Kohaku added another respectful nod in response to the bow from the Kijima clansman. "If you have nothing further to add, then we will move on."
He turned his attention towards the whole of the assembled once more.
Kohaku Hideyoshi
"Daimyo Watanabe, do you have any concerns or comments that you wish to bring forward?"
Sitting in a reclined position, Hirotada appeared motionless, aside from the moving of his chest and the occasional blinking. He drank his fill, how much was appropriate and polite, but didn't touch any more. His eyes, though alert, were half-way hidden under his eyelids, the whites beneath his iris clearly visible. It could be said that he had a distaste for gatherings and political maneuvering. He concealed the dislike quite proficiently, with an even and barely shifting expression. He observed his peers slowly; His eyes slowly drifting to and from the other attendees. He studied both the words said and the reactions to them. Mostly those of the Shogun himself. A man that was difficult to read, he thought - a trait valuable for a leader.
Standing up, he straightened his clothes, cleared his throat and begun speaking, addressing all present.
Watanabe Hirotada
"Seii-Taishogun, esteemed and valued Peers; I am grateful and honored to be among you. I have no present today, other than my continued loyalty."
"I am taking this chance to personally congratulate Daimyo Kijima on his victory over the Yubokumin forces, and praise his truly exemplary display of loyalty towards our Master" - He motioned towards the Shogun. - "And the Dragon Order as a whole."
He paused for a few moments, collecting his thoughts.
"But this whole ordeal raises questions. Issues that cannot be delayed."
He nodded and looked at each member of the court. His even, baritone voice grew as he continued.
"To think that the Yubokumin snake managed to sneak in undetected into our Lord's sanctuary is not merely an affront to the order, but something verging on sacrilege. Our Lord's survival, a miraculous providence, creditable only to himself, and whoever kept him company at the moment. Not at all, to us, his would-be protectors. The shame of that strikes me deeply, as I imagine it does you all."
His voice returned to normal levels.
"It is quite clear to me, that in our attempt to open up to the world, we've sacrificed some of our security."
"And even now, outsiders flock to our holdings from far away, their motivations unclear, their character untested. Their understanding of our ways - woefully lacking. I protest this occurrence, as I have done in the past; Quite vocally, whenever I am able, and whenever it is appropriate."
"Therefore, I respectfully urge a revision of this stance, from Seii-Taishogun (May he last ten thousand years), and from my valued peers gathered here today. More rigorous tests to be placed on all foreigners of questionable origin; And those among Dragons, with propensity for dishonorable games that risk to destroy and shame us all."
"Let us not make mistakes that can be easily avoided."
"Excuse my uncouth directness, and thank you for listening to me."
Upon finishing, he respectfully bowed his head, first towards the Shogun, then towards the other Daimyo. He then returned to an upright position, waiting for an answer.
The Shogun did not interrupt after he stated that he had no gift. The Watanabe Daimyo appeared to have a purpose about him, standing and preparing himself as though he had given this much thought. Kohaku waited patiently, his sake forgotten for the time being as Hirotada made his opinion clear.
Kohaku Hideyoshi
"Daimyo Watanabe, your continued loyalty is a gift in itself. Your reputation precedes you, and it is a great honor to have your strengths on our side. Your previous gift has been a blessing again as well, piercing the skull of the traitor Yubokumin." Kohaku added the same respectful nod he had given the others in addition to this, then continued.
"Our security is under an intense investigation at the present, following the attempts of the Yubokumin clan. There were already strict no-weapons policies and intense screenings in place for anyone entering this sector of Kyoto, and we are attempting to discover exactly how they have managed to breach our previously impenetrable security measures.
"However, while I do understand and sympathize with your concerns regarding foreigners, it is important to note that no gaijin were present on Kyoto at the time of the failed attempt. With this in mind, I am not willing to force Daimyo to reject gaijin at this point, whatever personal opinion I may hold of them. If any connection is found between this attempt and any foreign party, or if we begin to see any security risk caused by gaijin, then we will have no choice but to implement a new procedure.
"Whatever our opinion of foreign peoples, we have to remember that this has happened by our own flesh and blood for purposes we do not yet understand. It is clear that we need to reassess our security, but in this case, we must look not only at external threats, but internal as well."
There was a flash in Hirotada's eye as he heard about the role the blade played. A subtle expression of satisfaction appeared on his face. He nodded along as the Shogun spoke, his gaze turned downwards, eyes darting left and right as he considered his points.
Watanabe Hirotada
"I am glad I have been of assistance, even if in such an indirect manner."
"It is as you say, Hideyoshi-Tenno. Though I remain unconvinced of that the foreigners' usefulness outweighs the potential dangers their presence brings. We can never know what forces conspire against us; But we can remain vigilant. And so I shall."
"I have nothing more to add."
He bowed to the Shogun, and walked over to his seat, where he raised his still half-full glass of sake.
While the attention shifted towards Hirotada during his speech, Hueng slid a note towards Daimyo Kijima.
"Evidence has come to light proving that the pilot known as Professor Nerva is of Minamoto descent. As such, he has been recognised by the Shogun as the rightful Daimyo of the Dragon Minamoto Clan. The Shogun requests that you keep Nerva's identity a secret at the present time. The Shogun will also request that you relinquish one of your many systems to the new Minamoto Daimyo. Considering your relationship with Professor Nerva and the Shogun, this is not expected to be a problem. The choice of system is at your own discretion, and does not have to be of any particular importance or core value."
The Shogun gave a solemn nod to the Watanabe Daimyo as he sat down. As the glass was raised to his health and to the Blood Dragons, Kohaku would raise his glass as well, waiting until after he had finished draining his glass to take a sip of his. His attention then turned towards Hueng. Who had stood where Daimyo Augus was supposed to be sat and began to speak.
Hueng Hideyoshi
"Recent events have revealed a lost descendent of Minamoto and they will be taking up their rightful place as a Daimyo of The Blood Dragons."
Hueng, then returned to his previous position beside the Shogun.
The Shogun waited a few moments and stood once more.
Kohaku Hideyoshi
"Thank you all for attending the first Daimyo Court. I have listened to all of your thoughts throughout and it will help the Blood Dragons grow even stronger. For now that is all and I have other business to attend to."
The Shogun turns and walks out of the room.
Hueng, waits patiently while the Daimyos and Kazoku finish their drinks and leave.