After two weeks, most of Yasu's plans were in place.  Four safe houses were established, the two properties next to Black Fox Teahouse were obtained, and six businesses were bought and handed over.  A line of intelligence network began and was managed by Ken and Gin.  

Within the two weeks, ten more loyal retired soldiers came to the Black Fox Teahouse and were soon put to work.  

As soon as the two properties next to Black Fox Teahouse was bought, renovation began in the store front.  Some of the retired soldiers knew about carpentry and began to renovate the houses in the back. They expanded the house and built secret rooms.  They also began to dig a tunnel to connect all three properties together.  

The store to the left of Black Fox Teahouse would be a small restaurant that will seat 10 people.   While the store to the right was a pawn shop.

The day that the Third Prince and his party arrived, he only brought eight nobles with him.  The other two rooms, he reserved was to be empty for his privacy.  

"Welcome, Lord Hiraga.  Welcome honorable guests.  Please follow me, your room is ready for your enjoyment."  Gin said as he bowed.  

The rest of the servants bowed and welcome the guests in unison.  The table downstairs were given to their guards as the group walked to the middle room. 

Once they all sat down, Haru and Akeme were in charge of performing the tea ceremony.  While Nao and Kou served the guests. Kin and Michi sat in the pavilion and began their duet.  Kin plucked the koto while Michi blew the jade flute.  

The harmonizing sound caused the guest to feel relaxed as several seasonal pastries and dishes were served.  The guests watched in awe as everything was done accordingly to perfection. Their excited conversation quickly calmed down once they saw the performance of the tea ceremony.  

"Every time I come here, it always takes my mind off of stressful work."  Fuyin sighed as he accepted the hot tea that was presented to him.  

"Yes, I agree." Tomio agreed while smiling.  

"Everything in this teahouse has been planned and executed to perfection."  Fuyin said as he looked over to the Third Prince. "Who do you think is the backer of Boss Gin?"  

"Don't know."  Hiraga said. "As long as they walk their own road and do not cross ours, why take things that belong to others?  Are we bandits or noblemen?"           

Fuyin smiled tightly and bowed his head to drink his tea.  Ever since he experienced the wonderful service of Black Fox Teahouse, he wanted to own it himself.  Now that the Third Prince has spoken, he couldn't take the teahouse for himself.  

"Besides, should the ownership of Black Fox be changed, who knows if the quality will change as well.  Even if the servers are the same, who knows if the discipline would slack." Tomio said to push Fuyin down and suck up to the Third Prince.  "As Lord Hiraga said, we are noblemen, not bandits. How would others think of us knowing that a nobleman stole something valuable from citizens."  

"It wasn't my intention to suggest taking anything from anyone.  I was only curious to know who is the backer of Boss Gin." Fuyin said with a smile.

"Why are you so curious to know?"  Tomio asked. "Is it to know who the great visionary is so you can buy Black Fox for yourself?" 

Fuyin snorted and drank his tea.  "Knowing one more great visionary doesn't hurt one's network.  Who knows if this visionary might have other business ideas that can make me more money."

Tomio smirked at Fuyin's outright lie and decided to ignore Fuyin.  Anymore and the Third Prince would be annoyed with them. The group once again became quiet as they enjoyed their tea.  Not one of them said a word until Lord Hiraga drank the last drop of tea.  

"Boil another two teapots and leave the room."  Hiraga ordered the servers.  

Once Haru, Akame, Nao and Kou left, Hiraga glared at Fuyin and Tomio.  

"Such a fine establishment and yet my advisers can't enjoy themselves?"  

Both Tomio and Fuyin bowed their heads in apology.  

"I have already investigated the backer of Black Fox, he is just a regular business man.  No one important. Let him do business in the city so it can prosper." Hiraga said.  

"You've already invested the owner of Black Fox?"  Fuyin asked with a surprised look.  

"Do you think I don't know everything that happens in my city?"  Hiraga said while he stared at Fuyin.  

His glare was telling Fuyin to manage himself.  His glare was telling Fuyin that he knew of Fuyin's greed and foul means to take prospering business from others.  

"Not only do I keep useful people around me, they have to have good character and a pristine reputation as well."  

Hiraga was also secretly telling Fuyin that if he was going to take other businesses from others, he would have to make sure to obtain the business through proper means.  Or ensure that no one knows of his illegal movements. If Hiraga can find out about Fuyin's movements, others can as well.  

"I'll follow Lord Hiraga's word."  Fuyin said as he bowed his head lower.  

