crickety elevator that stopped halfway a floor. This was an effective way to
scare any plant inspector on escaping the shaft as quickly as possible but if one
touches the exact part of the wall the floor between floors, the elevator would
descend rapidly.
The opening of the elevator doors revealed an open floor as big as a casino.
“ Welcome to the home of the samurais!”

There was a palpable silence as the group strode past them. all of them kept their
right hand on their left hip but none wouldn’t dare to harm the visitors unless
provoked.

Compared to the grand hall, the elders chambers was sparse. There werent any
elaborate paintings, however the entire room was built out of a smooth grey marble
which gave it a far more sophistacated look than any sculpture would. The walls
were lit by candles which were angled so the everywhere else but the elders was
illuminated. Square straw mats were placed on the floor for the visitors while the
elders who were known as the shoguns sat on similar mats on an elevated ledge.

There were 8 of them. Each coming from a region of Japan. They sat on crescent moon
shape facing the visitors . In the shogun council, everyone was equal. There were
dressed in perhaps one would call a militariesed version of the kino : the basic
shape and style of the kimono remained the same but were replaced by hardened steel
plates which was the lightest armour in the world . They were protected by 5 layers
of steel but which moved as if they were silk robes. The technique for making this
armour was created by kozus family before the Meiji restoration and was kept secret
by the group since. Their katanas were placed in front of each of them : each
katana almost a 1000 years old and were passed on to their successors. Just the
handle was enough to signal their elite status .

The one on the 2nd left spoke first

“Khen , it is always an honour to have the kheshig join us. It has been a long time
since we last met. The last time we saw you, you were still apprenticing under the
previous Khen. Who among you is your successor?

“ That would be me shogun Kanto “ replied Em.

A female khan? good its about time , replied the shogun in the middle , who is well
versed herself in the complexities of the patriarchy.

And it would be me afterward shogun Kyushu ! Interjected Borte. Hopefully the next
time we come here all the shoguns are women!

This is not affirmative action Borte replied shogun Kanto coldly. We only choose
the successor who have proven themselves in battle. Speaking of which I realise
that you seem ready for it?

Khen stood up. “ shogun council, our comrade ko was murdered last night by poison.
We know that he met with samurai mishi . We would like to formally ask to meet with
him to discuss the events.

So have we. He has been out of the group for a year now and we would love to have a
chat with him.

Then why haven’t you brought him yet? Unless….

He is currently protected by other groups outside of Japan. Attacking him would be

a sign of war. and we have already shed so much blood to keep the peace

“But what good is keeping the peace if you still allow evil to rule this world.
that makes an accessory to the murder too. Chen spoke up with a passionate cry.

It is necessary for leaders to take decisive actions irrespective of public

opinions chen. Even if it means keeping the peace. Why do you think countries still
trade and have talks with know dictatorships? Because it is sometimes better to
look the other way so that we may prosper.

Then you are as same them. You are giving them a free reign to do as they please.

Of course, they are free to do anything they want within their borders. But they
know that if they bring the same attitude to us , we would have them obliterated.
Sometimes one makes friends with the devil, to ensure hell doesn’t enter into
earth.

However ,we are sympathetic to your cause and would not get in your way in your
quest to avenge your colleagues murder. Mishi would be the bath house in Yokohama,
kuzu would draw you a map. Of course, due to appearance sake we would send some
warriors to fight against you but you can be assured of them taking their time and
of lower skill level. If I am not mistaken, in the western world , one calls them “
interns’