[center][h2]Imperial Realm of Yamatai[/h2]
[b]Imperial Capital, Ekyodo[/b][/center]

The arrival of Emperor Sho was announced by the opening of the heavy wooden door of the Imperial Court. Once inside, the hundreds of politicians, military officers, bureaucrats, nobles and reporters filled the chamber, all looking down from their tiered areas. Most people would probably suddenly suffer a lack of never to do anything but stutter and trip in the presence of so many important people, but Sho long got over his fear of public speaking and having so many eyes on him as he had grown up in the company of many of these men and women, some of which he knew personally. Instead of feeling the glares of a thousand people, he saw the gaze of a thousand friends and family as he took his seat in the throne located at the center against the wall.

"All bow before his grace, Emperor Shitatsu Sho!" the court guard  in full traditional armor boomed from the center of the Imperial Court.
"We give praise to you and wish a thousand years of honor upon our lord which we swear to serve most dutifully and diligently. Please accept our humble bows that we present before you, our righteous Emperor Shitatsu Sho.", the hundreds of voices shook the foundations of the building to its very core as everyone once more took their seats after the Emperor waved a hand.

"People of my glorious domain," the Emperor's voice resounded throughout the chamber, "We have convened here once again to discuss the course of our great Empire. As our first order of business, I would like to elect Mastude Shiahara-dono to speak to us about our current situation within our colonies. Shiahara-san, as you wish."

"Thank you my lord," Shiahara stood up, his hair pulled back to his hairline as it spiked out at the end, his eyes covered by a small pair of circular spectacles, "All is well in the colonies, money and materials are been sent per status quo and our conversation of the local populace if proving to be fruitful. As per your orders, we have increased defenses in both the southern Ryukyu Island and the northern Fujishi colony. Scouts are active around the clock on the look out for any hostile intent by both Tiqsimuyu and Yllendthyr. Two platoons have been moblized and divided between the two with the 1st and the 8th Fleets supporting them. There are reports however that Elven refugees are crossing the border in Fujishi, your orders?"

"I will leave the final response to my sister, Habari-dono, thank you for your report Shiahara-dono." The Emperor pushed some papers around and picked up a new sheet about the recruitment in the military as well as new weapons, "Arisaka Tajima. Please stand and deliver your report."

"Yes sir!" the Minister of Military stood a rapt attention, his back straight as a board as he delivered his report with the voice known to shatter mountains, "We have raised two new armies to serve you your highness. We have also finished the consturction of the  Anikaga-Class battleship, [i]Ooichiro[/i], and the Namashiro-Class Aircraft Carrier, [i]Hoki[/i]. They will become the basis of the new 14th Fleet with the battleship [i]Nakima[/i], the Aircraft Carriers [i]Jistu, Danbari[/i], and the cruisers [i]Amatsu, Kyojin and Ryuzo[/i] soon joining them. Upon completion, we will transfer some destroyers from the 7th Fleet to support them."

"Very well, I see that our naval power is becoming more relevant." the Emperor was glad that the navy was growing stronger, he had put a new package of money to the shipyards in order to raise the new, modern 14th fleet, "What about these new weapons you are proposing?"

"As you know, some months ago we have began testing the Type 5 Experimental Rifle. We have now concluded that it is ready to be shipped out after working out some minor flaws in the rifling and feed system as the Type SM-5 Rifle. Troops will soon be armed with it but the Type 99 will still be in service with the Ashigarus and snipers. Also we have made significant  progress towards chambering the Type 50 heavy SMG for rifle rounds but are unable to find suitable ways to reduce recoil for automatic fire. Fear not however as I have assigned our best men to the R&D laboratory in Kitsu."

"Very well, may Amaburi be with you." the Emperor watched as a Tajima sat down as he pulled out another file labelled "Diplomacy report."

Silence broken only by silent mutters and the shuffling of papers and scratches of pens filled the room as his highness thumbed through the file. The newer members of the Court were clearly uneasy as they fidgeted in their seats especially the rookies in the foreign affairs department, hoping that they wouldn't be dishonorably called out for a mistake they made. 

With gentle hands, Emperor Sho closed the folder and turned to a certain Ms. Arita Kayuma, head of the rising FA ministry, "Kayuma-dono, I have read your department's report and have found every useful and informative. How goes the diplomats we have sent to the other nations?"

Dressed in modern business wear, Kayuma brushed away her hair and cleared her throats, "Your honor, we have yet to receive word from our brave men and women in foreign soil but are expecting them to do well." A small spontaneous chatter arose around her as she leaned down so someone could whisper in her ear, "Also, no disrespect your honor, what will you do about the three-way meeting in the land of Tin?"

A grin cracked on to the young ruler's face as he called for a mysterious figure, "Hattori."

"You called your highness?", a man dressed in black robes and armor with only his eyes showing between his face mask and his headband suddenly appeared from seemingly nowhere, surprising everyone in the court and baffling the guards who were now scanning the chamber from ceiling to floor, "What is your bidding?"

"I am giving you permission to activate the JSIOF. Ensure that we shadow our "friends" as they have their meetings. It might be a perfect tinderbox for our plans." the Emperor's widening grin further unsettled the rookies and even some veterans, the experienced ones how stood steadfast, "I assume you know what to do from here."

"Yes you highness." Hattori bowed, "The shadows listen to your will."

And with that, he disappeared in plain sight, puzzling everyone once more as the guards angrily shook their fists at where he was once standing. Sho knew that activating the JSOIF would be direct dishonor on his part, but everyone in the room had a certain level of knowledge on why.

The Emperor needed a spark to strike the tinderbox, who else to call on for this sinful business besides the JSOIF.