The awkward conversation soon turned to the recent annoying Prime Minister's daughter who has her sights on the Third Prince.  

"How many times does it make it now that Lady Hisa has followed you?"  Nii asked as he smiled teasingly at the Third Prince.  

"Too many to count."  Hiraga sighed as he frowned. 

"Someone must be telling her your whereabouts."  Nii said.  

"There are too many coincidences to be considered "fate."  There must be a leak somewhere." Tomio suggested.  

"Or someone is keeping an eye on Lord Hiraga's movements."  Fuyin interjected.  

Hiraga took a long look at the men that surrounded him.  They have been by his side for so many years and the thought of one of them betraying him made him angry.  Who there is leaking his location to others? And if they did leak his location, what else have they leaked?  Who there has hidden themselves so deep that even he didn't doubt them?  

He was doubtful that someone was keeping an eye on him.  It was because he has so many hidden guards around him that they would have caught the person that was following him.  The only reason for Hisa to show up to every event would be because there is a leak within his own people.  

"Or maybe the Prime Minister is aiming for Lord Hiraga and sent his daughter to you to see what your reaction to Lady Hisa is.  If your reaction is warm, then he'll tie the two of you together. If it is cold, he'll tie Lady Hisa to someone else." Nii suggested.

Hiraga's frown deepened even more.  To marry Lady Hisa would be akin to a double sided sword.  On one hand the power and support the Prime Minister has would give him a sturdy foundation to be the next Crown Prince, however his Emperor Father would be suspicious of him and guard against him.  It would be better to not marry Lady Hisa until he won the Emperor's throne.  

"Then what should be done about Lady Hisa?"  Fuyin asked.  

"Nothing.  For the time being, leave her alone.  Should she show up, then I'll deal with her then.  As for who ever is leaking my whereabouts or following me, I want that person to be found and killed."  Hiraga ordered them.  

After their conversation about Hisa, they spoke on other things relating to their businesses within the city.  The two hour time limit quickly ended and the group left Black Fox Teahouse in a relaxed state of mind.  

Just as they stepped outside of Black Fox Teahouse, Hiraga saw Lady Hisa's carriage parked right behind his carriage.  He watched as Lady Hisa's maid stepped out first then turned around to help Lady Hisa down. But before Lady Hisa could get down, Hiraga quickly entered his carriage and pretended that he didn't see Lady Hisa.  

"Third Prince..."  The maid said as she frowned and watch the Third Prince and his entourage leave without greeting her Lady.  

"Humph!"  Hisa pouted and frowned as she quickly looked away, pretending that she wasn't bothered by the cold shoulder that the Third Prince just gave her.  

"It must be an emergency for the Third Prince to leave so quickly."  The maid said to cheer up her Lady.

Hisa quickly hid her unhappiness and turned back to the carriage.   

"Head to Sunrise Teahouse."  Hisa commanded. She wanted to check if there was another hidden message left for her. 

Gin stood by and watched the whole scene with a blank expression as if nothing happened.  He went back inside and locked the door behind him before making his way to the main house.  

He saw Yasu by the window sewing and Kei sitting a few feet away from Yasu, reading a book.  Kei only quickly looked up at Gin before setting his book aside and leaving the room, giving them privacy.  

"They just left."  Gin reported. "Lord Fuyin expressed his greed to obtain Black Fox Teahouse.  They have also investigated you."  

Yasu kept sewing as if he didn't hear Gin's words.  

"Do you think that Lord Hiraga knows your true identity?"  Gin worriedly said.  

"They won't find anything about me."  Yasu told him. "The identity that I used to buy Black Fox and the other establishments are under different names.  The businessman who "owns" this establishment is a fake identity.   My Father had long set up this fake businessman identity before he left Hima to marry my Dad.  They won't be able to find and any information about my true identity." 

Gin's heart calmed down and sat down across from  Yasu. He watched as Yasu embroidered the silk strands with grace.  

"What is your next order?"  Gin asked.  

"Find land outside of the city, preferably near a mountain.  We must obtain the mountain and the land around the mountain.  The flat lands around the mountain would be for farming, while inside of the mountain we will build a secret base to train orphans."  Yasu told Gin.  

"We need more people to support this plan."  Gin told Yasu.  

"More men will come."  Yasu told Gin. "Word has already been sent out to my Father's men by those who have already arrived here.  There is no need to rush. We can slowly prepare and once everything is in place, we can begin our operations.  Once our operations are in place we can begin making our own moves."