Iga Ninjutsu is Good (Hattori: Legendary, Domination, V5445)

[Maltz]

Chisato: "Since the clan is also selling military access to the Bessho clan, I guess we also have a Ninja there?"
Goemon: "Exactly. Yukimune is taking care of them as we speak."
Chisato: "So if we keep sabotaging all our neighbors' castles, we do not even need garrison troops."
Goemon: "Exactly. We can get away with no defending army for a while. But sooner or later the weakened neighbors will be replaced, and we do not have an unlimited supply of Ninja. So this strategy is only a short-term solution."
Chisato: "So what's a long-term solution?"
Goemon: "Expansion!"

[Maltz]

Goemon: "Chisato, you are invited to the birth party of Lord Yasunaga's newborn daughter! A Hattori clan general meeting will follow."
Chisato: "Great! What kind of gift is appropriate for a baby girl?"
Goemon: "You have a bright future, young man."

[Maltz]

Hattori Yasunaga: "Welcome to the Hattori clan general meeting of Winter 1546. First, let's take a look at the known clans of Japan in Kanji. If you can't read Kanji, you will have to listen to me. "

To the north of Hattori are the Ikko buddhists in Omi. Omi is the common destination of all eastern clans' westward expansion, so it is best for us to avoid taking possession of it. All we want is to maintain peace with whichever clan that owns Omi. Ikko buddhist currently have other enemies, so their eyes are not on us. Ninja Sanetomo is closely monitering the situation there.

Sanetomo: "The Ikko clan has marched their army away to attack Mino. There is little to worry about."
Yasunaga: "Very good."

To the east of Hattori is the weak Kitabatake clan in Ise. The Kitabatake clan was quite unfriendly to us, so we need to send a Ninja there as soon as possible so they do not have enough army to invade us.

Momochi Sandayu: "We need to hire more ninja!"
Yasunaga: "The Sake Dens are under construction. We will get two more ninjas soon."

To the west of Hattori is the weak Bessho clan in Harima. Bessho is at war with Kikkawa, but it looks like Kikkawa has more enemies.

Sandayu: "If we keep Bessho as a buffer, we should be safe from another powerful enemy."
Yasunaga: "Indeed. We have to use our ninja to control the size of their army - just enough to survive, but not enough to expand. That probably means just a couple of units short of a full stack."

To the northwest is the weak Hanato clan in Tamba. Hanato is sealed off by the successful Takaoka clan. While these two clans just cancelled their alliance. The downfall of Hanato seems unavoidable.

Sandayu: "Takaoka will eventually defeat Hanato. We should find some way to befriend Takaoka."
Yasunaga: "Takaoka's lands are mostly poor - it is not our interest to fight them. Our primary interest lies on the west - the hottest moneymaking spot of Japan - Northern Kyuhu!"
Sandayu: "I will personally lead a full stack of army to start our Kyushu campaign, starting in the northern province of Tsukushi and complete in a counter-clockwise circle."
Yasunaga: "Chisato and Yukimune!"
Chisato & Yukimune: "Here!"
Yasunaga: "You two will board the ship with Momochi. The prosperity of the Hattori clan lies in your hands!"
Chisato & Yukimune: "It is an honor, my Lord!"
Goemon: "Looks like that Chisato is not the only one who offered gifts... "

[Maltz]

Chisato: "I will be part of the great western campaign! I am too excited to sleep!"
Goemon: "But it won't happen until next Summer... 200+ nights away."
Chisato: "Why wait this long? The ships are ready in a season."
Goemon: "Because we do not have one full stack of army yet, and we can use those army for garrison back home. For now, just keep burning down Hatano's gates."

[Maltz]

Goemon: "Hm, I heard that Momochi recruited two more Ninja, Masataka and Mitsukata, from Iga."
Chisato: "Now there are five of us!"
Goemon: "Yeah. Three Ninjas defending home (by sabotaging neighbor's castles) should be a safe bet. Now the HQ must be thinking about hiring monks."
Chisato: "But the Hattori clan only owns small lots in the towns, and they have been used to build Sake Dens".
Goemon: "Yep. The Sake Dens will be demolished to make room for Temples."
Chisato: "No more pubs to go?"

[Maltz]

Goemon: "Look at this frontline news on [i]Pocket Times[/b]!"
Chisato: "Town folks protest Sake Den demolition? I already read it."
Goemon: "That's on the last issue. This one says the traditional Buddhist rebels in Omi have taken over the province while Ikko Buddhists looked away!"
Chisato: "Wow. I did not know repeatedly burning down castle gates could make people this mad."

[Maltz]

Chisato: "Anymore news from Pocket Times?"
Goemon: "Hm... Hattori has established sea trade with Takaoka through Settsu's port. Not a bad start of a long-term friendship."
Chisato: "Why do we want to befriend Takaoka?"
Goemon: "Because we will have no army in Kinki for a while. We want to befriend everybody. The smaller clans only has one province, so we can temporarily stop their expansion by sabotaging their castle. The largest clans are producing new units anyway, so we better make them like us quickly."
Chisato: "I see..."

[Maltz]

Chisato: "Lord Yasunaga mentioned he will stay and defend Kinki. How does he do that without army?"
Goemon: "Quite similar to what a Ninja does. He picks a castle and constantly harasses it. I think he is on his way to Omi."
Chisato: "What if the rebel sally from the castle?"
Goemon: "He will run around until the rebels get the dinner call."
Chisato: "What if another clan attacks the province?"
Goemon: "They will have to wait until we cancel the siege. Which will never happen."
Chisato: " So Omi will be forever a rebel province?"
Goemon: "Exactly. That made our Kinki defence 25% easier. The other three fronts are now maintain by three Ninja."
Chisato: "So we can throw all units at Kyushu!"