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Was the general thought as merchants eyes drifted back toward their customers, pretending they had never looked away at all. The central road was lined with stalls, each boasting a variety of different goods.

A good deal of the wares were imported, as Gengyo managed to spy a few mirrors and other such European glassworks.

The road was absolutely packed with people, and the only way to pass through was to barge past the mass in front of them. There were a few shouts of complaint, but as soon as they turned around to see the scale of the young man’s entourage, they soon held their tongues and made way.

He held no interest for these small scale stores. He needed a larger shop, one that was perhaps a permanent feature, as that would demonstrate a degree of integrity on the store-owners part, as they had managed to survive for a time without offending anyone too powerful.

The men marvelled at the taste of the sea air, and could not get enough of it. They opened their mouths wide, allowing it to fill their lungs, remarking how fresh it felt.

They passed down the main road and neared the port where many men were at work unloading supplies from a large European trading vessel. Its huge three masts towered over all the surrounding Japanese sh.i.p.s, evidence of its ability to handle the mighty ocean, and travel halfway around the world.

Judging by the language they were speaking, Gengyo thought them to be Portuguese, and eyed the crates they were unloading with interest. He had an idea what might be inside, only he knew he certainly lacked the coin to afford it.

A little disappointed by that – though not too put off, as Nakatane had promised him a good amount should his business with Tobishima prove successful – he made his way along the port area, careful to stay out of the way of any of the men hard at work.

His soldiers eyed the white-skinned Europeans with interest. They were a good deal taller than they were, and their shoulders broader – though Rokkaku still stood a similar size.

Their appearance lead to numerous conversations – ones that Gengyo did not weigh in on – as he allowed the experienced Niiro to explain who they were to the rest of the men.

Just as he was about to pass it, a stall out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. The table was littered with all manners of finery, and even some of the Portuguese men had gathered round to inspect the wares. There was jewellery of all kinds, and of course such items would be hot topic, so there were 5 men standing guard as their master did business.

He smiled, before calling Morohira over and reaching into the large sack, pulling out one of the rubies. He approached the stall, making certain that the sack remained out of sight – the merchant would hold the advantage in their bargaining if he realized he had much more that he needed to sell.

"Hello."

He approached the stall, and leaned lightly upon the table. The merchant regarded him lightly with a nod, before resuming a rather broken conversation with a Portuguese man who was haggling for a gold banded necklace, from which dangled a series of jewels. He held up a roll of silk, demonstrating how soft it was by rubbing it upon his face.

The merchant shook his head, holding up his fingers to symbolise the number of silken rolls required: 2.

The Portuguese man grew red in the face at such boldness, and would have caused more of a scene had he not seen the aggressive stares of the guards bearing down on him. Instead, he simply spat on the floor and walked away.

"Tsch. A barbaric people."

The merchant muttered under his breath, before regaining his face of friendliness, and turning to Gengyo.

"Yes, young man? What is it that you would like to buy?"

"Ah. I was rather hoping that you would be doing the buying."

"Hoh..."

The man’s interest was captured as he looked toward Gengyo with expectation in his eyes.

Slowly and deliberately, he removed the fist plum-sized rugby from the sleeve of his arm. Greed instantly lit up the merchants eyes, as he immediately offered his price.

"5 gold coins!"

He said, a little too breathlessly. The young man shook his head with a light smile, as though amused by such jokes. In truth, he had no idea about the fair selling price of such an item, but he knew that he would not be offered it. At least not straight away.

"Come now, let us not joke. We’re both men of business, yes? Let us be fair, and honest with one another. We know – yes we do – that this ruby is worth at least 10 times that amount."

Those who overheard what he said went white, discussing such a sum of money.

"50 gold coins..."

He heard a man behind him breathe.

The merchant grew nervous, and his hands started to shake as he thought about dealing his pursue such a blow. But he quickly collected himself. He was experienced after all. A deep breath was all that he needed.

"...Do not play me for a fool, child, please name a sensible price."

"Oh, but that price is sensible. Of course, you will not be selling it as a lump of ruby. You’ll process it, adding it to other bits of jewellery, and you’re looking at a selling price far above 50 gold. Now – return your request. Offer me a sensible price, or my business goes else well."

He turned on his heel to show that he was serious.

"Wait! Young man! Wait!"

The merchant called out urgently, his face slick with sweat. Gengyo turned around, an eyebrow raised.

"Yes?"

"40..."

"Pardon?"

"40 GOLD COINS!"

He shouted, laughing maniacally as though he had finally broken. Such an amount of money to be spent so quickly was madness... and yet the young man was right. The value of the rugby was far beyond being simply a ball of solid mineral.

