Take it outside!

[Diatenshi]

The brothel was buzzing with noise, the lively hum of conversation filled with gossip, teasing, and the occasional outburst of drunken cheer, blending with the soft, rhythmic thrum of a shamisen from the back of the room. The sweet, heady scent of incense hung thick in the air, mixed with the earthy aroma of cheap sake. Kasumi watched the room from the bar as she cleaned the counter. The aunties were doing their best to get their visitors to spend more ryo, whether it was on more drinks or themselves.

Yōsuke sat on a wooden stool near the weapon check at the entrance, his arms crossed and his teal hair catching the dim candle light. The aunties had dressed him in a stuffy button up shirt trying to tame his wild nature and make him look more presentable. As if putting him in fine clothing would change anything with his roguish facial features and jagged teeth. He let out a huff as he took the weapons from another guest. It didn't stop them from sneaking weapons in, but at least it was an attempt. Booze, heightened emotions, and weapon were never a good combination.

Violent outburst had significantly decreased since their move from Jinjeku Island. Their clientele had improved from rowdy pirates to cloaked nobles that thought too highly of themselves and soldiers letting off steam. Though their over all manners had improved, the arrogance of the men still aggravated him. He glanced around the room like a guard dog, his aqua eyes going from man to man never settling on the women. He couldn't look at his aunties when they were dressed for work. Though the clothes they wore were finer than the rags they had in Jinjeku, they stilled showed far more skin than he felt comfortable looking at.

Yōsuke sighed morosely and gripped the key under his shirt thinking of his father's last words, "Now you just have to find it!" Part of him longed to go out into the world again, to sail upon the seas, to seek glory and adventure beyond the horizon. However, he didn't have it in him to consider leaving family like his father had. He wondered if his father shared the same doubts he was having now. What was the right thing to do? His eyes shifted to a candle as he became lost in his thoughts.

[King of Cats]

The days in Heart Empire were long and often rainy, but on this day the sun was shining brightly and it was particularly warm. Walking up to a brothel, Aichi held his sake jug in his hand and took a sip before knocking on the door. There was a loud bang, his enormous paws nearly shattering the stained glass panels. This brothel was exceptionally well put together, but Aichi wasn't on an sort of personal business. In fact, he wasn't even therre alone. Standing at his sides were two members of Battosai's Aka cell, Jirou Kisam and Hato Kisama. They were both exceptional warriors, hand chosen by Heart's finest leaders. But those sort of skills likely weren't going to be needed today. Aka Cell was on a different kind of mission.

Battosi was a division of smurai in Heart Empire that had been chosen for their skills and mindset in the front of shinobi combat. Everyone in Battosai had a steel resolve, and their ambitions were as deep as the sea. As Aichi waited for someone to answer the door, he thought about if the one whom they were looking for had these qualities.

Kuro Cell, another team of samurai much like Aka Cell, was looking to recruit a warrior for their squad. Ichiro, the leader, hd given Aichi a delicate mission to recruit a Shuryo boy by the nme of Yosuke. Aichi wasn't given much detail on the boy, or his circumstance. Only information o nwhere to find him, and a few kew details of Battosai tht might interest the teenager. Aichi was mostly going in blind, but he had his team mates with him.

Aka Cell was a team unit. Some of the cells in Battosai worked in individual units, but whenever Aichi mobilized, his team did too. Hato, his twin sister, was right there with him. She didn't drink like he did, her kKisama blood not nerly as strong as Aichi's, but she hd a shrp wit and creative ways. ichi was glad to have her. Then, there wa Jirou. He was a more recent addition to the team, having only served in Aichi's cell for recent years. He was a skilled swordsman, and trained by one of the greatest in Heart Empire, Roku Shuryo. Jirou had patience and passion rolled into one,, he was the real deal when it came to samurai in Tea.

"Hopefully we can show him the way." Aichi thought to himself and leaned closer to the door, trying to peer through the colorful glass.He couldn't see anything though, and straightened his posture up quickly.

The Kisama, Aichi, burped loudly and took another swig of his sake. He liked to get juiced up before talking to people.

