Ninja Bathin' Redux

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«Search for the Stolen Scroll

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Ah, Forename. I have a letter for you from Master Oboro. It would appear that his investigation in Kugane has borne fruit. Here, see for yourself.
Dear Forename, I hope this letter finds you well. After a long and rather uneventful voyage, we have arrived safely in Kugane. Captain Jacke seems quite taken with Hingan culture, and is enjoying a stroll in the pleasure quarters at this very moment.

But forgive me, you are not interested in a diary of our travels. As for the matter of the scroll, rumors abound of a band of Doman scofflaws have been causing a stir in town of late. Putting together the accounts we have heard, the good Captain and I are convinced that these are the thieves we seek.


If the word about town is to be believed, these individuals are far more dangerous than we had imagined. I trust that you have been pursuing your ninjutsu training with your usual diligence? My apologies─of course you have. In any event, we would have you join us at your earliest convenience. We will be keeping an eye out for your arrival. Seek us in the alley behind the second pier ferry docks. Safe travels, friend.
It is good to see Master Oboro in good spirits once more. Ever since the elders commanded him to remain here in Eorzea, he has not quite been himself.

After all, a shinobi without a duty to carry out is as a hawk with clipped wings. It is good to see Master Oboro soaring high once more.


Still, I worry. Though I have great respect for the man, he can often be too trusting for his own good. Pray go to his side, friend, and see that he does not get himself into undue trouble. May the kami carry you safely across the sea.
Forename! What took ye so long? Have ye snilched the rum doxies in the pleasure district? I'm likin' this place more and more by the day!
Ah, Forename! It has been too long. To have traveled so far to assist Oboro in his mission─words cannot begin to convey my gratitude.
Forename. I thank you for answering my call. Tsubame, too, has made the journey from the village to join us in retrieving the scroll.
It is an honor to stand by your side again, Forename. Master Oboro will doubtless benefit from your presence, as he always does.
Likewise, I figured we could use a few more dimber dambers on the job, so I've sent for Underfoot and the Stray. Their ship should be pullin' into harbor afore long.
In the meantime, allow me to share what we have learned. Reliable sources have it that the theft of the scroll is the work of the Garnet League, a notorious band of outlaws feared throughout Doma.

When the Doman rebellion was crushed one year ago, many a samurai fled the battlefield to escape the Empire's wrath. Dishonored and unable to return home, most turned to banditry to eke out a living. It is the most lethal of these warriors who formed the Garnet League.


Cutting down innocent men for their coinpurses, plundering villages... The men and women of the Garnet will gladly stain their hands with blood as long as it means they will live to see the morrow.


Why they covet that scroll so, I cannot say. What I do know is that if we do not stop them, they are all but certain to leave a trail of corpses in their wake. We must move, and quickly.


Fortunately, they should not prove hard to find. Confident in their ability to cut down anyone who dares oppose them, they take little trouble to conceal themselves. On the contrary, they parade their garnet-hued kimono for all to see. You can distinguish them from the similarly garbed Sekiseigumi by their lack of a hakama and their singularly uncouth demeanor.


Let us split up and cover as much ground as we can. Forename, I would entrust the Shiokaze Hostelry and the Rakuza District to you. Keep to the shadows, and gather what knowledge you can. When we are done with the task, let us reconvene here.
Loutish Lickspittle
We're not puttin' on a bloody show here. Piss off!
Level-headed Lackey
I am not in the habit of talking to strangers. If you have business, state it. If not, begone.


If approached while not Hidden...

Loutish Lickspittle
One day she has us sneakin' into─hey, why don't you mind yer own bloody business?
Level-headed Lackey
My friend here has a bit of a temper. You'd be wise to leave him alone.

The Garnet League men are not likely to divulge any secrets in the presence of strangers. Move out of eyeshot and hide yourself in the shadows before approaching them again.
If approached while Hidden... These men look to be members of the Garnet League. They seem to be discussing something...

Loutish Lickspittle
One day she has us sneakin' into a bleedin' imperial storehouse, and the next the Confederacy's chasin' us halfway across the Ruby Sea. Zakuro could pay us twice what she does and it wouldn't be bloody worth it.
Level-headed Lackey
Come now. Even you must admit it was quite the little adventure. Though it was fortunate that we came upon those Eorzean pirates when we did─and that they believed our little ruse. In the end, we made it here with our little prize, did we not? We simply took a slight detour.
Loutish Lickspittle
We didn't all make it─or have ye forgotten those we left behind at Bloodshore? Cut down by our pursuers, no doubt. The poor bastards... Whose brilliant idea was it to go along with that masked man's plan, anyway?
Level-headed Lackey
If our brothers could not fend for themselves, they have only themselves to blame. As for our mysterious benefactor, he led us here as promised, did he not? Now we need only wait for our client to show and deliver the goods, and we will never need worry about going hungry again.
Loutish Lickspittle
Speakin' of which, just how long does our man mean to keep us waitin'? I'm beginnin' to wonder if someone isn't playin' all of us for fools.
Level-headed Lackey
Now, now. We were late with our delivery, after all. Word has it our client returned to Koshu when we did not show, and now is making the long journey back to Kugane. We owe him some patience, do we not?
Mercurial Minion
You seem lost, friend. I suggest you get found, and quickly. Kugane is not friendly to those who go looking in the wrong places.
Flustered Follower
Wh-What is it? C-Can't you see we're discussin' important matters here?


