First Contract ¤ Audio [Forward dated to after agreeing to join with Motochika]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[The silence is broken by the sound of three gunshots fired in quick succession, far quicker than should be possible with beginning of the 17th century technology, at least with only one gun. After a moment, a woman speaks.]

Hear us now! We are the Saika Faction! The red bell rings. The pact we have made shall be known to all! Let it toll! Let the bell call out across the land!

[Some time between her arrival and this entry, Saika must have somehow managed to get her hands on an appropriate bell, because it rings for a few moments before she addresses the journal again.]

I am the Magoichi Saika, leader of the glorious Saika Faction. For those of you that have not heard of us, we are the finest mercenaries of our land and time, one that we share with the likes of Ieyasu Tokugawa and Mitsunari Ishida. We are here to announce our alliance with Motochika Chōsokabe and the crew of the Katabami until such a time as our contract has been broken or expires. Should there be any other members of the Saika out there, resolve the matter of your own contracts and come here when you are able. That is all.

Comments

audio;

[keyworddouble]

Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, seized power in 1600. Mitsunari Ishida, a samurai of the late Sengoku period of Japan, claimed dead the same year Ieyasu seized power. It is fascinating that you announce an alliance with Motochika Chōsokabe, as he was said to have died in the year 1599.

It seems that common historical timelines mean nothing here, leading people from any and all periods of time and areas of the world to be drawn to one central point. This Pierda Roja must truly be an important artifact for our kidnapper to go to such lengths to acquire hands to seek it.

[...Don't... mind... him. He's literally just assessing the information because it's actually something he can access, unlike a lot of information people give out in this world.]

audio;

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[It's a little off-putting, to hear the battles of their time relegated to just another footnote in history, but Magoichi won't hold it against him, and she's always one to appreciate information-gathering. Although the facts seem to be a bit... off.]

It is... interesting to hear that Ieyasu successfully united the country. He and Mitsunari were fighting for that right at Sekigahara, though I had yet to hear of the results. However, Motochika was alive and well at that time, if allied with the losing side.

[Motochika had mentioned something like this, though.]

I have heard that we have been taken across not only time but space as well. There seems to be a second Motochika here, sailing alongside the infamous Mitsuhide Akechi, something that the Motochika who hired me protested quite strongly that he would never do. I know little of the jewel, but you raise an interesting point. If this Davey Jones is capable of bringing all of us here, what is preventing him from simply obtaining the shards in a similar fashion?

audio;

[keyworddouble]

[Philip; gently giving spoilers about history on complete accident. Stop that, child.]

It's fascinating to hear first-hand accounts of these figures. I'm not certain if I should be telling you this, given under some circumstances it could lead to alterations in history, but in my research I've discovered that Ieyasu did in fact unite the country. His shogunate ruled from the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. Perhaps Motochika was only assumed dead due to his loyalties?

[A hum, curious.]

Fascinating. Mitsuhide, the general under Nobunaga? It seems like there are several different points of divergence within the histories of the people brought to this place. Perhaps the Motochika you are familiar with differs from the historical choices made by that of the one traveling with Mitsuhide.

Precisely. Perhaps it is the jewel itself that harbors the power for this supposed teleportation, and Jones wants it for his own. Who is to say that he was responsible at all? Perhaps he is simply claiming to be responsible to exact fear and respect amongst the kidnapped.

audio;

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[Yeah, Philip, some people haven't gotten to that part of history yet, jeez, tag for spoilers, you jerk. Or don't, Magoichi would happy to tell future generations of the Saika to stay on the Tokugawa's good side for about 250 years.]

I can't imagine it would change anything in my personal timeline. Sekigahara was well under way when I was brought here, and my faction was allied with Ieyasu for some time beforehand. I can't imagine Motochika would be assumed dead, though. Not only does he cause trouble wherever he goes, Ieyasu is a merciful man, and they were friends since he was young.

[Although it does make her worry that Motochika might have ended up an accidental casualty. There's not much Ieyasu could have done if he was hit by cannon fire or a soldier that lost his sense of judgment in the heat of battle got to him first.]

The very one. I don't doubt that the two of them made different decisions, but I think that there is more to it than just that. I was familiar with Mitsuhide of my home, and he was truly a fool, intoxicated on bloodshed and his lord. If what Motochika tells me is true, the one traveling with his counterpart is a fool in a different manner, one that is gentle of nature but incapable of recognizing that Nobunaga Oda was anything but until he'd nearly brought the country to his heel.

That is a possibility, and it would not surprise me were it true. It would explain why the nature of this teleportation seems to be at random. However, there is very little information available to us, and it would be dangerous to draw conclusions at this point. I do appreciate having someone to speak to on the matter, though. You are quite insightful.

audio;

[keyworddouble]

[He doesn't mean to spoil people, really he doesn't. Technically he's never encountered this sort of issue before. Though in this case, he supposes he doesn't mind overmuch.]

I wouldn't know the specific circumstance, only the historical data left behind of the battles and the people themselves. Though the information at hand states a clear date of death for Motochika. [Philip you should not be telling people about the day they're going to die.]

[He hums again, and the smile on his face is evident in his voice.]

How particularly interesting. Personal testimonials of historical figures, this is something I never thought I'd encounter. Though I suppose you are less of a historical figure given the circumstances at hand.

