Doing Well at Work

 
A few days ago, Commander Kobushi sent a message to the warriors of Clan Nettobuku, saying, very roughly:

Here is a table showing, for each of you, how many enemies you estimated you would kill when we drew up plans two weeks ago, and how many confirmed kills you have over the past two weeks, and what the difference between these two numbers is. I know that you are all fighting very hard, and many of you have more kills than you have recorded. This is not intended to make you go out and get into more danger; only to inspire you to accurately record what you are doing. Without accurate information, we cannot make effective plans.

I looked at the table, thinking, "I must strive to do better. I will be very good about delivering accurate reports!" Then I noticed that, of all the warriors, my "difference" column is the smallest. Bunmei has a greater discrepancy than I do, and Tomo has an even greater one still.

Of course, this doesn't mean I can slack off. But it is encouraging.

Then yesterday... Iyona, the head of the Nichiren priestesses said she wanted to speak with me. Alone. (This has its own benefits, for Iyona is fair to behold.) But then she told me that I have been very enjoyable to work with, and that she is very pleased with the way I communicate with the priestesses about my plans and progress.

This may not necessarily mean that I am a very senior ninja, but at least I am reassured that I am a highly skilled ninja. It's always good to know that one is performing adequately, and not being eyed for potential dismissal.

Nonetheless, there are some enemies in Fujiwara-kyō that I have been delayed from slaying. I must remove them today; I am tired of their continued meddling in our clan's plans. I have sharpened my kama; my kusari is tested, with all links in good repair. Off I go!

The Usefulness of Nunchaku (Now, If Only I Had a Pair...)

 
Wow, I think this is the first time I've spent a half-hour laboriously battling an enemy, and then at the end thought, "That problem would never have happened if I were using the nunchaku."

Perhaps a little explanation is in order: I don't actually use the nunchaku! But I have studied it a tiny bit, and I have realized that, while one of its most well-known (and strangest) features makes many warriors wary of it. But not me. I see that feature as a useful thing, even if it's slightly different from how most things work.

( Only seasoned warriors are likely to care about the tricks of my trade. )

The way the nunchaku are built, even if it's a bit off-putting to many warriors, is actually a great strength, that would never have allowed that particular enemy to ambush me that way. (Shō, my friend, I can hear you laughing already. I share your opinion.)