Underground Turf War Catch-all! [OTA! Come toplevel!!!]

[baofeng]

Who ⬤ Open to all!
What ⬤ Catch-all log for the Underground Turf War
When ⬤ Throughout April: Dates within
Where ⬤ The Underground
Content Warnings ⬤ Please tag any cws in individual toplevels / threads!




This is a post to facilitate shenanigans regarding the Underground turf war! Feel free to park your toplevels below and tag around!

Summary of what’s going on:
The Underground is the network of subterranean utility / sewer tunnels under the city, previously held by the Kappa tribe. After the April 2022 Event, the Underground has been cleared out by the Department of the Enma and is now mostly unattended.

The Tamamo Clan and Shuten Clan have received orders from their leaders to take over the Underground. Unfortunately, there's two of them and only one Underground, so the two clans are fighting over it. (Tamamo Meeting Log) (Shuten Meeting Log)

The Sutoku Alliance is not willing to fight for the territory, but are intending to work out a deal with whoever wins the turf war to get the kappa back to work. The Department of the Enma is also more interested in investigating the Daitengu’s assassination than the turf war, but that means their Lost Souls can bring popcorn and watch the show. (more info here.)

Comments

[kaientai]

You do? I see...

[ that's a good thing, actually. ]

Then you really can help me, Izō. What I want and what the Alliance wants are the same right now — we want peace here so that people can live. You and I both know there's really nothing I can do to stop this war from happening, but I'm gonna try to stop as many people from dying over it as I can.

[ and so that maybe he can have a moment to breathe and consider his next steps but that's far less important. ]

Ultimately, it's your choice. It's well within your right to cut me down as a ranking member of an enemy faction and keep going. Or, you can hear me out and then decide what you think is best.

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō looks conflicted. He has his orders, he knows what he's supposed to do, but Ryouma is unfortunately someone he will listen to, for better or worse. ]

...Spit it out. Quick, before I change my mind.

[kaientai]

Thanks, Izō.

[ well, that's a start. ryouma's is the smile of a man who has never been concise in his life, but he's going to try. ]

I'm assuming that Shuten and Tamamo are both planning to convert this place into something that can turn a profit in the future otherwise there wouldn't be any point in fighting over it.

[ other than a serious grudge but that doesn't matter he can work around that. ]

Which is fine, because that just makes it easier.

The Alliance can't really do anything to stop this and we're not willing to fight anyway, we're just gonna cut a deal with the winner. Right now it seems more likely that Tenkohime would be more willing to work out a better deal for the Kappa, or at least that's how I have it from their people. Honestly, I don't know one way or the other which is why I've been trying to establish contact with people I can trust and I don't trust anyone more than I trust you, Izō.

I don't need secrets, I just hope you'll help me find a way to talk to the right people when the time comes.

...

'Course, if there's anything you wanna ask me, now is the time!

[heretic_blade]

[ "I don't trust anyone more than I trust you, Izō."

One sentence does more to get his guard down that anything else. It's like someone punched him in the chest. Silence falls aside from the sounds of fighting in the distance. He can't even look at Ryouma as he sheaths his sword. This isn't going to go over well... ]

Majima'd know better'n me. He's done this shit before. [ He makes a face. ] Don't get in over yer heard and know yer place. Otherwise yer gonna end up dead.

[kaientai]

Majima, huh? Well, maybe we can grab a drink sometime and the three of us can talk business. Think you can help me out with that? [ yes, you too, izō. in as a part of the business and not just there to stand around outside. ] I know you're making better money now but I'll buy you a drink anyway for the trouble.

[ now that izō's put his sword away for sure, ryouma can't resist closing the distance between them. he's wanted to check izō over since the trap went off and he also puts his hands on izō's shoulders encouragingly. he could not be more thrilled right now. ]

I'm really happy for you, Izō!

[ other people are clearly recognising the things he's always seen in him, so of course ryouma's proud. ]

[heretic_blade]

I ain't gonna be a part of it. I ain't good at shit like that...Ya know that.

[ Always the one to be excluded from more important meetings because he's not that smart. Izō doesn't get the time to dwell on that, though, because Ryouma's suddenly grabbed onto him. That earns him a scowl -- don't mind the blush. ]

Let go or I'll shove ya in th' sewer water.

[kaientai]

I want you to be a part of it. What do I know? Let's see... I know that you always keep your word and you always get the job done. I know the last time I got you a job you did exactly what I hoped you'd do. I was really proud of you then too, Izō. That's another reason why I'm glad you're here.

[ getting thrown into the water is a different threat than getting properly attacked, so you know what he's just going to smooth out the material on izō's shoulders and hold his hands up in front of him instead. ]

No need for all that. Anyway, I have a lot of ideas but the time isn't right for those yet so there's no rush. Just keep doing what you've gotta do, alright? I hope all the factions can join hands and work together one day but that isn't going to be easy.

[heretic_blade]

[ He looks like he's going to die on the spot. Stop being so nice to him!! At least Ryouma let go so he doesn't have to make good on this threat. Izō huffs. ]

Ya ain't changed a bit, huh... [ Ideas and goals bigger than himself. ] Jus' don't go gettin' yerself offed by doin' shit th' higher ups don't like. Yer walkin' a real fine line.

[kaientai]

[ no, he will continue beaming with pride because this is all so good. what he doesn't expect is izō saying what he says. that specific circumstance that has actually happened and, given that he's quite willfully falling back on old habits, potentially setting himself up for trouble (again). he's lucky he gets away with just a bit of nervous laughter. hopefully, izō won't think anything of it. ]

Ah... r-right. I know it's tricky but it's for the best. The more everyone fights the more dangerous it is and I don't want there to come a day when we don't have a choice but to be enemies.

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō does think something of it, but he lets it go. Now isn't the time for that. He can pry at what the hell happened after he died later. ]

We're on different sides...It's always gonna come down to that. Sooner ya learn to accept it, th' better.

[ He doesn't sound happy about it. Emily's Sutoku, too...He doesn't want to fight with either of them, if he can avoid it. ]

Now get th' fuck outta here before I change my mind.

[kaientai]

So? Never accepted it before, ain't startin' now.

[ even if that wasn't a belief he's always held, ryouma isn't going to give in now when he's promised to do better by the people he cares about that are here with him, not worse. he's also more relieved than he's willing to let on right now that izō doesn't decide to pry... at least for right now. ]

But I appreciate you, Izō. Thanks.

[heretic_blade]

[ Izō looks away, teeth gritted. It's pathetic that he can't even maintain a tough face when Ryouma acts like this...How weak can he be?

He turns his back to hide his shame. ]

...I said go.

[kaientai]

[ as much as ryouma wants to stick around and say more, over this he won't push his luck. it's not about him, it's about what's going on here and what needs to happen in the future and so there's no reason to go and risk izō changing his mind. ]

Be careful, alright? Got no business saying so but I'm gonna say it anyway — try not to be too reckless, okay? I'll see you around.

[ he does izō an extra favour before he goes and forwards him the map he was given that has the locations of the tamamo traps. he doesn't want izō getting hurt and has an interest in keeping this war at a stalemate, so he has plenty of reasons to share. ]

[heretic_blade]

[ Well...He won't be pissed off about that parting gift. Izō pulls his disappearing act once again and moves to a more strategic position to spring an attack on the next person who crosses his path.

At least it won't be Ryouma again. ]