Gengyo quickly stretched his hand out with a smile.

"We have a deal."

As far as he was concerned, any price that could get an experienced merchant so worked up was bound to be decent. And when he compared it to the prices of living that he had learned, and his first experience in the market with Rin, he felt it was rather fair.

The man took his hand, shaking enthusiastically, his palms immensely sweaty. He set upon the table 5 bags of coin, sliding it across the table, holding both his palms outward in anticipation.

He gently popped the ruby plum onto the man’s hand, as he pocketed the coin pouches with another. He left satisfied, looking forward to seeing how much they might earn after selling all their wares. After all, a single ruby had sold for 40 gold coins, and he still had another, and many more other items.

His men stared at him in awe.

"Bloody 40 gold coins! We’re rich! Rich I tell you!"

Morohira yelled, dancing happily, seeming to think that such an amount of money belonged to him.

"Mmm. We’ll see."

Gengyo tossed one of the coin bags in the air, enjoying the weight of the metal as it landed into his hand. His father stared at the bag with hungry eyes, waiting for the next instance in which it was thrown so that he could snatch it from the air.

He laughed heartily at such a look, sharing the amus.e.m.e.nt with his brother, who also seemed to know exactly what Morohira was thinking.

"Remember fellas, Niwa will give you all a cut of what we sell this for, so be patient."

He reminded them, as he proceeded to look for the next buyer.

They wandered the streets for a good while, searching for suitable selling points. With time, the sack grew lighter, and their amount of coin grew heavier. He gradually worked out the market price for certain items, and made sure to get his fair price for each thing he sold.

By the time he had finished, they had amassed a terrifying amount of gold. Perhaps enough to buy a village outright. He had gradually become trusted enough to carry around the sack – now full of money – and he walked around cautiously, like some kind of coin goblin. But even if he was a little odd, Morohira’s actions provided great amus.e.m.e.nt for the rest of the men, who were growing tired.

With the beginning of sunset, the amount of people in the streets began to lessen, and they set up a stall of their own.

With a pair of bokken laying at his feet, Gengyo watched on, letting Rokkaku advertise their business.

"Recruiting men! Recruiting men! 10 silver each! Then 1 silver a week after that! Recruiting men!"

They very soon drew the attention of the surrounding men. Most were simple peasants that lived in the nearby housing. Poor quality, and likely untrustworthy. What he sought were ronin. Someone to bolster their ranks. But of course, ronin were samurai, and deserved respect.

But not all samurai were as well off as Nakatane and Toda. Some only had their rank to cling to, and no finances to speak of. If he could attract such people, he hoped that he would be able to select the honourable, and the skilled, and filter them out from the rest.

Still, that did not mean he immediately dismissed the peasants. He treated everyone the same. But he had a rough idea of what he wanted, and subjected them all to a test.

"Good day young sir, is your offer true? 10 silver, and then 1 silver a week?"

"It is."

Gengyo nodded, laying down relaxed against the corner of a building, putting on an aloof air, trying to project the aura of a young samurai lord.

The men surrounding him only served to bolster his image. He hoped he would get a glimpse of the man’s true character in seeing how he reacting when he was treated with such dismissal.

As it happened, the man’s smile did not fade, and he continued to wait for Gengyo to speak.

He yawned loudly, before lazily pointing to Togashi.

"Togashi-kun. Duel this man, would you? Whoever lands the first strike wins."

He nodded toward the bokken that lay at his feet, and both men stepped forward to grab them. He had picked Togashi, judging him to be weakest, so that he might catch a glimpse of the other man’s skill.

He stepped up, giving them space, before giving the command to start.

"Begin."

The two men stepped forward, each eager to land the first strike.

THWACK

With a sickening jab to the stomach, the peasant was left doubled over, reeling from the pain. They had not even caught a glimpse of the strike, all they could see was Togashi still lunged outwards, his face a mask of the utmost seriousness.

Gengyo coughed into his hand, surprised.

"Er... Togashi wins. If you can stand, then duel once more. We will do the best of 3."

The peasant man struggled to his feet, his face white. His sword no longer held any intent behind it, and in truth, he looked terrified at the prospect of facing Togashi once more.

But he did not flee, so the command to begin was given.

This time the peasant struck outwards first. It was dodged by the skinny man with ease, as he stepped to the outside of the stretched arms, and kicked toward the other man’s feet, and sending him flipping to the floor after a push to his shoulder.

//Author’s Note

Finally released on time today!! YAY!!