[ voice ]

[fistingbonds]

[Honestly, he knows it's a bit of a long shot, especially given that:

1) The one he's about to inquire about can't really survive in the water given the robotic/mech state he's in.

and

2) Tadakatsu would sink a ship the second he got on board. He even told Motochika the same thing some years ago.

However, given that it's that time of new arrivals and all, Ieyasu's going to try. Plus, as much as he's enjoying the sailing around, he does kind of miss having that glorified jet pack around.]

To those currently docked at Isla Empieza, both current crews and new arrivals:

Should you come across a large, metal clad warrior, I ask that you fill me in on his current location as soon as possible. [There's a pause as he takes to thinking a bit.] I would advise against attempting to speak to him, though should one wish to do so, I ask that you mention the name "Ieyasu Tokugawa" before engaging in any further conversation. My name alone should be enough for Tadakatsu to give you his full attention.

[Of course, attempting to understand Tadakatsu is a whole other story. And that happens to be one that Ieyasu's not going to get into right now.]

Any who are able to supply me with this information, or any information at all that may lead to finding Tadakatsu, will have my complete gratitude in doing so.

Comments

voice

[allendsmeat]

Everyone is lookin' for Aya Sue. [there must be a lot of people from the same world here] He's not a dog.

[just so this guy doesn't get his hopes up]

voice

[fistingbonds]

[Give him a moment. Because...Aya Sue? Who?]

I'm afraid I don't quite understand who, or what, you mean by 'Aya Sue'.

voice

[allendsmeat]

That name you said. Moto-chan's friend and the grumpy guy both mentioned it. He seems to be a pretty cool guy so I think I wanna meet him.

voice

[fistingbonds]

Ah, you mean 'Ieyasu'?

[There's a laugh from his side at that. Is his name really that hard to pronounce? But hey, he's going to roll with the weird name.]

Well, if you want to meet this 'Aya Sue', I suppose I should mention that you're currently speaking to him.

voice

[allendsmeat]

haha It's good to meet you then! I'm Luffy.

[he lays on his back and holds the journal in the air]

So who are you? What cool stuff can you do? Do you know Moto-chan?

[Voice]

[delicate_maiden]

IEYASU TOKUGAWA?!

[WHAT'S THAT FAT OLD TANUKI DOING HERE?! Kai's having the worst day ever. Actually, she's been having a lot of those lately, but this is one of the worst worst days ever.]

[Voice]

[fistingbonds]

[OH DEAR LORD NOT THE NAME YELLING AGAIN.]

That would be me, yes.

[And Kai, does this sound like the voice of a fat, old tanuki? Does it?

Though he does detect a faint bit of recognition. TIME TO POKE FURTHER. Sorry, Kai. Your life is about to get worse...maybe.]

Though I must ask who you might be, especially if my name seems to cause such a reaction.

[Voice]

[delicate_maiden]

I'm Kai, the daughter of Ujinaga Narita. I fought with the Western Army at Osaka Castle. [And kicked your fat tanuki ass, Fat Tanuki.]

[It hasn't occurred to her that his voice sounds completely different.]

[Voice]

[fistingbonds]

[There are reasons his version of the Sengoku era needs some Basara counterparts. One of them being that he's trying to remember if her name is familiar enough.]

I hate to disappoint you, Lady Kai, [LOOK AT THAT. Look at that respect he's giving you, Kai.] but it would seem as though your name is unfamiliar to me. And I don't remember anyone who fought with Mitsunari who had your name.

[Also, what is this talk of a fight at Osaka Castle? He's only at Sekigahara right now, Kai.]

[Voice]

[delicate_maiden]

Mitsunari? He'd already fallen at Sekigahara. Yukimura was the commander at Osaka in Hideyori's name. It seems you may be getting senile, my lord. Perhaps you'd better let Hidetada take over for real.

[They were still sort of working out what he'd be taking over, exactly. Peace is hard.]

[It takes a few seconds before it hits her just how rude she's being. Being around pirates so long is starting to rub off on her.]

[voice]

[curseking]

[Mitsunari would recognize that voice anywhere, and the sound ignites his anger like sparks over gasoline.]

You are longer able to run away like a coward on Tadakatsu's back, Ieyasu...!

[voice]

[fistingbonds]

Run away? Why would I-

[Wait. That voice. Even if it has been months since he arrived in this world, even he still remembers Mitsunari's voice.]

...Mitsunari? Is that truly you?

[Recognition is one thing, but even he can't help but wonder with all the strange things that have gone on lately.]

[voice]

[curseking]

Of course it's me, do not act so surprised!

[Being able to talk to Ieyasu, but not being near enough to fight him... Mitsunari almost feels like the journal is mocking him.]

I am going to end your life, Ieyasu Tokugawa, even if I must brave the ocean to do so!

[voice]

[fistingbonds]

[And here he was enjoying the lack of thinking about Sekigahara.

But he's quiet for awhile at that. Part of him is saying to close the journal, leave it at that. Though, even he knows if he did that, that would only anger Mitsunari more.

It's probably a good thing these journals don't have a video system built into them. And probably a good thing he's not around the rest of the crew, because he's no longer really smiling like he had been up to this very moment.

And even if the following has failed him so many times back home, he's not going to give up here.]

Mitsunari, I ask that you put aside our conflict, if only to spare any others from being pulled into it as well. And to avoid any possible consequences that would arise should we continue this war of ours.

[voice]

[curseking]

Lay down your life for Lord Hideyoshi, then, and this need not continue!

[It's too late for compromise. It was too late from the very moment Hideyoshi was killed.

