The wind calmed down, and the ones in the dining chamber started talking again. “Daichi, I didn’t know you still had that drinking problem.” Said Mayumi.

“MOTHER! I do not have a drinking problem!”

“Now do you see?” coughed Masanori. “Now do you see why these terrible things must be killed? The oldest one-Okuri-he wants to become the Shogun.”

“That’s ridiculous!” shouted Hoshi. “If he wanted to become Shogun, why is he an outlaw? Everybody knows only a few military elite politicians ever get a chance at being Shogun…..an outlaw like him would never stand a chance.”

“Unless, of course, he’s trying to take the shortcut to the top.” Said Daichi, in an unnaturally calm voice. ‘Calm’ was a word rarely used for describing Daichi, and it was almost frightening.

Hoshi, however, was not intimidated. She was enraged. Whenever anyone corrected her on any subject, she would fly into a fury of verbal abuse. “SHORTCUT?!?!? You think he’s trying to take a shortcut?!?! My father worked 78 years in the military, and he died before they even considered making him a possible heir to the Shogun! There are no shortcuts!” She stormed out of the room. Inuko sighed, knowing she would have to explain military politics to her later.