[His voice becomes somewhat muffled, as he has shifted how he is standing with his journal and now has a hand partially covering his mouth.]

Extrapolating what could be responsible for our circumstances is a double-edged sword, surely. On one hand we could be close to the truth and uncover several unknowns about the situation, on another we could be thinking along a rabbit trail so far from the truth that we lose sight of what is truly going on.

voice

[allendsmeat]

Oh you're going to sail with Moto-chan? That's awesome! He's a pretty fun guy.

voice

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[She chuckles.] Fun? I suppose that's one way of putting it.

voice

[allendsmeat]

Yeah! He made an aquarium for my ship and stuff like that, and we fought over a boar.

[there's a crunch like he's biting into an apple which, in fact, he is.]

Is he your friend from your world?

voice

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

That does sound like something he'd do.

[Though she does question the need for an aquarium on a ship, and where Luffy learned his manners. Still, as long he doesn't try to take out a contract with her should Motochika ever leave, it's not important.]

He is. One of my oldest, in fact.

voice

[allendsmeat]

[Why wouldn't you have an aquarium? You can see the fish and if you're hungry you can just get a net and dip in there without going in the sea. Plus they have a mermaid so it helps]

I bet he's glad you're here. We're gonna sail with Moto-chan again one day so maybe we can meet then and have an adventure.

[voice]

[yatteyanyo]

I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever going to come across a Japanese from my era...

[voice]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

I could not say. From what I know, there's no consistent criteria for who is chosen and who isn't.

Re: [voice]

[yatteyanyo]

I'm aware of that. But it's still a bit alienating to see several Japanese and not a one from the time of my prince's rule.

[voice]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

And why are you telling this to me? I cannot do anything about it.

Re: [voice]

[yatteyanyo]

... ah. How thoughtless of me. You seem to have been caught in the way of my casting thoughts to the wind. I apologize, really.

audio;

[behisstrength]

How curious.

[Motochika drawls, mild interest in his deep, rich voice.]

Welcome to this land, Saika Magoichi. So you are from their world, are you?

audio;

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

I am.

[It really is good that Motochika filled her in on the whole alternate universe thing. Otherwise, she might assume that he was just another stranger. He still technically is one, but knowing that he know an alternate Magoichi and she know an alternate him makes a surprising amount of difference.]

And you... Are you Chōsokabe or Akechi?

[behisstrength]

No assumption? [There is challenge in his tone.] Yet our lack of acquaintance has not stopped you from sharing ill judgement of one of us freely. A fool, was it?

[Still, for all that he is calling her out for her comments on Mitsuhide, he harbours no hostility, and answers her query without further provocation.]

I am Chōsokabe Motochika. Should you desire any clarification from us about our homeland then you need only ask. Otherwise... good fortunes on your new venture.

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

Perhaps it was wrong of me to assume that based on Motochika's words alone, but I have no sympathy for any that would side with the Oda, especially one that shares the name Mitsuhide Akechi.

[She's managing to keep her cool for now, but, should Chōsokabe press, it won't last. You can't just steal her chance at avenging her mentor without igniting her fury, even you were the reason she received a second chance to do so.]

I would like to know of the Saika from your home, particularly my counterpart and the Ishiyama War, as well as any crucial differences between our lands that you know of, aside from the obvious.

[Her distaste is no excuse for losing out on what could be important information, should she have to deal with anyone that "knows" her.]

[behisstrength]

[Those are still big assumptions. His words are firm.]

Whatever crimes the Mitsuhide of your world has committed against you, my Mitsuhide is not responsible for them.

[The fact that they are their own people should be obvious, he feels.]

I cannot tell you the crucial differences between our lands, since your companions have never discussed them with us. My interaction with Magoichi and the Saika were limited, but I will tell you what I do know.

Your counterpart is a man who possesses a widespread reputation as a womaniser. Like you, he favours guns. [The sound of gunfire is unmistakable, after all.] He and Toyotomi Hideyoshi were good friends. The Saika allied with the Mōri at Kizugawaguchi, a battle which they lost to the Oda. They were yet to reemerge following their defeat, though I anticipated that it would not be long after Yamazaki.

[It's not much information, as he warned.]

I shall ask Mitsuhide what he knows. His closer proximity may yield more satisfying answers.

[Audio]

[undeadparts]

Oh, so you're going to be joining our crew?

[Man they're getting larger and larger all the time.]

[Audio]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

Yes. Motochika's other recruit would likely try to kill Ieyasu otherwise.

[Not that her being there would stop Mitsunari, but it still meant that there was one more body between the two of them. Motochika couldn't keep tabs on them all the time, after all.]

Since we'll be sailing together, may I have your name?

[Audio]

[undeadparts]

Sure. I'm Zozo.

[Hopefully the Captain's done his job and already informed her about her current condition. Otherwise...yeah. She doesn't feel like getting riddled with bullets.]

[Audio]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[She made sure to ask Motochika for brief bios of her crew mates beforehand, because it would be the kind of thing that he'd do, forgetting people might not automatically get along just because he managed to net them both.]

... I see. You are the necromancer.

[Audio]

[undeadparts]

[While she certainly does like Motochika, even Zozo has to admit that a good deal of the time he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Thankfully they have her and Xun Yu to pick up the slack. And now Magoichi, not that she knows that.]

Yep. I guess the Captain told you about me, huh?