If approached while not Hidden...

Flustered Follower
I-I swear, I just wanted to─ah, was I sayin' something? N-No, I don't believe I was...

The Garnet League men are not likely to divulge any secrets in the presence of strangers. Move out of eyeshot and hide yourself in the shadows before approaching them again.
If approached while Hidden... These men look to be members of the Garnet League. They seem to be discussing something...

Flustered Follower
I-I swear, I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about! Barely put a finger on the thing, and next I knew it, Zakuro's blade was at my throat! I-I thought she was going to cut me down right on the spot!
Mercurial Minion
Put yourself in her shoes. They say our client is such a dangerous man he's been known to kill those who renege on their agreements. If anything happened to the scroll, her life─and ours─would be as good as forfeit.
Flustered Follower
Y-You're sayin' she's as scared as us? Zakuro Brightblood, who single-handedly cut down a hundred Garleans in a day during the rebellion? Zakuro Brightblood, who dyes her hair red with the blood of her foes?
Mercurial Minion
She cuts an imposing figure, this is true. But deep down, she's actually quite the sensitive type.
Flustered Follower
S-Sensitive!? Don't make me laugh...
Seems the long journey's dulled ol' Jacke's wattles. Hope ye had better luck than I.
There is an air about you, Forename. I can tell you have grown even stronger since last we met.
It would seem we have everyone assembled. Excellent─let us share all we have learned.
Allow me to see if I have this right. So, in short, the Garnet League lifted the scroll from a Garlean storehouse at the bidding of an unknown Hingan client. They meant to sail straight from Yanxia to Kugane, but ran afoul of the Confederacy─doubtless because they were too poor to pay the Ruby Tithe.

In fleeing, they were then captured by the Krakens, so they claimed to be Doman refugees seeking asylum. Upon arriving in Eorzea, they made off with the scroll, and eventually found safe passage to Kugane─with Karasu's aid? That one's motives remain as inscrutable as ever...but I digress.


Furthermore, they are led by one Zakuro Brightblood, about whom no small number of tall tales are told. Regardless of their veracity, there can be no doubting that she is a formidable opponent.


For my part, I heard that she is most protective of the scroll, and keeps it on her person at all times─night and day.
I heard that Zakuro and her followers have rented a room at the Bokairo, an inn in town famous for its hot spring baths.
All ol' Jacke managed to whiddle is that the cove is right fond o' her flowin' locks. An' that she fancies herself a cup o' tea, makin' the trip from the inn to the teahouse and back at least thrice a day.
That is most...enlightening, Captain Jacke. Now, we must find a way to get our hands on the scroll before Zakuro's client arrives─but how? We could challenge her to single combat, but the Sekiseigumi would not look kindly on that.
Besides, we are shinobi, are we not? We must use stealth to our advantage. We simply need a plan...
Look out below! Underfoot's on the scene. Good to see ye again, Forename. Can't wait to snilch the new tricks ye've learned from yer friends here.
What's a mort got to do to get herself some sushi? I'm bloody starved! And what's with all these bleedin' seagulls? I swear, if another one takes a shite on my hair, it'll be seagull stew for dinner tonight!
Wait...that's it! V'kebbe, yer a bloody genius─an' so am I, I reckon.

Gather 'round and lend me yer wattles, friends─ol' Jacke's got a plan!


First, we catch Zakuro as she's beatin' her way from the inn to the teahouse. Underfoot, V'kebbe, Tsubame─you three'll be in charge of causin' a scene and stoppin' the mort in her tracks.


Meanwhile, Forename. You make your way to that perch atop the markets, an' drop some imitiation seagull shite down from above.


What with her precious locks all mucked up, the mort's sure to make for the hot springs. She can't very well bring the scroll into the water, so we just follow along─all stealthy-like─an' heave it from whatever basket she's stowed it away in.


For good measure, Oboro and I'll head to the bathhouse as well an' keep the girl occupied until Forename has the scroll safely in 'is daddles!
A most impressive plan, Captain Jacke. But I have one question: how do you propose that the two of us keep Zakuro...occupied?
Oboro, surely you remember our visit to Bronze Lake, and the little show I put on for our pirate friend? It's all quite simple, really.
I am not certain I understand what you─oh. On second thought, I am not quite convinced this is the best course of action...
Ahaha! Give yerself some more credit, lad. Now, Forename. Ye'll want to climb up to the roof atop the Bokairo, an' then make your way across to the wire atop the markets.