[HotelBravo]

---

”.”
Hato : Age 21.
”Disgusting. You smell like a drunk too.” She grumbled, but it was playful more than anything. The Kisama were always drinking - but their body’s processed alcohol in a different way than others did. ”Think of it this way - no one wants to deal with a drunkard, and even the appearance, or the…SMELL… lowers your reputation.” She wondered if he went so hard on the alcohol because he was trying to find a limit to the Infamous Kisama tolerance to Alcohol. Though that was unlikely to ever be found because quite simply - they turned alcohol into fuel for their jutsu. Hato was the exception though. Despite being the twin of her brother she didn’t have the bloodline. She had always been left out of many of the Kisama revelry for fear for her own safety. She was treated like she was disabled, and she had been a disappointment to her father.

Hato wasn’t actually offended at coming to this place. The Kisama were far from saints, and the like of Brothels were practically holy shrines to the men of the Kisama. She had grown up knowing what the Rowdy Kisama men thought of women and what they did with women in brothels. In some instances, it didn’t sound all that bad - the girls were getting paid after all - yet there was always a darkside to the industry that men tended to be unaware of. The abuse that happened to powerless women. She was fortunate to be a woman from a clan - which meant that she had learned how to defend herself and how to be independent. Her father had always favored Aichi, though Aichi acted like the man hadn’t. He had been hard and cruel to Hato, but she couldn’t deny the results. Aichi who was already a genius turned out as a complete monster of a man, and she wasn’t a slouch either, though just always living in the shadow of her genius twin brother. You’d think she would have been a genius too, but when she was coloring stick figures with crayons, he was learning how to kill.

Now he was the leader of the Battosai.

”Playing the gentleman hm? This kind of place isn’t a house. You don’t just knock.” She pressed past Aichi who was waiting at the door and pushed the door open to let herself, Jirou and Aichi in. ”After you Gentlemen.” She gestured to the interior of the Brothel, though the sounds of the violence happening within were now much more obvious as they were no longer muffled by the walls of the building. It was a common practice for men to walk before their women, so it was a little awkward socially to just completely step passed her brother.

”Do you think they have any good looking beauties here? Maybe I’ll be tempted to switch teams.” She commented, as she waited for her brother and Jirou to enter. She adjusted the wide collar of her loose robe, letting the cool air hit her neck. The faint, sweet scent of incense from inside the brothel drifted through the cracks around the door, mixing with the stronger, sharper scent of Aichi’s sake. ”Don’t look so tense Jirou. Its just a brothel. Scared to see some tits?” As she teased, she reached into her sash and pulled out her kiseru pipe, and a small box. ”Then again, considering how the Taicho smells - they might suspect him of being a drunk here to bust the place up.”

She stepped fully into the building while she packed tobacco into into her pipe, and glanced at the line of waiting courtesans sitting behind the latticed windows like sirens dressed up like dolls - silently beckoning men with nothing than their beauty. She could see the appeal of women, but they weren’t really her thing. She lit her pipe with a small burst of chakra, and took a draw filling her lungs. She glanced around at the woman and… well - she wasn’t actually that impressed. Smoke escaped between her lips as she commented, ”Honestly, this kid must be something else if you’re coming all the way here to recruit him. You think he’s going to give us any grief when we try to pick him up?” she looked over to Jirou and blew a smoke ring at him for emphasis.

A man approached Hato. ”Come on darling why don’t we head upstairs?” A hand was already slipping around her waist. She bonked him on the head with her Kiseru.
”You couldn’t afford my rates sweetheart. Besides I’m not a brothel girl, now get your paws off me before my brother turns you into paste.” She didn’t really so much as change demeanor, but the man stumbled back, surprised at the whole interaction. When it seemed he didn’t know what to do she gave him a look that clearly said for him to scram.

She wasn’t genuinely annoyed - she was amused and curious more than anything else. Yet, there was a hint of caution in her tone. They were here to recruit someone, not scare him off. The Brothel wasn’t exactly her scene, but Hato had seen worse, and she knew the importance of keeping a cool head in this situation. If Yosuke was anything like the stories she’d hear about this Jinjeku Island, he’d probably be a gruff sailor. She wondered if he was an employee, or if he just liked the girls here. ”Now where is this guy?”

