[the flip of a page brings sound first, a grunt and a slight ting of bells]

...there, 'course. Now where's the damn writing thing...?

[it cuts off and the rest comes in jagged handwriting, as the journal translates his Chinese script]

word of advice. don't get captured. sure, you'd say it's better than dying, but I'd beg to differ. it ain't fun. it's not an easy way out. puts your crew at risk, more than if you die. and I don't know about half of you, but I ain't lettin' some Navy ass gloat about stretching my neck on the gallows. Hell no. Never give 'em the satisfaction.

I ain't gonna ask for a recap of the last week, I can figure it out for myself. But I saw mention of a couple names of Oda's guys who I might wanna talk to. didn't know they'd be here...

~Gan Xingba

[for anyone on the Booyakasha, he's sitting out on the forecastle, writing and contemplating the open ocean. He's got a lot to think about. He's grateful for the rescue, though.]

[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.

[The writing is large and looping and it looks like proper penmanship has been abandoned in favor of looking girly and cute.]

Since Selphie was reading love poetry, I started thinking about love again. How depressing, right? I'm beginning to think that being a pirate means not having manners or treating ladies with respect. Sure, there are some exceptions, but the things I've had to go through, honestly...

Do you think the perfect guy is really out there? My lord Ujiyasu would always say that my standards are too high, but what's wrong with high standards? If you set your standards too low, that's what you're going to be stuck with. That's what I think, at least.

Why, exactly, should I waste my time running around in search of an imaginary, wish-granting gem?

[The disgruntled voice you're hearing belongs to Mitsunari Ishida. As haranguing townsfolk has ultimately gotten him nowhere, he's finally taken a look at the apparently magic journal he woke up with. The accompanying note from "Scurvey Dog" has cleared up a couple of things, but the answers aren't quite what he wanted to hear.]

I detest pirates, I detest this absurd place, and all I "wish" for is to know one thing: where I will find the man known as Ieyasu Tokugawa.

For the sake of Lord Hideyoshi, inform me of his whereabouts at once!

[Clearly someone isn't in the mood for smalltalk. There's no "thank you for your time" after this message or anything. That's that.]

[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.