[ Frost Country | A vassal of the Lightning Country ]
[ A collab between @conman2163 , @ChromeHound and @Gerontis | The Sixth Raikage sets up a meeting, having invited once more the Akinian Imperials to discuss the matter around their previous dealings. It seems to go rather well as a new deal has been made between the Lightning and Empire. ]
Itagaki sat in the small hall of the village that neatly bordered the Frost, considering the situation while sipping some tea. He had just been given the report that was rushed to him. Thousands of mercenaries had been spotted by his scouts and spies flooding into the Regency held lands, grim news, but made grimmer by the knowledge that the Imperials were now marching to the Jun clan's city. It would take some careful planning and consideration, and already some hasty consultation had gone on with Kaizen, who had been brought along. If he could have consulted Iri it would have eased his mind more, but at the moment? He was left to the advice of Kaizen. The already agreed upon plan would have to go ahead. Word had already been sent to the representative of the Empire of the topics that would be discussed.
In the large hall that he was seated was a large round table with one chair for Itagaki on one side, and on the other, a single chair for whatever representative would be sent to meet with them. He had hopes that the representative would be someone of suitable rank, it would be displeasing to find that someone ultimately unimportant was sent to treat with him. The hall was large, and tapestries and banners covered the walls that otherwise might have been barren. It was certainly better to be inside near the roaring fireplace then outside in the cold, as the negotiations would likely take a few days at least. It was even better to have warm food and housing after the long trip down here. Urawara was an excellent place to be. Now all that was left was for the other representatives to arrive.
The few banners fluttered in the wind as the envoy moved on. The cold was unpleasant but none of the company muttered a complaint. With some excellent guides of their own, the Akinian delegation made way to the location where they would be likely received by the people of the Raikage. The many professional troops, composed out of both Kensuke's own unit, as several shinobi teams were more than what a usual diplomatic delegation had. But despite the civil war not raging into the Frost country, the Crown clearly didn't want to take any risks. Even if the Regency council had made attempts to coerce the Imperial crown to send forces to aid them.
Reaching the village, the Akinians would respond to the hospitality as the Northerners received them, all going along as the written rules of etiquette instructed. Kensuke would follow those rather traditional rules, flashing a smile and exchanging brief words with some folk, as the Raikage would be alerted of their arrival. Allowed to retreat to prepare himself for the meeting with the Raikage, Kensuke wasn't in any sense nervous or excited. He took the whole affair with a rather apathetic stance. Having experienced a fair share amount of dealings with kages and rulers, he saw no need to suddenly drop his own personality - certainly not when he had received instructions from Kiyomi.
Entering the building with a small guard, Kensuke had a disarming smile portrayed on his lips as they would be guided by a servant to the small hall. Arriving in the room, Kensuke could appreciate the lack of pompous decorations and presence of art pieces. Almost made it appear that it was a mere talk for a few minutes than an actual diplomatic engagement between an empire and a Raikage-led rebellion.
Approaching the table, Kensuke would greet the masked Raikage with a mere nod as a minor sign of respect.
"Lord Raikage," Kensuke began as he made a subtle gesture. One of Kensuke's guard would step forward and hand over something to a servant of the Raikage.
"Kensuke Nimatsu, I have come to represent the Imperial Crown. Her Majesty desired me to bring a gift, to show good faith and hope that your rebellion is faring well."
Waiting patiently for the masked leader to accept the sheathed, richly decorated sword, Kensuke would place his hands at his back.
Itagaki did not move from his seat as the delegation entered, but he did adjust his posture to be more formal. As Kensuke politely nodded and then his guard presented the gift, Itagaki would gesture to the seat. He gestured for his servant to bring the sword. He pulled it ever so slightly from the sheathe in his examination to peer at the blade, before passing it off to his servant again. Decoration was not what he typically enjoyed in a sword, however the rich decorations were not added thickly in poor taste. Although it would not serve in combat, it would be an excellent ceremonial sword.
"I am flattered that your Majesty thought to send a gift, the Empress clearly has an eye for good craftsmanship in a blade." He gestured to a servant of his own, who held a small chest gilded with gold. Inside was a silver ruby necklace.
"Please, return this gift to your Empress as a token of our appreciation." He folded his hands in front of him, adopting a less pleasant and more polite tone.
"Though it must be said that we fight for the rightful heir to the Ranzaki throne, and so it is in fact the traitorous Regents who are the rebels." He gestured to the chair opposite to him.
"Please take a seat representative Nimatsu. Might I offer you any refreshments?"
"I will make sure that her Majesty will receive your token of appreciation, Lord Raikage," Kensuke replied. Taking a seat, he was genuinely wondering how many were fighting for the Ranzaki Throne and for it to continue. And how many were out for their own fortune that could be reaped from civil strife. However, it wasn't his place to question the Raikage or make his ponderings audible.
"Yes, I would be most grateful for some refreshments, Lord Raikage," Kensuke replied as he placed his hands on the table. His kekkei genkei couldn't catch much on the Raikage - largely due to the mask that concealed the man's face. For a mere moment, Kensuke amused himself with the thought that this could perhaps even be a mere diplomatic decoy while the real Raikage was somewhere else.