---

[Drak]

“Switch teams? I’d love to see that,” Jirou laughed. He took a swig of his own flask and tucked it away in the small pouch hanging from his belt. This wasn’t exactly his scene, nor was this Aka Cell’s usual sort of mission. They were who the Battosai sent in when they needed to break things. Despite the unusual subtlety of the mission, Jirou was dressed for anything but. It was hard to miss him standing at over seven feet tall, with long red hair, a black jacket and hakama, and a long crimson haori.

He felt a little weird about flirting with Hato in front of Aichi like that. Then again, it had been five years of this since he had joined the squad. It had started tamer and eventually became like this. If it bothered Aichi, he would say something. Right?

“If he gives us trouble he gives us trouble,” Jirou continued. “It’s not like he has to join us. It’s voluntary. If he wants to work here for the rest of his life he can.”

Jirou came in after Hato. The moment she walked in she was getting attention. He could see why. Quickly he scanned the room: women in revealing clothes, drunk nobles and craftsmen buying, and the occasional tall, dark dot of hired muscle to protect the place. Jirou started to maneuver his way inside, a long sword at his hip.

[Diatenshi]

BAM! heads turned towards the door and a few of the ladies jumped. A loud knock came from the door that groaned on its hinges. A shadow could be seen looking through the glass trying to peer into the dark. Both Yōsuke and Kasumi had dark looks on their face wondering what brazen asshole was trying to make trouble. The door opened and to their surprise it wasn't a random hooligan but a trio of young samurai. Kasumi wasn't deterred by their identities at all however. "I know you're probably drunk but thats no excuse for rude behavior. You're welcome to stay but keep your strength in check and try not to break anything."

Yōsuke on the other hand was a bit more gruff. Holding a hand out as the trio entered preventing them from going further into the brothel. He was about to explain the no weapon rule when a regular approached the female in the group trying to bed her. He was impressed with the way she handled him. Remaining non-violent simply using her words and glare to stun him into submission.

"Auntie Shizuka why don't you help this gentleman relax?" he called out to want of his aunties. A beautiful woman with a generous bosom wearing a loose kimono approached, hugging the man's arm to her chest she guided him away winking at Yōsuke. He turned his attention back to the trio, his eyes drawn to the openly displayed weaponry. Due to the gentleman's untimely interruption and rudeness Yōsuke adjusted his stance becoming more polite yet remaining stern.

"My apologies for our guest behavior, he seems to have drank a bit too much similar to your companion. Let's start fresh. You're more than welcome to enjoy Uneru Shio's hospitality as soon as you check your weapons. It may be a formality for strong samurai such as yourselves, but it is policy and helps everyone to relax comfortably."

He gestured to the sign by the weapon check over to the side. He wasn't intimidated even when looking up at someone who was taller than him which was rare. The last person he had to look up at was his father and oddly enough the man before him felt similar. The same arrogant and aloof attitude. However, so long as they complied they wouldn't be turned away at the door.

---

edit: typo

[King of Cats]

As Hato scolded Aichi at the door he let his gaze wander around the scenery. First he noticed Hato's beautiful red hair, and then a passing cloud. It looked like a dragon in the sky. Aichi couldn't help but smile, and then he snapped his attention to the door. The team had entered and were being accosted a tthe door.

Walking in through the doorway, Aichi didn't stumble. He wasn't drunk. To him he could drink all day. As long as he drank at a moderate pace the buzz stayed mild. He stowed his flask on his side once again and stood behind Hato. That was when some vagrant reached for his sister. Aichi, with deft swiftess, grabbed the man by his wrist. The man's hand nearly graced Hato, but Aichi jerked it back with his gigantic paws. His dark red skin contrasted against the mans tanned orange skin Aichi thought he might be a dockyard worker. From the intelligence he ws given on this brothel, it was likely someone of the sort. The Jinjeku reputation was strong as sea faring folk.

Holding the man's hand, Aichi didn't say a word and let his sister talk. She had a subtle way with words. Then Yosuke dismissed the man with a whore. Aichi thought it ws fitting that the subject of their visit be tactful in such a situation. Letting go of the man, Aichi didn't smile and instead curled his lip at the man mencingly. He didn't appreciate people advancing on his sister. When Jirou did it it felt so unreal to him there was no threat at all. Jirou was a talented fighter, but he ws not skilled with Hato. Aichi felt no danger, but he hadn't let Jirou off the hook totally yet. The Kisama, Aichi, was marking down every off comment he heard Jirou utter.

