Returning from their encounter with the
Nama Hage, the hunters took Akuso to the local temple where he was taken by the
nuns to have his wounds tended to. After which they were rewarded with an
unusual gift from Kuroda. They were given the keys to an “Engineers Workshop” a
technological marvel of a past age. But that was not all, for within the
workshop itself was a huge armored transportation unit called the “Iron Turtle”.
The boy Taro was told to familiarize himself with the working of the machine
and report his finding to the samurai Junzaburo.
Leaving his companions to rummage through the contents of the workshop for other items that might be helpful, Junzaburo returned to the safe house. When he arrived he was met just outside by a hooded woman. Introducing herself as Mitsue, she explained that she was a scout for Kuroda, and that she had important information concerning the logging camps and surrounding forest. After inviting her in, Junzaburo partook of some opium and over a cup of tea the two discussed the recent troubles. Junzaburo then accepted Mitsues proposal to join his team, and assigned her quarters before retiring for the evening.