He will do whatever he must to avenge his lord, regardless of consequences. Because that's what Lord Hideyoshi would want from him, isn't it?

This is what it means to be loyal.]

voice;

[keyworddouble]

Ah.

I suppose to say "you reputation precedes you" would be a bit cliche, but your name has certainly circulated in the brief time I've been here. This Tadakatsu, however... Is too broad of a subject for me to search with just the singular name. Is this in reference to Sakai Tadakatsu, claimed to be a hereditary vassal of the Tokugawa clan?

[Don't mind Philip, Tokugawa, he's just running mental Wikipedia searches and learning idle things about history.]

voice;

[fistingbonds]

Has it now?

[Oh boy. Though it does get a bit of a laugh out of him, if a bit awkward. He has to wonder exactly what caused his name to be thrown around more lately.]

Ah, you know of the Sakai? [Wait, that wasn't what he truly meant to answer with.] I suppose I should have made my announcement a bit more clearer. I completely apologize for that. The Tadakatsu I'm searching for is actually that of the Honda clan.

voice;

[keyworddouble]

I do try to remember names when I hear them.

[To be fair Philip is also kind of a weirdo and a human search engine.]

"Know" is not entirely an accurate term. I've done research. No apology is necessary, however. Honda Tadakatsu, also called Honda Heihachirō. General, later daimyo. One of the Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings along with Ii Naomasa, Sakakibara Yasumasa and Sakai Tadatsugu.

[An exhale that isn't quite a laugh, but it's a pleased sound, and he sounds nearly manic with excitement when he speaks next.]

I never anticipating having the opportunity to meet such people.

[Tokugawa I am so sorry for him.]

voice;

[fistingbonds]

[Well, Ieyasu's surrounded by weirdos when it comes to his strange version of Sengoku Japan. So a weirdo, human search engine should fit in just fine!

Though man, he is quite impressed, if his tone of voice is anything to go by. Someone who knows that much about people he knows? Can someone blame him for being impressed?]

Ah, yes. That would be him!

If I may add to such a feeling, then you might be happy to know that there are a few others present as well. One being Motochika from the Chosokabe and the other being Mitsuhide from the Akechi. Unless, of course, you've already met them.

[Should he mention the two versions of Motochika yet? He just doesn't know, because it's still confusing to even him.]

voice;

[keyworddouble]

[You are absolutely making Philip's day, okay. Knowledge. Testimonial knowledge. Learning shit first-hand. This is so cool, he might actually explode.]

I have heard of Chosokabe, and that there appear to be two of him? I'm not certain of Akechi. I have "met", though not in person, a Magoichi Saika. [She explained the two Motochika thing already.]

[Voice]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[She's... not entirely sure what to say here. Partially because she just told Mitsunari that she didn't think that Ieyasu was here and he'll assume her a liar, partially because she isn't sure how to approach Ieyasu, now that she's failed to provide support at Sekigahara in favor of the off-chance that she could end the Oda once and for all. While that off-chance ended up being more successful than she could have ever dreamed, it does not excuse her actions.]

[Still, he at least deserves to know who's here and who isn't.]

I have not seen Tadakatsu here, but be warned that Mitsunari Ishida is. He will not put aside his grudge against you so easily, even if we are in a foreign land.

[Voice]

[fistingbonds]

I was afraid of hearing such.

[Wait, that voice.]

Magoichi? [And any sign of his happy tone is now dimming some at the mention of Mitsunari.] I see. I can only hope he can be convinced, even if for a temporary truce.

[But...that's all that is. Hope. How much more can this guy believe when it comes to Mitsunari?]

I thank you for the information though, Magoichi. If I may ask, what other news do you bring? What of the situation back home?

[Guess who doesn't know about her split to defeat the newly resurrected Nobunaga and also doesn't know how Sekigahara ended?]

[Voice]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

[plz, Ieyasu. I know he's your cherished rival and all, but plz.]

Indeed. But it is foolish to hope for such. He is not the kind of man who will listen to reason if he thinks it clashes with his beliefs.

[And there it is. Way to immediately ask the one question she didn't want to answer. Not that her pride would have let her go without bring it up, anyway.]

I cannot say how you fared at Sekigahara. I had yet to return there or read any of the reports my men had given me on it.

[Voice]

[fistingbonds]

[He believes in the impossible, Magoichi. That's his excuse and he'll stick to it.]

That is quite true, isn't it? If Mitsunari is anything, he's persistent in his goals.

[And it's something that Ieyasu actually admires his rival for. That and Mitsunari's blunt honesty.]

I see. That makes two of us unaware of the outcome.

[Well, Motochika's never asked him about anything, so Ieyasu never thought to ask him. Though maybe now he should.]

You mentioned that you had yet to return. Might I ask what you meant by that?

[He remembered seeing her, but for Magoichi to say what she did...]

[Voice]

[blackbirdgunsmoke]

That which does not bend is all the easier to break.

[Persistence and honesty are all well and good, but it's also what will cause him to die. Well, that and his opponent hired the Saika.]

As we set to march on Sekigahara, I received a report saying that the remnants of the Oda were gathering at Kanegasaki. That was all I knew when I went there instead, and you should keep it in mind as I tell you my tale. When I got there, I found the Demon Queen and the monk that had been acting as Hideaki's adviser. He killed her, saying that her blood would be able to bring Nobunaga Oda back to life. Though I killed him, I was unable prevent Nobunaga's resurrection. He fled to Honnō-ji, where I sent him back to his eternal slumber. I had only just done so when I was brought here.

[Now, for the moment of truth.]

Should you wish to break our contract and spread tales of the Saika abandoning you when you needed it the most... I would not blame you.