[ on the outskirts of shiga one might find the beginnings of a small textile industry– one that’s just gaining traction, with small, rural but hardworking shops. the trade has gone fairly unnoticed by most, but after hearing faint rumors of such business on his way to tokyo, hanbei had to see for himself.

—and on the outskirts of shiga, currently, one might find the very same takenaka hanbei, aiding the few others he’s with out of a ditch their too-big carriage toppled into.

lucky for him, hanbei is swift enough to have climbed his way out before the carriage collapsed into its now permanent spot in the sticky dirt. he may be confined indoors most of his life now, but his body and skills are still very able.

still– someone is stuck. not fatally so, to their fortune, but the group is still a ways away from the nearest densely populated area– and, though hanbei is strong, he can’t possibly lift the carriage even just a bit. he also can’t free the horses trapped by their reins, and stuck in the mud. ] Goodness... these new carriages certainly are too top-heavy. We’ll need to replace them.

[ to himself, as he decides to draw back and observe instead.

he pauses, then speaks down to the men just a bit below him. ] I’m going for help, then. Be sure not to exhaust yourselves. [ and so he goes. ]