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With the death of Oda Nobunaga, the influence of the Imai family has waned. We shall take their place, using any means necessary. Our influence shall spread across the country and we will control trade with silver and steel.
– Iron Hand
Naoe:Who is the "Iron Hand?" From House Imai... Imai Sōkun didn't talk like this, but maybe that was only a mask he wore.
Naoe decided to head to Sokun's office to find out more. She entered the room and spoke to Sokun.
Sōkun:Sanuki? Is that you? I haven't seen you since my father's tea ceremony. Sit, have some sake. Let's talk business.
Sōkun: (laughs) You never were, we both know that now. So, "Sanuki." I may have a task better suited to your true skills.
Naoe:My skills are not for sale, whatever you might think of me.
Sōkun:Oh? Then let me appeal to your virtue, shinobi. Men like this feed chaos. Innocent people will suffer.
Naoe:I'm listening.
Sōkun:The death of Lord Nobunaga has had a profound effect upon this land. Not just for governance, but also culture. Trade. Some use this chaos to falsely attach themselves to great merchant houses. Forging letters and contracts that bear our names.
Naoe:Like the Iron Hand of House Imai?
Sōkun:There is no Iron Hand of House Imai!
Naoe showed Sōkun the letter she found.
Naoe:Then why do I have a letter signed by him?
Sōkun:The imposter. Using our name to kill and cheat his way to wealth and power.
Naoe:You want me to remove your business rival?
Sōkun:If we do not contain this lawlessness, Lord Hideyoshi will. All who trade will suffer for it. In Sakai and beyond. We must prevent this land from sliding deeper into chaos. Many will die if this "Iron Hand" endures.
Naoe:All right. For the greater good... and past favors. Where can I find him?
Sōkun:The merchants that serve him might offer clues that point the way. But spare the merchants if you can. When the Iron Hand is dead, House Imai will contract their services. If they live.
Having received clues from Sōkun, Naoe and Yasuke left Sakai and traveled to Ōmi Province to find the missing ship in Lake Biwa. While exploring the lake with her boat, they came across the island of Okishima and found a group of pirates near what seemed to be a shipwreck.
Naoe:A trading ship. Does the Iron Hand's reach extend this far? There may be something of value on board that wrecked ship. If pirates haven't picked it clean.
Yasuke:Those vessels are used for trade. What became of its cargo and crew? Could it belong to one of the Iron Hand's merchants? There may be something of value on board that wrecked ship. If pirates have not picked it clean.
They cleared the area of the pirates and looted a note on the wreck.
Shipping Manifest
This water-damaged document appears to list the goods carried on the wrecked ship. The port of origin is marked as Ōtsu, but its destination is unreadable.
Having identified the source of the ship, Naoe and Yasuke traveled to Ōtsu and explored the ports, finding the merchant Kanta from the syndicate.
Naoe:Does that merchant work for the Iron Hand?
Naoe and Yasuke investigated Kanta's residence in the northwest of the city. Inside, they found a scroll on the table.
Trustworthy in Tamba
I want you to personally see to it that your next shipment reaches my associate in Tamba. You may trust him, but none other.
After killing him, they recovered a letter from his body.
Letter Regarding Otsu Port
I want you to personally see to it that your next shipment reaches my associate in Tamba. You may trust him, but none other.
Naoe:This Iron Hand is from Tamba, not Sakai. And more heavy-handed than either Sokun or Sokyu. There must be someone who can tell me where in Tamba to look.
Yasuke:So, the Iron Hand dwells in Tamba province, but commits his crimes through agents elsewhere. Tamba is a vast region, but at least I have somewhere to start.
Naoe and Yasuke then left for Tamba province to track down the merchant Ginroku while pursuing the clue from Ōtsu. They found Ginroku standing outside the shops in the city of Miyazu.
Naoe:That merchant looks nervous. Maybe out of fear of the Iron Hand.
Yasuke:That merchant looks nervous. Out of fear of the Iron Hand, perhaps?
They investigated the merchant's shop and found a scroll on the table.
A Missing Shipment
Lord, My apologies. We have heard nothing about the shipment from your associate in Omi. As soon as it arrives, I shall send it to your warehouse in Fukuchiyama Castle without delay.
They killed the merchant and looted a letter from his body.
Letter Regarding Tamba
Lord, My apologies. We have heard nothing about the shipment from your associate in Omi. As soon as it arrives, I shall send it to your warehouse in Fukuchiyama Castle without delay.
}}
Naoe:The Iron Hand has named Fukuchiyama Castle as his base. A mistake he will come to regret. I do not know Fukuchiyama Castle, but I may learn more from the Iron Hand's other merchants.
Yasuke:Fukuchiyama Castle. The Iron Hand must be confident in his strength to declare his position so openly. This land has many castles. I need more information to find Fukuchiyama and the Iron Hand.
Next, Naoe and Yasuke traveled to Wakasa Province to track down the merchant Kin-no-suke. They investigated a bandit camp and found a letter on the table.
Letter from Bandit Chief
We must stop at nothing to deliver what was promised to Iron Hand. If you fear me, fear him more. If you meet a merchant on the road, take their stock and bring it to me in Obama. Kill anyone who resists.
Naoe:I don't care what hold the Iron Hand has on these merchants. There's no excuse for murdering people to rob them.
Yasuke:One of the Iron Hand's merchants is killing people and stealing their possessions. Have they no shame?
They then traveled to the city of Obama. There, they found Kin-no-suke with his hired group of outlaws.
Naoe:What hold does the Iron Hand have on these merchants? Are they as corrupt as he is? Sokun told me to spare the merchants, but this one seems as cruel as the Iron Hand.
Yasuke: '
After killing the outlaws, Naoe and Yasuke killed Kin-no-suke and recovered a letter from his body.
Letter Regarding Obama
Little is known about the Iron Hand's habits, but like most merchants, he understands how tea ceremony can benefit business. We believe an appealing invitation could draw him out.
Naoe:The Iron Hand is not so different from other merchants. He wants to use tea to improve his standing. If the Iron Hand is with House Imai, why has he not been invited for tea?
Yasuke: '
Naoe and Yasuke then traveled to Kyoto to track down the merchant Tamao, who owned a brewery west of Honponji Temple. They arrived to find two workers talking about their boss outside the warehouse.
Woman:Is the boss still locked in that warehouse?
Man:You know how he is when he gets like this. He doesn't want to be bothered. Not for any reason.