Here, this white dye should do a suitable seagull shite impersonation. Once Underfoot and the gang lure Zakuro into position, let 'er fly.


All right, lads and lasses, look sharp! We'll meet back here once all's bob.
The pain... Oh, the pain!
My poor girl! Whatever is the matter?
Someone, anyone, find a healer! The girl needs help!
What was─? Gah! Bird shite!? Oh, bloody brilliant!
Thank you, kind sir and madam. But worry not─I am not ill. You see, I simply haven't had a bite to eat all day.
Ahaha! Is that all, now? Fortunately, the Shiokaze Hostelry is but a short walk away, and I hear their sushi is positively to die for. Shall we?
My hair! My beautiful hair! <sigh> Back to the bathhouse, I suppose...
What beautiful locks you have! However do you keep them so smooth and silky?
I've seen many a rum doxy in my day, but ain't none what compare to you, milady.
Truly? I do not mean to boast, but they do say my beauty is sung of far and wide...
Well done, my friends! The operation was, by any measure, a rousing success. That said, I have not seen Tsubame and the others─I do hope all is well.
Now that was some rum fun, if I do say so meself. As for the cove, I wouldn't fret─like as not V'kebbe and Underfoot dragged her off to yaffle on some o' Kugane's finer delicacies.
No doubt you are right, Captain Jacke. In the meantime, pray show me the scroll, Forename. I would see just what it is that Zakuro's mysterious employer covets so.
Why, this is─are my eyes to be believed!? The forbidden mudra of summoning! I had half thought it just a ghost story meant to strike fear in the hearts of shinobi who would stray from their path.
Forbidden summoning? I wouldn't know a mudra from me own grandmum, but that sounds right dangersome...
It is indeed, Captain Jacke. The legends say that if the summoner's focus wanes for even a moment, the monstrous beast called forth by this mudra will not hesitate to devour him whole.
Many years ago, it was gifted from our village to the King of Doma─then sealed away, to be used only in the most dire of circumstances. But it was lost in the chaos of the Garlean invasion, and never seen again. So it has been sleeping in an imperial vault all these years...
So even with this bleedin' all-powerful summonin' at their fingertips, the Domans still couldn't hold off the Empire? Guess it wasn't all it was cracked up to be, eh?
On the contrary, we never had the chance to find out. Master Gekkai, who led the shinobi, deemed the risk too great and refused to employ it, even as our nation fell.

Whether Master Gekkai plotted his betrayal even then, or whether he had our countrymen's best interests at heart, I cannot say─though I would like to believe the latter.


Nonetheless, it is clear that none in Garlemald knew of the scroll's true power. And so it sat untouched until it was stolen by the Garnet League, at the bidding of some unknown master.


But aside from my fellow shinobi, who out there would know of the scroll's true power? But it matters little now. We have the scroll, and I must return it to its rightful home in my village.
'Fraid I can't let ye do that, friend. I promised the Krakens I'd bring the scroll back for them, an' I'll not have it said that Jacke ain't a man of his whids.
After all, the scroll's been missin' from your village for twenty-odd summers, no? Clearly no one's sufferin' much.
That is hardly the issue, Captain Jacke! This scroll is an ancient treasure─it belongs in Doma!
It belongs to those what found it, an' that's the Krakens! Gods, if ye ain't a stubborn bastard...
Gentlemen, gentlemen...must you make such a scene? After all, strictly speaking, the scroll belongs to neither of you.
Karasu! Wherever did you─? But never mind. Thank you for guiding us here. You may rest assured that the scroll will safely return to Doma. You have my gratitude.
Oh, Oboro─my dear, sweet, deluded Oboro. You grow ever dimmer by the day. Do you truly believe that I do what I do for you?

I did say that I was pulling all the strings in this little puppet play, did I not? Very well, allow me to put it in words even you can understand: the scroll belongs in Hingashi─to the master I now serve.


My mistake was in entrusting to Zakuro and her lackies what I should have seen to myself from the very start. Oh well, live and learn, I suppose!


In any event, allow me to propose a simple transaction. You hand over the scroll, and I return your friends to you with their heads still attached to their bodies. A fair trade, no?
Karasu, you craven─!
On second thought... Ahahaha! Yes, I do believe we could have even more fun. Keep your eyes and ears out, dim one─you'll be hearing from me again soon.
Curse it all! And here I believed the man had turned over a new leaf after leaving Gekkai. But no, it would seem he has simply found another villain to serve.
Once a rook, always a rook, I reckon. An' a sharp one, at that─Underfoot and the Stray aren't the types to get boned so easily.
As long as we have the scroll, Karasu is not like to cause our friends any harm. And yet, he is as unpredictable an adversary as they come. We must proceed with caution.
Forgive me, Forename. It would mean much to me if you would remain in Kugane until our work here is through. Pray continue to train in your ninjutsu, and I shall call upon you again when the time is right.