Before answering to anyone or doing anything else, the now standing Fujioka swiftly and firmly snatched the hoshi no tama away from the walking, talking pumpkin boy with a handspeed that may or may not have surprised the others. It was certainly not normal for one calling himself a simple masseuse, but then his body hadn't exactly looked too normal either. He, did, however pat the spirit's "head" with his other hand in a very patternal manner. "Now, I do believe this was entrusted to me. Snatching up valuables like that is hardly polite". He, of course, knew of the importance of such an item. This was progress in the right direction.

Going back to his knees, he bowed deeply in gratitude to the fox before rising once more. "A man's mind should be his temple", he said by way of apology, taking a moment to admire the soul sphere he now held. "And suspicion is to be expected when one is taken against their will and grouped with strangers in discussing what amounts to high treason". He watched Dafei walk away and spared nary a thought for the creature, severely doubting it might provide any manner of necessary support for such a quest. In fact, the only ones he might place any trust on for this task from the outset were the monk, the ruffian and the girl with the axe.

The girl had done little and the monk seemed docile, as was usually the case with their type. That left the foreign ruffian to deal with. Thankfully, he had some understanding of the man's language. "Sir, as a man of business you must know, information is very important", he said with a fairly thick accent, speaking a bit slowly to allow the tongue to return to his mind. "Certainly, Anjou is bad for business. Information on how to hurt him would be good, no?". He lifted the hoshi no tama to eye level, letting the light shine through it. "This is most important for foxes, a proof of good will, an apology like cutting off the sword hand".

His father, his family really, had dealt with the type before. Brutish men, remorseless criminals often best dealt with by sword, but also fairly simple and easy to influence with the right means. Many had lofty aspirations and their own sense of honor, liked to think of themselves as more than just lowlives, and in the proper situations their resourcefulness and talent for violence could make them as useful as any retainer. "Surely there is benefit to be had here, and slaying Anjou is a worthy cause".