Turning to Yosuke, who was acquiring the groups weapons, Aichi simply smiled. He wasn't carrying a sword. The Kisama preferred to draw his blade from his flesh when it came to quiet missions like this. "I'm free of deterrents." He said and then proceeded with Yosuke's welcoming, as a supposedly curious guest.

Once Jirou and Hato handled their business, Aichi stood at the check in point. He was next to Hato still but towered over her. Looking over her, he waited for Yosuke to make a glance for him. Aichi aimed to talk to him directly.

It didn't take long for Yosuke to introduce them to the brothel, and Aichi was given his chance to talk to the Shuryo. "Thank you for the welcome, sir. My name is Aichi Kisama, a Harubushi of Heart Empire, where I see you have so graciously planted your, fins." Aichi wiggled his eyebrows, hoping to get a chuckle out of someone. His eyes peeked around, searching for a smile. "Before we conduct any further business, would you mind giving Battosai your ears?" Aichi tapped on his forehead and put his hand on Hato's shoulder, gently nudging her to move out of the way.

Sticking his large hand out, Aichi sought to shake the young teenager's claws. Battosai was well known in Heart as the nations black ops squadron. They were famous for many deeds in heart, and many more less favorable deeds had been completed by them too. Aichi wondered what Yosuke knew about his squadron, and locked in eye contact with the fish boy.

[HotelBravo]

---

“Switch teams? I’d love to see that,” Jirou laughed at her comment. Hato just gave a little smile, but didn’t comment more about it. He was probably thinking that she meant she’d become a man, not that she’d start flirting with women and be a lesbian. Or maybe he did want her to be a lesbian. What was more beautiful than just a single beautiful woman? Why more women of course. Men were such simple creatures. Predictable really.

She really did appreciate Aichi’s help when dealing with the fellow who was getting a little handsy, allowing for herself to not list a single finger. Well there were some benefits when it came to being the Twin Sister of the Taicho it seemed. Try as he might to be impartial, he still saw her as his baby sister. It didn’t help that he was taller than her and had been for their entire life. IT wasn’t her fault that she grew like a normal person instead of being a 6 foot tall 6 year old. What the fuck was up with that anyway? Well that was neither here nor there. What was here instead was Yosuke calling out to one of the working women to entertain the fellow that had been pawing at her a moment before.

Seemed like a shame to let that man enjoy his time with the women here - they were probably too good for him. Then again, they were probably too good for him, and would make sure that he left this place a pauper with naught but the close on his back left to his name. Well, if that was the case, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to let one of the Oirans take their turn with the fellow. Hato didn’t really need to say anything further when it came to that matter, and besides, it looked like Aichi was about to take charge.

”It’s not possible for a Kisama to drink too much.” She corrected Yosuke, smoke escaping her lips as she spoke. Good, good. She lifted up her pipe and took a deep draw as her brother introduced the trio.When Yosuke asked to check in their weapons Hato looked at her two other companions. ”We’re not here for the girls. We’re here to talk to you, actually. You got talent with ruffians, but how would you like to make a bigger difference? There will always be ruffians in the world - but you know what has a finite amount of? The bosses they report to. Cut off the head, the tail dies just as well. Hell - We’ll help you even, but it does come with some commitments. Why don’t we have a seat, and you try some of that swill my brother has tucked away? It’ll curl your toes.”

”.”

---

[Diatenshi]

The drunk's joke fell flat and Yōsuke simply shook his head, though he was appreciative of the man not hiding any weapons. However the conversation took a strange turn when he mentioned Battosai. Then the woman started going off about dealing with ruffians and taking out their leaders. Just who did they think he was? If anything deep down inside he aspired to be one of those leaders. To sail on the seas with a pirate crew, his name so infamous that he was known throughout the world. He wanted to become a greater Pirate King than even his father.

In short, Yōsuke looked at them all as if they were nuts. He'd heard of the Battosai. They were Heart Empire's Elite force of Samurai. He felt many things hearing they were here for him. From the way the woman talked it was as if theyre were going to give him a recruitment speal. He didn't care to hear what they had to say. If he wouldn't leave to be a pirate why would he leave to become a samurai? "I believe you have the wrong person. I can think of no reason the Battosai would be looking for me. I'm a simple refugee from Shark Country. Thank you for complying with our rules. My mother at the bar would be happy to serve you drinks. I need to return to my post. Please enjoy your stay folks."