Itagaki did not even have to signal the servants, they were at the side of Kensuke almost immediately, offering a selection of tea, white wine, and water. A small tray of seed cakes was also presented. Itagaki would have enjoyed refreshments of his own, had he not had to wear the mask. He made a mental note to compliment the lord of the city on the discipline of his servants.
"I trust that your trip here was without trouble representative?"
Giving a subtle nod as a sign of thanking the servants, Kensuke wanted to comment on how suspicious it appeared that Itagaki proposed the refreshments but didn't take any for himself. Deciding to show some goodwill, Kensuke would take some tea. The cold hadn't penetrated the interior from the outside but Kensuke wouldn't mind warming his body with the warm liquor.
"My trip was long but tranquil. Though nothing that exciting or interesting, I must add. I have travelled this route a few times before." Pausing, Kensuke would lean slightly back.
"However, I believe that you had something more interesting to discuss than my dull, long-travel this far north, Lord Raikage?"
"Hmmm…. That is good to hear, first time trips can be unbearably long." As talk turned to the reason of their meeting, the Raikage waved to a steward who brought Kensuke a document to read over.
"I have a simple proposal." Itagaki folded his hands.
"Your Empress asked for ships, and I have some available conveniently. My reports show that there are seventy ships in total moored in the harbour at Okino, conveniently close to where your troops are now. A simple trade. Your troops will take forty ships, and we will no longer send shipments of material for building new ships. That will more than satisfy our current agreement."
With mild interest, Kensuke would rest his gaze over the document. He remained silent, seeming to take the information in. Slowly nodding, Kensuke turned his sight back on the Raikage.
"Stating that they are conveniently close is an understatement, I believe. If what is true what we received before my departure, then the city is already under Imperial protection. Preventing any participating party in your civil war to engage into any hostility towards the city of Okino and her people." Kensuke flashed a disarming smile.
"I know her Majesty quite well. And I assume that she won't like it if she is given some second-hand ships that were conveniently moored into a city that her troops are protecting against the violence of this civil strife. I could perhaps persuade her Majesty to take the deal if still some money and resources are sent down south. Unless you know a more interesting proposal, Lord Raikage."
Itagaki rolled his eyes behind the mask at the man's smile. It upset him how veiled people could be about diplomacy, he much preferred to be seated on a horse taking peoples heads off with a blade then to be at this table, but here he was.
"Hmmm…. Perhaps we could make some arrangements as to the leasing of the city to the Empire after the end of our civil war in addition to the ships. However that would require some more aid from the Empire."
Kensuke pondered on the option. But he shook his head. Placing the document on the table, Kensuke spoke up.
"Though it sounds interesting, I don't see much value in having a city being leased. If anything, it will just conjure more problems for now and later for my Empress than it is worth it." Kensuke kept the smile on his lips as he gestured to the document that he had placed on the table.
"Besides, if we are direct with each other Lord Raikage, then the Empress already holds the city of Okino. Allow me instead to offer a better deal."
Lasting a pause as he slowly leaned forward, Kensuke wrapped the fingers of both his hands around the small mug. The warmth was certainly comfortable and welcome.
"We will take the ships. And after this conflict, you can take Okino back. In exchange for our aid, we will lower the prices that were made in the first deal. A non-aggression pact shall be signed between our nations and for our aid, an annual tribute shall be paid. In either resources or wealth."
Kaizen had stood silently, watching and listening as Itagaki and the Imperial representative had carried out negotiations. Thus far things did not appear to be going so well. Neither his expression nor his body betrayed anything about how he felt, however, as the Spymaster kept careful control over himself. Only a polite smile was visible on his face. When the Imperial representative had made his counter offer, Kaizen decided it was time to step in.
Moving forward gracefully, to stand at the right side of Itagaki, Kaizen lowered his head respectfully towards both of them before turning his attention towards Kensuke.
"Your proposal is quite generous, Lord Nimatsu," Kaizen began, careful to use the correct honorific,
"I would be remiss if we did not ask, however, if you had a set time range in mind for this annual tribute?" They were in a difficult position and it was likely the Empire knew it. That left them with a limited amount of bargaining power and Kaizen wanted to get a full understanding of what the Imperials were looking for before they'd agree to anything.
The mere instance that the unknown man moved forward, Kensuke directed his gaze to the approaching man. A calm composure remained with Kensuke but while he kept the disarming smile present on his lips, he didn't trust any of these northerners.
"I can likely arrange a few years. To make sure that your country won't be burdened too heavily. Spreading out the required funds that are needed to keep our troops operating on foreign soil is quite tedious," Kensuke paused for a moment as he looked between the unfamiliar man and the masked Kage.
"I am certain that such a deal would be more successful with her Majesty than a promise of a kage to lend us a city. A city that is ruled by a clan and not even under your side's control," the polite tone didn't waver as Kensuke brought the facts on the table,
"with no offence but I am quite close with her Majesty. She doesn't like to deal in promises with those that she isn't quite acquainted with. So I propose that a certain amount of funds will be paid in small sums. Spread out over a few years to spare your country to be plagued by another trouble so shortly after going through a civil war."
