A wisened face appears of an old Shogun. He wears the traditional uniform of a shogun, and in the background Dragon's are moving quickly. One moves on screen, singing poetry. He is quickly removed, before Hojo can notice...
Guildmasters.
I am Hojo Hirotoki, head of the Hojo clan, and acting head of the Taira family in their absence of a fully trained Shogun.
We are the current influential families of our order, and as such it is our task to ensure our people are fed and equipped.
They are not.
What will I do about it? You may be asking, but the question is, what will you do about it. You have long supported our cause, now prove to us, the new Shogunate, you are worth your weight in gold...
a KNF officer is brought before Hojo. He turns from the camera, drawing an old fashioned Katana and striking the man in one slice. He sheaths the Katana, turning back
So tell me, if we grant you access to our home once more, will you deliver what you can, to aid our cause.
My name is Taro Katsuo, one of the Guild Masters of the Gas Miners Guild. Perhaps you've heard of me, perhaps not. It matters little. What does matter, however, is that I've not heard of you before, Hirotoki-sama. You, or the Hojo clan.
As you must surely know, Hirotoki-sama, the Guild was approached by the honourable Blood Dragons a long time ago, asking for aid. They were declined, so they asked again, and again, always declined in their plea. It was not until the end of the Eighty that the Guild finally agreed to assist the Dragons, both financially and through vigorous training. Do you know why, Hirotoki-sama? It was for the Blood Dragons to disrupt Samura and their operations, chiefly their gas mining attempts in Hokkaido. Not to behead Naval officers as misguided shows of force.
The Guild pays for nothing if there's no return for an investment.
So you're incorrect, Hirotoki-sama; the Guild mustn't prove anything to you. It is You, that must prove yourself to us. We both know that the Dragons wouldn't exist as they do today without the enormous ongoing support from the Guild, and that there would be little to remain of the honourable Dragons if the Guild were to cut the cord.
As of today, Samura have completed their gate in Hokkaido, leading to the system of Rishiri where they are indisputable in power. Beyond that, they've even gain a foothold in Nagano, spreading their influence and cronies, the Farmers and Hogosha. Of late, I've even heard more reports of Blood Dragon vessels attacking and pirating Guild transports, than that of our Samura equivalents.
I've seen no attempts of the Hojo clan to prevent or dissuade the Samura corporation in any of their endeavours. In fact, I've not had word with the Blood Dragons since the Rising Sons were in power, whom we enjoyed admirable relations with. You should aspire to be more like your predecessors, Hirotoki-sama. To know to please the hand that feeds you.
For why should the Guild continue their support of the Blood Dragon cause, when there's nothing for us to gain? As you said, we're worth our weight in gold. Are you?