It was quick denial. He didn't even entertain the thought. Seeing the men's love of drink he sent them to his mother to get drinks. He wasn't quite sure what else to say to them. Him acting like some sort of soldier for a country he wanted to leave? Forget about it. He turned away to return to his stool by the door. His mother who'd been watching them let out a sigh of relief seeing they weren't there to cause trouble. She looked at Yōsuke and then at the trio shaking her head. If they could convince him more power to them.

[Drak]

Jirou grabbed his sword by the hilt and lifted it out of his white belt. It was an ornate looking weapon with a deep-red scabbard and intricately-patterned tsuba of Kisama brass. Turning the sword on its side, he held it out, blocking Yusuke’s return to his stool.

“You forgot one,” he said, shaking the sword slightly. “It’s an expensive one. Not replaceable should any harm come to it. I’d ask you take special care with it, and maybe hear me out while you do.”

He turned to face the boy, looking down at him, studying him.

“Your mother works here?” Jirou turned his head to look towards the bar where an older Shoryu woman was serving drinks. He supposed she would have been attractive if he were Roku. His gaze turned back to Yosuke. “You know, I used to work in an establishment not…” he paused, looking around again at the clientele and workers. “...completely different to here. A family restaurant. Just like you and your mother, my family were refugees of the Great War. I’m sure I could’ve had a perfectly good life working there, but I never would have reached my full potential or discovered my true talents staying where I was raised.”

He cocked an eyebrow and flashed a roguish smile at Yosuke.

“Come on,” he said. “Hear us out. Something tells me you're not so uninterested as you say you are.”

[King of Cats]

When Hato proposed her idea of an alluring position in the nations most elite black ops unit, Aichi sighed. She wasn't very tactful, and didn't represent Battosai at all in her words. She made it sound like she was a hero. In truth she was. But Battosai was responsible for some reprehensible doings in Heart. Aichi had personally put an end to a Yakuza gambling house, by poisoning the villages well water. He had orders to take under his wing. That was how Battosai was. You were given freedom with your rank, but you were forced to do unspeakable deeds. It was truly a double edged sword working for Battosai. Aichi wonddered if Hato felt the same way. She was always so certain of her self. Could she matter of factly surmise her deeeds as part of a grander scheme? Aichi supposed she could. He didn't cut her off and let his sister speak.

Then Yosuke denied the offer. Aichi wasn't surprised. He didn't know anything about the real reason they were there. Hato made it out like they were looking for a hero. Which, they were. But there was more to it than that.

A week before Aichi accepted this mission, he sat in conference with Genbu of Battosai. Genbu wa a Cell Leader like Aichi, and he presented Aichi with a problem. There was a space on the team, and Genbu wanted to discuss his most viable replacemet: Yosuke Shuryo. Aichi was surprised that Ichiro took such interest in such a kid. Usually waarriors had to be at least C-Rank to make it to Battosai but exceptions had been made. If Aichi got to speak up to Yosuke, another exception was certainly in the works. Ichiro swore Yosuke had undeniable potential.

Thinking about it all, as Jirou proposed his idea of working for Battosai to Yosuke, Aichi came up with a test for the boy. In his left hand, Aichi began sweating Kisama blood. The blood collected in his hand and with a bit of chakra he molded it into the shape of three senbon. They were smaller than average, and were perfectly concealed in Aichi enormous paw.

After Jirou was done talking, Aichi spoke up. "To be frank with you, Yosuke; there is greater forces at work than my team can express to you in this open area. Lead me to a private area, and I will tell you more about your potential future with Battosai." Aichi was smiling warmly. He had an unusually businesslike tone to his voice. Aichi was trying to do things the right way. Ichiro wouldn't appreciate talking about the squadron in the open, not when it came to a member of his cell.

When Yosuke begn to reply to Aichi, he tossed the three senbon cosecutively at the shark boy. With 10 Speed and 5 Strength, the senbon went flying at Yosuke's face. Aichi was smiling the whole time. He wanted Yosuke to know, he was serious about the boy working with Battosai. "Think fast!" He called out as he chucked the senbon.