The gaze of Kensuke subtly shifted back and forth between Kaizen and Itagaki.
"I might be able to convince her Majesty to provide more aid if you would agree. After all, we hold Okino and the Regency is quite afraid to start a conflict with a real military powerhouse," the phrase seemed to promise something sinister as Kensuke kept the smile.
"What say you?"
Nodding his head slowly, Kaizen kept the polite smile on his face.
"Ah, well that does certainly sound like a most reasonable offer," the Spymaster said, glancing for a moment back at Itagaki. Shifting his attention back to Kensuke, he continued,
"is this sum something you are prepared to propose right now, or will you need to speak with your Empress first?" The question was simple, but meant to reveal exactly how much power Kensuke held here. It would also indicate whether or not the Imperials had already prepared for this as their desired goal, in which case there was a chance he might still have some bargaining room.
"Should you wish to confirm with her, and should it be acceptable to you, Lord Itagaki," Kaizen added, glancing back towards the Raikage before once again meeting Kensuke's gaze,
"I would be happy to travel with you as an official representative of the Lightning to meet with her Majesty and finalize the terms."
"I will have to speak with her Majesty. I don't expect it will be anything small. It entirely depends on what is to be with the troops that we already send to your aid. If they are to return already, then the sum might be small." Kensuke replied back to Kaizen. He wondered if that basically meant the end of this meeting. Then again, he wouldn't mind being back on the road.
"If you desire to travel with me, you are welcome. I am certain that her Majesty will welcome you with her legendary hospitality." He further added, actually wondering for a moment about something. But due to the reason why he was here, Kensuke decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
Itagaki looked slightly over at Kaizen.
"Unfortunately Kaizen, you are far too important to me to be gone for lengths at a time." He turned back to Kensuke.
"We will send a representative with you to finish the deal."
Shrugging slightly, Kaizen was mildly disappointed that he could not travel with the Akinian representative. The opportunity to travel and to meet with the young ruler certainly intrigued him. She had proven rather cunning thus far, but did not seem so ruthless as to take advantage of the Lightning when they were at their weakest. Sure, she was demanding a tribute that would be difficult to pay, but Kaizen had a feeling she could have demanded far worse had she truly desired. It interested him to know why she was showing them mercy, despite the rather… unfortunate way that the Raikage had treated them in this deal thus far.
Pondering something quietly, Kaizen rubbed his chin, the smile never leaving his face. Gaining a slight glint in his eye, the Spymaster finally nodded.
"Very well, Lord Sixth," he said politely, lowering his head in a sign of respect towards the Raikage.
"Might I then request to send one of my own people as our representative? They are well versed in such dealings and act as an extension of myself." Hoping that the Raikage would understand his reasoning, Kaizen returned to his full height, awaiting the man's response.
"I think that would be an excellent solution." Itagaki folded his hands. He tapped his fingers as he considered the deal that had been achieved. While preferable to the original deal that had been worked out, it was still not what he had wanted for the Lightning. But at the moment it wasn't like he had the ability to completely rid themselves of the Imperials or the threat they posed as a potential ally to the Regency. Keep your friends close, as it were.
"Excellent," Kaizen replied, smiling widely. Turning back to Kensuke, the Spymaster tilted his head slightly.
"If it would work for you, Lord Nimatsu, I can have one of my representatives meet with you within a day to accompany you on your travels. If you need to leave immediately, however, I can always have him meet with you along the way." While the initial deal was complete, Kaizen was still curious how the Empress would react and whether or not the Lightning would still have to fear some form of retribution. With Itagaki's approval on his plan, Kaizen had more confidence that he'd be able to see this through to the best possible resolution.
Kensuke watched the exchange between Itagaki and Kaizen happen with certain patience and amusement, though the latter of the two remained hidden from his features. He did wonder what the Lightning wanted to accomplish by having Imperial troops joining their side and then be requested to leave again. But it wasn't his place to question. Neither was he, hopefully, going to suffer Kiyomi's reaction or having a shoe thrown at him.
"If anything, I would like to leave immediately. It is a long journey back home and while the Frost country is a remarkable place, I prefer to be back in Imperial lands. I prefer that than to come stranded in local politics." Kensuke replied, the disarming smile of before finding its way back to Kensuke's lips.
"Your representative can join us along the way if that works out better."
Rising up without waiting for the permission of the masked leader, Kensuke subtly rolled his shoulders. In a way, it was still amusing to him that a kage held no power over him. For once, he held power on the formalities and while he wasn't in any sense power-hungry, it felt good. Very good.
"I shall bid you two a pleasant journey back home. And good luck with the war and all that," the disarming smile shifted into a smirk as he merely nodded before turning around on his heels and starting to leave the hall. His guard waited patiently for Kensuke to reach and take his leave from the door, a subtle and peaceful way of covering their charge.