Session 2.

A slow-paced episode began a week after the contests in which the principal characters, Kimori, Koei, Mariko and Sugiyama are hired as trouble-shooters for the Masaki estate. They have spent a week settling in and doing some teaching duties. One day, they are called to see Lord Chozo. He tells them that he plans for his daughter to marry the youngest son of the Daimyo, which will considerably improve the standing of Clan Chozo.

The problem is that the dowry that had been agreed upon, a large diamond, was stolen on its way to the Gemsmith in Matsuyama to be set in a gold ring. A Yakuza gang known as the Serpents was behind the theft. The four adventurers were ordered to find out where the stone is and retrieve it. They were warned that they must not let it be known who was behind the recovery, because if the Yakuza found out that warriors had been sent against them, all the Yakuza gangs in Matsuyama would seek retaliation on the Masaki estate. Lord Chozo remarked, "The nail that sticks out is the one that gets pounded."

As there was no further information to be found in Masaki, the four trouble-shooters headed into Matsuyama. Mariko rode into town and arranged rooms at an inn near the citadel, then went to visit the jeweller to whom the diamond had been sent. He explained that the stone had been sent from Uchiko in the south of the province, where it had been found in the nearby mines. It was an unusually large diamond (about 10 carats), but otherwise had no distinguishing features. Reputable couriers were carrying it when they were ambushed just outside Matsuyama about three weeks ago. The couriers were beaten up and the stone taken. The couriers have now recovered and returned to Uchiko. The jeweller thought that the stone would probably still be in the city, and may have gone to a disreputable Gemsmith, some of which are linked to Yakuza gangs, but he didn't know which one.

Koei and Kimori rode into town and tried to get information on the Serpents from local scholars. This was a pretty ridiculous idea, because sociology had not been invented, but they serendipitously chanced on one of the best leads. One of the scholars knew a Yakuza from a rival gang who might give them information about the Serpents. Koei and Kimori then spent the rest of the day looking for him. By late evening, Koei and Kimori had finally tracked down the Yakuza they had been looking for. His initial malevolence was quickly overcome by Koei's feminine charms (but not too much as it was broadcast before 10pm), and he was glad to spill the beans on the Serpents. He explained that the Serpents are distrusted and disliked by other Yakuza gangs. They are vicious, untrustworthy animals. He didn't know exactly where they were located, but he told them of another Yakuza in his gang who might tell them for suitable reward.

Meanwhile, in Cortina d'Ampezzo Sugiyama got a lift into the city on a farmer's cart. The farmer was unable to throw any light on the theft, except that Yakuza attacks outside Matsuyama were rare, and within the city law was fairly good. On reaching the city, Sugiyama booked into a cheap inn where he could exploit his Ninja upbringing quietly and without the knowledge of the others. He found a herbalist's shop in the back streets and tried, unsuccessfully, to find out if it was frequented by other Ninja. He left a message for any other Ninja just in case, bought some herbs and returned to his room to prepare a concoction. Returning to his Bushi persona, he checked into the inn where the others were staying, and went in search of information. He first tried a bar in the east of the city, and got chatting with the barman. The barman knew that Serpents were active in the area, but didn't know the location of their hideout. However, he did know of a house in the Yoshida ward where Serpents lived, and for the price of a drink revealed its location. On his way out of the bar, a blind beggar accosted Sugiyama. Taking pity, he gave him a coin and the beggar offered information. Another drink purchased, the beggar confirmed that the Serpents were in Yoshida ward, and that it was in fact their main base of operations. Sugiyama retired satisfied with his day's work.

The following day, Mariko went to a shrine to see if the priests could offer any information. On the way she encountered an attendant from the shrine of Shizari, a minor Kami associated with healing. The attendant invited her to tea in the shrine, and talked to her without giving much useful information. His reserve was finally broken when Mariko made an offering at the shrine and gave a donation. He revealed that the Gemsmith’s shop in the Yoshida ward was actually a front for the Serpents. Mariko thanked him and left for a planned rendezvous with the others.

Koei and Kimori spent the morning looking for the Yakuza from the rival gang that they had been directed to. They found him fairly quickly, and again Koei was able to seduce him into amiability (showing more leg this time as it was broadcast after 10pm). However, he was not forthcoming with information until Kimori gave him an enormous bribe (3 gold pieces for sake costing 1 silver per flask). He was very willing to give information (and probably will be for months more). He also identified the Gemsmith’s shop in Yoshida ward as a Serpent's front. He did not know if the diamond was there, but he gave them the name of a Serpent "with a spine of jelly". Koei and Kimori then left for their rendezvous.

Also that morning Sugiyama reconnoitred the Gemsmith’s neighbourhood. He sketched a map of the area, then visited the blacksmith's to buy some tools. However, there was very little available, and the blacksmith was quite offhand with him. Sugiyama left disgruntled and puzzled at the lack of interest in customers. Then he went to the Gemsmith’s shop. A man met him in the front room of the shop and inadvertently insulted Sugiyama with a slighting remark, hurriedly and grovellingly apologising just in time to keep his head. He explained that the Gemsmith was busy during the day, but would meet his customer at the end of the day if sir would care to make an appointment? Sugiyama made the appointment and left for the rendezvous with the others.

After meeting to exchange information, the four adventurers went in search of the Serpent "with the spine of jelly". They spotted him leaving a bar, so Mariko went up to him and, acting like a lost girl, asked him directions to a landmark she knew of. The Yakuza "with the spine of jelly", with careless malevolence, gave her the wrong directions. When Mariko feigned tears at being lost, he callously hit her across the head. Immediately Kimori jumped in with sword drawn, and the Serpent "with the spine of jelly" bolted down the alley. However, Sugiyama had sneaked away earlier and cut off his escape. The Serpent "with the spine of jelly" tried to go past, but Sugiyama punched him in the face, and he fled back up the alley. The others were still there though, and the Yakuza "with the spine of jelly" was trapped. Finally, pinning him against the wall, the trouble-shooters questioned the cowering man. He didn't know if the diamond was there, but said that if it were it would be in the workshop in the Gemsmith’s compound. At further insistence (Sugiyama drawing blood from his neck, much to Kimori's disgust) he revealed that the compound was also the main training ground for the Serpents, and would make any attempt to get the gem impossible. Having got all they could from him, Koei fetched some plum brandy and forced the man "with the spine of jelly" to drink it so that he couldn't report the incident until the following day. The raid would have to be tonight.

*The broadcasters apologise for the late running of this episode, which resulted in the last portion not being shown. This was caused by the reporting of events from Ireland.

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